Riddles With Answers

Despite their silvery appearance, most nickels comprise 75 percent of what?

Tin
Iron
Zinc
Copper

The nickel is unique among U.S. coins as the only coin named after its metal content, even though it isn’t made entirely of nickel. In reality, a nickel contains more copper than nickel, with the alloy consisting of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. This blend provides the coin with both its durability and its distinct silvery appearance. During World War II, however, nickel was reserved for the war effort, so the five-cent coin was temporarily made from an alloy of copper, manganese, and silver, omitting nickel from its composition.

Correct Answer: Copper

In which classic film did Marilyn Monroe famously walk across a blowing subway grating?

All About Eve
Some Like It Hot
The Seven Year Itch
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

In the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn Monroe famously walks across a blowing subway grating, creating one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history. In the scene, Monroe’s character stands over the grating as a gust of air from the subway below blows her white dress up, revealing her legs. This moment became a defining image of Monroe’s career and is still remembered as a symbol of her glamour and sex appeal. Directed by Billy Wilder, the comedy is about a married man’s fantasies and temptations during his wife’s summer vacation.

Correct Answer: Some Like It Hot

Which city is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Detroit
Chicago
Milwaukee
Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio, serves as the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, an institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of rock music. Opened in 1995, the museum is located on the shores of Lake Erie, and its iconic pyramid-shaped building, has become a symbol of Cleveland’s rich cultural history. The decision to establish the Hall of Fame in Cleveland stems from the city’s deep connection to rock and roll, particularly through the influential work of local disc jockey Alan Freed, who popularized the term “rock and roll” in the 1950s.

Correct Answer: Cleveland

Which of these animals can change sex from male to female?

Sea Turtle
Starfish
Clownfish
Earthworm

Certain animals can change sex from male to female, with one of the most well-known examples being clownfish. Clownfish are born male, but they have the ability to change to female if the dominant female in their group dies. This process, known as sequential hermaphroditism, allows the largest male in the group to transform into a female to maintain the social structure and ensure continued breeding within the group. Other species, such as some wrasses, parrotfish, and certain types of gobies, also exhibit similar sex-changing abilities.

Correct Answer: Clownfish

What is the brightest planet in our night sky?

Mars
Saturn
Venus
Mercury

Venus is the brightest planet in our night sky, outshining every other star and planet visible from Earth. Its brilliance is unmatched, regardless of whether it is at its closest or farthest point in its orbit around the Earth. Known as the “Evening Star” or “Morning Star” depending on its position relative to the Sun, Venus owes its dazzling glow to its thick, reflective atmosphere. Composed primarily of carbon dioxide and shrouded by clouds of sulfuric acid, this atmosphere reflects around 70% of the sunlight that hits it, making Venus the brightest planet in our night sky.

Correct Answer: Venus

Who is the longest-living president in U.S. history?

Harry S. Truman
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
George H.W. Bush

The longest-living president in U.S. history is Jimmy Carter, who turns 100 years old today. Born on October 1, 1924, Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. After leaving office, Carter dedicated much of his life to humanitarian work, particularly through the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982 to promote global peace, health, and human rights. Carter has outlived other long-lived presidents, including George H.W. Bush, who reached 94, and Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, both of whom lived to 93.

Correct Answer: Jimmy Carter

What TV show featured a streetwise informant named “Huggy Bear”?

Miami Vice
Kojak
CHiPs
Starsky & Hutch

The streetwise informant “Huggy Bear,” a character from the 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch, became an iconic figure in television history. Antonio Fargas, the actor who brought Huggy Bear to life, stated, “At the time, it was considered hip to have one or two black actors on your series, and I was lucky enough to be one of those.” Huggy’s distinct “urban” style of speaking has often been cited as an example of the stereotypical portrayal of black characters in that era. Yet, despite these criticisms, Huggy Bear remains a notable black character during a period when such representation was rare on television.

Correct Answer: Starsky & Hutch

Which former NFL quarterback revealed this week that he has Parkinson’s disease?

Dan Marino
Brett Favre
Terry Bradshaw
Joe Montana

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system that impairs movement and causes parts of the brain to deteriorate. A 2020 study revealed that even a single concussion can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s by 57%, with multiple concussions significantly heightening the risk. When asked about his own experience with concussions, Favre estimated that he may have sustained over 1,000 during his 20-season NFL career.

Correct Answer: Brett Favre

Which U.S. President weighed 350 lbs. on his inauguration day?

William Taft
Ulysses S. Grant
Grover Cleveland
Millard Fillmore

President William Howard Taft holds the unique distinction of being the heaviest U.S. president, weighing in at 354 pounds at the time of his inauguration. While “Big Bill” is the only person to have served as both President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, many people only remember the tale of him allegedly getting stuck in the White House bathtub. Yet, Taft’s legacy extends far beyond that. He was the first U.S. president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on baseball’s opening day and the first president whose funeral was broadcast on radio.

Correct Answer: William Taft

Which political strategist coined the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid”?

Answer: James Carville