Unit 8 Review
1 Which geographic factor has been most influential in the pattern of human settlement in
the Middle East and North Africa?
A fertile soil
B cool climate
C water resources
D mineral resources
2 Water resources in the country of Iraq have been directly affected by the building of a
network of dams and irrigation ditches on the Tigris Euphrates rivers. Which country on its
northern border is responsible for this?
F Jordan
G Israel
H Turkey
J Russia
3 The Middle East and North Africa are examples of what type of regions?
A formal
B functional
C perceptual
D physical
4 All of the following are factors that have caused large scale human migration in this region
EXCEPT—
F drought
G disease and famine
H lack of technology
J political instability
5 In the past thirty years the population of Northern Africa has shifted away from
areas in the South to the coastal Mediterranean area. What is the primary
geographic reason for this?
A lack of jobs in the South
B access to more resources in the coastal area
C mountainous terrain in the South makes farming difficult
D the expansion of the Sahara Desert
6 The dominant religion in countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa is Islam. The
countries primarily speak Arabic or dialects of Arabic. Some have better
access to trade than others. Some are oilrich nations, but not others. Which of the
following assertions can be made based on this information?
F The Middle East and Northern Africa can be considered a single region due to their
common religion and language.
G The Middle East and Northern Africa must be considered separate regions
because they are located on separate continents.
H The Middle East and Northern Africa can be considered together as a region due to the
variety of political systems in the area.
J None of these is true.
7 What is the most accurate explanation for how changes in North African and Southwest
Asian societies have led to changes in landuse?
F The move to industrialization has depleted the resources of many of these countries.
G The increase in nomadic groups has brought the end to oasis waters and date palms.
H Population growth and overuse of land and water resources have led to more urban
growth.
J The desert climates of many of these countries have caused the populations
to migrate.
8 All of the following are responsible for the location of cities in the Middle East and North
Africa EXCEPT—
A water sources
B climatic conditions
C cultural diversity
D transportation routes
9 Which modern technology allows populations like Israel's to survive extreme droughts and
lack of fresh drinking water?
F electricity
G levees
H canals
J desalination
10 Which Middle Eastern nation has developed ethnic diversity due to widespread
immigration from around the world?
F Israel
G Jordan
H Syria
J Arab Emirates
11 Why do some conservative religious groups in the Middle East oppose Western styles of
dress and music into their countries?
A They
B They
C They
D They
believe that it will hurt their businesses.
believe it might prevent democratic reforms.
are trying to protect their cultural values.
are trying to prevent other religions from gaining influence.
12. Arabic culture can BEST be described as including—
A Islamic language, religious fundamentalism, responsibility to the family, loyalty to the
government, music characterized by an emphasis on harmony, and foods emphasizing
the use of rice and beef and heavy spices
B Semitic language, Islamic fundamentalism, responsibility to the government, loyalty to
family, music characterized by an emphasis on harmony, and foods emphasizing the use of
wheat and lamb and heavy spices
C Arabic language, Islamic concepts, responsibility to the poor, loyalty to family, music
characterized by an emphasis on melody and rhythm, and foods emphasizing the use of rice
and wheat bulgar and heavy spices
D Arabic language, trips to Mecca, responsibility to the religious leaders, loyalty to the clan,
music characterized by an emphasis on melody and harmony, and foods emphasizing the
use of vegetables and bread
13 Some people who live in North Africa and Southwest Asia believe that the values of
Western nations are damaging to their culture because —
F Western culture is focused on American ideas and they do not like Americans
G Arabic culture does not include influence from other cultures
H they want everyone in the region to be the same and have the same opportunities
J some Western cultural values are in conflict with traditional values in the region
14 Afghanistan has had a history of conflicts and wars since the 1970s. These conflicts have
brought people from other Middle Eastern countries along with the British, Russians,
Americans, and others to Afghanistan. A likely effect of this has been —
A the change of the national language of Afghanistan to English
B stability in the economic system of Afghanistan
C an increase in migration pull factors to Afghanistan
D the diffusion of ideas from these cultures to Afghanistan
15 Why do women in many Southwest Asian countries have fewer political and social
rights than men?
F The governments believe women should have no rights.
G The societies are trying to protect women from negative influences in the world.
H These countries believe that women are less intelligent than men.
J Religious and cultural beliefs are a part of the law in these countries.
16 Which is the sacred text of Islam?
A Bible
B Torah
C Qur'an
D Rig Veda
17 All of the following are difficulties with setting the boundary between Israel and Palestine
EXCEPT —
F elevation of the land
G location of aquifers
H control of Jerusalem
J presence of Jewish settlements
18Which of the following is responsible for MOST of Egypt's population living in 3% of the
land area?
A Red Sea
B Sahara Desert
C Mediterranean Sea
D oases