PART 1
Photo: Yurgenson Anna
1. This starting point is marked in many countries of the world with a special sign - a tablet or a sign depicted on the ground, a statue or a stele, even a landmark: a palace, tower, bridge or just a residential building. Due to historical reasons, such mark is often the city's main post office. In modern Russia, such a bronze sign is located in the center of Moscow - in Voskresenskiye Vorota Passage, which connects Red Square with Manezhnaya Square. What point of reference is this?
A) Prime Meridian;
B) Zero Kilometer;
C) Zero Latitude;
D) Zero Altitude above sea level.
Answer: B) Zero Kilometer
Photo: Grechishnikova Ksenia
Question Author: Ivchenko Olga
2. What type of clouds are described in the poem by Alexander Pushkin?
The last cloud of scattered storm!
Alone you rush through the clear azure,
You alone cast a sad shadow,
You alone grieve the jubilant day.
You recently circled the sky,
And lightning wrapped around you menacingly;
And you made a mysterious thunder
And watered the greedy earth with rain...
A) Altocumulus;
B) Stratocumulus;
C) Cirrocumulus;
D) Cumulonimbus.
Answer: D) Cumulonimbus
Photo: wikipedia.org
3. Throughout the first decade of the 18th century, in the military campaigns of Peter I, he was accompanied by his beloved animal named Lisetta. In the absence of the owner, the animal refused to eat, and this animal can be seen on many canvases depicting Peter I. What animal is this?
A) A dog; B) A falcon; C) A horse; D) A parrot.
Answer: C) A horse
Photo: wikipedia.org
Question Author: Stepanova Valentina
4. This ornamental translucent stone of yellow and reddish hues sometimes looks like amber or carnelian. It is found in large quantities in Russia in the Ulyanovsk region and in Argentina. Name the described stone.
A) Quartz; B) Ammonite; C) Simbircite; D) Jade.
Answer: C) Simbircite
Photo: Karmaev Evgeniy
Question Author: Babich Margarita
5. The beauty of this northern region has always inspired artists, musicians and filmmakers. The local nature served as scenery for many famous films, including “The Island”, “The Dawns Here Are Quiet…”, “Love and Pigeons”. Quartzite from this region was used to make Napoleon's sarcophagus, which can now be seen in the Cathedral of Les Invalides in Paris. What is the name of this region of the Russian Federation that borders with Scandinavia?
A) The Murmansk Region;
B) The Novosibirsk Region;
C) The Republic of Karelia;
D) The Republic of Altai.
Answer: C) The Republic of Karelia
Photo: The Scientific Archive of the Russian Geographical Society
Question Author: Sharikova Olga
6. This elongated fur jacket, the name of which is translated as “animal skin” or “tailoring clothes”, appeared as an essential attribute of life in the conditions of Northern Siberia. Today, it has a solid position in urban street fashion around the world. In the Soviet Union, a similar model was known under the name “Alaska”. What is this jacket?
A) Anorak; B) Kaftan; C) Parka: D) Hoodie.
Answer: C) Parka
Photo: Sotnikov Roman
Question Author: Lebedev Denis
7. The length of the Trans-Siberian Railway is 9298 kilometers. It passes through 87 cities, crosses 16 major rivers and 8…
A) Mountain systems; B) Lakes; B) Time zones; D) Bridges.
Answer: B) Time zones
Photo: The Scientific Library of the Russian Geographical Society
8. They walked the elephant through the streets,
As you can see -
It is known that Elephants are rare here -
So crowds of onlookers followed the Elephant.
The famous fable of Ivan Krylov, written by him in 1808, is based on real events. A lot of elephants “lived” in the capital of the Russian Empire almost from the moment the city was founded. Where do elephants come from in St. Petersburg?
A) They were brought from the round-the-world expedition by the future founding member of the Russian Geographical Society Ivan Kruzenshtern;
B) It was a gift from Thor Heyerdahl for the opening of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society;
C) They were brought by foreign ambassadors as gifts to Russian emperors;
D) They were brought from India to test the strength of urban pavements.
Answer: C) They were brought by foreign ambassadors as gifts to Russian emperors
Photo: Grinchenkova Angela
Question Author: Krasnopeeva Tatiana
9. At the very beginning of Mikhail Bulgakov's novel “Master and Margarita”, Berlioz, being at the Patriarch's Ponds, experienced an inexplicable fear after drinking apricot drink. Having come to the conclusion that he was overworked, he decided to quit everything and go “to the waters.” Which resort did Berlioz choose?
