Question 1

Mike had to relocate for work. He could have bought a house in the city, but he loves to sail, so he bought a house on a lake where he could moor his boat. As a result, Mike lengthened his commute to work by 30 minutes. Which theory can be used to explain his relocation choice?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

The demographic transition addresses changing fertility and mortality rates over time. What trend does this transition track?

Accepted Answer

The demographic transition tracks the trend of a shift from high to low birth and death rates in wealthier nations over time.

Question 3

Artisans, soldiers, and other people from all walks of life resided in a community of roughly 40,000 people in southern Greece in the 10th century B.C. What kind of place was this community?

Accepted Answer

A community of roughly 40,000 people would be too large to be a village or a town, and a district refers to a smaller subdivision within a larger entity (such as a city or county). Therefore, the best choice would be a city.

Question 4

Which of the following was an example of a typical woman's destiny in preindustrial society?

Accepted Answer

In preindustrial society, one of the typical roles of women was to bear a large number of children. This was particularly important for maintaining the population and labor force in an agricultural society. Women's roles were often limited to the domestic sphere and were defined by their reproductive potential. While some women may have had arranged marriages, this was not a universal experience, and many women did not marry until their late teens or early twenties. Poverty was a common experience for many people in preindustrial societies, but it was not specifically tied to women's destinies.

Question 5

After their wedding, Lisa and Dan moved into a trendy downtown condominium complex within walking distance of work, restaurants, and nightlife venues. Five years and two children later, they are now looking for a home in the suburbs, close to schools and sports facilities. Which theory would explain Lisa and Dan's residential choices?

Accepted Answer

Environmental-opportunity theory explains how people's residential choices are influenced by their environmental opportunities, such as the availability of jobs, housing, and amenities. In this case, Lisa and Dan's decision to move to a downtown condominium complex was likely influenced by the proximity to their work, restaurants, and nightlife venues. Their subsequent decision to move to a home in the suburbs was likely influenced by the availability of schools and sports facilities, which are more common in suburban areas.

Question 6

Why did preindustrial cities contain only a small fraction of the overall population?

Accepted Answer

Disease and pestilence were common in preindustrial cities due to poor sanitation and crowded living conditions, which kept the urban population low.

Question 7

Maria, Katrina, and Susan all decided to have one child each and formed a "play group" so their children would have socializing opportunities with their peers. Which social problem does the fact that none of these women had more children contribute to?

Accepted Answer

By only having one child per family, the overall population growth rate may not meet replacement levels, which is the number of births needed to replace the number of deaths in a population. This can have various implications for society, including an aging population and potential strains on resources and social welfare systems.

Question 8

What is the demographer's concept of replacement level?

Accepted Answer

The demographer's concept of replacement level refers to the point where births and deaths balance out for stable population levels. At this point, a population is neither growing nor declining, but maintaining a stable size. This is typically achieved with a total fertility rate of around 2.1 children per woman in developed countries.

Question 9

Felix and Beth were trying to decide whether to have another child or not, because of the associated costs. Ultimately, they decided they did not want to constantly worry about their finances and decided against having another child. Which theorist could best explain their choice?

Accepted Answer

Thomas Malthus is known for his theories on population growth and its relationship to resources, suggesting that people might limit family size due to economic constraints.

Question 10

From antiquity to the eighteenth century, which characteristics of cities remained very similar?

Accepted Answer

Throughout antiquity and up to the eighteenth century, the physical layout of cities remained relatively similar, with a network of streets, buildings, and infrastructure designed for trade and commerce. Technological innovation, economic development, and literacy rates varied significantly over this span of time, so options B, C, and D are not accurate.

Question 11

Which of the following factors led to the emergence of the industrial city?

Accepted Answer

Advancements in transportation, such as the steam engine and improved roads, and agricultural technology, such as the seed drill and the enclosure movement, led to increased efficiency and production. This, in turn, led to the growth of factories and the concentration of people in urban areas, as they moved closer to the factories to find work.

