Grade 10 · CAPS

Grade 10 The Atmosphere

Geography practice questions and a worked example

Grade 10 Geography atmosphere questions cover the layers and heating of the atmosphere, moisture and rainfall, and weather maps. The questions here ask you to name the layers of the atmosphere, read a station model or a synoptic weather map, explain how convectional, frontal and relief rainfall form, and discuss global warming, ozone depletion, thunderstorms and drought. They come from the Eastern Cape Grade 10 Geography Paper 1 for November 2018 and November 2019 and the November 2020 exemplar Paper 1, each with the answer from the marking guideline.

Worked example

1.3.1 Define the term ozone depletion.

Answer & explanation

Ozone depletion is the destruction of ozone so that holes form in the ozone layer
Ozone depletion refers to the reduction of ozone in the stratosphere, primarily caused by chemical reactions involving substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These reactions break down ozone molecules, thinning the ozone layer and creating holes. This process allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach the Earth's surface, which can have adverse effects on living organisms.

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The Atmosphere

Question 1 of 3

1.1 Study the following weather station model of Butterworth FIGURE 1.1 and answer the questions below. Use the weather station model to write the script for the television weather presenter’s program. In your script outline the following weather properties: 1.1.1 Dew point temperature

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Explore additional Grade 10 The Atmosphere questions.

  • 2
    1.1 Study the following weather station model of Butterworth FIGURE 1.1 and answer the questions below. Use the weather station model to write the script for the television weather presenter’s program. In your script outline the following weather properties: 1.1.4 Wind direction
  • 3
    1.1 Study the following weather station model of Butterworth FIGURE 1.1 and answer the questions below. Use the weather station model to write the script for the television weather presenter’s program. In your script outline the following weather properties: 1.1.5 Wind speed in knots
  • 4
    1.3 Refer to FIGURE 1.3 showing ozone depletion. 1.3.2 In which layer of the atmosphere is ozone concentrated?
  • 5
    1.3.3 What does the acronym CFC stand for?

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up the layers. The troposphere is closest to the surface and the ozone layer is in the stratosphere.
  • Reading the wrong numbers on a station model. The air temperature is at the top left and the dew point at the bottom left.
  • Naming a rainfall type without the process. Say how the air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds.

More Grade 10 Geography topics

Aligned to CAPS Grade 10 Geography — The Atmosphere. Curriculum source: CAPS for the FET Phase, Department of Basic Education.

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