Social Studies World Geography Unit 07: Russia and the Republics 2012­2013
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1 Which of the following most accurately describes Russia's past and present political structures,
and why many Russians believe that political change is inevitable?
A Originally settled by the Huns in the south, the region was conquered by the Mongol Empire.
After the Mongols, leaders from Moscow attempted a democracy similar to one in the United
States. Communist leaders came to power after World War II, but their rule recently
collapsed. Today, Russia's socialist government is moving back towards a democracy.
B
The Western part of the country was originally settled by Vikings. The region was then
conquered by the Mongol Empire. After the Mongols, leaders from Moscow formed a monarchy
and expanded control throughout Asia. Communist leaders gained control after World War
I, but their rule recently collapsed. Today, Russia's government is a democracy that shows
signs of moving towards more government control.
C
Originally settled by the Mongols, the region gained stability when the Byzantine Empire
conquered most of the feuding city­states. Leaders from St. Petersburg formed a monarchy
which lasted until World War II. Communist leaders then gained control until a recent
democratic revolution. Today, Russia's government is a democracy that shows signs
of moving back towards communism.
D Originally settled by Lithuanian traders, leaders from Moscow formed a monarchy and
expanded their control across Asia. The Byzantine Empire then conquered the region followed
by the Mongols. After the collapse of Mongol control, communist leaders gained control and
built a large empire. Communist control collapsed after World War II. Today, Russia's
government is a constitutional monarchy that shows signs of moving back towards
democracy.
2 Why has Siberia become an increasingly
3 How do geography and location contribute
valuable area to Russia?
to the climate of Siberia?
F
A Siberia is a vast, grassy plain protected
The Russian military uses the region to
limit the influence of China on East
Asia. G
J
B
Siberia is surrounded on all sides by
Most Russian prisons are built in the
mountains, keeping the climate
area to take advantage of the remote
predictable and stable.
location.
H
from cold winds by the Ural Mountains.
C
Siberia has few geographic barriers with
The many natural resources have led to
the Gobi Desert, giving the region a
expanding industry and trade.
warm climate most of the year.
Siberian ice is transported west for
D Siberia is a vast, flat region partly
agriculture in drought regions around
within the Arctic Circle with few
the Ural Mountains.
geographic barriers to the freezing
winds from the north.
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4 How do the Ural Mountains affect the
6 Why do the cultures of the republics of
distribution of climate regions in Russia?
Transcaucasia differ considerably from
F
The northern side of the mountain
cultures in Russia and the European
range receives cool, rainy weather,
republics?
while the southern side is a hot desert.
F
G
The western side of the mountain
Caspian Seas which has allowed
range receives warm continental winds,
for migration of peoples from the east
while the eastern side is much cooler
and influences from Chinese culture.
and drier. H
J
The region is bordered by the Black and
G
The Black Sea separates the region
The western side receives cold, arctic
from Russian and European cultures,
weather, while the eastern side is
and ties it closer to Siberian cultures,
protected from weather extremes and
allowing it to develop a unique
has a mild climate.
culture in isolation from the rest of
Russia. The western side of the mountain range
receives warm Mediterranean winds,
H
After World War II, the states gained
while the eastern side is affected by
independence from Russia and began
Indian Ocean monsoon rains.
receiving millions of immigrants from
Turkey and Iran, which gave them a
culture unique to their region.
5 How has Siberia gained population and
J
become more economically developed?
the Caucasus Mountains and is at
A The Trans­Siberian railroad has allowed
B
The region is bordered to the north by
geographic crossroads with many
people and goods to travel more
languages and cultural influences
easily to the region.
distinct from Russian and European
Military bases along the eastern coast
cultures.
have attracted new cities to grow
nearby.
C
Chinese workers have used new
highways to access the vast Siberian
forests.
D Port cities along the north coast have
attracted immigrants from Scandinavia
7 Which statement BEST describes a
command economy?
A There is significant surplus with no price
controls.
B
much to produce.
and Japan to create a large fishing
industry.
The government decides what and how
C
The law of supply and demand
determines the price of goods.
D Consumer needs change little from one
generation to the next.
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Use the table and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following
question. Country
Life
Infant
Literacy Rate
Expectancy
Mortality
(in years for
(per 1,000
males)
births)
Armenia
62
41
99%
Georgia
61
52
99%
Russia
62
20
98%
Turkmenistan
57
73
98%
Ukraine
62
21
98%
8 Which pair of nations has the HIGHEST standard of living?
F
Armenia and Russia
G
Russia and Ukraine
H
Georgia and Turkmenistan
J
Russia and Georgia
9 Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian economy has changed considerably. In the early
1990s, changes to Russian laws allowed the transfer of property rights from the government to
the employees of businesses. The State Committee for State Property Management was formed
in 1990 with the goal to transform the state­run businesses and industries into profit­seeking
businesses. These would not be dependent on government funding for their survival. The
government’s policies have also allowed for more choice by consumers. This rapid transformation
has allowed a small number of Russian business owners to become very wealthy. It has also
increased the gap between the rich and poor.
