Trivia Questions

How many countries are in the UN?

Answer: 192

The United Nations began in 1945 as a replacement for the League of Nations. It's headquarters are located in New York City. It's goal is provide a neutral ground where countries can air their grievances and to help stop wars. The UN has six official languages; Spanish, Russian, French, English, Chinese and Arabic.



Which breed of dog is noted for it's spotted coat?

Answer: Dalmatian

The Dalmatian is thought to be one of the first breeds of dogs that was deliberately bred for certain characteristics. These dogs have been painted running next to chariots, and have been used throughout history as hunters and bird dogs. They later became associated with firehouses. One reason for this was their ability to get along with horses.



American Falls and Horseshoe Falls are better known as?

Answer: Niagara Falls

This famous waterfall is located on the border between Canada and the US. The name Niagara Falls comes from the Iroquois meaning Thunder of Waters. It is believed that the first European to visit the falls was Samuel de Champlain in the year 1604. Sam Patch was the first person recorded to go over the falls and survive in 1829. Since that time numerous people have attempted to conquer the falls, by either walking across the falls on a tightrope or by going over them in a barrel. The first person to take a barrel over the falls was Annie Edson Taylor in 1901.



What race is known as "The most exciting two minutes in sports"?

Answer: The Kentucky Derby

The very first Derby was run on May 17th in 1875. The first horse to win the derby was Aristides ridden by Oliver Lewis. The Derby is run every year on the first Saturday in May at the now famous Churchill Downs. Although the derby has varied in length it is now one and a quarter miles and is also known as the 'Run for the Roses".



Who was at 17 Burton Street London on April 21st 1926?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth's coronation took place on June 2, 1953 in Westminster Abbey. She and her husband Prince Phillip have four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. During World War II the Queen served in the military as a member of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. Her main duty was driving military trucks, and her rank was No. 230873 Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor. She is the Queen of 16 countries.



Whose nickname was the Wizard of Menlo Park?

Answer: Thomas Edison

On February 11, 1847 in Milan Ohio one of the greatest inventors of all time was born, Thomas Edison. Among his inventions are the long lasting light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the stock ticker. Edison was disappointed in 'talking films' as he said actors did not 'act' enough and he was deaf.



Paul Baumer is the major character in which novel?

Answer: All Quiet on the Western Front

This novel was written by Erich Maria Remarque and was published in 1929. It is a book that describes the terrible life of a German foot soldier. In 1930 this novel was made into an Oscar winning movie. It won for both best picture and best director. The film was remade again in 1979.



Who invented dynamite?

Answer: Alfred Nobel

Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm, Sweden on October 21st 1833. He was as armaments manufacturer, a chemist, an engineer and an innovator. Upon his death he left his fortune to fund the Nobel Prizes. Each year prizes are given throughout the world to men and woman for contributions to peace, literature, medicine, chemistry and physics.



What is the capital of Austria?

Answer:Vienna

This city located on the Danube river began as a Celtic settlement in about 500 BC. It is now the largest city in Austria with a population of 1.7 million people. The modern city of Vienna is broken up into 23 districts. It is famed for its balls. It hosts over 200 each year, many of which are held in the palaces of Vienna. The city also lays claim to having the world's oldest zoo.



What animal's diet is made up almost entirely of eucalypt leaves?

Answer: Koala Bear

This marsupial is found only in southern Australia. The name koala comes from the aboriginal language Dharuk and translates to mean 'doesn't drink'. The koala have opposable thumbs and like humans have actual fingerprints. Due to it's lush coat the koala was almost hunted into extinction during the early 20th century. Thanks to protection measures the species is now listed as near threatened and its numbers in Australia are estimated at between 80,000 and 100,000.

Which country or state lays claim to the title of being the world's smallest?

Answer: Vatican City

This small state is headed by the Pope and is only about 100 acre (44 hectares) in size. It was declared a separate state in 1929. It also lays claim to having the smallest population at about 800 people. This small state is situated right in the middle of Rome and is separated by a wall. This small state boasts its own police force which is known as the Corpo della Gendermeria.



Where are the 2008 Olympic summer games scheduled to take place?

Answer: Beijing China

The modern Olympics take place every four years and are divided into summer and winter games. Spectators at the games in Beijing will see 203 countries competing in 28 sports made up of 302 different events. The Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius Fortius" which is Latin for Swifter, Higher, Stronger. The Olympic flag is a white background with five joined rings which represent the unity of the continents. The colours of the rings are blue, red, black, green and yellow. It was first flown during the 1920 games at Antwerp.



According to the ancient Egyptians who is the god of fertility, life and death?

Answer: Osiris

According to mythology Osiris was the oldest son of Nut, goddess of the sky and Geb the earth god. He married Isis. Their only son who was born after his death was Horus. Hieroglyphics containing his name have appeared as far back as 2400BC. Osiris became the god of the underworld. Because of his resurrection as the god of the underworld he is often associated with the rise and fall of the Nile. Egyptians believed that the underworld granted all life so he is often depicted as being green.



According to the Chinese Zodiac what is the year 2008?

Answer: Rat

There are a number of variations about how the twelve animals of the zodiac were selected. One myth says that Buddha invited all the animals to come and say goodbye to him before he left the earth. The order of the animals in the calendar was based on the order in which they arrived. Another legend says that the rat was sent out to issue invitations to a banquet held by the Jade Emperor and that these were the 12 animals who showed up.



What is General Sherman's (not the civil war veteran) claim to fame?

Answer: World's largest tree

This huge giant sequoia makes it home in Sequoia National Park in California. It was named after the civil war veteran General William Tecumseh Sherman. This tree is not the tallest in the world that honour belongs to a giant redwood . It is the world's largest tree by volume. By volume this tree measures 1487 cubic meters. It's age has been estimated at somewhere between 2 300 and 2 700 years old.



