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AP Comparative Government and Politics Practice Quiz: Impact of Natural Resources

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 11 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 11

According to the text, a rentier state is primarily characterized by its government's reliance on which source of revenue?

All Questions (11)

According to the text, a rentier state is primarily characterized by its government's reliance on which source of revenue?

A) Revenue from exporting or leasing natural resources like oil and gas.

B) High levels of income tax collected from a wealthy citizenry.

C) Foreign aid and loans from international financial institutions.

D) A highly diversified economy with multiple successful industries.

Correct Answer: A

The text defines rentier states as those that "obtain a sizable percentage of total government revenue from the export of oil and gas or from leasing the resource to foreign countries."

Which of the following is identified as a potential negative consequence of the "resource curse" in a petroleum-exporting state?

A) Rapid economic diversification into technology and manufacturing.

B) Increased government accountability due to reliance on citizen taxes.

C) Severe revenue fluctuations based on world market pricing.

D) A narrowing gap between the rich and the poor.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly lists "Severe revenue fluctuations based on world market pricing" as a political and economic outcome related to rentier state status, often called the "resource curse."

The text suggests that a primary motivation for nationalizing natural resources in countries like China, Iran, and Mexico is to...

A) encourage private investment from multinational corporations.

B) increase wealth inequality and privatize state assets.

C) consolidate government control and reduce foreign political influence.

D) comply with international judicial bodies and modernize the economy.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that resources are nationalized to "provide government revenue, consolidate government control, and reduce political influence of foreign governments and multinational corporations (MNCs)."

How does a state's status as a rentier state, like Nigeria or Russia, often affect the relationship between the government and its citizens?

A) It strengthens democratic institutions by funding robust social programs.

B) It increases government accountability because citizens demand a share of the resource wealth.

C) It weakens government accountability because the state does not rely on citizens for tax revenue.

D) It encourages cooperation with international bodies, leading to greater transparency.

Correct Answer: C

The text points out that a consequence of the resource curse is "a lack of governmental accountability to citizens when not relying on citizens for taxes."

Which of the following comparisons best illustrates the differing degrees of central government control over natural resources as described in the text?

A) Russia's high degree of centralized control under Putin contrasts with Mexico's decision to allow some private investment in Pemex.

B) Iran's nationalized oil industry is similar to Nigeria's, where foreign MNCs have no political control.

C) China and Mexico both exhibit a complete lack of government control over their natural resource sectors.

D) Russia and Nigeria both demonstrate a policy of decreasing government control to reduce wealth concentration.

Correct Answer: A

The text explicitly contrasts "The Mexican government’s decision to allow private investment in Pemex" with the "high degree of centralized control over natural resource companies under Russian President Putin."

According to the provided text, what is a potential outcome of privatizing a country's natural resources?

A) An increase in government control and a reduction in wealth inequality.

B) A consolidation of government power and enhanced political legitimacy.

C) A decrease in government control and an increase in wealth inequality.

D) A mandatory diversification of the national economy.

Correct Answer: C

The text states, "Privatized ownership of natural resources decreases government control, increases wealth inequality, and results in the potential loss of sovereignty."

A rentier state heavily dependent on a single natural resource is particularly vulnerable to which economic problem?

A) A lack of government revenue to fund any social programs.

B) The concentration of government resources on developing the one profitable export industry.

C) The under-valuation of its currency, making all imports prohibitively expensive.

D) A strong incentive to cooperate with international judicial bodies.

Correct Answer: B

The text lists "Concentration of governmental resources on developing the one profitable export industry to the exclusion of other types of industries" as a key outcome of the resource curse.

The act of nationalizing resources, as seen in Russia and Iran, can reinforce political legitimacy primarily by...

A) demonstrating the government's ability to control valuable assets and reduce foreign influence.

B) creating a perfectly equitable distribution of wealth among all citizens.

C) guaranteeing stable revenue regardless of fluctuations in the world market.

D) encouraging economic diversification and modernization across all sectors.

Correct Answer: A

The text states that nationalization is used to "consolidate government control, and reduce political influence of foreign governments and multinational corporations (MNCs), all of which can reinforce political legitimacy."

Based on the text, Nigeria's oil industry is characterized by...

A) a complete absence of government involvement and full privatization.

B) a high degree of centralized control similar to Russia under Putin.

C) a lack of dependence on oil revenue for its government budget.

D) significant political control exercised by foreign multinational corporations.

Correct Answer: D

The text describes the varying degrees of central government control by mentioning "The political control exercised by foreign MNCs that underwrite Nigeria’s oil production."

Which statement best synthesizes the political and economic challenges faced by rentier states as described by the "resource curse"?

A) While resource wealth can raise living standards, it often leads to a lack of economic diversification, government corruption, and weak accountability.

B) The nationalization of resources consistently leads to economic prosperity, reduced corruption, and stronger international cooperation.

C) Rentier states like Iran and Russia have successfully used oil revenue to create highly diversified and stable modern economies.

D) The primary challenge for rentier states is attracting foreign MNCs, which always leads to greater government control and sovereignty.

Correct Answer: A

This option correctly combines the positive aspect mentioned (raised standards of living) with the numerous negative political and economic outcomes listed under the "resource curse," such as lack of diversification, corruption, and lack of accountability.

The text uses the example of Russia under President Putin to illustrate how...

A) allowing private investment in state-owned companies can decrease wealth inequality.

B) a high degree of centralized control over natural resources can result in wealth concentration.

C) dependence on foreign MNCs can lead to a loss of government sovereignty.

D) a lack of natural resources forces a government to rely on citizen taxes, increasing accountability.

Correct Answer: B

The content explicitly states that in Russia, the "high degree of centralized control over natural resource companies under Russian President Putin that has resulted in wealth concentration."