A) Yalta; B) Sochi; C) Kislovodsk ; D) Jurmala.
Answer: C) Kislovodsk
Photo: The Scientific Archive of the Russian Geographical Society
10. Describing his journey through the Sikhote-Alin mountains, Vladimir Arseniev notes: “I looked around and saw a column of smoke rising from behind the cape ... I was surprised by the rotational movement of the smoke, the speed with which it moved, and its rocking from side to side. The dark smoke column sometimes curved, became thinner, became thicker again, sometimes broke and joined again. At its base, the water foamed like in a cauldron.” What natural phenomenon did the traveler, a full member of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society Arseniev, see?
A) Samum; B) Tornado; С) Typhoon; D) Cyclone.
Answer: B) Tornado
PART 2
Photo: Yakimova Alexandra
Question Author: Yukhtarova Maria
1. All over the world, the culture of holding ritual holidays in gratitude for the harvest, the catch and the well-being of people is preserved. A similar holiday of the sea animal is also celebrated in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in November. Traditionally, in Koryak villages, this celebration with tambourines playing has a special scale. That is how the Koryak-Nymylans thank gods for successful hunting and fishing. And this holiday is not for people, but for the souls of the “breadwinners” that need to be encouraged and sent back. The soul of what cute inhabitant of the cold northern waters is invited to the feast?
A) Seal (Phoca); B) Seal (Pusa); C) Sea Turtle; D) Polar Bear.
Answer: B) Seal (Pusa)
Photo: Menkov Oleg
Question Author: Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for relations with the Russian Federation
2. May 20, the birthday of the founder of modern beekeeping, Anton Jansha, is celebrated as International Bee Day. In which of the indicated regions have the habitats of wild Central Russian forest bees been preserved, which makes a great contribution to ensuring the food security of the region and the income of the local population?
A) The Belgorod Region;
B) The Republic of Bashkortostan;
C) The Republic of Altai;
D) The Altai Territory.
Answer: B) The Republic of Bashkortostan
Question Author : Geographical Society of China
3. The 2014 Winter Olympics were successfully held in Sochi, becoming the first Winter Olympics to be held in Russia. Sochi is a well-known resort of the Caucasus, stretching in a narrow strip along the sea coast. The image shows a topographic map of the Greater Caucasus. How can you describe the daylight hours in Sochi during the 2014 Olympic Games, comparing it with daylight hours in the city of Armavir?
A) The length of daylight hours is longer, but there is less light, because the mountains obscure the sun;
B) The temperature is higher, the diurnal range is greater;
C) Less sunlight at noon;
D) The sun rises later, the days are shorter.
Answer: A) The length of daylight hours is longer, but there is less light, because the mountains obscure the sun
Reproduction from the painting by V. Serov
Question Author: Gorlanova Elena
4. This future composer graduated with honors from the Naval Corps and was accepted as a midshipman for naval service. In 1862–1865, he served on the Almaz clipper ship, which participated in an expedition to the shores of North America, visited the USA, Brazil, England, Norway, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain. He subsequently embodied his impressions of marine life in “seascapes” in such compositions as the suite “Scheherazade”, the operas “Sadko” and “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”. Name this composer.
A) Mikhail Glinka;
B) Pyotr Tchaikovsky;
C) Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov;
D) Modest Mussorgsky.
Answer: C) Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Photo: Lashkov Fyodor
Question Author: Shalaev Nikolai
5. Permafrost occupies more than 60% of the territory of Russia - mainly in the northern regions of our country (the Arctic, Eastern Siberia), as well as Transbaikalia. There is also permafrost in more southern latitudes, for example, in the highlands of the Caucasus. However, in some cases, permafrost exists in the south not in the highlands, but at much lower absolute heights. This happens where cold air stagnates in deep cracks in rocks in winter, maintaining negative temperatures in the rocks in summer. Select such a place from the list.
A) The Mount Myskhako, Krasnodar Territory;
B) The Mount Kubalach, Republic of Crimea;
C) The Mount Razvalka, Stavropol Territory;
D) The Mount Ayu-Dag, Republic of Crimea.
Answer: C) The Mount Razvalka, Stavropol Territory
Photo: Saveliev Pavel
Question Author: Vinnikov Alexey
6. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, this Russian city hosted six matches: in addition to the quarterfinal game between Uruguay and France, the city also hosted the 1/8 final match between Croatia and Denmark and four group stage matches: Sweden – South Korea, Argentina – Croatia, England – Panama and Switzerland – Costa Rica. What city, located at the confluence of two great European rivers, are we talking about?
