World Geography Midterm

Which of the following describes El Ni�o?Need a Hint? A. The result of a process by which dry areas develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges B. A stream of seawater that flows in the oceans, caused by global winds at the Equator C. An annual pattern of strong winds and severe flooding in Southeast Asia and Australia D. A reversal of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region

D. A reversal of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region

an example of physical geography is A. the importance of human activities in relation to their environment. B. the importance of stabilizing the climate in the Arctic. C. the importance of water to farmers. D. the importance of stopping illegal logging.

C. the importance of water to farmers.

Which of the following is most accurately represented on a cylindrical projection map? A. the oceans B. the Equator C. the continents D. the Poles

B. the Equator

What creates ridges and islands when plates spread apart? A. erosion B. faulting C. magma D. subduction

C. magma

What is a biome? Need a Hint? A. A major type of ecological community mainly defined by distinctive natural vegetation and animal groups B. A specific type of climate found in or near low latitudes in areas otherwise referred to as the Tropics C. A region that receives continual rainfall which strips the soil of its nutrients but contributes to thick vegetation D. Plant life that grows in a certain area if people have not changed the natural environment

A. A major type of ecological community mainly defined by distinctive natural vegetation and animal groups

Which of the following is an example of how precipitation can affect and be affected by temperature?Need a Hint? A. A sudden cloudburst cools off a hot summer day. B. Warm ocean currents bring warmer temperatures. C. Cold ocean currents cool the land that they pass. D. As clouds form and block the sun, the temperature drops.

A. A sudden cloudburst cools off a hot summer day.

Which natural landform joins two continents? A. Isthmus of Panama B. Continental shelf C. Suez Canal D. Sinai Peninsula

A. Isthmus of Panama

What is a potentially negative impact of the greenhouse effect? Need a Hint? A. Leaking radiation could cause the Earth to become too warm. B. Parts of Northern Europe may become too cold to support livestock and agriculture. C. Not enough radiation will enter into Earth's atmosphere. D. The ocean's surface could become too cold, threatening marine life.

A. Leaking radiation could cause the Earth to become too warm.

Which of the following statements explains how elevation influences climate? Need a Hint? A. The Earth's atmosphere thins as altitude increases, producing a colder climate. B. As elevation increases, temperatures rise. C. Mountains at higher elevations receive direct sunlight. D. Thinner air occurs at lower elevations, lowering temperatures.

A. The Earth's atmosphere thins as altitude increases, producing a colder climate.

Why don't all places on Earth receive the same amount of direct sunlight at the same place? A. The Earth's axis is tilted. B. The Earth receives sunlight in an unpredictable pattern. C. The Earth rotates from east to west. D. Weather in places changes over time.

A. The Earth's axis is tilted.

Which of the following statements accurately states the relationship between latitude and vegetation?Need a Hint? A. Vegetation decreases as one moves toward higher latitudes. B. Vegetation decreases as one moves toward lower latitudes. C. Vegetation increases as one moves toward higher latitudes. D. Changes in latitude have very little effect on the amount of vegetation.

A. Vegetation decreases as one moves toward higher latitudes.

What is the first step in the formation of a rain shadow?Need a Hint? A. Warm, moist air from oceans is pushed upward. B. Hot, dry air causes dry areas or deserts on the leeward sides of mountains. C. Rising air cools and releases moisture in the form of precipitation. D. Precipitation falls on the windward side of the mountain.

A. Warm, moist air from oceans is pushed upward.

To be labeled a geographer, one must A. actively explore geography. B. serve as a geography teacher. C. always use maps. D. be consulted before construction projects.

A. actively explore geography.

Which describes zero population growth? A. birthrate is higher than death rate by zero percent B. birthrate is higher than death rate by 60 percent C. death rate is higher than birthrate by 30 percent D. birthrate is lower than death rate by 50 percent

A. birthrate is higher than death rate by zero percent

Pluto is considered to be a(n) A. dwarf planet. B. gas giant planet. C. terrestrial planet. D. asteroid.

A. dwarf planet.

What is the main factor that causes Earth's population distribution to be uneven? A. geography B. migration C. negative population growth D. rapid population growth

A. geography

Which is most likely to have the greatest effect on a landscape? A. glacial erosion B. wind erosion C. chemical weathering D. soil building

A. glacial erosion

Desalination is most used A. in places where freshwater is scarce. B. in economically challenged countries. C. in areas where there are also freshwater facilities. D. in places where it will affect marine life the least.

