100+ Free EGCSE Geography 6890 Practice Questions

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Key Facts: EGCSE Geography 6890 Exam

6890

Official ECESWA syllabus code for EGCSE Geography

EGCSE Geography 2024–2026 syllabus

2 papers

Paper 1 (1h 45m, 50%) and Paper 2 (2h, 50%), 75 marks each

EGCSE Geography 6890 scheme of assessment

A*–G

Letter grading scale (U = ungraded) for EGCSE awards

Examinations Council of Eswatini

4 themes

Map skills; Physical World; Economy/resources; Population & settlements

EGCSE Geography 6890 curriculum content

Form 5

Two-year Form 4–5 course examined at secondary completion

EGCSE programme structure

100

Free English MCQ study questions on this practice page

OpenExamPrep study adaptation

FREE 2026

Open practice resource for the current study year

OpenExamPrep

ECESWA EGCSE Geography 6890 is a Form 5 written exam (Paper 1 themes 50% + Paper 2 skills 50%), grades A*–G. This page provides 100 FREE 2026 English MCQ study questions with explanations—an adaptation for revision, not an official paper simulation.

Sample EGCSE Geography 6890 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your EGCSE Geography 6890 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a topographic map, a six-figure grid reference is used mainly to:

A.Locate a feature more precisely than a four-figure reference

B.Show the height of a mountain in metres only

C.Replace the need for a scale bar on the map

D.Indicate magnetic declination for a whole sheet

Explanation: A six-figure grid reference subdivides the 1 km grid square into tenths of eastings and northings, locating a point to about 100 m precision. Four-figure references only identify the 1 km square.

2When giving a grid reference on a standard topographic map, which coordinate is stated first?

A.The northing (vertical) then the easting (horizontal)

B.The easting (horizontal) then the northing (vertical)

C.The contour interval then the spot height

D.The magnetic north then grid north only

Explanation: Standard map-reading practice is eastings first (left-to-right), then northings (bottom-to-top). The phrase “along the corridor and up the stairs” reminds candidates of this order.

3A map scale of 1:50 000 means that 1 cm on the map represents:

A.50 metres on the ground

B.500 metres on the ground

C.5 kilometres on the ground

D.50 kilometres on the ground

Explanation: At 1:50 000, 1 unit on the map equals 50 000 of the same units on the ground. 1 cm × 50 000 = 50 000 cm = 500 m on the ground.

4Which statement correctly distinguishes types of map scale?

A.A linear scale is a bar that can be used to measure distance even if the map is enlarged or reduced photographically

B.A statement scale is always written as a fraction such as 1/50 000

C.A representative fraction changes automatically when a map is photocopied larger

D.Only aerial photographs have linear scales

Explanation: A graphic (linear) scale bar enlarges or reduces with the map, so distances remain measurable after photocopying. Statement scales and representative fractions become wrong if the map size changes without updating the text.

5Closely spaced contour lines on a 1:50 000 map most clearly indicate:

A.A gentle slope or almost flat land

B.A steep slope

C.A river flowing due west only

D.An area with no relief variation

Explanation: Where contour lines are close together, height changes rapidly over a short horizontal distance, showing a steep slope. Widely spaced contours indicate gentler slopes.

6How is gradient calculated from a map between two points?

A.Horizontal distance divided by vertical difference only, with no units conversion

B.Vertical difference in height divided by horizontal distance (same units), often expressed as a ratio 1 in n

C.Contour interval multiplied by the number of grid squares only

D.Bearing measured with a protractor divided by map scale

Explanation: Gradient = vertical interval ÷ horizontal equivalent (using the same units). It is commonly written as 1 in n (for example 1 in 20), meaning 1 unit rise for every 20 units of horizontal distance.

7On a topographic map, the V-shape of contours pointing upslope usually marks:

A.A ridge or spur

B.A river valley

C.A cliff with no stream

D.A trigonometrical station only

Explanation: In valleys, contours form a V or U that points upstream (upslope). Water flows down the valley opposite to the direction of the V point. Spurs show the opposite pattern (V pointing downslope).

8A whole-circle bearing measured from grid north on a map is:

A.An angle from 0° to 360° clockwise from grid north

B.Always identical to magnetic north without conversion

C.Only possible using a sixteen-point compass rose without a protractor

D.The same as a back bearing without calculation

Explanation: Whole-circle bearings are measured clockwise from 0° (grid north) to 360° using a protractor aligned to grid north. Magnetic north differs by the magnetic variation shown on the map.

9Which set correctly matches common topographic map symbol types?

A.Linear: roads and rivers; areal: woodland or built-up areas; point: church or mine symbol

B.Linear: lakes only; areal: contour numbers; point: scale bars

C.Linear: layer colouring only; areal: grid lines; point: titles

D.All features must be shown only as point symbols

Explanation: Linear symbols follow lines (roads, rivers, railways). Areal (area) symbols cover zones (cultivation, woodland, urban areas). Point symbols mark specific sites (church, school, dip tank, mine).

10What is the main advantage of a choropleth map for presenting census data?

A.It shows exact continuous values at every single house address

B.It shades administrative areas by classed values so spatial patterns are easy to compare

C.It replaces the need for a key or legend

D.It can only be used for rainfall, never for population density

Explanation: Choropleth maps shade areas (often administrative units) according to data classes such as population density. They make regional contrasts easy to see, though they can hide variation inside each area.

About the EGCSE Geography 6890 Exam

EGCSE Geography (syllabus code 6890) is Eswatini’s national Form 5 geography qualification for the 2024–2026 syllabus cycle, administered by the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA). Learners study map reading and information handling, the physical world (tectonics, rivers, weather and climate, biomes, climate change), economic development and resource management (agriculture, industry, tourism, energy and water), and population and settlements, with strong reference to Eswatini and the wider Southern African/SADC context. Official assessment uses two compulsory written papers; this page offers 100 free English-language MCQ study items as a practice adaptation.

