Unit 5 Practice Test
Which of the following accurately explains a common challenge for health services in both the United Kingdom and China? a) Both countries have an aging population, so more governmental resources will be needed to deal with health issues. b) The quality of health care is radically different in rural and urban areas in both countries. c) The major political parties in both countries have called for the end of state-run health care systems. d) Both countries have too many young people and have implemented policies aimed at lowering the population growth rates.
a
Which of the following best explains the decreased rate of inflation from 1998 to 2011 in Mexico? a) Neoliberal economic policies that removed barriers and restrictions on the economy led to a decreased inflation rate. b) Economic barriers were put into place to discourage foreign investment, which resulted in a decreased inflation rate. c) The decreased rate of inflation was a result of reforms promoted by social movements that put great pressure on the government. d) Multinational corporations invested in southern Mexico and created jobs that led to a decreased inflation rate.
a
Which of the following explains how the IMF affected the outcome of the Russian economic transition in the 1990s? a) The IMF provided financial assistance to Russia, which influenced the types of restructuring Russia could undertake. b) The IMF demanded that all reforms be finished within two years, which had a negative effect on the banking and finance sectors. c) The IMF required the Communist Party to be completely dismantled before distributing funds to the Russian government. d) The IMF called for Russia to be part of the European Union and join other international organizations.
a
Which of the following is an accurate explanation of a limitation of the data in the graph? a) Specific information for each year is lost by averaging data for each time period. b) The 2009-2015 period is labeled as a coalition government, but only the Conservatives were in power. c) The annual average increase in government spending on health across all time periods is too high. d) The BBC does not have access to all government spending on health, so the data are inaccurate.
a
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the general pattern of internal migration within Mexico? a) From south to north b) From east to west c) From north to south d) From west to north
a
Which of the following pairs of countries have nationalized oil resources but have recently allowed private companies to invest in oil extraction to increase production? a) Mexico and Nigeria b) Russia and Iran c) The United Kingdom and Russia d) Iran and China
a
In the United Kingdom, the government has maintained a free market system. In China, there has been a transition from a socialist model to a mixed system with elements of a free market model over the past few decades. Which of the following is the outcome of these policies? a) The promotion of free market policies has empowered socialist groups and led to gains in national elections. b) Increased competition has led to economic development in both countries, and the growth rates in China have been very high in recent decades. c) In both countries, privatization policies have destabilized the dominant party system. d) Political support for nationalist groups who oppose globalist economic policies and support strengthening the national culture has been undermined.
b
In the developed and developing worlds, respectively, the greatest demographic pressures on policy come from which of the following? a) (Developed - Gender imbalances) (Developing - Aging) b) (Developed - Aging) (Developing - Overpopulation) c) (Developed - Emigration) (Developing - Immigration) d) (Developed - Overpopulation) (Developing - High death rates)
b
The European Union (EU) is an example of a a) unitary state b) supranational organization c) nongovernmental organization d) symmetrical state
b
What government action is partially responsible for the change shown in the above chart? a) Judicial review b) Privatization c) Deficit spending d) Corporatism
b
Which of the following best explains how the IMF used its sovereign powers to influence Russia? a) The IMF sent in peacekeeping forces to apply pressure on the Russian government to reduce tariffs. b) The IMF required the privatization of industry and trade liberalization in exchange for economic assistance. c) The IMF pressured policy makers to quickly raise housing rents, taxes, and the cost of public utilities. d) The IMF forced the Russian government to privatize the oil industry and to join the World Trade Organization.
b
Which of the following best explains the GDP growth patterns in Mexico between 1994 and 2010? a) Most new jobs in Mexico were in the south, which resulted in internal migration and persistent economic decline. b) New policies led to economic restructuring, which caused the economy to expand and contract. c) Multinational corporations that were introduced in the early 1980s led to steady GDP growth with almost no fluctuation. d) Democratization led to more government control of the economy, which caused the GDP to shrink.
b
Which of the following best explains the unemployment rate in Mexico? a) The unemployment rate has remained constant over time, which is due to the nationalization of all natural resources and implementation of higher tariffs. b) The unemployment rate has remained steady over time, which is the result of continued economic growth and economic liberalization policies. c) There has been a lack of government regulation, which led to a drop in the unemployment rate beginning in 2009. d) There has been major internal migration, which led to a drastic increase in unemployment during the 1990s.
b
Which of the following is an accurate explanation of a limitation of the data in the graph? a) The data for the first period are not reliable because Conservative and Labour governments did not accurately keep track of spending. b) The data show only political parties as the source of variation in government spending on health and not other possible sources of the variation. c) The National Health Service was not founded until 1996, and it is impossible to compare pre-1996 data to post-1996 data. d) The Labour government sharply increased annual health spending for 5 years and decreased annual health spending for 9 years, but the average shows only the increase.
b
Which of the following is an implication of the author's argument for international trade between Western countries and oil-rich countries? a) Oil-rich countries should centralize control over natural resources to make oil production more efficient. b) Oil-rich countries should nationalize oil resources to reduce political influence of foreign governments. c) Western countries should promote direct investment and economic development in oil-rich countries. d) Western countries should turn to alternative energy sources and not trade with oil-rich countries.
b
Which of the following is true of cleavages in modern Nigeria and China? a) Both countries have experienced sectarian conflict among religious communities. b) Both countries are experiencing deepening rural-urban divides. c) Pro-western groups repeatedly clash with nationalists. d) Ethnic separatism poses no major threat to central government institutions.
