AP Human Geography : Major Geographical Terminology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Geography

Which of the following is not one of the five themes of geography?

Possible Answers:

Place

Human-environment interaction

Abode

Region

Movement

Correct answer:

Abode

Explanation:

The five themes of geography are movement, human-environment interaction, place, region, and location. Abode is not one of these themes, it simply refers to a home or place of residence.  

Example Question #461 : Ap Human Geography

What term do geography scholars use to indicate a place on earth?

Possible Answers:

Toponym

Geographic designator 

Geonym

Topography

McNally's position

Correct answer:

Toponym

Explanation:

A toponym is the name used by geography scholars to indicate a particular place on Earth.

Example Question #51 : Geography

The United States Land Ordinance of 1785 divided up much of the country into a system of __________.

Possible Answers:

townships

ranges

quarter-sections

all of the provided answer choices

sections

Correct answer:

all of the provided answer choices

Explanation:

The US Land Ordinance of 1785 set up a system by which settlers could purchase portions of land in the unsettled West of the United States. This law divided land into standard-sized parcels. These parcels were named and included townships, ranges, quarter-sections, and sections.

Example Question #462 : Ap Human Geography

A street address is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

situation

relative position

absolute location

prime position

Correct answer:

absolute location

Explanation:

Absolute location defines the location of a place based on a fixed point. A street address is a fixed point that describes the location of a place, and so is an example of absolute location.

Relative position defines the location of a place relative to another place or the surroundings of a place. As a street address is a fixed point, this is not the correct answer to the question.

Situation, like relative position, describes the location of a place relative to its surroundings.

Prime position is not a real term used by geographers.

Example Question #31 : Major Geographical Terminology

A formal region __________.

Possible Answers:

includes both the core and periphery of economic development

has clearly defined cultural traits, physical criteria, or a governmental boundary

is centered on a node

is a product of political, social, or economic interactions

is based on the perceptions of the local people

Correct answer:

has clearly defined cultural traits, physical criteria, or a governmental boundary

Explanation:

A region is a man-made construct that geographers utilize to distinguish the features of an area. Formal regions, also known as uniform regions, are determined by having similar physical, cultural, or political traits. An example of a formal region is the state of North Carolina or the French-speaking region of Canada.

Example Question #51 : Geography

Every group that inhabits an area leaves behind an imprint on the landscape.  The imprints that earlier groups left behind can influence the landscape in the future.

Which of the following terms best defines this concept?

Possible Answers:

sequent occupance

spacial interaction

future imprinting

connectivity

spatial perspective

Correct answer:

sequent occupance

Explanation:

Sequent occupance is the term that best describes this concept. Cities are good examples of sequent occupance. Many modern cities have old warehouses and industrial centers that have been converted into apartments, shopping areas, and condos. These warehouses remain from previous generations when that city used to be a manufacturing or shipping center and have influenced the use of space in the city after they served their initial purpose.

 

Spatial interaction is not a good answer here because the term means that there is a dynamic flow of people, goods, or intangibles (like ideas or beliefs) from one area to another.  

Connectivity describes the tangible and intangible ways that places can be connected and does not apply to this scenario.  

Future imprinting is not a real term used by geographers.

Spatial perspective is a framework used to evaluate the locations at which a specific phenomenon occurs and evaluate that phenomenon in the context of those various locations. As this questions refers to one location over time, this concept is not a good answer.

Example Question #32 : Major Geographical Terminology

What is the definition of Physical Geography?

Possible Answers:

geography of geology

geography dealing with natural features and earth's natural processes

geography dealing with weather and climate, but not geology

geography dealing with mountains

geography dealing with human nature and social construct

Correct answer:

geography dealing with natural features and earth's natural processes

Explanation:

Physical Geography is one of the two major branches of geography. It studies the natural features of earth, as well as earth's natural processes. Physical Geography includes the study of mountains, geology, weather and climate, and much more. It looks at how the physical formation of the earth affects other aspects of geography. It does not directly deal with humans and social constructs — that is cultural or human geography.

Example Question #31 : Major Geographical Terminology

What is the set of religious beliefs that inanimate objects can impact humanity directly?

Possible Answers:

animism 

Zoroastrianism 

Buddhism

Hinduism

Correct answer:

animism 

Explanation:

Animism is a collection of beliefs that include the belief that inanimate, or lifeless, things directly impact human beings. For example, these inanimate objects include hills, trees, rocks, etc. Those who believe in animism often worship these inanimate objects.

Example Question #61 : Geography

What is the layer of gases that wraps around the earth and separates it from what is commonly known as outer space?

Possible Answers:

stratosphere

ramosphere

mesosphere

atmosphere

Correct answer:

atmosphere

Explanation:

The ramosphere does not exist. The mesosphere and stratosphere are only parts of the atmosphere. The atmosphere is the layer of various gases that surrounds the earth. Each layer (mesosphere, stratosphere, etc.) has unique characteristics with corresponding functions.

Example Question #31 : Major Geographical Terminology

What term describes the relationship between culture and the environment?

Possible Answers:

geography

cultural ecology

environmental merging 

cultural pluralism

Correct answer:

cultural ecology

Explanation:

Cultural ecology is the relationship between culture and the environment, dealing with human adaptations to various environments. 

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