A) St. Petersburg; B) Kazan; C) Nizhny Novgorod; D) Samara.
Answer: C) Nizhny Novgorod
Photo: Onopko Vladimir
Question Author: Polar traveler, Goodwill Ambassador of the Russian Geographical Society Inge Solheim
7. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, this Russian city hosted six matches: in addition to the quarterfinal game between Uruguay and France, the city also hosted the 1/8 final match between Croatia and Denmark and four group stage matches: Sweden – South Korea, Argentina – Croatia, England – Panama and Switzerland – Costa Rica. What city, located at the confluence of two great European rivers, are we talking about?
A) 1; B) 4; C) 180; D) 365.
Answer: A) 1
Question Author: Minchakova Olga
8. Since 1912, this settlement was called Tikhonkaya station. Later, the village was transformed into a city, it started to attract the population, as a result of which 1,400 immigrants arrived there from abroad - from the USA, Argentina, European states, Palestine and other countries of the world. However, today the number of those for whom the conditions for life were originally created here barely reaches 4%. In which subject of the Russian Federation is the described city of Birobidzhan located?
A) Jewish Autonomous Region;
B) Magadan Region;
C) Republic of Buryatia;
D) Altai Territory.
Answer: A) Jewish Autonomous Region
Photo: The Scientific Archive of the Russian Geographical Society
9. In 1908–1910, an expedition of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society was organized to this region. Contemporaries wrote about the region as follows: “... a place without bread and not cattle, subject to great dangers from frequent earthquakes and floods ...” In 2022, Russian Geographical Society conducted a comprehensive international expedition there. What expedition of the 18th century, which became one of the most effective in terms of the collected scientific material, are we talking about?
A) Ural expedition;
B) Tibetan expedition;
C) Kamchatka expedition;
D) Central Asian expedition.
Answer: C) Kamchatka expedition
Photo: Markova Olga
Question Author: Tikhonova Olga
10. The Russian Tea Route is part of the great caravan routes of the Silk Road, along which goods were transported from China to Europe. The Tea Route had a beneficial effect on the development of Siberia and the Far East of Russia, the development of many provinces. Today, its sections have turned into railways and highways, along which trade between Russia, Mongolia and China continues. What cities are included in the list of historical settlements of the Russian Federation located on the Great Tea Road?
A) Ulan-Ude, Krasnoyarsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow;
B) Ulyanovsk, Saratov, Volgograd, Krasnodar;
C) Magadan, Yakutsk, Tynda, Chita;
D) Makhachkala, Nalchik, Stavropol, Rostov-on-Don.
Answer: A) Ulan-Ude, Krasnoyarsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow
Photo: Vakulenko Alexey
Question Author: Shlykova Tatiana
11. Sand dunes spread by kilometers are called tukulans which is translated from local dialects as “a place covered with sand.” The most powerful dune waves located along the banks of the Lena and Vilyui rivers, are a bright exotic in the nature of this region, and have no analogues in the world. In which of the following subjects of the Russian Federation are tukulans located?
A) The Astrakhan region;
B) The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia);
C) The Republic of Crimea;
D) The Kaliningrad region.
Answer: B) The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
“Yermak” icebracker. Photo: The Scientific Library of the Russian Geographical Society
12. This prominent naval commander, oceanographer, polar explorer, vice admiral was one of the initiators of the idea of using icebreakers to develop the Northern Sea Route. “I know how to reach the North Pole. There is no ice of glacial origin in the eastern part of the Arctic Ocean, and therefore, it is possible to break such ice, you just need to build an icebreaker of sufficient strength.” Who are we talking about?
A) Boris Vilkitsky; B) Stepan Makarov; C) Semyon Chelyuskin; D) Ivan Papanin.
Answer: B) Stepan Makarov
Photo: The Scientific Archive of the Russian Geographical Society
13. The famous traveler, whose name is given to geographical objects in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Alaska and Svalbard, created a five-volume Geographical and Statistical Dictionary of the Russian Empire. At that time, none of the Western European countries had such a dictionary. Russian Geographical Society established a Grand Gold and a Grand Silver Medals named after this figure, Vice-chairman of the Society in 1873–1914. Name this geographer.
