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100
Which fruit is mentioned more often than any other fruit in the Bible?
FIG - The fig is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. People in the Middle east were growing figs more than 11,000 years ago - possibly even before wheat and barley. Figs were highly valued by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans as a nutritious food, as well as a symbol of prosperity and peace. They are frequently mentioned in the Bible and other ancient writings, making them an important part of history and culture for thousands of years.
100
Which country is known for the Galapagos Islands?
ECUADOR - The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000km wet of mainland Ecuador. The islands are world-famous because they inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution after his observations of unique wildlife during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. Today, they are a protected national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for animals like giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
100
What event took place in June of 2016 in the United Kingdom?
BREXIT - At the referendum on June 23, 2016, 52% of British voters chose to leave the EU (European Union). The UK then formally left the EU in January 2020. For the Brits it meant regaining control over many areas, for the world Brexit signalled a major shift in global politics. Today, 10 years after the 2016 vote, Brexit is generally seen in Britain as a mixed and still-debated outcome, win no simple "win or lose" verdict.
100
Which most celebrated composer was buried in an unmarked grave in Vienna?
MOZART - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in 1791 at age 35. At the time, he was not wealthy and his family was struggling financially. Because of this he was buried in a 'common grave' at the St. Marx Cemetary in Vienna, which was standard practice for people who could not afford a private burial. Over time, the exect location of his grave was lost, so it is often described as an "unmarked grave". Eventhough Mozart's grave is unmarked, there are many monuments and memorials dedicated to him around the world today, especially in Vienna, Austria.
100
What is the percentage of DNA that humans share with chimpanzees?
98% - Humans share about 98% of their DNA with Chimpanzees. This does not mean humans are 98% chimpanzee. It means when scientists compare the genetic instructions that build and run our bodies, about 98 out of every 100 DNA "letters" are the same. The small 2% difference may sound tiny, but it contains almost everything that make us human, including our larger brains, complex language, and advanced ability to reason and create.
200
What type of fruit is a pumpkin?
BERRY—Although most people think of pumpkins as vegetables, they actually are fruits. In botanical term, a fruit develops from the flower of a plant and contains seeds pumpkins certainly do both. More specifically, a pumpkin is a type of fruit called "pepo", a berry with a hard outer rind. Other 'pepos' include cucumber, squash and melons. The word "pepo" comes from Latin, where it meant "ripe melon" or "gourd".
200
Which country is the only country in the world that starts with the letter "O"?
OMAN - Oman is located on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz. For centuries, Oman was one of the most influential naval and trading powers in the Indian Ocean. At one point in the 18th-19th centuries, Oman controlled parts of the East African coast, which made it a major trading hub for spices, frankincense, and textiles.
200
Name of the desert that has become the "desert dumping ground" for fast fashion leftovers.
ATACAMA - Chile's Atacama, the driest desert in the world, is increasingly suffereing from pollution caused by fast fashion. Chile has long been a hub of second-hand and unsold clothing, made in China or Bangladesh and passing through Europe, Asia or the US before arriving in Chile, where it is resold around Latin America. Some 59,000 tonnes of clothing arrive each year and at least 39,000 tonnes that cannot be sold end up in rubbish dumps in the desert.
200
Which German composer was briefly imprisoned after taking part in the 1848 revolution?
WAGNER - Richard Wagner participated in revolutionary political activities in Germany in 1848 and became involved in the Dresden uprising. When it failed, he had to flee to Switzerland, where he lived in exile for several years in Zurich. During this time, he also continued composing and developed ideas for some of hiss most famous works, including "The Ring Cycle".
200
How long can a sea turtle holds it's breath?
SEVEN HOURS - A sea turtle can hold its breath for up to 7 hours while resting (humans 30sec. to 2min.). They are specially adapted for life in the ocean. When they are resting or sleeping, their heart rate slows down and their bodies use oxygen very efficiently. Sea turtles don't have larger lungs, they just are much better at conserving oxygen. Their slow metabolism acts like an energy-saving mode allowing them to remain under water far longer than we can.
300
Which fruit has been cultivated for over 8,000 years and was valued by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans?
GRAPE - Grapes have been grown for over 8,000 years and were highly valued by ancient civilizations. Ancient Egyptians grew them along the Nile, while Greeks and Romans spread grape cultivation throughout Europe.
The grape remains one of the world's most important fruit crops, and are among the most widely cultivated fruits on Earth, with thousands varieties grown in climates ranging from Mediterranean regions to parts of Canada.
300
Which country is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes"?
FINLAND - Finland is universally known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes". The nickname is actually an understatement, the country features 188,000 lakes - the highest density of lakes in the world. one of the highest concentrations in the world.
While Canada takes the crown for raw quantity, Finland is widely known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" and actually boasts the highest density of lakes relative to its size.
Canada with its 879,000 lakes and has the mostlakes in the world.
300
Which international organization governs the world's most popular sport and largest sporting event on Earth?
FIFA - Founded in Paris in 1904 by representatives from seven European countries, FIFA was created to oversee international soccer competitions and establish common rules. It organized the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, held in Uruguay. Today, it includes more than 200 national associations, making it one of the world's largest sporting organizations, and it is watched by billions of people.
