Praxis: Social Studies (Geography)

Ocean:

A body of water that covers the Earth Usually subdivided into five oceans: Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and the Southern Ocean

Biomes

A classification of similar ecosystems. Biomes are classified by their types of plants, animals, soil, temperature, climate, and location. ex;grassland

River:

A large stream that flows over land, usually carrying a large amount of water

Topographic Map

A map that shows the surface features of an area. A topographic map typically uses contour lines to show where elevation increases and decreases. ex; A map of the ocean floor

Humid Continental

A middle latitude climate, generally found inland, this climate is the truest four-season climate. Precipitation happens year-round, with winters ranging from cold to extremely cold, and summers from hot to extremely hot based on distances from the ocean.

Appalachian Mountains

A mountain range running north-south in Eastern North America. The range forms a barrier inhibiting east-west travel along the entire length of the eastern side of the continent. The Appalachians contain large deposits of coal, leading to a booming coal industry that can have serious environmental consequences

Sea:

A part of the ocean surrounded partially by land

El Nino

A phenomenon in which the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean near the Equator becomes warmer than normal which changes weather patterns around the world

Physical Map

A physical map will show the continents, oceans, mountain ranges, and rivers. ex; US map showing major mountains, rivers and the Great Lakes

Which of the following types of maps might show the average number of children in each state last year?

A thematic map is a type of map designed to show a particular theme connected with a specific geographic area. A thematic map can display physical, social, political, economic, cultural, sociological, agricultural, etc. characteristics of a city, state, region, nation, or continent.

Which of the following types of maps shows a detailed and accurate graphic representation of natural features of the ground?

A topographic map displays, in large detail, the natural features of the ground. In general, the purpose of topographic maps is to convey the relief, or elevation changes, in a particular area using contour lines.

Thematic Map

A type of map that displays one or more variables-such as population, or income level-within a specific area. For example, an electoral map is a thematic map of the boundaries of voting areas and the voting behaviors.

North American Free Trade Agreement

Agreement signed on January 1, 1994, that allows the opening of borders between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Europe and Asia physical features

Alps Himalayan Mountains Ural Mountains Gobi Desert

Which of the following rivers is NOT located in North America?

Amazon The Amazon River flows through South America.

Fertile crescent

An area in the Middle East stretching from the Persian Gulf through Iraq and Jordan, and into northern Egypt. It is called the Fertile Crescent because it is shaped like a crescent moon and it is notably more fertile than all of the area surrounding it. The Fertile Crescent is considered to be the birthplace of civilization because the first civilizations developed around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, both of which lie primarily in the crescent.

Plains:

An area of land that is flat and lies at a low elevation.

Plateaus:

An area of land that is relatively flat and that is higher than the land surrounding it.

Hills:

An area of land that rises higher than the land surrounding it. Hills are typically smaller than 1000 feet.

Stream:

Any body of flowing water

Lake:

Any collection of fresh water surrounded by land

North America physical features

Appalachian Mountains Mississippi river Rocky Mountains Erie Canal

orographic lift

As wind encounters a mountain, it is forced upward to travel over the top of the mountain and then down the other side.

What are the major oceans

Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Southern

Which continent is also an island?

Australia

Erie Canal

Built between 1817 and 1825, the Erie Canal cuts across New York State, creating a navigable water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean (via New York City). It quickly became a central trade route in the United States.

transcontinental railroad

Built between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad. This railroad connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and cut the travel time from the east coast to the west coast from six months to six weeks. The railroad allowed settlers to get quickly out west to a variety of locations, and spawned towns along train stops.

The Gulf Stream, which brings warm water from the equatorial region into the Atlantic Ocean, is least likely to affect which region's weather patterns?

California's coast is located on the west coast and is affected by currents in the Pacific Ocean.

Which type of water feature is almost always artificially created by man?

Canals

Suez Canal

Completed in 1869, the Suez Canal is a man-made waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. As a result, ships no longer had to sail around Africa to travel between Europe and South Asia.

Less Developed Countries (LDCs)

Countries with primarily agricultural economies or economies based on low-tech industries (e.g. coal mining). Note: some exams still call these "developing countries." Historically, these countries were also referred to as "third world countries."

