Global Inequality

Question 1

Definition of democracy

Answer 1

a form of government where people elect their representatives and can influence the decision-making processes

Question 2

Definition of Demography

Answer 2

the study of the characteristics of human populations such as size, birth rates and death rates

Question 3

Definition of diarrhoea

Answer 3

an illness that can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly

Question 4

Definition of ecological footprint

Answer 4

how much land and water area a person in a particular country needs in order to produce their energy requirements and dispose of their wastes

Question 5

Definition of ecological sustainability

Answer 5

use of the world’s resources by the present generation in a way that will not limit the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Question 6

Definition of fossil fuels

Answer 6

the ancient remains of plants and animals that are stored underground in the form of coal, oil and natural gas

Question 7

Definition of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Answer 7

a measure of the total value of all the goods and services produced in a country over a year, also referred to as Gross National Income (GNI)

Question 8

Definition of Gross Domestic Product per capita

Answer 8

GDP divided by the total population—represents the per person money value of all goods and services a country produces in a year

Question 9

Definition of Human Development Index

Answer 9

a statistic that combines income, life expectancy and literacy levels of a particular country

Question 10

Definition of infant mortality rate

Answer 10

the number of child deaths per 1000 babies born

Question 11

Definition of lobbying

Answer 11

pressuring government and other groups to change through actions like email and letter-writing campaigns

Question 12

Definition of malnutrition

Answer 12

where the body lacks the vitamins, nutrients and energy needed for normal, healthy development

Question 13

Definition of natural resource

Answer 13

anything in nature that can be used to satisfy a human want or need

Question 14

Definition of non-renewable resource

Answer 14

a natural resource that is consumed by use

Question 15

Definition of renewable resource

Answer 15

a natural resource that is regenerated within a short period of time

Question 16

Definition of sanitation

Answer 16

a means of hygiene, includes washing and sewage facilities

Question 17

Definition of squatter settlement

Answer 17

an unplanned housing area where people have no legal ownership of the land and build houses out of materials they can find or scavenge, also known as a shanty town

Question 18

State the three basic human needs.

Answer 18

In order to survive, human beings have three basics needs of water, food and shelter.

Question 19

In what way can a person’s quality of life be viewed on two levels? How do these two levels differ from each other?

Answer 19

The quality of life refers to all aspects of a person’s life. At one level it includes the basic human needs such as the amount of food available, access to a reliable water supply and the type of housing a person has. Other things—related to the standard of living—add to the quality of life. For example, the availability of medical care, the ability to vote, the value of women’s roles and the amount of schooling available are all important in creating better living conditions for people and improving their standard of living.

People around the world do not enjoy the same levels of all of these things. Some people have better access to them than others.

Question 20

List some of the factors that can be used to determine a person’s standard of living.

Answer 20

The availability of medical care, the ability to vote, the value of women’s roles and the amount of schooling available are all important in creating better living conditions for people and improving their standard of living.

Question 21

Why is access to fresh, safe water such an important issue for people?

Answer 21

Fresh water is one of the most important requirements for life on Earth. People use water to drink, cook, wash and water crops. It is important for people’s health that they have access to a sufficient quantity and quality of water.

Question 22

What two aspects of water supply are most important in maintaining a person’s health? Why are both of these aspects important?

Answer 22

It is important for people’s health that they have access to a sufficient quantity and quality of water.

Question 23

Explain the role women play collecting water in many parts of the world.

Answer 23

In some parts of the world—much of Africa, for example—accessing water means walking long distances to collect it in containers every day. This job is typically done by women and girls who spend many hours collecting water from rivers, wells and bores.

Question 24

How does the water supply in rich countries differ to poor countries?

Answer 24

In some parts of the world—much of Africa, for example—accessing water means walking long distances to collect it in containers every day. This job is typically done by women and girls who spend many hours collecting water from rivers, wells and bores. These water sources are sometimes polluted, leading to disease and even death. Where mosquitoes breed in stagnant, polluted water they spread waterborne diseases, which further add to deaths from lack of safe, clean drinking water. In areas that lack a fresh water supply there is frequently a lack of drainage and sewage system. When it rains and the water runs over the surface of the street it collects other waste as well, such as rubbish and animal waste. This water runs into rivers that become contaminated. In poor countries many people take water directly from rivers, unlike richer countries where water is stored in reservoirs and treated before it is pumped through supply taps to people’s homes and other buildings.