1 Flashcards
1
Q
How old is the Great Sphinx of Giza and who built it?
A
- What is the Sphinx?
• The Great Sphinx of Giza is a giant limestone statue in Egypt with the body of a lion and the head of a human, symbolizing strength and wisdom. - Where is the Sphinx located?
• It is situated on the Giza Plateau, near the pyramids, just outside of Cairo, Egypt. - How old is the Sphinx?
• The Sphinx is estimated to be around 4,500 years old, believed to have been built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558–2532 BCE). - Who built the Sphinx?
• It is widely believed that Pharaoh Khafre ordered its construction, though some theories suggest it might predate his reign.
2
Q
Which streets do Bond Street in London link?
A
It runs between Oxford Street in the north and Piccadilly in the south.
It is divided into two sections:
1. New Bond Street (northern part): Known for designer brands and luxury flagship stores.
2. Old Bond Street (southern part): Renowned for fine art galleries, antique shops, and jewelry boutiques.
3
Q
When did the Titanic sink?
A
14th of April, 1912 (~23:40)
4
Q
Which region is the Venus Flytrap native to?
A
The Venus flytrap is found in the southeastern United States, specifically:
1. North Carolina (primarily in the coastal plain).
2. South Carolina (in some parts near the coastal regions).
Specific Environment:
• The plant thrives in nutrient-poor, wetland habitats, such as bogs and wet savannas.
• It requires acidic, sandy, or peaty soils and lots of sunlight.
5
Q
What song was used in Titanic?
A
My Heart Will Go On
6
Q
What are pearls formed of?
A
Pearls are formed when the mollusk secretes layers of nacre (a mixture of calcium carbonate and protein) around the irritant over time.
7
Q
Name as many marsupials as you can.
A
Kangaroo
Wallaby
Koalas
Wombats
Tasmanian devils
Quokkas
Opossums
Sugar gliders
8
Q
How many hearts and brains do octopuses have?
A
Octopuses have 3 hearts, because two pump blood to the gills and a larger heart circulates blood to the rest of the body.
Octopuses have 9 brains because, in addition to the central brain, each of 8 arms has a mini-brain that allows it to act independently.
Octopuses have blue blood because they have adapted to cold, low-oxygen water by using hemocyanin, a copper-rich protein.
We know that octopuses are intelligent because they like to play and use tools – but we have no way of relating to what it would be like to have 9 brains.
The central brain is a doughnut shape that forms a ring around the esophagus, so when an octopus swallows, its food must ‘pass through’ the brain!
What a concept! Food for thought…?
The most interesting thing is that they have a mini-brain in each arm. This adds up to a lot of distributed brain power. Since each arm has a mini-brain, the central brain just sends a higher-level signal to the arm, something like “move to crevice for possible crab.” In our case, our brain would guide and control each movement of our arm.
With an octopus, the arm acts almost independently as it proceeds to probe into the crevice, tasting and feeling with its suckers.
9
Q
Why isnt the plural of octopus ‘octopi’?
A
Octopus comes from the Greek word “októpus” (ὀκτώπους), meaning “eight-footed.”
• The suffix “-us” in “octopus” makes it look like a Latin word (similar to “radius” → “radii”), which is why people mistakenly think the plural should be octopi.
In Latin, words ending in -us often take -i in the plural. For example:
• Cactus → Cacti
• Radius → Radii
• However, octopus is not a Latin word, so the Latin rule doesn’t apply.
According to English grammar rules:
1. Octopuses: This is the most common and widely accepted plural form in English.
2. Octopodes: If you want to be strictly correct according to its Greek origin, this is the accurate plural. The “-odes” ending comes from Greek grammar.
10
Q
Which country is the sunflower the national flower of?
A
Ukraine
11
Q
How many seeds can a single sunflower head produce?
A
Up to 2,000 seeds
12
Q
True or False: Sunflowers follow the sun throughout their entire life cycle.
A
False. Only young sunflowers exhibit heliotropism; mature sunflowers face east permanently.
13
Q
What time period does the Baroque period span?
A
Roughly 1600 - 1750
14
Q
Baroque period began in which country?
A
Italy
15
Q
Who painted ‘The Night Watch’?
A
Rembrandt
16
Q
Which artist is known for The Fall of the Rebel Angels and The Elevation of the Cross
A
Peter Paul Rubens
17
Q
Which Dutch Baroque artist painted The Girl with a Pearl Earring?
A
Johannes Vermeer
18
Q
The term “Baroque” comes from the Portuguese word “barroco”. What does it mean?
