Social Studies World Geography Unit 08: North Africa and Southwest Asia
2012­2013
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1 Which geographic factor has been most
5 In the past thirty years the population of
influential in the pattern of human
Northern Africa has shifted away from
settlement in the Middle East and North
areas in the South to the coastal
Africa?
Mediterranean area. What is the primary
A fertile soil
geographic reason for this?
B
cool climate
A lack of jobs in the South
C
water resources
B
access to more resources in the coastal
area
D mineral resources
C
mountainous terrain in the South makes
farming difficult 2 Water resources in the country of
D the expansion of the Sahara Desert
Iraq have been directly affected by
the building of a network of dams and
irrigation ditches on the Tigris­Euphrates
6 The dominant religion in countries of the
rivers. Which country on its northern
Middle East and Northern Africa is Islam.
border is responsible for this?
The countries primarily speak Arabic or
F
Jordan
dialects of Arabic. Some have better
G
Israel
H
Turkey
following assertions can be made based on
J
Russia
this information?
access to trade than others. Some are oil­
rich nations, but not others. Which of the
F
can be considered a single region due
3 The Middle East and North Africa are
to their common religion and language.
examples of what type of regions?
A formal
The Middle East and Northern Africa
G
The Middle East and Northern Africa
must be considered separate regions
B
functional
because they are located on separate
C
perceptual
continents.
D physical
H
The Middle East and Northern Africa
can be considered together as a region
due to the variety of political systems
4 All of the following are factors that have
caused large scale human migration in
this region EXCEPT—
F
drought
G
disease and famine
H
lack of technology
J
political instability
Page 2
in the area.
J
None of these is true.
GO ON
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Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
New Nationalism
The new nationalism in North Africa and Southwest Asia is partly inspired by the desire for more
democracy in the region. As people from the region visit democratic countries and international
media shares more of the world around them, the influence of democratic institutions and beliefs
has spread throughout the region. Although Western nations might applaud the most recent
movements toward democracy in the region, there has been an increase in conflict in many of
these nations as the ideas of the established governments confront those of democratic change.
In addition, the support of North American and some European governments for these movements
has caused conflict between these nations and many governments of the region.
7 Which is an accurate statement about the effect of European and North American support for
democratic movements in North Africa and Southwest Asia?
A There has been a strengthening of ties between Western nations and those of North Africa
and Southwest Asia.
B
There has been a spread of democratic movements and conflict within the nations of this
region and between these nations and the West.
C
There has been an overthrow of most of the non­democratic governments in North Africa and
Southwest Asia.
D There is greater support in the region for the help and influence of European and North
American nations.
8 Why would the U.S. government consider the democratic movements taking place in North Africa
and Southwest Asia as a positive change, even if they cause revolution or war?
F
It considers democracy better for the people of the region than most of the current forms of
government there.
G
It considers the Arabic way of life too difficult for the people who live in North Africa and
Southwest Asia.
H
It does not believe Islam and democracy can co­exist and encourages the movements as a
way of removing Islam from the region.
J
It is better that the countries of this region fight among themselves, if they promote
terrorism in the United States.
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Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Nationalism in Egypt
Popular uprisings in this part of the world tend to live and die by the support of the rural class.
The power they command as the under­appreciated providers of food and traditional customs
becomes much greater during periods of national unrest and trouble. How the rural class looks at
the movement can either help or hurt its ability to be successful. Ultimately, the 2011 Egyptian
revolution is a form of nationalism. It is an attempt by a large portion of the population to restore
Egypt as a proud, secular (non­religious) state with open democratic systems. Linking that
democratic sentiment to the themes of bread and land is very potent.
Source: Opinions by Mikhail Zinshteyn, 2011
9 Which conclusion best summarizes the ideas in the passage?
A You can use nationalism to get farmers to help to overthrow the government.
B
Egypt can be a great country again if the rural class of people join in the revolutionary
movement.
C
Changes can be made in government if people join together to support the rural class of
farmers.
D Public policies and decision­making can be influenced by cultural beliefs, such as nationalism
and patriotism.
10
What is the most accurate explanation for
11
All of the following are responsible for the
how changes in North African and
location of cities in the Middle East and
Southwest Asian societies have led to
North Africa EXCEPT—
changes in land­use?
