Simple explanations with answers to CSEC Geography 2018 multiple choice Attached is the 2018 CSEC Geography multiple choice paper. Explanation is attached for each question.

1. Prepared by Oral Johnson
Simple explanations to CSEC Geography 2018 Multiple Choice
1. The contour interval is 100ft. The contour interval is the difference between two contour lines.
Answer is B
2. The Boothe River is flowing in a south easterly direction. Answer is D
3. The settlement pattern at A is a linear settlement pattern. This is when the settlement is located
along major lines of communications and is distinctive as the houses are usually located on
either side of the road. Answer is A
4. The feature labelled I is a distributary. When a delta is formed over time the river will have to
flow through its own deposits. It’s like a branch or a stream. Answer is D
5. The landforms at x and y are a coastal plain and a plateau. There is an absence of contours at x
which is indicating that the area is flat. This is usually a characteristic of a plain. Large expanse of
flat or gently sloping land. Where y is located on the other side there is an absence of contour
for a good distance (the space between the 350m contour line). This means that the areas is flat
and plateaus are flat top mountains. The contour values started to increase (which is like slope),
this is then followed by the absence of contour. Answer is B
6. The degree of change between 1910 and 1940 is 0.3. One of the individual lines on the y axis is
approximately 0.05 0
C. The temperature at 1940 is 14.0 and it is 13.7 at 1910. The difference or
degree of change is therefore 0.3. Answer is B
7. The largest change in the annual mean global temperatures occurred over the period between
1970 and 1990. Answer is C
8. The grid reference for the feature at S is situated at 9327. Remember easting first then
northings. Answer is C
9. The feature passing through Q is a railway. Look at the legend to see. Answer is D
10. St Petersburg is located at 600
N and 300
E. When locating a place the latitude is giving first then
the longitude. Latitude is north or south of the equator and longitude is east or west of the
prime meridian. Answer is C
11. The direction of the prime meridian from New Orleans is in an eastern direction. The answer is
A
12. To get the answer we will have to do some calculations. When the locations are in two different
hemispheres you add them. St Petersburg is at 300
E and New Orleans is at 900
W. 30 + 90 = 1200
.
You then divide by 15 to know the difference in hours between the two places. 150
is equivalent
to one hour. 120 divided by 15 is 8, so there is an 8 hours difference between the two places.
We want to know the time of New Orleans. New Orleans is west of St Petersburg. In a situation
like this we going to subtract. Once a place is to the west of a next place they will be behind
time. West is less and east increase. Similarly if a place to the east of a next place they will
always be a head of time. If it is 10pm at St Petersburg, subtract 8 hours from 10pm and the
answer is 2pm the same day, on Monday. Answer is A
13. The diagram has a 3d effect. A cliff, headland and a bay can be easily seen on the diagram. A
wave cut platform is usually formed when a cliff recedes overtime due to continuous erosion at
the base. A wave cut platform is flat landscape and can be large over time in diameter with
continuous erosion at the base of a cliff. A wave-cut platform is not on the diagram. Answer is D

2. Prepared by Oral Johnson
14. The bearing of x from w is approximately 3150
. The direction is North West and each compass
point has its own angular bearing. North West is equivalent to 3150
. Answer is D
15. Condensation starts at 600m above sea level. Condensation is when water vapor changes to
liquid droplets. It is very important in cloud formation. The tiny droplets of water usually
attached itself to condensation nuclei such as dust particles. The accumulation of this overtime
is what creates clouds. Clouds are million tiny droplets of water together. Answer is C
16. The feature at M is called a terrace or river terrace or alluvial terrace. These are former flood
plains and they’re easily identified by the step like feature. Terraces in Geography are usually
step like features. Same with terraced farming. Answer is B
17. The feature formed at N is the floodplain. This is the area of low-lying land next to the river that
is susceptible to flooding. Once a river overflow its banks the floodplain will be flooded. Answer
