NAEP Geography Grade 2

Question 1

Which type of map projection best preserves the shape of landmasses but distorts their size?

Accepted Answer

Mercator projection

Answer

The Mercator projection preserves shape (conformal) but distorts the size of landmasses, making areas near the poles appear much larger than they are.

Question 2

The Great Plains region of the United States is best described as which type of landform?

Accepted Answer

Flat, elevated grassland

Answer

The Great Plains is a broad expanse of flat, elevated grassland east of the Rocky Mountains, stretching from Canada to Texas.

Question 3

When geographers study the movement of goods, people, and ideas between places, they are analyzing which geographic theme?

Accepted Answer

Movement

Answer

Movement is one of the five themes of geography that examines how people, products, and information flow between different locations.

Question 4

Which ocean current keeps the climate of Western Europe warmer than other regions at the same latitude?

Accepted Answer

Gulf Stream

Answer

The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico northward along the U.S. coast and across the Atlantic, moderating Western Europe's climate.

Question 5

A city built at the confluence of two rivers would most likely have developed primarily because of which geographic advantage?

Accepted Answer

Access to trade and transportation routes

Answer

River confluences historically provided excellent trade and transportation advantages, which is why many major cities like Pittsburgh developed at these locations.

NAEP - National Assessment of Educational Progress Practice Test

NAEP - National Assessment of Educational Progress Practice Test

NAEP Geography Grade 2