Texas Regions Standard Test
Grade 6 Social Studies
Texas Regions Unit Exam
Name:
Date:
Class Period:
Section A: Key Vocabulary Matching
Directions: Match each geographic term with its correct definition by writing the letter of the correct answer in the blank.
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____ Elevation
-
____ Petrochemical
-
____ Aquifer
-
____ Latitude
-
____ Longitude
-
____ Escarpment
-
____ Trans Pecos
-
____ Climate
A. Lines running north-south that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
B. A steep cliff separating a lower land surface from a higher land surface.
C. The height of land above sea level.
D. The long-term average weather conditions of a specific place.
E. An underground layer of rock or gravel that stores water and can be tapped for wells.
F. Any chemical substance derived or made from petroleum (oil) or natural gas.
G. Lines running east-west that measure distance north or south of the Equator.
H. The rugged region of West Texas located "across" the Pecos River.
Section B: Multiple Choice (Part I)
Directions: Circle the letter of the best answer choice for each question.
- Which region has the highest elevation in Texas, featuring rugged mountain ranges and desert valleys?
A) Coastal Plains
B) Mountains and Basins
C) North Central Plains
- The major cities of Houston, San Antonio, and Austin are located in which geographic region?
A) Coastal Plains
B) Great Plains
C) Mountains and Basins
- The major metropolitan area known as DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) belongs to which region?
A) Great Plains
B) North Central Plains
C) Coastal Plains
- Located in West Texas, what does Guadalupe National Park protect?
A) Dense coastal marshes and pine forests
B) Deep underground water aquifers and flat plains
C) Ancient fossil reefs, desert wildlife, and high peaks
- Which river forms the international border between Texas and Mexico?
A) Red River
B) Colorado River
C) Rio Grande
- The Piney Woods is a wet subregion of dense forests located in which region?
A) Coastal Plains
B) Great Plains
C) North Central Plains
Unit Exam: Regions of Texas Page 1 of 3
Texas Regions Unit Exam
Student Name: ________________________
Section B: Multiple Choice (Part II)
- Which high-elevation, flat region includes the Panhandle city of Amarillo?
A) Mountains and Basins
B) Great Plains
C) Coastal Plains
- Which major river forms the northern border of Texas, separating it from Oklahoma?
A) Red River
B) Sabine River
C) Rio Grande
- Due to rich soils and a warm climate, the Coastal Plains is a top producer of which crop?
A) Wheat
B) Yucca
C) Cotton
- Which plants are native to the dry desert environment of the Mountains and Basins?
A) Yucca and cactus
B) Pine and oak trees
C) Ferns and marsh reeds
- Which industry thrives along the Gulf Coast, turning crude oil into synthetic products?
A) Timber and paper
B) Petrochemical industry
C) Beef and livestock production
- As you travel from East Texas to West Texas, how do climate and elevation change?
A) Climate becomes wetter; elevation decreases
B) Climate becomes drier; elevation increases
C) Climate becomes hotter; elevation stays the same
Section C: Fill-in-the-Blank
Directions: Complete each sentence using the correct word from the Word Bank below. Words will be used exactly once.
Aquifer Escarpment Guadalupe Peak Piney Woods
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The Caprock ____________________________ is a steep, dramatic cliff that separates the rolling North Central Plains from the flat, elevated Great Plains.
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Deep beneath the Great Plains lies the Ogallala ____________________________, which provides vital underground water for farming in this dry region.
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The easternmost portion of the Coastal Plains is covered by the wet, heavily forested ____________________________, which supports a thriving lumber industry.
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Located in the rugged Mountains and Basins region, ____________________________ is the highest natural point in the state of Texas.
Unit Exam: Regions of Texas Page 2 of 3
Texas Regions Unit Exam
Student Name: ________________________
Section D: Extended Short Answer
Directions: Read the prompt below carefully. Plan your response and write a short, structured paragraph. Make sure to address all parts of the prompt in complete sentences.
Question 25. Regional Comparison Challenge
Imagine you are a geographer comparing the Coastal Plains region and the Mountains and Basins region of Texas. Write a comparative paragraph that highlights how these two environments differ.
