JAMB Geography 2025 Past Questions & Answers

A stack is a tall, isolated column of rock formed by the continuous erosional action of waves on a headland. Waves attack weaknesses in the rock, forming caves and then arches, which eventually collapse to leave a stack. This is a classic example of a landform created by marine erosion.

Common mistake: Students often confuse erosional landforms with depositional ones, leading them to incorrectly choose options like 'spit' or 'beach' which are formed by deposition.

Chain surveying is primarily used for measuring linear distances and can yield relatively more accurate results for these measurements, especially on flat ground, compared to the angular measurements and subsequent distance calculations in a prismatic compass survey. While a prismatic compass is good for determining bearings and directions, its accuracy can be affected by magnetic variations and observer errors, making chain survey often more precise for direct linear measurements. Therefore, for tasks requiring high precision in distance, chain survey has an advantage.

Common mistake: Students might choose option D, thinking chain survey equipment is simpler and thus more portable, but the main advantage lies in the accuracy of the measurements it provides for specific tasks.

This question directly assesses knowledge of global population distribution, specifically identifying regions of high versus low population density. The Island of Java is famously one of the most densely populated islands in the world, contrasting with the sparsely populated Amazon forests, hot deserts, and Antarctica. Therefore, it is the 'one' that does not fit the description of low population density.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose one of the other options (B, C, or D) if they misinterpret the 'all but one' clause or are unaware of Java's high population density.

Dairy farming involves producing perishable goods like milk, which need to be transported quickly to consumers. Locating dairy farms near big cities minimizes transportation costs and ensures the freshness of products for the large urban population. This is a classic example of intensive agriculture found close to markets in industrial societies.

Common mistake: Students might choose 'Animal husbandry' because dairy farming is a type of animal husbandry, but 'Dairy farming' is a more specific and accurate answer given the context of proximity to a big city and perishable goods.

Drumlins are distinctive smooth, oval-shaped hills composed of glacial till (a mixture of boulders, sand, and gravel) that have been streamlined by the movement of a glacier. They are depositional landforms created by glacial processes. This question directly assesses knowledge of specific landforms resulting from glacial deposition, which is a key aspect of denudation.

Common mistake: Students often confuse drumlins with other glacial landforms like moraines (ridges of till) or eskers (winding ridges of stratified sand and gravel), as all are formed by glacial activity but have different shapes and formation mechanisms.

The question asks for the most important industrial mineral of Ghana. Gold is the correct answer because it is Ghana's most significant mineral export and a major contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings. Historically known as the Gold Coast, Ghana has a long history of gold mining, and it remains the cornerstone of its mining industry, far surpassing bauxite and diamonds in economic value.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Bauxite because it is a well-known industrial mineral used to produce aluminium, but they may not be aware that gold's economic contribution to Ghana is significantly larger.

The question asks to identify the least industrialized zone among specific regions in Nigeria. This requires knowledge of the economic development patterns and distribution of industries across different parts of Nigeria. Lokoja-Ajaokuta, despite the presence of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, has historically experienced less industrial development compared to the well-established industrial hubs like Lagos-Ikeja, Port Harcourt-Aba, and Kaduna-Zaria.

Common mistake: Students might incorrectly choose Kaduna-Zaria, assuming northern regions are generally less industrialized, without considering the specific industrial history and development of each listed zone.

Coastal lands adjacent to cool ocean currents, particularly on the western margins of continents in mid-latitudes, often experience a Mediterranean-type climate. This climate is characterized by dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters. The cool ocean currents stabilize the atmosphere, suppressing summer rainfall, while winter brings cyclonic activity and precipitation.

Common mistake: Students might incorrectly choose 'rain all year round' (C) if they generally associate coastal areas with high rainfall, overlooking the specific drying effect and seasonal rainfall patterns induced by cool ocean currents.

Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions. These reactions are significantly sped up by high temperatures, as heat provides more energy for the chemical processes. High humidity, meaning a large amount of moisture in the air or direct water contact, is also essential because water acts as a solvent and a medium for many chemical reactions that break down minerals in rocks. The tropics typically experience both high temperatures and high humidity, creating ideal conditions for rapid chemical weathering.

Common mistake: Students might incorrectly choose options with low humidity or aridity, failing to understand that water is a critical component for most chemical weathering processes.

The rapid increase in world population during the twentieth century was primarily driven by a significant decrease in death rates. This was due to major advancements in medicine, public health, sanitation, and improved food production, which drastically reduced mortality from diseases and increased life expectancy. While birth rates remained high in many regions, the dramatic drop in deaths was the main factor for the population boom.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'Birth rates have increased rapidly' (Option D) because they intuitively link population growth to more births, overlooking the critical role of declining death rates due to medical and health improvements.