Question 1

The populations of Germany and Japan are both:

Accepted Answer

Both Germany and Japan have decreasing populations due to low birth rates and aging populations.

Question 2

In the 1970s, a group of scientists known as the Club of Rome got together to assess global trends and predict the future of the world and the people on it. Using a neo-Malthusian perspective and computer models, they predicted:

Accepted Answer

The Club of Rome's prediction was based on the idea that continuous population growth coupled with increased energy consumption and environmental pollution will lead to the exhaustion of the world's natural resources within the next century. This is in line with the neo-Malthusian perspective, which suggests that the world population will eventually outstrip the available resources, leading to environmental degradation and widespread social problems. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 3

Which of the following countries is characterized by declining rates in both fertility and mortality?

Accepted Answer

Japan is the only country listed that is characterized by declining rates in both fertility and mortality. Kenya and India have high fertility rates, while Mexico has high fertility rates and declining mortality rates.

Question 4

Anthropological research may help assess global issues such as population growth, environmental destruction, and technological change by providing a more cautious and analytical approach. This is because anthropology:

Accepted Answer

Anthropology's holistic approach emphasizes the interconnection between humans and their environment, making it well-suited for evaluating global issues that involve interactions between humans and the environment. Additionally, anthropology's focus on cultural diversity and the importance of understanding local perspectives can provide valuable insights for addressing complex issues such as population growth and technological change. Option A is incorrect because ethical relativism does not mean that anthropologists can make value judgments without careful analysis and consideration of varying perspectives. Option C is incorrect because while some anthropologists may be impulsive, this is not a defining characteristic of the discipline as a whole.

Question 5

Perestroika and glasnost are terms that refer to:

Accepted Answer

Perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) were policies implemented by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s in an attempt to revitalize the struggling Soviet economy and increase freedom of expression. Perestroika involved introducing some elements of capitalism into the Soviet economy, while glasnost allowed greater freedom of speech and press. These policies marked a significant departure from the previous Soviet ideology of totalitarianism and government control.

Question 6

A British clergyman and economist named -------predicted that populations would grow at a very rapid rate (exponential rate) and the production of food and other vital resources would increase at a much slower rate. As a result, human populations would be subjected to a variety of checks on population growth such as warfare, famine, and disease.

Accepted Answer

The description matches that of Thomas Malthus and his theory of population growth and resource scarcity, known as Malthusianism. Charles Darwin is known for his theory of evolution, E.O. Wilson is known for his work in ecology and sociobiology, Julian Simon was an economist who believed that population growth and resource scarcity were not significant issues, and Mikhail Gorbachev was a Soviet politician.

Question 7

Dependency theorists suggest that multinational corporations are just a new form of neocolonialism aimed at supplying the Western world with natural resources and cheap labor. These corporations, rather than helping the populace, actually intensify many of the problems of Third World countries by:

Accepted Answer

Dependency theorists argue that multinational corporations benefit a small wealthy elite and middle class while leaving the majority of the population in poverty. This creates social and economic inequality and intensifies problems in Third World countries. Choice A is incorrect because multinational corporations may provide cheap food and housing, but this is often done at the expense of exploiting labor and natural resources. Choice C is not necessarily true, as the lower class may not always be able to overthrow the ruling elite. Choice D is partially true, as multinational corporations can create a sense of desire for material wealth that is unattainable for many people in Third World countries, but this is not the main way in which they intensify problems.

Question 8

Julian Simon has challenged the Doomsday Model since he believes the problems of pollution and environmental stress will ultimately be solved because:

Accepted Answer

Julian Simon believed that human creativity and science would lead to solutions to environmental problems and resource depletion, rather than the notion that the Earth's carrying capacity would limit population growth. He argued that history has proven that people are the ultimate resource, and that technological advancements would allow for sustainable use of resources and continued progress. The other options mentioned (A and B) are not supported by evidence or scientific reasoning.

Question 9

Because of human activities and growth, it is estimated that at least one species becomes extinct every day. In fact, biologist E.O. Wilson thinks, with the expansion of industrialism, mechanized agriculture, and deforestation, as many as one-fourth of the world's plant families will become extinct by the end of the next century. The loss of this------- is a major concern for many individuals since we, as humans, are dependent upon these living organisms for our own survival (for food and medicinal applications).

