70 Questions
Which two nations are the Caroline Islands divided into?
Federated States of Micronesia and Palau
What is another name for a low island?
Atoll
What mineral compound made Nauru rich and how did it get there?
Phosphate; migrating birds
Who was the first European to chart the Pacific?
Ferdinand Magellan
Which region of Oceania includes countries and territories such as New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji?
Melanesia
What are the two types of islands mentioned in the text?
High islands and low islands
Which region of Antarctica includes the Ross and Weddell Seas, Ellsworth Mountains, and Antarctic Peninsula?
West Antarctica
Which of the following countries in the Pacific Islands is a parliamentary republic?
Vanuatu
Which of the following is NOT a commonality among the economies of the Pacific Islands?
High birthrates
Why do Polynesia and Micronesia experience minimal or decreasing population growth despite high birthrates?
Migration of citizens off the islands
What is one of the reasons for environmental issues in the Pacific Islands?
Excessive use of plastics
Which of the following is NOT a reason why living on a tropical island might be considered dangerous?
There are no dangerous animals
Was the United States government right to detonate nuclear devices on some of the Marshall Islands?
No; the government was wrong for not anticipating the extent of contamination and the amount of time it would take for this region to again become inhabitable or for possibly concealing this information.
What environmental problem is not a significant issue in the Pacific Islands and Antarctica?
Air pollution
Oceania Pathfinders settled into people groups with distinct ______ and cultures
languages
Melanesia-people migrated from south east ______
Asia
Polynesia-people migrated from ______
Taiwan
Seamounts-Isolated underwater volcanoes that dot the ocean ______
basins
Ice floes-A large, flat sheet of floating ice that has formed from ______
seawater
Lead-The open water between ______
floes
Nauru is rich in ______ and it got there through migrating birds
phosphate
Living on a tropical island is dangerous because the ______ are pristine
waters
A relaxed culture may not make serious efforts to solve environmental issues and instead just go with the cheapest ______
fix
One way to address environmental issues in the islands is to collect all the garbage and either recycle it or dispose of it more ______
responsibly
______ and remittances are a large part of the economies of Polynesia and Micronesia
Tourism
The ______ invented surfing.
Polynesians
Most of the islands have a majority ethnicity related to the ______.
islands
Even the independent islands still have official associations with these Western nations, and some of the islands are totally under their ______.
jurisdiction
What are the two methods historians use to trace the history of the Pacific Islands?
Archaeology and oral history that was later written down by Europeans
Who was the first European to chart the Pacific?
Ferdinand Magellan
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
An agreement to ban military bases and weapons testing, freeze all land claims, exchange information freely, open all camps for inspection, and ban mining for fifty years
Which country annexed Hawaii in 1898?
United States
Explain the three main regions of Oceania and the countries and territories within each region.
Melanesia includes New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Micronesia includes Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, and Gilbert Islands. Polynesia includes New Zealand, Hawaii, Phoenix Islands, Line Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Samoa, Easter Island, and French Polynesia.
Describe the physical geography of the Pacific Islands and Antarctica.
The Pacific Islands consist of two types of islands: high islands, which are larger islands with volcanic mountains and hills, and low islands, also known as atolls, which are rings of coral left around a submerged volcano cone. Antarctica is divided into two regions: West Antarctica, which includes Ross and Weddell Seas, Ellsworth Mountains, and Antarctic Peninsula, and East Antarctica, which includes the Transantarctic Mountain Range.
What are abyssal plains and why are they significant in the Pacific Ocean?
Abyssal plains are broad, level areas on the ocean floor and they are the flattest areas on Earth. They are significant in the Pacific Ocean because the Pacific Ocean covers one-third of the Earth's surface and abyssal plains make up a large portion of its floor.
What environmental problem is not a significant issue in the Pacific Islands and Antarctica? Why might that be?
Air pollution; because of the lack of major industries, large populations, and automobiles.
How might a relaxed culture affect environmental issues?
