South Asia Warm-up Questions:

1. South Asia Warm-up Questions:

2. Use the maps and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.1 ) Which characteristic of South Asian cultures best explains the political divisions of the region after the countries gained independence?A) religious differences B) language differences C) differences in economic activities D) the history of invasion by Asian powers

3. 2) How has the political development of Pakistan differed from that of India since independence from Britain in 1947?F) Pakistan is ruled primarily by religious leaders, while Indian leaders are elected.G) The Pakistani government adopted a system of communism, while India did not.H) The Pakistani government has experienced instability and frequent military takeovers.J) Pakistan is ruled by a council of tribal elders that help maintain unity within the country.

4. 3) Use the map and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question about South Asia.____________ Which letter indicates the nation of Pakistan?

5. Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following three questions. Professor Wheat – Norman BorlaugIn the mid1960s, the people of South Asia faced food shortages and starvation. India was importing huge amounts of grain from the United States to feed the growinghundreds of millions of people in the region. Confronting this disaster was NormanBorlaug, an American plant scientist. His study of grain plants led to a new variety called "semi-dwarf” wheat. This wheat has a shorter, stronger stalk that supports anenormous head of grain. Additionally, it does not lean over as it grows allowing a greatincrease in the amount of wheat grown on a plot of land. In the early 1960s, the Indiangovernment introduced this new type of wheat to farms and launched an effort toeducate farmers on how better to raise crops through irrigation systems and fertilizeruse. Wheat output has quadrupled since the 1960s, enabling the region to feed the large population. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. The Nobel citation reads ''More than any other person of this age, he helped provide bread for a hungry world. We have made this choice in the hope that providing bread will also give the world peace.'’

6. 4) The introduction of Borlaug’s innovation, along with the efforts of India to educate farmers, is a part of the —F) Dust BowlG) Wheat WarH) Grain MiracleJ) Green Revolution

7. (Additional information)The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands in the 1930s, particularly in 1934 and 1936. The phenomenon was caused by severe drought combined with poor farming methods. Millions of acres of farmland were damaged, and hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes; many of these families migrated to California and other states, where they found economic conditions little better than those they had left, due to the Great Depression. The term Green Revolution refers to the renovation of agricultural practices beginning in Mexico in the 1940s. Because of its success in producing more agricultural products there, Green Revolution technologies spread worldwide in the 1950s and 1960s, significantly increasing the amount of calories produced per acre of agriculture. The beginnings of the Green Revolution are often attributed to Norman Borlaug, an American scientist interested in agriculture. In the 1940s, he began conducting research in Mexico and developed new disease resistance high-yield varieties of wheat. By combining Borlaug's wheat varieties with new mechanized agricultural technologies, Mexico was able to produce more wheat than was needed by its own citizens, leading to its becoming an exporter of wheat by the 1960s. Prior to the use of these varieties, the country was importing almost half of its wheat supply.The Battle for Grain was an economic policy undertaken by the Fascists in Italy during the 1920s as a move towards being self-sufficient.Wheat War: Following the signing of the 1989 Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement, sales of Canadian wheat to the United States grew rapidly. This resulted in a series of trade disputes.

8. 5) Which type of industry is the Indian government attempting to reform?A) agricultural industry B) wholesale industry C) manufacturing industry D) service industry

10. (Additional information)The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands in the 1930s, particularly in 1934 and 1936. The phenomenon was caused by severe drought combined with poor farming methods. Millions of acres of farmland were damaged, and hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes; many of these families migrated to California and other states, where they found economic conditions little better than those they had left, due to the Great Depression. The term Green Revolution refers to the renovation of agricultural practices beginning in Mexico in the 1940s. Because of its success in producing more agricultural products there, Green Revolution technologies spread worldwide in the 1950s and 1960s, significantly increasing the amount of calories produced per acre of agriculture. The beginnings of the Green Revolution are often attributed to Norman Borlaug, an American scientist interested in agriculture. In the 1940s, he began conducting research in Mexico and developed new disease resistance high-yield varieties of wheat. By combining Borlaug's wheat varieties with new mechanized agricultural technologies, Mexico was able to produce more wheat than was needed by its own citizens, leading to its becoming an exporter of wheat by the 1960s. Prior to the use of these varieties, the country was importing almost half of its wheat supply.The Battle for Grain was an economic policy undertaken by the Fascists in Italy during the 1920s as a move towards being self-sufficient.Wheat War: Following the signing of the 1989 Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement, sales of Canadian wheat to the United States grew rapidly. This resulted in a series of trade disputes.

