HowStuffWorks Newsletter Quiz

Stretch your brain with weekly tests of knowledge from the HowStuffWorks newsletter. NicoElNino/SHUTTERSTOCK

Answers for September 23, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: In a positive correlation, two variables move in the same direction.

True. In a positive correlation, two variables move in the same direction. When one variable increases, the other also increases.

2. Which cheese has been dubbed the "world's most dangerous cheese" by Guinness World Records?

Casu Marzu
Jarlsberg
Neufchatel
Pepper Jack

In 2009, Casu Marzu was dubbed the "world's most dangerous cheese" by Guinness World Records. Casu Marzu is a cheese filled with maggots made specifically on the island of Sardinia, Italy. No one has died from eating this cheese, but it is illegal to sell in many parts of the world — including Sardinia.

3. Which country is credited with creating the first gun?

China
Germany
France
Russia

Historians generally consider the 15th-century Chinese fire lance as the first gun. These early guns were tricky to fire as they required both hands and a burning wick to ignite the powder.

4. True or false: Earth only has two poles.

False. Our planet has more than just two poles. It has geographic north and south poles, which are the points that mark the Earth's axis of rotation. It also has magnetic north and south poles, based on the planet's magnetic field.

5. What is the national dish of Scotland?

bangers and mash
escargot
haggis
turtle soup

The national dish of Scotland is haggis. Scottish haggis is usually made with a sheep's liver, kidney and lungs, which are boiled in a pot then chopped up very finely and mixed with oatmeal, onions and other seasonings.

Answers for September 16, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Every molecule of plastic produced since 1907 is still present in the environment.

True. Plastic isn't a material that decomposes easily. Plastic tends to break down into smaller particles until they are too small to be seen, which means that every molecule of plastic produced since 1907 is still present in the environment.

2. Neuschwanstein castle in Germany was used as the castle model for which Disney film?

Cinderella
Aladdin
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sleeping Beauty

Walt Disney was so impressed with Neuschwanstein Castle that he used it as the model for Sleeping Beauty's Castle, the centerpiece of Disneyland.

3. Which is not a measurable property of black holes?

angle of reflection
electric charge
mass
rate of rotation

Black holes have three properties that can be measured: electric charge, mass and rate of rotation. Light cannot escape a black hole, so there is no reflection to measure.

Read More: How Black Holes Work

4. True or false: The Pantheon and the Parthenon are the same structure.

False. The Parthenon and the Pantheon are often conflated, but they're actually very different. For starters, one is in Greece and the other is in Italy.

5. How many steps does it take to get to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore?

130 steps
200 steps
463 steps
532 steps

Brunelleschi's famous dome has 463 steps that you need to climb before experiencing the view at the top.

Answers for September 9, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: You should keep your gas tank at least a quarter full at all times.

True. Experts say you should keep your gas tank at least a quarter full at all times. Doing this will keep you from getting in a dangerous situation where you're low on gas and too far from a gas station. It will also avoid damaging your car.

2. How often should you wash your car?

Every week
Every 2 weeks
Every month
Every 2 months

Most experts recommend washing your car every two weeks or so throughout the year as a general rule.

3. Which is not one of the three basic types of blue logo signs on highways?

Construction
Mainline
Ramp
Trailblazer

The three basic types of blue logo signs are Mainline, Ramp and Trailblazer. Construction is not a basic type of blue logo sign. This is an orange sign.

4. True or false: Motorcyclists call the tar squiggles on the road "tar snakes.”

True. Motorcyclists call the patches "tar snakes" and complain that they cause accidents and damage to bikes.

5. What is the most fuel-efficient way to drive?

windows down and the AC on
windows up and the AC on
windows down and the AC off
windows up and the AC off

Driving with the windows up and the AC off is the most fuel-efficient way to drive, but that is quite challenging on a hot day.

Answers for September 2, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Spilling salt is good luck.

False. According to superstition, spilling salt is bad luck. To reverse this bad luck, throw a pinch of salt over your left shoulder.

Learn More: Why Is Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder Good Luck?

2. Which bug is considered lucky?

ant
ladybug
spider
mosquito

Ladybugs are popular lucky charms among a variety of cultures and regions. It's said that having a ladybug land on you will bring you luck as long as you let it leave on its own accord.

Learn More: You Already Have This Surprisingly Simple Good Luck Charm

3. Early Western Europeans believed which material had magical powers?

cerium
copper
gold
iron

Early Western Europeans believed that iron had magical powers and could drive away evil. Horseshoes, being made of iron, naturally became protective talismans.

Learn More: The Mystique of the Lucky Horseshoe: History and Beliefs

4. True or false: More than 80 percent of high-rises don't have a 13th floor.

True. People are so afraid of the number 13 that more than 80 percent of high-rises don't have a 13th floor. Architects skip straight from 12 to 14 to appease suspicious folks.

Learn More: 13 Superstitions About Lucky Numbers and Unlucky Numbers

5. Which animal does not have a wishbone?

chickens
ducks
geese
humans

Humans do have two clavicles, but they're not fused together, as they are in birds. So no, humans do not have wishbones.

Learn More: Why Are Wishbones Supposed to be Lucky?

Answers for August 26, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: In California, you can bury someone in your backyard.

False. According to California law, anyone who "deposits or disposes of any human remains in any place, except in a cemetery, is guilty of a misdemeanor" and could face jail time or a fine up to $10,000. It is legal in other states to do a home burial, but California does not want future owners digging up undisclosed graves.

Learn More: Can You Bury Someone in Your Backyard?

2. In which state is human composting illegal?

California
Colorado
New Hampshire
Vermont

Human composting is illegal in New Hampshire. The environmentally friendly process is permitted in California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Learn More: Is Human Composting the Greenest Burial Option?

3. Where is Elizabeth Taylor buried?

Arlington National Cemetery
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Père Lachaise Cemetery

Elizabeth Taylor is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, in Glendale, California. Taylor joins celebrities such as Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Nat King Cole, Clark Gable, Michael Jackson and Will Rogers at this famous cemetery.

Learn More: Inside LA's Forest Lawn, Where the Biggest Celebrities Rest in Peace

4. True or false: You have to buy a casket from the funeral home you are using.

False. What many people don't know is that they don't have to buy a casket from the funeral home they are using. In fact, it's a federal law that funeral homes must accept all outside caskets, including ones that are bought online or from Costco.

Learn More: Grave Matters: Why Are Caskets So Expensive?

5. Which state does not have funeral procession laws?

Arizona
Idaho
Nevada
New York

New York has no laws governing funeral processions. Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota and Nevada are the only states that have laws dealing with funeral processions.

Learn More: Do You Have to Pull Over for a Funeral Procession?

Answers for August 19, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: In English, Chupacabra translates as "goat sucker."

True. The name "Chupacabra" comes from two Spanish words: "chupar," which means "to suck," and "cabra," meaning "goat." So, "Chupacabra" can be literally translated as "goat sucker."

2. Where is the Mongolian Death Worm found?

Antarctica
Death Valley
The Arabian Desert
The Gobi Desert

Local people and tourists have described witnessing the Mongolian Death Worm in the Gobi Desert, one of the largest deserts in the world and a remote, hostile region with extreme temperatures and arid conditions.

3. The Wampus cat is described as a hybrid of a woman and what other animal?

cheetah
jaguar
mountain lion
panther

The Wampus cat is described as a fearsome hybrid of a mountain lion and a woman. Believers say it roams the wilderness, emitting eerie sounds that strike terror into the hearts of those who cross its path.

4. True or false: The Loch Ness monster resides in Lake Champlain.

False. The Loch Ness monster can be found in Loch Ness, Scotland. Champy, often compared to the Loch Ness monster, can be found in Lake Champlain, which borders Vermont and New York.

5. Which famous musician wrote a song about the Jersey Devil?

Bruce Springsteen
Dolly Parton
Michael Jackson
Prince

As a tribute to New Jersey's favorite cryptid, Bruce Springsteen released a bluesy ballad called "A Night With the Jersey Devil" back in 2008.

Answers for August 12, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Alcohol repels fruit flies.

False. Fruit flies love alcohol. That’s why they are especially attracted to sweet fruit; sweet fruit ferments quickly at warmer temperatures.

2. Which is not a recommended method to keep bugs from getting in your home?

add screens
cover large openings
keep all windows open
repair cracks

Effective and recommended methods of keeping pests away from your home include adding screens to all windows and doors, covering large openings and repairing cracks. Keeping all your windows open is not a recommended way to keep insects out of your home — this action could potentially invite them in.

Learn More: 10 Ways to Bug-proof Your Home

3. June bugs are a member of which insect family?

Formicidae
Scarabaeidae
Trogidae
Yponomeutidae

June bugs are members of the exceptionally diverse family of Scarabaeidae (scarab) beetles, of which there are more than 30,000 species. 200 of those are North American June beetles.

4. True or false: Ladybugs, praying mantises and parasitic wasps are all examples of beneficial insects.

True. Ladybugs, praying mantises and parasitic wasps are all examples of beneficial insects, meaning they can help your garden. You can attract these beneficial insects to your garden by planting vegetables like carrots or flowers like sunflowers and marigolds.

Learn More: Put Down the Pesticides! Introduce Beneficial Insects Into Your Garden

5. In cicadas, which organ is responsible for producing the singing sound?

antennae
head
tymbals
wings

When cicadas sing, the organs that produce sound are called tymbals. Tymbals are a pair of ribbed membranes at the base of the abdomen. The cicada sings by contracting the internal tymbal muscles.

Learn More: Why Are Cicadas So Noisy?

Answers for August 5, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach created the first motorcycle.

True. The Daimler Reitwagen, the first gas-powered motorcycle, was a collaborative creation by German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach.

2. Who took the first photograph ever?

Alexander Gardner
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
Leonardo da Vinci
Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first-ever photograph in 1826 or 1827 from an upstairs window of his estate in Saint-Lop-de-Varenees, Burgundy, France, using a camera obscura and a bitumen-coated pewter plate.

3. Which is not considered a branch of metallurgy?

alloy metallurgy
chemical metallurgy
ferrous metallurgy
powder metallurgy

Chemical metallurgy is not a branch of metallurgy, the study of metals. The branches of metallurgy are: alloy, extractive, ferrous, metallurgical analysis, non-ferrous metallurgy, powder and physical metallurgy.

4. True or false: Samuel Morse is credited with the invention of the telephone.

False. Samuel Morse is credited with the invention of the telegraph and Morse code. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.

5. Which is not a key ingredient of Portland cement?

clay
gypsum
limestone
volcanic ash

Volcanic ash is not a key ingredient of Portland cement. The key ingredients of Portland cement are clay, gypsum and limestone.

Answers for July 29, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: After two years of use, 30 percent of the weight of your pillow is made up of dead skin, bacteria and feces from dust mites.

True. One study found that, after two years of use, 30 percent of the weight of a pillow is actually made up of dead skin, bacteria and feces from dust mites (not to mention the mites themselves) — which, aside from being gross, can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Read More: How to Wash Pillows

2. After how many uses should you wash your bath towel?

1
3
5
9

You should not go more than three uses without washing your towel thoroughly. Make sure to use warm or hot water with detergent, preferably along with color-appropriate bleach, for good measure.

3. What year was The Pink Stuff invented?

1665
1938
1990
2000

Although the miracle cleaner gained popularity on TikTok, The Pink Stuff has been around since 1938.