A water sources
F
B
climatic conditions
C
cultural diversity
The move to industrialization has
depleted the resources of many of
these countries.
G
D transportation routes
The increase in nomadic groups has
brought the end to oasis waters and
date palms.
H
J
12
Which modern technology allows
Population growth and overuse of land
populations like Israel's to survive extreme
and water resources have led to more
droughts and lack of fresh drinking water?
urban growth.
F
electricity
The desert climates of many of these
G
levees
H
canals
J
desalination
countries have caused the populations
to migrate.
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Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
System of Government in Syria ­ 2011
Syria is a democracy. At the national level, the Syrian political body is represented by the
executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president is the head of state and is directly
elected every seven years. The president serves as the commander­in­chief of the armed forces
and the secretary general of the Ba'ath Socialist Party. President Bashar al­Assad is currently
serving his second seven­year term as president. The council of ministers serves the president
and consists of Ba'ath and other party members.
The legislative body is the Majlis al­Shaab (People’s Assembly), a 250­member body that is
directly elected by the people to a four­year term. The People’s Assembly represents various
political parties. A coalition of parties forms the majority called the National Progressive Front
(NPF), which is dominated by the members of the Ba'ath Party.
President Assad's election in the summer of 2000 saw the birth of the Damascus Spring and
hopes of reform. The period was characterized by the emergence of numerous political forums or
salons where groups of like­minded people met in private houses to debate political and social
issues. Since largely peaceful protests in Syria began in March 2011, the Syrian security forces,
under the command of President Assad, have been engaged in a relentless crackdown. According
to the United Nations, thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died, while tens of thousands
more have been arrested and detained or have disappeared.
Source: http://www.cafe­syria.com/Government.htm and
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/syria/index.html
13
How is the current democracy in Syria different from most other democratic governments?
A Its president can serve as long as he wants.
B
Its legislature is not elected by the people.
C
It encourages political reforms and debates.
D It uses military force to control opposition to its policies.
14
Which of the following statements would likely be a point of view of the Syrian president?
F
The people have the right to ask for reforms and protest against the government to get
what they want.
G
The government must make decisions for the good of all of the people and not just a few
protesters.
H
The government has the right to protect itself against citizens who want to overthrow it.
J
It is the job of the president to protect the people and the country from foreign influence.
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Use the satellite image and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following
question.
15
What trade route is shown in the image and why is it important?
A Panama Canal . . . connects the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean
B
Suez Canal . . . connects the Mediterranean and Red seas
C
Strait of Hormuz . . . connects the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf
D Isthmus of Oman . . . connects Indian Ocean with the Persian Gulf
16
Which Middle Eastern nation has
17
Why do some conservative religious
developed ethnic diversity due to
groups in the Middle East oppose Western
widespread immigration from around the
styles of dress and music into their
world?
countries?
F
Israel
A They believe that it will hurt their
G
Jordan
H
Syria
J
Arab Emirates
businesses.
B
They believe it might prevent
democratic reforms.
C
They are trying to protect their
cultural values.
D They are trying to prevent other
religions from gaining influence.
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18
Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Oil as a Strategy
Nations of Southwest Asia have learned that controlling oil production can be used as a
strategy to control pricing. In 1973, an oil embargo by Arab nations demonstrated a new way
to influence European and American policy. Oil prices went from $3 a barrel in 1972 to $12 a
barrel in 1974. In the United States, the era of cheap gas came to an end. Americans began
researching ways to produce energy more efficiently, conserve oil, and find alternative fuels.
They also increased exploration for new oil deposits. U.S. and European policies toward many
oil­rich countries became more friendly. Among many oil­rich nations themselves, there is a
large gap between rich and poor. Uneven distribution of petroleum deposits has created
differences of wealth and power in the Middle East. Gulf countries with relatively small
populations have the most oil. When workers from countries with large, poor populations such
as Egypt come to the Gulf region to work, they are often treated as second­class citizens.
How have policies related to oil production affected the development, use, and scarcity of this
natural resource?
F
The oil­rich nations have become corrupt in their dealings with less oil­rich countries and
have tried to overthrow their governments.
