Question 1

The word "Astana" means ________ in the Kazakh language.

Accepted Answer

Astana means "capital" in the Kazakh language.

Question 2

Astana, Kazakhstan experiences hot summer, cold winters, and arid conditions; these conditions are typical of ________ climates.

Accepted Answer

Astana, Kazakhstan has a continental climate characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and low precipitation, typical of interior land areas far from the ocean.

Question 3

The ________ connects Afghanistan to China.

Accepted Answer

The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of land that connects Afghanistan to China.

Question 4

From 1920 to 1991, the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were part of the:

Accepted Answer

These Central Asian countries were part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1920 until its dissolution in 1991.

Question 5

Although the soils of Central Asia's steppes are generally rich, much like those of the prairie lands of the U.S. Great Plains, a steppe environment differs from a prairie environment in its generally lower and more variable:

Accepted Answer

A steppe environment typically has lower and more variable precipitation compared to a prairie environment, which affects the types of vegetation and ecosystems that can thrive there.

Question 6

During the Soviet era, every Central Asian republic capital had a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

During the Soviet era, the promotion of arts such as opera and ballet was common, and every Central Asian republic capital had an opera and ballet theater as part of Soviet cultural policy.

Question 7

The Tien Shan mountains border China and:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Tien Shan mountains border China and:
...

Question 8

- The highest elevations in Central Asia lie in the:

Accepted Answer

The highest elevations in Central Asia are found in the south and east, particularly in the Pamir and Tien Shan mountain ranges.

Question 9

- The Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers flow into the:

Accepted Answer

The Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers flow into the Aral Sea, which is a large endorheic lake in Central Asia.

Question 10

The Kara Kum desert lies within:

Accepted Answer

The Kara Kum desert lies within Turkmenistan.

Question 11

Traveling from south to north through Central Asia, you would encounter moutains, desert, then:

Accepted Answer

The answer of  Traveling from south to north through...

Question 12

- Just south of the Aral Sea, the dominant ethnic group is the:

Accepted Answer

The dominant ethnic group just south of the Aral Sea is the Karakalpak, who primarily reside in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan.

Question 13

- The Balochi ethnic group predominates in southern:

Accepted Answer

The Balochi ethnic group predominantly resides in the southern regions of Afghanistan, as well as in parts of Iran and Pakistan.

Question 14

- In Central Asia, Russians are found primarily in northern:

Accepted Answer

Russians are primarily found in northern Kazakhstan due to historical settlement patterns during the Soviet era.

Question 15

A region dominated by the sect Ismaili Islam is found east of the city of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of  A region dominated by the sect...

Question 16

The lowest infant mortality rate in Central Asia is found in:

Accepted Answer

Kazakhstan has made significant improvements in healthcare and has the lowest infant mortality rate in Central Asia compared to the other countries listed.

Question 17

The highest urbanization rate in Central Asia is found in:

Accepted Answer

Kazakhstan has the highest urbanization rate in Central Asia, with a significant portion of its population living in urban areas due to its economic development and infrastructure.

Question 18

Each of the states in this region is named for its largest ethnic group except ________, whose largest ethnic group is the ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Each of the states in this region...

Question 19

Central Asia was regarded by Czarist administrators and Soviet planners as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Central Asia was regarded by Czarist administrators and Soviet planners as a peripheral, underdeveloped region.

Question 20

In the urban sphere where Russianization had a better hold, many people in Central Asia became "________": They considered themselves secularized, but followed Islamic practice for important "life ceremonies."

Accepted Answer

In the context of Central Asia, "cultural Muslims" refers to individuals who identify with Islamic culture and traditions, particularly for significant life events, despite not being strictly religious or practicing Islam in their daily lives.

Quiz 6: Central Asia and Afghanistan