The Russian economy is moving to a system that reflects principles of a —
A free­market economy
B
communist economy
C
traditional economy
D socialist economy
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Use the map and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following questions.
10
Which areas are the MOST densely
11
Which geographic factors influence the
populated parts of Russia?
distribution of the population?
F
the eastern and northern regions
A Southern areas have a higher
G
the west and southwestern regions
H
the eastern and western regions
J
the center of the country
population density due to nearby
access to Indian Ocean trade routes.
B
Northern regions have a higher
population density due to easy access
to the sea and better timberland.
C
Western areas have a higher
population density due to the warmer
climate and more arable land than
eastern areas.
D Eastern areas have a higher
population density due to the flat
terrain, allowing for extensive trade
routes and the growth of trading
cities.
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Use the graph and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Population Growth Rate (in percent)
12
Which statement accurately compares the populations of Kazakhstan and the world?
F
The population growth for both the world and Kazakhstan is similar over time.
G
The population of the world is falling, while the population of Kazakhstan is increasing.
H
The recent rate of population growth for Kazakhstan is greater than the rate of growth for
the world.
J
The recent population growth in Kazakhstan is due to the growing world population.
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13
Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Industrial and agricultural production broke down in Russia after 1990. The recovery started
in 1999, but it will need growth rates for decades to join developmental paths leading to a
satisfactory status. Large­scale farms, similar to the Soviet collectivized farms, and private
business farms are operating 80% of the agricultural area, but are producing less than 50% of
agriculture available for food. Small household plots working on the remaining agricultural land
are producing more food. Millions of families are committed to growing their own food from their
own farms.
How is a majority of the agriculture in Russia produced?
A by large­scale farms
B
by families operating small subsistence farms
C
by collectivized farms owned by the government
D by public and private businesses that operate farms
Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
In 2007, two Russian mini­submarines descended to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean at the
North Pole. One of the submarines dropped a titanium capsule containing a Russian flag in an
attempt to claim any natural resources that may be found there in the future. Global warming is
acting to shrink the icepack that covers the North Pole, and scientists believe the Arctic Ocean
may soon have ice­free summers. Any undiscovered resources deep under the seabed that have
long been considered out of reach will be accessible. Canada disputes the claim and has declared
Russian actions to be a symbolic act and without any legal consequence.
14
Why is the pattern of economic activity in the Arctic Ocean changing?
F
Canada has promoted free access to all resources beneath the Arctic Ocean.
G
Russian actions have led other nations to begin drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean.
H
Scientists have discovered natural resources under the seabed of the Arctic Ocean.
J
Global warming will create an ice­free Arctic Ocean, allowing access for the first time to any
deep­sea resources
15
Siberia has many natural resources which
have not been utilized. All of the following
are probable reasons for this EXCEPT —
A climate
B
elevation
C
distance
D terrain
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16
Use the map and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
The building of these pipelines is a technological innovation that has allowed for the —
17
F
transfer of nuclear energy from the west to the east
G
exchange of oil and gas resources from western to eastern Russia
H
movement of the natural resources of oil and gas to essential water ports for trade
J
movement of needed water sources to eastern Russia and Siberia
What is the economic impact of the Trans­Siberian railroad on Siberia?
A It required a large investment of money and labor to build.
B
Workers destroyed large areas of forests in order to lay railroad tracks.
C
Snow and ice have made the railroad unreliable, with little economic impact.
D It allowed people to reach the remote region and exploit the natural resources.
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Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Consumers benefit from the Internet in various ways:
high­quality access to information and online content,
streamlined and simplified communications with each other,
and the offline purchase of products previously researched
online. Products researched online and purchased offline
amount to about $16 billion per year. The direct saving of
online shopping are 5 to 10 percent of the goods’ value.”
—Russia Online: How the Internet is Transforming the
Russian Economy, Bartolomeo Banche, 2011
18
How is the Internet benefiting Russian consumers?
F
Consumers are able to shop and compare pricing online before making purchases in stores.
G
The number of online purchases is exceeding offline purchases.
H
Russian business is using the Internet to find cheap labor, which makes their profits
increase.
J
The speed of the delivery of goods across remote regions is increasing.
Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Chechen Resistance to Russian Rule
The Chechens are a largely Muslim ethnic minority living primarily in Russia's North Caucasus
region. For the past two hundred years, they have generally been governed by Moscow, though
they have had varying degrees of self­rule. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Chechen separatists
launched a coordinated campaign for independence. The Russian military fought two devastating
wars in the region to retain control of the Russian republic of Chechnya. In addition to armed
resistance against the Russian military, Chechen separatists have been blamed for a series of
civilian attacks in Moscow, including two 1999 bombings of a shopping center and an apartment
building. In 2002, separatists seized a Moscow theater and held over 700 people hostage before
Russian Special Forces regained control. More recently, in 2010, separatists claimed responsibility
for two bombs that were detonated in a Moscow civilian train station. Separatists in and around
Chechnya continue to argue and fight for independence, causing continued tension in the North
Caucasus.
19
Why might the Russian government perceive the Moscow attacks by Chechen separatists as
terrorism?
A The attacks targeted the Russian military.
B
The attacks were directed against civilians.
C
The separatists desire independence from Russian rule.
D The separatists continue to fight despite the end of the wars.
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20
Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Russia's Arctic Oil
The US Geological Survey estimated total Russian Arctic offshore oil reserves at 30 billion
barrels, while natural gas reserves were estimated at 34 trillion cubic meters, with an additional
27 billion barrels of natural gas liquids. Because most of these deposits are located offshore in
the Arctic Ocean, where extraction platforms will be subject to severe storms and the danger
of sea­ice, the exploitation of these resources will require significant investment and, in some
cases, the development of new technology. This means that extraction will be economically
feasible only if prices for oil are high. In addition, there is growing tension between Russia and
the international community about who the resources in this region belong to.
Which inference regarding the development of future oil reserves by Russia is best supported by
evidence from the passage?
F
increase in jobs in the oil industry in Russia, increase in jobs in environmental protection in
Russia, increased demand for energy, increased cooperation between Russia and other
nations that border the Arctic Sea
G
increase in jobs in environmental protection in Russia, decrease in the development of new
technologies to drill for oil, increased demand for energy, increased cooperation between
Russia and other nations that border the Arctic Sea
H
loss of jobs in the oil industry in Russia, danger of negative environmental impact in the
Arctic, decreased demand for energy in Russia, increased possibility of conflict between
Russia and other nations that border the Arctic Sea
J
increase in jobs in the oil industry in Russia, danger of negative environmental impact in the
Arctic, increased self­sufficiency of energy for Russia, increased possibility of conflict
between Russia and other nations that border the Arctic Sea
21
Which of the following factors has had
22
Where in the former Soviet Union did an
little influence on the placement of the
accident involving nuclear energy
borders that divide the nations of the
have long­term negative environmental
region?
and health consequences?
A ethnic divisions
F
Moscow
B
history of the region
G
Chernobyl
C
physical features of the land
H
St. Petersburg
J
Kiev
D border treaties among the nations
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Use the image and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
A yurt on a lakeshore in Kyrgyzstan
23
A yurt is a type of housing that has been used by Central Asian nomads since the 1200s. It is
easy to move and can be quite comfortable.
The use of this type of housing in Central Asia reflects a culture that is —
A settled and agrarian
B
maintaining traditional customs
C
transforming because of industrialization
D adopting traditions of neighboring cultures
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Test Key
Social Studies World Geography Unit 07: Russia and the Republics 2012-2013
##
Item #
Correct Answer
Primary
SE
Secondary
SE
Obj/Cat
1
S0WG019651CS
B
WGS.2(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 1
2
S0WG019652CS
H
WGS.2(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 1
3
S0WG019653CS
D
WGS.3(B)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
4
S0WG019654CS
G
WGS.4(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
5
S0WG019659CS
A
WGS.6(B)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
6
S0WG019655CS
J
WGS.5(A)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
7
SWG3124448
B
WGS.10(A)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
8
SWG1091512D
G
WGS.5(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
9
C0WG019683CS
A
WGS.10(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
10
SWG1091514D
G
WGS.6(A)
[S]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
11
S0WG019656CS
C
WGS.6(A)
[S]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 2
12
S0WG019680CS
H
WGS.7(C)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 2
13
S0WG019687CS
B
WGS.10(C)
[R]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 4
14
S0WG019738CS
J
WGS.11(C)
[R]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
15
SWG1091535D
B
WGS.11(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
16
SWG1091547D
H
WGS.12(A)
[R]
WGS.21(C)
[P]
STAAR: World
Geography 4
17
S0WG019751CS
D
WGS.12(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
18
S0WG019842CS
F
WGS.20(A)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 4
19
S0WG019834CS
B
WGS.18(B)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 3
20
SOWG20158CS
J
WGS.12(B)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 4
21
S0WG019826CS
C
WGS.13(A)
[P]
None
None
This document is the property of TESCCC/CSCOPE and as such may not be replicated or changed without permission.
22
SWG1092333D
G
WGS.20(B)
[S]
None
STAAR: World
Geography 4
23
S0WG019839CS
B
WGS.18(C)
[S]
WGS.22(B)
STAAR: World
Geography 3
This document is the property of TESCCC/CSCOPE and as such may not be replicated or changed without permission.