Use the map attached and knowledge to answer the question:
which of the following is true about the status of world war ii at the close of 1942?
a. sweden and spain entered the war and joined forces with the axis powers.
b. germany dominated most of the european continent.
c. mussolini's italian troops dominated turkey.
d. axis control extended as far west as portugal.

The correct answer is B. At the close of 1942, Germany dominated most of the European continent.

Explanation:

On September 1, 1939, Germany entered Poland. Two days later, on September 3, Britain and France declared war, which became the start signal for World War II. After about four weeks, the Polish military resistance was broken. Then, on November 1939, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria made a pact with Germany.  

On April 9, 1940, Germany attacked Denmark and Norway in an attempt to secure iron ore shipments from Sweden and at the same time establish advantageous fleet bases along the Norwegian coast. The attack was a German success despite losing a large part of its fleet along the west coast of Norway. Denmark and Norway were occupied.  

Meanwhile, France's army adopted a defensive strategy behind the Maginot line. For this reason, Adolf Hitler allowed his troops to cross the borders of the Benelux countries in May 1940. The Allied troops then entered Belgium, after which the Germans captured parts of the Netherlands by surprise air landing but launched their main attack through the Ardennes, out towards the English Channel. The attack divided the Allied armies, which were forced to evacuate the European continent (Dunkerque). When they withdrew from Belgium, Germany entered from the east. France was soon defeated. In this situation on June 10, Mussolini's Italy had joined the war on the Axis side and was also attacking France, which fell on June 1940.