General Knowledge Trivia
What is the longest river in the world?
The Nile River (some sources say the Amazon)
In which country is it polite to slurp your noodles loudly?
Japan
In which country is the Eiffel Tower located?
France
What country is sushi originally from?
Japan
Which countries have English as an official language besides the UK and USA?
Examples: Canada, Australia, India, Nigeria, South Africa, New Zealand
Who wrote Romeo and Juliet?
William Shakespeare
What do people traditionally do during La Tomatina in Spain?
Throw tomatoes at each other
What is Machu Picchu, and where is it?
An ancient Incan city located in Peru
What is paella and where is it from?
A rice dish from Spain, traditionally made with seafood, chicken, and saffron
What’s a difference between American and British spelling?
Examples: “color” (US) vs. “colour” (UK), “organize” (US) vs. “organise” (UK)
What element does “O” represent on the periodic table?
Oxygen
What is the meaning of the Indian celebration Diwali?
Festival of Lights; celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil
What is the purpose of the Great Wall of China historically?
To protect China from invasions and raids from nomadic tribes
What’s a traditional English breakfast made of?
Eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast
What does the Australian phrase “no worries” mean?
It’s okay / Don’t worry about it / You’re welcome
Name the five continents that begin with the letter “A”
Asia, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and (North or South) America
Why do people wear costumes on Halloween in some countries?
To disguise themselves from spirits or to celebrate the spooky/fun theme of the holiday
Where can you find the Christ the Redeemer statue?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
What do people typically eat during Thanksgiving in the USA?
Roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie
What is “Singlish” and where is it spoken?
A blend of English and local languages/dialects spoken in Singapore
What is the Nobel Prize and who can win it?
An international award for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, and economics; individuals or organizations can win
Describe a wedding custom from a country of your choice.
Answers vary (e.g., throwing the bouquet in Western weddings, red dresses in Chinese weddings, henna in Indian weddings)
Identify this landmark: It’s a large amphitheatre used in Ancient Rome for gladiator battles.
The Colosseum
Explain how to make a dish from your country in English (include ingredients + steps)
Open-ended, varies by student
This country, where English is an official language, has the highest number of English speakers in the world, even though it's not considered a “native English-speaking” country. Which country is it?
India