is C
18. Warm water temperatures are instrumental to the growth of coral reefs. Sunlight is needed for
the zooxanthelae or algae to carry out photosynthesis. The ideal temperatures are between
230
C and 250
C. Cloudy water is not good as it will prevent sunlight to reach the coral. Coral reefs
don’t form in fresh waters, you’ll never find a coral reef close to a river. Answer is D
19. This is a climograph. It usually shows temperature and rainfall. Temperature is represented by
the line graph and rainfall is represented by the bar graph. The highest temperature is in
September. It is the highest point on the line graph. Answer is D
20. The climograph represent an equatorial climate. The temperatures are high all year round and is
indicated by the line graph. The rainfall for every month is almost the same. Rain fall every day
and right throughout the year. Answer is B
21. A volcanic spine usually develops when the lava is viscous. Viscous lava is usually thick and
doesn’t flow far due to its thickness, for e.g. molasses. Because the lava is thick sometimes cool
and solidify in the crater to form a volcanic spine. Answer is A
22. The diagram represents a caldera. A caldera is a depression feature that is usually form after an
explosive eruption. When magma is in the magma chamber it offers support to the overlying
rocks. Whenever there is an eruption the magma chamber will be empty. There is no longer a
support for the overlying rocks. The rocks will therefore collapse inwards to form a depression
feature called a caldera. Based on the diagram you can also see a sink or a depression. Answer is
A
23. The diagram is showing population density. Population density is usually represented by a
shaded map or sometimes called a choropleth map. The unit is also measured in person per sq
km which can be seen on the legend to the right. Answer is B
24. Canada produced just over one-tenth of the aluminum in the world. One tenth as a decimal is
0.10. In order to calculate what Canada produced you would have to put 2.8 over the 27.7 which
is the total. The answer is 0.10. Canada is the only country out of the four that has a value close
to 0.10. Answer is C
25. The figures in the tables are not in absolute or actual numbers. It is represented by decimals. In
order to get the actual value of Norway you would have to multiply 1.2 by a million. The answer
will be 1,200,000. The answer is D
26. Potholes are formed as a result of vertical erosion. Vertical erosion is basically erosion on the
bed of the river. Vertical erosion is dominant in the upper course. Potholes are usually formed

3. Prepared by Oral Johnson
as a result of continuous erosion on the river bed. Small pebbles may get trap into a depression
in the bed of the river. The swirling effect overtime creates a pothole. Answer is A
27. The point where a river start is called the source. Answer is C
28. The peeling off of the outer layers of rock is called exfoliation. It is sometimes called onion
peeling and typically occur when during large temperature changes or from pressure release.
The outer layer of the rock is weathered first and the layer by layer. It is like stripping or peeling
onion as it occurs layer by layer. Answer is A
29. The part of a river’s course which is wide and shallow and has bars and island flowing around
which the river flow is a braided stream. After certain events such as low precipitation a river
may deposit its own load on the river bed. Vegetation can also develop on the deposited
sediments. After some period of rain the river will split into multiple channels as it flows around
its own deposit. This is a braided channel. Answer is B
30. Vegetation contributes to the development of soils by producing humus or organic matter.
When vegetation such as leaves fall to the ground it gets decomposed by microorganisms. The
decomposed vegetation is brown and dark coloured in nature and is also called humus. It is rich
in minerals as and it increases the fertility of the soil. Organic matter and humus can be used
interchangeably. Answer is B
31. The strength of the waves will most likely to form the feature at X. X is called a wave cut notch
which is an indentation at the base of a cliff. This is usually formed as a result of destructive
waves crashing against the base of the cliff. Destructive waves are usually very strong. High
energy waves are critical in the formation of wave cut notch (indentation at the base of a cliff).
