The term relative location of settlement refers to

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what "relative location of settlement" means. The key word is relative, which means "in relation to something else."

Step 2: Explain the concept In Geography, location can be described in two ways:

• Absolute location: the exact position of a place, given by coordinates (latitude and longitude). For example, Lagos is at about 6.5°N, 3.4°E.
• Relative location: the position of a place in relation to other places or features around it. For example, "Ibadan is about 130 km north-east of Lagos," or "Onitsha lies on the east bank of the River Niger."

When we apply this to settlements, relative location means where one settlement is in relation to other settlements (or to features such as rivers, roads and hills).

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Imaginary point of the settlement: This is not a definition of relative location. It sounds closer to a grid reference or a point on a map.
• B. The nature of the buildings within the settlement: This describes the settlement's character or morphology, not its location.
• C. The position of buildings in relation to other buildings: This describes the internal layout of a settlement (its pattern or plan), not where the settlement sits. It is a distractor.
• D. The position of settlements in relation to others: This matches the definition. It compares one settlement's position with another's.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D.

Tip: Link the words. Absolute = exact (coordinates). Relative = relation (to other places). If an option says "in relation to," check whether it is talking about settlements (location) or buildings (layout), because WAEC often uses this kind of trap.