Technology
What was the name of the first space shuttle?
Columbia
Hint: Columbus was the first to "discover" America; Columbia was the first space shuttle to make discoveries in space.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, who became president of the Russian Republic?
Boris Yeltsin
Hint: Things got kind of boring (less conflict) after the Soviet Union collapsed. Boris for "boring."
Who was the first American female astronaut?
Sally Ride (think "Sally rides into space.")
Once the Soviet Union collapsed, many former Soviet states joined together to form what?
The Commonwealth of Independent States
Hint: The Soviet states were now independent, so they are called the Commonwealth of "Independent States."
Which president make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a national holiday?
Ronald Reagan
What was made to transport oil from Alaska?
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
(Hint: "trans" is short for transport, and it's a pipe to carry oil across Alaska.)
What did Dr. Robert Jarvik invent?
the first artificial heart
Who was the first woman Supreme Court Justice?
Sandra Day O'Connor
Hint: The woman finally got her "day" in court.
The North American Free Trade Agreement was a free trade agreement between which three countries?
Canada, the United States, and Mexico
Hint: These three countries are the biggest countries in North America, and they all touch each other.
Was President Carter successful in resolving the Iran Hostage Crisis?
no
The World Wide Web was the first _____________.
internet browser
Hint: Many websites start with www for "World Wide Web." When you browse the internet, you go to websites on the world wide web.
Who led the terrorist group, Al-Qaeda?
Osama Bin Laden
After Black Monday, what did the U.S. experience?
a recession
The USS Cole was attacked by what terrorist group?
Al-Qaeda
(pronounces Al-Kie-Duh)
President Bush signed into law this act, which set new requirements for how ships were built.
The Oil Pollution Act
Who made the first personal computer?
IBM
(which means International Business Machines)
Who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War?
Colin Powell
Hint: Chairman, Chiefs, and Colin all start with "C"; Persian and Powell start with "P"
What did Reagan's critics call his financial plan?
Reaganomics
Hint: This is the combination of the words Reagan and economics. Economics has to do with money or finances.
What event was an example of domestic terrorism?
Oklahoma City Bombing
Hint: Domestic means at home. This means that an American did it to his home country. Oklahoma is a state in the USA. Home -- Okla"home"a.
True/False: President Nixon and Henry Kissinger insisted on a policy called detente.
true
Hint: Detente is an easing of hostilities between nations. This doesn't mean they really like each other, but if they did, maybe they would "kiss" and make up. Kiss for Kissinger.
What was sent to Mars to gather data and send photos back to earth?
Mars Sojourner
Hint: Mars in in the name. Sojourner has "journ," like "journey" in the name. This rover took a "journey" to Mars. The journey was "so" long to get to Mars. So-journ-er
Who led the troops during the Persian Gulf war?
Norman Schwartzkopf
Who was known as the Great Communicator?
Ronald Reagan
This was designed to be a defensive system which would destroy missiles before they reached the U.S.
Strategic Defense Initiative
(Hint: The nickname for this was "Star Wars." Star and Strategic are similar. The first four letters are the same, but in a different order. Star vs. stra. Also, this is a defensive system, and "defense" is in the name of Strategic Defense Initiative.)
Who resigned after the Watergate Affair?
Richard Nixon
Essay Question: Explain the results of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Include what Congress did because of the disaster.
Answers should include these concepts:
1. 11 million gallons of oil spilled into Alaska's Prince William Sound.
2. Over 1,000 miles of shoreline affected
3. 1000s of birds and ocean animals were killed
4. Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act
5. Stricter requirements for shipbuilders
6. increased fines for not meeting standards
Who was the founder of the Moral Majority?
Jerry Falwell
(Hint: The "majority" of people don't "fall well.")
Who was president during the Persian Gulf War?
What resulted in a massive oil spill?
Exxon Valdez hitting a reef
Who withdrew the U.S. from the 1980 Olympics?
Jimmy Carter
Hint: Jimmy Carter was president in 1980. Therefore he was the one who had authority to do that.