1.
About how many light years away from Earth is Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun?
Correct Answer
A. 4
Explanation
Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun, is approximately 4 light years away from Earth. A light year is the distance that light travels in one year, which is about 5.88 trillion miles. Therefore, the correct answer is 4, indicating that Proxima Centauri is around 4 times this immense distance from Earth.
2.
Which of the Great Lakes is the smallest in surface area?
Correct Answer
C. Lake Ontario
Explanation
Lake Ontario is the smallest in surface area among the Great Lakes. It has a surface area of approximately 7,340 square miles, making it smaller than Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie.
3.
Which legendary actor appeared in "The Transformers: The Movie" as Unicron?
Correct Answer
A. Orson Welles
Explanation
Orson Welles appeared in "The Transformers: The Movie" as Unicron. He provided the voice for the character, bringing his deep and powerful voice to the role. Welles was a legendary actor, known for his work in films such as "Citizen Kane" and "Touch of Evil." His portrayal of Unicron added a menacing and memorable presence to the movie.
4.
Which electronics company issued the first TV remote control in 1950?
Correct Answer
A. Zenith
Explanation
Zenith is the correct answer because they were the first electronics company to issue a TV remote control in 1950. This remote control, called "Lazy Bones," used a wire to connect the TV and the remote control, allowing users to change channels and adjust the volume from a distance. This innovation revolutionized television viewing by providing convenience and ease of use.
5.
What was the name of the ship captained by the pirate Blackbeard?
Correct Answer
B. Queen Anne's Revenge
Explanation
Queen Anne's Revenge was the name of the ship captained by the pirate Blackbeard. This ship was originally a French slave ship called La Concorde, but Blackbeard captured it in 1717 and renamed it Queen Anne's Revenge. Blackbeard used this ship to terrorize the Atlantic coast of North America and the Caribbean. The ship was known for its size, firepower, and intimidating appearance, with Blackbeard using it to strike fear into his enemies. Queen Anne's Revenge eventually ran aground in 1718, leading to the end of Blackbeard's piracy career.
6.
In Norse mythology, the god Baldur was killed by a sprig of which plant?
Correct Answer
A. Mistletoe
Explanation
In Norse mythology, Baldur, the god of light and beauty, was killed by a sprig of mistletoe. According to the myth, Baldur's mother, Frigg, had made all things on earth promise not to harm her son, except for mistletoe, which she deemed harmless. Loki, the trickster god, discovered this and made a spear from mistletoe, which he gave to Baldur's blind brother, Hodr. Hodr unknowingly threw the spear, killing Baldur and plunging the world into darkness and sorrow. This myth explains the significance of mistletoe as a symbol of love, reconciliation, and protection in Norse mythology.
7.
What does the "B" in the programming language BASIC stand for?
Correct Answer
D. Beginner's
Explanation
The "B" in the programming language BASIC stands for "Beginner's." BASIC was designed to be a simple and easy-to-learn programming language for beginners. It was created in the 1960s by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College to introduce computer programming to non-computer science students. BASIC has a straightforward syntax and is widely used in educational settings and for prototyping applications.
8.
How many points is a rouge worth in Canadian Football?
Correct Answer
C. 1
Explanation
In Canadian Football, a rouge is worth 1 point. A rouge is awarded when the ball is kicked into the opponent's end zone and they are unable to return it out of the end zone. This can happen on a kickoff, punt, or missed field goal. The team that kicked the ball is awarded 1 point for the rouge.
9.
Which of the following was not an original flavor of "Jell-O"?
Correct Answer
A. Lime
Explanation
Lime was not an original flavor of "Jell-O". This means that when "Jell-O" was first introduced, lime was not one of the available flavors. The original flavors of "Jell-O" were lemon, orange, and strawberry.
10.
Which of the following techniques was not used in the combo that killed Rasputin?
Correct Answer
A. Hanging
Explanation
The correct answer is Hanging. This means that hanging was not used in the combo that killed Rasputin. It suggests that Rasputin was killed using a combination of shooting, drowning, and poison. Hanging was not part of the techniques employed to end Rasputin's life.
11.
There has never been a US Vice President with which of the following first names?
Correct Answer
B. Michael
Explanation
The question asks for the first name of a US Vice President that has never been used before. The names Elbridge, Spiro, and Hannibal have all been used by US Vice Presidents before. However, the name Michael has never been used by a US Vice President. Therefore, Michael is the correct answer.
12.
What name is given to a group of crows?
Correct Answer
B. Murder
Explanation
A group of crows is called a "murder" because it is believed that when crows gather in large numbers, they can appear ominous and create a sense of foreboding. This term may have originated from the fact that crows are often associated with death and darkness in various mythologies and folklore. The use of the word "murder" to describe a group of crows adds a mysterious and eerie element to their collective presence.
13.
A "sawbuck" is how many dollars?
Correct Answer
B. 10
Explanation
A "sawbuck" is a slang term for a ten-dollar bill. This term originated from the resemblance of the Roman numeral X (representing ten) to the legs of a sawhorse or buck. Therefore, the correct answer is 10.
14.
The flag of which country features a black trident?
Correct Answer
B. Barbados
Explanation
The flag of Barbados features a black trident. The trident symbolizes the country's connection to the sea, as Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean. The three points of the trident represent the three principles of democracy: government of the people, government for the people, and government by the people. The black color of the trident represents the strength and resilience of the Barbadian people.
15.
In a standard deck of playing cards, the king of which suit has no mustache?
Correct Answer
B. Hearts
Explanation
The king of Hearts in a standard deck of playing cards has no mustache. The other three suits, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades, all have kings with mustaches.