GeoQuiz Tuesday, February 28th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Quarter 1 Test

QUARTER 1 TEST: Our first quarter test (and first ever test) will be taken today. Questions will be given tomorrow on a regular basis as I have done before.

I've changed my mind and decided that there will be only 15 questions. There will be 10 multiple-choice questions, 4 short answer questions, and 1 essay question.

1. What can seiches lead to?

• a. flooding and a similar effect to a storm surge
• b. constant erosion and building of mountains
• c. replacing old buildings with new ones
• d. attacks by locusts on crops

2. Honduras borders which three countries?

• a. Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica
• b. Cuba, Guatemala, and Nicaragua
• c. Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador
• d. Panama, Columbia, and Mexico

3. Cerro Aconcagua is located in which South American mountain range?

• a. Peruvians
• b. Brasilians
• c. Andes
• d. Pyrenees

4. What city is the capital of Alberta, Cananda?

• a. Alberta
• b. Odense
• c. Edmonton
• d. Calgary

5. Officially, Presidents' Day is actually what?

• a. Presidents' Birthday
• b. Washington's Birthday
• c. Lincoln's Birthday
• d. Birth of Mt. Rushmore

6. Which suburb is home to Mall of America?

• a. New York City
• b. Brooksnyn
• c. Detroit
• d. Bloomington

7. Which president was the first to be assassinated?

• a. George Washington
• b. Abraham Lincoln
• c. Andrew Johnson
• d. Ronald Reagan

8. Which of the following cities is located on the same latitude as New York City?

• a. Lansing
• b. Cleveland
• c. Washington, D.C.
• d. Sacramento

9. Singapore's capital, Singapore, lies in which section of the country?

• a. northern
• b. southern
• c. peninsular
• d. islandic

10. The Bay of Fundy is located on the northeastern border of which other body of water?

• a. Atlantic Ocean
• b. Gulf Stream
• c. Bering Strait
• d. Gulf of Maine

11. The islands of Denmark are Funen, Zealand, and _____________________________.

12. The Horn of Africa is equidistant from the equator and the ______________________.

13. Charleston is the capital and largest city of _________________________________.

14. The eastern side of the Adirondacks is bordered by Lake Champlain and ____________.

15. How did European expansion into South America in places such as the Amazon River and Cerro Aconcagua influence the languages in recent countries in the region?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

GeoQuiz Monday, February 27th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: None...
• World Geography: None...
• Interesting Article: Mardi Gras in New Orleans...

TEST TIP: The test is tomorrow. Good luck!

FACT: Did you know that a recent Gallup poll shows that 69 percent of Americans believe they will go somewhere after death?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Adirondack Mountains are good for amateur climbers because they are well rounded.

Today's question: No question today! I have to prepare for tomorrow's test.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Ethiopia has 85% of the Horn's population.

Today's question: No question today! I have to prepare for tomorrow's test.

WORD OF THE DAY: grok - to understand in a profound way

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060226/ap_on_re_us/mardi_gras

GeoQuiz Sunday, February 26th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Test Tips: More...
• United States Geography: Mountain Climbing the Adirondacks...
• World Geography: Fighting on the Horn...
• Interesting Article: Turkey Calling...

TEST TIP: The test will be tested on everything in Quarter 1, so you shouldn't skip anything.

FACT: Did you know that, on July 31, 1994, Simon Sang Sung of Singapore turned a single piece of dough into 8,192 noodles in 59.29 seconds

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Laurentian Glacier created the ponds and lakes in the Adirondacks.

Today's question: The Adirondack Mountains are a little popular because they are easy for amaeteur mountain climbers. This is because they are _?_.

• a. very tall
• b. well rounded
• c. smooth
• d. rough

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. The Kingdom of Aksum's strategic location allowed it to control the Red Sea.

Today's question: The Horn of Africa was a sight of increasing instability. Two civil wars erupted since 1977, and differences between Christians and Muslims continue to cause violence. The main fighting between Christians and Muslims is taking in which counttry, which also has 85% of the Horn of Africa's population?

• a. Eritrea
• b. Somalia
• c. Ethiopia
• d. Djibouti

WORD OF THE DAY: etiolate - to make pale or sickly

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060225/ap_on_fe_st/turkey_calling

GeoQuiz Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Test Tips: Introduction...
• United States Geography: Adirondack Geology...
• World Geography: Kingdom of Aksum...
• Interesting Article: Green Eggs and Ham?...

