Geography Paper 2 WASSCE (PC 2ND), 2018

Question 5

 

  1. Draw an outline map of Nigeria.

    On the map, locate and name:

    1. Savanna vegetation belt;
    2. The position of the Tropical Maritime Air Mass (mT) in January;
    3. The position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in January.
  2. Outline three characteristics of the Tropical Maritime Air Mass.
  3. Describe three economic activities in the Savanna Vegetation belt shown in (a) above.

Observation

This question was answered by a fair proportion of the candidates who took the examination. However, the candidates performed poorly as many of them drew poor map outlines. Consequently, they could not locate the mT in January neither could they locate the ITCZ in January. Mastery of map work could only be achieved through repeated practice. Many of the candidates could not also outline the characteristics of the Tropical Maritime Air Mass. The points expected from the candidates are:

  • mean annual temperature is about 27OC to 35oC
  • temperature range is about 11 oC
  • single peak rainy season from May to October
  • mean annual rainfall is about 1000mm -1500mm
  • annual rainfall decreases with increasing latitude
  • not prevalent in November to April
  • relative humidity is high (70-90%) when prevalent
  • relative humidity is low when not prevalent
  • rainfall could be convectional
  • rainfall is associated with thunder and lightening
  • abundance sunshine all year round
  • cloud cover decreases in thickness with increase in latitude

The Economic activities in the savannah vegetation region are:

  • Livestock farming
  • food crop production
  • fishing in water bodies
  • salt winning/mining
  • tourism
  • basket and straw-hat weaving
  • food processing
  • wood processing
  • textile industry
  • boat building
  • oil refining
  • cement production
  • oil refinery
  • vehicle assembly
  • cloth weaving
  • leatherworks
  • trading
  • tertiary institutions
  • transport business