Review Questions Unit 11: Global Issue
1.
. . . Traditionally, [African] farmers cleared land, grew crops for a few harvests, then let the fields
lie fallow for 10 or 15 years to rejuvenate as they moved on to clear more land, the study reports. But as
they try to feed a rapidly growing population, the farmers instead grow crop after crop, sapping the
soil’s fertility. “Nothing grows, so the topsoil is blown away by the wind and washed away by the rains,”
said Amit H. Roy, president of the International Fertilizer Development Center, a nonprofit agricultural
aid organization, which produced the study. “It goes into the river system, silting them, and out to the
oceans.”. . .
— Celia Dugger, “Overfarming African Land is Worsening Hunger Crisis”
Which problem in sub-Saharan Africa is being described in this passage?
(1) global warming
(2) acid rain
(3) urbanization
(4) desertification
2.The term Green Revolution refers to
(1) an overthrow of the government by radical parties
(2) increased agricultural production based on technological advancements
(3) a drastic change in the environment based on global warming
(4) decreased food production caused by terrorism
3.
". . . The horrible truth is that failure to eradicate [destroy] the root causes of terrorism is almost
certain to extend the Age of Terrorism, it is not clear that they really can be eradicated. To appease the
extremists might be easy but may not work. To allow them to win would be to accept the supremacy of
evil. To promote democracy and open government might be the ultimate solution, but it stands on a
shaky conceptual foundation of untested assumptions about the nature of the world and diverse
cultures. Unfortunately, the world is at a point where it can see the danger from terrorism but not the
cure. Worse still, a cure may not exist."
— Steven Metz, “Can Terrorism Be Cured?,” Project Syndicate
The author of this 2006 passage concludes that terrorism
(1) has failed to take root
(2) requires a strong military response
(3) is extremely difficult to defeat
(4) will be overcome through diplomacy
4.The destruction of the rain forests in Latin America is primarily due to the
(1) diseases carried by insects
(2) wildfires occurring during dry seasons
(3) devastation caused by high winds during the tropical storm season
(4) demand for timber, farmland, and grazing land
5.
• China implemented a one-child policy.
• African nations established educational and health care agendas.
• Latin American nations worked with the United States to reduce drug trafficking.
Which conclusion can best be drawn using all of these statements?
(1) The governments of different countries reacted in various ways to the same problem.
(2) Population explosions took place in some countries during the 20th century.
(3) Some countries looked toward other nations to help solve their problems.
(4) Countries have had to address a variety of economic and social problems.
6.
“Contaminated Food from China Sold in the United States”
“Computer Virus Shuts Down Hundreds of Businesses Worldwide”
“Multinational Corporations Relocate Factories”
These headlines are directly related to
(1) world hunger
(2) overpopulation
(3) global warming
(4) economic interdependence
7.Which statement about the economy of Japan today is most accurate?
(1) Abundant arable land has led to prosperity.
(2) Possession of nuclear weaponry has assured a strong economy.
(3) Economic development has occurred without political freedom.
(4) A lack of natural resources has not limited economic growth.
8.Which problem in the savanna regions of Africa is caused by population pressures and overuse of the
land?
(1) rain forest destruction
(2) desertification
(3) air pollution
(4) flooding
9.Which statement about the Green Revolution is most accurate?
(1) It reduced the amount of chemical pollutants in the environment.
(2) It increased food output in many developing countries.
(3) It decreased dependence on fossil fuels.
(4) It attempted to end colonial rule.
10.In the 20th century, urbanization affected the developing nations of Africa, Asia, and Latin America
by
(1) reducing literacy rates
(2) weakening traditional values
(3) strengthening caste systems
(4) increasing the isolation of women
11.Which statement about the impact of the AIDS epidemic in both Africa and Southeast Asia is most
accurate?
(1) Life expectancy in both regions is declining.
(2) The availability of low-cost drugs has cured most of those infected.
(3) The introduction of awareness programs has eliminated the threat of the disease.
(4) Newborn babies and young children have not been affected by the disease.
12.In the late 20th century, the Green Revolution had the greatest impact on
(1) grain production in India
(2) political freedom in Russia
(3) economic reforms in Cuba
(4) traditional customs in Japan
13.One way in which wars, religious conflict, and natural disasters are similar is that these situations
may result in
(1) the mass migration of people
(2) economic stability
(3) an increase in life expectancy
(4) global warming
14.Which problem faces many of the least developed nations today?
(1) Too many varieties of crops are being grown
(2) An excess of investment capital is available.
(3) High rates of illiteracy are limiting economic development.
