Can You Pass This Basic General Knowledge Quiz?

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Can You Pass This Basic General Knowledge Quiz? - Quiz

Can you pass this basic general knowledge quiz? If you are able to answer over half the marks, then you are one of the smartest people to have ever taken this test. Give it a try and be sure to share your certificate for others to see. Have fun!
This quiz is designed to challenge your understanding across a wide range of subjects, providing a comprehensive test of your knowledge. Whether you're a trivia enthusiast or just looking to test your general awareness, this quiz is perfect for you. With a mix of easy and difficult questions, it ensures an Read moreengaging experience for everyone. Take your time, think carefully, and see how well you score. Don’t forget to invite your friends to take the quiz and compare your results. Ready to prove your smarts? Let's get started and enjoy the learning journey!


Basic General Knowledge Questions and Answers

  • 1. 

    What is the capital of France?

    • A.

      Berlin

    • B.

      Madrid

    • C.

      Paris

    • D.

      Rome

    Correct Answer
    C. Paris
    Explanation
    Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, known for its art, fashion, and culture. It is also a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture.

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  • 2. 

    Who is known as the Father of Economics?

    • A.

      Adam Smith

    • B.

      Karl Marx

    • C.

      John Maynard Keynes

    • D.

      David Ricardo

    Correct Answer
    A. Adam Smith
    Explanation
    Adam Smith is considered the father of modern economics due to his influential works, particularly "The Wealth of Nations," which laid the foundations for classical free-market economic theory. His ideas about the invisible hand and the division of labor have had a profound impact on economic thought.

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  • 3. 

    What is the primary gas found in the Earth's atmosphere?

    • A.

      Oxygen

    • B.

      Nitrogen

    • C.

      Carbon Dioxide

    • D.

      Hydrogen

    Correct Answer
    B. Nitrogen
    Explanation
    Nitrogen is the primary gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up about 78% of the air by volume. It is a colorless, odorless, and mostly inert gas, which is essential for the growth of living organisms, as it is a major component of amino acids and proteins.

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  • 4. 

    Which river is the longest in the world?

    • A.

      Amazon

    • B.

      Nile

    • C.

      Yangtze

    • D.

      Mississippi

    Correct Answer
    B. Nile
    Explanation
    The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles) through northeastern Africa. It flows through eleven countries, including Egypt and Sudan, and is a crucial water source for agriculture and daily life in these regions.

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  • 5. 

    Who was the first President of the United States?

    • A.

      George Washington

    • B.

      Thomas Jefferson

    • C.

      John Adams

    • D.

      James Madison

    Correct Answer
    A. George Washington
    Explanation
    George Washington was the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He is known for his leadership during the American Revolutionary War and for presiding over the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution.

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  • 6. 

    What is the largest ocean on Earth?

    • A.

      Atlantic Ocean

    • B.

      Indian Ocean

    • C.

      Arctic Ocean

    • D.

      Pacific Ocean

    Correct Answer
    D. Pacific Ocean
    Explanation
    The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth, covering more than 63 million square miles and containing more than half of the free water on Earth. It stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south and is bounded by Asia and Australia on the west and the Americas on the east.

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  • 7. 

    Who wrote "The Origin of Species"?

    • A.

      Isaac Newton

    • B.

      Charles Darwin

    • C.

      Albert Einstein

    • D.

      Galileo Galilei

    Correct Answer
    B. Charles Darwin
    Explanation
    Charles Darwin wrote "The Origin of Species," published in 1859. This groundbreaking work introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection, explaining how species evolve over time due to changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits.

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  • 8. 

    Which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?

    • A.

      China

    • B.

      Japan

    • C.

      South Korea

    • D.

      Thailand

    Correct Answer
    B. Japan
    Explanation
    Japan is known as the Land of the Rising Sun because of its geographical location to the east of the Asian continent. The name refers to the country’s position relative to China and the fact that the sun rises in the east. The Japanese word for Japan is "Nihon" or "Nippon," which translates to "origin of the sun."

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  • 9. 

    What is the currency of the United Kingdom?

    • A.

      Euro

    • B.

      Dollar

    • C.

      Pound Sterling

    • D.

