World History/Geography OSAT

On a map of Africa, there is a small box around Nairobi. This city is depicted in greater detail in a box at the bottom of the map. What is the name for this box at the bottom of the map? a. Inset b. Legend c. Compass Rose d. Key

A: A smaller box in which some part of the larger map is depicted in greater detail is known as an inset. Insets provide a closer look at parts of the map that the cartographer deems to be more important (for instance, cities, national parks, or historical sites). Often, traffic maps will include several insets depicting the roads in the most congested area of the city. Legends, also known as keys, are the boxes in which the symbols used in the map are explained. A legend, or key, might indicate how railroads and boundaries are depicted, for example. A compass rose indicates how the map is oriented along the north-south axis. It is common for cartographers to tilt a map for ease of display, such that up may not be due north.

What kind of chart would be best for representing the major events of World War I? a. Time line b. Bar graph c. Pie chart d. Political map

A: A time line would be the best way to represent the major events of World War I. Time lines place events in chronological order, with the distance between the events correlated to their interval on the line. A time line can run in any direction. A thematic map or a flow-line map might also be good at representing this subject, but a political map is restricted to borders and cities; therefore, it would not be able to suggest the changes caused by the war. Bar graphs and pie charts are used to depict quantities and proportions rather than sequences of events.

According to Mark Jefferson, which of the following would be considered the primate city on England? a. London b. Manchester c. Brighton d. Salisbury

A: According to Mark Jefferson, London would be considered the primate city of England. In 1939, Jefferson published an influential article, "The Law of the Primate City," in which he defined the primate city as that which most completely represents the culture of the nation it lies within. So, for instance, Paris would be the primate city of France, and Beijing would most likely be the primate city of China. In some cases, it can be difficult to name the primate city; for example, in the case of the United States, it might be hard tochoose between Washington, DC and New York City. Many of the candidates for primate city status in Africa and South America are somewhat diminished by the heavy influence of foreign powers.

Why was Aksum able to become a powerful empire in Africa 2,000 years ago? a. It had access to major waterways b. It was a Muslim nation c. It had access to oil reserves d. It was located in the center of the continent

A: Aksum became an imperial power in Africa 2,000 years ago in large part because of its access to major waterways. Specifically, the lands held by Aksum, in what is now Ethiopia, bordered the Red Sea to the east and theBlue Nile to the west. This enabled Aksum to trade with Arabs, Persians, other Africans, and even Europeans. The growing economic power of Aksum was mirrored by military and political success. One major hindrance, however, was religion: Aksum became a Christian nation in the third century, and influential Arabs preferred to deal with fellow Muslims.

According to Alfred Wegener, the earth originally had one continent called a. Pangaea b. Eurasia c. Transcontinentia d. Africa

A: Alfred Wegener was a German scientist credited with developing the idea of Pangaea, the original supercontinent from which today's large landmasses were formed. Wegener created this name from the Greek words for all and earth. The continental drift theory asserts that Pangaea began to break up approximately 180 million years ago. Wegener was inspired in part by his observation that many of the continents seemed to fit together. He also discovered a number of prehistoric fossils that suggested similarities between animals and plants from different continents.

Antarctica will appear the largest on a a. Mercator projection b. Robinson projection c. Homolosine projection d. Azimuthal projection

A: Antarctica will appear the largest on a Mercator projection. This projection map converts the globe into a rectangle, such that lines of longitude and latitude are perpendicular to one another. This type of map depicts landforms near the equator at nearly their normal size but increasingly stretches out distances as it reaches the poles. A Robinson projection, on the other hand, rounds the edges of the Mercator projection, such that the polar regions are not so large. A homolosine projection renders the sizes and shapes of landmasses correctly, but it distorts the distances between them. An azimuthal projection represents one hemisphere as a circle, such that a straight line from the center to any point on the map would also be the shortest distance in the real world.

Which of the following is an example of an isthmus? a. Central America b. The Aleutian Islands c. Northern Greenland d. Florida

A: Central America is one example of an isthmus, a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses. The strip of land should be bordered by water on either side. The nation of Panama is the most classic example of an isthmus in Central America because it is so narrow. This is why it was chosen as the site for a great canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Aleutian Islands are an example of an archipelago, or cluster of islands in an ocean. Northern Greenland is an example of a tundra, the coldest of the biomes. There are no trees in the tundra. Florida is an example of a peninsula, a strip of land extending out into a large body of water, in this case the Atlantic Ocean.

What causes the motion of glaciers? a. Gravity b. b. Erosion c. Wind d. Temperature change

A: Glaciers move because they are incredibly heavy, and the force of gravity slowly pulls them lower. Erosion is a result rather than a cause of glacier movement. Although large glaciers may only move a few inches a year or may not move at all, some valley glaciers in Europe move as much as 600 feet annually. The result is a rounded valley and a trail of rock and soil debris known as a moraine. The Great Lakes in the United States were formed by the passage of glaciers long ago.

The town of Hamilton has 400 citizens living in 12 square miles. The town of Burrsville has 300 citizens living over 10 square miles. Which town has the greater population density? a. Hamilton b. Burrsville c. The towns have the same population density d. The answer cannot be determined based on the information given

A: Hamilton has the greater population density. Population density is a measure of the number of people living in a particular area. It is usually calculated in units of citizens per square mile or square kilometer. The respective population densities of these two towns, then, can be calculated by dividing the number of citizens by the number of area units. So, the population density of Hamilton is 400 / 12 = 33 citizens per square mile, and the population of Burrsville is 300 / 10 = 30 citizens per square mile.

Egypt is plagued by the sandstorms arising from a summer wind known as the a. khamsin. b. sirocco. c. zephyr. d. fellaheen.

A: In the early summer, a desert wind known as the khamsin stirs up sandstorms throughout Egypt. These storms can be so strong that they effectively blot out the sky. The possibility of these storms makes it extremely difficult for any serious agriculture or animal husbandry to be performed. They are another reason why 99 percent of the Egyptian population lives in the Nile Valley. A sirocco is any hot and dry wind originating in North Africa but felt in the southern Mediterranean nations of Europe. A zephyr is a gentle western wind. The fellaheen are the peasant farmers of Egypt.

What is the name for a brief interval of coolness in between warm periods in the Pacific Ocean? a. La Niña b. Tropical gyre c. El Niño d. ENSO

A: La Niña is a brief interval of coolness in between warm periods (El Niño) in the water of the Pacific Ocean. For a long time, La Niña was considered only in terms of its relation to El Niño. Increasingly, however, it is being studied as a climate event in its own right. A tropical gyre is a circle of winds made up of equatorial currents in one direction and countercurrents in the other direction. There are tropical gyres in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. El Niño is an annual event, though some years it is considerably more pronounced. It is an increase in the temperature of coastal Pacific water, sometimes by as much as 2° Celsius. El Niño has a great impact on fishing and weather in the areas that border the Pacific Ocean. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) occurs during a particularly intense El Niño; the flow of equatorial wind and water during an ENSO actually reverses course.

Which of the following was a consequence of the Mexican Revolution of 1910? a. Land redistribution b. National sovereignty c. Two-party rule d. The creation of railroads

A: Land redistribution was one consequence of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Upto that point, all the arable land in the country was controlled by a select group of aristocrats. There were approximately 8,000 haciendas, which could only be farmed by certain people. After the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920, the newly formed government moved to purchase these haciendas and provide access to peasant farmers. Much of this land is distributed in what are called ejidos, or collective farms owned and operated by several people. Nevertheless, to date, the Mexican government has only succeeded in redistributing about half of the original haciendas. As for the other answer choices, Mexico had already become a sovereign nation in 1821 after a long struggle with Spain. The Mexican Revolution did not usher in a period of multi-party rule; in fact, it was not until the election of Vicente Fox in 2000 that the country had a president who was not a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party. Finally, the massive construction of railroads in Mexico had already taken place during the late nineteenth century, mainly to provide foreign economic interests with access to Mexico's natural resources.