TEST TIPS: An introduction to test tips! Until the Quarter 1 Test, I will be giving you hints on my test. Today: As I said before, I will be taking the information out of the information of the questions, so I will be erasing those on the test day.

FACT: Did you know that the Granny Smith apple was used as the symbol for the Beatles' Apple Records label?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Millions of years ago is abbreviated as mya, and 5 million years is not considered long in geologic time.

Today's question: The Adirondack Mountains are said to have over 1300 ponds and lanks, causing rapids and falls in streams. Which of the following, while affecting the country not too much, created the ponds and lakes?

• a. Atlantic Ocean
• b. Laurentian Glacier
• c. Lake Erie lake effect snow
• d. Allegheny River

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. Socotra belongs to Yemen, a republic on the Arabian Peninsula.

Today's question: The history of the Horn of Africa is great. Between the 3rd and 11th centuries, the Kingdom of Aksum was an African state in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yeman. The kingdom thrived during this period, and its strategic location allowed it to control which body of water?

• a. Red Sea
• b. Arabian Peninsula
• c. Persian Gulf
• d. Suez Canal

WORD OF THE DAY: deign - to condescend

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/ap_on_bi_ge/farm_scene

GeoQuiz Tuesday, February 21st, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Adirondack Geology...
• World Geography: The Island of Socotra...
• Interesting Article: Analysis of Comet Dust...

As we wrap up to our last few days of the quarter, I wish you good luck on the Quarter 1 Test on February 28th.

FACT: Did you know that the ancient Egyptians recommended mixing half an onion with beer foam as a way of warding off death?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. Lake Champlain and Lake George separate the Adirondack Mountains from the Green Mountains.

Today's question: The mountains are mainly made of metamorphic rocks, mostly gneiss, surrounding a center of igneous rocks, mainly anorthosite, in the high peaks region. The rocks are ancient, but the uplift of the Adirondacks is only 5 million years ago. How is million years ago abbreviated in geology, and would 5 million years ago be considered a long time ago?

• a. milya / no
• b. myago / yes
• c. mya / no
• d. mya / yes

WORD OF THE DAY: undulate - to move in waves

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060221/ts_alt_afp/usspaceastronomycomet_060221000400

GeoQuiz Monday, February 20th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: New Topic...
• World Geography: New Topic...
• Interesting Article: Easy Disqualification in the Olympics...

ONLY EIGHT MORE DAYS UNTIL THE QUARTER 1 TEST!

FACT: Did you know that you're more likely to get stung by a bee on a windy day than in any other type of weather?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Huntington is the second-largest city in Virginia.

Although we were supposed to have a new topic yesterday, I'm sorry but I have to give it today.

Adirondack Mountains: The Adirondack Mountains are often included as part of the Appalachian Mountain chain, but actually belong to the Laurentian Mountains in Canada. In northeastern New York, the Adirondack Mountains mostly belong to the Adirondack State Park, although some don't.

Today's question: The eastern side of the Adirondack Mountains is bordered by Lake Champlain and Lake George, of which the latter drains into the former, and which were named by the French and the British, respectively. These lakes separate the Adirondacks from which other mountain range?

• a. Green Mountains
• b. White Mountains
• c. Canada Mountains
• d. West Virginian Range

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. Odense is the capital of the island of Funen and the third-largest city in Denmark.

This week's topic is... the Horn of Africa!

Horn of Africa: The Horn of Africa, obviously located in Africa, is an eastern peninsula on the continent, also known as the Somali Peninsula. It juts into the Arabian Sea and lies on the southern coast of Gulf of Aden. Mainly, it is used to describe a greater portion of which part of is on the peninsula.

Today's question: The Horn of Africa contains four countries in its greater region: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Djibouti being the smallest and Ethiopia being the the largest country in area, the Horn of Africa resembles the horn of an animal. Although this greater region is what is mainly ascribed in the "Horn of Africa", which of these four countries contains most or all of the peninsula part?

