AP Human Geography

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Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of these theories about population growth in the twenty-first century is most widely believed by geographers and demographers?

The rate of population growth will slow considerably in the twenty-first century

The rate of population growth will continue escalating in the twenty-first century

Only through strict national population control policies can the rate of population growth be slowed in the twenty-first century

The rate of population growth will remain fairly static throughout the twenty-first century

The population will decline considerably in the twenty-first century

Explanation

Most geographers and demographers agree that over the course of the twenty-first century, the population growth will slow considerably. This is based on the belief that the current rapid population growth is an anomaly in Earth’s history and that the planet cannot sustain such rapid growth for another century.

2

The assembly line is most closely associated with which of these pioneers?

Henry Ford

James Carnegie

William Rockefeller

Robert Fulton

Alexander Graham Bell

Explanation

Henry Ford invented the Model-T, the first mass-produced automobile. He also popularized the use of assembly lines and mass production. The concept of the assembly line, and the cheap mass production it provides, is closely associated with Ford to the point where it is sometimes called “Fordism.”

3

The natural increase rate is determined by                     .

subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births in a given region

subtracting the number of births from the number of deaths in a given region

adding the number of births and immigrants together in a given region

subtracting the number of emigrants from the number of immigrants in a given region

adding the number of births and immigrants together and then subtracting the number of deaths and emigrants in a given region

Explanation

The natural increase rate does not consider immigration or emigration. It is determined by subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births in a given region. So, if there are ten thousand deaths and thirteen thousand births in a given region, in a given time period, the natural increase rate is three thousand.

4

Which of the following arguments can be made in opposition to Malthus’ theories on the “principle of population”?

I. Population growth will slow over time due to availability of contraception and the implementation of population control policies.

II. Technological innovation can lead to dramatic improvements in agricultural production.

III. Population growth will continue to rise due to declining death rates and improved access to education.

I and II only

I, II, and III

III only

II only

I only

Explanation

Malthus’ “principle of population” states that eventually, population growth will exceed the capacity of agricultural production, which will lead to widespread starvation and suffering. Over the years, many detractors have proposed various arguments in opposition to Malthus’ theories. Two of the most prominent arguments are that a) population growth will slow due to the availability of contraception and the desire of governments to limit growth and b) technological innovation can lead to dramatic improvements in agricultural production, which allow it to keep up with the growth in population.

5

A rectangular population pyramid tells you that the population of that country is                     .

growing slightly, but staying mostly steady

growing rapidly

falling rapidly

falling slightly, but staying mostly steady

completely stable

Explanation

A population pyramid is used to show the percentage of the population who fit into various age groups. If a population pyramid is rectangular, that means the bottom section (where babies are represented), the middle section (where working adults are represented), and the top section (where older people who are often retired are represented) are roughly similar sizes. This generally means the population of a country is close to steady, but is possibly growing slightly. A country like Norway or the United Kingdom would have a rectangular population pyramid.

6

The assembly line is most closely associated with which of these pioneers?

Henry Ford

James Carnegie

William Rockefeller

Robert Fulton

Alexander Graham Bell

Explanation

Henry Ford invented the Model-T, the first mass-produced automobile. He also popularized the use of assembly lines and mass production. The concept of the assembly line, and the cheap mass production it provides, is closely associated with Ford to the point where it is sometimes called “Fordism.”

7

The food processing industry was greatly impacted by the Industrial Revolution. Why did canning foods suddenly become necessary?

Factory workers were no longer living on farms and needed a stable food supply.

Canned foods were easier to transport with the invention of the steam engine.

The mechanical "canner" made it easier to preserve foods without using salt.

Selling canned foods was an easy way for farmers to double their income.

Canned foods were necessary to feed American soldiers in the war.

Explanation

The Industrial Revolution brought former farmers into the cities to work in factories. These farmers used to grow food for themselves and their families and now needed other ways to get food. Canning foods was a simple solution that made it possible for cities to have access to food.

8

The process of deindustrialization in the developed world has led to a transition into                     .

service-based economies

boom and bust economic cycles

cottage industries

homestead communities

agricultural economies

Explanation

During the past half-century much of the developed world has experienced a process known as deindustrialization -factories and manufacturing centers have closed down in the United States of America, Western Europe, and Japan and those jobs have been outsourced to the developing world. This has led to the rise of “service-based economies” in the developed world. A “service-based economy” is an economy in which most of the workers are involved in providing services such as research, marketing, telecommunications, innovation, teaching, and so on.

9

What is the definition of Physical Geography?

geography dealing with natural features and earth's natural processes

geography dealing with human nature and social construct

geography dealing with mountains

geography dealing with weather and climate, but not geology

geography of geology

Explanation

Physical Geography is one of the two major branches of geography. It studies the natural features of earth, as well as earth's natural processes. Physical Geography includes the study of mountains, geology, weather and climate, and much more. It looks at how the physical formation of the earth affects other aspects of geography. It does not directly deal with humans and social constructs — that is cultural or human geography.

10

Which of these was not a main reason for rural to urban migration?

cheaper housing

educational opportunities

modern conveniences

job opportunities

more access to health care

Explanation

Housing in urban centers was actually more expensive than housing in rural areas, due to the high value of land. Since cities are much more densely populated than rural areas, the competition for land is greater, driving up the cost of housing.

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