2 . The end of the twentieth century saw
(A) increased economic prosperity for Japan
(B) a general decline in democracy throughout Latin America
(C) ethnic conflict in Russia and in Africa
(D) the resolution of the problems of Palestinian refugees
3 . Which of the following nations did NOT acquire a new government in the latter years of the
twentieth century?
(A) Nicaragua
(B) Czechoslovakia
(C) Germany
(D) Japan
4 . The world’s most populous democracy is
(A) United States
(B) Great Britain
(C) Canada
(D) India
5 . Which of the following has been a common problem of both Japan and Russia in the latter years
of the twentieth century to the present?
(A) Ethnic conflicts
(B) Political instability
(C) Economic downturns
(D) Huge foreign debts
Answers and Explanations
1 . B Kosovo experienced a renewal of its ethnic conflicts in 2004. The remaining areas mentioned
are not located in the Balkans.
2 . C Russia attempted to suppress independence movements from its ethnic groups, whereas Africa
experienced conflicts between ethnic groups concerning political and economic dominance.
Japan’s economy crashed in the 1990s (A). Democracy made considerable inroads into Latin
America (B). Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remained refugees (D).
3 . D Japan maintained the same government since the time of its occupation after World War II.
Nicaragua saw political unrest and a new government (A), whereas Czechoslovakia split between
the Czech Republic and Slovakia (B). Germany reunited (C).
4 . D India, with a population of one billion people, is the world’s largest democracy.
5 . C Japan’s economy weakened sharply in the early 1990s, while Russia continued to struggle
with the establishment of a market economy. Only Russia experienced ethnic conflicts (A). Neither
has seen political instability nor huge foreign debts (B, D).