Answer: Swiss Confederation

Context: Apart from the United Nations headquarters, the Swiss Confederation is host to many UN agencies, like the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and about 200 other international organisations, including the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization. The annual meetings of the World Economic Forum in Davos bring together top international business and political leaders from Switzerland and foreign countries to discuss important issues facing the world, including health and the environment. Additionally the headquarters of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) are located in Basel since 1930.

Question: Besides the U.N. Headquarters, who hosts many U.N. agencies?


Answer: International Labour Organization

Question: What does the ILO stand for?


Answer: important issues facing the world, including health and the environment

Question: What is disucussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos?


Answer: Bank for International Settlements

Question: What does BIS stand for?


Answer: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Question: What does UNHCR stand for?


Answer: at home

Context: The structure of the Swiss militia system stipulates that the soldiers keep their Army issued equipment, including all personal weapons, at home. Some organizations and political parties find this practice controversial but mainstream Swiss opinion is in favour of the system. Compulsory military service concerns all male Swiss citizens; women can serve voluntarily. Men usually receive military conscription orders for training at the age of 18. About two thirds of the young Swiss are found suited for service; for those found unsuited, various forms of alternative service exist. Annually, approximately 20,000 persons are trained in recruit centres for a duration from 18 to 21 weeks. The reform "Army XXI" was adopted by popular vote in 2003, it replaced the previous model "Army 95", reducing the effectives from 400,000 to about 200,000. Of those, 120,000 are active in periodic Army training and 80,000 are non-training reserves.

Question: Where do Swiss militia keep their Army issued equipment?


Answer: all male Swiss citizens

Question: Who has compulsory military service in Switzerland?


Answer: women

Question: Who can serve in the Swiss military voluntarily?


Answer: Army XXI

Question: What replaced Army 95 in 2003?


Answer: 120,000

Question: In Army XXI, how many are active in periodic army training?


Answer: nineteenth largest

Context: Switzerland has a stable, prosperous and high-tech economy and enjoys great wealth, being ranked as the wealthiest country in the world per capita in multiple rankings. In 2011 it was ranked as the wealthiest country in the world in per capita terms (with "wealth" being defined to include both financial and non-financial assets), while the 2013 Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report showed that Switzerland was the country with the highest average wealth per adult in 2013. It has the world's nineteenth largest economy by nominal GDP and the thirty-sixth largest by purchasing power parity. It is the twentieth largest exporter, despite its small size. Switzerland has the highest European rating in the Index of Economic Freedom 2010, while also providing large coverage through public services. The nominal per capita GDP is higher than those of the larger Western and Central European economies and Japan. If adjusted for purchasing power parity, Switzerland ranks 8th in the world in terms of GDP per capita, according to the World Bank and IMF (ranked 15th according to the CIA Worldfactbook).

Question: How does the Swiss economy rank worldwide by nominal GDP?


Answer: thirty-sixth largest

Question: How does the Swiss economy rank worldwide by purchasing power parity?


Answer: 8th in the world

Question: What ranking does Switzerland hold in terms of GDP per capita, adjusting for purchasing power, according to the World Bank?


Answer: highest European rating

Question: Which rating was assigned to Switzerland by the Index of Economic Freedom of 2010?


Answer: the most competitive in the world

Context: The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland's economy as the most competitive in the world, while ranked by the European Union as Europe's most innovative country. For much of the 20th century, Switzerland was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin (by GDP – per capita). In 2007 the gross median household income in Switzerland was an estimated 137,094 USD at Purchasing power parity while the median income was 95,824 USD. Switzerland also has one of the world's largest account balances as a percentage of GDP.

Question: What did the World Economic Forum's Global Competetiveness Report Rank Switzerland's economy as?


Answer: 137,094 USD at Purchasing power parity

Question: What was the gross median estimate of household income in Switzerland in 2007?


Answer: 95,824 USD

Question: What was Switzerland's median income in 2007?


Answer: Europe's most innovative country

Question: How did the European Union rank Switzerland's economy?


Answer: manufacturing

Context: Switzerland's most important economic sector is manufacturing. Manufacturing consists largely of the production of specialist chemicals, health and pharmaceutical goods, scientific and precision measuring instruments and musical instruments. The largest exported goods are chemicals (34% of exported goods), machines/electronics (20.9%), and precision instruments/watches (16.9%). Exported services amount to a third of exports. The service sector – especially banking and insurance, tourism, and international organisations – is another important industry for Switzerland.

Question: What is Switzerland's most important economic sector?


Answer: chemicals

Question: What accounts for 34% of Switzerland's exported goods?


Answer: machines/electronics

Question: What accounts for 20.9% of Switzerland's exported goods?


Answer: precision instruments/watches

Question: What accounts for 16.9% of Switzerland's exported goods?


Answer: a third

Question: What percentage of exports are exported services?


Answer: about 25%

Context: Around 3.8 million people work in Switzerland; about 25% of employees belonged to a trade union in 2004. Switzerland has a more flexible job market than neighbouring countries and the unemployment rate is very low. The unemployment rate increased from a low of 1.7% in June 2000 to a peak of 4.4% in December 2009. The unemployment rate is 3.2% in 2014. Population growth from net immigration is quite high, at 0.52% of population in 2004. The foreign citizen population was 21.8% in 2004, about the same as in Australia. GDP per hour worked is the world's 16th highest, at 49.46 international dollars in 2012.

Question: What percentage of employees belonged to a trade union in 2004?


Answer: Around 3.8 million

Question: How many people work in Switzerland?


Answer: 3.2%

Question: What was the unemployment rate in Switzerland in 2014?


Answer: 21.8%

Question: What was the foreign citizen population percentage in Switzerland in 2014?


Answer: 4.4%

Question: What was the peak unemployment rate reached in December, 2009?


Answer: 20th

Context: Switzerland has an overwhelmingly private sector economy and low tax rates by Western World standards; overall taxation is one of the smallest of developed countries. Switzerland is a relatively easy place to do business, currently ranking 20th of 189 countries in the Ease of Doing Business Index. The slow growth Switzerland experienced in the 1990s and the early 2000s has brought greater support for economic reforms and harmonization with the European Union. According to Credit Suisse, only about 37% of residents own their own homes, one of the lowest rates of home ownership in Europe. Housing and food price levels were 171% and 145% of the EU-25 index in 2007, compared to 113% and 104% in Germany.

Question: How is Switzerland ranked of 189 countries in the Ease of Doing Business Index?


Answer: about 37%

Question: According to Credit Suisse, what percentage of residents own their homes?


Answer: low

Question: How do Switzerland's tax rates compare by Western World standards?


Answer: 62.8 billion Swiss francs

Context: The Swiss Federal budget had a size of 62.8 billion Swiss francs in 2010, which is an equivalent 11.35% of the country's GDP in that year; however, the regional (canton) budgets and the budgets of the municipalities are not counted as part of the federal budget and the total rate of government spending is closer to 33.8% of GDP. The main sources of income for the federal government are the value-added tax (33%) and the direct federal tax (29%) and the main expenditure is located in the areas of social welfare and finance & tax. The expenditures of the Swiss Confederation have been growing from 7% of GDP in 1960 to 9.7% in 1990 and to 10.7% in 2010. While the sectors social welfare and finance & tax have been growing from 35% in 1990 to 48.2% in 2010, a significant reduction of expenditures has been occurring in the sectors of agriculture and national defense; from 26.5% in to 12.4% (estimation for the year 2015).

Question: What size was the Swiss Federal budget in 2010?


Answer: value-added tax (33%) and the direct federal tax (29%)

Question: What are the two main sources of income for the federal government?


Answer: social welfare and finance & tax

Question: Which sectors are the main source of expenditures for the federal government?


Answer: agriculture and national defense

Question: Which sectors have experienced a reduction in federal government expenditures?


Answer: from 26.5% in to 12.4%

Question: How much were expenditures estimated to be cut in agriculture and national defense in 2015?


Answer: Agricultural protectionism

Context: Agricultural protectionism—a rare exception to Switzerland's free trade policies—has contributed to high food prices. Product market liberalisation is lagging behind many EU countries according to the OECD. Nevertheless, domestic purchasing power is one of the best in the world. Apart from agriculture, economic and trade barriers between the European Union and Switzerland are minimal and Switzerland has free trade agreements worldwide. Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Question: What has contributed to high food prices in Switzerland?


Answer: free

Question: What type of trade agreements does Switzerland have worldwide?


Answer: European Free Trade Association

Question: What is the EFTA?


Answer: one of the best

Question: What is Switzerland's world ranking in domestic purchasing power?


Answer: Product market liberalisation

Question: According to the OECD, what is Switzerland lagging behind many EU countries in?


Answer: the cantons

Context: Education in Switzerland is very diverse because the constitution of Switzerland delegates the authority for the school system to the cantons. There are both public and private schools, including many private international schools. The minimum age for primary school is about six years in all cantons, but most cantons provide a free "children's school" starting at four or five years old. Primary school continues until grade four, five or six, depending on the school. Traditionally, the first foreign language in school was always one of the other national languages, although recently (2000) English was introduced first in a few cantons.

Question: Who has authority of school systems in Switzerland?


Answer: six

Question: What is the minimum age for primary school in all cantons?


Answer: children's school

Question: What do most cantons provide for free when children are 4 or 5 years old?


Answer: 2000

Question: When was English introduced as a first foreign language in many cantons?


Answer: until grade four, five or six

Question: How long does primary school continue?


