Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: The Channel Tunnel connects London to which city via train?

Dublin
Edinburgh
Munich
Paris

The correct answer is Paris

So why is this answer correct? : Londoners can visit the City of Light with ease thanks to the “Chunnel,” an undersea tunnel linking England with France by a two-hour train ride. Of the 31.5 miles of Chunnel, 23.5 miles of it are underwater, making it the world’s longest undersea tunnel. Though the idea of the tunnel was first proposed back in 1802, construction didn’t start until 1988, and Eurostar began its railway services in 1994.

Trivia: What is the “Square Mile”?

The original city of London
Buckingham Palace grounds
The largest tube station
London’s oldest park

The correct answer is The original city of London

So why is this answer correct? : During the first century CE, the Romans settled on the banks of the Thames and referred to the area as the City of London, or the “Square Mile” and “the city.” London then grew outward from this 1.12 square mile settlement. In the 16th century, London’s banking district developed in the area, and today, the Square Mile is an important financial hub, home to skyscrapers and bustling crowds.

Trivia: London went through what alcohol-induced phase during the 18th century?

Prohibition
Wine Mania
Ale Fever
Gin Craze

The correct answer is Gin Craze

So why is this answer correct? : Eighteenth-century Londoners went through a phase — they craved gin and lots of it. Popularly called “the mother’s ruin” at the time, Londoners (and many other folks from throughout England) drank so much gin that the first half of the century is now known as the “Gin Craze.” By 1730, there were around 7,000 gin shops in London alone, but this unsurprisingly led to bad habits for many. The 1751 Gin Act prohibited distillers from selling to non-licensed merchants and increased the fees for smaller shops, which helped with quality control and overconsumption.

Trivia: Who gives London its Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square every year?

Norway
The U.S.
France
India

The correct answer is Norway

So why is this answer correct? : Since 1947, Norway has gifted the people of Great Britain a Christmas tree as thanks for their support during WWII. The tree, which is on display at Trafalgar Square from December to January 6, is traditionally a Norwegian spruce and stands more than 60 feet tall. The annual tree lighting is a much-anticipated event in London, drawing in thousands of spectators from around the city.

Trivia: The London Zoo was home to the world’s first public what?

Golf course
Aquarium
Carousel
Ice skating rink

The correct answer is Aquarium

So why is this answer correct? : In 1828, the London Zoo opened and became one of the first public zoos. In 1849, the zoo opened the world’s first reptile house, and four years later, debuted the world’s first public aquarium. Today, the 36-acre zoo boasts a comprehensive animal collection and the largest zoological library of any zoo.

Trivia: How many times has London hosted the Olympic Games?

1
2
3
5

The correct answer is 3

So why is this answer correct? : London has hosted the Olympics three times — 1908, 1948, and 2012 — more than any other city in the world. It would have been a four-time host, but the 1944 Olympics were canceled due to WWII. Paris and Los Angeles will soon join London in a three-way tie for most hosting gigs. Both cities have already hosted twice and are slated to host again in the upcoming years.

Trivia: Where do the Houses of Parliament meet in London?

Buckingham Palace
Palace of Westminster
Kensington Palace
Palace of Versailles

The correct answer is Palace of Westminster

So why is this answer correct? : In the 11th century, Edward the Confessor commissioned a royal residence along the River Thames. His successor and cousin, William the Conqueror, ordered many additions and improvements to this palatial property. Multiple fires destroyed most of the palace over the centuries until 1837, when the current building was commissioned. Today, the Palace of Westminster (also called the Houses of Parliament) is the seat of the bicameral Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Trivia: What is Big Ben?

A clock tower
A giant bell
A river
A tube station

The correct answer is A giant bell

So why is this answer correct? : Contrary to popular belief, Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the famous clock tower, not the name of the clock tower itself. The tower is actually called Elizabeth Tower, and is located at the Houses of Parliament in downtown London. It rang for the first time on May 31, 1859, and weighs more than 13 tons. The origin of the bell’s name is unknown, but possible inspirations include civil engineer Sir Benjamin Hall or heavyweight boxer Benjamin Caunt.

Trivia: London was first founded under what Roman emperor?

Augustus
Claudius
Tiberius
Caligula

The correct answer is Claudius

So why is this answer correct? : Under Emperor Claudius in 43 CE, Roman armies began their occupation of Britain and thereafter founded a settlement known as Londinium. Though the settlement was sacked in 60 CE by Queen Boudicca and the ancient Iceni people, it was rebuilt into a thriving trade center. The Romans abandoned the region in the fifth century, allowing it to ultimately fall into Saxon hands.

Trivia: The Tower of London is home to seven of what creatures?

Cats
Guinea pigs
Ravens
English bulldogs

The correct answer is Ravens

So why is this answer correct? : The Tower of London’s tradition of ravens dates to the days of King Charles II, who was told disaster would befall the kingdom if the birds left the tower. He decreed that six ravens must live there at all times. Currently, seven ravens reside on site: Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy, and Merlina. In 1981, a raven named Grog escaped after 21 years of captivity.