Geography Paper 1 KCSE 2023

SECTION A (25 marks) Answer all the questions in this section.

1(a) Differentiate between weathering and mass wasting. (2 marks)

Weathering is the breaking down and decomposition of solid rocks at or near the earth's surface by physical and chemical processes without movement/in situ while mass wasting is the displacement or movement of weathered materials downslope under the influence of gravity.

(b)Identify three ways in which temperature change influences physical weathering. (3 marks)

Exfoliation

Block disintegration

Granular disintegration

2 Describe how a land breeze occurs. (5 marks)

3 (a) Distinguish between weather and climate. (2 marks)

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere of a place at a particular time or over a short period of time, while climate is the average weather condition of a particular place for a long period of time (30-35yrs).

(b) State three negative effects of desertification on the physical environment. (3 marks)

Drying up of soil/ development of infertile soil

Destruction of water catchment areas

Destruction / drying up of vehetation

4 (a) State two factors that influence river erosion. (2 marks)

Rock type over which a river is flowing

Composition or size of sediments or load

Slope / gradient of the landscape

(b) Name the three types of sand dunes. (3 marks)

Bachans

Seif dunes

Transverse dunes

5 Figure 1 shows zones of ground water. Use it to answer question 5(a)

(a) Name the zones marked E and F. (2 marks)

F-Zone of non-saturation

E-Zone of intermittent saturation

(b) State three conditions that favour the formation of an artesian basin. (3 marks)

A permeable rock / aquifer sandwiched between two impermeable rocks

A permeable rock that is exposed to the surface on one side or both sides

A permeable rock or aquifer that outcrops in a region of adequate water supply

SECTION B (75 marks)

Answer question 6 and any other two questions from this section.

6 Study the 1965 map of Mumias 1:50,000 (Sheet 101/2) provided and answer the following questions.

(a) (i) Convert the scale of the map into statement scale. (2 marks)

(ii) Give the six figure grid reference for the school at Mungabo. (2 marks)

(iii) Identify three types of natural vegetation found to the south of Northing 36. (3 marks)

(iv) What is the bearing of the school at Khamashia from the school at Ihonje? (2 marks)

(ii) riverine trees;

(iii) river Nzoia;

(iv) seasonal swamp. (7 marks)

(c) Citing evidence from the map, explain two factors favouring trading in the area. (4 marks)

(d) Describe the relief of the area covered by the map. (5 marks)

7 (a) (i) Give three sources of lake water. (3 marks) (ii) State three characteristics of lakes formed due to faulting. (3 marks)

(b) Describe how the following lakes are formed:

(i) moraine dammed; (6 marks)

(ii) lagoon. (5 marks)

(c) Explain four ways in which lakes influence the climate of the surrounding areas. (8 marks)

8 (a) (i) Define the term glaciation. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain three negative effects of glaciation on human environment. (6 marks)

(b) (i) Give three ways in which ice moves. (3 marks)

(ii) Explain two factors that influence movement of ice. (4 marks)

(c) Describe how each of the following features is formed:

(i) outwash plain; (4 marks)

(ii) Roché mountonee. (6 marks)

9 (a) Give two reasons why wind is more active in hot deserts. (2 marks)

(b) Describe how the following features found in hot deserts are formed:

(i) mushroom block; (4 marks)

(ii) yardangs. (4 marks)

(c) Explain three ways in which features resulting from wind action in arid areas are important. (8 marks)

(d) Some students carried out a field study on wind deposition features in an arid area in Kenya.

(i) Name three secondary sources of information they are likely to rely on while preparing for the study. (3 marks)

(ii) State three reasons why it was necessary for the students to visit the area before the actual field study. (3 marks)

(iii) Give three advantages of studying wind depositional features through field work. (3 marks)

10 (a) Classify soils according to order. (3 marks)

(b) Explain how the following factors influence soil formation:

(i) parent rock; (4 marks)

(ii) climate. (6 marks)

(c) State five economic uses of soil. (5 marks)

(d) Students in a secondary school intend to carry out a field study on soils within their local environment.

(i) Give three activities the students are likely to carry out during the study. (3 marks)

(ii) List four properties of soil the students would study.