Answer: 12

Context: There are 12 universities in Switzerland, ten of which are maintained at cantonal level and usually offer a range of non-technical subjects. The first university in Switzerland was founded in 1460 in Basel (with a faculty of medicine) and has a tradition of chemical and medical research in Switzerland. The biggest university in Switzerland is the University of Zurich with nearly 25,000 students. The two institutes sponsored by the federal government are the ETHZ in Zürich (founded 1855) and the EPFL in Lausanne (founded 1969 as such, formerly an institute associated with the University of Lausanne) which both have an excellent international reputation.[note 10]

Question: How many universities are in Switzerland?


Answer: ten

Question: How many of the 12 Swiss universities are maintained at the cantonal level?


Answer: 1460

Question: When was the first university in Switzerland founded?


Answer: University of Zurich

Question: What is the biggest university in Switzerland?


Answer: nearly 25,000

Question: How many students attend the University of Zurich?


Answer: Albert Einstein

Context: Many Nobel prizes have been awarded to Swiss scientists, for example to the world-famous physicist Albert Einstein in the field of physics who developed his Special relativity while working in Bern. More recently Vladimir Prelog, Heinrich Rohrer, Richard Ernst, Edmond Fischer, Rolf Zinkernagel and Kurt Wüthrich received Nobel prizes in the sciences. In total, 113 Nobel Prize winners in all fields stand in relation to Switzerland[note 11] and the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded nine times to organisations residing in Switzerland.

Question: What Swiss world famous physicist developed his Special relativity while working in Bern?


Answer: 113

Question: How many total Nobel prizes were awarded to Swiss scientists?


Answer: nine

Question: How many times has the Nobel Peace Prize been awarded to organisations residing in Switzerland?


Answer: CERN

Context: Geneva and the nearby French department of Ain co-host the world's largest laboratory, CERN, dedicated to particle physics research. Another important research center is the Paul Scherrer Institute. Notable inventions include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), the scanning tunneling microscope (Nobel prize) and Velcro. Some technologies enabled the exploration of new worlds such as the pressurized balloon of Auguste Piccard and the Bathyscaphe which permitted Jacques Piccard to reach the deepest point of the world's oceans.

Question: What is the world's largest laboratory?


Answer: Geneva

Question: Who co-hosts CERN along with the French department of Ain?


Answer: particle physics

Question: What research is CERN dedicated to?


Answer: scanning tunneling microscope

Question: What notable Swiss invention won the nobel prize?


Answer: Auguste Piccard

Question: Who invented the pressurized balloon?


Answer: through bilateral agreements

Context: Switzerland voted against membership in the European Economic Area in a referendum in December 1992 and has since maintained and developed its relationships with the European Union (EU) and European countries through bilateral agreements. In March 2001, the Swiss people refused in a popular vote to start accession negotiations with the EU. In recent years, the Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with those of the EU in many ways, in an effort to enhance their international competitiveness. The economy grew at 3% in 2010, 1.9% in 2011, and 1% in 2012. Full EU membership is a long-term objective of some in the Swiss government, but there is considerable popular sentiment against this supported by the conservative SVP party. The western French-speaking areas and the urban regions of the rest of the country tend to be more pro-EU, however with far from any significant share of the population.

Question: How has Switzerland maintained its relationships with the EU?


Answer: the EU

Question: In recent years, what have the Swiss brought their economic practices into conformity with?


Answer: international competitiveness

Question: What have the Swiss tried to enhance by conforming to EU economic practices?


Answer: 3%

Question: How much did the Swiss economy grow in 2010?


Answer: SVP party

Question: Which conservative party is popularly against joining the EU?


Answer: seven

Context: The government has established an Integration Office under the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs. To minimise the negative consequences of Switzerland's isolation from the rest of Europe, Bern and Brussels signed seven bilateral agreements to further liberalise trade ties. These agreements were signed in 1999 and took effect in 2001. This first series of bilateral agreements included the free movement of persons. A second series covering nine areas was signed in 2004 and has since been ratified, which includes the Schengen Treaty and the Dublin Convention besides others. They continue to discuss further areas for cooperation.

Question: How many bilateral agreements did Bern and Brussels sign to further liberalise trade ties?


Answer: free movement of persons

Question: What was included in the first series of bilateral agreements pertaining to people?


Answer: 2004

Question: When was a second series of 9 bilateral agreements signed?


Answer: has since been ratified

Question: What has since happened to the second series of bilateral agreements?


Answer: Switzerland's isolation from the rest of Europe

Question: What were the original bilateral agreements meant to minimize the negative consequences of?


Answer: poorer Southern and Central European countries

Context: In 2006, Switzerland approved 1 billion francs of supportive investment in the poorer Southern and Central European countries in support of cooperation and positive ties to the EU as a whole. A further referendum will be needed to approve 300 million francs to support Romania and Bulgaria and their recent admission. The Swiss have also been under EU and sometimes international pressure to reduce banking secrecy and to raise tax rates to parity with the EU. Preparatory discussions are being opened in four new areas: opening up the electricity market, participation in the European GNSS project Galileo, cooperating with the European centre for disease prevention and recognising certificates of origin for food products.

Question: In 2006, what did Switzerland approve 1 billion francs of supportive investment for?


Answer: secrecy

Question: What have the Swiss been under EU and national pressure to reduce in terms of banking?


Answer: raise tax rates to parity with the EU

Question: What have the Swiss been under pressure from the EU to do in terms of tax rates?


Answer: immigration

Context: On 9 February 2014, Swiss voters narrowly approved by 50.3% a ballot initiative launched by the national conservative Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) to restrict immigration, and thus reintroducing a quota system on the influx of foreigners. This initiative was mostly backed by rural (57.6% approvals), suburban (51.2% approvals), and isolated cities (51.3% approvals) of Switzerland as well as by a strong majority (69.2% approval) in the canton of Ticino, while metropolitan centres (58.5% rejection) and the French-speaking part (58.5% rejection) of Switzerland rather rejected it. Some news commentators claim that this proposal de facto contradicts the bilateral agreements on the free movement of persons from these respective countries.

Question: In February of 2014, what did Swiss voters narrowly approve to restrict?


Answer: a quota system

Question: What was reintroduced on the influx of foreigners in February of 2014?


Answer: metropolitan

Question: Which centres of Switzerland mostly rejected the quota system for foreigners?


Answer: 58.5%

Question: What was the rejection rate of the quota system by the French speaking part of Switzerland?


Answer: bilateral agreements on the free movement of persons

Question: What do some news commentators claim is violated by the restricted immigration proposal?


Answer: a citizens' initiative

Context: The former ten-year moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants was the result of a citizens' initiative voted on in 1990 which had passed with 54.5% Yes vs. 45.5% No votes. Plans for a new nuclear plant in the Canton of Bern have been put on hold after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in 2011. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is the office responsible for all questions relating to energy supply and energy use within the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). The agency is supporting the 2000-watt society initiative to cut the nation's energy use by more than half by the year 2050.

Question: What was the former 10-year moratorium on the construction of nuclear plants the result of?


Answer: Fukushima Daiichi power plant in 2011

Question: What accident caused the delay in plans for the new nuclear power plant in Bern?


Answer: Swiss Federal Office of Energy

Question: What does SFOE stand for?


Answer: Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications

Question: What does DETEC stand for?


Answer: the nation's energy use

Question: What is the 2000-watt society initiative designed to cut by more than half by 2050?


Answer: 2 or 3 decades

Context: On 25 May 2011 the Swiss government announced that it plans to end its use of nuclear energy in the next 2 or 3 decades. "The government has voted for a phaseout because we want to ensure a secure and autonomous supply of energy", Energy Minister Doris Leuthard said that day at a press conference in Bern. "Fukushima showed that the risk of nuclear power is too high, which in turn has also increased the costs of this energy form." The first reactor would reportedly be taken offline in 2019 and the last one in 2034. Parliament will discuss the plan in June 2011, and there could be a referendum as well.

Question: In 2011, what time frame did the Swiss government give for ending its use of nuclear energy?


Answer: to ensure a secure and autonomous supply of energy

Question: What reason did the Swiss government give for ending its use of nuclear energy?


Answer: 2019

Question: When is Switzerland's first nuclear reactor scheduled to be taken offline?


Answer: 2034

Question: When is Switzerland's last nuclear reactor scheduled to be taken offline?


Answer: Energy Minister

Question: Who is the Doris Leuthard?


Answer: over 350 million

Context: The most dense rail network in Europe of 5,063 km (3,146 mi) carries over 350 million passengers annually. In 2007, each Swiss citizen travelled on average 2,258 km (1,403 mi) by rail, which makes them the keenest rail users. The network is administered mainly by the Federal Railways, except in Graubünden, where the 366 km (227 mi) narrow gauge railway is operated by the Rhaetian Railways and includes some World Heritage lines. The building of new railway base tunnels through the Alps is under way to reduce the time of travel between north and south through the AlpTransit project.

Question: How many passengers does the most dense rail network in Europe carry annualy?


Answer: 2,258

Question: In 2007, what was the average amount of km's travelled by eacg Swiss citizens on the rails?


Answer: Federal Railways

Question: Who mainly administers the Swiss railway system?


Answer: north and south

Question: What is the Alp-Transit project designed to reduce the time of travel between?


Answer: the Alps

Question: Under which mountains are the railway tunnels being built for the Alp-Transit project?


Answer: road tolls and vehicle taxes

Context: Swiss private-public managed road network is funded by road tolls and vehicle taxes. The Swiss autobahn/autoroute system requires the purchase of a vignette (toll sticker)—which costs 40 Swiss francs—for one calendar year in order to use its roadways, for both passenger cars and trucks. The Swiss autobahn/autoroute network has a total length of 1,638 km (1,018 mi) (as of 2000) and has, by an area of 41,290 km2 (15,940 sq mi), also one of the highest motorway densities in the world. Zürich Airport is Switzerland's largest international flight gateway, which handled 22.8 million passengers in 2012. The other international airports are Geneva Airport (13.9 million passengers in 2012), EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg which is located in France, Bern Airport, Lugano Airport, St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport and Sion Airport. Swiss International Air Lines is the flag carrier of Switzerland. Its main hub is Zürich.

