Quarter 2 Exam Review, Part 1

1. What is Africa's longest river? Where is it located? How does it affect the people around it? What ancient civilization formed around it? What effect(s) does it have on trade?
2. What are the causes of desertification? Where, specifically, does it happen in Africa? What are its specific effects on the people who live nearby?
3. What is the relative location of the Red Sea? What are its effects on the nearby countries?
4. Argue for or against the following statement: "A new trade route through the Persian Gulf spelled the end for the Aksumite Empire.
5. Describe the major trade routes in Eastern and Western Africa.
6. Describe the goods traded by Eastern and Western African trade empires.
7. What does the existence of Aksum, Ghana, Mali and Songhai tell you about Africa before the arrival of the Europeans?
8. What is the major reason that North Africa is culturally different from Sub-Saharan Africa?
9. Name four major European mountain ranges. Then, in general, describe the impact of these mountain ranges on European countries.
10. Argue for or against the following statement: "In general, Italy's climate is warmer than the climate of Germany." Support your response with evidence from your text.
11. If a merchant wanted to travel from Switzerland to the Black Sea, what would be the best route for her to take? Explain your response.
12. If a merchant wanted to travel from Switzerland to London, England, what would be the best route for him to take? Explain your response.
13. What are the two major rivers in Europe? Which direction does each flow?
14. How did General Hannibal use his knowledge of geography to catch the Romans by surprise?
15. Describe each of the three levels of human society discussed in class.
16. Argue for or against the following statement: "Ancient Rome reached the most advanced level of society." Support your response with evidence from your notes.
17. Argue for or against the following response: "Russia has not moved past the most basic level of human society." Support your response with evidence from your notes.
18. What was the Berlin Conference? What were its immediate effects? What were its long term effects?
19. How did colonialism impact Africa?
20. Define command economy.
21. Define free market economy.
22. Compare and contrast a command and a free market economy. Explain which would be better for independent businessmen and women.
23. What is the Great Rift Valley? What is its impact on the land around it?
24. Define divergent plate boundary.
25. Argue for or against the following statement: "European colonialism had a positive impact on the people of Africa." Support your response with evidence from your text, notes and lectures.
26. What is the Occupy Wall Street movement? What are its goals?
27. Write a three-part thesis for a potential essay comparing and contrasting the culture of your assigned African country with the culture of the United States.

Review questions for Thursday's test!

1. Where is Olduvai Gorge? What is its significance?
2. Describe the relative location of ancient Ghana, Songhai and Mali. Then, describe the relative location of Aksum.
3. Describe the reasons for the success of Ghana, Songhai and Mali.
4. Describe the reasons for the success of Aksum.
5. Summarize the reasons why each of the empires above fell.
6. Describe the economic importance of the Red Sea.
7. What countries would you find in the Horn of Africa?
8. Describe the positive and negative effects of the Nile River on the surrounding countries.
9. What landform forms a barrier between northern and southern Africa?
10. What religion dominates North Africa's culture?
11. Describe the relative location of the Great Rift Valley. Then, describe its impact on the land and people around it.
12. Describe the Berlin Conference, then summarize its impact on Africa. Finally, argue persuasively whether or not the Conference had a positive or a negative effect on Africa.
13. Define desertification. Describe its potential impact on people and animals it affects.

Exploring Africa's Culture

Today, we will go back to the countries you examined last week to look at their culture. As a reminder, you may have been assigned to one of the following:

• Cameroon
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Gabon
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Nigeria
• The Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• South Sudan (If using CultureGrams, search for Sudan)
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia

Note: The information you learned about your country will be eligible for inclusion on your exam. That includes last week's assignment as well as today's.

Life in Africa and in the United States

You are a student in the United States. You expect your life to be a certain way every day. If you were to move to another country, you might find that people's daily expectations are completely different.

Today, you will examine what life would be like in your assigned African country. It might be just like your life is in the United States. On the other hand, it might be completely different.

Go to the the PSM LRC Page. You may use any of the research sources on the lower left hand side of the page today. I would recommend the following sources:

• CultureGrams (login: 73-82792remote; password: bigchalk)
• Gale Student Resources in Context (login: psmlrc; password: psmlrc)
• The CIA World Factbook

We will focus on Religion and Lifestyle today. Use the information to answer the following questions on loose leaf paper. Although you may work with your partner from last week, you must complete the assignment on your own sheet of paper.

