Question 1

Site identifies a place by its
A) location relative to other objects and places.
B) mathematical location on Earth's surface.
C) nominal location.
D) unique physical characteristics.
E) primary dimensions.

Accepted Answer

Site identifies a place by its unique physical characteristics, such as landforms, climate, and resources.

Question 2

If NASA sends a space probe into orbit around Mars, and that probe transmits images of the Martian surface back to Earth, we could say that
A) the space probe is gathering surface data, but it cannot be described as engaging in remote sensing because this is an operation that, by definition, can only be accomplished from Earth orbit.
B) the space probe is generating data for GPS.
C) the space probe is engaging in remote sensing, although it is gathering data from a planet other than Earth.
D) the probe is engaging in aerial photography, although it is taking its "pictures" from outer space.
E) the USGS has programmed the space probe to mimic the work of Earth satellites.

Accepted Answer

Remote sensing is the process of gathering information about the environment from a distance, typically from sensors that are not in direct contact with the environment being studied. In this case, the space probe is gathering information about the Martian surface from a distance, so it is engaging in remote sensing.

Question 3

Culture means to
A) care about and nurture something.
B) nurture the growth of a plant but not ideas, customs, or beliefs.
C) develop new variations.
D) discard effective practices.
E) teach art, music, and literature.

Accepted Answer

Culture means to care about and nurture something, such as ideas, customs, beliefs, traditions, arts, literature, and more. It encompasses the values, norms, behaviors, artifacts, and symbolic systems shared by a group or society. Culture helps people to create meaning, identity, and solidarity and to adapt to their environment and challenges. It can also change over time, through innovation, diffusion, or transformation, but it always involves some degree of care and nurturing. Therefore, option A is the best choice. The other options are inaccurate or incomplete. Option B is too narrow and excludes non-physical aspects of culture. Option C may apply to genetic or technological culture, but not to social or human culture. Option D is counterproductive and undermines the purpose of culture. Option E is related to culture but only to some of its manifestations, not its essence.

Question 4

The nine regions that the Census Bureau has established within the United States are examples of
A) governmental regions.
B) functional regions.
C) nodal regions.
D) formal regions.
E) vernacular regions.

Accepted Answer

The nine regions established by the Census Bureau are formal regions, which are defined by a government or other official organization based on particular characteristics, such as geographic, cultural, or economic factors.

Question 5

The name of a location on Earth's surface is a
A) scale name.
B) site.
C) situation.
D) toponym.
E) geonym.

Accepted Answer

A toponym is a name given to a particular place on Earth's surface, such as a city, mountain, or river.

Question 6

A geographer would be primarily interested in determining or locating a suitable ________ if he were wishing to study a remote, rural valley in western Africa where diamonds are mined.
A) geocache
B) situation
C) site
D) toponym
E) jurisdiction

Accepted Answer

A geographer would be interested in locating a suitable site to study the rural valley in Africa where diamonds are mined, as the site would likely offer more insight into the physical and human geography of the area. A geocache (A) is a type of treasure hunt game, a situation (B) refers to the circumstances or context surrounding an event, a toponym (D) is a place name or geographical feature, and a jurisdiction (E) is an area governed by a legal authority.

Question 7

An area distinguished by one or more unique characteristics is a(n)
A) biome.
B) landscape.
C) region.
D) uniform unit.
E) ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

A region is defined as an area distinguished by one or more unique characteristics, such as climate, topography, or land use. Biomes, landscapes, and ecosystems also have distinct characteristics, but they are not necessarily defined by a single unique characteristic. Uniform units are generally used in mapping or inventorying, and are not necessarily defined by unique characteristics.

Question 8

If a geographer uses some of the components and applications of a computer system to organize and display maps, but she doesn't use it for other functions,
A) she is still using a GIS, although she may not be using all of its potential to store, organize, retrieve, and analyze data.
B) she is still utilizing a GPS, although she may not be using all of its potential to store, organize, retrieve, and analyze data.
C) she is using only the components of a remote sensing system, because she is not storing, organizing, retrieving, or analyzing data.
D) she is not using a GIS, because she is not using all of the system's potential to store, organize, retrieve, and analyze data.
E) she is using only the topographic analysis functions, because she is not using all of its potential to store, organize, retrieve, and analyze data.

Accepted Answer

She is still using a GIS (Geographic Information System) if she is using components and applications of a computer system to organize and display maps, although she may not be using all of its potential features to store, organize, retrieve, and analyze data. A GIS can be used for various purposes beyond mapping, including data analysis and modeling.

Question 9

Situation identifies a place by its
A) location relative to other objects or places.
B) mathematical location on Earth's surface.
C) nominal location.
D) unique, internal physical and cultural characteristics.
E) primary dimensions.

Accepted Answer

A situation is defined by its location in relation to other objects or places. This location can be described using relative distance or direction.

Question 10

A ship's position is given as 0 degrees latitude and 27 degrees west longitude. We can conclude from this information that the ship is located
A) on the equator and in the Atlantic Ocean.
B) at the North or South Pole and in the Arctic Ocean.
C) on the Prime Meridian and in the Atlantic Ocean.
D) astride the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
E) equidistant between the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line.

Accepted Answer

The ship's position at 0 degrees latitude indicates it is on the equator, and 27 degrees west longitude places it in the Atlantic Ocean, not near the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude), the International Date Line (approximately 180 degrees longitude), the North or South Pole, or the Arctic Ocean.

Question 11

The concept that the distribution of one phenomenon is related to the location of other phenomena is
A) geographic analysis.
B) spatial analysis.
C) spatial association.
D) spatial distribution.
E) regional association.

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the question is spatial association. This refers to the relationship between the distribution of two or more phenomena in space, and whether they are related or not. The other answer choices are related to different aspects of spatial analysis, but do not directly address the idea of spatial association.

Question 12

Global Positioning Systems reference ________ location.
A) relative
B) situational
C) mathematical
D) toponymic
E) exact

Accepted Answer

GPS uses a mathematical system of coordinates (latitude and longitude) to determine precise locations on Earth.

Question 13

The state of Texas is best considered a formal region because A) only one language is spoken in most of the cities of the region. B) the same state laws apply everywhere in the region. C) the climate is the same everywhere in the region. D) transportation systems converge in the major highways of the region. E) it is a part of the United States.

Accepted Answer

A formal region is defined by a common characteristic or set of characteristics, such as language, culture, or government policies. In the case of Texas, the same state laws apply everywhere in the region, making it a formal region. While there may be some variations in climate and transportation systems throughout the state, it is the consistency of state laws that is the defining characteristic of Texas as a formal region.

Question 14

A computer system that stores, organizes, retrieves, analyzes, and displays geographic data is
A) GIS.
B) GPS.
C) remote sensing.
D) USGS.
E) topographic analysis.

Accepted Answer

GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a computer system designed to store, organize, retrieve, analyze, and display geographic data. It allows users to visualize, analyze, and understand patterns and relationships in geographic data in order to make informed decisions. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a technology that uses satellite signals to determine location and is often used in conjunction with GIS. Remote sensing involves collecting data about the earth's surface, atmosphere, and oceans from a distance, while USGS is a government agency responsible for studying the natural resources of the United States. Topographic analysis is a method of analyzing the physical features of the earth's surface.

Question 15

Which of the following are fundamental elements of culture?
A) customary beliefs, volcanic mountain ranges, and river settlements
B) material beliefs, customary forms, physical norms, and material social traits
C) social forms, material traits, customary beliefs, and physical environments
D) customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms
E) physical environments and material traits

Accepted Answer

Customary beliefs and social forms are essential elements of culture, as they define the beliefs, values, and norms of a society. Material traits, such as artifacts and technology, also characterize a culture, as they reflect the ways in which people interact with their environment. However, physical environments, such as mountains and rivers, are not universal elements of culture, as different societies have developed in different physical environments. Therefore, the most accurate choice is D, which includes customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms as fundamental elements of culture.

