VQuestion 2.1

Question

Various options are provided to answer the following questions. Choose the
correct answer by only writing the letters (A-D) next to the question numbers
2.1.1 - 2.1.8.
Question 2.1.1
Money is an example of a ___________ resource.
A. Natural
B. Human
C. Manufactured
D. Financial
Question 2.1.2
An ecosystem whereby the amount of species have been severely reduced is an
example of:
A. Exploitation
B. Depletion
C. Conservation
D. Preservation
Question 2.1.3
Organic matter must contain which of the following elements to be classified
organic:
A. Carbon
B. Hydrogen
C. Gold
D. Oxygen
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Question 2.1.4
The majority of South Africa’s energy comes from
A. Nuclear power
B. Coal
C. Geothermal energy
D. Solar power
Question 2.1.5
Which of the following is not a negative effect of using coal as a source
energy?
A. Environmental despoliation
B. Solid waste
C. Emission of toxic gases and wastes
D. Industrial development
Question 2.1.6
_________ is the power utility producing most of South Africa’s electricity.
A. Telkom
B. Eskom
C. Vodacom
D. Koeberg
Question 2.1.7
The process of using reactions like fission, decay and fusion to genera
electricity is known as
A. Solar power
B. Nuclear power
C. Hydroelectric power
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D. Tidal power
Question 2.1.8
The Kyoto Protocol was signed by South Africa to _________
A. Reduce overfishing found along the coastal regio
B. Reduce water pollution
C. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
D. Reduce food wastage
(8 x 1) (8)
Question 2.2
Choose the correct word(s) from those given in brackets which will make each
statement geographically CORRECT. Write only the word(s) next to the question
numbers 2.2.1 – 2.2.7.
2.2.1 It is estimated that South Africa will run out of coal by the year
(2040/2060).
2.2.2 (Going green/a sustainable lifestyle) refers to the adoption of
Earth-friendly practices centred around conservation and efforts to
alternatives to traditional fuel sources.
2.2.3 Overgrazing is a (human/physical) agent of erosion.
2.2.4 A possible effect of soil erosion is (increased/decreased) amounts
food produced.
2.2.5 An example of a manufactured resource is (fish/canned fi
2.2.6 (Renewable/Non-renewable) resources can be found in limited supply in
the environment.
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2.2.7 The (topsoil/subsoil) is often rich in humus and minerals.
(7 x 1) (7)
Question 2.3
Study the image on soil erosion below, and answer the questions that follow:
Figure 3: Soil erosion
2.3.1 What evidence can be seen in Figure 3 above to suggest that soil erosion
has taken place? (1 x 1) (1)
2.3.2 Explain how the process of overcropping may have led to the soil erosion
we see in Figure 3 above. (2 x 2) (4)
2.3.3 Provide one negative effect of soil erosion on the aquatic bodies found
South Africa. (1 x 2) (2)
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2.3.4 In a paragraph of approximately eight lines discuss four ways in which soil
can be managed to prevent soil erosion from occurring in South Africa.
(4 x 2) (8)
[15]
Question 2.4
Read the extract below on South Africa’s energy management and answer the
questions that follow.
COAL STILL HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN SOUTH AFRICA: TODAY
AND TOMORROW
South Africa’s coal-fired power stations are linked with South Africa’s ener
crisis. The government-owned national power utility, Eskom Holdings – which
generates 90% of the electricity used in South Africa and 30% of the electricity
generated on the African continent – has been unable to keep up with the
national demand for electricity.
Eskom’s 14 coal-fired power stations are either old and inadequate
maintained or poorly designed and not operating to capacity. Due to these
issues, South Africa experiences a daily shortfall of around 4 000–6 000
megawatts, roughly equivalent to 10% of current use. What result are
scheduled power outages (or loadshedding*).
Unstable access to electricity does not only impact negatively on daily lives of
the public, but power outages also cause disruptions to businesses, damaging
the very economic backbone of the nation.
To address this problem, South Africa has been working to shift its energy mix
from coal to renewables like wind and solar. However, from a holistic
perspective, coal has a crucial role to play in stabilising the country’s energy
sector and business environment.
*Loadshedding: when a power station cannot meet demand for electricity,
power is switched off to parts of the grid to protect power generating asset

