AP Human Chapter 13 Practice Reading Questions

How do economic factors generally influence the labor costs in subsistence agriculture compared to commercial agriculture?

In subsistence farming, labor costs are low relative to the cost of machinery, while commercial farming requires high capital investment for machinery.

What was a significant consequence of US government policies in the late 1970s that incentivized farmers to produce as much as possible?

It led to a surplus of grains, causing prices to fall and making processed foods like high fructose corn syrup less expensive.

Which of the following describes a major shift in the American dairy industry in recent years?

Many small family-owned dairies are closing or selling to larger operations that can withstand price fluctuations.

According to the food supply system model, how might financial markets act as an external factor impacting agricultural products?

Volatility in global markets can influence the price of inputs like seeds and the eventual selling price of the commodity.

Why is the number of small farms decreasing while the number of large commercial farms is increasing?

Large farms benefit from economies of scale and have the capital to invest in expensive technologies that improve efficiency.

How would the closure of several large food processing plants most likely disrupt an agricultural commodity chain?

It creates a bottleneck where producers cannot have their raw products prepared for distribution, leading to waste or shortages.

How do farm subsidies help farmers combat the issue of rising production costs?

They provide low-cost loans, insurance, and direct payments to help offset expenses when production costs exceed market value.

What was a primary impact of the 2018 trade war between the United States and China on American soybean farmers?

Increased tariffs led to a decrease in Chinese demand for U.S. soybeans, creating a surplus and lowering prices for U.S. farmers.

How could Tristram Stuart’s research into 'ugly food' impact global food consumption patterns?

It encourages consumers and corporations to accept cosmetically imperfect produce, reducing the amount of edible food wasted.

In the early 1800s, why did the von Thünen model place dairy farming in the ring closest to the market city?

Milk and dairy products were highly perishable and needed to reach consumers quickly before spoiling.

According to the von Thünen model, what is the primary spatial relationship between land use and the market?

Intensive farming practices are located close to the market, while extensive practices are located farther away.

Which assumption of the original von Thünen model is most clearly invalidated by the development of refrigerated containers?

The assumption that perishable goods must be produced very close to the market to prevent spoilage.

What is a major economic risk for a peripheral region that has high commodity dependency?

The region's economy becomes highly vulnerable to fluctuations in global market prices and environmental disasters affecting that single crop.

How can political relationships like Brexit disrupt a global agricultural supply chain?

New safety checks and document requirements at borders can cause delays and increase food prices for consumers.

In the global supply chain for vanilla, how did small crop yields in Madagascar between 2016 and 2019 affect the market?

The limited supply coupled with steady demand caused vanilla prices to increase significantly.

How does the fair trade movement aim to change the interdependence between core and peripheral countries?

By providing more equitable trading conditions and ensuring farmers in the periphery receive higher wages for their products.

In the case study of coffee, which group typically receives the smallest share of the wealth generated in the global supply chain?

The farmers in the country of origin who produce the raw coffee beans.

What is the primary benefit of vertical integration for a large agribusiness?

It allows the company to reduce costs and increase profits by controlling multiple stages of the production and distribution process.

How does hybridization contribute to increased agricultural production?

It involves breeding different plant varieties to enhance desired traits like disease resistance and frost tolerance.

What is the definition of a 'dual agricultural economy' as seen in countries like South Africa?

The coexistence of a subsistence sector and a well-developed commercial sector within the same country.