Which of the following is not one of the Baltic states? a. Moldova b. Latvia c. Lithuania d. Estonia

A: Moldova is not one of the Baltic states. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia all border the Baltic Sea, which has enabled them to become major traders. Unfortunately, the smallness and advantageous locations of these nations hasmade them attractive to invaders. The Soviet Union took over these lands in 1939, and it was not until 1991 that they regained independence. All three of these nations are now struggling to establish themselves as viable economic actors.

Where do most Pakistanis live? a. Farming villages b. Karachi c. Baluchistan Plateau d. Khyber Pass

A: Most Pakistanis live in farming villages. Indeed, the total population of the 68 largest cities in Pakistan is only about one quarter of the nation's citizenry. Karachi is the most populous city in Pakistan; it has approximately 12 million citizens. The Baluchistan Plateau encompasses most of southern Pakistan, but it is tough terrain and mainly unsuitable for farming. The Khyber Pass is one of the world's most famous mountain passes. It winds through the Hindu Kush mountains, connecting Peshawar in Pakistan with Kabul in Afghanistan. The winter climate of the Khyber Pass is much too forbidding to allow many permanent residents.

Which of the following is not one of the world's four major population agglomerations? a. North Africa b. Eastern North America c. South Asia d. Europe

A: North Africa is not one of the world's four major population agglomerations. These are eastern North America, South Asia, East Asia, and Europe. The largest of these is East Asia, which encompasses Korea, Japan, and the major cities of China. The second-largest population agglomeration is South Asia, which includes India and Pakistan. Most of the population in this area is near the coasts. The European agglomeration is spread across the largest piece of land, while the much smaller agglomeration in eastern North America is primarily focused on the string of cities from Boston to Washington, DC.

Which of the following locations would be considered a modern cultural hearth? a. New York City b. Baghdad c. Auchland d. Edmondton

A: Of the four answer choices, New York City is the most likely to be considered a modern cultural hearth. A cultural hearth is an area from which cultural trends emanate. Geographers suggest that there were seven original cultural hearths, including Mesoamerica and the Indus River Valley. The modes of living that originated in these areas emanated out into the rest of the world. These days, the cultural hearths tend to be the cities and countries with themost economic power. Of the four answer choices, New York City is clearly the wealthiest and the most influential. The styles and trends that originate in New York City find their way into communities all around the world.

Which of the following exemplifies the multiplier effect of large cities? a. The presence of specialized equipment for an industry attracts even more business. b. The large population lowers the price of goods. c. Public transportation means more people can commute to work. d. A local newspaper can afford to give away the Sunday edition.

A: One example of the multiplier effect of large cities would be if the presence of specialized equipment for an industry attracted even more business. Large cities tend to grow even larger for a number of reasons: they have more skilled workers, they have greater concentrations of specialized equipment, and they have already-functioning markets. These factors all make it easier for a business to begin operations in a large city than elsewhere. Thus, the populations and economic productivity of large cities tend to grow quickly. Some governments have sought to mitigate this trend by clustering groups of similar industries in smaller cities.

Which type of precipitation results when warm, wet air forced over mountains? a. Orographic precipitation b. Dorsal precipitation c. Convectional precipitation d. Frontal precipitation

A: Orographic precipitation is caused by warm, wet air being forced upward so that it can pass over high landforms. The air cools rapidly as it gains elevation, and snow and cold rain begin to fall. This phenomenon occurs in the Andes Mountains, where warm air flowing over the Pacific Ocean is forced upward. The land on the other side of a range that receives orographic precipitation usually gets very little precipitation. There is no such thing as dorsal precipitation. Convectional precipitation results when warm air rises slowly and cools. As it cools, it expels some of its moisture. This kind of rainfall is common over tropical jungles. Frontal precipitation results when warm air encounters cooler air and is forced up.

Stephen travels to the city every morning for work. Every evening, he returns to his home in the suburbs. What kind of movement is this? a. Cyclic movement b. Migratory movement c. Cross-boundary movement d. Periodic movement

A: Stephen's routine is considered by geographers to be cyclic movement. This type of movement happens regularly, does not involve traveling over a great distance, and does not require a change of residence. Because Stephen returns home every evening, he cannot be said to be changing residence. A migratory movement is a permanent change of residence, especially from one country or region to another. A cross-boundary movement is any change in location that involves crossing a national border. A periodic movement is similar to a cyclic movement, except it takes place over a longer time. Going to college for a semester is an example of periodic movement.

Which of the following is not a method of representing relief on a physical map? a. Symbols b. Colors c. Shading d. Contour lines

A: Symbols are not used to represent relief on a physical map. A physical map is dedicated to illustrating the landmasses and bodies of water in a specific region, so symbols do not provide enough detail. Color, shading, and contour lines, on the other hand, are able to create a much more complicated picture of changes in elevation, precipitation, etc. Changes in elevation are known in geography as relief.

What are the Atlantic provinces of Canada? a. Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia b. New Brunswick, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, and Labrador c. Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Newfoundland

A: The Atlantic provinces of Canada are Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. All of these provinces have a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Although these four provinces represent only about 5 percent of Canada's total landmass, they have played a major role in the development of the nation. In particular, the fishing industry off the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland has long been a solid component of the Canadian economy. There is also a great deal of agriculture in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

In Holland, the lands reclaimed through a network of dikes and canals are known as a. Polders b. Cantons c. Grabens d. Moors

A: The Dutch lands reclaimed through a network of dikes and canals are known as polders. This process has been ongoing since the 1200s when the Dutch first began using windmills to dry the land. About a third of Holland is below sea level, so it has taken a great deal of engineering ingenuity to keep the land inhabitable. The entire country is dotted with dikes, or thick earthen embankments that keep back the encroaching waters. Cantons are the states in Switzerland and Austria. Grabens are the narrow, sunken strips of land that lie between faults. There are a number of grabens in Greece. Moors are treeless, boggy patches of land.

Conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils has simmered for thousands of years in what is now a. Sri Lanka b. Bhutan c. Burma d. Thailand

A: The South Asian nation of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, has been the site of almost constant fighting between Sinhalese and Tamils. Sri Lanka is an island nation off the southeast coast of India. The Sinhalese arrived fromnorthern India in about 500 BCE, and soon after, the Tamils arrived from southern India. Ever since, they have been in competition for control of the island. For the most part, the Sinhalese have remained in control of the government. However, the Tamils maintained a guerilla campaign against the government for decades. In late 2009, the Sri Lankan military finally succeeded in quashing this insurgency.

The apparent distance between Greenland and Norway is greatest on a(n) A. Mercator Map B. Conic Projection Map C. Contour Map D. Equal-Area Projection Map

A: The apparent distance between Greenland and Norway will be greatest on a Mercator map. The Mercator map is a type of cylindrical projection map in which lines of latitude and longitude are transferred onto a cylindrical shape, which is then cut vertically and laid flat. For this reason, distances around the poles will appear increasingly great. The Mercator map is excellent for navigation because a straight line drawn on it represents a single compass reading. In a conic projection map, on the other hand, a hemisphere of the globe is transposed onto a cone, which is then cut vertically (that is, from rim to tip) and laid flat. The apparent distances on a conic projection will be smallest at the 45th parallel. A contour map uses lines to illustrate the features of a geographic area. For example, the lines on an elevation contour map connect areas that have the same altitude. An equal-area projection map represents landmasses in their actual sizes. To make this possible, the shapes of the landmasses are manipulated slightly, and the map is interrupted (divided into more than one part).

On a globe, the distance between Buenos Aires and Tokyo is 35 cm. If the globe has a scale of 1 cm for every 516 km, what is the real distance? a. 18,060 km b. 35 km c. 21,080 km d. 14,740 km

A: The distance between Buenos Aires and Tokyo is approximately 18,060 km. The process o f converting a scaled distance to a real distance is fairly simple. In this case, multiply the number of centimeters by the number of kilometers represented by each of these centimeters. The calculation can be expressed as (35 cm) (516 km/1 cm). Because centimeters are in the numerator of the first term and the denominator of the second term, they cancel out, leaving kilometers as the unit.

