Which of the following are reasons why the Pacific coast of Japan is more vulnerable to tsunamis than the Pacific coast of Canada? (1) Japan is closer to active subduction zones where megathrust earthquakes occur. (2) Japan has a higher proportion of low-lying, indented ria coasts that amplify tsunami waves. (3) Japan lacks a tsunami warning system.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
Which of the following is/are example(s) of a positive feedback loop associated with global warming? (1) Melting of permafrost -> Release of methane -> Enhanced greenhouse effect -> Further temperature rise. (2) Increase in global temperature -> Increase in evaporation -> More low-level clouds -> Increased reflection of solar radiation -> Decrease in temperature. (3) Shrinking of Arctic sea ice -> Decreased planetary albedo -> Increased absorption of solar radiation -> Further ice melt.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
Compared to traditional flood irrigation, which of the following are the environmental benefits of adopting drip irrigation in arid farming regions? (1) Minimising soil salinisation. (2) Reducing water loss through evaporation. (3) Raising the groundwater table.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
Which of the following descriptions about wave refraction at a headland and bay coast are correct? (1) Wave energy is concentrated at the headland, leading to active erosion. (2) Wave energy is dispersed in the adjacent bays, promoting deposition. (3) Wave crests bend and become parallel to the offshore submarine contours.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
Why is the soil in tropical rainforests generally nutrient-poor despite the extremely high plant biomass? (1) Rapid decomposition of organic litter under hot and wet conditions. (2) Intense leaching of soil nutrients by heavy, frequent rainfall. (3) Rapid absorption of nutrients by the dense root networks of vegetation.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
Which of the following factors best explains the spatial shift of major iron and steel plants in China from inland cities (such as Anshan) to coastal locations (such as Shanghai) since the late 20th century?
- A.Depletion of local energy resources in inland provinces
- B.Increased reliance on imported high-grade iron ore and proximity to large coastal markets
- C.Cheaper land rent and abundant labor supply in coastal megacities
- D.Lower transport costs of shipping finished steel products to inland provinces
In the urban renewal process of Hong Kong, which of the following approaches is most effective in preserving existing social networks and the local community character of old districts?
- A.Redevelopment
- B.Rehabilitation
- C.Clearance and resettlement
- D.Land reclamation
In the rock cycle, which of the following pairs correctly matches a parent rock with its metamorphic equivalent under high temperature and pressure?
- A.Granite -> Gneiss
- B.Limestone -> Slate
- C.Sandstone -> Marble
- D.Shale -> Quartzite
Which of the following atmospheric conditions are characteristic of the Subtropical High Pressure Belt? (1) Sinking air mass leading to dry and stable weather. (2) Strong convection currents producing heavy afternoon thundershowers. (3) Prevailing wind divergence at the surface.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
A geography student wants to conduct a questionnaire survey on the shopping habits of visitors in a shopping mall. She stands at the main entrance and interviews every 10th visitor who enters the mall. What sampling method is the student using?
- A.Random sampling
- B.Systematic sampling
- C.Stratified sampling
- D.Convenience sampling
Which of the following coastal conditions is most favorable for the formation of a spit?
- A.Strong longshore drift and a sudden change in the direction of the coastline.
- B.High wave energy and a steep offshore gradient.
- C.Intense hydraulic action and a lack of sediment supply.
- D.Dominance of destructive waves along a straight rocky shoreline.
Which of the following factors explain why a deep-focus earthquake generally causes less ground shaking and destruction at the epicentre than a shallow-focus earthquake of the same magnitude? (1) Seismic waves lose energy as they travel a longer distance to the surface. (2) Deep-focus earthquakes only produce primary (P) waves. (3) The surface waves produced by deep-focus earthquakes are much weaker when they reach the surface.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
In the study of climate change, which of the following is an example of a positive feedback loop?
- A.Rising temperatures -> Increased evaporation -> More low-level clouds -> Increased reflection of solar radiation -> Decreased temperatures.
- B.Rising temperatures -> Melting of permafrost -> Release of methane gas -> Enhanced greenhouse effect -> Rising temperatures.
- C.Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide -> Enhanced plant photosynthesis -> Increased absorption of carbon dioxide -> Decreased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- D.Rising temperatures -> Increased forest growth in high latitudes -> Carbon sequestration by trees -> Decreased greenhouse effect -> Decreased temperatures.
Which of the following factors explain why the iron and steel industry in China has increasingly relocated from inland regions (e.g. Anshan) to coastal regions (e.g. Zhanjiang) in recent decades? (1) Depletion of local high-grade iron ore and coal reserves in northern inland regions. (2) Increasing reliance on imported high-grade iron ore from Australia and Brazil. (3) Shift of the major steel market towards the prosperous southern and coastal economic zones.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
Which of the following descriptions about the nutrient cycle in a tropical rainforest ecosystem is correct?
- A.The soil nutrient pool is the largest among the three pools due to rapid rock weathering.
- B.The litter pool is exceptionally large because of the continuous and heavy leaf fall throughout the year.
- C.Nutrients are rapidly absorbed by the dense, shallow root systems of trees, keeping the biomass pool the largest.
- D.Heavy rainfall enhances leaching, which increases the concentration of soluble nutrients in the topsoil.
In a sustainable city, which of the following transport planning strategies is most effective in achieving BOTH carbon reduction and social equity?
- A.Implementing high electronic road pricing in all residential districts to discourage private car ownership.
- B.Developing a transit-oriented development model centered on subsidized, high-accessibility public transit.
- C.Providing generous tax incentives for middle-income households to replace diesel cars with electric vehicles.
- D.Restricting pedestrian zones in busy commercial areas to speed up the flow of private vehicular traffic.
Compared to traditional flood irrigation, which of the following are the advantages of using drip irrigation in arid agricultural regions? (1) It minimizes water loss through evaporation and deep percolation. (2) It reduces the risk of soil salinisation. (3) It requires a much lower initial capital investment.
- A.(1) and (2) only
- B.(1) and (3) only
- C.(2) and (3) only
- D.(1), (2) and (3)
A group of geography students wants to study the microclimate of a high-density urban residential area. Which of the following sampling methods and data collection strategies is the most appropriate?
- A.Measuring air temperature at a single fixed station for 24 hours to represent the spatial variation of the entire district.
- B.Selecting multiple measuring points at regular intervals along a transect from an urban park to a concrete commercial core, using systematic sampling.
- C.Distributing questionnaires to 100 local residents to collect subjective perceptions of daily wind speed as primary scientific data.
- D.Using opportunistic sampling to measure wind speed only in open plazas during rainy days to study the urban heat island effect.
In the rock cycle, which of the following geological processes directly transforms sedimentary rocks into metamorphic rocks?
- A.High temperature and pressure causing mineral recrystallisation without complete melting.
- B.Intense weathering and erosion followed by deep compaction and cementation.
- C.Complete melting into magma followed by slow cooling and solidifying underground.
- D.Subduction of plates carrying rocks into the mantle to be completely recycled.
During the winter monsoon in East Asia, which of the following atmospheric conditions typically develops over the Eurasian continent and brings cold, dry weather to Hong Kong?
- A.A strong low-pressure centre over Siberia, driving warm maritime air masses southward.
- B.A powerful high-pressure system (Siberian High), driving cold, dry continental airstreams southward.
- C.A tropical depression in the South China Sea, drawing humid southeasterly winds into southern China.
- D.The development of the Subtropical High over the Pacific Ocean, causing stagnant, hot air over the region.