Multiple-Choice Exercise From the New York State Education Department. Regents High School Examination Internet. Available from http://www.nysedregents.nysed.gov/; accessed January 11, 2012.; All rights reserved. No commercial, for-profit use of this material is allowed. E-mail comments and questions to Tami Maloney.
Choose the correct answer for each question.
Many civilizations use irrigation to improve crop production.
People adapt to meet the challenges of their geography.
Fish provide adequate protein for the Japanese.
Most nations are dependent on the same food source.
Which statement most accurately describes how geography affected the growth of the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia?
River valleys provided rich soil to grow plentiful crops.
Large deserts provided many mineral deposits.
Access to the Atlantic Ocean provided trade routes.
Large savanna areas provided protection from invaders.
The Phoenicians are often referred to as the “carriers of civilization” because they
introduced Islam and Christianity to Central Africa
established colonies throughout northern Europe
developed the first carts with wheels
traded goods and spread ideas throughout the Mediterranean region
The exchange of silks and spices and the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Roads are examples of
cultural diffusion
self-sufficiency
ethnocentrism
desertification
Kievian Russia adopted the Eastern Orthodox religion, the Cyrillic alphabet, and different styles of art and architecture through contact with
traders from South Asia
conquering invaders from Mongolia
crusaders from western Europe
missionaries from the Byzantine Empire
What was one reason that some Italian cities developed into major commercial and cultural centers during the 13th and 14th centuries?
unified central government
isolationist economic policies
geographic location
system of social equality
The foreign policy of many Russian rulers supported the country’s desire for
access to inland cities
more mineral resources
extensive canal systems
warm-water ports
southwestern Europe
Mediterranean Coast
eastern Europe
British Isles
were based on European societies
used advanced technology to build complex structures
incorporated early Roman architectural design
were strongly influenced by Renaissance humanism
The Opium Wars in China and the expedition of Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan resulted in
the economic isolation of China and Japan
an increase in Chinese influence in Asia
the beginning of democratic governments in China and Japan
an increase in Western trade and influence in Asia
defeating enemies and overcoming all obstacles
requesting assistance in the battle against drought
facing several serious problems at the same time
waiting patiently until the economic crisis is over
Which important principle was established as a result of the Nuremberg trials?
Defeated nations have no rights in international courts of law.
Individuals can be held accountable for “crimes against humanity.”
Soldiers must follow the orders of their superiors.
Aggressor nations must pay war reparations for damages caused during wars.
Most of the world’s known oil reserves are located near which geographic area?
Persian Gulf
North Sea
Ural Mountains
Gulf of Mexico
Which geographic factor in Russia played a role in Napoleon’s defeat in 1812 and Hitler’s defeat at Stalingrad in 1943?
