Quiz Questions About Population Growth

Which of the following terms best describes the current rate of population growth?

• Gradual

• Rapid

• Slow

Before 1800, the infant mortality rate was much higher than it is now. What does that mean?

• People didn't have a lot of babies before 1800

• A lot more babies died during childhood before 1800

• Babies did not grow very tall during the 1800s

What might happen if the Earth exceeds its carrying copacity? 

• Most people on the planet would starve

• There might not be enough space for people to move around

• There might not be enough food and water for everyone

Which of the following describes a population?

• The total number of people, animals, and plant in New York City

• The total number of houses in Atlanta

• The total number of people living in the state of Texas

Around the World The country with the largest population is the People's Republic of China. As of 2007, the national population was an astounding 1.3 billion, about one-fifth of the entire world population. China's population doubled during the second half of the 20th century, going from 583 million in 1953 to 1.2 billion in 1999. The population is still growing, due to better medical care that has increased life expectancies and lowered infant mortality rate. However, since 1979, China has attempted to limit its population growth through a government policy called the One Child Policy. The program encourages couples in cities and other high population areas to have only one child. It also provides free family planning services and care for pregnant women. Parents who disobey the policy are forced to pay fines, and sometimes lose their jobs. Parents of multiple births are exempted, and members of ethnic minorities are allowed to have more than one child. The rules are slightly different for couples who live in less-populated areas. As a result, the fertility rate in China has fallen from five births per woman to just 1.7 births per woman. Chinese authorities claim that their country would have between 300-400 million more people had they not implemented the policy. There are complaints around the world that this policy is unfair. Please write a one paragraph response with support (at least one for credit) for or against this policy.