• a. Djibouti
• b. Eritrea
• c. Ethiopia
• d. Somalia

WORD OF THE DAY: mien - demeanor

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/torino2006/news?slug=reu-rulesdc&prov=reuters&type=lgns

GeoQuiz Saturday, February 18th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Native Vegetation of West Virginia...
• World Geography: Denmark's Wealth...
• Interesting Article: German Girl Rescued...
• United States Geography: West Virginia's Cities...
• World Geography: Denmark's Cities...
• Interesting Article: Koss the Boss's Olympic Influence...

FACT: Did you know that sloths take two weeks to digest their food?

FACT: Did you know that, in Greek culture, brides carry a lump of sugar in their wedding gloves to symbolize sweetness?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. West Virginia is otherwise known as the "Mountain State".

Today's question: The native vegetation for most of West Virginia was originally mixed hardwood forest of oak, chestnut, maple, beech, white pine, willow, and American sycamore. Many of these vegetation areas are rich in diversity and beauty, which is appreciated by West Virginians, who refer to their home as _?_.

• a. Egyptian Land
• b. Almost Heaven
• c. Green Palace
• d. Mountain Obstacle

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. West Virginians call the native vegetation areas of West Virginia "Almost Heaven".

Today's question: Although the capitals of many states are not usually the state's largest cities, Charleston is the largest city in West Virginia. Which city, right after Charleston, is the second-largest city in West Virginia?

• a. West Virginia City
• b. West Virginian City
• c. Huntington
• d. Parkersburg

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. Yding Skovhoej is the mountain with the highest point in Denmark.

Today's question: Denmark grew wealthy during the early modern sixteenth century, mostly because of increased traffic through the Øresund which they were able to tax. The grain trade from the rest of Europe grew quickly at this time, and the rulers eagerly cashed on it. For what reason was Denmark able to tax traffic through the Øresund?

• a. Denmark was between Scandanavia and the rest of Europe.
• b. Denmark was a small country.
• c. Denmark was located on a peninsula.
• d. Denmark was in control of both sides of The Sound.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. Denmark's wealth came from taxing traffic because it was able to control both sides of The Sound.

WORD OF THE DAY: acrid - sharp and harsh

WORD OF THE DAY: torrid - drying or scorching in heat

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060216/ap_on_re_eu/germany_girl_rescued

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/torino2006/news?slug=ap-koss-stilltheboss&prov=ap&type=lgns

GeoQuiz Friday, February 17th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography:`West Virginia's High Altitudes...
• World Geography: Denmark's Highest Point...
• Interesting Article: Senegal's Religious Tolerance...

FACT: Did you know that the first United States coast to coast airplane flight occurred in 1911 and took 49 days?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. West Virginia is the only state completely in the Appalachian Mountain Range.

Today's question: The highest point in the state of West Virginia is Spruce Knob in the Monongahela Forest. In fact, many of West Virginia's high altitudes are covered by boreal forests of dense spruce trees. Due to these high altitudes, West Virginia's main nickname is what?

• a. Mountain State
• b. Green Mountain State
• c. Sky High State
• d. Heavenly State

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Denmark is slightly smaller than two times the size of Massachusetts.

Today's question: Lammefjord, the lowest point in Denmark, is at 7 m below sea level. Located on the major island of Zealand, it is acutally closer to Sweden than its only land neighbor, Germany. The highest point on Denmark, at 173 m above sea level, is what mountain?

• a. Yding Skovhoej
• b. Nitkf Dharshipn
• c. Radjfkl Taosijdh
• d. none of the above

WORD OF THE DAY: cozen - to deceive or get by deceiving

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060213/lf_nm/religion_senegal_cartoons_dc

GeoQuiz Thursday, February 16th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Quarter 1 Test: Introduction
• United States Geography: Small West Virginia...
• World Geography: Small Denmark...
• Interesting Article: Chertoff Acknowledge's FEMA's Faults...

QUARTER 1 TEST: Introduction to the Quarter 1 Test! The questions will not be based on past questions, but the information given in the questions. For example, take yesterday's question for United States Geography: Instead of asking you that same question on the test, it might ask you which five states border West Virginia. Similarly, the questions on the test will be taken from information in past questions.

FACT: Did you know that bamboo can grow up to three feet in a 24 hour period?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. Kentucky shares the shortest border with West Virginia.

Today's question: West Virginia's boundaries are formed by the Ohio and Potomac Rivers, both which never join together. Because of West Virginia's area is relatively small, the contianment betweent the two rivers is not a surprise. Also, because it is small, West Virginia is the only state completely in which mountain range?

