Simple explanations with answers to CSEC Geography 2010 multiple choice Attached is the 2010 CSEC Geography multiple choice paper. Explanation is attached for each question.

1. Prepared by Oral Johnson
Simple explanations to CSEC Geography 2010 Multiple Choice
1. The direction of the trigonometrical station at Shotover from Roberston Halt is southeast.
Answer is C
2. The contour interval is the difference between a contour line and the next. The contour interval
is 250m. One of the contour is 250m and the next one is 500m. The difference between both is
250m. Answer is D
3. The highest point in in grid square 7045 is approximately 2500. There is a contour line that is
without a height in the grid and that is the highest point. The closest contour to the contour line
that is not numbered is 2250. Therefore the contour line will be 2250 + 250 which is the contour
interval. Therefore the highest point is 2500. Answer is B
4. The bearing of Roberton Halt from the trigonometrical station at Shotover is 2950
. Answer is C
5. The landform between x and y is a dry valley. Valleys are represented by V shape contours.
There is no river running through the valley and for this reason it is called a dry valley. Answer is
C
6. 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 D
7. 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
8. The type of settlement that is most likely to develop between Y and X would be a linear
settlement. Because there is a road running along y and x and typically linear settlements are
usually along main lines of communication. Answer is C
9. The type of farming system that is most likely at X is would be commercial arable farming. Based
on the scale of the area surrounding x is approximately 4km. This is very large and commercial
farming usually take place on these large plots of land and also there is an absence of contours
which mean the terrain is flat. Answer is A
10. Urbanization is occurring the fastest at Z. It increase by 30% from 1970 to 2000 and by 15% from
2000 to 2030 (projected increase). Answer is D
11. A bar graph would be best suited to display the data. Isolines are lines that connect places with
similar characteristic, a dot man represents population distribution. All of this data can hold on a
single bar graph. Answer is A
12. 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 C
13. The feature formed at N is the floodplain. This is the area of land next to the river that gets
flooded after a river overflow its banks. It is called a floodplain. The answer is A

2. Prepared by Oral Johnson
14. 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 A
15. The type of slope at XY is called a scarp slope. A scarp slope is also called a steep slope. The
contour lines are close together which indicates a steep slope. Answer is D
16. The formula for calculating gradient is 1: run/ rise. The run is the horizontal distance between
the two points and the rise is the vertical difference in height between the two points. The run is
1.5km ( distance from x to y). The formula will read 1: 1.5km/ 1250m- 700m. The next step will
read 1: 1.5km/ 550m. Both numerator and denominator must be the same unit. We will now
convert the 1.5km to m and the result is 1500. Final step is 1: 1500m/550m. The answer is 1:
2.72. We can round it off to 3. The answer will be 1:3 or in in 3. Answer is C
17. The feature at X is called a confluence. This is where two rivers meet and typically happens
when a tributary (smaller stream) meets the main river. Answer is A
18. Rivers flow downhill and by looking at Black River it is flowing in a south westerly direction. The
answer is south-south-west. Answer is B
19. 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
20. It is true that lines of latitude are not the same length. The length of the equator is 40, 075km,
The Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer is approximately 36, 788km, the North Pole and
South Pole have no lateral dimensions as they’re just points at 90o
north and south of the
Equator. Answer is B
21. The relationship between longitude and time is that time changes by 4 minutes for 10
. Every 150
is an hour or 60mins. Therefore one degree is 60mins/15 which is equal to 4. 10
=4 minutes.
Answer is A
22. 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
23. The largest change in the annual mean global temperatures occurred over the period between
1970 and 1990. The difference is about 0.5 and it is the highest. Answer is D
24. The general trend of the annual global temperature shown in the graph is great fluctuation in
temperatures. The temperature decreases then increases, decrease again then increase and
followed by a similar pattern. Answer is D
25. The correct order is cave, arch, cliff and stack. Answer is B
26. 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
27. 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 A

3. Prepared by Oral Johnson
28. 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%. Answer is B
29. The map above shows population density. Population density is represent by a shaded map or
choropleth map and it is measured in persons per unit area. Answer is C
30. The smallest population is at IV. It has the lowest population density based on the legend.
Answer is D
31. Russia produced just over one-eighth of the aluminum in the world. One eighth as a decimal is
0.125. In order to calculate what Canada produced you would have to put 3.5 over the 27.7
which is the total. The answer is 0.126. It is safe to say that Russia has over one-eighth of the
aluminum in the world. Answer is A
32. 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 Argentina you would have to multiply 0.3 by one million. The
answer will be 300,000. The answer is C
33. Plate subduction occurs at convergent plate boundaries. When an oceanic and a continental
plate collide the denser oceanic crust subucts beneath the continental plate. Answer is A
34. Fold Mountains are formed when plates move towards each other. When two continental plates
or crust collide they form Fold Mountains. Since they’re both the same density there is no
subuction and they collide into each other to form Fold Mountains. There is uplift but no
subudction. Answer is C
35. The size of rocks has the least influence on their rate of chemical weathering. The porosity of a
rock is huge factor. The rock being porous means the rock has small spaces or pores or holes.
Water can easy penetrate and cause accelerated weathering. Pores would be considered to be
lines of weaknesses. Chemical weathering is more rapid in the tropical areas due to high
temperatures. High temperatures accelerate chemical weathering. Mineral composition is
important. If the rocks contain calcium carbonate for e.g. limestone it will be attacked by rain
water or carbonic acid. The size of the rock would not be much of a big influence where
chemical weathering is concern. Answer is A
36. On nearing the shore waves are thrown of forward. This is due to friction created by contact
with the seabed (water gets shallower). The stronger the wind and the greater the fetch, the
more powerful the waves are. This is true. Waves are caused by wind blowing over the surface
of the water. There is no forward movement of water in the open sea. Answer is D
37. A river gorge usually form as a result an upstream retreat of waterfall. The continuous erosion of
soft rocks at the base of the waterfall will result in undercutting. As erosion continues and go
inwards the rock at the top will be left without support. When this process continues a steep
sided gorge is left behind. Answer is D
38. It is not true that coral reefs are found near the mouths of large rivers. Coral reefs are usually
situated in the sea where there is some concentration of salt. Salinity is important. Coral reefs
are not found near rivers because the water is fresh. Answer is C
39. Cloud cover and temperature and weather elements. Altitude and latitude are factors that
affect weather and climate. Answer is D
40. The temperature suddenly drops and wind speed increases. These are characteristics of cold
fronts. Cold fronts are cold winds that blow into the Caribbean from North America. The
temperature usually fall by about 50
C and the wind speed usually increases. Answer is B

