Name ______Core ______Date ______

Unit 7 Middle America Study Guide

Preview:

  1. Middle America- Middle America is a fragmented realm that consists of all the countries from Mexico to Panama and all the Caribbean Islands.
  2. Mexico- Few nations on Earth support as many plant and animal species as Mexico does. Mexico is a country rich in natural resources, like oil, silver, copper, and agricultural products. But political and economic failings have kept much of the population in poverty.

Key Points:

  1. Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and, as a result, live in rural areas.
  2. Tourism is a major source of income for many Middle American countries.
  3. The Panama Canal cuts through Middle America and connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Ships use the canal, making Panama a crossroads of world trade.
  4. Spanish is the official language of Mexico. It is spoken by nearly the entire population of Mexico.
  5. The Mexican government offers free education for children ages six to fourteen go to school. It has both public and private schools available.
  6. Mexico is a country with great problems and great potential. But political and economic failings have kept much of the population in poverty.

Identify and explain the significance of the following terms:

  • Middle America - ______

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  • Panama Canal- ______

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  • Isthmus- ______

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  • Mexico City- ______
  • Mestizos - ______

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  • Fiesta- ______

Reading Guide:

  1. Middle America contains the America’s least developed countries. New economic opportunities may help to what? ______

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  1. Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and, as a result, live in what types of areas? ______

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  1. The Panama Canal, cuts through Middle America and connects what two oceans? ______

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  1. On the Day of the Dead, one of Mexico’s holidays, people visit their loved ones that have died. Family members go to the graves and bring what to remember those who have passed away? ______

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  1. For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in what country? ______

Cornell Notes
Lecture, reading/chapter/novel/article during class, power point, movies (if need to collect info.)
Topic:

Questions/Main Ideas: / Name: ______
Class: ______Period: ______
Date: ______
Notes:
Summary:

Name ______Core ______Date ______

Vocabulary Organizer

Key Term / Illustrate
Define / Use in a sentence
Key Term / Illustrate
Define / Use in a sentence
Key Term / Illustrate
Define / Use in a sentence

Name ______Core ______Date ______

Twelve Powerful Words

Information: These words are verbs (action words). The actions these words represent are thinking processes (each word is a different way to think about something). These thinking processes often overlap. They can be used one right after another or even at the same time.

Analyzebreak down into pieces

Comparehow things are similar

Contrasthow things are different

Describetell all about (5 senses)

Evaluatejudge; rank; put a value on

Explaintell how

Formulatecreate; design; build; make

Infereducated guess

Predicttell what happens next

Summarizeshort version

Supportback up with details

Tracelist in steps

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Identify and explain the significance of the following terms:

1.Analyze-______

2.Compare- ______

3.Contrast-______

4.Describe-______

5.Evaluate-______

6.Explain- ______

7.Formulate- ______

8.Infer- ______

9.Predict- ______

10.Summarize- ______

11.Support-______

12.Trace- ______