HighMarks

Glaciation — KCSE Geography

KCSE Geography · 39 practice questions · 4 syllabus objectives

14 easy11 medium14 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Define glaciation, glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps and icebergs; explain the conditions necessary for glacier formation

Describe processes of glacial erosion (plucking, abrasion, freeze-thaw) and resultant features in highland areas: cirques, aretes, pyramidal peaks, U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys

Describe features formed by glacial deposition in lowland areas: moraines (lateral, medial, terminal, ground), drumlins, erratics, outwash plains

Explain the significance of glaciation to human activities including tourism, water supply, agriculture and settlement patterns

Sample Questions

Try 3 questions free. Sign up to access all 39 questions with full marking schemes.

1
easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

Explain how glaciation has influenced settlement patterns in highland areas of Kenya. (3 marks)

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 3 marks
Glacial valleys often provide fertile soil, attracting agricultural settlement (1 mk)
Presence of lakes formed by glacial meltwater offers water supply for settlements (1 mk)
Cool climate in highland areas due to glaciation supports different types of crops and livestock (1 mk)
2
easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Name and explain two types of moraines formed by glacial activity. (4 marks)

View Marking Scheme
Part (b) — 4 marks
Lateral moraine: formed along the sides of a glacier, consisting of debris that has fallen from the valley walls (1 mk)
Terminal moraine: formed at the snout of a glacier, marking its furthest advance and composed of accumulated debris (1 mk)
Medial moraine: formed when two glaciers meet, merging their lateral moraines to create a ridge in the middle (1 mk)
Ground moraine: a blanket of till deposited beneath a glacier, resulting in a more level landscape (1 mk)
3
easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Identify and describe two features formed by glacial deposition in lowland areas. (4 marks)

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 4 marks
Moraines: accumulations of debris (till) left by glaciers at the edges, including lateral and terminal types (1 mk)
Drumlins: streamlined hills formed beneath glaciers, indicating the direction of ice flow (1 mk)
Erratics: large boulders transported by glaciers and deposited far from their source (1 mk)
Outwash plains: flat areas formed by meltwater streams depositing sand and gravel beyond the glacier's terminus (1 mk)
4

State three features formed as a result of glacial erosion and explain how each feature is created. (4 marks)

+36 More Questions

Sign up free to access all 39 questions with marking schemes, track your progress, and get personalised recommendations.

Why Practise Glaciation?

KNEC Aligned

Questions match the KCSE syllabus objectives and exam format exactly.

Detailed Marking Schemes

Every answer shows exactly what examiners award marks for.

Track Your Mastery

See your score improve as you practise and identify remaining gaps.

Master Glaciation for KCSE

Sign up free to unlock all 39 questions, track your progress, and get a personalised study plan for Geography.