A
Irregular pearl.
19
Q
A group of owls is called a …
A
Parliament
20
Q
A group of crows is called a …
A
Murder
21
Q
A group of peacocks is called a …
A
Ostentation or Pride
22
Q
A group of penguins is called a …
A
Waddle (on land) or a Raft (in water)
23
Q
A group of giraffes is called a …
A
Tower
24
Q
A group of kangaroos is called a …
A
Mob
25
Ants can carry up to how many times their body weight?
10-50
26
A group of ravens is called …
An Unkindness
27
A group of pandas is called …
An Embarrassment
28
A group of what insect is called a cloud?
Grasshoppers
29
A group of otters is called a …
Raft
30
A group of whales is called a …
Pod or Gam
Fun Fact: The blue whale is the largest animal to have ever existed, weighing up to 200 tons.
31
What did Karl vin Frisch win a Nobel Prize for in 1973?
For his groundbreaking work on bee communication and sensory perception.
His most famous discovery was the “Waggle Dance” of honeybees, proving that bees communicate the location of food sources to their hive mates using a dance-based language.
• He showed that bees can convey distance, direction, and quality of nectar sources through specific movements inside the hive.
• This proved that bees possess a sophisticated communication system, previously thought to be exclusive to higher animals.
• 🐝 He started his bee research in the 1910s and continued for over 60 years!
• 🏅 He was awarded Germany’s highest scientific honors before receiving the Nobel Prize.
• 📖 His book “The Dance Language and Orientation of Bees” (1967) is still a classic in animal behavior studies.
• 🎥 He was one of the first scientists to use film to document animal behavior.
The 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was unique because it was awarded to three ethologists:
1. Karl von Frisch – Bee communication and sensory perception.
2. Konrad Lorenz – Imprinting in birds (how baby animals recognize their parents).
3. Nikolaas Tinbergen – Instinct and animal behavior.
32
A group of frogs is called …
An Army
Fun Fact: Frogs absorb water through their skin instead of drinking.
33
A group of sharks is called a …
Shiver
• Fun Fact: Sharks existed before trees; their origins date back over 400 million years.
34
Where is the kiwifruit originally from?
Kiwifruit is native to north-central and eastern China.
• Fun Fact: It was originally known as the Chinese gooseberry before being rebranded in New Zealand.
35
Which country is the largest producer of kiwifruit?
China produces over 50% of the world’s kiwifruit.
36
When was the kiwifruit introduced to New Zealand?
The early 20th century, with the first commercial planting occurring in the 1920s.
37
Where is the Grand Canyon located?
Arizona
The Colorado River carved the canyon over millions of years through a combination of erosion, weathering, and geological activities.
It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, along with places like Mount Everest and the Great Barrier Reef.
38
Wimbledon’s traditional snack?
Strawberries & cream
39
What animal came from ancient Greek and means “river horse”?
Hippopatamus
• “Hippos” (ἵππος) = Horse 🐎
• “Potamos” (ποταμός) = River 🌊
40
What was the Taweret in Ancient Egypt?
One of the most important hippo-related deities was Taweret, the goddess of childbirth, fertility, and motherhood.
🔹 Depiction: Taweret was shown as a standing female hippo with lion’s paws, a crocodile tail, and a pregnant belly.
🔹 Role: She protected women during pregnancy and childbirth, scaring away evil spirits.
🔹 Why a Hippo? Female hippos are fiercely protective mothers, making them a symbol of maternal strength.
💡 Fun Fact: Pregnant Egyptian women often wore amulets of Taweret to ensure a safe childbirth!
41
National bird of USA?
Bald Eagle
42
Superman’s planet origin?
• Born as Kal-El on the dying planet Krypton.
• Sent to Earth in a spaceship by his parents, Jor-El and Lara, moments before Krypton exploded.
• Raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, Kansas.
• Grows up as Clark Kent, learning to control his superpowers and live as a human.
• Moves to Metropolis, becomes a journalist at the Daily Planet, and adopts the alter ego Superman to fight crime.
43
What is the “S” symbol on Superman’s chest supposed to mean?
It is the Kryptonian symbol for “Hope”
44
What is the name of the city where Superman fights crime?
Metropolis
45
What is the name of Superman’s love interest?
Lois Lane
46
Who is Superman’s arch-nemesis?
Lex Luthor
47
What is Superman’s job in Metropolis?
Journalist at the Daily Planet
48
What is Superman’s real name?
