Riddles With Answers

Who was the first person to travel into outer space?

John Glenn
Alan Shepard
Buzz Aldrin
Yuri Gagarin

Fact: On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history as the first human to journey into outer space. His historic 108-minute flight aboard Vostok 1 marked a major milestone in the Space Race, completing one full orbit around Earth at an altitude of about 187 miles. His iconic exclamation “Poyekhali!”—meaning “Let’s go!” in Russian—became a lasting symbol of human exploration. Gagarin was given a triumphant hero’s welcome upon his return to Earth. Monuments constructed in his honor can still be found throughout Russia.

Correct Answer: Yuri Gagarin

Who served as George Washington’s Vice President?

John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton

Fact: John Adams served as the first Vice President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 under President George Washington. Although Adams was a prominent Founding Father and a key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence, he found the vice presidency frustrating and largely ceremonial—famously calling it “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived.” His invaluable political experience, however, ultimately positioned him to become the nation’s second president after Washington’s retirement.

Correct Answer: John Adams

A feather and hammer were dropped on the moon to honor which scientist?

Isaac Newton
Galileo Galilei
Albert Einstein
Johannes Kepler

Fact: According to legend, Galileo Galilei once dropped two objects of different masses from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to show that gravity pulls all objects downward at the same rate, regardless of weight. More than three centuries later, in 1971, Apollo 15 astronaut David Scott reenacted this idea on the Moon. In the airless lunar environment—free of atmospheric drag—he dropped a hammer and a feather side by side, and they struck the surface simultaneously. The simple yet powerful demonstration paid tribute to Galileo’s groundbreaking insight that, in a vacuum, all objects fall at the same speed no matter their mass.

Correct Answer: Galileo Galilei

Who established Black Maria, the world’s first motion picture studio?

Walt Disney
Thomas Edison
Charlie Chaplin
Louis B. Mayer

Fact: In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison invented a motion picture camera called the Kinetoscope. Naturally, he needed a place to film, so he built a studio, now considered the world’s first movie studio, behind his West Orange, New Jersey laboratory. Edison named it Black Maria after the police wagons of the era, since its dark tar paper exterior gave it a similar look. Ingeniously designed, the building featured a retractable roof and was mounted on a rotating platform so it could follow the sun and capture the best possible natural light for filming.

Correct Answer: Thomas Edison

Which classic duo first performed under the name “Tom & Jerry”?

Siegfried & Roy
Simon & Garfunkel
Hall & Oates
Penn & Teller

Fact: Long before becoming the legendary folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel performed under the name Tom & Jerry in the 1950s. As ambitious teenagers growing up in Queens, New York, they recorded their first single, “Hey Schoolgirl,” in 1957, which became a modest hit and even earned them an appearance on American Bandstand. Years later, they reinvented themselves with their real names, finding massive international success with timeless hits like “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Boxer,” and “Mrs. Robinson.”

Correct Answer: Simon & Garfunkel

Who played The Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film adaptation of “Tommy”?

David Bowie
Elton John
Freddie Mercury
Mick Jagger

Fact: In Ken Russell’s 1975 film adaptation of Tommy, based on The Who’s groundbreaking rock opera, Elton John famously played the role of the “Pinball Wizard.” Wearing towering boots and oversized glasses, John’s energetic performance of the song “Pinball Wizard” became one of the movie’s most iconic moments. The film featured numerous legendary rock stars in memorable cameo roles, but Elton John’s electric charisma and theatrical flair perfectly captured the spirit of the era, cementing his place in rock and film history.

Correct Answer: Elton John

Which U.S. state’s three largest cities all start with the letter “C”?

Ohio
South Carolina
West Virginia
New Hampshire

Fact: Ohio holds the unique distinction of having its three largest cities—Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati—all start with the same letter “C.” Together, these cities form the cultural, economic, and geographic backbone of the state, each representing a distinct region and character: Columbus in the heart of central Ohio, Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie in the northeast, and Cincinnati along the Ohio River in the southwest. No other state’s top three cities share the same initial, making this an unusually interesting and memorable coincidence in U.S. geography.

Correct Answer: Ohio

What does the festival of Diwali celebrate?

A The beginning of summer
B The triumph of good over evil
C The harvest season

Fact: Diwali, a significant Hindu festival, celebrates the triumph of good over evil, symbolised by Prince Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. This theme is central to the festival’s significance in conveying hope and prosperity.

Correct Answer: The triumph of good over evil

What are diyas used for during Diwali?

A As symbols of light overcoming darkness
B To cook traditional sweets
C To tell fortunes

Fact: Diyas are small oil lamps integral to Diwali celebrations, symbolising the victory of light over darkness. Their glowing flames represent hope and new beginnings, aligning with the festival’s deeper meanings.

Correct Answer: As symbols of light overcoming darkness

Which goddess is commonly worshipped during Diwali for wealth and well-being?

A Lakshmi
B Saraswati
C Durga

Fact: During Diwali, the goddess Lakshmi is revered, as she embodies wealth and well-being. Her worship is integral to the festival, with families seeking her blessings for prosperity in the coming year.

Correct Answer: Lakshmi