A) Nikolai Miklukho-Maclay;
B) Nikolai Przhevalsky;
C) Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky;
D) Pyotr Kozlov.
Answer: C) Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky
Photo: Nedelko Yan
14. The Venetian Ambrose Cantarini described this city in 1475 as follows: “It lies on the shore of the Caspian Sea, there are magnificent stone walls, very thick and well built. Under the mountain towards the castle, the city is barely inhabited – on one sixth part (of its area), and towards the sea it is completely destroyed. There are many tombs in it, and it abounds with all kinds of fruits and wine.” Name the city.
A) Theodosius; B) Derbent; C) Astrakhan; D) Kerch.
Answer: B) Derbent
Photo: Gorshkov Vitaliy
Question Author: Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for relations with the Russian Federation
15. Russia plays an important role for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) not only as a donor, but also as a partner in the implementation of joint programs. Thus, the regions of Russia are of high interest for international research, data collection and development of a number of industries. Which of the mentioned federal districts of the Russian Federation has the largest area of agricultural land?
A) The Central Federal District;
B) The Far Eastern Federal District;
C) The Siberian Federal District;
D) The North Caucasian Federal District.
Answer: C) The Siberian Federal District
Photo: Belyakova Tatiana
Question Idea Authors: Borodina Maria and Lyuty Sergey
16. This city, which used to be called “Romanov-on-Murman”, today is the largest city on the planet located beyond the Arctic Circle. People gave this city a nickname: “Gate of the Arctic”. Name it.
A) Naryan-Mar; B) Murmansk; C) Salekhard; D) Vorkuta.
Answer: B) Murmansk
Photo: wikipedia.org
Question Idea Authors: Borodina Maria and Lyuty Sergey
17. Some Faberge jewelry items are named after world-famous sights of our country. For example, in the egg “Gatchina Palace” there is a surprise – a copy of one of the country residences of the imperial family; while the largest egg “Moscow Kremlin” depicts the Cathedral of the Assumption. Another famous Faberge egg features a map of the empire with the longest transport artery in the world in its category; and inside there is a surprise – a mechanical model of a vehicle. What was the inspiration for the described piece of jewelry?
A) The Trans-Siberian Railway;
B) The Baikal-Amur Mainline;
C) The Federal Highway M10 “Russia”;
D) Northern Sea Route.
Answer: A) The Trans-Siberian Railway
Photo: The Scientific Library of the Russian Geographical Society
18. The author precedes the notes about his voyage with an appeal to the reigning Russian emperor: “The first trip of the Russians around the world, which I had the good fortune to manage at the command of YOUR IMPERIAL MAJESTY, deserves to be especially noted in the annals of Russian navigation.” What traveler is this about?
A) Otto Kotzebue; B) Faddey Bellingshausen; C) Ivan Kruzenshtern; D) Gennady Nevelskoy.
Answer: C) Ivan Kruzenshtern
Photo: Yurgenson Anna
Question Idea Authors: Borodina Maria and Lyuty Sergey
19. The name of this village in the Ryazan Region is associated with one from the traditional monastic crafts, which the community of the nearby Ioanno-Bogoslovskiy Poshchupovskiy Monastery was engaged in. What is the name of this village?
A) Porcini Mushrooms; B) Black Monks; C) Wise Minnows; D) Good Bees.
Answer: D) Good Bees
Photo: Telepov Mikhail
20. The mountain range, where the main domestic deposits of apatite-nepheline ores (which are materials for phosphate fertilizers and aluminum) are concentrated, is located beyond the Arctic Circle. And at the foot of these mountains there is the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute – the northernmost in Russia. Select the described mountain range from the list.
A) The Sredinny Ridge in Kamchatka;
B) The Byrranga Mountains in Taimyr;
C) The Khibiny on the Kola Peninsula;
D) The Verkhoyansk Range in Yakutia.
Answer: C) The Khibiny on the Kola Peninsula
Photo: wikipedia.org/NASA_USGS EROS Data Center Satellite Systems Branch
21. The delta of this large river was first mapped by an expedition led by Vasily Pronchishchev in 1735. Now there is the largest biosphere reserve in Russia, created in 1996. And the river itself is the largest in the world, flowing in the area of permafrost development. Name this waterway.
A) The Pechora; B) The Lena; C) The Amur; D) The Yenisei.
Answer: B) The Lena
Photo: Silantiev Daniil
22. Russian traveler Stepan Krasheninnikov writes in the 2nd chapter “On the fire-breathing mountains and the dangers arising from them” of the “Description of the Land of Kamchatka” the following: “The mentioned mountain from ancient times smokes incessantly, but burns with fire temporarily.” What volcano are we talking about?
