Geography & Economics Practice for a 16-year-old — Work for Cash, Housing, Tourism, and True/False Answers

Clear, concise answers for a 16-year-old: why people work for cash, three factors that cause housing differences, definitions of tourist and tourism, economic effects of tourism on a small island, plus True/False answers with short explanations.

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  1. Question 21: Why do most people in the world today have to work for cash in order to satisfy their basic needs?

    Most economies are money-based and rely on market exchange. People specialise in jobs (doctors, farmers, shop workers) and earn wages or income in cash so they can buy food, housing, clothing and services. Urbanization, taxes, and modern supply chains make it impractical for most people to produce everything they need themselves, so they sell their labour or goods for cash and use that cash to meet basic needs.

  2. Question 22: List three factors for different housing around the world
    1. Climate and weather (e.g., houses with steep roofs in snowy areas, raised floors in tropical flood zones)
    2. Culture and tradition (local styles, family sizes, religious or social customs)
    3. Economic development and income level (materials available, size and quality of housing)
  3. Question 23: What is a tourist?

    A tourist is a person who travels to and stays in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes for a short period.

  4. Question 24: Define ‘Tourism’ and briefly describe its main economic impact on a small island nation.

    Tourism is the activity of people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business or other reasons.

    Main economic impact on a small island nation: Tourism brings foreign income (foreign exchange), creates jobs (hotels, restaurants, transport, guides), and stimulates investment in infrastructure (roads, airports, utilities). It can significantly boost GDP but may also create seasonal dependency, increase living costs, and put pressure on natural resources and the environment.

SECTION C: TRUE OR FALSE (write T or F)

  1. 1. The earth is a perfect sphere. — F
    Explanation: Earth is an oblate spheroid (slightly flattened at the poles).
  2. 2. Most of the world’s population lives in polar regions. — F
    Explanation: Most people live in temperate and tropical regions, not polar areas.
  3. 3. If inflation is high, your 1,000 VT note can buy more goods today than it could last year. — F
    Explanation: High inflation means prices rise, so the same money buys fewer goods over time.
  4. 4. The CPI 'basket of goods' only includes luxury items like speedboats and designer clothes. — F
    Explanation: The CPI basket includes common goods and services households buy (food, housing, transport), not only luxury items.
  5. 5. Deflation is when the general level of prices in the economy is falling. — T
    Explanation: That is the correct definition of deflation.
  6. 6. 'Wants' are things that are essential for survival, like water and shelter. — F
    Explanation: Those essentials are 'needs'; 'wants' are things we desire but are not essential (e.g., games, fancy clothes).
  7. 7. Before modern currency, items like pigs with curved tusks and woven mats were sometimes used for trade in Vanuatu. — T
    Explanation: Traditional items and shell money were used historically for trade and important exchanges in Vanuatu.
  8. 8. A budget can help you see where your money is going and identify areas where you can save. — T
    Explanation: A budget records income and spending, helping to find savings opportunities.
  9. 9. The value of the Vatu, when compared to a currency like the Australian Dollar, never changes. — F
    Explanation: Exchange rates fluctuate because of market forces, so relative value changes over time.

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