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UI Post-UTME Geography 2017 (Model questions) past questions and answers

19 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.

Question 1

Soils

In which ONE of the following sections of a hillslope would you expect the soil to be deepest and most moist? The

  1. A.footslope
  2. B.midslope
  3. C.summit
  4. D.upper
  5. E.fall slope
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (footslope)

Explanation

Soil and water washed down the slope collect at the foot, so soils there are deepest and wettest.

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Question 2

Earth Movements and Vulcanicity

A volcanic eruption is most likely to be violent when

  1. A.volcano is near the sea
  2. B.neck of the volcano is sealed by a plug
  3. C.lava is viscous
  4. D.lava reaches the surface through a fissure
  5. E.volcano is below an ocean
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (lava is viscous)

Explanation

Thick (viscous) lava traps gas, so pressure builds until it bursts out explosively.

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Question 3

Vegetation

Which of the following factors CANNOT be used to explain the nature and pattern of distribution of savannah vegetation in Africa?

  1. A.grazing
  2. B.bush burning
  3. C.crop cultivation
  4. D.seasonal rainfall
  5. E.temperature
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: E (temperature)

Explanation

Savanna's pattern is explained by seasonal rainfall and by human activities such as bush burning, grazing and farming, which turn forest into derived savanna. Temperature is high all over tropical Africa, so it does not explain the pattern.

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Question 4

Weathering, Erosion and Mass Movement

Which of these is NOT a weathering process?

  1. A.the removal of regolith under the influence of weather
  2. B.the alteration of calcium carbonate in rocks to calcium bicarbonate
  3. C.The breakdown of rocks by plant roots
  4. D.the formation of clay minerals from feldspars in granites
  5. E.the disintegration of rocks by the freeze-and-thaw action
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (the removal of regolith under the influence of weather)

Explanation

Weathering is the breakdown of rock where it lies, as in B–E (feldspar to clay is hydrolysis). Removing the broken material is erosion, not weathering.

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Question 5

Weather

Which of the following instruments is used in measuring wind speed?

  1. A.Wind vane
  2. B.Barometer
  3. C.cup anemometer
  4. D.Hygrometer
  5. E.Speedometer
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Answer: C (cup anemometer)

Explanation

A cup anemometer measures wind speed.

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Question 6

Rivers and River Landforms

Which of the following features is NOT commonly associated with a river at the floodplain stages?

  1. A.Ox-bow lakes
  2. B.Meanders
  3. C.Levees
  4. D.Knickpoint
  5. E.Braided Channel
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Answer: D (Knickpoint)

Explanation

A knickpoint is a break of slope found where a river is rejuvenated or in its upper course, not on the floodplain.

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Question 7

Climate

The 'Mediterranean type' of climate refers to

  1. A.short wet summer, dry winter, mean temperature above 20°C and precipitation about 1,000 mm per year
  2. B.wet winter, dry summer, temperature varies from about 6°C in winter to about 20°C in summer and precipitation ranges between 700 and 1,000 mm per year
  3. C.short wet summer, prolonged dry winter and precipitation is about 500 mm per year
  4. D.dry and wet climate; temperature around 20°C and precipitation ranges between 1,000 and 2,000 mm per year
  5. E.precipitation all the year round (about 1,000 mm per year) with a peak in winter
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Answer: B (wet winter, dry summer, temperature varies from about 6°C in winter to about 20°C in summer and precipitation ranges between 700 and 1,000 mm per year)

Explanation

Mediterranean climates have warm dry summers and mild wet winters.

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Question 8

Earth Movements and Vulcanicity

Examples of folded structures in Africa include the Atlas Mountains, the Cape Ranges and the

  1. A.Akwapim Hills
  2. B.Jos Plateau
  3. C.Ruwenzori
  4. D.East Africa Rift
  5. E.Adamawa Highlands
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Akwapim Hills)

Explanation

The Akwapim Hills in Ghana are folded ranges; the Jos Plateau is a block of old rock and Ruwenzori a block mountain.

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Question 9

Weather

How is the mean annual rainfall of a given place calculated using records for 35 years?

