Middle East Test Review
1. Define stateless nation. List two examples of groups in the Middle East that fit this description.
2. How was Israel created? How has Israel’s borders changed since its creation? (Be specific. Give dates
and territorial gains/losses)
3. What is desertification? List two causes and two effects of desertification.
4. What is a cultural hearth? Why would the Middle East be described as a cultural hearth?
5. Be able to locate Istanbul on a map. What is another name for the city of Istanbul? (Get out an Atlas
and look! Now!)
6. Define relative location and absolute location.
7. What is a strait? Give 3 examples of straits in the Middle East. Why are they important?
8. Define drip irrigation. Where is it used?
9. Define aqueduct.
10. What is the dominant language in each of the following countries?
a. Iran: ________________________________
b. Iraq: ________________________________
c. Saudi Arabia: _________________________
d. Israel: _______________________________
e. Turkey: ______________________________
f. Syria: _______________________________
11. List and describe the five pillars of faith for Muslims.
a. ________________b. ________________c. ________________d. ________________e. ________________-
12. A person who practices Christianity is referred to as a ___________________. A person who
practices Judaism is referred to as a ________________. A Person who practices Islam is referred to
as a ____________________.
13. What is a Palestinian? (Do not answer “a person who lives in Palestine.” Be specific!)
14. What religion would a Palestinian most likely practice?
15. What religion would an Israeli most likely practice?
16. Define outsourcing. Why do countries outsource?
17. Who are the Bedouins? Describe their lifestyle. What religion did they help spread throughout the
Middle East?
18. Describe the tradition gender roles/customs women must follow in the Middle East. Give at least 3
examples.
19. Define Anti-Semitism.
20. What does OPEC stand for and what are its goals? List at least 5 member countries.
21. Create a list of 3 push factors and 3 pull factors for the Middle East.
Pull
Push
22. In what type of economic system are citizens free to choose what to produce, buy, and sell? Give an
example of a Middle Eastern country with this economic system.
23. Define Monotheism. Give an example of a monotheistic religion.
24. Define Polytheism. Give an example of a polytheistic religion.
25. Complete the following chart:
Islam
Christianity
God
Prophet – Is he divine?
Holy Book
Why Jerusalem is the
Holy City?
(Name the
Building/Structure and
its significance)
Basic Beliefs (What
makes these three
religions different if
they essentially all
believe in the same
God?)
26. How could a city in the middle of the desert sustain a large population?
27. Complete the diagram explaining the split between Sunni and Shiite within Islam.
Muhammad
Descendents
Advisors
_________________
_______________
28. What is Mesopotamia? Why did the first civilizations develop there?
29. Describe the following characteristics of North Africa.
a. Dominant language ________________
b. Dominant Religion: _________________
c. Dominant Climate:_________________
Islam
30. The Suez Canal connects the __________________ and the ________________________. It is
important because ________________________________________________________.
31. The Strait of Hormuz connects the ____________________ and the _______________________ it is
important because _____________________________________________________________.
32. The Dardanelles strait connects the ___________________ and the _______________________ it is
important because ________________________________________________________________.
33. Define theocracy. Give two examples of countries in the Middle East rule by a theocracy.
34. How does a theocratic government shape daily life/traditions in the Middle East? Give at least three
examples.
a.
b.
c.
35. What is a cultural region?
Be able to identify the following places on a map. (Get out your Atlas and make sure you can find them.
Yes, Right Now!)
Suez Canal
Dardanelles Straight
Strait of Hormuz
North Africa
Middle East
Saudi Arabia
Istanbul
Israel
Jerusalem
Iran
Iraq
Mesopotamia
Palestine
West Bank
Gaza Strip
Mediterranean Sea