2017 JAMB GEOGRAPHY PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The dependency ratio is a demographic measure that indicates the number of dependents (aged 0–14 and 65+) supported by the working-age population (15–64). It helps in understanding the economic burden on the productive population. The other options refer to different types of population measures: agricultural density relates to land use, employment ratio to workforce participation, and population density to the total number of people per area.

Africa’s northern boundary is the Mediterranean Sea, which separates it from Europe. The other options refer to different bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean lies to the west, the Red Sea to the northeast, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.

In tropical areas, seasons are mainly determined by temperature due to the Earth’s position relative to the Sun, affecting the amount of solar radiation received. Rainfall and evaporation are influenced by temperature, but they don’t define the seasons themselves.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. The other options refer to different celestial events: solar eclipses occur when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.

Road transport has low maintenance costs and flexibility, allowing connections to many places, making it ideal for short to medium distances. Other transportation means like air, rail, and water are less flexible, more expensive, and less accessible in many regions.

Canberra (Australia), Abuja (Nigeria), and Brasilia (Brazil) were specially built to serve as the capitals and seats of government for their respective countries. Other cities like Chicago and New Delhi have long histories as major urban centers but were not specifically planned as capitals.

Farming is a primary economic activity because it involves extracting natural resources directly from the earth. The other options (manufacturing, food processing, and transportation) are secondary and tertiary economic activities that involve processing or distributing goods.

Shiroro and Afarn are hydroelectric plants, while Egbin and Ijora are thermal power stations in Nigeria. Thermal plants use fossil fuels to generate electricity, unlike hydroelectric stations that rely on water sources.

An ox-bow lake forms from a meander, a bend in a river. Over time, the river cuts through the narrow neck of the meander, leaving behind an isolated body of water. Cataracts and gorges are landforms related to river erosion but are not part of ox-bow lake formation.

Conakry is the capital of Guinea, located in West Africa. Algiers is the capital of Algeria, Antananarivo of Madagascar, and Johannesburg is a major city in South Africa.

Recycling worn-out machinery and plastics reduces waste and environmental pollution by reusing materials. The other options (burning, burying, or throwing away) contribute to pollution or land degradation.

The instrument shown is a barometer, which measures atmospheric pressure. Wind vanes measure wind direction, hygrometers measure humidity, and thermometers measure temperature.

Glaciation is a process related to ice rather than wind. Abrasion, attrition, and deflation are wind erosion processes that shape desert landscapes.

The area marked E is suitable for the cultivation of cotton due to its favorable climate and soil conditions. Other crops like millet, groundnuts, and raffia palm require different environmental conditions.

Guinea is a member of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), which is a regional political and economic union in West Africa. Kenya, Namibia, and Algeria are not part of ECOWAS.

Jos is a major area for gold mining in Nigeria, while Burutu, Ilesha, and Ughelli are known for other minerals.

The time in a place 45°E would be 3:00 pm, as each 15° of longitude represents an hour’s difference. Place X is at 0°, so 45°E is 3 hours ahead.

The dependency ratio is determined by the age structure of the population, specifically the number of dependents relative to the working-age population. Other factors like natural increase, migration, and sex composition do not directly determine this ratio.

Pipelines are expensive to build and inflexible. They can cause significant environmental damage if they leak. Transmission lines and rope ways do not share these characteristics.

Shiroro is located in Nigeria, known for its hydroelectric power station. The other countries listed (Cameroon, Kenya, and Ghana) do not have this station.

Clay holds the greatest amount of moisture due to its fine particles and small pores, which retain water better than sand or sandy loam. These soils drain quickly, making them less suitable for high moisture retention.

Chain surveying is not ideal for areas with irregular slopes, as measuring distances accurately is challenging. Rocky environments and embankment areas also pose challenges, while plain topography is most suitable.

The V-shaped valley is a common feature in the upper course of a river, where erosion predominates. Other features, like ox-bow lakes and meanders, form in the middle or lower course.

The Earth’s rotation results in varying sunlight at different longitudes, leading to the need for different time zones. Variations in weather or climate do not influence time zones directly.

Soil texture, such as sandy or clayey, is easily observed in the field, while fertility, permeability, and acidity require tests or equipment.

Cirrus clouds are high-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals, unlike stratus and altostratus, which form at lower levels. Alto cumulus forms at medium altitudes.

A wind vane measures wind direction. Barometers measure atmospheric pressure, while anemometers measure wind speed.

Groundnuts thrive in areas with suitable temperature and soil conditions. Cotton, millet, and raffia palm require different climates or soil types.

Improved social and medical facilities reduce mortality rates, leading to population growth. Rainfall, government stability, and agricultural practices do not directly contribute to rapid growth.

Mali’s economy relies heavily on cotton exports, with other exports like cattle, groundnuts, and cocoa being less significant.

Developing countries primarily export raw materials, which have lower bargaining power and demand compared to processed goods. Other factors like currency strength and export demand are secondary issues.

Yardangs are elongated ridges formed by wind erosion, a typical feature in deserts. Barchans, loess, and self dunes are different wind-formed landforms but do not result from erosional processes.

In the lower course, the river gradient reduces, slowing the flow. Human activity, vegetation, and volume impact flow but are not primary causes of slower speeds.

A sill is a horizontal intrusion of magma. Laccoliths, dykes, and batholiths have different orientations and formations in geological structures.

The Florida Current is a warm current in the Atlantic Ocean, while the Labrador, California, and Benguela currents are cold currents.

An isohyet connects points of equal rainfall, while isotherms, isobars, and isopachs represent temperature, pressure, and thickness respectively.

Industrial development sparked urban migration by creating job opportunities. Improved medical services, demand for goods, and transportation are factors but secondary to industrial growth.

The wood carving craft is traditionally associated with Edo State in Nigeria. Kano, Anambra, and Osun have other crafts, but not this specific tradition.

Ocean currents are continuous, large-scale water movements. Ripples, waves, and tsunamis are smaller, temporary water motions.

Pollution is the addition of harmful substances to the environment, unlike processes like combustion, transpiration, or evaporation.

The Ruhr Valley is an industrial region specializing in iron and steel production, not food processing, raw materials, or construction industries.

Linear settlements are arranged along roads or rivers. Scattered and dispersed settlements lack such specific arrangement.

The marked area O is a coal mining area, distinguishing it from regions associated with iron, salt, or limestone mining.

The time difference of 60° results in a 4-hour time difference. If it’s 1 am at 30°E, it will be 9 pm the previous day at 30°W.

Delta State produces most of Nigeria’s rubber. Other states contribute but at lower levels.

Road transport is highly flexible and can reach various locations. Other advantages like economy or ability to carry bulky goods are more limited.

The area marked D is Sudan savanna, which has distinctive vegetation and climate, unlike Guinea or Sahel savannas.

Mining progresses from exploration to exploitation, followed by refining and transportation of minerals.

Deforestation involves tree cutting, burning, or grazing but not shifting cultivation, which rotates land use.

Honshu’s industry is renowned for shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing, especially Toyota.