Vegetation in Africa

18 Grade 8 Social Studies questions on Vegetation in Africa, with worked marking schemes. 18 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Which climatic factor MOST directly determines the type of natural vegetation found in a region of Africa?

   A. Amount of rainfall

   B. The local language spoken

   C. Colour of the soil

   D. Number of people living there

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   6 marks

   Explain three ways in which desert plants are adapted to survive in dry conditions.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3, 2 marks each: Long/deep roots - to reach underground water; Thick fleshy stems - to store water; Few or no leaves/needle-like leaves/thorns - to reduce water loss through transpiration; Waxy/thick skin - to reduce evaporation; Wide-spreading shallow roots - to absorb water quickly when it rains; Ability to remain dormant - survive long dry periods. (Max 6)

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   The savanna grassland of Africa, such as the Maasai Mara, is mainly characterised by which features?

   A. Tall grasses with scattered trees

   B. Dense closed forest canopy

   C. Bare sand dunes with no plants

   D. Permanent snow and ice

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   A region of Africa receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, has tall trees forming a closed canopy and very dense undergrowth. This region MOST likely has

   A. Mediterranean vegetation

   B. Desert vegetation

   C. Tropical rainforest vegetation

   D. Savanna vegetation

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   The vast grasslands of East Africa dotted with scattered trees and supporting large herds of wild animals are known as

   A. Mangrove forest

   B. Savanna grassland

   C. Tropical rainforest

   D. Desert scrub

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   3 marks

   State three factors that influence the distribution of natural vegetation in Africa.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3, 1 mark each: Rainfall/amount of moisture; Temperature/climate; Altitude; Type of soil; Drainage; Human activities; Aspect/slope. (Max 3)

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   As one climbs a high mountain like Mount Kenya, the vegetation changes with altitude. The vegetation found highest up, near the snow line, is

   A. Dense tropical rainforest

   B. Tall savanna grass

   C. Mangrove swamp

   D. Alpine moorland with few plants

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Savannah grassland in Africa is best described as:

   A. Tall trees with thick undergrowth and no grass

   B. Tall grass with scattered trees such as the acacia

   C. Only sand dunes with no plant life

   D. Short shrubs and cacti adapted to deserts

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The Mediterranean vegetation of North Africa's coastal areas is characterised by

   A. Drought-resistant shrubs and short trees

   B. Tall evergreen rainforest trees

   C. Thick papyrus swamps

   D. Snow-covered alpine plants

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which type of natural vegetation is dominant in the Congo Basin of Central Africa?

    A. Desert scrub

    B. Mediterranean shrubs

    C. Temperate grassland

    D. Tropical rainforest

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Which of the following is a true statement about tropical rainforests in Africa?

    A. They lose all their leaves during winter

    B. They have trees that grow in layers forming a canopy

    C. They have only short grass and no trees

    D. They are found mainly in dry desert regions

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    Which type of vegetation grows in the Sahara region where rainfall is very low?

    A. Tall montane bamboo

    B. Dense tropical rainforest

    C. Sparse desert vegetation adapted to drought

    D. Coastal mangrove swamps

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Which type of natural vegetation is dominant in the Congo Basin of Central Africa?

    A. Desert vegetation

    B. Tropical rainforest

    C. Mediterranean scrub

    D. Savannah grassland

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Mangrove forests in Africa are MOST commonly found in which areas?

    A. Dry interior plains

    B. High mountain slopes

    C. Sandy desert dunes

    D. Coastal areas with salty, muddy shores

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    4 marks

    Identify four major types of natural vegetation found in Africa.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 4, 1 mark each: Tropical rainforest; Savanna grassland; Desert/semi-desert vegetation; Mediterranean vegetation; Mountain/montane (alpine) vegetation; Mangrove/coastal vegetation; Temperate grassland. (Max 4)

16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Which type of natural vegetation is found in the Congo Basin of Africa?

    A. Tropical rainforest

    B. Mediterranean shrubs

    C. Temperate grassland

    D. Desert vegetation

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Desert plants such as cacti have thick fleshy stems and few or no leaves mainly because

    A. They attract more animals

    B. They need more sunlight to grow

    C. They grow faster than other plants

    D. They store water and reduce water loss

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    4 marks

    Describe two characteristics of savanna grassland vegetation in Africa.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 2, 2 marks each: Consists mainly of tall grass - with scattered/isolated trees such as acacia and baobab; Trees are drought-resistant - have small leaves, thorns and deep roots to survive the dry season; Vegetation is influenced by wet and dry seasons - grass dries up in the dry season and grows green in the wet season; Supports large herds of wild herbivores. (Max 4)

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