IBM537 PAST YEAR QUESTIONS

PART B

Year Question Topic: EAST ASIA

no.

JAN 3 a) Describe any 2 environmental problem in East Asia. (4 marks)

2018 The mountains and arid areas that make up half of East Asia’s area
attracted few people, but high population densities elsewhere in the region
result in a range of human-environment interactions and problems.

i) Natural hazards
As elsewhere in the world, short-term major natural events, such as
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and typhoons present hazards to
human occupation but do not discourage high population densities. Lying
along a convergent plate boundary makes Japan subject to major
earthquakes, such as in 1995 that destroyed Kobe, and occasional volcanic
eruptions.

ii) Human impacts and responses

Human activities may cause or enhance natural disasters. In 1981, 1991,
and 2010 floods along Chang Jiang followed abnormal precipitation,
although excessive deforestation in the upper parts of the river basin
increased the rapid runoff.

b) Illustrate any 2 concept or management philosophies introduced by

Toyota in Japan. (4 marks)

i) “jidoka” - automation with human intelligence, combining high quality,

short delivery times, and low cost production.
ii) “kaisen” - continuous improvement and just-in-time delivery of
components, it led to strong demand for Toyota vehicles.

c) Demonstrate any two economic activities in China. (8 marks)

d) Outline the teaching of Laozi. (4 marks)

Jan Q3 Due to economic reforms in 1991, Indian is now one of the fastest growing
2013 nations in the world. According to World Bank, the Indian economy is the
world’s tenth-largest by nominal GDP and third-largest by purchasing
power parity (PPP). It is also considered as a newly industrialized country.
Briefly explain any five (5) major industries that contribute to the booming of
India’s economic activity (20 marks)
 Jun Q1 a) Briefly describe the caste system in India. (2 marks)
2013 b) Explain three(3) reasons why people migrate from rural to urban
Pah locations in India. (6 marks)
c) Determine any four (4) main economic activities in India. (8 marks)
d) Differentiate the characteristics of people in rural and urban
locations in India. (4 marks)

Jun Q2 East Asia includes the countries of China, Japan, North and South Korea,
2012 Taiwan and Mongolia.
a) Describe the following policies: (12 marks)
i) One country, two system policy,
ii) One child policy.
b) Explain three (3) human right issues that happen in this region.
(13marks)

Year Question Topic:SOUTH WEST ASIA

no.

Jul Q3 a. 3 (SOUTHWEST ASIA)

2017
The region of Northern Africa and Southwestern Asia is large and
Awin expansive in terms of physical area, culture, and have a number of
n common qualities.
Nazw
a a. Describe any three water politic issues in the region (6m)

i. This is when the water is not evenly distributed and flow

more towards one country which 80% of the region’s freshwater is
found in the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates River basins. Each of the
rivers flow to more than one country, creating a need for
cooperation between each country and creating exacerbating
political conflict where agreements cannot be reached. The conflict
may arise due to populations growth where the scarcity of
freshwater also increased.
ii. The Nile Waters Agreement signed by Egyptians and
Sudanese governments led to building of Aswan High Dam to store
sufficient amount of water and generate electricity. The dam store
3times more than Egypt annual water use and Sudan only receive
13% of annual flow which create dispute between each other. This
dam also created a conflict of both countries with the countries of
Upper Nile watershed such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and
Tanzania.
iii. The Turkish government constructed a series of dams in
the southeastern Turkey on the upper reaches of Tigris and
Euphrates river as part of greater plan to irrigate lands to increase
the agricultural production. The irrigations projects have reduced
water from Iraq and Syria downstream which makes the tensions
have increased between Turkey and the 2 countries.

b. Discuss any three major political or economic organizations

in the region(6m)

i. Palestine Liberation Organization(PLO), is a political

organization that providing umbrella for the smaller groups that
demand a country for Palestinians, the people living in the lands
used to create the state of Israel.
ii. Organization of the Islamic Conference(OIC), set up by
foreign ministers of Muslim countries which has 57members
including Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria as well which returning
the Jerusalem to Muslim control is the main priority goals to be
achieved.
iii. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC),
founded by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Venezuela. The
main purpose is to work as an organization that coordinates the
interests of producing countries by regulating oil prices. Years
later, many countries have joined the OPEC such as Qatar, Libya,
United Arab Emirates and many more.

c. Determine any two economic activities in the Nile River

Valley subregion (8m)

Manufacturing
Manufacturing activities had grown after the 1959 Nile Waters
Agreement between Egypt and Sudan folowed by the Aswan High
Sam on Lake Nasser. The electricity generated form the dam
fueled the manufacturing activties. Products manufactured are oil
and textiles where these goods are exported to to other countries.
 Tourism
Tourism in Egypt are centered around Egypt’s historic treasures
such as the pyramids and temples along the Nile River. Ancient
monuments such as the Pyramids and Great Sphinx at Gaza and
Cairo Museum and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha. Tourism
in Egypt attracted more than 14 million visitors which provide
revenues of nearly $12.5 billion. The ease of visa restriction and
budget allocated towards upgrading state-owned hotels,
establishing loan fund for private hotels and upgrading
infrastructure by Egyptian government had encouraged tourism
activities in the area.

