VIII. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the

correct answer to each of the questions

Surrounding Alaska on all but one side are two oceans and a vast sea, giving this state the longest

coastline in the United States. In fact, if the coastlines of all of its peninsulas and islands are

considered, Alaska has a longer coastline, 33,904 miles (54,563 kilometers), than all the other 49

states together.

Most of the state lies on a peninsula, bounded by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Bering Sea to

the west, and the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, south, and southeast. This peninsula, stretching

away from the rest of North America, forms the northwest comer of the continent. One of the world's

largest peninsulas, it is partly shared with Canada on the east.

The seas indent the shores of the main peninsula to form other peninsulas that contribute some of

the most outstanding features to Alaska's outline. Most notable of these is the Alaska Peninsula. The

peninsula itself is 550 miles (885 kilometers) long, before the spectacular chain of islands reaches

toward Asia.

Another of Alaska's large peninsulas is Seward, in which a number of smaller eastern states could

be swallowed up. The Kenai Peninsula, less extensive than Seward, is about the size of the state of

Maryland.

Part of Alaska's ocean heritage, many islands lie along the fringes of the state. Much of

southeastern Alaska is made up of the Alexander Archipelago of 1100 islands, including Baranof,

Kuiu, and Admiralty. Continuing up the coast are the islands of Prince William Sound. The Aleutian

Islands pursue their bleak and windswept course in a long arc that encloses the Bering Sea. Included

in the Aleutian chain are whole archipelagoes, such as the Fox, Near, and Rat islands.

What is the main topic of the passage?

• A. 
  The geography of the western United States
• B. 
  The coastline of North America
• C. 
  The territory that makes up Alaska
• D. 
  The countries that border Alaska