Kal-El
49
What are the names of Superman’s adoptive parents?
Jonathan and Martha Kent
50
What color is Kryptonite in its most dangerous form?
Green
51
Which famous actor played Superman in the 1978 movie?
Christopher Reeve
52
What is the name of Superman’s fortress?
The Fortress of Solitude
53
What is the name of the newspaper where Clark Kent works?
The Daily Planet
54
What kind of radiation weakens Superman?
Red Sun Radiation
55
What comic book did Superman first appear in?
Action Comics #1 (1938)
56
What famous phrase is used to describe Superman’s speed?
“Faster than a speeding bullet”
57
Which superhero group did Superman co-found in DC Comics?
The Justice League
58
Which actor played Superman in Superman Returns (2006)?
Brandon Routh
59
What is the name of Superman’s cousin who is also a superhero?
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
60
Who killed Superman in The Death of Superman storyline (1992)?
Doomsday
61
Superman’s powers and abilities?
✔️ Super Strength 💪 – Can lift trains, buildings, even planets!
✔️ Flight 🦸♂️ – Originally, he just leaped great distances (“Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”), but later, he was fully able to fly.
✔️ Heat Vision 🔥 – Shoots laser-like beams from his eyes.
✔️ X-Ray Vision 🔍 – Sees through almost anything except lead.
✔️ Super Speed ⚡ – Moves faster than a speeding bullet.
✔️ Super Breath 💨 – Can freeze objects and create powerful gusts of wind.
✔️ Invulnerability 🦾 – Bullets, bombs, and most attacks do nothing to him.
✔️ Super Hearing 👂 – Can hear sounds from miles away.
62
Capital of Germany
Berlin
63
What famous structure divided Berlin during the Cold War?
The Berlin Wall
• Berlin was split into East Berlin (Communist, USSR) & West Berlin (Democratic, USA, UK, France).
• 1961: The Berlin Wall was built to stop East Germans from escaping to the West.
• 1989: The Berlin Wall fell, symbolizing the end of the Cold War.
64
What is the name of Berlin’s most famous gate?
Brandenburg Gate
65
Which river flows through Berlin?
The Spree River
66
What year did the Berlin Wall fall?
1989
67
Which country controlled East Berlin during the Cold War?
The Soviet Union (USSR)
68
What year did Berlin become the capital of Germany after reunification?
1991
69
Which famous checkpoint was a border crossing between East and West Berlin?
Checkpoint Charlie
70
Which Berlin museum houses the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti?
The Neues Museum
71
What historical event led to Berlin being split into East and West?
The end of World War II (1945)
72
What’s the name of the famous glass-domed government building in Berlin?
The Reichstag
73
Africa’s largest country?
Algeria
74
Which album features the song ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’?
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
75
Who was “Lucy” named after in the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”?
Julian Lennon’s childhood friend, Lucy O’Donnell
76
What was the name of the religious order Mother Teresa founded?
Missionaries of Charity
77
In which Indian city did Mother Teresa do most of her humanitarian work?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
78
Which year did Mother Teresa win The Nobel Peace Prize?
1979
79
What year did Mother Teresa pass away?
1997
80
How far is the sun?
The Sun is approximately 149.6 million kilometers (93 million miles) from Earth. This distance is known as one astronomical unit (AU), which is a standard measurement used in astronomy to describe distances within our solar system.
The Sun’s distance varies slightly because Earth’s orbit is elliptical, ranging from 147 million km (perihelion) to 152 million km (aphelion).
81
How long does it take for light from sun to reach us?
Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth.
82
What is the name of the family Mary Poppins works for?
The Banks family
83
Who wrote the Mary Poppins books?
P.L. Travers
84
What is the title of the song in which Mary Poppins teaches the children to clean their room?
A Spoonful of Sugar
85
Which Disney legend composed the music for Mary Poppins?
The Sherman Brothers (Richard & Robert Sherman)
86
What job does George Banks have
He works at a bank.
87
What phrase does Mary Poppins frequently use to describe herself?
Practically perfect in every way
88
Which city is Mary Poppins set in?
London 🇬🇧
89
What street do the Banks family live on?
17 Cherry Tree Lane
90
Which famous film director made a movie about P.L. Travers’ struggle with Disney?
Saving Mr. Banks (2013), starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney.
91
What is a Regatta? 🏁
✔️ A competition involving multiple boat races.
✔️ Can include rowing, sailing, or even dragon boat races.
✔️ The word “regatta” comes from the Italian word “regata,” meaning “contest” or “strife.”