Which part of a hurricane features the strongest winds and greatest rainfall? a. Eye wall b. Front c. Eye d. Outward spiral

A: The eye wall of a hurricane has the strongest winds and the greatest rainfall. The eye wall is the tower-like rim of the eye. It is from this wall that clouds extend out, which are seen from above as the classic outward spiral pattern. A hurricane front is the outermost edge of its influence; although there will be heavy winds and rain in this area, the intensity will be relatively small. The eye of a hurricane is actually a place of surprising peace. In this area, dry and cool air rushes down to the ground or sea. Once there, the air is caught up in the winds of the eye wall and is driven outward at a furious pace.

Which of the following statements about tropical rain forests is false? a. There are tropical rain forests on only two continents. b. The largest tropical rain forest is the Amazon River basin. c. Over half of the world's plant and animal species are found in the tropical rain forest. d. Tropical rain forests cover less than 10 percent of the earth's surface.

A: There are tropical rain forests on all the continents except Europe and Antarctica. Indeed, the Congo River Basin in Africa is the site of the second-largest tropical rain forest. There are also tropical rain forests in Central America, northern Australia, and Southeast Asia. Of course, all these rain forests are close to the equator, where there is abundant heat and precipitation. All the other answer choices are true statements, though it could be said more specifically that tropical rain forests cover approximately 6 percent of the earth's surface.

To communicate, traders from distant regions of the world settle on a(n) a. Lingua franca b. Pidgin language c. Conurbation d. Activity space

A: Traders from distant regions of the world adopt a lingua franca, or a shared vocabulary of terms. The lingua franca used by ancient merchants often included words from many different languages. These days, English often serves as the lingua franca for global businessmen. There is no conscious organization of a lingua franca; it, like other languages, emerges in response to the communication needs of the people who use it. Pidgin languages are versions of English used by the natives in areas colonized by the British and the Americans. These languages typically have smaller vocabularies and less sophisticated grammar than standard English. A conurbation is a combination of two urban areas. Finally, in geography, an activity space is the physical place in which a person performs his or her daily tasks.

Which of the following countries are separated by a geometric border? a. Turkish Cyrpus and Greek Cyprus b. North Korea and South Korea c. France and Spain d. England and Ireland

B. North Korea and South Korea are separated by a geometric border, meaning that the boundary between the two nations is a straight line drawn on a map, without respect to landforms. Specifically, the boundary between the Koreas is the 38th parallel. Another example of geometric border lies between the United States and Canada. The Turkish Cyprus-Greek Cyprus border is anthrogeographic, or drawn according to cultural reasons. The border between France and Spain is physiographic-political, a combination of the Pyrenees Mountains and European history. The Irish sea separates England from Ireland.

What is the name for a shantytown in Brazil? a. Barrio b. Favela c. Maquiladora d. Ciudad

B: A favela is a shantytown in Brazil. These communities begin when a parcel of vacant or abandoned land is taken over by squatters. Over time, small villages crop up, featuring rudimentary architecture and local government. In many cases, favelas are outside of the control of the Brazilian government and are instead managed by criminal syndicates and gangs. The problem of the favela is one of the greatest facing modern Brazil as it attempts to join the top tier of nations. A barrio may be just a neighborhood, but it typically refers to a low-income district in Central or South America. A maquiladora is an industrial district in northern Mexico. These areas manufacture goods for sale mostly in the United States. Finally, ciudad is the Spanish word for city.

How many intermediate directions are there? a. 2 b. 4 c. 8 d. 16

B: There are four intermediate directions; Northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast. The intermediate directions are between each set of adjacent cardinal directions. Cardinal directions are north, south, east, west. On a compass rose, the cardinal directions are generally indicated by large points, while intermediate directions are represented by smaller points.

When a foreign power has some political and economic control over a region in another country but does not directly govern, it is said to have a(n) a. Colony b. Sphere of Influence c. Settlement d. Enclave

B: A sphere of influence is a region in which a foreign power has some political and economic control but does not directly govern. One classic example is the sphere of influence held by European nations in China in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These regions were ostensibly still part of China but had their politics and trade manipulated by the governments of foreign nations. Spheres of influence are less formal than colonies or settlements, which are directly under the control of the foreign government. An enclave, meanwhile, is a country that is entirely surrounded by some other country.

Which religious group does not consider Jerusalem a holy city? a. Christians b. Buddhists c. Muslims d. Jews

B: Buddhists do not consider Jerusalem a holy city. Christians, Muslims, and Jews all do, though for different reasons. Christians honor Jerusalem as the city near which Jesus was crucified. For Muslims, it is the city from which Mohammed ascended into heaven. For Jews, Jerusalem is the former site of the Temple, which was originally built by King Solomon around 960 B.C. The struggle for control of Jerusalem has been going on for thousands of years. Currently, the city is divided between Israel and the Palestinian territory on the West Bank of the Jordan River.

Which of the following is not one of the demographic variables? a. Fertility b. Diversity c. Mortality d. Migration

B: Diversity is not one of the demographic variables. Demographers, or those who study population, rely on fertility, mortality, and migration to determine the number of people in a region. The general equation is Total Population= Original Population+ Births-Deaths+ Immigration-Emigration. The natural increase, on the other hand, is calculated only with the number of births and deaths. The diversity of a population may be relevant to subsequent research performed by the demographer, but it is not considered one of the essential three demographic variables.

Which of the following is not an official language of Switzerland? a. Italian b. Dutch c. French d. German

B: Dutch is not one of the three official languages in Switzerland, a nation unique in Europe for having several distinct cultures within its borders. The official name of the country is the Swiss Federation. The majority of Swiss speak German, and cities like Zurich and Bern are predominately German in architecture and culture. Geneva, on the other hand, is a largely French-speaking city. There is a local Swiss dialect, known as Romansch, which is spoken by many people despite not being one of the official languages.

Which of the following is not one of the criteria for nationhood? a. Defined territory b. Elections c. Government d. Sovereignty

B: Elections are not necessary to be recognized as a nation. Indeed, many nations are ruled by individuals or cabals who never allow elections to be held. Geographers assert that there are four criteria for nationhood: defined territory, government, sovereignty, and population. A nation must have land and other natural resources to exist. A nation also must have some form of government, whether it be tyrannical or democratic. Some level of central administration indicates the unity of the nation. A nation must have sovereignty; that is, it must not be directly controlled by some other country. Finally, and perhaps most obviously, a nation must have a population.

To which language family does English belong? a. Romance b. Indo-European c. Amerindian d. Papuan

B: English is part of the Indo-European language family. This language family has its origins in the language spoken over 5,000 years ago by the inhabitants of what is now eastern Europe. Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit are all members of this language family. Romance languages are those derived from Latin, Spanish, French, and Italian are Romance languages. Latin is a member of the Indo-European language family, but it is not considered a direct antecedent of English. Amerindian languages are those of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Navajo is one example of an Amerindian language. Finally, the Papuan language family includes all the dialects spoken by the inhabitants of Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands in the Pacific Ocean.

. Juan has a mill, which he uses to grind wheat into flour. This is an example of a. Primary economic activity b. Secondary economic activity c. Tertiary economic activity d. Quaternary economic activity

B: Grinding wheat into flour is an example of secondary economic activity. A secondary economic activity is one in which raw materials are converted into a more valuable product. Another secondary economic activity would be weaving cotton into yarn. A primary economic activity is a direct use of natural resources. Hunting is one example of a primary economic activity. Service jobs are considered to be tertiary economic activities. These jobs do not necessarily entail the acquisition and use of raw materials. Lawyers and bus drivers are just two examples of tertiary economic actors. Quaternary economic activities entail the acquisition, synthesis, and production of information. Teachers and writers are among those who make up the quaternary level of economic activity.

