Part 1: Geography Basics and Vocabulary

Directions: Read each question carefully. For Questions 1–3, circle the best answer. Question 4 is a matching activity. This test is worth 20 points.

Part 2: Reading, Evidence, and Explanation

Directions: Read the passage and data display. Answer Questions 5–7 using evidence. Then complete Questions 8–10 in complete sentences.

Geography Helps a Community Plan

The town of Brookside is growing. A map shows that most homes are north of the river, while the library and grocery store are south of the river. A bridge connects the two sides. The town council is deciding where to build a new bus stop. They study a map, a population graph, and a distance chart before making a decision.

Population graph information: North Brookside has 2,400 people. South Brookside has 1,600 people. The neighborhoods farthest from the bridge have the fewest bus stops.

The council chooses a location near the bridge and adds a second stop in the largest neighborhood north of the river. The map helped the council understand location and distance. The population information helped council members compare how many people lived in each area. These geographic tools helped them make a decision that could serve more residents.

Answer Key and Point Values

1. A — Globe. (1 point)

2. C — 40°N, 75°W is an absolute location. (1 point)

3. B — Building a dam changes how people use the environment. (1 point)

4. 1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A. (4 points total)

5. The council is deciding where to build new bus stops. Evidence may include that Brookside is growing or that some neighborhoods have few bus stops. (1 point)

6. The map showed where homes, stores, the library, the river, and the bridge were located. It helped the council understand location and distance. (1 point)

7. North Brookside has more people—2,400 compared with 1,600 in South Brookside—so a bus stop there could serve more residents. (1 point)

8. Award 1 point for correctly explaining the difference and 1 point for accurate examples of a physical feature and a human feature. (2 points)

9. Award 1 point for each accurately explained theme. Responses may discuss any two of the five themes. (2 points)

10. Extended-response rubric: Award 1 point for explaining why geography matters, 2 points for accurately describing at least two tools or geographic ideas, 2 points for using specific evidence or examples, and 1 point for a clear, organized paragraph. (6 points)

Total: 20 points