AP AP Human Development & Quality of Life 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth model describes development as:
- Cyclical, with periods of growth and decline
- Linear, moving from traditional society to high mass consumption (Correct answer)
- Dependent on geographic location near the equator
- Driven primarily by foreign aid
Correct answer: Linear, moving from traditional society to high mass consumption
Rostow's model outlines five linear stages: traditional society, preconditions for takeoff, takeoff, drive to maturity, and age of high mass consumption.
Question 2: Dependency theory critiques Rostow's model by arguing that:
- Development requires democratic governance
- Underdevelopment is actively created by wealthy nations exploiting poorer ones (Correct answer)
- All countries progress through the same stages naturally
- Industrialization always leads to environmental degradation
Correct answer: Underdevelopment is actively created by wealthy nations exploiting poorer ones
Dependency theory holds that global capitalism structurally disadvantages developing nations, keeping them dependent on wealthy core nations.
Question 3: Which indicator best reflects the standard of living for average citizens rather than total national wealth?
- Total GDP
- GDP per capita (PPP) (Correct answer)
- Trade balance
- Industrial output index
Correct answer: GDP per capita (PPP)
GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) accounts for what money can actually buy in a country, better reflecting living standards.
Question 4: A microfinance institution primarily helps development by:
- Providing large loans to multinational corporations
- Offering small loans to low-income individuals to start businesses (Correct answer)
- Funding national infrastructure projects
- Subsidizing agricultural exports
Correct answer: Offering small loans to low-income individuals to start businesses
Microfinance extends small amounts of credit to entrepreneurs in developing regions who lack access to traditional banking, stimulating local economic growth.
Question 5: The term 'brain drain' refers to:
- Loss of agricultural knowledge in rural areas
- Emigration of educated professionals from developing to developed countries (Correct answer)
- Cognitive decline caused by poor nutrition
- Migration of retirees to warm climates
Correct answer: Emigration of educated professionals from developing to developed countries
Brain drain occurs when skilled workers leave their home country, depriving it of human capital needed for development.
Question 6: Which of the following best exemplifies 'bottom-up' development?
- A government building a national highway system
- A multinational corporation opening a factory
- A local cooperative organizing women to sell crafts (Correct answer)
- The World Bank funding a dam project
Correct answer: A local cooperative organizing women to sell crafts
Bottom-up development empowers local communities to drive their own economic progress rather than relying on top-down government or corporate initiatives.
AP AP Human Development & Quality of Life 2
Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth model describes development as: