UNEB UCE Geography Past Papers for Year 1993
Uganda National Examinations Board Past Questions
PAPER1
PART I
1. Which would be the best way to control rural-urban migration in Uganda?
A. To give land to the rural landless
B. Extend similar urban services to the rural areas
C. Put up laws preventing movement of people from rural areas to urban areas
D. Put up settlement scheme in rural areas
2. Which of the following processes is responsible for the formation of the East African rift valley?
A. Folding
B. Vulcanicity
C. Faulting
D. Earth quakes
3. Although Gulu district receives more rainfall than Mukono district, the growing of perennial crops is not widespread because
A. People are not interested in growing perennial crops
B. The farmers are pastoralists
C. The rains are spread over a shower period of time
D. Perennial crops do not have market in Gulu
4. Tobacco in east Africa is grown on small holdings because
A. Tobacco growing requires capital intensive methods
B. Tobacco is an annual crop
C. Land is not available for large scale plantations
D. Tobacco is grown mainly by peasants
5. Much of the vegetation in east Africa has been destroyed as a result of
A. Man clearing land for agriculture and settlement
B. Deceased poaching of wild life
C. The recent changes in the climate
D. The loss of soil fertility due to soil erosion
6. Which one of the following is the best method of fishing in the east African fresh waters?
A. Long lining
B. Gill net method
C. Purse seining
D. Canoe fishing
7. There are a few good natural harbors along the east African coast because of the
A. Deep waters
B. Many river mouths
C. Presence of fringing coral reefs
D. Rugged coastline
8. Much of the land in Uganda’s western rift valley has been set aside for game parks because
A. Uganda needs money from the tourism industry
B. Crops cannot be grown in the rift valley
C. The area is infested with tsetse flies
D. The climate is attractive is attractive for animals
9. Which of the following factors has influenced the development of the road network in East Africa?
1. Population density and rainfall totals
2. Population density and soil fertility
3. Population density and political stability
4. Population density and income per capita.
A. 1 and 3
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 and 4
D. 3 and 4
10. The central and south western parts of Kenya are densely populated because these areas
A. Receive reliable rainfall
B. Can support more people
C. Traditionally had urban centres
D. Are free from tsetse flies
11. Which of the following reasons explain why the Nyika plateau is underdeveloped?
1. Unreliable rainfall
2. Lack of transport
3. Poor soils
4. Only sisal can grow in the area
A. 1, 2 and 4
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 2, 3 and 4
D. 1, 3 and 4
12. The lines drawn on a map, linking all places with the same atmospheric pressure are called
A. Isohyets
B. Milibars
C. Isobars
D. Isotherms
13. Most agricultural plantations provide social services and amenities for their workers because
A. The plantation owners want the workers to live near the plantations and works more efficiently.
B. Plantations use labour intensive methods
C. The plantation owners are rich
D. Plantation owners want to raise money from the workers.
14. The presence of soda ash at lake Magadi is due to
1. Hot springs which bring minerals in solutions into the lake
2. High evaporation rate in the lake Magadi area
3. Lack of outlets from lake Magadi to the sea
4. Large quantities of brine which is deposited in lake Magadi
A. 1,3 and 4
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 1, 2 and 4
D. 2, 3 and 4
15. Which of the following crops can do well in the highland areas of East Africa lying above 2000 meters?
1. Arabica coffee
2. Wheat
3. oats
4. Robusta coffee
A. 1,3 and 4
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 1, 2 and 4
D. 2, 3 and 4
16. Which one of the following is a rift valley fishing port?
A. Bukoba
B. Butiaba
C. Kisumu
D. Lwampanga
17. In kigezi high population density and shortage of land have resulted into a serious problem of
A. Desertification
B. Land fragmentation
C. Agro forestry
D. Hill terracing
18. Which of the following lakes is a result of glacial action?