• a. Rocky Mountains
• b. Appalachian Mountains
• c. Piedmont Mountains
• d. Coastal Ranges

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, is located on the island of Zealand.

Today's question: Germany, Denmark's only land neighbor, contains the full 68 km boundary between the two countries. Because Denmark is so small, it can only receive that much of a land boundary with Germany. In fact, Denmark is slightly smaller in area than two times the area of which US state?

• a. Rhode Island
• b. Delaware
• c. Massachusetts
• d. Maine

WORD OF THE DAY: bevy - a group; an assembly

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060215/ap_on_go_co/katrina_washington_24;_ylt=AoIb8FMzHeTJdXRs9S_UmBMbLisB;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

GeoQuiz Wednesday, February 15th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Quiz Answers!
• United States Geography: West Virginia's Border States...
• World Geography: Copenhagen of Denmark...
• Interesting Article: Man Shot by Cheney in Hunting...

FACT: Did you know that, during his or her lifetime, the average human will grow 590 miles of hair?

QUIZ ANSWERS: Here are yesterday's quiz answers.

1. b.
2. c.
3. b.
4. a.
5. a.
6. b.

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to the day before yesterday's question is b. At the time of John Brown's raid, Harpers Ferry was part of Virginia.

Today's question: West Virginia is landlocked, surrounded by five US states. They are Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Which of these states shares the smallest border with West Virginia?

• a. Maryland
• b. Virginia
• c. Pennsylvania
• d. Kentucky

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Viking explorers discovered Iceland en route the Faroe Islands.

WORD OF THE DAY: nonage - a period of youth or immaturity

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060215/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cheney_whittington_20;_ylt=AnN70EZgz3NNzMvIElm5CxtqP0AC;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

GeoQuiz Tuesday, February 14th, 2006 (Valentine's Day!)

PREVIEW:

• Pop Quiz!

Today, we're having a pop quiz, once again, just to ready up for the quarter test on February 28th. (That's in two weeks!)

1. The Great Dividing Range is kept short due to what natural process?

• a. liquifaction
• b. erosion
• c. movement of tectonic plates
• d. all of the above

2. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Bermerton were important during World War II because of what?

• a. They were ideal checkpoints for ships during the Pacific war.
• b. They were important trading points for bombs to be passed from Alaska to California and Hawaii.
• c. They were prominent shipbuilders that provided many ships for the US.
• d. They were able to collect water for thirsty Europeans.

3. The Victorian Alps, New England region, and what other mountain range can be credited for a barrier-like effect?

• a. Kosciusko Mountains
• b. Snowy Mountains
• c. Barrier Reef Mountains
• d. Aboriginal Alps

4. Which declining population serves as an indication for the overall environmental degradation of Puget Sound?

• a. salmon
• b. clam
• c. trout
• d. oyster

5. Denmark is on what peninsula?

• a. Jutland Peninsula
• b. Iceland Peninsula
• c. Gerden Peninsula
• d. Denman Peninsula

6. At the time of John Brown's raid, Harpers Ferry was in which state/territory?

• a. West Virginia
• b. Virginia
• c. Delaware
• d. Ohio Territory

This time, it is only six questions.

GeoQuiz Monday, February 13th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: West Virginia's Harpers Ferry...
• World Geography: Vikings of Denmark...
• Interesting Article: White House Defends Role During Katrina...

FACT: Did you know that we're having a pop quiz tomorrow?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. Because of West Virginia's two panhandles, it reaches out into different states, creating diverse affinities.

Today's question: Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, the site of John Brown's armory raid, is one of few towns that the Appalachian Trail passes through directly and is located in West Virginia. Charles Town, often comfused with Charleston, the state's capital, is the closest city to the park. At the time of John Brown's raid, Harpers Ferry was in which state/territory?

• a. West Virginia
• b. Virginia
• c. Delaware
• d. Ohio Territory

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. Denmark is part of the Jutland Peninsula.

Today's question: Danes, along with the Norwegians and Swedes, were known as Vikings in medieval Europe, colonizing, raiding, and trading in all parts of Europe. Denmark, one in a union with Norway, was an active participant in it until 1814, when the union dissolved. Denmark, in the union, kept possession of Norwegian overseas claims even after the union, including which island discovered by Viking explorers en route the Faroe Islands?

