WorksheetsUS and Canada Reading Questions
Total questions: 58
Worksheet time: 29mins
What is a "divide" in geographical terms?
A high point or ridge that determines the direction that rivers flow
A place for catching fish and other sea animals
A boundary where higher land drops to lower land
A smaller brook, river, or stream that connects with a larger river
Which term describes the source waters of a river?
Headwaters
Tributary
Fall line
Fishery
What is a tributary?
A smaller brook, river, or stream that connects with a larger river
A high point or ridge that determines river flow
A boundary where higher land drops to lower land
A place for catching fish and other sea animals
Which of the following best defines a "fall line"?
A boundary that marks the place where higher land drops to lower land
The source waters of a river
A place for catching fish and other sea animals
A smaller brook, river, or stream that connects with a larger river
What is a fishery?
A place for catching fish and other sea animals
A high point or ridge that determines river flow
A boundary where higher land drops to lower land
The source waters of a river
Where are the United States and Canada located?
In the southern part of South America
In the northern part of North America
In the eastern part of Europe
In the western part of Africa
Which mountain range links the United States and Canada and stretches more than 3,000 miles from New Mexico to Alaska?
The Appalachian Mountains
The Andes Mountains
The Rocky Mountains
The Alps
What is the highest point in North America?
Mount Everest
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska
Mount Fuji
Which landform is created by the erosion of the Colorado Plateau by the Colorado River?
The Great Basin
The Grand Canyon
The Appalachian Mountains
The Canadian Shield
What is the hottest and lowest place in the United States?
Death Valley
The Great Plains
The Hudson River
The Fraser Plateau
Which landform is described as a giant core of rock that anchors North America and makes up the eastern half of Canada and the northeastern United States?
The Great Plains
The Canadian Shield
The Rocky Mountains
The Coastal Lowlands
Which islands are important to the region and include Manhattan Island, Hawaii, and Vancouver Island?
Barrier Islands
Main islands in the United States and Canada
Caribbean Islands
Mediterranean Islands
Explain how the Rocky Mountains were formed and describe their significance in linking the United States and Canada.
They were formed by volcanic eruptions and are the oldest mountains in North America.
They were formed by collisions between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates and stretch over 3,000 miles, linking the United States and Canada.
They were formed by river erosion and are located only in the United States.
They were formed by glacial activity and are the lowest mountains in North America.
Compare the Great Plains and the Coastal Lowlands in terms of their location and characteristics.
The Great Plains are located in the west and are mountainous, while the Coastal Lowlands are in the north and are dry.
The Great Plains are east of the Rockies and slope downward to the Central Lowlands, while the Coastal Lowlands lie east and south of the Appalachians.
The Great Plains are islands, while the Coastal Lowlands are plateaus.
The Great Plains are in the Pacific, while the Coastal Lowlands are in the Atlantic.
What is the Continental Divide in North America?
A high point or ridge that determines the direction rivers flow.
A large lake in Canada.
A major city in the United States.
A type of dam used for hydroelectric power.
Which direction do rivers flow east of the Continental Divide?
Toward the Arctic Ocean, Hudson Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Toward the Pacific Ocean.
Toward the Indian Ocean.
Toward the Mediterranean Sea.
What is a tributary?
A brook, river, or stream that flows into a larger river.
A high mountain peak.
A type of dam.
A city along the St. Lawrence River.
Why is the St. Lawrence River important to Canada?
It is one of Canada’s most important rivers and is a major commercial waterway.
It is the longest river in North America.
It is the source of the Mississippi River.
It is the location of the Continental Divide.
What is the fall line in the eastern United States?
A boundary where higher land of the Piedmont drops to the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain, causing rapids and waterfalls.
A line of mountains in the Rockies.
A river that flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
A dam built for hydroelectric power.
How did glaciers contribute to the geography of North America?
They created lakes such as Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake.
They formed the Continental Divide.
They built the St. Lawrence Seaway.
They caused the fall line to move.
Why is the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway important?
It links the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean and has been important to economic development.
It marks the boundary between the U.S. and Canada.
It is the source of the Mississippi River.
It is a major tourist attraction.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a type of natural resource found in North America?
Fuels
Mineral resources
Timber
Electronics
What are some examples of mineral resources mentioned in the study guide?
Gold, silver, copper, iron ore, nickel, potash
Timber, coal, petroleum, fish
Wheat, corn, rice, soybeans
Water, air, sunlight, wind
Why is timber considered an important resource for both the United States and Canada?
It is used for making electronics.
It is a major export product for both countries.
It is important for forests, and efforts are made to harvest it responsibly, including planting new trees and protecting animals.
It is the main source of energy in both countries.
What is one reason why fisheries are now regulated by the government in North America?
Fish are not important to the region.
Fish and other sea animals have been overfished.
There are too many fish in the region.
Fish are only found in Canada.
Suppose you are a government official in charge of natural resources. What strategy might you use to ensure the sustainability of timber resources in your country?
Cut down as many trees as possible to increase profits.
Ignore the forests and focus on mining.
Plant new trees, protect animals in forests, and preserve old-growth forests.
Ban all use of timber products.
What is the definition of "timberline" as used in the study of climate and vegetation?
The elevation above which trees cannot grow
A violent spring and summer thunderstorm
A warm, dry wind that blows down the Rocky Mountains
A long, severe snowstorm
Which term describes a warm, dry wind that blows down the Rocky Mountains in late winter and early spring?
Chinook
Blizzard
Supercell
Prairie
What is a prairie?
