AP Human Geography MCQ

What is the process of settlement formation, expansion, and change called?

Urbanization.

What are the three categories that sociologist Louis Wirth used to differentiate between urban and rural areas?

High density, social heterogeneity, and large size.

What is the most practical definition for an urban area?

The central city and the continuously developed areas.

What is an urban settlement that has incorporated into an independent self-governing unit called?

City.

What advantage does a city gain by legally incorporating?

All of the above (Authority to tax, Responsibility to provide essential services, Ability to hold elections, Establish legally defined boundaries).

What term refers to the physical qualities of the original location for a city?

Site characteristics.

What is a typical site characteristic for the establishment of a settlement?

The high point overlooking a river or plain.

In ancient Southwest Asia, cities politically acted as which of the following?

States.

When did urbanization reach its zenith historically?

During the Greco-Roman era.

What characteristic describes street patterns of Medieval European cities?

A chaotic haphazard layout.

Which city was built purely as an administrative and/or commercial center by European powers?

All of the above (New Delhi, Saigon, Hong Kong, Nairobi).

Why did industries during the 1800s locate close to Central Business Districts (CBDs)?

They needed to locate close to transportation lines.

Where did auto-centered cities emerge during the post World War II era?

Southwestern United States.

What factor contributed the most to rapid urbanization during the Industrial Revolution?

The city was an economic pull.

What factor is responsible for explosive urban growth in the developing periphery?

All of the above (Rapid population growth, Lack of opportunity in rural areas, Difficulty providing for one’s family, Real and/or perceived economic opportunity in cities).

According to Brian Berry, which regions have daily urban systems supported by functional regions connected by commuter links?

More developed countries.

What is the proper hierarchy of cities in the United States?

World city, command and control center, specialized producer service center, dependent center.

Which city on the West Coast of the United States is ranked highest?

Los Angeles.

If the largest city in a country has a population of one million, what would be the population of the fourth largest city according to the rank-size rule?

250,000.

What defines a primate city?

The largest city in a country that is twice the size of the next largest city.

What concerns arise if the rank-size rule does not apply in a developing country?

All of the above (Clustering of services in the primate city, Uneven service distribution, Smaller cities struggle to compete for services, Migration to the primate city).

Which three cities are considered the most important in the world?

New York, London, and Tokyo.

Which two continents have the most linkages between their world cities?

North America and Europe.

Which continent has the least number of world cities?

Africa.

How has the composition of the top ten most populated cities changed since 1950?

Least Developed Countries (LDC) cities make up a larger percentage of the top ten.

What challenges do mega cities in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face?

High crime rates, increasing poverty rates, lack of adequate sanitation, lack of adequate housing.

What challenges do mega cities in More Developed Countries (MDCs) face?

All of the above (Overcrowding, infrastructure maintenance, crime, pollution).

What is considered the most urbanized region in the developing world?

South Asia.

What do overlapping Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) eventually lead to in the United States?

A megalopolis.

Which major world megalopolises are correctly paired?

Boston to Washington D.C., Tokyo to Yokohama, New Delhi to Mumbai.

Favelas are to Brazil as ______ is to Mexico.

Barrios.

Where are squatter settlements in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) usually located?

On the outskirts of the urban area.

What was established between 1400-1700 that served as an entrance to or exit from a conquered area?

A gateway city.

What geometric pattern is associated with Christaller’s Central Place Theory?

Hexagon.

What assumptions are included in Christaller’s Central Place Theory?

All of the above (Flat isotropic plane, Uniform soil fertility, Even distribution of population and purchasing power, Uniform transportation system).

According to Central Place Theory, how are large cities characterized?

As economic hubs with radiating connections for commerce.

What is the minimum number of people needed to support a business called?

Threshold.

What is the maximum distance a person is willing to travel to frequent a service called?

Range.

Rank the following services from low to high order: Soft drink, bakery, shoe store, auto dealership.

Soft drink, bakery, shoe store, auto dealership.

What is the economic base of many cities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois?

Industry and manufacturing.

What is the economic base of many cities in the Rocky Mountain West?

A and B only (Mining and recreation and tourism).

Why have feedlots located in the southeast and west of the United States?

A and B only (Proximity to growing markets and less severe weather).

Why do dairy farmers locate near urban areas?

E and B only (It is expensive to transport product to market and milk has limited shelf-life).