💡 Fun Fact: The first recorded regatta took place in Venice in the 13th century, organized by local gondoliers! 🚤
92
A group of clowns is called a …
Murder
93
In French cuisine, profiteroles, eclairs and parisienne gnocchi are made using what kind of pastry?
Choux
94
When and where was Facebook founded?
Facebook was founded on February 4, 2004, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. It was created by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes while they were students at Harvard University.
📌 Facebook’s signature blue color was chosen because Zuckerberg is red-green colorblind, and blue is the color he can see best.
95
In which city is Harvard University?
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
👉 Cambridge is a city just across the Charles River from Boston and is home to two of the world’s most prestigious universities: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
96
Which of these famous U.S. Presidents graduated from Harvard?
A) George Washington
B) Abraham Lincoln
C) John F. Kennedy
D) Thomas Jefferson
Answer: C) John F. Kennedy
97
When and where was twitter founded?
Twitter was founded on March 21, 2006, in San Francisco, California, USA.
98
What was Twitter’s original name before it officially became “Twitter”?
A) Twttr
B) Tweeter
C) Chirp
D) BlueJay
Answer: A) Twttr
99
Hyundai headquarters?
South Korea
100
Honda headquarters?
Tokyo
101
World Health Organisation headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
102
Which of these water bodies is connected by the Strait of Gibraltar?
A) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
B) Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
C) Red Sea and Arabian Sea
D) Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean
Answer: B) Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Gibraltar (جبل طارق) is a British overseas territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and bordered to the north by Spain.
103
What does R&B stand for?
Rhythm and Blues
104
Seven dwarves?
1️⃣ Doc – The wise leader of the group, often stumbling over his words.
2️⃣ Grumpy – Always complaining, but secretly caring.
3️⃣ Happy – Cheerful and jolly all the time.
4️⃣ Sleepy – Always drowsy and ready for a nap.
5️⃣ Bashful – Shy, blushing, and soft-spoken.
6️⃣ Sneezy – Has powerful sneezes due to his allergies.
7️⃣ Dopey – The only dwarf who doesn’t speak; clumsy but lovable.
105
Peloton is a term used in which sport?
Cycling
106
Which cheese is an essential ingredient of a traditional tiramisu?
The essential cheese in a traditional tiramisu is Mascarpone! 🧀🇮🇹
📌 Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese made from cream and citric or tartaric acid. It has a rich, buttery texture and is much smoother and creamier than regular cream cheese.
📌 Tiramisu means “pick me up” in Italian. The name comes from the caffeine in espresso and the sugar in the dessert, which gives a little boost of energy.
📌 Tiramisu originated in the Veneto region of Italy (possibly in the 1960s or earlier). Its exact origins are debated, but many believe it was first served in a restaurant in Treviso.
107
With a name from the Chinese for ‘sand skin’ or ‘sand fur’, which dog is noted for its loose, wrinkled skin and short rough coat?
Shar Pei
Shar Peis have a unique “hippopotamus face.” Their wide muzzle and deep wrinkles make them one of the most recognizable breeds.
108
Which disease was the first to be eradicated by vaccination?
Smallpox
🧐 Fun Fact: Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1980 thanks to a global vaccination campaign. Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine for it in 1796 using cowpox virus.
109
Which African country has three capital cities?
South Africa
🧐 Fun Fact: South Africa has three capital cities:
✔️ Pretoria (Executive capital – where the president is)
✔️ Cape Town (Legislative capital – where Parliament is)
✔️ Bloemfontein (Judicial capital – where the Supreme Court is)
110
What is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea?
Sicily
🧐 Fun Fact: Sicily is larger than Belgium and home to Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. It was ruled by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards before becoming part of Italy in 1860.
111
Which Shakespeare play has the most lines?
A) Hamlet
B) Macbeth
C) King Lear
D) Othello
Hamlet
🧐 Fun Fact: Hamlet has 4,042 lines—the longest in Shakespeare’s works. If performed uncut, it can last over 4 hours!
112
What is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature besides mercury?
A) Gallium
B) Cesium
C) Francium
D) Bismuth
B) Cesium
🧐 Fun Fact: Cesium melts at just 28°C (82°F)—so if you held it in your hand, it would turn into a liquid! It’s also used in atomic clocks for precise timekeeping.
113
Which English word comes from the Latin word for “poison” or “slimy liquid”?
Virus
🧐 Fun Fact: In Latin, virus meant “poison” or “venom,” but scientists repurposed it in the 19th century to describe infectious agents too small to see with a microscope.