Answer is D
32. Rural to urban migration is the most important contributor to the growth of cities in the
Caribbean. There is a significant difference between rural areas and urban areas. Urban areas
have more job opportunities as well as more services. This is lacking in rural areas. This usually
encourage movement from rural areas to urban areas. Answer is A
33. The relationship between weather and climate is that weather is the day-to-day changes in the
atmosphere, while climate is the average condition of the atmosphere over many years. Answer
is D
34. Lack of capital is the most serious problem hindering rapid agricultural development in the
Caribbean. This is a fact both at the national and the local scale. Agriculture is not as important
to the Caribbean economies as before. More money is directed towards tourism. Less money is
spent on agriculture. Because of the lack of capital the development of our agriculture is
hindered. Small scale farmers don’t have enough capital to buy the necessary equipment and
inputs for the farm. Lack of capital is a very big problem in agriculture. Answer is A
35. Very intense rainfall and poor cultivation techniques may increase the rate of soil erosion. If the
soil is exposed then rainfall will eroded it easily. Small scale farmers usually plant on the
marginal lands on the hillsides. Sometimes they cut down trees to facilitate farming. This can
have a negative effect on the environment as trees stabilize the soil and prevents erosion. Trees
also replenish the soil with nutrients in the form of leaf droppings that will eventually become
humus when it is decamped by microorganisms. Afforestation is the planting of trees which is
good for the environment as trees protect the soil and reduces erosion. Answer is C
36. The method of crop cultivation that uses extensive practices and results in high yields per
worker is commercial arable farming. Extensive farming is an agricultural production system that

4. Prepared by Oral Johnson
uses small inputs of labour, fertilizers, and capital relative to the land area being farm. The land
area or size is usually the largest component. Commercial farming is usually done on large areas
of land. This distance can extend for hundreds of kilometers. The answer is D
37. The value of manufactured products exported greater than 75% of the total exports is Barbados.
By looking at the graph the primary products exported was about 24%. Therefore the remaining
manufactured exports would be more than 75%. Answer is C
38. Guyana has the greatest difference in value between primary products and manufactured
products. The primary products exported is approximately 95% and the remaining 5% would
represent manufactured products. The difference is 90%. The answer is B
39. X in the diagram represents percolation. Percolation is the downward vertical movement of
water in the soil. Answer is A
40. The temperatures are high in the Caribbean due to our location or latitude. Places nearer to the
equator usually experience higher temperatures. Closer to the equator the sun’s rays is
concentrated over a small area and it has smaller distance of atmosphere to travel through.
Answer is C
41. Tourism is a tertiary industry. Tourism is a service based industry. Fishing is primary, oil refining
and food processing is secondary. Answer is B
42. The setting up of factories in the Caribbean have resulted in increased external markets and
increased employment opportunities. Once a factory is developed it will need workers. So
people will be employed. There may also be a particular demand for the goods that is being
produce. This may come from different countries. Therefore setting up factories may result in
increased external markets. There is no reduction in the cost of living due to development of
factories. Answer is C
43. Based on the table all of the options are applicable. Sugar production did decline in St Kitts,
Sugar production in Cuba remained above 30 000 000, and the sugar production in Barbados
decreased by over 50%. Answer is D
44. Most capital cities in the Caribbean have coastal locations mainly because they began as major
ports. When we were under the rule of the European powers we exported raw materials to
Europe. This was done at our main ports. Some of these locations eventually become the capital
cities. A good example is Kingston. We have the 7th
largest natural harbour in the world. This
was a major port back then and today it is the same. Answer is A
45. Two problems associated with urbanization are poor public transport and unemployment and
underemployment. Urban areas are usually overpopulated. There are more people than the jobs
available. This may result in unemployment. We are seeing a lot of call centers in Kingston and
the major urban areas in Jamaica. When some persons leave university they may find a job a at
a call center. This is because sometimes their field is over saturated and the number of
applicants outnumber the number of jobs. Their skills are not being utilized as they’re not
working in their respective fields. This is underemployment. The JUTC bus serve is very
important for commuters. There are too much people and as a result buses are usually
crammed. In addition, there are not enough buses on some routes. Answer is C
46. Rapid urbanization in Caribbean countries usually results in housing shortages (inadequate
housing) in the cities. Most urban areas or cities are usually overpopulated. There is far more
people than housing opportunities in the cities. This results in housing shortages. Kingston is
very diverse in terms of land use but it currently has little or no space for lateral developments.

