List of Essay questions
Theme 1
1.Explain the main differences between the Pleistocene and Holocene on a World Map. (6)
2.Account for the distinctive characteristics of the humid and arid tropical climates. (20)
3.Describe and explain what is meant by the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the Hadley cell. (12)
4.Explain convectional rain formation due to localised heating. (12)
5.Explain the Asian and African Monsoons. (12)
6.Explain the difference between walker circulation and the EL Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). (12)
7.Account for the factors affecting temperature on earth. (12)
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8.Rainfall variations in the tropics are mostly influenced by trade winds and the Hadley Cell. Do you agree with this statement? (20m)
9.Describe the inputs and outputs of the drainage basin and explain their roles within it. (12)
10.With the aid of a diagram, account for the flows and stores in a drainage basin. (12)
11.Compare the nature and causes of infiltration excess flow (Hortonian overland flow) and saturation overland flow. (12)
12.Account for the Hjulstrom Model. (12) (H2 Only)
13. Using the Bradshaw model, explain how channel morphology changes in a drainage basin. (12) (H2 Only)
14.Account for the factors affecting drainage density. (12)
15.Account for the forms and formation of the Meandering and Braided channels. (20) (H2 Only)
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16.Account for the factors that can affect the longitudinal profile of a river. (12) (H2 Only)
17.Explain how the rock cycle explains and accounts for the characteristics of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. (12m) (H2 Only)
18.To what extent is chemical weathering the more dominant process in the tropics? (20) (H2 Only)
19.To what extent are the type, rate and effectiveness of weathering dependent upon climate? (12) (H2 only)
20.Account for the 3 different soil forming processes (12) (H2 Only)
21.Explain the factors resulting in deep soil formation. (12) (H2 Only)
22.Account for aeolian and water erosion in the arid tropics (12) (H2 Only)
23.Account for shear strength and shear stress (12) (H2 Only)
24.Account for rotational and translational slides. (12) (H2 Only)
25.Account for fall, flow and heave types of mass movement (12) (H2 Only)
26.Explain how and why mass movement processes (Slide, flow, heave and fall) are different in the tropical environments. (12) (H2 Only)
27. To what extent does human factors result in mass movement in the tropics? (20) (H2 Only)
28.Explain the factors favouring karst formation (12) (H2 Only)
29.Explain the formation of a cone and tower karst. (12) (H2 Only)
30.Evaluate the extent to which climate can explain the development of the various karst and aeolian landforms in the tropics. (20) (H2 Only)
31.Explain the formation of Yardangs. (12) (H2 Only)
32.Explain the formation of depositional aeolian landforms like dunes and loess. (12) (H2 Only)
33.To what extent is the role of climate important in influencing the formation of landforms in the arid tropics? (20m) (H2 Only)
34.Explain the factors affecting storm hydrographs. (20)
35.Explain the patterns and conditions for tropical cyclones. (12)
36.To what extent are human factors the main reason for the destructive impacts of Tropical Cyclones? (20)
37.Explain the different factors contributing to flooding. (20)
38.To what extent have hard and soft strategies been successful in preventing floods? (20)
39.Explain the characteristics of a flood hydrograph of a river in a natural environment in the tropics. (12m)
40.Explain the causes of deforestation. (12) (H2 Only)
41.Explain the effects of deforestation. (12) (H2 Only)
42.Explain the effectiveness of strategies to manage deforestation. (20) (H2 Only)
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43.Assess the extent to which the level of development of countries determine the success of the management of tropical deforestation. (20) (H2 Only)
Theme 2
44.With the aid of a diagram, explain the Core-Periphery Diagram. (12) (H2 Only)
45.Explain the Dependency Theory. (6) (H2 Only)
46.Explain the strengths and limitations for Bottom Up and Top Down development. (12) (H2 Only)
47.Evaluate the main factors that determine the nature and effectiveness of bottom-up development
strategies. (12) (H2 Only)