A. Tans, moraine dammed lakes and craters
B. Ribbon lakes, tans and moraine dammed lakes
C. Cirques, geysers and tans
D. Ribbon lakes, lava damned lakes and cirques
19. The most common vegetation type found along the coast of east Africa is
A. Eucalyptus
B. Equatorial forest
C. Mangrove forest
D. Coconut forest
20. Which of the following are the most important factors affecting fishing on lake Kyoga?
1. Hyacinth (water weed)
2. Lack of fishing equipment
3. Poor roads leading to main markets
4. Over fishing
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 4
C. 1 and 3
D. 3 and 4
21. Tanzania can improve its tourist industry by
A. Developing its transport network
B. Creating more national parks
C. Encouraging local people to visit the national parks
D. Encouraging the local people to use the coastal beaches
22. What was the main aim of establishing a pilot scheme at Galore on Tana River?
A. To use it as example of how dry areas along Tana river may be irrigated for crop production
B. To resettle the Turkana
C. To work as a demonstration farm for modern crop growing
D. To experiment with a variety of new crops
23. Thorn bush and thicket vegetation are found in East Africa in places with average rainfall of
A. 0 – 250 mm
B. 350 – 650 mm
C. 700 – 1200 mm
D. 100 – 1500 mm
24. Drowned river valleys in East Africa are found
A. A long the East Africa coast
B. Along the shores of lakes Kyoga
C. Along the shores of lake Victoria
D. Along the rift valley lakes
25. Which of the following factors least affects industrial development in East Africa?
A. East Africa lacks raw materials
B. There is stiff competition with developed nations
C. There is lack of capital for industrial development
D. The population is too low to offer enough market for a highly developed industrial sector
26. Nairobi receives more tourists than other towns in East Africa because
A. It is capital city Kenya and largest city in East Africa
B. It is a beautiful town with many industries that attract tourists
C. It has good quality hotels and the national parks are nearby
D. It is allocated in the centre of east Africa.
27. Which of the following reasons best explain why goods are packed in containers at most ports in east Africa?
1. It speeds up and reduces the cost of movement of goods
2. It avoids the need to use costly packing materials
3. It reduces the risks of damage and theft during transportation
4. It increases easy distribution of goods
A. 1,3 and 4
B. 1, 2 and 4
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2, 3 and 4
28. Which one of these ports has a richer hinterland?
A. Butiaba
B. Mwanza
C. Port bell
D. Musoma
29. Which of the following rocks is used in the making of glass ware?
A. Silica
B. Sand
C. Quartz
D. Dolomite
30. Which one of the following methods of fish preservation is commonly used on Lake Victoria?
A. Salting
B. Smoking
C. Sun drying
D. Freezing
31. Cotton grows best in
A. Alluvial soils
B. Lateritic soils
C. Volcanic soils
D. Black loam soils
32. In north eastern Kenya, the nights are very cold while the days are very hot because
A. T is a low lying area
B. It is open, so winds blow very strongly at night
C. There is very little cloud cover
D. During the day the sun is very high
33. Cement production is important in the following places of east Africa
A. Nairobi, Mombasa and Hima
B. Tororo, Kabale and Mombasa
C. Mombasa, tororo and Hima
D. Kabale, Hima and Nairobi
34. The main reason for the establishment of settlement schemes in eat Africa is to
A. Provide land to landless people
B. Develop rural areas by settling people there
C. Increase food production
D. Promote co-operative movements
35. The sedimentary rocks on the coastal plain of east Africa are a result of
A. Deposition from the red sea
B. Deposition by south east Africa and north east trade winds
C. Past deposition from glaciers
D. Deposition from rivers flowing in the Indian ocean.
PART II
MAPWORK, PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION AND EAST AFRICA
You must answer three questions from part II, including questions 1 and 2 which are compulsory.
SECTION A
1. COMPULSORY QUESTION – MAP WORK
Answer all parts of this question, candidates are advised to spend 40 minutes answering this question.
