Geography Grade 12 | Paper 1 | Essential Revision 1

QUESTION 1: CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Question: Climate of a very small area is known as a …
A. city climate.
B. microclimate.
C. macroclimate.
D. valley climate.
The answer is: B (Microclimate)
A microclimate refers to the weather conditions of a small, specific area, like a garden or a park, which can differ from the surrounding area’s climate due to factors like trees, buildings, or water bodies.

Question: The slope in the diagram that receives the direct rays of the sun is …-facing.

A. south
B. east
C. north
D. west
The answer is: C (North-facing)
In the Southern Hemisphere, the north-facing slope receives the most sunlight because the sun is positioned in the northern part of the sky, leading to more direct sunlight throughout the day.

Question: South-facing slopes in the Southern Hemisphere can be described as … natural vegetation.
A. dry with sparse
B. moist with dense
C. moist with sparse
D. dry with dense
The answer is: B (Moist with dense)
In the Southern Hemisphere, south-facing slopes are generally cooler and receive less direct sunlight, which results in higher moisture retention and the growth of denser vegetation.

Question: The air movement shown in the sketch can result in …

A. frost pockets.
B. the dispersal of pollutants.
C. radiation fog.
D. a thermal belt.
The answer is: B (The dispersal of pollutants)
Air movement can help disperse pollutants by carrying them away from their source, spreading them over a wider area, and reducing local pollution levels.

Question: The downslope movement of air occurs because of cooling due to …

A. solar radiation.
B. reflection.
C. terrestrial radiation.
D. insolation.
The answer is: C (Terrestrial radiation)
Terrestrial radiation refers to heat that the Earth’s surface loses after sunset. As the ground cools, the air near the surface also cools, becoming denser and moving downhill.

Question: Precipitation that forms due to terrestrial cooling at night:
A. Radiation fog
B. Drizzle
C. Snow
D. Advection fog
The answer is: A (Radiation fog)
Radiation fog forms at night when the ground cools quickly due to terrestrial radiation, causing the air near the surface to cool and reach its dew point, leading to condensation and fog.

Question: The wind associated with a temperature inversion in a valley is a/an … wind.
A. anabatic
B. offshore
C. onshore
D. katabatic
The answer is: D (Katabatic wind)
Katabatic winds are downslope winds caused by the cooling of air at night, which makes it heavier and forces it to flow down valleys or mountain slopes.

Question: The CORRECT sequence in which a temperature inversion develops:
(i) Mountain slopes cool
(ii) Warm air is displaced and rises from the valley floor
(iii) Cold air sinks due to the force of gravity
(iv) Temperature increases with height
A. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
B. (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
C. (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
D. (i), (ii), (iv), (iii)
The answer is: C (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
First, the mountain slopes cool (i), causing cold air to sink (iii). This displaces warm air, which rises from the valley floor (ii). As a result, the temperature increases with height, creating a temperature inversion (iv).

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Question: The slope in the diagram that receives the direct rays of the sun is …-facing.
A. south
B. east
C. north
D. west
The answer is: C (North-facing)
In the Southern Hemisphere, the north-facing slope receives the most sunlight because the sun is positioned in the northern part of the sky, leading to more direct sunlight throughout the day.

Question: South-facing slopes in the Southern Hemisphere can be described as … natural vegetation.
A. dry with sparse
B. moist with dense
C. moist with sparse
D. dry with dense
The answer is: B (Moist with dense)
In the Southern Hemisphere, south-facing slopes are generally cooler and receive less direct sunlight, which results in higher moisture retention and the growth of denser vegetation.

Question: The air movement shown in the sketch can result in …
A. frost pockets.
B. the dispersal of pollutants.
C. radiation fog.
D. a thermal belt.
The answer is: B (The dispersal of pollutants)
Explanation: Air movement can help disperse pollutants by carrying them away from their source, spreading them over a wider area, and reducing local pollution levels.

