ZIMSEC GEOGRAPHY JUNE 2018

PAPER 1 QUESTIONS AND MODEL ANSWERS

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1. Study the map extract provided (1:500 000, Wenimbi, Zimbabwe)

a) Draw a sketch map to show, in simplified form, the relief and drainage features
of the area. [8]
The sketch map required should outline the main relief and drainage features. It must
highlight the main physical features of geographical relevance.

Model answer
The ideal sketch map must show the following:
​Relief
- The central watershed stretching from East to West.
- The gently sloping area of the watershed.
- The upland area, with a flat top, or plateau, evident in grid square 5889.
- The steep edges of the plateau on the Eastern and Southern Eastern sides.
- Isolated mountain peaks, or a multi summited mountain range, (grid square 5989)
- Narrow river valleys (Wenimbi and Nyamangoro)
- Steep valley sides.
- Gently sloping plain in the North West.
- Inselbergs, or isolated hills.

​ rainage
D
- The main rivers, Nyamangoro, Wenimbi, Nyakambiri.
- Their direction of flow
- The straight course for Nyamangoro river
- Disappear streams
- Angular bends
- Main drainage patterns
[Use of key, title and labelling of features is expected]
Relief max [5]
Drainage max [3]

b) Briefly describe the relief features of the area and suggest possible reasons for
their existence. [9]
This question requires detailed descriptions of the features shown on the sketch map.
Descriptions must be vivid, and the use of descriptive language is expected.
Candidates should also explain the development of these features.

Model answer
There is a broken chain of residual hills that rise notably above a generally gently sloping
terrain. This is due to the remnants of more resistant rocks that were able to withstand
weathering and other denudational processes.

Also, a prominent plateau surface with steep sides rising to a flat top in grid square 5889
is evident on the map extract. Its existence is explained by the back wearing of the
escarpments, culminating in parallel scarp retreat. It may also indicate an early stage in
the Davisian erosion cycle, explaining why the plateau exists as a planation surface that is
prominently above the other surfaces.

There is a gently sloping watershed region extending from the East to West. Its existence
is evidence of an advanced stage in the Davisian erosion cycle, which has worn down the
terrain and reduced it to a nearly level surface.

Rugged terrain, with a multi summited mountain range exists to the South of the
watershed. This can be attributed to a regional uplift which was followed by active
vertical erosion, to create narrow valleys and isolated mountains.

[Features should be identified either my name or location]

​Description of relief [5]

 Reasons for existence [4]

c) Write an explanatory account of the drainage features of the area. [8]

The question requires a description of the drainage features and reasons for the
descriptions given

​ odel answer
M
Generally, streams to the North of the watershed flow in a Motherly direction, while
those to the South flow in a Southerly direction. This shows that the direction of flow is
influenced more by the dip of the slope.

Nyamangoro and Wenimbi show straight channels. This is due to the existence of
structural controls on the direction of flow of these main rivers

Streams show angular bends, culminating in a rectangular drainage pattern evident in grid
square 5484. This is influenced by alternating bands of hard and soft rocks, as well as
rock jointing in the area.

There is a low drainage density in the area. This indicates the existence of permeable
underlying rocks which lead to more infiltration and less surface flow.

For each well developed point [2]

2. Fig.1 shows seasonal variations in discharge along Ganga River in India.

 a​ ) Describe how the information used to construct the discharge graphs was
collected. [8]
​ andidates should give a detailed account of the procedures in measuring river
C
discharge

Model answer
First, a straight stretch of the river was chosen. Measurements of the length of the stretch
were accurately taken using a tape measure. The starting and finishing points of the
stretch were clearly marked.

Secondly, the river velocity along the chosen stretch was measured. This was done by
using an object that would be partially submerged in the water. The object was thrown
into the river and a stopwatch used to record the time taken for it to travel from the
starting to the finishing point. The procedure was performed thrice, and the time taken
was recorded for each time.

The velocity was then calculated for each instance using the formula:

Distance along the stretch

Velocity = ---------------------------------
Time taken

The average velocity was then calculated by finding the sum if the three velocities and
dividing by 3.

To account for friction and air resistance, the resultant velocity was multiplied by a
constant 0,85.

After obtaining the channel velocity, the channel cross section was measured. This was
done by measuring the depth of the channel at a specific interval, for instance, after every
5 meters as they moved across the channel, starting from the near bank.

The depths were then recorded and plotted against the distance from the near bank to
produce a graphical presentation of the river's cross section.

The area if the cross section was then determined by the number of squares, and
translating the area obtained to the actual area of the cross section by means of the scale
used in plotting the values.
Finally, discharge was calculated as:

Discharge = Velocity x Cross Section Area

The process was repeated several times and the mean monthly discharge was calculated
for each month.

b) Describe how the graphs were constructed. [8]

​Basic steps in producing a bar graph are required

Model answer
Firstly, the horizontal and vertical axes were drawn, with the horizontal axis showing the
months while the vertical showing the mean monthly discharge.

An appropriate scale was chosen for the discharge, and the width of each bar was decided
on.

The bars were then plotted, using the mean monthly discharges. The height of each bar is
proportional to the discharge for that particular month.

To give a good visual impression, the bars were shaded. The axes were clearly labeled.

Lastly, a key and title were fitted.

​ci) Describe the seasonal variations in discharge at the two gauging stations. [5]
​Seasonal variations in discharge must be described in detail for both stations

Model answer
Discharge is very low for both Varansi and Kanpur from January to June, with the river
running almost dry for the entire season. The discharge then shows a gradual rise in
discharge, to reach a peak in August. This is then followed by a sharp drop from October
to very low levels by the end of the year.

Varansi has a similar discharge pattern for the early to the middle part of the year,
whereby river discharge is very low. There is a sharp rise in discharge from June, to reach
a peak discharge in September. This is flowed by a sharp fall to very low levels by the
end of the year.
Kanpur has a small drainage basin as there are only a few streams feeding the river. The
town does not receive industrial water.

Low discharge is experienced due to abstraction of water for irrigation purposes in the
farmlands.

ii) Suggest reasons for the variations. [4]

There is need to explain the causes of the variations in river discharge shown

​ odel answer
M
Lower discharge for Kanpur is attributed to a small drainage basin as there are only a few
streams feeding the river. Also, Kanpur does not receive industrial water to supplement
its discharge.

Furthermore, low discharge for Kanpur is experienced due to abstraction of water for
irrigation purposes in the farmlands as indicated by numerous irrigation canals in the
rivers catchment area.

Varanasi has higher discharge due to a bigger drainage basin. This collects water from
many tributaries, contributing to a higher discharge.

Also, river discharge is higher due to a larger number of towns that supply industrial
waste water, thus supplementing the river's discharge.

Low discharge in the dry season is a result of diversion of water from the river for
irrigation purposes.

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