Social Studies Assessment - Grade 6 - World Cultures

Dashaun and his family are looking for a place to start a new farm. Why might they choose flat, fertile land?

• These areas usually receive more sunlight.

• Farming and food production are easier on this land.

• These regions experience fewer storms.

• There are more recreational opportunities in these areas.

Mateo and Jose are planning to build a new city. They are considering four different locations, each with unique physical features. Based on these features, which location would be best for establishing a large, crowded settlement?

• Image of snowy mountains

• Image of rocky desert

• Image of dense forest

• Image of river valley with open land

In the Netherlands, much of the land lies below sea level. To protect towns and farmland from flooding, the people have built a system of dikes and pumps that hold back the sea and drain water from the land. This system has allowed people to live, farm, and build cities in areas that would otherwise be underwater. Over time, they have become experts in water management, even exporting their knowledge to other countries facing similar challenges.

• They moved to higher ground to avoid flooding.

• They rely on natural wetlands to control flooding.

• They built systems to control and drain water for settlement.

• They avoided building in areas below sea level altogether.

Why do many people avoid living in areas with very harsh climates?

• Because such areas are always more expensive to live in.

• Because extreme climates can make daily life more difficult.

• Because all harsh climates are located near the equator.

• Because people prefer to live far from water sources.

If Lauren decided to take a boat and travel directly west from London, United Kingdom, which country would she reach first?

• France

• Ireland

• Romania

• Spain

If Cassidy wanted to take a road trip and drove southeast from Hungary, which country would she enter?

• Spain

• Switzerland

• France

• Bulgaria

If an area shares common characteristics its called a:

• region

• border

• boundary

• urban

What is the term for when humans alter (change) their environment to better suit their lifestyles?

• Conservation

• Migration

• Modification

• Urbanization

Fartgirl is studying a map that shows the population density of different regions in Africa. She notices the Sahara Desert and wants to compare its population density to other regions of Africa. Based on the map, the population density of the Sahara Desert compared to other regions of Africa is:

• much lower than most other regions

• much higher than most other regions

• about the same as most other regions

• the highest in Africa

Which geographic factor most contributes to the sparse population in the Sahara Desert?

• Lack of water and harsh climate conditions.

• Abundant rainfall and fertile soil.

• Cool temperatures and dense forests.

• Proximity to major rivers and lakes.