Geography 2005 Jamb Examination

Peneplanation refers to the gradual reduction of landforms to a low, gently undulating surface through long-term erosion.
During this process, resistant rock masses may remain standing above the surrounding plain.
Such isolated hills formed from erosion-resistant materials are known as monadnocks.
They contrast with aretes, which are sharp ridges formed by glacial erosion, and inselbergs, which develop mainly in arid regions through weathering.

Ocean currents are deflected by the Coriolis effect, which results from the Earth's rotation.
In the northern hemisphere, moving water is deflected to the right, producing clockwise circulation.
In the southern hemisphere, water is deflected to the left, resulting in anticlockwise circulation.
None of the other listed factors can account for the consistent global pattern of current direction.

Regosols are young soils formed predominantly on unconsolidated, wind-blown materials such as loess.
They are common in tropical regions and often develop lateritic horizons due to intense weathering.
Latosols are highly weathered tropical soils but are not specifically associated with wind drift deposits.
Lithosols form on shallow rock surfaces, while podzols occur in temperate climates under coniferous vegetation.

Japan lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonically active zone characterised by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
It sits at the convergence of several major plates including the Pacific, Philippine, and Eurasian plates.
African countries such as Cameroon and Tanzania experience occasional but not frequent seismic events, while Brazil is situated on stable continental crust.

Plants play a foundational ecological role by releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, which animals require for respiration.
They also absorb carbon(IV) oxide, reducing atmospheric concentrations and serving as vital carbon sinks.
Other listed functions such as providing shade or transpiring water do not represent their primary ecological significance to animals.

Tropical environments experience consistently high temperatures throughout the year, making temperature less variable than in temperate regions.
The most critical and highly variable element is rainfall, which determines seasonality, vegetation patterns, and agricultural activities.
.Rainfall variability influences droughts, floods, crop yields, and water availability, making it the dominant factor shaping tropical climates.

Urban settlements are generally characterised by large populations and specialised functions such as commerce, industry, and administration.
Rural settlements typically have smaller populations and functions focused on primary activities such as farming, fishing, and forestry.
Both population size and the nature of functional roles provide the most accurate basis for distinguishing urban from rural areas.

Western Europe and North America have highly developed economies, extensive transportation infrastructure, and large volumes of business and tourist travel.
This has resulted in intensely connected airline networks with high flight frequencies and numerous hubs.
Other regions listed do not exhibit the same degree of air traffic density or infrastructural integration.

The west coast of South Africa includes the Namib Desert, one of the driest regions in the world, with extremely low rainfall and limited vegetation.
These harsh desert conditions restrict agriculture, water supply, and human settlement, resulting in low population density.
The other regions listed have more favourable climates supporting higher population concentrations.

A conurbation forms when two or more cities expand outward and physically merge due to urban growth.
This creates a continuous built-up area with interconnected economic and social activities.
A metropolis refers to a large urban centre, while a megalopolis is a much larger region consisting of several conurbations.
A mega city is defined by population size, not necessarily by merging urban areas.