b
In which two countries were the following economic policies pursued to increase the power of the ruling party ? a) Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in China and nationalized oil in Mexico b) Private control of resources in the United Kingdom and privatization in Russia c) Nationalization of oil and gas in Russia and state ownership of the Nigerian d) National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Nigeria Increased trade in Iran and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Russia
c
Which of the following best explains the response of the Russian government to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) requirements as argued in the passage? a) The Russian government refused to follow the IMF requirement for very gradual liberalization reforms. b) The Russian government requested the European Union to assist with the economic liberalization process. c) The Russian government aligned its views with the IMF, which made the economic liberalization process is more expedient. d) The Russian government, under the advice of the IMF, rapidly raised rents, which caused protests in Moscow in other major cities.
c
Which of the following explains why Iran and Mexico changed voting rules for women? a) In a move to stop political unrest, the Iranian and Mexican governments banned women from voting in national elections. b) In both Iran and Mexico, the governments changed the rules to allow women to vote because of international pressure. c) In response to domestic political pressure, Iran implemented gender equity policies of voting and Mexico introduced gender quotas. d) Because of religious beliefs in Iran and Mexico, women are now allowed to vote but cannot campaign or run for office.
c
Which of the following is a limitation of the data in the graph? a) The data for the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition are artificially low and therefore invalid. b) The Labour government period is shorter than the Conservative government period, so no comparison is possible. c) The first data period is long and contains various governments, which makes it not very meaningful. d) The data do not take into account economic considerations, such as inflation and the fluctuation of the British pound.
c
Which of the following is an accurate description of environmental sustainability policies in China? a) The Chinese government does not respond to citizen complaints about pollution. b) Chinese businesses face no environmental restrictions if they can turn a profit. c) The Chinese government has stopped certain damaging projects in response to environmental activists. d) Chinese businesses are now prohibited from using coal as an energy source.
c
Which of the following is an outcome of the oil curse discussed in the passage? a) A large number of unemployed as domestic markets shift from oil to other industries b) A decrease in disparity between richer and poorer people due to shared oil wealth c) A lack of governmental accountability to citizens when not relying on citizens for taxes d) An increased incentive to modernize the economy with help from foreign investment
c
Which of the following is true of women in Nigeria? a) They had more control over their own affairs under colonialism than they do now. b) They enjoy more freedom in the northern region than they do in the south. c) They enjoy more freedom in the southern region than they do in the north. d) They must walk at least two spaces behind their husbands
c
Which of the following poses a threat to state sovereignty in the United Kingdom? a) A trade war with the European Union b) Sanctions imposed by the United Nations c) Foreign direct investment and multinational corporations d) Improving economic conditions throughout England
c
Which of the following describes the Chinese government's policy regarding the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)? a) The Chinese government remained hands-off and had no control over the establishment of the SEZs. b) The Chinese government curtailed human rights abuses to promote the development of SEZs. c) The Chinese government stopped the development of SEZs to focus on a centrally planned economy. d) The Chinese government encouraged market-oriented economic reforms and promoted SEZs.
d
Which of the following describes the activities of multinational corporations operating in the oil industry in Nigeria? a) Multinational corporations have promoted the nationalization of Nigerian oil. b) Money paid by multinational corporations to the Nigerian government has led to the elimination of corruption. c) Most multinational corporations are in northern Nigeria, so payments are not distributed equally across the country. d) Multinational corporations have facilitated corruption in Nigeria and the government's dependency on money from oil.
d
Which of the following explains why, despite Mexico and Nigeria both being democracies, the number of women serving as representatives in the legislature differs in the two countries? a) There is a cultural bias against women participating in politics in Nigeria that is not present in Mexico. b) Domestic political reforms in Nigeria have increased women's political participation, while no reforms have occurred in Mexico. c) Revenues from oil in Mexico have been used to fund education classes for women running for office, while oil revenues in Nigeria fund only healthcare programs. d) There are gender quotas in Mexico to increase female representation in the legislature, but there are no quotas in Nigeria.
d
Which of the following has decreased as a consequence of globalization? a) The interdependence of states b) Avenues of access to information c) The average citizen's ability to access information from around the world d) Barriers to trade and to the flow of capital and labor between countries
d
Which of the following is a key component of economic liberalization in former command economies? a) Prohibiting foreign direct investment b) Severing ties with the World Bank c) Nationalizing privately owned firms d) Eliminating price controls
d
Which of the following is an outcome of the oil curse discussed in the passage? a) Governmental corruption decreases. b) Democratization occurs rapidly. c) The state reduces all tariffs and trade barriers. d) There is a lack of economic diversification.
d
Which of the following statements is true about Iranian domestic policy? a) The government does not allow foreign investment. b) Women are forbidden to attend university. c) The government argues that environmental policies are against Shari'ah law. d) The predominant interpretation of Shari'ah law allows for birth control.
d
Which statement below best explains why, despite tremendous oil reserves, the Nigerian government still has difficulty providing social services throughout the country? a) Nigeria lacks a bureaucracy. b) There are not enough trained teachers and medical professionals in the country. c) Revenues earned from oil reserves have remained in the oil-producing Niger Delta region. d) Massive corruption limits the amount of resources redistributed by the government to the people.
d