11 and 12 7th
The populations of the Northern European countries are relatively homogeneous, or alike, although they have some ethnic diversity due to immigration from Asia and Africa. However, the population of Norway is more than 90 percent Norwegian, and the population of Finland is more than 90 percent Finnish. Denmark and Sweden are similar. The original settlers of these lands were the Sami people, or Lapps. Many of the Sami live by fishing and hunting, as they have for thousands of years. Most live in the northern parts of Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Iceland was first settled by Celts and later conquered by Norway. The bulk of the population in Iceland is a blend of the two ethnic groups. —Discovering World Geography 90. Based on the excerpt, which of the following statements about the population of Norway is most accurate?
The population is very homogeneous.
54. What is a cause of cultural conflict in Northern and Southern Europe?
immigration from non-European nations
34. In what year did World War I begin?
1914
99. mountain range that separates Western Europe and Southern Europe
Alps
48. Based on the map, which two cities are within the boundaries of both Alexander's empire and the Roman Empire at its greatest extent?
Babylon and Thebes
27. Which is a correct statement about the population of Northern and Southern Europe?
Birthrates have declined, and the population is aging.
The populations of the Northern European countries are relatively homogeneous, or alike, although they have some ethnic diversity due to immigration from Asia and Africa. However, the population of Norway is more than 90 percent Norwegian, and the population of Finland is more than 90 percent Finnish. Denmark and Sweden are similar. The original settlers of these lands were the Sami people, or Lapps. Many of the Sami live by fishing and hunting, as they have for thousands of years. Most live in the northern parts of Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Iceland was first settled by Celts and later conquered by Norway. The bulk of the population in Iceland is a blend of the two ethnic groups. —Discovering World Geography 65. Based on the excerpt, which are the dominant ethnic groups in Iceland?
Celtic and Norwegian
26. What conflict ended when the government of the Soviet Union fell apart?
Cold War
30. What theory did Galileo's telescope help prove?
Copernicus's theory that the planets, including Earth, orbit the sun
58. Why did Emperor Constantine move the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople?
He wanted a site that would be less threatened by barbarian invaders than Rome.
The northern part of Norway is located as far north as Alaska, but it is not nearly as cold. The Norwegian Current, part of the Gulf Stream, flows past Norway carrying warm water from the tropics. As a result, western Norway has a marine climate, with mild winters and cool summers. The relatively mild climate does not extend far to the east. Mountains reduce the eastward flow of milder air. Eastern Norway thus has colder and snowier winters. Even so, the climate in eastern Norway and in Sweden is milder than in other parts of the world at the same latitude. —Discovering World Geography 57. Based on the excerpt, what statements is true?
Eastern Norway has colder and snowier winters than Western Norway.
Two major divisions of Indo-European languages spoken in Western Europe are Romance and Germanic. Romance languages are based on Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. The most common Romance language in Western Europe is French. The Germanic languages spoken in Western Europe include German, Dutch, and English, although about half of the English vocabulary comes from the Romance languages. Not all European languages are Indo-European, however. For example, Basque, a language spoken in the Pyrenees region of France and Spain, is unrelated to any other language spoken today. It is common for Western Europeans to speak more than one language—their native language plus English, French, or German. —Discovering World Geography 70. Based on the excerpt, what can be said about the languages spoken in Western Europe?
English is a combination of Germanic and Romance languages.
94. Which organization was created in 1993 to strengthen trade and commerce ties between European nations?
European Union
In the past few decades, the number of industrial workers has also declined. Only about 25 percent of Western Europeans work in the industrial, or secondary, sector of the economy. Many more people work in the tertiary sector—service industries, such as government, education, health care, banking and financial services, retail, computing, and repair of mechanical equipment. The United Kingdom was the birthplace of modern industry. Yet today, only 18.2 percent of the workforce in the United Kingdom works in industry. —Discovering World Geography 28. Based on the excerpt, how does the United Kingdom compare to Western Europe as a whole?
Fewer of its workers are employed in the industrial sector.
53. What statements about the languages of Northern Europe is accurate?
Finnish is not related to the other languages of Northern Europe.
87. Which country is Western Europe's leading agricultural producer?
France
59. Between which two countries does the Rhine River serve as a partial political boundary?
France and Germany
42. What is one reason that France is Western Europe's leading agricultural producer?
France devotes more land to agriculture than any other nation in the region.
