2.
Europe is spread over 10,180,000 sq. km. or 3,930,000 sq. mi. and is really a land of variety. It contains huge rivers, tall mountains, and an astonishing length of coastline. In Europe you'll find hidden valleys covered with fertile soil, metals and gems to mine, oil in the North Sea, and hydro-power potential. The tallest mountain in Europe is a __________ at approximately 18,500 feet tall.
Correct Answer
A. Mount Elbrus
Explanation
Europe is known for its diverse geographical features, including tall mountains. The question asks for the tallest mountain in Europe, and the correct answer is Mount Elbrus. Mount Elbrus is approximately 18,500 feet tall, making it the highest peak in Europe. It is located in the Caucasus Mountains, which stretch between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Mount Elbrus is a popular destination for mountaineers and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
3.
Politically, Europe is home to a huge number of countries: more than _____ independent countries in all. Those countries total 750 million people, with closer to 900 million if you include the parts of Russia and Turkey that are not in geographical Europe. It is therefore probably not surprising that the politics and culture of Europe is rather complex.
Explanation
Europe is home to a huge number of countries, with more than 50 independent countries in total. This number does not include the parts of Russia and Turkey that are not in geographical Europe. The fact that Europe has such a large number of countries contributes to the complexity of its politics and culture.
4.
Russia is the continent's largest country, while _______ is the smallest. Population-wise, the largest city of Europe is Moscow.
Correct Answer
A. Vatican
Explanation
Russia is the largest country in Europe, both in terms of land area and population. The question asks for the smallest country in Europe, and the answer is Vatican. Vatican City is an independent city-state located within Rome, Italy. It is the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world by both area and population.
5.
Europe has four main landforms, many islands and peninsulas, and various climate types. The four main landforms include the Alpine region, Central Uplands, Northern Lowlands, and Western Highlands. Each represents a different physical part of Europe. Five peninsulas are a part of the European continent namely Balkan Peninsula, Iberian Peninsula, Scandinavian Peninsula, Jutland Peninsula and the ______ Peninsula.
Correct Answer
A. Apennine Peninsula
Explanation
The correct answer is the Apennine Peninsula. The question states that there are five peninsulas that are part of the European continent, and it lists four of them (Balkan Peninsula, Iberian Peninsula, Scandinavian Peninsula, Jutland Peninsula). Therefore, the missing peninsula must be the Apennine Peninsula.
6.
Expanding Brackets Codebreaker
Look at the code.
Correct Answer
EUROPE IS MAGIC, Europe is magic
7.
The town was named Oxford because ...
Correct Answer
A. It was a place where oxen could cross the River Thames.
Explanation
The town was named Oxford because it was a place where oxen could cross the River Thames. This suggests that the town was named after its geographical location and its significance as a crossing point for oxen. The presence of a bridge or its reputation as a farming place are not mentioned as reasons for the town's name.
8.
The most famous college in Oxford is ....
Correct Answer
A. Christchurch college.
Explanation
Christchurch college is the most famous college in Oxford. This can be attributed to its historical significance and prestigious reputation. Founded in 1546, Christchurch is one of the largest and oldest colleges in Oxford. It has produced numerous notable alumni, including several prime ministers and renowned writers. The college's stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and iconic landmarks, such as the Christ Church Cathedral, also contribute to its fame. Overall, Christchurch college's rich history, academic excellence, and cultural significance make it the most famous college in Oxford.
9.
It has got its academic status in 1167 because ...
Correct Answer
A. This year all English students were expelled from the University of Paris.
Explanation
In 1167, Oxford University gained its academic status because all English students were expelled from the University of Paris. This event led to an influx of students and scholars seeking education elsewhere, and Oxford became a prominent center for learning.
10.
The college is also famous because ...
Correct Answer
A. Some of its locations were used in the film about Harry Porter.
Explanation
The college is famous because some of its locations were used in the film about Harry Potter. This suggests that the college has a significant connection to the popular Harry Potter franchise, which has a large and dedicated fan base. The use of the college's locations in the film adds to its fame and may attract fans of the series to visit and explore the college. This connection to such a successful and beloved film series can enhance the college's reputation and make it a popular tourist destination.
11.
3 boxes with chocolate candies: one of them contained white chocolate candies, another one milk chocolate candies, and the third box contained the mixture of both kinds. What minimal number and from which box should be taken to determine the flavor of each box, considering the fact that ALL the labels on the boxes are mixed?
Write the number (in figures) and the box flavour (white/milk/mixed).
Answer: ________ candy/ies from a ________ box.
Correct Answer
1
mixed
Explanation
To determine the flavor of each box, we need to choose candies from one box. Since the labels on the boxes are mixed, we cannot rely on the labels to determine the flavor. Taking one candy from the mixed box will allow us to identify the flavor of that box.
