The Jordan River runs between the countries of Jordan and Israel in the Middle East. The river provides a common benefit for these two countries by

• creating the entire border between the countries

• allowing transport between the countries

• supplying both countries with fresh water

• providing a guide for parallel roads

Several regions, including Egypt, Sumer, and India, have been called “the cradle of civilization.” Which sentences best describes why these regions have this label?

• They developed cultures that have flourished in the modern era

• They have the highest birth rates in the world.

• The have greater agricultural output than most regions

• They gave rise to major societies in ancient times.

Why is Earth’s climate colder at the poles?

• The sun’s rays hit the poles at an angle.

• The moon deflects some of the sun’s rays.

• Earth’s magnetic field absorbs heat from the sun.

• The atmosphere is denser at the poles.

The large-scale migrations of the Irish in the 1840s and European Jews in the 1930s differ in that

• only the Irish migration occurred in a time of economic instability

• only Jewish emigration was motivated by the threat of famine

• only the European Jews were chased from their homeland by actual or threatened violence

• only the Irish left their country in protest of religious persecution by political leaders

Rapid population growth and industrialization have led to environmental challenges in Central Asia. Which issue is most likely to cause an immediate crisis in this region?

• exploitation of oil reserves

• depletion of water sources

• erosion of arable land

• deforestation of the region

Global warming is slowly melting the polar ice caps. This has contributed to rising sea levels that, within the next century, could result in some islands and coastal areas around the world being submerged. What is the most likely long-term consequence for humans living in areas threatened by the rising sea?

• mass migrations

• civil wars

• large scale loss of life

• urbanization

What material is part of the lithosphere?

• tree bark

• glacier ice

• igneous rock

• carbon monoxide

Given the data presented in the table above, which country is both a major producer and importer of oil?

• Russia

• United States

• Brazil

• Japan

Three rivers converge in the Ganges Delta in Asia, and heavy rains batter the region during the long monsoon season. Which physical process would most likely occur in this area?

• volcanic eruptions

• frequent droughts

• heavy flooding

• glacial melting

Prior to 1991, which part of the world had the highest concentration of command economies?

• Sub-Saharan Africa

• North America

• Eastern Europe

• South America