Question 12

What have been the consequences of globalization for the people of North America?

Accepted Answer

Globalization has contributed to increasing polarization between the rich and poor in North America. The outsourcing of jobs, the growth of transnational corporations, and the commodification of labor have led to a widening income gap and greater inequality. While some individuals and communities have benefited from globalization, many others have been left behind, leading to social and economic divisions.

Question 13

A demographer posits that although birth rates in developing countries are alarmingly high, there will be a dramatic shift to lower birth and death rates in the coming decades as these countries modernize. What concept is used to describe his predictions?

Accepted Answer

The concept used to describe the demographer's predictions is the demographic transition, which is the idea that as societies modernize and become more developed, they tend to experience a shift from high birth and death rates to lower rates. This shift is typically driven by changes in factors like access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, which can reduce the need for large families and also improve life expectancy. The demographic transition has been observed in many developed countries already, and the demographer is suggesting that it will also occur in developing countries over time.

Question 14

Brian refused to donate money to the Somali famine relief fund. When asked why he was so miserly, his response was that famines and pestilence were nature's way of controlling population growth since people wouldn't take responsibility for the number of children they were producing. Brian's point of view reflects the perspective of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Brian's perspective reflects the idea of Thomas Malthus, a political economist who believed that population growth would eventually outstrip resources and lead to famine, disease, and war. Malthus argued that these events were necessary to control population growth and maintain a balance between resources and population. Brian's statement that "famines and pestilence were nature's way of controlling population growth" aligns with Malthusian thinking.

Question 15

What prompted the concentration of economic power in Toronto and Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Capital institutions located in cities attracted businesses and investment, leading to economic growth and concentration in Toronto and Montreal.

Question 16

Judy decided that her career was very important to her and that having children would jeopardize her advancement. Therefore, she decided not to have any children. Which ongoing phenomenon is Judy's decision part of?

Accepted Answer

Judy's decision is part of the demographic transition, which refers to changes in birth and death rates as societies develop, often leading to lower birth rates as women prioritize careers and personal goals.

Question 17

What effect have international trade agreements had on North American resource towns and farming communities?

Accepted Answer

International trade agreements have often led to increased competition and cheaper imports, which can hurt resource towns and farming communities that rely on exporting their products. As a result, some of these communities have struggled and may have turned to alternative industries such as tourism or waste management.

Question 18

Melissa had just finished reading a popular historical romance novel and was telling Monica about the English heroine who would spend 16 hours a day in her home making lace, which was then collected and shipped to France. What work arrangement was Melissa describing?

Accepted Answer

Melissa is describing the putting-out system, which was a common form of subcontracting work during the 17th and 18th centuries where a central contractor would give raw materials to individual workers to complete the work in their own homes. This system was commonly used for tasks such as lace-making and sewing.

Question 19

What were the important elements in the development of preindustrial cities?

Accepted Answer

The development of preindustrial cities was largely influenced by the ability to produce food surpluses, literacy to maintain written records and laws, and technological innovation for things such as irrigation systems and construction methods. While civic responsibility, defensive systems, taxes, sewage systems, running water, and pest control were all important factors, they were not as crucial to the initial development of preindustrial cities. Education, sports, recreation, and leisure were not as significant to the development of preindustrial cities either.

Question 20

European cities stagnated and declined after the fall of Rome. What factor contributed to the trade routes being re-established and the revival of commerce?

Accepted Answer

The Crusades played a significant role in the re-establishment of trade routes and the revival of commerce in European cities. The Crusaders traveled to the Holy Land and encountered the advanced trading practices of the Islamic world. This sparked an interest in trade and commerce and led to the development of new trade networks and markets. Additionally, the Crusaders brought back exotic goods from the East, stimulating demand for luxury goods in European cities.

Quiz 15: Population and Urbanization