5. Prepared by Oral Johnson
Therefore developments are taking place outside the city to facilitate the population. Answer is
B
47. At transform plate margins, crustal plates slide pass each other. Answer is B
48. The statement that best describes the farm is that more than half of the farm is used for crops.
Crops are grown on seventy percent (70%) of the farm. The remainder is for animal rearing.
Answer is C
49. Changes in global trade policies impact Caribbean traditional export crops because they
encourage competition. There was a point in our history when the ACP countries (African,
Caribbean and Pacific) had preferential treatment over the rest of the world. This was due to the
relationship between them as these countries were former colonies. This was under the Lome
Convention. Our products were purchased for higher prices due to this relationship. Some
countries believed that the trading agreements were not fair. In 1995 the world trade
organization was established. New policies came in place and they removed the preferential
treatments the ACP countries once benefited from. The playing field is now leveled and it
encouraged competition among all countries. However, the Caribbean countries cannot
compete with these nations that have more resources. Answer is B
50. The rate of natural increase of a population is determined by birth and death rates. Migration is
not natural. Answer is A
51. When magma emerges on the surface it may lead to the formation of lava flows. Sills, dykes and
laccoliths are all intrusive volcanic features. They formed when magma solidifies before it even
reaches the earth’s surface. Answer id D
52. Overgrazing is considered a poor farming practice. When there are too much animals on a field
it usually degrade the soil over time. The animals especially cows will trample on the vegetation
over time. Contour ploughing, strip cropping, and crop rotation are good farming practices.
Answer is B
53. The dumping of waste poses the most serious threat to water quality in the Caribbean. Citizens
that live close to rivers usually use it as a dumping ground. The waste can be solid or liquid in
nature. Answer is A
54. The perfect location for a commercial arable farm would be at I because the land is gently
sloping. These could facilitate the easy use of machinery. Answer is A
55. The area best to locate a factory would be at II. This is without thinking that we have to cut
down the trees to facilitate the factory. Trees are great absorbers of gases. Gases that can be
emitted from factories can be absorbed by these trees. Trees store carbon in their leaves. They
also help with reducing pollution by trapping and removing dust and particulate matter that
may come from factories. They also absorb harmful gases such as ammonia, nitrogen oxide, and
sulphur dioxide. Locating the factory there would help minimize pollution. Answer is B
56. Algae, nourished by waters enriched with nutrients, grow in abundance over the corals causing
them to die. This is describing a process called eutrophication which results in algal bloom. This
usually comes as a result from sewage discharge. Answer is B
57. Mulching is not expected to pollute the underground water. Mulching is any material that is
spread or laid over the surface of the soil as a covering. It is used to retain moisture in the soil,
suppress weeds and reducing soil temperatures (keep the soil cool). Gasoline, pesticide and
fertilizers can all infiltrate in ground water source and contaminate it. Answer is A

6. Prepared by Oral Johnson
58. Smog is a form of air pollution. Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture
of smoke and fog in the air. Smog usually results from the burning of coal from factories.
Answer is A
59. Infiltration is reduced when trees are cut down. Deforestation will result in less infiltration and
more surface runoff. The trees are not there to protect the soil and runoff results. Soil erosion
will then follow. The answer is D
60. Deforestation and dumping of garbage in rivers would most likely to result in flooding. Trees
help to stabilize the soil, prevent surface run off, flooding and soil erosion. When trees are cut
down the possibility of flooding increases. The dumping of waste in a river can temporarily block
the flow of the water causing it to overflow its banks. Soil conservation methods such as
terracing or contour ploughing control soil erosion and reduce flooding. Answer is C