Question 1

It has been observed that wheat cultivation was associated with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Wheat cultivation significantly contributed to the development of human societies by supporting the rise of an urban network, facilitating major population growth, and necessitating the expansion of transport systems to move the harvested crops from fields to markets and storage facilities.

Question 2

In the agricultural land use in von Thünen's isolated state model, what type of land is the outer-most ring?

Accepted Answer

The outermost ring in von Thünen's isolated state model is wilderness, as it is the land that is furthest from the market and therefore has the lowest land rent.

Question 3

A study of western New York state focused on the idea that a prolonged period of falling transport costs is associated with increasing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A prolonged period of falling transport costs allows regions to specialize in the production of agricultural goods for which they have a comparative advantage, leading to increased regional specialization of agriculture.

Question 4

Which of the following countries possesses many of the essential characteristics of the isolated state and its application to von Thünen's agricultural land use theory?

Accepted Answer

Uruguay is often cited as a modern example of the isolated state due to its relatively uniform physical geography, extensive agricultural activities, and its position as a small, open economy with a significant portion of its land dedicated to farming, closely aligning with von Thünen's model of agricultural land use.

Question 5

Approximately when were horses first domesticated?

Accepted Answer

Horses were first domesticated approximately between 4000 and 3000 BCE, fitting within the range of 5000-0 BCE. This period marks the early stages of human civilization when animals began to be domesticated for transportation, agriculture, and warfare.

Question 6

Prior to learning that agriculture emerged and evolved independently in several places at approximately the same time, it was traditionally thought that agriculture first emerged in which part of the world?

Accepted Answer

Before the understanding that agriculture developed independently in various regions around the same time, it was traditionally believed that agriculture first emerged in Southwest Asia, in the region often referred to as the Fertile Crescent. This area is known for early developments in farming, animal domestication, and sedentary communities.

Question 7

Which of the following variables is considered to be a possible cause of domestication of plants and animals?

Accepted Answer

The domestication of plants and animals is influenced by a combination of factors, including cultural practices, environmental conditions, and demographic pressures. Cultural aspects involve the knowledge and techniques developed by societies to cultivate and breed species. Environmental factors include the climate, geography, and availability of resources that make domestication feasible. Demographic pressures, such as population growth, can drive the need for more efficient food production methods, leading to domestication efforts. Therefore, all these variables play a role in the domestication process.

Question 8

Which of the following was NOT an agricultural core area circa 500 BCE?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following was NOT an...

Question 9

What major innovation took place in China in about 300 BCE, causing agricultural productivity to increase?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What major innovation took place in China...

Question 10

Approximately when did the second agricultural revolution begin in England?

Accepted Answer

The second agricultural revolution began in the eighteenth century, marked by increased agricultural productivity due to improvements in farming methods and technology.

Question 11

The second agricultural revolution was associated with the end of the feudal system and the emergence of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The second agricultural revolution, which took place from the 17th through the 19th centuries, was associated with significant technological and methodological advancements in farming. This period saw the end of the feudal system and the rise of a more market-oriented agricultural system, laying the groundwork for modern capitalism. It facilitated the transition to a more productive and efficient agricultural economy, which was crucial for the development of capitalist economies.

Question 12

Which of the following events allowed the population of England to exceed the barrier of 5.5 million people for the first time?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following events allowed the...

Question 13

A fossil nitrate called caliche, used as a source of nitrogen, was first exported from which of the following countries?

Accepted Answer

Chile is historically known for its large deposits of caliche, which were extensively mined for sodium nitrate (saltpeter) used as a fertilizer and in the manufacture of explosives. This industry was particularly important in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Question 14

What is the name of the process that converts atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia to produce synthetic nitrogen fertilizers?

Accepted Answer

The Haber-Bosch process is the industrial method used to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gas, which is a key step in producing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

Question 15

Nitrogen fertilizers have been associated with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fertilizers contribute to various environmental issues, including water contamination through runoff, the release of nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas), soil contamination, and increased soil acidity. These impacts can harm aquatic ecosystems, contribute to climate change, degrade soil health, and affect agricultural productivity.

Question 16

What type of farming is becoming increasingly popular?

Accepted Answer

Organic farming is becoming increasingly popular due to growing consumer demand for natural and environmentally friendly products.

Question 17

In the 1960s, the Rockefeller and Ford foundations created an agricultural research system that produced which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Rockefeller and Ford foundations were instrumental in the development of high-yielding varieties of seeds during the Green Revolution, which significantly increased agricultural productivity.

Question 18

The green revolution has received criticism for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

The Green Revolution has been criticized for causing undesirable environmental consequences, such as soil degradation, reduced genetic diversity, and increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can harm the environment.

Question 19

As a result of the green revolution, nearly how much did world grain production increase between 1960 and 2018?

Accepted Answer

World grain production increased by approximately 300 percent between 1960 and 2018, largely due to the advancements in agricultural techniques and technologies associated with the Green Revolution.

Question 20

Soybeans, corn, cotton, canola and potatoes are the principal crops of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

These crops are commonly associated with genetic modification due to their widespread use in producing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for improved yield, pest resistance, and other agricultural benefits.

Quiz 9: Geographies of Food and Agriculture