Question: The downslope movement of air occurs because of cooling due to …
A. solar radiation.
B. reflection.
C. terrestrial radiation.
D. insolation.
The answer is: C (Terrestrial radiation)
Terrestrial radiation refers to heat that the Earth’s surface loses after sunset. As the ground cools, the air near the surface also cools, becoming denser and moving downhill.

Question: Precipitation that forms due to terrestrial cooling at night:
A. Radiation fog
B. Drizzle
C. Snow
D. Advection fog
The answer is: A (Radiation fog)
Radiation fog forms at night when the ground cools quickly due to terrestrial radiation, causing the air near the surface to cool and reach its dew point, leading to condensation and fog.

Question: The wind associated with a temperature inversion in a valley is a/an … wind.
A. anabatic
B. offshore
C. onshore
D. katabatic
The answer is: D (Katabatic wind)
Katabatic winds are downslope winds caused by the cooling of air at night, which makes it heavier and forces it to flow down valleys or mountain slopes.

Question: The CORRECT sequence in which a temperature inversion develops:
(i) Mountain slopes cool
(ii) Warm air is displaced and rises from the valley floor
(iii) Cold air sinks due to the force of gravity
(iv) Temperature increases with height
A. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
B. (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
C. (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
D. (i), (ii), (iv), (iii)
The answer is: C (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
First, the mountain slopes cool (i), causing cold air to sink (iii). This displaces warm air, which rises from the valley floor (ii). As a result, the temperature increases with height, creating a temperature inversion (iv).

Question: Lines that join places of equal atmospheric pressure on a synoptic weather map are known as …
A. isolines.
B. isotherms.
C. isohyets.
D. isobars.
The answer is: D (Isobars)
Isobars are lines on a weather map that connect areas with the same atmospheric pressure, helping meteorologists identify pressure systems like highs and lows.

Question: The wind direction represented by the station model below is …

A. north-west.
B. south-west.
C. south-east.
D. north-east.
The answer is: B (South-west)
The wind direction in a station model is indicated by the direction from which the wind is coming. In this case, the wind originates from the south-west.

Question: Which ONE of the station models below shows drizzle as a form of precipitation?

A.
B.
C.
D.
The answer is: A

Drizzle is light precipitation with very fine droplets, smaller than typical rain, falling from low clouds. It lasts longer and creates a damp atmosphere without significant water accumulation.
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Question: The atmospheric pressure reading at A is … hPa.

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A. 1004
B. 1008
C. 1012
D. 1016
The answer is: B (1008 hPa)

Question: Feature B is known as a …
A. ridge.
B. trough.
C. wedge.
D. saddle.
The answer is: D (Saddle)
A saddle is a low-pressure area between two higher-pressure systems, often depicted on weather maps as a neutral zone between different air masses.

Question: The low-pressure cell over the interior has caused north-westerly winds because of … circulation and overcast conditions due to … of air.
(i) clockwise
(ii) anticlockwise
(iii) descending
(iv) ascending
A. (i) and (iii)
B. (ii) and (iv)
C. (i) and (iv)
D. (ii) and (iii)
The answer is: C (i) and (iv)
In the Southern Hemisphere, low-pressure cells circulate in a clockwise direction, and the overcast conditions are caused by ascending air, which cools and leads to cloud formation.

Refer to the sketch below to answer the following questions

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Question: The low-pressure cell in the sketch is a …
A. mid-latitude cyclone.
B. tropical depression.
C. coastal low.
D. thermal low.
The answer is: C (Coastal low)
A coastal low forms along the coastline due to temperature differences between the land and the sea, often resulting in low-pressure conditions and unstable weather.

Question: The interior of South Africa experiences … conditions with a greater temperature variation due to … climatic conditions.
(i) unstable
(ii) stable
(iii) continental
(iv) maritime
A. (i) and (iii)
B. (ii) and (iv)
C. (i) and (iv)
D. (ii) and (iii)
The answer is: D (ii and iii)
The interior of South Africa experiences stable, continental conditions, which result in larger temperature variations between day and night due to the lack of moderating influence from the ocean.

