News quiz #2

0 Comments | Current Events, Dec 8, 2008

This quiz is based on major news events that recently made headlines in Current Events and around the world. Put your "knows" for the news to the test by answering the questions. Good luck!

People in the News

Identify each person below by writing the fetter of the correct description in the blank next to his or her name.

--1. Barack Obama                   A. U.S. secretary of state

--2. Michael. Bloomberg             B. United Nations
                                       secretary-general.

--3. Ban Ki-moon                    C. president-elect of the
                                       United States

--4. Condoleezza Rice               D. North Korean dictator

--5. Kim Jong Il                    E. mayor of New York City

--6. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper   F. commander of U.S. forces
                                       in Iraq

--7. Raymond Odierno                G. Endeavour astronaut

Places in the News

Fill in the blank after each sentence with the name of the correct country from this list: Australia, Brazil, China, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Japan, North Korea, Somalia, Spain, Sweden. (Note: There are more countries than answers.)

8. Pirates recently seized cargo ships off the coast of this African country.--

9. Virus-hunting scientists were presented Noble Prizes in this country.--

10. This country has been hunting whales in the Southern Ocean.--

11. This country's prime minister apologized to Aborigines for their past mistreatment.--

12. This country recently allowed United Nations inspectors into its nuclear facilities.--

13. Hundreds of lost penguins were rescued on the shores of this country.--

14. A general in this Middle Eastern country's Revolutionary Guard recently said that it gives weapons to "liberation armies."--

Facts and Figures

Fill in the circle next to the correct answer for each question.

15. U.S. and Iraqi officials are working on an agreement for U.S. troops to leave Iraq by what year?

(A) 2010

(B) 2012

(C) 2020

16. According to the United Nations, approximately how many people are modern-day staves?

(A) 120,000

(B) 1.2 million

(C) 12 million

17. Approximately how big is the U.S. national debt?

(A) $2 billion

(B) $5 trillion

(C) $10 trillion

18. Barack Obama will be officially sworn in as president at noon on what day?

(A) November 4

(B) December 15

(C) January 20

19. What is the name of the powerful, winds that spread wildfires in Southern California?

(A) California Zephyrs

(B) Santa Anas

(C) Pacific Croakers

20. The Gulf of Aden, the site of recent pirate attacks, connects to which sea?

(A) Red Sea

(B) Mediterranean Sea

(C) Dead Sea

ANSWER KEY

1. C, 2. E, 3. B, 4. A, 5. D, 6. G, 7. F, 8. Somalia, 9. Sweden, 10. Japan 11. Australia, 12. North Korea, 13. Brazil, 14. Iran, 15. B, 16. C, 17. C, 18. C, 19. B, 20. A