More Developed Countries (MDCs)

Countries with primarily industrial and service-based economies. Advanced technology is also prevalent in an MDC. Note: some exams still call these "developed countries."

Panama Canal

Cutting across the Isthmus of Panama, the Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. When it was finished in 1914, it greatly decreased the time it took to cross between the two oceans as boats no longer had to travel all the way around the tip of South America.

The first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and enabling people and goods to move quickly across the continent. This is best described as an example of innovation's impact on:

Distance The transcontinental railroad enabled goods and people to move across the country more quickly and for lower costs, shrinking the impact of distance.

Ural Mountains

Divides Continental Europe from Asia.

Which canal creates a water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean?

Erie Canal The Erie Canal cuts across New York State, creating a navigable water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean (via New York City).

Mixed Economy

Essentially a market economy with varying levels of government intervention. This intervention can range from basic laws that protect against corruption and market manipulation, to government control of certain industries, production quotas, and price ceilings and floors. Most modern economies are mixed economies. a market economy with varying levels of government intervention

Absolute Location

Exact location of a place on the earth described by global coordinates

Someone studying the geography of south and east Asia would focus on the impact and importance of all of the following, except:

Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent is an area in the Middle East stretching from the Persian Gulf, through Iraq and Jordan, and into northern Egypt.

Middle East physical features

Fertile crescent Strait of Hormuz Suez Canal

Taiga

Found in the high latitudes, it is distant from the ocean and thus has extremely cold temperatures. It has a short growing season and is home to the world's largest forestlands.

Humid Subtropical

Found in the middle latitudes along the southeastern coast of continents. Summers are long and wet, and winters are short and dry. This climate supports the biggest percentage of people.

Marine

Found in the middle latitudes in areas near or surrounded by water. The weather is temperate year-round; winter temperatures stay above freezing generally and summer temperatures rarely rise above 70°.

Mediterranean

Found in the middle latitudes in land along the western coast of a continent. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and wet.

Mr. Mathers is teaching his class about the Louisiana Purchase. What social science should Mr. Mathers connect to this history lesson in order to best explain the importance of the Louisiana Purchase to the United States?

Geography A geography lesson focused on the Gulf of Mexico, specifically the port of New Orleans and its importance to shipping, would provide context for why the United States wanted to purchase the land.

Impact on resources

Increased demand for raw materials and energy can shrink resources

Tropical Rainforest

Intense sun and rain every day, with high humidity. Temperature is always high, but it rarely exceeds 90°.

Telephone

Invented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. Allowed instantaneous voice communication over a long distance for the first time

Airplane

Invited in 1903 by the Wright Brothers. Sped up travel over long distances.

Continents:

Largest masses of land. There are seven continents on Earth

Latitude lines

Latitudes get fat around the equator

Longitude lines

Longitudes are always long pole to pole. IMAGINARY VERTICAL LINES AROUND THE EARTH FROM NORTH TO SOUTH POLES.

Climate Map

Maps that show the weather patterns like temperature and rainfall in an area. Climate maps can use numbers, colors, or lines to depict changes. ex; Weather forecast

According to the map, in which region is North Dakota located?

MidWest

examples of site and situation

New York was an ideal site for settlement because of the excellent natural harbor. It was a valuable situation because the age of sea trade required a safe harbor. The San Francisco Bay was also a natural harbor for trade. The situation of nearby forest products and cattle ranches boosted the region's growth. Chicago, located off the prairies and the Great Lakes, became a hub for rail transportation to all parts of the country. New Orleans, located on the Mississippi River, was vital to the movement of goods and crops up and down the river and to other ports.

What are the continents?

North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica

According to the map, in which region is Massachusetts located?

Northeast

International Date Line

On the other side of the earth, the International Date Line of longitude defines the change of one calendar day to the next. 180 degrees

Which ocean separates North America from Asia?

Pacific Ocean

Which canal creates a water route from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean?

Panama Canal

South America Physical features

Panama Canal Andes Mountains Amazon River

Political Map

Political maps can depict the whole world, a single region, country, or even city. ex; Map of Texas showing Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio

Which of the following types of maps shows borders of countries?