  1. A.by summing the yearly average rainfall figures and dividing by 35
  2. B.by summing the yearly total rainfall figures and dividing by 35
  3. C.by summing the yearly total rainfall figures for 35 years and dividing by 12
  4. D.by finding the average between the figures for the wettest and the driest years and multiplying by 35
  5. E.by plotting the rainfall figures on a graph and finding the midpoint.
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Answer: B (by summing the yearly total rainfall figures and dividing by 35)

Explanation

Add the 35 annual totals and divide by 35 to get the average yearly rainfall.

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Question 10

Vegetation

In which of the following vegetation types do you expect to find reindeer?

  1. A.Mediterranean
  2. B.Temperate evergreen
  3. C.Tundra
  4. D.Tropical monsoon
  5. E.Temperate grassland
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Answer: C (Tundra)

Explanation

Reindeer live in the cold tundra, grazing on mosses and lichens.

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Question 11

Geography of Africa

Which of the following is the main export from Uganda?

  1. A.Jute
  2. B.Banana
  3. C.tobacco
  4. D.Sisal
  5. E.Coffee
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: E (Coffee)

Explanation

Coffee is Uganda's main export crop.

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Question 13

Weathering, Erosion and Mass Movement

Which of the following landforms is NOT due to the process of glacial erosion?

  1. A.Valley-bench
  2. B.Hanging valley
  3. C.Corrie
  4. D.Arete
  5. E.Esker
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Answer: E (Esker)

Explanation

An esker is a ridge of sand and gravel deposited by meltwater, not carved by erosion.

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Question 14

Climate

In which of these continents is there no true desert

  1. A.North America
  2. B.Australia
  3. C.Europe
  4. D.Asia
  5. E.South America
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Answer: C (Europe)

Explanation

Europe has no true hot or cold desert of the kind found on the other continents.

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Question 15

Vegetation

The pair of countries which has the largest area of coniferous forest in the world is made up of Canada and

  1. A.the U.S.A
  2. B.Norway
  3. C.the U.S.S.R
  4. D.Brazil
  5. E.New Zealand
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Answer: C (the U.S.S.R)

Explanation

The vast taiga of Canada and the former USSR (Russia) holds most of the world's coniferous forest.

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Question 16

Vegetation

Pulp-wood, which is used in the manufacturing of paper, cardboard and cellulose, is derived mainly from

  1. A.coniferous forests
  2. B.tropical rain forests
  3. C.savannah woodlands
  4. D.desert plants
  5. E.Broad-leaved forests
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Answer: A (coniferous forests)

Explanation

Softwood from coniferous forests is the main source of pulp.

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Question 17

Vegetation

Which of these geographical phenomena is found only in the Northern Hemisphere?

  1. A.Tropical rain forest
  2. B.Mediterranean woodland
  3. C.Hot desert oasis
  4. D.tundra vegetation
  5. E.Coniferous forest
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Answer: D (tundra vegetation)

Explanation

True tundra lies in the Arctic lands of the Northern Hemisphere; the southern continents end before such latitudes, apart from icy Antarctica.

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Question 18

Soils

The term 'catena' describes the

  1. A.effect of topography on soil series
  2. B.sequence of modified soils along a slope profile
  3. C.changes in soil fertility along a slope profile
  4. D.group of soils on sedimentary rocks
  5. E.colour differences in soils along a slope profile
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Answer: B (sequence of modified soils along a slope profile)

Explanation

A catena is the sequence of different soils found from the top to the bottom of a slope. The soils differ because drainage, erosion and deposition change down the slope.

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Question 19

Soils

Which one of the following major soil types is found in the savannah areas of Nigeria?

  1. A.Podzols
  2. B.Ferralitic red soils
  3. C.Chemozems
  4. D.Ferruginous tropical soils
  5. E.Brown earths
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Answer: D (Ferruginous tropical soils)

Explanation

Ferruginous tropical soils are typical of Nigeria's savanna belt.

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Question 20

Soils

Which of the following is NOT applicable when describing desert soils?

  1. A.High acidity
  2. B.Poorly developed horizons
  3. C.Shallow depths
  4. D.High alkalinity
  5. E.Coarse texture
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (High acidity)

Explanation

With little rain, salts stay in desert soils, which are alkaline, thin, coarse and poorly developed, not acidic.

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