Quiz South & Central America

From LearnSocialStudies

Central & South America Quiz

The following is a quiz about the continent of South America and the region known as Central America, which includes: Geography, political, social, and economic topics.

Take this quiz as often as you would like and print out a successful quiz for extra credit. {{#professor:Quiz #24 - South America & Central America}}

  

1 The social class system in Latin America during the 16th and 17th centuries reflects the

dominance of Spanish-born nobility
emerging equality between classes
influence of mestizo economic power
increasing social mobility of Native American Indians

2 The destruction of the rain forests in Latin America is primarily due to the

diseases carried by insects
wildfires occurring during dry seasons
devastation caused by high winds during the tropical storm season
demand for timber, farmland, and grazing land

3 The encomienda system in colonial Latin America led to the

establishment of trade unions
use of forced labor
increase in landownership by Native Americans
weakening of the power of peninsulares

4 In the 20th century, urbanization affected the developing nations of Africa, Asia, and Latin America by

reducing literacy rates
weakening traditional values
strengthening caste systems
increasing the isolation of women

5 A study of the revolutions in Latin America in the 19th century would show that

religion was a major cause of the conflicts
Spanish-born peninsulares led most of the Latin American uprisings
nationalism had little influence on the outcome
events in North America and Europe influenced Latin Americans

6 The encomienda system in Latin America was a direct result of the

Crusades
Age of Exploration
Reformation
Age of Reason

7 One result of the European conquest of Latin America was that in Latin America

Spanish became the major spoken language
Native American cultures flourished
the Aztec religion spread
many parliamentary democracies were established

8 In the 19th century, the independence movements in Latin America were greatly influenced by the

Glorious Revolution
French Revolution
Hundred Years War
Boer War

9 In the 19th century, opposition to the encomienda system in Latin America demonstrated the need for

landholding reforms
trade restrictions
female suffrage
a minimum-wage law

10 In the early 20th century, economic development in Latin America was limited by

a dependence on single cash crops
the distribution of land to the peasants
a lack of natural resources
the rules of the Organization of American States

11 A major goal of the conquistadors in Latin America was to

establish religious freedom
promote democracy
increase the wealth of Spain
introduce a laissez-faire economic system

12 In Latin America, both Simón Bolívar and José de San Martin were leaders who

worked for independence
led Communist-inspired revolutions
attempted imperialistic expansion
advocated a return to traditional ways

13 The term "Latin America" most accurately refers to the

countries that belong to the Organization of American States (OAS)
continents of North and South America
areas of the Western Hemisphere south of the United States
countries that have close economic ties with Spain

14 A major environmental problem affecting Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia has been

air pollution
deforestation
disposal of nuclear waste
acid rain

15 In Latin America, the Maya and the Aztec civilizations were similar in that they

showed little evidence of urbanization
lacked a strong central government
developed complex mathematical and calendar systems
used military weapons superior to those of Europeans

16 In Latin America, the mountainous terrain has contributed to

the development of a good infrastructure
the varied climates found in the region
social equality and political unity
extensive agricultural production

17 During the 20th century, a major cause of political problems in Latin America has been

a decrease in population
the declining importance of international trade
widespread poverty
increasing social mobility

18 The varied climate and topography of Latin America have directly led to

the deforestation of the region
the development of many diverse cultures
overpopulation in rural areas
rapid political unification

19 The pampas in South America are a

vast desert with little economic value
major coffee-producing area
source of coal and iron
fertile agricultural and cattle-producing region

20 The histories of the serfs in medieval Europe, the harijans in traditional India, and the native population in colonial Latin America are similar in that each group

used political power to improve living conditions
successfully revolted against rulers
had little or no political power
was socially mobile

21 The purpose of the encomienda system in Latin America was to

control overpopulation in urban centers
convert native peoples to Protestantism
obtain labor and taxes from the native peoples in the Spanish colonies
introduce political ideas into the colonies gradually

22 Which political trend exists in present-day Latin America?

Most countries are becoming military juntas.
Democracy is replacing dictatorship.
Communism is spreading throughout the region.
Religious leaders are making government policy.

23 The 19th-century independence movements in Latin America were influenced by

Marxist ideology
the Aztec wars against Hernando Cortés
liberation theology
the American and the French Revolutions

24 The influence of African culture on some areas of Latin America was largely a result of the

American Revolution
building of the Panama Canal
success of Communist revolutions
Atlantic slave trade

25 Which statement best describes the economy in Latin America during colonial times?

Little direct trade existed between Latin American and European nations.
European nations practiced a mercantilistic system in Latin America.
Few Latin Americans were interested in economic development.
The United States greatly influenced economic decision making in Latin America.

26 Which characteristic describes the traditional middle class family in Latin America?

The father is the head of the family.
The family unit is usually very small.
Adolescent girls have a great deal of social freedom.
The family worships its ancestors.

27 Which statement concerning education in Latin America is valid?

Education has often served as a vehicle for social mobility.
Increased educational opportunities in rural areas have encouraged people to move from cities.
Education has prevented the rise of independence movements.
Latin America is the only region in which school attendance is compulsory for all children.

28 Which generalization is best supported by a study of the history of Latin America?

Protection of human rights has been a major policy of most governments.
Foreign powers have had little influence in the area.
Political power has been concentrated in the hands of the landed elite.
Church and state have been strictly separated.

29 Which statement about the population of Latin America today is most accurate?

Most of the population is concentrated in interior regions.
Migration from rural areas to urban areas is increasing.
Little cultural or ethnic diversity exists among the people.
The birthrate is declining rapidly.

30 Which was a characteristic of the policy of mercantilism followed by Spanish colonial rulers in Latin America?

The colonies were forced to develop local industries to support themselves.
Spain sought trade agreements between its colonies and the English colonies in North America.
The colonies were required to provide raw materials to Spain and to purchase Spanish manufactured goods.
Spain encouraged the colonies to develop new political systems to meet colonial needs.