Floods and Their Impact on Humanity
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary impacts of floods on human lives?

  • Historical loss of life (correct)
  • Increased property values
  • Improved emergency response times
  • Decreased community interaction

Which of the following was a consequence of the floods mentioned?

  • Construction of new roads
  • Closure of Pasni Airport (correct)
  • Restoration of public transport
  • Increase in tourism

How do floods disrupt businesses according to the impacts listed?

  • By increasing the number of customers
  • By boosting local economies
  • By causing fewer transport routes (correct)
  • By enhancing employee productivity

Which of the following is NOT one of the mentioned floods in mythology?

<p>Tdiki flood legend (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What narrative is associated with the flood legend of Manu in Indian mythology?

<p>A fish warning a man about a flood (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Greek mythology, who is noted for mentioning floods in the fifth century B.C.?

<p>Pindar (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact did the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 have?

<p>It was one of the most powerful floods of the 1900s (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action did authorities take in response to the flooding mentioned?

<p>Deployed local authority teams (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What main crop was essential for the rural population of Ireland before the blight?

<p>Potatoes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the potato crop was affected by potato blight in 1845?

<p>33% to 50% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the immediate economic effect of the potato blight in 1845?

<p>Inflation of potato prices (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did farmers react to the blight during the spring of 1846?

<p>They planted even more potatoes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'demography' primarily study in relation to the impacts of the famine?

<p>Population dynamics (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of the poor harvests between 1846 and 1847 in Ireland?

<p>Starvation and emigration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the appearance of potato fields suffering from blight change?

<p>They were filled with withered black stalks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role might scientists play during a situation of crop failure due to disease?

<p>Developing disease-resistant crops (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of educational policy in relation to language proficiency?

<p>It enhances native language proficiency among students. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What historical significance does the Epic of Gilgamesh hold?

<p>It is a long Babylonian epic written in cuneiform. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the term 'infrastructure'?

<p>It encompasses the basic structure or features of a system or organization. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'jurisdiction' refer to in a legal context?

<p>The legal power or authority of a court to hear cases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a levee?

<p>It is an embankment built to prevent flooding from a river. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of emigration during the Irish famine?

<p>The population decreased by approximately 3 million. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did land inheritance practices change after the famine in Ireland?

<p>Farms were typically passed intact to one son. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What demographic process was significantly affected due to the famine?

<p>Mass emigration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the famine have on the Irish language?

<p>There was a sharp decline in Irish speakers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic process contributed to the population drop other than emigration?

<p>Widespread illness and death. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason young families emigrated from Ireland during the famine?

<p>Hope for better economic opportunities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the famine affect farming practices regarding land subdivision?

<p>Farmers ceased the practice of sub-dividing land. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What year had the number of Irish speakers fallen to 24 percent?

<p>1861 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the painting 'The Pinch of Poverty' depict?

<p>A small girl selling flowers with her mother. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does poverty particularly affect children?

<p>It keeps them out of school. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are women and children particularly vulnerable to poverty?

<p>They often earn lower incomes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Thames Flood Barrier?

<p>To prevent flooding from the River Thames (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which disaster prompted the construction of the Delta Works in the Netherlands?

<p>The 1953 flood (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Zakah in Islam?

<p>To help reduce poverty. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of governments investing more in war missions than in welfare?

<p>Worsened social conditions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unique challenge does the Delta Works face regarding climate change?

<p>Constructing higher defenses due to rising sea levels (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the levees on the Mississippi River designed?

<p>To prevent flooding from high river discharges (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can government child nutrition programs assist in reducing poverty?

<p>They ensure children receive necessary nutrition. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been maintained by the international community since the 1970s to manage food shortages?

<p>Famine early warning systems and food reserves. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What proportion of the Netherlands lies below sea level?

<p>More than half (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does armed conflict have on food production?

<p>It can lead to food shortages due to reduced farming. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a goal of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals related to hunger?

<p>To eliminate food waste worldwide (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does climate change imply for the future of flood defense structures like the Delta Works?

<p>They must be built higher to cope with rising sea levels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of global hunger is prioritized by the United Nations for the 21st century?

<p>Reducing the proportion of hungry people (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

The Mesopotamian Flood Legend

A flood legend that originates in ancient Mesopotamia, featuring the hero-king Gilgamesh and his adventures.

The Greek Flood Legend

A flood legend from Greek mythology, first mentioned by the poet Pindar in the 5th century B.C.

The Indian Flood Legend

A flood legend from India, featuring Manu, who builds a boat to survive the flood.

The Chinese Flood Legend

A flood legend from China, featuring the hero Yu the Great, who successfully controls the flood by diverting water to the sea.

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Great Mississippi Flood of 1927

The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was one of the most devastating natural disasters of the 20th century.

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Flood Impacts

Flooding caused by heavy rainfall, damaged infrastructure like power stations and airports, and disrupted transportation networks.

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Flood Deaths

Floods have led to more deaths than any other natural disaster throughout history.

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Property Damage from Floods

Floods can damage property, including homes and vehicles, due to contaminated floodwater.

