AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL
GEOGRAPHY PRACTICE TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉System. Answer: any set of ordered, interrelated components,
linked by flows of energy and matter.
◉open system. Answer: energy and matter move freely across a
systems' boundaries.
◉closed system. Answer: a self-contained system exhibiting no
exchange of energy or matter across boundaries.
◉feedback. Answer: interactions within a system that control how
the system operates.
◉positive coupling. Answer: change in A leads to an increase in B.
◉negative coupling. Answer: change in B leads to a decrease in A.
,◉positive feedback. Answer: encourages change in the system (not
stabilizing).
◉negative feedback. Answer: discourages change in the system
(stabilizing).
◉Equilibrium. Answer: a system is unchanging with respect to some
property.
◉radiative equilibrium. Answer: energy in = energy out
◉dynamic equilibrium. Answer: mass input and output into a
system are equal and the system is unchanging.
◉Geodesy. Answer: the study of Earth's physical shape.
◉Geoid. Answer: Earth's gravity surface; the shape of the ocean
surface under the effect of gravity and rotation only.
◉Perfect projection. Answer: represents distance, direction, area,
shape, and proximity correctly.
◉standard parallel. Answer: parallel that touches the projection
surface.
, ◉Mercator projection. Answer: well-known 2D rendering (flat map)
of a 3D Earth.
◉Ellipsoid. Answer: an approximation of the surface of the planet.
◉Datum. Answer: ellipsoid + parameters that define the exact shape
of the ellipisoid.
◉Topography. Answer: the terrain we experience on Earth
(mountains, valleys, etc.)
◉Isolines. Answer: lines of constant value
◉GIS. Answer: geographic information system
◉Energy. Answer: the ability to do work or change the state of
matter.
◉Electromagnetic radiation. Answer: energy that moves through
space by vibrating electrons, with characteristic features of
frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.
GEOGRAPHY PRACTICE TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉System. Answer: any set of ordered, interrelated components,
linked by flows of energy and matter.
◉open system. Answer: energy and matter move freely across a
systems' boundaries.
◉closed system. Answer: a self-contained system exhibiting no
exchange of energy or matter across boundaries.
◉feedback. Answer: interactions within a system that control how
the system operates.
◉positive coupling. Answer: change in A leads to an increase in B.
◉negative coupling. Answer: change in B leads to a decrease in A.
,◉positive feedback. Answer: encourages change in the system (not
stabilizing).
◉negative feedback. Answer: discourages change in the system
(stabilizing).
◉Equilibrium. Answer: a system is unchanging with respect to some
property.
◉radiative equilibrium. Answer: energy in = energy out
◉dynamic equilibrium. Answer: mass input and output into a
system are equal and the system is unchanging.
◉Geodesy. Answer: the study of Earth's physical shape.
◉Geoid. Answer: Earth's gravity surface; the shape of the ocean
surface under the effect of gravity and rotation only.
◉Perfect projection. Answer: represents distance, direction, area,
shape, and proximity correctly.
◉standard parallel. Answer: parallel that touches the projection
surface.
, ◉Mercator projection. Answer: well-known 2D rendering (flat map)
of a 3D Earth.
◉Ellipsoid. Answer: an approximation of the surface of the planet.
◉Datum. Answer: ellipsoid + parameters that define the exact shape
of the ellipisoid.
◉Topography. Answer: the terrain we experience on Earth
(mountains, valleys, etc.)
◉Isolines. Answer: lines of constant value
◉GIS. Answer: geographic information system
◉Energy. Answer: the ability to do work or change the state of
matter.
◉Electromagnetic radiation. Answer: energy that moves through
space by vibrating electrons, with characteristic features of
frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.
