AP Human Geography Practice Test
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A practice test for the AP human geography test. Shorten version. 18 questions
- 1.
As an academic discipline, geography is principally concerned with the
- A.
Nature and meaning of place names
- B.
Impact of the environment on human understandings and activities
- C.
Evolving character and spatial organization of Earth’s surface
- D.
Absolute location of places, peoples, and processes on Earth’s surface
- E.
Construction of maps that depict places, peoples, and processes as accurately as possible
Correct Answer
C. Evolving character and spatial organization of Earth’s surfaceExplanation
Geography as an academic discipline focuses on studying the changing nature and spatial organization of Earth's surface. This involves analyzing how the physical environment influences human activities and understanding, as well as examining how different places and processes on Earth's surface evolve over time. The construction of accurate maps is also an essential aspect of geography, as it helps depict the various places, peoples, and processes in a precise manner. Therefore, the correct answer is the "evolving character and spatial organization of Earth's surface."Rate this question:
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- 2.
Thomas Malthus based his work on population on which of the following premises?
- A.
Both food production and population increase arithmetically
- B.
Food production increases arithmetically and population increases exponentially
- C.
Both food production and population increase exponentially
- D.
Food production increases exponentially and population increases arithmetically .
- E.
Food production increases arithmetically and population remains stable
Correct Answer
B. Food production increases arithmetically and population increases exponentiallyExplanation
Thomas Malthus based his work on population on the premise that food production increases arithmetically while population increases exponentially. This means that while food production can only increase at a steady rate, population growth can accelerate at a much faster pace. Malthus argued that this imbalance would eventually lead to overpopulation and scarcity of resources.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Of the following, which region contains the smallest percentage of the world’s population?
- A.
The Southern Hemisphere
- B.
The Northern Hemisphere
- C.
The Eastern Hemisphere
- D.
Coastal areas of the world within 160 kilometers (100 miles) of ocean
- E.
Areas of the world lying lower than 150 meters (500 feet) above sea level
Correct Answer
A. The Southern HemisphereExplanation
The Southern Hemisphere contains the smallest percentage of the world's population because it has a smaller land area compared to the other options listed. The majority of the world's population is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Asia. The Eastern Hemisphere includes both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, so it cannot be the correct answer. Coastal areas and areas below a certain elevation do not necessarily indicate a smaller population percentage, as they can still have dense populations. Therefore, the Southern Hemisphere is the most logical choice for the region with the smallest percentage of the world's population.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In 2005 the United States and Canada had a higher crude death rate than Mexico because they
- A.
Are larger countries
- B.
received more immigrants
- C.
Had more elderly people
- D.
Had a higher standard of living
- E.
Spend more on health care
Correct Answer
C. Had more elderly peopleExplanation
The correct answer is "had more elderly people." This is because the crude death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population. Elderly people tend to have higher mortality rates compared to younger individuals, so countries with a larger elderly population would have a higher crude death rate.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Place names that refer to saints are most common in which of the following North American regions?
- A.
Louisiana and New England
- B.
California and British Columbia
- C.
Ontario and Utah
- D.
Nova Scotia and the United States Midwest
- E.
Quebec and the United States Southwest
Correct Answer
E. Quebec and the United States SouthwestExplanation
Place names that refer to saints are most common in Quebec and the United States Southwest. This is because both regions have a strong influence from Catholicism, which often includes the veneration of saints.Rate this question:
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- 6.
All or nearly all of the population of the shaded land region on the map above avoid which of the following foods?
- A.
Beef
- B.
Poultry
- C.
Pork
- D.
Corn
- E.
Rice
Correct Answer
C. PorkExplanation
The shaded land region on the map represents a population that avoids consuming pork. This means that the people living in this region do not eat pork as part of their diet. The question does not provide any specific reasons for this avoidance, but it can be due to cultural, religious, or personal preferences.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of the following refers to the study of the relationship between the physical environment and culture?
- A.
Central place theory
- B.
Ecosystem analysis
- C.
Culture history
- D.
Cultural ecology
- E.
Polytheism
Correct Answer
D. Cultural ecologyExplanation
Cultural ecology refers to the study of the relationship between the physical environment and culture. It examines how human societies adapt to and modify their environment, as well as how the environment influences cultural practices and beliefs. This field of study explores the interconnections between humans and their environment, including the ways in which cultural practices and beliefs shape and are shaped by the natural world.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following peoples can be described as a stateless nation?
- A.
Kurds
- B.
Thais
- C.
Jews
- D.
Samoans
- E.
Albanians
Correct Answer
A. KurdsExplanation
The Kurds can be described as a stateless nation because they are an ethnic group without their own independent state. They primarily inhabit a region spanning across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, but do not have a recognized sovereign state of their own. Despite having a distinct culture, language, and history, the Kurds have faced challenges in achieving self-determination and establishing their own nation-state.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Gerrymandering adjusts voting district boundaries in order to
- A.
Ensure that all districts are of similar size and shape
- B.
Benefit the interest of one political party of group
- C.
Create districts that coincide with municipal service-district boundaries
- D.
Allow those living in one state to vote on issues raised in another state
- E.
Equalize the burden of paying poll taxes across different ethnic groups
Correct Answer
B. Benefit the interest of one political party of groupExplanation
Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating voting district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group. By strategically redrawing district lines, one party can gain an advantage in elections by concentrating their supporters in certain districts while diluting the opposition's support in others. This allows the party in power to maintain or increase their political control. Gerrymandering is often criticized as it can undermine the principle of fair representation and limit the influence of certain voters.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of the following pieces of national territory could NOT have been classified as an exclave?
- A.
East Pakistan in 1947
- B.
West Berlin in 1970
- C.
Singapore in 1985
- D.
Alaska in 1992
- E.