4. True or false: You should replace your weighted blanket after five years.

True. According to SleepFoundation.org, no matter how — or how often — you wash your weighted blanket, you should replace it every five years.

5. Which is not an ingredient needed to make your own dishwasher tablets?

baking soda
chlorine
citric acid
white vinegar

To make your own dishwasher tablets you would combine a few simple ingredients, like baking soda, washing soda, citric acid, white vinegar, salt and essential oil. You would not need chlorine.

Answers for July 22, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Veterinarians call the hyperactive dog event a Frenetic Random Action Period, or FRAP for short.

True. Veterinarians call the hyperactive dog event some describe as the zoomies a Frenetic Random Action Period, or FRAP for short.

2. What dog breed did Queen Victoria make popular during her reign?

corgi
maltese
pomeranian
Yorkshire terrier

Pomeranians or poms, as they are often called, came into popularity as the preferred pet of England's Queen Victoria and have become alert, loyal and friendly additions to households all over the world.

3. What was the job of a turnspit dog in 16th-century Wales, England?

eat table scraps
guard the home
turn the wooden wheel on the roasting spit in the hearth
warm up cold laps on chilly days

The job of a turnspit dog or spit dog was to turn the wooden wheel on the roasting spit in the hearth. They were found in large and small homes during the 16th century.

4. True or false: Dog teeth are made up of collagen, just like the bones in their body.

False. The bones in the bodies of dogs are made up of both collagen and calcium phosphate, but their teeth are composed of many layers of hard and soft tissue. They are not composed of collagen.

5. Which dog breed is considered the most intelligent?

Australian cattle dog
border collie
French bulldog
German shepherd

The border collie, a type of herding dog, is considered the most intelligent dog breed, as most can learn a new command in under five repetitions and follow it at least 95 percent of the time.

Read More: The 10 Smartest Dog Breeds

Answers for July 15, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Duct tape is great at sealing ductwork in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

False. Despite its name and early usage, duct tape isn't great at sealing the ductwork in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems — at least not permanently. The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted a study of various duct sealants and only one failed: duct tape.

2. What is another name for baking soda?

acetone
calcium carbonate
sodium bicarbonate
sodium fluoride

Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It is made when oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and sodium molecules are mixed together.

3. What industry was WD-40 produced specifically for?

aerospace
agriculture
fashion
technology

Norman Larsen, an employee of the newly formed Rocket Chemical Company, created WD-40 in 1953. It was produced specifically for use in the aerospace industry. Aerospace contractor Convair was the first to use WD-40, applying it to the outer skin of the Atlas Missile to protect it from rust and corrosion.

Read More: 12 Amazing Uses for WD-40

4. True or false: Tea leaves are great fertilizer.

True. Tea leaves are nothing more than organic matter, so they are great for gardening! It's best to add tea to soil around acid-loving plants, like rosebushes or ferns, because the tannic acid in tea tends to lower the soil’s pH and increase its acidity.

5. What should you not use vinegar on?

brick
granite or marble countertops
your car
your dog

While there are a gazillion creative uses for vinegar, you shouldn't use it on granite or marble countertops, as its acidity can deteriorate the sealant and even etch or dull the finish.

Answers for July 8, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: The Declaration of Independence was approved and signed on July 4, 1776.

False. The Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution to legally separate from Great Britain on July 2, two days earlier. The approved Declaration of Independence was first printed on July 4, but wasn’t fully finished until Aug. 2, 1776.

2. Which treaty ended the Revolutionary War?

Treaty of Ghent
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Tordesillas
Treaty of Versailles

British General Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, marked the unofficial end to the war, but the Treaty of Paris officially ended the Revolutionary War on September 3, 1783.

3. How many hot dogs do Americans eat a year?

2,000
20,000
20 million
20 billion

According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs a year. That's about 70 hot dogs per person.

Read More: What Are Hot Dogs Made Of?

4. True or false: Dogs love fireworks.

False. Dogs do not like fireworks because, like humans, they are hardwired to be afraid of sudden, loud noises. It is what keeps them safe. So a Fourth of July full of firework celebrations can be one of the worst days for dogs.

5. Who was not a member of the "Committee of Five" tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence?

Alexander Hamilton
Benjamin Franklin
John Hancock
Thomas Jefferson

The "Committee of Five" tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence consisted of: Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Robert Livingston. John Hancock signed the declaration but was not a member of the "Committee of Five.”

Answers for July 1, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Kepler-452b, also known as Earth's "cousin," was discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft in 2015.

True. Kepler-452b, also known as Earth's "cousin," was discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft in 2015. Kepler-452b has a diameter about 1.6 times that of Earth and orbits its star in a similar fashion, taking around 385 days to complete one orbit.

2. Which planet is the largest in our solar system?

Earth
Jupiter
Neptune
Uranus

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Were Jupiter a hollow shell, you could cram more than 1,300 Earths inside it.

3. Which is not a type of planet that can be found in the solar system?

ice giants
gas giants
nuclear planets
terrestrial planets

Nuclear planets are not a type of planet that can be found in our solar system. The solar system's planets can be classified into three main types: terrestrial planets, gas giants and ice giants.

4. True or false: Eris is larger in size than the planet Pluto, even though it is three times farther away from the sun.

True. Eris is larger in size than the planet Pluto, even though it is three times farther away from the sun.

5. Which planet is named after a Greek god?

Mars
Mercury
Neptune
Uranus

Uranus represents a break with nomenclatural tradition. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune all took their names from Roman gods or deities. However, Uranus — uniquely — was named after a Greek god.

Answers for June 24, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Natural bug sprays are likely to lose their effectiveness quicker than chemical and synthetic sprays.

True. Natural bug sprays, which primarily use essential oils as the active ingredients, are likely to lose their effectiveness quicker than chemical and synthetic sprays because these essential oils such as rosemary and lemongrass/citronella usually decline in effectiveness after two years.

Read More: Does Bug Spray Expire?

2. What characterizes Alabama barbecue?

a mustard-based sauce
a molasses-based sauce
a white sauce
no sauce

Alabama barbecue is a lesser-known barbecue style from Northern Alabama, involving a white sauce made with mayonnaise, vinegar and lemon juice. South Carolina barbecue is the one with the mustard-based sauce.

Learn More: Come and Get It! A Spicy Barbecue Quiz

3. Which is not one of the main purposes of a pool pump?

To cool off the pool water during hot temperatures.
To circulate the water and prevent stagnation, algae and bacterial growth.
To mix pool chemicals.
To filter debris and keep the pool clean.

The main purpose of a pool pump is not to cool off your pool, but to complete all the processes dealing with your pool’s circulation system. When it's running, it keeps the water moving, preventing stagnant water, algae and bacteria growth. The pump also clears debris from the water and keeps those pool chemicals mixed by pushing water through the filtration system.

4. True or false: You can't sunburn the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.

False. According to Ivy Lee, a board-certified dermatologist, it is a myth that you can't sunburn the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. So pick a shady spot to scroll.

5. What is the main reason you should keep your grill clean?

It reduces the risk of fire hazards.
It prevents the buildup of ash and grease.
The grill will last longer and heat up better.
Your food will taste better.

The main reason you want to properly clean your grill is your food will just taste better. Your grill will also last longer and not become a fire hazard but the main reason is your food will taste better on a clean grill. Yesterday's barbecue rib marinade won't taste good on today's lime-grilled chicken.

Read More: How to Clean Your Grill

Answers for June 17, 2023, Quiz

1. True or False: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport held the No. 1 spot for the busiest airport for 22 consecutive years before it was knocked out in 2020.

True. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport held the No. 1 spot for 22 consecutive years before it was knocked out in 2020 by the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Southern China. It regained the No. 1 spot in 2021.

2. What language is "mayday" a derivative of?

Arabic
English
French
Spanish

"Mayday" is a derivative of the French word "m'aider" ("help me"), which itself is a distilled version of "venez m'aider," or "come help me." The U.S. formally adopted "mayday" as a distress signal in 1927.

3. What is the largest airport in the world by total area?

Barra Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
King Fahd International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport

King Fahd International Airport is the largest airport in the world by total area at 299.61 square miles (776 square kilometers). For comparison, that's approximately the same size as New York City.

4. True or false: A headwind can reduce flight time.

False. A headwind (blowing against the plane) will slow the plane's overall speed, lengthening flight time. A tailwind can reduce flight time.

5. What language do pilots and air traffic controllers have to speak when they communicate over radio?

English
French
Morse code
Russian

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, no matter what country they are in, pilots and air traffic controllers are required to speak a specialized version of the English language known as aviation English.

Answers for June 10, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Subway tiles were not originally created for use in the New York City subway system.

False. Subway tiles were created specifically for use in the New York City subway system. In 1904, Architects George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge were charged with giving the subway a distinctive look, so they landed on a 3-by-6-inch (7-by-15-centimeter) tile, laid in brick-like fashion on the subway walls. This became the infamous subway tile.

2. Which country is responsible for the name of sterling silver?

England
France
India
United States

The name "sterling silver" comes from the word for silver coins in 12th-century England. These silver coins were called “Easterlings” which were later abbreviated to “sterling.”

3. What is one of the key differences between milk paint and chalk paint?

Milk paint requires priming and sanding before application, while chalk paint does not.
Milk paint is made with all-natural ingredients, while chalk paint is not.
Milk paint is available in premixed form, while chalk paint comes in powder form.
Milk paint provides a flat and one-dimensional finish, unlike the depth and dimension of chalk paint.

When it comes to comparing milk paint with and chalk paint, the prep work for both are about the same. But one key difference is that milk paint is made with all-natural ingredients, while chalk paint is not.

4. True or false: The main difference between masking tape and painter’s tape is in their adhesives.

True. The main difference between masking and painter’s tape is the adhesive. While masking tape has an extra sticky adhesive that makes it difficult to pull, painter's tape is easy to remove and doesn’t leave behind any residue. Painter's tape won't peel off anything beneath it, either.

5. What is the recommended approach for saving money and energy when using an air conditioning unit?

Keep the air conditioning unit at the same temperature continuously.
Turn off the air conditioning unit during the day and turn it on in the evening.
Raise the temperature of the air conditioning unit when leaving the house for the day or a short period.
Install a smart thermostat and close curtains to block out sunlight.

According to the Department of Energy, when leaving your home for the day or the weekend it is more energy efficient to leave the AC on but at a higher temperature. This allows your house to reach a higher interior temperature, which actually slows the flow of heat into your house, thus saving energy and money.

Answers for June 3, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: There was a pub that used to trade a free drink for any SAG-AFTRA check of $1 or less.

True. The pub was called Maeve's Re$iduals and they would treat any actor with a SAG-AFTRA residual check of $1 or less to a free drink. The tradition no longer exists, but the classic Irish pub still stands.

2. What is the smartest pet in the world?

African grey parrot
Hamster
Octopus
Snake

African grey parrots are one of the most intelligent birds in the world. They have the highest levels of animal intelligence of any creature, domesticated or wild.

3. Which movie does not pass the Bechdel Test?

"CODA"
"Goodfellas"
"Jackie Brown"
"Mean Girls"

To pass the Bechdel Test, a film must include two named female characters having a conversation about anything other than a man or group of men. Despite having a strong female protagonist, Quentin Tarantino's 1997 film "Jackie Brown" fails the Bechdel Test.

4. True or false: Snakes are commonly poisonous animals.

False. Snakes are usually venomous because venom is active. The snake would have to bite you for the toxin to get into your body and cause harm. A poisonous animal is passive, meaning you have to bite or touch the animal to receive its toxin.

