Name:
Score: ____ / 12 points
Grade:_____
Unit One CRQ: You will have 30 minutes to answer the following question. It is suggested that you take a few
minutes to plan and outline your answer. Illustrate your essay with substantive examples where appropriate. It is
not enough to answer a question by merely listing facts. You should present a cogent (syn: persuasive; convincing )
argument based on your critical analysis of the question posed and your understanding of geography. Use the
regions from the map to answer the following questions.
Use the maps provided to pull examples for your essay.
A. Explain how relative location and changing scale help geographers to better understand the borderland
region between Mexico and the United States. (4 pts)
B. Define the following concepts as they are used in geography. Using the maps provided, for each of the
concepts in part B discuss specific examples to illustrate your understanding. (6 pts)
 Formal Region
 Functional Region
Name:
Score: ____ / 12 points
Grade:_____
Rubric: 1 pt – underline / circle key words 1 pt – planning - short word outline or flow
Explain how relative
location and changing
scale help geographers
to better understand the
borderland region
between Mexico and the
United States. (4 pts)
Relative location – 1 pt limited discussion 2 points extended – students do not have to
mention all aspects to receive full credit.
 Juarez to El Paso - the two are sister cities with each other and there relative
location helps us to understand why they are located where they are.
Discussion should include
o near the border of US and Mexico
o gateway cities to US and Mexico


El Paso is situated at a passage through the Rocky Mountains which led to
major train routes extending through the region
The borderland region by nature is a mixture of Mexican and American
cultures with each cultural region in contact with the other and therefore
influenced by each other.

Changing scale - 1 pt limited discussion 2 points extended –






Define the following
concepts as they are
used in geography.
Using the maps
provided, for each of
the concepts in part B
discuss specific
examples to illustrate
your understanding. (6
pts)
 Formal Region
 Functional
Region
This process is evident if we change scale and move out to see the whole
picture of the region. Use two of the following to support.
On the local scale we see evidence of both cultures because of language,
religion and other cultural similarities.
Regional Scale- Migration patterns in Mexico to Juarez / El Paso cross border
trade with Juarez
National Scale- importance of maquiladora’s to the overall US economy not
just the SW region
Global Scale- Less developed region next to highly developed region- can see
if you back out to a smaller scale map
Need Small scale and Large scale comparisons
Formal Region
 1 pt for correct definition
 1 pt limited discussion w/ examples 2 points extended discussion w/
examples–
Potential Formal examples Political boundary between US and Mexico- demarcation, legal description
 Leaving one cultural Realm Latin America going into Anglo America
 Less developed region into highly developed region.
 Demarcation of boundary is an important consideration in each example.
Functional Region
 1 pt for correct definition
 1 pt limited discussion w/ examples 2 points extended discussion w/
examples–
Potential Functional Region
 Economic manufacturing region for US
 Both Juarez and El Paso are tied together because of cross border trade
 Culturally both regions have similarities –language, religion, history etc
 Urban vs rural regions
 Anapra region of Juarez compared to Compestre – each serving a different
Name:
Score: ____ / 12 points
Grade:_____
function within the city.
Grading Scale:
Score(12)
Grade out of 100
12
100
A+
11
95
A
10
88
B+
9
83
B
8
78
C+
7
70
C6
65
D
5
60
D4
55
F
3
50
F
1 or 2
25
F