Assessment

Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes, 75 marks, 50%): three structured questions (25 marks each), one from each of Theme 2 (The Physical World), Theme 3 (Economic Development, Utilisation and Management of Resources), and Theme 4 (Population and Settlements); six questions are set (two per theme). Paper 2 (2 hours, 75 marks, 50%): Section A map work (25 marks), Section B skills-based data response (25 marks), and Section C geographical investigation (choose one of two questions, 25 marks).

Time Limit

Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes; Paper 2: 2 hours

Passing Score

Letter grades A* to G (U = ungraded) under ECESWA EGCSE rules for the examination year. Confirm current award rules on examscouncil.org.sz or through your school.

Exam Fee

EGCSE examination fees are set annually by ECESWA and communicated through schools and the official fee schedule on examscouncil.org.sz. Confirm the current year's registration and subject fees with your school centre or ECESWA. (Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA))

EGCSE Geography 6890 Exam Content Outline

25%

Map Reading and Information Handling

Map types and symbols, scale and distance, 4- and 6-figure grid references, compass and whole-circle bearings, contours/spot heights/gradient, linking physical and human map patterns, sampling and fieldwork methods, graphs/maps, and GIS basics.

25%

The Physical World

Earth structure and plate margins, volcanoes and earthquakes with disaster management, river erosion/transport/deposition landforms, weather station instruments, climate controls, tropical rainforest and hot desert environments, and climate-change causes, impacts, and responses.

30%

Economic Development and Resource Management

Sustainable development and food security; subsistence and commercial farming (including irrigated cash crops such as sugar cane and pastoralism); industry sectors, location factors, craft and high-tech examples, MNCs; tourism growth and sustainable management; renewable/non-renewable energy, water competition, and coal/thermal impacts.

20%

Population and Settlements

Density and distribution, natural increase and demographic transition, migration push–pull factors, HIV/AIDS socio-economic impacts, settlement site/situation and hierarchy, urbanisation, and urban problems and land-use patterns.

How to Pass the EGCSE Geography 6890 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Letter grades A* to G (U = ungraded) under ECESWA EGCSE rules for the examination year. Confirm current award rules on examscouncil.org.sz or through your school.
Assessment: Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes, 75 marks, 50%): three structured questions (25 marks each), one from each of Theme 2 (The Physical World), Theme 3 (Economic Development, Utilisation and Management of Resources), and Theme 4 (Population and Settlements); six questions are set (two per theme). Paper 2 (2 hours, 75 marks, 50%): Section A map work (25 marks), Section B skills-based data response (25 marks), and Section C geographical investigation (choose one of two questions, 25 marks).
Time limit: Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes; Paper 2: 2 hours
Exam fee: EGCSE examination fees are set annually by ECESWA and communicated through schools and the official fee schedule on examscouncil.org.sz. Confirm the current year's registration and subject fees with your school centre or ECESWA.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

EGCSE Geography 6890 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise 4- and 6-figure grid references, scale distance, gradient (1 in n), and contour landform recognition weekly—Paper 2 Section A is compulsory map work.

2Learn Eswatini physical patterns: Highveld–Middleveld–Lowveld–Lubombo, major eastward-draining rivers, and climate contrasts with altitude.

3Build Theme 3 case notes on subsistence vs irrigated cash-crop farming (including sugar cane), pastoral overgrazing, Matsapha industry, craft industries, and tourism/ecotourism management.

4Drill weather instruments (Stevenson screen, rain gauge, Six’s thermometer, hygrometer, barometer, anemometer, wind vane) and when each is used.

5For population, practise reading pyramids and applying push–pull migration ideas, including rural–urban and regional labour migration contexts.

6Use command words carefully in official papers (describe, explain, evaluate, suggest)—MCQs here build content knowledge; past papers build exam technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EGCSE Geography 6890?

Syllabus 6890 is the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) Geography course for the Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is a two-year Form 4–5 elective covering map skills, physical geography, economic development and resources, and population and settlements, with Eswatini and Southern African case focus. The 2024–2026 syllabus is the current cycle referenced on this page.

How is EGCSE Geography examined?

All candidates take two compulsory written papers, each worth 50% and 75 marks: Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes) Geographical Themes with three structured questions across Themes 2–4, and Paper 2 (2 hours) Geographical Skills with map work, data-response skills, and a geographical investigation question. Grades are awarded from A* to G (U = ungraded).

Are these official ECESWA examination questions?

No. These are original English-language multiple-choice study questions aligned to EGCSE Geography 6890 outcomes. Official papers use structured and skills-based written formats with map extracts and resource materials. This bank is a FREE 2026 study adaptation, not an official paper simulation or substitute for ECESWA past papers.

What topics should I prioritise?

Balance Paper 2 mapwork (scale, grid references, contours, gradient, bearings) with Theme 2 physical systems, Theme 3 agriculture/industry/tourism/energy, and Theme 4 population and settlement. Practise Eswatini case ideas such as Highveld–Lowveld contrasts, major rivers, irrigated sugar cane, industrial hubs, tourism, and urban centres (Mbabane, Manzini, Matsapha).

Where can I find the official syllabus?

Download the EGCSE Geography 2024–2026 Syllabus from the Examinations Council of Eswatini upload centre at examscouncil.org.sz and confirm entry deadlines, fees, and timetable details with your school centre.

How much does EGCSE Geography cost?

Fees are set annually by ECESWA and published through schools and the official fee schedule. Always confirm the current year’s subject and registration fees on examscouncil.org.sz rather than relying on third-party quotes.