Simple explanations to csec geography 2015 multiple choice

Prepared by Oral Johnson
Simple explanations to CSEC Geography 2015 Multiple Choice
1. The grid reference of the school at Golden Grove is 273426. Answer is A
2. The general direction of Port Morant from Golden Grove is south west. Answer is C
3. The bearing of the main road junction at Golden Grove from the main road junction at Arcadia
Junction is approximately 450
. The direction is north east and the corresponding bearing of
north east is 450
. Answer is A
4. The settlement in which the church is located is linear settlement. The houses are located along
either side of the main road. The distinct pattern can be easily seen. Answer is B
5. The feature passing through P is a canal. 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 D
8. The direction of the prime meridian from New Orleans is in an eastern direction. The answer is
A
9. The type of slope at XY is a scarp slope. A scarp slope is also called a steep slope. The contour
lines are close together which represent a steep slope. Answer is B
10. The formula for calculating gradient is 1: run/rise. The run is the horizontal distance between
the two points and the rise is vertical difference in height between the two points. The formula
would be 1: 2km/ 120m-70m. The second step 1: 2km/ 50m. When working with gradient the
units must be the same. We are going to convert the 2km to meters. 1km is equivalent to
1000m, therefore 2km is equivalent to 2 multiplied by 1000= 2000m. The formula would then
read 1: 2000m/50m. Since the units are the same we can divide. The answer will be 1: 40.
Answer is C
11. 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
12. 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 D
13. Dominican Republic had the largest percentage decline in people employed in Agriculture.
Answer is C
14. In 2000, the country with the lowest percentage of employed in agriculture was Puerto Rico.
Answer is C
15. Dominica Republic, Guadeloupe, and Martinique employment decline by more than 40% of the
total population over the period. Answer is D
16. The shaded area on the map is best described as the tropics. The tropics is located between the
tropic of cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. Answer is A

17. Lines of latitude represent the angular distance north and south of the equator. Answer is D
18. The flow of river would vary most from season to season at I and III. Once there is precipitation
water will be in the river and consequently discharge will be high. Conversely if there is no
rainfall the volume will be low. For the first five months of I there is no rainfall. This means that
there is a dry season and there is no water in the river. Rain started to fall in July this is the
beginning of the wet/rain season. The first 4 months in III have rainfall. This would mean there is
water in the river. Rainfall declined significantly in May and the following months. III is heading
into a dry season. Answer is B
19. I had the greatest variation in rainfall. For the first 5 months there is absolutely no rainfall. The
dry season last for 5 months. Rain started to fall in June which is the beginning of the summer
months. No other graph had this stark difference. Answer is A
20. The features found at T on the map would be a bay and a beach. The crescent like shape where
y is represents a bay. Bay usually have crescent like shapes and are usually between two
headlands. Beaches usually occur in bays. They’re sometimes called bayhead beaches. There is
also the sand symbol which can be seen in the legend. It is a sandy beach. Answer is A
21. The contour profile of point R to X would look like C. Contour lines usually indicate the steepness
of the terrain. When contour lines are further apart it is usually gently sloping and when it is
closer the terrain is usually steep. The dip slope the back side of the feature is gently sloping as
the contours are further apart. C would be the best answer as the back slope is gently sloping or
not as steep and it is evident in C. Answer is C
22. The annual temperature range is 120
C. The maximum temperature is around 230
C and the
minimum temperature is 110
C. Remember the range is the difference between the maximum
and the minimum temperature. Answer is B
23. The hottest months of the year are the also the driest. A climograph usually shows rainfall and
temperature. The line graph represents the temperature and the bar graph represents rainfall.
By looking at the graphs the first three months of the year have the highest temperatures. The
bars that represent rainfall for these three months are the lowest out of all the months of the
year. Answer is A
24. The northwest is densely populated. The northwest region had the shadings that represent the
three highest densities. Answer is D
25. The focus is at Y. This is in the crust where the rocks rupture and is the source of the
earthquake. Answer is C
26. Not all volcanic eruptions are violent. This is not true. Basic lava volcanoes such as shield
volcanoes are not explosive. There is simple a lava flow. The basic lava has low viscosity which
means it trap less gas. The gas easily escape and a lava flow result. Answer is A
27. When magma emerges on the surface, it may lead to the formation of lava flows. Sills, dykes,
laccoliths are all intrusive volcanic features. Answer is D
28. Potholes will tend to form on the bed of a river if the river has a high volume and lows over a
steep gradient. High volume is needed to ensure that vertical erosion or erosion on the bed can
take place. Potholes are usually formed in the upper course where the gradient is the steepest.
Answer is B
29. As one climbs a mountain, the surrounding temperature decreases. Answer is A
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 colored 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 C
31. The slow downhill movement of debris and soil under the influence of gravity is best described
as soil creep. Soil creep is slow and can hardly be seen by the human eye. Only the evidence
shown over time can tell you that a soil creep is occurring. Answer is B
32. The weather conditions not shown in the diagram is frontal rainfall on the mountain top. The
diagram is showing relief rainfall. Frontal rainfall occur when cold air from North America meet
with the warm and most Caribbean air. This is not shown on the diagram. Answer is B
33. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks ‘in situ’ (in situ means the rock is weathered in its
original position and there is no movement. Erosion is the removal of the weathered materials.
The agents of erosion which can be wind, water or ice will then transport the weathered
material to a different location. The main difference between weathering and erosion relates to
the removal of materials. Answer A
34. The correct order is tropical disturbance, tropical depression, storm and hurricane. Tropical
disturbance usually developed off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean and once the
conditions are favorable it will develop into a tropical depression and then into a storm and the
final product a hurricane. Answer is D
35. Fold Mountains form where crustal plates move towards each other. When two continental
plates collide they form Fold Mountains such as the Himalayas. Because both plates are of the
same density there is no subuction. However there is uplift. Answer is B
36. 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
37. In the diagram, X represents percolation. Percolation is the vertical downward movement of
water in the soil. Answer is A
38. The dotted line in the diagram represents a watershed. A watershed is an area of highland that
usually separates a drainage basin from a next. Answer is C
39. The reasons why some area in the Caribbean is sparsely populated is due to all three factors. A
hilly and forested area would be sparsely populated. The steep terrain would make it difficult to
construct houses and communication. If areas are inaccessible due to poor transport links then
it would repel settlement development and hence it would be sparsely populated. Where
minerals are located it is possible to have development of industries to exploit the mineral
resource. This will result in job opportunities. People will start to gravitate towards the area. As
people start to earn other services start to develop and over time a large settlement can
develop due to the presence of mineral resources. If no mineral resources are present then this
can cause an area to be sparsely populated. Answer is D
40. 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 B

