Riddles With Answers

Who holds the title of the longest-running U.S. female game show host in television history?

Betty White
Jane Lynch
Meredith Vieira
Anne Robinson

Fact: Meredith Vieira holds the distinction of being the longest-running female game show host in U.S. television history, thanks to her 11-year tenure as the host of the syndicated version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from 2002 to 2013. Over the course of more than 1,800 episodes, Vieira became a familiar and trusted figure for millions of viewers, guiding contestants through the show’s tense, high-stakes format. Her work earned her two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host, solidifying her place in television history.

Correct Answer: Meredith Vieira

The mathematical sequence “0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…” is named after which mathematician?

Pythagoras
Fibonacci
Euclid
Archimedes

Fact: The sequence “0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…” is known as the Fibonacci sequence, named after Leonardo of Pisa—better known as Fibonacci—who introduced it to Europe in 1202. In this sequence, each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers, creating a pattern that shows up everywhere in nature, from the spirals of pinecones and seashells to the arrangement of flower petals and galaxies. Today, the Fibonacci sequence remains a cornerstone in mathematics and computer science and is even applied by analysts seeking patterns in financial markets.

Correct Answer: Fibonacci

The Great Pyramid of Giza was built as a tomb for what pharaoh?

Khufu
Nefertiti
Ramses II
Tutankhamun

Fact: The Great Pyramid of Giza, completed around 2560 BCE, was constructed as the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu. Originally standing at 481 feet tall and composed of over 2.3 million limestone and granite blocks, it held the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. Built during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, the pyramid is the largest and most iconic of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau. The precision of its construction, with sides aligned almost perfectly to the cardinal directions, continues to astonish historians.

Correct Answer: Khufu

What invention was initially intended to serve as wallpaper?

Kevlar
AstroTurf
Bubble Wrap
Aluminum Foil

Fact: Bubble Wrap, now famous for protecting fragile items (and for being a stress-relieving toy to pop), was originally invented in 1957 by Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes as a type of textured wallpaper. The inventors sealed two shower curtains together, trapping air bubbles between them to create a padded, futuristic wall covering. As you might guess, it didn’t catch on. However, the material’s potential was soon realized when it proved to be an ideal solution for protecting fragile items, ultimately evolving into the iconic Bubble Wrap we know today.

Correct Answer: Bubble Wrap

Which company trademarked the color “Pullman Brown”?

M&M’s 6M’s
UPS
Hershey’s
Dunkin’

Fact: UPS, the package delivery company, trademarked the color “Pullman Brown” for its vehicles and uniforms. M&M’s uses various colors for its candy shells, but “Pullman Brown” is not specifically associated with M&M’s. Hershey’s is known for its chocolate products but not for trademarking “Pullman Brown.” Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) uses pink and orange as its primary brand colors, not “Pullman Brown.” Therefore, among the options provided, only UPS has trademarked the color “Pullman Brown” for its branding.

Correct Answer: UPS

What is the world’s record for the longest time someone has held their breath underwater?

9 minutes 18 seconds
17 minutes 23 seconds
24 minutes 37 seconds
34 minutes 7 seconds

Fact: The world record for the longest breath held underwater is a staggering 24 minutes and 36 seconds, achieved by Budimir Šobat of Croatia in 2021. This feat was made possible through extensive training and the use of pure oxygen prior to submersion, which allows the body to store and utilize significantly more oxygen than under normal conditions. To prepare, Šobat, then 56 years old, trained six days a week for three years, honing both his physical endurance and mental focus. His performance surpassed the previous record by 34 seconds.

Correct Answer: 24 minutes 37 seconds

Which popular singer wrote and performed the soundtrack for Disney’s 1999 film Tarzan?

Sting
Elton John
Bryan Adams
Phil Collins

Fact: Phil Collins, former drummer and lead singer of Genesis, wrote and performed the songs for Disney’s Tarzan. The soundtrack included hits like “You’ll Be in My Heart,” which earned both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. While Disney had previously enlisted popular artists—like Elton John, who wrote the songs for The Lion King (1994)—Collins took a more immersive approach by performing most of the songs himself. In doing so, his voice served as a musical narrator, giving Tarzan a distinctive tone and cohesive rhythm.

Correct Answer: Phil Collins

The tunnel that connects New York City and New Jersey, is named after which president?

George Washington
John F. Kennedy
Abraham Lincoln
Herbert Hoover

Fact: The Lincoln Tunnel, named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, is a critical transportation link connecting midtown Manhattan in New York City with Weehawken, New Jersey, beneath the Hudson River. Spanning approximately 1.5 miles, the tunnel was designed to alleviate congestion and provide a direct route for vehicles traveling between the two states. Construction began in the 1930s, with the first tube opening in 1937. Eventually expanded to three tubes to accommodate increasing traffic, the tunnel remains one of the busiest vehicular tunnels in the world.

Correct Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Which major airline began its operations in 1925 as a crop-dusting service?

American Airlines
United Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Southwest Airlines

Fact: Delta Air Lines traces its roots back to 1925 when it was founded as Huff Daland Dusters, an agricultural operation based in Macon, Georgia. Its primary mission was to dust crops with pesticides to fight the boll weevil, a pest devastating Southern cotton farms. This crop-dusting company eventually expanded into passenger services and adopted the name Delta, referencing the Mississippi Delta region. Over the decades, Delta transformed from a small agricultural outfit into one of the largest and most recognizable commercial airlines in the world.

Correct Answer: Delta Air Lines

The brother of which famous actor scored a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1980s?

Sylvester Stallone
John Travolta
Don Johnson
John Belushi

Fact: In 1985, Frank Stallone, the brother of actor Sylvester Stallone—achieved Billboard success with the song “Far from Over,” which peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100 chart. The track was featured in the soundtrack for the film Staying Alive, the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, which was directed by Sylvester Stallone. The song was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and became a defining track of the 1980s. While Frank never achieved the same level of fame as his brother, the hit showcased his talent as a singer and songwriter and remains a piece of pop culture history

Correct Answer: Sylvester Stallone