Introduction to Physical Geography (GPLA2101)
BA. Geography and Planning - GP
Semester: First Semester
Level: 200
Year: 2017
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON THE UNIVERSITY OF BAMENDA
P e a ce – Wor k - F at her l a nd P. O. P O X 3 9 B a mb ili
Faculty: Arts Department: GEOGRAPHY AND PLANNING Lecturer(s): Prof. KOMETA & WIRBA
Course Code: GEOP 201 Course Title: Introduction to Physical Geography
Date: 18/04/2017 Hall: CCAST Time: 3.00-6.00PM
Examination Instruction(s): _SEE SECTIONS
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (30 MKS)
1. The statement "the state of equilibrium in the drainage basin between the inputs and outputs" best describes which of the
following?
A. Water balance B. Storm hydrograph C. Soil moisture budget D. Hydrological cycle
2. Identify the climatic region which corresponds to the description provided below:
"High temperatures throughout the year with an annual average of about 27° C, rainfalls throughout the year usually
accompanied by thunderstorms averaging about 2000mm, skies frequently covered with thick clouds"
A. The Monsoon climatic type B. The Mediterranean region C. The tropical grassland climatic type D. The Equatorial
climatic region
3. Which geographic feature had the greatest influence on the development of ancient civilizations?
A Dense forests B Mountain passes C Smooth coastlines D River valleys
4. Which statement most accurately describes how geography affected the growth of the ancient civilizations of Egypt and
Mesopotamia?
A River valleys provided rich soil to grow plentiful crops.
B Large deserts provided many mineral deposits.
C Access to the Atlantic Ocean provided trade routes.
D Large savanna areas provided protection from invaders.
5. Deforestation, acid rain, and the greenhouse effect are major world problems that indicate a need for
A cooperation between nations to reduce pollution and environmental destruction.
B the development of mass transit systems in developing nations.
C an increase in the worldwide production of oil.
D a reduction in crop production in some areas of the world.
6. What does the term loess refers to: A River borne material B Fine wind deposited material C Fine glacial
material D Fine wave deposited material
7. Desert vegetation is predominantly: A Xerophytes B Halophytes C Epiphytes D None of these
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8. Ecosystem services provided by biodiversity include the following except: A Provisioning services B Cultural
Service C Diversity services D Regulatory services
9. A group of individuals of the same species living in the same geographic area is known as A Environments Ecology C
Ecosystem D Population
10. In the water balance equation P = Q + E ± ∆S, Q represents: A Change in storage B Evapotranspiration C Runoff
D Transfer of water
11. A continuous record of stream or river discharge measured at a given point as a function of time is
A Discharge B Hydrograph C Infiltration D Transpiration
12. Which of the following best defines an ecological footprint? A) A measure of the amount of biologically productive area
needed to produce resources used and to absorb waste created by an activity. B) A complete, self-generating, unique ensemble
of genetic variation, capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. C) All interacting communities of organisms and
abiotic factors of the environment in a defined area. D) The study of how living organisms interact with the physical and
biological environments
13. The following are some ways humans have modified the biosphere except A Deforestation B Extinction
C Landscaping D Denudation
14. Chernozems are produced by the following soil forming process A Podzolisation B Calcification
C Lateritization D Gleization
15. The South American vegetation which is grass covered with species of feather grass typically occurring in bunches is known
as A Veldt B Prairie C Pampas D Downs
16. The core of the earth is known as the A Asthenosphere B Lithosphere C Barysphere D Mesosphere
17. The point where the earthquake waves originate is known as A Epicenter B Focus C Tsunami D Seismograph
18. Earthquake waves which move horizontally and cause damages are A Primary B Secondary C Rayleigh D Long
19. In which of the following situations is the hydrological cycle considered as a closed system A River basin system
B Global hydrological system C Continental hydrological system D Oceanic hydrological system
20. The process by which water changes from a solid to a gaseous state is known as A Evaporation B Condensation
C Sublimation D Ablation
21. Which of the sets of weather elements below constitutes the strongest determinants of the climate of a place?
A Temperature and precipitation B Humidity and temperature C Air masses and winds D Temperatures and winds
22. The layer of the earth's interior in a semi-plastic or semi-liquid state with a high proportion of ferromagnesian minerals is
known as A The sima B The core C The inner core D The mantle
23. All of the following statements show the role of nutrient supply to the soil except A Adds nitrogen, sulphur and
phosphorus to soil B Adds carbon exchange capacity of the soil C Adds iron to the soil D Helps to buffer the pH of the
soil
24. The soils in some parts of the Mandara Mountains are young, skeletal and immature as the soil forming factors there have
not yet operated for long. These soils are definitely known as A Intrazonal B Azonal C Hydromorphic D Desertic
25. Any ecosystem whose vegetation is evergreen thereby making it possible for photosynthesis to take place all year round at
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almost the same rate is known as A Semi-evergreen forest B Deciduous forest C Rainforest D Temperate forest
26. In the ecosystem concept which of the following is not a component of the abiotic environment? A Plants B Water
C Light D Temperatures
27. Identify the group of organisms which operate at all trophic levels in the food web A Omnivores B Carnivores
C Heterotrophs D Detritivores
28. Evidence of Alfred Wegener's continental drift include the following except A Certain identical rare fossils found in
different continents B Rocks of similar type, formation and age found in Africa and Brazil C Evidence of volcanic lakes
and zones of activity D Evidence of past glaciations in some tropical areas
29. The following characteristics are those of the Mantle except A About 25 - 75 km thick B Found at a depth of
approximately 2900km C Temperatures of over 5000 °C at its base D Shares a border with the inner core
30. These are some features associated with the destructive plate margins except A Oceanic trenches B Island Arcs
C Fold Mountains D Transform faults
SECTION B: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
1. Study the diagram below showing the biotic complex and answer the questions that follow:
i. What feature is X representing? (1mk)
ii. Name and locate one example of rainforest vegetation (1 mk)
iii. What is the name given to taiga vegetation? (1mk)
iv. Define the following terms a) Natural Vegetation b) Climate c) Ecology (1.5 x 3 = 4.5 mks)
v. What are the major causes of deforestation? (2mks)
vi. Suggest measures that can be used to conserve the soils of your area. (3mks)
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(2 a)Study the cross section below and answer the questions that follow:
i. Name the layers of the earth's structure A, B, C, D (4mks)
ii. X represents the line that separates A and B. What is the name given to the letter X? (1mk)
iii. Name THREE consequences of earth quakes (3mks)
iv. Define the term tsunami (2mks)
v. With examples explain what you understand by the term volcanic rocks (2.5 mks)
SECTION C: ESSAY QUESTIONS
ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS
1. EITHER Discuss the relationship that exists between the climate, the vegetation and the soil. OR a) Define the
term hydrology b) Examine the importance of water in hydrology. (10 mks)
What do you understand by open and closed system? (10 mks)
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