Question: What is the Swiss private-public managed road network funded by?


Answer: 40 Swiss francs

Question: How much does the Swiss autoroute network charge for a toll sticker to use Swiss roadways for a year?


Answer: Zürich

Question: Which airport is Switzerland's largest international flight gateway?


Answer: Swiss International Air Lines

Question: What is the name of the flag airline carrier in Switzerland?


Answer: 22.8 million

Question: How many passengers used the Zurich airport in 2012?


Answer: 1998

Context: Switzerland has one of the best environmental records among nations in the developed world; it was one of the countries to sign the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 and ratified it in 2003. With Mexico and the Republic of Korea it forms the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG). The country is heavily active in recycling and anti-littering regulations and is one of the top recyclers in the world, with 66% to 96% of recyclable materials being recycled, depending on the area of the country. The 2014 Global Green Economy Index ranked Switzerland among the top 10 green economies in the world.

Question: When did Switzerland sign the Kyoto Protocol?


Answer: 2003

Question: When did Switzerland ratify the Kyoto Protocol


Answer: Environmental Integrity Group (EIG)

Question: What was formed by Switzerland, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea?


Answer: 66% to 96%

Question: What percentage of recyclable materials are being recycled in Switzerland?


Answer: among the top 10 green economies in the world

Question: How did the 2010 Global Green Economy Index rank Switzerland?


Answer: Rubbish

Context: In many places in Switzerland, household rubbish disposal is charged for. Rubbish (except dangerous items, batteries etc.) is only collected if it is in bags which either have a payment sticker attached, or in official bags with the surcharge paid at the time of purchase. This gives a financial incentive to recycle as much as possible, since recycling is free. Illegal disposal of garbage is not tolerated but usually the enforcement of such laws is limited to violations that involve the unlawful disposal of larger volumes at traffic intersections and public areas. Fines for not paying the disposal fee range from CHF 200–500.

Question: What does Switzerland charge for the disposal of in order to encourage recycling?


Answer: from CHF 200–500

Question: What are the fines for not paying the rubbish disposal fee?


Answer: free

Question: What is the charge for recycling in Switzerland?


Answer: 23.3%

Context: In 2012, resident foreigners made up 23.3% of the population. Most of these (64%) were from European Union or EFTA countries. Italians were the largest single group of foreigners with 15.6% of total foreign population. They were closely followed by Germans (15.2%), immigrants from Portugal (12.7%), France (5.6%), Serbia (5.3%), Turkey (3.8%), Spain (3.7%), and Austria (2%). Immigrants from Sri Lanka, most of them former Tamil refugees, were the largest group among people of Asian origin (6.3%). Additionally, the figures from 2012 show that 34.7% of the permanent resident population aged 15 or over in Switzerland, i.e. 2,335,000 persons, had an immigrant background. A third of this population (853,000) held Swiss citizenship. Four fifths of persons with an immigration background were themselves immigrants (first generation foreigners and native-born and naturalised Swiss citizens), whereas one fifth were born in Switzerland (second generation foreigners and native-born and naturalised Swiss citizens). In the 2000s, domestic and international institutions expressed concern about what they perceived as an increase in xenophobia, particularly in some political campaigns. In reply to one critical report the Federal Council noted that "racism unfortunately is present in Switzerland", but stated that the high proportion of foreign citizens in the country, as well as the generally unproblematic integration of foreigners", underlined Switzerland's openness.

Question: In 2010, what percentage of the population was made up of foreigners?


Answer: Italians

Question: Who were the largest single group of foreigners in 2010?


Answer: 34.7%

Question: What percentage of the population aged 15 and over were shown to have an immigrant background as of 2012?


Answer: one fifth

Question: What percentage of the immigrants were born in Switzerland as of 2012?


Answer: increase in xenophobia

Question: In the 2000's, what was the concern perceived toward immigrants by institutions?


Answer: four

Context: Switzerland has four official languages: principally German (63.5% total population share, with foreign residents, in 2013); French (22.5%) in the west; and Italian (8.1%) in the south. The fourth official language, Romansh (0.5%), is a Romance language spoken locally in the southeastern trilingual canton of Graubünden, and is designated by Article 4 of the Federal Constitution as a national language along with German, French, and Italian, and in Article 70 as an official language if the authorities communicate with persons who speak Romansh. However, federal laws and other official acts do not need to be decreed in Romansh.

Question: How many official languages does Switzerland have?


Answer: German

Question: What is the principal official language in Switzerland?


Answer: French

Question: What is the principal official language in the western part of Switzerland?


Answer: Italian

Question: What is the principal official language in the southern part of Switzerland?


Answer: Romansh

Question: What is the least popular official language of Switzerland?


Answer: four

Context: Aside from the official forms of their respective languages, the four linguistic regions of Switzerland also have their local dialectal forms. The role played by dialects in each linguistic region varies dramatically: in the German-speaking regions, Swiss German dialects have become ever more prevalent since the second half of the 20th century, especially in the media, such as radio and television, and are used as an everyday language, while the Swiss variety of Standard German is almost always used instead of dialect for written communication (c.f. diglossic usage of a language). Conversely, in the French-speaking regions the local dialects have almost disappeared (only 6.3% of the population of Valais, 3.9% of Fribourg, and 3.1% of Jura still spoke dialects at the end of the 20th century), while in the Italian-speaking regions dialects are mostly limited to family settings and casual conversation.

Question: How many linguistic regions of Switzerland have their own form of local dialect?


Answer: Swiss German

Question: What dialect is increasing in German speaking regions?


Answer: have almost disappeared

Question: What has happened to the local dialects in the French speaking regions?


Answer: family settings and casual conversation

Question: Where do dialects tend to be limited to in the Italian speaking regions?


Answer: Helvetisms

Context: The principal official languages (German, French, and Italian) have terms, not used outside of Switzerland, known as Helvetisms. German Helvetisms are, roughly speaking, a large group of words typical of Swiss Standard German, which do not appear either in Standard German, nor in other German dialects. These include terms from Switzerland's surrounding language cultures (German Billette from French), from similar term in another language (Italian azione used not only as act but also as discount from German Aktion). The French spoken in Switzerland has similar terms, which are equally known as Helvetisms. The most frequent characteristics of Helvetisms are in vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation, but certain Helvetisms denote themselves as special in syntax and orthography likewise. Duden, one of the prescriptive sources for Standard German, is aware of about 3000 Helvetisms. Current French dictionaries, such as the Petit Larousse, include several hundred Helvetisms.

Question: What are terms that are not used outside of Switzerland known as?


Answer: vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation

Question: Where are the most frequent characteristics of Helvetisms found?


Answer: Helvetisms

Question: What do current French dictionaries include several hundred of?


Answer: private insurance companies

Context: Swiss citizens are universally required to buy health insurance from private insurance companies, which in turn are required to accept every applicant. While the cost of the system is among the highest it compares well with other European countries in terms of health outcomes; patients who are citizens have been reported as being, in general, highly satisfied with it. In 2012, life expectancy at birth was 80.4 years for men and 84.7 years for women — the highest in the world. However, spending on health is particularly high at 11.4% of GDP (2010), on par with Germany and France (11.6%) and other European countries, and notably less than spending in the USA (17.6%). From 1990, a steady increase can be observed, reflecting the high costs of the services provided. With an ageing population and new healthcare technologies, health spending will likely continue to rise.

Question: Who are Swiss citizens required to buy health insurance from?


Answer: every applicant

Question: Who are private insurance companies required to accept?


Answer: highest

Question: In 2012, what was Switzerland's world ranking for life expectancy in 2012?


Answer: ageing

Question: What population will cause health spending to likely rise in the future?


Answer: high costs of the services provided

Question: What do new high tech healthcare technologies translate to?


Answer: Between two thirds and three quarters

Context: Between two thirds and three quarters of the population live in urban areas. Switzerland has gone from a largely rural country to an urban one in just 70 years. Since 1935 urban development has claimed as much of the Swiss landscape as it did during the previous 2,000 years. This urban sprawl does not only affect the plateau but also the Jura and the Alpine foothills and there are growing concerns about land use. However, from the beginning of the 21st century, the population growth in urban areas is higher than in the countryside.

Question: How much of the Swiss population live in urban areas?


Answer: higher

Question: From the beginning of the 21st century, how does the population growth in urban areas compare to the countryside?


Answer: 70

Question: How many years did it take Switzerland to go from a largely urban country to a rural one?


Answer: 450 people per km2

Context: Switzerland has a dense network of cities, where large, medium and small cities are complementary. The plateau is very densely populated with about 450 people per km2 and the landscape continually shows signs of human presence. The weight of the largest metropolitan areas, which are Zürich, Geneva–Lausanne, Basel and Bern tend to increase. In international comparison the importance of these urban areas is stronger than their number of inhabitants suggests. In addition the two main centers of Zürich and Geneva are recognized for their particularly great quality of life.

Question: What is the population density of the plateau?


Answer: Zürich and Geneva

Question: Which 2 centers are recognized for their particularly great quality of life?


Answer: increase

Question: What does the weight of the largest metropolitan areas tend to do?


Answer: Christianity

Context: Christianity is the predominant religion of Switzerland (about 71% of resident population and 75% of Swiss citizens), divided between the Catholic Church (38.21% of the population), the Swiss Reformed Church (26.93%), further Protestant churches (2.89%) and other Christian denominations (2.79%). There has been a recent rise in Evangelicalism. Immigration has brought Islam (4.95%) and Eastern Orthodoxy (around 2%) as sizeable minority religions. According to a 2015 poll by Gallup International, 12% of Swiss people self-identified as "convinced atheists."

