The United States West of the Mississippi Lesson 3

What is a common characteristic of cities in the western United States that leads to a dependence on cars for transportation?

• They are built on mountains.

• They are very spread out.

• They have extensive public transport.

• They are primarily port cities.

Which two cities in California share a very important port on the Pacific Ocean?

• San Francisco and San Diego

• Los Angeles and Long Beach

• Sacramento and Oakland

• Portland and Seattle

Denver, Colorado, was originally founded as a mining town. What is its economy primarily based on today?

• Agriculture and ranching

• Tourism and hospitality

• Software, finance, and communications

• Heavy manufacturing

In which of the following states do Latinos outnumber non-Hispanic whites?

• Washington

• Oregon

• California

• Arizona

What government-run program typically provides healthcare for older people?

• Medicaid

• Social Security

• Medicare

• Affordable Care Act

What trade agreement was signed by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the early 1990s to create a free trade zone?

• WTO

• EU

• NAFTA

• ASEAN

What environmental disaster occurred in the Great Plains during the 1930s due to a severe drought, causing topsoil to turn to dust and blow away?

• The Great Flood

• The Dust Bowl

• The Great Fire

• The Blizzard of '36

Which major fault system cuts through western California and has caused several large earthquakes?

• The Yellowstone Fault

• The New Madrid Fault

• The San Andreas Fault

• The Wasatch Fault

What characterizes most farms today, as opposed to small family farms?

• They focus on organic produce.

• They are small-scale and labor-intensive.

• They are large agribusinesses relying on machines and mass production.

• They primarily grow specialty crops.

Besides mining and service industries, what other important industry involves making vehicles that travel in the air and in outer space?

• Automotive industry

• Shipbuilding industry

• Aerospace industry

• Railway industry