Gaokao Geography: Physical and Human Geography Flashcards

Which of the following correctly explains why the Tibetan Plateau has a cold, dry climate despite being located at low latitudes?

Answer: Its very high altitude (average 4,500 m) causes low temperatures and rainshadow effects

The Tibetan Plateau's extreme altitude (mean ~4,500 m) causes temperatures to be far lower than latitude alone would predict; thin air and high albedo from snow/ice also reduce heat retention.

Which map projection preserves accurate shapes of small areas but distorts area and distance at high latitudes?

Answer: Mercator (conformal cylindrical) projection

The Mercator projection preserves local angles and shapes (conformal), making it useful for navigation, but it greatly exaggerates area toward the poles (Greenland appears larger than Africa).

The concept of 'sustainable development' as defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987) refers to:

Answer: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs

The Brundtland definition of sustainable development balances economic, social, and environmental pillars, recognizing intergenerational equity as a core principle.

China's 'Three Gorges Dam' on the Yangtze River has most significantly affected regional geography by:

Answer: Flooding over 600 km of river valley and forcing relocation of over 1 million people

The Three Gorges reservoir flooded ancient cities, farmland, and archaeological sites, necessitating the world's largest forced resettlement program of approximately 1.3–1.4 million people.

In the context of global energy resources, 'peak oil' refers to:

Answer: The theoretical point at which global oil production reaches its maximum rate before permanently declining

Peak oil (Hubbert's peak) is the point where cumulative production equals half the ultimately recoverable resource, after which production rates inevitably decline due to geological depletion.

The term 'urban heat island' (UHI) effect describes the phenomenon where:

Answer: Urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and surfaces

UHIs occur because urban surfaces (concrete, asphalt) absorb and retain more heat, reduced vegetation limits evaporative cooling, and human activities (vehicles, buildings) release additional heat.

In the hydrological cycle, the process by which water vapor is released from plant leaves is called:

Answer: Transpiration

Transpiration is the evaporation of water from plant stomata; combined with soil evaporation, it is often called evapotranspiration and is a major return pathway for water to the atmosphere.