Who is credited with introducing the poinsettia to the U.S.?
George Washington
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Thomas Jefferson
Fact: US diplomat Joel Roberts Poinsett is credited with introducing the poinsettia to the United States in the 1820s after he discovered the plant in Mexico, which has since become a holiday favorite.
Correct Answer: Joel Roberts Poinsett
Whose presidential bid ended after rumors of an affair with Donna Rice?
John Edwards
Ted Kennedy
Gary Hart
Michael Dukakis
Fact: Senator Gary Hart was considered the early Democratic frontrunner for the 1988 presidential nomination until his campaign unraveled in May 1987. After rumors surfaced about his relationship with Donna Rice, the Miami Herald published a story detailing Hart’s alleged affair, followed by the now-famous photograph of Rice sitting on Hart’s lap aboard a yacht named Monkey Business. The media scrutiny and rapid public fallout led Hart to withdraw from the race, marking one of the most dramatic collapses in modern American political history.
Correct Answer: Gary Hart
What country contains the point on Earth that lies farthest from the planet’s core?
Peru
Nepal
Ecuador
China
Fact: Although Mount Everest is the tallest mountain above sea level, the point on Earth farthest from the planet’s core is actually the summit of Chimborazo, a stratovolcano in Ecuador. Because Earth bulges at the equator due to its rotation, elevations near the equator begin farther from the core than those at higher latitudes. As a result, Chimborazo’s summit—despite being about 9,000 feet shorter than Everest—extends roughly two miles farther into space than Everest does. This makes Ecuador, not Nepal, Peru, or China, the country whose territory reaches the greatest distance from Earth’s center.
Correct Answer: Ecuador
Which sport involves gloves and a ring for fighting?
Karate
Wrestling
Boxing
Fact: The sport that involves gloves and a ring for fighting is Boxing. In boxing, two fighters wear padded gloves and compete inside a square ring. They use their fists to hit each other while also blocking and moving to avoid punches. Karate and wrestling do not usually use gloves and a ring in the same way.
Correct Answer: Boxing
What is the term for a fight ending without a winner?
Knockout
No contest
Timeout
Fact: The term for a fight ending without a winner is “No contest”. This happens when the match is stopped for a reason that is not the fighters’ fault, like an accident or rule problem. In a “no contest”, neither fighter is declared the winner or loser. A “knockout” is when one fighter wins by knocking the other down, and a “timeout” is used to pause or stop play in some sports, not usually to decide a winner.
Correct Answer: No contest
Which punch is delivered in an upward motion?
Jab
Hook
Uppercut
Fact: The punch that is delivered in an upward motion is the Uppercut. An uppercut is thrown from low to high, usually aiming at the opponent’s chin. It is a powerful punch used at close distance. A jab is a quick, straight punch, and a hook is a punch that comes from the side.
Correct Answer: Uppercut
Who wrote the hit song “Islands in the Stream”?
Kenny Rogers
Barry Manilow
Dolly Parton
The Bee Gees
Fact: Although “Islands in the Stream” became an iconic duet for country legends Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, the song was actually written by Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb — collectively known as the Bee Gees. Kenny Rogers originally recorded the song solo, but ended up disliking the tune after four days of singing it. Barry Gibb introduced the idea of adding Dolly Parton — who happened to be downstairs at the studio — and making it a duet. Parton was brought into the room and completely transformed the song into the smash hit it remains today.
Correct Answer: The Bee Gees
English borrows the most words from what other language?
Greek
French
German
Hebrew
Fact: French is the largest source of borrowed vocabulary in the English language, a result that traces back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. After the conquest, French became the language of government, the courts, and the upper classes in England. Because of this long period of influence, thousands of French terms—such as “justice,” “attorney,” “beef,” and “government”—entered English and became permanent fixtures. Linguists estimate that about 30% of English words come from French, making it the largest contributor to the English vocabulary.
Correct Answer: French
Which German city was the location of the war crime trials of Nazi leaders after World War II?
Berlin
Nuremberg
Munich
Hamburg
Fact: The landmark war crime proceedings against top Nazi officials were held in the city of Nuremberg, beginning in November 1945. The Allies chose Nuremberg for symbolic and practical reasons: it had been a major center of Nazi Party rallies, yet its Palace of Justice survived the war largely intact and included a large prison complex. The Nuremberg Trials became a historic turning point in international law, establishing the principles of individual accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace.
Correct Answer: Nuremberg
What is a guanaco’s main form of communication during danger?
Low growl
Sharp bleat
Chirping sound
Fact: Guanacos use a sharp bleat as a warning signal to alert others in the herd of potential predators, demonstrating their strong social behavior and communication skills.
Correct Answer: Sharp bleat