1st Semester Exam Study Guide SW Asia (Middle East) 1st Semester Exam Study Guide

#1 Geographically speaking, which country lies between Iraq and Afghanistan?

Iran lies between Iraq and Afghanistan. ANSWER Iran lies between Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Suez Canal connects what two major bodies of water? #2 The Suez Canal connects what two major bodies of water?

The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean and the Red Seas. ANSWER The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean and the Red Seas.

#3 The process of removing salt from salt water in order to make it suitable for farming and drinking is known as…

Desalination removes salt from salt water ANSWER Desalination removes salt from salt water

#4 Disputes over what natural resources are problematic for many Middle East countries?

Disputes over water and oil ANSWER Disputes over water and oil

#5 In dry climate countries like Afghanistan and Iran, how would farmers water crops?

Irrigation is a way for farmers to water crops ANSWER Irrigation is a way for farmers to water crops

#6 Although it has significant oil and natural gas resources, a major international issue surrounding Iran in the first decade of the 21st century has been its attempt to develop…

Iran has caused problems by developing nuclear weapons ANSWER Iran has caused problems by developing nuclear weapons

#7 A major environmental issue facing the countries of the Middle East is the pollution of the…

Water and water sources ANSWER Water and water sources

The majority of Saudi Arabia is covered in what landform? #8 The majority of Saudi Arabia is covered in what landform?

Saudi Arabia is covered by deserts ANSWER Saudi Arabia is covered by deserts

#9 What non-renewable natural resource has contributed to the growth of the Middle East?

Oil has contributed to the growth of Middle East countries. ANSWER Oil has contributed to the growth of Middle East countries.

#10 Because of its location over some of the world’s largest oil deposits, which nation’s income rose dramatically during the 20th century?

Saudi Arabia has seen huge growth in the 20th century ANSWER Saudi Arabia has seen huge growth in the 20th century

#11 The climate of the Middle East has led much of the region to experience a scarcity of…

Water is very scarce in the SW ASIA ANSWER Water is very scarce in the SW ASIA

#12 Which of the following attribute would be shared within an ethnic group? (AC: Three attributes)

Ethnic groups share, history, culture, language and beliefs ANSWER Ethnic groups share, history, culture, language and beliefs

Which religion do most people in Southwest Asia practice? #13 Which religion do most people in Southwest Asia practice?

Islam is most widely practiced religion (AC: Sunni Islam) ANSWER Islam is most widely practiced religion (AC: Sunni Islam)

Who make up the largest minority ethnic group in Turkey? #14 Who make up the largest minority ethnic group in Turkey?

ANSWER Kurds

#15 The Islamic religion is divided between the Sunni and _________ Muslims.

ANSWER Shia Muslims

The oldest of the prominent religions of the Middle East is… #16 The oldest of the prominent religions of the Middle East is…

Oldest religion is Judaism ANSWER Oldest religion is Judaism

#17 The Torah, which contains the Mosaic Law, is most often used in which religion?

ANSWER Judaism uses the Torah

The Gospels tell the story of what prophet? #18 The Gospels tell the story of what prophet?

ANSWER Jesus Christ

After which war did the Ottoman Empire officially come to an end? #19 After which war did the Ottoman Empire officially come to an end?

ANSWER WW I

#20 What effects did the collapse of the Ottoman Empire have on its former territories?

ANSWER It was divided by British Politicians who cared nothing for ethnic or religious groups (AC: called partitioning)

#21 Prejudice against Jews ranging from apathy to extreme hatred and persecution is called ______.

ANSWER Anti- Semitism

Which Middle Eastern city is holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims? #22 Which Middle Eastern city is holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims?

ANSWER Jerusalem

Which ethnic groups would most likely practice Islam? #23 Which ethnic groups would most likely practice Islam?

Kurds, Arabs, and Persians ANSWER Kurds, Arabs, and Persians

AC only: What are the Five Pillars of Islam? #24 AC only: What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

ANSWER 1. one god/Muhammad messenger 2. fast for Ramadan 3. pray 5 times to Mecca 4. take care of the poor 5. journey to Mecca.

#25 Identify two reasons for the shortage of water in the Middle East (AC: three reasons)

Water Pollution, desalination $$$, population growth, agriculture, war, etc.

#26 Throughout the Middle East, oil industry wealth has fueled a growing class between:

Answer Traditional Islamic values and Western materialism

#27 Which language is spoken by the: Kurds Arabs Persians Jews

Answer Kurdish Arabic Farsi/Persian Hebrew

#28 Identify the dominant religion (AC: be SPECIFIC) practiced by the following ethnic groups: Jews Kurds Persians Arabs

Answer Judaism Sunni Islam Shia Islam

#29 Define Oligarchy

Answer A form of government in which a small group of powerful people are the leaders (may have a lot of $$, land, and/or military power)

#30 How are economic decisions made in a market economy?

Answer Interaction of consumers, producers and law of supply and demand

#31 How are economic decisions made in a traditional economy?

Answer Custom and habit

#32 How are economic decisions made in a command economy?

Answer Government or centralized authority decides

What was the result of the Persian Gulf War? #33 What was the result of the Persian Gulf War?

ANSWER Iraqi government had to withdraw troops and sign a truce, Hussein burned Kuwait’s oil fields p. 124 CRCT Prep Book

Which war was caused by a dispute over oil? #34 Which war was caused by a dispute over oil?

ANSWER Persian Gulf War

#35 The __________ river forms the border between Israel, Jordan, and Palestinian Territories.

ANSWER Jordan River

Which religion(s) recognize Abraham as the father of their religion? #36 Which religion(s) recognize Abraham as the father of their religion?

Christianity, Islam, and Judaism ANSWER Christianity, Islam, and Judaism

#37 The mass imprisonment and slaughter of over six million European Jews during WWII is known as the________.

ANSWER Holocaust

Who is Osama bin Laden? (AC: which conflict was he involved in)? #38 Who is Osama bin Laden? (AC: which conflict was he involved in)?

ANSWER A terrorist leader for al Qaeda (AC: Afghanistan Invasion/Operation Enduring Freedom)

Which of the following BEST describes Operation Iraqi Freedom? #39 Which of the following BEST describes Operation Iraqi Freedom?

War over nuclear weapons ANSWER War over nuclear weapons

#40 What is a monarchy?

ANSWER Rule by King

What form of government does Israel have? #41 What form of government does Israel have?

Parliamentary Democracy ANSWER Parliamentary Democracy

#42 What is a theocracy?

ANSWER A government in which God is seen as the true leader of the government and the country’s religious leaders serve as political leaders.

What form of government does Saudi Arabia have? #43 What form of government does Saudi Arabia have?

Monarchy and oligarchy ANSWER Monarchy and oligarchy

#44 What’s the difference between a confederation and a unitary form of government?

ANSWER Unitary the central has more power and local less, confederation local has more power and central less

#45 What are the two different types of democracies called? (AC: Explain how they are different from one another).

ANSWER Parliamentary Democracy: people vote for the legislature, who then vote for the leader (prime minister) Presidential Democracy: people vote directly for the leader (president)

GOOD LUCK! STUDY HARD!