Q 01/05

What does the Russian word 'sovet', the root of 'soviet', mean?

A) Comrade

B) Council

C) Worker

D) Union

Answer · why

B) Council

Workers' councils by that name first appeared during the 1905 Revolution and re-emerged in 1917 to share power with the Provisional Government.

Q 02/05

In which year was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics formed?

A) 1922

B) 1918

C) 1917

D) 1924

Answer · why

A) 1922

The Russian SFSR and its subordinate republics merged after the Bolshevik victory in the civil war; the state lasted until 1991.

Q 03/05

How many other countries did the Soviet Union border?

A) Nine

B) Eight

C) Twelve

D) Six

Answer · why

C) Twelve

It was the largest country by area and third most populous, covering about a sixth of Earth's land surface.

Q 04/05

How many union republics did the USSR consist of from 1956 until its dissolution?

A) 14

B) 15

C) 11

D) 12

Answer · why

B) 15

The number varied from 4 to 16 over time; the Karelo-Finnish SSR lost its union status in 1956 and was absorbed into Russia.

Q 05/05

Which union republic was demoted in 1956 to an autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR?

A) Moldavian SSR

B) Karelo-Finnish SSR

C) Turkmen SSR

D) Kirghiz SSR

Answer · why

B) Karelo-Finnish SSR

Its population was by then about 80 percent Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian, and the decision was taken without consulting residents.