Quiz South & Central America

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}}

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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.