SW Asia and North Africa- Converging Culture and the Role of Resources Assessment

1. What cultural element is distinctive to SW Asia and North Africa as a region? (Obj 1)

A. The region is largely populated with nomadic Persian tribes. B. Most of the region is largely populated with Arab Muslims. C. A Mediterranean climate promotes outdoor sports activities. D. Superhighways connect the region that has oil for automobiles.

2. Most of the region of SW Asia and North Africa are located in an arid or semi-arid climate zone. How does this affect the physical geography of the region? (Obj 1)

A. Much of the physical geography of the region is desert. B. Forests and grasslands are common because or the rainfall. C. Huge oil reserves were produced by the arid climate. D. Water in the region is scare because of the arid, dry climate.

3. Which of the following best describes the governments that are characteristic in the region of SW Asia and North Africa? (Obj 1)

A. Most of the region has monarchies because the British introduced this type of government to the region. B. Theocracies are common in SW Asia and North Africa because so many of the leaders are Muslim. C. Because the region in close to Russia, many of the governments are based on communism. D. Governments in this region range from secular republics in Turkey to a theocratic republic in Iran.

4. What three languages would be helpful to know if you were to travel to SW Asia? (Obj 1)

A. French, English and Arabic B. Arabic, Persian, and Turkish C. Farsi, Turkish and Arabic D. Hebrew, Arabic and Turkish

5. What population pattern is characteristic in the region of SW Asia and North Africa?

(Obj 1)

A. Most of the population is under the age of 25, living in urban areas, near water. B. Most of the population lives in rural areas as subsistence farmers. C. Most of the population lives in the Israel and Palestine causing conflict. D. Most of the population is elderly, so young couples live with their families. Country Life Literacy Populatio GDP expectancy rates n Iraq 69.95 years 74% 28,945,569 $3,800 Iran 71.14 years 77% 66,429,284 $12,500 Saudi Arabia 76.3 years 79% 28,686,633 $20,600 Tunisia 75.78 years 67% 10,486,339 $8,200 Yemen 63 years 50% 22,858,238 $2,500 Jordon 79.85 years 90% 6,269,285 $5,200 Source: CIA Factbook

6. What conclusion about standard of living in SW Asia and North Africa can be made based on the information in the above table? (Obj 1)

A. Most of the nations in this region have high standards of living because of the oil revenues. B. The standard of living varies among nations in this region even for those with oil reserves. C. Most of the population in this region lives below the poverty level. D. This region has a higher standard of living than the United States.

7. One reason early civilizations developed in the Fertile Crescent, in present day Iraq and in the Nile River valley was that (Obj 2)

A. crops grew well in the desert conditions in these areas. B. game for hunting had become too scarce elsewhere. C. rivers in the area provided for agricultural development. D. many people migrated into the area from India and Egypt.

8. From 1520-1922 much of SW Asia and North Africa was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. What social effect of Ottoman rule is still evident in this region today? (Obj 2)

A. most people speak Turkish B. religious toleration is common C. the predominance of Islam throughout the region D. rulers who are descendents of the Ottoman rulers

9. What are common features of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism? (Obj 2)

A. communion and baptism B. monotheism and prayer C. following special dietary laws D. worship on Sundays 10. Islam originated in Saudi Arabia in the 7th century in the city of Mecca. What Islamic religious practices show the importance of Mecca? (Obj 2)

A. Muslims pray facing Mecca and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. B. Mecca is home to the most famous Muslim mosque “The Dome of the Rock”. C. Islamic law requires Muslims to help feed and cloth the poor in Mecca. D. Once in a Muslim’s lifetime he must celebrate Ramadan in Mecca.

11. Why is SW Asia and North Africa a region where populations of Jews, Muslims and Christians live together? (Obj 2)

A. It was easy for these groups to migrate to SW Asia. B. Muslims were brought to SW Asia as slaves. C. Jobs in SW Asia attracted Jews to settle here. D. All three of these faiths originated in SW Asia.

