World History
Which ancient civilization is credited with creating the world’s earliest known written legal code?
A. Ancient Egyptian
B. Babylonian
C. Roman
D. Persian
Babylonian
The Code of Hammurabi, created in Babylon around 1754 BCE
The Japanese festival “Tanabata” is based on a legend involving two celestial beings who are allowed to meet only once a year. What are they represented by?
A. The Sun and Moon
B. Two stars
C. Two dragons
D. A star and a comet
Two stars
Before becoming a sweet treat, chocolate was commonly consumed by ancient Mesoamerican peoples as:
A. A hot, sweet milk drink
B. A bitter beverage
C. A fermented juice
D. A frozen dessert
A bitter beverage
Which famous Renaissance painting is believed by some scholars to contain subtle visual or symbolic details that have sparked centuries of debate?
A. The Birth of Venus
B. Mona Lisa
C. The Last Supper
D. Primavera
Mona Lisa
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
He was outstanding in his field
Which spice was so valuable in medieval Europe that it was sometimes used as a form of payment?
A. Black pepper
B. Cinnamon
C. Nutmeg
D. Saffron
Black pepper
Hogmanay is the traditional Scottish celebration of which occasion?
A. Spring
B. Harvest
C. New Year
D. Summer solstice
New Year
According to a famous Chinese legend, tea was discovered when leaves accidentally blew into the boiling water of which legendary emperor?
A. Qin Shi Huang
B. Shen Nong
C. Wu Ding
D. Han Gaozu
Shen Nong
Vincent van Gogh famously created many of his paintings using which distinctive approach to brushwork?
A. Smooth, invisible brushstrokes
B. Thick, expressive strokes
C. Completely flat geometric shapes
D. Pointillism exclusively
Thick, expressive strokes
Which civilization developed cuneiform writing?
A. Sumerians
B. Phoenicians
C. Egyptians
D. Hittites
Sumerians
What was the name of the Viking settlement in Newfoundland that provides evidence of Norse presence in North America?
A. Vinland
B. Jorvik
C. Lindisfarne
D. Kattegat
Vinland
Brazil’s Carnival tradition is historically connected to celebrations preceding which religious season?
A. Advent
B. Lent
C. Easter
D. Ramadan
Lent
Which food from the Americas eventually became a major staple across Ireland and much of Europe?
A. Corn
B. Potato
C. Tomato
D. Cocoa
Potato
Which Shakespeare play contains the famous line “All the world’s a stage”?
A. Hamlet
B. Macbeth
C. As You Like It
D. King Lear
As You Like It
At Spain’s famous La Tomatina festival, participants traditionally engage in a massive:
A. Water fight
B. Flower parade
C. Tomato fight
D. Bread-throwing competition
Tomato fight
The mathematical concept of zero was independently developed in several cultures, but which civilization played a particularly important role in developing zero as a number used in calculations?
A. Ancient Greek
B. Indian
C. Roman
D. Egyptian
Indian
During the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which food is especially traditional?
A. Mooncakes
B. Dumplings
C. Fortune cookies
D. Rice noodles
Mooncakes
The earliest versions of ketchup were quite different from today's tomato-based sauce. They originated from a tradition involving:
A. Fermented fish sauces
B. Sweetened fruit
C. Pickled vegetables
D. Ground nuts
Fermented fish sauces
Which author wrote Frankenstein while still in her late teens/early twenties?
A. Jane Austen
B. Mary Shelley
C. George Eliot
D. Emily Brontë
Mary Shelley
Which fruit was once displayed at wealthy European dinner tables partly as a symbol of status because it was difficult to cultivate?
A. Pineapple
B. Apple
C. Peach
D. Cherry
Pineapple
The famous treaty between Egypt and the Hittite Empire followed which battle?
A. Battle of Marathon
B. Battle of Kadesh
C. Battle of Thermopylae
D. Battle of Gaugamela
Battle of Kadesh
Nowruz, celebrated at the spring equinox, marks the beginning of the traditional new year in which cultural tradition?
A. Persian
B. Viking
C. Celtic
D. Slavic
Persian
Which alcoholic beverage takes its name from the Italian city of Turin, where an important ingredient became associated with its production?
A. Vermouth
B. Champagne
C. Port
D. Sherry
Vermouth
Ancient Greek theatre performances were closely connected with festivals honoring which god?
A. Zeus
B. Apollo
C. Dionysus
D. Ares
Dionysus
Which of these Shakespeare plays is considered one of his “problem plays,” combining elements of comedy and darker themes?
A. Measure for Measure
B. Romeo and Juliet
C. The Tempest
D. Richard III
Measure for Measure