Question 1

In any given population, fertility will always be higher than fecundity.

Accepted Answer

Fecundity refers to the biological ability to reproduce, while fertility refers to the actual production of offspring. Therefore, in some cases, an individual may have high fecundity but low fertility (e.g. due to infertility or other factors). In other cases, an individual may have low fecundity but high fertility (e.g. due to assisted reproductive technologies). Overall, it is possible for fertility to be lower or higher than fecundity depending on various factors.

Question 2

At birth, the U.S. sex ratio is generally even at 100, indicating that an equal number of males and females is born.

Accepted Answer

At birth, the U.S. sex ratio typically shows that more males are born than females. The natural sex ratio at birth is often around 105 males for every 100 females.

Question 3

Farming and agricultural-related work continues to be the dominant way of life in rural areas of the United States.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

The majority of new urban growth comes from natural increases in population due to high birth rates and lower death rates.

Accepted Answer

Natural increase refers to the difference between the number of births and deaths in a population. As urban areas usually have access to better healthcare and sanitation than rural areas, this often results in lower death rates and higher birth rates. Therefore, natural increase is a major contributor to urban growth.

Question 5

Cities undergo economic recovery more quickly than do entire nations.

Accepted Answer

Economic recovery can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of a city or nation, including the scale of the economy, the nature of the economic downturn, and the policies implemented for recovery. There is no universal rule that cities recover more quickly than entire nations.

Question 6

How large is the world's population today?​
A) ​6 billion
B) ​6.5 billion
C) ​7.2 billion
D) ​8 billion

Accepted Answer

As of 2021, the estimated world population is around 7.2 billion.

Question 7

From a symbolic interactionist perspective, the city is a faceless and alienating place.

Accepted Answer

From a symbolic interactionist perspective, the city is not seen as inherently faceless and alienating. Instead, this perspective focuses on the meanings and interpretations individuals give to their social world, including urban environments. It emphasizes the social interactions and symbols that give cities their unique character and the way individuals experience and shape urban life.

Question 8

Today just a few hundred financial institutions and developers finance and construct most major and minor urban development projects around the country.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as the concentration of financial and development power in the hands of a few large institutions is a well-documented trend in the urban development industry.

Question 9

Demographers who have revised the model of the demographic transition have highlighted the interactive effects of what are actually multiple types of transitions taking place simultaneously.

Accepted Answer

Demographers have indeed revised the model of the demographic transition to include the interactive effects of multiple types of transitions happening simultaneously.

Question 10

Capitalism and innovative technologies are successfully solving the problems of overpopulation.

Accepted Answer

Capitalism and innovative technologies are not solving the problems of overpopulation, in fact they may even exacerbate it by driving consumerism and increasing resource consumption. The issue of overpopulation requires a more comprehensive and sustainable approach that involves social, cultural, and political factors.

Question 11

The conflict perspective on the growth of cities is completely structural in its approach and explanations, focusing on the impact of capitalism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The conflict perspective on the growth of...

Question 12

Immigration to the United States has declined in recent years due to job loss and a period of economic crisis.

Accepted Answer

Many immigrants come to the United States for job opportunities and with the economic downturn, there were fewer jobs available, leading to a decrease in immigration.

Question 13

White women have a longer life expectancy than white men; however, African American men have a longer life expectancy than African American women.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. African American women have a longer life expectancy than African American men.

Question 14

Neo-Malthusians argue that improving the status of women, reducing religious intolerance, and ending racial discrimination are essential to solving the problem of overpopulation and rapid population growth.

Accepted Answer

Neo-Malthusians argue that addressing social issues such as gender inequality, religious intolerance, and racial discrimination can help reduce population growth by improving access to education, healthcare, and family planning, which in turn can improve the standard of living and reduce the need for large families.

Question 15

There is a lack of consensus among scholars about the consequences of global population growth.

Accepted Answer

While some scholars believe that population growth can lead to economic growth and innovation, others argue that it can lead to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and social instability. Therefore, there is a lack of consensus among scholars about the consequences of global population growth.

Question 16

Hispanics accounted for about half the population growth in suburban areas in the 2000s.

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics accounted for about half of the population growth in suburban areas in the 2000s.

Question 17

In most areas of the world today, women are having fewer children than they have in the past.

Accepted Answer

This is generally true, as women in many parts of the world are choosing to have fewer children or delay having children due to factors such as education, career pursuits, and access to contraception. However, there may be exceptions in certain regions or cultures where having larger families is still encouraged or expected.

Question 18

Immigration is the only significant factor affecting population size and growth.

Accepted Answer

Immigration is not the only significant factor affecting population size and growth. Birth rates, death rates, and migration within a country are also important factors.

Question 19

The demographic transition is an accurate model for describing the process of population growth in all societies.

Accepted Answer

The demographic transition model is a theoretical framework that describes the pattern of transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates that occurs as societies develop from pre-industrial to industrial economies. It is an accurate model for many societies that have undergone rapid economic and social change, but it may not be applicable to all societies, especially those that are not experiencing industrialization or modernization. Additionally, it is important to note that the demographic transition model is a simplified representation of a complex process and may not capture all the variability and nuance of population growth in every society.

Question 20

In low-income, less-developed nations, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death.

Accepted Answer

Infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, and tuberculosis are still the leading causes of death in low-income countries, accounting for a large proportion of the global disease burden.

Quiz 15: Population and Urbanization