What are the most widely produced grains in the world?

Wheat, rice, and maize.

Where in Canada is grain farming most associated?

The Prairie Provinces.

Which region of the world benefited the least from the Green Revolution?

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which agricultural technique supports a large population with limited arable land?

Double cropping.

Another term for pastoral nomadism is?

E and B only (Extensive subsistence agriculture and nomadic herding).

What are examples of extensive subsistence agriculture?

Slash and burn agriculture and nomadic herding.

What agricultural practice is commonly associated with intensive subsistence agriculture?

Paddy rice farming.

What geographic factor best explains why land is used intensively or extensively for agriculture?

Distance to the market.

What activity typifies extensive commercial agriculture?

E and B only (Wheat and grain farming, and livestock ranching).

All of the following are intensive commercial agriculture practices except?

Paddy rice farming.

What agriculture is practiced in the tropics and subtropics?

Plantation agriculture.

What are legal crops grown on plantations in the tropics for export to More Developed Countries (MDCs) called?

Luxury crops.

Why do market gardening farms grow highly perishable fruits and vegetables?

Farms are located close to urban centers.

What does horticulture include?

Flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Another name for truck farming is?

E (All of the above).

Which region produces the most maize in the world?

United States.

What is the technical term for the production and harvesting of fish and shellfish in controlled environments?

Aquaculture.

What are the two most widely used GMO crops?

Soybeans and corn.

What best defines the biotechnical agricultural revolution?

Incorporation of genetically modified crops.

What is it called when large-scale agriculture focuses on one crop for production?

Monoculture.

How has containerization changed global trade?

Containerization has made long-distance trade more efficient.

Which economic activities are least likely part of the informal economy?

Government employee.

Which statement describes the informal sector of the economy?

Economic activities that are not regulated or taxed by governments.

What process involves locating production in a foreign country for domestic use?

Outsourcing.

What best characterizes Rostow’s model of economic development?

Countries will proceed through a series of stages focusing on development in their industries.

Which development school advocates for microloans and community projects?

Sustainable Development.

Which region has the lowest overall HDI ranking according to the Human Development Index?

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which region scored the lowest on the Gender Empowerment Index (GEM) in 2002?

Middle East.

Which region had the highest debt to GDP ratios in 2005?

Sub-Saharan Africa.

What are farm subsidies not typically used for?

Paying farmers to grow specialty crops.

What term describes economic activity organized around high growth industries?

Growth pole.

How has the rise of China economically impacted global trade?

Lowered the price of consumer goods globally.

What factors contributed to rapid urbanization in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)?

All of the above (Opportunities for displaced populations, explosive population growth, urban professional amenities).

What principle asserts that ethnicities have the right to self-govern?

Self-determination.

Which region was not considered a major manufacturing area in the 20th century?

Southern India.

Which country is not a major steel producer?

Nigeria.

Which region saw the largest GDP per capita increases recently?

East Asia.

What are the three largest metropolitan areas in Canada?

Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

What is the largest French-speaking metropolitan area in Canada?

Montreal.

Are the most widely produced grains in the world?

Wheat, rice, and maize.

Why do dairy farmers locate near urban areas?

E and B only.

What is the economic base of many cities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois?

Industry and manufacturing.

What is the economic base of cities in the Rocky Mountain West?

E and B only.

Why have feedlots located in certain parts of the U.S.?

A and B only.

Why do dairy farmers locate near urban areas?

E and B only.

What are the most widely produced grains in the world?

Wheat, rice, and maize.

In Canada, which region is associated with grain farming?

The Prairie Provinces.

Which region benefited least from the Green Revolution?

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which agricultural technique helps subsistence farmers maximize yields?

Double cropping.

Another term for pastoral nomadism is?

E and B only.

What are examples of extensive subsistence agriculture?

Slash and burn agriculture and nomadic herding.

What practice is most commonly tied to intensive subsistence agriculture?

Paddy rice farming.

What factor best explains the intensity of agricultural land use?

Distance to the market.

What characterizes extensive commercial agriculture?

E and B only.

Which practice is not considered intensive commercial agriculture?

Paddy rice farming.

What kind of agriculture is practiced in tropics and subtropics?

Plantation agriculture.

Which are luxury crops grown for export to MDCs?

Coffee, tea, and tobacco.