Russian food
What is the most famous clear strong alcoholic drink historically associated with Russia?
Vodka.
Vodka is often drunk in one gulp, chased with a pickle or herring.
But remember: drinking is not required, the main thing is to know!!!!!!!
What famous Russian classical ballet by Tchaikovsky do Americans traditionally watch every year during the Christmas season?
The Nutcracker.
What is the famous wooden doll that opens up and has a smaller doll inside, and then another one?
Matryoshka.
Russia is the biggest country in the world. In which two parts of the world is it located?
In Europe and Asia.
The Ural Mountains divide Russia into Europe and Asia. One foot in Europe, another in Asia!!
Every American student is shown a large periodic table in chemistry class. Which Russian scientist invented it?
Dmitri Mendeleev.
Mendeleev saw the table in a dream! He arranged elements by weight and predicted those not yet discovered.
What expensive delicacy (black or red) is made from fish eggs and traditionally served in Russia on holidays?
Caviar.
Black caviar is considered the most expensive in the world. In the past, caviar was a symbol of luxury.
Which video game, created by Soviet programmer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, became one of the most popular and recognizable games in human history?
Tetris.
Alexey invented Tetris in his free time at work in the Academy of Sciences. The game became a global hit and was even sold to Nintendo.
What mythical creature, similar to a giant hairy man, is called Bigfoot in the US, and in Russian forests and mountains it is called...?
Yeti / Snowman.
In Russia, they say that Yeti lives in the Urals or in Siberia. Many tourists go there to find his tracks.
What is the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world, located in Siberia, which holds about 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water?
The beautiful instrumental soundtrack "Lara's Theme" from the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago became a massive pop hit in the US, even winning a Grammy. What traditional, triangular Russian string instrument gives this song its iconic sound?
Balalaika
The world-famous dish "Beef Stroganoff" is pieces of meat in a creamy sauce. Which iconic Russian dairy product is the sauce made from?
Sour cream.
Sour cream is added to soups, especially borscht, dumplings and even salads. Without sour cream, Russian cuisine is not Russian!!!
This insanely popular Russian 3D animated series about a little girl in a pink hood and her huge circus friend has billions of views on YouTube worldwide, including the US. What is it called?
Masha and the Bear.
Which animal is the main living symbol of Russia in American cartoons and pop culture?
Bear.
The bear is a symbol of strength, power, and sometimes clumsiness. In Russian fairy tales, the bear is kind but better not to anger him.
What was the first living creature (a dog) launched into orbit by the USSR in 1957?
Laika.
Laika was a stray dog picked up from the street. She died in space but became a heroine. A monument to Laika stands in Moscow.
In Avengers, Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) says her code name is connected to a famous classic Russian dance she trained in since childhood. What is this dance?
Ballet.
Ballet is the pride of Russia. Russian ballet is considered the best in the world. Many female spies in movies are former ballerinas because they have perfect coordination.
The famous Russian soup Borscht has a bright red color. Which sweet root vegetable gives it this color?
Beetroot.
Borscht is eaten both hot and cold. Every family has its own recipe. The classic way is to eat with garlic, sour cream, and fresh bread.
In the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, in which cold Russian region is the secret prison where Sheriff Hopper was taken?
Siberia.
Siberia is a huge region from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean. It is always associated with cold, exile, and mystery.
What traditional winter hat with fur "ears" that can be tied under the chin became a global trend and is associated with Siberian frosts?
Ushanka hat.
The ushanka protects against frost down to -40°C. It was worn by soldiers during World War II. Today it can be seen on the runways of Milan and New York.
What was the name of the Soviet cosmonaut who in 1961 became the first human in history to fly into space?
Yuri Gagarin.
Gagarin spent 108 minutes in space. He said: "Let's go!" - and this phrase became historic. His smile won over the world.
Which iconic castle in Disneyland (Cinderella Castle) was partially inspired by the cathedral on Red Square with colorful onion domes? What is this Russian cathedral called?
St. Basil's Cathedral.
The cathedral was built in 1555-1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible. Legend says the architect's eyes were gouged out so he could never build anything more beautiful.
What popular round yeast dough with a hole in the middle, common in the US, originated from a traditional Eastern European and Russian bread product that used to be carried on strings?
Bagel (but in Russia - Bublik / Sushka / Baranka).
Bublik is big and soft; baranka is small and crispy; sushka is tiny, for tea. Jewish immigrants brought the bublik to the US and turned it into the bagel.
What was the name of the first-ever artificial Earth satellite, launched by the USSR in 1957, which triggered the famous Space Race?
Sputnik.
What is the legendary assault rifle invented in the USSR by Mikhail Kalashnikov, which became the most popular and recognizable firearm in the world and in movies?
AK-47 (Kalashnikov).
Which Russian region are separated by the Bering Strait, which at its narrowest point is only about 55 miles wide?
Chukotka / Russia and Alaska.
What is the world-famous grand railway that connects Moscow to Vladivostok, is over 5700 miles long, and is the longest in the world? (There are many documentaries about it in the US).
Trans-Siberian Railway.
The train from Moscow to Vladivostok takes 7 days! It's a whole journey across the country. Many tourists dream of riding the Trans-Siberian.