Impact of Cultural Diffusion in Jerusalem

Based on the map, one way that cultural diffusion has impacted the city of Jerusalem includes —

• the creation of separate distinct cultural enclaves

• the blending of several religious traditions into a new one

• the building of a wall to keep threatening forces out of the city

• the division of the city into Palestinian and Israeli administered areas

The arid and semi-arid climate of much of Southwest Asia creates biomes that are characterized by —

• taiga and tundra

• temperate forests

• tropical rainforests

• grasslands and desert

Which event is a daily reminder in Southwest Asia of the significance of religion in the region?

• Ramadan dinners

• Public calls to prayer

• Pilgrimages to Mecca

• Friday store closings

One way that wealthy nations in Southwest Asia are able to address the lack of water is by —

• draining wetlands

• trading oil for irrigation

• constructing large dams

• building desalination plants

The strait indicated by the arrow on the map is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. What type of maritime traffic accounts for a majority of this activity?

• Oil tankers

• Cruise ships

• Ferry boats

• Naval destroyers

The creation of the organization described in the excerpt has affected Southwest Asia by —

• encouraging revolutionaries in the region to overthrow dictators

• calling for embargos that have decreased oil exports in the region

• increasing conflict in the region as nations battle over setting oil prices

• strengthening the global influence of the oil producing nations of the region

Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of oil producing group OPEC [Organization of the

Petroleum Exporting Countries], has been largely blamed for the continued fall in prices

given the group's decision not to cut production amid a glut in supply as part of a

strategy to pressure non-OPEC rivals who have higher production costs.

Based on this information, which statement best describes the impact oil-related policies in the Middle East are having on oil-producing nations?

• Budget surpluses are rising for many Middle Eastern nations.

• Many nations in the Middle East have experienced production cuts.

• Some nations in the Middle East are now facing economic challenges.

• Tax revenues have fallen for a number of countries in the Middle East.

A distinct feature of the cultural landscape in many towns located in Southwest Asia includes —

• shipyards

• skyscrapers

• sports stadiums

• shopping bazaars

Research about the cultures of Southwest Asia would most likely include an examination of —

• water resources

• language patterns

• climate conditions

• modern civil wars

Islam originated in Saudi Arabia in the seventh century in the city of Mecca. Which Islamic religious practice reflects the importance of Mecca?

• Muslims pray facing Mecca and make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Once in a lifetime a Muslim must celebrate Ramadan in Mecca.

• Mecca is home to the famous Muslim Dome of the Rock mosque.

• Islamic law requires Muslims to help feed and clothe the poor in Mecca.