Study the map extract 1:50,000 (UGANDA) Kahunge, series Y732, part of sheet 66/2, edition 3 – U.S.D, and answer the following questions:
a) State the grid reference of:
(i) Ngesa trigonometrically station,
(ii) Fort Kibari.
b) Name the features found at the following grid references:
(i) 139432,
(ii) 113455.
c) Measure and state in Kilometers the distance of the loose surface road from kahunge junction (grid reference 158362) to where the road crosses Kanyanchu seasonal stream (grid reference 097485)
d) What is the bearing of Lubaba trigonometrically station from Kihura trigonometrically station?
e) Draw a sketch map of the area shown on the map and on it, mark and name the following:
(i) A ridge,
(ii) A plateau,
(iii) Magombe river,
(iv) Kijanjaru swamp,
(v) A loose surface road.
f) Describe the relationship between relief and:
(i) Settlement,
(ii) Communication.
g) Giving examples from the map, name
(i) Two types of settlement,
(ii) Two economic activities being carried out in this area.
2. COMPULSORY QUESTION: PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION.
Answer all part of this question, candidates are advised to spend20 minutes answering this question.
Study the photograph provided below and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Giving evidence from the photograph, state two economic activities taking place in the foreground.
b) (i) Outline the problems facing each of the activities stated in (a) above.
(ii)How can these activities be improved?
c) (i)Describe the relief of the sea showing in the background of the photograph.
(ii)Explain how man has tried to conserve the land in this area.
SECTION A
Answer one question from this section.
Special credit will be given for the appropriate use of local examples you have studied through fieldwork.
3. a) Draw a sketch map of east Africa and on it, mark and name three volcanic mountains.
b) With the aid of sketch diagrams, describe how a volcanic mountain is formed.
c) For any one of the volcanic mountains named in (a) above,
(i) State the economic activities carried out in the area.
(ii)Outline the factors favoring the development of economic activities stated in (c)(i) above.
d) Explain the problems faced by people living the volcanic areas of East Africa.
4. Study the table below showing mean monthly temperatures (in 0C) for four selected stations in East Africa and answer the questions that follow.
| Station | Altitude | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Mean annual temp.(0C) |
| Mombasa | 17m | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
| Songea | 1153 m | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | — |
| FortPortal | 1540 m | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | — |
| Nairobi | 1820 m | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Source: young and Lowry: a course in world geography: east Africa.
a) (i) Explain how mean monthly temperature is obtained.
(ii)Calculate the mean annual temperatures for Songea and fort portal.
(iii)State the relationship between altitudes and mean annual temperatures in the table.
b) (i) Calculate the annual temperature range for the four stations in the table above.
(ii)State the difference in temperature between Mombasa and Nairobi.
(iii)Give reasons for the differences in temperature stated in (b)(ii) above.
c) For any two stations given in the table, explain how temperature has influenced land use in the surrounding area.
5. a) For any field work you have carried out,
(i) state the title,
(ii) with the help of a sketch map, locate the area studied and on it show the following:
– major relief features,
– major land uses
b) With reference to the sketch map drawn in (a)(ii) above, describe the relationship between relief and land use.
c) (i) state the methods used to carry out the study.
(ii) What were the advantages of using any two of the methods in (c)(i) above?
(iii)State the differences faced in using the methods.
6. a) Draw a sketch map of East Africa and on it, mark and label the areas where the following minerals are mined:
(i) diamond,
(ii) coal,
(iii) limestone,
(iv) Copper.
b) For any one of the minerals in (a) above, describe the method used in its mining.
c) Explain the effect of the method described in (b) above on the environment.
d) With reference to specific examples, state the contribution of the mining industry to the economy of East Africa.
7. a) Draw a sketch map of Lake Victoria and the surrounding area. On it mark and name the following:
(i) the equator,
(ii) territorial boundaries of the east African countries.
(iii) One major industrial town in each country.
(iv) Areas where four different cash crops are grown
(v) Area of low rainfall (below 750 mm)
b) (i) For any one of the industrial towns marked on the map, name three major industries.
(ii)Give reasons for the location of the industries to the surrounding areas.
PAPER 2
PART I: THE REST OF AFRICA
Answer two questions from this part.
1. a) (i) Outline the characteristics of shifting cultivation.
