WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
WGU D199 Exam
1. Which of the following is considered a primary factor in the formation of climate?
A) Ocean currents
B) Vegetation cover
C) Latitude
D) Altitude
Correct Option: C) Latitude
Rationale: Latitude determines the amount of solar energy an area receives, significantly
influencing its climate. Areas near the equator receive more direct sunlight throughout the year,
leading to warmer climates.
2. What is the primary purpose of a population pyramid?
A) To show climatic differences
B) To illustrate the age and gender distribution
C) To depict economic resources
D) To determine land use patterns
Correct Option: B) To illustrate the age and gender distribution
Rationale: Population pyramids graphically represent the distribution of various age groups in a
population, which is essential for understanding demographic trends.
3. Which biome is characterized by low precipitation, extreme temperatures, and sparse
vegetation?
A) Tropical rainforest
B) Desert
C) Temperate forest
D) Tundra
Correct Option: B) Desert
,WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
Rationale: Deserts have limited moisture, high evaporation rates, and wide temperature
variations between day and night, leading to their unique ecosystems.
4. Urbanization primarily affects which of the following geographic aspects?
A) Land use
B) Physiological density
C) Climate change
D) Ocean currents
Correct Option: A) Land use
Rationale: Urbanization leads to changes in land use patterns, as cities expand and rural areas
are developed for residential and commercial purposes.
5. What does the term "cultural diffusion" refer to?
A) The spread of physical geography
B) The impact of geography on culture
C) The spread of cultural beliefs and practices
D) The isolation of geographic regions
Correct Option: C) The spread of cultural beliefs and practices
Rationale: Cultural diffusion is the process through which cultural items, such as ideas and
practices, spread from one society to another.
6. The process of weathering primarily involves:
A) Erosion of soil
B) The breakdown of rocks
C) Soil formation
D) Plant growth
Correct Option: B) The breakdown of rocks
Rationale: Weathering is the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces
without transportation.
,WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
7. Which type of map shows physical features such as mountains and rivers?
A) Topographic map
B) Political map
C) Thematic map
D) Mercator map
Correct Option: A) Topographic map
Rationale: Topographic maps provide detailed information about elevations and landscapes,
marking physical features like mountains and rivers.
8. The concept of "sustainability" in geography refers to:
A) Unlimited resource use
B) The balance of human needs and environmental health
C) Industrial growth
D) Urban development
Correct Option: B) The balance of human needs and environmental health
Rationale: Sustainability emphasizes meeting present needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet theirs.
9. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a tundra biome?
A) High biodiversity
B) Dense forest cover
C) Permafrost
D) Tropical climate
Correct Option: C) Permafrost
Rationale: Tundra is known for its cold climate, and permafrost (permanently frozen ground) is
a key characteristic of this biome.
, WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
10. The Ring of Fire is a region known for:
A) Vast deserts
B) High volcanic activity
C) Tropical forests
D) Snow-capped mountains
Correct Option: B) High volcanic activity
Rationale: The Ring of Fire is an area in the Pacific Ocean characterized by numerous volcanoes
and frequent earthquakes due to tectonic plate boundaries.
11. What is "urban sprawl"?
A) The growth of rural areas
B) The decline of city populations
C) The increase in city height
D) The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas
Correct Option: D) The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas
Rationale: Urban sprawl refers to the spread of urban developments on undeveloped land near a
city, often leading to environmental and infrastructural issues.
12. Which factor is most crucial in determining the climate of a region?
A) Soil type
B) Natural resources
C) Political boundaries
D) Latitude
Correct Option: D) Latitude
Rationale: Latitude directly influences climate by affecting the angle and intensity of sunlight
received in a given area.
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
WGU D199 Exam
1. Which of the following is considered a primary factor in the formation of climate?
A) Ocean currents
B) Vegetation cover
C) Latitude
D) Altitude
Correct Option: C) Latitude
Rationale: Latitude determines the amount of solar energy an area receives, significantly
influencing its climate. Areas near the equator receive more direct sunlight throughout the year,
leading to warmer climates.
2. What is the primary purpose of a population pyramid?
A) To show climatic differences
B) To illustrate the age and gender distribution
C) To depict economic resources
D) To determine land use patterns
Correct Option: B) To illustrate the age and gender distribution
Rationale: Population pyramids graphically represent the distribution of various age groups in a
population, which is essential for understanding demographic trends.
3. Which biome is characterized by low precipitation, extreme temperatures, and sparse
vegetation?
A) Tropical rainforest
B) Desert
C) Temperate forest
D) Tundra
Correct Option: B) Desert
,WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
Rationale: Deserts have limited moisture, high evaporation rates, and wide temperature
variations between day and night, leading to their unique ecosystems.
4. Urbanization primarily affects which of the following geographic aspects?
A) Land use
B) Physiological density
C) Climate change
D) Ocean currents
Correct Option: A) Land use
Rationale: Urbanization leads to changes in land use patterns, as cities expand and rural areas
are developed for residential and commercial purposes.
5. What does the term "cultural diffusion" refer to?
A) The spread of physical geography
B) The impact of geography on culture
C) The spread of cultural beliefs and practices
D) The isolation of geographic regions
Correct Option: C) The spread of cultural beliefs and practices
Rationale: Cultural diffusion is the process through which cultural items, such as ideas and
practices, spread from one society to another.
6. The process of weathering primarily involves:
A) Erosion of soil
B) The breakdown of rocks
C) Soil formation
D) Plant growth
Correct Option: B) The breakdown of rocks
Rationale: Weathering is the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces
without transportation.
,WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
7. Which type of map shows physical features such as mountains and rivers?
A) Topographic map
B) Political map
C) Thematic map
D) Mercator map
Correct Option: A) Topographic map
Rationale: Topographic maps provide detailed information about elevations and landscapes,
marking physical features like mountains and rivers.
8. The concept of "sustainability" in geography refers to:
A) Unlimited resource use
B) The balance of human needs and environmental health
C) Industrial growth
D) Urban development
Correct Option: B) The balance of human needs and environmental health
Rationale: Sustainability emphasizes meeting present needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet theirs.
9. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a tundra biome?
A) High biodiversity
B) Dense forest cover
C) Permafrost
D) Tropical climate
Correct Option: C) Permafrost
Rationale: Tundra is known for its cold climate, and permafrost (permanently frozen ground) is
a key characteristic of this biome.
, WGU D199 IntroDUctIon to PhysIcal anD hUman
GeoGraPhy – comPlete exam-reaDy QUestIons &
ansWers, DetaIleD stUDy GUIDe, sUmmarIes,
PractIce assessments, anD Pass-FIrst-attemPt
revIeW notes
10. The Ring of Fire is a region known for:
A) Vast deserts
B) High volcanic activity
C) Tropical forests
D) Snow-capped mountains
Correct Option: B) High volcanic activity
Rationale: The Ring of Fire is an area in the Pacific Ocean characterized by numerous volcanoes
and frequent earthquakes due to tectonic plate boundaries.
11. What is "urban sprawl"?
A) The growth of rural areas
B) The decline of city populations
C) The increase in city height
D) The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas
Correct Option: D) The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas
Rationale: Urban sprawl refers to the spread of urban developments on undeveloped land near a
city, often leading to environmental and infrastructural issues.
12. Which factor is most crucial in determining the climate of a region?
A) Soil type
B) Natural resources
C) Political boundaries
D) Latitude
Correct Option: D) Latitude
Rationale: Latitude directly influences climate by affecting the angle and intensity of sunlight
received in a given area.