• a. Greenland
• b. Iceland
• c. Nuuk
• d. Reykjavik

WORD OF THE DAY: rictus - a gaping grin or grimace

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060213/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/katrina_congress_63;_ylt=AhyGH4.d7SIB0mH_.yWEuAgbLisB;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

GeoQuiz Sunday, February 12th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: New Topic...
• World Geography: New Topic...
• Interesting Article: Worst Cities for Traffic...

FACT: Did you know that Charlie Brown's father was a barber?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. The 1846 Oregon Treaty granted Washington part of Puget Sound.

This week's topic is... West Virginia!

West Virginia: West Virginia was formed when it broke away from Virginia during the Civil War and was admitted to the Union. The Census Bureau considers West Virginia part of the South because of its location below the Mason-Dixon Line, but the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) designates it as a Mid-Atlantic state. West Virginia has a diverse community that feels affinity to different areas.

West Virginia feels affinity to different places, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and southerners. The differences in these likings is due to which reason?

• a. West Virginia is extremely mountainous.
• b. West Virginia has two panhandles. (the most for any US state)
• c. West Virginia was once part of Virginia.
• d. West Virginia ie very close to Washington, D.C.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Great Divding Range is a misnomer because it is not only of one range.

This week's topic is... Denmark!

Denmark: Denmark is the geographically smallest and southernmost Nordic country (the Nordic countries are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark). It lies in Scandanavia, in northern Europe, but not on the Scandanavian Peninsula. Denmark is on a peninsula and contains several major islands.

Today's question: Denmark is attached to northern Germany, its only land neighbor. On the north, east, and west, it borders the Baltic and North Seas, thus making it on a peninsula. Denmark is on what peninsula?

• a. Jutland Peninsula
• b. Iceland Peninsula
• c. Gerden Peninsula
• d. Denman Peninsula

WORD OF THE DAY: nadir - lowest point

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://biz.yahoo.com/weekend/traffic_1.html

GeoQuiz Saturday, February 11th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography:
• World Geography:
• Interesting Article:

FACT: Did you know that Rome is considered "The Eternal City"?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. Hood Canal's depletion of oxygen, accidental dumping of chemicals, and fish farming are all environmental issues in Puget Sound.

Today's question: Which treaty made Puget Sound part of the United States?

• a. Washington Treaty
• b. Pacific Ordinance
• c. 1846 Oregon Treaty
• d. 1846 Northwest Treaty

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. When ships in Great Barrier Reef accidentally ground containers, oil spills.

Today's question: Why is the Great Dividing Range a misnomer?

• a. It doesn't divide anything.
• b. It is composed of more than one range.
• c. It is not the Great Divding Range but a Great Divding Range in Australia.
• d. all of the above

WORD OF THE DAY: espy - to see at a glance

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/torino2006/news?slug=ap-openingceremony&prov=ap&type=lgns

GeoQuiz Friday, February 10th, 2006

CORRECTION: Sorry for the inconsistency, but the all posts from February 6th were recorded as in the month of January.

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Puget Sound Environmental Issues...
• World Geography: Shipping in Great Barrier Reef...
• Interesting Article: Cheney in CIA Leak Case...

FACT: Did you know that Calvin Coolidge was sworn into office by his own father?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Port of Vancouver in Puget Sound is the largest in Canada.

Today's question: Puget Sound is the site of quite a few environmental issues. Although overall defined by the decreasing salmon population, many other problems are existing, if not evident. What is one of the environmental issues?

• a. Hood Canal depletion of oxygen
• b. Accidental dumping of chemicals
• c. Fish farming
• d. all of the above

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. The Great Artesian Basin is the main water source of inland Australia.

Today's question: Shipping is a major problem in Great Barrier Reef because many shipping routes pass through it. Two times containers have been grounded, releasing what into the Great Barrier Reef?

• a. oil
• b. gasoline
• c. chemicals
• d. all of the above

WORD OF THE DAY: hinterland - backcountry; an area remote from urbanization

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060210/pl_nm/bush_leak_dc

GeoQuiz Thursday, January 9th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Puget Sound Ports...
• World Geography: Great Dividing Range...
• Interesting Article: US Charges China of Military Rivalry...

FACT: Did you know that

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. The declining salmon population is an indication for the overall degradation of Puget Sound.