A naturally treeless expanse of grasses
A violent ocean storm
A severe snowstorm
A mountain range
Which of the following best describes a supercell?
A violent spring and summer thunderstorm that causes a tornado
A long, severe snowstorm
A warm, dry wind
A treeless expanse of grasses
What is a hurricane?
An ocean storm hundreds of miles wide with winds of 74 miles per hour or more
A violent spring and summer thunderstorm
A warm, dry wind that blows down mountains
A long, severe snowstorm
Which weather event is described as a long, severe snowstorm?
Blizzard
Supercell
Chinook
Hurricane
Why might it be important to know the climate and vegetation of a region when studying its geography?
It helps understand what plants and animals can live there
It tells you the population size
It shows the political boundaries
It explains the history of the region
Given the terms provided, which combination would most likely be found together in a region with cold, high elevation?
Timberline and blizzard
Chinook and prairie
Supercell and hurricane
Prairie and supercell
Which statement best describes the climate regions and natural vegetation of the United States and Canada?
The climate regions and natural vegetation are diverse.
The climate regions and natural vegetation are the same everywhere.
The climate regions are tropical everywhere.
The natural vegetation is only coniferous forests.
What are two factors that influence climate in the United States and Canada?
Latitude and elevation
Longitude and population
Ocean currents and language
Industry and government
Which of the following best describes the subarctic climate zone?
Very cold winters, mostly coniferous forests
Hot summers, mostly grasslands
Mild winters, tropical rainforests
Warm summers, desert vegetation
What type of vegetation is most common in the tundra climate zone?
Sedge, cotton grass, and lichens
Palm trees and ferns
Oak and maple trees
Cacti and succulents
Why do few people live in the tundra climate zone?
The winters are very cold and the summers are cool, making it difficult for most plants and people to survive.
The area is too crowded.
There is too much rainfall.
The soil is very fertile.
Which U.S. state is mentioned as having a tropical climate?
Hawaii
Alaska
Texas
Maine
What are the two northern climate zones in the United States and Canada?
Subarctic and tundra
Tropical and desert
Temperate and Mediterranean
Humid continental and marine west coast
Which climate zone is found along the Pacific coast from northern California to southern Alaska and is characterized by more than 100 inches of rain each year?
Marine west coast climate zone
Mediterranean climate zone
Desert climate zone
Steppe climate zone
What type of vegetation is commonly found in the marine west coast climate zone?
Cacti and wildflowers
Coniferous trees, ferns, and mosses
Desert scrub and grasslands
Only lichens and mosses
Which climate zone is found in southern California?
Marine west coast climate zone
Mediterranean climate zone
Desert climate zone
Highland climate
What is the main characteristic of the desert climate zone found between the Pacific Ranges and the Rocky Mountains?
Heavy rainfall and dense forests
Hot and dry conditions supporting cacti
Bitterly cold winters and hot summers
Constant cold with only lichens and mosses
Which climate zone is usually found in areas near deserts and supports desert scrub, grasslands, or coniferous forests?
Marine west coast climate zone
Steppe climate zone
Highland climate
Mediterranean climate zone
What is the term for the elevation above which trees cannot grow, and only lichens and mosses survive in the highland climate?
Chinook
Prairie
Timberline
Steppe
Which wind may blow down the eastern slopes of the Rockies, quickly melting and evaporating snow at the base of the mountains?
Prairie
Chinook
Timberline
Steppe
What type of climate is found in the Great Plains of the United States and Canada, characterized by bitterly cold winters and hot summers?
Marine west coast climate
Humid continental climate
Mediterranean climate
Highland climate
What are prairies?
Areas with dense forests
Naturally treeless expanses of grasses
Mountainous regions with snow
Coastal areas with heavy rainfall
How does the rain shadow effect influence the climate between the Pacific Ranges and the Rocky Mountains?
It increases rainfall and supports dense forests
It keeps plateaus and basins hot and dry
It causes bitterly cold winters
It supports the growth of prairies
Which of the following best describes the climate and vegetation of the southeastern part of the eastern United States?
A humid subtropical climate zone with long, humid summers and mild winters, where deciduous forests, wetlands, and swamps are common.
A tropical rain forest zone with year-round high temperatures and dense forests.
A dry desert climate with sparse vegetation.
A tundra climate with permafrost and little plant life.
What type of climate zone extends from northeastern United States into southern Canada and is characterized by deciduous and mixed deciduous-evergreen forests?
A humid continental climate zone
A tropical savanna climate zone
A desert climate zone
A Mediterranean climate zone
Which natural disaster is most commonly associated with the humid continental climate zone in northern North America during winter?
Blizzards
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Where in the United States is the tropical savanna climate zone found?
The southern tip of Florida
The Great Plains
The northeastern United States
The Pacific Northwest
Which locations in the United States have a tropical rain forest climate zone?
Puerto Rico and Hawaii
California and Nevada
Texas and Oklahoma
Alaska and Washington
Why are hurricanes common in the humid subtropical climate zone of the southeastern United States?
Because ocean storms hundreds of miles wide with extremely strong winds are common during late summer and early autumn.
Because the area is located near the equator.
Because the region is surrounded by mountains.
Because the winters are extremely cold.
How do blizzards affect the humid continental climate zone in winter?
They bring heavy or blowing snow, winds over 35 miles per hour, and reduce visibility to less than 1,320 feet.
They cause flooding and landslides.
They increase temperatures and humidity.
They result in droughts and wildfires.
