Question 1: What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Question 2: Which country has the oldest continuous democracy?
Iceland is home to the Althing, established in 930 AD, which is often regarded as the world's oldest parliament and hence represents the oldest continuous democracy.
Question 3: Where did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occur?
The Chernobyl disaster happened on April 26, 1986, in the Ukrainian SSR, which was then part of the Soviet Union. The disaster is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history and is one of only two nuclear energy accidents rated at a maximum severity on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
Question 4: Which crop is known as the staple food for more than half of the world's population?
Rice is a critical food crop and is the primary dietary staple for more than half of the world's population, especially in Asia. It's not only vital for nutrition but also for economy, as many countries heavily rely on rice agriculture for employment and revenue.
Question 5: Which religious figure is celebrated in Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, is the central figure in Buddhism. His teachings serve as the foundation of the Buddhist religion, and his life story from privileged prince to enlightened teacher has inspired countless followers over the centuries. Gautama Buddha is believed to have lived and taught mostly in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.
Question 6: What team won the first Super Bowl?
The Green Bay Packers, coached by Vince Lombardi, won the first Super Bowl (Super Bowl I) on January 15, 1967, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 35-10. The game was originally called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game.
Question 7: The musical "Les Misérables" is based on a novel by which author?
"Les Misérables" is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. The musical premiered in Paris in 1980, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel.
Question 8: In which modern country were the ruins of the ancient city of Troy discovered?
The ancient city of Troy, famous for the Trojan War as described in Homer's epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, was discovered in the 19th century by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. Its ruins are located in what is now northwestern Turkey.
Question 9: In what year was the periodic table invented?
The periodic table was developed by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869. It organized elements by atomic mass, which surprisingly led to the correct order that reflected their properties, highlighting the periodic trends. His table also predicted the existence of elements that had not yet been discovered.
Question 10: Where was the black box flight recorder invented?
The black box flight recorder was invented by Dr. David Warren in Australia in the 1950s, significantly improving the investigation of aviation accidents and the safety of air travel. It's now mandatory for commercial aircraft to be equipped with them.
The chemical symbol for gold, Au, comes from the Latin word for gold, "aurum." Gold has been highly sought-after for centuries, not only for its beauty but also for its resistance to corrosion and conductivity. It is commonly used in jewelry, electronics, and as an investment commodity.