2026 Seniors Social - Feb 3rd

Movies, Music & TV Shows

100

Which artist is known as “The Boss”?

a) Billy Joel 

b) Bruce Springsteen 

c) Tom Petty 

d) John Mellencamp 

a) Bruce Springsteen - The nickname comes from Springsteen managing early band finances—not from ego or lyrics.  

200

Which artist won Album of the Year at the Grammys without being able to read or write traditional music notation?

a) Stevie Wonder

b) Aretha Franklin 

c) Elvis Presley  

d) Prince 

a) Stevie Wonder - Blind since infancy, Stevie Wonder composes by ear and intuition. His musical literacy is emotional and auditory—proof that talent doesn’t follow one path.  

300

This TV show was cancelled after one season, then revived due to fan campaigns—and went on to win multiple Emmys.

a) Star Trek 

b) Married With Children

c) Cagney & Lacey

d) Cheers 

c) Cancelled in 1982, it was revived after thousands of letters praised its realistic portrayal of women in law enforcement—an early example of audience activism. 

400

This actor turned down the role of James Bond multiple times before another actor made it iconic.

a) Michael Caine

b) Roger Moore 

c) Cary Grant  

d) Sean Connery 

c) Cary Grant - was offered Bond but felt he was too old for a long franchise. The role then went to Sean Connery—launching a cinematic legacy. 

500

Which Oscar-winning film contains no spoken dialogue for its entire running time?

a) 2001: A Space Odyssey 

b) The Artist  

c) Wall-E 

d) The Red Balloon  

d) This 1956 French film won an Academy Award despite its silence, proving storytelling doesn’t depend on dialogue—just emotion and imagery. 

600

Which song helped introduce reggae to a wide North American audience after becoming a No. 1 U.S. hit in 1974?

a) Red Red Wine – UB40 

b) I Shot the Sheriff – Eric Clapton 

c) Many Rivers to Cross – Harry Belafonte 

d) Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley & The Wailers

b)I Shot the Sheriff – Eric Clapton - rock cover topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974, exposing millions of North American listeners to reggae rhythms and Bob Marley’s songwriting for the first time.

General Knowledge

100

What simple device invented in the 1940s (developed by the early 1940s, and put into production shortly after WWII) to help blind people read and write?

a) Audiobooks  

b) Braille

c) Talking calculators  

d) Closed captions  

b) Braille - Braille uses raised dots that allow people who are blind or visually impaired to read through touch. It remains an essential literacy tool worldwide. 

200

Which novel by George Orwell depicts a dystopian future under constant surveillance?

a) Brave New World 

b) Fahrenheit 451

c) Animal Farm 

d) 1984 

d) 1984 - Orwell’s novel introduced terms like “Big Brother” and remains relevant in discussions about privacy and government power. 

300

Who was the first human to travel into outer space in 1961?

a) Neil Armstrong

b) Chris Hadfield

c) Yuri Gagarin 

d) Alan Shepard 

c) Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into outer space on April 12, 1961. During the historic 108-minute mission, he orbited the Earth once aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. 

400

Which country was the first to grant women the right to vote in national elections?

a) United States

b) United Kingdom 

c) New Zealand 

d) Canada 

c) New Zealand - In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women nationwide voting rights. 

500

In music, what term is used to describe the speed or pace of a piece?

a) Harmony  

b) Tempo 

c) Pitch  

d) Rhythm 

b) Tempo - Tempo guides how fast or slow music is played and helps shape its emotional feel. 

600

Which invention is often credited with helping end the medieval period by spreading knowledge widely? 

a) The compass

b) The Printing Press

c) Gunpowder 

d) The telescope 

d) Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press (c. 1440) made books affordable and accessible, accelerating literacy and learning.

Around the World

100

This country has more pyramids than Egypt, though many people are surprised to learn it.

a) Mexico 

b) Sudan 

c) Peru 

d) Ethiopia 

b) Sudan is home to over 200 ancient Nubian pyramids, built by the Kingdom of Kush. 

200

Before becoming a major global city, Hong Kong was originally known for being what type of settlement?

a) A mountain farming village

b) A desert trading post 

c) A small fishing community 

d) A royal capital city 

c) Hong Kong began as a collection of small fishing villages before developing into one of the world’s most important financial and trading centers. 

300

This country is the only one in the world named after a woman.

a) Dominica 

b) Ireland

c) Bolivia 

d) Saint Lucia 

d) The Caribbean nation is named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse. The only sovereign state named after a historical woman. 

