Topic Test Answers

Which of the following best defines cultural ecology? A. the study of cultural ecosystems B. the study of a culture’s economic dominance C. the study of the economic influences on a society D. the study of a society and its natural environment Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Overpopulation and high population growth rates in Asia will most likely have all of the following effects except __________. A. decreased pollution B. increased water scarcity C. a shortage of arable land D. increased risk of famine Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are barrier islands that are subject to seasonal hurricanes and flooding. Houses constructed along the shoreline and beaches of the Outer Banks would be most similar to houses in which of the following locations? A. Norway B. Iceland C. Vietnam D. Arizona Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Living on reclaimed land in Mexico City has provided __________. A. new benefits and new dangers B. new benefits and no dangers C. limited opportunities for agriculture D. few benefits, due to flooding dangers Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Desalination is important to both Dubai and the United Arab Emirates because the process has __________. A. significantly reduced energy demands B. provided the majority of freshwater resources C. significantly reduced pressure on natural resources D. provided tremendous economic benefits at low costs Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Which of the following regions was least impacted by water scarcity between 2000 and 2010? A. Africa B. Asia C. Canada D. Spain Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

From about 1000 – 1400 CE, the Pueblo people __________. A. lived in teepees made from animal hides B. developed their own breed of horses C. constructed advanced irrigation systems D. cleared many trees for agriculture Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Chinampas are best described as __________. A. hillside gardens B. freshwater reservoirs C. canals used for agriculture D. islands used for agriculture Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

What is the most likely reason the Pueblo constructed most of their buildings out of adobe? A. The architectural style of this type of building was appealing to Pueblo society. B. The Pueblo typically lived in areas where adobe was more readily available over other building materials. C. The Pueblo did not have the technology to construct more sophisticated types of buildings. D. The Pueblo were nomadic, and this type of structure could be transported easily. Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

One negative consequence of the creation of the Aswan Dam has been __________. A. a reduced ability to produce electricity B. the reduced length of the agricultural growing season C. unpredictable flooding levels that often destroy crops D. smaller soil deposits that require more artificial fertilizers Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Which of the following statements about scientists' views of global warming is true? A. Nearly all scientists agree that the Earth's temperature is rising, but many disagree about whether humans are responsible, while a small percentage agree that humans are responsible. B. Nearly all scientists agree that the Earth's temperature is rising and that humans are responsible, while a small percentage do not agree that humans are responsible. C. Nearly all scientists agree that the Earth's temperature is rising, but most agree that humans are not responsible. D. There is no consensus among scientists on this issue; they disagree over whether the Earth's temperature is rising. Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Dubai is challenged by all of the following environmental factors except __________. A. a warm and dry climate B. a lack of annual rainfall C. scarce freshwater resources D. a lack of valuable natural resources Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

The technologies of evaporative cooling and air conditioning have had all of the following consequences in Dubai except __________. A. population growth B. reduced energy demands C. increased energy demands D. improved transportation of goods Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Which of the following is not usually an effect of increased agricultural yields within a society? A. decreased trade with outside societies B. a growing population size C. increased technology and sophistication of settlements D. the diversification of labor Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Africa experiences a high level of air pollution because it has more old vehicles on the road than industrialized regions do. Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Today, one of Mexico City’s greatest technological challenges is __________. A. arable land B. sinking land C. extreme drought D. population decline Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Globally, sea levels have risen by _____ inches over the past 100 years. A. 2 B. 3 C. 5 D. 7 Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

One of the major motivations for altering the environment in Mexico City was __________. A. creating arable land B. reducing population growth C. providing recreational opportunities D. reducing dependence on agriculture Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Which of the following statements best characterizes the risk of ground-level ozone and air pollution? A. It contaminates the food supply. B. It contaminates the water supply. C. It is very harmful to human health. D. It disrupts the food chain in lakes. Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Which of the following is not a common purpose for constructing reservoirs? A. to regulate water flow along rivers B. to create recreational areas C. to store water for times of drought D. to increase seasonal river flooding Please select the best answer from the choices provided.