Subfields & the Environment
Which map would BEST help an environmental geographer?
A. Locations of national capitals
B. Changes in forest cover over 20 years
C. Locations of shopping centers
D. Languages spoken in different regions
Changes in forest cover over 20 years.
A restaurant’s owner chooses its menu and prices. Customers choose what to order. Government rules require safe food preparation.
Which economic system does this show?
A mixed economy—individuals and businesses make choices, while government also has a role.
Look at the lithium pie chart.
Which has the larger share: Argentina or Chile? Write BOTH percentages.
Argentina: 21.9%
Chile: 12.0%
Argentina has the larger share.
CHALLENGE
What term means a close investigation of a particular place, group, or issue?
A case study.
Write ONE ECONOMIC supporting question about expanding the campground.
Think: jobs, businesses, money.
How much would the campground expansion cost?
How many local jobs could it create? How might it affect nearby businesses?
A researcher studies the languages, family heritage, and traditions of people living in a Bolivian community. Which geographic subfield is the main focus?
Cultural geography.
In a fishing community, families make nets and share their catch according to customs passed down through generations.
Which economic system does this BEST illustrate?
A traditional economy.
CHALLENGE
Look at the lithium production bar graph.
Which country produces more lithium: China or Chile?
Chile.
Which is the BEST compelling question?
A. How many parks does Pinedale have?
B. Where is Pinedale’s largest park?
C. What year did a town park open?
D. Should Pinedale invest in more outdoor recreation spaces?
D. Should Pinedale invest in more outdoor recreation spaces?
It requires evidence and reasoning about community needs, benefits, and costs.
Write ONE POLITICAL supporting question about expanding the campground.
Think: government decisions, rules, authority.
Which government agency would decide whether the campground can expand?
What camping rules would local officials need to consider?
Challenge
A geographer investigates why businesses locate near busy highways. Which geographic subfield is the main focus?
Economic geography—it studies where economic activities happen and the factors affecting them.
A country’s constitution gives the national government some powers and regional governments other powers. Both levels also share certain responsibilities.
What system of government is this?
A federal system.
According to the pie chart, Australia has 8.6% and China has 7.4%.
What percentage do they have together? Does their combined share exceed Argentina’s?
16.0%.
No. Argentina’s share is 21.9%.
Compelling question: “Should a town build a new public recreation center?”
Which supporting question would BEST help investigate the economic benefits and costs?
A. What color is the town’s welcome sign?
B. What would the center cost to build and operate?
C. What is the town’s oldest street name?
D. How many letters are in the town’s name?
What would the center cost to build and operate?
Write ONE ENVIRONMENTAL supporting question about expanding the campground.
Think: water, land, wildlife.
How might more campers affect the lake’s water quality?
What wildlife habitat could be affected by construction?
A coastal community wants to restore wetlands. Which benefit would BEST support that decision?
A. Wetlands prevent hurricanes from forming.
B. Wetlands remove all pollution from the ocean.
C. Wetlands can reduce waves and storm-surge impacts from hurricanes.
D. Wetlands stop sea levels from rising.
Wetlands can reduce waves and storm-surge impacts.
They help protect communities but cannot prevent hurricanes or eliminate all flooding.
CHALLENGE
A small group of elite wealthy people controls a country’s major government decisions. What type of government does this describe?
An oligarchy.
CHALLENGE
Look at the Silk Road map.
A traveler follows the main route from the Mediterranean region toward China. What general direction does the traveler go?
East.
A geographer compares maps, job records, and water-quality data to answer supporting questions about a mining project.
Which step of a case study is this?
A. Ask a compelling question
B. Develop supporting questions
C. Investigate
D. Communicate findings
Investigate—the geographer analyzes evidence to answer the questions.
Write ONE HISTORICAL supporting question about expanding the campground.
Think: past land use, changes over time.
How has the land around the campground been used in the past?
How has campground use changed over the past 20 years?
Write the geographic subfield for EACH investigation:
1. Historical geography
2. Political geography
A student says, “The United States is a pure market economy because people can open businesses.”
Write ONE reason the United States is actually a mixed economy.
Private choices and government involvement exist together.
Look at the Silk Road map’s spice arrows.
Write ONE reasonable way trade with India could have changed daily life in another region.
People in China or the Mediterranean region might have begun using Indian spices in their cooking.
Label EACH question compelling or supporting.
1. Compelling
2. Supporting
The first asks for an evidence-based judgment. The second investigates a specific part of that decision.
Write ONE CULTURAL supporting question about expanding the campground.
Think: traditions, community identity, meaningful places.
What local traditions or culturally important places could be affected by the expansion?
How do community members traditionally use this area?
A town discovers that its river has less water than it did 50 years ago. Researchers investigate:
Write the geographic subfield that BEST matches each investigation number.
Number your answers 1, 2, and 3. You only need to write the subfield’s name.
1 - Economic
2 - Political
3 - Historical