UNEB UCE Geography Past Papers for Year 2009
Uganda National Examinations Board Past Questions
PAPER 1
PART 1
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Central Tanzania is sparely populated mainly because of
A. Infertile soils
B. Unreliable rainfall
C. Presence tsetse flies
D. Existence of woodland vegetation
2. Which one of the following is a horst?
A. Mount Kenya
B. Mount usambara
C. Mount Moroto
D. Mount Kilimanjaro
3. Physical weathering is common in Northern Kenya mainly due to the existence of
A. Dry climate
B. Flat relief
C. Scanty vegetation
D. Granitic rocks
4. Which one of the following is a characteristic of Equatorial climate in East Africa?
A. Large temperature range
B. Low temperatures
C. Heavy rainfall
D. Low humidity
5. The major problem facing coffee farmers in East Africa is
A. Fluctuation of prices
B. Competition for land with food crops
C. Inadequate capital for investment
D. Shortage of labour
6. Which one of the following is a perennial crop?
A. Cotton
B. groundnuts
C. Tea
D. Rice
7. The development of the hydro electricity power station on River Pangani was mainly favoured by the presence of
A. Hard basement rock
B. Water falls
C. Narrow gorge
D. A large volume of water
8. The major effect of deforestation on the slopes of Mount Elgon is
A. Shortage of wood
B. Reduction in rainfall
C. Destruction of wildlife
D. Soil erosion
9. The greatest problem facing the fresh water fishing grounds in East Africa is
A. Indiscriminate fishing
B. Water pollution
C. Poor transport
D. Changing water levels
10. The most effective solution to the problem of land shortage in urban areas is
A. Reclaiming wetlands
B. Encouraging urban-rural migration
C. Constructing sky scrappers
D. Upgrading slum areas
11. Which of the following human activities has resulted in the destruction of vegetation in North Eastern Uganda?
A. Cattle ranching
B. Nomadic pastoralism
C. Wild game hunting
D. Crop cultivation
12. A steep sided feature formed between two adjacent cirques is called
A. A pyramidal peak
B. A glacial trough
C. A hanging valley
D. An arête
13. Which of the following is metamorphic rock?
A. Quartzite
B. Granite
C. Sandstone
D. Basalt
14. The major factor influencing the location of cement manufacturing industries in East Africa is the availability of
A. Efficient transport
B. Power supply
C. Raw materials
D. Skilled labour
15. Softwood plantations in East Africa are mainly used to provide
A. Poles
B. Medicine
C. Timber
D. Pulp
16. Which of the following fishing grounds in East Africa is affected by the water hyacinth weed?
A. Lake Katwe
B. Lake Victoria
C. Lake Tanganyika
D. Lake Turkana
17. The major problem affecting transport on East Africa rivers is
A. Presence of floating vegetation
B. Variation in the volume of the water
C. Presence of water falls
D. Existence of strong winds
18. Which of the following fish landing sites is found on Lake Kyoga?
A. Lwampanga
B. Kigungu
C. Kasenyi
D. Ntoroko
19. The low rainfall received in lake Turkana region of Kenya is a result of
A. Scanty vegetation
B. Flat relief
C. Human activities
D. Dry trade winds
20. The total population of a country divided by the total land area of that country is a measure of population
A. Distribution
B. Density
C. Growth rate
D. Structure
21. Which of the following rivers in East Africa has oxbow lakes?
A. Kafu
B. Nzoia
C. Tana
D. Kagera
22. The largest game reserve in Tanzania is
A. Rungwa
B. Selous
C. Ugalla
D. Mkomazi
23. The lines joining places on a map with equal amounts of rainfall are known as
A. Isohyets
B. Isobars
C. Isohels
D. Isotherms
24. The most popular fresh water fish consumed in East Africa is
A. Gaga
B. Tilapia
C. Nile perch
D. Haplochromis
25. The most suitable mode of transporting bulky goods from Kampala to Mombasa is by
A. Railway
B. Air
C. Road
D. Water
26. Leaching in Equatorial regions of East Africa produces
A. Alluvial soils
B. Sandy soils
C. Lateritic soils
D. Loamy soils
27. Which of the following industries in East Africa is a heavy industry?
A. Cement processing
B. Textiles
C. Chemical manufacture
D. Food processing
28. The most important tourist attraction in North Eastern Uganda is
A. Beautiful scenery
B. Historical sites
C. Wildlife
D. Culture
29. Kenya’s population is unevenly distributed mainly because of the differences in
A. Soil fertility
B. Transport network
C. Economic activities
D. Climatic conditions
30. The major problem hindering agricultural modernization in East Africa is
A. Poor transport
B. Limited capital
C. Poor technology
D. Narrow markets
31. Which of the following forests is found in Western Uganda?
A. Budongo
B. Zoka
C. Abera
D. Mabira
32. Indiscriminate fishing on lake Victoria can best be controlled by
A. Gazetting landing sites
B. Education and awareness
C. Use of modern fishing gear
D. Enforcing strict laws
33. Which one of the following industries in Dar-es-Salaam depends on imported raw materials?
A. Pulp and paper
B. Textiles
C. Oil refinery
D. Cement
34. Which one of the following processes were responsible for the formation of Lake Victoria?
A. Faulting
B. Vulcanicity
C. Down warping
D. Deposition
35. Sisal growing in Tanzania has declined mainly due to
A. Limited capital to invest
B. Soil exhaustion
C. Limited market
D. Competition for land food crops
PART II
MAPWORK, PHOTOGGRAPH INTERPRETATION AND EAST AFRICA
Answer three questions from Part II, including questions 1 and 2 which are compulsory
SECTION A
1. COMPULSORY QUESTION: MAPWORK
Answer all parts of this question.
Study the 1:50,000 Map Extract of UGANDA: NAKASONGOLA, series Y732 part of sheet 50/2; edition 1 USD and answer the questions that follow:
a) State the grid reference of the:
i) Road junction at muwolwe,
ii) Primary trigonometrically station at sungira
b) Identify the:
i) Physical feature found at grid reference 320467,
ii) Man-made feature found at grid reference 291396.
c) Draw a cross section of the area between grid references 350440 and 410490; on it, mark and name:
i) Seasonal swamp,
ii) Conical hill,
iii) Saddle (col),
iv) All weather roads,
v) Plantation,
vi) Settlements.
d) Giving evidence from the map extract, identify any:
i) Two settlement patterns found,
ii) Three problems faced by the people living in the area.
e) Describe the:
i) Relief of the area,
ii) Relationship between relief and communication in the area shown on the map extract.
2. COMPULSORY QUESTION: PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Answer all parts of this question
Study the photograph provided below and answer the question that follow:
PHOTO
a) Name the:
i) Activity taking place in the photograph,
ii) Vegetation types shown in the back ground of the photograph.
b) Describe the:
i) Factors which have favored the activity named in (a)(i) above,
ii) Method being used to carry out the activity shown in the photograph.
c) Outline the disadvantages of using the method described in (b)(ii) above.
d) Giving reasons for your answer, suggest one area in East Africa where this photograph could have been taken.
SECTION B: EAST AFRICA
Answer only one question from reefs this section.
3. a) (i) Name any two types of coral reefs found along the coast of East Africa.
(ii) Describe the characteristics of the coral reefs named in (a)(i) above.
b) Describe the factors which have been responsible for the growth of corals along the coast of East Africa.
c) Explain the value of coral reefs to the people of East Africa.
d) Outline the problems which have resulted from the presence of coral reefs on the East African coast.
4. a) Draw a sketch map of East Africa and on it, mark and name:
(i) mountains: Kenya and Rwenzori,
(ii) Lakes: Turkana, Victoria and Tanganyika,
(iii) Any three areas inhabited by nomadic pastoralists.
b) Explain the contribution of nomadic pastoralists to the development of East Africa.
c) Outline the contribution of nomadic pastoralists in the areas named in (a)(iii) above.
d) Suggest measures that should be taken to improve nomadic pastoralism in East Africa.
5. a) For any one fieldwork you have conducted either as an individual or a group:
State the:
i) topic of the study,
ii) Objectives of the study.
b) Describe how you used any three of the following fieldwork techniques when collecting information:
i) Observation,
ii) Measurement,
iii) Sampling,
iv) Interview.
c) Outline the advantages and disadvantages of using any two techniques described in (b) above.
d) How did the fieldwork findings help you to understand the geography of the area studied?
6. Study the table below showing mineral production in Tanzania(‘000 tones) for 2003 and 2004 and answer the questions that follow:
| Mineral | 2003 (Tones) | 2004 (Tones) |
| Salt Limestone Coal Copper |
60,000 1,220,000 55,500 3,700 |
58,000 1,410,000 65,200 4,200 |
| Total | 1,339,200 | 1,537,400 |
Adapted: Longman Secondary Atlas for East Africa, 2006: Person & Longman p64.
a) Identify the mineral which was produced in:
i) Largest,
ii) Lowest quantities in Tanzania in 2004.
b) Draw a pie chart to show the relative importance of each mineral in 2004.
c) Explain the conditions which have promoted the development of the mining sector in Tanzania.
d) Outline the contribution of the mining sector to the development of Tanzania.