Today's question: Puget Sound is home to many ports. The Seattle/Tacoma Port is the second largest container port after the Los Angeles/Long Beach Port. In fact, Canada's biggest port is on the northern end of the Greater Puget Sound Area. Name this port.

• a. Port of British Columbia
• b. Port of Vancouver
• c. Port of Victoria
• d. Port of Surrey

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Australia owned the Coral Sea at the time of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Today's question: Australia is a relatively dry area. Surrounded by three oceans and many seas, it is ironic that inland Australia would have only one reliable source of water. In Australia's Great Dividing Range, what is the only source of reliable water in inland Australia?

• a. Kosciusko Watershed
• b. Alpine Watersheds
• c. Aboriginal Lake
• d. Great Artesian Basin

WORD OF THE DAY: ossify - to harden or to become bone

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060207/wl_nm/security_china_usa_dc

GeoQuiz Wednesday, January 8th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Puget Sound's Declining Population...
• World Geography: The Battle of the Coral Sea...
• Interesting Article: Presidents Join Mourners at King Funeral...

FACT: Did you know that the Bible is the number one shoplifted book in America?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. Puget Sound is an estuary, or where saltwater meets freshwater (due to its location between the watersheds and Pacific Ocean).

Today's question: Puget Sound is the site of industrial growth and commercial fishing in many varieties of fish. Accidentally, some harmful chemicals have been released into the sound. Which declining population serves as an indication for the overall environmental degradation of Puget Sound?

• a. salmon
• b. clam
• c. trout
• d. oyster

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Snowy Mountains are a significant land barrier the Great Dividing Range.

Today's question: The Battle of the Coral Sea was a major turning point of World War II. It was the first time that aircraft carriers had engaged against each other in battle, and the first time that neither side's ships had directly fired at or seen the other side's. Coral Sea was under whose possession at the time?

• a. Netherlands
• b. United States
• c. Australia
• d. Great Britain

WORD OF THE DAY: diktat - an authorative decree or order

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/coretta_scott_king;_ylt=AmgjgKVj3XoafD8PdPi.WAmQqqIv;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

GeoQuiz Tuesday, January 7th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: USGS's Puget Sound...
• World Geography: Great Dividing Range...
• Interesting Article: Cartoon Protests Deadly in Afghanistan...

FACT: Did you know that paranormal experts say people reach the peak of their ability to see ghosts when they're 7 years old?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is c. The ports of Tacoma, Seattle, and Bremerton were important because they were prominent shipbuilders that provided many ships during World War II.

Today's question: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) defines Puget Sound as a bay with many branches. It is fed by the Olympic and Cascade Mountain watersheds, and opens up to the Pacific. This entitles it to what geological term?

• a. watershed
• b. ocean-bay
• c. estuary
• d. all of the above

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. Australia makes about 400,000,000 AUD in fishing.

Today's question: We have already learned that the Great Dividing Range doesn't have many high mountains. However, while some slopes are barely noticeable, others serve as significant barriers. The Victorian Alps, New England region, and what other mountain range can be credited for this barrier-like effect?

• a. Kosciusko Mountains
• b. Snowy Mountains
• c. Barrier Reef Mountains
• d. Aboriginal Alps

WORD OF THE DAY: supine - lying on one's back or listless; spiritless; indolent

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060208/ap_on_re_mi_ea/prophet_drawings_108;_ylt=Avf6JM6y8JR82p8vHfTWSETbEfQA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

GeoQuiz Monday, January 6th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Puget Sound in WWII...
• World Geography: Australian Fishing Economy...
• Interesting Article: Super Bowl Analysis...

FACT: Did you know that most toilets flush in E flat?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Everett and the four cities around Puget Sound.

Today's question: During World War II, Boeing, already an icon around Puget Sound, produced many aircrafts, including many of the heavy bombers used in World War II. Heavy industry was developed to mass-produce war materials. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Bremerton were also important because of what?

• a. They were ideal checkpoints for ships during the Pacific war.
• b. They were important trading points for bombs to be passed from Alaska to California and Hawaii.
• c. They were prominent shipbuilders that provided many ships for the US.
• d. They were able to collect water for thirsty Europeans.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. Erosion has stopped the Great Dividing Range from growing tall.