114
Which battle marked the end of Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule as Emperor of France?
Battle of Waterloo
🧐 History: Fought on June 18, 1815, in present-day Belgium, Waterloo was Napoleon’s final defeat by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian General Blücher.
115
Which philosopher wrote The Republic, discussing justice and the ideal society?
A) Aristotle
B) Plato
C) Socrates
D) Descartes
Plato
🧐 History: Written around 375 BCE, The Republic introduces Plato’s theory of the philosopher-king and his famous Allegory of the Cave.
116
What was Plato’s real name?
His real name was Aristocles (Ἀριστοκλῆς), but he was later given the nickname Plato.
The name Plato comes from the Greek word “plátus” (πλατύς), which means “broad” or “wide.”
🔹 Why was he called that?
Historians believe he got the name because of:
1️⃣ His broad shoulders – Some sources say he was a strong wrestler, and his trainer gave him the nickname. 💪🤼♂️
2️⃣ His broad forehead – Others think it was because of his big brain and intelligence 🧠📚
💡 Fun Fact: Plato was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle, making him part of one of history’s most legendary chains of knowledge!
117
In what year was Nelson Mandela released from prison?
1990
118
Which year did Nelson Mandela win the Nobel Peace Prize?
1993
He won jointly with F.W. de Klerk, the last apartheid-era president, for their work in peacefully ending apartheid.
119
What was the name of the prison where Nelson Mandela spent most of his sentence?
Robben Island
🧐 History: Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in Robben Island Prison, where he slept on a straw mat and broke rocks in a limestone quarry. He was later moved to Pollsmoor and then Victor Verster before being released.
120
Which political party did Nelson Mandela lead?
African National Congress (ANC)
🧐 History: Mandela joined the ANC in 1944, helped form its Youth League, and later led it in the fight against apartheid.
121
What was the name of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, published in 1994?
Long Walk to Freedom
🧐 History: The book details his childhood, imprisonment, and rise to the presidency. It was later adapted into a 2013 film starring Idris Elba.
122
In what year did Nelson Mandela become South Africa’s First Black President?
1994
After the end of apartheid, he was elected by a democratic vote and served until 1999.
123
Which composer became deaf but continued to create masterpieces like the Ninth Symphony?
A) Mozart
B) Beethoven
C) Chopin
D) Bach
Beethoven
🧐 History: Ludwig van Beethoven started losing his hearing in his late 20s and was completely deaf by 1818, yet he composed some of his greatest works afterward.
124
Who painted The Persistence of Memory, featuring melting clocks?
Salvador Dalí
🧐 History: Painted in 1931, this surrealist masterpiece represents the fluidity of time and the subconscious mind.
125
Which planet has the most moons in the Solar System?
Saturn
🧐 History: As of recent discoveries, Saturn has over 80 confirmed moons, surpassing Jupiter’s count!
126
In Norse mythology, what is the name of the hall where warriors go after dying in battle?
Valhalla
🧐 History: Odin, the Norse god, selects warriors to enter Valhalla, where they prepare for Ragnarök (the end of the world).
127
Which treaty ended World War I in 1919?
Treaty of Versailles
🧐 History: Signed on June 28, 1919, this treaty officially ended WWI, imposing severe restrictions and reparations on Germany, which contributed to the rise of WWII.
128
Which country was forced to accept full responsibility for World War I under the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany
129
What year was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
1919
130
Which U.S. governmental body rejected the Treaty of Versailles, preventing the United States from joining the League of Nations?
Senate
131
What was the primary purpose of the League of Nations, established by the Treaty of Versailles?
To prevent future wars
132
Which U.S. President played a major role in the Treaty but failed to get it ratified at home?
Woodrow Wilson
Despite crafting the League of Nations, the U.S. never joined because Congress rejected it! 🇺🇸❌
133
Where exactly in the Palace of Versailles was the treaty signed?
The Hall of Mirrors 🏛️
Ironically, this was the same hall where Germany declared its empire in 1871 after defeating France! 👀🔥
134
Which part of Germany was demilitarized as a result of the Treaty?
Rhineland 🌉
Germany wasn’t allowed to place military forces there, creating a buffer zone with France. 🚧🔫
135
The Treaty of Versailles led to which new country being formed from German and Austro-Hungarian land?
Czechoslovakia 🇨🇿🇸🇰
It was a brand-new country combining Czech and Slovak territories—later splitting in 1993! 🇨🇿➗🇸🇰
