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JAMB Geography Past Questions

Real JAMB Geography past questions, each with the correct answer and a worked solution. Below are 8 to work through free — no account needed.

Sample drawn from the paper of 2006.

8 JAMB Geography questions with answers

Question 1

During a long dry season in northern Nigeria, a farmer observes that his field's soil becomes hard and cracked, making it difficult for crops to grow. Which soil-forming process is most responsible for this change in soil structure?

  1. a.Laterization caused by leaching of nutrients
  2. b.Calcification due to accumulation of calcium compounds
  3. c.Desiccation from prolonged evaporation
  4. d.Humification from increased organic matter

Solution

Desiccation from prolonged evaporation leads to hard, cracked soils during dry seasons, as water loss causes the soil particles to shrink and separate. While laterization and calcification affect nutrient content and composition, they do not primarily cause physical cracking; humification increases organic matter and tends to improve soil structure rather than degrade it.

Question 2

In a survey of a Nigerian city, it was found that annual rainfall exceeded 1800 mm, with most rain falling between April and October. Vegetation in the area includes tall trees, multiple canopy layers, and abundant undergrowth. Which climatic region does this area most likely belong to?

  1. a.Tropical rainforest
  2. b.Sudan Savanna
  3. c.Sahel Savanna
  4. d.Guinea Savanna

Solution

The tropical rainforest region is characterized by heavy annual rainfall exceeding 1800 mm and supports lush, multi-layered vegetation. The Guinea Savanna is a tempting choice due to its relatively high rainfall, but it has more open woodland and less dense vegetation compared to the dense forest and complex structure found in tropical rainforests.

Question 3

The Lake Chad basin has witnessed significant reduction in water levels over recent decades. Which combination of factors best explains this decline, considering both physical and human geography of the region?

  1. a.Increased evaporation rates due to higher temperatures and expanded irrigation schemes diverting water for agriculture.
  2. b.Tectonic uplift of the basin floor and frequent earthquakes altering the lake’s drainage.
  3. c.Lower precipitation levels caused by global cooling and decreased use of the lake by local communities.
  4. d.Natural silting of river channels feeding the lake and absence of nearby population centers.

Solution

The correct answer is increased evaporation rates and expanded irrigation schemes because these are directly linked to climate change and human withdrawal of water upstream. Option two is tempting but wrong: tectonic activity is minimal in this region and doesn't account for the observed decline.

Question 4

During the dry season in Northern Nigeria, the Harmattan wind often leads to significant changes in temperature between day and night. What is the primary reason for this temperature variation?

  1. a.The Harmattan brings in dry, dust-laden air that reduces cloud cover, increasing heat loss at night.
  2. b.The Harmattan increases rainfall, which cools the air rapidly after sunset.
  3. c.The Harmattan blocks sunlight during the day, preventing warming and causing cold nights.
  4. d.The Harmattan wind traps humid air near the surface, leading to warmer nights.

Solution

The Harmattan is a dry wind that reduces humidity and cloud cover, allowing more heat to escape from the ground at night, causing cooler temperatures. The mistaken option about blocking sunlight (option 2) is tempting, but Harmattan dust reduces visibility, not sunlight enough to prevent warming during the day.

Question 5

In 2023, a community near Lokoja experienced flooding after several days of heavy rainfall, despite being located upstream from the main Niger River. Which physical factor most likely contributed to the severity of the flooding in this area?

  1. a.The presence of an extensive floodplain with low relief around the community
  2. b.The construction of high embankments along the lower course of the river
  3. c.The prevalence of thick vegetation cover in the surrounding catchment area
  4. d.The proximity of the community to the river's estuary

Solution

A broad floodplain with low relief cannot adequately channel excess water, leading to severe flooding after heavy rainfall. The most tempting alternative, thick vegetation cover, actually helps absorb rainfall and reduce runoff, rather than worsening floods.

Question 6

During the rainy season, a river in northern Nigeria doubles its discharge, which leads to increased flooding in downstream areas. Which factor most likely contributes to this change in the river’s discharge during the rainy season?

  1. a.higher rate of surface runoff due to saturated soils
  2. b.decrease in evaporation as temperatures fall
  3. c.An increase in river channel depth from sediment deposition
  4. d.Lower groundwater tables reducing base flow input

Solution

During the rainy season, soils become saturated, causing excess rainfall to flow rapidly over the surface and into rivers, significantly increasing discharge and flood risk. The most tempting distractor—decrease in evaporation—has a much smaller effect on river discharge compared to the immediate impact of runoff from saturated soils.

Question 7

JAMB 2006

The earth rotates through 150 of longitude once in

  1. a.a minute
  2. b.an hour
  3. c.24 hours
  4. d.a day

Question 8

JAMB 2006

One example of inland drainage lake in Africa is

  1. a.Lake Chad
  2. b.Lake Victoria
  3. c.Lake Malawi
  4. d.Lake Turkana

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Other JAMB subjects

📖 English Language📐 Mathematics🧲 Physics⚗️ Chemistry🧬 Biology📈 Economics🏛️ Government🛒 Commerce🧮 Accounting📚 Literature in English✝️ Christian Religious Studies☪️ Islamic Religious Studies🤝 Civic Education📰 Current Affairs📜 History

Geography in other exams

WAEC GeographyPost-UTME Geography
JAMB Geography Past Questions · EasyPoint