The sources and sample questions provided are only meant to...

The sources and sample questions provided are only meant to be a basic guide to help you begin preparing for
WorldQuest or Academic WorldQuest.
The Council does not endorse any of the links or information provided on any of the websites suggested
below.
PowerPoint slides for WorldQuest/Academic WorldQuest are available via
http://www.slideshare.net/charlotteworld. If you are new to WQ/AWQ, it’s a great preview to how the
competition is played!
Never played WorldQuest / Academic WorldQuest before? Check out highlights from last year’s
competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESvEiNLItzg&feature=plcp
Who Can Play?
WorldQuest - Each team of eight players is formed by businesses, government institutions, schools/colleges,
non-profits or other self-determined groups. Individuals without a group will be assigned to a team by the
Council.
Academic WorldQuest - Each high school in Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus, Gaston and Union County can
send eight students as part of their individual teams.
How is WorldQuest Played?
This fast-paced game is played in 7 rounds of 10 questions (for WorldQuest participants) and 8 rounds of 10
questions (for Academic WorldQuest participants) each with typically 30-seconds for every question.
Some questions may require additional time. Each team collaborates to answer the questions and submits
their answer sheet at the end of each round.
What Do You Win?
AWQ and WQ teams will be judged separately. Medals and trophies are awarded to the first, second and third
place teams for both WQ and AWQ winners.
Top teams will also have their photos taken and receive special recognition.
How Should My Team Prepare?
The best way to prepare is to review international news coverage and our category descriptions on our website
at www.worldaffairscharlotte.org
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WorldQuest 2012 and Academic WorldQuest 2012 categories
Great Decisions 2012 (*played by high school teams competing in AWQ 2012)
World Flags
History of Italy
Geography of Australia
Elections (Around the World)
Bon Appétit (Foods of the World)
Cuban Missile Crisis: 50th Anniversary
Current Events
NOTE: WorldQuest 2012 participants will compete in 7-rounds while Academic WorldQuest 2012
participants will compete in 8-rounds (includes Great Decisions 2012)
CATEGORIES
Geography of Australia
Geography of Australia covers a series of questions about capital cities and maps, the area topology, ecology,
mineral deposits, climate and atmosphere, landforms and plant and animal distribution.
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” formats, but there will be a few “fill in the blanks” and “matching
questions to add variety.
Helpful Links
Geography of Australia – PowerPoint
About Australia (Geography)
The Australian Continent
Map of Australia – Lonely Planet
Australia Geography – Facts and Figures (Charles Stuart University)
National Geographic Kids - Australia
Fun Trivia - Australia
Wikipedia – Geography of Australia
Australian Geography – Interesting Facts
Utah Education Network - Australia
CIA Fact Book - Australia
Sample Questions
1. What is the capital of Australia?
A. Sydney
B. Melbourne
C. Canberra
D. Perth
2. The following statements are false or incorrect EXCEPT?
A. Australia is the largest of the world’s continents
B. The highest point on the Australian mainland is Mount Kosciuszko
C. Nearly 20 per cent of Australia’s land mass is classified as desert
D. Australia’s land mass is about 32 times greater than the UK
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3. Australia is the ___________ largest country in the world (by area)
A. 3rd
B. 4th
C. 5th
D. 6th
Sample Question 4: You may be shown a map and asked to
identify the various states/cities/territories. This type of
question will traditionally be a “fill in the blank”
Flags of the World
Questions in this category will include identifying an image of a country’s flag or identifying a flag based on a
description. This year, we will also include a matching section (i.e. Match flag to country). Answers are typically
written on the answer sheet provided to each team. No “multiple choice” options.
Study Links
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
http://www.flags.net/indexa.htm
http://geography.about.com/
http://flagpedia.net/index/
Sample Questions
1. Identify this flag: __________________________ (write the answer on your answer sheet)
ANSWER: Canada
2. This flag has two equal horizontal bands of azure (light blue) and golden yellow. These colors represent
grain fields under a blue sky. Identify the country: __________________________ (write the answer
on your answer sheet)
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ANSWER: Ukraine
3. Match the following flags to their respective countries.
A. Malaysia (Flag 2)
FLAG 1
B. Suriname (Flag 3)
FLAG 2
C. Croatia (Flag 4)
FLAG 3
D. Australia (Flag 1)
FLAG 4
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Current Global Events
This category general covers issues reported in the moderate to major news from November 2011 – October
2012 (I.e. world politics, elections, economic bailouts, natural disaster, major catastrophe, military engagement
in Iraq and Afghanistan, national security etc.).
The best way to keep up with current events is to review news reports from major news outlets. Try the CNN
Global Public Square quiz and see how much you know!
Helpful Links
Foreign Policy Association Weekly Quiz (*There’s no cost to create an account and play the quiz)
CNN World
CNN – Global Public Square (Quiz)
Current Events – Wikipedia (*scroll down – events by month at the bottom)
The Economist - World in 2012
Current Events from InfoPlease
EconEd Link
BBC - World
Time Magazine - World
Sample Questions (*Questions from the Foreign Policy Association Weekly Quiz)
1. For the first time in history this country allowed its women athletes to compete in the Olympics.
A. Yemen
B. Oman
C. United Arab Emirates
D. Saudi Arabia
2. North Korea agreed to curb its nuclear programs in exchange for:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Food aid from the U.S.
