AP Human Geography Unit 2 Test- Population and Migration Patterns and Processes

The population pyramids show the demographics for China in 1950 and in 2015. Which of the following claims is supported by information in the diagrams?

• China's population grew exponentially in those years.

• Children under 10 represent a much smaller part of the population in 2015.

• The sex ratio shows a preference for female offspring.

• China's population size has been unchanged over those years.

• People older than 60 years make up the majority of the population.

Answer explanation

The population pyramids show that children under 10 represent a much smaller part of the population in 2015 compared to 1950. This indicates a decrease in the proportion of young children in China's population over the years. The other options are not supported by the information in the diagrams.

The United States' population increased between 1990 and 1999. Which of the following best explains the population increase during that ​ ​ decade? ​ ​ (a)   ​ (b)   ​ ​ (c)  

• Decreased emigration to other countries

• Increased fertility rate

• Increased birth rates

• Increased immigration into the US

• decreased death rates

Answer explanation

The population increase in the United States between 1990 and 1999 can be attributed to increased birth rates, increased immigration into the US, and decreased death rates. These factors contributed to a higher number of people living in the country during that decade.

Which of these statements describes the changes to the United States' age-specific fertility rate from 1950-2010?

• Women are having more children and starting earlier later in life.

• Women are having more children and starting families later in life.

• Women are having fewer children and starting families earlier in life.

• Women are having fewer children and starting families later in life.

• There have been no changes to childbirth rates in the US.

Answer explanation

From 1950-2010, the United States experienced a decline in age-specific fertility rates. Women are having fewer children overall, and they are starting families later in life. This trend reflects changes in societal norms, economic factors, and increased access to education and contraception.

Which of the following describes a characteristic of the first stage of the demographic transition?

• High birth rate and high death rates

• Declining birth rates with consistently high death rates

• Low birth rates with consistently high death rates

• High birth rates with declining death rates

• High birth rates with low death rates

Answer explanation

The first stage of the demographic transition is characterized by high birth rates and high death rates. This is due to limited access to healthcare, high infant mortality, and a lack of family planning. As a result, population growth remains relatively stable during this stage.

Which continent has the highest fertility rate?

• Asia

• North America

• Europe

• Africa

• Antarctica

Answer explanation

Africa has the highest fertility rate among the continents. Fertility rate refers to the average number of children born to a woman during her reproductive years. Factors such as cultural, social, and economic conditions contribute to higher fertility rates in Africa compared to Asia, North America, Europe, and Antarctica.

Which of the following is a key factor that Thomas Malthus failed to include in his population theory?

• Populations are limited by environmental factors.

• Populations have a greater theoretical increase compared to their actual increase.

• Political conflict and famine reduce a population's ability to increase in size.

• Populations increase continually if subsistence lifestyle exists.

• Humans have the ability to develop technology that can increase the Earth's carrying capacity

Answer explanation

Thomas Malthus failed to include the ability of humans to develop technology that can increase the Earth's carrying capacity in his population theory. While he considered factors like environmental limitations and political conflicts, he underestimated the potential for technological advancements to support population growth.

Which of the following examples is described by the graph shown above?

• A graph of changes in death rate during demographic transition

• A graph of healthcare improvements in the last 100 years

• A graph of the population size of India for the past 200 years

• A model of the growth of the human population over time

• A model of the change in population growth for a country that has industrialized

Answer explanation

The correct choice is a model of the growth of the human population over time. This option best describes the graph as it represents the overall trend of increasing population size throughout history, taking into account factors such as industrialization, healthcare improvements, and demographic transitions.

Which of the following policies would likely result in a problematic dependency ratio with an inadequate number of laborers in the workforce to support the retiring population?

• A policy to limit access to contraception and family planning

• An anti-immigration policy that restricts students studying abroad

• A pro-immigration policy that increases the number of migrants that can apply for work visas

• An antinatalist policy that restricts the number of children a couple can have

• A pronatalist policy that provides tax breaks for families having children

Answer explanation

An antinatalist policy that restricts the number of children a couple can have would likely result in a problematic dependency ratio. By limiting the number of children born, the workforce may not have enough laborers to support the retiring population, leading to an imbalance between the working-age population and the dependent elderly population.

The rate of natural increase in a population is found in which of the following calculations?

• Crude death rate is subtracted from the crude birth rate.

• Crude birth rate is subtracted from the crude death rate.

• Doubling time is subtracted from the crude birth rate.

• Fertility rate is subtracted from the crude birth rate.

• Fertility rate is subtracted from the crude death rate.

Answer explanation

The rate of natural increase in a population is calculated by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate. This method takes into account the number of births and deaths in a population, providing an accurate representation of the population's growth or decline.

Which of these describes the third stage of the demographic transition?

• Birth rates increase and population growth slows

• Birth rates decline and population growth is less rapid

• Birth rates increase and population growth increases

• Birth rates decrease and population growth increases

• Birth rates stay the same and population growth decreases

Answer explanation

The third stage of the demographic transition is characterized by a decline in birth rates, leading to a less rapid population growth. This occurs as societies become more urbanized and industrialized, with improved living standards and access to education, healthcare, and family planning services. As a result, families tend to have fewer children, causing the population growth rate to slow down.