Q 01/05

Which continent is, on average, the driest and windiest on Earth?

A) Asia

B) Antarctica

C) Europe

D) South America

Answer · why

B) Antarctica

Antarctica, also the coldest continent, is battered by katabatic winds pouring off its high polar plateau, and its interior gets under 50 mm of precip...

Q 02/05

What is the chemical formula of ordinary table salt?

A) NaCl

B) KCl

C) NaOH

D) CaCO3

Answer · why

A) NaCl

NaCl, sodium chloride, bonds sodium, a metal that reacts violently with water, to chlorine, a poison gas used as a weapon in World War I.

Q 03/05

How many squares are there on a standard chessboard?

A) 32

B) 64

C) 144

D) 400

Answer · why

B) 64

64 squares, eight by eight: in the wheat-and-chessboard legend, doubling one grain per square adds up to over 18 quintillion grains.

Q 04/05

Which fashion doll did Ruth Handler introduce in 1959?

A) Sindy

B) Bratz

C) Barbie

D) Polly Pocket

Answer · why

C) Barbie

Barbie was named after Ruth Handler's daughter Barbara and modelled on Bild Lilli, a German doll Handler bought on a trip to Europe.

Q 05/05

Which spotted cat has black 'tear marks' running from its eyes to its mouth?

A) Cheetah

B) Leopard

C) Jaguar

D) Snow leopard

Answer · why

A) Cheetah

Cheetah tear marks may help cut the sun's glare, useful because, unlike most cats, cheetahs hunt mainly by day.