2013 Joint WorldQuest / Academic WorldQuest
STUDY GUIDE
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 recommended 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 past competitions:
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?
- WorldQuest participants compete in 7 categories
- Academic WorldQuest participants compete in 8 categories
- Each category will have 10 questions
- Each question is typically allotted 30-seconds though there will be at least 5-7 questions requiring extra
time (45 seconds to 2-minutes)
- Each team collaborates to answer each question before submitting 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 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winning teams for both WQ and AWQ
- Winning teams will receive special recognition and have their photos taken with Larry Sprinkle, WCNC
weather anchor and our emcee for the evening
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 2013 and Academic WorldQuest 2013 categories
Great Decisions 2013 (*played by high school teams competing in AWQ 2013)
World Flags
History of The Golden Land - Myanmar
Geography of Russia
Cybersecurity
Eurozone
Culture: World Languages, Dance and Music
Current Events
NOTE: WorldQuest 2013 participants will compete in 7-rounds while Academic WorldQuest 2013
participants will compete in 8-rounds (includes Great Decisions 2013)
CATEGORY 1: Great Decisions 2013 (*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
Teachers Guide for Great Decisions 2013 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 2013. We may have a few copies available.
Sample Questions (*Sourced from Great Decisions 2013 Foreign Policy Association Quiz):
1.
What country got the green light on Thursday, June 6, 2014 to join the Eurozone?
A. Romania
B. Latvia
C. Bulgaria
D. Lithuania
2.
Within the Obama administration, the most controversial type of drone strike is the ______, which
targets men who are believed to be militants associated with terrorist groups whose identity may or may
not be known.
A. Personality strikes
B. Signature strikes
C. Proliferating strikes
D. There’s only one type of drone strike
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2013 Topic Descriptions for Great Decisions
Future of the Euro
How did the 2008 global recession contribute to the development of the euro crisis? The health of the euro effects
and is effected by the state of the global economy. How can European Union leaders prevent the collapse of the
common currency? http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=26
Egypt
The popular revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 ushered in the promise of radical change.
Two years later, what is the state of Egyptian democracy? How will the military and the civilian government
balance power? http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=27
NATO
How has NATO’s agenda evolved since its inception during the cold war? With its military commitment in
Afghanistan winding down and a recent successful campaign in Libya, what are the Alliance’s present-day
security challenges? http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=28
Myanmar
The West has welcomed unprecedented democratic reforms made by Myanmar’s government. What challenges
must Myanmar overcome before it can fully join the international community? What role can it play in Southeast
Asia? http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=29
Intervention
The “responsibility to protect” doctrine has become central to modern humanitarian intervention. When should the
international community intervene? Why did the West rush to intervene in Libya but not Syria?
http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=30
Iran
Suspicion and a troubled history have blighted U.S.-Iranian relations for three decades. How can the United
States and Iran move forward? Is the existence of Iran’s nuclear program an insurmountable obstacle?
http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=31
China in Africa
What interests govern China’s engagement in Africa? Should China’s growing emphasis on political ties and
natural resource extraction influence U.S. relations with African nations?
http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=32
Threat Assessment
How can the United States address the challenges of a weak economy, homegrown terrorism and nuclear
proliferation? What threats and opportunities are presented by the ascendancy of China and by regime change in
the Middle East? http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/index.cfm?act=topic_detail&topic_id=33
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CATEGORY 2: 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.
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)
ANSWER: Ukraine
CATEGORY 3: History of Myanmar
This category covers the general history of Myanmar focusing on major events and thematic transformations,
famous figures and political changes.
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but there could be a few “fill in the blank” and/or “matching”
questions to add variety.
Helpful Links:
Foreign Policy Quiz – Myanmar (*You will need an email sign-in and password – access is FREE)
History of Myanmar – Lonely Planet
BBC News Myanmar Profile
Chronology – Myanmar’s Political History
U.S. State Department – U.S. Relations with Burma
Global Public Square (CNN) - Myanmar
How Much do You Know about Myanmar?
Myanmar – Fast Facts
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1. Which two countries occupied Myanmar?
A.
B.
C.
D.
India and China
Britain and Japan
Japan and Thailand
China and Bangladesh
2. According to Burma’s 1982 Citizenship Law, the Rohingyas fall into the following category:
A. Associate citizens (i.e. those who acquired citizenship under the 1948 Union Citizenship Law)
B. Naturalized citizens (i.e., persons who lived in Burma before January 1948 and applied for
citizenship after 1982)
C. They are not legally recognized as an ethnic group in Burma, and thus most are denied
citizenship
D. Full citizens (i.e., persons descended of parents who were Burmese citizens at the time of birth)
CATEGORY 4: Geography of Russia
Geography of Russia covers a series of questions about cities and maps, area topology, climate and
atmosphere, ecology, mineral deposits and plant/animal distribution.
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but there will be a few “fill in the blank” and/or “matching”
questions to add variety.
Helpful Links
Geography of Russia – Princeton University
National Geographic for Kids - Russia
CIA Fact Book – Geography of Russia (*scroll down webpage)
Map of Russia – Lonely Planet
Geography of Russia – Russian Embassy (in the UK)
Geography of Russia
Sample Questions
1. What is the capital of Russia?
A. Saint Petersburg
B. Kiev
C. Moscow
D. Novosibirsk
A question like this (see above) could also be asked in the form of “fill in the blank”
What is the capital of Russia? __________________ (*write answer in the answer sheet)
2. What is the highest mountain in Russia?
A. Mt. Elbrus
B. Mt. Ural
C. Mt. Kazbek
D. Mt. Belukha
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Sample Question 3: 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”.
CATEGORY 5: Cybersecurity
“Personal, government and business information is abundant in the digital world—collected when we use
government websites, shop at dot coms, download music, use cell phones, and send email. Law enforcement
and national security agencies also track private information to thwart criminal acts. Cybersecurity is how that
information is protected from misuse.” (*Definition from Brookings Institute)
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but there could be a few “fill in the blank” and/or “matching”
questions to add variety.
Questions will cover:
-
U.S. cybersecurity strategy and challenges
Hacking from foreign entities
Phone hacking
Privacy
National security issues as it relates to cybersecurity
Data mining and/or data collection
Interagency cooperation
Global cooperation on issues related to cybersecurity
Spying
Information Leaks (i.e. WikiLeaks, Snowden)
Political impact of cybersecurity issues from a global perspective
Helpful Links:
Cyber Statecraft Initiative – Atlantic Council
Cybersecurity - WhiteHouse
CyberSecurity - CSIS
Cybersecurity - CFR
OECD – Cybersecurity Policy Turning Point
Cybersecurity and Energy
U.S. Energy Department Creates Cybersecurity Council
Risky Energy: Cybersecurity and the Nation's Infrastructure
Significant Cybersecurity Incidents since 2006 – CSIS
Economic Impact of Cyber Crime and Espionage
Hackers cost U.S. Economy 500,000 jobs each year, according to study
The Guardian – Phone Hacking
BBC – Phone hacking
What Snowden and PRISM Mean to U.S.-China Cyber Politics
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European Cyber Security
EU Cybersecurity Plan to Protect Open Internet and Online Freedom and Opportunity - Cyber Security strategy
and Proposal for a Directive
How the U.S. Government Hacks the World
European Cyber Security Strategy: Too Big to Fail?
U.S., China to Expand Military Exchanges Amid Rows Over Cyber Security, Territory
5-Year Cyber Security Master Plan Launched in Singapore
Hagel puts focus on cybersecurity at Asia-Pacific conference
Germans Disgruntled by U.S. Spying
Obama Order Sped Up Wave of Cyberattacks Against Iran
How a Secret Cyberwar Program Worked (NSA)
Israelis Invest in Cyber Security
U.S. Helps Allies Trying to Battle Iranian Hackers
Top U.S. Banks Hit by Middle East Hackers
What is a “White Hat” Hacker?
Cybersecurity Challenges – Berkeley Blog
Confronting Significant Cybersecurity Challenges - Harvard
14 Global Cybersecurity Challenges - ZDNET
Chinese hackers 'steal' plans for Australian spy HQ
Cybersecurity in Latin American and the Caribbean: An unmet agenda
State of Cybersecurity in Latin America
Surrounded: How the U.S. Is Encircling China with Military Bases
Loose Lips Sink Ships, But What About Cybersecurity Leaks?
