Geography & Climate
Which large body of water on East Asia’s eastern border greatly supports trade and influences climate?
Pacific Ocean / East China Sea / Pacific
Which religion originating in India emphasizes karma and reincarnation?
Hinduism.
Which leader is famous for leading India’s independence movement with nonviolent resistance?
Mahatma Gandhi.
Which agricultural activity dominates rural South Asia?
Farming- particularly rice
What major mountain range formed from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates?
The Himalayas.
Explain why coastal and river valley areas in South and East Asia have higher population densities than interior deserts and mountains.
Coasts and river valleys offer flat fertile land, water for irrigation, ports for trade, and transportation — easier for farming and cities.
Name the river considered sacred by many Hindus.
The Ganges River.
What is an authoritarian government? Give one defining characteristic.
A system with limited political freedoms, restricted speech, and centralized control.
What is terracing and why is it used in East Asia?
Terracing = cutting steps into slopes to retain water and reduce erosion; allows rice on hillsides.
Why are coastal regions more affected by cyclones?
Warm ocean waters fuel cyclones; proximity to sea provides energy for storm formation and more direct impact on coasts.
What is a monsoon and how does it affect seasonal weather patterns in South Asia?
Monsoon = seasonal wind that brings heavy summer rainfall (and dry winter winds); it supplies water for crops but can cause floods.
Which religion spread from India into East Asia and influenced countries such as China, Korea, and Japan?
Buddhism.
Contrast two different political systems found in East Asia and name one country that represents each.
Democracy (Japan, South Korea) vs. Authoritarianism (North Korea).
Explain how volcanic ash can both harm and benefit agriculture in Southeast Asia.
Harm: eruptions destroy land and settlements; Benefit: ash replenishes soil nutrients and increases fertility for crops.
Describe one reason Southeast Asian cities (like Jakarta) face flooding problems
Low elevation, coastal location, land subsidence, heavy monsoon rains, and inadequate drainage/infrastructure.
Identify two major climate zones found in Southeast Asia and describe one characteristic of each.
Tropical rainforest (hot, wet year-round) and tropical monsoon/savanna (distinct wet & dry seasons).
Describe one way religion influences daily life or cultural practices in South Asia.
pilgrimage to sacred rivers/temples, caste-influenced social customs, religious festivals shaping calendars and daily rituals.
Explain one major economic effect of rapid industrialization in East Asia.
Rapid growth and job creation, but increased air/water pollution and environmental degradation.
Describe one major environmental consequence of deforestation in Southeast Asia.
Long-term loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, increased carbon emissions and habitat loss.
Explain the relationship between the Ring of Fire and volcanic activity in Southeast Asia.
The Ring of Fire marks plate boundaries (subduction zones) where magma rises, causing frequent volcanoes and earthquakes in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Using plate tectonics, explain why Indonesia experiences many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Indonesia lies along convergent plate boundaries on the Pacific Ring of Fire; subduction produces earthquakes and volcanoes.
Identify the two main ethnic groups involved in long-term conflict in Sri Lanka.
Tamil and Sinhalese.
Define globalization and give one example of how it has affected East or Southeast Asia’s economies.
Globalization = increased economic interdependence (example: manufacturing supply chains in China exporting goods worldwide; foreign investment in Southeast Asian factories).
Explain how the Tarbela Dam demonstrates human-environment interaction (two effects: positive or negative).
Tarbela Dam controls water for irrigation and generates hydroelectric power (positive), but can displace people and alter river ecosystems (negative).
Analyze how a volcanoes creates both risks and economic opportunities for local communities.
Example: Volcanic soils in Indonesia support fertile agriculture (economic opportunity) but eruptions can destroy farms, homes, and infrastructure (risk)