Q 01/05

Mikhail Gorbachev holds what place in Soviet history?

A) Its first elected premier

B) Its last leader

C) Its longest-serving leader

D) Its only non-Russian leader

Answer · why

B) Its last leader

He led the country from 1985 until it ceased to exist at the end of 1991, adding the role of head of state in 1988.

Q 02/05

Gorbachev was born in 1931 in the village of Privolnoye, in which region of southern Russia?

A) Siberia

B) North Caucasus

C) The Urals

D) Karelia

Answer · why

B) North Caucasus

The village was split between Russians and ethnic Ukrainians, and both of his grandfathers spent time in labour camps under Stalin.

Q 03/05

As a teenager Gorbachev spent his summers operating what on a collective farm?

A) A caterpillar tractor

B) A combine harvester

C) A mechanical milking parlour

D) A grain elevator

Answer · why

B) A combine harvester

He and his father sometimes worked 20-hour days, and after a record 1948 harvest the boy was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Q 04/05

What did Gorbachev study at Moscow State University, graduating in 1955?

A) Agronomy

B) Law

C) Engineering

D) History

Answer · why

B) Law

It was an unusual choice, as law was not a well-regarded subject in Soviet society; he was admitted without an exam thanks to his peasant background a...

Q 05/05

Gorbachev married fellow student Raisa Titarenko in which year?

A) 1956

B) 1953

C) 1958

D) 1961

Answer · why

B) 1953

She went on to teach Marxist-Leninist philosophy and defended a sociology thesis on collective-farm life.