BIGGER Than Life
Around the House
Money Matters
The Greek Alphabet
Hello April!
100
This is the largest living land mammal on Earth.
What is an African elephant?
The African elephant can weigh up to 6,000 kilograms or more and uses its trunk for breathing, grasping objects, and communicating. Despite their size, elephants are highly intelligent and social animals with strong family bonds.
100
If you don’t clean your dryer vent, you risk this dangerous household disaster.
What is a house fire?
Lint from clothes dryers is highly flammable, and blocked vents can cause heat to build up quickly. Regularly cleaning the vent and lint trap is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of household fires.
100
This is the regular payment you make to keep an insurance policy active.
What is an insurance premium?
Insurance premium amounts are based on risk factors such as age, location, and claim history. In general, the higher the perceived risk, the higher the premium.
100
In a multi-dog or multi-cat household, this Greek letter is often used to describe the dominant or leading animal.
What is alpha?
Alpha originally came from early studies of wolf behaviour, but modern research shows wolf packs usually function as family groups rather than strict hierarchies. The term is still widely used in everyday language to describe leadership in animal groups.
100
April showers are necessary for these.
What are May flowers?
April is traditionally a rainy month, followed by a bloom of flowers in May.
200
Often called the longest wall in the world, this massive structure was built over centuries for defence.
What is the Great Wall of China?
The Great Wall of China stretches for thousands of kilometres and was built and rebuilt by multiple dynasties over more than 2,000 years.
200
These window coverings come in styles such as café, ruffled, and shower.
What are curtains?
Curtains have been used for centuries not only for privacy but also for insulation, helping keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer before modern heating and cooling systems.
200
This is the legal payment made by one ex-spouse to support the other after divorce.
What is alimony?
Alimony rules vary by jurisdiction, but courts typically consider factors like the length of the marriage, income differences, and each spouse’s financial needs when determining payments.
200
In geometry, this Greek letter represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
What is pi?
Pi is an irrational number, meaning its decimal expansion never ends or repeats. It is commonly approximated as 3.14159, but computers have calculated it to trillions of digits.
200
During spring daylight saving time, clocks are set this way.
What is forward?
The easiest way to remember the daylight saving time shifts is to think “spring forward” in the spring and “fall back” in the fall.
300
This is the largest passenger airliner ever built for commercial service, known for its double-deck design.
What is the Airbus A380?
It has a maximum certified capacity of 853 passengers. It was designed for high-capacity international routes but production ended in 2021 due to shifting demand toward smaller, more fuel-efficient aircraft.
300
Before circuit breakers, electrical panels used these safety devices that melt to break a circuit during overloads.
What are fuses?
Fuses were widely used in early home wiring systems and are still found in some older buildings today. Unlike circuit breakers, they must be replaced once they “blow,” rather than reset.
300
This Seven Deadly Sin is associated with excessive desire for money and material wealth.
What is greed?
Greed is traditionally contrasted with the virtue of charity. In literature and art, it is often depicted as a person clutching coins or treasures, symbolizing an unhealthy attachment to material wealth.
300
This term refers both to the final testing stage of a product before release and to a type of brainwave linked to alert thinking.
What is beta?
Beta testing allows users to try software in real-world conditions before official release, helping developers find remaining bugs. Beta brain waves are commonly associated with focused mental activity, such as problem-solving and decision-making.
300
April is peak season for these flowering trees, celebrated in spring festivals in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
What are cherry blossom trees?
Cherry blossom trees produce blossoms that last only a short time, often just one to two weeks, making their spring bloom a highly anticipated seasonal event. Vancouver’s cherry trees were largely a gift from Japan in the early 20th century.
400
Of these two, this one is much larger: a solar system or a galaxy.
What is a galaxy?
The Milky Way galaxy alone contains an estimated 100–400 billion stars, each potentially with its own solar system. Our solar system is just a tiny part of this enormous structure.
400
This three-letter word refers to a Grecian-style jar or vase.
What is an urn?
Urn designs were heavily inspired by ancient Greek pottery, which often featured painted scenes of mythology, daily life, and athletic competitions. Today, urns are also commonly used as decorative objects or memorial containers.
400
Founded in 1934, this Canadian institution issues the national currency and manages monetary policy.
What is the Bank of Canada?
The Bank of Canada is responsible for setting interest rates and helping maintain financial stability. Its decisions influence borrowing costs for mortgages, loans, and savings across the country.
400
These essential fatty acids are found in polyunsaturated fats and are commonly found in the 6 and 3 forms of this letter.
What is omega?
Omega fatty acids are important for brain function, cell growth, and heart health. Since the human body cannot produce them, they must be obtained through foods like fish, nuts, and certain plant oils.
400
These large migratory birds return north from the southern United States, including Florida, in mid-April to May.
What are Canadian geese?
They are highly adaptable birds that form strong family bonds and often migrate in a distinctive V-formation, which helps reduce air resistance and conserve energy during long flights.
500
Completed in 1885, this transcontinental railway united Canada from coast to coast.
What is the Canadian Pacific Railway?
It was crucial in linking eastern and western Canada, helping support settlement and economic growth across the country. The “last spike” driven in British Columbia symbolized national unity after Confederation.
500
This bathtub is named for its appendages.
What is a clawfoot tub?
They became popular in the late 19th century when cast iron tubs were coated in porcelain enamel. They remain a nostalgic design feature in many historic homes today.
500
First issued in 1996, Canada’s two-dollar coin features this Arctic animal.
What is a polar bear?
The polar bear on the toonie was designed by artist Brent Townsend and is named “Churchill,” after the famous polar bear viewing area in Manitoba. The coin is officially nicknamed the “toonie,” combining “two” and “loonie.”
500
Sediment that flows downstream in a river can build up and move from its mouth into this other body of water, creating a wetland.
What is a delta?
These areas are often very fertile and have supported agriculture and human settlement for thousands of years.
500
This day, celebrated on April 1, is marked by practical jokes and pranks.
What is April Fools' Day?
April Fools' Day has uncertain origins, but similar traditions of springtime mischief date back centuries in Europe. In many countries, jokes are only considered valid if they are revealed before noon.