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Poverty

A state of extreme deprivation, marked by lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

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Poverty and Education

Poverty's impact on children's education, preventing them from attending school due to factors like financial burdens, lack of resources, and child labor.

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Women and Children in Poverty

Women and children are disproportionately affected by poverty due to societal inequalities, limited access to resources, and vulnerability to exploitation.

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Zakah

A religious obligation in Islam to donate a portion of one's wealth to support the poor and needy.

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Famine as a Weapon

The use of famine as a weapon of war by both governments and rebel forces to control territories and populations through starvation and food deprivation.

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Famine Early Warning Systems

International initiatives aimed at monitoring food scarcity, issuing early warnings, and maintaining food reserves to prevent famines and deaths from starvation.

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Acts of Siege Warfare

The intentional destruction or seizure of food supplies by military forces during armed conflicts, impacting food production and leading to widespread hunger.

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Farming Population Decline

The decline in farming populations due to violence, displacement, and fear, contributing to reduced food production during armed conflicts.

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Thames Flood Barrier

A large barrier built across the River Thames in London, England, to prevent flooding from the sea. It is the largest flood barrier in the world and allows ships to pass through when open.

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Delta Works

A series of structures built in the Netherlands to protect the country from flooding, especially from the North Sea. It is designed to prevent major flooding disasters like the 1953 flood from happening again.

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Levees

Tall earthen walls built along rivers to prevent flooding from high water discharges. The levees on the Mississippi River are one of the largest systems in the world, protecting communities from flooding.

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Hunger

A state of extreme hunger or food deprivation, often characterized by a lack of sufficient food intake to meet basic nutritional needs.

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Global Hunger

A global issue where many people lack access to sufficient food, resulting in malnutrition and food insecurity. It is a major concern that the United Nations aims to address.

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Rising Sea Levels as a Challenge to the Delta Works

The rising sea levels caused by climate change, especially the melting of ice caps and glaciers, pose a significant challenge to the Netherlands and its defenses.

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Vulnerability of Levees

The levees along the Mississippi River are designed to withstand high discharges of the river, but they can be vulnerable to damage during extreme flooding events.

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Reducing Hunger as a Millennium Development Goal

The goal of reducing hunger is a top priority among the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. Addressing global hunger requires addressing its underlying causes, such as poverty, food insecurity, and conflict.

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Potato blight

A dangerous plant disease that badly affected potato crops in Ireland from 1845 to 1847.

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The Great Hunger (Irish Famine)

The period of severe food shortage and starvation in Ireland caused by the potato blight and its effect on the main crop.

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Demography

The study of human populations, including their size, distribution, and characteristics.

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Mortality rate

The rate at which people die in a population, often expressed as deaths per 1,000 people per year.

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Scientists' role in crop failure

The role of scientists is critical in a situation of crop failure. They can investigate the cause of the disease, find ways to prevent it from spreading, and develop new and resistant crop varieties.

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Factors contributing to the Irish famine

The potato blight was not the only factor that caused the Irish famine. The country's dependence on potatoes, lack of other food sources, and ineffective government response all contributed to the disaster.

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Impact of the famine on population

The Irish famine had a significant impact on the country's population, leading to mass starvation and emigration.

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Impacts of the famine on Ireland

In the context of the Irish famine, the political, economic, and social systems of Ireland were heavily impacted. The famine exacerbated existing problems, leading to social unrest, economic hardship, and changes in the power structure.

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What is infrastructure?

The basic structures or features of a system or organization, such as roads, bridges, and communication networks.

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What is jurisdiction?

The legal power or authority of a specific court to hear and decide cases.

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What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?

A long Babylonian epic that is written in the Sumerian language on clay tablets, telling the story of Gilgamesh, a legendary king.

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What is a legend?

A legend is a story that is passed down through generations and is often embellished with fantastical or supernatural elements. It is not necessarily based on historical fact.

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What are Gaelic languages?

The languages spoken by the Celtic people of Ireland and Scotland, known for their distinct sounds and grammar.

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Demographic Processes for Population Change

The three demographic processes responsible for population change are birth rate, death rate, and migration.

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What is emigration?

Emigration is when people leave their country of origin to live in another.

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Irish Famine Impact on Population

The Irish Potato Famine caused a significant decrease in the Irish population due to starvation and emigration.

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Where did Irish emigrants go?

The Irish Potato Famine resulted in the emigration of many Irish people, primarily to North America, Australia, and Britain, in search of better opportunities.

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Irish Potato Famine Impact on Gaelic Language

The Irish Potato Famine led to a significant decline in Irish Gaelic language speakers, as the famine disproportionately affected areas where Gaelic was prevalent.

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Impact of Land Subdivision on Irish Famine

The division of land into small fields during the pre-famine period made Irish families more vulnerable to famine, as their dependence on these small fields increased.

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Cultural Impacts of the Irish Potato Famine

The Irish Potato Famine had a significant impact on Irish culture and language, leading to a decline in the use of the Irish language.

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Economic Impacts of the Irish Potato Famine

The Irish Potato Famine had a long-lasting impact on the Irish economy, as a large portion of the active and skilled workforce left the country.