400

This country measures time using one single time zone, despite being one of the largest countries in the world.

a) China

b) Australia 

c) Brazil 

d) South Africa

a) China - Although China spans five geographic time zones, the entire country follows Beijing Time. 

500

This country has the most lakes in the world—so many, in fact, that it has over half of the world’s natural lakes.

a) Russia

b) Canada

c) Finland 

d) Sweden

c) Canada has nearly 2 million lakes. Researchers often state that Canada possesses more lakes than the rest of the world combined.

 

600

This country is home to the ancient rock-cut churches of Lalibela. 

a) Egypt 

b) Ethiopia 

c) Sudan 

d) Kenya  

b) Ethiopia - The 12th-century churches of Lalibela were carved directly into solid rock and remain active places of worship. 

World Food, Cooking & Culinary Traditions

100

In many Chinese restaurants, what does it usually mean if tea is poured without you asking?

a) You are being politely asked to order

b) It’s a sign of hospitality / refilling your cup 

c) They want you to try the tea 

d) To warm you up before the meal 

b) It’s a sign of hospitality / refilling your cup 

Summary: Automatic tea refills are a common hospitality tradition in many Chinese dining settings.

200

What is “dim sum” best described as?

a) A single famous dumpling 

b) A style of small dishes served with tea 

c) A spicy noodle soup 

d) A dessert festival 

b) Small dishes served with tea

Summary: Dim sum is a Cantonese tradition of bite-sized dishes—dumplings, buns, rolls—often enjoyed at brunch.

300

What does “halal” refer to in food?

a) Food cooked spicy 

b) Food eaten without utensils 

c) Food that is vegetarian 

d) Food prepared according to Islamic dietary rules 

d) Food prepared according to Islamic dietary rules  

Summary: Halal describes what is permissible, including sourcing and preparation methods (it isn’t the same as “spicy” or “vegetarian”).

400

Which West Indian seasoning blend often includes thyme, scallion, hot pepper, and allspice (pimento), especially in Jamaica?

a) Harissa

b) Jerk Seasoning

c) Green Seasoning

d) Masala

b) Jerk Seasoning

Summary: Jerk is a Jamaican tradition combining heat, aromatics, and warm spices—often grilled or smoked.

500

Which dish is a West African stew often made with peanuts, tomatoes, and spices?

a) Jollof rice 

b) Groundnut stew 

c) Couscous 

d) Ratatouille 

B) Groundnut stew  

Summary: Groundnut stew is rich and hearty, with peanut flavor balanced by tomato and spices.

600

In Indian cooking, “tadka” (or “tempering”) is best described as:

a) Boiling spices for hours 

b) Frying spices in hot oil/ghee to release flavor, then adding to a dish 

c) Freezing spices before use 

d) Mixing raw spices into yogurt 

b) Frying spices in hot oil/ghee to release flavor, then adding to a dish 

Summary: Tadka blooms spices—hot fat pulls out aroma and flavor and transforms a dish instantly.

Potpourri (Fun Mix)

100

Which sport commonly uses the terms “bogey” and “birdie” to describe scoring?

a) Tennis 

b) Golf 

c) Baseball 

d) Fencing 

b) In golf, a birdie means completing a hole one stroke under par, while a bogey means finishing one stroke over par. These terms are part of the sport’s unique and colorful scoring system. 

200

This country celebrates a national holiday where people throw tomatoes at each other.

a) Italy 

b) Portugal 

c) Spain 

d) Greece

c) La Tomatina is a famous festival held annually in Buñol, Spain. This world-renowned festival is designed for pure, unadulterated fun, camaraderie, and cathartic release. 

300

Which vitamin is primarily produced in the human body when the skin is exposed to sunlight?

a) Vitamin A

b) Vitamin B12

c) Vitamin C 

d) Vitamin D 

d) Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and immune function.

400

Which part of the brain helps regulate emotions and is strongly connected to memory?

a) Amygdala

b) Cerebellum 

c) Retina 

d) Spinal cord 

a) Amygdala

Summary: The amygdala helps process emotions and links strongly with emotional memories.

500

Which gemstone is traditionally linked to the month of April?

a) Ruby

b) Diamond

c) Sapphire

d) Emerald

b) Diamond

Summary: Diamond is April’s birthstone and is often associated with strength and clarity.

600

Which classic novel begins with the line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged…”?

a) Wuthering Heights 

b) Jane Eyre 

c) Pride and Prejudice

d) Little Women 

c) Pride and Prejudice

Summary: Jane Austen’s opening line is one of the most famous in English literature.