300
Which composer, who died in 1828 at age 31, only later became famous for works like 'Winterreise' and his "Unfinished" Symphony?
SCHUBERT—Franz Schubert, who lived most of his life in Vienna, never enjoyed the financial success that many of his works later achieved. Schubert was respected during his lifetime, but much of his greatest music became widely known about 10 years after his death. In 1838, German composer Robert Schumann discovered one of Schubert's unpublished symphonies and brought it to the attention of composer Felix Mendelssohn, who conducted its first major public performance in 1839. This helped spark a growing appreciation for Schubert's music across Europe.
300
What are the coastal areas called where freshwater and saltwater mix?
ESTUARIES - Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They are special coastal areas where river water and ocean water mix, creating what's called 'brackish water'.They are rich in nutrients and provide important habitats for fis, shllfish, birds and other wildlife. Many young fish spend their early lives in estuaries because the waters are sheltered and ful of food. Famous examples include Chesapeake Bay and the St. Lawrence Estuary.
400
Which citrus fruit is believed to be the ancestor of the modern grapefruit?
POMELO - The pomelo is native to Southeast Asia, it's one of the largest citrus fruits in the world and one of the key ancestors of the grapefruit. Its name comes from the Tamil word "pampalimasu" (meaning "big citrus"). In the 18th century, in the Caribbean, it naturally hybridized with the sweet orange, producing the grapefruit we know today.
400
What is the only country whose flag is not rectangular or square?
NEPAL - Nepal's flag is unique. Its flag is made of two stacked triangular pennants, not a rectangle like every other national flag. It represents the Himalayan mountains, it symbolizes the country's two major religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. Nepal's flag is not only unusual - it is also mathematically defined in its constitution, making it the most detailed flag in the world.
400
Which platinum-blonde Hollywood icon would have celebrated her 100th birthday this year.
MARILYN MONROE - Born on June 1, 1926, Marilyn Munroe became one of the most recognizable stars of the 20th century. Known for her charm, comedic talent and screen presence, she starred in classics like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Some Like It Hot". Although she died in 1962 at the age of 36, her influence on popular culture in Hollywood remains strong nearly a century later.
400
Which composer had a famous romantic relationship with writer George Sand?
CHOPIN - Frederic Chopin and the French novelist George Sand had a well-known relationship that lasted nearly a decade. Her real name was Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, but she chose the name George Sand to ensure her works were taken seriously in a male-dominated literary world. She wore men's clothing in public, smoked cigars, and moved in influential artistic circles in Paris. The relationship between her and Chopin was passionate, but very difficult.
400
Which animal can sometimes conceive a second litter while already pregnant?
RABBIT—Rabbits are one of the few mammals capable of superfetation, a rare phenomenon in which a female becomes pregnant again while already carrying developing young. While uncommon, this remarkable reproductive ability contributes to rabbits' reputation for rapid breeding. They can produce about 4 to 12 babies (kits) per litter, 3 to 6 litters per year in good conditions
That means a single female rabbit can produce 20 to 60 babies per year on average.
500
Which tropical fruit was once so rare in Europe that it became the symbol of luxury?
PINEAPPLE - The pineapple is native to South America, where it was first cultivated by Indigenous peoples. When Europeans encountered it in the 15th - 16th century, they were fascinated by its sweetness and unusual appearance. Because pineapples were difficult to transport and grow in Europe, they became extremely expensive. Wealthy hosts would sometimes rent a pineapple just to display it at dinner parties as a symbol of wealth and hospitality.
500
Which European country is known for the Balkan Mountains and is one of the oldest nations in Europe?
BULGARIA - Bugaria has a history stretching back over 1,300 years, making it one of Europe's oldest continuously existing states. The Balkan Mountains run west to east across central Bulgaria, forming a natural backbone of the country and by acting as a natural barrier against invasions. Today, the country is known for its folk traditions, Orthodox monasteries, and diverse landscape ranging from the Black Sea coast to the Balkan Mountains.
500
Which famous arts center was recently ordered by a federal judge to remove Donald Trump's name?
KENNEDY CENTER - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In December 2025, the board of the Kennedy Center voted to add President Donald Trump's name to the center's official title, calling it the "Trump-Kennedy Center." In May 2026, a federal judge ruled that Congress officially named the Kennedy Center in honor of President John F. Kennedy and that only Congress—not the board—has the authority to change its name. The court ordered all references to Trump's name to be removed.
500
Which composer's funeral in 1901 drew an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 mourners in Italy?
VERDI - Giuseppe Verdi was so beloved in Italy that tens of thousands of people lined the streets and a huge crowd followed his coffin. What made is especially remarkable was that, a few weeks later, his body was moved to a grand-state ceremony at the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti (the musicians' home he had founded), where a choir conducted by Arturo Toscanini famously sang "Va,pensiero" from his opera Nabucco. The interesting thing is, Verdi wanted simplicity.
500
Which Canadian town is known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World"?
CHURCHILL, MANITOBA - The town sits on the western edge of Hudson Bay, one of the southernmost areas where polar bears regularly live. It was named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an important British military commander. In the 1700s, the area became a major trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company, which played a significant role in the fur trade across northern Canada.