1.
Which of the following Russian cities is farthest North?
Correct Answer
B. St. Petersburg
Explanation
St. Petersburg is the farthest North among the given Russian cities. It is located at a latitude of approximately 59.93 degrees north, making it more northern than Moscow, Yekaterinburg, and Magadan.
2.
Which city is farthest South?
Correct Answer
D. Pyatigorsk, Russia
Explanation
Pyatigorsk, Russia is the farthest south because it is located in Russia, which is further south than Ukraine. The other three cities mentioned are all located in Ukraine.
3.
Which of these rivers is the longest?
Correct Answer
C. Lena
Explanation
Lena is the correct answer because it is the longest river among the given options. It stretches for about 4,400 kilometers and flows through Russia, Mongolia, and China. The Dnieper, Don, and Amur rivers are also significant, but they are not as long as the Lena.
4.
Which city has the largest population?
Correct Answer
C. Novisibirsk, Russia
Explanation
Novisibirsk, Russia has the largest population among the given cities.
5.
Which General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union served first?
Correct Answer
B. Yuri Andropov
Explanation
Yuri Andropov served as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union before Konstantin Chernenko and Mikhail Gorbachev.
6.
Which of the following Tsars was assassinated?
Correct Answer
B. Alexander II
Explanation
Alexander II was assassinated because he implemented several reforms during his reign, including the emancipation of serfs, which angered conservative factions. He also faced opposition from revolutionary groups who sought to overthrow the monarchy. In 1881, he was assassinated by a group of revolutionaries who detonated a bomb near his carriage. His assassination marked a turning point in Russian history and led to a period of increased repression under his successor, Alexander III.
7.
Which of these terms is a cossack leadership title?
Correct Answer
C. Hetman
Explanation
Hetman is a cossack leadership title. The term "Hetman" refers to a military and political leader in the Cossack Hetmanate, a historical state in Ukraine. Hetmans were elected by the Cossack army and held significant authority over military and administrative matters. They played a crucial role in organizing and leading the Cossack troops. The other options, Tsar, Vozhd, General Secretary, and Kuban, do not specifically pertain to cossack leadership titles.
8.
Which of the following men was head of the NKVD (immediate predecessor to the KGB)?
Correct Answer
C. Lavrenti Beria
Explanation
Lavrenti Beria was the head of the NKVD, the predecessor to the KGB. He held this position from 1938 until 1945. Beria was a prominent figure during Joseph Stalin's regime and was known for his role in the Great Purge and the Soviet atomic bomb project. He was later executed in 1953 after Stalin's death.
9.
What Politburo member was killed on December 1, 1934?
Correct Answer
D. Sergei Kirov
Explanation
Sergei Kirov was a Politburo member who was killed on December 1, 1934. His assassination is believed to have been orchestrated by Joseph Stalin, who used it as a pretext to launch the Great Purge, a campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union. Kirov's murder allowed Stalin to eliminate potential rivals and consolidate his power within the Communist Party.
10.
Which city contains the Lavra, an ancient Orthodox monastery of caves?
Correct Answer
D. Kiev
Explanation
Kiev is the correct answer because it is the city that contains the Lavra, an ancient Orthodox monastery of caves. The Lavra is a historic and cultural landmark in Kiev, Ukraine, known for its underground caves and religious significance. It is one of the most important and oldest monasteries in Eastern Europe, attracting tourists and pilgrims from around the world.
11.
Which of these is the earliest name for the city now known as Volgograd?
Correct Answer
B. Tsaritsyn
Explanation
Tsaritsyn is the correct answer because it was the earliest name for the city now known as Volgograd. The city was renamed multiple times throughout history, with Tsaritsyn being its name from 1589 until 1925, when it was changed to Stalingrad. It was later renamed Volgograd in 1961. Novgorod, Belgorod, and East St. Louis are not relevant to the history of Volgograd and are therefore incorrect options.
12.
What prominent former Soviet official was murdered in Mexico City?
Correct Answer
D. Trotsky
Explanation
Leon Trotsky, a prominent former Soviet official, was indeed murdered in Mexico City. After being exiled from the Soviet Union, Trotsky settled in Mexico and continued to criticize the Soviet government. In 1940, he was assassinated by a Soviet agent who struck him with an ice axe. This act was ordered by Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who saw Trotsky as a threat to his power. Trotsky's murder remains a significant event in Soviet history and the history of political assassinations.
13.
In which of these cities can you most easily find horsemeat served?
Correct Answer
D. Almaty
Explanation
Almaty is the correct answer because horsemeat is a traditional food in Kazakhstan, and Almaty is the largest city and former capital of Kazakhstan. It is known for its diverse culinary scene, including many restaurants that serve horsemeat dishes. St. Petersburg and Vladivostok are cities in Russia, where horsemeat consumption is less common. Minsk is the capital of Belarus, where horsemeat is also not commonly served.
14.
Which of these is a popular salad in FSU?
Correct Answer
B. Olivier
Explanation
Olivier is a popular salad in the FSU (Former Soviet Union) region. It is a traditional Russian salad made with diced boiled potatoes, carrots, pickles, peas, and mayonnaise. It is often served during special occasions and celebrations. The salad is named after its creator, Lucien Olivier, a French chef who worked in Moscow in the 19th century. Olivier salad has become a staple dish in many countries that were part of the FSU, including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
15.
What is the name of the river that flows through the city once known as Petrograd?
Correct Answer
D. Neva
Explanation
The Neva River is the correct answer because it flows through the city that was once known as Petrograd. Petrograd is the former name of the city of Saint Petersburg in Russia, and the Neva River is a prominent feature of the city, flowing through its center.
16.
Which of these is the commonly known name of the most-visited museum in St. Petersburg?
Correct Answer
C. Hermitage
Explanation
The commonly known name of the most-visited museum in St. Petersburg is the Hermitage.
17.
What fish is featured under a fur coat in this famous Russian dish?
Correct Answer
D. Herring
Explanation
Herring is the correct answer because it is the fish that is traditionally used in the famous Russian dish known as "under a fur coat." This dish, also known as "shuba," is a layered salad made with diced herring, potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, and mayonnaise. The herring provides a salty and savory flavor to the dish and is an essential ingredient in its preparation.
18.
What city was the capital of Russia in 1750?
Correct Answer
D. St. Petersburg
Explanation
St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia in 1750. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and served as the capital until 1918. The city was strategically located on the Baltic Sea, allowing for easier access to Europe and trade routes. It became a symbol of Peter the Great's modernization efforts and was designed to rival the great European cities. St. Petersburg played a significant role in shaping Russian history and culture, and its status as the capital during the 18th century is a testament to its importance.
19.
Which 19th century Russian writer was killed in a duel in Pyatigorsk, Russia?
Correct Answer
B. Lermontov
Explanation
Lermontov, a 19th century Russian writer, was killed in a duel in Pyatigorsk, Russia.