12.
Europe is made up of many political and economic alliances. The most important of these is the European Union. The European Union (EU) is a political and economic alliance between 28 of the countries of Europe. 19 countries of Europe have a single currency called the euro. Some countries still use their own money.
Which currency is not of a European country?
Explanation
The currency "Riyal" is not of a European country. While "Dinar" is the currency of several European countries such as Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, "Leo" is not a recognized currency, and "Lei" is the currency of Romania.
13.
This lady was the queen of France and Scotland, as well as could become the queen of England.
Correct Answer
A. Mary Stuart
Explanation
Mary Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was the queen of France and Scotland. She had a claim to the English throne and could potentially become the queen of England. She was a prominent figure in European politics during the 16th century and her reign was marked by political and religious conflicts. Despite her aspirations, she was ultimately unsuccessful in securing the English throne and faced numerous challenges throughout her life, including imprisonment and execution.
14.
“The State, That’s Me,” said this dancing king.
Correct Answer
A. Louis XIV of France
Explanation
Louis XIV of France famously declared, "The State, That's Me," highlighting his belief in absolute monarchy and his centralized control over the state. This statement reflects his belief that he embodied the power and authority of the state, effectively making him the personification of France. Known as the Sun King, Louis XIV ruled for over 70 years and implemented policies that strengthened the monarchy and centralized power, solidifying his position as one of the most influential monarchs in French history.
15.
The Peace of Westphalia ended a 17th century conflict that devastated present-day Germany. What conflict did it end?
Correct Answer
A. Thirty Years’ War
Explanation
The correct answer is the Thirty Years' War. The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, marked the end of this devastating conflict that took place in present-day Germany. The war was fought primarily within the Holy Roman Empire and involved various European powers, including France, Spain, and Sweden. The Peace of Westphalia established a new balance of power in Europe and introduced the principle of state sovereignty, which greatly influenced international relations.
16.
The House of Bourbon belongs to the dynasty of…
Correct Answer
A. Capetians
Explanation
The House of Bourbon belongs to the dynasty of Capetians. The Capetians were a medieval dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom of France from the 10th century until the French Revolution in the late 18th century. The House of Bourbon was a branch of the Capetian dynasty and became one of the most powerful and influential royal families in Europe. They ruled over France for several centuries, with notable members including King Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, and King Louis XVI, who was executed during the French Revolution.
17.
Which Russian city was built to be a seaport and a “window on Europe”?
Correct Answer
A. St. Petersburg
Explanation
St. Petersburg was built to be a seaport and a "window on Europe" because it was strategically located on the Baltic Sea, providing Russia with direct access to Europe. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 with the intention of creating a modern, Westernized capital that would showcase Russia's connection to European culture and trade. St. Petersburg's architecture, layout, and cultural institutions were all designed to reflect this European influence, making it a significant cultural and economic hub for Russia.
18.
Paragraph 1 ________
Correct Answer
B, b
Explanation
The correct answer is "B, b" because the question asks for the answer to "Paragraph 1" and the only option provided is "B, b." Therefore, "B, b" is the correct answer for this question.
19.
Paragraph 2 ________
Correct Answer
C, c
Explanation
The given answer is C, c. However, without any context or additional information provided in the question, it is difficult to determine the exact explanation for this answer. It is possible that the question is asking for a specific letter or character that is missing in the paragraph, and the correct answer is C, c because it is the missing element. However, without more information, it is not possible to provide a definitive explanation.
20.
Paragraph 4 ________
Correct Answer
A, a
21.
Paragraph 3 ________
Correct Answer
D, d
22.
After visiting Spain the tourist had decided to enlarge the photograph of the Sagrada Familia. The original is 7.5 cm by 6.5 cm. If the enlargement of the longest side is 18 cm, what is the length of the smaller side?
Correct Answer
A. 15.6 cm
Explanation
The length of the smaller side can be determined by finding the scale factor between the original photograph and the enlargement. The scale factor is calculated by dividing the length of the longest side of the enlargement (18 cm) by the length of the corresponding side in the original photograph (7.5 cm). The result is approximately 2.4. Therefore, to find the length of the smaller side in the enlargement, we multiply the length of the corresponding side in the original photograph (6.5 cm) by the scale factor. The result is approximately 15.6 cm.
23.
Eleven members of Carlton club each paid the same amount for a guest speaker to talk about history at their club meeting. They paid their guest speaker £1А2. What is the missing digit A of this 3-digit number?
24.
Six rectangles in the old historical tile in Portugal have a common base width of 2 and lengths of 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 and 38. What is the sum of the areas of the six rectangles?
________
Correct Answer
186
Explanation
The sum of the areas of the six rectangles can be found by multiplying the base width of 2 with each of the lengths given and then adding them together. The areas of the rectangles would be 2*1, 2*4, 2*9, 2*16, 2*25, and 2*38. Adding these areas together gives a sum of 186.
