Praxis 5004 Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology

Content category II of the Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (5004): about 18 of the 60 questions (30%). The topics ETS lists, how they are tested and practice questions with explanations.

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60 questions on the real 60-minute clock, weighted like the ETS test, with a score by content category and an explanation for every answer.

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What ETS lists

  • World and regional geography (spatial terms, places, regions)
  • The interaction of physical and human systems
  • Uses of geography to interpret the past and present and plan for the future
  • How people of different cultural backgrounds interact with their environment, family, neighborhoods and communities

From the ETS Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (5004) Study Companion, content category II.

Line drawing of a desk globe, a compass rose and a folded map

How Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology is tested

Map and globe skills (latitude and longitude, scale, map types), physical features and regions, how people change and adapt to their environment, migration and settlement patterns, and culture and social institutions. Questions often describe a map or a scenario in words and ask what it shows.

Start the free Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology drill

Praxis 5004 Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology practice questions

Answer each question, then open the explanation.

Question 1

Moist air moves toward a mountain range, rises, cools, and drops precipitation on the windward side. What condition often develops on the leeward side?

  1. A.A region where daily rainfall is determined only by latitude
  2. B.A drier rain-shadow region
  3. C.A wetter region where descending air cools and condenses
  4. D.A region with equal precipitation because both slopes share a mountain
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B: A drier rain-shadow region

Air loses moisture as it rises over the windward slope, and descending air on the leeward side warms. This creates a relatively dry rain shadow.

Question 2

Families in a community maintain a heritage language at home while also using English at work and school. Which concept best describes this pattern?

  1. A.Maintaining cultural traditions while participating in a broader society
  2. B.Replacing a heritage identity through complete cultural assimilation
  3. C.Passing language genetically rather than learning it through social interaction
  4. D.Maintaining geographic isolation from the surrounding community
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A: Maintaining cultural traditions while participating in a broader society

Using a heritage language can preserve cultural traditions alongside participation in wider institutions. Bilingual practices do not require the loss of a family’s cultural heritage.

Question 3

A map shades counties according to the number of people per square mile. Which characteristic does the map display?

  1. A.Total national population
  2. B.Population density
  3. C.Average household income
  4. D.Annual population growth
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B: Population density

Population density is population divided by land area. It differs from a population total and from change over time.

Question 4

A district has 12,000 residents and covers 30 square kilometers. What is its average population density in residents per square kilometer?

  1. A.400
  2. B.12,000
  3. C.12,030
  4. D.360,000
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A: 400

Divide population by area: 12,000 ÷ 30 = 400 residents per square kilometer. Using 12,000 alone reports total population rather than population density.

Take the full test under the real clock

Take a full timed Praxis 5004 practice test

60 questions on the real 60-minute clock, weighted like the ETS test, with a score by content category and an explanation for every answer.

Or start the free Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology drill

Common questions

How many Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology questions are on the Praxis 5004?

ETS lists about 18 of the 60 questions in Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology, about 30% of the test.

What does Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology cover on the Praxis 5004?

World and regional geography (spatial terms, places, regions); The interaction of physical and human systems; Uses of geography to interpret the past and present and plan for the future; How people of different cultural backgrounds interact with their environment, family, neighborhoods and communities.

How should I study Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology for the Praxis 5004?

Map and globe skills (latitude and longitude, scale, map types), physical features and regions, how people change and adapt to their environment, migration and settlement patterns, and culture and social institutions. Questions often describe a map or a scenario in words and ask what it shows.

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