South Asia Review

The Ganges has been considered a sacred river in Hinduism for thousands of years. Millions of Hindus perform religious rituals, such as purification rites and the disposal of the deceased, in the river. How have these long-practiced rituals affected the river today?

• D The course of the river has been altered to feed into temples

• C The river is one of the cleanest rivers in the world since it is considered sacred.

• B The river has become one of the most polluted in the world.

• A The level of the river has dropped due to considerable use.

Which factors most account for the creation of a tropical climate throughout much of the Indian subcontinent?

• D Proximity to the Indian Ocean and the equator

• C Size in area of the subcontinent landmass

• B Highland conditions of the Himalayas

• A Location in the mid latitudes

What factor most accounts for the climate in Nepal and Bhutan?

• Wind Systems

• Elevation

• Latitude

• Ocean Currents

Which physical process is most responsible for the geographic formations in the northern Indian subcontinent?

• D Hydrologic cycle

• C Tectonic forces

• B Weathering

• A Deposition

What is one way India’s rapid population growth has affected the environment of the region?

• D Buildings in the region have been redesigned.

• C Rainfall levels from monsoons have lessened.

• B Air and water pollution has worsened.

• A Seismic activity has rapidly increased.

After British leaders ended colonial rule of India, Indian leaders consolidated their authority over the subcontinent by —

• D opening diplomatic relations with Russia

• C making English the official language

• B expelling Sikhs from the region

• A ratifying a constitution

While both North America and South Asia experienced British colonization, cultural patterns in South Asia were more strongly influenced by —

• D British literary and artistic styles

• C ancient religious traditions

• B European social customs

• A rapid population growth

Why is the region of Kashmir a source of conflict among nations of South Asia?

• D Its people are predominantly Hindu, surrounded by an Islamic nation.

• C Its people are predominantly Islamic, though controlled by India.

• B It is an extremely poor region that often faces natural disasters.

• A It is the only region dominated by Sikhs.

Which cultural tradition still characterizes Indian society today despite being outlawed in 1947?

• D Praying five times a day

• C Arranged marriages

• B Caste distinctions

• A Reincarnation

Which historic conflict was a primary reason for the political division of Pakistan and India?

• D Cold War tensions between the United States and Russia

• C Tensions between the British and Indian leaders

• B Disputes between Muslims and Hindus

• A Differences between Hindus and Sikhs