A. in places where freshwater is scarce.

Groups of languages that have similar roots are known as A. language families. B. language clusters. C. language groups. D. language types.

A. language families.

Which of the following terms describes days when the sun's rays directly hit the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn?Need a Hint? A. solstice B. equinox C. midnight sun D. revolution

A. solstice

What had the most influence on the rise of civilizations from culture hearths? A. the agricultural revolution B. sources of water C. organized government D. irrigation

A. the agricultural revolution

What causes rivers to swell as they flow toward a lake, gulf, sea, or ocean? A. water from tributaries B. water from lakes C. water from groundwater D. water from aquifers

A. water from tributaries

an example of an external force of change is A. weathering. B. subduction. C. accretion. D. faulting.

A. weathering.

What is the disadvantage of a map compared to a globe? A. A map distorts properties like distance. B. A map shows little detail. C. A map indicates actual distances. D. A map is very large.

A. A map distorts properties like distance.

a planar projection map is most useful for A. finding the shortest distance between two places particularly at the Poles. B. visualizing overall shape and size of land. C. sea navigation. D. mapping the continents.

A. finding the shortest distance between two places particularly at the Poles.

What drives the water cycle? A. the sun B. the wind C. precipitation D. condensation

A. the sun

How is geography related to political patterns? A. Governments rely on geographers to provide an analysis of census data. B. Analysis of political decisions emphasize changing boundary lines and government systems. C. Governments rely on geographers to analyze the effectiveness of emergency communication systems. D. Analysis of geographic information informs politically-driven tax policies.

B. Analysis of political decisions emphasize changing boundary lines and government systems.

Which of the following regions experience a mostly Mediterranean climate? Need a Hint? A. The southeastern United States, inland Brazil, China, and India B. Coastal regions of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain C. The southern coast of Chile, the British Isles, and the Pacific Coast of North America D. Regions with high levels of humidity

B. Coastal regions of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain

What determines how much sunlight reaches different locations on Earth at different times of the year? A. The amount of sunlight in a seasonal pattern. B. Earth's revolution and its tilted axis. C. Direct sunlight on the Equator. D. Weather patterns typical for an area.

B. Earth's revolution and its tilted axis.

What causes doldrums? Need a Hint? A. Wind in a certain region blows in a fairly constant directional pattern. B. Horizontal movement of the trade winds subsides as warm air rises. C. Diagonal movement of prevailing winds increase in a region. D. Water vapor forms in the atmosphere from evaporated surface water.

B. Horizontal movement of the trade winds subsides as warm air rises.

Which is true about subduction? A. It involves two oceanic plates colliding. B. It involves an oceanic plate moving beneath a continental plate. C. It involves two continental plates colliding. D. It involves a continental plate moving beneath an oceanic plate.

B. It involves an oceanic plate moving beneath a continental plate.

Why doesn't the total volume of water in the water cycle change? A. Water is constantly being made in the water cycle. B. The amount of water that evaporates is the same as the amount of water that falls back to Earth. C. The amount of water that condenses and falls to Earth is greater than the amount of water that evaporates. D. Water is a renewable resource.

B. The amount of water that evaporates is the same as the amount of water that falls back to Earth.

What causes a phenomenon known as midnight sun? Need a Hint? A. The sun hitting the Tropic of Capricorn once a year. B. The tilt of the Earth's axis as it revolves around the sun C. The sun directly hitting the Equator as the Earth rotates. D. The warming of Earth's surface due to radiation.

B. The tilt of the Earth's axis as it revolves around the sun

Why are gas giant planets sometimes reffered to as "mini solar systems"? A. They are not dense. B. They have moons. C. They are gaseous. D. They support life.

B. They have moons.

Why do parts of the low latitude zone have warm to hot climates? Need a Hint? A. The Earth's poles receive continuous, indirect sunlight. B. They receive direct rays from the sun year-round. C. The Earth's atmosphere thins as altitude increases. D. The lower the elevation, the higher the temperatures.

B. They receive direct rays from the sun year-round.

an example of an external factor that can affect cultural change is A. the invention of a new way of farming. B. a group of refugees from one country moving to another country. C. the leader of the major religion in an area stepping down. D. a shift from food gathering to food production.