88. What is the most common Romance language in Western Europe?
French
37. Besides its presence in Eastern Europe, in which Southern European country was the Eastern Orthodox Church centered?
Greece
93. In which Southern European country is Mount Olympus located?
Greece
21. How were Greek Christians treated under Ottoman rule?
Greek Christians had limited rights but could practice their religion.
39. Which country in Northern Europe uses geothermal energy to heat its capital city?
Iceland
82. Which country in Northern Europe had three of its biggest banks fail in the financial crisis that swept the world in 2008?
Iceland
97. period when machines began taking over work once done by hand
Industrial Revolution
16. What was the religion of the Moors who invaded Spain from Northern Africa?
Islam
80. What statement about the Hundred Years' War is accurate?
It contributed to the spread of the Black Death.
17. Which is an accurate statement about World War I?
It grew out of political changes and rivalries among European powers.
86. Based on the map, which of the following is a true statement about Alexander's empire?
It included the Persian Empire and part of India.
92. Why is the Baltic Sea more likely to freeze than other bodies of salt water?
It is shallow and has a fairly low concentration of salt.
33. To which Southern European country do the islands of Sicily and Sardinia belong?
Italy
45. Which Southern European country was the birthplace of the Renaissance?
Italy
19. Which of the following statements explains Martin Luther's conflict with the Roman Catholic Church?
Luther believed that Church officials should not sell pardons for people's sins.
36. What kingdom, led by Alexander, conquered the Greek city-states?
Macedon
25. Why does mainland Europe have a wider variety of plant life than the British Isles?
Mainland Europe has a more diverse climate than the British Isles.
89. Why has whaling declined as an industry in Northern Europe?
Many of the larger whale species are considered endangered.
23. What type of climate is most common in Southern Europe?
Mediterranean
84. Which sea dominates the coast of much of Southern Europe?
Mediterranean Sea
38. Why is Western Europe's economy called postindustrial?
More people work in service jobs than in manufacturing.
46. Why is the climate in Eastern Norway colder than the climate in the western part of the country?
Mountains reduce the flow of warmer air from the Norwegian Current.
60. Which body of water lies along Britain's east coast?
North Sea
32. Which country in Southern Europe is known for using the guitar as a serious musical instrument?
Spain
56. Which two countries form the Iberian Peninsula?
Spain and Portugal
69. Which city was one of the earliest centers of the Renaissance?
Sparta
51. Which of the following is a well-known English river?
Thames
50. Which statement describes a way in which the European Union has benefited its member nations?
The EU has helped members compete more successfully with larger economies.
43. Along which river did the city of Rome begin?
Tiber River
85. Which statement most accurately describes John Locke's belief about government?
The best form of government is a contract between the ruler and the people.
66. What statements about the rule of the Roman Empire is accurate?
The eastern empire lasted almost 1,000 years after the western empire fell.
41. Which statement best describes the economy of Italy?
The economy in northern Italy is strong.
Two major divisions of Indo-European languages spoken in Western Europe are Romance and Germanic. Romance languages are based on Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. The most common Romance language in Western Europe is French. The Germanic languages spoken in Western Europe include German, Dutch, and English, although about half of the English vocabulary comes from the Romance languages. Not all European languages are Indo-European, however. For example, Basque, a language spoken in the Pyrenees region of France and Spain, is unrelated to any other language spoken today. It is common for Western Europeans to speak more than one language—their native language plus English, French, or German. —Discovering World Geography 47. Based on the excerpt, what is one trait that is common among Western Europeans?
They are bilingual.]
64. Which statement best describes the capital cities of Northern European countries?
They are often the cultural centers of their countries.
75. Since World War II, which of the following changes has taken place in many nations of Southern Europe?
They became democracies.
68. What makes the soils of the Northern European Plain so good for farming?
They contain humus.
22. Which of the following statements about the ancient Greek city-states is accurate?
They had a common enemy, the Persians.
91. Why were the Middle Ages given their name?
They were a transition period between ancient and modern times.
29. Which of the following statements accurately describes feudalism?
Under feudalism, kings gave land to nobles in exchange for their military service.
