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AP Human Geography Practice Quiz: Defining Devolutionary Factors

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

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 7 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 7

According to the provided text, which of the following is identified as a factor that can lead to the devolution of a state?

All Questions (7)

According to the provided text, which of the following is identified as a factor that can lead to the devolution of a state?

A) Strong national unity

B) Economic and social problems

C) A highly centralized government

D) Shared cultural heritage

Correct Answer: B

The provided content explicitly lists 'economic and social problems' as one of the factors that can lead to the devolution of states. The other options are typically forces of unity, not division.

A minority group living in a mountainous region, separated from the rest of the country, begins to demand more political autonomy. Which devolutionary factor does this scenario best illustrate?

A) Division of groups by physical geography

B) Irredentism

C) Ethnic cleansing

D) Terrorism

Correct Answer: A

The scenario describes a group being separated by a physical feature (mountains), which leads to calls for more autonomy. This is a direct example of the 'division of groups by physical geography' leading to devolutionary pressures.

A political movement within a country that seeks to create a new, independent state for a specific ethnic group is known as:

A) Irredentism

B) Ethnic separatism

C) Ethnic cleansing

D) Economic devolution

Correct Answer: B

Ethnic separatism is the desire of an ethnic group to separate from a larger state to form its own independent nation. This matches the description in the question.

All of the following are listed as factors that can lead to the devolution of states EXCEPT:

A) Terrorism

B) Irredentism

C) Centripetal forces

D) Ethnic separatism

Correct Answer: C

The provided text lists terrorism, irredentism, and ethnic separatism as devolutionary factors. Centripetal forces are factors that unite a state, making them the opposite of devolutionary (centrifugal) forces.

A country attempts to claim a part of a neighboring country, arguing that the population in that specific region shares a common ethnicity with them and should be part of their state. This action is an example of which devolutionary concept?

A) Ethnic separatism

B) Physical geography division

C) Terrorism

D) Irredentism

Correct Answer: D

Irredentism is a policy of advocating for the annexation of territories administered by another state on the grounds of common ethnicity or prior historical possession. The scenario describes a state seeking to incorporate territory from a neighbor based on shared ethnicity.

The use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims can destabilize a government and is identified as which devolutionary factor?

A) Ethnic cleansing

B) Terrorism

C) Irredentism

D) Social problems

Correct Answer: B

The description of using violence against civilians for political goals is the definition of terrorism, which is listed in the text as a factor that can lead to the devolution of states by challenging the state's authority and stability.

Which of the following pairs of devolutionary factors are both primarily based on conflicts of ethnic identity and nationalism?

A) Physical geography and economic problems

B) Ethnic separatism and irredentism

C) Terrorism and social problems

D) Ethnic cleansing and physical geography

Correct Answer: B

Both ethnic separatism (the desire of an ethnic group for its own state) and irredentism (the desire to unite parts of one's ethnic group from a neighboring state) are fundamentally driven by ethnic identity and nationalist goals. The other pairs combine ethnic factors with non-ethnic ones like geography or economics.