AP Human Geography : Pollution & Climate Change

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Pollution & Climate Change

All of the following are major oil-producing areas EXCEPT __________.

Possible Answers:

the Atlantic Ocean

the Persian Gulf

the Arctic Circle

the Caspian Sea

the Gulf of Mexico

Correct answer:

the Atlantic Ocean

Explanation:

The Atlantic Ocean is not a major oil-producing zone. Oil production is found in much higher quantities in the Gulf of Mexico, the Arctic Circle, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea.

Example Question #342 : Ap Human Geography

Hydroelectric power is generated by __________.

Possible Answers:

wind

fossil fuels

natural gas

water

nuclear reactors

Correct answer:

water

Explanation:

The movement of flowing water generates electricity in hydroelectric power plants. Although it was long-practiced on a small scale, hydroelectricity emerged in the twentieth century as an important alternative to the consumption of fossil fuels as a viable source of large quantities of energy.

Example Question #2 : Pollution & Climate Change

Why are chlorofluorocarbons so controversial?

Possible Answers:

They affect people of different ethnicities in different ways.

They contribute heavily to global warming.

They destroy plant life.

They are poisonous to many animals.

They are poisonous to human beings.

Correct answer:

They contribute heavily to global warming.

Explanation:

“Chlorofluorocarbons,” or CFCs as they are often (mercifully) called, are extremely controversial because they contribute heavily to global warming. They are used in refrigeration, packaging, aerosol sprays, and fire extinguishers. When they reach the Earth’s atmosphere they react extremely detrimentally causing (by some estimates) as much if not more damage than the massive amounts of methane and carbon dioxide that we also release into the atmosphere.

Example Question #12 : Contemporary Patterns Of Industrialization & Development

In urban cities, sometimes a pollution cloud can be noticed hovering in the air. What is this urban pollution "haze" called?

Possible Answers:

Chlorofluorocarbons

Nitrogen deposition

Greenhouse gases

Ozone

Photochemical smog

Correct answer:

Photochemical smog

Explanation:

Photochemical smog is the air pollution that occurs when sunlight reacts with other pollutants in the air. Greenhouse gases and ozone are not necessarily pollutants and do not produce hazy clouds. Chlorofluorocarbons are said to make holes in the ozone, and nitrogen deposition describes atmospheric nitrogen entering the biosphere.

Example Question #5 : Pollution & Climate Change

Which of these statements is not true about nonpoint-source pollution?

Possible Answers:

Nonpoint-source pollution can generally spread over a much wider area than point-source pollution

Agriculture is the main contributor of nonpoint-source pollution

Nonpoint sources are generally harder to control than point sources

Nonpoint sources are sometimes very difficult to trace back

Pollutants from nonpoint sources are usually smaller in quantity

Correct answer:

Pollutants from nonpoint sources are usually smaller in quantity

Explanation:

Pollutants from nonpoint sources are usually greater in quantity.

Example Question #16 : Contemporary Patterns Of Industrialization & Development

What is called the land off the shores of Netherlands that had been invaded by water but has been reclaimed by creative means?

Possible Answers:

Polder

Hills

Proder

Mounts

Correct answer:

Polder

Explanation:

In the Netherlands, the water had taken over much of the land that had been used by inhabitants. However, through the use of polders, they were able to construct anyways through the use of dikes.

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