Middle East Review

Which of the following statements accurately describes water in Southwest Asia?

• Water is the most critical resource in the region.

• Water is a low priority for the nations of the region.

• Water brings the most amount of revenue to the area.

• Water is consistently available to the nations in the area.

Answer explanation

The question asks about the status of water in Southwest Asia. The correct choice is that 'Water is the most critical resource in the region.' This is because the region is majorly arid, it has a scarcity of water, making it a critical resource for survival and agriculture purposes, more than a revenue source or being consistently available to the nations in that area.

Which of the following is true of fossil fuels in the Middle East?

• They have not been heavily developed.

• They can be harnessed for hydroelectric power.

• They provide the major part of income for nations.

• They are not plentiful in the region.

Answer explanation

The Middle East is known for its abundance of fossil fuels, specifically oil and gas. These resources are heavily developed and exported, providing the major part of income for many nations in the region. Therefore, the statement that fossil fuels in the Middle East provide the major part of income for nations is true.

What resource have countries fought over in the Middle East during the 20th century?

• gold

• salt

• oil

• cotton

Answer explanation

Throughout the 20th century, the Middle East has been a focal point for conflict and tension largely due to its vast oil reserves. This valuable resource has made it a significant area of interest for many countries, sparking numerous disputes and wars. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is oil, not gold, salt, or cotton.

A movement that began in the 19th century to reestablish a Jewish state in the Jewish homeland.

• Imperialism

• Fascism

• Zionism

• Pan-Arabism

Answer explanation

Zionism is the correct answer because it refers to the movement started in the 19th century to establish a Jewish state in their ancestral homeland. Neither Imperialism, Fascism, nor Pan-Arabism refers to this specific movement and thus, they are not the correct options.

Which nation was established on May 14, 1948?

• Israel

• Lebanon

• Syria

• Yemen

Answer explanation

The nation that was established on May 14, 1948 is Israel. This is evident from the historical fact that Israel declared independence on this date. None of the other countries listed (Lebanon, Syria, Yemen) have this specific date as their day of establishment.

This region has the largest sand desert in the world.

• Anatolian Plateau

• Arabian Peninsula

• Sinai Peninsula

• Iberian Peninsula

Answer explanation

The question asks about the region with the greatest sand desert in the world. The Arabian Peninsula is home to the Rub' al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, which is the largest sand desert in the world, hence it's the correct answer. The other options don't have deserts of comparable size.

The environmental problems of the Aral Sea are the result of

• oil spills

• poorly planned irrigation policies

• nuclear pollution

• overfishing

Answer explanation

The environmental issues concerning the Aral Sea can be primarily attributed to poorly planned irrigation policies. These policies led to the diversion of water for agricultural purposes, thereby causing the Aral Sea to dry up significantly. The other options like oil spills, nuclear pollution, and overfishing, although can cause environmental problems, are not the main reason for the Aral Sea's current situation.

Which of these is the purpose of OPEC?

• controlling worldwide oil prices

• teaching Arabic language

• providing charity

• regaining land for Palestinian Arabs

Answer explanation

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a union of oil producing countries that aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil on the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries. So, the correct answer to the question is 'controlling worldwide oil prices'.

The famous trade route that went from China to the Mediterranean Sea was known as

• the China Road.

• the Mediterranean Road.

• the Silk Road

• the Spice Road.

Answer explanation

The question asks about the well-known trade route that stretched from China to the Mediterranean Sea. The correct answer is the Silk Road. This was an ancient network of trade routes that were central to cultural interaction between the regions. It got its name from the lucrative trade in silk carried out along its length. Other options like the China Road, Mediterranean Road, and Spice Road are not historically recognized trade routes.

The Tigris and Euphrates are

• ancient civilizations from Mesopotamia.

• ancient structures used as temples.

• rivers that were important to ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia.

• two economic levels in the Sumerian class-based society.

Answer explanation

The Tigris and Euphrates are indeed rivers that were significant to ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia. This region, often referred to as the 'Cradle of Civilization', flourished thanks to the fertile land provided by these rivers. They are not ancient civilizations or structures themselves, nor are they economic levels in a societal system.