Geography Paper 1 (English)

May-June 2026 — Grade 12 / Matric — Geography

Past Paper 2026 Grade 12 English Geography Hub →

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🎯 150 marks ⏱️ 3h 📄 20 pages 📝 102 items found 📚 6 topics 🔑 1 key info

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Q1— Section header —

Q2— Section header —

Q3— Section header —

Q1— Section header —

1.1Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A D\ next to the question numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.8\ in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.9 D.

1.1.1

1.1.2

1.1.3Weather generally associated with a low pressure system in the interior of South Africa: Clear skies and moderate winds Dry and hot conditions Cloudy skies with a

1.1.4to 1.1.6. [Source: Examiner's own sketch]

1.1.4The weather at Cape Town (CT\ can be described as 8/8 cloud cover with a wind speed of 10 knots overcast conditions with a wind speed of 30 knots. snow with a wind speed of 30 knots. rain with a wind speed of 20 knots.

1.1.5

1.1.6

1.1.7

1.1.8

1.2Refer to the sketch map below and c omplete the statements in COLUMN A with the options in COLUMN B. Write only or next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.7\ in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.2.8 Y. [Source: Examiner's own sketch]

1.2.1

1.2.2

1.2.3

1.2.4

1.2.5The synoptic weather map symbol that represents the weather at

1.2.6The type of clouds that will be found at cumulus cumulonimbus

1.2.7

1.3Refer to the synoptic weather map below showing a mid latitude cyclone. [Adapted from South African Weather Services 9 May 2025]

1.3.1Name the global wind system causing the cold front to approach from the west of South Africa. (1 x 1\ (1\

1.3.2What evidence indicates that the mid latitude cyclone is in the mature stage? (1 x 2\ (2\

1.3.3Why is the warm front unlikely to affect the Western Cape? (1 x 2\ (2\

1.3.4Give evidence from the synoptic weather map that strong damaging winds will affect the Western Cape due to the approaching cold front. (1 x 2\ (2\

1.3.5Account for the expected changes in temperature and precipitation that the Western Cape will experience with the passing of the cold front. (2 x 2\ (4\

1.3.6

1.4Refer to the extract and graph below on Tropical Cyclone Jude TROPICAL CYCLONE JUDE MARCH 2025 In the last three months, a series of cyclones originated over the Indian Ocean due to favourable conditions.

1.4.1According to the extract, over which ocean did Tropical Cyclone Jude originate? (1 x 1\ (1\

1.4.2State a weather condition responsible for the large number of tropical cyclones that originated over this ocean. (1 x 2\ (2\

1.4.3Refer to the graph. What evidence suggests that Tropical Cyclone Jude was in the mature stage on 9 March at 23:00? (1 x 2\ (2\

1.4.4Explain why storm surges are commonly associated with tropical cyclones. (1 x 2\ (2\

1.4.5In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, account for the destructive physical (natural\ impact of storm surges on coastal areas. (4 x 2\ (8\ KEY '$#'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''&&'''''''''''''''''''''$$$$''''+*

1.5Refer to the infographic below on urban heat islands. A: URBAN HEAT ISLAND [Adapted from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savemyexams.com% B: MIND MAP SHOWING THE IMPACT OF URBAN HEAT ISLANDS

1.5.1Define the concept urban heat island (1 x 2\ (2\ Refer to

1.5.2State the temperature at (1 x 1\ (1\

1.5.3Give TWO reasons for the temperature recorded at (2 x 2\ (4\ Refer to mind map showing the impact of urban heat island

1.5.4State TWO physical (natural\ impacts of urban heat islands. (2 x 1\ (2\ Refer to the extract.

1.5.5Explain how sustainable urban strategies could be put in place to reduce the impact of urban heat islands. (3 x 2\ (6\ [60]60

Q2— Section header —

2.1Complete the statements in COLUMN A with the options in COLUMN B based on types of rivers and their flow characteristics. Write only or next to the question numbers (2.1.1 to 2.1.7\ in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 2.1.8 Y.

2.1.1permanent river that flows through an arid region in the lower course exotic episodic

2.1.2ype of river commonly found in the interior of South Africa permanent periodic

2.1.3The water table is always above the level of the river bed permanent episodic

2.1.4Represents a periodic river Refer to the photographs below to answer QUESTIONS 2.1.5 to 2.1.7. [Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=laminar+and+non+turbulent+rivers

2.1.5

2.1.6

2.1.7

2.2Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions based on drainage patterns. Choose the answer and write only the letter D\ next to the question numbers (2.2.1 to 2.2.8\ in the ANSWER BOOK,

2.2.1

2.2.2

2.2.3

2.2.4

2.2.5

2.2.613 20 26

2.3Refer to the sketch below showing a flood plain and natural levees [Adapted from Chat GPT generated diagram]