Today's questiion: The Great Barrier Reef is a popular site for tourists, and also fishing! Overfishing has resulted in bycatch, decreasing populations, pollution, etc. About how much does Australia make in fishing? (In Australian dollars, AU=.75USD)

• a. 150,000,000
• b. 200,000,000
• c. 300,000,000
• d. 400,000,000

WORD OF THE DAY: brio - vigor; vivacity

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoffs;_ylt=ArSb.S64zcGyZJ2Jngobud9DubYF

GeoQuiz Sunday, February 5th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Quiz Answers: How Did You Do?
• United States Geography: New Topic...
• World Geography: New Topic...
• Interesting Article: Apple Sued Over Hearing Losses...

FACT: Did you know that Guam has seven public elementary schools?

QUIZ ANSWERS: Here are the answers from yesterday's quiz. How well did you do?

1. a.
2. b.
3. a.
4. c.
5. b.
6. d.
7. a.
8. a.
9. b.
10. a.

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's (acutally the day before yesterday's) question is c. The Annapolis River flows through Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia.

This week's topic is... Puget Sound!

Puget Sound: Puget Sound is completely enclosed by Washington State, stretching 90 miles from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Olympia, Washington. It is a heavily settled area, having four of the six of Washington's most populous cities. This was mostly due to settlers on the Oregon Trail, when Washington was still part of the Oregon Territory, went as far as to settle a Puget Sound.

Today's question: The four of the six of Washington's most populous cities around Puget Sound are not surprising due to their rainfalls. The four cities are Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, and which other city?

• a. Spokane
• b. Seattle
• c. Redmond
• d. none of the above

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question b. Cyclones are a threat to Queensland's coastline.

As I said before, we will continue our World Geography topic for two weeks.

Today's question: The Great Dividing Range only has some peaks that reach over 2000 meters, and even those don't reach too high. Virtually each mountain in the ranges can be climbed without climbing gear. They are kept short due to which natural process?

• a. liquifaction
• b. erosion
• c. movement of tectonic plates
• d. all of the above

WORD OF THE DAY: augury - an omen or prediction

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060202/ap_on_re_us/apple_ipod_lawsuit

GeoQuiz Saturday, February 4th, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Take Note: Yesterday's Post...
• Pop Quiz!

TAKE NOTE: Yesterday's post, if you didn't notice, had seven letters bolded and underlined. (They had to be both bolded and underlined.) If you noticed them all, they spelled P-O-P-Q-U-I-Z, or pop quiz. Today, there will be a pop quiz. It might seem only a week away from last time's pop quiz, but I feel a need to get in test shape for our Quarter 1 Test.

POP QUIZ: Just like last time, there will be ten multiple-choice questions taken from all of the questions we have done so far. The questions will be based on January's and February's posts.

1. In which direction does the Mississippi River flow from Lake Itasca right after it leaves the lake?

• a. north
• b. south
• c. east
• d. west

2. The highest point in Greece, even not in the Pindus, is on what mountain?

• a. Mount Peloponnesus
• b. Mount Olympus
• c. Mount Athens
• d. Mount Zeus

3. The Petronas Towers were the highest towers in the world until 2003, when which tower in Taiwan was built?

• a. Taipei 101
• b. Lao Mang Tower
• c. Dang Tao Tower
• d. Taipei Tower

4. Abraham Lincoln didn't like doing what in fear of killing animals?

• a. target practice with a gun
• b. setting out traps hidden in the ground
• c. hunting and fishing
• d. cutting-slashing farm ground

5. Which architect designed the Petronas Towers to reflect Malaysia's Muslim heritage?

• a. Cardo Samsung
• b. Cesar Pelli
• c. Donald Suria
• d. all of the above

6. Which of the following were the only two (not from the Confederate States of America) to join the Union during Abraham Lincoln's presidency?

• a. California and Nevada
• b. West Virginia and Montana
• c. California and Montana
• d. Nevada and West Virginia

7. What percent of New York City is water?

• a. 35.31%
• b. 34.32%
• c. 41.39%
• d. 26.85%

8. The two Singapore monsoon seasons are called what?

• a. Northwestern and Southeastern
• b. Malay and Indonesian
• c. Northeastern and Southwestern
• d. Indonesian and Australian

9. Mayor Bloomberg called New York the "World's _?_ Home" in an effort to get a bid for the 2012 Olympics.

• a. Western Olympic
• b. Second
• c. Welcome
• d. Fan

10. What is the name of Singapore's capital?

• a. Singapore
• b. Singapore City
• c. Bedok
• d. Queenstown

Quiz Answers tomorrow!

