World Regional Geography Exam
Questions with Verified Answers
Mali is a former French colony in West Africa. It has been independent since 1960
but remains heavily dependent upon France for financial assistance, and often has
to yield to French geopolitical decisions to get aid from France. Mali suffers from a
textbook case of - Answer-neocolonialism
According to the core-periphery model, where are the richest nations in the world
mostly located? - Answer-Northern Hemisphere
What is the major underlying assumption of the core-periphery model? - Answer-that
the developed core achieved its wealth primarily by taking advantage of the southern
periphery, through either colonialism or imperialism
The term "Third World" was originally a product of which of the following? - Answer-
The Cold War
The nations with the greatest percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) tend to be
located in which world region? - Answer-Africa
Why are "growth" and "development" NOT interchangeable terms? -
Answer-"Growth" normally refers to increase in the size of the system, while
"development" usually refers to improvements.
What is the theory of plate tectonics? - Answer-Earth is made up of a large number
of geological plates that move slowly across its surface
The Himalayas are a prime example of which feature? - Answer-convergent
boundary
Which of the following locales will feature subduction zones? - Answer-the Pacific
coast of South America
Where are earthquakes and volcanoes most commonly found? - Answer-along
tectonic plate boundaries
Haiti's 2008 earthquake resulted in over 230,000 deaths whereas Japan's 2011
earthquake resulted in 20,000 deaths. What explains the differences in loss of life? -
Answer-effectiveness of search & rescue operations
The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is most found straddling the - Answer-equator
At Kyoto in 1997, what did the 30 Western industrialized countries legally agree to
do? - Answer-reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions
Where are most tropical rainforests located? - Answer-near the equator
, The root systems of trees in tropical rain forests expand outward from the tree
because - Answer-the mineral content of the soil is shallow and hence roots expand
laterally rather than vertically to exploit the shallow nutrient layer.
What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater? - Answer-3%
Which global region has the highest overall water stress? - Answer-North Africa
The primary gatherers of water in the developing world are - Answer-women and
children
What water policy, advocated by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund,
has made it more difficult for some people to gain access to water? - Answer-
privatization
Which of the following pairs are both renewable energy sources? - Answer-wind and
solar
Fossil fuels - Answer-are linked to environmental damage, most notably the emission
of greenhouse gases and other pollutants
Which two nations are both among the top five consumers of oil, coal and natural
gas? - Answer-China and USA
What is the primary reason that global energy demand is forecast to increase 40%
by 2030? - Answer-the further industrialization of developing economies
The tropical location of Africa sitting astride the Equator makes it a prime location for
the expansion of which renewable energy industry? - Answer-solar
Which of the following statements about the Andes Mountains is TRUE? - Answer-
The Andes contain a wealth of precious minerals and metals, including gold and
silver
What is the Altiplano of Latin America? - Answer-the high-altitude plateau in Peru
and Bolivia where the Andes Mountains reach their greatest width
What percentage of the world's plant and animal species are found in tropical
rainforests? - Answer-50%
The rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has increased since 2000. Which
of the following is NOT a reason for the acceleration in deforestation? - Answer-the
clearing of land for farming by local forest-dwellers
What is grassification? - Answer-Conversion of a rain forest into pasture
Which of the following is NOT a problem created by pressure to modernize
agriculture in Latin America? - Answer-the inability for urban areas to grow
Questions with Verified Answers
Mali is a former French colony in West Africa. It has been independent since 1960
but remains heavily dependent upon France for financial assistance, and often has
to yield to French geopolitical decisions to get aid from France. Mali suffers from a
textbook case of - Answer-neocolonialism
According to the core-periphery model, where are the richest nations in the world
mostly located? - Answer-Northern Hemisphere
What is the major underlying assumption of the core-periphery model? - Answer-that
the developed core achieved its wealth primarily by taking advantage of the southern
periphery, through either colonialism or imperialism
The term "Third World" was originally a product of which of the following? - Answer-
The Cold War
The nations with the greatest percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) tend to be
located in which world region? - Answer-Africa
Why are "growth" and "development" NOT interchangeable terms? -
Answer-"Growth" normally refers to increase in the size of the system, while
"development" usually refers to improvements.
What is the theory of plate tectonics? - Answer-Earth is made up of a large number
of geological plates that move slowly across its surface
The Himalayas are a prime example of which feature? - Answer-convergent
boundary
Which of the following locales will feature subduction zones? - Answer-the Pacific
coast of South America
Where are earthquakes and volcanoes most commonly found? - Answer-along
tectonic plate boundaries
Haiti's 2008 earthquake resulted in over 230,000 deaths whereas Japan's 2011
earthquake resulted in 20,000 deaths. What explains the differences in loss of life? -
Answer-effectiveness of search & rescue operations
The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is most found straddling the - Answer-equator
At Kyoto in 1997, what did the 30 Western industrialized countries legally agree to
do? - Answer-reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions
Where are most tropical rainforests located? - Answer-near the equator
, The root systems of trees in tropical rain forests expand outward from the tree
because - Answer-the mineral content of the soil is shallow and hence roots expand
laterally rather than vertically to exploit the shallow nutrient layer.
What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater? - Answer-3%
Which global region has the highest overall water stress? - Answer-North Africa
The primary gatherers of water in the developing world are - Answer-women and
children
What water policy, advocated by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund,
has made it more difficult for some people to gain access to water? - Answer-
privatization
Which of the following pairs are both renewable energy sources? - Answer-wind and
solar
Fossil fuels - Answer-are linked to environmental damage, most notably the emission
of greenhouse gases and other pollutants
Which two nations are both among the top five consumers of oil, coal and natural
gas? - Answer-China and USA
What is the primary reason that global energy demand is forecast to increase 40%
by 2030? - Answer-the further industrialization of developing economies
The tropical location of Africa sitting astride the Equator makes it a prime location for
the expansion of which renewable energy industry? - Answer-solar
Which of the following statements about the Andes Mountains is TRUE? - Answer-
The Andes contain a wealth of precious minerals and metals, including gold and
silver
What is the Altiplano of Latin America? - Answer-the high-altitude plateau in Peru
and Bolivia where the Andes Mountains reach their greatest width
What percentage of the world's plant and animal species are found in tropical
rainforests? - Answer-50%
The rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has increased since 2000. Which
of the following is NOT a reason for the acceleration in deforestation? - Answer-the
clearing of land for farming by local forest-dwellers
What is grassification? - Answer-Conversion of a rain forest into pasture
Which of the following is NOT a problem created by pressure to modernize
agriculture in Latin America? - Answer-the inability for urban areas to grow
