Chapter 4: Cultures of the World Study Guide
Mr. Kersey

Directions:  To help you prepare for the upcoming test, answer the following questions 
on this sheet or in your notebooks.  I have tried to organize the information around 
the sections in your book to make it easier for you to study.  As usual, anything in 
the reading or discussed in class is fair game on the test, regardless of whether it 
is on this study sheet. Be sure to also review all key terms from the chapter and 
from your key terms list.

I. What is Culture?

1.What is culture?
2.What are cultural traits?
3.What do geographers want to know about culture?
4.What are the major stages in the development of culture and why was each important?

II. Social Groups, Language, and Religion
	
1.What is the basic social unit of societies?
2.What is language?  (Be sure you review the notes we took in class on this).
3.Why is language important?
4.What are some different types of religions?
5.Why is religion important?

III. Economic and Political Systems
	
1.Explain the three main types of economic systems.
2.What is a free market economy?
3.What is a command economy?
4.Explain the four types of political systems, or forms of government, we discussed.

IV. Cultural Change

1.What are some things that cause cultures to change?
2.What are the effects of the increased rate of cultural change?

(See the back for more)

V.  Critical Thinking  (Possible Essay Questions)

1.Imagine the small country of Gondor has suddenly experienced a serious decline in the 
amount of fresh water that is available to them.  How might a water shortage affect the 
following elements of this society:

a.Social Organization
b.Language
c.Economic System
d.Government

Write about a sentence or two for each element.  Create a chart if it will help you.

2.  Why do you think people in one culture sometimes do not understand people in another?  
Give a specific example.