GeoQuiz Friday, February 3rd, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley...
• World Geography: Queensland's Natural Disasters?
• Interesting Article: W. VA. Governor After More Mining Accidents...

FACT: Did you know that the ace of spades in a playing card deck symbolizes death?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. Grand Manan Island is located on the border of the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy.

Today's question: Annapolis Valley around a river(s) in Nova Scotia is fertile and ideal for growing fruits. This is because the river(s), pouring into the Bay of Fundy and dropping off silt and fertile soil, make(s) apples and other fruits ideal to grow. Which river(s) is (are) this (these)?

• a. Cornwallis River
• b. St. Croix River
• c. Annapolis River
• d. all of the above

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The Australian Alps, located in the southeastern portion of the country, are the highest mountains the Great Dividing Range.

Today's question: Queensland, the northeastern state in Australia, contains the coastline off the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Realization that natural disaster threats are imminent on the Queensland coastline are unheeded by thousands of tourists each year. Queensland coast towns are threatened by neither river floods nor tornadoes but what natural disaster?

• a. hurricanes
• b. cyclones
• c. thunderstorms
• d. major tsunamis

WORD OF THE DAY: kvetch - to complain

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060201/ap_on_re_us/mine_safety_shutdown

GeoQuiz Thursday, February 2nd, 2006

PREVIEW:

• Take Note: One Month from First Quarter...
• United States Geography: Grand Manan Island...
• World Geography: Great Dividing Range...
• Interesting Article: Woman Sues Wal-Mart...

TAKE NOTE: Ever since the founding of this blog, we are already almost one quarter of a year past its founding. We are one month from March 1st, the beginning of the second quarter (February 28th is the end of the first quarter.) We will be having a quarter test on that date. Be ready! The test will be on all topics that we have covered. It will only be 20 questions.

FACT: Did you know that, contrary to popular belief, there are almost no Buddhists in India, nor have there been for about a thousand years?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The upper part of the Bay of Fundy is divided into the Minas Basin and Chignecto Bay.

Today's question: Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, is the largest island in the Grand Manan Archipelago, and also the largest in the Bay of Fundy. It is probably the largest Canadian island closest to the US on the Atlantic coast, about 510 square miles in area. It is on the boundary of the Bay of Fundy and which other body of water?

• a. Atlantic Ocean
• b. Gulf of Maine
• c. Chignecto Bay
• d. Minas Basin

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. Great Barrier Reef is a system of over 3,000 coral reefs.

Today's question: The Great Dividing Range's highest mountains are located in the southeastern portion of the country in southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria. Derived from one of Eurasia's highest mountains, what is the name of this section of the Great Dividing Range?

• a. Highland Himalayas
• b. Australian Alps
• c. Plains Pyrenees
• d. Queensland Qunluns

WORD OF THE DAY: kismet - destiny; fate; future

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060201/ap_on_re_us/wal_mart_contraception

GeoQuiz Wednesday, February 1st, 2006

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Bay of Fundy's Basins...
• World Geography: Great Barrier Reef...
• Interesting Article: Activist Sheehan Arrested at the Capitol...

FACT: Did you know that the leaves of the Victorian water lily are sometimes over six feet in diameter?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is d. The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world.

Today's question: The lower part of the Bay of Fundy is split into four sub-basins: Passamaquoddy Bay and Back Bay on the New Brunswick shore, Cobscook Bay on the Maine shore, and the Annapolis Basin on the Nova Scotia shore. The the upper part is divided into the main basins of Chignecto Bay and which basin?

• a. Fundy Basin
• b. Minas Basin
• c. Scotia Basin de Nova
• d. Brunswick Basin

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. Mount Kosciusko is the highest mountain in Australia.

Today's question: The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, is the largest coral reef in the world, consisting of over 900 islands. It stretches over 2,000 kilometers and can be seen from space. While it is called the Great Barrier Reef (notice it is singular), it is acutally a system of over about how many coral reefs?

• a. 100
• b. 750
• c. 1500
• d. 3000

WORD OF THE DAY: intrepid - fearless, bold

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060201/ap_on_go_pr_wh/state_of_the_union_sheehan