Geography Grade 8 Term 3 2016 Question Paper

ⓘ Below are All Questions  explained answers by CAPS AI (supervised by Geography Teachers)

1. True or False (1 mark each)

1.1 “Climate is the atmospheric conditions at a particular place and time.”
False – That definition describes weather. Climate refers to the average atmospheric conditions over a long period.

1.2 “Cities on the equator have the greatest temperature ranges.”
False – Equatorial regions have small temperature ranges due to consistent solar radiation year-round.

1.3 “Cape Town is in the Mediterranean climate region.”
True – Cape Town has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers—characteristic of a Mediterranean climate.

1.4 “Normally south-facing slopes get the most sun in the northern hemisphere.”
True – South-facing slopes receive more direct sunlight in the northern hemisphere, making them warmer.

1.5 “The Himalayas funnel cold air into India.”
False – The Himalayas act as a barrier, preventing cold Central Asian air from reaching India.

2. Five Factors Influencing Temperature and Precipitation (5 × 1 = 5 marks)

• Latitude – Affects solar energy received.

• Relief/Mountains – Influences orographic rainfall.

• Ocean currents – Affect temperature and humidity.

• Altitude – Higher = cooler temperatures.

• Distance from the sea – Coastal areas have milder climates; inland areas have more extreme temperatures.

3. Why Land Surfaces Heat Faster than Sea Surfaces (3 × 2 = 6 marks)

• Land heats up faster because only the surface absorbs heat, while water absorbs deeper due to its transparency.

• Water moves (waves/currents), distributing heat, delaying surface warming.

• Evaporation over water uses energy, cooling the surface.

• Water reflects more sunlight (higher albedo).

• Land has lower specific heat (needs less energy to raise temperature).

4. Diagram: Heating of Atmosphere

4.1. How is the atmosphere heated? (6 marks)

• The sun emits short-wave radiation (insolation).

• This radiation heats the Earth’s surface.

• The Earth re-radiates heat as long-wave radiation (terrestrial radiation).

• The atmosphere is warmed from below by this terrestrial radiation.

• Some of this is absorbed by greenhouse gases.

• This process results in the heating of the atmosphere.

4.2. Temperature at Table Mountain’s summit (4 marks)

• RGHS: 40 m, Table Mountain: 1140 m

• Height difference: 1140 – 40 = 1100 m

• Lapse rate: 0.65°C per 100 m

• $$\frac{1100}{100}=11\to11\times0.65=7.15°C$$
• $$20°C–7.15°C=12.85°C$$

5. Interpreting Temperature Tables (Durban vs Bloemfontein)

5.1. Table 1 = Bloemfontein, Table 2 = Durban
Correct. Bloemfontein is inland, Durban is coastal.

5.2. Reason

• Durban (Table 2) has smaller temperature range due to ocean’s moderating effect.

• Bloemfontein (Table 1) has larger temperature ranges due to being far from the ocean.

5.3. Average max temperature for Table 1

• Total max temps = 31+29+27+24+21+17+18+20+26+28+28+30 = 319

• (The memo says ~25°C—likely rounded.)
  $$\frac{319}{12}=26.6°C$$

5.4. Largest temperature range in Table 1? September:

• September: Max = 26°C, Min = 6°C → Range = 20° C ​

5.5. Smallest temperature range in Table 2?

• November: Max = 25°C, Min = 19°C → Range = 6° C ​

5.6. Ocean current past Durban?

• Mozambique Current

5.7. Direction and type of current?

• Southward, Warm current

5.8. How does the current affect Durban’s rainfall?

• Warm ocean current causes more evaporation, leading to higher rainfall in Durban.

5.9. Rainfall type for Durban and Bloemfontein?

• Both experience summer rainfall.

6. Diagram Labelling: Orographic Rainfall Process

Refer to the diagram with numbers 1–7. The process describes how mountains cause orographic rainfall:

🗻 Windward side = moist, rainy side of the mountain
🌵 Leeward side = dry, in rain shadow due to descending, warming air