JUN Q2 a) State any one function of organization of Islamic conference.

2016 c) Describe any two possible impacts of declining oil prices toward the
ZATI economy of oil rich countries such as Palestine and Jordan. Indicate any
two reasons which allow Israel to have upper hand in term of its economic
and social developments.
e) Examine any three strategies that the neighboring countries could apply
to stand up against Israeli’s socio-economic and political oppressions.

Year Question Topic:AFRICA

no.

Jul Q2 a. Question 2.
2017 a. List any two climates of Africa South of the Sahara (2m)
Awin i. Tropical rainy climates
ii. Dry climates

b. Describe any four shared features of indigenous African

groups (4m)

Indigenous African groups share the following features:

i. Animism beliefs where it is a traditional beliefs that there is

strong relationship between humans, nature and spiritual forces.
For example, the indigenous African groups believe that Gods and
spirits inhabit the river, rock outcrops and tree groves. The Gods
and spirits have the power to influence human success or failures.
ii. They consider all humans are a part of a continuing chain
of life. They highly respect their ancestral spirits and the family unit.
Large families are considered as blessing while having family but
with no child is a tragedy. Family members support each other,
especially among large families, through difficult times and to
educate their youngs on their traditions.
iii. They show artistic expression through their sculpture,
music, dance and story-telling. These artistic expression is a
central of their culture.
iv. They still make their living from the land through cultivating,
herding, or hunting. The land is traditionally in communal
ownership instead of individual ownership and it is seen as an
inheritance from the past and is a responsibility to the future.
c. Explain any two economic activities in Eastern Africa (8m)

The two economic activities are agriculture and tourism activities.

Agriculture
Countries in this sub-region rely on agriculture as mineral
resources are not as abundant as compared to the other
subregions and the manufacturing and service industries are
developing at a slow rate. Agriculture became the economic base
for these countries. Commercial farming is important is it provides
the exports agricultural goods for foreign exchange. For example,
Ethiopia exports coffee, tea, flowers and vegetables while Kenya
exports coffee, tea, sisal, fruit and vegetables. Somalia exports it’s
livestock as well.

Tourism
Kenya is on top of the other peers in the sub regions for tourism.
Kenya earned over $1 billion in 2007. Over two million tourists from
 wealthier countries of Europe, United States, and Japan visited
Japan in 2007. They came for visiting national parks and to see the
large animals. Other than Kenya, Nairobi and Tanzania strive on
tourism as well. However, tourism could be affected by the global
economic slowdown, local instability due to ethnic clashes and
adverse weather conditions.

d. Examine any three environmental problems in Africa South

of The Sahara. (6m)

The three environmental problems are as follows

Drought and desertification

Water resources in Africa South of the Sahara can be very scarce
in areas where rainfal is seasonal or areas that experience
frequent droughts or continuous aridity. Shortages of water causes
lower crop productivity and lower the hydroelectric project
efficiency. For example, the Sahel Zone experienced increasing
drought since the 1970s that led to overgrazing and its woody
plants removed for firewood. This example illustrates
desertification. As a result of dersertification, many livestock are
dead in Western Africa.

Loss in Soil Quality

Decline in soil quality and workability due to agricultural use is one
of the most widespread problems in Africa. In the Ethiopian
Highlands, the removal of the forest cover in the area led to rapid
erosion of soils. Lack of cover exposed soil to seasonal rainfall
which may lead to soil being cemented into hard laterite that resists
plowing. In semiarid areas, overgrazing of slow-growing vegetation
and removal of woody plants for firewood expose soils to erosion
by water and wind.

Threatened wildlife
The expanding activities of logging, farming, and poaching threaten
the tropical African flora and fauna in certain areas of Africa. The
elephant population in Kenya had fall due to elephants being
hunted and killed for their ivory rusk. This lead to an international
ban on the ivory trade in the late 1990s.

Jun Q2 a. List the four (4) sub region of Africa South of the Sahara (2m)
2015 b. Indicate any two (2) economic activities in Southern Africa (8m)
Atin c. Illustrate any five (5) shared features of indigenous African groups
(10m)

Jan Q2 Discuss any five (5) differences between the economies of the oil-
2013 producing and non oil-producing countries in the Arab Southwest sub
Aimi region in terms of income and level of diversification (20 marks).

