1
Exam prep MCQs – semester 1, 2020
These questions are from previous years’ assignments and are provided to you to
test your knowledge on the different subjects. I have not checked whether they are
in line with the 2020 Semester 1 Exam guidelines – please ensure that all your exam
preparations are at all times in line with the guidelines. I will provide the memo to
the MCQs within 5 days of making the questions available.
Select the correct option for each question and indicate your selection accordingly on a
mark-reading sheet.
1. Read the titles listed below of research projects related to maize production in
South Africa. Which one of these projects would be of the least interest to a
geographer?
(1) Analysing the perceptions that consumers have of the quality of South
African maize products.
(2) Mapping the spatial distribution of maize farms in the Free State province.
(3) Examining the relationship between the amount of rainfall and maize yield
per hectare.
(4) Determining the efficiency of the distribution of processed maize products
in South Africa.
2. The science of making scale models of the real world is commonly referred to
as … .
(1) scale modeling
(2) toponymy
(3) scaling
(4) projections
(5) cartography
Use the global time zone map (figure 1.4.4 in Section B of the prescribed textbook
on page 11) to answer the following question.
3. At 2:00 on 20 January 2016 in Perth Australia, it would be … in Cape Town,
South Africa.
(1) 8:00 on 19 January 2016
, 2
(2) 8:00 on 20 January 2016
(3) 20:00 on 20 January 2016
(4) 20:00 on 19 January 2016
4. Which one of the following statements about a map scale is true?
(1) The best scale to place on a printed map that can be enlarged or reduced
is a word scale.
(2) It represents the ratio between a distance as measured on a map and the
same distance as measured in reality.
(3) A fence measuring 20 cm on a 1:50 000 map is actually 1 000 metres
long.
(4) The larger the scale of a map, the less it is suited for detail studies.
(5) If a fence measuring 8 cm on a map is actually 400 metres in reality, it
implies that the scale of the map is 1:50 000.
5. Which two of the following descriptions of location are not proper examples of
ways to refer to the absolute location of a place or point of interest? Note that
you need not check the physical coordinates or distances given – rather focus
on how it is presented.
a) The Durban City Hall is located at 29º 51'31.02"N and 31º 01'33.66"E.
b) The physical address of the Durban regional centre of Unisa is 230
Stalwart Simelane Street.
c) The Parliament of South Africa, in Cape Town, is located at 33.927086ºS;
18.42044ºE.
d) The Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng is located approximately 2.0 km
north-west of the Loftus Versveld stadium.
The correct combination of options is
(1) (a) and (b)
(2) (a) and (c)
(3) (b) and (c)
(4) (a) and (d)
(5) (b) and (d)
6. The pattern of the spatial distribution of street lights in a residential suburb that
Exam prep MCQs – semester 1, 2020
These questions are from previous years’ assignments and are provided to you to
test your knowledge on the different subjects. I have not checked whether they are
in line with the 2020 Semester 1 Exam guidelines – please ensure that all your exam
preparations are at all times in line with the guidelines. I will provide the memo to
the MCQs within 5 days of making the questions available.
Select the correct option for each question and indicate your selection accordingly on a
mark-reading sheet.
1. Read the titles listed below of research projects related to maize production in
South Africa. Which one of these projects would be of the least interest to a
geographer?
(1) Analysing the perceptions that consumers have of the quality of South
African maize products.
(2) Mapping the spatial distribution of maize farms in the Free State province.
(3) Examining the relationship between the amount of rainfall and maize yield
per hectare.
(4) Determining the efficiency of the distribution of processed maize products
in South Africa.
2. The science of making scale models of the real world is commonly referred to
as … .
(1) scale modeling
(2) toponymy
(3) scaling
(4) projections
(5) cartography
Use the global time zone map (figure 1.4.4 in Section B of the prescribed textbook
on page 11) to answer the following question.
3. At 2:00 on 20 January 2016 in Perth Australia, it would be … in Cape Town,
South Africa.
(1) 8:00 on 19 January 2016
, 2
(2) 8:00 on 20 January 2016
(3) 20:00 on 20 January 2016
(4) 20:00 on 19 January 2016
4. Which one of the following statements about a map scale is true?
(1) The best scale to place on a printed map that can be enlarged or reduced
is a word scale.
(2) It represents the ratio between a distance as measured on a map and the
same distance as measured in reality.
(3) A fence measuring 20 cm on a 1:50 000 map is actually 1 000 metres
long.
(4) The larger the scale of a map, the less it is suited for detail studies.
(5) If a fence measuring 8 cm on a map is actually 400 metres in reality, it
implies that the scale of the map is 1:50 000.
5. Which two of the following descriptions of location are not proper examples of
ways to refer to the absolute location of a place or point of interest? Note that
you need not check the physical coordinates or distances given – rather focus
on how it is presented.
a) The Durban City Hall is located at 29º 51'31.02"N and 31º 01'33.66"E.
b) The physical address of the Durban regional centre of Unisa is 230
Stalwart Simelane Street.
c) The Parliament of South Africa, in Cape Town, is located at 33.927086ºS;
18.42044ºE.
d) The Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng is located approximately 2.0 km
north-west of the Loftus Versveld stadium.
The correct combination of options is
(1) (a) and (b)
(2) (a) and (c)
(3) (b) and (c)
(4) (a) and (d)
(5) (b) and (d)
6. The pattern of the spatial distribution of street lights in a residential suburb that