11. 6) The actions of the Indian government in the previous passage are anexample of humans —F) migrating to new regions G) modifying the environment H) protecting the environment J) adapting to the environment

12. 7) Use the map and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following questionWhich geographic factor has mostinfluenced the location of wheatproduction in India?A) nearness to sources of fresh waterB) year round dry growing seasonC) introduction of artificial fertilizersD) rich soil of the HimalayaMountains

13. 8) How have the monsoon seasons most affected the economic development of Bangladesh?F) The dry, cold winds limit winter crop production.G) The dry summer winds cause drought and famine.H) The summer rain provides fertile lands for growing corn.J) The rainfall in the mountains causes destructive floods throughout the country.

14. 10) Use the information below toanswer the following question.Characteristics of the U.S. GovernmentGoverned by a constitution Elected representatives Led by a president Laws interpreted by a supreme court National and state level governmentsWhich government of South Asia is most similar to the U.S. government?F) IndiaG) NepalH) BhutanJ) Pakistan

15. Use theses images, the passage on the next slide, and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question (on the next slide).

16. 11) Use the image, passage, and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.For many years, fishermen in Sri Lanka have used a traditional style of catching fishalong the coast. Called stilt fishing, fishermen sit for hours on stilts embedded in thecoral reefs near the shore. This unusual method does not greatly disturb the fish. Byfishing from stilts, more people are able to catch the fish that would normally befrightened away by net fishing from the shore. The life of the stilt fishermen isdifficult, with prices for fish often being less than 5 cents. Though the fishing customwas devastated after the 2004 tsunami, the tradition continues today.This traditional style of fishing is an example of humans —A) modifying the environmentB) adapting to the environmentC) getting organized to accomplish large scale tasksD) replacing traditional methods with faster technology

17. 12) Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question. The Natural Wealth of South AsiaSouth Asia is a rich land of natural resources. Sri Lanka has one of the world’s greatest concentrations of precious gemstones like sapphires and rubies. Pakistan’s major resources are energy sources such as coal, uranium, petroleum and natural gas. India also has deposits of energy resources as well as a large share of the world’s iron ore. Additionally, India has the world’s largest deposits of mica, a critical component of electronic equipment. Retrieving these natural resources has produced environmental consequences. Acquiring gemstones from riverbeds has led to the erosion of river banks. The recovery of iron and coal can damage the landscape and cause air and water pollution, especially along the Ganges River. Nations of the region continue to struggle to find a balance between protecting the environment and letting industry use the great wealth of natural resources there.How are new technologies most likely influencing the interaction of humans with the environment of the region?F) Demand for gemstones is leading to fair wage standards for workers.G) Farmlands are being converted to mining operations to recover natural resources.H) Businesses and industries are leaving the region to avoid the environmental side effects.J) Demand for steel and electronic products is leading industries to search for and recover natural resources.

18. 13) Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question. Banker to the Poor – Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen BankIn 1974, a famine struck the poorest nation in the world, Bangladesh. This disaster led Bangladeshi economics professor Muhammad Yunus to investigate the causes of poverty. As he visited a nearby village, Yunus discovered that people in poverty need financial services like loans from banks. Many he met were considered by banks as too risky for loans. Additionally, most people needed loans of only a few dollars, which banks would not provide. Yunus had an idea to fix this problem by creating a bank that would provide microcredit – small loans of only a few dollars. His Grameen Bank, or “village” bank, provided microcredit usually to a group of women who work together to support business activities in a rural village. He discovered that providing microcredit to the poor helped them out of poverty. By providing it to groups of women, nearly 100% of the loans were paid back fully and on time. Today, over 3000 microfinance banks have been established in countries across the world, with over half a billion people taking part. Both Yunus and his Grameen Bank won the 2006 Nobel Prize for Peace. The Nobel committee explained their choice stating, “Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Microcredit is one such means.”How does providing microcredit enable the poor to escape poverty?A) It encourages foreign banks to invest in people of poverty.B) It helps entrepreneurs create new businesses and wealth.C) It provides the natural resources needed at the local village.D) It creates connections with international trading organizations

19. 14) Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.Coal Mining Regulations in IndiaIn 2011, the Indian government approved the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Bill. This bill requires coal mining companies to pay local governments a fee for retrieving coal in their region. Additionally, part of coal companies’ profits must be given to the national government for mining India’s natural resources. Coal India Limited, the world's biggest coal producer, argued against the bill claiming it will cause a reduction in investment. Coal India Limited’s stock price fell after theapproval of the bill. The Indian government is using the bill to help fund and benefit poor, remote villages that have coal deposits. These villages are often places communist rebels recruit members. The government is hoping that improving village conditions will lead to a reduction in the number of communist rebels as well as a decrease in rebel violence. The government believes that by ending the violence, investment in developing India’s natural resources will increase.Why does the government consider regulation a benefit for mining companies?F) Regulations will reduce pollution.G) Regulations will reduce the profits of mining companies.H) Regulations will permit mining companies to merge with competitors.J) Regulations will reduce rebel violence leading to additional investments in mining companies.

