People
Which playwright is known for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?
Tennessee Williams
Williams’ own father was the inspiration for Big Daddy’s character in the play.
In what modern-day country is Machu Picchu located?
Peru
These Inca ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
What candy bar has used slogans like “Don’t let hunger happen to you” and “You’re not you when you’re hungry”?
Snickers
According to the brand’s website, the first Snickers bars were sold in Chicago in 1930 for five cents apiece
What is the national animal of Australia: koala, kangaroo, or platypus?
The Kangaroo
Kangaroo comes from the Guugu Yimithirr (GOO-goo YIM-uh-thar) word gangurru (GAN-ga-roo).
What does the French word ennui (aan-WEE) mean?
“Boredom” or “dissatisfaction.”
The word is one example of a French term often borrowed in the English language.
Who holds the Guinness World Record for the most career goals in soccer?
Pelé
The record-setting 1,279 goals were scored across 1,363 games.
Nelson Mandela, the politician and social activist, was born in what nation?
South Africa
Among his accomplishments was a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
The oldest tools ever discovered are made from what material?
Stone
Scientists suspect some of these ancient stone tools may predate humans.
What is the green pigment produced in plant leaves called?
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light, making the leaves appear green.
The Netherlands once banned the wearing of what color?
Orange
The color, which is associated with William of Orange, was banned in the 1700s in an attempt to prevent rebellion.
What famous woman was the wife of one U.S. president and the mother of another?
Abigail Adams
She and husband John Adams were thefirst president and first lady to reside in the White House. Her son John Quincy Adams was inaugurated in 1825.
The dish spanakopita is a delicacy hailing from which Mediterranean nation?
Greece
The flaky spinach pie was invented as a handheld food that could easily be carried by farmworkers in the fields.
What creature is featured on the Welsh flag?
A Dragon
Adopted in 1959, the flag features a white-and-green background behind a fiery red dragon that has been a symbol of the country since the 1400s.
Which U.S. national park is known for its geysers, including one called Old Faithful?
Yellowstone
The incredible park has over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including geysers and hot springs.
The Hippocratic Oath is a code of ethics taken by what kind of professionals?
Doctors
The oath is commonly taken by physicians while in medical school, though not all schools require it.
Which artist painted Girl with a Pearl Earring?
Vermeer
The Dutch artist is also known for The Art of Painting and The Milkmaid.
The Shinto holidays Seijin Shiki (SAY-jun shkee) and Shichigosan (SHEE-go-sahn) are celebrated primarily in what nation?
Japan
Seijin Shiki, or Adults’ Day, is a festival of thanksgiving for those ages 20 and older, while Shichigosan celebrates children who are seven, five, and three years old.
Which part of the human body has 26 bones, including the talus and calcaneus?
The foot
The foot also has 30 joints and many muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
What is the hottest planet in our solar system?
Venus
The reason for the high temperature is Venus’ thick atmosphere, which employs a greenhouse effect and keeps much of the planet’s heat trapped.
What term is used for an angle greater than 90 degrees?
Obtuse
Angles smaller than 90 degrees are called acute, while a precisely 90-degree angle is a right angle.
What famous inventor of the telephone was born in Scotland and spent a significant portion of his life in Canada?
Alexander Graham Bell
Bell first moved to Canada in 1870 and lived there for much of his adult life.
Where were the popular Lord of the Rings movies of the early 2000s filmed?
New Zealand
Some of the filming locations have been turned into permanent tourist attractions.
Maria Montessori founded what sort of institution in 1907 in Italy?
A School
A school. The school was called Casa dei Bambini, or “Children’s House.”
Which ocean creature has three hearts, blue blood, and eight limbs?
The Octopus
Octopus fossils have been found dating back as far as 296 million years ago.
In which Canadian province is Vancouver located?
British Columbia
Vancouver is one of the most populous cities in Canada and was inhabited by several First Nations groups before European traders arrived.
What was Babe Ruth’s given first name?
George
George Herman Ruth Jr. was born in Baltimore in 1895.
What country has the most native plant species?
Brazil
Home to the Amazon rainforest as well as swamps and forests, Brazil has more than 34,000 species of plants.
Carolyn Keene, a pen name used by several authors, wrote which series of children’s mystery novels?
The Nancy Drew novels
The first person to use the pen name was Mildred Wirt Benson.
What type of weather is called uragano (ooh-ruh-GAH-no) in Italian?
A Hurricane
Many people aren’t aware that the Mediterranean gets hurricanes because it happens so rarely.
What is the capital city of the Bahamas?
Nassau
The city was established in the 17th century and was originally known as Charles Towne