Political maps show the boundaries and locations of countries, states, cities, towns, counties, municipalities, etc. The purpose of political maps is to show man-made political boundaries in a particular area.

rain shadow effect

Precipitation falls on the windward side of a mountain range, resulting in lush vegetation & a warm, moist climate on one side, but a desert area on the leeward side.

Erosion

Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering, glaciation)

Desert

Receives less than 10 inches of rain per year. Temperatures are extreme with intense heat during the day, and intense cold at night. Deserts often have some small pockets of vegetation—usually surrounding a small body of water—isolated from any other similar area. This is called an oasis.

Savannah

Receives rain seasonally with little to none in the winter, and up to 30 inches in the summer. Temperatures do not exceed 90° in the summer or 80° in the winter.

Assembly Line

Refined by Henry Ford in 1909 to improve the process of mass production

Africa physical features

Sahara desert

Pond:

Small lakes

Islands:

Small land masses not connected to any continent and surrounded on all sides by water.

According to the map, in which region is Georgia located?

Southeast

Mississippi River

Starting in Minnesota, the Mississippi River runs slowly down to the Gulf of Mexico. The waterways of 31 states and 2 Canadian provinces drain into the Mississippi. The Mississippi River has served as host to several significant populations and civilizations, a barrier to travel, and a significant avenue for trade. In the 1700s and 1800s, the world's powers all vied to control the river because by doing so, they controlled the continent's trade.

Steppes

Stretches of land in the middle latitudes that are far from the ocean. Steppes typically have rainfall of 10-20 inches a year, and tend to have extreme seasons.

Rocky Mountains

Stretching north-south over 3000 miles from British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico, the Rockies are the tallest mountain chain in North America. The Continental Divide is located in the Rockies. All water to the west of the divide flows to the Pacific, while all water to the east flows to the Atlantic.

A climate map differs from other maps in that it includes which of the following data?

Temperature and climate are both typically shown on a climate map, and are differentiated by color.

Why did the Ancient Egyptians experience very little offensive attacks from other civilizations?

The Egyptians were surrounded by deserts and other natural barriers.

Which geographic boundary separates India (on the Deccan Plateau) from the rest of the Asia?

The Himalayas are the world's largest mountain range and serve as a natural barrier between India and China. Natural features such as mountains and rivers can be substantial impediments to travel and are thus often used as political boundaries.

Climate

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

Which of the following best describes why European settlers in California chose to settle near the San Francisco Bay area?

The bay was a natural harbor that protected ships. One of the most important features when settling a new land is the creation of a harbor so that goods can be shipped in and out of the region. Therefore, areas like New York, Charleston, and New Orleans are also significant. They are natural harbors. When the first settlers settled California, one of their highest priorities was establishing a harbor for trade; the San Francisco Bay area is a natural harbor.

Equator

The center latitude on the Earth is called the Equator, and it divides the Earth into two hemispheres: the Northern and the Southern. 0 degrees

Prime Meridian

The center longitude line is called the Prime Meridian, and it divides the Earth into the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. 0 degrees

Weather

The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Industrialization

The development of industries for the machine production of goods.

Which of the following are differences between the equator and the prime meridian?

The equator is a latitude line while the Prime Meridian is a longitude line. The equator divides the earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres while the Prime Meridian divides the earth into the Western and Eastern hemispheres.

Baby Boomers

The generation born following WWII (1940s). This population bubble has had a significant impact on American culture, economy, and politics as the baby boomers have aged. Their concerns became the primary concerns of the nation.

Command Economy

The government controls the economy, determining what should be produced and how much should be produced. This type of economy is most closely associated with communism.

Elevation

The height of land above sea level

Which of the following were causes of the increased United States urban population during the late 1800s? Select all answers that apply.

The increasing industrialization of the late 1800s encouraged many Americans to move away from rural farms and into the cities. An increase in birth rates during the late 1800s contributed to a swell in the US urban population.

Gobi Desert

The largest desert in Asia, the Gobi is the fifth largest desert in the world, covering northern and northwestern China and southern Mongolia. The Gobi Desert is the result of the Himalayas, which block rain clouds from the Indian Ocean. Unlike a traditional sandy desert, the Gobi Desert is composed mostly of rock.