? veiling of some women adoption of Shari’ a law widespread use of Arabic building of many mosques

12. Which of the following titles best describes a connection between the above list of items?

(Obj 2) A. Religious Traditions of the Middle East B. Influences of Islam in SW Asia and North Africa C. Women, Traditions and the Rules of Islam D. Traditional Societies in SW Asia and North Africa

13. Why is Israel’s population made up of mostly Jews? (Obj 2)

A. Ottomans resettled the Jews in Israel to isolate them. B. No other religions groups wanted to live in Israel. C. Jews were able to adapt to the lack of water in Israel. D. Israel is the historical homeland of the Hebrews.

14. A major cause of the dispute between Israelis and the Palestinians is that both (Obj 3)

A. want to control the oil resources in the area B. have historic ties to the same portion of land C. believe in different interpretations of the same religion D. need access to the Mediterranean Sea and Dead Sea

15. How did British rule in Palestine assist in the formation of Israel? (Obj 3)

A. The British agreed to let Jews immigrate to Palestine. B. British troops helped Israel fight against Arab nations. C. The British led peace negotiations between Israel and Egypt. D. British rulers saved Jews from the Holocaust and persecution.

16. Many Palestinians living within Israeli-occupied territories struggle with (Obj 3)

A. finding employment or jobs B. gangs that invade neighborhoods C. the high costs for petroleum D. family disputes about schooling

17. What conclusion can be drawn from the above timeline? (Obj 3)

A. Israel withdrew from the Camp David Accords. B. The Palestinian army is superior to the Israeli army. C. Long-lasting peace in the Middle East has been difficult to achieve. D. Neighboring countries have not been involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

18. What was the result of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1991? (Obj 3)

A. U.S. military forces responded and later the UN placed economic sanctions on Iraq. B. Kuwait was taken over by Iraqi and its oil reserves helped to make Iraq wealthy. C. U.S. troops occupied Iraqi and overthrew the leader of Iraq. D. Iranians took advantage of the situation and invaded Iraq. 19. During the 1991 Gulf War, the U.S. sent 500,000 troops to Saudi Arabia as a protection against possible Iraqi invasion. How did some in the Middle East react to this situation?

(Obj 3) A. Saudis saw this as an opportunity to increase tourism from Americans. B. This angered Islamic fundamentalist and fueled terrorist attacks. C. Dialogue between some Christians and Muslims in the region increased. D. Other countries like Yemen request protection from U.S. troops.

20. According to the information on the map, most Palestinian refugees are living (Obj 3)

A. along the Mediterranean coast B. in the West Bank and Gaza strip C. on the Egyptian border D. in countries that border Israel

21. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire Turkey was able to gain independence from outside rule. How has that affect the SW Asia a region? (Obj 3)

A. Turkey as emerged as an economic power and leader in the region. B. Wars between Turkey and Arab nations have been very common. C. Israel and Turkey have been in constant conflict since the fall of the Ottomans. D. Oil revenues have made Turkey an economic leader and prominent in OPEC.

22. How has the scarcity of water played a role in the Arab-Israeli conflict? (Obj 4)

A. Both Arabs and Israeli’s want to live along the Mediterranean coast to be near water. B. Jordon and Israel dispute over the Golan Heights to ensure access to the Jordon River. C. The Sinai Peninsula is important to both Arabs and Israelis for access to fresh water D. Many Palestinians have left Israel to live where they have access to fresh water.

23. What technology has allowed some nations in SW Asia to increase their water supply?

(Obj 4) A. irrigation B. nuclear power C. desalination D. oil drilling

24. How has the building of massive dam projects and drip irrigation systems affected population patterns in SW Asia and North Africa? (Obj 4)

A. More refugees have moved to from Israel to other parts of the region. B. It has allowed for the people to live in areas previously uninhabitable. C. People are no longer able to live in the densely populated river deltas. D. The desert has become a huge resort and tourist area in this region.

