Riddles With Answers

Which ocean explorer discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic in 1985?

Jacques Cousteau
Robert Ballard
James Cameron
Richard Branson

Fact: In 1985, oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard led a groundbreaking joint U.S.–French expedition that discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic, which had sunk in 1912. Using deep-sea submersibles and advanced sonar technology, Ballard and his team located the ship’s remains about 12,500 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly 370 miles south of Newfoundland. The stunning discovery captured worldwide attention, offering the first images of the Titanic since its fateful voyage and transforming the field of deep-sea exploration.

Correct Answer: Robert Ballard

Who is the only singer to have a No. 1 hit in four different decades?

Madonna
Cher
Whitney Houston
Mariah Carey

Fact: Mariah Carey stands alone as the only artist to ever top the Billboard Hot 100 in four different decades — the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. During that time, she has amassed an astonishing 19 No. 1 hits, the most by any solo artist in history. Her timeless 1994 holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” reached No. 1 a quarter-century after its release in 2019 and has returned to the top spot multiple times in the 2020s. This enduring success across generations cements her as one of the most dominant artists in pop music history.

Correct Answer: Mariah Carey

What is the official state fruit of New Hampshire?

A Apple
B Pumpkin
C Blueberry

Fact: Pumpkin is designated as the official state fruit of New Hampshire, which reflects its significance in the region’s agricultural and cultural traditions, particularly during the autumn season.

Correct Answer: Pumpkin

What is the origin of the tradition of carving pumpkins?

A A Native American ritual
B A Halloween superstition
C An Irish legend about Stingy Jack

Fact: The tradition of carving pumpkins stems from an Irish legend about a figure named Stingy Jack, who was said to roam the Earth with a carved turnip, leading immigrants to adopt pumpkins for this purpose in America due to their size and ease of carving.

Correct Answer: An Irish legend about Stingy Jack

Which type of pumpkin is known for being the preferred variety for carving?

A White Pumpkin
B Sugar Pumpkin
C Connecticut Field Pumpkin

Fact: The Connecticut field pumpkin is favoured for carving due to its large size, smooth skin, and bright orange colour, making it ideal for creating jack-o’-lanterns compared to other types.

Correct Answer: Connecticut Field Pumpkin

Which celebrity was the mayor of Carmel, California?

Jerry Springer
Sonny Bono
Clint Eastwood
Arnold Schwarzenegger

Fact: In 1986, Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of his adopted hometown, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The small, affluent seaside community was known for its artistic charm, scenic beauty, and strict local ordinances. During his two-year term, Eastwood made good on a campaign promise to repeal a quirky town law that banned eating ice cream cones in public. Despite his political duties, he continued his prolific Hollywood career, directing two films during his time in office — one of which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Director.

Correct Answer: Clint Eastwood

What historical activity took place in the Martimoaapa Mire Reserve during Finland’s Prohibition era?

A Smuggling liquor from Sweden
B Hunting rare birds
C Mining for peat

Fact: During Finland’s Prohibition from 1919 to 1932, smugglers used the Martimoaapa Mire Reserve as a route for transporting liquor from Sweden. This historical detail highlights the significance of the landscape in illicit trade.

Correct Answer: Smuggling liquor from Sweden

What is a notable archaeological discovery at the Martimoaapa Reserve?

A Ancient cave paintings
B Brackish pits for meat storage
C Roman artefacts

Fact: Archaeologists have found brackish pits at Martimoaapa that were once used for storing meat, indicating the area’s historical importance and its use by early inhabitants.

Correct Answer: Brackish pits for meat storage

Which of the following wildlife species is NOT mentioned as nesting in Martimoaapa?

A Cranes
B Penguins
C Kestrels

Fact: Nearly 100 bird species, including swans, cranes, and kestrels, nest in Martimoaapa. However, penguins do not inhabit this boreal environment, making this the incorrect option.

Correct Answer: Penguins

Which 19th-century American author wrote the classic novel The Scarlet Letter?

Walt Whitman
Herman Melville
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Henry David Thoreau

Fact: Published in 1850, The Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of the most influential figures in early American literature. Set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts, the novel tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman shunned by her community after bearing an illegitimate child. Through its themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, Hawthorne explored the tension between individual morality and societal judgment. The novel’s symbolism helped establish Hawthorne as a central voice in the American Romantic movement.

Correct Answer: Nathaniel Hawthorne