4 Regions of Texas Review

Which of the following Regions of Texas has the highest elevations?

• Coastal Plains

• Mountains & Basins

• Great Plains

• North Central Plains

Which of the following Regions of Texas has the lowest elevations?

• Coastal Plains

• Mountains & Basins

• Great Plains

• North Central Plains

To the south is San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas. In recent years, it has become a major location of customer-support call centers in the country. Military installations are also important to this area. Three U.S. Air Force bases are located here, as is Fort Sam Houston, home of the U.S. Fifth Army. Visitors come to San Antonio to see the historic Alamo mission and the River Walk of shops along the San Antonio River. A large Hispanic population makes the city a lively center of Mexican American culture

Based on the excerpt, which of the following best describes San Antonio’s economy?

• It is dependent on tourism at the Alamo mission.

• Most of the city’s jobs are at U.S. Air Force bases.

• Its main economic activity is customer-support call centers.

• As the state’s second largest city, it has varied industries.

As with much of Texas, winter is the dry season in the Rolling Plains. Only a little rain and perhaps a few inches of snow may fall in the region. Thunderstorms are widespread through most of Texas, and they can occur year-round. Tornadoes occur frequently, although they are most common in the spring months.

Based on the excerpt, which of the following statements about the climate of the Rolling Plains is accurate?

• There is rainfall year round, but especially in winter.

• The area experiences heavy snowfalls.

• The winter months are generally dry, with little rain or snow

• The area experiences little in the way of extreme weather, such as thunderstorms and tornadoes.

How do some desert plants in the Mountains and Basins region survive in the arid climate?

• They require extreme temperatures.

• They require cool temperatures.

• Most need a lot of water.

• Some store water in their leaves.

True or False: The Ogallala Aquifer provides farmers with a valuable source of land in the Great Plains.

• True

• False

True or False: The North Central Plains received enough rainfall to support a variety of crops.

• True

• False

The Grand Prairie city of Fort Worth is the largest in the North Central Plains. Fort Worth and Dallas, which lies outside the area of the North Central Plains, are part of a 20-county area called the Metroplex. As a major manufacturing and trade center, the Metroplex is an important economic force in the region. Sometimes referred to as “the place where the West begins,” Fort Worth is an agricultural business center. Area farmers and ranchers are served by the city’s grain elevators, feed mills, and related businesses. Fort Worth is known for its agricultural business center as well as aircraft and clothing and computer manufacturing.

Based on the excerpt, which of these describes Fort Worth’s economy?

• Livestock ranching is second in importance to the aircraft industry.

• It has a varied economy that includes manufacturing and agriculture.

• Its major economic activities are livestock ranching and crop farming.

• Farming has become more important economically than the trading industry.

Long ago the Red River also carved a channel through the Caprock Escarpment to create the remarkable Palo Duro Canyon. Palo duro is Spanish for “hardwood,” and it refers to the many hardwood trees found throughout the area. The canyon averages about 6 miles wide and 800 feet deep. Native Americans sought shelter within the high canyon walls to protect them against fierce storms common to the area. Wildlife includes turkey and deer. Cactus plants, yucca, mesquite, and cedar grow here.

Based on the excerpt, how did the area’s Native Americans use Palo Duro Canyon?

• shelter from storms

• protection from water erosion

• escape from the steep Caprock Escarpment

• learning new farming methods

Which factors support agriculture and other industries in the Coastal Plains?

• a wide variety of tourist attractions

• a warm climate and a good water supply

• an inland system of river transportation

• a medium to high mountain elevation