Gaokao Geography: Physical and Human Geography Flashcards

Which type of cloud is associated with prolonged, steady rainfall covering large areas?

Answer: Nimbostratus

Nimbostratus clouds are thick, gray layered clouds that produce widespread, steady precipitation (rain or snow) often lasting many hours, unlike the intense but localized storms of cumulonimbus.

China's 'South-to-North Water Diversion Project' primarily addresses which geographic problem?

Answer: Severe water deficit in the north due to uneven spatial distribution of water resources

Northern China has 65% of the cultivated land but only 20% of water resources; the diversion project transfers water from the water-rich Yangtze basin to the arid north via three canal routes.

In physical geography, a 'rain shadow' occurs when:

Answer: Air rises over a mountain range, losing moisture on the windward side, leaving dry conditions on the leeward side

As moist air rises over mountains, it cools and precipitates on the windward slope; the descending air on the leeward side warms and dries through adiabatic compression, creating a rain shadow desert.

The 'World Systems Theory' by Immanuel Wallerstein divides the global economy into:

Answer: Core, semi-periphery, and periphery nations with unequal exchange relationships

Wallerstein's theory argues that the capitalist world-economy consists of core nations (wealthy, industrial, high-wage) exploiting periphery nations (poor, resource-exporting, low-wage) through unequal exchange.

Meanders in a river form as a result of:

Answer: Differential erosion on outer bends and deposition on inner bends due to secondary circulation

Helical (corkscrew) flow in river channels causes erosion on the outer (concave) bank forming a river cliff, while reduced velocity deposits sediment on the inner (convex) bank as a point bar.

Which of the following is a push factor causing international migration?

Answer: Political persecution or war in the country of origin

Push factors drive people away from their origin country; political persecution, conflict, famine, and natural disasters are classic push factors, while higher wages and better education are pull factors.

The 'Green Revolution' of the 1960s–1970s increased crop yields in developing countries primarily through:

Answer: High-yielding variety (HYV) seeds combined with increased irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides

The Green Revolution introduced HYV seeds (especially wheat and rice) developed by Norman Borlaug and colleagues; these varieties yielded 2–4× more grain but required irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.