G
Oil­rich countries produce more or less of the product to control pricing, which influences
other nations' politics.
H
The over­production of oil by many Middle Eastern nations has increased the price of oil for
the United States and Europe.
J
Oil­rich nations use oil production to keep the United States and Europe from complaining
about how they treat their workers.
19
Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Characteristics of ___?___
There is a belief that there is only one God. God revealed himself to the people at Mount Sinai.
God's will for humankind was stated in his commandments. There is a covenant, or agreement,
between God and his people. The people would acknowledge God, agreeing to obey his laws.
The Messiah is yet to come. The Sabbath is spent in prayer, study, rest, and family feasting.
Which religion BEST completes the title?
A Christianity
B
Judaism
C
Zoroastrianism
D Islam
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This document is the property of TESCCC/CSCOPE and as such may not be replicated or changed without permission.
Use the map, passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following threee
questions.
Tuareg Cultures
The Tuareg people are mostly nomads. For over two thousand years, the Tuareg operated the
Trans­Saharan caravan trade connecting the great cities on the southern edge of the Sahara
through five desert trade routes to the Mediterranean coast of Africa. The Tuareg adopted camel
nomadism (nomadic way of life), along with its distinctive form of social organization, from camel­
herding Arabs about two thousand years ago. This is about the time when the camel was
introduced to the Sahara from Arabia.
When many African countries achieved independence in the 1960s, the traditional Tuareg
territory was divided among a number of nations, including Niger, Mali, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and
Burkina Faso. Competition for resources such as water and arable land in the Sahel has since led
to conflicts between the Tuareg and other African groups. The nomadic way of life is getting
harder to keep because of high population growth. In recent years this has become more difficult
because of climate changes that have led to desertification. Desertification is made worse by
human activity. The increase of herding has led to the loss of grasslands, while the increased need
for firewood for growing cities has led to deforestation. Therefore, some Tuareg are experimenting
with farming, while others have been forced to abandon herding and seek jobs in towns and cities.
Page 8
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20
Using the map and passage, identify the
23
Arabic culture can BEST be described as
push factors that have been most
including—
responsible for some Tuareg moving to
A Islamic language, religious
cities for jobs?
fundamentalism, responsibility to the
F
defeat by the French and
family, loyalty to the government,
multiculturalism
music characterized by an emphasis
forming of new nations and camel
on harmony, and foods emphasizing
nomadism
the use of rice and beef and heavy
G
H
the French
J
spices
expansion of the desert and defeat by
B
Semitic language, Islamic
fundamentalism, responsibility to the
population growth and overuse of
government, loyalty to family, music
resources
characterized by an emphasis on
harmony, and foods emphasizing the
21
Ongoing conflict between the Tuareg and
use of wheat and lamb and heavy
the nations in which they live is caused
spices
primarily by—
A the fight over who will control the
trade routes in this area
B
the lack of sustainable development
and non­renewable resources
C
the nations of this region desire to
control Tuareg territory
D the movement of many Tuareg into
the cities of the region
C
Arabic language, Islamic concepts,
responsibility to the poor, loyalty to
family, music characterized by an
emphasis on melody and rhythm, and
foods emphasizing the use of rice and
wheat bulgar and heavy spices
D Arabic language, trips to Mecca,
responsibility to the religious leaders,
loyalty to the clan, music
characterized by an emphasis on
melody and harmony, and foods
22
You can infer that the Tuareg have the
least amount of political power in which
emphasizing the use of vegetables and
bread
two countries?
F
Algeria and Niger
G
Mali and Burkina Faso
H
Libya and Mali
J
Burkina Faso and Libya
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24
Some people who live in North Africa and
26
Why do women in many Southwest Asian
Southwest Asia believe that the values of
countries have fewer political and social
Western nations are damaging to their
rights than men?
culture because —
F
F
Western culture is focused on
should have no rights.
American ideas and they do not like
G
G
women from negative influences in the
Arabic culture does not include
world.
