AP Human Geography : Contemporary Patterns of Industrialization & Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Uneven Levels Of Development

The “back-wash effect” can be best described as __________.

Possible Answers:

None of these answers are correct.

a situation whereby a nation’s economic structure is altered by a change in the political system

a situation whereby a nation’s political structure is altered by the changing nature of the economy

a function of economic change whereby one nation’s economy flourishes at the expense of another nation’s economy

a function of economic change whereby one region's economy flourishes at the expense of another region’s economy

Correct answer:

a function of economic change whereby one region's economy flourishes at the expense of another region’s economy

Explanation:

The “back-wash effect” refers to a phenomenon that has been observed on numerous occasions during the process of deindustrialization. It states that as one region of a state flourishes economically it does not necessarily improve the economy of another region, but instead, conversely, diminishes the significance and strength of another region. A classic example of this that is mentioned often is the “Rust Belt” experience of the Midwest.

Example Question #364 : Ap Human Geography

What primarily separates the so-called “fast world” from the “slow world”?

Possible Answers:

Access to high-level telecommunication and transportation technology

All of these

The ability to vote and to buy and sell on an open market

Access to reliable medical care and sufficient food security

Access to high-levels of education and relatively high levels of female empowerment

Correct answer:

Access to high-level telecommunication and transportation technology

Explanation:

The “fast world,” as distinct from the “slow world,” is defined by high-level telecommunication and transportation technology. Although the other answer choices might be generally true of the differences between “fast world” countries and “slow world” countries they are not as close to the exact definition as the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Uneven Levels Of Development

Which of the following regions has a high population density but a low level of economic development?

Possible Answers:

Japan

Sweden

India

Australia

United States

Correct answer:

India

Explanation:

While India is the second most populous nation in the world, the rate of economic development is much lower compared to nations like the United States (third most populous nation), Japan (tenth most populous nation), and Australia. Nations with high population density tend to be poverty-stricken as well, due to too many people in a given area competing for resources (agricultural, financial, etc). 

Example Question #1 : Economic Restructuring

The shift in major urban areas moving from an economy based on industry to one based on a service-sector economy is known as __________.

Possible Answers:

imbalanced development

industrial privatization

economic restructuring

scientific management

commercial diversification

Correct answer:

economic restructuring

Explanation:

Economic restructuring is a phenomenon that has accelerated in the last part of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. Economic restructuring is the process in which economies move from a blue-collar industrial base, especially around heavy industry and factories, into more of a white-collar service sector. This process is typical in most major American cities, which has produced a thinner middle class and more menial jobs.

Example Question #2 : Economic Restructuring

Which of the following American regions is incorrectly matched with its specialty?

Possible Answers:

Kansas and farming

Texas and energy

Hartford and tourism

Los Angeles and entertainment

New York City and finance

Correct answer:

Hartford and tourism

Explanation:

All of the American regions are correctly matched with their regional economic specialties except Hartford. Hartford is a city in Connecticut and has an extremely high concentration of insurance industries. It is not known for tourism.

Example Question #1 : Economic Restructuring

In the 1990s, many economists thought that E-commerce was going to eliminate __________.

Possible Answers:

brick and mortar businesses

the manufacturing industry

the effects of globalization

the retail industry

the law of retail gravitation

Correct answer:

brick and mortar businesses

Explanation:

E-commerce was the name given to any sales-related business conducted over the internet. When it first exploded in the 1990s, many economists expected E-commerce to completely eliminate and replace the business generated by actual in-person shops. These in-person shops are referred to as “brick and mortar businesses.” Instead, E-commerce has become an option available to consumers but not a replacement of traditional brick and mortar businesses.

Example Question #1 : Economic Restructuring

In which decade did E-commerce first emerge?

Possible Answers:

1980s

1990s

2010s

2000s

1970s

Correct answer:

1990s

Explanation:

“E-commerce” refers to the use of the internet to sell goods and services that would traditionally have required going to an actual store. It began in the 1990s as the internet exploded into existence all around the developed world. Many prognosticators at the time predicted that E-commerce would completely replace actual stores in a very short space of time, however that has not been the case. Instead we have seen an integration of E-commerce into the existing economy - where some things are bought online and some things are bought in person.

Example Question #2 : Economic Restructuring

What name is given to a company that is comprised of many smaller firms who all specialize in one aspect of the company's product development or sale?

Possible Answers:

Joint-stock companies

Conglomerate corporations

Transnational corporations

Cottage companies

Multinational corporations

Correct answer:

Conglomerate corporations

Explanation:

A “conglomerate corporation” is a company that is comprised of many smaller firms who all specialize in various aspects of the company’s product development and sale. So a large corporation might have different firms responsible for harvesting raw materials, manufacturing products for sale, transporting products to different markets, advertising and marketing, and so on. In the twenty-first century almost all major corporations are “conglomerate corporations.”

Example Question #3 : Economic Restructuring

In the second half of the twentieth century most of the major corporations of the world transitioned their manufacturing centers from __________ to __________.

Possible Answers:

the developed world . . . the developing world

Europe . . . the Americas

the Americas . . . Africa and Asia

the developing world . . . the developed world

Europe . . . Africa and Asia

Correct answer:

the developed world . . . the developing world

Explanation:

In the second half of the twentieth century most of the major corporations of the world transitioned their manufacturing centers from the developed world (countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States of America) to the developing world (countries like India, Mexico, and Brazil). The primary reason behind this is because it is extremely cost effective for the companies- they have access to much cheaper labor and, often, lower tax rates and other benefits. The consequences of this movement are still being felt and understood, but it has involved the transition of the national economies of much of the world.

Example Question #31 : Contemporary Patterns Of Industrialization & Development

What name is given to the process of transferring service-based jobs to other countries?

Possible Answers:

Fundraising

Deglomeration

Agglomeration

Migrating

Outsourcing

Correct answer:

Outsourcing

Explanation:

It has become common in recent years for companies to transfer service-based jobs, particular call centers, to other countries. This is called “outsourcing.” This is generally done because the company knows it can save money by paying the outsourced workers a lower wage to do the same job.

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