(4) A high-calorie diet is causing obesity.
15.
“‘We Blew It’: Nike Admits to Mistakes Over Child Labor”
“UN Envoy Makes Plea for War on Global Poverty”
“International Literacy Decade Targets Women”
Which concern do these 21st-century headlines address?
(1) higher education issues
(2) social and economic issues
(3) cultural literacy
(4) individual responsibility
16.How do some Latin American governments justify the destruction of the rain forests?
(1) Cattle raising, farming, and mining in the rain forest will help the economy.
(2) Manufacturers no longer use the latex produced by the trees of the rain forest.
(3) People who live in the rain forest are moving to the cities.
(4) Drug trafficking will decrease when the protection of the rain forests is gone.
17.“. . . We cannot and must not allow ourselves to have the message of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fade
completely from our minds, and we cannot allow our vision or ideals to fade, either. For if we do, we
have but one course left for us. And that flash of light will not only rob us of our vision, but it will rob us
of our lives, our progeny [descendants], and our very existence.”
— Tadatoshi Akiba, Mayor of Hiroshima
With which issue is Mayor Akiba most concerned?
(1) depletion of the ozone layer
(2) treatment of infectious diseases
(3) nuclear proliferation
(4) international terrorism
18.Which statement best describes a problem facing India today?
(1) Democracy has failed to gain popular support.
(2) Religious and ethnic diversity has continued to cause conflict.
(3) A decrease in population has led to labor shortages.
(4) Lack of technology has limited military capabilities.
19.Deforestation, acid rain, and the greenhouse effect are major world problems that indicate a need
for
(1) cooperation between nations to reduce pollution and environmental destruction
(2) the development of mass transit systems in developing nations
(3) an increase in the worldwide production of oil
(4) a reduction in crop production in some areas of the world
20.
• Chernobyl experiences nuclear disaster.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) deplete the ozone layer.
• Rivers and seas are polluted throughout the world.
Which conclusion can best be drawn from these statements?
(1) Modern technology can have serious negative effects.
(2) Today’s environment renews itself.
(3) Only developing nations have environmental problems.
(4) Most environmental problems originate in Europe.
21.In India, urbanization affected society by
(1) reinforcing Hindu beliefs
(2) encouraging native arts and crafts
(3) weakening the traditional caste system
(4) increasing the number of farmers
22.The global problems of pollution, acid rain, and the breakdown of the ozone layer indicate a need for
(1) greater international cooperation
(2) increased urbanization
(3) a balance of trade between nations
(4) an increase in space exploration
23.What is a major reason for the differences in economic prosperity in various areas of the world
today?
(1) an unequal distribution of resources
(2) the success of nationalist movements
(3) religious unity between nations
(4) membership in the United Nations
24.What is one explanation for the great change in the world population between 1950 and 2000?
(1) Family planning was successful.
(2) There was an absence of war and conflict.
(3) New medicines and technology were discovered and applied.
(4) Famine and other natural disasters increased.
25.In the 1990s, what was the most severe threat to the physical environments of Brazil, Costa Rica, and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire)?
(1) spread of urban centers
(2) nuclear waste disposal
(3) increased immigration
(4) destruction of the rain forests
26.Which statement about the spread of nuclear weapons is a fact rather than an opinion?
(1) Nations possessing nuclear weapons should not have to limit the production of weapons.
(2) The spread of nuclear weapons was a smaller problem in the 1990s than it was in the 1970s.
(3) The United States and Russia signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties during the 1970s.
(4) Only developing nations are concerned about the spread of nuclear weapons.
27.During the late 20th century, in which area did deforestation become a serious problem?
(1) Great European Plain
(2) Amazon Basin
(3) Deccan Plateau
(4) Great Rift Valley
28.
“Women of Kuwait Demand the Right to Vote”
“Property Inheritance Still Limited for Women of Nepal”
“Women in Jordan Form Alliance to Increase Political Representation”
Which conclusion is supported by these headlines?
(1) Equal rights for women continues to be a global concern.
(2) Women are not active in political issues.
(3) Women have achieved equality in the area of education.
(4) Communist governments have insured equal rights for women.
29.The problems created by the deterioration of the Earth’s ozone layer and increases in the amounts of
acid rain suggest a worldwide need for
(1) rapid industrialization of developing economies
(2) better health-care programs
(3) nuclear-powered electric generating facilities
(4) stricter pollution regulations
30.Since the 1960s, famine in many parts of the world has been reduced by
(1) increased urbanization
(2) global warming
(3) laissez-faire capitalism
(4) the Green Revolution