EOC World Geography Practice Test 2026 Study Guide [PDF]

1) A country located along the Pacific Ring of Fire experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because the region is characterized by:

2) In many developing countries, improvements in healthcare and sanitation have significantly reduced death rates, while birth rates remain high. Which demographic trend is MOST likely to occur under these conditions?

3) A mountainous region receives heavy rainfall on one side of the mountains while the opposite side remains extremely dry. Which geographic process BEST explains this difference in precipitation?

4) Mid-ocean ridges like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are typically located along which of the following?

5) The bubonic plague spread through Europe in which of the following ways?

6) Given Britain’s geographical position as an island nation, which of the following directly facilitated the establishment and maintenance of its far-flung empire?

7) The political boundaries shown in the map of the United States in Figure 1 share which of the following similarities with the United States’ current political boundaries?

8) A country located in a dry climate zone depends heavily on irrigation from a major river system to support agriculture. Over time, water use increases rapidly due to population growth and industrial development. Which of the following problems is MOST likely to result if water resources are poorly managed?

9) A country creates a free trade agreement with neighboring nations by lowering tariffs and reducing restrictions on imported and exported goods. Supporters argue that the agreement will MOST likely lead to which of the following outcomes?

10) What is the main reason that tropical regions near the Equator tend to experience relatively constant year-round temperatures?

11) Country A has enjoyed several decades of stable democratic governance. Country B has held democratic elections consistently for the past several decades, but many of these elections have been marred by fraud and violence. This information most strongly supports which of the following inferences?

12)

Climatologists have noted that the eastern coastal areas of Canada are significantly colder than the western coasts of northern European countries like Ireland and Norway, despite the fact that they are all located near 60° N latitude. Based on the information provided in Figure 2, which of the following offers the best explanation for this temperature difference?

13) All else being equal, which of the following locations is likely to have the coolest climate?

14) A government introduces stricter environmental regulations requiring factories to reduce emissions and properly treat industrial waste before releasing it into rivers. Which of the following is the MOST likely purpose of these regulations?

15) A rapidly growing city located in a developing country has experienced severe traffic congestion, overcrowded housing, air pollution, and limited access to clean water. Despite these problems, migration into the city continues to increase each year. Which of the following BEST explains why people continue moving into the city?

16)

Which of the following would be the most appropriate label for the map in Figure 3?

17) In many regions of the world, forests are being cleared for farming, logging, and urban development. Which of the following is the MOST likely environmental consequence of large-scale deforestation?

18) When it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, which of the following is true?

19) Which of the following statements best describes the cause of the mass migration from the African continent to North and Central America, which peaked during the late 18th century?

20) A country with an aging population and declining birth rates is MOST likely to face which of the following economic challenges in the future?

Population of Detroit, 1950 to 2000

21) Between which of the following time frames did Detroit’s population show the greatest numerical decline?

22) Cultural values are MOST likely to directly influence a voter’s stance on which of the following issues?

23) The practice of wearing blue jeans as work clothing originated in the United States in the 19th century. During the 20th century, blue jeans gained widespread popularity among Americans as an everyday staple and are increasingly popular internationally. The astronomical growth in the popularity of blue jeans can be attributed to which of the following processes?

24) When the prices farmers receive for their crops decline in a developing country, this typically results in which of the following?

25) Life Expectancy at Birth, in Years, for Four Countries

Table 1 shows the average life expectancy for two five-year periods (1950–1955 and 2000–2005) for four different countries. Which country showed the greatest improvement in life expectancy at birth between the two five-year periods?

26) A multinational corporation closes factories in a developed country and relocates production to another country where wages are lower and labor regulations are less strict. Which of the following BEST explains the company’s decision?

27) The government of a large city has proposed the construction of a new dam to supply water to the growing population. Supporters of the dam say that it is absolutely necessary in order to sustain the city’s economic growth, while opponents are concerned that the new dam will cause further harm to endangered fish and bird populations in the area. Based on the information provided, which of the following statements BEST explains this debate?

28) In some developing countries, large numbers of farmers practice subsistence agriculture instead of commercial farming. Which of the following BEST describes subsistence agriculture?

29) During the Industrial Revolution, improvements in railroads, steamships, and communication technology contributed MOST directly to which of the following developments?

30) Free trade zones like the one created by the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement are examples of which of the following?

31) Scientists have observed that many coastal areas near warm ocean currents experience milder winters than inland regions located at the same latitude. Which of the following BEST explains this climatic pattern?

32) Scientists believe that there was once a land bridge connecting North America and Asia across what is now the Bering Strait. The presence of this land bridge is used to explain which of the following?

33)

Increased scientific knowledge about the dangers of earthquakes and the areas that are most susceptible to these disasters has resulted in which of the following?

34) A severe earthquake strikes a densely populated city where many buildings were constructed without proper safety standards. Which of the following factors is MOST likely to increase the number of casualties and economic losses caused by the disaster?

35) When a democratic country is home to various groups of citizens that have conflicting cultural and religious beliefs, this situation is likely to result in which of the following?

36) During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of immigrants entered the United States through major port cities such as New York. Most immigrants were motivated primarily by which of the following factors?

37) Professor Seymour has conducted a research analysis in which she found that senators are more likely to vote for bills that are unpopular with their constituents than are members of the House of Representatives. She also found that senators are less likely to vote for bills that are unpopular with their constituents when the vote takes place near the end of their terms. Which of the following statements provides the most likely explanation for Professor Seymour's findings?

38) The 48 contiguous United States do NOT contain any areas characterized by which of the following types of climates?

39) A state is debating a new fuel tax that would increase the price of gas significantly. A recent poll has found strong support for the new tax among urban residents in areas with extensive public transportation networks, but strong opposition from suburban and rural residents. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this divide?

40) The climate of a region is determined by which of the following?