Question: What is the predominant religion of Switzerland?


Answer: Islam

Question: What religion has immigration brought by 4.95%?


Answer: Eastern Orthodoxy

Question: What religion has immigration brought by 2%?


Answer: 12%

Question: According to a 2015 Gallup Poll, what percentage of Swiss people are convinced atheists?


Answer: 38.21%

Question: What percentage of the Christian population is Catholic?


Answer: 21.4%

Context: As of the 2000 census other Christian minority communities include Neo-Pietism (0.44%), Pentecostalism (0.28%, mostly incorporated in the Schweizer Pfingstmission), Methodism (0.13%), the New Apostolic Church (0.45%), Jehovah's Witnesses (0.28%), other Protestant denominations (0.20%), the Old Catholic Church (0.18%), other Christian denominations (0.20%). Non-Christian religions are Hinduism (0.38%), Buddhism (0.29%), Judaism (0.25%) and others (0.11%); 4.3% did not make a statement. 21.4% in 2012 declared themselves as unchurched i.e. not affiliated with any church or other religious body (Agnostic, Atheist, or just not related to any official religion).

Question: What percentage of Swiss people claimed no church affiliation in 2012?


Answer: 0.28%

Question: According to the census of 2000, what percentage of Swiss are pentecostal?


Answer: 0.28%

Question: According to the census of 2000, what percentage of Swiss are Jehova's Witnesses?


Answer: 0.29%

Question: According to the census of 2000, what percentage of Swiss are Buddhists?


Answer: 1536

Context: The country was historically about evenly balanced between Catholic and Protestant, with a complex patchwork of majorities over most of the country. Geneva converted to Protestantism in 1536, just before John Calvin arrived there. One canton, Appenzell, was officially divided into Catholic and Protestant sections in 1597. The larger cities and their cantons (Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Zürich and Basel) used to be predominantly Protestant. Central Switzerland, the Valais, the Ticino, Appenzell Innerrhodes, the Jura, and Fribourg are traditionally Catholic. The Swiss Constitution of 1848, under the recent impression of the clashes of Catholic vs. Protestant cantons that culminated in the Sonderbundskrieg, consciously defines a consociational state, allowing the peaceful co-existence of Catholics and Protestants. A 1980 initiative calling for the complete separation of church and state was rejected by 78.9% of the voters. Some traditionally Protestant cantons and cities nowadays have a slight Catholic majority, not because they were growing in members, quite the contrary, but only because since about 1970 a steadily growing minority became not affiliated with any church or other religious body (21.4% in Switzerland, 2012) especially in traditionally Protestant regions, such as Basel-City (42%), canton of Neuchâtel (38%), canton of Geneva (35%), canton of Vaud (26%), or Zürich city (city: >25%; canton: 23%).

Question: When did Geneva convert to Protestantism?


Answer: allowing the peaceful co-existence of Catholics and Protestants

Question: How is a consociational state defined by the Constitution of 1848?


Answer: 1980

Question: When was the calling for a complete separation from church and state rejected by the majority of voters?


Answer: 78.9%

Question: What percentage of voters rejected the separation of church and state in 1980?


Answer: Romansh

Context: Three of Europe's major languages are official in Switzerland. Swiss culture is characterised by diversity, which is reflected in a wide range of traditional customs. A region may be in some ways strongly culturally connected to the neighbouring country that shares its language, the country itself being rooted in western European culture. The linguistically isolated Romansh culture in Graubünden in eastern Switzerland constitutes an exception, it survives only in the upper valleys of the Rhine and the Inn and strives to maintain its rare linguistic tradition.

Question: What culture is linguistically isolated from the rest of Switzerland?


Answer: in Graubünden in eastern Switzerland

Question: Where is the Romansh culture located?


Answer: Three

Question: How many of Europe's major languages are official in Switzerland?


Answer: Alpine

Context: Alpine symbolism has played an essential role in shaping the history of the country and the Swiss national identity. Nowadays some concentrated mountain areas have a strong highly energetic ski resort culture in winter, and a hiking (ger: das Wandern) or Mountain biking culture in summer. Other areas throughout the year have a recreational culture that caters to tourism, yet the quieter seasons are spring and autumn when there are fewer visitors. A traditional farmer and herder culture also predominates in many areas and small farms are omnipresent outside the cities. Folk art is kept alive in organisations all over the country. In Switzerland it is mostly expressed in music, dance, poetry, wood carving and embroidery. The alphorn, a trumpet-like musical instrument made of wood, has become alongside yodeling and the accordion an epitome of traditional Swiss music.

Question: What symbolism has played an important role in shaping the history of Switzerland?


Answer: ski resort culture

Question: What highly energetic culture is in some concentrated mountain areas in the winter?


Answer: alphorn

Question: What is the name of the trumpet like musical instrument made of wood has become the epitome of traditional Swiss music?


Answer: farmer and herder culture

Question: What traditional culture predominates in many areas of small farms?


Answer: finance and licensing

Context: The government exerts greater control over broadcast media than print media, especially due to finance and licensing. The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, whose name was recently changed to SRG SSR, is charged with the production and broadcast of radio and television programs. SRG SSR studios are distributed throughout the various language regions. Radio content is produced in six central and four regional studios while the television programs are produced in Geneva, Zürich and Lugano. An extensive cable network also allows most Swiss to access the programs from neighboring countries.

Question: What causes the government to exert greater control over broadcast media than print media?


Answer: Geneva, Zürich and Lugano

Question: Where are television programs produced?


Answer: SRG SSR

Question: What was the Swiss Broadcasting Corporations name recently changed to?


Answer: Skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering

Context: Skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering are among the most popular sports in Switzerland, the nature of the country being particularly suited for such activities. Winter sports are practiced by the natives and tourists since the second half of the 19th century with the invention of bobsleigh in St. Moritz. The first world ski championships were held in Mürren (1931) and St. Moritz (1934). The latter town hosted the second Winter Olympic Games in 1928 and the fifth edition in 1948. Among the most successful skiers and world champions are Pirmin Zurbriggen and Didier Cuche.

Question: What 3 mountain sports are among the most popular in Switzerland?


Answer: St. Moritz

Question: Where was the bobsleigh invented?


Answer: 1931

Question: When were the first ski championships held in Murren?


Answer: St. Moritz

Question: Which town hosted the 2nd Winter Olympic Games in 1928?


Answer: Nati

Context: Swiss are fans of football and the national team is nicknamed the 'Nati'. The headquarters of the sport's governing body, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), is located in Zürich. Switzerland hosted the 1954 FIFA World Cup, and was the joint host, with Austria, of the Euro 2008 tournament. The Swiss Super League is the nation's professional club league. For the Brasil 2014 World Cup finals tournament, the country's German-speaking cantons will be closely monitored by local police forces to prevent celebrations beyond one hour after matches end. Europe's highest football pitch, at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level, is located in Switzerland and is named the Ottmar Hitzfeld Stadium.

Question: What is the nickname for the Swiss national football team?


Answer: International Federation of Association Football

Question: What does FIFA stand for?


Answer: Switzerland

Question: Where is Europe's highest football pitch located?


Answer: Zürich

Question: Where is the FIFA located?


Answer: 1954

Question: Which FIFA world cup did Switzerland host?


Answer: IIHF World Championship

Context: Many Swiss also follow ice hockey and support one of the 12 clubs in the League A, which is the most attended league in Europe. In 2009, Switzerland hosted the IIHF World Championship for the 10th time. It also became World Vice-Champion in 2013. The numerous lakes make Switzerland an attractive place for sailing. The largest, Lake Geneva, is the home of the sailing team Alinghi which was the first European team to win the America's Cup in 2003 and which successfully defended the title in 2007. Tennis has become an increasingly popular sport, and Swiss players such as Martina Hingis, Roger Federer, and most recently, Stanislas Wawrinka have won multiple Grand Slams. Swiss professional wrestler Claudio Castagnoli is currently signed with WWE, and is a former United States champion.

Question: What was hosted for the 10th time by Switzerland in 2009?


Answer: Alinghi

Question: What was the name of the 1st European sailing team to win America's cup in 2013?


Answer: Claudio Castagnoli

Question: Which Swiss professional wrestler is currently signed with WWE?


Answer: Alinghi

Question: Which Swiss sailing team was the 1st to win America's Cup in 2003?


Answer: Motorsport racecourses and events

Context: Motorsport racecourses and events were banned in Switzerland following the 1955 Le Mans disaster with exception to events such as Hillclimbing. During this period, the country still produced successful racing drivers such as Clay Regazzoni, Sebastian Buemi, Jo Siffert, Dominique Aegerter, successful World Touring Car Championship driver Alain Menu, 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Marcel Fässler and 2015 24 Hours Nürburgring winner Nico Müller. Switzerland also won the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in 2007–08 with driver Neel Jani. Swiss motorcycle racer Thomas Lüthi won the 2005 MotoGP World Championship in the 125cc category. In June 2007 the Swiss National Council, one house of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, voted to overturn the ban, however the other house, the Swiss Council of States rejected the change and the ban remains in place.

Question: What was banned in Switzerland in 1955 after the Le Mans disaster?


Answer: Swiss National Council

Question: Who voted to overturn the ban on motorsport events in June 2007?


Answer: Swiss Council of States

Question: Who rejected the 2007 vote to overturn the motorsport ban in Switzerland?


Answer: Alain Menu

Question: Which successful World Touring Car Championship driver was produced in Switzerland despite the ban on motorsport events?


Answer: Thomas Lüthi

Question: Which Swiss motorcycle racer won the 2005 MotoGP World Championship in the 125cc category?