Renewed consideration of UN status
Lifting of economic sanctions
Bi-lateral talks with South Korea
3. How did the United States respond to the jailing of the Pakistani doctor, who helped the CIA find
Osama Bin Laden?
A. Barack Obama cancelled his 2 day official visit to Pakistan
B. United States imposed military sanctions on Pakistani government
C. U.S. Senate panel has cut $33 million in aid to Pakistan
D. United States and NATO officials did not invite President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, to the NATO
Summit in Chicago
Elections
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This category covers president or parliamentary elections that have been going on around the world (including
the United States). It will cover past elections (mid-2011 and 2012) or upcoming elections in 2012.
Questions may also be asked about impact of a specific election (on a country), political platforms during a
particular election, political parties and change in leadership or names of new leaders.
Most of the questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but we will also include a couple of “fill in the blank”
and “matching” (i.e. match a country to a political leader) questions for variety.
Worldwide Election Guides (*there is a lot of information to sift through)
The electoral knowledge network (*good information, but a lot to sift through)
List of upcoming elections (or past elections)
Global elections of 2012
French elections - 2012
US elections - 2012 (FPA)
Greece elections – 2012
Global Elections – 2012 (Global Finance Magazine)
Elections in Angola
Elections in Egypt / Egyptian Election Results
Russian Elections - 2012
Global Presidential Elections - 2011
Argentinean elections - 2011
Irish elections - 2011 (*also scroll down for additional links regarding the elections)
Financial Outlook Depends on Elections Around the World
1. Michael D Higgins was elected to succeed Mary McAleese and serve as the ninth president of Ireland. What
is his political party of affiliation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Socialist Party
Labor Party
Workers' Party
Green Party
2. When will the US Presidential elections be held this year? __________ (fill in the blank)
Answer: November 6, 2012
3. Leftist presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that he is refusing to recognize the results
of Mexico's presidential election despite the decision of the federal election tribunal reaffirming the results in
August 2012. His refusal to recognize the final results is based on the following reasons EXCEPT:
A. He asserts that the Mexican elections were not clean, free and genuine
B. He blames Enrique Pena Nieto of engaging in alleged widespread vote-buying
C. Lopez Obrador blames Mexican drug traffickers for threatening his family
D. He accuses Pena Nieto of campaign spending excesses
Cuban Missile Crisis: 50th Anniversary
This category will cover the timeline of this conflict, its influence on US foreign policy, impact and final outcome
at the end of the crisis.
Most of the questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but we will also include a couple of “fill in the blank”
questions for variety.
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Helpful Links
Harvard Kennedy Center – Cuban Missile Crisis
JFK Presidential Library
Cuban Missile Crisis –NY Times
Wikipedia – Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis – US Navy
Cuban Missile Crisis – History Channel
Cuban Missile Crisis - Timeline
Cuban Missile Crisis - Quiz
Cuban Missile Crisis – Quiz (BBC)
Sample Questions
1. Who was the Secretary of State during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
A. Henry Kissinger
B. William Rogers
C. George Schultz
D. Dean Rusk
2. What was the end result of the Cuban Missile?
A. The United States agreed to allow only defensive nuclear weapons in Cuba
B. John F. Kennedy, president of the United States at that time, resigned
C. The communist government in Cuba collapsed and was replaced by a democracy
D. Soviet missiles were withdrawn in exchange for U.S. removal of missiles in Turkey
3. How long did the Cuban Missile Crisis last?
A. 11-days
B. 12-days
C. 13-days
D. 14-days
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Bon Appétit (Foods of the World)
"There is no love sincerer than the love of food," George Bernard Shaw said.
This category will mostly cover the identification of a particular type of food (i.e. entrée, fruit, beverage, dessert)
and their primary country of origin. Questions may include specifics on ingredients for a popular dish or the
name of the creator (of a particular dish).
Most of the questions will be in “multiple choice” format. There will be a couple “fill in the blank” or “matching”
(i.e. food to country) questions as well.
Helpful Links
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
International Cuisine
Top 10 Dishes You Should Try
Ethnic Cuisine
Top 10 Banned Food
Food by Country
Food in Every Country
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1. Widely known and revered in Southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", this fruit is distinctive for its large
size, unique and oft-disliked odor, and formidable thorn-covered husk. What is it called?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Pineapple
Durian
Honey Locust
Pomegranate
2.
“Dhal” (or “Dal”) is a popular south Indian dish. What is the key ingredient to make it?
A. Eggplant
B. Lentils
C. Corn
D. Carrots
3. A delectable sauerkraut and meat stew called "bigos" is the undisputed national dish for this country. In
what world capital could one enjoy this long-simmering stew?
A. Cairo, Egypt
B. Warsaw, Poland
C. Edinburgh, Scotland
D. Lima, Peru
________________________________________________________________________________________
History of Italy
This category covers the general history of Italy, focusing on major events and thematic transformations (i.e.
Renaissance, Reunification etc.), timelines, famous figures (i.e. Julius Caesar) and political changes.
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” format, though we might include a couple “fill in the blank” or
“matching” questions for variety.
Helpful Links:
History of Italy – Lonely Planet
History of Italy – US State Department
History of Italy
Chronology of Key Events - Italy
Timeline - Italy
Timeline of Italian History (Wikipedia)
Roman Empire - PBS
History of Italy (Wikipedia)
History of Italy
Italian Renaissance (Quiz)
Italian Renaissance (AP Quiz)
Italy WW2 Timeline
Unification of Italy
Roman Empire
Fall of Rome
CIA Fact Book - Italy
1. Italian thinkers declared that they were living in a new age. The barbarous, unenlightened “Middle
Ages” were over, they said; the new age would be a “rinascità” (“rebirth”) of learning and literature, art
and culture. What were they referring to?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
Enlightenment Period
Renaissance Period
Reawakening Period
Humanism Period
2. ____________ was originally written by Niccolo Machiavelli as a guidebook for the ruler he hoped
would eventually unite Italy to drive out foreign threats. In the book, he argues that it is better for a ruler
to be feared than loved.
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Prince
The King
The Monarch
The Queen
(Or you may be asked to “fill in the blank” without “multiple choice” options)
3. Who was the founder of "Young Italy?" Young Italy was a political movement founded in 1831 to create
a united Italian republic through promoting a general insurrection in the Italian reactionary states and in
the lands occupied by the Austrian Empire.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Giuseppe Mazzini
Giuseppe Garibaldi
Giovanni Turini
Victor Emanuel
________________________________________________________________________________________
Great Decisions 2012 (*only for Academic WorldQuest competitors)
Published annually by the Foreign Policy Association, the Great Decisions briefing book features impartial,
thought-provoking analyses on eight issues of concern to U.S. policymakers today. Questions asked will be in
““multiple choice”” format.
Sources:
Great Decision Quizzes – Foreign Policy Association
Great Decisions 2012 Topics (includes articles and short summaries)
Teachers Guide for Great Decisions 2012 may be purchased online:
http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/?act=gd_materials
Please contact Charlotte Klopp by e-mail cklopp@worldaffairscharlotte.org or call 704-687-7759 if your school
needs a copy of Great Decisions 2012. We may have a few copies available.
Sample Questions (*Great Decisions 2012 Foreign Policy Association Quiz):
1. On April 23, why did Iran disconnect many oil terminals and rigs from the internet?
A. to fulfill a threat of ceasing the sale of oil to European customers
B. aged refinery equipment began to fail incorrect
C. sanctions against Iranian oil made further refining unnecessary
D. due to an apparent cyber attack
2. A court in this country ordered Google, Facebook, Microsoft and 18 other companies to block material
that might offend the major religious groups represented by its population:
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A. Brazil
B. India
C. Russia
D. South Africa
2012 Topic Descriptions
Middle East Realignment by Augustus Richard Norton
The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What
lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that
have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its
relations with the new regimes?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "Middle East realignment"
Promoting Democracy by Larry Diamond
The U.S. has had a history of advancing and supporting democracy around the world. What place does
democracy promotion have in U.S. foreign policy today? With a choice of tools ranging from economic aid to
military force, what are the appropriate yet effective methods that the U.S. should use to promote democracy?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "Promoting Democracy"
Mexico by George Grayson
Mexico’s border with Central America, as well as the border it shares with the U.S., has been a pathway for
people, goods, crime and contraband in both directions. How can Mexico address these transborder
challenges? What is the future of Mexico’s relations with its northern and southern neighbors? How will
Mexico’s foreign relations affect its domestic politics?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "Mexico"
Cybersecurity by Ronald Deibert
The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector, faced
with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. Faced with challenges such as international
cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks, how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber
frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
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Take the Spring Quiz for "Cybersecurity"
Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq by Michael O'Hanlon
Ten years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly
pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations?
How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of
the Middle East?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq"
State of the Oceans by Sara Tjossem
The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth, and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change.
What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels and extreme
weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this
shared resource?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "State of the Oceans"
Indonesia by James Castle
Having emerged from authoritarianism in the last 15 years, Indonesia has made remarkable strides politically,
economically and socially. Yet the new, democratic Indonesia is still a developing country facing considerable
challenges. How can Indonesia continue its path of growth, reform and prosperity? What is Indonesia’s role in
the global community?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "Indonesia"
Energy Geopolitics by William Sweet
The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear
power. Moreover, developing countries like China are becoming bigger energy consumers, while energy
producers like Russia see the opportunity to widen their influence. In this changed landscape, how will the
U.S.’s energy needs affect its relations with other nations?
Read a sample from the Briefing Book article
Watch an introduction to the Television Series episode
Read the Spring Update
Take the Spring Quiz for "Energy geopolitics"
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