A) Elbrus;
B) The Avacha Volcano;
C) The Chersky Volcano;
D) The Mount Belukha.
Answer: B) The Avacha Volcano
Photo: Frilund Alexey
Question Author: Shorin Ignat
23. There is more than one version of the origin of the name of this lake, and a river, a village, a city are named after it. It also named the same as the carbon lake on the surface of Saturn's largest satellite, Titan. 40 rivers flow into this lake and only one flows out. Name this lake.
A) The Lake Ilmen;
B) The Lake Baikal;
C) The Caspian Sea-lake;
D) The Lake Ladoga.
Answer: D) The Lake Ladoga
Photo: Gurin Oleg
24. At the beginning of the 19th century, historian Nikolai Karamzin discovered these records, read them and was amazed: “Until now, geographers did not know that the honor of one of the oldest descriptions of European travels to India belongs to Russia during the Ioannian times ... While Vasco da Gama only thought about the opportunity to find a way from Africa to Hindustan, our traveler from Tver was already a merchant on the coast of Malabar ... ” What were these texts and who was their author?
A) “The Life and Walking of Hegumen Daniel from the Russian Land”;
B) “The Book of the Pilgrim” by Anthony of Novgorod;
C) “Journey beyond three seas” by Afanasy Nikitin;
D) “The Journey of Zosima, Deacon of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, 1419-1422”.
Answer: C) “Journey beyond three seas” by Afanasy Nikitin
Question Author: Geographical Society of China
25. Railway network covers the whole of Russia and connects it with foreign countries. Select scenic natural and cultural sites that can be seen from the windows of trains following international routes when they enter Russia from the east and travel to the west:
1. Lake Baikal; 2. Ob River; 3. Stele on the border of Europe and Asia; 4. Moscow.
A) 1, 3, 4;
B) 1, 2, 3, 4;
C) 1, 2, 4;
D) 3, 4.
Answer: B) 1, 2, 3, 4
Photo: The Scientific Archive of the Russian Geographical Society
Question Author: Skvaznikova Ekaterina
26. In Nikolai Gogol's novel “Dead Souls”, Chichikov buys peasants “for withdrawal” with the intention of resettling them in this particular territory. It became part of the Russian Empire in the 18th century after the wars with Turkey and was a practically uninhabited steppe, which is why the government strongly encouraged those who were ready to take over these lands and develop them. In which province did Chichikov plan to resettle the peasants?
A) Smolensk; B) Kherson; C) Astrakhan; D) Azov.
Answer: B) Kherson
Photo: Ilgach Denis
Question Author: BRAVO 369 Flight Foundation (USA)
27. This city is the capital of the easternmost region of Russia. It was the first city on the ALSIB route, an air route that operated between the US and the USSR during World War II. Name the city.
A) Vladivostok; B) Anadyr; C) Kaliningrad; D)Novosibirsk.
Answer: B) Anadyr
Photo: Yurgenson Anna
Question Author: Grosheva Elena
28. The name of this Siberian river gave the name to the enterprise producing new projects of Russian aviation science and production - MS-21 and SSJ-New passenger aircraft, Yak-152 training aircraft. At the confluence of this tributary into the Angara, there is a city that got its name from it. Name the described river.
A) The Amur; B) The Irkut; C) The Vilyuy; D) The Volga.
Answer: B) The Irkut
Photo: The Scientific Library of the Russian Geographical Society
29. An island, a strait, a reef and a crater on the Moon are named after this famous navigator. The highest peak of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, the name of which is now practically out of use, also bears his surname. Select this sailor from the list.
A) Ivan Kruzenshtern; B) Ivan Papanin; C) Vitus Bering; D) Nikolai Przhevalsky.
Answer: A) Ivan Kruzenshtern
Photo: Bogdanov Oleg, Kolesnikov Mikhail
30. This representative of big cats is very rare and is listed in the Red Book of Russia and the Red List of the World Union for Conservation of Nature. Despite its size, this animal has a rather cautious disposition and prefers to hide rather than attack a person, and due to the special structure of its vocal apparatus, it cannot growl, but can purr. Choose this feline.
A) Far Eastern Leopard;
B) Amur Tiger;
C) Eurasian Lynx;
D) Snow Leopard.
Answer: D) Snow Leopard
