Concept and Essay Study Guide
Section 1
1. How long does it take the Earth to travel around the Sun?
One year or 365 days
2. What is one result of the earth’s tilt?
Causes us to have seasons
3. Why is the Sun so important to life on Earth?
It provides us heat and light
Section 2
4. How do geographers use the theme of regions?
To make comparisons between areas
5. What are geographers most likely to study?
Landforms and their locations
6. What do geographers want to learn about the Earth and its people?
How they affect each other
7. What does the theme human-environment interactions tell geographers?
How people and the environment affect each other.
8. What themes help geographers organize information?
Location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, regions
9. How are latitudes and longitudes lines used?
To find absolute location
10.
What are the two questions asked by geographers?
Where are things located? Why are they there?
Section 3
1. Why were flat maps invented?
They are complete enough to use and convenient to carry
2. How is a globe more accurate than a map?
It gives the true shape of continents and oceans
3. Why are flat maps distorted?
Because the Earth is round not flat
4. Why do flat maps have distortions?
Maps are flat and the Earth is round
Essays: Pick one to do for the test.
1. Making comparisons: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using
only a map or only a globe to present information about the Earth? (6 points)
Advantages:
Globe round – Earth round
Continents and oceans correct shape
Maps more portable
Maps contain more details
Disadvantages:
Globe can’t be detailed
Maps are distorted
2. Drawing conclusions: If you were planning a two-day car trip to a different state, would
you take a map or a globe to guide you? Explain your decision. (6 Points)
a) Take map
b) Easier to carry
c) More detailed information
d) Gives road and highways
e) Gives cities, restaurants and gas
f) Globe too big and not details