AP Human Geography : AP Human Geography

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Variations Within Major Zones

Which of these is not true about pastoral nomadism?

Possible Answers:

It is a form of subsistence agriculture

It is based on the herding of domesticated animals

It is adapted to dry climates

It is a common form of agriculture, with about 150 million people practicing it in the world today

The Bedouins of Saudi Arabia are an example of pastoral nomads

Correct answer:

It is a common form of agriculture, with about 150 million people practicing it in the world today

Explanation:

Only about 15 million people are pastoral nomads, encompassing about 20% of the Earth's area.

Example Question #11 : Major Agricultural Production Regions

Some pastoral nomads practice transhumance. What is the best definition for transhumance?

Possible Answers:

The burning of pastures between crop rotations

An Eastern religion similar to Buddhism 

The seasonal migration of livestock between mountainous land and lowland pasture areas

A remnant of transcendentalism

A ritualistic sacrifice that is said to bring good luck

Correct answer:

The seasonal migration of livestock between mountainous land and lowland pasture areas

Explanation:

Transhumance is defined as the seasonal movement of livestock (herding) between mountains and lowland pastures. Typically, livestock is moved to the lowlands in the winters and to the highlands in the summers.

Example Question #52 : Agriculture, Food Production, & Rural Land Use

This country was often referred to as “the breadbasket of the Soviet Union” during the existence of the U.S.S.R.?

Possible Answers:

Uzbekistan

Turkey

Afghanistan

Belarus

Ukraine

Correct answer:

Ukraine

Explanation:

Historically speaking the ties between Ukraine and Russia are complex and layered. The progenitor of the Russian Tsarist Empire began in Kiev (the modern-day capital of Ukraine) before moving further east to Moscow. During the twentieth century Ukraine came under the control of the Soviet Union and due to its fertile lands came to be known as “the breadbasket of the Soviet Union.” As you may be aware in more recent times relationships between Ukraine and Russia have reached a critical point and it now serves (unwillingly) as something of a “buffer state” between Russia and the west.

Example Question #11 : Major Agricultural Production Regions

Approximately what percentage of the global working population is engaged in agricultural work?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Approximately one third, or thirty-three percent, of the world’s labor force is engaged agricultural work. The number has been steadily declining throughout the history of human civilization.

Example Question #1 : Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

The adoption of agriculture by neolithic societies resulted in __________.

Possible Answers:

increased gender equality

cultures adopting a more settled lifestyle

destruction of major city-states

an increase in nomadic hunting

development of less-hierarchical societies

Correct answer:

cultures adopting a more settled lifestyle

Explanation:

The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution refers to the process that happened roughly 12,000 years before the Common Era in which societies around the world developed agriculture. In the Middle East's Fertile Crescent, China's Yangtze River Valley, and Mesoamerica, sedentary agriculture made people less nomadic, develop city-states, and create non-portable arts. These changes did not revolutionize societal relationships, but instead built hierarchies and reinforced societal inequalities.

Example Question #2 : Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

In which part of the world were seed crops first domesticated?

Possible Answers:

Southwest Asia

The Indian Subcontinent

Southern Europe

Northern Europe

Meso-America

Correct answer:

Southwest Asia

Explanation:

Seed crops were first cultivated 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of Southwestern Asia.

Example Question #3 : Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

Roughly what time in history did the first (neolithic) agricultural revolution occur?

Possible Answers:

5000 B.C.E.

15,000 B.C.E.

10,000 B.C.E.

20,000 B.C.E.

0 C.E.

Correct answer:

10,000 B.C.E.

Explanation:

The Neolithic Revolution was when seed and root crops were first cultivated by humans and occurred at roughly 10,000 B.C.E.

Example Question #4 : Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

The “Neolithic Revolution” is another name for __________.

Possible Answers:

The Green Revolution

The First Agricultural Revolution

The Scientific Revolution

The Second Agricultural Revolution

The Industrial Revolution

Correct answer:

The First Agricultural Revolution

Explanation:

The “Neolithic Revolution” is another name for the First Agricultural Revolution. The “Neolithic Revolution” happened at different times in different parts of the world, but it happened first in Ancient Mesopotamia (also called “The Fertile Crescent”) approximately ten-thousand years ago. The “Neolithic Revolution” marks the transition of human society from wandering hunter-gatherer societies into settled agricultural communities. This is one of the most important transitions in human history as it led to the rise of cities, civilizations, religions, culture, and a great many more things.

Example Question #1 : Development Of Agriculture

In which of these regions of the world did the First Agricultural Revolution first take place?

Possible Answers:

The Middle East

Sub-Saharan Africa

Western Europe

South Asia

East Asia

Correct answer:

The Middle East

Explanation:

The “First Agricultural Revolution,” also called the “Neolithic Revolution” first took place in a region of the modern-day Middle East called “Mesopotamia” or “The Fertile Crescent.” This occurred roughly ten thousand years ago. It most likely occurred next in the area surrounding the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers in China.

Example Question #1 : Development Of Agriculture

Which of these words is used to describe the process by which a plant or animal is tamed by human society so that it can be used for agricultural purposes?

Possible Answers:

Domestication

Pastoralism

Ranching

Irrigation

Salinization

Correct answer:

Domestication

Explanation:

The term “domestication” refers to the process by which a plant or animal is tamed by human society so that that plant or animal can be reliably utilized to provide for human sustenance. "Pastoralism" refers to an ethos that values rural living.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors