Canadian Geography
Unit 3 – Test REVIEW
Chapter 10 – Geologic History
Definitions
Plate tectonics
Erosion
faulting
folding
igneous rock
sedimentary rock
metamorphic rock
glaciers
1. What did Alfred Wegener mean by “continental drift”? What proof did he have? Why did most other scientists
not believe him?
2. Explain the statement: “The movement of the earth’s plates has been important to Canada.”
3. Draw and correctly label a diagram of the Rock Cycle.
4. Name the four geologic eras that the earth has gone through.
5. “The earth’s physical landscape is the result of a conflict between forces…” Explain this statement.
6. What part of Canada was formed during the Precambrian era?
7. What event marks the division between the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras?
Chapter 11 – Landform Connections
Definitions
Rift valley
1. Name the 7 Canadian Landform regions.
2. What type of rock makes up the Canadian Shield?
3. How have the natural beauty, the minerals, the forests and the rivers aided in the economic development of
the Canadian Shield?
4. Why are vast areas of the Shield sparsely populated?
5. How was the bedrock of the lowlands formed?
6. Why are portions of the Interior Plains called “Canada’s breadbasket?”
7. What separates the Great Lakes Lowlands from the St. Lawrence Lowlands? Where does it occur and what is
the appearance of this area?
8. Why are there so many large cities in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands?
9. What are the 5 main features of the Western Cordillera? (Hint: 3 mountain ranges and 2 others)
10. How were the Appalachians formed?
11. Why has the Innuitian Mountain region not developed as much as other regions?
12. What problems might exist for farming and transportation in the Western Cordillera region?
13. “Canada is an east-west country trying to survive in a north-south continent.” What is meant by this statement?
Connecting Study – Glaciation of Canada
Definitions
Alpine glacier
Till
Moraine
Lake plain
1.
2.
3.
4.
Continental Glacier
Striation
Drumlin
U-shaped valley
Spillway
Erratic
V-shaped valley
Till plain
Esker
How does glacial ice differ from regular ice?
How does a period of glacial activity begin?
What cause alpine and continental glaciers to flow?
“The movement of a glacier is determined by the balance between snow accumulation and ice melt.” Use
diagrams to explain this statement.
5. What appearance does an Alpine-glaciated landscape have compared to a Continentally-glaciated landscape?
Why?
Chapter 12 – Climate Connections
Definitions
Temperature range
Average Annual Temperature
Air mass
Total Precipitation
Prevailing winds
Jet stream
Seasonal Distribution of Precipitation
1. How does Latitude affect climate? Why?
2. How does Elevation affect climate? Why?
 Calculate the temperature at the top of a mountain if the mountain is 3100m tall, condensation is
occurring at 900m and the sea level temperature in 21°C.
3. How do Ocean currents and Air Masses affect climate?
4. How do Wind and Pressure Systems affect climate in Canada?
5. How Relief affect climate?
6. How do continental and maritime climates differ?
7. What are two key points to remember when trying to understand why precipitation occurs?
8. What 3 things cause air to rise and what type of precipitation does each create?
9. What kind of precipitation do we experience most often where we live?
10. Try to name all 8 Canadian Climate regions.
11. Draw and analyze a climate graph to determine whether it is continental or maritime.
Chapter 13 – Soil and Natural Vegetation Connections
Definitions
Coniferous trees
Humus
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Deciduous trees
Transition zone
Leaching
Calcification
What are the four main components that make a true soil?
Why is the size of rock particles important to soil structure?
Explain the difference between leaching and calcification.
Try to name Canada’s 7 Vegetation regions
What are the two types of trees? Which one can survive in harsher climates? Why?
“If you climb a mountain, you will find a similar sequence of vegetation to that you would find if you travelled
from southern Canada to the high Arctic.” Explain why this is a valid statement.
Chapter 14 – Making the Connections: Canada’s Ecozones
Definitions
Ecozones
1. What are ecozones? What are two characteristics of the ecozone concept that make it a useful way to study
Canada?
2. All but two of Canada’s ecozones list tourism/recreation as a major human activity in the region. How would
the tourism and recreation vary in different ecozones? What determines what kind of activities may take
place?
3. Try to name Canada’s 15 Ecozones.