20. 15) Which cultural institution guides the moral and social life for most people in India?A) IslamB) JainismC) SikhismD) Hinduism Islam Jainism Sikhism Hinduism

21. (Additional information):Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion, expressed through the Qur'an, a text considered by its followers to be the exact words of God (Allah) and by the teachings of Muhammad, considered by them to be the last prophet of God. The followers of Islam are called Muslims.Muslims believe that God is one and only and the purpose of existence is to love and serve God. Abraham, Moses and Jesus, are considered prophets. Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and required acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches and provides guidance on virtually every aspect of life and society.Jainism is a polytheistic Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. It is one of the oldest religions of the world finding its roots in ancient India.Jainism emphasizes spiritual independence and equality between all forms of life. Practitioners of this religion believe that non-violence and self-control is the means by which they can obtain liberation from the cycle of reincarnations.Sikhismis a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region of India. It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world, with approximately 30 million Sikhs. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally 'wisdom of the Guru'). Punjab, India is the only region in the world with a majority Sikh population. Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a "Sant-Sipāhī"—a saint-soldier. One must have control over one's internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib.The principal beliefs of Sikhi are faith in the one God, who prevails in everything. The followers of Sikhi are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as their holy scripture.Hinduism is the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is a conglomeration of distinct intellectual or philosophical points of view, rather than a rigid common set of beliefs.Hinduism is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder.Hinduism is often called the "oldest living religion”or the "oldest living major religion" in the world.Hinduism, with about one billion followers, is the world's third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam.

22. 16) In Indian democracy, just as in the United States, voting in an election is considered —F) an illegal actG) civil disobedienceH) civic responsibilityJ) a requirement by law

23. (Additional information about India’s government.)The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India. It is seated New Delhi, the capital of India.The government comprises three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.The head of the executive branch is the Prime Minister.The legislative branch, or the Parliament, consists of the lower house, the Lok Sabha, and the upper house, the Rajya Sabha. The judicial branch has the Supreme Court, with 21 High Courts, and numerous civil, criminal and family courts at the district level. India is the largest democracy in the world.The basic civil and criminal laws governing the citizens of India are set down in major parliamentary legislation, such as the Civil Procedure Code, the Indian Penal Code, and the Criminal Procedure Code. The union and individual state governments consist of executive, legislative and judicial branches. The legal system as similar to the federal and individual state governments is based on the English Common and Statutory Law. The legislature is the Parliament. It is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the directly elected 552-member Lok Sabha ("House of the People"), the lower house, and the 250-member indirectly elected and appointed Rajya Sabha ("Council of States"), the upper house.The Parliament enjoys parliamentary supremacy. All the members of the Council of Ministers as well as the President are members of Parliament. If they are not, they must be elected within a period of six months from the time they assume their respective office. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are responsible to the Lok Sabha collectively.

24. 17) Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.A speech before the Bangladesh Economic Association, 2004After 13 years of democratic renewal, where three elected governments and two political alliances have held office, our political institutions are increasingly failing to function well. The very institutions of democracy, like elections, parliament, and political parties, show signs of [decay] in their practices. The culture of intolerance [throughout our society] holds the nation hostage to a confrontational style of politics which is making the democratic process unworkable.—RehmanSobhan, economistWhich of the following would Sobhan consider a responsibility of citizens in a democracy?A) join the national militaryB) convert to the largest religion in the nationC) travel to the United States for an educationD) tolerate the many different opinions of people

25. 18) Why does the government of India most likely observe Diwali as an official holiday?F) Diwali celebrates Indian democracy and education.G) As a Hindu holiday, most Indians celebrate the festival.H) The festival recognizes Indian independence from Britain.J) The Indian government considers Diwali a patriotic celebration.

26. (Additional information about Diwali):Deepavali or Diwali is popularly known as the "festival of lights," is primarily a five day Hindu festival which falls falls between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali is an official holiday in a large number of South and Southeast Asian countries.For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. The name "Diwali" or "Divali” translates into "row of lamps”. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) feel welcome.Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

27. 19) Which film production industry in India creates movies that often reflect Indian traditions and Hindu themes?A) HinglishB) BollywoodC) Parallel CinemaD) Cinema of Assam

28. (Additional Information about Bollywood):Bollywood is formally referred to as Hindi cinema.There has been a growing presence of Indian English in dialogue and songs as well. It is common to see films that feature dialogue with English words (Hinglish), phrases, or even whole sentences.Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole Indian cinema; however, it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing films in multiple languages.Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centers of film production in the world.

