UN Basics
The United Nations is best described as a(n):
A. Single country government
B. International organization made up of many countries
C. Global corporation
D. Military alliance
B. International organization made up of many countries
In what year was the United Nations officially established?
A. 1945
B. 1946
C. 1947
D. 1951
A. 1945
In which city is the main headquarters of the United Nations located?
New York City
How many official languages does the United Nations use?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 10
C. 6
Which international agreement was an early effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrialized countries?
A. Paris Agreement
B. Basel Convention
C. Kyoto Protocol
D. Stockholm Convention
C. Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and in force from 2005 to 2020, was the first legally binding international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It has since been superseded by the Paris Agreement.
Approximately how many countries are members of the United Nations?
A. 97
B. 129
C. 161
D. 193
D. 193
The United Nations has 193 member states. The only sovereign states not in the UN are the Vatican City and Palestine, which are permanent non-member observer states.
The United Nations was created in response to which global crisis?
World War II
Which UN body is responsible for settling legal disputes between countries and giving advisory opinions on international law?
A. General Assembly
B. Security Council
C. International Court of Justice
D. Economic and Social Council
C. International Court of Justice
Which of the following is an official UN language?
A. German
B. Arabic
C. Portuguese
D. Hindi
B. Arabic
The six official languages of the United Nations are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
This international treaty, adopted in 1971, focuses on the conservation and “wise use” of wetlands worldwide through national action and international cooperation.
A. Ramsar Convention
B. Montreal Protocol
C. Kyoto Protocol
D. The Convention on Biological Diversity
A. Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is a premier global environmental treaty that focuses on managing all wetlands—including coastal zones, lakes, and peatlands—as sites of international importance. There are over 2,400 Ramsar sites across the world, 41 of which are in the United States.
Which phrase best describes the primary purpose of the United Nations?
A. Enforcing global laws
B. Promoting peace and international cooperation
C. Managing global trade
D. Replacing national governments
B. Promoting peace and international cooperation
What organization existed before the UN and failed to prevent World War II?
A. League of Nations
B. NATO
C. European Union
D. International Red Cross
A. League of Nations
Which of the following actions can the UN Security Council take to help enforce its decisions?
A. Pass binding resolutions
B. Impose economic sanctions
C. Authorize peacekeeping missions
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Economic sanctions could include asset freezes, travel bans, arms embargoes, and sector-specific restrictions on trade, banking, and luxury goods.
UN peacekeepers are best described as:
A. International forces that help maintain peace after conflicts
B. Diplomats who write treaties
C. Soldiers who fight wars
D. Volunteers who work only in hospitals
A. International forces that help maintain peace after conflicts
Which group of international agreements focuses on managing hazardous chemicals and waste by regulating trade, restricting harmful substances, and reducing pollution risks?
A. Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity
B. Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement
C. Basel Convention, Rotterdam Convention,
Stockholm Convention
D. Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Ramsar Convention
C. Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal; Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent for Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Which statement best describes the authority of the United Nations over its member countries?
A. The UN can force countries to follow all of its decisions
B. The UN replaces national governments in global matters
C. The UN mainly relies on cooperation, agreements, and international pressure
D. The UN directly controls national laws and policies
C. The UN mainly relies on cooperation, agreements, and international pressure
The original mission of the UN was focused primarily on preventing what outcome?
Another global war
Which UN body includes representatives from all member countries?
Answer: The General Assembly
Which role is the UN least likely to perform?
A. Organizing humanitarian aid
B. Monitoring elections
C. Facilitating peace talks
D. Writing a country’s constitution
D. Writing a country’s constitution
Which international treaty focuses on protecting species, ecosystems, and genetic resources while encouraging the sustainable use of nature?
A. Earth Biodiversity Safeguard Agreement
B. Global Wildlife Preservation Accord
C. International Ecosystem Protection Treaty
D. Convention on Biological Diversity
D. Convention on Biological Diversity
What does the veto power of the permanent five members (P5) of the UN Security Council allow them to do?
This rule prevents the UN from authorizing military enforcement against the five permanent members of the Security Council.
Any one permanent member’s veto is sufficient to block a Security Council resolution--so a P5 country can veto enforcement against itself. This protects P5 countries and their allies; it is only applicable in UN Security Council and none of the other main bodies.
The United Nations was formally created when countries agreed to and signed what document?
The United Nations Charter
Name two of the five permanent members (countries) of the UN Security Council, which have veto power to block major decisions.
The U.S., UK, France, China, and Russia are permanent members.
The UN flag includes which symbol to represent peace?
An olive branch
Which international treaty regulates trade in endangered species to prevent exploitation?
Answer: CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement signed by 184 countries + EU to ensure trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten their survival. It regulates international trade for over 38,000 species via a permitting system that classifies species based on protection level, ensuring trade is legal, sustainable, and traceable.