Answer: Hornussen

Context: Traditional sports include Swiss wrestling or "Schwingen". It is an old tradition from the rural central cantons and considered the national sport by some. Hornussen is another indigenous Swiss sport, which is like a cross between baseball and golf. Steinstossen is the Swiss variant of stone put, a competition in throwing a heavy stone. Practiced only among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken place in Basel in the 13th century. It is also central to the Unspunnenfest, first held in 1805, with its symbol the 83.5 kg stone named Unspunnenstein.

Question: Which popular Swiss sport is a cross between baseball and golf?


Answer: Swiss wrestling or "Schwingen"

Question: Which old, traditional sport is considered to be the national sport by some Swiss?


Answer: a heavy stone

Question: What is thrown in the Swiss competition Steinstossen?


Answer: alpine

Question: Which Swiss population is the only one to have practiced Steinstossen since prehistoric times?


Answer: Unspunnenstein

Question: What was the name of the 83.5 kg stone that symbolized the Unspunnenfest, first held in 1805?


Answer: western Switzerland

Context: The cuisine of Switzerland is multifaceted. While some dishes such as fondue, raclette or rösti are omnipresent through the country, each region developed its own gastronomy according to the differences of climate and languages. Traditional Swiss cuisine uses ingredients similar to those in other European countries, as well as unique dairy products and cheeses such as Gruyère or Emmental, produced in the valleys of Gruyères and Emmental. The number of fine-dining establishments is high, particularly in western Switzerland.

Question: What part of Switzerland has a particularly high number of fine-dining establishments?


Answer: Gruyère

Question: What unique dairy cheese is produced in the Swiss valleys of Gruyeres?


Answer: climate and languages

Question: What differences primarily dictated some of the regional variations in Swiss cuisine?


Answer: Emmental

Question: What dairy product is produced in the valley of Emmental?


Answer: similar

Question: How do the ingredients of traditional Swiss cuisine compare to that of other European countries?


Answer: wine

Context: The most popular alcoholic drink in Switzerland is wine. Switzerland is notable for the variety of grapes grown because of the large variations in terroirs, with their specific mixes of soil, air, altitude and light. Swiss wine is produced mainly in Valais, Vaud (Lavaux), Geneva and Ticino, with a small majority of white wines. Vineyards have been cultivated in Switzerland since the Roman era, even though certain traces can be found of a more ancient origin. The most widespread varieties are the Chasselas (called Fendant in Valais) and Pinot noir. The Merlot is the main variety produced in Ticino.

Question: What is the most popular alcoholic drink in Switzerland?


Answer: Roman era

Question: When were vineyards first cultivated in Switzerland?


Answer: white

Question: What type of wine comprises a small majority of wine produced in Switzerland?


Answer: Chasselas (called Fendant in Valais) and Pinot noir

Question: What are the two most widespread varieties of wines in Switzerland?


Answer: specific mixes of soil, air, altitude and light

Question: What 4 terrain variations are credited for Switzerland's notable variety of grapes grown?


Answer: Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa

Context: Mali (i/ˈmɑːli/; French: [maˈli]), officially the Republic of Mali (French: République du Mali), is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of just over 1,240,000 square kilometres (480,000 sq mi). The population of Mali is 14.5 million. Its capital is Bamako. Mali consists of eight regions and its borders on the north reach deep into the middle of the Sahara Desert, while the country's southern part, where the majority of inhabitants live, features the Niger and Senegal rivers. The country's economy centers on agriculture and fishing. Some of Mali's prominent natural resources include gold, being the third largest producer of gold in the African continent, and salt. About half the population lives below the international poverty line of $1.25 (U.S.) a day. A majority of the population (55%) are non-denominational Muslims.

Question: Of Africa what rank in size country is Mali?


Answer: Bamako

Question: What is Mali's capital named?


Answer: Niger and Senegal rivers

Question: What are two major rivers located inside of Mali?


Answer: prominent natural resources include gold

Question: Besides salt what other major natural resources does Mali produce?


Answer: (55%) are non-denominational Muslims

Question: More than half of the population is what religion?


Answer: France seized control of Mali

Context: Present-day Mali was once part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade: the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire (for which Mali is named), and the Songhai Empire. During its golden age, there was a flourishing of mathematics, astronomy, literature, and art. At its peak in 1300, the Mali Empire covered an area about twice the size of modern-day France and stretched to the west coast of Africa. In the late 19th century, during the Scramble for Africa, France seized control of Mali, making it a part of French Sudan. French Sudan (then known as the Sudanese Republic) joined with Senegal in 1959, achieving independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. Shortly thereafter, following Senegal's withdrawal from the federation, the Sudanese Republic declared itself the independent Republic of Mali. After a long period of one-party rule, a coup in 1991 led to the writing of a new constitution and the establishment of Mali as a democratic, multi-party state.

Question: In the latter part of the 19th century what country took control of Mali?


Answer: 1960

Question: What year did Mali gain independence as the Mali Federation?


Answer: Mali as a democratic, multi-party state

Question: Along with a new constitution, Mali became what type of state in 1991?


Answer: three

Question: Mali was once part of how many West African empires?


Answer: Mali Empire (for which Mali is named)

Question: What was the name of the Empire that the country is now named after?


Answer: northern Mali

Context: In January 2012, an armed conflict broke out in northern Mali, which Tuareg rebels took control of by April and declared the secession of a new state, Azawad. The conflict was complicated by a military coup that took place in March and later fighting between Tuareg and Islamist rebels. In response to Islamist territorial gains, the French military launched Opération Serval in January 2013. A month later, Malian and French forces recaptured most of the north. Presidential elections were held on 28 July 2013, with a second round run-off held on 11 August, and legislative elections were held on 24 November and 15 December 2013.

Question: What area of Mali did conflict arise in January of 2012?


Answer: Tuareg rebels

Question: What were the rebels named in the conflict of 2012?


Answer: new state, Azawad

Question: What was the name that the rebels declared as a new state?


Answer: French military

Question: What country sent military in response to terrorism in 2013?


Answer: Presidential elections

Question: On July 28 2013 what type of elections were held?


Answer: Moroccan invasion in 1591

Context: In the late 14th century, the Songhai gradually gained independence from the Mali Empire and expanded, ultimately subsuming the entire eastern portion of the Mali Empire. The Songhai Empire's eventual collapse was largely the result of a Moroccan invasion in 1591, under the command of Judar Pasha. The fall of the Songhai Empire marked the end of the region's role as a trading crossroads. Following the establishment of sea routes by the European powers, the trans-Saharan trade routes lost significance.

Question: The Sonhgai Empire's demise was due to what invasion?


Answer: Saharan trade routes lost significance.

Question: What major impact did the falling of the Songhai Empire have?


Answer: 14th century

Question: What century did Songhai become independent from Mali?


Answer: Judar Pasha

Question: Who was the commander of the Moroccan invasion of 1591?


Answer: establishment of sea routes

Question: What type of trading routes did Europeans make that compounded to the profound effect?


Answer: Keïta regime

Context: On 19 November 1968, following progressive economic decline, the Keïta regime was overthrown in a bloodless military coup led by Moussa Traoré, a day which is now commemorated as Liberation Day. The subsequent military-led regime, with Traoré as president, attempted to reform the economy. His efforts were frustrated by political turmoil and a devastating drought between 1968 to 1974, in which famine killed thousands of people. The Traoré regime faced student unrest beginning in the late 1970s and three coup attempts. The Traoré regime repressed all dissenters until the late 1980s.

Question: What regime was overthrown in 1968?


Answer: Moussa Traoré

Question: Who led the military on what is now celebrated Liberation Day?


Answer: president

Question: What position did Moussa Traoré take on as a result of his success?


Answer: 1968 to 1974

Question: Between what years did famine and drought afflict the country?


Answer: three coup attempts

Question: In the 1970's how many attempts were there the overthrow the govenment?


Answer: 1991

Context: Anti-government protests in 1991 led to a coup, a transitional government, and a new constitution. Opposition to the corrupt and dictatorial regime of General Moussa Traoré grew during the 1980s. During this time strict programs, imposed to satisfy demands of the International Monetary Fund, brought increased hardship upon the country's population, while elites close to the government supposedly lived in growing wealth. Peaceful student protests in January 1991 were brutally suppressed, with mass arrests and torture of leaders and participants. Scattered acts of rioting and vandalism of public buildings followed, but most actions by the dissidents remained nonviolent.

Question: In what year did Mali get a new constitution?


Answer: student protests

Question: In January of 1991 what type of protests were violently curbed?


Answer: dictatorial regime

Question: What type of administration did general Mousa Traoré have?


Answer: International Monetary Fund

Question: Strict rules were put in place to appease what monetary fund?


Answer: growing wealth

Question: It was rumored that people close to the government lived in what type of condition?


Answer: pro-democracy

Context: From 22 March through 26 March 1991, mass pro-democracy rallies and a nationwide strike was held in both urban and rural communities, which became known as les evenements ("the events") or the March Revolution. In Bamako, in response to mass demonstrations organized by university students and later joined by trade unionists and others, soldiers opened fire indiscriminately on the nonviolent demonstrators. Riots broke out briefly following the shootings. Barricades as well as roadblocks were erected and Traoré declared a state of emergency and imposed a nightly curfew. Despite an estimated loss of 300 lives over the course of four days, nonviolent protesters continued to return to Bamako each day demanding the resignation of the dictatorial president and the implementation of democratic policies.

Question: What type of rallies were being held in March of 1991?


Answer: March Revolution

Question: There was a nationwide strike being held that was called les envenements and also named what?


Answer: nightly

Question: After the president declared a state of emergency, what type of curfew was placed on the country?