In which stage of demographic transition does fertility remain high while mortality declines? a. High stationary stage b. Early expanding stage c. Late expanding stage d. Low stationary stage

B: In the early expanding stage of demographic transition, the fertility rate remains high, while the mortality rate declines sharply. Demographic transition is a model for how the population growth rate of a region changes over time. It consists of four stages. In the first, the high stationary stage, fertility and mortality rates are high, so the population rate varies, and there is little growth. In the second stage, some of the problems causing mortality have been solved, but fertility continues at the same rate. This means that the population begins to expand at a greater rate. In the third stage, the late expanding stage, the fertility rate begins to decline, but because the mortality rate remains low, there is continuing growth. In the low stationary stage, there are low rates of fertility and mortality, and consequently there is a low rate of growth.

Which type of rock is formed by extreme heat and pressure? a. Limestone b. Metamorphic c. Sedimentary d. Igneous

B: Metamorphic rock is formed by extreme heat and pressure. This type of rock is created when other rocks are somehow buried within the earth, where they are subject to a dramatic rise in pressure and temperature. Slate and marble are both metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks are created by the other two main types of rock: sedimentary and igneous. Sedimentary rock is formed when dirt and other sediment is washed into a bed, covered over by subsequent sediment, and compacted into rock. Depending on how they are formed, sedimentary rocks are classified as organic, clastic, or chemical. Igneous rocks are composed of cooled magma, the molten rock that emerges from volcanoes. Basalt and granite are two common varieties of igneous rock.

On which type of map are different countries represented in different colors, with no two adjacent countries sharing a color? a. Physical map b. Political map c. Climate map d. Contour map

B: On a political map, countries are represented in different colors, and countries that share a border are not given the same color. This is so that the borders between countries will be distinct. Political maps are used to illustrate those aspects of a country that have been determined by people: the capital, the provincial and national borders, and the large cities. Political maps sometimes include major physical features like rivers and mountains, but they are not intended to display all such information. On a physical, climate, or contour map, however, the borders between nations are more incidental. Colors are used on these maps to represent physical features, areas with similar climate, etc. It is possible that colors will overrun the borders and be shared by adjacent countries.

The Russian city of St. Petersburg is crucial to the economy because of its a. timber reserves. b. access to the Baltic Sea. c. historic architecture. d. location on the Volga River.

B: St. Petersburg is crucial to the Russian economy because of its location along the Baltic Sea. Access to the Baltic has been a driving force throughout Russian history. Peter the Great finally conquered lands adjacent to the Baltic in the early eighteenth century, and he built there the magnificent city that bears his name. After the Russian Revolution and the creation of the USSR, St. Petersburg became known as Leningrad. The name reverted to St. Petersburg after the fall of the Soviet Union. The city remains an essential outlet to the rest of the world.

What is the name for the traditionally Arab district in a North African city? a. Souk b. Medina c. Wadi d. Bazaar

B: The Arab districts in North African cities are known as medinas. These are typically old neighborhoods surrounding a large mosque. Many Arabs who made their living in trade eventually settled in countries like Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. There, they influenced culture by bringing Sunni Islam to the indigenous people. A souk, meanwhile, is a market area surrounding the mosque in the medina. A wadi is a dry North African creek bed, which becomes an essential source of water during the sporadic rains. The location of wadis has been a crucial factor in the political and economic history of North Africa. A bazaar, finally, is an open-air market in the Middle East.

Which soil horizon consists of weathered rock? a. A horizon b. C horizon c. O horizon d. R horizon

B: The C horizon of soil consists of weathered rock. A soil that has been in the same place for a long time will begin to develop unique layers known as horizons. The bottom layer is called the R horizon; it consists of unweathered bedrock. Just above is the C horizon, which is composed of weathered rock fragments. Next up is the B horizon, made up of minerals and drier soil. Above that is the A horizon, or topsoil, which has a great deal of organic matter in it. The top layer is known as the O horizon. It is a thin layer of humus.

What is the best description of the Mongols? a. Grain farmers b. Nomadic herders c. Industrialists d. Tradesmen

B: The Mongols are known as nomadic herders, meaning that they do not build permanent villages but move about the land with animals,usually sheep and goats. Mongolia is an enormous, dry country that is dominated by the Gobi Desert in the south and grasslands in the north. Mongols traditionally lived in portable tents, known as yurts. In recent decades, however, more Mongols have begunto migrate to the large cities of China and to the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator.

Which two nations share the longest undefended border in the world? a. Chile and Argentina b. Canada and the United States c. Kazakhstan and Russia d. Egypt and Sudan

B: The United States and Canada share the longest undefended border in the world. It is more than 5,000 miles long, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The fact that there is no fence or military guard on this border is evidence of the strong, friendlybond between these two nations. Indeed, Canada and the United States are also major trading partners. The United States buys about 85 percent of all Canadian exports, and Canada buys about a quarter of everything sold abroad by the United States. There has never been a significant problem with illegal migration between the United States and Canada, though there has been considerable smuggling.

What is the most common type of volcano on earth? a. Lava dome b. Composite volcano c. Shield volcano d. Cinder cone

B: The composite volcano, sometimes called the stratovolcano, is the most common type of volcano on earth. A composite volcano has steep sides, so the explosions of ash, pumice, and silica are often accompanied by treacherous mudslides. Indeed, it is these mudslides that cause most of the damage associated with composite volcano eruptions. Krakatoa and Mount Saint Helens are examples of composite volcanoes. A lava dome is a round volcano that emits thick lava very slowly. A shield volcano, one example of which is Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii, emits a small amount of lava over an extended period of time. Shield volcanoes are not known for violent eruptions. A cinder cone has steep sides made of fallen cinders, which themselves are made of the lava that intermittently shoots into the air.

What is the name of the highest habitable region in Middle and South America? a. Tierra fria b. Puna c. Tierra helada d. Templada

B: The highest habitable region in Middle and South America is known as the puna, or páramos. This region ranges in altitude between 12,000 and 15,000 feet and lies primarily in the Andes Mountains. Only sheep and other rugged livestock can be herded at this height, so there is very little economic activity. Tierra frialies just below the puna, between 6,000 and 12,000 feet in elevation. It is possible to cultivate wheat at this height. The tierra heladais an uninhabitable region over 15,000 feet high, just above the puna. This region is always covered in snow and ice. The templada, also known as the tierra templada, is a moderate region between 2,500 and 6,000 feet high. Coffee, corn, and tobacco canall be grown in this region.

Which layer of the atmosphere is the closest to the earth's surface? a. Thermosphere b. Troposphere c. Stratosphere d. Mesosphere

B: The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to the earth's surface. It extends up from the ground about six miles, and it contains almost all clouds. Weather is a phenomenon of the troposphere. The thermosphere is the uppermost level of the atmosphere. There is very little air in the thermosphere. The stratosphere lies just above the troposphere and includes the ozone layer. The mesosphere is in between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, 30 to 50 miles above the surface of the earth.

Tracy needs to determine the shortest route between Lima and Lisbon. Which of the following maps should she use? a. Azimuthal projection with the North Pole at the center b. Azimuthal projection with Lisbon at the center c. Robinson projection of the Eastern Hemisphere d. Robinson projection of the Western Hemisphere

B: To determine the shortest route between Lima and Lisbon, Tracy should use an azimuthal projection with Lisbon at the center. An azimuthal projection depicts one hemisphere of the globe as a circle. A straight line drawn from the center of the map to any point represents the shortest possible distance between those two points. Tracy could obtain her objective, then, with an azimuthal projection in which either Lisbon or Lima were at the center. If the North Pole were at the center, the map would not include Lima because this city is in the Southern Hemisphere. A Robinson projection approximates the sizes and shapes of landmasses but does distort in some ways, particularly near the poles.

Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering? a. Frost wedging b. Heat expansion c. Acid rain d. Salt wedging

C: Acid rain is an example of chemical weathering. When acidic chemicals are evaporated and fall as rain, they can have devastating effects on plant and animal life. Although human activity is the primary cause of acid rain, weathering chemicals can also get into the atmosphere through oceanic bacteria and volcanoes. The other three answer choices are examples of mechanical weathering. Frost wedging occurs when water seeps into a narrow space within a rock formation and then freezes. Because water takes up more space as ice and frost than it does in its liquid state, this process can cause structural damage to the rock. Heat expansion occurs when rapid changes in temperature cause rocks to expand, leading to cracks and fissures. Salt wedging occurs when water flowing into a rock brings salt in with it. The water evaporates, but the salt is left behind, and over time the deposits of salt can create pressure within the rock.

Which form of religion includes the belief that the natural world is imbued with spirits? a. Monotheism b. Pantheism c. Animism d. Polytheism

C: Animistic religions include the belief that the natural world is imbued with spirits. Animists believe, for example, that trees, rocks, and animals are divine in some way. This sort of belief system is typical of Native Americans and the indigenous peoples of West Africa (for instance, the Asante). Many sociologists have noted that animist cultures often demonstrate greater reverence forthe natural world. Monotheism is a belief that there is only one God. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all monotheistic religions. Pantheism is the belief that everything is a manifestation of the Divine Spirit. Polytheism is a belief in multiple gods. Hinduism is the most popular polytheistic religion.

Which country controlled Hong Kong before China? a. Japan b. United States c. Great Britain d. Korea

C: Before China took control of Hong Kong in 1997, the island was administrated by Great Britain. This transfer of power had been planned for a long time. One of the conditions for the transfer was that Hong Kong will retain political and economic independence from China. Hong Kong is referred to as a Special Administrative Region of China, and its citizens are given much more leeway than other Chinese citizens. To date, China has been successful in harnessing the economic power of HongKong and allowing two systems of governance to coexist within one nation.

Which of the following languages is not alphabetic? a. Spanish b. Russian c. Chinese d. Arabic

C: Chinese is not an alphabetic language, which means that it is not written as a series of different sequences of letters. In English, for instance, all the words are made up of combinations of 26 letters. There are upper-case and lower-case forms of these letters, but these forms are constant. The same is true of all alphabetic languages, including Spanish, Russian, and Arabic. Chinese, on the other hand, is an orthographic language in which entire words are represented by pictures that are known as ideograms or characters. Learning to read an orthographic language requires the mastery of thousands of ideograms. In Chinese, a basic vocabulary includes 20,000 characters.

Which of the following soil types has the smallest grains? a. Sand b. Silt c. Clay d. Loam

C: Clay soil has the smallest grains. This is somewhat counterintuitive because clay tends to clump together when it is exposed to any moisture. However, the individual constituent parts of clay are finer than grains of sand. In fact, silty soils have smaller grains than sand as well. Loam is a combination of sand, silt, and clay. In most cases, loam is the best soil for agriculture. Most soils are comprised of some mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

Where is the greatest area of corn production? a. South Africa b. Kazakhstan c. United States d. Mexico

C: The greatest area of corn production is in the United States, specifically in the so-called Corn Belt that runs from northern Florida and eastern Texas all the way up to Iowa and Pennsylvania. Corn has traditionally been the specialty grain of the Americas, although it is now grown as a subsistence crop all over the world. Indeed, all the incorrect answer choices are areas that produce significant amounts of corn, though not as much as the Corn Belt. Corn is useful because it can grow in various climates and can be converted into a number of different products.

Which government system vests almost all control in a central government? a. Federation b. Democracy c. Unitary system d. Confederation

C: In a unitary system of government, almost all control is held by the central government. The central government makes the laws, and the local governments are not allowed to overrule them. Although the unitary system is often associated with repressive regimes like that of North Korea, it also exists in countries like Japan and Great Britain. A unitary system tends to work better in countries with homogenous populations and relatively little cultural difference between regions. A federation, meanwhile, is a system in which the central government has some powers but grants others to local governments. The United States is a federation. A democracy is a system in which the people elect government officials. A democracy could be a unitary system, but it does not have to be. In a confederation, the central government has much less power than the regional and local governments. In such a system, the central government is usually only responsible for defense and trade with other nations.

In the United States, what is the correct term for a settlement with fewer than 100 inhabitants? a. Village b. Town c. Hamlet d. City

C: In the United States, geographers typically define a hamlet as a settlement with fewer than 100 inhabitants. A hamlet may have a few businesses, but it is unlikely to have a post office or a government office. A village is slightly larger than a hamlet; it may contain about 500 to 1,000 people. A village is likely to have a grocery store. A town is larger than a village. It usually has about 2,500 inhabitants. A city is larger than a town.

In the plate movement known as , an oceanic plate slides underneath a continental plate. a. Faulting b. Spreading c. Subduction d. Converging

C: In the plate movement known as subduction, an oceanic plate slides underneath a continental plate. Oceanic plates are denser, so they tend to go beneath when they are pressed against lighter continental plates. The edge of the oceanic plate will be melted by the earth's mantle and may reemerge as a volcano. The Cascade Range of the northwest United States was formed by subduction. In faulting, the edges of two plates grind against each other laterally. The San Andreas Fault in California is perhaps the most famous example of this process. In spreading, plates pull apart from each other, typically creating a rift valley and the potential for earthquakes. In converging, two plates of similar density press against each other, creating mountain ranges where they meet.

Identify one consequence of Zimbabwe's first free election in 1980. a. The government outlawed private property. b. The policy of apartheid was ended. c. The country ceased to be known as Rhodesia. d. The British government acknowledged the nation's sovereignty.

C: Shortly after holding its first free election in 1980, the country formerly known as Rhodesia officially became Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was the name given to this land by the British colonizers. Rhodesia had declared independence from Britain in 1965, but the country continued to be controlled by a white minority. After considerable pressure from the United States and Britain, Rhodesia finally democratized and elected a black president, Robert Mugabe. Unfortunately, under Mugabe, the country now known as Zimbabwe has slid into dictatorship and endured an almost total economic collapse.

Which biome features scrubby plants and small evergreen trees and also has a hot, dry summer followed by a wetter winter? a. Taiga b. Coniferous forest c. Chaparral d. Savanna

C: The chaparral biome features scrubby plants and small evergreen trees and also has a hot, dry summer followed by a wetter winter. This biome is mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea, though there are also chaparrals in Australia, South Africa, and the American Southwest. The taiga is a colder biome found primarily in northern Europe and Asia. The vegetation of the taiga is mainly scattered stands of coniferous trees. A coniferous forest, meanwhile, is a warmer forest composed of trees that have needles and cones rather than leaves. These trees are better suited for a cold climate than are deciduous trees. A savanna is a tropical grassland with only a few trees. Savannas are clustered around the equator.

Which of the following currents is responsible for the climate of the British Isles? a. North Equatorial Current b. Canary Current c. Gulf Stream d. Labrador Current

C: The climate of the British Isles is mild for its latitude because of the Gulf Stream, an air current originating in the Gulf of Mexico. As this current of warm air makes its way northeast across the Atlantic, it divides, with the North Atlantic Current bringing moisture and mild temperatures to Ireland and the United Kingdom. Even though the latitude of the British Isles is roughly the same as that of Alaska, the land is arable, and the temperature remains warm for the most part. The North Equatorial Current, on the other hand, is a current of warm air that runs west just above the equator. The Canary Current brings cool air from western Europe down around the western tip of Africa, which includes the Canary Islands. The Labrador Current moves cool air from the water in between Canada and Greenland south to the northeastern United States.

Which type of chart is best at representing the cycle of demographic transition? a. Pie chart b. Political map c. Line graph d. Flow-line map

C: The cycle of demographic transition is best illustrated by a line graph. Demographic transition is a phenomenon in which a region's growth rate increases rapidly, peaks, and then decreases slowly over a long time. In the early phase of a region's development, both the birth and death rates are high, which can cause the population to fluctuate. As the people of the region become settled, the growth rate calms down, and the region enters a period of rapid increase. Political maps are better at depicting borders and the locations of cities, while pie charts are better at representing proportions. Flow-line maps are good for illustrating the movement of people, goods, or trends across a physical area.