A relaxed culture may not make serious efforts to solve issues and instead just go with the cheapest 'fix.'
How might you address the various environmental issues in the islands?
Collect all the garbage and either recycle it or dispose of it more responsibly. Invent new products. Learn about problems and look for solutions.
In what ways do the Pacific Islands depend on foreign aid and tourism for their economies?
The Pacific Islands depend on foreign aid and tourism as major sources of income due to the high costs of importing goods and the limited resources available on the islands.
What are some of the environmental issues faced by the Pacific Islands and Antarctica?
Some of the environmental issues faced by the Pacific Islands and Antarctica include loss of land from over-development, pollution of lagoons and groundwater, damaged reefs, rainforest loss, and the presence of invasive species.
Why do Polynesia and Micronesia experience minimal or decreasing population growth despite high birthrates?
Polynesia and Micronesia experience minimal or decreasing population growth due to the migration of citizens off the islands in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
Why might life on the islands seem slower and more relaxed compared to the mainland?
Life on the islands may seem slower and more relaxed compared to the mainland due to the lack of activities and distractions, allowing for a more laid-back lifestyle.
True or false: The Pacific Island region includes thousands of lagoons, which are areas of the ocean surrounded by coral.
True
True or false: The extreme cold of Antarctica's interior prohibits life.
True
True or false: New Caledonia is a world-leading supplier of nickel and cobalt.
True
True or false: The islands of Micronesia and Palau are divided into the Caroline Islands.
True
The Pacific Ocean covers half of the earth's surface.
False
Abyssal plains are the deepest areas on the ocean floor.
False
Low islands are formed by volcanic activity.
False
True or false: Islands with British influence in the Pacific are all parliamentary republics.
False
True or false: Islands with French influence in the Pacific have voted to remain part of France.
True
True or false: Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands are organized territories.
False
True or false: The islanders in the Pacific worshiped a host of gods and spirits.
True
Living on a tropical island is dangerous because the weather is great most of the time.
False
The United States government was right to detonate nuclear devices on some of the Marshall Islands.
False
Air pollution is a significant issue in the Pacific Islands and Antarctica.
False
Match the following regions with their associated countries or territories:
Micronesia = Caroline Islands (Federated States of Micronesia and Palau), Mariana Islands (Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas), Marshall Islands and Gilbert Islands Melanesia = New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji Polynesia = New Zealand and Hawaii, Phoenix Islands, Line Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Samoa, Easter Island, French Polynesia (the Society, Gambier, Tubaui, Tuamotu, Marquesas, and Austral Islands) Antarctica = West Antarctica Ross and Weddell Seas, Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica Transantarctic Mountain Range
Match the following types of islands with their descriptions:
High islands = Larger islands rising above sea level with volcanic mountains and hills Low islands = Also called atolls; rings of coral left around a submerged volcano cone
Match the following regions of Oceania with their origins of migration:
Melanesia = People migrated from south east Asia Micronesia = People migrated from Taiwan Polynesia = People migrated from Taiwan
Match the following geographical terms with their definitions:
Deep = A place in a trench that exceeds the depth of eighteen thousand feet Seamounts = Isolated underwater volcanoes that dot the ocean basins Lagoons = Area of the ocean surrounded by coral Lead = The open water between floes
Match these historical events with the relevant places or people:
Henryk Johan Bull = The first human to set foot on Antarctica Roald Amundsen = Planted the Norwegian flag at the South Pole Captain James Cook = Discovered New Caledonia and the Hawaiian Islands Ferdinand Magellan = The first European to chart the Pacific
Match the following Pacific Islands resources with their descriptions:
Coconuts = One of the two primary products for export from the islands Nickel and cobalt = Minerals that make New Caledonia a world-leading supplier Phosphate = Mineral compound that made Nauru rich Arable land = Resource that the islands lack in significant amounts
Match the following terms related to Antarctica with their definitions:
Ice floes = A large, flat sheet of floating ice that has formed from seawater Antarctic Treaty = An agreement that bans military bases, weapons testing, and mining on the continent, among other things Trust territories = Territories under the trusteeship of the United Nations Antarctic Plateau = Famous for its cold cyclonic storms that whirl almost endlessly from east to west