Refer to the FIGURE below that shows an urban heat island effect during the day and night. Match the descriptions below with the diagrams showing DAY and NIGHT. Write only ‘day’ or ‘night’ next to the question

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Question: Reflects the highest temperatures in an urban heat island
The answer is: Day
During the day, the sun’s energy heats urban surfaces, causing the highest temperatures in an urban heat island.

Question: Pollution is dispersed over a greater area
The answer is: Day
During the day, rising warm air can disperse pollution over a larger area as the atmosphere becomes more dynamic.

Question: Artificial heat generation is at its lowest
The answer is: Night
At night, human activity decreases, and artificial heat sources such as vehicles and industrial processes generate less heat.

Question: Increased human discomfort due to higher temperature
The answer is: Day
During the day, higher temperatures increase discomfort, especially in densely populated urban areas.

Question: Greater difference between air and surface temperatures
The answer is: Day
During the day, the surface heats up more quickly than the air, creating a noticeable difference between surface and air temperatures.

Question: Limited multiple reflection of heat
The answer is: Night
At night, there is less sunlight to reflect, and the cooling atmosphere limits the multiple reflections of heat.

Question: Fewer human activities generating heat
The answer is: Night
At night, human activities, such as driving and industrial production, decrease, leading to less heat generation in urban areas.

Description: Equilibrium between the rate of erosion and rate of deposition
The answer is: – Graded river
A graded river achieves equilibrium where erosion and deposition rates balance each other out.

Description: Shows a view of a river from bank to bank
The answer is: – Cross profile
A cross profile shows the shape of the river channel from one bank to the other.

Description: Shows a side view of the river from the source to the mouth
The answer is: – Longitudinal profile
A longitudinal profile shows the side view of a river, tracing its path from the source to the mouth.

Description: Point where a river enters the sea
The answer is: – Mouth
The mouth is the point where the river flows into the sea or a large body of water.

Description: A river that has obstructions along its course
The answer is: – Ungraded profile
An ungraded river profile has obstructions such as waterfalls or rapids, causing irregular flow.

Description: A dam is an example of this base level of erosion
The answer is: – Temporary base level
A dam creates a temporary base level where the river cannot erode below the dam’s level.

Description: The lowest level to which a river can erode
The answer is: – Permanent base level/Base level of erosion
The permanent base level is the lowest level, typically sea level, to which a river can erode.

Description: The point where a river originates
The answer is: – Source
The source is where the river begins, often in highland areas.

Refer to FIGURE 1.3, an extract on mid-latitude cyclones.

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Question: Name the type of climate that is found at the south-western tip of the country.
The answer is: Mediterranean
The south-western tip of South Africa experiences a Mediterranean climate, characterized by wet winters and dry summers.

Question: Describe the climate experienced at the south-western tip of the country during winter as indicated in the extract.
The answer is: Cool and wet winters
The area experiences cool temperatures with significant rainfall during the winter months, typical of Mediterranean climates.

Question: Why do mid-latitude cyclones migrate (move) further north in winter?
The shifting of the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)
Mid-latitude cyclones move further north in winter because the ITCZ shifts due to the sun’s apparent movement towards the Tropic of Cancer. This shift influences weather patterns and the positioning of pressure systems.

Question: Describe the changes in the weather associated with the passing of a cold front over Cape Town.

• As a cold front approaches Cape Town, a decrease in temperature occurs as colder, denser air moves in, displacing the warmer air. Alongside this, pressure decreases (but increases after the front passes), as warm air rises ahead of the front. Once the cold front has passed, the atmospheric pressure begins to rise again, indicating a stabilization of weather conditions.
• The arrival of the cold front also leads to cloud cover increases with cumulonimbus clouds forming. These towering clouds signal stormy weather and are typically associated with more precipitation such as heavy rain, snow, or hail. As the front progresses, residents can expect significant rainfall, which may take the form of rain, snow, or hail, depending on the prevailing temperatures at the time.
• Additionally, during the passage of the cold front, the wind direction shifts from northwest to southwest. This shift is often accompanied by an increase in wind speed with sudden gusty winds, creating turbulent conditions. As the cold front passes, temperatures drop, and conditions become stormy, with strong winds and heavy rain impacting the area.