41. 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.
Therefore developments are taking place outside the city to facilitate the population. Answer is
A
42. The presence of the flat land and the presence of the natural harbour are the reasons for the
location of the urban center. This is similar to Kingston’s situation. Kingston is located on the
Liguanea plain which is flat and it is located close to the 7th
largest natural harbour in the
Caribbean. The flat land allow for easy development of infrastructure, settlements and
businesses. The harbour serve as the center of our trade. All imported and exported goods must
enter or leave from the harbour. These conditions make it a perfect location for an urban
center. Answer is B
43. The town would most likely expand to the east. There is space to the east for lateral expansion.
Answer is A
44. 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
45. 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 D
46. The greatest influence on tourism in the Caribbean is climate. Our peak tourism period coincides
with the cold winters in the temperate countries. People usually want to escape the cold
temperatures in the winter to experience the warm and sunny climate in the Caribbean. Even
when it is winter in the Caribbean the temperatures are high enough. Answer is A
47. Based on the diagram II is the area that an urban center most likely to form. II is located close to
a port and it’s on a gently sloping area. This would make it easy to build infrastructure. The
harbour would make it the center of trade. Answer is B
48. The size of the labour force is not a problem affecting industrial development in the Caribbean.
Even though our populations are not high as other countries but there are always people
looking for job opportunities. Labour would not be a problem if there should be any industrial
development in the Caribbean. Answer is C
49. Lack of capital and soil erosion are challenges faced by peasant farmers in the Caribbean. Farm
holdings are usually small and as a result the output is low. They cannot afford some inputs such
as fertilizers and equipment. Farmers also practice poor cultivation practices such as clearing
hillsides to develop farms. This can result in surface runoff and increase flooding which can
destroy crops. Lack of crop variety is not a challenge, famers in the Caribbean farm a wide
variety of crops. Answer is B
50. The total output from peasant farms is often low because holdings are very small. Because the
land sizes are small the output is low. Answer is B
51. 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
52. Exhaust fumes from motor vehicles contribute most to the pollution of the environment of
capital cities in CARICOM. A large number of vehicle passes through Kingston every day and
furthermore these cars are run by oil, gasoline or petroleum. A byproduct is the emission of
harmful gases and this will come from the exhaust fumes. Answer is D
53. 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
54. The problem of household waste may be reduced by burying and covering with soil. This is
especially true of organic waste. Things such as banana skin, remains or orange can be buried.
These are called biodegradable materials. They can be decomposed by microorganisms in the
soil and they will eventually form humus and become a part of the soil. Answer is C
55. Harmful gases, liquids, and solids which affect the earth and its inhabitants are examples of
pollutants. They pollute the atmosphere and are called pollutants. Answer is B
56. Unhealthy coral reefs would be indicated by extensive areas of bright white coral. When water
temperatures are high the zooxanthelae that provides the color for the corals escape. This is
called coral bleaching and the corals would then have a white color. This means that the coral
reef is unhealthy. Answer is D
57. When trees are in place it encourages infiltration and reduces surface runoff or overland flow.
When there are no trees infiltration is reduced and there is rapid runoff or overland flow.
Rainfall is needed to erode the soil. Prolong rainfall or flooding will then erode the exposed the
soil. Answer is A
58. When trees are cut down there is a reduction flora or plants. Answer is B
59. Flooding can be prevented by planting vegetation and creating reserves for trees. Trees stabilize
the soil, reduces surface runoff and flooding. Clearing of vegetation on slopes will only increase
the chance of flooding. Answer is A
60. The emission of greenhouse gases can be reduced by increasing the use of renewable resources
such as solar power and reducing the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural
gas. When coal and oil are burnt they release carbon dioxide. Natural gas is predominantly
methane and can be released from several different sources. Reducing the use of this will
definitely reduce greenhouse gases. Chlorofluorocarbons are not good for the environment as
not only it may contribute to global warming but it depletes the ozone layer. CFCs are man-
made gases and it’s not naturally occurring as carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane and other
gases. After 1987 some countries had place bans on the use of chlorofluorocarbons. Answer is C

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