Weather and Climate

20 Grade 8 Social Studies questions on Weather and Climate, with worked marking schemes. 20 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A weather record shows the wind has been blowing steadily from the east. The instrument used to identify this wind DIRECTION is the:

   A. Wind vane

   B. Rain gauge

   C. Thermometer

   D. Anemometer

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

2. Question 2

   5 marks

   Weather and climate are studied at a weather station.

   (a) Distinguish between 'weather' and 'climate'.

   (b) State three elements of weather that are measured at a weather station.

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Weather is the condition of the atmosphere of a place at a particular/short time, while climate is the average weather conditions of a place recorded over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more). (b) Elements of weather measured at a weather station: - Temperature - Rainfall/precipitation - Humidity - Atmospheric pressure - Wind (speed and direction) - Sunshine duration - Cloud cover (Any three)

3. Question 3

   3 marks

   State three factors that influence the climate of a place.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Which instrument is used to measure the amount of rainfall received in an area?

   A. Barometer

   B. Anemometer

   C. Rain gauge

   D. Hygrometer

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A Grade 8 weather station records the highest and lowest temperatures of the day. The instrument used is the:

   A. Anemometer

   B. Rain gauge

   C. Barometer

   D. Six's maximum and minimum thermometer

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

6. Question 6

   4 marks

   Why should the Stevenson screen housing weather instruments be painted white and have louvred sides? Give two reasons.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 2, 2 marks each: painted white to reflect sunlight/heat so instruments record true air temperature; louvred (slatted) sides to allow free circulation of air around the instruments giving accurate readings.

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   What is the main difference between weather and climate?

   A. Weather lasts for centuries, while climate changes daily

   B. Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere, while climate is the average condition over many years

   C. Weather only refers to rainfall, while climate only refers to temperature

   D. There is no difference between weather and climate

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Which instrument is used to measure the amount of rainfall received in a place over a given period?

   A. A barometer

   B. A wind vane

   C. A rain gauge

   D. A hygrometer

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

9. Question 9

   1 mark

   Coastal regions of Kenya, such as Mombasa, experience a hot and wet climate MAINLY because of:

   A. Presence of snow

   B. Low altitude and nearness to the Indian Ocean

   C. Distance from the sea

   D. High altitude

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?

    A. Wind vane

    B. Rain gauge

    C. Thermometer

    D. Barometer

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    The element of weather measured using a hygrometer is:

    A. Air pressure

    B. Humidity

    C. Rainfall

    D. Wind speed

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    The difference between weather and climate is that climate refers to:

    A. The amount of rainfall in one day

    B. The conditions of the atmosphere at a particular moment

    C. The average atmospheric conditions over a long period

    D. The temperature recorded at noon

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Areas at high altitude, such as the Kenyan highlands, generally experience cool temperatures because:

    A. Temperature decreases as altitude increases

    B. Temperature increases as altitude increases

    C. They are near the equator

    D. They receive no rainfall

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

14. Question 14

    5 marks

    Weather and climate affect human activities in Africa.

    (a) Distinguish between 'weather' and 'climate'. (2 marks)

    (b) Name three elements of weather that are measured at a weather station. (3 marks)

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Weather is the condition of the atmosphere of a place over a short period of time (e.g. a day), while climate is the average weather conditions of a place recorded over a long period of time (usually about 30-35 years). (b) Three elements of weather (any three): Temperature, rainfall (precipitation), wind (speed and direction), humidity, atmospheric pressure, sunshine, cloud cover.

15. Question 15

    4 marks

    (a) Name two elements of weather.

    (b) For each element named, state the instrument used to measure it.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 2 correct pairs, 2 marks each (1 for element, 1 for instrument): rainfall – rain gauge; temperature – thermometer; wind speed – anemometer; wind direction – wind vane; atmospheric pressure – barometer; humidity – hygrometer; sunshine – sunshine recorder.

16. Question 16

    1 mark

    What is the main difference between weather and climate?

    A. Weather is the long-term average; climate is the day-to-day condition

    B. Weather is the condition over a short period; climate is the average over many years

    C. Weather only refers to rainfall; climate only refers to temperature

    D. There is no difference between the two terms

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

17. Question 17

    1 mark

    The instrument used to measure the speed of wind is the:

    A. Wind vane

    B. Hygrometer

    C. Anemometer

    D. Barometer

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

18. Question 18

    1 mark

    A rain gauge should be placed in an open area away from buildings and trees MAINLY to:

    A. Keep it cool

    B. Protect it from theft

    C. Make it easy to carry

    D. Ensure it collects rainfall accurately without obstruction

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

19. Question 19

    1 mark

    The instrument used to measure the amount of rainfall received in a place is the:

    A. Rain gauge

    B. Hygrometer

    C. Barometer

    D. Anemometer

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

20. Question 20

    4 marks

    Explain two ways in which weather information is useful to farmers in Kenya.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 2, 2 marks each (point + explanation): helps decide when to plant crops by knowing the onset of rains; helps plan irrigation during dry seasons; warns of drought/floods so farmers can prepare; helps in choosing suitable crops for the expected season; guides harvesting and drying of produce.

21. 15 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.

    Create a free account

More Grade 8 Social Studies topics