Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: Which rodent is part of the Chinese zodiac?

Mouse
Rat
Marmot
Hamster

The correct answer is Rat

So why is this answer correct? : There are 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs, but the rat is the only rodent on the list. These animals have been repeating in a 12-year cycle for thousands of years and are based on astronomy, astrology, and mythology. According to one of the most popular legends, the rat is first on the zodiac due to cleverly winning a divine race using wits and tricks. According to this calendar, those born in 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020 are “rats.”

Trivia: What animated mouse spends his days evading a cat named Tom?

Scooter
Archer
Jerry
Hammy

The correct answer is Jerry

So why is this answer correct? : Tom and Jerry are one of the most famous cartoon duos in American television history. The pair made their short film debut in 1940 and starred in over 100 shorts, with several winning Academy Awards. Jerry always seems to be one step ahead of Tom, whose failure to capture the mouse often results in his comedic peril.

Trivia: Which rodents are known for their long, sharp quills?

Chinchillas
Lemmings
Porcupines
Capybaras

The correct answer is Porcupines

So why is this answer correct? : Porcupines are large rodents that rely on their long quills for protection from predators. Most porcupines have around 30,000 quills, but contrary to popular belief, they cannot shoot them. Instead, these rodents raise their quills to jab any predator that gets too close. Even if a porcupine must sacrifice some quills to stay safe, the quills eventually grow back.

Trivia: Which semi-aquatic rodents are known for building dams?

Beavers
Otters
Muskrats
Capybaras

The correct answer is Beavers

So why is this answer correct? : Beavers have adapted well to life in the water. Their webbed toes and flat, hairless tails are perfect for navigating through rivers and lakes in search of logs to build their dams. However, their greatest tool is their distinctive teeth, which are more orange than other rodents due to the iron in their enamel that makes them strong enough to chew wood.

On Sept. 5, 2023, Lt. Gen. James Slife was nominated to be vice chief of staff of which service branch?

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

The correct answer is Air Force

Which legendary British actor wrote the soon-to-be-released novel “Deadly Game,” about a Special Air Service veteran turned police detective?

Michael Caine
Anthony Hopkins
Ben Kingsley
Patrick Stewart
Gary Oldman

The correct answer is Michael Caine

Larry Taylor was in the news this week for which one of the following reasons?

Nominated to be Chief of Naval Operations
Received Medal of Honor for Vietnam War heroism
Piloted a mission to the International Space Station
Youngest man ever to be named U.S. Navy admiral
Coast Guardsman arrested 5 drug smugglers by himself

The correct answer is Received Medal of Honor for Vietnam War heroism

Trivia: Elotes and esquites are made from what type of vegetable?

Corn
Potato
Pepper
Onion

The correct answer is Corn

So why is this answer correct? : Elotes and esquites are two different types of street corn. Both are covered in sour cream and cotija cheese, as well as lime juice and chili pepper. There is one key difference between the two dishes: Elote is served on the cob, while esquites is served off the cob, scraping the kernels off and combining them with the sauce.

Trivia: The burrito was named for what type of animal?

Dog
Fox
Grasshopper
Donkey

The correct answer is Donkey

So why is this answer correct? : The word burrito means “little donkey” in Spanish, but it’s not totally clear how the tortilla-wrapped meal became associated with the animal. It might have to do with the burrito’s ability to travel well without falling apart, much like a burro. The dish likely originated in northern Mexico, which grows more wheat, and early burritos were simply flour tortillas wrapped around leftovers.

Trivia: What is Mexico’s national dish?

Chilaquiles
Guacamole
Mole
Pozole

The correct answer is Mole

So why is this answer correct? : Mole, a thick chocolatey sauce, is Mexico’s national dish, but there is no one specific recipe aside from containing a combination of nuts, fruit, and chili peppers. Moles vary from sweet to spicy, ranging in color ranging from black to pink to green to white. Some versions of the sauce can take days to properly prepare, but the rich taste and texture accents any number of Mexican dishes.