WAEC Geography 2021 past questions
Ten questions from the 2021 WAEC Geography paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 50 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.
WAEC Geography 2021 questions and answers
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1.
Which of the following is a dispositional feature of an arid region?
- ABarchan duneCorrect
- BYardang
- CInselberg
- DWadi
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Answer: A
A barchan dune is a depositional (dispositional) landform in arid regions formed by the accumulation of wind-blown sand. Inselbergs are residual features, wadis are erosional channels, and yardangs are erosional ridges — none are depositional.
- A
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2.
The most significant factor which accounts for the rapid growth in the population of the capital cities of West Africa is
- AImmigration from other continents
- BHigh natural birth rate
- CRural-urban migrationCorrect
- DReduction in the death rate
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Answer: C
Rural-urban migration is the most significant factor driving rapid population growth in West African capital cities. People move from rural areas seeking employment, better education, healthcare and social amenities, causing cities like Lagos, Accra and Dakar to grow rapidly.
- A
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3.
In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is experienced on?
- ASeptember 23
- BDecember 22
- CMarch 21
- DJune 21Correct
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Answer: D
The summer solstice in the northern hemisphere occurs around June 21, when the sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23½°N). This is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.
- A
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4.
Which of the following wave actions is a process of erosion
- ALongshore drift
- BAbrasionCorrect
- CDeposition
- DTransportation
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Answer: B
Abrasion (also called corrasion) is a process of coastal erosion in which waves hurl sand, pebbles and rock fragments against the cliff face, wearing it away. Deposition builds up landforms, transportation moves material, and longshore drift is a movement process, not erosion.
- A
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5.
Which mountain type is described as the lighthouseof mediterranean?
- AThe Atlas MountainsCorrect
- BThe Alps
- CThe Pyrenees
- DThe Apennines
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Answer: A
The Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa are described as the 'lighthouse of the Mediterranean' because they are visible from across the sea and serve as a prominent landmark for Mediterranean navigation, straddling Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
- A
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6.
The longitude which almost bisects Africa into two equal halves, east and west, is longitude-----------
- A20°ECorrect
- B30°E
- C10°E
- D0°
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Answer: A
Longitude 20°E roughly bisects the African continent into eastern and western halves. Africa extends from approximately 17°W in the west (Cape Verde peninsula) to 51°E in the east (Horn of Africa), making 20°E a close midpoint.
- A
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7.
Low population densities of the middle belt of West African countries can best be described as
- ADue to the presence of oil resources
- BA result of fertile soils and good climate
- CA consequence of historical slave raids and tsetse fly infestationCorrect
- DA result of heavy industrialisation
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Answer: C
The middle belt of West Africa has historically suffered low population densities due to devastating slave raids that depopulated settlements and the widespread prevalence of tsetse flies, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in livestock, making cattle rearing and dense settlement difficult.
- A
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8.
Which of the following factors explains the need for international trade
I. variation in technology
II. uniformity in taste of goods
III. language barrier
IV. difference in natural resources- AIII and IV only
- BI and IV onlyCorrect
- CII and III only
- DI and II only
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Answer: B
Variation in technology means countries can produce certain goods more efficiently than others, and differences in natural resources mean some goods are only available in particular regions — both create the basis for international trade. Uniformity in taste would reduce it, and language barriers are obstacles, not motivators.
- A
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9.
Which of the following are characteristics of most large cities? They
I. have large populations
II. are administrative centers
III. are religious centers
IV. are commercial centers- AI, II and IV onlyCorrect
- BII, III and IV only
- CI and II only
- DI, II, III and IV
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Answer: A
Large cities characteristically have large populations, serve as administrative centres for government functions, and are major commercial centres. Being a religious centre is not a universal characteristic of large cities, as many are not primarily religious in function.
- A
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10.
Which of the following elements of weather is matched with the wrong measuring instrument?
- ATemperature — barometerCorrect
- BWind speed — anemometer
- CRainfall — rain gauge
- DHumidity — hygrometer
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Answer: A
A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, not temperature. Temperature is measured with a thermometer. The other pairings are correct: a rain gauge measures rainfall, an anemometer measures wind speed, and a hygrometer measures humidity.
- A
The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check
Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.
Practise all 50 questions we hold from the 2021 paper, on a timed CBT screen
Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.