(ii)Mention two areas outside East Africa where shifting cultivation is practiced.
b) Explain why shifting cultivation is practiced in any one area mentioned in (a)(ii) above.
c) State the disadvantages of shifting cultivation.
d) (i) State three other traditional farming systems in Africa.
(ii)Giving specific examples outline the steps being taken to improve traditional farming systems in Africa.
2. “Many parts of Africa lying on the desert fringes have reached …. Land deterioration. The desert is expanding partly because of recurring cycles of drought, but also because of man.”
Source: J.M.Pritchard: Africa p246.
(a) (i) Mention three African countries lying on the desert fringes.
(ii)State the characteristics of desert conditions.
(b) Describe how man has contributed to the expansion of the desert in the countries named in (a)(i) above.
(c) Explain the steps being taken to control the expansion of the desert in these countries.
(d) (i) Name three types of desert surfaces in Africa.
(ii)With the help of a diagram, describe how any one of the following desert features was formed:
– Rock pedestal
– Sand dune
– Wadi
3. For either the Kariba dam or the Aswan high dam:
a) Draw a sketch map to show the location and the area covered by the project.
b) Give reasons why the site was chosen.
c) What were the objectives of setting up the project?
d) How has the project benefited the people of the area?
e) What problems have been caused by the setting up of the project?
4. a) Draw an outline map of Nigeria and on it, mark and label where the following minerals are mined:
(i) oil,
(ii) coal,
(iii) iron ore,
(iv) tin,
(v) limestone
b) What factors have favored the mining of any two minerals mentioned in (a) above?
c) Giving specific examples, explain how the minerals mentioned in (b) above have led to the growth of industries in Nigeria.
5. Study the table below showing Africa’s population growth between 1950 and 1990 and answer the questions that follow:
| Year | No. of people(million) |
| 1950 | 199 |
| 1960 | 270 |
| 1970 | 344 |
| 1980 | 453 |
| 1990 | 616 |
Source: R.G.White: Africa: studies for east Africa students.
a) Draw a line graph to show Africa’s population growth between 1950 and 1990.
b) Describe Africa’s population growth between 1950 and 1990.
c) (i) In which period did Africa experience the highest population growth?
(ii)Suggest reasons for your answer in (c)(i) above.
d) Name any two countries in Africa with the:
(i) Highest population totals,
(ii) Lowest population totals.
e) Give reasons for uneven population distribution in Africa.
6. a) Draw a sketch map to show the position of either port Lagos or Port cape town and on it, mark and label its hinterland.
b) Explain the factors that led to the development of the port chosen in (a) above.
c) Name three commodities handled by the port.
d)(i) state the other functions of the port chosen in (a) above.
(ii) Outline the problems facing this port.
PART II:
STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENT
Answer two questions from this part
REGION I: NORTH AMERICA
7. a) Draw a sketch map of California showing the central valley and on, it mark and name the following:
(i) rivers san Joaquin and Sacramento,
(ii) port san Francisco,
(iii) the major agricultural area.
b) Name three types of crops gown in the central valley of California.
c) Describe the factors that have led to the success of agriculture in the central valley.
d) Outline the problems facing agriculture in the central valley.
e) State the contribution of the agricultural sector to the economy of California.
8. a) Draw a sketch map of the Great lakes region and on it, mark and name:
(i) industrial cities: Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto and Detroit,
(ii) ports: Duluth and Rochester,
(iii) canals: Wetland and Sault ste Marie.
b) Outline the
(i) factors that led to the growth of industrial cities marked in (a) (i) above.
(ii) problems faced by these industrial cities.
c) State the commodities handled by any one of the ports marked in(a)(ii) above.
d) Explain (i) Why the canals marked in (a)(iii) above were constructed.
(ii)the contribution of the great lakes to surrounding area.
9. a) Draw a sketch map of the area covered by the Tennessee valley authority and on it, mark and name:
(i) the Appalachian mountains,
(ii) rivers Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
b) Give reasons why the Tennessee valley authority was established.
c) Explain how the Tennessee valley authority
(i) was established,
(ii) has benefited the people of the area.
