Geography Semester Exam Review

Being able to read and write generally increases a person’s earning power. Countries with high __________ are more likely to be economically successful.

• interest rates

• literacy rates

• birth rates

• population density

Answer explanation

Being able to read and write generally increases earning power. Countries with high literacy rates are more likely to be economically successful.

In 2005 locusts and drought destroyed Niger’s crops. The loss of crops caused widespread ________, or an extreme shortage of food.

• quota

• revolution

• embargo

• famine

Answer explanation

The loss of crops in Niger due to locusts and drought in 2005 caused a widespread famine, an extreme shortage of food.

Water scarcity and the expanding desert make feeding the people of the ________ difficult. The lack of water for drinking and growing food creates challenges for the people.

• Gobi

• Amazon

• Sahel

• Siberia

Answer explanation

The expanding desert in the Sahel region and water scarcity make feeding the people difficult. The lack of water for drinking and growing food creates challenges for the people.

The North ________ Plain provides the region’s best farmland. Many people live on the plain and the region’s largest cities are located there.

• American

• African

• European

• Canadian

Answer explanation

The North European Plain provides the region's best farmland and is home to the largest cities. This makes European the correct choice.

Beginning in about 100 BC, merchants traveled along the China route to trade European gold and wool for Chinese spices and silk. As a result, this route came to be called the ________.

• Spice Road

• Cotton Road

• Middle Passage

• Silk Road

Answer explanation

The Silk Road was a trade route where European merchants traded gold and wool for Chinese spices and silk.

All of the following are ways the European Union has shown cooperation among its member nations, EXCEPT __________ .

• allowing free movement across their national borders.

• adopting a common currency that can be used by citizens in any member nation.

• eliminating all types of military missiles and bombs from all member nations.

• not adding extra taxes and fees onto products that are traded between member nations.

Answer explanation

The European Union has shown cooperation among its member nations by allowing free movement across their national borders, adopting a common currency, and not adding extra taxes and fees onto products that are traded between member nations. However, it has not eliminated all types of military missiles and bombs from all member nations. This is the correct choice.

This West African country has the largest population in Africa and the region’s strongest economy. Its most important resource is oil, which accounts for 95 percent of the country’s export earnings.

• Nigeria

• Chad

• Senegal

• Liberia

Answer explanation

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa and the region's strongest economy. Its main export is oil, accounting for 95% of its earnings.

Mohandas Gandhi helped unite the Indian people, Hindu and Muslim, to fight for independence. Which statement describes Mohandas Gandhi’s approach to leading India’s movement for independence from Great Britain?  

• He appealed to the highest Hindu castes for their support.

• He threatened to start an organized military revolt.

• He used his influence in the United Nations.

• He engaged in nonviolent protests.

Answer explanation

Mohandas Gandhi led India's movement for independence from Great Britain through nonviolent protests.

Which of the following is NOT true of the Japanese islands?

• They exist because of subduction.

• They were formed by volcanoes.

• They lack any active volcanoes.

• They are part of the Ring of Fire.

Answer explanation

The Japanese islands were formed by volcanoes and are part of the Ring of Fire. However, they do not lack any active volcanoes.

What was the main reason that China built the Three Gorges Dam?

• to provide a lake for tourism and water sports

• to reclaim farmland to produce food for its fast-growing population

• to provide water to irrigate farms suffering from drought conditions

• to generate hydroelectric power to meet its increasing energy needs

Answer explanation

The main reason China built the Three Gorges Dam was to generate hydroelectric power to meet its increasing energy needs.