Your answer MUST address the following three categories:
- Climate and Rainfall: Compare the precipitation and humidity.
- Physical Features: Contrast their landforms (e.g., deserts, beaches, mountains).
- Economy: Contrast how humans make a living or use natural resources in each.
Student Review Checklist
Did I write in complete sentences?
Did I mention climate and precipitation?
Did I check spelling and vocabulary terms?
Did I compare physical features and economy?
Unit Exam: Regions of Texas Page 3 of 3
Texas Regions Modified Test
Parallel Edition • Guided Support
Texas Regions Unit Exam
Name:
Date:
Class Period:
Section A: Matching Part 1
Directions: Match each word on the left with its definition on the right by writing the correct letter.
____ 1. Elevation
____ 2. Petrochemical
____ 3. Aquifer
____ 4. Escarpment
A. A steep, high cliff that cuts across the land.
B. Deep underground rocks that hold and store water.
C. How high the land is above sea level.
D. Chemicals made from oil and natural gas.
Section A: Matching Part 2
____ 5. Latitude
____ 6. Longitude
____ 7. Trans Pecos
____ 8. Climate
E. Imaginary map lines that measure North and South.
F. The average, long-term weather of a region.
G. Imaginary map lines that measure East and West.
H. Far West Texas land located across the Pecos River.
Section B: Multiple Choice
Directions: Circle the letter of the correct answer. Key words are in bold to help you.
- Which region has the highest elevation and features rugged mountain ranges and deserts?
A) Coastal Plains
B) Mountains and Basins
C) North Central Plains
- The major cities of Houston, San Antonio, and our capital of Austin are found in which region?
A) Coastal Plains
B) Great Plains
C) Mountains and Basins
- The major urban metropolitan area known as DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) belongs to which region?
A) Great Plains
B) North Central Plains
C) Coastal Plains
- Located in West Texas, what does Guadalupe National Park protect and preserve?
A) Wetland marshes and pine trees
B) Ancient fossil reefs and desert mountains
C) High water tables and massive cotton farms
Accommodated Exam: Regions of Texas Page 1 of 3
Texas Regions Unit Exam • Parallel Edition
Texas Regions Teacher Guide
Teacher Resource Guide
Texas Regions Answer Key
Diagnostic & Unit Test
This grading guide provides keys for both the Standard Test and the Parallel Modified Test. Multiple choice answer layouts vary slightly to support accommodation strategies, so please cross-reference the keys below during grading.
Standard Test Key
Section A: Vocabulary Matching
1. Elevation: C
2. Petrochemical: F
3. Aquifer: E
4. Latitude: G
5. Longitude: A
6. Escarpment: B
7. Trans Pecos: H
8. Climate: D
Section B: Multiple Choice
9. B
10. A
11. B
12. C
13. C
14. A
15. B
16. A
17. C
18. A
19. B
20. B
Modified Test Key
Section A: Chunked Matching
1. Elevation: C
2. Petrochemical: D
3. Aquifer: B
4. Escarpment: A
5. Latitude: E
6. Longitude: G
7. Trans Pecos: H
8. Climate: F
Section B: Multiple Choice
9. B
10. A
11. B
12. B
13. B
14. A
15. B
16. A
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. B
Section C: Fill-in-the-Blank Answer Key (Both Versions)
Q21. Escarpment
Key Concept: Major geographical borders (Caprock Escarpment).
Q22. Aquifer
Key Concept: Critical agricultural water reserves (Ogallala Aquifer).
Q23. Piney Woods
Key Concept: Humid subregions and commercial logging industries.
Q24. Guadalupe Peak
Key Concept: High peaks and physical geography of Mountains & Basins.
Grading Suggestion: All standard multiple choice and matching questions are worth 3 points each. Fill-in-the-blank is worth 4 points each. The Short Answer (Q25) is worth 8 points, making a total of 80 points for the objective sections and 20 points for the writing section, summing up to a clean 100-point total score.
Teacher Grading Guide Page 1 of 2
