Central, South, and Southeast Asia

Which agricultural activity is primarily blamed for the rapid drying out of the Aral Sea?

• strip mining

• rice production

• cotton farming

• herding livestock

Answer explanation

During the Soviet era, large amounts of water from the rivers feeding the Aral Sea were diverted for irrigation to support extensive cotton cultivation in the region, leading to a drastic decline in the lake's water level. 

Which of the following events occurred after Great Britain ended its occupation of India and partitioned off parts of the empire?

• Great Britain established a new colony in Africa.
• India and Pakistan remained under British rule.
• The British monarchy was abolished in India.
• The partitioned areas became the countries of Pakistan and, eventually, Bangladesh.

Which of these major economic activities has traditional roots in Central Asia?

• Raising livestock

• Tourism and hospitality
• Mining and metallurgy
• Agriculture and farming

Most Pakistanis practice which religion?

• Christianity
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Islam

Due to their location in the Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan have less of which resource than the other South Asian countries?

• farmland

• tourism opportunities
• mineral deposits
• water resources

Which of the following bodies of water is considered Earth's largest inland lake?

• Lake Superior
• Caspian Sea
• Lake Victoria
• Lake Baikal

Due to India's monsoon climate, which of these weather conditions are a frequent problem for many of its citizens?

• Drought and heatwaves
• Snow and ice storms
• Flooding and waterlogging
• Hurricanes and tornadoes

Which statement is true of all countries in Central Asia?

• They are all bordered by large lakes.

• They all have vast amounts of arable land.

• They are all landlocked.

• They all have a Mediterranean climate.

Why do the facial features in Central Asia's population vary widely throughout the region?

• All Central Asians share the same facial features due to a single ancestry.
• Facial features are influenced only by diet and lifestyle choices.
• Facial features are solely determined by climate conditions.
• Central Asia served as a crossroads for centuries and has been heavily influenced by Mongol and Russian rule.

Which of the following countries is the largest democracy in the world?

• Bangladesh

• India

• Nepal

• Pakistan