AP Human Geography : Geography

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Major Geographical Terminology

Quantitative data relies on __________.

Possible Answers:

deductive reasoning

political funding and personal motivation

mathematical models and numerical data

empirical observations and personal interpretation

inductive reasoning

Correct answer:

mathematical models and numerical data

Explanation:

Quantitative data, as distinct from qualitative data, relies on numbers and mathematical models. “Quantitative” means measures using numerical facts. Quantitative data has become more and more important in geographic inquiry because it leads to more objective, less personally motivated, conclusions.

Example Question #4 : Major Geographical Terminology

Which of these is an example of a “perceptual region”?

Possible Answers:

Yorkshire

The Deep South

The Australian Coastline

The Amazon River Basin

The Mediterranean

Correct answer:

The Deep South

Explanation:

A “perceptual region” is a region that exists only in the minds of people. It is not a formal boundary, nor is it perceived uniformly by each person. For example whilst we can all agree on the region that encompasses the United States we might not all agree on the region that encompasses the “fly over states.” "The Deep South" is a perceptual region of the United States with no defined boundary. What someone from one area of the country would call "the Deep South" may be hotly disputed by a person from another part of the country. The difference between the southern states (south of the Mason Dixon Line) and "the Deep South" is purely perceptual. All the other answer options have clearly delineated physical boundaries or features.

Example Question #31 : Geography

The belief that as the distance between two places increases the interaction between those two places decreases is known as __________.

Possible Answers:

space-time compression

the fear of the other

the tyranny of space

the friction of distance

space-time extension

Correct answer:

the friction of distance

Explanation:

“The Friction of Distance” is part of Tobler’s First Law of Geography. Tobler’s First Law of Geography states “Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.” This essentially means that as the distance between two places increases the interaction between those two places decreases. To provide a personal example, imagine you are a fan of a football team from New York, but you live in Texas. You might not go to New York to watch your team play, but if they were playing in Dallas you would be more likely to make the trip. This theory can be applied to all sorts of cultural, physical, and economic interactions; however, it has many significant exceptions, particularly with the advent of modern technology.

Example Question #31 : Geography

This geographer is famous for his idea that “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than far things,” also known as “The First Law of Geography.”

Possible Answers:

Waldo Tobler

Eratosthenes

Walter Christaller

Ibn Battuta

William Morris Davis

Correct answer:

Waldo Tobler

Explanation:

Waldo Tobler is a famous American geographer of the twentieth century. He is most famous for his so-called “First Law of Geography” which states that “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than far things.”

Example Question #33 : Geography

Geography is not the study of one specific scientific field but rather a combination of many specialty groups that research the earth and its surroundings. Within the umbrella of Geography are specialty studies such as: climatology, geology, meteorology, cartography, environmental sustainability, and many more. 

What is Cartography?

Possible Answers:

The science of making maps.

The science of historical transportation.

The science of producing sustainable solutions for agriculture.

The study of carts.

The study of weather and the atmosphere.

Correct answer:

The science of making maps.

Explanation:

Cartography is the science of making maps. While historically this involved exploring the land to map and then drawing maps by hand, technology has greatly improved this process. Today, cartographers are trained in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and produce maps through computer programs. Data is collected mostly by satellite imaging but also some by field research. 

The etymology of the term Cartography comes from French and Greek.  The first half of the word, "carto" comes from the French word for map, "carte". Graph comes from the Greek word "graphein"  meaning to write or to draw.  Combining these two words thus signifies the writing or drawing of maps.  The "y" at the end of the word signifies that it is the scientific study or skill of this specialty.

Example Question #12 : Major Geographical Terminology

What is the theory that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions?

Possible Answers:

NeoKantian Idealism

McCord's Theory of Geography

Spatial interaction

Possibilism

Determinism

Correct answer:

Possibilism

Explanation:

Possibilism, as originally defined by Strabo, is theory of geography that states that, within environmental constraints, humans determine their own culture. IT is in opposition to the idea of environmental determinism.

Example Question #35 : Geography

What is a good example of an isthmus?

Possible Answers:

France

Central America

Antarctica

Central Europe

Correct answer:

Central America

Explanation:

An isthmus is, in other words, a land bridge. Functioning as a bridge, this thinner landmass connects two others. A great example is Central America, which is a narrower part of the American continent that connects North and South America together.

Example Question #441 : Ap Human Geography

Which of the following is an example of a landlocked state?

Possible Answers:

France

Australia

Indonesia

Austria

Correct answer:

Austria

Explanation:

From this list, Austria is the only landlocked state. To be landlocked, a country or state cannot have access to any major bodies of water. 

Example Question #13 : Major Geographical Terminology

What terminology speaks to the main, common language that is understood by many, even if they all speak different languages or dialects?

Possible Answers:

Lingua solide

None of these

Lingua franca

Lingua sueno

Correct answer:

Lingua franca

Explanation:

Many areas of the world have several dialects or languages within a very small geographic location; however, all of the different people groups may be united by or able to communicate through one same common language, often referred to as the lingua franca of the area.

Example Question #31 : Geography

What area is known as Lusitania?

Possible Answers:

United States of America

Brazil

Canada

Antarctica

Correct answer:

Brazil

Explanation:

Lusitania refers back to the era that Europe was colonizing many parts of the part and Portugal's section was called Lusitania. One of the countries that Portugal colonized was Brazil.

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