79. Who was one of the world's most famous playwrights?
William Shakespeare
40. What forces shaped the Northern European Plain during the last ice age?
ice sheets
1. The European Union (EU) has 12 member nations.
a. True b. False
10. English is a Germanic language.
a. True b. False
11. The Sami, or Lapps, were the original settlers of the countries of Northern Europe.
a. True b. False
12. The rise of high-speed rail travel in Europe helped limit air pollution.
a. True b. False
13. A plague, called the Black Death, spread during the Hundred Years' War.
a. True b. False
14. Most of Spain's population lives in the rugged rural Meseta Central region.
a. True b. False
15. The Protestant Reformation had a lasting impact on Northern Europe.
a. True b. False
2. Migration is the main cause of population growth in Western Europe.
a. True b. False
3. Nicolaus Copernicus confirmed that the sun orbits Earth.
a. True b. False
4. Christianity began in the western Roman Empire.
a. True b. False
5. More civilians than military forces died during World War II.
a. True b. False
6. More Western Europeans work in service industries than in agriculture.
a. True b. False
7. Taxes are relatively low in the countries of Northern Europe.
a. True b. False
8. The literacy rate is very high in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
a. True b. False
9. During the Industrial Revolution, many people moved from rural to urban areas.
a. True b. False
67. When did the two halves of Germany reunite?
after the Soviet Union lost control of Eastern Europe
76. What did the Romans build to transport water to cities and towns?
aqueducts
The arts are an important part of Western European culture. Museums and cultural institutions celebrate each nation's art and history, and national governments support the arts. The German government, for example, funds hundreds of theaters, and concerts and plays attract large audiences. Most important is the influence Western European culture has had on the rest of the world. German architects from the Bauhaus School influenced buildings in cities throughout the 1900s. British popular music and television have had an impact, especially on American culture. —Discovering World Geography 74. Based on the excerpt, in which cultural area have the Germans had worldwide influence?
architecture
62. Which factor contributed most to Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat?
combined might of France's enemies in conquered lands
In the past few decades, the number of industrial workers has also declined. Only about 25 percent of Western Europeans work in the industrial, or secondary, sector of the economy. Many more people work in the tertiary sector—service industries, such as government, education, health care, banking and financial services, retail, computing, and repair of mechanical equipment. The United Kingdom was the birthplace of modern industry. Yet today, only 18.2 percent of the workforce in the United Kingdom works in industry. —Discovering World Geography 24. Based on the excerpt, which one of the following positions would be part of the tertiary sector?
computer repair person
98. refers to a tree that keeps its needle-shaped leaves all winter
coniferous
73. Which climate is found in Finland, where the influence of seas is limited?
continental climate
61. Which features are most typical of a marine west coast climate?
cool summers and mild winters
96. refers to a tree that loses its leaves in autumn
deciduous
95. What is the most popular team sport across Western Europe?
football (soccer)
The northern part of Norway is located as far north as Alaska, but it is not nearly as cold. The Norwegian Current, part of the Gulf Stream, flows past Norway carrying warm water from the tropics. As a result, western Norway has a marine climate, with mild winters and cool summers. The relatively mild climate does not extend far to the east. Mountains reduce the eastward flow of milder air. Eastern Norway thus has colder and snowier winters. Even so, the climate in eastern Norway and in Sweden is milder than in other parts of the world at the same latitude. —Discovering World Geography 77. Based on the excerpt, where do the warm waters of the Norwegian Current originate?
in the tropics
55. What type of landmass is Iceland?
island
52. Which islands form the Atlantic Archipelago?
islands of Britain and Ireland
83. During the French Revolution, which group of people most wanted a voice in government?
middle class
31. What percentage of Switzerland's electricity needs is provided by hydroelectricity produced from its fast-flowing rivers?
more than 50 percent
71. What percentage of Finland's land is covered in forests?
nearly 75 percent
44. Which of the following is one of the most important crops in Southern Europe?
olives
63. What tree crop grows well in the scrublands near the Mediterranean?
olives
100. a trip to visit the holy places of one's religion
pilgrimage
18. What forces formed the Alps?
plate tectonics and glaciers
The arts are an important part of Western European culture. Museums and cultural institutions celebrate each nation's art and history, and national governments support the arts. The German government, for example, funds hundreds of theaters, and concerts and plays attract large audiences. Most important is the influence Western European culture has had on the rest of the world. German architects from the Bauhaus School influenced buildings in cities throughout the 1900s. British popular music and television have had an impact, especially on American culture. —Discovering World Geography 78. Based on the excerpt, what do Americans particularly like about British culture?
popular music and television
72. What causes the summers in southern France to be hot and dry?
the Azores High, which pushes moist air northward
35. What underwater structure connects Britain to mainland Europe?
the Chunnel
81. What is the main intent of welfare capitalism?
to ensure that all people have access to the essential aspects of life
49. What was the purpose of the European Economic Community, which was created in 1958?
to make trade among its member nations easier
20. When did Rome's western empire fall?
when Germanic groups invaded Western Europe from the northeast