Answer: 300 lives

Question: How many people died over the course of four days?


Answer: nonviolent

Question: After all of the governments efforts what types of protests continued?


Answer: Moussa Traoré

Context: 26 March 1991 is the day that marks the clash between military soldiers and peaceful demonstrating students which climaxed in the massacre of dozens under the orders of then President Moussa Traoré. He and three associates were later tried and convicted and received the death sentence for their part in the decision-making of that day. Nowadays, the day is a national holiday in order to remember the tragic events and the people that were killed.[unreliable source?] The coup is remembered as Mali's March Revolution of 1991.

Question: Who was president during the March protests?


Answer: three associates

Question: How many people aside from the president received a death sentence?


Answer: 26 March

Question: What day is now a National holiday in connection to Moussa Traoré?


Answer: death sentence

Question: All four men were convicted and received what as punishment?


Answer: their part in the decision-making

Question: Those that received the death sentence had gotten it for their role in what?


Answer: Lieutenant Colonel Amadou Toumani Touré

Context: By 26 March, the growing refusal of soldiers to fire into the largely nonviolent protesting crowds turned into a full-scale tumult, and resulted into thousands of soldiers putting down their arms and joining the pro-democracy movement. That afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel Amadou Toumani Touré announced on the radio that he had arrested the dictatorial president, Moussa Traoré. As a consequence, opposition parties were legalized and a national congress of civil and political groups met to draft a new democratic constitution to be approved by a national referendum.

Question: Who announced over the Radio that the president had been arrested?


Answer: pro-democracy

Question: Thousands of soldiers put their weapons down and joined what type of efforts?


Answer: refusal of soldiers to fire

Question: The non violent protesting led the soldiers to engage in what type of behavior?


Answer: constitution

Question: Opposing groups met to make and create what kind of democratic laws?


Answer: a national referendum

Question: What group was to approve the new democratic constitution?


Answer: Tuareg rebellion

Context: In January 2012 a Tuareg rebellion began in Northern Mali, led by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad. In March, military officer Amadou Sanogo seized power in a coup d'état, citing Touré's failures in quelling the rebellion, and leading to sanctions and an embargo by the Economic Community of West African States. The MNLA quickly took control of the north, declaring independence as Azawad. However, Islamist groups including Ansar Dine and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), who had helped the MNLA defeat the government, turned on the Tuareg and took control of the North with the goal of implementing sharia in Mali.

Question: What rebellion began in January of 2012?


Answer: Amadou Sanogo

Question: In March of 2012 whom gained control of Mali?


Answer: National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad

Question: What group led the rebellion in Northern Mali?


Answer: sanctions

Question: The embargo of the Economic Community of West African States imposed what type of punishment?


Answer: MNLA

Question: What group declared independence as Asawad?


Answer: torrid

Context: Mali lies in the torrid zone and is among the hottest countries in the world. The thermal equator, which matches the hottest spots year-round on the planet based on the mean daily annual temperature, crosses the country. Most of Mali receives negligible rainfall and droughts are very frequent. Late June to early December is the rainy season in the southernmost area. During this time, flooding of the Niger River is common, creating the Inner Niger Delta. The vast northern desert part of Mali has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification (BWh) with long, extremely hot summers and scarce rainfall which decreases northwards. The central area has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification (BSh) with very high temperatures year-round, a long, intense dry season and a brief, irregular rainy season. The little southern band possesses a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification (Aw) very high temperatures year-round with a dry season and a rainy season.

Question: Mali is located in what Zone?


Answer: June to early December

Question: What months are have a rainy season in the South?


Answer: Niger River

Question: Flooding of what river is typical during these months?


Answer: Inner Niger

Question: What is the name of the Delta that these floods cause?


Answer: northern desert

Question: What part of the country has the Köppen Climate Classification of (BWh)?


Answer: 1999

Context: Until the military coup of 22 March 2012 and a second military coup in December 2012, Mali was a constitutional democracy governed by the Constitution of 12 January 1992, which was amended in 1999. The constitution provides for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The system of government can be described as "semi-presidential". Executive power is vested in a president, who is elected to a five-year term by universal suffrage and is limited to two terms.

Question: What year was the constitution amended from the previous one of 1992?


Answer: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government

Question: The newer constitution divide power among what branches of government?


Answer: five-year

Question: How many years is one presidential term for?


Answer: two terms

Question: How many total terms can a president be elected for?


Answer: president

Question: Executive power is given to what person within the government?


Answer: president

Context: The president serves as a chief of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. A prime minister appointed by the president serves as head of government and in turn appoints the Council of Ministers. The unicameral National Assembly is Mali's sole legislative body, consisting of deputies elected to five-year terms. Following the 2007 elections, the Alliance for Democracy and Progress held 113 of 160 seats in the assembly. The assembly holds two regular sessions each year, during which it debates and votes on legislation that has been submitted by a member or by the government.

Question: Who is given both titles of commander of armed forces and chief of state?


Answer: The unicameral National Assembly

Question: What group is Mali's sole legislative party?


Answer: 113

Question: The Alliance of democracy and Progress has how many seats as of 2007?


Answer: two regular sessions

Question: How many legislative assemblies are held each year?


Answer: prime minister

Question: Who is considered head of government and assigns the council of ministers?


Answer: Supreme Court

Context: Mali's constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but the executive continues to exercise influence over the judiciary by virtue of power to appoint judges and oversee both judicial functions and law enforcement. Mali's highest courts are the Supreme Court, which has both judicial and administrative powers, and a separate Constitutional Court that provides judicial review of legislative acts and serves as an election arbiter. Various lower courts exist, though village chiefs and elders resolve most local disputes in rural areas.

Question: What is Mali's highest court?


Answer: both judicial and administrative powers

Question: What controls do the supreme court have?


Answer: judicial review

Question: Constitutional Court provides what type of review of legislative acts?


Answer: election

Question: Constitutional Court also serves as what type of arbiter?


Answer: village chiefs and elders

Question: Local disputes in rural areas are usually handled by what individuals?


Answer: 1988

Context: Mali underwent economic reform, beginning in 1988 by signing agreements with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. During 1988 to 1996, Mali's government largely reformed public enterprises. Since the agreement, sixteen enterprises were privatized, 12 partially privatized, and 20 liquidated. In 2005, the Malian government conceded a railroad company to the Savage Corporation. Two major companies, Societé de Telecommunications du Mali (SOTELMA) and the Cotton Ginning Company (CMDT), were expected to be privatized in 2008.

Question: In what year did Mali start economic changes?


Answer: World Bank and the International Monetary Fund

Question: Mali signed agreements with what to parties that began their economic changes?


Answer: 1988 to 1996

Question: In what years did Mali restructure public enterprises?


Answer: sixteen enterprises

Question: How many enterprises have been made completely private since the agreement?


Answer: 20

Question: How many companies were completely liquidated?


Answer: 48

Context: In 2007, about 48 percent of Malians were younger than 12 years old, 49 percent were 15–64 years old, and 3 percent were 65 and older. The median age was 15.9 years. The birth rate in 2014 is 45.53 births per 1,000, and the total fertility rate (in 2012) was 6.4 children per woman. The death rate in 2007 was 16.5 deaths per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth was 53.06 years total (51.43 for males and 54.73 for females). Mali has one of the world's highest rates of infant mortality, with 106 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2007.

Question: In 2007 what percent of people were 12 and under?


Answer: 6.4 children

Question: What was the total fertility rate per woman as of 2012?


Answer: 16.5

Question: In 2007 what was the death rate per 1000 people?


Answer: infant

Question: Mali has one of the highest rates of what type of mortality?


Answer: 53.06

Question: For both men and women average life expectancy is how many years?


Answer: 800,000

Context: In the far north, there is a division between Berber-descendent Tuareg nomad populations and the darker-skinned Bella or Tamasheq people, due the historical spread of slavery in the region. An estimated 800,000 people in Mali are descended from slaves. Slavery in Mali has persisted for centuries. The Arabic population kept slaves well into the 20th century, until slavery was suppressed by French authorities around the mid-20th century. There still persist certain hereditary servitude relationships, and according to some estimates, even today approximately 200,000 Malians are still enslaved.

Question: Roughly how many Malians are descendants of slaves?


Answer: 200,000

Question: What is the estimate of current Mali enslavement?


Answer: Arabic population

Question: What group of people were known to keep Malian salves into the 20th century?


Answer: Tamasheq

Question: The darker skinned Bella people are also refereed to as what name?


Answer: far north

Question: What region of the country is historical slavery well known?


Answer: Songhai and nomadic Tuaregs

Context: Although Mali has enjoyed a reasonably good inter-ethnic relationships based on the long history of coexistence, some hereditary servitude and bondage relationship exist, as well as ethnic tension between settled Songhai and nomadic Tuaregs of the north. Due to a backlash against the northern population after independence, Mali is now in a situation where both groups complain about discrimination on the part of the other group. This conflict also plays a role in the continuing Northern Mali conflict where there is a tension between both Tuaregs and the Malian government, and the Tuaregs and radical Islamists who are trying to establish sharia law.

Question: Ethnic tension are between what two groups of people?


Answer: Malian government

Question: Radical Islam and the Tuaregs are both considered problematic according to whom?


Answer: radical Islamists

Question: What group of people are trying to establish sharia law?


Answer: servitude and bondage

Question: What type of hereditary relationships still exist today?


Answer: discrimination

Question: Songhai and Tuaregs both complain about what same issue towards each other?


Answer: poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate hygiene and sanitation

Context: Mali faces numerous health challenges related to poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate hygiene and sanitation. Mali's health and development indicators rank among the worst in the world. Life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 53.06 years in 2012. In 2000, 62–65 percent of the population was estimated to have access to safe drinking water and only 69 percent to sanitation services of some kind. In 2001, the general government expenditures on health totalled about US$4 per capita at an average exchange rate.