'International treaty on cyber-security is not going to happen' – US expert
1. Richard Clarke, who served as the counterterrorism chief to presidents Bill Clinton and George W.
Bush, warned that the U.S. is at risk for the “electronic” equivalent of the following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Hindenberg disaster
Pearl Harbor
The Great Depression
The New York Mets 1962 season
2. What was the name given to the cyber weapon that wiped the 30,000 workstations belonging to Saudi Aramco
in 2012?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Shampoo
Shamoon
Shangri-La
Shamu
3. According to the Department of Homeland Security, which U.S. “critical infrastructure” industries
were targeted the most with malicious software attacks in 2012?
A.
B.
C.
D.
chemical
water
agriculture
energy
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CATEGORY 6: Eurozone
The Eurozone consists of those European Union countries which have adopted the Euro as their currency. The
currency is used daily by some 332 million Europeans. Additionally, more than 175 million people worldwide—
including 150 million people in Africa—use currencies pegged to the Euro.
Questions in this category will cover the following:
-
History of the Eurozone
Role of the Eurozone
Membership requirements into the Eurozone
Member countries
Impact of Eurozone measures on the European economic crisis
Leadership within the Eurozone
Challenges faced in the Eurozone
The future of the Euro
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but there could be a few “fill in the blank” and/or “matching”
questions to add variety.
Helpful Links:
Eurozone Homepage
The Eurozone in Crisis (provides historical background of the Eurozone)
Eurozone news - Reuters
Euro in Crisis - FT
Eurozone Comes out of Recession
Eurozone (PBS)
Unfolding Eurozone Crisis - BBC
Euro Area Member States
Why the Eurozone will come apart soon than later - FT
Not all countries in the Eurozone use the Euro
IMF Urges Germany to Show Eurozone Leadership
What lies ahead for the Eurozone?
1. Which of the following countries was NOT a member of the European Monetary Union when the Euro
began circulating?
A.
B.
C.
D.
France
United Kingdom
Denmark
Germany
2. How many countries are members of the Eurozone? 17 (*write answer on answer sheet)
3. Where is the European Central Bank located?
A. Hague
B. Frankfurt
C. Berlin
D. Paris
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CATEGORY 7: Culture: World Languages, Dance and Music
This category covers general questions on languages, dance and music from all around the world (Pretty selfexplanatory!)
Most questions will be in “multiple choice” format, but there could be a few “fill in the blank” and/or “matching”
questions to add variety.
1. What’s the primary language spoken in Brazil? Fill in the blank: Portuguese (*write answer on
answer sheet)
2. Bon Odori is a dance performed during Obon. It was originally a dance to:
A. Welcome the spirits of the dead
B. Say “goodbye” to summer
C. Honor the Great Dragon of the East
D. Show respect to the elders
3. Most people associate the banjo with bluegrass music or with the culture of rural American
south. However, the banjo can trace its roots back to:
A. Southeast Asia
B. South America
C. Africa
D. Australia
CATEGORY 8: Current Global Events
This category generally covers major news and current events from November 2012 to October 2013 (i.e.
world politics, elections, economic bailouts, natural disaster, major catastrophe, cybersecurity, 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 to take quiz)
CNN World
CNN – Global Public Square (Quiz)
Current Events – Wikipedia (*scroll down – events by month at the bottom)
Current Events from InfoPlease
EconEd Link
BBC - World
Time Magazine - World
Economist - The World in 2013
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Sample Questions (*Questions from CNN Global Public Square – August 19th Week Quiz)
1. The U.S. State Department released its annual report this week. Which country was NOT listed
as a state sponsor of terrorism?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Cuba
Iran
North Korea
Russia
2. Syrian President Bashar al Assad claimed this week that his government received a shipment of
air defense missiles from the following country:
A.
B.
C.
D.
China
Iran
Russia
North Korea
3. Hassan Rouhini has taken the oath of office and become president of Iran. How long is the
presidential term in Iran?
A.
B.
C.
D.
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2-years
4-Years
6-Years
8-Years