      Yen

    Correct Answer
    C. Pound Sterling
    Explanation
    The currency of the United Kingdom is the Pound Sterling, often referred to simply as the pound. It is the oldest currency in continuous use and is denoted by the symbol £. The Bank of England, established in 1694, is the central bank of the UK and issues the currency.

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  • 10. 

    Which country hosted the first modern Olympic Games?

    • A.

      France

    • B.

      Greece

    • C.

      United States

    • D.

      Italy

    Correct Answer
    B. Greece
    Explanation
    Greece hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. The Games were inspired by the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece, and aimed to foster international unity and peace through sports.

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  • 11. 

    Who painted the Mona Lisa?

    • A.

      Vincent van Gogh

    • B.

      Pablo Picasso

    • C.

      Leonardo da Vinci

    • D.

      Claude Monet

    Correct Answer
    C. Leonardo da Vinci
    Explanation
    Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, one of the most famous and iconic artworks in the world. Painted between 1503 and 1506, it is known for its subject’s enigmatic expression and masterful technique, and it is displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

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  • 12. 

    What is the smallest continent by land area?

    • A.

      Europe

    • B.

      Australia

    • C.

      Antarctica

    • D.

      South America

    Correct Answer
    B. Australia
    Explanation
    Australia is the smallest continent by land area, covering about 7.692 million square kilometers. It is unique for its diverse ecosystems, including deserts, tropical rainforests, and extensive coastal regions.

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  • 13. 

    Who developed the theory of relativity?

    • A.

      Isaac Newton

    • B.

      Niels Bohr

    • C.

      Nikola Tesla

    • D.

      Albert Einstein

    Correct Answer
    D. Albert Einstein
    Explanation
    Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. His famous equation E=mc^2 expresses the equivalence of energy (E) and mass (m), with c representing the speed of light in a vacuum.

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  • 14. 

    What year did World War I begin?

    • A.

      1914

    • B.

      1918

    • C.

      1939

    • D.

      1945

    Correct Answer
    A. 1914
    Explanation
    World War I began in 1914, triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The conflict involved many of the world's great powers and was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, ending in 1918.

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  • 15. 

    What is the hardest natural substance on Earth?

    • A.

      Gold

    • B.

      Silver

    • C.

      Iron

    • D.

      Diamond

    Correct Answer
    D. Diamond
    Explanation
    Diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth. Composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice, diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness, making them valuable in industrial applications and as gemstones in jewelry.

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  • 16. 

    Who is known as the Iron Lady?

    • A.

      Indira Gandhi

    • B.

      Margaret Thatcher

    • C.

      Angela Merkel

    • D.

      Golda Meir

    Correct Answer
    B. Margaret Thatcher
    Explanation
    Margaret Thatcher is known as the Iron Lady, a nickname given to her by a Soviet journalist for her strong-willed and uncompromising leadership style. She was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and was the first woman to hold that office.

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  • 17. 

    What is the powerhouse of the cell?

    • A.

      Nucleus

    • B.

      Mitochondria

    • C.

      Ribosome

    • D.

      Endoplasmic Reticulum

    Correct Answer
    B. Mitochondria
    Explanation
    Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy. Mitochondria are found in nearly all eukaryotic cells and are critical for cellular respiration.

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  • 18. 

    What is the smallest planet in our solar system?

    • A.

      Earth

    • B.

      Venus

    • C.

      Mars

    • D.

      Mercury

    Correct Answer
    D. Mercury
    Explanation
    Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and the closest to the sun. It has a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers (3,032 miles) and is known for its extremely high temperatures during the day and extremely low temperatures at night due to its thin atmosphere.

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  • 19. 

    Who invented the telephone?

    • A.

      Thomas Edison

    • B.

      Alexander Graham Bell

    • C.

      Nikola Tesla

    • D.

      Guglielmo Marconi

    Correct Answer
    B. Alexander Graham Bell
    Explanation
    Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. His invention revolutionized communication, allowing people to talk to each other over long distances almost instantaneously. Bell's work laid the foundation for the modern telecommunications industry.

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  • 20. 

    What is the tallest mountain in the world?

    • A.

      K2

    • B.

      Kangchenjunga

    • C.

      Lhotse

    • D.

      Mount Everest

    Correct Answer
    D. Mount Everest
    Explanation
    Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, with a peak that reaches 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level. It is part of the Himalayas and is located on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jun 24, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Nov 14, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Ckirsch
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