Which of the following is not a problem facing transportation development in Tropical Africa?

Analyze the question: This is an "EXCEPT/NOT" question. Three options are real obstacles to transport development in Tropical Africa. We need the one that is not.

Concept: The usual problems facing transport development in Tropical Africa are:

• Inadequate capital: roads, railways and ports are expensive to build and maintain, and many countries lack funds.
• Difficult terrain: rivers with rapids and waterfalls, escarpments, highlands, dense forests, swamps and deserts raise construction costs.
• Poor planning and maintenance: projects are poorly coordinated, abandoned, or built without a proper network, and corruption adds to this.
• Climate: heavy rainfall, flooding and erosion damage roads. Climate is a problem too, though it is usually described as a heavy rainy season or harsh weather.

Step by step:

1. Inadequate capital (B) is a major problem, so it is not the answer.
2. Difficult terrain (C) is a problem, so it is not the answer.
3. Poor planning (D) is a problem, so it is not the answer.
4. Climatic variation (A) is the odd one out in this question. Tropical Africa's climate is relatively uniform (hot, with wet and dry seasons). The real climatic issue is excessive rainfall and flooding, not "variation.

I should be honest that this question is a bit debatable. Heavy seasonal rainfall can damage roads, so some would argue climate does affect transport.

Answer: A. Climatic variation

Exam tip: For "which is NOT" questions, first tick the options you are sure are true (capital, terrain, planning are classic textbook problems). The one left over is your answer.