5. Which scientist is credited with discovering the law of inertia?

Isaac Newton
Galileo
René Descartes
None of the above

Newton wasn't the first scientist to come up with the law of inertia. That honor goes to Galileo. Galileo is credited with the marble-and-ramp thought experiment that describes inertia.

Answers for May 27, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: The largest living organism is a mushroom.

True. The largest living organism is the honey mushroom, Armillaria ostoyae, which grows in eastern Oregon and covers 2,385 acres.

2. Which mob boss was suspected of being behind the St. Valentine's Day Massacre?

Al Capone
Carlo Gambino
Michael Corleone
Xie Caiping

Capone was suspected of being behind the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in which seven rival gang members were killed by gunmen dressed as police officers. However, no definitive connection to Capone and the Feb. 14, 1929, ambush was ever proven.

3. According to Four Sigmatic founder Tero Isokauppila, mushroom coffee is based on what foreign treat?

Chaga tea
Jägermeister
Sencha
Kvass

Isokauppila’s mushroom coffee was modeled after Chaga Tea, a Finnish delicacy regularly consumed as a relaxing treat. Chaga is a nutrient-dense, birch tree-dwelling mushroom that contains valuable vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, potassium, rubidium, fiber, copper and more.

4. True or false: According to Guinness World Records, the fastest mile piggyback race is 11 minutes and 11.81 seconds.

True. The record was set in 2015 by Jordan Botwright and Owen Larsen, with Larsen carrying Botwright. The event occurred on an athletics track in Plymouth, England, as part of an army fundraiser.

5. How many species of mushrooms are there?

100
1,000
10,000
100,000

Currently, there are thought to be about 10,000 species of mushrooms. But numbers vary on how many of those are safe to eat.

Answers for May 20, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Foxgloves are completely safe for your health.

False. Ingesting foxgloves can be fatal, particularly if it's done just before the seeds ripen, when the plant is most toxic. The leaves are also deadly, the upper leaves more than the lower ones.

2. Who was a peanut farmer prior to becoming president?

Abraham Lincoln
Barack Obama
Jimmy Carter
Warren G. Harding

Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer before he became a U.S. president. Carter expanded his father's peanut business to include selling farm supplies and peanut seeds he'd grown himself.

3. What type of vegetable is kohlrabi?

allium
cruciferous
leafy green
marrow

Kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable. It is a member of the cabbage family that boasts a sweet flavor that blends water chestnuts and turnips.

4. True or false: CNC stands for computer numerical control.

True. CNC stands for computer numerical control. CNC machining is a tool that forms stock material to a desired shape that will fulfill manufacturing directives and component requirements.

Read More: What Is CNC Machining?

5. Which sporting event features a large number of azaleas?

The Masters Tournament
The Wimbledon Championships
The World Series
Tour de France

Azaleas are on show for millions of folks to see during the popular Masters Tournament at Georgia's Augusta National golf course.

Answers for May 13, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: TSA considers peanut butter a liquid.

True. You may not be nuts about it, but according to TSA and science, peanut butter is a liquid.

2. Who published "The Communist Manifesto," associated with the word bourgeoisie?

Adam Smith
Adolf Hitler
Karl Marx
Max Weber

Karl Marx published "The Communist Manifesto," which laid out the German philosopher's revolutionary economic worldview. Marx believed that capitalist, industrial societies were engaged in a class war. The heroes were the proletariat or the working class, while the villains were the bourgeoisie.

3. Which is not one of the four main types of deserts?

cold deserts
hot and dry deserts
semi-arid deserts
wet deserts

The four main types of deserts on Earth are cold, hot and dry, coastal and semi-arid. There is no such thing as a wet desert.

4. True or false: All hornets are wasps, but not all wasps are hornets.

True. Jason Gibbs, assistant professor of entomology at the University of Manitoba, states “hornets are just a kind of wasp. Wasp is a very broad term that covers many different species with different lifestyles.”

5. What was New York City’s first daily newspaper?

The American Minerva
The Atlantic
The New York Ledger
The New York Times

New York City’s first daily newspaper was The American Minerva, created by Noah Webster. The American Minerva was a partisan enterprise that almost always threw its support behind the Federalist Party of John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. It printed just 744 issues.

Answers for May 6, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: In most states, you're under no obligation to tell a prospective buyer your house is haunted, even if asked.

True. According to a state-by-state analysis by Zillow, there are no states that require home sellers to voluntarily disclose alleged ghostly activities on the property before a sale.

2. What is the world’s largest island?

Capri
Greenland
Honshu
Madagascar

Greenland, the world's largest island, has an area of 836,330 square miles. It's three times the size of Texas and almost three times bigger than New Guinea, the second-biggest island on our list.

3. Which cult is associated with the phrase “drink the Kool-Aid”?

Aum Shinrikyo
Branch Davidians
The NXIVM Cult
The People's Temple

The People’s Temple led by charismatic cult leader, Jim Jones is associated with the phrase “drink the Kool-Aid” after the event at Jonestown where Jones convinced his congregation to kill themselves, by drinking a fruit drink (not actually Kool-Aid) filled with cyanide and tranquilizers.

4. True or false: You cannot buy a private island.

False. You can buy a private island but it will definitely cost you. In the Caribbean and South Pacific, even the most modest private island typically costs $1 million or more. But surprisingly, you can still find a small island in the northern United States or Canada for less than $500,000.

5. Which number usually has a negative connotation in the Bible?

1
6
7
200

The number 6 usually has a negative connotation in the Bible. For instance, Jesus suffered on the cross for six hours and men were commanded to work six days a week in Exodus. And, of course, 666 is another name for the “Antichrist.”

Answers for Apr. 29, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Hike Naked Day is a way hikers celebrate the summer solstice on the Appalachian Trail.

True. Nudity is not illegal in national parks so on the first day of summer, aka the summer solstice, people will hike the Appalachian Trail in the nude to celebrate Hike Naked Day.

2. In which national park was the hottest official temperature recorded on Earth?

Acadia National Park
Death Valley National Park
Haleakalā National Park
Joshua Tree National Park

On Aug. 16, 2020, in Death Valley National Park, the hottest temperature officially recorded on Earth occurred at a sizzling 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The feat was repeated on July 11, 2021.

3. Which famous actor is said to be “the glue that held Hollywood together"?

Anne Hathaway
Blake Lively
Kevin Bacon
Tom Cruise

Ever played the pop-culture parlor game “Six Degrees of Bacon"? It was invented by three college students in 1994 who realized that Kevin Bacon was the glue that held Hollywood together when you considered all the movies he had appeared in. This game was inspired by Stanley Milgrim’s theory “The Small World Problem'' aka known as “Six Degrees of Separation.”

4. True or false: Every state in the U.S. has a national park within its borders.

False. Twenty-one states have no national parks. They include: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. You could take Idaho off the list since part of Yellowstone is located there.

5. Which is not a principle of Kaizen?

Be the Boss
Go to Gemba
Know your Customer
Let it Flow

Be the boss is not a principle of Kaizen. The five principles of Kaizen are: know your customer, let it flow, go to gemba, empower people and be transparent.

Answers for Apr. 22, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Plum Island is not open to the public.

False. Plum Island is open to the public. The beach at Sandy Point State Reservation is open to the public for swimming and sunbathing.

2. In which city is the Human Library headquartered?

Cairo, Egypt
Copenhagen, Denmark
Paris, France
New York City, USA

The Human Library still has its headquarters in Copenhagen, but Human Libraries have been held on every continent in the world.

3. What is the name of the operation during which the government first started studying UFOs?

Operation Flying Object
Operation Orange Book
Project Blue Book
Project E.T.

The first time a U.S. government agency studied UFOs was called Project Blue Book, and it took place in the 1950s and '60s.

4. True or false: A sitting president or vice president can refuse Secret Service protection while in office.

False. A sitting president or vice president cannot refuse Secret Service protection while in office, but other members of the president’s family can, as can former presidents.

5. Which historical figure has a song named after them in the Tony Award-winning musical, “Hamilton?”

Abigail Adams
John Wilkes Booth
Martha Washington
Theodosia Burr Alston

If you're a fan of the musical "Hamilton," you undoubtedly remember a song in Act I titled "Dear Theodosia," in which Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton's rival and eventual killer, professes his love for his young daughter. That daughter, Theodosia Burr Alston, never actually appears in the musical.

Answers for Apr. 15, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: One big difference between terracotta and porcelain is that terracotta is never fired to full vitrification.

True.Vitrification is when fired clay becomes glassy, hard and non-porous. So terracotta, when unglazed, remains porous, unlike porcelain.

2. Which waterway separates Alaska and Russia?

The Atlantic Ocean
The Bering Strait
The Panama Canal
The Suez Canal

The Bering Strait separates Russia and Alaska with 55 miles (88.5 kilometers) of ocean at its narrowest point between the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) and Seward Peninsula (U.S.).

3. Which three vegetables make up the famous "three sisters" combination?

corn, beans and squash
dill, pumpkins and tomatoes
garlic, scallions and chives
tomatoes, basil and peppers

One of the earliest and best-known examples of companion planting is what the Iroquois called "the three sisters": corn, beans and squash. The cornstalk grows quickly, creating a natural pole for the bean plant to climb. The squash spreads its leaves and shallow roots around the base of the bean and corn plants, keeping down weeds and shading the soil. The beans provide nitrogen that helps the squash grow.

4. True or false: The Aurora Borealis and STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) are the same.

False. The Aurora Borealis and STEVE are both optical phenomena, but that’s where the similarities end. They appear in different parts of the sky, take different instruments to measure and both form differently.

5. Snails and slugs are a member of what animal group?

amphibians
birds
gastropods
mammals

Snails and slugs are members of a large group of related animals known as mollusks, which also includes clams, oysters, squids and octopuses. Within mollusks, there's a smaller set of related animals called gastropods; this includes snails and slugs.

Answers for Apr. 8, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: It is easy to sneak up on a squirrel.

False. Squirrels have very keen eyesight. Their peripheral vision is as good as their focal eyesight. They can see what's above and beside them without moving their heads, making it hard to sneak up on them.

2. Which of the following is not one of the most commonly used road names in the U.S.?

First
Main
Maple
Third

The most commonly used road names in the U.S. are Main, First, Second, Park and Maple. So Third does not make the list.

3. Which company originally started in the textile business before reinventing itself as a powerful investment firm?

Apple
Berkshire Hathaway
LG
Nokia

In 1955, Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates and Hathaway Manufacturing Co. merged to create Berkshire Hathaway. Later, the CEO of this textile company angered Warren Buffett, who bought a majority stake in the company, forced the owners out and eliminated the textile business, creating a global investment powerhouse: Berkshire Hathaway.

4. True or false: Tree squirrels use a mnemonic technique called "spatial chunking" to sort out and bury their nuts.

True. According to professors in the Department of Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, tree squirrels use a mnemonic technique called "spatial chunking" to sort out and bury their nut scores by size, type, and perhaps nutritional value and taste.

5. In which modern-day country did the 1962 Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic take place?

Australia
Brazil
Tanzania
Uganda

In 1962, in a small, British-run boarding school in a remote town on the coast of Lake Victoria in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), three girls began laughing — possibly in response to a joke — and couldn't stop. The laughter then spread to the rest of the school and surrounding areas, becoming the 1962 Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic.

Answers for Apr. 1, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: You should put stained clothing in the dryer when the stain is still present.

