Question 1

The current president of Russia is:

Accepted Answer

Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia, having served in the role for several terms since 2000, with a break when he was Prime Minister.

Question 2

Recent elections in the post-Soviet states have been uniformly fair and free.

Accepted Answer

Many post-Soviet states have faced criticism for election irregularities, lack of transparency, and suppression of opposition, indicating that not all recent elections have been fair and free.

Question 3

The world's largest country is:

Accepted Answer

Russia is the largest country in the world by area, covering more than 17 million square kilometers.

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes the way elderly and working class Russians view Putin and similar political leaders?

Accepted Answer

Elderly and working-class Russians often view Putin and similar political leaders as forces for stability during politically turbulent times. This perspective is rooted in their desire for a stable and strong leadership that can ensure security and order, especially after the chaotic post-Soviet era.

Question 5

The feminist punk band Pussy Riot did which of the following political acts?

Accepted Answer

Pussy Riot staged an unauthorized performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior in 2012, protesting against Vladimir Putin's policies, particularly his close ties with the Orthodox Church. This act was a form of political protest against Putin's regime, not an endorsement or participation in formal political processes.

Question 6

The Carpathian Mountains and the Ural Mountains are connected by:

Accepted Answer

The Carpathian Mountains and the Ural Mountains are connected by the North European Plain, which extends across Europe from the western borders of Russia and Ukraine to the Ural Mountains.

Question 7

The conversion from command economies to capitalist economies in the states of the former Soviet Union has been mostly smooth and uneventful.

Accepted Answer

The transition from command economies to capitalist economies in the states of the former Soviet Union has been marked by significant challenges, including economic instability, sharp increases in inequality, and in some cases, political turmoil.

Question 8

Which of the following Russian mountain ranges is closest to Russia's western border?

Accepted Answer

The Urals mountain range is the closest to Russia's western border. It runs approximately from north to south through western Russia, forming a natural border between Europe and Asia. The other mountain ranges mentioned are located much farther east within Russia.

Question 9

European Russia's most important river is the ____________.

Accepted Answer

The Volga River is the most important river in European Russia, known for its significant role in Russian history, culture, and economy. It is the longest river in Europe.

Question 10

The part of Russia west of the Urals is sometimes called:

Accepted Answer

The part of Russia west of the Ural Mountains is known as European Russia, distinguishing it from the part of Russia that lies in Asia.

Question 11

After staging a "comeback" in 2012, the president of Russia is now serving his _______ term.

Accepted Answer

Vladimir Putin, after staging a "comeback" in 2012, is serving his third term as the President of Russia. This accounts for his terms starting from 2000-2008, then after a break (with Dmitry Medvedev as President), resuming office in 2012.

Question 12

Which country is NOT one of the post-Soviet states?

Accepted Answer

Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia, not the Soviet Union. The other countries mentioned were part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.

Question 13

The Ural Mountains start at the Arctic Ocean and end in _____________.

Accepted Answer

The Ural Mountains extend from the Arctic Ocean in the north to Kazakhstan in the south, serving as a natural boundary between Europe and Asia.

Question 14

The term used to describe semiarid grasslands is:

Accepted Answer

Steppe refers to the semiarid grasslands, particularly those found in Southeastern Europe or Siberia, characterized by open, treeless spaces and grassy vegetation.

Question 15

Which is NOT a challenge being faced by the former states of the USSR?

Accepted Answer

Embargoes are not a universal challenge faced by the former states of the USSR. While some may face international sanctions or embargoes, it is not a common issue across all former Soviet states. Crime, economic instability, and political corruption, however, are widespread challenges that many of these countries are dealing with.

Question 16

The official name of Russia today is the ______________.

Accepted Answer

The official name of Russia today is the "Russian Federation." This name was adopted following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT one of Russia's internal republics?

Accepted Answer

Azerbaijan is an independent country located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is not one of Russia's internal republics, whereas Ossetia, Chechnya, and Tatarstan are.

Question 18

At the northern end of the Volga River is the __________; at the southern end of the Volga River is the ___________.

Accepted Answer

The northern end of the Volga River is near the Baltic Sea, through the Volga-Baltic Waterway, and the southern end flows into the Caspian Sea.

Question 19

In its heyday, the USSR stretched from Central Europe to _______________.

Accepted Answer

The USSR, at its largest extent, stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean, encompassing the easternmost parts of Asia.

Question 20

What fraction of Earth's land surface did the USSR cover?

Accepted Answer

The USSR covered approximately 1/6 of Earth's land surface, making it one of the largest countries in history by area.

Quiz 5: Russia and the Post-Soviet States