48.Account for the strengths and limitations of the HDI. (20) (H2 Only)
49.Explain the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). (12) (H2 Only)
50.Explain whether the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been successful. (12)
51.Explain the role of the state as a regulator of economic activities and provider of public services
and goods. (12m) (H2 Only)
52.Explain the emergence of the NIDL. (12) (H2 Only)
53.Explain how the TNCs control and coordinate the functions of intra-firm networks. (12) (H2 Only)
54.Explain the relation of inter-firm networks and their relevance. (12) (H2 Only)
55.Describe the characteristics of TNCs (6) (H2 Only)
56.Explain the positive and negative economic, social and environmental impacts of TNCs on host
economies of countries that are less developed. (20) (H2 Only)
57.Discuss the challenges that states may face in governing the global economy. (20m) (H2 Only)
58.To what extent are Transnational Corporations (TNCs) more influential than states? (20) (H2 Only)
59.Evaluate the roles played by regional and international organisations in the governance of the
global economy. (20) (H2 Only)
60.Explain the role of non state actors. (12) (H2 Only)
61.Which is the most important factor influencing resource appraisal? (20) (H2 Only)
62.Discuss the various perspectives taken in population-resource relationships. (20) (H2 Only)
63.Discuss the impacts of extractive industries. (12) (H2 Only)
64.Explain the reasons for the resource curse thesis. (12) (H2 Only)
65.Explain the strategies that can be used to avoid the resource curse thesis. (20m) (H2 Only)
66.Explain the causes of water scarcity. (12) (H2 Only)
67.Evaluate the strategies used to manage water scarcity. (20) (H2 Only)
68.Explain the factors contributing to conflicts of transboundary water sources. (12) (H2 Only)
69.Evaluate the strategies used to manage transboundary water conflicts. (20) (H2 Only)
70.Explain the pros and cons for the privatisation of water resources. (12) (H2 Only)
Theme 3
71.Explain the concept of “our common future and its key tenets”. (12)
72.Explain the various evidence for climate change. (12)
73.Account for anthropogenic (human) activities that contribute to climate change. (12)
74.Explain the natural causes for climate change. (12)
75.Explain the effects of climate change on sustainable development. (20)
76.Explain the responses to mitigate and adapt to climate change. (20)
77.Discuss if Hydropower and Nuclear energy are suitable for a universal application. (20)
78.Discuss the extent to which alternative energy is the only solution to manage climate change. (20m)
79.Account for the variations in urbanisation between Developed Countries and Less Developed Countries. (12)
80.Explain the relevance of sustainable development to countries at low levels of development. (12)
81.To what extent can international conferences address the goals of Sustainable Development? (20)
82.Explain the relationship between urban livability and sustainable urban development. (12)
83.Assess the effectiveness of the indicators used to measure sustainable urban development. (12)
84.Explain the difficulties of measuring urban liveability. (12m)
85.Explain the concept of Urban metabolism. (6)
86.Explain the strategies that can be used to manage non-hazardous solid waste. (20)
87.Explain the characteristics of slums. (12)
88.Account for the reasons for the development of slums. (12)
89.To what extent are strategies used to address slums useful in improving the lives of slum dwellers? (20)
90.Explain the reasons for traffic congestion between developed countries and less developed countries. (12)
91.Explain the impacts of traffic congestion. (12)
92.Evaluate the strategies for managing traffic congestion. (20)
93.Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used for urban reimaging. (20)
94.Explain the impact of urban reimaging on urban dwellers. (12)
95.Explain the issues affecting livability for the elderly. (12)
96.Explain the issues affecting migrants. (12)
97.Discuss how meeting the needs of the elderlies and youths pose challenges to achieving urban liveability.
(20)
98.Explain the strategies used to cater to the needs of migrants and the elderly. (20)
99.Explain the factors contributing to pluvial floods. (12)
100.Explain the relevance of strategies used to mitigate the effects of pluvial floods. (20)