AP Human Geography Unit 6 Practice Test

Sample Questions and Answers

Question 1: A city planner is studying how land values change as distance from the central business district (CBD) increases. According to Bid-Rent Theory, which pattern would most likely occur in the city?

A. Land prices increase as distance from the CBD increases.
B. Land prices are highest near the CBD and generally decrease farther away.
C. All areas of the city have identical land values.
D. Residential areas are always located closest to the CBD.

Answer: B. Land prices are highest near the CBD and generally decrease farther away.

Explanation:
Bid-Rent Theory explains that different land users compete for locations based on their willingness to pay. Businesses that benefit from accessibility and customer traffic, such as retail stores and offices, typically pay the highest prices for locations near the central business district. As distance from the CBD increases, land becomes less expensive because accessibility decreases. This often results in commercial activities being concentrated in central areas while lower-density residential development expands outward. Understanding how land value influences urban structure is an important concept in AP Human Geography Unit 6 and is frequently tested on the AP Exam.

Question 2: A rapidly growing city experiences increased housing demand, rising property prices, and the replacement of older neighborhoods with newer developments. Which urban process is occurring?

A. Suburbanization
B. Gentrification
C. Urban decentralization
D. Rural depopulation

Answer: B. Gentrification

Explanation:
Gentrification occurs when wealthier residents and new investments move into older urban neighborhoods, often leading to renovations, increased property values, and changes in the local population. While gentrification can improve infrastructure and housing conditions, it may also increase living costs and displace long-term residents who can no longer afford rising rents or property prices. AP Human Geography examines gentrification as an example of how economic forces influence urban landscapes and social patterns. Understanding the causes and impacts of gentrification helps students analyze real-world urban changes.

Question 3: According to the Concentric Zone Model developed by Ernest Burgess, which area is typically located at the center of a city?

A. Suburban residential zone
B. Commuter zone
C. Central Business District (CBD)
D. Agricultural zone

Answer: C. Central Business District (CBD)

Explanation:
The Concentric Zone Model describes cities as a series of rings expanding outward from a central business district. The CBD is located in the center because it contains major commercial activities, businesses, transportation connections, and services. Surrounding areas may include zones of transition, working-class housing, better residential neighborhoods, and commuter suburbs. Although modern cities are often more complex than this model suggests, it remains an important theory for understanding urban land-use patterns. AP Human Geography students are expected to recognize and compare different urban models in Unit 6.

Question 4: A metropolitan area expands beyond its original city boundaries as people move to surrounding communities while continuing to work in the city center. What process does this describe?

A. Urban sprawl and suburbanization
B. Rural revitalization
C. Industrialization
D. Counterurbanization

Answer: A. Urban sprawl and suburbanization

Explanation:
Suburbanization occurs when populations and residential development move from the central city to surrounding suburban areas. This growth often leads to urban sprawl, where cities expand outward with lower-density housing, increased automobile dependence, and the development of new commercial areas. Factors contributing to suburbanization include affordable land, improved transportation, and preferences for larger residential spaces. AP Human Geography Unit 6 focuses on how suburban growth changes city structure, transportation patterns, and environmental conditions.

Question 5: Why do many modern cities use smart growth strategies in urban planning?

A. To encourage unlimited outward expansion of cities
B. To promote efficient land use, reduce environmental impacts, and create more sustainable communities
C. To eliminate public transportation systems
D. To increase dependence on private vehicles

Answer: B. To promote efficient land use, reduce environmental impacts, and create more sustainable communities

Explanation:
Smart growth strategies focus on creating compact, connected, and environmentally sustainable communities. These strategies encourage mixed-use development, public transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and efficient use of existing infrastructure. The goal is to reduce problems associated with urban sprawl, such as traffic congestion, pollution, and loss of open space. AP Human Geography students study smart growth as a response to challenges created by rapid urbanization and changing city environments. Understanding sustainable urban planning is an important part of Unit 6.