Last year, 4 residents of Henrytown died. The population of Henrytown is 500. What is the death rate of Henrytown (deaths per 1000)? a. 1 b. 4 c. 8 d. 12

C: The death rate of Henrytown is 8. Death rate is calculated as the number of deaths every year for every thousand people. Of course, the population of Henrytown is only 500, so it requires a quick calculation to obtain the death rate. This can be accomplished with the following equation: 4 / x= 500 / 1000. This equation basically means "4 is to 500 as xis to 1000." The equation is solved by first cross multiplying, which yields 4,000 = 500x. Then, both sides are divided by 500 to isolate the variable. This indicates that x is equal to 8.

Thai food has become increasingly popular in the United States, though it is prepared in slightly different ways here. This is an example of: a. Cultural divergence b. Assimilation c. Cultural convergence d. Acculturation

C: The increasing popularity of Thai food in the United States is an example of cultural convergence, or the intersection of traits or customs from two distinct cultures. Thailand's cuisine has been introduced to the United States, but it has undergone subtle changes as a result of the desires and practices of the American consumer. The phenomenon of cultural convergence is credited with much of the innovation in any society. Cultural divergence, on the other hand, is the practice of shielding one culture from the influence of another. France, for instance, seeks to limit the influence of American cultureon its citizens. Assimilation is the process by which a minority group gradually adopts the culture of the majority group. For example, many Native Americans assimilated into the European-style culture of the early American settlers. Acculturation is the process of obtaining the practices and ideas of a culture. A child undergoes acculturation, wherein he or she learns to think and act appropriately for his or her setting.

What is the best description of the pampas in Argentina and Uruguay? a. Migrant workers b. Jagged peaks c. Temperate grasslands d. Wild horses

C: The pampas in Argentina and Uruguay are temperate grasslands. These enormous stretches of interior space feature rolling hills, mild temperatures, and fertile soil. For many years, cattle farming was the dominant economic focus on the pampas. The cowboys who worked this land were known as gauchos. In recent decades, however, the pampas have increasingly been used for the cultivation of wheat. Although the winters in this region can be cold, the pampas manage to supply more than 80 percent of the grain used in Argentina.

Which of the following is an example of indirect diffusion? a. The Dutch and the Belgians both love soccer. b. Iran forbids its citizens from watching Western television programs. c. Japanese anime comics are popular in the United States. d. Many Native Americans have struggled with alcoholism.

C: The popularity of Japanese anime comics in the United States is an example of indirect diffusion. Indirect cultural diffusion is the spread of ideas or practices from one culture to a distant culture. Indeed, the primary difference between direct and indirect diffusion is distance, or adjacency. Because the United States and Japan are not close to each other, trends that begin in Japan and take root in the United States are examples of indirect diffusion. The Internet has made indirect diffusion a much more common phenomenon.

Through which of the following does the prime meridian not pass? A. Equator B. Middle of the pacific ocean C. Greenwich, England D. Tropic of Cancer

C: The prime meridian does not pass through the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is 0°, the line from which longitude is measured. There is no special reason why it passes through Greenwich, other than that the observatory there was one of the first to devise a system for measuring longitude and therefore put itself at the base of the system. The international date line is 180° longitude; it passes through the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Both the equator and the Tropic of Cancer are lines of latitude and therefore intersect the prime meridian. The equator circles the earth at its broadest circumference, equidistant from the North and South poles. The equator has a latitude of 0°. The Tropic of Cancer, 23°26′22′′ North latitude, represents the northernmost point at which the sun is directly above the earth. In other words, at no point during the year will the sun be directly above any point north of the Tropic of Cancer. This line is mirrored in the Southern Hemisphere by the Tropic of Capricorn.

The shortest distance between New York and Paris goes a. Over Florida and Spain b. Along the 42nd parallel c. Over Labrador and Greenland d. Over Philadelphia and London

C: The shortest distance between New York and Paris goes over Labrador and Greenland. This is not apparent on a projection map, in which a straight line drawn between the two cities would extend straight out across the Atlantic Ocean, roughly along the 42nd parallel. The illusion that this straight line is the shortest path is a result of the distortions inherent in projection maps. On a globe, it would be easier to see that a plane flying from New York to Paris would cover the least ground by carving an arc, first up through eastern Canada and Greenland and then back down through the British Isles and northern France. This sort of path is known as a great circle route because it looks like an arc when it is drawn on a projection map.

Which of the following nations is not a member of OPEC? a. Saudi Arabia b. Venezuela c. Yemen d. Iraq

C: Yemen is not a member of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Yemen has some deposits of oil, but the nation has only recently begun developing them. This, along with adesperate water shortage, accounts for Yemen's position as the poorest nation in the Middle East. OPEC was established in 1960 to set oil prices and production. Until the formation of OPEC, many oil-producing nations felt they were being exploited by Western oil companies. This organization has obtained a great deal of power and is held responsible for the gas shortages that wracked the United States during the late 1970s.

Which map describes the movement of people, trends, or materials across a physical area? a. Political Map b. Cartogram c. Qualitative Map d. Flow-line Map

D: A flow-line map describes the movement of people, trends, or materials across a physical area. The movements depicted on a flow-line map are typically represented by arrows. In more advanced flow-line maps, the width of the arrow corresponds to the quantity of the motion. Flow-line maps usually declare the span of time that is being represented. A political map depicts the man-made aspects of geography, such as borders and cities. A cartogram adjusts the size of the areas represented according to some variable. For instance, a cartogram of wheat production would depict Iowa as being much larger than Alaska. A qualitative map uses lines, dots, and other symbols to illustrate a particular point. For example, a qualitative map might be used to demonstrate the greatest expansion of the Persian Empire.

Which of the following most closely resembles a communist society? a. Colony b. Ghetto c. Shtetl d. Kibbutz

D: A kibbutz is a collective farm in Israel in which the economy closely resembles that of a communist society. Those who live on a kibbutz do not own private property; rather, they share living space with one another. Children are raised by the entire community. Although the kibbutz has become slightly less popular in recent years, there are still many of these arrangements in Israel. A colony is any settlement controlled by the government in another country. A colony could be administered like a communist society, but it need not be so. A ghetto is an impoverished urban district primarily populated by people of a certain race, religion, or ethnicity. A shtetl is a Jewish community, especially one in eastern Europe, that existed over the past few centuries.

What is the name for the pile of rocks and debris left behind a glacier? a. Iceberg b. Col c. Fjord d. Moraine

D: A moraine is a pile of rocks and debris left behind by a glacier. As a glacier moves across the earth's surface, it churns up the ground beneath. The piles that remain after the glacier is gone become significant landmasses in their own right. For instance, Long Island off the coast of New York is the moraine of a long-ago glacier. An iceberg, meanwhile, is a mass of floating ice that has broken off of a glacier, typically near one of the poles. A col is a mountain pass, that is, the trough between two mountain peaks. A fjord is a narrow waterway cut out of the land by a glacier. A fjord typically has high walls on either side.

Which of the following gives the clearest relative location of Milwuakee? a. In Wisconsin b. On Lake Michigan c. 44° N, 88° W d. 100 miles north of Chicago

D: A relative location for Milwaukee is 100 miles north of Chicago. Relative location is a description of placement in terms of some other location. The latitude and longitude of Milwaukee are its absolute location because they describe its placement relative to an arbitrary but inalterable system of positioning. To say that Milwaukee is in Wisconsin or on Lake Michigan does not provide as much detail as answer choice D because Wisconsin is a big state and because Lake Michigan is a large body of water.

Which state covers the most area? a. New York b. Texas c. California d. Alaska

D: Alaska is the largest state in terms of area. It is about 660,000 square miles, while the second-largest state, Texas, is about 270,000 square miles. Despite its immensity, however, Alaska is sparsely populated, with fewer than 630,000 permanent residents. Much of the state is covered in ice year round, and there are several months during the winter in which the sun barely rises at all. Nevertheless, Alaska is an incredible source of natural resources for the continental United States. In particular, Alaska supplies large amounts of oil, timber, and fish to the rest of the nation. There is a continuous conflict between environmentalists and those who want to harvest the state's natural resources more aggressively.