What event began on April 12, 1861?

Answer: American Civil War

South Carolina came under attack when Confederate soldiers attacked Fort Sumter. The war lasted until April 9th 1865. The Confederate army was lead by Jefferson Davis and Robert E Lee. The Union was headed by Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. The south lost more than 258 000 and the north had over 360 000 casualties.



Who directed the Passion of Christ?

Answer: Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson was born in Peekskill New York on January 3rd 1956. He has won two Oscars, one for best picture and one for best director. Both awards were for the film Braveheart. He also has the honour of being the first person to be named the "Sexiest Man Alive" by People.



Which television show featured Dennis Franz, Gordon Clapp and James McDaniel?

Answer: NYPD Blue

This long running show was created by David Milch and Steven Bochco. It first aired in September 1993. The show went off the air after 261 episodes in 2005.



If you wanted to visit the baseball hall of fame where would you go?

Answer: Cooperstown New York

On Jun 12th 1939 the hall of fame was dedicated by Lee Ferrick Andrews. The first five men honoured in the hall of fame were baseball greats Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson. The hall of fame now features 19 managers, 228 players and 31 organisers and builders.



In the novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight what was the name of the half-elf?

Answer: Tanis Half-Elven

This book first came out on 1984 and was written by Tracy Hickman and Margret Weiss. This novel is part of the Chronicles trilogy and was the very first of the Dragonlance books. It begins with the reuniting of a group of friends after a five year separation. The friends, Flint Fireforge, Caramon and Raistlin Majere, Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Kitara Uth Matar, Sturm Brightblade and Tanis were supposed to meet in a town called Solace for a quiet reunion. This quiet reunion does not happen instead the unlikely group start a journey which will change their world.

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Who was the first guest star on the Muppet Show?

Answer: Lena Horne

The Muppet Show began in 1976 and left the air in 1981. During its long run this show featured an incredible number of famous guest stars which included: Steve Martin, Gene Kelly, Rich Little, Alice Cooper, John Denver, Julie Andrews and many many more. The show was produced by the great puppeteer Jim Henson. The show was based around Kermit the Frog trying to put on a weekly television variety show.



If you wanted to take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal what city would you have to visit?

Answer: Venice.

Venice throughout the years has been known by many names; The City of Bridges, City of Water and Queen of the Adriatic. Venice is located in the northern part of Italy. The city is along the Adriatic Sea and is built in the marshy Venetian Lagoon. One hundred and eighteen different islands make up the city. Unfortunately today Venice is now facing the threat of sinking.



If you were standing on a planet looking up at the moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede what planet would you be on?

Answer: Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and is the fifth planet from the sun. The planet was named by after the Roman god Jupiter who was the patron god of ancient Rome. Jupiter is characterised by a large red spot on its surface and is known a one of the gas giants.



Which famous explorer was killed on the Hawaiian Islands?

Answer: Captain James Cook

James Cook was born on October 27th in the year 1728. During his life he made three separate voyages to the Pacific. He was the first European to visit Eastern Australia, the Hawaiian Island and to sail around the Islands of New Zealand. He is also credited with mapping the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. He was killed on the 14th of February 1779.



If you wanted to see the famous Taj Mahal what city would you visit?

Answer: Agra, India

This famous building was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal his favourite wife. The emperor gathered together a work force of over 20 000 men to build the mausoleum.The creative unit alone was made up of 37 men. 'O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you." Is engraved over the main gate.



Which famous gangsters met their end in Gibsland, Louisiana.

Answer: Clyde Barrows and Bonnie Parker

On May 23, 1934 four Texas officers and two from Louisiana set up an ambush in Gibsland, Luisianan. The officers opened fire on the car as it approached them with automatic weapons. When those were spent they each unloaded their shotguns and finally used handguns on the vehicle. It was later reported that the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde had been shot between 25 and 50 times.



Which famous gem was said to have been stolen from a Hindu statue?

Answer: The Hope Diamond

The diamond was said to have been cursed by priests when they discovered that it was gone. According to legends it was one of the eyes of the statue, although the other eye has never been found. The huge diamond was actually cut from another stone called the Tavernier Blue or the French Blue. This gem was once part of the crown jewels of France belonging to Marie Antoinette. It was stolen during the French revolution.



If you were the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo which country would you be fighting and who would be leading them?

Answer: France, Napoleon Bonaparte

This battle was Napoleon's last. It was fought on the fields of Belgium on June 18th 1815. The Duke of Wellington was allied with Gebhard von Blucher who commanded a Prussian force. Also among the force of the Duke of Wellington were troops from The United Netherlands, Hanover, Nassau and Brunswick. Wellington's force was known as the Seventh Coalition.



You are looking at the famous painting Starry Night, who is the artist?

Answer: Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh was born in Zundert, The Netherlands on the 30th of March 1853. His style of painting is considered to be Dutch Post-Impressionist. During his life van Gogh created more than 2000 pieces. Starry Night is considered to be one of his best works. It now hangs in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It has been the inspiration for a number of musical pieces including 'Vincent' by Don McLean and 'Starry Night' by Canadian Giancarlo Scalia.



Who lays claim to the title of being the first Prime Minister of Canada?

Answer: Sir John A. Macdonald

John Macdonald was born in Glasgow Scotland in 1815. He became the first Prime Minister of Canada on July 1st 1867 and remained in office for 19 years. John Macdonald was able to achieve six majority governments a feat which has never been duplicated. During his leadership he was also instrumental in building the railway which crossed Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Sir John A. Macdonald died on November 5th 1873.

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