The picture is becoming clear...National Geographic sponsored the test, and just before the holidays. They always boost sales for Christmas by shaming people out of illiteracy.

The results are what I'd thought, that it's best to learn geography through travel and experience. If National Geograhic really cared about the 'problem' they tested for, I think they should give grants and donations (films and subscriptions) to schools for geographic studies. The lack of geography classes in the educational system is quite noticable, and IMO should correlate with writing classes. If students became used to exploring the world (like I have on my own), they'd develope a need for National Geographic films and books, etc. I dunno, it worked for that silly Bill Gates. ;)