What is the name of a line that connects points with equal total rainfall? a. Isotherm b. Isoline c. Isobar d. Isohyet

D: An isohyet is a line that connects points with equal total rainfall. On an isohyetal map then, a series of lines will indicate areas of greater or lesser rainfall. This is a form of contour map, the most common of which uses a series of lines to indicate changes in elevation. The other answer choices represent lines used in other forms of contour maps. An isotherm connects points with the same temperature. An isoline connects points with an equal value, as, for instance, on a contour map illustrating iron production. An isobar connects points with identical atmospheric pressure.

Which of the following statements about the equator is true? a. It intersects four continents. b. It is to the north of both horse latitudes. c. It is located at 0° longitude. d. It is not very windy

D: Around the world, the area around the equator is known for a relative lack of wind. Indeed, the equatorial belt is sometimes called the doldrums because the constant warm water encourages the air to rise gently. To the north and south, however, there are trade winds that can become quite violent. The equator only intersects three continents: Asia, Africa, and South America. It is in between the north and south horse latitudes, which are belts known for calm winds. Finally, the equator is located at 0° latitude, not longitude, though the 0° line of longitude does intersect the equator.

What do Marseilles and Genoa have in common? a. They are national capitals b. They both border Germany c. They are both in the south of France d. They are both important ports on the Mediterranean

D: Both Marseilles and Genoa are important ports on the Mediterranean. Marseilles is on the southern coast of France. It is known for its lively mix of French and North African cultures. Marseilles is the second busiest port in western Europe. Genoa, meanwhile, is a thriving port on the western coast of Italy. The shipping traffic in Genoa has increased in the past few decades, as the surrounding region, known as the Po Valley, has become a center of manufacturing.

Indian women often cover their faces in public, a tradition known as a. Burqa b. Hijab c. Sari d. Purdah

D: In the Indian tradition known as purdah, women cover their faces in public. This veiling originally was limited to the Muslim community but subsequently spread to the Hindus as well. The other answer choices are terms related to this topic. A burqa is a whole-body covering worn by Muslim women. Only the eyes and hands are visible when a woman is wearing a burqa. A hijab is a head covering worn by Muslim women. There are many styles of hijab, though many are simple scarves. A sari is a traditional Indian garment composed of a long piece of cloth, which is wrapped around the body and draped over the shoulder.

During which stage of spatial diffusion does the process slow to a stop? a. Primary b. Diffusion c. Condensing d. Saturation

D: In the saturation stage of spatial diffusion, the process slows down and eventually stops altogether. The Swedish geographer Torsten Hägerstrand outlined four stages in spatial diffusion, which is the spread of innovation throughout a geographical region. In the primary stage, the innovation first appears and is adopted in the immediate vicinity. In the diffusion stage, the innovation is used in increasingly far-flung areas. In the condensing stage, any areas that had not already received the innovation do so. In the saturation stage, the innovation is either replaced or abandoned because it is no longer believed to have utility.

After the United States, which of the following nations imports the most oil? a. China b. Brazil c. Germany d. Japan

D: Japan imports the second-highest amount of oil after the United States. Following World War II, Japan rapidly became one of the foremost industrial powers. Despite thriving economically, however, Japan is not especially rich in natural resources. Only slightly more than 10 percent of the nation's land can be farmed, and there are no significant oil deposits. For this reason, Japan must import most of the raw materials it needs for its manufacturing base.

Which of the following statements about Kemal Ataturk is true? a. He increased the influence of Islam on the Turkish government. b. He outlawed English. c. He diminished the civil rights of women. d. He westernized Turkey in many ways.

D: Kemal Ataturk was responsible for the rapid westernization of Turkey in the earlytwentieth century. He had spent considerable time in western Europe, and in 1923, soon after becoming president, he threw out the Islamic government structures and declared Turkey a republic. He went on to replace the Arabic alphabet and calendar with theWestern versions. He also added to the rights of women, giving them the power to divorce their husbands, vote, and seek office. Even today, Turkey remains the Muslim nation with the closest similarities to the nations of western Europe.

Which of the following statements about loess is true? a. It is primarily carried by water b. It has low mineral content c. It is very dense d. It has been essential to the success of farming in the American Midwest

D: Loess, a form of silt or dust, has been a major reason for the success of farming in the American Midwest. Loess is rich in minerals and is light enough to be moved by the wind. It has a very low density and is porous enough to retain a great deal of water. All of these attributes make it an ideal base for farm soil. There are also great deposits of loess in China, with similar benefits for agriculture.

During one year in Grassley County, there are 750 births, 350 deaths, 80 immigrations, and 50 emigrations. What is the natural increase rate for this year? a. 400 b. 830 c. 430 d. More information is required

D: More information is required to calculate the natural increase rate for Grassley County during this year. Natural increase rate is the growth in population measured as the surplus of live births over deaths for every thousand people. The calculation of natural increase rate does not take account of immigration or emigration. The natural increase rate for Grassley County cannot be calculated because the original population of the county is not given. As an example, if the beginning population of the county had been 10,000, the natural increase rate would be 40; 400 * 1,000/10,000 = 40.

Which of the following landmasses is not part of the Ring of Fire? a. Japan b. Cascade Mountains in Washington c. Andes Mountains in South America d. Mount Kilimanjaro

D: Mount Kilimanjaro is not part of the Ring of Fire, a circle of volcanoes that stretches around the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire extends from islands east of Australia through Indonesia, Japan, the Aleutian Islands connecting Russia to Alaska, and down the western coast of the Americas. It includes such famous volcanoes as Mount Saint Helens and Krakatoa. Over 90 percent of earthquakes and over 80 percent of volcanic eruptions occur along the Ring of Fire.

On which type of map would Nigeria be bigger than Australia? a. Contour map of elevation b. Flow-line map of spice trade c. Mercator projection d. Cartogram of population

D: On a cartogram of population, Nigeria would be bigger than Australia. Even though the area of Australia is several times greater than that of Nigeria, Nigeria has a much larger population. A cartogram is a map on which countries or regions are sized according to a certain variable. So, in a cartogram of population, the country with the most people will be the biggest. The countries would be depicted at their usual size in a contour map of elevation or in a flow-line map. On a Mercator projection, Nigeria would actually be smaller relative to Australia because it is closer to the equator.

Which of the following is a true statement about the Yucatan Peninsula? a. It is densely populated. b. It is more mountainous than the rest of Mexico. c. It was once inhabited by Aztecs. d. It has a number of large sinkholes.

D: One of the unique features of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is its collection of sinkholes created by the collapse of limestone caverns beneath the surface. Unlike most of the rest of Mexico, which has firm bedrock, the Yucatan is supported by porous limestone. When this limestone becomes too weak, it creates deep sinkholes that can be used as wells. The other answer choices are all false statements about the Yucatan Peninsula. This region of Mexico is relatively unpopulated; the largest city, Merida, has only about 500,000 citizens. The Yucatan is much flatter than the rest of Mexico; indeed, it is this absence of prehistoric volcano sites that accounts for the difference in soil. Finally, the Yucatanwas once inhabited by Mayans, not Aztecs. Some scholars believe that the modern name of the peninsula is derived from the Mayan words for "I do not understand your words," which was merely the unrelated reply to questions from Spanish explorers.

What has been one result of NAFTA? a. The border between the United States and Mexico has opened. b. There has been significant migration from Canada to Mexico. c. Trade barriers between the United States and Canada have increased. d. Mexico has sought to enter other trade agreements

D: One result of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, has been that Mexico has sought to enter into other trade agreements. This is because NAFTA has been a big success for Mexico. After the implementation of NAFTA in 1993, trade barriers among Canada, the United States, and Mexico were removed. The relative poverty of Mexico meant that it could create inexpensive centers of manufacturing, from which finished goods could be sent north. In fact, there are thousands of industrial centers along the northern border of Mexico. These factories are known as maquiladoras, and they make goods almost exclusively for sale in the United States and Canada. NAFTA has diminished unemployment and raised wages in Mexico over the last two decades.