H
they want everyone in the region to
These countries believe that women
are less intelligent than men.
be the same and have the same
J
opportunities
J
The societies are trying to protect
Americans
influence from other cultures
H
The governments believe women
Religious and cultural beliefs are a part
of the law in these countries.
some Western cultural values are in
conflict with traditional values in the
region
27
Which is the sacred text of Islam?
A Bible
25
B
Torah
and wars since the 1970s. These conflicts
C
Qur'an
have brought people from other Middle
D Rig Veda
Afghanistan has had a history of conflicts
Eastern countries along with the British,
Russians, Americans, and others to
Afghanistan. A likely effect of this has
28
setting the boundary between Israel and
been —
Palestine EXCEPT —
A the change of the national language
B
C
All of the following are difficulties with
of Afghanistan to English
F
elevation of the land
stability in the economic system of
G
location of aquifers
Afghanistan
H
control of Jerusalem
an increase in migration pull factors to
J
presence of Jewish settlements
Afghanistan
D the diffusion of ideas from these
cultures to Afghanistan
29
Which of the following is responsible
for MOST of Egypt's population living in
3% of the land area?
A Red Sea
B
Sahara Desert
C
Mediterranean Sea
D oases
Page 10
GO ON
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Use the maps and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following questions.
Page 11
GO ON
This document is the property of TESCCC/CSCOPE and as such may not be replicated or changed without permission.
30
In which area would farming be MOST
productive?
31
F
Eastern Mediterranean
G
on the coast of the Red Sea
H
on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean
J
Western Mediterranean
Where would MOST of the population of
North Africa probably live?
A along the Red Sea
B
along the Mediterranean Sea
C
in the center of North Africa
D along the Atlantic coast
32
Most of the population in the arid and
semi­arid areas is likely involved in which
kind of economic activity?
F
nomadic
G
agricultural
H
services
J
industrial
Page 12
STOP
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Test Key
Social Studies World Geography Unit 08: North Africa and Southwest Asia 2012-2013
##
Item #
Correct Answer
Primary
SE
Secondary
SE
Obj/Cat
1
SWG1091755D
C
WGS.1(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 1
2
SWG1092159D
H
WGS.14(C)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 1
3
SWG1092173D
C
WGS.9(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
4
SWG1102142D
H
WGS.7(B)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
5
SWG20779CS
D
WGS.2(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 1
6
S0WG016381CS
F
WGS.9(A)
[R]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 2
7
SWG020770CS
B
WGS.18(D)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 3
8
SWG020772CS
F
WGS.18(B)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 3
9
SWG020667CS
D
WGS.15(B)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 1
10
S0WG019673cs
H
WGS.2(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 1
11
SWG1091781D
C
WGS.6(B)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
12
SWG1092268D
J
WGS.19(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
13
SWG020530CS
D
WGS.14(B)
[S]
WGS.21(A)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 1
14
SWG020666CS
H
WGS.15(A)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 1
15
S0WG019713cs
B
WGS.14(C)
[R]
WGS.21(A)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 1
16
SWG1092260D
F
WGS.18(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 3
17
SWG1107740D
C
WGS.18(C)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 3
18
S0WG019693cs
G
WGS.12(B)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 4
19
SWG020793CS
B
WGS.17(B)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
None
20
S0WG019675cs
J
WGS.7(B)
[R]
WGS.21(A)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
21
SWG020520CS
B
WGS.8(C)
[S]
WGS.21(A)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
This document is the property of TESCCC/CSCOPE and as such may not be replicated or changed without permission.
22
SWG020521CS
J
WGS.13(B)
[S]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 1
23
SWG020524CS
C
WGS.17(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 3
24
SWG020786CS
J
WGS.16(C)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 3
25
SWG1108568D
D
WGS.18(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 3
26
SWG020523CS
J
WGS.17(C)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 3
27
SWG1092248D
C
WGS.17(B)
[S]
None
None
28
SWG1092222D
F
WGS.14(A)
None
None
29
SWG1092143D
B
WGS.6(A)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
30
SWG1091763D
J
WGS.6(A)
[S]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
31
SWG1091801D
B
WGS.6(A)
[S]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
32
SWG1091785D
F
WGS.7(B)
[R]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
This document is the property of TESCCC/CSCOPE and as such may not be replicated or changed without permission.