World Geography CBA 2 Review

“The 1,450-mile-long Colorado River serves as a source of water for seven states, but climate change and overuse have caused its levels to drop precipitously [suddenly and steeply]. From 2000 to 2014, flows declined 19% from the 20th century average, according to American Geophysical Union Water Resources research. By 2100, the river flow could fall as much as 55%...

When the states came together in the 1920s to sign a compact [an agreement] dividing rights to the river, they were operating from an overly optimistic assessment of how much water was available...increasing water demands in the decades since have created a situation where more water is taken out of the river than flows into it... In March, with the river’s main reservoirs now below half of total capacity and the federal government about to step in, the states reached a temporary deal to cut river water use...

But in 2026, a long-term deal must be struck. The Colorado River provides drinking water for 1 in 10 Americans, many in cities such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix. It also waters almost 90% of the nation’s winter vegetables, according to American Rivers, an advocacy group. When the broader compromise is due, it may remake how an entire region grows food and uses water.”

Excerpt from “Trading Water for Cash Along the Colorado River” from the Washington Post

Ethan, Aiden, and Henry are discussing the original 1920s agreement mentioned in the excerpt. Based on the excerpt, which conclusion can they make about the agreement?

• A) it is an example of cultural landscapes

• B) it is an example of assimilation

• C) it is an attempt at sustainable development

• D) it is an example of cultural diffusion

Imagine Kai, Ethan, and Isla are discussing the Colorado River, which serves as a source of water for seven states. They learn that climate change and overuse have caused its levels to drop suddenly and steeply. From 2000 to 2014, flows declined 19% from the 20th century average, and by 2100, the river flow could fall as much as 55%...

When the states came together in the 1920s to sign a compact [an agreement] dividing rights to the river, they were operating from an overly optimistic assessment of how much water was available. Increasing water demands in the decades since have created a situation where more water is taken out of the river than flows into it. In March, with the river’s main reservoirs now below half of total capacity and the federal government about to step in, the states reached a temporary deal to cut river water use...

But in 2026, a long-term deal must be struck. The Colorado River provides drinking water for 1 in 10 Americans, many in cities such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Phoenix. It also waters almost 90% of the nation’s winter vegetables, according to American Rivers, an advocacy group. When the broader compromise is due, it may remake how an entire region grows food and uses water.”

Excerpt from “Trading Water for Cash Along the Colorado River” from the Washington Post

Kai asks Ethan and Isla, "Which evidence from the article supports the fact that the states were operating from an overly optimistic assessment of how much water was available when they signed the compact in the 1920s?"

• A) "The 1,450-mile-long Colorado River serves as a source of water for seven states…"

• B) "When the states came together in the 1920s to sign a compact [an agreement] dividing rights to the river, they were operating from an overly optimistic assessment of how much water was available…"

• C) "...in 2026, a long-term deal must be struck…"

Ava, Aiden, and Abigail are looking at a map of Canada and notice a peculiar population density pattern in the areas furthest from the US/Canada border. They start discussing the possible reasons for this pattern. Can you help them figure out the most probable reason?

• A) That area of Canada is restricted for shale oil drilling

• B) That area of Canada contains the tundra biome

• C) That area of Canada has longer growing seasons due to long summer days

• D) That area of Canada is governed by the French speaking Quebecois

Imagine Harper, Lily, and Kai are on a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. They notice that the city is built in the middle of a desert and experiences prolonged droughts. They learn that the Hoover Dam creates Lake Mead, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, which provides electricity and water to most of the city. They also realize that Las Vegas is positioned in the middle of many other major cities, driving economic growth through tourism at its many casinos and shows.

Which of the following is the BEST description of the main idea of the passage above?

• A) Las Vegas has not adapted to its environmental sustainability challenges

• B) Las Vegas is the product of many generations of cultural assimilation

• C) Las Vegas' site factors create a sense of placelessness

• D) Las Vegas has a favorable situation despite poor site factors

Hannah, Noah, and Samuel are on a virtual field trip to Miami (pictured above). By analyzing Miami's cultural landscape, what might they discover?

• A) Information about the city's history

• B) Information about the city's biomes

• C) Information about the method through which culture diffused

• D) Information about the city's climate

Imagine this, Zoe and David! Our most important set of symbols is language. In English, we say 'chair' and we know it's something we sit on. But in Spanish, they say 'silla' for the same thing. As long as we all agree on what these words mean, we can have a shared language and society. But what if we didn't understand each other's languages? Picture this, you're in a foreign country where you don't know the language and they don't know yours. To make matters worse, you forgot your dictionary that translates their language into yours, and vice versa, and your iPhone battery has died. You're lost. How will you get help? What will you do? Is there any way to communicate your plight?

-Introduction to Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World

So, Olivia, can you tell us which statement in the story is an example of an element of culture?

• "Our most important set of symbols is language. In English, we say 'chair' and we know it's something we sit on. But in Spanish, they say 'silla' for the same thing."

• "As long as we all agree on what these words mean, we can have a shared language and society."

• "Picture this, you're in a foreign country where you don't know the language and they don't know yours."

• "You forgot your dictionary that translates their language into yours, and vice versa, and your iPhone battery has died. You're lost."

Hey Mason, Nora and James! Can you guys tell me which of the following is an example of Toponymy?

• A) Jazz started as a blend of the music of Africa and the Caribbean.

• B) The city of Houston is named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and had won Texas's independence from Mexico

• C) Some cultures prefer to use forks, spoons, and knives to eat, and may have the belief that it is weird or incorrect that some cultures traditionally use chopsticks to eat.

• D) Not judging a culture to our own standards of what is right or wrong, strange or normal.

Anika, Avery, and Abigail are on a virtual treasure hunt. They stumble upon a map with a colored area. Can you help them identify what this area is called?

• A) The Colorado River Basin

• B) The Appalachian Mountains

• C) The Great Plains

• D) The Mississippi River Delta

Imagine William, Abigail, and Grace are visiting India and they notice something interesting about Dunkin' Donuts there. Soon after opening its initial chain of stores, Dunkin’ Donuts realized that Indian consumers would not want to walk into a store only to buy a dozen donuts. More generally, Indian families prefer to have breakfast together – in their homes. They do not prefer to grab a quick doughnut on their way to work. In response to these distinct cultural features, Dunkin’ Donuts modified its store timings. Instead of opening early in the morning, it began to begin its day somewhat later in the day.

Also, the dessert chain realized that traditional American-style donuts did not go well with the Indian palate. So it introduced donuts iced with Indian-specific spices such as saffron, dry fruits such as pistachios and almonds (called Kesar Badam in Hindi), and also those stuffed with rice pudding (called Milk Cake donut) and chickpea (called Soan Papdi donut).

Based on the excerpt above, which of the following BEST describes the diffusion of Dunkin Donuts to India?

• A) Stimulus diffusion

• B) Hierarchical diffusion

• C) Relocation diffusion

• D) Migrant diffusion

During a class discussion, Sophia, James, and Aiden were discussing the differences between indigenous culture and popular culture. One important difference they mentioned is that

• A) Popular culture diffuses more widely than indigenous culture and leads to placelessness

• B) Popular culture diffuses mainly through relocation while indigenous culture diffuses through technology

• C) Popular culture is reliant on local physical environments for housing materials while indigenous cultures ship building materials from far away

• D) Popular cultures utilize locally sourced ingredients for food while indigenous cultures utilize processed foods