AP Human Geography : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Models Of Agricultural Land Use

In the Von Thunen model, agricultural land usage is explained in relation to its __________.

Possible Answers:

different terrain and climates

relative levels of industrialization

political and economic systems

cultural traditions regarding the environment

proximity to urban centers

Correct answer:

proximity to urban centers

Explanation:

The Von Thunen model was first proposed by the geographer Johann von Thunen. It concerns how agricultural land usage varies in relation to the proximity of that land to urban centers. Specifically Von Thunen noted that crops that spoil easily or require expensive transportation were located close to urban centers, whereas crops that stayed fresh for a long time and required less expensive transportation were located further from urban centers.

Example Question #3 : Models Of Agricultural Land Use

Subsistence-farming primarily involves __________.

Possible Answers:

direct government intervention in the supply and price of a product

None of these answers are correct.

an individual family farming and producing enough food to support themselves

competitive farming on the open market, in which the primary goal of the farmer is to make a profit

indirect government intervention in the supply and price of a product

Correct answer:

an individual family farming and producing enough food to support themselves

Explanation:

“Subsistence-farming” is the name given to a specific type of agricultural production in which an individual farmer, or a family, produces enough food to support himself or herself. It is common in especially rural or poor areas throughout the world.

Example Question #4 : Models Of Agricultural Land Use

Which branch of agriculture is closely associated with the growing of grapes and olives?

Possible Answers:

Ranching

Aquaculture

Mediterranean agriculture

Hydroponics

Plantation agriculture

Correct answer:

Mediterranean agriculture

Explanation:

The growing of crops like grapes and olives is closely associated with Mediterranean agriculture. A form of agriculture that practices in countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain on the Mediterranean and in regions of other countries such as Chile, Australia, the United States, and Argentina.

Example Question #51 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

In contemporary times approximately how many Americans are engaged in agricultural work as their primary form of labor?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

America, like most developed states around the world, has a very small percentage of its population employed in agricultural work. In the United States between one and two-percent of the population is currently employed in agricultural work as their primary form of labor. This question was guessable even if you did not know the exact number, because you should have guessed the lowest percentage available given the general trend of agricultural labor in America.

Example Question #52 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

Which of the following best describes how capital-intensive agriculture differs from labor-intensive agriculture?

Possible Answers:

It has significantly smaller profit margins

None of these

It requires less manual work

It is practiced most commonly in communist countries

It is carried out on small land holdings

Correct answer:

It requires less manual work

Explanation:

“Capital-intensive agriculture” is primarily distinguishable from labor-intensive agriculture in that capital-intensive agriculture makes greater use of machinery and involved relatively little manual labor.

Example Question #53 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

Which of the following is an example of an emotional district as defined by Kevin Lynch?

Possible Answers:

A financial district

A dockyard

An affluent suburb

A central business district

A dangerous neighborhood

Correct answer:

A dangerous neighborhood

Explanation:

All of these are physical districts except for a dangerous neighborhood, which is an example of an “emotional district.” According to Kevin Lynch, an emotional district is an area of a city that an individual has emotional feelings about (i.e. “this is where wealthy people live” or “this is a dangerous neighborhood”).

Example Question #54 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

In which of these American states is the agriculture similar to Mediterranean agriculture?

Possible Answers:

Idaho

California

Florida

New York

Texas

Correct answer:

California

Explanation:

California, with its temperate and reliable climate and its varied terrain, has a very similar style of agriculture as that practiced in the Mediterranean. This is why traditional Mediterranean crops like grapes and olives grow so well in regions of California.

Example Question #55 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

Which of these descriptions most accurately describes a “milkshed?”

Possible Answers:

A veterinarian who specializes in cattle

A process designed to ensure that a cow produces the maximum dairy yield

None of these answers are correct.

A building used for dairy farming

A milk producing region

Correct answer:

A milk producing region

Explanation:

A “milkshed” is the term applied to an agricultural region in which milk is produced in large numbers.

Example Question #56 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

In the Von Thunen model which of these would be closest to the center of the city?

Possible Answers:

Wheat and grain farms

Dairy farms

Plantations

Poultry farms

Ranching

Correct answer:

Dairy farms

Explanation:

In the Von Thunen model crops that spoil easily, such as dairy products, are most likely to be located close to urban centers to decrease transit time.

Example Question #57 : Rural Land Use & Settlement Patterns

According to Derwent Whittlesey’s theory on agricultural regions, which of these areas of agriculture is not considered vital to developing societies?

Possible Answers:

All of these are considered vital to developing societies.

Plantation

Intensive subsistence; rice

Shifting cultivation

Pastoral nomadism

Correct answer:

All of these are considered vital to developing societies.

Explanation:

Derwent Whittlesey identified five key agricultural practices - as well as regions in which they were commonly practiced - that he considered vital to maintaining the population of developing societies. These include plantations; pastoral nomadism; intensive subsistence, rice; intensive subsistence, not rice; and shifting cultivation.

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