Diagnostic Quiz

Diagnostic Quiz

1.

Uranium-238 and Uranium-235 are

two isotopes of the same element, with different atomic mass

both capable of producing a nuclear explosion

two different chemical elements

2.

Centrifuge enrichment …

… is technologically complex and used only for the production of nuclear weapons.

… forces the lighter U-238 to the top of the centrifuge, where it can be "scooped off".

… exploits the mass difference between U-235 and U-238 to increase the percentage of U-235 in the material.

3.

How did the member states extend the NPT in 1995?

The NPT was extended indefinitely by a single decision without conditions.

The NPT was extended indefinitely as part of package deal with other decisions.

The NPT was extended for another 25 years.

4.

What countries have an obligation under the NPT to conclude comprehensive safeguards agreements?

Non-nuclear-weapon States party to the NPT

All states with nuclear programs

Nuclear-weapon States party to the NPT

5.

What is the purpose of the Model Additional Protocol (INFCIRC/540)?

To provide the International Atomic Energy Agency with stronger enforcement mechanisms

To provide greater assurance of the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities

To detect nuclear explosions in any environment

6.

Under Article I of the NPT, nuclear-weapon States agreed NOT to engage in what activity?

Increase the number and quality of their nuclear weapons

Transfer nuclear weapons to non-nuclear-weapon States

Impose trade sanctions on non-nuclear-weapon States

7.

Fissile materials are:

Very stable materials whose nuclei cannot break apart when bombarded with neutrons

New materials produced only as a result of nuclear reaction

Materials whose nuclei can break apart when bombarded with neutrons, emitting more neutrons than they absorb

8.

What are the three pillars of the IAEA activities?

Safety & Security, Science & Technology, and Safeguards & Verification

Safeguards & Security, Enforcement & Compliance, and Technical Cooperation

Security, Safety, and Open-Source Intelligence

9.

Under the New START treaty, signed in 2009, the United States and Russia agreed to …

… eliminate all tactical nuclear weapons by 2020.

… reduce the number of deployed strategic warheads to 1550 by 2018.

… remove all their nuclear weapons from hair-trigger alert by 2020.

10.

International conferences in Oslo (2013), Nayarit (2014) and Vienna (2014) …

… focused on health impacts of nuclear testing.

… focused on the need to update the ruling by the International Court if Justice (ICJ) on the legality of use of nuclear weapons.

… examined short- and long-term impacts of nuclear weapons as well as the risk of their use.

11.

Which of the following groups of countries are all known or widely believed to have produced nuclear weapons?

Russia, South Africa, North Korea, China

United States, Finland, France, Israel

United Kingdom, Switzerland, Argentina, Pakistan

12.

In the context of producing nuclear weapons-usable materials, which components of the nuclear fuel cycle are the most sensitive?

Enrichment and reprocessing

Mining and milling

Conversion and fuel fabrication

13.

How does the NPT define a Nuclear-Weapon State (NWS)?

A state that exploded a nuclear device prior to January 1, 1967

A state that exploded a nuclear device prior to the NPT's entry into force

A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council

14.

What do states commit to do under Article VI of the NPT?

To conclude a nuclear weapons convention at an early date

To achieve nuclear disarmament by 2025 and general and complete disarmament by 2050

To pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament

15.

Which of the following states have not signed the NPT?

Syria, Egypt, Iran

Israel, Pakistan, India

DPRK, Cuba, France

16.

What kinds of verification activities can IAEA carry out under the terms of a comprehensive safeguards agreement?

Ad-hoc inspections, routine inspections, special inspections and design information verification

Routine inspections, random inspections, and investigative inspections

Design information verification visits, routine inspections, and surprise inspections

17.

Which event led to steps to strengthen IAEA safeguards and the development of the Model Additional Protocol?

North Korea’s nuclear weapon test

The discovery of Iraq’s clandestine weapon program in 1991

The end of the Cold War

18.

Nuclear deterrence...

...allows the use of nuclear weapons only in retaliation against an attack with weapons of mass destruction

...is a policy whereby a state tries to discourage its opponent from attacking by threatening to retaliate with nuclear weapons

...requires the development of second strike capability

19.

What was the last treaty negotiated by the Conference on Disarmament?

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT)

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC)

20.

What is required for the US and Russia to extend New START?

Lengthy negotiations

An exchange of letters between Presidents

Approval from legislative bodies

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Useful Links

Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation