Question: South Slavic dialects historically formed a continuum. The turbulent history of the area, particularly due to expansion of the Ottoman Empire, resulted in a patchwork of dialectal and religious differences. Due to population migrations, Shtokavian became the most widespread in the western Balkans, intruding westwards into the area previously occupied by Chakavian and Kajkavian (which further blend into Slovenian in the northwest). Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs differ in religion and were historically often part of different cultural circles, although a large part of the nations have lived side by side under foreign overlords. During that period, the language was referred to under a variety of names, such as "Slavic", "Illyrian", or according to region, "Bosnian", "Serbian" and "Croatian", the latter often in combination with "Slavonian" or "Dalmatian".

Serbo-Croatian was standardized in the mid-19th-century Vienna Literary Agreement by Croatian and Serbian writers and philologists, decades before a Yugoslav state was established. From the very beginning, there were slightly different literary Serbian and Croatian standards, although both were based on the same Shtokavian subdialect, Eastern Herzegovinian. In the 20th century, Serbo-Croatian served as the official language of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (when it was called "Serbo-Croato-Slovenian"), and later as one of the official languages of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The breakup of Yugoslavia affected language attitudes, so that social conceptions of the language separated on ethnic and political lines. Since the breakup of Yugoslavia, Bosnian has likewise been established as an official standard in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and there is an ongoing movement to codify a separate Montenegrin standard. Serbo-Croatian thus generally goes by the ethnic names Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and sometimes Montenegrin and Bunjevac. 1. Why are South Slavic dialects on a continuum?
2. which dialect was the most widespread?
3. were there other differences besides dialetctal?
4. which dialect was the most widespread in the Balkans?
5. Which 3 have differences in religion?
6. What is one name for the dialects?
7. Were the languages sometimes named by region?
8. What is one example?
9. and another?
10. one more?
11. what is Croation a combination of? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. expansion of the Ottoman Empire
2. western Balkans
3. religious
4. Shtokavian
5. Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs
6. Eastern Herzegovinian
7. yes
8. Bosnian
9. Serbian
10. Croatian
11. "Slavonian" or "Dalmatian"

Question: (CNN) -- Karim Benzema shrugged off his club troubles and a violent challenge to give France a 1-0 win over 10-man Brazil in Wednesday's prestige friendly in Paris.

The Real Madrid striker netted the only goal from close range nine minutes into the second half of the rematch of the 1998 World Cup final at the same venue -- which France won 3-0.

He was lucky to escape serious injury five minutes before the break when Brazil midfielder Hernanes was sent off for kicking him in the chest.

Benzema has struggled to show his true form in Spain since his $48 million move in 2009, but was a constant threat after the red card and should have added more to his new tally of 12 international goals.

However, his 54th-minute strike proved enough, set up by winger Jeremy Menez's burst down the right and subsequent teasing low cross.

Menez was lucky to stay on the pitch after a bad tackle from behind on Brazil defender David Luiz, whose new English club Chelsea will be relieved he escaped injury.

It was France's fifth consecutive win under coach Laurent Blanc, who has revived the team's fortunes after last year's first-round exit at the World Cup in South Africa.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes suffered a second successive defeat following November's loss to Argentina.

Also on Wednesday, two of the world's best footballers went head-to-head in neutral Switzerland, and once again Lionel Messi came out on top as Argentina snatched a last-gasp 2-1 friendly win over Portugal. 1. Who shrugged off troubles to give France a 1-0 win over Brazil?
2. Who almost seriously injured him?
3. Why was Menez lucky to stay on the pitch?
4. what is Benzema's new tally of international goals?
5. How many consecutive wins did France have according to this report under Laurent Blanc?
6. What round did they exit the world cup the last year as of this report?
7. Where was that match held?
8. What team does Menez play for?
9. What team does Karim Benzema play for?
10. Where did Portugal play last Wednsday according to the report? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. Karim Benzema
2. Brazil midfielder Hernanes did.
3. a bad tackle from behind on David Luiz
4. 12
5. Five
6. the first round
7. in South Africa
8. None, he coaches
9. France.
10. Argentina