False. Never put stained clothing in the dryer if the stain is still present. The heat will then set the stain permanently.

2. In which state is it illegal to pump your own gas?

California
Georgia
New Jersey
Vermont

It is illegal in New Jersey to pump your own gas. The official ban on self-serve gas in Jersey began in 1949 with the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, citing safety concerns like fire hazards. Since then, a gas station attendant must pump your gas.

3. Which solution kills mold?

lemon juice
soap
WD-40
white vinegar

White vinegar is suitable for disinfecting and cleaning stubborn mold stains. Simply spray undiluted white vinegar onto the mold-infected areas.

4. True or false: Cream of tartar occurs naturally in many plants.

True. Cream of tartar actually occurs naturally in many plants and is a natural byproduct of the winemaking process.

5. Why is it that Lewis and Clark might have wanted to bring Sacagawea, not her husband, on their expedition?

She knew the terrain well.
She was fearless.
She was resourceful.
She was a Shoshone translator.

Lewis and Clark might have wanted to bring Sacagawea more than her husband because they were looking for a Shoshone translator. Charbonneau only spoke Hidatsa and French. But they couldn't hire a woman; they had to hire her husband.

Answers for Mar. 25, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: The occipital lobe is the gatekeeper of human fear.

False. The amygdala has been referred to as “the gatekeeper of human fear” because it is associated with memory storage and the processing of emotions like anger, pleasure and fear.

2. What is the deepest lake in the world?

Crater Lake
Lake Baikal
Lake Como
Lake Vostok

Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, is the deepest lake in the world, clocking in at 5,387 feet. It is also the world's oldest lake, and its largest lake by volume of water.

3. Which is not a common trigger of trypophobia?

cucumbers
insect eyes
sea sponges
pomegranates

Trypophobia is a fear or disgust of closely packed holes. A few common triggers of trypophobia include: insect eyes, pomegranates and sea sponges.

4. True or false: The University of Connecticut has the most successful women's college basketball team in the U.S.

True. The University of Connecticut has won the women's NCAA championship 11 times, including four times in a row between 2013 and 2016.

Read More: How March Madness Works

5. What species is Hyperion, the world’s tallest tree?

banyan
coast redwood
pine
weeping willow

The world’s tallest tree, Hyperion, is a coast redwood located in Redwood National Park. This tree is an average height of 360 feet (116 meters) tall, and its trunk is just over 16 feet (4.94 meters) in diameter. That’s as tall as a 35-story building.

Answers for Mar. 18, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Hedy Lamarr never received a penny for her "secret communications system" even though she had a patent for the invention.

True. Lamarr never received a penny for her invention because her patent had expired by the time the U.S. Navy implemented the system nearly two decades later.

2. Which fruit is known as the "Queen of Fruit?"

acai
mangosteen
noni
tamarillo

Popular in southeast Asia, mangosteen fruit is purple on the inside with a thick rind. It’s known for a light, citrusy flavor, as well as high levels of vitamin C.

3. What type of cipher did Mary, Queen of Scots use to encrypt her letters?

playfair
polygraphic
transposition
substitution

Mary, Queen of Scots used a substitution cipher that replaced each word with a unique symbol.

4. True or false: In the northern hemisphere, the stars of the Big Dipper are always visible.

True. All the stars of the Big Dipper are visible no matter the time of night or time of year, as long as you have a clear northern horizon.

5. What is not an ingredient in potting soil?

compost
dirt
earthworm castings
perlite

There's no actual dirt in potting soil. Potting soil usually contains a combination of Canadian sphagnum peat moss, composted or aged bark, compost, earthworm castings, horticultural grade perlite, pumice or cinders and controlled-release fertilizer.

Answers for Mar. 11, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Martha Jane Canary earned the nickname “Calamity Jane” around 1875, during the Newton-Jenney expedition.

True. Canary earned the nickname “Calamity Jane” during the Newton-Jenney expedition, which was intended to determine the quality and quantity of gold in the Black Hills. An expert said, "She had wandered off one day and the soldiers thought it would be a 'calamity' if she were captured or killed."

2. What is the longest motorway in the world?

China National Highway 318
Interstate 90/\r\n/
Pan-American Highway/\r\n/
U.S. Route 6/\r\n/

According to the Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the longest motorway in the world, covering almost 19,000 miles.

3. Which part of the brain is involved in synthesizing different kinds of information to create memories?

amygdala
hippocampus/\r\n/
pituitary gland/\r\n/
thalamus/\r\n/

The hippocampus helps synthesize different kinds of information to create memories.

4. True or false: "Doc" Holliday practiced dentistry./\r\n/

True. Holliday attended Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery and later practiced dentistry in stops that included St. Louis, Atlanta and Dallas.

5. How did Wyatt Earp die?

gunfight at the O.K. Corral
natural causes/\r\n/
overdose/\r\n/
tuberculosis/\r\n/

Wyatt Earp, who never was wounded in a gunfight, died at age 80 of natural causes.

Answers for Mar. 4, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: The Instant Pot offers more control than a pressure cooker.

True. While both the Instant Pot and pressure cookers are still used widely, there's no denying that the level of control you get from an Instant Pot is second to none. The Instant Pot allows users to have more control over what they cook.

2. Which country made the “shoey” popular?

Australia
England
Russia
United States

"Shoey" is Australian slang for having a celebratory drink out of a shoe. As a cultural phenomenon, the shoey represents overcoming adversity — literally drinking out of the vessels that got you over the line. Australians have claimed the shoey, but they're not the only ones to partake in the practice.

3. Which is not a requirement to serve on a jury?

being over 21
being a U.S. citizen
having sufficient knowledge of English to understand the proceedings
being a resident of the county where the trial is taking place

Being over 21 years of age is not a requirement to serve on a jury. The required age to serve on a jury is 18.

4. True or false: In 2031, NASA plans to plunge the International Space Station into the waters of Point Nemo.

True. After more than 30 years of service, NASA plans to plunge the International Space Station into the waters of Point Nemo in 2031. NASA expects the ISS to be able to operate safely through 2030.

5. Which kitchen device is derivative of the European dumbwaiter?

food processor
lazy Susan
napkin holder
spatula

The lazy Susan may be derivative of the European dumbwaiter, which was a piece of furniture situated near the hostess at a dinner table. It was used to store things such as desserts, cheeses, silver and extra plates — anything the hostess might need to access quickly.

February 25, 2023

Answers for Feb. 25, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Mardi Gras Day is set to occur 46 days before Easter.

True. The date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it corresponds with Easter, which also moves around the calendar. This means Mardi Gras can come as early as Feb. 3 or as late as March 9.

Read More: How Mardi Gras Works

2. Which Supreme Court case decided racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional?

Abood v. Detroit Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Loving v. Virginia
Plessy v. Ferguson

Brown v. Board of Education decided racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. The impact of the decision changed the face of public education in the U.S. and set the stage for the civil rights movement of the 20th century.

3. Who was voted People Magazine's "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" in 2000?

Amy Mainzer
Carl Sagan
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar

Neil deGrasse Tyson was voted People Magazine's "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" in 2000. His more professional accomplishments include adviser on the aerospace industry to President George W. Bush and director of the Hayden Planetarium at New York City's American Museum of Natural History.

4. True or false: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first female justice ever to serve on the Supreme Court.

False. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first Jewish female — and second female justice ever — to serve on the Supreme Court. The first female justice to serve on the Supreme Court was Sandra Day O'Connor.

5. Your eBay sales can be a maximum of __________ before you must pay income tax on your earnings.

$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000

On eBay, you can have a maximum of $20,000 in sales or a maximum of 200 transactions before you must pay income tax on your earnings.

February 18, 2023

Answers for Feb. 18, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Liqueurs are liquors with other ingredients added.

True. Producers add sugar to liqueurs to make them sweeter, along with oils, herbs, florals or fruits. These additions to liqueurs are the main difference between liquor and liqueur.

2. What is a con of owning a soapstone countertop?

It can be easily scratched or damaged.
It contains dangerous chemicals.
It’s prone to staining.
It’s sensitive to heat.

The natural stone contains no chemicals, is impermeable (and therefore stain-resistant) and can withstand heat without taking damage. However, soapstone’s softness makes it vulnerable to scratches. On the Mohs Hardness Scale, which ranks minerals from 1 to 10 based on hardness (with diamonds ranking 10 and talc at a 1), soapstone falls between a 1 and 5, meaning it is rather soft. This softness allows it to be used for other purposes besides countertops but also means it can be easily damaged. This would be considered a con to owning soapstone.

3. Who gave a speech prior to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address?

Andrew Johnson
Edward Everett
Mary Todd Lincoln
Stephen Douglas

Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address was second in line that day to the orator Edward Everett, who spent two spellbinding hours relating the battle to the crowd. Lincoln followed with his two-minute, three-paragraph gem.

4. True or false: Toothpaste is good for cleaning jewelry.

False. This is a common myth. Toothpaste is actually too corrosive for many metals and gemstones. Opt for a few drops of dish soap in a warm bowl of water instead.

5. What song is considered the most memorable K-pop breakout?

"After Like"
"Gangnam Style"
“Pink Venom”
"Run BTS"

The most memorable K-pop breakout was Psy's 2012 international hit "Gangnam Style," which had K-pop fans all over the world doing a dance where you pretend to ride a tiny pony. It also proved that an international K-pop idol music hit didn't necessarily require English lyrics.

February 11, 2023

Answers for Feb. 11, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: The bright red look of maraschino cherries is natural.

False. Maraschino cherries get their bright red coloring by being soaked in a brining solution and then soaked in a solution made up of sugar syrup, red dye No. 40 and almond flavoring.

2. Who invented the gas mask?

Garrett Morgan
George Washington Carver
Jan Matzeliger
Sarah Goode

Garrett Morgan didn’t just invent the gas mask; he also developed an early prototype of the traffic signal. His inventions saved countless lives.

3. Ophiocordyceps fungus plays an important role in which TV show?

“Game of Thrones”
"The Last of Us"
“The Mandalorian”
“Westworld”

The new HBO hit series "The Last of Us," an apocalyptic nightmare based on the 2013 video game of the same name, centers on a group of people left to survive after an Ophiocordyceps fungus evolves to infect humans.

4. True or false: The world's first pay telephone was installed in downtown Hartford, Connecticut.

True. The world's first pay telephone was installed in 1889 on the corner of Main Street and Central Row in downtown Hartford, Connecticut.

5. What is the coldest place in the universe?

Antarctica
Pluto
The Boomerang Nebula
Uranus

The coldest place in the universe is the Boomerang Nebula, which exists 5,000 light-years from Earth and is just one degree Kelvin over absolute zero.

February 4, 2023

Answers for Feb. 4, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: "Some Like It Hot" (1959) was one of the movies that helped weaken the Hays Code.

True. A daring comedy about gender roles and organized crime with clear LGBTQ subtexts, "Some Like It Hot" was slammed by conservatives and failed to get PCA approval. But in a bold move for the time, the film was released without their blessing. And it went on to become a box office hit, undermining the Hays Code's influence over Hollywood.

2. What was the world’s shortest war?

Anglo-Zanzibar War
The Emu War
Spanish-American War
War of 1812

It's generous to call the Anglo-Zanzibar War a "war." The entire conflict lasted less than an hour (38 minutes) and the victory was ludicrously one-sided, yet this 1896 standoff between the British Royal Navy and a stubborn sultan is commonly cited as the shortest war on record.