Kaliningrad in 1996
Correct Answer
C. Singapore in 1985Explanation
Singapore in 1985 could not have been classified as an exclave because it is a city-state located on an island and is not surrounded by the territory of another country. It is connected to Malaysia by a causeway, but it is not completely surrounded by Malaysian territory. Therefore, it does not meet the criteria of being an exclave, which is a portion of a country that is geographically separated from the main part of the country.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The dots in the map below illustrate the distribution of
- A.
Cattle
- B.
Cotton
- C.
Rice
- D.
Tobacco
- E.
Sheep
Correct Answer
A. CattleExplanation
The correct answer is cattle because the dots on the map represent the distribution of various agricultural products, and cattle is one of the products mentioned in the list. The dots likely indicate regions or areas where cattle farming is prevalent or where there is a significant number of cattle.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Within the framework of central place theory, which of the following provides the lowest-order good or service?
- A.
A furniture store
- B.
An orthodontist
- C.
A gas station
- D.
A jewelry store
- E.
A professional football stadium
Correct Answer
C. A gas stationExplanation
A gas station provides the lowest-order good or service within the framework of central place theory. This is because a gas station offers a basic necessity for transportation, fuel, which is required by most individuals on a regular basis. In contrast, the other options such as a furniture store, orthodontist, jewelry store, and professional football stadium offer higher-order goods or services that are not essential for daily needs and have a more specialized target market.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The Green Revolution refers to
- A.
The environmental politics of Greenpeace
- B.
hybrid crops introduced to promote agricultural development
- C.
A fundamentalist Islamic political movement
- D.
Efforts to provide parks and open space around industrial cities
- E.
The development of garden cities
Correct Answer
B. hybrid crops introduced to promote agricultural developmentExplanation
The Green Revolution refers to the introduction of hybrid crops to promote agricultural development. This initiative aimed to increase crop yields and improve food production in order to address the growing global population and alleviate hunger. The use of hybrid crops, which are the result of crossbreeding different plant varieties, allowed for higher yields, resistance to diseases, and improved adaptability to different environmental conditions. The Green Revolution had a significant impact on global agriculture, leading to increased food production and the ability to feed a larger population.Rate this question:
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- 14.
As a country’s economy develops, a smaller percentage of the workforce tends to be employed in
- A.
Agriculture, because industrialization decreases the value of rural land
- B.
Agriculture, because investment in technology increases yields and decreases labor demand
- C.
industry, because the profit from extracting natural resources increases
- D.
Industry, because productivity increases as labor costs rise
- E.
Services, because technology increases efficiency in the provision of services
Correct Answer
B. Agriculture, because investment in technology increases yields and decreases labor demandExplanation
As a country's economy develops, investment in technology increases in various sectors, including agriculture. This leads to increased yields and decreased labor demand in agriculture. With the use of advanced technology, farmers can produce more crops with less manual labor, resulting in a smaller percentage of the workforce being employed in agriculture.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The world’s major manufacturing regions include all of the following EXCEPT
- A.
The Rhine-Ruhr Corridor
- B.
Northern Italy
- C.
The Tokyo Plain
- D.
The Volga River Valley
- E.
The Connecticut Valley
Correct Answer
E. The Connecticut ValleyExplanation
The correct answer is the Connecticut Valley. The question is asking for the major manufacturing regions in the world, and all of the options listed are major manufacturing regions except for the Connecticut Valley. The other regions mentioned, such as the Rhine-Ruhr Corridor, Northern Italy, the Tokyo Plain, and the Volga River Valley, are well-known for their industrial activities and manufacturing capabilities. Therefore, the Connecticut Valley is the exception in this list.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Edge cities have been described as the “tenements of the information age” because these cities have
- A.
Poorly constructed and inexpensive housing
- B.
Many high-density townhouse developments designed for people working in nearby office buildings
- C.
sprung up in old abandoned industrial zones
- D.
Populations made up mostly of recent immigrants
- E.
Inadequate parking
Correct Answer
B. Many high-density townhouse developments designed for people working in nearby office buildingsExplanation
Edge cities have been described as the "tenements of the information age" because they have many high-density townhouse developments designed for people working in nearby office buildings. This implies that these cities prioritize providing housing options for individuals who work in the vicinity, leading to the development of compact and densely populated townhouses. This description suggests that edge cities may prioritize efficiency and convenience for the working population, similar to how tenements were designed to accommodate the growing urban workforce during the industrial age.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Which of the following are basic and nonbasic functions, respectively
- A.
A barber shop and a grocery store
- B.
A car manufacturing plant and a tire manufacturing plant
- C.
A steel mill and a grocery store
- D.
A pizza parlor and a tire manufacturing plant
- E.
A university and a military base
Correct Answer
C. A steel mill and a grocery storeExplanation
A steel mill and a grocery store can be considered as basic and nonbasic functions, respectively, because a steel mill is involved in the primary production of steel, which is a fundamental and essential material for various industries. On the other hand, a grocery store provides goods and services that are not directly involved in the production of basic materials but are necessary for daily consumption and convenience.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The sector model of city structure assumes that typical spatial behavior involves people commuting primarily
- A.
around the outer belt
- B.
In and out of downtown
- C.
Within downtown
- D.
Within neighborhoods
- E.
Between adjacent cities
Correct Answer
B. In and out of downtownExplanation
The sector model of city structure assumes that typical spatial behavior involves people commuting primarily in and out of downtown. This means that people tend to travel from the outskirts of the city towards the central business district (downtown) for work, shopping, and other activities, and then return back to their residential areas. This model suggests that there is a radial pattern of movement, with transportation routes and infrastructure designed to facilitate this movement to and from downtown.Rate this question:
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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May 06, 2012Quiz Created by
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