Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What is a subsequent boundary?

1. A boundary established before significant cultural landscapes

2. A boundary drawn after cultural landscapes are established

3. A boundary indicating ancient territorial claims

4. A boundary that is irrelevant to cultural influences

The correct answer is: A boundary drawn after cultural landscapes are established

A subsequent boundary is one that is established after significant cultural landscapes have developed in a region. This type of boundary is influenced by the cultural, social, and physical landscapes that exist at the time the boundary is drawn. As societies evolve, their interactions, migrations, and changes in land use can influence the form and location of boundaries. For instance, if two groups with distinct cultural practices and territorial claims come into contact, the boundary that arises from negotiations or conflicts will typically reflect these established cultural landscapes. This may include considerations for language, religion, ethnicity, and historical claims. Consequently, the boundary has a dynamic quality, adapting to existing cultural conditions rather than imposing an arbitrary line on an empty landscape. In contrast, the other choices refer to boundaries drawn in different contexts, such as before cultural landscapes were established, which would not account for existing societal complexities, or suggesting that boundaries ignore cultural influences, which is not representative of how subsequent boundaries function in practice.