29. 20) Use the excerpts and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. No person shall be compelled to belong to another faith by means of coercion or inducement.—Article 7 Fundamental Rights, Section 4 of the Constitution of BhutanA Bhutanese citizen shall foster tolerance, mutual respect and spirit of brotherhood amongst all the people of Bhutan transcending religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities.—Article 8 Fundamental Duties, Section 3 of the Constitution of BhutanWhat is the relationship between rights and duties in regard to religion in Bhutan?F) Citizens have the right to practice any religion, but have a duty to follow the state religion.G) Citizens have no right to choose their religion and have a duty to follow the state religion.H) Citizens have the right to practice any religion and have a duty to respect the religion of others.J) Citizens have the right to learn about other religions, but a duty to follow the religion of the local community.

30. Use the image, passage, and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following two questions. A rangoli for celebrating DiwaliIn India, a traditional style of folk art has remained popular for over 5000 years. Called rangoli, this decorative art is often found on the floors and in the courtyards of Indian homes. Rangoli is usually made of colored flour, rice, or flower petals to form decorative designs and religious symbols. They are often used to welcome Hindu gods into the home and to celebrate religious holidays. This rangoli was created in honor of the festival of Diwali. Known as the "festival of lights," Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu traditions, small oil lamps are lit to welcome the return of Lord Rama. The flame represents lighting the world with knowledge and beauty.

32. 21) Why is rangoli considered a traditional Indian art form?A) All Indian homes have a rangoli.B) People have created rangoli for thousands of years.C) People can buy rangoli in stores anywhere in India.D) Indian law recognized rangoli as the unique art of India.

33. 22) How does rangoli reflect the culture of people in India?F) It is a decoration in many Indian homes.G) It is a celebration of Indian religious traditions.H) It is used as lighting for the home.J) It represents knowledge and beauty.

34. Rangoli drawn by chalk or stone powder using interconnecting dots or flowery designs are most often used in South India.(Additional Information about Rangoli) Purpose of RangoliRangoli is used as a symbol of religious and cultural beliefs, specifically Hindu. It is considered an important part of the spiritual process; it might be called the purification of the spirit and the prosperity that lies behind such purification. Moreover, it represents a philosophy of life that enthusiastically celebrates the impermanence of knowing and devotes itself to a constant wish to live in the present. The idea that tomorrow will be renewed, which is the purpose of the rangoli, is one of the greatest concerning this symbol. Additional house festivals or family occasions inspire the art of crafting rangoli. Women may make rangoli at the entrance to every room of the house. The hobby itself is a basic symbol of eternal innovative creation, thus symbolic of the spirit. Rangoli created with icons, such as the swastika, lotus flower, Lakshmiji step (Pegalie), etc., are considered indicators of prosperity. Many homes today craft rangoli daily. The art has become a part of the modern family. It is a symbol of human spirit and an important means to realize cultural feelings. Rangoli symbolizes joy and happiness. A piece of work with colored powders for "Diwali" a Festival of Lights, celebrated in India.

35. Understand South Asia: Some commonalities exist to this area, mainly climate and culture. Climate: Apart from the Himalaya, the climate is tropical, with monsoon in summer and dry winter. However, you have the extremes of this climate, i.e. in Western Pakistan monsoon is quite non-existent and in Southern India, it lasts for six months. Sri Lanka even has two monsoons, one in May, one in October/November. Culture: The influence of historical Indian culture can be seen everywhere. Two of the main "world religions" have their origins within South Asia: Hinduism and Buddhism. A third, Islam, was introduced by Muslim invaders starting around the 7th century and rose to prominence during the Mughal Empire. An additional layer of South Asian cultural unification derives from the influence of British culture, and especially the frequent and growing use of the English language, as a result of India having formed the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire before Independence in 1947. The British impact on India is most well understood in the former capital, Kolkata. Population density: South Asia is one of the world's most densely populated regions - approximately 1.6 billion people (or roughly a quarter of humanity) make their home there. The average population density of 305 people per square km is 7 times the world average.

36. 1) A2) H3) D4) J5) A6) G7) A8) J9) D10) F11) B12) J13) B14) J15) D16) H17) D18) G19) B20) H21) B22) G