Question: What four main health problems do the Malian people currently have?


Answer: among the worst in the world

Question: How does Malian Health and development rank globally?


Answer: Life expectancy

Question: As of 2012 50.3 years is considered the Malian peoples averages of what statistic?


Answer: 62–65

Question: In 2000 what percentage of the population had access to safe drinking water?


Answer: 69

Question: In 2000 roughly how much of the population had access to sanitation services?


Answer: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Context: Efforts have been made to improve nutrition, and reduce associated health problems, by encouraging women to make nutritious versions of local recipes. For example, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Aga Khan Foundation, trained women's groups to make equinut, a healthy and nutritional version of the traditional recipe di-dèguè (comprising peanut paste, honey and millet or rice flour). The aim was to boost nutrition and livelihoods by producing a product that women could make and sell, and which would be accepted by the local community because of its local heritage.

Question: What does ICRISTAT stand for?


Answer: improve nutrition

Question: What types of efforts to aid in health problems have been made?


Answer: recipe di-dèguè

Question: The local communities have accepted equinut because it is similar to what native recipe?


Answer: equinut

Question: ICRISTAT had success in teaching women how to make what product of nutritional value?


Answer: peanut paste, honey and millet or rice flour

Question: What ingredients are in both the traditional and nutritional version of this dish?


Answer: cholera and tuberculosis

Context: Medical facilities in Mali are very limited, and medicines are in short supply. Malaria and other arthropod-borne diseases are prevalent in Mali, as are a number of infectious diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis. Mali's population also suffers from a high rate of child malnutrition and a low rate of immunization. An estimated 1.9 percent of the adult and children population was afflicted with HIV/AIDS that year, among the lowest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 85–91 percent of Mali's girls and women have had female genital mutilation (2006 and 2001 data).

Question: What are the two main prevalent infectious diseases of Mali?


Answer: Malaria

Question: what arthropod born disease has plagued the nation?


Answer: 85–91

Question: According to the data from 2001 to 2006 what percent of female genitalia are mutilated?


Answer: HIV/AIDS

Question: What Sexually transmitted disease afflicts roughly 1.9 percent of the population?


Answer: immunization

Question: Malians suffer from malnutrition and low rates of what type of medical need?


Answer: Keepers of Memories

Context: Malian musical traditions are derived from the griots, who are known as "Keepers of Memories". Malian music is diverse and has several different genres. Some famous Malian influences in music are kora virtuoso musician Toumani Diabaté, the late roots and blues guitarist Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, and several Afro-pop artists such as Salif Keita, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, and Habib Koité. Dance also plays a large role in Malian culture. Dance parties are common events among friends, and traditional mask dances are performed at ceremonial events.

Question: What is the translation or meaning of a griot?


Answer: Dance

Question: Aside from music what other activity plays a significant role in culture?


Answer: mask

Question: What type of garment or accessory is traditionally worn at some of the dances held?


Answer: Ali Farka Touré

Question: What is the name of the musician that was a part of the roots and was also a blues guitarist?


Answer: Salif Keita

Question: What is a well known Afro-pop artist?


Answer: A nonprofit organization (NPO, also known as a non-business entity) is an organization whose purposes are other than making a profit.

Context: A nonprofit organization (NPO, also known as a non-business entity) is an organization whose purposes are other than making a profit. A nonprofit organization is often dedicated to furthering a particular social cause or advocating for a particular point of view. In economic terms, a nonprofit organization uses its surplus revenues to further achieve its purpose or mission, rather than distributing its surplus income to the organization's shareholders (or equivalents) as profit or dividends. This is known as the distribution constraint. The decision to adopt a nonprofit legal structure is one that will often have taxation implications, particularly where the nonprofit seeks income tax exemption, charitable status and so on.

Question: What is the purpose of an NPO?


Answer: In economic terms, a nonprofit organization uses its surplus revenues to further achieve its purpose or mission

Question: What does an NPO do with it's surplus income?


Answer: the distribution constraint

Question: What is the constraint's upon an NPO's financial distributions called?


Answer: purposes are other than making a profit

Question: What is the definition of a non-profit organization?


Answer: non-business entity

Question: What is an NPO also known as?


Answer: furthering a particular social cause or advocating for a particular point of view

Question: What is the purpose of an NPO?


Answer: further achieve its purpose or mission, rather than distributing its surplus income to the organization's shareholders (or equivalents) as profit

Question: What does a non-profit do with the money it takes in, instead of using it for a profit?


Answer: distribution constraint

Question: What is it called when a non-profit uses it's money as it should?


Answer: charitable

Context: The nonprofit landscape is highly varied, although many people have come to associate NPOs with charitable organizations. Although charities do comprise an often high profile or visible aspect of the sector, there are many other types of nonprofits. Overall, they tend to be either member-serving or community-serving. Member-serving organizations include mutual societies, cooperatives, trade unions, credit unions, industry associations, sports clubs, retired serviceman's clubs and peak bodies – organizations that benefit a particular group of people i.e. the members of the organization. Typically, community-serving organizations are focused on providing services to the community in general, either globally or locally: organizations delivering human services programs or projects, aid and development programs, medical research, education and health services, and so on. It could be argued many nonprofits sit across both camps, at least in terms of the impact they make. For example, the grassroots support group that provides a lifeline to those with a particular condition or disease could be deemed to be serving both its members (by directly supporting them) and the broader community (through the provision of a helping service for fellow citizens).

Question: What types of organizations are NPOs usually associated with?


Answer: member-serving or community-serving

Question: Who does an NPO usually serve?


Answer: providing services to the community in general, either globally or locally

Question: What do NPOs that center around community usually focus on?


Answer: by directly supporting them

Question: What are member serving NPOs really focused on?


Answer: a helping service for fellow citizens

Question: What are community serving NPOs focused on?


Answer: they must be retained by the organization for its self-preservation, expansion, or plans

Context: Although NPOs are permitted to generate surplus revenues, they must be retained by the organization for its self-preservation, expansion, or plans. NPOs have controlling members or a board of directors. Many have paid staff including management, whereas others employ unpaid volunteers and even executives who work with or without compensation (occasionally nominal). In some countries, where there is a token fee, in general it is used to meet legal requirements for establishing a contract between the executive and the organization.

Question: How does an NPO have to handle surplus money?


Answer: controlling members or a board of directors

Question: Who makes most of the decisions for an NPO?


Answer: Many have paid staff including management, whereas others employ unpaid volunteers and even executives who work with or without compensation

Question: How do NPOs handle staffing?


Answer: to meet legal requirements for establishing a contract between the executive and the organization

Question: What are token fees used for?


Answer: profit corporation or as a trust, a cooperative, or they exist informally

Context: Some NPOs may also be a charity or service organization; they may be organized as a profit corporation or as a trust, a cooperative, or they exist informally. A very similar type of organization termed a supporting organization operates like a foundation, but they are more complicated to administer, hold more favorable tax status and are restricted in the public charities they support. Their mole is not to be successful in terms of wealth, but in terms of giving value to the groups of people they administer to.

Question: How are charity or service NPOs usually organized?


Answer: a supporting organization

Question: What type of organization behaves much like a foundation?


Answer: giving value to the groups of people they administer to

Question: What is a major function of a foundation?


Answer: membership and board-only

Context: The two major types of nonprofit organization are membership and board-only. A membership organization elects the board and has regular meetings and the power to amend the bylaws. A board-only organization typically has a self-selected board, and a membership whose powers are limited to those delegated to it by the board. A board-only organization's bylaws may even state that the organization does not have any membership, although the organization's literature may refer to its donors or service recipients as "members"; examples of such organizations are Fairvote and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The Model Nonprofit Corporation Act imposes many complexities and requirements on membership decision-making. Accordingly, many organizations, such as Wikimedia, have formed board-only structures. The National Association of Parliamentarians has generated concerns about the implications of this trend for the future of openness, accountability, and understanding of public concerns in nonprofit organizations. Specifically, they note that nonprofit organizations, unlike business corporations, are not subject to market discipline for products and shareholder discipline of their capital; therefore, without membership control of major decisions such as election of the board, there are few inherent safeguards against abuse. A rebuttal to this might be that as nonprofit organizations grow and seek larger donations, the degree of scrutiny increases, including expectations of audited financial statements. A further rebuttal might be that NPOs are constrained, by their choice of legal structure, from financial benefit as far as distribution of profit to its members/directors is concerned. Beware of board-only organizations- review the board members annual income before donating, such as the Clinton Foundation. Board members who decide what percentage of your donations will increase their personal wealth are rampant in abusing this designation of an NPO, and this is why they attempt to avoid audits and use a double bottom line for taxing.

Question: What are the two top types of NPOs?


Answer: elects the board and has regular meetings and the power to amend the bylaws

Question: How is a membership organization run?


Answer: self-selected board, and a membership whose powers are limited to those delegated to it by the board

Question: How is a board only organization run?


Answer: financial benefit as far as distribution of profit to its members/directors is concerned

Question: What is a further constraint of an NPO, depending on their legal structure?


Answer: Board members who decide what percentage of your donations will increase their personal wealth are rampant in abusing this designation

Question: What should one be aware of when dealing with a board run NPO?


Answer: incorporated or unincorporated

Context: Canada allows nonprofits to be incorporated or unincorporated. Nonprofits may incorporate either federally, under Part II of the Canada Business Corporations Act or under provincial legislation. Many of the governing Acts for Canadian nonprofits date to the early 1900s, meaning that nonprofit legislation has not kept pace with legislation that governs for-profit corporations; particularly with regards to corporate governance. Federal, and in some provinces (such as Ontario), incorporation is by way of Letters Patent, and any change to the Letters Patent (even a simple name change) requires formal approval by the appropriate government, as do by-law changes. Other provinces (such as Alberta) permit incorporation as of right, by the filing of Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Association.