2.3.1Flood plains and levees form as a result of (erosion/deposition\. x 1\ (1\

2.3.2What benefits do flood plains have as a natural habitat? (2 x 1\ (2\

2.3.3Discuss reasons why flooding occurred in area (2 x 2\ (4\

2.3.4Draw a fully labelled cross section from Marks will be awarded for the following: (a\ (b\

2.3.5Explain the development of levees and how it has limited flooding in area (2 x 2\ (4\ 14

2.4Refer to the sketches below on river rejuvenation. [Source: https://www.google.com/search?+rejuvenation

2.4.1What is river rejuvenation (1 x 2\ (2\

2.4.2Name the fluvial landform feature that formed after rejuvenation. (1 x 1\ (1\

2.4.3Explain how river rejuvenation changed landform into landform (2 x 2\ (4\

2.4.4In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, explain how river rejuvenation will negatively impact farming along the river. (4 x 2\ (8\ 15

2.5Refer to the infographic below based on catchment and river management. POLLUTION IN THE VAAL RIVER AFTER THE 2025 FLOODS After the floods, pollution in the Vaal River increased greatly. The Vaal River is an important

2.5.1(a\ How many people rely on the Vaal River for their water supply? (1 x 1\ (1\ (b\ Name ONE way in which people depend on the Vaal River. (1 x 1\

2.5.2Refer to the pollution statistics to determine the main cause of pollution in the Vaal River after the 2025 floods. (1 x 1\ (1\ Sewage overflow Plastic waste Agricultural runoff Industrial effluent Heavy metals

2.5.3Use evidence the photograph to explain the cause of pollution in the Vaal River. (1 x 2\ (2\

2.5.4Why do the levels of pollution in the Vaal River increase after periods of flooding? (1 x 2\ (2\

2.5.5Why will the polluted water from the Vaal River have a greater impact on the poor communities living along the river? (2 x 2\ (4\

2.5.6Suggest TWO ways in which local municipalities could reduce the risk of pollution entering the Vaal River. (2 x 2\ (4\ [60] TOTAL SECTION A:60

Q3— Section header —

3.1MAP SKILLS AND CALCULATIONS

3.1.1

3.1.2

3.1.3Determine the true bearing of spot height 1543 in block D4 from trigonometrical station 173 in block on the topographical map. (1 x 1\ (1\

3.1.4

3.1.5There is no intervisibility between on the orthophoto map. Identify the type of slope that prevents intervisibility. (1 x 1\ (1\

3.1.6Calculate the vertical exaggeration of the cross section. Use the following given information: Horizontal scale: 1 10 000 Formula: Vertical exaggeration Vertical scale Horizontal scale

3.1.7Why is it necessary to calculate the vertical exaggeration? (1 x 1\ (1\

3.2MAP INTERPRETATION Refer to feature in block on the orthophoto map.

3.2.1Identify the human made feature (1 x 1\ (1\

3.2.2How does the light tone of feature indicate that it was photographed in winter? (1 x 1\ (1\ Refer to the topographical

3.2.3The cultivated land between 10 and on the orthophoto map is located on the (north/south\ facing slope. (1 x 1\ (1\

3.2.4Explain why the cultivated land is located on this slope (answer to

Q3— Section header —

3.2.5Give evidence why the location of the town of Elliot makes it more likely to experience flooding. (1 x 2\ (2\ Refer to stream in block on the topographical map.

3.2.6Give map evidence that stream is flowing in a south easterly direction. (1 x 2\ (2\ Refer to block on the topographical map.

3.2Identify the natural feature (1 x

3.2.8Explain how the relief of the area influenced the formation of this

Q3— Section header —

3.3GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS\ Refer to the R56 in block on the topographical map.

3.3.1The R56 an example of a (line/polygon\ feature. (1 x 1\ (1\

3.3.2Give an attribute of the R56 (1 x 1\ (1\ Refer to the topographical map.

3.3.3Define the concept data layer. (1 x 2\

3.3.4Name TWO data layers evident on the map that would have been used to determine the location of the Thomson am in blocks B4/C4 (2 x 1\ (2\

3.3.5Explain how ONE

Q3— Section header —

Topics Identified

GeomorphologyClimatologySettlementEconomic GeographyMapworkPopulation

Mark Allocation

Total150 marks

Sections60 + 60 = 120 marks

Key Information

Websitewww.google.com · www.savemyexams.com

Paper information

SubjectGeography

Year2026

SessionMay-June

TypePast Paper

PaperPaper 1

LanguageEnglish

Pages20

Downloads17

Examination context

Decade2020s

Years ago0y

Season—

Start day—

Exam period—

Days since exam—

About Geography examination preparation

Grade 12 Geography combines physical geography with human geography. Both papers include mapwork components.

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interpreting geographical information

analysing data and diagrams

applying geographical concepts

using precise terminology

writing structured explanations

A practical revision approach

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Corresponding marking memorandum

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Geography Memo 1 (English) →

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Archived on24 September 2026

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