# Social Sciences Grade 8 P1 November Mock 2026 QP (Eng) > Grade 8 Social Sciences Paper 1 question paper from the November Mock Exam 2026 (English), 10 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-social-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-question-paper-paper-1-geography/eb087995-616a-4cd2-bcbd-8825d89225d5 - Updated: 2026-10-29 - Subject: Social Sciences - Grade: Grade 8 - Language: English - Document type: Question paper - Year: 2026 - Exam period: November Mock Exam - Paper: 1 - Publisher: Hlayiso - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 10 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 8](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8) › [Social Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8/social-sciences) › [Social Sciences Grade 8 P1 November Mock 2026 QP (Eng)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-social-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-question-paper-paper-1-geography/eb087995-616a-4cd2-bcbd-8825d89225d5) ## About this document Social Sciences · Grade 8 · November Mock Exam · 2026 · English. Question paper, 10 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Matching paper and memo - [Grade 8 Social Sciences P1 (Geography) November 2026 Mock Memo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-social-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-1-geography/b22032ff-105e-400c-8b0a-d3e2207617c6) — Memo · 2026 · Eng ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 8 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM SENIOR PHASE END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION GRADE 8 SOCIAL SCIENCES P1 GEOGRAPHY NOVEMBER 2026 (MOCK) MARKS: 75 TIME: 1½ hours This question paper consists of 10 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 Social Sciences/P1 2 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 1. This question paper consists of TWO sections: SECTION A: SETTLEMENT (35) QUESTIONS 1, 2 and 3 SECTION B: TRANSPORT AND TRADE (40) QUESTIONS 4, 5 and 6 2. Answer ALL the questions in the ANSWER BOOK. 3. Start EACH section on a NEW page. 4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper. 5. ALL sketches, maps, extracts and graphs are included in this question paper. Study them carefully before you answer. 6. Use the mark allocation as a guide to the number of facts required. For example, (2 x 2) (4) means TWO facts of 2 marks each, while (2) for a one-fact question means ONE well-explained fact. 7. Answer in FULL SENTENCES, except when you are asked to state, name, identify or list. 8. The paragraph question must be answered in paragraph form (about EIGHT lines), not as a list of points. 9. Show ALL calculations. Marks are given for the steps in a calculation. Write the units in your final answer. 10. You may use a non-programmable calculator. 11. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 Social Sciences/P1 3 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock SECTION A: SETTLEMENT QUESTION 1 1.1 Various options are given as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number (1.1.1–1.1.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.6 D. 1.1.1 A rural settlement in which the farmhouses are spread far apart from one another is called a … A nucleated settlement. B dispersed settlement. (1) C linear settlement. D urban settlement. 1.1.2 Which ONE of the following is a SECONDARY economic activity? A Catching fish at sea B Mining coal (1) C Making furniture in a factory D Working in a bank 1.1.3 The land-use zone in the centre of a town with the most shops, offices and banks and the highest land values is the … A rural–urban fringe. B industrial zone. (1) C central business district (CBD). D residential zone. 1.1.4 The area at the outer edge of a town where urban and rural land uses are mixed is the … A rural–urban fringe. B CBD. (1) C informal settlement. D suburb. 1.1.5 A photograph of a town taken from an aeroplane flying directly above it, so that only the roofs of buildings can be seen, is a/an … A oblique aerial photograph. B ground-level photograph. (1) C landscape sketch. D vertical aerial photograph. 1.2 Complete the statements in COLUMN A with the options in COLUMN B. Write only Y or Z next to the question numbers (1.2.1–1.2.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.2.6 Y. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 Social Sciences/P1 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock COLUMN A COLUMN B 1.2.1 People who travel every day Y migrants between their homes and their Z commuters places of work are called … 1.2.2 An increase in the percentage of Y urbanisation a country’s people who live in Z rural depopulation towns and cities is called … 1.2.3 Better jobs, schools and health Y push care in a city are examples of … Z pull factors. 