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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What event became known in China as the "Great Leap Forward"?
(a) The campaign against Confucianism.
(b) Implementation of the one family, one child policy.
(c) The invasion of Tibet.
(d) Collectivization of farms.

2. What three groups fought over China in the early 20th century?
(a) Northerners, Southerners, and guerilla revolutionaries.
(b) Corporations, human rights agencies, and the United Nations.
(c) Mongols, Koreans, and the Vietnamese.
(d) Nationalists, Communists, and the Japanese.

3. How does de Blij characterize sub-Saharan Africa?
(a) As the world's most geographically challenged region.
(b) As the world's neediest region.
(c) As the world's most dangerous region.
(d) As the world's politically corrupt region.

4. According to de Blij, what is geographically contentious about Europe?
(a) Its shared currency.
(b) Its offshore mineral rights.
(c) Its eastern border.
(d) Its cultural rivalries.

5. What is Afghanistan like today?
(a) It has become a satellite of Communist Russia.
(b) It has a thriving agriculturally-based economy.
(c) It lacks most modern amenities.
(d) It is a modern Islamic country.

6. Why does de Blij feel that it is appropriate to end Why Geography Matters with a chapter on Africa?
(a) Because humanity first evolved in Africa.
(b) Because sub-Saharan Africa has been so geographically isolated.
(c) Because African countries are becoming important economic powers.
(d) Because the world owes a debt to Africa from the time of the slave trade.

7. What are China's current territorial claims based on?
(a) The boundaries that China had at the time of the Cultural Revolution.
(b) The boundaries that China had after World War II.
(c) The boundaries that China had after World War I.
(d) The boundaries of the Qing (Machu) Dynasty.

8. How far did the Muslim world once reach?
(a) From Turkey to Kazakhstan.
(b) From Palestine to India.
(c) From Spain to western China.
(d) From Saudia Arabia to Iran.

9. How have Chinese nationalists reacted to American foreign policy decisions?
(a) With anti-Americanism.
(b) With approval.
(c) With terrorism.
(d) With economic warfare.

10. What is a madrassas?
(a) An Islamic extremist school.
(b) An Islamic holy place.
(c) A place where Muslims go on pilgrimmage.
(d) A Muslim church or temple.

11. Why was Turkey's application to the European Union viewed as controversial?
(a) Because Turkey has a poor human rights record and a militarized government.
(b) Because Turkey is geographically more a part of Asia than Europe.
(c) Because Turkey is culturally very different from European countries.
(d) Because Turkey is an Islamic country.

12. Why do the Chechens feel particularly strong about pursuing their independence?
(a) Chechens were inspired by the independence gained by neighboring countries.
(b) Natural resources in Chechnya could more easily be developed after independence.
(c) Russia's government is too corrupt for most Chechens.
(d) Stalin forced all the Chechens to travel to Siberia during World War II.

13. What changes does de Blij suggest show that the European Union may eventually form one nation?
(a) Newspapers and bullet trains that link countries and share patrons.
(b) Military alliances and shared weapons and intelligence.
(c) Sharing a currency and allowing travelers to cross borders without documentation.
(d) Political statements that show leaders intend to merge all of Europe's countries into one.

14. What is the Triple Frontier?
(a) Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
(b) Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
(c) Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
(d) Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras.

15. How does de Blij think that the U.S. should react to terrorist attacks on airplanes?
(a) Ground all planes and institute stricter security measures after each attack.
(b) Require all American passengers to carry passports with them at all times.
(c) Resume normal operations as quickly as possible after an attack.
(d) Stop allowing people from other countries to enter the United States.

Short Answer Questions

1. From which direction are terrorists most likely to enter the U.S., according to de Blij?

2. What rationale did Russian President Vladimir Putin give for taking away some rights and freedoms from Russians?

3. Who became the leader of China after Mao died?

4. Who was Shamil Basayev?

5. Why is sub-Saharan Africa so isolated?

(see the answer keys)

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