Jun Q3 a) Identify all the sub regions in Africa South of the Sahara. (2 marks)
2013 b) Describe any three (3) natural environment conditions in Africa
Pah South of the Sahara. (6 marks)
c) Describe three (3) economic activities in Africa South of the
Sahara. (6 marks)
d) Determine any three (3) environmental problems resulting from the
economic activities in Africa. (6 marks)

Jun Q1
2012

a) Discuss any four (4) major causes of HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

(10marks)
b) Explain any three (3) economic and social effects of this epidemic
towards this region. (15 marks)

JUN Q2 b) Explain any one economic activity in north Africa

2016
ZATI

Year Question Topic: AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA

no.

Dec Q1 a. Describe any one (1) climate in Australia, Oceania and Antartica
2015 (2m)
Atin b. Discuss the colonial development and independence of Australia
and New Zealand (8m)
c. Demonstrate any two (2) economic activities in Australia (8m)
d. Explain the import-substitution manufacturing practice in Australia
(2m)

Jun Q2 Australia, Oceania and Antartica is one of the most interesting region in
2013 the world, especially in terms of its unique geography features.
Pah a) List any four (4) countries in this region. (2 marks)
b) Describe any three (3) natural environments in this region. (8
marks)
c) Determine any three (3) economic activities in this region. (8
marks)
d) This region was colonised by several empires. Discuss briefly. (2
marks)

Jun Q5 a) Describe Australian agriculture sector. (10 marks)

2012 b) Contrast the general characteristics of Australian and New Zealand
climate. (15 marks)

JUN Q3 The region of Australia, ocenia and antartica is perhaps the most diverse
2016 of the world’s region due to its vast and sparsely populated, many
ZATI potential economic activities and beautiful natural wonders.
a) describe the climate of antartica.
b) discuss any one function of the south pacific forum
c) outline the agenda of antartica treaty and wellington agreement to
protect antartica
d) illustrate the tourism industry in new Zealand.
e) Examine any two economic activities in the south pacific islands of
oceania.

Year Question Topic: LATIN AMERICA

no.

Jul 1 a. Identify any four (4) sub regions in Latin America (2m)
2017 b. Describe the term ‘favelas’ in Brazil (3m)
Nazw c. Explain any three economic activities in Central America (12m)
a d. Examine the civilisation of Inca in Latin America (3m)

Dec Q2 a. List any four (4) subregions of Latin America (2m)

2015 b. Indicate any two (2) economic activities in Mexico (8m)
Atin c. Illustrate any two (2) functions of the Carribean Community and
Common Market (CARICOM) (4m)
d. Discuss the civilization of Inca and Aztec Empire (6m)

Jan Q4 Discuss any four (4) differences between Mexico and the countries of
2013 Central America in terms of economic activities, political stability, and
relation with the United States (20 marks)

Dec Q1 Latin America is a region of exciting contrasts in its human and physical
16 geography
Syara
a) List any four (4) countries in Central America.
It is Costa Rica, Panama, El Savador and Guatemela

b) Indicate two (2) economic activities in Brazil

The economy of Brazil is the world's eighth largest economy by nominal

GDP. The Brazilian economy is characterized by a mixed economy that relies on
import substitution to achieve economic growth. Brazil's colonial economic
development began with coastal sugarcane plantations and coffee. The
government continues to encourage agricultural production and exports
their coffee and sugarcane. Other than that in their economic activities is
in manufacturing expansion, they have the largest manufacturing sector in
the production of automobiles and trucks. Brazil sold more new cars than
Germany in 2010, which make them the world's fourth-largest new car
vendor.

c) Illustrate any two (2) functions of the Carribean Community and

Common Market.

The functions of the Carribean Community and Common Market is it

actively working toward a single market and economy and the
establishment of common passports for the residents of member
countries, a combined regional commercial airline, a single monetary
union, a regionalized stock exchange, and the establishment of trade
agreements with large international trade blocs and associations.

d) Analyze the civilization of Maya and Aztec Empire

The Maya civilization are the societies were organized in city-states,

individually ruled and independently functioning urban centers, and
primarily located in the Yucatan Peninsula lowlands of southeastern
Mexico. During the pinnacle, the cities flourished with abundant food
supplies with extensive construction of urban structures especially in
 religious, roya and athletic ceremonies. They also have a detailed
attention to the arts and sciences. But for Aztec Empire, they dominated
the region with a hierarchical society centered on the massive urban
capital of Tenochtitlan. It was governed by one king from one capital. They
were the dominant empire in Middle America and gathered great tribute
riches in the capital. The elote of the empire converted acquired lands and
peoples to their systems and used human and natural resources to further
their goals.

Jun Q3 a) Define the term 'Maquiladora'. (3 marks)

2012 b) Explain three (3) economic contribution of this sub-region. ( 10 marks)
c) Discuss any four (4) major environmental problems facing this region.
(12 marks)

Jun Q1 a)List any four sub regions of Latin America.

2016 b) Explain any two importance of “maquiladora program” towards the
ZATI Mexico economy.

c) Discuss any two negative impact caused by growing tourism industry

in the Caribbean basin

d) Analyze any two economic activities in northern andes.