1.2.4 The actual piece of land on which Y situation a settlement is built is its … Z site 1.2.5 Homes built from scrap materials Y informal settlement on land that the people do not Z suburb own form a/an … (5 x 1) (5) [10] QUESTION 2 The sketch below shows a cross-section through a valley in a farming area. Four possible sites (A, B, C and D) for a new farming village are marked. C steep, rocky mountain top S N midday sun is in the north B road A D flood level gentle slope flood plain marsh (wetland) river [Examiner’s own sketch (not to scale)] 2.1 Define the term rural settlement. (2) 2.2 Name TWO types of rural settlement based on the main economic activity of the people. (2 x 1) (2) 2.3 Which site (A, B, C or D) is the BEST site for the new farming village? (1) 2.4 Give TWO reasons for your answer to QUESTION 2.3. (2 x 1) (2) 2.5 Explain why site A is a poor site for the village, even though it is close to the river. (2) [9] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Social Sciences/P1 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock QUESTION 3 3.1 The map below shows the land-use zones of Mthonjeni, a fictional town. It is drawn at a scale of 1 : 20 000. Study the map and answer the questions that follow. C pool E A Y N X D B Railway line Main road Hospital Railway station Factory chimney Scale 1 : 20 000 0 200 400 600 800 1 000 m [Examiner’s own map (fictional town, simplified)] 3.1.1 Identify the land-use zones labelled A, B and C. (3 x 1) (3) 3.1.2 State TWO differences between residential zone C and residential zone D that can be seen on the map. (2 x 1) (2) 3.1.3 Explain why zone B is located next to the railway line. (2) 3.1.4 The straight-line distance on the map from the railway station at X to the hospital at Y is 6,5 cm. Calculate the actual distance in kilometres. Show ALL your calculations. (3) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Social Sciences/P1 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock 3.2 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. FROM THE VILLAGE TO THE TOWN Thandi grew up in a small village 80 km from Mthonjeni. After three years of drought, the family’s crops failed and there was no work in the village. The nearest clinic was a two-hour walk away. Thandi’s cousin told her that the factories in Mthonjeni were hiring workers and that the town had a hospital and a college. Thandi now lives in zone E, where she built a shack from corrugated iron. Many new arrivals have moved there in the past five years. [Source: Examiner’s own case study (fictional people and places)] 3.2.1 From the extract, state ONE push factor and ONE pull factor that made Thandi move to Mthonjeni. (2 x 1) (2) 3.2.2 Explain TWO problems that the fast growth of informal settlement E may cause for the people living there. (2 x 2) (4) [16] TOTAL SECTION A: 35 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Social Sciences/P1 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock SECTION B: TRANSPORT AND TRADE QUESTION 4 4.1 Various options are given as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number (4.1.1–4.1.4) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 4.1.5 A. 4.1.1 Goods that South Africa buys from other countries and brings into the country are called … A exports. B imports. (1) C raw materials. D services. 4.1.2 The cheapest way to move large amounts of petrol and gas over long distances on land, without using vehicles, is by … A road. B air. (1) C pipeline. D rail. 4.1.3 Which ONE of the following is a form of PRIVATE transport? A A Metrorail train B A family’s own car (1) C A bus rapid transit (BRT) bus D A minibus taxi 4.1.4 The South African harbour that handles the MOST containers is … A Mossel Bay. B Saldanha Bay. (1) C Durban. D East London. 4.2 Choose the correct word from those given in brackets. Write only the word next to the question number (4.2.1–4.2.4) in the ANSWER BOOK. 4.2.1 Fresh cut flowers that are sold to Europe are usually sent by (air/sea). (1) 4.2.2 Goods are packed in large steel boxes of standard size, called (pallets/containers), so that they can be moved easily from ships to trains and trucks. (1) 4.2.3 Buying and selling goods between South Africa and China is an example of (local/international) trade. (1) 4.2.4 When too many vehicles use a road at the same time and traffic moves very slowly, it is called traffic (congestion/pollution). (1) [8] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Social Sciences/P1 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock QUESTION 5 Study the map of South Africa’s main transport network and the table below. N Polokwane B Johannesburg P Richards Bay Bloemfontein LESOTHO SOUTH AFRICA A Atlantic N1 Ocean East London N2 Indian Ocean Cape Town Gqeberha National road Main railway line Harbour International airport [Examiner’s own sketch map (simplified, not to scale)] COST AND TIME TO MOVE ONE CONTAINER FROM HARBOUR A TO JOHANNESBURG Mode of transport Time taken Cost per container Road (truck) 1½ days R28 000 Rail (goods train) 3 days R19 000 [Fictional figures, compiled by the examiner] 5.1 Identify harbour A and international airport B. (2 x 1) (2) 5.2 Name the national road labelled P that links Johannesburg and Durban. (1) 5.3 In which general direction is Johannesburg from Cape Town? (1) 5.4 Name the BEST mode of transport for each of the following and give ONE reason for each choice: (a) 5 000 tonnes of coal from a mine in Mpumalanga to the harbour at Richards Bay (b) Boxes of fresh cut flowers from Johannesburg to the Netherlands (2 x 2) (4) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Social Sciences/P1 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock 5.5 Refer to the table. 