AP Human Geography : AP Human Geography

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Major Agricultural Production Regions

In which of these continents could the Pampas be found?

Possible Answers:

South America

Africa

Oceania

North America

Europe

Correct answer:

South America

Explanation:

The “Pampas” is a region of South America encompassing most of Uruguay, the southernmost state of Brazil, and large swathes of Argentina. Its importance is derived from its great fertility. It is a lowland region that is highly suitable for large-scale agriculture.

Example Question #41 : Agriculture, Food Production, & Rural Land Use

In which of these parts of the world did potatoes originate?

Possible Answers:

The Andean mountains of South America

The lowlands of northwest Europe

The rolling steppes of Central Asia

The fertile plains of the Ganges in India

The Rocky mountains of the United States

Correct answer:

The Andean mountains of South America

Explanation:

Potatoes first originated in the Andean mountain region of South America (a region that includes the modern-day countries of Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia). They have long been a staple of the diet of people in this region, but in the 1500s they were brought back to Europe and became a staple of a diverse group of people’s diets around the world. Potatoes are uniquely malleable in terms of where and when they can be grown and have famously sustained whole nations in the past few hundred years.

Example Question #5 : Major Agricultural Production Regions

Which of these American states is best suited to tropical agriculture?

Possible Answers:

California

Texas

New Mexico

Florida

Alabama

Correct answer:

Florida

Explanation:

Florida is the only state in America that can be said to have a tropical climate. The climate and terrain of South Florida is so unique in the United States that it is traditionally classed as its own separate category of agriculture. Florida is best suited to the growing of tropical crops, such as oranges. Texas has a varied climate, split largely between subtropical and arid desert regions. California ranges all the way from hot desert to subarctic to Mediterranean, but never gets to tropical. New Mexico has a semi-arid to arid climate. Alabama has a humid subtropical climate.

Example Question #43 : Agriculture, Food Production, & Rural Land Use

In which of these parts of the world did corn originate?

Possible Answers:

South America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Central America

The Middle East

Correct answer:

Central America

Explanation:

Corn first originated in Central America, in modern-day Mexico, roughly seven thousand years ago. From there it diffused northwards into modern-day United States, and then eventually around the world. Corn is a crop that is highly dependent on human intervention in order to survive and flourish.

Example Question #51 : Agriculture, Food Production, & Rural Land Use

In which region of the world is sahwah most likely to be used?

Possible Answers:

North Africa

Eastern Europe

Southeast Asia

South America

Central America

Correct answer:

Southeast Asia

Explanation:

A “sahwah” is the term used to describe a “paddy field,” or an irrigated field used to grow rice. It is extremely common throughout East, South, and Southeast Asia.

Example Question #1 : Major Agricultural Production Regions

Pigs, chickens, water buffalo all originated in __________.

Possible Answers:

Southwest Asia

North Africa

Southeast Asia

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Correct answer:

Southeast Asia

Explanation:

Pigs, chickens, and water buffalo all originated in Southeast Asia. Chickens and pigs have spread throughout the world and are today raised in a wide-variety of climates. Chicken is the most widely consumed meat in the world.

Example Question #9 : Major Bioclimatic Zones

Which of these statements is not true about the practice of double cropping?

Possible Answers:

It involves obtaining two harvests from one field

It is relatively rare in India

It is common in places that have long winters

It is common in places that have warm winters

Wet rice is usually one of the crops grown

Correct answer:

It is common in places that have long winters

Explanation:

Double cropping is not possible in places that have long winters because the growing season is shorter for the whole year.

Example Question #11 : Major Agricultural Production Regions

What is another term for rice fields?

Possible Answers:

Rice cakes

Pad cakes

Pancakes

Paddies

Correct answer:

Paddies

Explanation:

Paddies are another name for rice fields. We can see these especially in various Asian countries, where rice is a staple food and agricultural feature.

Example Question #51 : Agriculture, Food Production, & Rural Land Use

Which of the following agricultural systems, often used in the rainforest climate regime where soil quality is poor, can be sustainable at small scale and long fallow times?

Possible Answers:

commercial

subsistence

slash and burn

nomadic herding

organic

Correct answer:

slash and burn

Explanation:

Slash and burn agriculture is an adaptation to the poor soil quality in rainforest climate regimes and is sustainable at small scales with long fallow times. Slashing and burning vegetation adds nutrients to the soil that can be used to grow food. Long fallow times are necessary to allow vegetation to grow so that it can once again be slashed and burned to recharge the nutrient levels in the soil.

While subsistence agriculture is a good answer, it is not the best answer because subsistence farming does not require long fallow times to be sustainable. Commercial farming is not viable at small scales or with long fallow times because both of these constraints reduce the profit that can be made from a tract of land. Organic agriculture is not a good choice because it does not require long fallow times or small scale to be sustainable. Nomadic herding is a type of agriculture related to keeping livestock. Nomadic herding is not a good answer choice here because it is not well adapted to the poor soil quality found in rainforest climate zones and does not require long fallow times.

Example Question #51 : Agriculture, Food Production, & Rural Land Use

In which of these countries is extensive farming most common?

Possible Answers:

France

The United Kingdom

The United States of America

Japan

India

Correct answer:

The United States of America

Explanation:

All of these countries are predominantly “intensive farming” countries, with the exception of the United States of America which is more of an extensive farming country. This is because most agricultural produce in the United States is grown on large swathes of land in relatively depopulated areas of the country, it also involves a great deal of machinery and requires relatively little human labor.

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