Question: How are NPOs classified in Canada?


Answer: nonprofit legislation has not kept pace with legislation that governs for-profit corporations

Question: How has Canada's government kept up with the changing forms of NPOs?


Answer: formal approval by the appropriate government

Question: How do NPOs change their by-laws, if they had to apply for incorporation by Letters Permit, in Canada?


Answer: by the filing of Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Association

Question: How does Alberta handle NPOs filing for incorporation?


Answer: Letters Patent

Question: How is incorporation handled in Ontario?


Answer: 2009

Context: During 2009, the federal government enacted new legislation repealing the Canada Corporations Act, Part II - the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. This Act was last amended on 10 October 2011 and the act was current till 4 March 2013. It allows for incorporation as of right, by Articles of Incorporation; does away with the ultra vires doctrine for nonprofits; establishes them as legal persons; and substantially updates the governance provisions for nonprofits. Ontario also overhauled its legislation, adopting the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act during 2010; pending the outcome of an anticipated election during October 2011,[dated info] the new Act is expected to be in effect as of 1 July 2013.

Question: When was the Canada Corporations Act, Part II repealed?


Answer: incorporation as of right, by Articles of Incorporation

Question: What did the creation of the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act mean for NPOs?


Answer: 2010

Question: When did Ontario adopt the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act?


Answer: 1 July 2013

Question: When does Ontario expect the Canada Not-for-Profits Corpaoations Act to go into effect?


Answer: 10 October 2011

Question: When was the Canada Not-for-Profit corporations Act last ammended?


Answer: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Context: Canada also permits a variety of charities (including public and private foundations). Charitable status is granted by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) upon application by a nonprofit; charities are allowed to issue income tax receipts to donors, must spend a certain percentage of their assets (including cash, investments and fixed assets) and file annual reports in order to maintain their charitable status. In determining whether an organization can become a charity, CRA applies a common law test to its stated objects and activities. These must be:

Question: Who grants a charitable status to an NPO in Canada?


Answer: income tax receipts

Question: What are donors to receive from a NPO?


Answer: file annual reports

Question: How does an NPO keep their charitable status?


Answer: a common law test to its stated objects and activities

Question: How does the Canada Revenue Agency decide who can have a charitable status?


Answer: cash, investments and fixed assets

Question: What kinds of assets must the NPO spend in order to keep it's charitable status?


Answer: a tax certificate

Context: In South Africa, charities issue a tax certificate when requested by donors which can be used as a tax deduction by the donor. Non Profit Organisations are registered under Companies and Intellectual Property Commission as Nonprofit Companies (NPCs) but may voluntarily register with The Nonprofit Companies Directorate. Trusts are registered by the Master of the High Court. Section 21 Companies are registered under the Company's Act. All are classified as Voluntary Organisations and all must be registered with the South Africa Revenue Services "SARS".[citation needed]

Question: What do NPOs in South Africa give to their donors?


Answer: a tax deduction by the donor

Question: What can a tax certificate issued by a South Africian NPO be used for?


Answer: Companies and Intellectual Property Commission as Nonprofit Companies (NPCs)

Question: Where are South Africian NPOs registered?


Answer: Master of the High Court

Question: Who keeps track of the trusts of South Africian NPOs?


Answer: South Africa Revenue Services "SARS"

Question: Who would a South Africian NPO register with if they were a voluntary organization?


Answer: nonprofit organisation that meets stricter criteria regarding its purpose and the method in which it makes decisions and reports its finances

Context: A charity is a nonprofit organisation that meets stricter criteria regarding its purpose and the method in which it makes decisions and reports its finances. For example, a charity is generally not allowed to pay its Trustees. In England and Wales, charities may be registered with the Charity Commission. In Scotland, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator serves the same function. Other organizations which are classified as nonprofit organizations elsewhere, such as trade unions, are subject to separate regulations, and are not regarded as "charities" in the technical sense.

Question: What is the definition of a charity?


Answer: Charity Commission

Question: Where are charity organizations registered in England and Wales?


Answer: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

Question: Where would an NPO or charity organization register in Scotland?


Answer: generally not allowed to pay its Trustees

Question: What is one of the contraints of an NPO with regards to assets?


Answer: not regarded as "charities" in the technical sense

Question: Is a trade union governed by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator?


Answer: applying to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Context: After a nonprofit organization has been formed at the state level, the organization may seek recognition of tax exempt status with respect to U.S. federal income tax. That is done typically by applying to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), although statutory exemptions exist for limited types of nonprofit organizations. The IRS, after reviewing the application to ensure the organization meets the conditions to be recognized as a tax exempt organization (such as the purpose, limitations on spending, and internal safeguards for a charity), may issue an authorization letter to the nonprofit granting it tax exempt status for income tax payment, filing, and deductibility purposes. The exemption does not apply to other Federal taxes such as employment taxes. Additionally, a tax-exempt organization must pay federal tax on income that is unrelated to their exempt purpose. Failure to maintain operations in conformity to the laws may result in an organization losing its tax exempt status.

Question: How does a US NPO apply for tax exempt status?


Answer: purpose, limitations on spending, and internal safeguards for a charity

Question: What are some things the IRS looks at in a charity applying for tax exempt status?


Answer: must pay federal tax on income that is unrelated to their exempt purpose

Question: Does this tax exempt status apply to other taxes?


Answer: losing its tax exempt status

Question: What happens if an NPO does not abide by the tax laws?


Answer: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Question: Who has the final say on whether or not an NPO is granted tax exempt status?


Answer: 990 forms

Context: Individual states and localities offer nonprofits exemptions from other taxes such as sales tax or property tax. Federal tax-exempt status does not guarantee exemption from state and local taxes, and vice versa. These exemptions generally have separate applications and their requirements may differ from the IRS requirements. Furthermore, even a tax exempt organization may be required to file annual financial reports (IRS Form 990) at the state and federal level. A tax exempt organization's 990 forms are required to be made available for public scrutiny. An example of nonprofit organization in the US is Project Vote Smart.

Question: What form must an NPO make available to the public?


Answer: generally have separate applications and their requirements may differ from the IRS requirements

Question: Are the state requirements to be tax exempt the same as the Federal requirements?


Answer: IRS Form 990

Question: What financial form must be filed with both the state and federal governments each year?


Answer: Project Vote Smart

Question: What is one example of an NPO in the United States?


Answer: exemptions from other taxes such as sales tax or property tax

Question: What can states or cities offer to NPOs?


Answer: board of directors

Context: The board of directors has ultimate control over the organization, but typically an executive director is hired. In some cases, the board is elected by a membership, but commonly, the board of directors is self-perpetuating. In these "board-only" organizations, board members nominate new members and vote on their fellow directors nominations. Part VI, section A, question 7a of the Form 990 asks "members, stockholders, or other persons who had the power to elect or appoint one or more members of the governing body?".

Question: Who is in control of the organization?


Answer: executive director

Question: Who does the board hire to help with running the organization?


Answer: self-perpetuating

Question: How is the board of directors most often chosen?


Answer: elected by a membership

Question: How is a board of directors less commonly chosen?


Answer: Part VI, section A, question 7a

Question: Where, on Form 990, does an organization have to list what type of board they have?


Answer: government funds, grants from charitable foundations, direct donations

Context: Capacity building is an ongoing problem experienced by NPOs for a number of reasons. Most rely on external funding (government funds, grants from charitable foundations, direct donations) to maintain their operations and changes in these sources of revenue may influence the reliability or predictability with which the organization can hire and retain staff, sustain facilities, create programs, or maintain tax-exempt status. For example, a university that sells research to for-profit companies may have tax exemption problems. In addition, unreliable funding, long hours and low pay can result in employee retention problems. During 2009, the US government acknowledged this critical need by the inclusion of the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program in the Serve America Act. Further efforts to quantify the scope of the sector and propose policy solutions for community benefit were included in the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act, proposed during 2010.

Question: What are ways that a charitable foundation receives money for it's cause?


Answer: external funding

Question: What type of funding do charitable organizations typically rely on?


Answer: unreliable funding, long hours and low pay

Question: What are some problems that affect employee retention and volunteers?


Answer: Nonprofit Capacity Building Program

Question: What legislation did the US introduce to try and help the NPOs?


Answer: 2010

Question: When was the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act adopted?


Answer: a purpose relating to a public good

Context: In Australia, nonprofit organisations include trade unions, charitable entities, co-operatives, universities and hospitals, mutual societies, grass-root and support groups, political parties, religious groups, incorporated associations, not-for-profit companies, trusts and more. Furthermore, they operate across a multitude of domains and industries, from health, employment, disability and other human services to local sporting clubs, credit unions and research institutes. A nonprofit organisation in Australia can choose from a number of legal forms depending on the needs and activities of the organisation: co-operative, company limited by guarantee, unincorporated association, incorporated association (by the Associations Incorporation Act 1985) or incorporated association or council (by the Commonwealth Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976). From an academic perspective, social enterprise is for the most part considered a sub-set of the nonprofit sector as typically they too are concerned with a purpose relating to a public good, however these are not bound to adhere to a nonprofit legal structure and many incorporate and operate as for-profit entities.

Question: What is the biggest concern of non-profits in Australia?


Answer: 1976

Question: When was the Commonwealth Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act adopted?


Answer: 1985

Question: When was the Associations Incorporation Act adopted?


Answer: incorporated association

Question: What does the Associations Incorporation Act cover?


Answer: Commonwealth Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act

Question: Who covers incorporated associations or councils?