5.5.1 Calculate how much money a company will save if it sends 12 containers from harbour A to Johannesburg by rail instead of by road. Show your calculation. (2) 5.5.2 Suggest why some companies still choose to send their goods by road, even though it costs more. (2) 5.5.3 Explain TWO ways in which South Africa would benefit if more goods were moved by rail instead of by road. (2 x 2) (4) [16] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Social Sciences/P1 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 Senior Phase Mock QUESTION 6 Read the extract and study the graph below on transport in Lwazi, a fictional city. STUCK IN TRAFFIC IN LWAZI Every working day about 250 000 people travel into the centre of Lwazi. Most of them live in suburbs and townships more than 20 km from their workplaces. Many commuters leave home before 05:30 to reach work on time, and some spend almost a quarter of their wages on transport. In the morning and evening rush hours the main roads are blocked by cars, taxis and buses. Exhaust fumes hang over the city on windless days. The city council plans to build bus lanes, a park-and-ride centre next to the highway and safe cycle lanes. [Source: Examiner’s own case study (fictional city)] HOW COMMUTERS TRAVEL TO WORK IN LWAZI (%) 41 Percentage of commuters 40 30 30 20 12 10 9 8 0 Minibus Private Bus Train Walk or taxi car cycle [Fictional data, compiled by the examiner] 6.1 Define the term public transport. (2) 6.2 Use the graph and the extract to calculate how many commuters travel to work by train every day. Show your calculation. (2) 6.3 State TWO problems that commuters in Lwazi face, according to the extract. (2 x 1) (2) 6.4 Explain how the planned park-and-ride centre will help to reduce traffic in the city centre. (2) 6.5 Write a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines in which you discuss the negative effects of traffic congestion on people AND the environment, and suggest ways in which the city can encourage more people to use public transport. (4 x 2) (8) [16] TOTAL SECTION B: 40 TOTAL: 75 Copyright reserved ## Related documents - [Grade 8 Social Sciences P2 (History) November 2026 Mock Memo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-social-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-2-history/65b8f91c-1a01-437c-afc8-d5cd0e7f3b36) — Social Sciences · Memo · 2026 · Eng - [CAPS SP SOCIAL SCIENCE GR 7-9](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/caps-sp-social-science-gr-7-9/a0b47288-db90-4b74-b9f7-0185f2ef1623) — Social Sciences · CAPS · Eng - [GRADE 8 TERM 1 Exemplar 4 1 2](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-social-sciences-2020-march-test-question-paper/9256b8ff-3119-4957-af64-668e4003acac) — Social Sciences · QP · 2020 - [History SBA grade 8 Exemplar 3 2](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-social-sciences-2020-march-test-question-paper/251e764e-93ea-45aa-b430-0b1cf570578d) — Social Sciences · QP · 2020 - [Lesson Plan Grade 8 SS History T4 W1 1](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/lesson-plan-grade-8-ss-history-t4-w1-1/f925f548-063d-4d78-b6a9-c694a4a9a234) — Social Sciences · QP · 2020 - [Lesson Plan Grade 8 SS History T4 W2 1](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/lesson-plan-grade-8-ss-history-t4-w2-1/f982325c-8cec-4992-9e4c-aec7f710421e) — Social Sciences · QP · 2020 ## More from Grade 8 Social Sciences - [EC CHE SS Geography Grade 8 March 2025 QP and Memo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/ec-che-ss-geography-grade-8-march-2025-qp-and-memo/38d65a6b-f23c-4bf2-98dc-6da6f8d55b47) — QP + Memo · 2025 - [GP History Gr 8 WORKBOOK Term 3 MEMo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gp-history-gr-8-workbook-term-3-memo/a564024b-e248-4ca4-8166-47d6db51beb4) — Memo · 2021 - [Lesson Plan Grade 8 SS History T4 W3](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/lesson-plan-grade-8-ss-history-t4-w3/c477f4cf-1e28-4339-b168-0da0d233149c) — QP · 2020 - [GR 8 SW GEO MEMO](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gr-8-sw-geo-memo/db2ef8c0-9bd6-4c61-9879-5d8fe29c56fa) — Memo · 2019 - [GR 8 SW GESK VRAESTEL](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gr-8-sw-gesk-vraestel/049a3c99-886d-4d31-bbf8-d9beb19a15a6) — QP · 2019 - [Social Science June 2018 1](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/social-science-june-2018-1/6a47c211-b1ac-4a11-af77-671bb9693368) — QP · 2018 ## Collection - [Grade 8 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-8/past-papers) --- Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. 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