Geographic Information System
16 Grade 10 Geography questions on Geographic Information System, with worked marking schemes. 16 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
2 marksState two precautions that should be taken when entering data into a GIS so that the map produced is accurate.
(2 marks)
Marking scheme
Any TWO, 1 mark each (max 2): - Use up-to-date sources, e.g. a recent satellite image rather than an old map, so that features that have since changed are shown correctly. - Geo-reference the scanned map or image properly before tracing, so that the features fall in their true positions. - Trace features carefully during digitising, following each line exactly and closing every polygon. - Use the same coordinate system and scale for all the layers that will be combined. - Check the entries against field records or a field visit and correct any errors before the data are stored. - Key in the attribute details carefully and confirm that each record is attached to the right feature.
Question 2
3 marksState three sources of data that a county government may use to build a GIS database of the markets in the county.
(3 marks)
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2 marksDistinguish between raster data and vector data as used in a GIS.
(2 marks)
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1 markWhich one of the following best describes a Geographic Information System (GIS)?
A. A large printed map showing the physical and human features of an area
B. A satellite that orbits the earth taking photographs of the ground
C. A computer-based system for capturing, storing, analysing and displaying data about places on the earth's surface
D. A hand-held instrument that tells a user their exact position on the earth
(1 mark)
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4 marksDescribe the four main stages followed when working with data in a Geographic Information System.
(4 marks)
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1 markIn a GIS study of the Nzoia River, a zone 500 metres wide was created along both banks to show where cultivation should not take place. This operation is known as
A. geo-referencing.
B. digitising.
C. buffering.
D. overlay.
(1 mark)
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1 markA GIS layer shows the tea factories of Kericho County as points. A table linked to the layer gives the name of each factory, the year it was opened and the tonnes of green leaf it handles each year. The information contained in that table is
A. remotely sensed data.
B. attribute data.
C. spatial data.
D. raster data.
(1 mark)
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1 markIn a vector GIS database for Kisumu County, the tarmac road joining Kisumu town to Ahero is stored as
A. a line.
B. a polygon.
C. a single cell in a grid.
D. a point.
(1 mark)
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4 marksSuggest four ways in which a GIS could be used to prepare for floods on the Nyando plains.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any FOUR, 1 mark each (max 4): - Overlaying relief, river and soil layers to map the areas most likely to be flooded. - Mapping the extent of past floods from satellite images so that the areas likely to be affected again are known in advance. - Identifying higher, safe ground on which rescue camps and evacuation centres can be sited. - Mapping the road network to plan evacuation routes and routes along which relief food and medicine can be delivered. - Combining rainfall records and river-gauge readings held in the system to issue early warning to the residents. - Overlaying the flood-risk map with the population layer to estimate how many people and homesteads are at risk.
Question 10
1 markA county lands office has bought computers and a plotter, installed mapping software and obtained satellite images of the county, but no maps have been produced because no member of staff can operate the system. Which component of GIS is missing in that office?
A. Data
B. Software
C. Hardware
D. Trained personnel
(1 mark)
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1 markA county planner has three separate GIS layers showing slopes, roads and flood-prone areas. In order to produce one map showing only the places that are gently sloping, close to a road and free from flooding, the planner should
A. overlay the three layers.
B. scan the three layers.
C. print the three layers side by side.
D. digitise the three layers afresh.
(1 mark)
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1 markTracing the rivers, roads and location boundaries from a scanned printed topographical map so that they are stored in a GIS as lines and polygons is known as
A. geo-referencing.
B. digitising.
C. interpolation.
D. remote sensing.
(1 mark)
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3 marksDescribe how a group of learners would use a hand-held GPS receiver to collect data for a GIS map of water points in their local area.
(3 marks)
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1 markWhich one of the following is a challenge facing the use of GIS in many county offices in Kenya?
A. The software and the training of staff are costly
B. Data held in a GIS cannot be updated once it has been entered
C. GIS is unable to present its results in the form of a map
D. GIS is unable to store large amounts of information
(1 mark)
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6 marksExplain three advantages a county government gains by keeping its land records in a GIS instead of in paper files.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any THREE advantages; 1 mark for the point and 1 mark for the explanation (max 6): - Records are retrieved quickly (1) because a parcel is found by searching the database instead of hunting through shelves of files (1). - The data are safer (1) since digital records can be backed up and so are not lost through fire, termites or theft of files (1). - Records are easy to update (1) a change of ownership or a subdivision is edited once and is immediately seen on the map and in the table (1). - Double allocation of plots is detected (1) because the parcels are mapped as polygons and any overlap shows up clearly (1). - The records can be shared with other departments and with the public (1) which improves transparency and reduces fraud in land dealings (1). - Areas and land rates can be calculated automatically (1) making revenue collection more accurate (1).
Question 16
6 marksExplain three reasons why information in a GIS is stored in separate layers.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any THREE reasons; 1 mark for the point and 1 mark for the explanation or example (max 6): - One theme can be edited without disturbing the others (1) e.g. a newly tarmacked road is added to the roads layer while the rivers layer remains untouched (1). - Layers can be switched on and off (1) so that only the information needed for a particular task is shown, which keeps the map clear and easy to read (1). - Layers can be combined in different ways for analysis (1) e.g. a soils layer and a rainfall layer are overlaid to find areas suitable for growing maize (1). - Different layers come from different sources and scales (1) so keeping them apart protects each data set and makes it easier to trace where an error came from (1). - A single layer can be shared with another department (1) without releasing the whole database (1).
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