Question 1: What ancient civilization built the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
Question 2: When was the ancient city of Pompeii destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius?
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under volcanic ash and pumice. The site was lost for about 1,500 years until its initial rediscovery in 1599. Systematic excavations began around 1750.
Question 3: Why did Albert Einstein win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921?
Although Einstein is best known for his theory of relativity, he won the Nobel Prize for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which laid the foundation for the development of quantum mechanics.
Question 4: How many moons does Jupiter have?
Jupiter has 79 known moons as of 2019. This includes the four large Galilean moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto - which were discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610.
Question 5: How many known species of orchids exist in the world?
Orchids are one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and have adapted to a wide range of habitats.
Question 6: If you were attending a potlatch, which indigenous people's ceremony would you be participating in?
Potlatches are gift-giving feasts practiced by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States, such as the Kwakwaka'wakw, Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, and others. The feasts are held on various occasions to confer status and rank upon individuals, kin groups and clans.
Question 7: What was the name of the sea witch in Disney's "The Little Mermaid"?
Ursula is a villainous sea witch who tricks Ariel into trading her voice for human legs in an attempt to sabotage Ariel's chances with Prince Eric. Ursula was voiced by Pat Carroll in the 1989 animated film.
Question 8: Who designed the famous Guggenheim Museum in New York City?
Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to design the Guggenheim Museum in 1943. It took 16 years to complete and is considered one of the 20th century's most important architectural landmarks. The museum's unique spiral design allows visitors to easily view the artwork within.
Question 9: If a person experiences an intense fear of being in enclosed spaces, what phobia are they likely suffering from?
Claustrophobia comes from the Latin word "claustrum" meaning "a shut in place," and the Greek word "phobos" meaning "fear". It is estimated to affect between 5-7% of the world population. Exposure therapy is one of the main treatments for claustrophobia.
Question 10: Why did Henry Ford choose the letter "T" for his famous Model T automobile?
Henry Ford produced a series of automobiles, each one designated by a letter, starting with Model A in 1903, and progressing through Model S in 1908 before launching the famous Model T in 1908. The Model T went on to become one of the best-selling vehicles of all time.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built around 600 BCE by King Nebuchadnezzar II as a gift to his wife Amytis. They were said to have been a remarkable feat of engineering with an ascending series of tiered gardens.