Question: In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, explain the negative impact of cold fronts on tourism in Cape Town.

Cold fronts have several negative impacts on tourism in Cape Town. Heavy rainfall can make tourist attractions inaccessible, and strong winds may prevent tourists from engaging in outdoor activities or cause flight delays and cancellations. Rockfalls and landslides triggered by the weather could block roads, reducing accessibility. The rough seas caused by cold fronts make boat tours dangerous, affecting coastal tourism. Additionally, the poor weather can diminish the aesthetic appeal of tourist destinations like beaches, resulting in a decrease in tourism revenue as fewer bookings are made during periods of bad weather.

Refer to FIGURE 1.3, an extract on mid-latitude cyclones and answer the questions below

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Question: Define the concept of slope aspect.
Slope aspect refers to the direction in which slopes face in relation to the sun’s rays. It can also be defined as the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the slope.

Question: Does A or B represent the Southern Hemisphere?
The answer is: B

Question: Give a reason evident from the sketch for your answer to the previous question.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the north-facing slopes receive direct rays of the sun, while the south-facing slopes receive oblique rays. This distinction is illustrated in option B, where the orientation of the slopes aligns with the sun’s position.

Question: How does slope aspect influence the microclimate of valley slopes with regard to:

(a) Temperature
There is a difference in temperature on the different slopes in the valley. The slope that faces the sun will have a higher temperature, while the slope that faces away from the sun will have a lower temperature.

(b) Evaporation
Evaporation rates differ on each slope. The slope that faces the sun will have a higher evaporation rate and will be drier, while the slope that faces away from the sun will have a lower evaporation rate and will have a higher moisture content.

Question: Explain the influence of slope aspect in the Southern Hemisphere on the following:

(a) Farming
Different types of crops need to be grown on the north and south-facing slopes. North-facing slopes favor the growth of crops that require more sunlight and less moisture, such as citrus fruits. In contrast, south-facing slopes encourage the growth of products that thrive in cooler conditions with more moisture, such as deciduous fruits.

(b) Human settlements
People prefer to settle on the warmer north-facing slopes, as these areas save on energy costs. South-facing slopes require more expensive heating methods for settlements due to their cooler temperatures. Cooler south-facing slopes are not favorable for human settlements, as they receive more precipitation and fog, making them less ideal for habitation.

QUESTION: Refer to FIGURE below showing drainage density.

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Question: Define the concept of drainage density.
Drainage density refers to the relationship between the length of streams and the area drained in a drainage basin. It can also be described as the total length of streams per unit area.

Question: State the difference in drainage density of drainage basins A and B.
Drainage basin A has a lower drainage density, while drainage basin B has a higher drainage density.

Question: How did rock permeability influence the drainage density of drainage basin A?
In drainage basin A, the rocks are more permeable, allowing for greater infiltration and less runoff, which leads to a lower drainage density.

Question: Determine the stream order of the river system in drainage basin A at point X.
The stream order of the river system at point X in drainage basin A is 2nd order.

Question: Describe the relationship between drainage density and stream order of a river by referring to drainage basins A and B.
In drainage basin A, the drainage density is low, and the stream order is also low. In contrast, in drainage basin B, the drainage density is high, and the stream order is high.

Question: Explain how the following influences the drainage density in drainage basin B:

(a) Steep gradient
A steeper gradient increases the velocity of water, resulting in higher runoff and discharge. This leads to the formation of more stream channels and a higher drainage density.

(b) Increase in precipitation
An increase in precipitation raises the volume of water runoff and discharge, leading to the formation of more stream channels and a higher drainage density.