Download Name: BLK/Color:______ Unit 2 Study Guide: Antarctica/ Oceania

Name:_______________________________
BLK/Color:__________
Unit 2 Study Guide: Antarctica/ Oceania/Polar Regions
Learning Target: I can identify various regions and explain how they are organized by human and
physical characteristics. (SS421)
1. Explain why people who visit Antarctica do so during the months of December, January and
February and not the remainder of the year. They visit during these months because it is summer in
the southern hemisphere and is much warmer and hospitable for scientists.
2. Many nations have set up stations in Antarctica to do what? Give examples: The stations are set up
to do research. One station is the McMurdo station which is controlled by the USA. This station
focuses their research on the Greenhouse Effect and attempts to prove or disprove the theory of
Global Warming. They measure the rates of melting ice and take atmospheric air samples from ice
that can be thousands of years old
3. How do the following physical characteristics affect human settlement?
a. mountains- they inhibit human settlement because it is difficult to grow crops or build
houses on mountains
b. rivers/oceans- they encourage human settlement because rivers/oceans can be used for
transportation, drinking water source, food source, protection, and trade
c. deserts- they inhibit human settlement because of the shortage of water. Crops could not
be grown and people could suffer from dehydration. Many deserts are also too hot for people
to live comfortably
d. ice caps- they inhibit human settlement because there are no resources available
4. Identify a few of the physical & human characteristics of the Arctic Circle.
Physical
Human
Glaciers
Borders and boundaries for 7 countries
Arctic ocean
Dog sled teams
Polar bears
Snow machines
Seals
Shelters/igloos
Narwhals
mountains
1
5. Identify a few of the physical & human characteristics of the South Pole.
Physical
Human
Mountains
Research stations
Glaciers
No native population/no permanent population
Ice caps
Scientists “live” here only in the summer months
Coldest/driest
place on earth
All supplies must be shipped in and stored
Penguins,
whales, midges
Buildings have pipes above ground, cannot face
the wind, and have very thick insulated walls
Learning Target(s): (SS411)



I can identify the relative/absolute location of places and landforms by using a variety of
geographic tools.
I can utilize geographic tools to interpret/analyze information on maps.
I can identify and explain the five themes of geography.
6. Identify the characteristics of each of the following
a. atoll- small island with a lagoon found in the middle, no fresh water sources, has a coral
reef
b. Continental Island- once a part of a larger land mass (continent), usually the largest type of
island
c. Volcanic Island- cone shaped island made from a volcano, cone shaped with steep slopes
and high peaks
7. The North Pole can be found in which hemisphere(s)? Northern, western and eastern
8. The South Pole can be found in which hemisphere(s)? Southern, western and eastern
9. Oceania refers to a group of islands located where? In the south Pacific Ocean
10. Identify the hemispheres in which each continent belongs…
2
a. Antarctica- southern eastern, and, western hemispheres
b. Australia- southern and eastern hemispheres
11. What makes Antarctica the world’s largest desert? It averages less than two inches of
precipitation each year throughout most of the continent
12. Explain what a lagoon is. A lagoon is the body of water located in the middle of an atoll.
______________________________________________________________________________
13-15 Read the following passage and chose the letter of the theme of geography that best relates to
each underlined passage:
“As tales tell the Inuit first came to their land during the time of great ice. The ancestors (13) crossed
the Bering Strait over. (14) dry areas exposed by shallow seas consumed by the ice. They came
around 2 or 3,000 years ago from the Bering Sea or the North Pacific. They were wise and quickly
learned how to live in the new place and make it their home. Besides hunting the animals of the land,
caribou, walrus, seals and oxen, (15) our people at that time also hunted the enormous creatures of
the sea. The ancestors made kayaks covered in skins, and they crafted strong bows for hunting.”
13. crossed the Bering Strait
a. Movement
b. Place
c. Location
d. Region
14. dry areas exposed by shallow seas consumed by the ice
a. Human Environment Interaction
b. Place
c. Location
d. Region
15. our people at the time also hunted the enormous creatures of the sea.
a. Movement
3
b. Place
c. Human/Environment Interaction—Animals are part of the environment
d. Location
Learning Target: I can explain how people depend on, adapt to, or modify the environment to meet
their needs. (SS442)
16. Oceans provide many resources for people. Identify two of those resources.
1) food, 2) transportation, 3) trade, 4) protection
17. Which island type has no fresh water sources because of its elevation? An atoll
Learning Target: I can identify and explain elements of culture found in present day Australia. (SS211)
18. For what purpose did the British first use Australia?
As a prison colony. British prisons were overcrowded and after the American colonies won their
independence from Great Britain, King George III needed a new, distant place to send the prisoners
that he had no room for. Australia was the perfect place because it was so far away and prisoners
were not able to get back to England after they served their term.
19. The boomerang and didgeridoo are unique to Australian culture. Which Australian social group is
responsible for introducing them to the world?
The Aborigines
20. Explain the connection between marsupials and Australia? Give an example of a marsupial.
Kangaroos, wallabies, koala bears, and Tasmanian devils are all examples of marsupials. 70% of all
marsupial species live in Australia or the nearby south Pacific Islands
21. Identify the following similarities shared by the United States and Australia
a. language-both speak English
b. Great Britain-both were colonies of Great Britain before gaining their independence
c. economics- both the U.S. and Australia have a capitalist mixed market economy
**There will also be various maps and a small reading passage found on the test.
4