3. In what month does the Strawberry Moon occur?

April
May
June
July

The Strawberry Moon occurs on June 3. It is also known as the Flower Moon and Rose Moon.

4. True or false: Only one Founding Father signed all four documents of the American Revolution: the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution.

True. Roger Sherman, the lead architect of the Great Compromise, was the only Founding Father to sign all four documents of the American Revolution.

Read More: How the Great Compromise Saved a Fledgling United States

5. What was the name of the CIA experiment that involved LSD and prostitutes?

Air America
Operation Cyclone
Operation Midnight Climax
The Berlin Tunnel

In a bizarre experiment, the CIA used prostitutes to lure unsuspecting men to apartments in New York and San Francisco to drug them with LSD in an effort to achieve mind control. The experiment, known inside the CIA as Operation Midnight Climax, was part of a larger research program code-named MKULTRA.

January 28, 2023

Answers for Jan. 28, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Cobalt drill bits are harder than titanium drill bits.

False. Titanium drill bits are harder than cobalt.

2. Which U.S. state is the cheapest to live in?

Alabama
California
Mississippi
Oklahoma

Mississippi's cost of living is about 16 percent lower than the national average, making the Magnolia State a real bargain.

3. How many pounds of added sugar do Americans eat annually?

30
60
100
150

According to the American Heart Association, Americans eat 60 pounds (27 kilograms) of added sugar annually. Soft drinks account for 25 percent of this and fruit drinks for another 11 percent.

4. True or false: The main difference between masking tape and painter’s tape is in their adhesives.

True. The main difference between masking and painter’s tape is the adhesive. While masking tape has an extra sticky adhesive that makes it difficult to pull, painter's tape is easy to remove and doesn’t leave behind any residue. Painter's tape won't peel off anything beneath it, either.

5. Which material is not fire-resistant?

Brick
Concrete
Cotton
Gypsum

Natural building materials such as lumber and cotton typically offer very poor fire resistance compared to dense concrete and plaster. Brick, concrete and gypsum are some of the most fire-resistant materials.

January 21, 2023

Answers for Jan. 21, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: Hanging upside down for long periods of time can kill you.

True. Your lungs evolved to sit atop all the other organs for a reason; inverting that anatomy can lead to death over a long enough period of time.

2. Which country built the Tsar Bomba?

China
North Korea
Russia
United States

Russia built and tested the Tsar Bomba, serving as a symbol of the escalating tensions between the Soviets and the U.S. at the height of the Cold War.

3. Which Mafia is the most powerful in the world?

Bonanno
Genovese
La Cosa Nostra
Triad

La Cosa Nostra is considered the most powerful Mafia on the planet, controlling one in five businesses in Italy and many businesses in other parts of the world, including the U.S.

4. True or false: Your liver regenerates itself every 150 to 500 days.

True. Your liver’s primary function is detoxification. To ensure that it continues to carry out this function efficiently, it regenerates every 150 to 500 days and remains immune to most toxins.

5. What year was element 115 added to the periodic table?

1869
1900
2005
2016

Element 115 was only added to the periodic table in 2016, yet for decades it has attracted extra attention because of a supposed connection to extraterrestrial technology and alien lifeforms.

January 14, 2023

Answers for Jan. 14, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: A young George Washington cut down a cherry tree and proclaimed to his father, "I cannot tell a lie."

False. Experts say the incident never happened. After Washington’s death, one of his first biographers invented the story to honor the late president.

2. Where is the longest bridge in the world located?

China
Germany
Thailand
United States

The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China is a marvel spanning more than 100 miles (165 kilometers), making it the longest bridge in the world.

3. What is the smallest country?

Bermuda
Italy
Monaco
Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest country. It covers a mere 0.2 square miles (0.52 square kilometers), which is smaller than New York City's Central Park. Nevertheless, it has its own post office, telephone system, radio station, banking system and even its own currency.

4. True or false: Earth’s rotation has sped up.

True. In 2011, after the Tōhoku earthquake that shook Japan with a magnitude of 8.9, Earth's rotation sped up by 1.8 microseconds.

5. What’s another name for an atmospheric river storm?

Apple avalanche
Cloud cluster
Pineapple express
Thunderstorm

In the 1960s, meteorologists coined the phrase "Pineapple Express" to describe storm tracks that originated near Hawaii and carried warm water vapor to the coast of North America. By the late 1990s, atmospheric scientists had named these "atmospheric rivers."

January 7, 2023

Answers for Jan. 7, 2023, Quiz

1. True or false: January's full moon is a micromoon, the opposite of a supermoon.

True. January's full moon is a micromoon. This means that the moon will be approaching its greatest distance from Earth, called its apogee.

2. According to experts, how often should you wash your bath towel?

After one use
After three uses
Once a week
Never

Experts say you should not go more than three uses without washing your bath towel, due to the growth of mildew and bacteria on the towel.

3. Which soda can be used to clean mineral stains from your toilet?

Coca-Cola
Dr. Pepper
Pepsi
Sprite

You can spray Coca-Cola or pour it directly onto the affected area and let it sit overnight before wiping it away.

4. True or false: Schadenfreude is the sense of happiness and shared joy we feel when others succeed.

False. Freudenfreude is the sense of happiness and shared joy we feel when others succeed — the opposite of schadenfreude.

5. Which of these is not a variety of dragon fruit?

ACDC
David Bowie
Purple Haze
Voodoo Child

ACDC is not a variety of dragon fruit, but whoever names the dragon fruit varieties is clearly a fan of classic rock. Three varieties are even named after the classic rock performers: David Bowie, the Purple Haze and Voodoo Child.

Read More: How to Eat Dragon Fruit

December 31, 2022

Answers for Dec. 31, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: It is healthy and possible to sweat out a hangover.

False. It is not healthy to sweat out a hangover because you can become even more dehydrated. Technically, you can “sweat out” alcohol because sweat is one way your body expels the substance, but you would sweat out a very small amount. More of the alcohol is oxidized by your liver.

2. What plant is said to bring you good luck in the new year?

Bonsai tree
Chinese money tree
Snake plant
Venus fly trap

The Chinese money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a popular gift for those celebrating Lunar New Year because the plant is said to bring good luck in your life. This houseplant is also very easy to take care of and is important in feng shui.

3. When buying a good bottle of prosecco what label should you look for?

DOCG
FDA
Made in France
Voted Best in World

According to wine expert Vince Anter, you want to look for the DOCG label when buying prosecco to guarantee that it is officially from the Conegliano Valdobbiadene region in Veneto, Italy, and was evaluated and tasted by a government-licensed committee before it was bottled.

4. True or false: Dice have been around for thousands of years.

True. Dice have been around for thousands of years. The oldest known cubic dice date back to around 2500 B.C.E. and were from the Indus Valley.

5. A rare Pokémon card is indicated by:

Black circle
Black star
Purple circle
Yellow square

A rare Pokémon card is indicated by a black star in the bottom-right corner.

December 24, 2022

Answers for Dec. 24, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: In the winter, you need to underinflate your tires.

False. In the winter, you can underinflate your tires to give your car more traction, but it is not crucial. Underinflating your tires increases your traction, but you run the risk of too much traction making steering harder.

2. In which Christmas movie does Jimmy Stewart’s character learn that "every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings"?

"It's a Wonderful Life"
"Miracle on 34th Street"
"White Christmas"
"Winter Wonderland"

In this 1946 Christmas film, an angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Test Your Knowledge: Can You Name These Christmas Movies From Famous Quotes?

3. What does p.m. stand for when talking about time?

Post meridiem
Post midnight
Pre midnight
Pre meridiem

The abbreviation p.m. is short for the Latin phrase post meridiem, which means "after noon."

4. True or false: Jesus was born on Dec. 25.

False. No one knows for sure when Jesus was born. The Bible mentions neither a month nor a date, but some scholars believe September is a more accurate estimate.

Read More: 10 Myths About Christmas

5. What do the Three French Hens in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” symbolize?

Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Mary, Joseph and Jesus
The three kings
The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity

The Three French Hens symbolize the three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

December 17, 2022

Answers for Dec. 17, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: You can ship human remains via the United States Postal Service.

True. You just need an inner container, an outer container, a lot of padding and clear markings on the outside of the box to indicate the contents.

2. Who coined the scream used in hundreds of Hollywood films?

Alfred Hitchcock
Luke Skywalker
Private Ryan
Private Wilhelm

The iconic scream used in many Hollywood flicks is attributed to Private Wilhelm, a character in the 1953 film "The Charge at Feather River."

3. What famous technique is used to measure artificial intelligence?

IBM Imitation Test
Polygraph Test
Turing Test
Watson Test

Created in 1950 by Alan Turing, the Turing Test is used to measure artificial intelligence. This test was originally called the imitation game.

4. True or false: Ada Lovelace, the daughter of famous poet Lord Byron, is viewed as the first computer programmer.

True. Ada Lovelace had an aptitude for math along with being the protegé of Charles Babbage, father of the computer.

5. What material is stronger than steel but lighter than paper?

Diamond
Graphene
Gold
Silver

Graphene is a supermaterial that is 200 times stronger than steel and 1,000 times lighter than paper.

December 10, 2022

Answers for Dec. 10, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: The Doughnut Corporation of America tried pushing a product called Vitamin Donuts.

True. In the early '40s, the Doughnut Corporation of America tried pushing a product called Vitamin Donuts, but the product didn’t last long because the donuts were not actually enriched with vitamins.

2. What is the most densely populated city in the world?

Beijing, China
Cairo, Egypt
New York City, U.S.A
Tokyo, Japan

Topping the list of world city populations is Tokyo. With a population of 37,274,000, it has become the most densely populated city in the world.

3. According to the world records for the largest waves ever surfed, six of the top seven waves happened in which location?

Jaws, North of Maui, Hawaii
Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, California
Mullaghmore Head, Ireland
Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal

Six of the top seven waves — and seven of the top 10 — were surfed in a single location: Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. These massive waves are created by the unique ocean floor geography just off the shores of Nazaré.

4. True or false: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History knowingly put a human skull in a diorama.

False. The diorama "Lion Attacking a Dromedary" at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History unknowingly featured a human skull. The diorama was acquired by the museum in 1898 and displayed for many decades before anyone suspected that anything was amiss.

Read More: Famous Museum Diorama Includes Human Remains

5. Which newspaper is responsible for running a series of articles that turned into the "The Great Moon Hoax" of August 1835?

The New York Post
The Onion
The New York Sun
The New York Times

In August 1835, The New York Sun ran a series of articles stating that life on the moon had been discovered. These popular articles later turned into “The Great Moon Hoax.”

December 3, 2022

Answers for Dec. 3, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: In 2021, 84 percent of the Christmas trees displayed in the U.S. were real while 16 percent were artificial.

False. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, in 2021, 84 percent of the Christmas trees displayed in the U.S. were artificial while 16 percent were real.

2. What day of the week is said to have the most challenging New York Times crossword puzzle?

Monday
Wednesday
Saturday
Sunday

Each day of the week, from Monday onward, The New York Times crossword puzzle becomes more difficult, culminating in the most challenging of all: Saturday's crossword.

Explore More: 5 Tips for Solving The New York Times Crossword Puzzle

3. "Say 'hello' to my little friend" is from which mobster movie?

“The Godfather”
“Scarface”
“Dirty Harry”
“Goodfellas”

"Say 'hello' to my little friend" is from “Scarface" which was loosely based on the life of Al Capone, but this line was famously delivered by another famous Al — Pacino.