Which of the following is not one of the necessary characteristics of a geographical region? a. Area b. Location c. Homogeneity d. Population

D: Population is not one of the necessary characteristics of a geographical region. A geographical region does not require people. Indeed, such regions as the Hindu Kush or Death Valley have few if any inhabitants. A region does need to have area and location, however. It must be capable of being mapped, and it must be able to be found by travelers. A region also needs homogeneity, which means that it needs some sort of consistent features. It makes sense for a region to include a group of nearby mountains, but it does not make sense for it to include a mountain and an island hundreds of miles away. In human geography, it is necessary for the inhabitants of a region to share some cultural characteristics, such as religion or language.

For thousands of years, Africans have cultivated the grasslands south of the Sahara Desert, an area known as the a. Qattara Depression. b. Great Rift Valley. c. Congo Basin. d. Sahel.

D: The Sahel, a belt of grasslands just south of the Sahara Desert, has long been a focus of agricultural efforts in Africa. This semiarid region has provided sustenance to people and animals for thousands of years. In the last thousand years, stores of salt and gold were found there, giving rise to empires in Ghana and Mali. Changes in climate have expanded the Sahara, however, and pushed the Sahel farther south. The Qattara Depression is a low-lying desert in Egypt. The Great Rift Valley is a region of faults and rocky hills that extends along the southeastern coast of Africa. The Congo Basin is a repository of sediment from the Ubangi and Congo rivers.It is in the northern half of what is now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What is the name for the Muslims who live in northwestern China? a. Tibetans b. Mandarin c. Falun Gong d. Uighurs

D: The Uighurs (pronounced WEE-gurs) are a minority group of Muslims in northwestern China. This group is discriminated against by the Chinese government; they are not allowed to practice their religion freely, and they are paid lower wages than the majority Han Chinese. Some Uighurs have declared a desire for independence, but this is unlikely to happen. Xinjiang Province, where most of the Uighurs live, isrich in natural resources, so the Chinese government will not let it go without a fight. The Tibetans are Buddhists from a region in what is now southwestern China. China's conquest of Tibet was frowned upon by most of the rest of the world. Mandarin is the official dialect of Chinese. It comes from the northern part of the country. The Falun Gong is a religion that combines Daoism, Buddhism, and other spiritual disciplines. It has been outlawed by the Chinese government.

On a political map of India, the northernmost part of the border with Pakistan is represented as a dotted line. Why is this so? a. Pakistan does not have control of this border. b. This area has never been comprehensively mapped. c. Indian Sikhs are threatening to secede. d. The borders of the Kashmir region remain in dispute.

D: The northernmost border between India and Pakistan is represented on political maps as a broken line because the borders of the Kashmir region remain in dispute. Both nations lay claim to this mountainous region, which has great water resources. This has been just one of the issues to complicate relations between these neighbors in South Asia. Although India controls most of Kashmir at present, the boundaries have not yet been fully resolved, and, on a political map, such undefined borders are usually represented with dotted lines.

Which of the following is a possible absolute location for New Orleans? a. 30° S, 90° E b. 30° N, 90° E c. 30° S, 90° W d. 30° N, 90° W

D: The only answer choice that represents a possible absolute location for New Orleans is 30° N, 90° W. When a location is described in terms of its placement on the global grid, it is customary to put the latitude before the longitude. New Orleans is north of the equator, so it has to be in the Northern Hemisphere. In addition, it is west of the prime meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England, among other places. So, New Orleans must be in the Western Hemisphere. It is possible, then, to deduce that 30° N, 90° W is the only possible absolute location for New Orleans.

The popularity of hockey in Canada and the northern United States is an example of: a. Expansion diffusion b. Indirect diffusion c. Forced diffusion d. Direct diffusion

D: The popularity of hockey in Canada and the northern UnitedStates is an example of direct diffusion. Direct diffusion is the transfer of cultural practices and ideas between two groups living in close proximity to each other. Expansion diffusion, also known as forced diffusion, is the transfer of cultural practices from a subjugating culture to a subjugated culture. One example of expansion diffusion was the Western imposition of trading practices on China during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Indirect diffusion is the spread of cultural traits overa long distance without there necessarily being any direct contact between the cultures. The popularity in the United States of henna tattoos, which originated in India, is an example of indirect diffusion.

What is the most popular religion in Japan? a. Shinto b. Buddhism c. Confucianism d. A blend of these three religions

D: The religious practice of most Japanese people incorporates elements of Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Shinto is the oldest religion in Japan; it focuses on the divinity of the natural world and the importance of honoring ancestors. Shinto has been influenced heavily by Buddhism and Confucianism, both of which were imported from China. The Zen school of Buddhism began in Japan. It emphasizes meditation and realization of life's impermanence. Japanese religion and culture are affected by Confucianism, which asserts the importance of hierarchical relationships between people and the natural world.

The rocks and landmasses that make up earth's surface are called the a. Atmosphere b. Biosphere c. Hydrosphere d. Lithosphere

D: The rocks and land formations that make up the earth's surface are collectively known as the lithosphere. The lithosphere does not include the core or mantle of the earth. The atmosphere is the air, water, and particles that are above the surface of the earth. The biosphere encompasses all the living things of the earth, such as animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. The hydrosphere is all the water on and beneath the surface of the earth, including all the lakes, oceans, rivers, and creeks.

On which of the following maps would the scale be largest? a. A map of Benelux nations b. A map of Senegal c. A map of Rio de Janeiro d. A map of Greenwich Village

D: The scale would be largest on a map of Greenwich Village. Scale is described as large when it is closer to life-sized; the smaller the region being depicted, the closer to actual size the map can be. Of the four answer choices, Greenwich Village, a neighborhood in Manhattan, is the smallest. Therefore, it must be depicted in the largest scale. Incidentally, Benelux is the name for the region of northern Europe that includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

What are the two regions of the Czech Republic? a. Chechnya and Slovakia b. Moravia and Slovakia c. Bohemia and Chechnya d. Bohemia and Moravia

D: The two regions of the Czech Republic are Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemia is the western half of the country, including Prague. There are excellent mineral resources in this area of the country. The Czech economy is in large part supported by the export of coal, copper, lead, and iron ore. Moravia is the eastern half of the Czech Republic. It is less advanced than Bohemia and is currently struggling to bring its industrial infrastructure up to date. Czechoslovakia became two separate nations, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, in 1993. This separation was spurred by Slovak resentment of the domination of the government by the Czech majority.

The reorganization of the USSR's economy under Gorbachev was known as a. Glasnost b. Rubles c. Soviets d. Perestroika

D: Under Gorbachev, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) began a program of economic reorganization known as perestroika. This program included a shift in power from central bureaucrats to local governments. Glasnost was the general policy of openness and transparency adopted by the Soviet government under Gorbachev. Formerly, government actions had beenshrouded in secrecy and were often marked by corruption. Rubles are the unit of currency in Russia, as they were in the USSR. Soviets were the legislative assemblies that represented communities, regions, and the nation during the existence of the USSR.

When a person grows only enough food to feed himself and his family, he is engaged in a. Nomadic herding b. Commercial farming c. Sharecropping d. Subsistence farming

D: When a person grows only enough food to feed himself and his family, he is engaged in subsistence farming. The peasants of undeveloped countries are often forced to rely on subsistence farming because they lack the equipment and water resources to expand their crop. Of course, subsistence farming is not an ideal arrangement becausea drought or monsoon can wipe out an entire crop and endanger the lives of the farmers. Nomadic herding is constant migration accompanied by livestock, particularly cows or sheep. Commercial farming is large scale enough to allow some or all the crops to be sold in a market. Sharecropping is a system wherein a landowner allows tenant farmers to use his or her land in exchange for a portion of the harvest.