AP®︎ Human Geography: Unit 1 Practice Test
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with focused practice questions on Unit 1 of AP Human Geography – Thinking Geographically.
Questions List
Unit 1 (All Topics)
Question 1 Topic 1.1Easy
This question tests the following: IMP-1.A.3
What does a map scale represent?
What You’re Being Tested On:
Explore the learning objectives taken directly from the College Board’s AP® Human Geography Curriculum. Ensure you’re prepared for the exact topics covered on the AP® exam, in-class tests, and quizzes, and gain confidence in your mastery of the material.
Unit 1: Thinking Geographically
This unit introduces the foundations of geographic thinking, including types of maps, spatial concepts, data, and how humans interact with and perceive space and environment.
Topic 1.1: Introduction to Maps
Learning Objective: IMP-1.A
Identify types of maps, the types of information presented in maps, and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.A.1
Types of maps include reference maps and thematic maps.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.A.2
Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.A.3
All maps are selective in information; map projections inevitably distort spatial relationships in shape, area, distance, and direction.
Topic 1.2: Geographic Data
Learning Objective: IMP-1.B
Identify different methods of geographic data collection.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.B.1
Data may be gathered in the field by organizations or by individuals.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.B.2
Geospatial technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), satellite navigation systems, remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.B.3
Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
Topic 1.3: The Power of Geographic Data
Learning Objective: IMP-1.C
Explain the geographical effects of decisions made using geographical information.
Essential Knowledge: IMP-1.C.1
Geospatial and geographical data, including census data and satellite imagery, are used at all scales for personal, business and organizational, and governmental decision-making purposes.
Topic 1.4: Spatial Concepts
Learning Objective: PSO-1.A
Define major geographic concepts that illustrate spatial relationships.
Essential Knowledge: PSO-1.A.1
Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
Topic 1.5: Human–Environmental Interaction
Learning Objective: PSO-1.B
Explain how major geographic concepts illustrate spatial relationships.
Essential Knowledge: PSO-1.B.1
Concepts of nature and society include sustainability, natural resources, and land use.
Essential Knowledge: PSO-1.B.2
Theories regarding the interaction of the natural environment with human societies have evolved from environmental determinism to possibilism.
Topic 1.6: Scales of Analysis
Learning Objective: PSO-1.C
Define scales of analysis used by geographers.
Essential Knowledge: PSO-1.C.1
Scales of analysis include global, regional, national, and local.
Learning Objective: PSO-1.D
Explain what scales of analysis reveal.
Essential Knowledge: PSO-1.D.1
Patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in, and different interpretations of, data.
Topic 1.7: Regional Analysis
Learning Objective: SPS-1.A
Describe different ways that geographers define regions.
Essential Knowledge: SPS-1.A.1
Regions are defined on the basis of one or more unifying characteristics or on patterns of activity.
Essential Knowledge: SPS-1.A.2
Types of regions include formal, functional, and perceptual/vernacular.
Essential Knowledge: SPS-1.A.3
Regional boundaries are transitional and often contested and overlapping.
Essential Knowledge: SPS-1.A.4
Geographers apply regional analysis at local, national, and global scales.
