American History
Who was the FIRST president of the United States of America?
George Washington.
George Washington was unanimously elected president—twice! He also chose to step down after two terms, setting a precedent followed for over 140 years.
*BONUS points if you can name 2 commonly known facts about him.
Which country is famous for the Eiffel Tower?
France
The Eiffel Tower was originally criticized by artists but is now one of the most visited monuments in the world.
What do you call a baby deer?
Fawn.
Fawns have white spots on their backs that help camouflage them in the wild.
What is the name of the tool with a crank used to wring water out of wet laundry before electric dryers?
Clothes wringer
Wringers were common on old washing machines or used as standalone devices—and a safety hazard for fingers if you weren't careful!
Finish this phrase: "Don't cry over spilled ____."
Milk
This phrase reminds us not to waste time worrying about things that can't be undone.
What document begins with the words, "We the People"?
The Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use—it was signed in 1787
What is the capital city of Italy?
Rome.
Rome is known as “The Eternal City” and was once the center of the mighty Roman Empire.
What is the largest land animal in the world?
Elephant
African elephants can weigh up to 14,000 pounds and use their large ears to help cool themselves down.
What common household powder can be used to clean, deodorize, and even put out small grease fires?
Baking soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural compound that was once primarily used for baking before its many cleaning benefits were discovered.
What phrase means something is very easy to do, like a simple task?
Piece of cake.
This idiom became popular in the U.S. in the 1930s, and may have roots in cakewalk competitions where the prize was—you guessed it—a cake.
*BONUS points if you can tell me who said the famous phrase "let them eat cake!"
Who gave the Gettysburg Address?
Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln’s speech was just over two minutes long, but it became one of the most famous speeches in American history.
*BONUS points if you can tell me what the Gettysburg Address was about!
What desert is the largest hot desert in the world?
Sahara Desert.
The Sahara is about the size of the United States and stretches across 11 countries in Africa.
What black-and-white bear is native to China and eats mostly bamboo?
Panda
Pandas spend up to 12 hours a day eating and can consume more than 25 pounds of food daily.
*BONUS points if you know what is the main food that pandas eat!
What is the name of the white powder often sprinkled in closets or drawers to deter moths?
Mothballs
Mothballs release a strong-smelling vapor that repels insects—though many people now use cedar as a safer alternative.
What idiom means to take on more responsibility than you can handle?
Bite off more than you can chew.
This phrase likely comes from the days of chewing tobacco—people would bite off too much and be unable to handle it!
Which U.S. President implemented the New Deal during the Great Depression?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR served four terms as president, the longest in U.S. history, before term limits were set.
What famous wall in China was built to keep out invaders?
The Great Wall of China.
The Great Wall stretches over 13,000 miles and took centuries to complete, with parts dating back to the 7th century BC.
What is the term for animals that sleep during the day and are active at night?
Nocturnal.
Owls, raccoons, and many types of bats are nocturnal, using darkness to hunt or hide from predators.
What is the name of the fabric used to cover furniture, like chairs and sofas?
Upholstery
Upholstery dates back to the Middle Ages and was once stuffed with materials like horsehair and straw before modern foam was invented.
What do you call a word that means the same as another word?
Synonym
The word "synonym" comes from Greek roots meaning "same name."
*BONUS points for anyone who can give me a synonym for the word "ecstatic."
In what year did the U.S. land the first man on the moon?
1969
Neil Armstrong’s famous first words on the Moon were, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
*BONUS points if you know who landed on the moon with Neil Armstrong!
Which river runs through both Egypt and Sudan and is oneo of the longest rivers in the world?
The Nile River.
The Nile helped ancient Egyptian civilization flourish for thousands of years by providing fertile land along its banks.
*BONUS points if you can tell me which Bible story includes the Nile River!
What mammal can fly?
Bats.
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, and some can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour.
What item was once commonly used to sharpen knives and often kept in a wooden block?
Whetstone
Keeping knives sharp was considered essential for safety and efficiency in the kitchen, especially before food processors or pre-cut meats.
What figure of speech uses exaggeration for effect, like "I've told you a million times"?
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is used in everything from poetry to everyday conversation—it's not meant to be taken literally, just dramatically.