B. a group of refugees from one country moving to another country.

Which part of the biosphere provides oxygen? A. lithosphere B. atmosphere C. hydrosphere D. asthenosphere

B. atmosphere

How have cultural contacts, such as the Internet, affected the world's cultures? A. by encouraging migration B. by promoting cultural change C. by spreading war D. by spreading industry

B. by promoting cultural change

How do geographers use numerical measurement in their research? A. observing the landscape of a tundra B. determining landform sizes from satellite images C. asking questions of individuals who are part of a group D. studying age, ethnicity, and gender in a region

B. determining landform sizes from satellite images

Lakes and rivers are part of the A. lithosphere. B. hydrosphere. C .asthenosphere. D. atmosphere.

B. hydrosphere.

Which of the following might be considered an optimistic affect of rapid population growth? A. food shortage B. increased levels of technology C. increased levels of government D. housing shortage

B. increased levels of technology

a major hurdle to desalination is A. its taste. B. its cost. C. its availability. D. its usability.

B. its cost.

The physical processes that create most of Earth's physical features, including mountains, are known as A. accretion. B. plate tectonics. C. continental drift. D. subduction.

B. plate tectonics.

Rain, snow, and sleet are examples of A. erosion. B. precipitation. C. condensation. D. evaporation.

B. precipitation.

Earth is one of the four A. asteroids in the solar system. B. terrestrial planets. C. gas giant planets. D. dwarf planets.

B. terrestrial planets.

When discussing places and regions, which is an example of a formal region? A. the French Riviera B. the Corn Belt C. the Great Lakes shipping industry D. the train system in Germany

B. the Corn Belt

What is natural increase in a population? A. the movement of people from place to place B. the difference between an area's birthrate and its death rate C. the number of deaths per year for every 1,000 people D. the number of years it takes a population to double in size

B. the difference between an area's birthrate and its death rate

Why do social systems develop? A. to uphold moral values B. to help people work together to meet basic needs C. to allow people to communicate with each other D. to provide order within a country

B. to help people work together to meet basic needs

What is the growth of population in cities and the resulting changes called? A. industrialization B. urbanization C. revolution D. migration

B. urbanization

Which of the following best describes conditions found in a high-latitude climate zone? Need a Hint? A. mild, rainy winters; warm, dry summers B. year-round freezing temperatures and limited vegetation C. direct sunlight year-round with long summers, but cool temperatures D. cool summers and winters with abundant rainfall

B. year-round freezing temperatures and limited vegetation

To find relative location, first find A. latitude lines. B. a reference point. C. longitude lines. D. a map projection.

B. a reference point.

as part of the human systems element of geography, geographers might interview A. meteorologists in Antarctica. B. immigrants to the United States. C. satellite engineers in North America. D. cartographers in China.

B. immigrants to the United States.

How does accretion cause continents to grow outward? A. Moving plates squeeze Earth's surface until it buckles. B. Magma builds up to fill in space between plates. C. Debris from the leveling off of underwater mountains piles up. D. Erosion moves soil to edges of continents.

C. Debris from the leveling off of underwater mountains piles up.

What determines the direction of prevailing winds?Need a Hint? A. Rising air near the Equator B. Calm areas at the edge of the Tropics C. Latitude and the Earth's movement D. Diagonal movement of air

C. Latitude and the Earth's movement

In which region might you come across doldrums? Need a Hint? A. In either the North or the South Pole B. South of the Tropic of Capricorn C. Near the Equator D. North of the Tropic of Cancer

C. Near the Equator

How do geographers distinguish between types of dry climates? Need a Hint? A. The average daily temperatures in each B. The proximity of each to the Equator C. The amount of rainfall and vegetation in each D. The geographical location of each

C. The amount of rainfall and vegetation in each

Which of the following statements explains how the greenhouse effect got its name?Need a Hint? A. Earth's temperature is becoming warm enough to grow plants outside year-round. B.The ocean's surface acts like a greenhouse, warming Earth like a blanket. C. The atmosphere traps radiation to warm land, water, and air, reflecting heat back out, similar to a greenhouse. D. The sun's heat is trapped in the atmosphere so Earth's core absorbs too much heat.

C. The atmosphere traps radiation to warm land, water, and air, reflecting heat back out, similar to a greenhouse.

What does the word equinox mean?Need a Hint? A. The number of days Earth revolves around the sun. B. The condition of the atmosphere in one place. C. The days of the year that daytime and nighttime hours are equal. D. An imaginary line that runs through the center of the Earth.

C. The days of the year that daytime and nighttime hours are equal.

How do seas, gulfs, and bays differ from oceans? A. They are larger. B. They are freshwater. C. They are partially enclosed by land. D. They are deeper.