Question 16

The acquisition of data about Earth's surface from a satellite, spacecraft, or specially equipped high-altitude balloon is
A) GIS.
B) GPS.
C) remote sensing.
D) aerial photography.
E) USGS.

Accepted Answer

Remote sensing involves the collection of data about the Earth's surface from a distance using satellites, spacecraft, or high-altitude balloons. GIS (A) refers to the analysis and interpretation of that data, while GPS (B) is a navigation system that uses signals from satellites to determine location. Aerial photography (D) is a method of capturing images from an airplane or helicopter, but it is not necessarily equipped with specific sensors for data collection. USGS (E) stands for United States Geological Survey, which is a government agency responsible for studying the Earth's natural resources, but it is not a method of data acquisition.

Question 17

Without glancing at a map, we can guess that the coordinates 178 E longitude, 20 S latitude are likely
A) just east of the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
B) in the Pacific Ocean just north of the equator.
C) in the Pacific Ocean just west of the International Date Line.
D) just west of the prime meridian in the Atlantic Ocean.
E) just south of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean.

Accepted Answer

The coordinates 178 E longitude would place the location just west of the International Date Line, and 20 S latitude would place it in the southern hemisphere. This places the location in the Pacific Ocean, which makes choice C the most likely answer.

Question 18

New York City's ________ is approximately 100 miles northeast of Philadelphia and 100 miles southwest of Boston.
A) location
B) site
C) situation
D) toponym
E) jurisdiction

Accepted Answer

The term describing the relative location of New York City in relation to Philadelphia and Boston is situation. Situation refers to the location of a place relative to its surroundings or other locations.

Question 19

Driving around to gather information for street navigation devices is called
A) ground truthing.
B) remote sensing.
C) GIS programming.
D) GPS grounding.
E) GPS.

Accepted Answer

The act of driving around to collect data for street navigation devices is known as ground truthing. This involves verifying and validating data that has already been gathered through other methods, such as remote sensing or GIS programming. GPS grounding may refer to the process of ensuring the accuracy and reliability of GPS devices, but it does not specifically relate to the collection of street data. GPS itself is a method of satellite-based navigation, but it does not involve the physical collection of data on streets and roads.

Question 20

A geographer might use a GPS to
A) log the locations where photographs were taken, but not to find the best route to a store.
B) make a map but not to drive a car.
C) find the best route to a store or log the locations where photographs were taken.
D) record toponyms and terracentric calculations.
E) make a map or find a route to a favorite store, but not to log the locations where photographs were taken over the course of a research project.

Accepted Answer

A GPS (Global Positioning System) can be used by a geographer to find the best route to a store or log the locations where photographs were taken over the course of a research project. GPS can provide accurate location data, which can be used to make maps and record location-specific information.

Quiz 1: Basic Concepts

Site identifies a place by its

If NASA sends a space probe into orbit around Mars, and that probe transmits images of the Martian surface back to Earth, we could say that

Culture means to

The nine regions that the Census Bureau has established within the United States are examples of

The name of a location on Earth's surface is a

A geographer would be primarily interested in determining or locating a suitable ________ if he were wishing to study a remote, rural valley in western Africa where diamonds are mined.

An area distinguished by one or more unique characteristics is a(n)

If a geographer uses some of the components and applications of a computer system to organize and display maps, but she doesn't use it for other functions,

Situation identifies a place by its

A ship's position is given as 0 degrees latitude and 27 degrees west longitude. We can conclude from this information that the ship is located

The concept that the distribution of one phenomenon is related to the location of other phenomena is

Global Positioning Systems reference ________ location.

The state of Texas is best considered a formal region because

A computer system that stores, organizes, retrieves, analyzes, and displays geographic data is

Which of the following are fundamental elements of culture?

The acquisition of data about Earth's surface from a satellite, spacecraft, or specially equipped high-altitude balloon is

Without glancing at a map, we can guess that the coordinates 178 E longitude, 20 S latitude are likely

New York City's ________ is approximately 100 miles northeast of Philadelphia and 100 miles southwest of Boston.

Driving around to gather information for street navigation devices is called

A geographer might use a GPS to