7. Study the map of East Africa below and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Name the:
i) Water bodies marked 1 and 2,
ii) Airports marked 3 and 4,
iii) Towns marked A, B and C.
b) Describe the conditions which have favored the development of any one town named in (a)(iii) above.
c) Explain the effects of the development of the town chosen in (b) above on the environment.
d) Outline the steps being taken to address the environmental effects identified in © above.
PAPER 2
PART I: THE REST OF AFRICA
Answer two questions from this part.
1. Study Fig 1: Map of Africa provided and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Name the:
i) Lakes marked A and B,
ii) Ocean marked 1,
iii) Rivers marked 2 and 3,
iv) Waterfalls marked C and D.
b) Describe the processes which led to the formation of any one waterfall named in 9a)(iv) above.
c) Explain the benefits of the waterfall chosen in (b) above to the people living in the area.
d) Outline the problems faced by people living near rivers in Africa.
2. a) Draw a sketch map of Africa and on it, mark and name the:
i) ocean currents: canary and Benguela,
ii) latitudes: Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator,
iii) south – East trade winds,
iv) Any two areas in Africa with a desert type of climate.
b) Describe the characteristics of a desert type of climate.
c) Explain the factors which have led to the desert type of climate.
d) Outline the problems faced by the people living on the margins of desert lands in Africa.
3. Study Table I below showing the volume of crops produced by the Republic of South Africa (2002) and answer the questions that follow:
Table I Republic of South Africa: Crop Output (2002)
| Crop | Output (metric tons) |
| Maize Wheat Sugar cane Sorghum Barley |
9,123,000 2,400,000 22,349,000 238,000 142,000 |
| Total | 34,252,000 |
Adapted: Africa Development Indicators (2003) World Bank, p225.
a) (i) state the:
– Leading,
– Least
Crop which was produced in the republic of south Africa in 2002.
(ii) Calculate the volume of cereal crops produced in the Republic of South Africa in 2002.
b) Draw a pie chart to show the relative importance of each crop grown.
c) (i) Identify the crop in the table grown under plantation farming.
ii) Describe the characteristics of plantation farming in the Republic of South Africa.
d) Outline the:
i) Advantages,
ii) Disadvantages of plantation agriculture.
4. Study Fig 2: Map showing the Richard Toll Scheme and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Name the:
i) River marked 1,
ii) Ocean marked 2,
iii) Ports marked A,B and C,
iv) Countries marked 3 and 4.
b) Describe the conditions which favored the establishment of the scheme in Senegal.
c) Explain the effects of the scheme on the environment in Senegal.
d) Outline the measures being taken to reduce the negative environmental effects of the scheme.
5. a) Draw a sketch map of Africa and on it, mark and name:
i) towns: Abidjan, Algiers and Kinshasa,
ii) areas covered by:
– tropical rain forests,
– Montana forests,
– Mediterranean forests.
b) Describe the characteristics of either tropical rain forests or Montana forests.
c) Explain the factors which have limited the commercial exploitation of tropical rain forests in any one country in Africa.
d) Outline the contribution of the forest industry to the economy of any one tropical rain forests in any one country in Africa
6. Study Table II below showing manufactured goods exported from Zimbabwe (1996 -2001) and answer the questions that follow:
Table II Zimbabwe: Manufactured Export Goods (1996-2001)
| Year | Export (in ‘000 US$) |
| 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 |
846,000 900,000 655,000 640,000 567,000 552,000 |
Adapted: 2003 African Development Indicators – The World Bank, Washington D.C. p104.
a) Draw a line graph to represent the information given in the table.
b) Describe the:
i) Trend in the export of manufactured goods in Zimbabwe between 1996 and 2001.
ii) Conditions which have led to the trend in (b)(i) above.
c) Explain the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the development of Africa.
d) Outline the problems faced by the manufacturing sector in Africa.
PART II
STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENT
Answer two questions from this part.
REGION I: NORTH AMERICA
7. Study Table III: below showing cotton growing in selected states of Southern USA and answer questions that follow:
Table III Southern USA: Cotton Growing in selected states.
| State | Production | Cotton Belt | Degrees |
| California Texas Mississippi New Mexico &Arizona Others |
25 30 10 10 25 |
New Cotton Belt
Old Cotton Belt |
90 – – – – |
Adapted from: Hughes, D. et al (1988) North America: A study of Development; Longman, p68.
a) (i) Calculate the missing values to complete the table above.