C. They are partially enclosed by land.

When do the North Pole and the South Pole receive nearly continuous, but indirect, sunlight? Need a Hint? A. When either the Northern or the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. B. When the midlatitude zone faces the sun, receiving direct rays. C. When either the Northern or the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun. D. When the low latitude zone faces the sun, receiving indirect rays.

C. When either the Northern or the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.

What keeps humidity levels high in a humid subtropical climate? Need a Hint? A. Ocean winds that bring cool summers and wet winters B. The proximity between about 30�N and 60�N and 30�S and 60�S latitude C. Wind patterns and high pressure from nearby oceans D. The varying temperature ranges from winter to summer by 120� F (49�C)

C. Wind patterns and high pressure from nearby oceans

What can be learned from a population pyramid? A. the natural increase of the population of a country B. the doubling time of the population for a country C. a country's stage in the demographic transition model D. the population density of a country

C. a country's stage in the demographic transition model

Which of the following is NOT considered an element of culture? A. language families B. religion C. climate D. social system

C. climate

Which of the following is caused directly by plate tectonics? A. moraines B. weathering C. earthquakes D. erosion

C. earthquakes

about 70% of Earth's surface is part of the A. biosphere. B. lithosphere. C. hydrosphere. D. atmosphere.

C. hydrosphere.

Where is 97 percent of the world's water found? A. in bays B. in streams C. in oceans D. in lakes and rivers

C. in oceans

Population density is the average number of people A. living in countries with smaller land areas. B. living in rural areas. C. living on a square mile or square kilometer of land. D. living in cities.

C. living on a square mile or square kilometer of land.

Which of the following is part of the lithosphere? A. rivers B. oceans C. ocean basins D. lakes

C. ocean basins

Which of the following is not a temperate climate region in a midlatitude climate?Need a Hint? A. humid subtropical B. marine west coast C. permafrost D. Mediterranean

C. permafrost

During which period did people move to cities in the largest numbers? A. the Information Revolution B. the Agricultural Revolution C. the Industrial Revolution D. the Cultural Revolution

C. the Industrial Revolution

an example of a statistic geographers may study is A. the location of a mineral deposit. B. the customs practiced by a group of people. C. the climate trend of a specific region. D. the transportation system of a large city.

C. the climate trend of a specific region.

Which layer of Earth includes Earth's surface? A. the mantle B. the inner core C. the crust D. the outer core

C. the crust

What is cultural diffusion? A. cultures that have certain traits in common B. an early center of civilization C. the spread of knowledge between cultures D. a common language

C. the spread of knowledge between cultures D.a common language

Why might birthrates drop below replacement level in Stage 4 of the demographic transition model? A. there is improved healthcare B. there are fewer opportunities for women C. there are fewer people of childbearing age D. there are more infants and children than adults

C. there are fewer people of childbearing age

How do geographers use a spatial perspective? A. to apply geographic skills to a variety of fields B. to study how people make meaning from the world C. to determine why things are located where they are D. to understand how living and non living things interact

C. to determine why things are located where they are

a mathematical formula used to represent the curved surface of the Earth on the flat surface of a map is A. a cylindrical projection. B. a planar projection. C. a map projection. D. a conic projection.

C. a map projection.

a cartographer wants to create a generalized map focused on a country in Africa and the surrounding countries that border it. What type of map should the cartographer make? A. a large-scale map B. a physical map C. a small-scale map D. a thematic map

C. a small-scale map

What happens to the Poles on a Robinson projection? A. their shape appears to be perfectly maintained B. they appear to be significantly larger areas C. they appear to be slightly flattened D. their distance from the Equator appears longer than it actually is

C. they appear to be slightly flattened

Which of the following examples illustrates the difference between physical weathering and chemical weathering? A. Beaches form from the sediments washed up by the sea due to physical weathering, but they erode away due to chemical weathering. B. A rock with iron in it is exposed to air and crumbles because of physical weathering, but the same rock crushed by a larger rock breaks apart due to chemical weathering. C. Minerals in water wear away at rock because of physical weathering, but the rock wears away from the force of the water due to chemical weathering. D. A rock is broken into smaller pieces by physical weathering, but some cave formations are created by chemical weathering.

D. A rock is broken into smaller pieces by physical weathering, but some cave formations are created by chemical weathering.