25. How has the building of hydroelectric power dams along the Euphrates in Turkey affected other nations in SW Asia? (Obj 4)

A. Countries like Jordan and Syria can now buy electricity from Turkey. B. The delta of the Euphrates in Iraq have become more fertile. C. The flow of water downstream to Syria and Iraq has been limited. D. Countries like Turkey and Egypt are helping other nations to build dams.

26. Why do nations like Turkey and Egypt have access to fresh water as a resource? (Obj 4)

A. Both nations have large river systems within their political boundaries. B. Both nations have engineering capabilities to build huge irrigation projects. C. Both nations have stable democracies that promote building dams. D. Both nations use large desalination plants to supply water to the people.

27. What arguments have been made to support the building of the Aswan High Dam and the Ataturk Dam? (Obj 4)

A. The large populations in Egypt and Turkey need to have access to water. B. Egypt and Turkey help others in the region learn about these technologies. C. These projects supply hydroelectric power and water for irrigation. D. Projects like these are needed to supply jobs for Turks and Egyptians. Today Egypt’s battle is to preserve the soil and water that have always given life to the delta. . . For nearly 30 years the Aswan High Dam, 600 miles south of Cairo, has kept the river from flooding and depositing renewing sediment at its mouth. The delta has instead been inundated [flooded] with catastrophic [consequences]: It is among the world’s most intensely cultivated lands, with some of the world’s highest uses of fertilizers and highest levels of soil salinity.

Source: “The Imperiled Nile Delta” by Peter Theroux published in National Geographic, January 1997

28. Which conclusion is best supported by the information in the above passage? (Obj 4)

A. The lack of flooding has not been good for the soil in the Nile delta. B. Building the Aswan High Dam has increased agricultural output in Egypt. C. The Nile delta is growing because the Aswan High Dam was built. D. After building the Aswan High Damn, the Nile delta is flooding more.

29. How has the formation of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) affected SW Asia? (Obj 5)

A. Wars between OPEC nations and Israel have been fought over control of oil reserves. B. Oil exports have decreased in SW Asia because of OPEC nations calling for embargos. C. OPEC nations D. Wealth and international political influence has increased in OPEC nations.

30. How does income from oil sales help the economies of oil rich nations like Iran? (Obj 5)

A. Oil rich nations can afford to build roads and highways. B. Oil rich nations are able to import more food and products. C. Oil rich nations can invest in other commercial industries. D. Oil rich nations are able to give more help to poor citizens.

31. Oil rich nations do not need to raise taxes on their citizens because they have wealth from the sale of oil. What impact does this have on the governments of these nations?

(Obj 5) A. Most of the oil rich nations in this region choose to be theocracies. B. Governments in oil rich nations tend to deny democratic rights to citizens. C. Oil rich nations have governments that are ruled by the oil companies. D. Dictators supported by Iran rule most of the oil rich countries. 32. Which conclusion is best supported by the information in the above map? (Obj 5)

A. The Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere have almost equal amounts of oil reserves. B. While the SW Asia and North Africa have large oil reserves the amount of oil reserves varies within the region. C. Iran and Saudi Arabia have been able to divert oil reserves from other areas like Russia and India. D. It will be hundreds of years before the oil reserves in SW Asia and North Africa will run out. 33. Which conclusion is supported by the information in the above graph and your knowledge of world geography? (Obj 5)

A. Most of the oil reserves that have created wealth are in the Persian Gulf countries. B. Oil reserves are really controlled by American companies that have the power. C. Some countries only export oil to other countries in SW Asia and no one else. D. Countries that have huge oil reserves can have bigger military forces.

Aware that oil reserves will run out some day, the countries of the Arabian Peninsula have invested large sums of money to develop other industries. Such massive development efforts require workers. But because their own populations are so small and often lack necessary skills, the oil-rich countries have had to hire huge numbers of foreign workers.

34. Based on the information in the passage, what issue are Arab rich nations in the Arabian Peninsula dealing with? (Obj 5)

A. terrorism B. environmental disaster C. economic decline D. immigration