REGION II: THE RHINELANDS
10. a) Identify four tourist attractions found in Switzerland.
b) Explain the factors which favored the development of the tourist industry in Switzerland.
c) Outline the benefits Switzerland gets from tourism.
d) (i) Identify three tourist attractions in Uganda which are not in Switzerland.
(ii) What steps has the government of Uganda taken to improve her tourist industry?
11. Study the table below showing the decline of the coal industry in Germany (1955-71).
| Year | Employment in the coal industry | Production of coal (metric tones) |
| 1955 | 400,000 | 125,000,000 |
| 1970 | 250,000 | 100,000,000 |
Adapted from: D. Hughes and T. Randle: the Rhine basin. A study in development.
a) Calculate the percentage decline in:
(i) Employment in the coal industry.
(ii) Production of coal
b) Explain the factors which have led to the decline of the coal industry in Germany.
c) (i) Mention the new industries that have developed in Germany as a result of the decline of the coal industry.
(ii)Outline the factors that have favored the development of industries in (c)(i) above.
d) (i) Name two industrial centres in Germany.
(ii)State two problems caused by industrial development in the areas named in (d)(i) above.
12. a) Draw a sketch map of Belgium and on it, mark and name:
(i) There major coal fields.
(ii) The iron and steel centres: Liege, Charleroi and Zelzate.
b) Explain the factors that have led to the growth of the iron and steel industries in Belgium.
c) (i) Outline the problems facing the iron and steel industry in Belgium.
(ii)State the steps taken to solve the problems in (c) (i) above.
d) Mention two products from the iron and steel industry in Belgium.
REGION III: CHINA
13. a) Draw a sketch map of the Yangtze river basin. On it, mark and label:
(i) the cotton growing areas,
(ii) the rice growing areas,
(iii) shanghai town,
(iv) yellow sea,
(v) grand canal
b)(i) Name two other agricultural activities carried out in the Yangtze river basin.
(ii)Describe the factors that have favored agriculture in the Yangtze River basin.
c) Outline the contribution of agriculture to the economy of china.
d) What problems have the farmers in the Yangtze River basin failed to solve?
14. Study the table below showing small – scale industrial establishments and employment in china and answer the questions that follow.
| Industry | Number of establishments | Total number of persons employed per establishment | Average number of persons employed per establishment |
| Foodmanufacture | 458 | 9,578 | 21 |
| Textile manufacture | 964 | 771,088 | 74 |
| Footwear and clothing | 956 | 52,582 | 55 |
| Printing and publishing | 761 | 11,765 | 15 |
| manufacture of machinery | 410 | 6,102 | 15 |
| Electrical apparatus | 162 | 7,843 | 48 |
Adapted from: R, C.Honeybone and N.J.Graves: North America and Asia: a geography for sch.
a) State two facts which the table tells you about:
(i) Small – scale industrial establishments in china
(ii) Employment in small – scale industrial establishments in china.
(iii) The average number of workers in small – scale industrial establishment in china.
b) Explain the factors which favored the establishment of small – scale industries in china.
c) Outline the benefits from the small- scale industries to the people of china.
d) (i) Mention two small-scale industries found in both china and Uganda.
(ii)State the steps being taken by the government of Uganda to encourage the development of small scale industries.
15. “The Yunnan region of china has a variety of mineral resources, many river, is suitable for agricultural development and yet it has remained underdeveloped.”
a) Draw a sketch map of Yunnan region of china and on it, mark and name:
(i) Land above 3,000 metres above sea level,
(ii) Towns: Kunming and Tali,
(iii) Rivers: Mekong and Hong Kiang (red river)
b) State two:
(i) Minerals mined,
(ii) Crops in the Yunnan region.
c) Explain why the Yunnan region of china has remained underdeveloped.
d) What steps has the government of china taken to develop the region?
e) (i) Name one area in East Africa with similar problems like those of Yunnan region of china.
(ii)State three problems faced by both Yunnan region and the area in east Africa named in (e) (i) above.
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