Question

instructions: circle the letter that best ends each sentence or answers each question below. there is only one best answer for each question.
which is earth’s smallest continent?
a) asia
b) europe
c) australia
d) antarctica

1. how would you best describe most of australia’s climate except for the east coast?

a) humid continental
b) tropical rainforest
c) subarctic and arctic
d) desert and semiarid

1. off which large landmass is the great barrier reef found?

a) australia
b) new zealand
c) tasmania
d) antarctica

1. with which nation are the aborigines and boomerangs most associated?

a) australia and tasmania
b) new zealand
c) the marshall islands
a) vanuatu

1. who were the first major settlers of australia?

a) dutch traders
b) english prisoners and the poor
c) german refugees
d) french colonists

1. with which nation are the maoris associated?

a) australia
b) new zealand
c) tasmania
d) tahiti

1. which nation is associated with kiwi fruit and films such as lord of the rings?

a) tahiti
b) new zealand
c) tasmania
d) papa new guinea

1. what is the regional name within the pacific ocean that covers more than 10,000 islands?

a) polynesia
b) oceania
c) melanesia
d) micronesia

1. with which island group does vanuatu belong?

a) polynesia
b) melanesia
c) micronesia

1. how long are antarctic days and nights at the south pole?

a) 6 weeks long
b) 12 weeks long
c) 6 months long
d) 12 months long

1. which of these antarctic sentences is not true?

a) military bases are found on antarctica.
b) there are no native peoples in antarctica.
c) 20 nations operate 37 permanent stations.

Explanation:

Each answer is based on geographic and cultural knowledge of the Oceania and Antarctic regions.

1. Australia is the world's smallest continent.
2. Most of Australia (excluding the east coast) is arid/semiarid.
3. The Great Barrier Reef lies off Australia's northeast coast.
4. Aborigines and boomerangs are iconic to Australia.
5. Australia's first major settlers were English prisoners/poor.
6. Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand.
7. Kiwi fruit and Lord of the Rings filming are linked to New Zealand.
8. Polynesia is the Pacific sub-region with over 10,000 islands.
9. Vanuatu is part of the Melanesia island group.
10. The South Pole has 6 months of daylight and 6 months of darkness.
11. No military bases are permitted on Antarctica under international treaty.

Answer:

1. C) Australia
2. D) Desert and Semiarid
3. A) Australia
4. A) Australia and Tasmania
5. B) English prisoners and the poor
6. B) New Zealand
7. B) New Zealand
8. A) Polynesia
9. B) Melanesia
10. C) 6 months long
11. A) Military bases are found on Antarctica.