Social Studies – Chapter 1 Study Guide

 

Lesson 2: Land and Water

 

GLACIERS: huge, slow-moving masses of ice that were formed thousands of years ago

PLATEAUS: high, level land areas

SEA LEVEL: the level of the ocean’s surface

COASTAL PLAIN: an area of low, mostly flat land next to an ocean

MOUNTAIN RANGE: a group of connected mountains

HARBOR: a part of a body of water where boats can dock safely

 

1)    How did glaciers affect the land in New York? 

 

As glaciers moved, they scraped their way across the land.  They pushed rocks and soil from place to place.  This resulted in:

a.        areas with poor, rocky soil

b.       areas with a thick layer of fertile, rich soil

c.       deep holes that later became lakes

d.       high, level land areas called plateaus

e.        valleys that were carved into the land

 

2)    Why do you think people are more likely to settle in lowland areas near waterways than in upland areas?   Lowland areas usually have

a.      more fertile soil

b.     they are also flatter which makes it easier to build homes

c.     they often are near lakes and rivers that provide

                                                  i.      a route for transportation

                                                ii.      easy access to drinking water

                                              iii.      easy access to water for cooking

                                             iv.      a food source

                                               v.      easy access to water for bathing

                                             vi.      recreation    


 

Lesson 3:  Weather and Climate

 

ELEVATION: the height of the land

TEMPERATURE: the measure of how hot or cold something is

PRECIPITATION: water in the form of rain, sleet, hail, or snow that falls to the Earth’s surface

CLIMATE: the kind of weather a place has most often, year after year

 

3)     The climate of any place can be affected by: 

 

a.      Proximity to the equator – generally the closer to the equator a place is the hotter it is

b.     Elevation – generally the higher (elevation) a place is the colder it is

c.      Proximity to oceans – generally places near oceans have warmer winters

 

 

 

 

Lesson 4:  People and Resources

 

NATURAL RESOURCE: something found in nature that can be used by people

PRODUCT: something that people make, grow, or raise, usually to sell

ENVIRONMENT: surroundings

URBAN: city areas

SUBURB: towns near cities

RURAL: country areas

 

Natural Resources

Renewable – can be made again by people or nature

Nonrenewable – cannot quickly be made again by people or nature

Water

Garnet & Granite

Trees

Oil

Fruits and vegetables

Salt

Meat from animals

Lead