Title the assignment "Life in _______." Fill in the blank with your country's name. The assignment is worth 20 points.

You may also type the assignment. Either way, you will need a hard copy of today's work to bring with you to class tomorrow.

Answer completely. For each question, include the name of the source (i.e., Gale, CultureGrams, etc). 

1. Do most people in your country tend to live in an urban or a rural environment? Compare/contrast their typical environment with your environment.
2. What language(s) are spoken in your country? Could you hope to easily communicate with people there? Explain.
3. What religious beliefs do people have in your country? Compare and contrast religious practices in your country with the religious practices of your family.
4. Describe family life in your country. Compare and contrast it with your family's structure.
5. What type of housing do people typically have in your country? How is this similar or different to your home?
6. Compare and contrast the clothing worn by people in your assigned country with the clothing you and your friends wear.
7. What traditions does your country have related to dating and marriage? Are these similar or different to what people experience in the U.S.? Explain.
8. Compare the diet of a person from your country with your diet.
9. What do people in your country do for fun? Compare recreation in your country to the types of recreation you enjoy in the U.S.
10. What traditions does your country have in regards to the life cycle of an individual? How long can men and women expect to live in your country? Compare/contrast this with the U.S.
11. Free Space: Choose any topic available on the sources you are using today. Fully describe this topic and give any information on how it relates to your life in Chicago.

Browsing Africa's Culture

Don't forget: you have a test Thursday over Africa.

We will visit the computer lab tomorrow to examine African culture.

For tonight, BROWSE through Ch. 19 (sections 1-5).

Find 3 places where your book discusses Africa's culture.

Number each (1-3). Then, complete the following for each one:
Record the page number where you found your information
Write a 2-3 sentence summary describing the aspect of Africa's culture discussed in the passage.

Environmental Conservation in Africa

A ranger in Zambia surveys his park.

Today, you will have an opportunity to do two things:

• Print your essay, staple it, and turn it in to me.
• Work with a partner to investigate the culture and environment of an African nation.

First, PRINT YOUR PAPER. I will collect these 5 minutes after the bell.

When you are done, you may move on to work on the next part of today's assignment.

Environmental Conservation in Africa
As the world's population passes 7 billion people, there are few places left untouched by humans. Many people across the world are becoming increasingly concerned with the environment.

One of the greatest sources of concern for many people is Africa. Because the continent has such an incredibly high amount of biological diversity, it has become a focal point for environmentalists and scientists.

In order to apply our geographic skills to Africa's environment, each of you has been assigned a country to look at with a partner.

You will complete all work in an e-mail to me (one per group).

• In the subject line, put your period and the name of your country (ex.: "Period 1: Egypt")
• Start your e-mail with your complete PSM heading, including the name of each group member. Title the assignment "Researching Africa's Environment."
• Include each of my bold headings in your e-mail. Number each answer.

Part 1: Basic Facts

Use the CIA World Factbook website to find out basic information about your country. Complete the following in your e-mail.

1. Name your country.
2. Describe its relative location (hint: use landforms, bodies of water, and countries nearby).
3. Describe the physical geography, including any important landforms.
4. Name the capital and any other major cities.
5. Give the population.
6. Describe the country's economy, including any major resources and/or industries.

Part 2: The Environment

Once you've gathered basic information about your country, you will examine your country's environment through the work of one conservation agency: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Complete the following in your e-mail.

1. Examine the WCS "About" page. What is the WCS? What is its mission? Why is it important for us to know who produced this site?
2. Go to the WCS "Africa" page. Find your country. Summarize the information the WCS gives about your country's environment. Include at least 3 specific details in your response.
3. Give 3 environmental facts about your country.
4. What threats or challenges face your country's environment? Be specific.
5. Does the WCS offer a plan or response to your country's environmental issues? Describe their response, giving specific information about actions planned or taken.
6. Name and describe any projects funded by the WCS currently ongoing in your country. You may need to click on an additional link to find this information.