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Study Notes

Chapter Five: Global Disasters

  • Floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, wars, and random incidents of violence, hunger, and poverty are major global challenges
  • This chapter focuses on floods and hunger as significant human disasters

Lesson 1: Introduction to Floods

  • Flooding is the overflowing of water onto normally dry land
  • Floods often result from heavy rainfall exceeding a natural watercourse's capacity
  • Flood damage varies yearly and is affected by severity and location
  • Flash floods are the most dangerous type, occurring quickly and with little warning
  • Other floods can last days, weeks, or longer
  • Floods have both positive (e.g., drought relief), and negative impacts (e.g., property damage and loss of life)
  • Floods are a costly natural disaster, especially in Australia

Lesson 1: Types of Floods

  • Floods are broadly classified as Natural Floods and Catastrophic Floods
  • Natural floods are caused by the overflow of a large volume of water (rivers, lakes, oceans).

Lesson 1: Coastal Flooding

  • Natural flooding can result from ocean storms raising sea levels, causing coastal flooding
  • Tsunamis, caused by volcanoes, landslides, etc., create high sea waves, often devastating when they hit the shore.
  • Tsunami waves flow straight, unlike typical wind waves, which flow in circles, creating significant damage

Lesson 2: Examples of Major Floods

  • Some floods are purely mythological, like stories in the Middle East, Asia, etc.
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh includes a Mesopotamian flood legend
  • Greek mythology recounts a flood, with figures like Manu
  • The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was a powerful natural disaster, flooding over 27,000 square miles, and displacing over 700,000 people, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage
  • The North Sea Flood of 1953 was one of the worst floods in Northern Europe
  • The Big Thompson Canyon Flood of 1976 caused significant property damage and loss of life due to rapid river rise due to heavy rainfall

Lesson 2: Hurricane Katrina of 2005

  • Hurricane Katrina caused levee and floodwall failures in New Orleans, leading to significant flooding
  • Over 1.7 million people lost power due to the storm, and severe economic disruption occurred

Lesson 3: Examples of Flood Prevention Innovations

  • Historical flood protection efforts include Nilometers, built in 715 AD to measure and record Nile River water levels
  • Modern innovations such as the Thames Flood Barrier in London control River Thames flooding

Lesson 3: The Delta Works

  • The Netherlands developed Delta Works to prevent significant flood disasters from happening again
  • The Dutch government developed a series of flood control structures due to the geographical location of half the country being below sea level

Lesson 3: Levees on The Mississippi River

  • Levees along the Mississippi River are crucial in preventing flooding
  • These levees represent one of the world's largest flood prevention systems

Lesson 4: Global Hunger

  • Hunger is a significant global issue, with 925 million people suffering from malnutrition and facing hunger-related deaths
  • Hunger is largely tied to poverty, with low wages hindering food access for families
  • Factors like poor agricultural infrastructure, war conflicts, extreme poverty, environmental problems all contribute to hunger

Lesson 4: Hunger and Nutrition

  • Under-nourishment is defined by the United Nations as inadequate calorie intake for active living
  • Malnutrition includes insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals, etc., potentially leading to health issues
  • Malnutrition can lead to difficulties with growth, disease resistance, work efficiency and even risks during pregnancy for women

Lesson 4: Geography of Hunger

  • Many people throughout the world experience chronic hunger stemming from poverty
  • Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America have the highest numbers of hungry people

Lesson 5: Hunger Causes and Solutions

  • Poverty, natural disasters, and war are significant causes of hunger
  • Severe poverty and lack of resources affect the accessibility of healthy and nutritious food
  • Malnutrition and hunger lead to many problems across the world.

Lesson 5: International Actions

  • The international community has established systems for managing food shortages and preventing famines
  • Organizations such as the World Food Programme try to provide food aid and support

Lesson 6: The Irish Great Famine of 1845

  • The Irish Great Famine was a major crisis of hunger in Ireland caused by a potato blight in the mid-1840s
  • Ireland's dominant food source, potatoes, was negatively affected by the blight
  • The crisis led to mass emigration, reduced population, economic devastation, and social impact

Lesson 6: The Great Hunger

  • The Irish Great Famine caused hardship, with rising prices for potatoes
  • The blight drastically reduced Ireland's potato crop for years, reducing food availability, leading to major starvation and death
  • The famine impacted various Irish aspects (political, economic, social, and demographic)

Lesson 6: Impacts from The Famine

  • The famine led to an increase in emigration from Ireland and a severe decrease in the rural population
  • The Irish language (Gaelic) significantly declined due to the famine and losses of local speakers.

Terms and Vocabulary

  • Key terms and their definitions are given, such as Epic of Gilgamesh, Gaelic, Jurisdiction, Infrastructure, Levee, Niagara Falls, and others.

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Chapter 5: Global Disasters PDF

Description

This quiz explores the various effects of floods on human lives, businesses, and mythology. It includes questions on historical floods, impacts on agriculture, and responses from authorities, as well as some aspects of demographic studies related to famine. Test your knowledge on these significant events and their long-lasting consequences.

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