Question 1

The governmental structure of Australia is that of a(n)______________.

Accepted Answer

Australia has a federal system of government, which means that power is shared between the national government and the states and territories. The Constitution of Australia outlines the powers and responsibilities of each level of government.

Question 2

The animals found in Australia who carry their young in pouches are collectively known as _______________.

Accepted Answer

The animals found in Australia who carry their young in pouches are known as marsupials, which includes animals like kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. A is incorrect because eucalyptus is a type of tree found in Australia. B and E are incorrect because there is no such thing as Australopods or Anzacs. D is incorrect because the Outback refers to the remote, rural areas of Australia and does not refer to a specific type of animal.

Question 3

Indigenous Australians are known as ______________.

Accepted Answer

Indigenous Australians are commonly referred to as Aboriginals or Aboriginal Australians. The term "Aboriginal" refers to the native people of Australia, who have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years. The use of this term is preferred by many Indigenous Australians over other terms such as "native" or "indigenous." Maoris are the Indigenous people of New Zealand, Cook Islanders are the Indigenous people of the Cook Islands, Austral Indians are Indigenous people of South America, and marsupials are a type of mammal that carry their young in a pouch, such as kangaroos and wallabies.

Question 4

The agricultural activity most closely associated with Australia's moistest environment is ______________.

Accepted Answer

Sugar cane requires a moist environment for optimal growth, and Australia's most humid regions, particularly along the northeastern coast, are well-suited for this crop.

Question 5

The capital of Australia is _________________.

Accepted Answer

Canberra is the capital city of Australia, as it was chosen to be the capital in 1908 due to its central location between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities in the country. Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and Wellington are all cities in Australia and New Zealand, but they are not the capital of Australia.

Question 6

__________ is the study of fauna in spatial perspective.

Accepted Answer

Zoogeography specifically studies the distribution of animals in space, while ecology is a broader field that includes the study of both plants and animals in their environment. Phytogeography, botanical geography, and plant geography are all focused on the distribution of plants in space, rather than fauna.

Question 7

Wallace's Line refers to the __________________.

Accepted Answer

Wallace's Line refers to the line separating Australian animal species from non-Australian species. This line was named after the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace who noticed the distinct difference in animal species between Bali and Lombok in Indonesia during his travels in the 19th century. The line marks the boundary between the Asian and Australian biogeographic regions and separates species that originated in different geological ages.

Question 8

The island lying across the Bass Strait off the southeastern coast of Australia is named ____________.

Accepted Answer

Tasmania is the island lying across the Bass Strait off the southeastern coast of Australia. New Zealand is a different country that is located across the Tasman Sea, to the east of Tasmania. Canberra is the capital city of Australia, not an island. South Island is part of New Zealand, not part of Australia. East Timor is a separate country located north of Australia.

Question 9

According to Figure 11-5,which city is closest to Australia's largest mountain range?

Accepted Answer

According to Figure 11-5, Sydney is the closest city to Australia's largest mountain range, the Great Dividing Range.

Question 10

The vast interior rural heart of Australia is known as the _________________.

Accepted Answer

The term "Outback" is commonly used to refer to the vast interior rural heartland of Australia. It is a term that describes the remote and often harsh regions of the country that lie far away from the major urban centers along the coast. The Outback is characterized by its rugged terrain, sparse population, and unique flora and fauna. It is home to many indigenous communities and has played an important role in the cultural history of Australia.

Question 11

Most of the core area of Australia is located in the ___________.

Accepted Answer

The core area of Australia, which includes the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra, is located in the southeastern part of the country. The Outback, which covers a large portion of Australia, is not a specific geographic region and therefore not a viable answer. The northwest and southwest regions of Australia are sparsely populated and do not contain large metropolitan areas comparable to the southeast. The northeast region is dominated by tropical rainforests and coastal areas, not the core of Australia. Thus, the correct answer is D) southeast.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of Australia's major problems?

Accepted Answer

Australia is a continent and a country that is surrounded by water and does not share any land borders with any other country, hence it does not have any land border disputes.

Question 13

Approximately ___ percent of Australians live in cities or towns.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 80 percent of Australians live in cities or towns, reflecting the country's high level of urbanization.

Question 14

According to Figure 11-6,Tasmania contains all of the following minerals EXCEPT ____________.

Accepted Answer

From Figure 11-6, it can be observed that Tasmania has copper, lead, gold, zinc, and silver deposits. However, there is no mention of uranium in Tasmania. Therefore, the correct answer is E) uranium.

Question 15

Australia's top customer for its goods is ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Australia's top customer for its goods is...

Question 16

Which of the following cities is located nearest the Australian capital of Canberra?

Accepted Answer

Melbourne is the closest city to Canberra among the options provided. Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory, which is an enclave within New South Wales. Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, is approximately 660 kilometers (about 410 miles) southwest of Canberra, making it the nearest major city to the Australian capital compared to the other options listed.

Question 17

The environmental crisis that most severely threatens economic activity in the Murray-Darling River Basin is _________________.

Accepted Answer

The Murray-Darling River Basin has been experiencing severe drought conditions, which have led to significant reductions in water availability for agricultural and industrial use. This has severely impacted economic activity in the region, including agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. While other environmental issues, such as mining pollution and deforestation, may also have negative impacts, the current drought is the most pressing crisis for the region. Overpopulation and repeated floods are not major environmental crises in this region.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the physical environment of the Austral Realm is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Australia actually has earthquakes, but they are less frequent and less severe than those in New Zealand. Australia does not have active volcanoes.

Question 19

Figure 11-3 shows that the body of water found near 40° South latitude is ___________.

Accepted Answer

In 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) officially designated this body of water as the Southern Ocean, located around 40° South latitude. It is the newest ocean to be recognized by the IHO and is unique because it is the only ocean that is defined by its current and surrounding currents rather than being named after a continent or landmass. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 20

Which nation does not rank among the five leading trading partners of Australia?

Accepted Answer

China, Japan, South Korea, United States, and New Zealand are the five leading trading partners of Australia according to the latest data published by the Australian government. India does not rank among the top five, making option C the correct answer.

Quiz 12: The Austral Realm

The governmental structure of Australia is that of a(n) ______________.