AP Human Geography : Development of Agriculture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Development Of Agriculture

The adoption of agriculture by neolithic societies resulted in __________.

Possible Answers:

cultures adopting a more settled lifestyle

development of less-hierarchical societies

increased gender equality

destruction of major city-states

an increase in nomadic hunting

Correct answer:

cultures adopting a more settled lifestyle

Explanation:

The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution refers to the process that happened roughly 12,000 years before the Common Era in which societies around the world developed agriculture. In the Middle East's Fertile Crescent, China's Yangtze River Valley, and Mesoamerica, sedentary agriculture made people less nomadic, develop city-states, and create non-portable arts. These changes did not revolutionize societal relationships, but instead built hierarchies and reinforced societal inequalities.

Example Question #833 : Ap Human Geography

In which part of the world were seed crops first domesticated?

Possible Answers:

Meso-America

Northern Europe

The Indian Subcontinent

Southwest Asia

Southern Europe

Correct answer:

Southwest Asia

Explanation:

Seed crops were first cultivated 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of Southwestern Asia.

Example Question #831 : Ap Human Geography

Roughly what time in history did the first (neolithic) agricultural revolution occur?

Possible Answers:

15,000 B.C.E.

5000 B.C.E.

0 C.E.

20,000 B.C.E.

10,000 B.C.E.

Correct answer:

10,000 B.C.E.

Explanation:

The Neolithic Revolution was when seed and root crops were first cultivated by humans and occurred at roughly 10,000 B.C.E.

Example Question #832 : Ap Human Geography

The “Neolithic Revolution” is another name for __________.

Possible Answers:

The Industrial Revolution

The Green Revolution

The Second Agricultural Revolution

The First Agricultural Revolution

The Scientific Revolution

Correct answer:

The First Agricultural Revolution

Explanation:

The “Neolithic Revolution” is another name for the First Agricultural Revolution. The “Neolithic Revolution” happened at different times in different parts of the world, but it happened first in Ancient Mesopotamia (also called “The Fertile Crescent”) approximately ten-thousand years ago. The “Neolithic Revolution” marks the transition of human society from wandering hunter-gatherer societies into settled agricultural communities. This is one of the most important transitions in human history as it led to the rise of cities, civilizations, religions, culture, and a great many more things.

Example Question #837 : Ap Human Geography

In which of these regions of the world did the First Agricultural Revolution first take place?

Possible Answers:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Western Europe

South Asia

East Asia

The Middle East

Correct answer:

The Middle East

Explanation:

The “First Agricultural Revolution,” also called the “Neolithic Revolution” first took place in a region of the modern-day Middle East called “Mesopotamia” or “The Fertile Crescent.” This occurred roughly ten thousand years ago. It most likely occurred next in the area surrounding the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers in China.

Example Question #3 : Development Of Agriculture

Which of these words is used to describe the process by which a plant or animal is tamed by human society so that it can be used for agricultural purposes?

Possible Answers:

Pastoralism

Domestication

Salinization

Ranching

Irrigation

Correct answer:

Domestication

Explanation:

The term “domestication” refers to the process by which a plant or animal is tamed by human society so that that plant or animal can be reliably utilized to provide for human sustenance. "Pastoralism" refers to an ethos that values rural living.

Example Question #841 : Ap Human Geography

The original agricultural hearth of Southeast Asia could be found primarily in which of these countries?

Possible Answers:

India

Iran

Korea

Iraq

China

Correct answer:

China

Explanation:

The Agricultural Revolution of East Asia took place first in China, in the fertile valleys of the Yangtze River. From there it spread eastwards to Korea and Japan and southwards to Southeast Asia. The term "agricultural hearth" refers to early settled agricultural regions (usually along rivers).

Example Question #2 : Development Of Agriculture

The Neolithic Revolution spread to Europe from __________.

Possible Answers:

North Africa 

North America

East Asia 

North Asia

The Middle East

Correct answer:

The Middle East

Explanation:

The “Neolithic Revolution” is another name for the First Agricultural Revolution, which began in the Fertile Crescent of the near Middle East, and then gradually spread outwards into Europe and North Africa.

Example Question #841 : Ap Human Geography

Which of these animals was the first to be domesticated?

Possible Answers:

Cats

Goats

Cows

Pigs

Chickens

Correct answer:

Goats

Explanation:

Most experts agree that the first animal to be domesticated by humans was the goat in modern-day Turkey or Syria, around ten thousand years ago. Dogs were also domesticated relatively early, and some agricultural historians contend that they were domesticated before goats and sheep. This is probably true for some parts of the world, but the general consensus is that goats and sheep were the first animals to be domesticated by humans in large numbers.

Example Question #1 : Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

Before the Neolithic Revolution most humans were __________.

Possible Answers:

hunter-gatherers

reliant on fishing and aquaculture

reliant on pastoralism and ranching

isolated in small city states

small-scale farmers

Correct answer:

hunter-gatherers

Explanation:

The “Neolithic Revolution” is another name for the First Agricultural Revolution. This is when agriculture was first widely practiced on earth. It led to the rise of cities, civilizations, and empires, as well as many other things. Before the advent of agriculture, most humans were nomadic “hunter-gatherers” - who relied on the hunting and killing of wild animals and the gathering of berries and fruits to survive.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors