Question 1

Which of the following groups of nations are all middle-income nations?

Accepted Answer

Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia are all middle-income nations. Pakistan and Afghanistan are low-income nations, while Kuwait is a high-income nation. Norway and New Zealand are high-income nations, and Portugal is now considered an upper-middle-income nation. Saudi Arabia is a high-income nation, Nigeria is a lower-middle-income nation, and Bangladesh is a low-income nation.

Question 2

Which phrase BEST describes transnational corporations?

Accepted Answer

Transnational corporations own companies in multiple countries and seek profits globally, regardless of the nation in which they are headquartered.

Question 3

Although the Three Worlds model has been abandoned by Western governments and the international banks, it was a preferred model of sociologists.

Accepted Answer

The Three Worlds model was primarily a political and economic classification used during the Cold War era, rather than a preferred model of sociologists. Sociologists often use different frameworks for analyzing global development and inequality.

Question 4

In which city is there a serious social problem that has resulted in millions dying from acute respiratory infections created by air pollution generated by over 35,000 factories as well as the carbon monoxide from cars and trucks?

Accepted Answer

The description matches the situation in Mexico City, where air pollution has been a serious problem for decades, leading to significant public health concerns.

Question 5

What percentage of the world's population is accounted for by low- and middle-income nations?

Accepted Answer

According to the World Bank, low- and middle-income nations account for approximately 75% of the world's population.

Question 6

Globally, where is the greatest concentration of high-income nations?

Accepted Answer

The majority of high-income nations are located in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. This includes countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea, among others.

Question 7

What was the significance of the Berlin Conference of 1887?

Accepted Answer

The Berlin Conference of 1887 was significant because it marked the division of Africa among European powers. The European nations used the conference to agree on the rules for colonizing and exploiting Africa, planting their flags in map areas of Africa and Asia, claiming them as their territories.

Question 8

Based on a report by the United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) what area of the world is the major market for selling children?

Accepted Answer

According to UNICEF, Europe is identified as a major market for the trafficking and selling of children, due to factors such as demand and economic conditions.

Question 9

Based on the income model, what is the classification of Taiwan, South Korea, and Brazil?

Accepted Answer

Taiwan and South Korea are considered high-income economies, while Brazil is classified as an upper-middle-income economy according to the World Bank's income classifications.

Question 10

By 2050 it is predicted the majority of the world's population will live in Africa.

Accepted Answer

By 2050, it is predicted that Africa will have a significant population increase, but the majority of the world's population will still be living in Asia, particularly in countries like India and China.

Question 11

The consequences of global stratification touch the people of every nation, but they are experienced most acutely by the people of the poor nations.

Accepted Answer

Global stratification refers to the unequal distribution of resources and power among different countries or regions of the world. People in poor countries experience the negative consequences of global stratification most acutely, as they lack access to basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and clean water. They also often face political instability, violence, and exploitation. While people in wealthier countries may also be affected by global stratification, the impacts are generally less severe and less widespread.

Question 12

Which of the following theories of global stratification is based on a functionalist approach?

Accepted Answer

Modernization theory, unlike colonialism and dependency theory, posits that global stratification can be overcome through economic and social development. This approach is rooted in a functionalist perspective, which sees society as a system that should work together to achieve common goals. World system theory, on the other hand, focuses on the exploitative relationships between core and peripheral nations.

Question 13

In the Three Worlds model what qualities best describe the First World nations?

Accepted Answer

The Three Worlds model categorizes nations into three groups based on their level of economic development, with the First World describing the most advanced and industrialized nations. B is the correct answer as it describes the qualities of First World nations as technologically advanced, industrialized, democratic, and wealthy. A, C, and D do not accurately describe the qualities of First World nations according to the Three Worlds model.

Question 14

What are the three major classifications of nations in world system theory?

Accepted Answer

World system theory classifies nations into three major categories: core nations, semiperiphery nations, and periphery nations. Core nations are the most economically advanced, wealthy, and powerful countries in the world. Semiperiphery nations are intermediate nations that serve as a bridge between core and periphery nations. Periphery nations are the least economically developed and are mostly agricultural, with low levels of industrialization and technological advancement.

Question 15

Of the following, which nation has the highest gross national income?

Accepted Answer

The United States has the highest gross national income (GNI) among the four nations listed. GNI is the total amount of money earned by a country's residents and businesses, regardless of whether the income was earned within the country or outside of it. According to the World Bank, the United States had a GNI of $21.44 trillion in 2019, while Japan had a GNI of $5.15 trillion, Germany had a GNI of $4.43 trillion, and Sweden had a GNI of $538 billion.

Question 16

Most low-income nations have "safety nets" or welfare programs to assist their citizens to acquire basic needs.

Accepted Answer

Many low-income nations struggle to establish or maintain effective safety nets or welfare programs due to limited financial resources, infrastructure, and administrative capabilities.

Question 17

In spite of globalization and a concern for human rights, recent statistics on economic growth show that the rich nations seem to be getting richer while the poor nations are getting poorer.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that despite efforts to address global inequality, the gap between rich and poor nations has widened in recent decades, with wealthy countries experiencing greater economic growth and prosperity while poorer nations continue to struggle with poverty and underdevelopment.

Question 18

What is the global city that has been called "the capital of Latin America"?

Accepted Answer

Miami, FL is known as the "capital of Latin America" due to its large population of Latin American immigrants and role as a business and cultural hub in the region.

Question 19

Approximately how many nations are there in the world today?

Accepted Answer

According to the United Nations, there are currently 193 member states, which are recognized as sovereign and independent nations, and there are also several other entities that are not member states but are recognized by at least some other countries as independent, such as the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine. Therefore, the total number of nations in the world is a little more than 200.

Question 20

What region of the world accounts for the greatest number of HIV/AIDS cases?

Accepted Answer

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases, with an estimated 25 million people living with the virus in the region. This is due to a combination of factors including lack of access to healthcare, poverty, cultural beliefs, and limited education about prevention.

Quiz 9: Global Stratification