Name (not your real name): __________________________
It always helps to know something about the subject of a course before you get too deep within it. This survey gives us – the professors - a starting point, to determine whether we are working from zero or even a deficit in terms of your knowledge of all that is Russia and Eurasia. So dig in and show us how far we have to go in introducing you to what will soon be your favorite subject
(by the way, this does not count toward your grade).
Answer as many of the following questions about Russia, the Soviet Union, and
Eurasia as you can.
1. Approximately how big is the Russian Federation? ______________________
2. How many republics are there in Russia? _____________________
3. How many time zones were there in the Soviet Union?
______________________________
4. Who is the current president of Russia? _________________________________
5. What famous jewels were created for the tsars in the 19 th century and are recognized around the world today? ______________________________________
6. What is the largest body of fresh water in the world? _____________________
7. What is the name of Russia’s primary religious faith? _____________________
8. Who was Boris Godunov? _____________________________________________
9. What do the initials FSB stand for? ___________________________________
10. Who was the last tsar of Russia? _______________________________________
11. In what year did the Bolshevik Revolution occur? ________________________
12. What do the initials CIS stand for? _____________________________________
13. What natural barrier divides Russia from north to south?
___________________________________
14. Approximately how many languages are spoken in Russia?
____________________________
15. What is the largest grouping of peoples in Russia? _______________________
16. Name the tallest mountain in the former Soviet Union? ___________________
17-19. Name three famous authors from Russia:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

20-22. Name three famous classical music composers from Russia:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
23. What is the approximate population of Russia today? _____________________
24. What is the second largest grouping of people of the former Soviet Union?
___________________________
25. Which Soviet leader was responsible for the purges, collectivization, and industrialization? _____________________________
26. By what name do the Russians refer to World War II? _____________________
27. What percentage of Russian land is considered suitable for farming? ________
28. To what does the term Holodymor refer?________________________________
29. What is the name of Russia’s most famous railroad? ______________________
30. How many countries border on Russia? _________________________________
31. What country was formerly called the USSR’s “breadbasket”? _____________
32. What was the Orange Revolution?
__________________________________________________
33. What is the minimum voting age in Russia today?
_____________________________
34. Which country among Russia and the former Soviet republics has the highest standard of living? ______________
35. Which country has the lowest standard of living? _______________
36. Which former Soviet republics are now members of the European Union?
___________________
37. Which former Soviet republics are now members of NATO?
___________________
38. Which Russian/Ukrainian émigré became known as the father of the modern helicopter? ___________________________________
39. Does the Russian constitution include a Bill of Rights? ____________________
40. Where was Karl Marx from? ________________________________________
41. What percentage of Russians earn a college degree? ______________________
42. What do the initials USSR stand for? ___________________________________
43. Who is the current prime minister of Russia? ____________________________
44. For which famous Russian poet, scientist, and mathematician was Moscow
State University named? _________________________________________________
45. Approximately how many nationalities/ethnic groups are in Russia? _______
46. What does the term “matryoshka” mean? _______________________________
47. Name the eastern-most major island in Russia. __________________________
48. Name the eastern-most major city in Russia. _____________________________
49. Name one of Russia’s two northern-most ports?
_____________________________

50. What gifts are visitors traditionally given in Russia? ______________________
51. What is the name of the Russian currency? ______________________________
52. What is the name of the Ukrainian currency? ____________________________
53. What is the name of the new currency in the Baltic states? _________________
54. To which language group are the Baltic languages assigned? ______________
55. How do we refer to the vast wooded areas of northern Russia? ____________
56. Where in Russia/Eurasia would you find the Russian space center Baikonur?
_______________________
57. Name an inland sea in or near Russia/Eurasia. ______________________
58. Name three natural resources Russia has in abundance. ___________________
59. About what percent of the Earth does Russia and Eurasia cover? ___________
60. Name one well-know current Russian political opposition figure.
__________________________________
61. How long is the Russian presidential term? ______________________
62. What was the name of the 1936 Soviet constitution? ______________________
63. What is the 1977 Soviet constitution called? ______________________
64. How many countries are members of the customs union?
___________________________
65. What (legal) crop is most frequently grown in Central Asia? _______________
66. For which export product is Georgia best known? ________________________
67. What sea lies immediately to Russia’s north? ____________________________
68. Which is the most valuable export commodity found today in the Caspian
Sea? _____________________
69. Who was the first man to orbit the earth? _______________________________
70. What is the second largest ethnic group in Russia today? _________________
71. What is Sochi noted for? ____________________________________________
72. Who is the current president of Ukraine? ________________________________
73. What are the vast stretches of open land in Russia called?
____________________
74. Where is the Crimea? ________________________________________________
75. What is the life span of the average Russian today? ______________________
76. Which countries of Russia/Eurasia have presidents who have a North
American connection? __________________________________________________
77. Today’s Russia is made up of how many regions or administrative districts?
__________________________
78. Name any two Russian rulers who were referred to as “the Great”.
______________________________________________________________________
79. In what year did Russia become “Christian”? __________________________
80. Name a prominent modern Russian sports figure. _______________________

81. Name any one of the seven peoples who were deported to Central Asia by
Stalin in 1943 for collaborating with the Germans.
_______________________________________
82. Where were American troops involved in Russia during its Civil War?
_______________________________________
83. Where are most of Russia’s oil and natural gas resources located?
________________________
84. What colors are on Russia’s flag? _____________________________________
85. What is the primary market for Russia’s oil and natural gas? _____________
86. Which vegetable is most readily found in Russia during the winter?
________________________
87. Around what city was the ancient state of Rus’ located? ________________
88. Which ancient people predated the arrival of the Slavs to Russia?
________________________
89. The Russian term “kremlin” means what? _____________________________
90. Which endangered large animal lives in Siberia? _______________________
91. The reform period associated with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was called __________________________.
92. Who is given credit for developing the early Russian alphabet?
________________________
93. Russia’s second-largest city is: _______________________________________
94. Where did the world’s most famous/infamous nuclear disaster occur?
________________________
95. Who wrote Dr. Zhivago? ____________________________________________
96. Name one Russian author who has won the Nobel Prize for literature.
_______________________
97. Who is Russia’s most famous living poet? _____________________________
98. Who is Russia’s most beloved poet? __________________________________
99. Which Russian/Eurasian leaders are effectively presidents-for life?
______________________________
100. Name one of Russia’s many famous art galleries or museums.
______________________________