25.
The cost of a three-course lunch in one Belgium restaraunt was €14.00.
The main course cost twice as much as the sweet, and the sweet cost
twice as much as the starter.
How much did the main course cost?
Answer: € ________.
Correct Answer
8
Explanation
The main course cost €8. This can be determined by setting up a system of equations based on the given information. Let's assume the cost of the starter is x. According to the information given, the sweet would cost 2x and the main course would cost 2(2x) = 4x. The total cost of the three courses is €14, so we can write the equation x + 2x + 4x = 14. Simplifying this equation gives 7x = 14, and solving for x gives x = 2. Therefore, the main course, which costs 4x, would be 4(2) = €8.
26.
The highest spire in Great Britain is that of the church of St Mary, called
Salisbury Cathedral, in Wiltshire, England. The cathedral was completed
and consecrated in 1258; the spire was added from 1334 to 1365 and
reaches a height of 202 feet, plus half its own height.
How tall is the spire of Salisbury Cathedral?
Answer: ________ feet.
Correct Answer
404
Explanation
The spire of Salisbury Cathedral is 404 feet tall.
27.
Getting around
Did you know that railways were invented in Europe? It was in England that George Stephenson introduced the ________ (one) passenger train in 1825.
Correct Answer
first
Explanation
George Stephenson introduced the first passenger train in England in 1825. This suggests that before this time, there were no passenger trains in existence. The word "first" indicates that this was the initial introduction of passenger trains, implying that there were subsequent trains developed after this one.
28.
His most famous locomotive ________ (call) ‘the Rocket’ and it reached speeds of more than 40 kilometres per hour (km/h) – which was really fast for those days.
Correct Answer
was called
Explanation
The correct answer is "was called". This is because the sentence is referring to a past event and is describing the name of the locomotive. The verb "called" is in the past tense, indicating that the name of the locomotive was given in the past.
29.
Today, Europe’s high-speed electric trains ________ (to be) very different from those first steam engines.
Correct Answer
are
Explanation
The sentence is discussing the current state of Europe's high-speed electric trains in comparison to the first steam engines. The verb "are" is the correct form to use with the subject "Europe's high-speed electric trains" to indicate that they currently exist and have certain characteristics that are different from the first steam engines.
30.
They are very comfortable and they travel at speeds of up to 330 km/h on specially built tracks. More tracks are being built all the time, to allow people to travel ________ (quick) between Europe’s big cities.
Correct Answer
quickly, quicker
Explanation
The question is asking for a word that means "fast" to fill in the blank. The word "quickly" is an adverb that means "in a fast manner," and "quicker" is the comparative form of the adjective "quick," which also means "fast." Both words accurately describe the speed at which people can travel between Europe's big cities on the specially built tracks.
31.
Roads and railways sometimes have to cross mountain ranges, wide rivers or even the sea. So engineers ________ (build) some very long bridges and tunnels. The longest road tunnel in Europe is the Laerdal tunnel in Norway, between Bergen and Oslo. It is more than 24 km long and was opened in the year 2000.
Correct Answer
have built
Explanation
Engineers have built some very long bridges and tunnels to cross mountain ranges, wide rivers, or even the sea. The Laerdal tunnel in Norway, between Bergen and Oslo, is the longest road tunnel in Europe. It is over 24 km long and was opened in the year 2000.
32.
The longest railway tunnel in Europe is the Channel Tunnel. It ________ (carry) Eurostar high-speed trains under the sea between Calais in France and Folkestone in England, and it’s more than 50 km long.
Correct Answer
carries
Explanation
The correct answer is "carries". This is because the sentence is referring to the Channel Tunnel, which is currently in operation and carries Eurostar high-speed trains between Calais in France and Folkestone in England. The use of the present tense verb "carries" is appropriate to describe this ongoing action.
33.
In the country of East Westmore, statisticians estimate there is a baby born every 8 hours and a death every day. To the nearest hundred, how many people are added to the population of East Westmore each year?
Explanation
In East Westmore, there is a baby born every 8 hours, which means there are 3 babies born per day. Additionally, there is a death every day. Therefore, the net population increase per day is 3 - 1 = 2 people. To find the number of people added to the population each year, we multiply the net daily increase by the number of days in a year. Since there are 365 days in a year, the total number of people added to the population each year is 2 * 365 = 730. Rounding this to the nearest hundred gives us 700, which is the correct answer.
34.
Paragraph 5 ________
Correct Answer
E, e
35.
Paragraph 6 ________
Correct Answer
H, h
36.
Paragraph 7 ________
Correct Answer
F, f
37.
What was the secret of Paganini's genius?
