Riddles With Answers

What was the first toy ever advertised on television?

Barbie
Mr. Potato Head
Play-Doh
Slinky

Fact: In 1952, Mr. Potato Head made history as the first toy to be advertised on television. The original kit contained plastic body parts and accessories—such as eyes, noses, and mouths—that children could stick into a real potato. The TV commercials, directly targeting children rather than parents, were revolutionary for their time and sparked enormous demand. The success of TV campaign not only made the toy a household name but also transformed the way toys were marketed, setting the stage for future iconic ads like those for Barbie and GI Joe.

Correct Answer: Mr. Potato Head

Morris the Cat was made famous by what brand of cat food?

Purina
9Lives
Fancy Feast
Friskies

Fact: Morris the Cat is the advertising mascot for 9Lives brand cat food, appearing on its packaging and its television commercials. A large orange tabby tomcat, Morris is “the world’s most finicky cat”, who would only eat 9Lives cat food. Morris became a household name and a national celebrity that made it onto various talk shows over the years. What you might not know is that the original Morris was a rescue cat, who was “discovered” in an Illinois animal shelter in 1968. He went on to film a whopping 58 commercials between 1969 and his death at the ripe old age of 19 in 1978. The Morris character was later played by other rescue cats.

Correct Answer: 9Lives

Which author won a Nobel, Pulitzer, and Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Mark Twain
John Steinbeck
Maya Angelou
Ernest Hemingway

Fact: John Steinbeck, celebrated for classics like The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, is among the rare writers to have received all three honors: the Pulitzer Prize (1940, for The Grapes of Wrath), the Nobel Prize in Literature (1962), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1964, awarded by President Lyndon B. Johnson). Steinbeck’s works often spotlighted social justice, the struggles of working-class Americans, and the resilience of the human spirit, cementing his place as one of the most influential American authors of the 20th century.

Correct Answer: John Steinbeck

What unique type of houses are found in Alberobello, Italy?

A Yurts
B Trulli
C Half-timbered

Fact: The distinctive whitewashed stone houses of Alberobello are known as trulli. Topped with conical limestone roofs, these ancient dwellings are a reflection of local resourcefulness and creativity.

Correct Answer: Trulli

What New York town hosted Woodstock?

Bethel
Woodstock
Monticello
White Lake

Fact: Although it was branded as the Woodstock Festival, the legendary 1969 event was not held in Woodstock, New York. After logistical challenges in securing a site closer to Woodstock, organizers moved the event to Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, about 40 miles away. Over 400,000 people gathered on the farm’s rolling fields to see iconic performances by artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who. Bethel’s unexpected role cemented it in history as the true home of Woodstock, even though its name is rarely associated with the town itself.

Correct Answer: Bethel

What hotel chain was originally a line of root beer stands?

Hilton
Marriott
Ramada
Sheraton

Fact: Marriott International traces its roots back to 1927, when J. Willard Marriott and his wife, Alice, opened a small root beer stand in Washington, D.C. The stand, called The Hot Shoppe, sold A&W root beer to help customers cool off during the sweltering summers. The business expanded into a chain of restaurants known for affordable meals and quick service. Building on that success, the Marriotts expanded into hospitality, opening their first motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia, in 1957—a move that set the stage for the global hotel empire that bears their name today.

Correct Answer: Marriott

Susan Lucci was nominated for 21 Emmys for playing which soap character?

Answer: Erica Kane

Which of these U.S. Presidents does not have an airport named after him?

John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln

Fact: Several airports across the United States honor past Presidents, such as John F. Kennedy (JFK International in New York), Ronald Reagan (Reagan National near Washington, D.C.), and Abraham Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois). Surprisingly, George Washington—the nation’s first President—does not have a major airport named directly after him. Washington Dulles International Airport often causes confusion, but in this case “Washington” refers to the city it serves, while “Dulles” honors John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State under President Eisenhower.

Answer: George Washington

What is a distinctive feature of male European fallow deer during the rutting season?

A They’re known for their sharp antlers.
B They have broad, shovel-shaped antlers.
C They lose all their antlers.

Fact: Male European fallow deer, known as bucks, possess broad, shovel-shaped antlers that distinguish them from other deer species. This unique antler shape is important during the rutting season when bucks compete for mates.

Correct Answer: They have broad, shovel-shaped antlers

Which coat color do European fallow deer display in the summer?

A Gray with white markings.
B Reddish-brown with white spots.
C Dark brown without spots.

Fact: In summer, European fallow deer have a characteristic reddish-brown coat adorned with white spots, which aids in camouflage within their natural habitats of woodlands and parklands.

Correct Answer: Reddish-brown with white spots.