Learn More: Guess the Movie From Its Famous Line

4. True or False: There are 5 different colors of sounds.

True. Scientists recognize black, brown, pink, blue and white noise. Some people find pink noise or brown noise better for sleep than white noise.

5. Which movie below passes the Bechdel Test?

"Casablanca"
"Jackie Brown"
"Lawrence of Arabia"
“Mean Girls”

"Mean Girls" passes the Bechdel Test because it has at least one scene in which two female characters have a conversation about something other than a man.

November 26, 2022

Answers for Nov. 26, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Yams and sweet potatoes are the same food.

False. Yams and sweet potatoes are quite different. In fact, they're not even part of the same genus. But, due to how the names are used interchangeably, you might believe they are the same.

2. What is one of the safest forms of investment?

Property
Treasury bills
Stocks
Precious metals

Treasury bills are one of the safest forms of investment in the world because they are backed by the U.S. government. They are considered risk-free. They are also used by many other governments throughout the world.

Read More: How Treasury Bills Work

3. When was green bean casserole, the beloved Thanksgiving side, developed?

1880
1955
1967
1980

Green bean casserole was developed by the late Dorcas Reilly back in 1955 when she was a Campbell Soup Company test kitchen manager. Her green bean casserole has made a name for itself as a go-to Thanksgiving side for more than 60 years.

4. True or false: Up until the late 19th century, people regularly ate breakfast pie, including flavors like pumpkin and apple.

True. Breakfast pie was on hotel and restaurant menus and held a regular spot on the breakfast menus in the homes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes.

5. What scientific tool is used to measure the severity of a snowstorm?

Fujita Scale
Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale
Richter Scale
Saffir-Simpson Scale

To assess the severity of a snowstorm, we can use several metrics beyond the volume of snow. The Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale (NESIS) was created in 2004 to characterize snowstorms in the Northeastern U.S., similar to the way the Fujita Scale rates tornadoes and the Saffir-Simpson Scale classifies hurricanes.

November 19, 2022

Answers for Nov. 19, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Jimmy Carter served as the United States’ 39th president.

True. Jimmy Carter is the 39th American to hold the title of President of the United States. The presidency was only the beginning of his lifelong effort to make the world a better place.

2. What is the all-time best-selling book?

"Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ"
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
"The Little Prince"
"Xinhua Zidian"

"Xinhua Zidian" was first published in 1953 and became the standard dictionary among Chinese schoolchildren. Its widespread use in the most populous nation in the world (1.4 billion people as of 2022) gives this book the top spot on our list.

3. What is graupel?

A mix of snow crystals and ice
Sleet
Snow
Rain

Graupel is actually an interesting mix of snow crystals and ice. It should not be confused with sleet, which is sturdier and more frozen; graupel occurs when a snow pellet falls and is encapsulated by ice. Sounds like hail, right? Well, it’s not quite hail either.

4. True or false: Flash droughts typically result from a combination of higher-than-normal precipitation and lower temperatures.

False. Flash droughts typically result from a combination of lower-than-normal precipitation and higher temperatures.

5. What is the vocation of the oldest living woman?

Chef
Lawyer
Nun
Maid

Lucile Randon, aka Sister André, is the world's oldest living person. She was born Feb. 11, 1904, in France. She's also the oldest known living person in Europe, and the world's oldest living nun.

November 12, 2022

Answers for Nov. 12, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: An axolotl can regenerate almost any part of its body.

True. An axolotl can regenerate new limbs, heart tissue, eyes and even its spinal cord and parts of its brain. Scientists study axolotls in the hopes of one day applying their miraculous limb-regeneration abilities to the human body.

2. Why does Earth's shadow cast a red hue on the moon during a lunar eclipse?

Climate change
Earth’s atmosphere
Earth’s shadow is red
Reflection from the stars

During a total eclipse, the only sunlight reaching the moon is passing through Earth's atmosphere. As rays of the sun's light pass through the atmosphere and bend around Earth, they pick up a reddish color. This is why the moon appears red during a blood moon, also known as a lunar eclipse.

3. What will mess up a car’s engine if added to the fuel?

Milk
Sugar
Salt
Water

If you add water to fuel, the water gets into the engine and, if there's enough water in the cylinders, the fuel does not combust. The engine is dead in the water, you might say.

4. True or false: Graphene is considered one of the softest materials in the world.

False. Graphene is considered one of the strongest — and thinnest — materials in the world. The composition of graphene is similar to the graphite used in pencils, but when graphene is used as a temporary tattoo, it provides a waterproof way to measure the skin's electrical currents and the body's response to changes in blood volume.

5. How often should you wash your car?

Every week
Every 2 weeks
Every month
Every 2 months

Most experts recommend washing your car every two weeks or so throughout the year as a general rule.

November 5, 2022

Answers for Nov. 5, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Tsundoku is the art of buying books you can't possibly read.

True. Tsundoku comes from the root words "tsumu," which means "to pile up," and "doku," which means "reading."

2. What car brand can attribute some of its success to international spy, James Bond?

Aston Martin
Ferrari
Jaguar
Porsche

The Aston Martin DB5 became an international sensation when it played a starring role in the James Bond spy thriller "Goldfinger." Aston Martin can attribute some of its success to this franchise.

3. How many Nancy Drew books are there in the classic series?

43
56
123
157

Although there are currently over 175 Nancy Drew books including several spinoffs, the classic series had 56 books.

4. True or false: Netflix says it uses credit card information to determine if your device is within a subscriber household or not.

False. Netflix uses IP addresses, device IDs and account activity to determine if your device is within a subscriber household or not. If a device is outside of the subscriber household then you will have to verify the device to watch on it.

5. "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." Which book opens with this line?

"A Clockwork Orange"
"Jane Eyre"
"1984"
"The Bell Jar"

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen" is the opening line of George Orwell's "1984," which is considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.

October 29, 2022

Answers for Oct. 29, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Albert Einstein famously called the phenomenon of quantum entanglement "spooky action at a distance."

True. Albert Einstein famously called it "spooky action at a distance," even though he had some doubts about the phenomenon.

2. British prime minister Liz Truss recently resigned. How many days did Truss last as prime minister?

21
30
44
60

British prime minister Liz Truss resigned after only 44 days, making Truss go down in history as the U.K. prime minister with the shortest term.

3. How many emergency drawdowns of crude oil have there been since the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was established?

3
4
6
10

Since the SPR has been established, there have been three emergency drawdowns: one after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and the most recent in 2011 when President Barack Obama released 30 million barrels of oil onto the world market in response to production disruptions in Libya.

4. True or false: A buyer must disclose to the seller that their house is haunted.

False. According to a state-by-state analysis by Zillow, there are no states that require home sellers to voluntarily disclose alleged ghostly activities on the property before a sale.

5. When did candy corn first become associated with Halloween?

At the beginning of the Civil War
During the Great Depression
After World War II
During the Cold War

Oct. 30 is National Candy Corn Day. However, candy corn didn't become associated with Halloween until after World War II, when trick-or-treating became popular.

Answers for Oct. 22, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: The Oakland County child killer better known as "The Babysitter," was captured in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison.

False. Despite a few promising leads, including the discovery of a blue AMC Gremlin suspected of having been the killer's car, the case remains open.

2. At what age does a girl celebrate her quinceañera?

16
15
20
10

Celebrating your quinceañera or "Sweet 15" is a milestone for many Latin American girls and American girls of Hispanic heritage.

Read More: How Quinceañeras Work

3. What is considered to be one of the oldest fairy tales?

"Rumpelstiltskin"
"Sleeping Beauty"
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
"Hansel and Gretel"

"Rumpelstiltskin" and "Beauty and the Beast" are two of the oldest fairy tales ever written. They're said to be around 4,000 years old.

4. True or false: Travis Gienger set a new North American record for heaviest pumpkin early in October with a massive 2,560-pound (1161-kilogram) pumpkin.

True. At this year's 49th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Gienger of Anoka, Minnesota, broke the current record for heaviest pumpkin with his giant pumpkin named Maverick.

5. How many people was Jeffrey Dahmer convicted of killing?

100
15
17
35

Serial killer and sex offender Jeffrey Dahmer was convicted of murdering 15 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer was sentenced to 15 terms of life imprisonment, though he was killed by another inmate in 1994.

October 15, 2022

Answers for Oct. 15, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Multi-factor authentication is a security measure that requires you to provide three or more proofs of identity to gain access to digital services.

False. Multi-factor authentication is a security measure that requires you to provide two or more proofs of identity to gain access to digital services. It's also known as two-step verification or two-step authentication.

2. What is the earthy aroma we smell after it rains known as?

after-rain odor
petrichor
Earth's musk
percheron

The scientific name for that after-rain smell is petrichor. It is caused by bacteria, specifically actinomycetes, a type of filamentous bacteria, that grows in soil when conditions are damp and warm.

3. What should you never use to clean your glasses?

acetone
microfiber cloth
soap
water

You should never use acetone, like nail polish remover, to cut through the smudges, because it's far too harsh for glasses. You should use only soap and water, and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth.

4. True or false: Polio can be spread through person-to-person contact via the stool of an infected person or the droplets of a sneeze or cough.

True. Polio spreads through person-to-person contact via the stool of an infected person or the droplets of a sneeze or cough. Most people who contract poliovirus have no symptoms. About a quarter of them have mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, upset stomach and body aches. Most people may not be aware they have polio.

5. What causes "old person" smell?

bacteria
old skin
2-nonenal
potassium

"Old person" smell is caused by the breakdown of 2-nonenal. Researchers discovered that 2-nonenal, an unsaturated compound with an unpleasant greasy and grassy smell, is the only odor present in humans that becomes stronger as we age.

October 8, 2022

Answers for Oct. 8, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Jimmy Carter is the oldest living U.S. president.

True. Jimmy Carter is America's oldest living president at 98 years old. He was born Oct. 1, 1924.

2. When was the phrase "in a pickle" first used?

1562
1900
1692
1711

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest-known written instance of this phrase is from 1562.

3. What is the phrase "bullwhip effect" used to describe?

the sound of a cowboy's whip
the car and computer chip shortage
an exercise move
the popularity of whips, thanks to the Indiana Jones franchise

The "bullwhip effect" is an economic term coined by MIT computer scientist Jay Forrester that describes what happens when fluctuations in demand reverberate and amplify throughout the supply chain, leading to worsening problems and shortages.

4. True or false: Big dog breeds live longer than small dogs.

False. Small dog breeds usually live longer than big dogs. The average lifespan for a big dog is around 7 or 8 years, while a tiny dog can reliably live, variables aside, to the ripe old age of 14 or 15.

5. Which state recently legalized human composting as another option for burial?

Maine
Texas
Alabama
California

In mid-September 2022, California became the fifth state to legalize human composting. California follows the states of Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, which allow human composting.

October 1, 2022

Answers for Oct. 1, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: NASA recently crashed a spaceship into an asteroid, on purpose.

True. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) robotic spacecraft successfully crashed into Dimorphos, a small asteroid that orbits a second, larger space rock, Didymos, Monday, Sept. 26.

2. What is grape waste called?

waste
raisins
pomace
grape Juice

Grape waste, aka pomace, is what's left over after the grapes are pressed during wine production. Some wineries use it as a fertilizing compost, while others are selling it to biogas companies for use as a renewable energy source.

3. Where is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world located?

Florida
Dubai
Denmark
China

The tallest Ferris wheel in the world is the Ain Dubai, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, specifically Dubai Marina. Also known as the Dubai Eye, the attraction opened in 2021.