4. Prepared by Oral Johnson
41. 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. Leaching is when
minerals are washed down to layers of the soil by heavy rainfall. This will not result in flooding.
Answer is B
42. Once there are certain characteristics such as hot and rained heavily every day, this is typical of
equatorial climates. Vegetation layers such as the emergent and the canopy can grow to heights
of 40 m and above. They usually absorb all the sunlight and prevents undergrowth as all layers
below them receive little to no sunlight. Answer is A
43. 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 D
44. Poor housing conditions is a major problem of urban areas in Caribbean countries. For e.g. there
is a serious housing problem in Kingston. Kingston is very small in physical size and the
population is particularly high. As a result squatter settlements usually develop and here
residents build their homes with inferior materials such as boards and zinc. Some structures
don’t have running water or proper sanitation facilities. Answer is C
45. Tourism is a tertiary industry. Food processing and oil refining are secondary industries. Fishing
is a primary industry. Answer is D
46. The Caribbean government usually provide tax incentives and the necessary infrastructure to
influence the location of settlements. The government has control over where they want
development to take place. Sometimes they build the infrastructure in a particular location. This
is sometimes industrial zones or just an area that they want development to take place.
Potential investors would not have to build any infrastructure as it is already provided by the
government. Answer is B
47. Deforestation, excessive deposition in the river bed, and heavy prolonged rainfall may cause
flooding. When trees are cut down the probability of flooding increases. Trees stabilize the soil
and prevents surface run off. If there are deposits on the river bed then the height of the river
will decrease and it will be easier to flood. Prolong rainfall can definitely result in flooding. If we
dredge the river we will make it deeper and this means the river will be able to hold more water.
So dredging will not cause flooding. It will reduce the chance of flooding. Answer is B
48. Vegetation contributes to the development of soils by producing humus. 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. Answer is A
49. Lack of capital and soil erosion is a challenge facing peasant farmers. The farm size is small and
therefore the output is low. Sometimes farmers practice poor cultivation techniques. Peasant
farmers may cut down trees to develop their farms. This can accelerate surface runoff and
erosion. Farmers are encourage to practice Agroforestry. Lack of crop variety is not a challenge.
Answer is B

5. Prepared by Oral Johnson
50. Cattle ranching is not arable farming. The rearing of animal is called pastoral farming. Fruit
farming, market gardening, sugar cane growing are all arable farms as it deals with the
cultivation of crops. Answer is A
51. Raw materials are very important when considering the location of primary industries. A good
example is Bauxite industries in the Caribbean. Bauxite factories are usually located close to the
bauxite deposits. This is because of the bulkiness of this raw material. Transportation cost also
increase with bulkiness and also with distance. So factories usually locate close to the raw
materials in order to reduce the cost of transportation. Answer is D
52. The total output from peasant farms is often low because the holdings are individual farms are
small. Answer is B
53. All methods have been used by Caribbean governments to improve farming in the region.
Government provides land to small farmers for food production. A good example is the agro
projects across Jamaica. The lands are leased by the government to small scale farmers. Some
banking institutions provide loans to farmers form them to purchase machinery and fertilizers.
The government also encourages food processing to supply the local and regional markets.
Sugar cane is processed for rum production and this is sold on the local market as well as it is
exported to external markets (international countries). Caribbean governments also expose the
farmers to improved methods of farming, a good example is greenhouse farming. Answer is D
54. II would be the best location for an urban center. There is a port at II and the land is flat due to
the absence of contours. A flat land and the closeness to a harbour or port are actual factors
that result in the development of several urban centers in the Caribbean. Good example is
Kingston. Answer is B
55. 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 D
56. Illegal dumping of waste is the most serious problem to rivers In the Caribbean. This is evident in
Kingston. Residents that live close to rivers usually use it as dumping ground. The waste in the
river will eventually be transported to the coastline. Answer A
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). Pesticides and fertilizers can
infiltrate in ground water source and contaminate it. Answer is B
58. Muddy water may cause damage to coral reefs. The muddy water will prevent sunlight from
reaching the reefs. The algae ( zooxanthelae) needs sunlight to carry out photosynthesis.
Answer is A
59. Harvesting of coral formations for souvenirs and discharging sewage and industrial waste along
the shore may harm the environment in the Caribbean. Sewage can result in eutrophication.
When this happens the algae deplete the marine organisms of oxygen. Eutrophication usually
prevent sunlight from reaching the corals and this can hinder their growth. Tourists damage the
environment when they take the coral reefs for souvenir. Zoning of marine activities is good.
This may come in the form of protected areas and marine parks. Fishing and other activities
cannot be done in these areas. Answer is C

6. Prepared by Oral Johnson
60. Sewage discharge can result in eutrophication. When this happens the algae deplete the marine
organisms of oxygen. Eutrophication usually prevent sunlight from reaching the corals and this
can hinder their growth. Answer is D