(ii) Name any two states with the lowest percentage of cotton production in the Southern USA.
b) Draw a pie chart to show the information given in the table above.
c) Explain the factors which led to the decline in cotton production in the old Cotton Belt in Southern USA.
d) Outline the effects of cotton growing on the environment in the Southern USA.
8. Study Fig 3: Map of the Canadian Prairies provided below and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Name the:
i) States marked A, B and C,
ii) Minerals obtained from areas marked X and Y,
iii) Industrial towns marked 1, 2 and 3.
b) Describe the conditions which have led to the establishment of industries on the Canadian prairies.
c) Explain the benefits of the industrial sector to the people of Canada.
d) Outline the environmental problems which have resulted from the establishment of industries on the Canadian Prairies.
9. a) Draw a sketch map of British Columbia and on it, mark and name any two:
i) rivers,
ii) interior timber collecting centres,
iii) Coastal timber exporting ports.
b) (i) State any two tree species found in British Columbia.
(ii) Describe the characteristics of forests found in British Columbia.
c) Explain the factors which have led to the development of the forestry industry in british Columbia.
d) Outline the problems facing the forestry industry in British Columbia.
REGION II: THE RHINELANDS
10. Draw a sketch map of Switzerland and on it, mark and name:
a) (i) lakes: Geneva and Luzern,
(ii) Rivers: Rhine and Ticino,
(iii) Relief regions: Jura, Alps and Swiss plateau.
b) (i) State any two crops grown on the Swiss plateau.
(ii) Explain the conditions which have favored arable farming on the Swiss plateau.
c) Outline the problems facing arable farming in Switzerland.
d) Describe the steps being taken to improve the agricultural sector in Switzerland.
11. Study Table IV below showing the different types of farming on the Dutch polders and answer the questions that follow:
Table IV Dutch Polders: Different Types of Farming.
| Type of Farming | Percentage of Land Area covered |
| Market gardening Mixed farming Arable farming Orchards |
07 35 53 05 |
| Total | 100 |
Adapted: Beddis, R. Place, Resources and People. Book 2, p75.
a) Identify the type of farming which occupies the:
i) Largest,
ii) Least percentage of land area on the Dutch polders.
b) Draw a pie chart to show the relative importance of each type of farming.
c) (i) Name any two polders in The Netherlands.
(ii) Describe the processes involved in the formation of a polder.
d) Explain the problems faced by farmers on the Dutch polders.
12. Study Fig 4: Map of Belgium provided below and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Name the
i) Rivers marked 1 and 2,
ii) Canal marked 3,
iii) Coal fields marked A and B,
iv) Industrial centres marked C, D and E.
b) Describe the factors which have favored the development of manufacturing industries in Belgium.
c) Explain the contribution of manufacturing industries to the development of Belgium.
d) Outline the effects of industrialization n the physical environment in Belgium.
REGION III: CHINA
13. (a) Draw a sketch map of China and on it, mark and name:
i) The south china sea,
ii) Rivers: Hwang Ho and Sikiang,
iii) Areas with a population density of:
– Less than 10 persons per Km2,
– 10-100 persons per Km2,
– 100-200 persons per Km2,
– Over 200 persons per Km2.
b) Describe the conditions which have led to a population density of less than 10 persons per Km2 in China.
c) Explain the:
i) Advantages,
ii) Disadvantages of a low population density.
e) Outline the steps being taken to solve the problem of low population density in China.
14. Study Fig 5: Map of the Sikiang River Valley and answer the questions that follow:
MAP
a) Name the:
i) Rivers marked 1 and 2,
ii) Islands marked 3 and 4,
iii) Gulf marked A,
iv) Towns marked B and C.
b) Describe the conditions which have favored agricultural development in the Sikiang river valley.
c) Outline the problems faced by farmers in the Sikiang river valley.
d) Suggest steps that should be taken to solve the problems in © above.
15. Study Table V below showing total population for selected urban centres in China (2005) and answer the questions that follow:
Table V Chine: Total Population for selected Urban Centres (2005).
| Urban | Total Population |
| Anshan Tianjin Lanzhou Beijing Nanchang Shenyang |
1,400,000 9,300,000 1,800,000 10,800,000 1,700,000 5,000,000 |
Adapted: 2005 World Development Indicators, the World Bank, Washington D.C. p178.
a) Draw a bar graph to represent the information given in the table above.
b) Identify the urban centre with the:
i) Largest,
ii) Lowest population size.
c) Describe the factors which have led to the development of urban centres in china.
d) Outline the:
(i) Problems which have resulted from urbanization in china,
(ii) Steps being taken to improve urban centres in china.
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