4. True or false: Joseph Marion Hernández was the first Hispanic to serve in Congress.

True. Joseph Marion Hernández was sworn into duty in 1823 as the first Hispanic to serve in Congress. He helped smooth the transfer of the territory of Florida into U.S. rule. He also served in the House of Representatives.

5. About how many dogs did Camberley Kate rescue throughout her lifetime?

20
40
150
600

Camberley Kate single-handedly took in and cared for at least 600 dogs (and several cats) from 1943 until her death Aug. 4, 1979, at age 84. She may well have been the U.K.'s first dog rescuer.

September 24, 2022

Answers for Sept. 24, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Smith is the most popular last name in the world.

False. The most popular surname in the world is Wang. More than 106 million people have the last name Wang, which is a Mandarin term for prince or king.

2. Where is the oldest tree in the world?

California
Sweden
Chile
Scotland

According to carbon dating, Old Tjikko, a spruce tree on Fulu Mountain in Sweden, sprouted around 7542 B.C.E., making it older than written history. It's considered the oldest tree in the world.

More Details: What Is the Oldest Tree in the World?

3. What does it mean when a planet is "at opposition?"

Its orbit is out of position.
It's opposite the position of the sun.
It's opposite the moon's orbit.
It's no longer considered a planet.

Planetary opposition is when a planet's orbit brings it between the sun and another planet. That means a planet at opposition is 180 degrees from the sun in the sky.

4. True or false: In a recent Gallup poll, the majority of Hispanic respondents said they prefer "Latinx" as their racial or ethnic identity.

False. Just 5 percent of Hispanics prefer the term Latinx. Instead, an overwhelming 94 percent said they prefer either Hispanic or Latino.

Keep Reading: The 'X' Factor: Why Some Advocates Prefer 'Latine' to 'Latinx'

5. How do birds know where to migrate south in the winter?

They all fly to the same location.
Scientists still don't have a definitive answer.
They use GPS.
They track the scent of food.

Scientists still have no answer to this question, but they have some theories, including they have internal maps and compasses; they use the sun, stars and constellations to find their way; and some might actually learn landmarks to help guide them on their paths.

More Details: How Do Birds Know When to Fly South and Where to Go?

September 17, 2022

Answers for Sept. 17, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: In the 19th century, one of Paris' best-known attractions was the morgue.

True. Today people flock to the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. In the 19th-century, everyone congregated at the morgue.

2. How many objects have astronauts left behind on the moon?

about 250
about 470
about 500
about 800

There's estimated to be about 800 items still on the lunar surface, including lots of geological tools, cameras and several lunar rovers.

More Details: Can You See Objects Astronauts Left Behind on the Moon?

3. How many phases does the moon have in every lunar cycle?

4
6
8
10

The moon has eight phases in each lunar cycle: four primary phases and four secondary phases.

Keep Reading: What Are the 8 Phases of the Moon, in Order?

4. True or false: A rainy summer means we will have an exceptionally beautiful fall.

False. It's actually the very late-summer, early-autumn weather that affects leaves' appearance. What leaves really need for a colorful fall display is clear sun in the day, with nights that are a bit chilly, but not freezing.

5. How many steps do you have to climb to reach the top of Jacob's Ladder on St. Helena Island?

235
122
699
355

There are 699 steps in all. Some people think there were originally 700, but that the bottom step was buried or destroyed. Those who reach the top of this steep staircase are rewarded with a certificate from the Museum of Saint Helena.

More Details: Climbing Jacob's Ladder in St. Helena Is Not for the Faint of Heart

September 10, 2022

Answers for Sept. 10, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: The green anaconda is the biggest snake in the world.

True. At more than 16.4 feet (5 meters) in length, the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) grabs the title of biggest snake in the world.

2 . Who is the most famous political or historical figure in the world?

Queen Elizabeth II
Mahatma Gandhi
Adolf Hitler
Martin Luther King Jr.

In terms of impact and sheer numbers of people, Mahatma Gandhi is perhaps the most famous political or historical figure in the world. India's current population is 1.4 billion, and though not every citizen may know who he is, between the numbers who do and the rest of the world who knows him, that would be billions of people.

Keeping Reading: Who Is the Most Famous Person in the World?

3 . True or false: It is considered unlucky to wish upon a striped stone.

False. Wishing upon a smooth pebble that has a single, uninterrupted white stripe all the way around it is considered lucky. These stones are rare so when you find one, make a wish.

4 . What are attendees of the popular art and music festival, Burning Man, usually referred to as?

Dreamers
Artists
Burning Men and Women
Burners

Attendees of Burning Man are referred to as Burners. Burners flock to Black Rock City, Nevada each year, to experience radical inclusion, one of Burning Man's 10 Principles. After a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burning Man returned this year.

Read More: How Burning Man Works

5 . True or false: William Gaines and Harvey Kurtzman created "Mad Magazine."

True. "Mad Magazine" was the brainchild of William Gaines and Harvey Kurtzman at EC Comics, a low-brow publishing house that specialized in gory horror titles that drove parents nuts in the 1950s, like "Tales from the Crypt."

Keep Reading: 'What, Me Worry?' Celebrating 70 Years of Mad Magazine

September 3, 2022

Answers for Sept. 3, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Green coffee beans are the best beans to roast at home so you can have the best cuppa joe.

True. All coffee beans are green before they are roasted to be brewed into that perfect cup of coffee.

2. Which country is building a 106-mile (170-kilometer), one-building city?

United States
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Norway

The government of Saudi Arabia unveiled plans in 2021 for the city of Neom, which will include a megastructure called The Line, a 106-mile, one-building city in the Saudi Arabian desert.

Keep Reading: Meet The Line, Saudi Arabia's Future 106-mile, One-building City

3. True or false: Napoleon really was short.

False. Napoleon wasn't exactly tall, but he wasn't short, either. At the time of his death, he measured 5 foot 2 inches in French units, the equivalent of 5 foot 6.5 inches (169 centimeters) in modern measurement units.

Read More: Was Napoleon Really Short?

4. Out of the eight main blood types in the world, which is the rarest?

AB Negative
Negative
AB Positive
B Positive

The short answer: AB negative is the rarest of the eight main blood types. Less than 1 percent of American donors are AB negative, according to the American Red Cross.

More Info: What Is the Rarest Blood Type in the World?

5. How much did it cost in today's money to build the Cathedral of Notre Dame?

$300,000
$1 million
$25 billion
$1 billion

Maurice de Sully, Bishop of Paris from 1160 until 1196, convinced the crown to invest an astronomical amount of money in the project — almost $1 billion in today's figures.

August 27, 2022

Answers for Aug. 27, 2022, Quiz

1. Which state in the United States has the largest population of death row inmates?

Texas
Florida
California
North Carolina

The oldest prison in California, San Quentin, was home to its only death row facility and its more than 700 death row inmates. But in early 2022, the state began the process of closing death row and relocating the inmates, three years after California Governor Gavin Newsom ended executions in the state.

2. True or false: Americans drink more coffee than any other beverage — even water.

True. As of spring 2022, 66 percent of Americans drink coffee daily, more than any other beverage — even water.

Read About What to Do With All Those Coffee Filters: 11 Great Uses for Coffee Filters

3. John Harrison is credited with saving the lives of more than 2 million Australian babies because of his blood donations. How often did he donate blood plasma?

Every two weeks
Once a month
Every two months
Twice a year

Australian John Harrison, donated blood plasma roughly every two weeks for decades and singlehandedly created a steady supply of anti-D, a rare antibody that can help pregnant women and their babies.

Read How He Did It: The Man Whose Blood Saved More Than 2 Million Babies

4. True or false: The Republican Party once had a live elephant at one of its conventions.

False. The Republican Party has never had a live elephant at one of its conventions. However, when the Democratic Party gathered for its 2008 convention in Denver, Colorado, a live donkey named Mordecai was there to serve as the first official live mascot in the history of the Democratic Party.

Read Why Democrats Are Donkeys and Republicans Are Elephants

5. Which General Mills cereal is being brought back for the first time in nearly a decade?

Franken Berry
Frute Brute
Count Chocula
Boo-Berry

Frute Brute (originally Fruit Brute) hit shelves for the first time in 1974 but was sent back to the General Mills vault in 1982. The cereal is making an appearance for the first time since 2013 and will round out this year's seasonal spooky cereals.

Get the Details: General Mills Resurrects 4 Classic Monster Cereals

August 20, 2022

Answers for Aug. 20, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Fast-growing wages are a sign of a looming recession.

True. When unemployment levels are low, that leads to a scarcity of qualified workers on the job market, which forces employers to offer higher and higher pay. Fast-growing wages are often a sign of a coming recession.

2. True or false: iPhones can shoot raw photos right in their native camera app.

False. Current Android operating systems can shoot raw photos right in their native camera app, while iPhones require a third-party app like Manual Cam to do the job.

Learn More: What's the Difference Between Raw and JPEG Files?

3. How did Catherine the Great die?

A stroke
While having sex with a horse
She was murdered

One of the most notorious rumors to follow Catherine has been the one regarding her cause of death. Catherine did not die while having sex with a horse. She died of a stroke at the age of 67.

Keep Reading: 7 Reasons Catherine the Great Was So Great

4. True or false: Scientists do not know why we dream.

Scientists and sleep experts know when we normally dream, but researchers don't know why we dream in the first place.

Get More Info: 10 Questions That Science Can't Answer Yet

5. King William I is better known as William the Conqueror. What was his other nickname?

William the Brutal
William the Bastard
William the Handsome

William I ruled England from 1066 to 1087, and was the illegitimate son of Robert the Devil, Duke of Normandy — hence the "bastard" designation. He defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in his bid for the throne, which he said was promised him by his second cousin, Harold's predecessor.

Take Our Kings and Queens Quiz: All Hail the Kings and Queens Quiz

August 13, 2022

Answers for Aug. 13, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: New York City's nickname the "Big Apple" came from horse racing.

True. In the 1920s, John Fitz Gerald, a reporter for The Morning Telegraph who covered horse racing, overheard stable hands referring to the races in New York and their prestige and prize money as the "big apple of horse racing." Fitz Gerald found the term apt and started using it regularly in his columns.

2. How many people are allowed to visit The Wave in Arizona each day?

64
152
814
No one is allowed to visit

A maximum of 64 people is allowed each day, whether as individuals or part of a group. Forty-eight of those people are awarded access through the advanced online lottery system. Another 16 people are allowed to enter through a daily lottery.

More Details: Bring Water and a Permit to Catch 'The Wave' in Arizona

3. True or false: Your cat licking you is never a sign of affection.

False. "Cats lick us as a sign of closeness, bonding and affection," says Anita Kelsey, cat behaviorist.

Keep Reading: Why Does My Cat Lick Me?

4. True or false: "The Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence dropped out of school while in the eighth grade.

True. Jennifer Lawrence's parents allowed her to drop out of school while in eighth grade to pursue acting in New York City.

5. Which famous female actress did not stay at New York's Barbizon Hotel?

Grace Kelly
Liza Minelli
Elizabeth Taylor
Candice Bergen

The Barbizon Hotel was a glamorous, women-only residential hotel in New York City that catered to up-and-coming stars. Grace Kelly, Liza Minelli and Candice Bergen all called it home. Elizabeth Taylor did not.

