Take the International IQ Test -- Special "Oscar 2008" Edition
By Allan E. Goodman, President, Institute of International Education

In "Charlie Wilson's War," one of the films nominated for this year's Academy Awards, Wilson, played by Tom Hanks, works behind the scenes with the CIA to fund Afghanistan's Mujahideen insurgents in their fight against Soviet troops.

Our nation became preoccupied with Afghanistan after 9-11, since it had harbored Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. However, I wonder how many Americans could locate the country on a map, or even know what language is spoken there. (Answer: Persian and Pashto are the two official languages.)

As the world becomes more of a global community, Americans in general remain remarkably uninformed about issues beyond our borders. Perhaps Hollywood, which brings the world to our screens, can help to educate us.

In a sign of the times, many of this year's Oscar-nominated films seem to focus on international conflicts past and present. Before you sit down to watch the Academy Awards on February 24th, take the Institute of International Education's Annual International IQ Test - 2008 Oscar Edition, which features questions about nominated films, to assess your personal International IQ.

Answer the questions below to test your International IQ, then click on the link at the bottom of the page for the correct answers and scoring.

16-20 correct: Globally Astute
11-15 correct: Globally Aware
6-10 correct: Globally Challenged
1-5 correct: Get a Passport!
Questions are worth 2 points each. If you score less than 16, you may wish to visit IIEPassport.org to find a language, cultural or academic program abroad that can help boost your global skills, or to get some ideas for a learning vacation overseas.

1. The policy of aiding anti-communist resistance forces in Afghanistan, depicted in Charlie Wilson's War, enjoyed considerable bipartisan support in the United States. What did the policy come to be known as? Was Charlie Wilson a Democrat or Republican?

2. The policy's broader and highly controversial application around the world was largely opposed by U.S. Democrats. Where were some of the other countries where this policy was applied, with a more divided response in the U.S.? Who does the movie suggest the U.S leave-taking inadvertently strengthened?

3. The movie "In the Valley of Elah," starring Best Actor Nominee Tommy Lee Jones, is about a father searching for his son, who disappears upon his return from duty in Iraq. Where is the Valley of Elah, and what is it famous for?

4. "La Vie en Rose" is the film about French singer Edith Piaf's life, part of which revolves around German-occupied France. The liberation of France began on D-Day in June 1944. What previous Academy Award winning Hollywood film focuses on this World War II Allied invasion, and where was the beach where they landed?

5. A key scene in "Atonement" portrays James McAvoy's Robbie taking part in the evacuation of Allied solders from France, a scene that is perhaps instrumental in earning the film its nomination for Best Cinematography. What was the beach and battle called, and what concept did it inspire in modern British parlance?

6. A centerpiece of "Eastern Promises" is Best Actor Nominee Viggo Mortensen's attack in a London bathhouse by Armani-clad hit men bent on killing him. What separatist republic are these thugs from, and what recent conflicts was their homeland involved in?

7. When "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" opens, what country's king is planning to make war on England, and who will become England's Queen if he succeeds?

8. In order to protect England, Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth is encouraged to marry one of the crowned heads of Europe; she is presented with portraits of which monarchs and princes as potential bridegrooms? (Which languages might the English world be speaking today?) Which famous seafarer, played by Clive Owens, captures her attention instead?

9. "Persepolis," a nominee for Best Animated Feature, is based on an autobiographical graphic novel set in a war torn Middle Eastern country in the 1980s. What country does the author/central character leave, and what war is she escaping? Where does she go, based on her study of French?

10. Best Picture nominee "No Country for Old Men" depicts increasing violence taking place on the border of which two countries? What conflict is Best Supporting Actor nominee Javier Bardem embroiled in?

Bonus: When Oscar makes movies, where does he do the filming?

--"Black Hawk Down" about Somalia --"Gladiator" about ancient Rome
--"Kingdom of Heaven" about the Crusades and Jerusalem
--"In the Valley of Elah" about Iraq
--"Body of Lies" about Jordan

For the answers, go to: http://info.iiepassport.org/iie-iq-test-answers.html

If, like many Americans, you find that your international knowledge base could stand to be improved, you may recognize the growing importance of international experience in preparing Americans to live and work in today's global society.

Although language and cultural skills are increasingly valued by employers and vital to America's national interest, the vast majority of U.S. college students still graduate without study abroad experience. The opportunity for more young Americans to study abroad is a goal shared by the President, the Secretary of State, and leaders in Congress, industry and academia. Making study abroad available to students from all backgrounds and all types of institutions, and in all fields of study, will strengthen America's competitiveness and our national security and increase our citizens' understanding of the world.

Allan E. Goodman is President and CEO of the Institute of International Education (www.iie.org), an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919 that administers international scholarship and educational and cultural exchange programs for public and private sponsors and provides resources to the higher education community.