Andes Mountains

The longest mountain range in the world, the Andes Mountains run north-south along the entire western side of South America. They are also the second highest mountain range in the world. Historically, part of the Andes was home to the Inca Empire. These mountains have sustained, and currently sustain, a diverse population at all elevation levels.

Which of the following geographic features most likely contributed to the lack of cultural consistency and political unity among the Greek city-states?

The mountainous terrain of Greece The mountainous terrain encouraged each Greek city to be self-contained and isolated from other cities, because communication and trade with other city-states was so difficult, due to the mountains dividing the cities. The isolation of cities led to a diverging of cultures as each city developed its own politics and societal norms. Geographic areas tend to have similar cultures because trade and travel are so prevalent between areas, such as the common cultural characteristics in the United States. The lack of trade and travel in ancient Greece, caused by the mountainous terrain, resulted in each city-state having a unique political structure and varying societal norms.

Strait of Hormuz

The narrow stretch of water between Iran and the United Arab Emirates that serves as the only outlet from the Persian Gulf. As military engagement in this region has increased over the past forty years, this strait has gained incredible strategic importance.

Amazon River

The second longest river in the world, the Amazon discharges more water than any other river. In fact, 20% of all the freshwater discharged into the ocean comes from the Amazon. This river hosts one of the largest and most diverse ecosystems in the world.

Alps

The tallest mountain range contained completely in Europe, the Alps run from Austria to France. They greatly influence weather across western European countries. People living here have developed their own distinct cultures which, in ways, have more in common with each other than their respective countries.

Himalaya Mountains

The tallest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas are home to nine of the ten tallest peaks in the world. The range runs in a crescent shape separating China from the Asian subcontinent. Three of the world's most significant rivers begin in the Himalayas.

Sahara Desert

Third in size only to Antarctica and the Arctic, the Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world. Covering most of North Africa, it is of similar size to the entire United States. It is comprised of a mixture of rocky areas and tall sand dunes. It is home primarily to nomadic societies bringing trade between sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Economic or Resource Map

This kind of map can focus on one specific resource or show the distribution of several. ex; A map showing oil production of different states

The Earth is divided into three primary climate zones based on latitude

Tropics, temperate zones, Artic

Market Economy

What is produced and how much is produced is determined by market forces: the demand of consumers, the supply producers are willing to create, and the price of the item, which influences the former two. In a pure market economy, the government has no involvement with the economy. There are no pure market economies in the world today. Capitalism

A social studies teacher wants to address the social studies theme of time, continuity, and change. Which of the following questions for a sixth-grade elementary class would be most appropriate to address this theme?

Why did the demand for oil increase with the mass production of the automobile? The question by the teacher requires an understanding of time and change. This answer requires students to assess the change in the demand for oil over a time period and how an event in time (mass production of the automobile) dramatically changed the demand for oil.

Mountains act as barriers to

Wind and Moisture

Canal

a man-made waterway made to allow boats to pass through or to transport water for irrigation purpose

In the 21st century, the increasing ease and efficiency in which goods and resources can be shipped and invested across international boundaries has resulted in which of the following?

a specialization of labor as countries realize their competitive advantages An increase in the ease and efficiency of transporting goods across international boundaries makes trading among countries easier. As countries are able to increase trading, each country begins to specialize in areas in which they have an advantage. For example, Colombia has a natural advantage in the production of coffee while the United States has an advantage in wheat production. Thus, Colombia and the US trade wheat for coffee, and both are wealthier because they have more of each good.

Gulf Stream

a strong, warm current in the Atlantic Ocean which accelerates as it travels up the East Coast of North America and shoots out into the open ocean towards Europe

Which of the following factors is most likely to encourage initial human settlement in an area?

abundant natural resources

Mountains:

an area of land that rises abruptly and steeply above the land surrounding it.

Rain does not pass north of the Himalayas due to the rain-shadow effect. To the north of the mountains, what type of climate is likely to occur?

arid Rain cannot make it past the Himalayas and so creates an arid, desert climate in parts of the steppe beyond.