Match the following environmental issues with their potential solutions:
Invasive species = Promote study of science Non-biodegradable waste = Invent new biodegradable plastics Air pollution = Lack of major industries, large populations, and automobiles General environmental issues = Learn about problems and look for solutions
Match the following Pacific islands with their type of government:
Papua New Guinea = Constitutional monarchy Fiji = Parliamentary republic Kiribati = Presidential republic New Caledonia = French possession
Match the following statements with their corresponding arguments:
Living on a tropical island is dangerous = The waters are pristine, the weather is great most of the time, and the media builds up the positives The United States government was right to detonate nuclear devices on some of the Marshall Islands = The great need to develop nuclear technology during the Cold War while limiting the damage to a sparsely populated area A relaxed culture may not make serious efforts to solve environmental issues = They might just go with the cheapest 'fix' Addressing various environmental issues in the islands = Collect all the garbage and either recycle it or dispose of it more responsibly
Match the following islands with their dominant economies:
Polynesia and Micronesia = Tourism and remittances Melanesia = Mining and logging Palau = Presidential republic Guam = Organized territory
Match the following inventions with their inventors:
Plastic made out of fish waste = Lucy Hughes Nuclear Devices = United States government Study of invasive species = Not Mentioned Biodegradable plastics = Not Mentioned
Match the following environmental issues with the corresponding Pacific Island or Antarctica:
Ozone 'hole' = Antarctica Lack of natural freshwater = Pacific Islands Polluted lagoons = Pacific Islands Contaminated groundwater = Pacific Islands
Match the following islands with their cultural characteristics:
Polynesians = Invented surfing Island life = Slower and more relaxed pace Palau = Reefs are one of the 'seven underwater wonders of the world' Island diet = Coconuts, fish, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and taro
Study Notes
Pacific Islands and Antarctica
- The Caroline Islands are divided into two nations: Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
- A low island is also known as an atoll.
- Nauru is rich in phosphate, a mineral compound that was deposited by migrating birds.
European Exploration and Settlement
- Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to chart the Pacific.
- Oceania includes countries and territories such as New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji.
Regions of Oceania
- Melanesia includes New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands, and people migrated from southeast Asia.
- Polynesia includes Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand, and people migrated from Taiwan.
- Micronesia includes the Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, and Guam, and people migrated from the Philippines.
Geography and Environment
- Seamounts are isolated underwater volcanoes that dot the ocean floor.
- Ice floes are large, flat sheets of floating ice that have formed from seawater.
- Lead is the open water between ice floes.
- Abyssal plains are the deepest areas on the ocean floor and are significant in the Pacific Ocean.
- Environmental issues in the Pacific Islands include pollution, and one way to address them is to collect and recycle or dispose of garbage properly.
- A relaxed culture may not make serious efforts to solve environmental issues and instead opt for the cheapest solution.
Economy and Culture
- Tourism and remittances are a large part of the economies of Polynesia and Micronesia.
- Most of the islands have a majority ethnicity related to the indigenous people.
- The Pacific Islanders invented surfing.
- Even the independent islands still have official associations with Western nations, and some are totally under their control.
History and Politics
- Historians use two methods to trace the history of the Pacific Islands: oral tradition and archaeology.
- The Antarctic Treaty is an international agreement that regulates the use of Antarctica.
- The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898.
- The Pacific Islands depend on foreign aid and tourism for their economies.
- Environmental issues in the Pacific Islands and Antarctica include pollution, and climate change may contribute to their severity.
Island Nations: Government and Challenges Quiz - Test your knowledge on the political systems and challenges faced by small islands such as Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and more. Explore the constitutional monarchies, parliamentary republics, and presidential republics in these nations, as well as their struggles with ethnic tensions and unity.
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