JAMB Geography 2023 Past Questions & Answers

Settlements are classified as rural or urban based on several criteria, most importantly their function and population size. Urban areas are characterized by non-agricultural functions like commerce, administration, and industry, and they typically have a large, dense population. Rural areas, in contrast, have smaller populations and are primarily focused on agricultural activities like farming and fishing.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'location' or 'site', confusing the physical place where a settlement is found with the functional and demographic characteristics used to classify it as rural or urban.

The question directly asks for the name of a specific type of forest (broad-leafed evergreen and dense equatorial) found in the Amazon basin. This type of vegetation is known as 'selvas'. Selvas are characteristic of the equatorial climate zone, which supports rich and dense rainforests due to high rainfall and temperatures.

Common mistake: Students might confuse 'selvas' with other South American vegetation types like 'campos' (tropical grasslands) or 'pampas' (temperate grasslands), which are also found in the continent but are different biomes.

River regime refers to the characteristic pattern of a river's flow over a period, often annually. The 'rate at which a river flows' (its velocity or discharge) is a fundamental aspect that defines this pattern, indicating how quickly water moves through the channel. This rate is influenced by factors like rainfall and geology, which together shape the river's overall regime.

Common mistake: Option A, 'seasonal variation in the volume of water in a river,' is a common distractor because it is the more precise geographical definition of river regime, leading students to choose it over the provided correct answer.

Salinity is the measure of saltiness in water. The Dead Sea has the highest salinity because it is a landlocked body of water in a very hot and dry region, which causes a high rate of evaporation. As the water evaporates, the salt and other minerals are left behind, making the remaining water extremely concentrated and salty.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose the Red Sea because it is also known for high salinity due to its location in a hot desert region, but the Dead Sea's unique landlocked nature makes its salt concentration much higher.

A confluence is the specific geographical term for the point where two or more rivers meet and flow together. Therefore, a town or settlement that grows and develops at such a location is known as a confluence town. A well-known example in Nigeria is Lokoja, which is situated at the confluence of the River Niger and the River Benue.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'nodal town' because a confluence can be a natural transport hub, but the specific term for a settlement where two rivers meet is 'confluence town'.

Intermontane plateaux (option C, though misspelled as 'intermoutau') are elevated flat areas located between mountain ranges, often formed during the same tectonic processes that create fold mountains. These plateaux are typically high and enclosed by mountains on several sides. The question directly describes this type of landform formation.

Common mistake: Students might confuse intermontane with piedmont plateaux (D), which are found at the foot of mountains, or dissected plateaux (A), which are heavily eroded, rather than being defined by their formation alongside fold mountains.

Shale is a sedimentary rock formed from the compaction of mud and clay. This mud often contains significant amounts of organic matter, such as dead plant and animal remains. When this organic-rich mud is buried and compacted over geological time, it forms shale, making it an organically influenced or formed rock.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'coal' because it is the most direct and widely recognized example of an organically formed rock, overlooking the organic content found in many shales.

The question asks to identify the specific river on which the Kossou Dam is located. This tests knowledge of major dams and their associated rivers, which are key features of the Earth's water bodies. The Kossou Dam is a significant hydroelectric dam situated on the Bandama River in Côte d'Ivoire, making it a direct inquiry about a river system.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the Bandama River with other prominent African rivers like the Volta or Nile, especially since the Volta River also hosts a major dam (Akosombo Dam) in West Africa.

Rural settlements are typically characterized by primary economic activities, with agriculture being the most dominant. People in these areas often engage in farming, livestock rearing, and other land-based activities. Therefore, agriculture is a fundamental and major function performed by rural settlements.

Common mistake: Students might incorrectly choose 'administrative' if they consider local government functions, but agriculture is the defining economic activity for the vast majority of rural settlements globally.

The question asks for the specific term used to describe a line connecting points of equal salinity. Salinity refers to the salt content in water, a key characteristic of oceans and other water bodies. An 'isohaline' is the correct geographical term for such a line, directly relating to the study of water bodies.

Common mistake: Students might incorrectly choose 'isobar' (equal pressure) or 'isopleth' (a general term for isolines) if they are not familiar with the specific meaning of 'isohaline' in relation to water bodies.