Q 01/05

Ringed by ranges holding Earth's two highest summits, the Tibetan Plateau goes by which nickname?

A) Throne of the Gods

B) Roof of the World

C) Crown of the Earth

D) Balcony of Heaven

Answer · why

B) Roof of the World

The Roof of the World is the largest plateau on Earth as well as the highest, stretching about 2,500 km from east to west.

Q 02/05

On the Tibetan Plateau, herders breed the hardy dzo by crossing cattle with which shaggy animal?

A) Bison

B) Zebu

C) Gaur

D) Yak

Answer · why

D) Yak

Yak crossed with cattle produces hybrid vigour, so a dzo grows larger and stronger than either parent. Only the females are fertile.

Q 03/05

Which landmass, drifting north from Gondwana, collided with Asia and pushed up the Tibetan Plateau?

A) Arabia

B) Australia

C) India

D) Madagascar

Answer · why

C) India

India is still being driven beneath Asia, so the plateau keeps rising by roughly 5 mm a year, though erosion wears away some of the gain.

Q 04/05

Tsampa, the staple flour of Tibetan Plateau herders, is usually ground from which roasted grain?

A) Millet

B) Sorghum

C) Oats

D) Barley

Answer · why

D) Barley

Barley is roasted before it is milled, so tsampa needs no cooking: people simply knead it into a dumpling with a little tea.

Q 05/05

Which big cat of the Tibetan Plateau wraps its thick tail around its face like a blanket to sleep?

A) Snow leopard

B) Clouded leopard

C) Eurasian lynx

D) Siberian tiger

Answer · why

A) Snow leopard

Snow leopard tails store fat and can grow about a metre long. Despite its size, this cat cannot roar.