Geography Study Guide

The study of Earth's landscapes, people, places, and environments.

• Geology
• Geography
• Sociology
• Anthropology

Which fundamental characteristic defines an autocracy?

• Power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual
• Power is distributed among multiple elected representatives
• Power is shared equally among citizens
• Power is determined by random selection

Which scientific discipline specifically studies statistical characteristics of human populations?

• Ethnography
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Demography

How does Earth's axial tilt primarily influence seasonal variations?

• By altering the amount of sunlight different regions receive
• By changing the planet's distance from the sun
• By directly impacting atmospheric pressure
• By modifying ocean current patterns

Which of the following best describes how plate tectonics fundamentally changes Earth's surface?

• Through rapid mountain formation
• Through sudden volcanic eruptions that causes the Earth's landform to change
• By slowly moving continental and oceanic plates that create and reshape landforms
• By exclusively causing earthquakes

What distinguishes terrestrial planets from gas giant planets in our solar system?

• Their color
• Their solid, rocky crusts versus gaseous composition
• Their rotation speed
• Their proximity to the sun

In the context of Earth's structure, what does the lithosphere represent?

• The liquid water systems
• The atmospheric layer
• The molten core of the planet
• The land or surface areas of the planet

How do external forces like wind and water transform Earth's surface?

• By creating instant mountain ranges
• By breaking down rock through weathering and erosion
• Through immediate and dramatic changes
• By stopping geological processes

What scientific concept explains how continents were once a single landmass?

• Tectonic explosion
• Plate collision
• Geological separation
• Continental drift

Which component of Earth's biosphere includes water vapor, oceans, lakes, and rivers?

• Geosphere
• Lithosphere
• Atmosphere
• Hydrosphere