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2.4.1 As per the extract, what percentage of South Africa’s electricity does
Eskom generate? (1 x 1) (1)
2.4.2 List two reasons from the extract which explain why Eskom’s fourteen
coal-powered stations are unable to meet the national electricity
demand. (2 x 1) (2)
2.4.3 How does loadshedding affect the economy of South Africa? (1 x 2) (
2.4.4 Explain three negative impacts of coal mining on the environment.
(3 x 2) (6)
2.4.5 Despite the negative impacts of using coal for electricity generation, why
is coal still so important to the people and economy of South
Africa? (2 x 2) (4)
[15]
Question 2.5
Refer to the infographic on renewable energy below and answer the questions
that follow.
A B
Figure 4: Renewable energy
2.5.1 Identify the types of renewable energy shown by Letter A and Letter B in
Figure 4 above. (2 x 1) (2)
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2.5.2 Despite being a renewable energy, why has the type of renewable energy
shown in B of Figure 4 not been implemented on a large scale? (1 x 2) (2)
2.5.3 Explain two advantages of using the renewable energy shown in A of
Figure 4 in South Africa? (2 x 2) (4)
2.5.4 Discuss three reasons for the move towards more renewable forms of
energy. (3 x 2) (6)
2.5.5 How can the production of biofuels negatively impact low-income
members of the population? (1 x 1) (1)

Answer 1

Question 2.1
2.1.1 - D
2.1.2 - B
2.1.3 - A
2.1.4 - B
2.1.5 - D
2.1.6 - B
2.1.7 - B
2.1.8 - C

Question 2.2
2.2.1 - 2040
2.2.2 - a sustainable lifestyle
2.2.3 - human
2.2.4 - decreased
2.2.5 - canned fish
2.2.6 - Non-renewable
2.2.7 - topsoil

Question 2.3
2.3.1 Evidence of soil erosion could include visible rills or gullies, loss of soil depth, or exposed root systems of plants.
2.3.2 Overcropping depletes the soil of its nutrients and structure, leading to a lack of vegetation that holds the soil in place, making it more prone to erosion by wind and water.
2.3.3 One negative effect of soil erosion on aquatic bodies is increased sedimentation, which can harm aquatic life and reduce water quality.
2.3.4 Four ways to prevent soil erosion include planting cover crops to protect the soil, practicing crop rotation to maintain soil health, implementing contour farming to reduce runoff, and building barriers like terraces to slow water flow.

Question 2.4
2.4.1 Eskom generates 90% of South Africa’s electricity.
2.4.2 Two reasons: the coal-fired power stations are old and inadequately maintained or poorly designed.
2.4.3 Load shedding disrupts businesses and negatively impacts the economic backbone of the nation due to unreliable electricity supply.
2.4.4 Three negative impacts of coal mining on the environment include air pollution from emissions, water contamination from mining runoff, and habitat destruction due to land clearing.
2.4.5 Coal remains important due to its significant role in electricity generation and the economy, providing jobs and energy essential for industrial functions.

Question 2.5
2.5.1 Type A - Solar energy; Type B - Wind energy
2.5.2 Despite being renewable, wind energy has not been implemented on a large scale due to high initial costs, intermittency concerns, and the impact on wildlife.
2.5.3 Advantages of solar energy include reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and potentially lower electricity costs in the long term.
2.5.4 Reasons for the move towards renewable energy include addressing climate change, reducing dependency on limited fossil fuel resources, and promoting energy security and sustainability.
2.5.5 The production of biofuels can drive up food prices, making it harder for low-income individuals to afford basic food items.