Accepted Answer

The sentence mentions the loss of species, which refers to the concept of biodiversity. The other options (doubling time, green space, greenhouse, and perestroika) are not relevant to the topic.

Question 10

The one-child policy in China has been:

Accepted Answer

The one-child policy has been effective at reducing the birthrate in China. It is estimated that without the policy, China's population would have reached 1.7 billion by 2000, instead of the actual 1.27 billion. However, the policy has also had significant social, economic, and ethical implications.

Question 11

Ethnographic research aimed at examining the Green Revolution, which is the spread of mechanized agriculture, has found that:

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic research has found that the Green Revolution has created unintended social and economic problems, such as creating a class of landless peasants and widening the gap between the rich and poor. These issues arise when wealthy farmers buy out smaller farmers, disadvantaging the lower classes. The other choices are not supported by research findings.

Question 12

Anthropologist Marvin Harris has suggested that the entire fabric of society in the former Soviet Union was undermined by:

Accepted Answer

Marvin Harris argued that deficiencies in economic infrastructure, particularly the centralized planned economy, were the primary factor in the decline and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. This caused widespread social and economic difficulties, such as shortages and rationing, which eroded public trust in the government and its ideology. In turn, this weakened the legitimacy of the ruling party and contributed to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. While Marxist theories of social organization played a role in shaping Soviet society, Harris argued that the economic challenges were more significant. The influence of other cultures and ethnic conflict may have played a role in the Soviet Union's decline, but Harris did not emphasize these factors in his analysis.

Question 13

Demographic-transition theory assumes a close connection between:

Accepted Answer

Demographic-transition theory is the theory that connects fertility and mortality rates with socioeconomic development. It assumes that as a society becomes more economically developed, its fertility and mortality rates will decrease. This is seen as a result of improved education, healthcare, and access to birth control. The theory predicts that over time, population growth will slow down and eventually stabilize at a lower level. Therefore, option A is the closest connection between the theory and the answer. Options B and C are irrelevant, and option D is too broad and not necessarily accurate.

Question 14

Many scientists argue that the increased levels of carbon dioxide that are produced by the burning of fossil fuels and the tropical rainforest will create a(n) , in which the carbon dioxide will trap the heat from the sun and prevent it from radiating back into space.

Accepted Answer

The description given in the question matches the greenhouse effect, which is caused by the trapping of heat by certain gases like carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. The other options provided are not relevant or do not make sense in the given context.

Question 15

Between 1980 and 1990, the annual growth rate in China fell from to 1.4 percent.

Accepted Answer

The question states that the annual growth rate fell between 1980 and 1990, which means that the growth rate decreased. The only answer option that represents a decrease is Option C, which is 2.0.

Question 16

If a population is simply replacing itself, we say that the population has achieved:

Accepted Answer

Zero population growth refers to a state where the birth rate and death rate of a population are equal, resulting in no overall population growth. In this state, the population is simply replacing itself and not increasing in size.

Question 17

According to ethnographic research conducted by Murray Leaf, the Green Revolution has been successfully implemented in:

Accepted Answer

Murray Leaf's ethnographic research found that the Green Revolution was successfully implemented in Shahidpur, India.

Question 18

During stage one of the demographic transition, both fertility and mortality are high, resulting in minimal population growth. In stage two, fertility continues to be high, but mortality rates decline, as a result of which the population:

Accepted Answer

During stage two of the demographic transition, fertility remains high, but mortality rates decline. This results in a rapid increase in population size as the number of births exceeds the number of deaths. Therefore, the correct choice is B, which indicates that the population tends to increase in size rapidly.

Question 19

A population has reached zero population growth (ZPG) when, on average, there is/are children born to each woman.

Accepted Answer

ZPG occurs when the number of births is equal to the number of deaths in a population. In order for this to happen, each woman would need to have an average of 2.1 children (slightly above 2 due to factors such as infant mortality rates and individuals who do not have children). Therefore, the answer is choice C, 2.1.

Question 20

Which of the following countries is likely to have the lowest per capita energy consumption?

Accepted Answer

Sudan is a developing country with a low level of industrialization, infrastructure, and access to modern energy sources. Thus, it is likely to have the lowest per capita energy consumption among the given countries. Japan, on the other hand, is an industrialized country with a high level of energy consumption. Mexico and Canada are also relatively developed countries with significant energy consumption levels.

Quiz 17: Contemporary Global Trends