eZine · Nigerian exams
The earth as a planet
JAMB Geography topic guide with 2 practice questions.
What to revise
- the earth in the solar system, rotation and revolution
- the shape and size of the earth
- latitudes and distances, longitudes and time
You should be able to
- identify the relative positions of the planets in the solar system
- understand the effects of the rotation and revolution of the earth
- provide proof for the shape and size of the earth
- differentiate between latitudes and longitudes
- relate lines of latitude to calculation of distance
- relate lines of longitude to calculation of time
From JAMB's Geography syllabus official. Full syllabus →
eZine's published bank has 11 questions on this topic (counted 29 October 2026).
Practice questions
Question 1 · The earth as a planet
Two towns lie on the same meridian, one at latitude 4°N and the other at 13°N. Taking 1° of latitude as 111 km, how far apart are they?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. 999 km
Both are north of the equator, so the difference in latitude is 13 − 4 = 9°. 9 × 111 km = 999 km. Adding the latitudes (1,887 km) is only right when the towns are on opposite sides of the equator; 540 km uses 60 km per degree; 499.5 km halves the answer.
eZine practice question (original, teacher-reviewed)
Question 2 · The earth as a planet
The earth's polar diameter is shorter than its equatorial diameter. This means the earth is best described as
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. an oblate spheroid
The earth bulges slightly at the equator and is flattened at the poles, a shape called an oblate spheroid (geoid). A perfect sphere would have equal diameters; a disc is flat; a prolate spheroid is longer from pole to pole — the reverse of the earth.
eZine practice question (original, teacher-reviewed)
Practise more The earth as a planet questions with explanations.
Practise free →