Random Trivia
Grab Bag
State Secrets
Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz
Calm Before the Storm
100
What plant is mentioned in the song “High Hopes,” made popular by Frank Sinatra?
What is the rubber tree plant?
Ficus elastica (rubber tree plant) is native to Southeast Asia but is widely grown as a house plant. The sap it produces can be made into latex rubber, but it is not commercially produced for this.
100
This comedian got no respect.
Who is Rodney Dangerfield?
He was famous for his “I Don’t Get No Respect” stand-up routine. In addition, he appeared in many comedic films such as Caddyshack.
100
This state has the largest landmass in the United States.
What is Alaska?
It also has the largest coastline of any state. In terms of landmass, No. 2 is Texas, and No. 3 is California.
100
Where is Dorothy’s home state?
Where is Kansas?
Dorothy represents Americans at their best, and she comes from an area that was devastated at the time.
100
During a hurricane, an eerie calm occurs when you are in this part of the storm.
What is the eye?
You might even see sunlight during the eye.
200
Which safari animal is not considered one of the Big Five: Cape buffalo, gorilla, leopard, lion, or rhinoceros?
What is the gorilla?
While all these animals live in Africa, the gorilla resides in rain forests or mountainous regions. The Big Five are found on the plains of Africa, such as the Serengeti. The elephant is the fifth of the Big Five
200
In this Chinese medical practice, a practitioner places needles in the body to stimulate meridians, the pathways along which the body’s vital energy flows.
What is acupuncture?
The practice was developed somewhere between 6000 and 600 BC.
200
This smallest U.S. state once had the longest name.
What is Rhode Island?
The official name used to be State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. In 2020, it was renamed to Rhode Island.
200
Name of Dorothy's dog?
What is Toto?
Author L. Frank Baum did not specify Toto’s breed, but in the film adaptation with Judy Garland they cast a cairn terrier.
Fun Fact: Terry, the carin terrier that plays Toto, earned $125 a week for her role in the movie. That's more than the Munchkins brought home at $50 a week!
200
This shaking occurs before a tsunami.
What is an earthquake?
If the earthquake is far out to sea, you might not feel it on land. Tsunami waves can travel at 500 miles per hour.
300
What is considered the oldest-known painting medium: oil painting, watercolor, or acrylic?
What is watercolor?
Watercolor. Prehistoric cave paintings are examples of the earliest watercolors. The technique uses various pigments infused with water to create this form of paint.
300
Fred Smith, founder of this freight company, gambled with his last $5,000 and saved the company from bankruptcy
What is FedEx?
He went home with $27,000, and his winnings paid his employees for one week.
300
This is the “Live Free or Die” state.
What is New Hampshire?
While many state license plates are manufactured in prisons, it’s ironic that the New Hampshire license plates are made in prisons because they say “Live Free or Die” on them.
300
The Wicked Witch of the West tries to remove these from Dorothy.
What are slippers?
The Wicked Witch portrays the Good Witch’s alter ego.
300
) If, during a storm, you hear from your safe space what sounds like the roar of an approaching train, assume one of these has touched down.
What is a tornado?
The sound has also been described as the roar of a grizzly bear.
400
What worldwide infectious disease was eliminated by 1977?
What is smallpox?
Vaccination is the sole reason for the disease’s demise. It is the only human infectious disease known to be completely eradicated.
400
When corn, beans, and squash are planted together, we call it this garden.
What is Three Sisters?
When these three plants are planted as companion plants, nutrients are returned to the soil instead of stripping it.
400
Boeing has the largest manufacturing plant in the world in this state.
What is Washington?
Boeing’s Everett campus is larger than Disneyland and includes its own fire department.
400
She is the Good Witch that helps Dorothy.
Who is Glinda?
She represents the mother archetype.
400
These large ice pellets can rattle you and your pets.
What is hail?
In early summer, warm temperatures cause instability, while the upper atmosphere is cold enough to produce hail. Hail can fall at close to 100 miles per hour.
500
What weather phenomenon occurs when the air is electrically charged and produces what looks like blue or violet flames or sparks around the tip of rod-shaped items?
What is St. Elmo's Fire?
The “fire” is luminescent plasma produced by a corona discharge, which ionizes air particles and causes the glow.
500
The traditional name for the August full moon is also the name of this fish.
What is sturgeon?
Giant sturgeon are most easily caught in the Great Lakes during this part of the year.
500
The first World Series game was held in this state, which is now home of the Red Sox.
What is Massachusetts?
It was held in 1903 between the Boston Pilgrims and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Boston prevailing 7–3.
500
What gave the horses in the Emerald City their different colors?
What is Jell-O?
Jell-O crystals were stuck over all the multiple Emerald City horses playing the Horse-of-a-Different-Color to give them their color. But the scenes were shot quickly because the horses started to lick them off.
500
This causes the calm before a storm.
What is (partial) vacuum?
When warm surface air pulls cold air from the higher atmosphere, it creates a partial vacuum, which creates the calm before the storm.