How are the causes of ocean currents similar to those of wind patterns?Need a Hint? A. Ocean currents are mainly caused by the even distribution of sunlight, just as wind patterns rely on the Sun. B. Ocean currents move in a diagonal pattern, similar to the movement of prevailing winds. C. Both are solely caused by the relationship between the elevation of a place and its temperature. D. Both are caused by Earth's rotation, air pressure changes, and differences in water temperature.

D. Both are caused by Earth's rotation, air pressure changes, and differences in water temperature.

What factors naturally and predictably affect Earth's cycles of cooling and warming? Need a Hint? A. Increased cloud cover B. Fewer forests C. Greenhouse gas emissions D. Factors such as solar flares and volcanic activity

D. Factors such as solar flares and volcanic activity

Which modern day country was a culture hearth? A. Russia B. India C. Canada D. Iraq

D. Iraq

Why is landform a misleading term? A. Landforms are not found in the hydrosphere. B. Landforms often extend into the atmosphere. C. Landforms are only found in the lithosphere. D. Landforms are also found underwater.

D. Landforms are also found underwater.

What can be found in marine west coast climates?Need a Hint? A. Permanently frozen subsoil known as permafrost. B. Limited vegetation with short grasses, mosses, and lichens. C. Primarily dry regions with an occasional oasis. D. Mixed forests, which have both coniferous and deciduous trees.

D. Mixed forests, which have both coniferous and deciduous trees.

Which statement best describes how Earth's position affects temperatures? A. Temperature is measured in degrees on a set scale. B. Earth's axis runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. C. Earth's rotation from west to east creates unpredictable temperatures. D. Temperatures vary depending on which side of the planet is facing the sun.

D. Temperatures vary depending on which side of the planet is facing the sun.

Which of the following statements accurately defines weather?Need a Hint? A. The atmosphere's condition in one place over an extended time period. B. A variety of patterns typical for an area over a long period of time. C. Direct and indirect sunlight falling on an area. D. The atmosphere's condition in one place during a short time period.

D. The atmosphere's condition in one place during a short time period.

Which of the following statements describes Earth without the greenhouse effect? Need a Hint? A. Earth's warmer surface would cause global temperatures to rise. B. The atmosphere would leak heat. C. The planet would become too warm to support life. D. The ocean's surface would be frozen solid.

D. The ocean's surface would be frozen solid.

Which of the following best describes the movement of planets, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids? A. They move in different directions. B. They move faster than the speed of light. C. They move counterclockwise. D. They revolve around the Sun.

D. They revolve around the Sun.

Which of the following describes an example of a tropical wet climate?Need a Hint? A. Wet and dry seasons and high year-round temperatures B. Warm summers with heavy rain, and harshly cold winters C. Hot and dry conditions with a small amount of plant and animal life D. Warm, humid air with an average daily temperature of 80�

D. Warm, humid air with an average daily temperature of 80�

an ethnic group is made up of people who share A. a common social class and level of education. B. a common government philosophy. C. a common trade or occupation. D. a common language, history, or place of orgin.

D. a common language, history, or place of orgin.

Which factor has the greatest effect on soil building? A. time B. geology C. topography D. climate

D. climate

Which might cause death rates in a country to fall? A. zero population growth B. migration C. war D. improved healthcare

D. improved healthcare

Which is an example of a pull factor? A. lack of economic opportunities B. war C. political persecution D. religious freedom

D. religious freedom

Describing where a city is situated is part of which element of geography? A. physical systems B. environment and society C. places and regions D. the world in spatial terms

D. the world in spatial terms

Which profession is most likely to utilize geography skills? A. doctor B. construction worker C. zookeeper D. urban planner

D. urban planner

In condensation, warm air cools and A. water vapor rises from bodies of water. B. liquid water becomes vapor. C. rain and snow fall to the Earth. D. water vapor becomes liquid.

D. water vapor becomes liquid.

Which is an example of an absolute location? A. south of London B. the Northern hemisphere C. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue D. 30�N latitude, 150�W longitude

D. 30�N latitude, 150�W longitude

Which type of projection produces relatively accurate shapes on a map? A. a cylindrical projection B. a planar projection C. a map projection D. a conic projection

D. a conic projection

Which of the following collects visual information about Earth? A. transmitters B. GPS C. GIS D. satellites

D. satellites

The water that most people drink and use in their homes comes from A. polar ice caps. B. rivers and streams. C. glacial lakes. D. groundwater and aquifers.

D. groundwater and aquifers.