Riddles With Answers

Which rock legend provided backing vocals on Carly Simon’s 1972 hit “You’re So Vain”?

David Bowie
James Taylor
Mick Jagger
Bruce Springsteen

Fact: Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger lent his distinctive voice to the chorus of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” one of the standout tracks on her 1972 album No Secrets. Although his backing vocals went uncredited on the original release, Carly Simon’s official website confirms his contribution to the classic hit song. His uncredited appearance only added fuel to decades of speculation that the iconic rocker was the target of the song’s biting lyrics—a rumor Simon later addressed by clarifying that the song was not about him.

Correct Answer: Mick Jagger

According to Apollo astronauts, what does the moon smell like?

Cheese
Gunpowder
Rotten eggs
Burnt rubber

Fact: Apollo astronauts described the smell of lunar dust as resembling spent gunpowder—the odor left after firing a gun or setting off fireworks. During moonwalks, the fine dust clung stubbornly to their spacesuits and boots, then entered the lunar module with them. Once they removed their helmets, they could smell the dust in the cabin’s air. Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke even reported its strong gunpowder-like odor to Mission Control. The comparison describes the astronauts’ experience; it does not mean lunar dust contains gunpowder.

Correct Answer: Gunpowder

Which company financed the 1971 classic film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory?

Nestlé
Quaker Oats
Hershey
Kellogg’s

Fact: The 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder, was financed by the Quaker Oats Company as part of a marketing strategy to launch a new line of Wonka-branded candy bars. The film’s title was changed from Roald Dahl’s original book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to promote the Wonka brand. However, production difficulties led Quaker Oats to abandon its plans to market the candy bars, eventually selling the brand to candy manufacturer Sunline. The Wonka brand later found success, though Wonka Bars were eventually discontinued.

Correct Answer: Quaker Oats

Which U.S. First Lady performed as an actress on Broadway before her time in the White House?

Betty Ford
Nancy Reagan
Lady Bird Johnson
Jacqueline Kennedy

Fact: Before becoming First Lady, Nancy Reagan pursued a professional acting career under the name Nancy Davis. After graduating from Smith College, she performed in summer stock, toured with stage productions, and made it to Broadway, where one of her notable roles was in the musical Lute Song. She later moved to Hollywood and signed a contract with MGM, appearing in 11 films as well as numerous television productions. Her acting career led her to Ronald Reagan, whom she married in 1952, nearly three decades before becoming First Lady.

Correct Answer: Nancy Reagan

In which country can you find the famous Incan ruins of Machu Picchu?

Peru
Colombia
Chile
Ecuador

Fact: Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, about 50 miles northwest of Cusco. Built during the 15th century, the remarkably preserved site contains stone temples, terraces, plazas, and residences constructed with extraordinary precision. Machu Picchu remained largely unknown to the outside world until American explorer Hiram Bingham brought international attention to it in 1911. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological landmarks in the world.

Correct Answer: Peru

Which cookie brand became the official cookie of American Red Cross blood drives in 2011?

Oreo
Keebler
Mrs. Fields
Pepperidge Farm

Fact: In 2011, Keebler partnered with the American Red Cross to provide cookies at blood drives across the country, giving donors a sweet reward after rolling up their sleeves. After donating blood, the Red Cross encourages donors to spend a few minutes in the refreshment area, where snacks and drinks help them rest and replenish fluids before leaving. Cookies have long been a familiar part of the blood-donation experience, and the Keebler partnership helped make the brand’s treats a welcome sight for donors at Red Cross blood drives nationwide.

Correct Answer: Keebler

Which Chinese province is home to Zhangye National Geopark?

A. Yunnan
B. Gansu
C. Shaanxi

Fact: Zhangye National Geopark is situated in Gansu Province, an area historically linked to the ancient Silk Road.

Correct Answer: Gansu

Which mineral causes much of the Danxia landform’s red hue?

A. Copper sulfate
B. Iron oxide
C. Manganese dioxide

Fact: Iron oxides within the sedimentary rocks create the vivid red shades that are a signature of the Danxia landform.

Correct Answer: Iron oxide

What natural forces helped shape Danxia landform ridges?

A. Glacial movement
B. Volcanic eruption
C. Tectonic uplift

Fact: Tectonic uplift and folding combined with erosion created the striking ridges, cliffs, and gullies of the Danxia landform.

Correct Answer: Tectonic uplift

Which explorer captained the Golden Hind during its historic voyage around the world in 1580?

Sir Walter Raleigh
Captain James Cook
Sir Francis Drake
Ferdinand Magellan

Fact: Sir Francis Drake captained the Golden Hind on his historic voyage around the world from 1577 to 1580. Sailing under the authority of Queen Elizabeth I, Drake crossed the Atlantic, navigated the treacherous Strait of Magellan, raided Spanish ships along the Pacific coast, and crossed the Pacific and Indian Oceans before returning to England. The expedition made Drake the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and brought enormous wealth and prestige to England. In 1581, Queen Elizabeth knighted him aboard the Golden Hind.

Correct Answer: Sir Francis Drake