Traditional Economy

based mostly on subsistence farming, in which most people produce food to feed only their own families. There is little to no trade and no industrialization. All societies begin with traditional economies.

Renewable resources

can be replaced as quickly as they can be used Include water, wind, and solar energy (from the sun) Were the earliest used as they were easily accessible and widely available

During the late 1800s, a significant population increase occurred in US cities. This urbanization was due to a

combination of immigrants from other parts of the world, Americans moving away from rural farm life into the city, and an increase in birth rates across the country.

In China, the government determines which goods should be produced and at what quantities. This is an example of a:

command economy.

Cold ocean currents flowing from the polar regions toward the equatorial regions generate a

cooling effect to coastlines along the path of the current.

Which of the following environmental conditions might cause a farmer utilize drip irrigation systems?

drought Drip irrigation would allow farmers to conserve water in times of drought.

Climate is impacted by factors such as

elevation, mountain barriers, land and water distribution, and latitude.

External Forces

happen above the crust. External forces such as wind, water, and the sun impact the shape of land, climate, and ecosystems.

Temperate zones

he areas between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (23.5 degrees N and S) and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles (66.5 degrees N and S).

Which of the following is NOT an established effect of modern large-scale industrial fishing practices?

increased development of new coral reefs

The Earth can be divided into two primary categories of physical features

land masses and bodies of water.

The terrain of land masses are shaped by four major types of

landforms

The city of Los Angeles has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This is an example of which kind of climate

mediterranean Mediterranean climates are found in the middle latitudes, in land along the western coast of a continent. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and wet.

The rapid population growth seen in the area around Washington D.C. (which grew from small farms to a bustling megalopolis) has made which of the following impacts on the surrounding environment, specifically the Chesapeake Bay?

modification of the chemicals in the water due to the use of fertilizers in intensive farming Rapid human population growth almost always negatively impacts the environment

In Singapore, much of the economy is industrial and service-based. The country also enjoys highly advanced technology. Singapore is an example of a:

more developed country.

The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was caused by a combination of prolonged drought followed by high winds, which resulted in loss of vegetation, as much of the topsoil was picked up by the winds and transported out to sea. As a result, millions of farmers left the midwest and moved west. The Dust Bowl was an example of:

natural forces impacting migration

Which of the following is an example of a nonrenewable resource?

natural gas

grid system

pattern formed as the lines of latitude and longitude cross one another

Which type of landform is an area of flat land at a low elevation?

plains

Which of the following is an example of an event or process caused by internal forces?

plate tectonics triggering a volcanic eruption Internal forces shape the Earth's surface through the constant movements of plates under the surface, called plate tectonics. This movement causes earthquakes, a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, and the eruption of volcanoes.

Which type of landform is an area of flat land at a higher elevation than the surrounding land?

plateau Plateaus are areas of land that are relatively flat and that are higher than the land surrounding it.

Trade agreements between countries, like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), are created primarily to accomplish which of the following?

reduce barriers to trade between countries

Internal Forces

shape the Earth's surface through the constant movements of plates under the surface, called plate tectonics.

Cities are developed based upon

site & situation Site is the physical setting, and situation is how it relates to factors such as available building resources, water supply, food supply, roads, and available natural resources for consumption.

The closer to the Equator a place is, the more (blank) it receives throughout the year

sun

Tundra

the area immediately surrounding the poles; it has very long, cold winters and short summers. It has relatively low precipitation and supports no human life.

Tropics

the areas between the Equator (0 degrees) and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (23.5 degrees N and S).

Which of the following would have the greatest effect on weather conditions in Colorado?

the rain shadow effect Colorado experiences the rain shadow effect, with the area west of the Rocky Mountains experiencing heavy rainfall while the area east of the mountains is desert.

Sociology, psychology, and political science all have which common feature at their core?

the study of individuals and their decisions

Nonrenewable resources

those that are gone once used (or replenish too slowly to recharge) Include coal, oil, and energy from natural gas Only became useable once humans developed the technology to extract energy from them

The formation of a caldera is related to which of the following events?

volcanic eruption

Warm ocean currents flowing from the equatorial regions toward the polar regions generate a

warming effect