General knowledge (3)
A dolphin…
Understands human language.
Has 125 teeth.
Recognises itself in a mirror.
Answer: 3 — Recognises itself in a mirror.
Background: In 2001, researchers Diana Reiss and Lori Marino tested two bottlenose dolphins. They placed temporary marks on their bodies. The dolphins used mirrors to inspect those areas, providing evidence that they recognised themselves.
In Pakistan, which everyday vehicles are famously decorated with colourful paintings and patterns?
Answer: Trucks.
Interesting information: Pakistani truck art is also used to communicate social messages. UNESCO has used decorated trucks to promote girls’ education.
Which city is the capital of Kazakhstan?
Astana
Who is the most-followed person on Instagram worldwide?
Ronaldo
The first planet in the Solar System seen through a telescope.
Saturn.
Uranus.
Neptune.
Answer: 2 — Uranus.
Background: William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781. Initially, he thought it might be a comet or a star. More precisely, Uranus was the first planet discovered using a telescope; the image’s wording “seen” is less accurate.
Which modern board game developed from the ancient Indian game chaturanga?
Answer: Chess.
What animal was first domesticated on the territory of modern-day Kazakhstan?
Horse
Which film currently holds the title of highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide?
Avengers
According to Scottish belief, if a black cat sits outside a house…
There will be many arguments in the house.
The homeowner’s financial situation will improve.
A daughter in the household will get married.
Answer: 2 — The homeowner’s financial situation will improve.
Background: In Scottish superstition, an unfamiliar black cat arriving at the doorstep is considered a sign of prosperity—wealth and good fortune.
Which animal’s name means “person of the forest” in Indonesian?
Answer: Orangutan.
Interesting information: The name combines orang (“person”) and hutan (“forest”).
Which body of water lies to the west of Kazakhstan?
Caspian Sea
According to Netflix, which show is the most-watched series of all time on the platform?
Wednesday
African elephants…
Hear through their feet.
Can count up to 16.
Cannot feel the rain.
Answer: 1 — Hear through their feet.
Background: Elephants have sensitive receptors in their feet that detect vibrations travelling through the ground. These vibrations can come from other elephants’ calls, helping them communicate.
For centuries, European artists used lapis lazuli mined in Afghanistan to make an expensive paint. What colour was it?
Answer: Blue.
Interesting information: The pigment was called ultramarine. Its finest grades could cost more than gold, so wealthy customers sometimes specified exactly how much should be used in their paintings.
In what year did Kazakhstan declare independence from the Soviet Union?
1991
What does the concept of 'soft power' via broadcasting primarily refer to?
Nation’s ability to influence international audiences
The car brand whose name means “Coming out of Asia into the whole world.”
Toyota.
Changan.
KIA.
Answer: 3 — KIA.
Background: “Ki” means “to rise” or “come out of,” while “A” refers to Asia. The company adopted the name Kia Industries in 1952, when it was developing bicycles, expressing its ambition to reach the wider world.
Which food did builders in ancient China mix with lime to make the material holding bricks together stronger?
Answer: Sticky rice. Accept “rice.”
Interesting information: Builders mixed sticky rice soup with lime to make mortar. Researchers found that the rice helped improve its strength and water resistance—a surprising use for an everyday food.
Which space facility is located in Kazakhstan?
Baikonur Cosmodrome
Who invented the World Wide Web
Tim Berners Lee