More Info: Why Every Woman Wanted to Stay at the Barbizon Hotel

Answers for Aug. 6, 2022, Quiz

1. How old is the youngest mother in recorded history?

5
8
11

On May 14, 1939, Lina Medina delivered a healthy, 6-pound (3-kilogram) baby boy via cesarean section. At the time she was exactly 5 years, 7 months and 21 days old, making her the youngest mother in recorded history.

2. True or false: Mowing your grass at the right time of the day will help your lawn stay green.

True. Don't mow in the morning when the grass is wet. Wait until the lawn dries. Once dry, mow in the late afternoon and early evening. For one thing, it's excessively hot at noontime for such work. Not only can mowing in the heat of the day stress you out, but it can also stress your lawn.

Read Tips: 10 Things You Should Never Do to Your Lawn

3. True or false: There is no longer a ban on gooseberries in the U.S.

False. Maine, Delaware, New Hampshire and a handful of other states maintain the ban on the gooseberry and its cousin black currant because some species aid and abet a tree-killing disease known as white pine blister rust.

4. The extinct Thylacoleo carnifex, a lion-sized marsupial, killed its prey in which strange way?

Repeatedly charging at their prey
Using mimicry to lure its prey
Scratching their prey to death

This ancient predator had a long, deadly-looking retractable "dew claw" on each semi-opposable thumb. Thylacoleo used its jaws to hold an animal and then used its giant claws to slash or disembowel its prey.

Learn More: Extinct Marsupial Lions Killed Prey in a Really Weird Way

5. True or false: Buc-ee's, a chain of giant convenience stores in the U.S., pays its employees about double the minimum wage.

True. Buc-ee's pays its employees about double the minimum wage.

Learn More: Why People Are Nuts for Buc-ee's

July 30, 2022

Answers for July 30, 2022, Quiz

1 . How does the parasitic isopod Cymothoa exigua affect its host?

the parasite forces its host to raise its babies
the parasite uses its host for locomotion
the parasite replaces its host's tongue
the parasite controls the minds and actions of its host

Cymothoa exigua attaches to a fish's tongue, sucks blood from it until it falls off, and then replaces it by gripping onto the tongue stump and acting as a prosthetic for the rest of its life.

2. True or false: When you purchase a movie on a streaming service, the movie can be canceled at any time.

True. When you purchase a movie on a streaming service, you're basically putting yourself at the service's mercy. That's because the digital purchase grants you only a temporary license to the movie — you don't own it. The license can be revoked at any time, due to things like rights ownership changes and music licensing issues.

More Info Here: Think You Own That Online Video Game You Bought? Think Again

3. What is the job of a lexicographer?

describing and mapping geographic regions
writing and editing dictionaries
converting messages from a code to plain text
writing glossaries

The culling of dictionary words is left to lexicographers, who not only decide which words to remove, but also what new words to add, definitions to update and pronunciations to improve.

4. True or false: Non-climacteric fruits — like apples — continue to ripen after they've been plucked.

False. There are two classifications of fruit in the ripening realm — climacteric and non-climacteric. Climacteric fruits produce ethylene gas and continue to ripen after they've been plucked, while non-climacteric fruits do not and thus should only be picked when fully ripe.

Get the Details: Does Fruit Really Ripen Faster in a Brown Paper Bag?

5. True or false: Muriatic acid is a diluted version of hydrochloric acid, therefore it doesn't need to be diluted with water before you use it.

False. Despite that muriatic acid is made for cleaning, you still need to dilute it with water before use. How much you weaken it will depend on what job you're tackling. A good formula is one-part muriatic acid to 10 parts water.

July 23, 2022

Answers for July 23, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Using cruise control on road trips increases your gas usage.

Using cruise control to maintain constant speed can decrease how much gas has to go in your car's tank.

2. Why were gooseberries once banned in the United States?

They are poisonous to consume
They can cause skin irritations
They can kill trees

Gooseberries once banned in the United States because the fruits serve as an intermediary host for the destructive white pine blister rust. This tree-killing disease would decimate white pine-reliant economies, like those that depend on lumber.

3. True or false: Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only public diamond mining site in America.

Crater of Diamonds State Park, which opened to visitors in 1972, is the only public diamond mining site in America. The park allows visitors to search for their own diamonds. And if you find one, you get to keep it!

4. According to FlightAware, how many flights were canceled in and out of the U.S. on July 14?

1,400
3,500
5,200
6,800

On July 14 alone, more than 6,800 flights were canceled in and out of the U.S., and 23,000-plus were delayed according to FlightAware, which tracks these stats in real time.

5. Which variable increases the sour factor of cucamelons?

Leaving them on the vine longer
The climate where they're grown
Picking them too early

The longer a cucamelon (aka a Mexican sour gherkin) stays on the vine, the more sour it becomes. To avoid excessive sourness, pick them when they're about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long.

Take our exotic fruits quiz: Pretty Cool Produce: The Exotic Fruits and Veggies Quiz

July 16, 2022

Answers for July 16, 2022, Quiz

1. Typical Florida snails average between 1 and 1.5 inches (2.5 and 3.8 centimeters) in length. How long can giant African land snails grow to be?

3 inches (7.6 centimeters)
5 inches (12.7 centimeters)
8 inches (20.3 centimeters)
11 inches (27.9 centimeters)

These massive mollusks dwarf all others — in Florida and anywhere else on Earth. Their shells are usually light to dark brown with vertical stripes, and they can grow up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) long. Compare that to other typical Florida snails, which average between 1 and 1.5 inches (2.5 and 3.8 centimeters) in length.

2. True or false: Space is odorless.

False. It turns out space does smell, and our solar system has a very particular scent. It's been described by astronauts as similar to the smell of something cooking on a charcoal grill.

3. What does the 1930s slang term "skivvies" mean?

men's underwear
gossip
the best
legs

The term "skivvies" means men's underwear and is just one of the funny terms used in the 1930s.

Read More: 67 Slang Terms by Decade

4. True or false: When the Gulf corvina fish mates, it's so loud it can deafen other marine animals.

True. In what might be among the loudest wildlife events on Earth, the chorus of mating Gulf corvina (Cynoscion othonopterus) fish can deafen other marine animals. The chattering sound the males make as they call the females to spawn is like a machine gun and it's the loudest sound made by any fish, anywhere.

5. True or false: Betta fish don't require a lot of space.

False. Perhaps the most popular myth is that bettas can live in small bowls. The opposite is true: Betta fish need a tank that's at least 5 gallons (19 liters), and 10 gallons (38 liters) is better.

July 9, 2022

Answers for July 9, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: The Declaration of Independence was approved and signed July 4, 1776.

False. One of the most enduring misconceptions about Independence Day is that the Declaration of Independence was approved and signed July 4, 1776. In fact, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution to legally separate from Great Britain on July 2, two days earlier. The approved Declaration of Independence was first printed on July 4, so that's the date on the document.

14 More Facts About the Fourth of July

2. Jyoti Amge holds the overall Guinness title of "world's shortest person (mobile)." How tall is she?

1 foot
1.5 feet
2 feet
3 feet

The overall Guinness title of "world's shortest person (mobile)" belongs to Jyoti Amge, who measured just over 2 feet (24.7 inches or 62.8 centimeters to be exact) when she took over the record in December 2011. She also holds the title of "shortest woman living (mobile)."

3. True or false: According to the United Nations, Scotland is not considered a country.

True. The Republic of Ireland is a country, but Northern Ireland is not. Northern Ireland, along with Scotland, Wales and even England are part of the United Kingdom.

Learn More: How Many Countries Are There in the World?

4. How many grams of sugar does 1 cup of mango contain?

8 grams
12 grams
17 grams
23 grams

These tropical beauties pack about 23 grams of sugar per 1 cup (236 milliliter) serving! Instead, opt for the equally exotic papaya, which has only 8.3 grams of sugar for the same serving size.

Munch on More: 6 Fruits Loaded With Sugar

5. True or false: A Dunkin' Donuts blueberry muffin is worse for your health than a Dunkin' Donuts frosted chocolate donut.

True. Although somewhat lower in saturated fat than a comparable doughnut, the blueberry muffin comes totally undone thanks to a huge sugar content.

July 2, 2022

Answers for July 2, 2022, Quiz

1. True or false: Bubbles pop more quickly on a cool day than on a warmer one.

False. One reason a bubble pops is because its water evaporates. Water evaporates faster when the air temperature is higher, so bubbles pop more quickly on a warm day than on a cooler one.

Learn More: Why Do Bubbles Pop?

2. Where did the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral actually take place?

A vacant lot
On Main Street in the city of Tombstone
In a corral

The famous gunfight took place in a vacant lot next to a boarding house and a photo studio, and not in a corral as Hollywood would have you believe.

Take Our Wild West Quiz!

3. True or false: The South Pole is the remotest spot on Earth.

False. South Pole is not the remotest spot on Earth. In reality, it's not even the remotest spot in Antarctica. That distinction belongs to a spot called the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility, about 546 miles (878 kilometers) away from the South Pole, an ice-covered patch of earth that happens to be the most distant spot from the Southern Ocean on the Antarctic continent.

4. True or false: Calamity Jane worked on Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show performing sharpshooting tricks.

True. In 1895, Calamity Jane realized she could use her shooting skills to support her family and joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, performing sharpshooting tricks. Her drinking antics, however, cost her the job, and she was fired after touring Minneapolis, Chicago St. Louis, and Kansas City.

5. Of the 3.5 billion women in the world who have monthly periods, nearly _____ percent do not have reliable access to pads, tampons or other feminine hygiene products.

5
15
25

Of the 3.5 billion women in the world who have monthly periods, nearly 25 percent — more than 500 million — do not have reliable access to pads, tampons or other feminine hygiene products, and one of the primary reasons is cost.

Read More: Menstrual Leave: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

June 25, 2022

1. Which is the most dangerous place for shark attacks?

Volusia County, Florida
Hawaii
Queensland, Australia
South Africa

Volusia County, Florida, has had 337 attacks since 1882, according to the International Shark Attack File. That's not only the highest number of shark attacks recorded in Florida, but it's more than South Africa, whose attacks occurred over 2,798 miles (4,503 kilometers) of coastline, as opposed to a single county.

Read More: 10 Most Dangerous Places for Shark Attacks

2. True or false: Dyson fans use a lot of electricity and have higher consumption ratings than regular fans.

False. Dyson fans are extremely energy efficient, so they'll keep you comfortable without increasing your electricity bill.

Learn More: How the Dyson Bladeless Fan Works

3. What did a woman named Mary Toft allegedly give birth to in 1700s England?

Bunnies
An egg
A demon child

Toft and her husband hid baby bunny rabbits under the sheets and pretended that she was giving birth to them. She was apparently very distressed, having suffered a miscarriage only the month before.

Take Our Hoax Quiz

4. Which plant would not do well with the addition of diluted coffee in its soil?

Hydrangeas
Roses
Lily of the valley
Azaleas

Coffee and coffee grounds are acidic and, while there are some plants that love an alkaline soil and won't do well with the addition of coffee, such as lily of the valley, lavender and honeysuckle, some plants absolutely thrive in an acidic soil.

Explore More: Don't Toss That Joe! Use Diluted Coffee to Fertilize Plants

5. True or false: Using ammonia is a safe method for keeping your dog out of your garden.

False. Do not use ammonia as a dog repellent. While ammonia will keep dogs away from almost anything because the smell irritates their noses, it can cause damage to their throats and stomachs if consumed. Always check with your vet before using any chemical or substance around your pets.