Correct Answer
A. He worked hard from the childhood.
Explanation
Paganini's genius can be attributed to his hard work from childhood. This suggests that his talent and skill were not solely based on natural ability or supernatural powers, but rather the result of dedicated practice and effort. By consistently working hard and honing his musical abilities from a young age, Paganini was able to achieve a level of mastery and virtuosity that set him apart as a genius in the world of music.
38.
Why did Niccolo stop gambling?
Correct Answer
A. He was afraid to lose his violin.
Explanation
Niccolo stopped gambling because he was afraid to lose his violin. This implies that he values his violin more than the potential winnings from gambling. The fear of losing something precious to him outweighed the desire to continue gambling, leading him to make the decision to stop.
39.
Why did the father make Niccolo practice from morning till night?
Correct Answer
A. The father hoped the son would make the family rich and famous.
Explanation
The father made Niccolo practice from morning till night because he hoped that his son would become skilled enough to make the family rich and famous.
40.
How did audience react to the music Paganini played?
Correct Answer
A. People didn't believe that a human was so talented.
Explanation
The given answer suggests that the audience's reaction to the music Paganini played was disbelief in the exceptional talent displayed by a human. This implies that Paganini's musical skills were so extraordinary that people found it hard to believe that a human could possess such talent.
41.
What happened after Paganini's death?
Correct Answer
A. His son fought hard to find him a resting place.
Explanation
After Paganini's death, his son made great efforts to find a suitable resting place for him. This suggests that there were challenges or obstacles in finding a burial site for Paganini, which required his son's determination and perseverance.
42.
Construction was stopped for almost a hundred years. In 1275, construction began again. The architects agreed ____ building 2 stories out of line with the others, to alter the centre of gravity.
Explanation
The architects agreed on building 2 stories out of line with the others, to alter the center of gravity. This means that they reached a consensus or made a decision about constructing 2 stories that were not aligned with the rest of the building. The preposition "on" is used to indicate agreement or a decision.
43.
In 1934, the Italian government pumped concrete under the base to try to correct the leaning, but the leaning increased. Architects are still searching ______ a solution.
Explanation
The sentence suggests that architects are still searching for a solution to correct the leaning. The word "for" is used to indicate the purpose or goal of their search. They are searching in order to find a solution.
44.
The tower over the main entrance of the college is named the Tom Tower because ...
Correct Answer
A. It has a huge bell inside called Tom.
Explanation
The tower over the main entrance of the college is named the Tom Tower because it has a huge bell inside called Tom. This suggests that the tower was named after the bell inside it, which is referred to as Tom.
45.
Europe is known for its diversity even when it comes to the climate. Central and eastern region of the continent is known for its ________ climate, where the extremes can be observed. In summers its warm to hot, whereas in winter the region gets cold. It is the southern region of the continent, which is blessed with the best climate, as it has Mediterranean climate. As compared to most other parts, the winters are mild, although the area does experience light snow and rain.
Correct Answer
A. Continental
Explanation
The correct answer is "continental" because the passage describes the climate in the central and eastern region of Europe as having extremes, with warm to hot summers and cold winters. This suggests a continental climate, which is characterized by a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. The other options, such as "extremal," "sub-tropical," and "tropical," do not accurately describe the climate patterns mentioned in the passage.
46.
In the year 1174, Bonnano Pisano, an Italian engineer, began to work ____ a bell tower for the cathedral in Pisa, Italy.
Explanation
The word "on" is the correct answer because it accurately completes the sentence. The sentence is stating that Bonnano Pisano began to work "on" a bell tower for the cathedral in Pisa, Italy.
47.
When Pisano started, he had no idea the bell tower would become a famous tourist attraction ____ a mistake.
Correct Answer
A. Because of
Explanation
The correct answer is "because of". This is because the phrase "because of" is used to indicate the cause or reason for something. In this context, it suggests that the bell tower becoming a famous tourist attraction was a result of a mistake.
48.
The tower was to be 56 metres high. Construction was _____ progress when the tower began to lean. The soil beneath the tower was soft and the foundation was not strong enough to support its weight.
Explanation
The correct answer is "in". The word "in" is used to indicate that something is happening or taking place within a certain period of time. In this case, the construction of the tower was in progress when it began to lean. The use of "in" suggests that the leaning occurred during the ongoing construction process.
49.
My watch was correct at midnight, after which it began to lose 12 minutes per hour, until 7 hours ago it stopped completely. It now shows the time as 3.12.
What is now the correct time?
Correct Answer
A. 11 a.m.
Explanation
The watch started losing 12 minutes per hour after midnight. Since it now shows the time as 3.12, it means that 3 hours and 12 minutes have passed since midnight. Subtracting this time from the current time of 7 hours ago, we get the correct time as 11 a.m.