South Asia Quiz

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

• Seismic activity has rapidly increased.

• Air and water pollution has worsened.

• Rainfall levels from monsoons have lessened.

• Buildings in the region have been redesigned.

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

• Differences between Hindus and Sikhs

• Disputes between Muslims and Hindus

• Tensions between the British and Indian leaders

• Cold War tensions between the United States and Russia

After gaining independence in 1947, ethnic and religious differences continued to trouble Pakistan. Early efforts to establish stability in the region eventually resulted in which group dominating political control of Pakistan?

• Muslim ayatollahs

• Military officers

• British monarchs

• United Nations peacekeepers

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

• ratifying a constitution

• expelling Sikhs from the region

• making English the official language

• opening diplomatic relations with Russia

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

• Location in the mid latitudes

• Highland conditions of the Himalayas

• Size in area of the subcontinent landmass

• Proximity to the Indian Ocean and the equator

Which geographical pattern emerged in South Asia because of the events detailed in the excerpt?

• New political borders were created to divide ethnic groups in the region.

• Strict laws reinforcing religious differences were passed in Pakistan and India.

• Democracies emerged in both Pakistan and India based on British colonial traditions.

• Nations in the region formed economic bonds that have promoted growth in the area.

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?

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

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

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

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

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

• It is the only region dominated by Sikhs.

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

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

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

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

• Reincarnation

• Caste distinctions

• Arranged marriages

• Praying five times a day

Which statement accurately describes monsoons in India?

• Monsoons bring heavy rainfall in all seasons in India.

• Monsoons only affect the coastal regions of the Indian subcontinent.

• Winter monsoons bring heavy rainfall, while summer monsoons are fairly dry.

• Summer monsoons bring heavy rainfall, while winter monsoons bring dry weather.