AP Human Geography : Cultural Patterns & Processes

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Cultural Beliefs On Gender

In the United States women achieved notable cultural liberation in the immediate aftermath of World War I; however, this movement stalled in the 1930s because __________.

Possible Answers:

None of these answers are correct; the movement picked up pace in the 1930s.

educational opportunities declined in the 1920s; meaning women were forced out of higher education facilities

the outbreak of the Second World War encouraged the suppression of progressive movements and a resurgence of reactionary politics

many states prohibited women from working so as to encourage employment of men during the Great Depression

the generation who grew up during World War One feared any disruption of the established social order and so held women back

Correct answer:

many states prohibited women from working so as to encourage employment of men during the Great Depression

Explanation:

In the waning months of World War I and the immediate aftermath of the conflict women achieved notable cultural and economic liberation. This continued into the 1920s, but was disrupted by the outbreak of the Great Depression in 1929. Unemployment rose dramatically in the early years of the depression and, in an attempt to ensure as much employment as possible for men, most states in America prohibited women from working outside the home.

Example Question #1 : Cultural Beliefs On Gender

Which of these bodies or organizations is responsible for overseeing the Gender Inequality Index?

Possible Answers:

The Red Cross

The European Union

The United Nations

The United States of America

The International Monetary Fund

Correct answer:

The United Nations

Explanation:

The Gender Inequality Index measures the disparity between the experiences of men and women in different countries around the world. It was created in 2010 by the United Nations Development Program and continues to be overseen by the United Nations.

Example Question #101 : Cultural Differences & Regional Patterns

In which of these regions is the gender gap in literacy rates most pronounced?

Possible Answers:

Eastern Europe

Southeast Asia

South America

The Middle East

Western Europe

Correct answer:

The Middle East

Explanation:

In several of the world’s wealthiest countries in the world literacy rates are very close to one hundred percent for both men and women. But, this is the exception rather than the rule as far as the world is concerned. Most of the world suffers from a gender gap in literacy rates, this is generally most pronounced in countries that are extremely poor, although a few of the world’s poorest countries have less of a gender gap in literacy rates than some of the world’s wealthier countries. How can we explain this? Well, the answer is that some cultures have certain social standards and expectations for women. Or, more accurately, some cultures have more strict social standards and expectations for women. The Islamic world, particularly the Middle East and parts of North Africa, experiences some of the worst rates of female literacy in the world, particularly when compared to male literacy rates in the same region.

Example Question #1 : Cultural Beliefs On Gender

Which of these areas of the world scores highest in gender empowerment?

Possible Answers:

South Asia

The Middle East

South America

Sub-Saharan Africa

North Africa

Correct answer:

South America

Explanation:

Of these options South America scores by far the highest in relative gender empowerment. Europe, particularly Western Europe, tends to score the highest; closely followed by North America and Australasia. From there it is a rather precipitous drop off to South America and parts of East Asia. This is followed by another substantial drop to South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East where gender empowerment is at its lowest.

Example Question #1 : Popular & Folk Culture

The May Day maypole celebration practiced in parts of Western Europe is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

international culture

folk culture

high culture

popular culture

children's culture

Correct answer:

folk culture

Explanation:

"Folk culture" describes cultural traditions that are done at a local level and which are derived from longstanding cultural practices. Folk culture is separated from popular and high culture by its traditional and localized nature. The maypole tradition, where traditional dancing takes place around a pole on May 1st in villages and small towns, is a classic example of folk culture.

Example Question #2 : Popular & Folk Culture

Western popular music has been the most popular form of music around the world for which of the following reasons?

Possible Answers:

Western popular music is scientifically proven to be more pleasing.

There is not a strong tradition of popular music outside of America and Western Europe.

Most music fans around the world want to be more like Americans.

Western music is much easier to play at home on instruments.

International media corporations are largely based in America and Western Europe.

Correct answer:

International media corporations are largely based in America and Western Europe.

Explanation:

Western popular music, based off of the larger Western musical tradition, has become the popular music of much of the world. This is not due to the intrinsic quality of the music as much as it is to the influence of American and Western European media companies, which are the largest such companies in the world.

Example Question #2 : Popular & Folk Culture

Which of these is not a defined difference between folk culture and popular culture?

Possible Answers:

Pop culture experiences dramatic change over time; whereas folk culture tends to remain consistent over a number of generations.

All of these answer choices accurately describe differences between folk culture and pop culture.

Pop culture is aided by the influence of mass media; whereas folk culture is obstructed by mass media.

Pop culture is uniform over a wide geographic area; whereas folk culture varies from community to community.

Folk culture usually originates in a rural hearth; whereas pop culture usually originates in an urban hearth.

Correct answer:

All of these answer choices accurately describe differences between folk culture and pop culture.

Explanation:

All of these answer choices are accurate descriptions of the differences between folk culture and pop culture. Folk culture tends to be local, rural, consistent over time, but inconsistent over geography. Pop culture, on the other hand, tends to be widespread and uniform over a large geographic distance, it tends to be based in urban centers, and it generally experiences fairly rapid change over time. Pop culture is often used to refer to popular music, movies, and TV shows. On the other hand, folk culture is used to refer to the traditions and customs that make up the cultural identity of a local group of people.

Example Question #1 : Popular & Folk Culture

Which of the following is a true statement about popular culture?

Possible Answers:

Folk culture is often the result of cultural isolation, while popular culture often results from cultural diffusion. 

The scale of territory covered by folk culture is often much larger than that of popular culture.

Technology is reducing the scale of territory covered by popular culture. 

Popular and folk culture often remain unchanged for years.

Correct answer:

Folk culture is often the result of cultural isolation, while popular culture often results from cultural diffusion. 

Explanation:

While nonmatieral cultural deals with the intangible, idealogical aspects of culture, like beliefs, folk and popular culture are the two primary divisions of material, tangible culture. Folk culture represents homogeneity, or sameness, and is usually practiced in isolated regions, free from the influence of pop culture’s diffusion. Since popular culture diffuses over wide areas of diverse people, it is very different from the homogeneity of folk culture, and so while folk culture may remain unchanged for years, popular culture diffuses and this changes rapidly. Moreover, the Internet and television have only increased the speed and expanse of popular culture’s diffusion, and have allowed new ideas to reach farther places faster. Thus the upper-hand of technology in pop culture diffusion means it is often spread from the most-developed regions of the world.

Example Question #1 : Popular & Folk Culture

Which of the following is not typically associated with popular culture?

Possible Answers:

Celebrity influence

Rural culture

Urban culture

Social media

Western society

Correct answer:

Rural culture

Explanation:

Popular culture is typically focused on ideals including but not limited to: celebrity influence, social media, urban culture, and Western society. Rural culture is not typically associated with popular culture because less influence is placed on cultural trends in smaller towns.

Example Question #1 : Cultural Conflicts & Law

Why is Jerusalem considered sacred to people of the Islamic faith?

Possible Answers:

It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.

It is the final resting place of the Prophet Muhammad.

It is where God first appeared before the Prophet Muhammad.

It is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

It is where the Koran was handed down to the people by the Prophet Muhammad.

Correct answer:

It is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Explanation:

The city of Jerusalem has long been a contentious city for people of the three great western monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is sacred to all three religions and countless people have died to try and ensure that their religion controls the city. When considering why it is sacred to the Islamic faith we need look no further than the Dome of the Rock, the site where according to Islam the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.  

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