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About This Quiz
Do you take pride in your overall general knowledge? Sadly, in these modern times, not many people do anymore. It's easier to Google something you don't know the answer to. And when you get that answer the easy way, it certainly does not stick in your memory.
But what is general knowledge exactly? Well, in a nutshell, the name gives it away. It's about having a broad understanding of a range of subjects. But there is slightly more than that. Why? Well, it's not just about subjects in your frame of reference. It includes topics that you might not deal with daily, things like history, science, geography. It's not just about knowing what the current number one the Billboard chart is because you heard it yesterday.
And it includes a range of time frames as well. General knowledge is not only in the present, but it's also about the past and even future. So if you love general knowledge, then this relatively easy little quiz will be right up your alley. What's more, a general knowledge fiend like you will probably complete the whole thing in a flash.
Before you are 35 questions about a range of subjects including wars, US presidents, singers, countries, cities, geographic features, states, and more.
Good luck!
Can you name the British monarch during the American War of Independence?
King George III
George III was the King of England from 1760 until 1820, and reigned during the American War of Independence, which was ultimately fought over a lack of representation of the British American Colonies while still having to pay substantial taxes.
Queen Victoria
Queen Elizabeth II
King Henry VIII
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You've heard the expression "oy vey," but where does it come from?
Italian
Yiddish
A phrase expressing exasperation or dismay, "oy vey" is a Yiddish phrase. Its English equivalent is "Woe is me!" The Yiddish language originated in Central Europe around the 9th Century.
Spanish
Portuguese
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Hard Rock Cafe is a franchise found all over the world. Where was the first one opened?
New York City
Los Angeles
London
Believe it or not, the first Hard Rock Cafe was opened in Piccadilly Circus in London in 1971. Today there are 185 outlets around the world, as well as 25 hotels and 12 casinos.
Dallas
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In the book "The Hobbit," Smaug is what kind of mythical creature?
Dragon
In "The Hobbit," Smaug is a fearful dragon that had amassed massive wealth, mostly from the dwarves who wanted it back.
Unicorn
Orc
Ringwraith
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Can you name this speedy flightless bird from Africa?
Chicken
Ostrich
The Ostrich is a large flightless bird found in Southern Africa. They are easily recognized by their long necks, but it is their long legs that help them run up to 43 mph. This makes them the fastest bird on land on our planet.
Kiwi
Dodo
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In Spanish, what type of natural phenomena is known as an "Arco iris"?
Rainbow
There is nothing as beautiful as a rainbow is there? In the Spanish language, this natural phenomenon is known as an "arco iris".
Hailstorm
Aurora Borealis
None of the above
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Can you name the English soccer team that plays home matches at Old Trafford?
Liverpool
Arsenal
Manchester United
Originally known as Newton Heath, Manchester United is one of the most successful soccer teams in the world. They have been crowned English champions on 20 occasions, as well as having won the European Cup 3 times. Their home stadium is Old Trafford.
Chelsea
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Who did Prince Charles marry in 1981?
Diana Spencer
Lady Diana Spencer was just 20 years old when she married Prince Charles of the House of Windsor. She went on to capture the hearts of the British and world public thanks to her humanitarian work.
Wallis Simpson
Grace Kelly
Sarah Ferguson
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Do you know which European city is known as the "City of Light"?
London
Paris
Paris is named La Ville Lumière or the "City of Lights" mainly because it was one of the first major European cities to use gas-powered street lamps to illuminate its boulevards and monuments.
Berlin
Vienna
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Where was Che Guevara, the Marxist revolutionary, born?
Cuba
Brazil
Argentina
Ernesto "Che" Guevara was born in Argentina in 1928. He played a prominent role in the Cuban Revolution that saw Fidel Castro rise to power. Guevara died in Bolivia in 1968 after he was executed for trying to incite a revolution in the country.
Colombia
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What was the nickname of the American fighter jet that was the first to be able to escort bombers to Berlin in World War II?
Spitfire
Hurricane
Flying Fortress
Mustang
The North American P-51 Mustang was one of the greatest fighter planes of World War II. With its ability to reach all the way to Berlin from bases in England, it provided air cover for American bombers pounding strategic German targets during the day.
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What is the name of the picturesque mountain that overlooks the city of Cape Town in South Africa?
Sugarloaf Mountain
Table Mountain
The city of Cape Town is built in the shadow of Table Mountain. Although the mountain is not high, a little over 1,000 meters, it has a very flat section, and that is how it received its name.
The Alps
None of the above
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Which event did President Franklin Roosevelt call "a day that will live in infamy"?
The attack on Pearl Harbor
By attacking the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Japan brought the United States into World War II. President Roosevelt called the event "a day that will live in infamy."
The assassination of John F Kennedy
9/11
None of the above
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Which is the only tennis major played on a clay surface?
Australian Open
Wimbledon
French Open
The French Open was played for the first time in 1891. Today it is the world's premier clay court tournament. Wimbledon is played on grass, while the Australian and US Opens are played on hard courts.
US Open
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Who won the Oscar for Best Director in 1999?
James Cameron
Peter Jackson
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg won the Best Director Oscar in 1999 for the war movie "Saving Private Ryan." This dramatic film was about brotherhood in tough times.
Terrence Malick
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What is the currency used in India?
Kronen
Tugrik
Rupee
The rupee is named after a coin from the 16th century. Called the Rupiya, this silver coin was issued by Sultan Sher Shah Suri.
Rand
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Where was Lyndon B. Johnson sworn in as president after John F. Kennedy was assassinated?
In Dallas
In Washington
In New York
Onboard Air Force One
After Kennedy was declared dead, his body was flown back to Washington D.C. along with his wife, Jackie, as well as all the presidential staff. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president on this flight.
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Regarding the medical profession, what does GP stand for?
General Patient Care
Grand Practitioner
General Practitioner
One type of medical doctor is the general practitioner. These are often family doctors, not specialists.
None of the above
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Name the rock band that featured John Bonham on drums and Jimmy Paige on guitar?
The Byrds
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Led Zeppelin
Formed in London in 1968, Led Zeppelin went on to become one of the biggest rock groups in the world, with their fame driven by songs like 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Kashmir.' The band came to an end in 1980 when drummer John Bonham died, although a few reunion shows have taken place.
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The closest planet to the sun is _______
Mercury
The smallest planet in the solar system, Mercury has it rough! Night temperatures can reach as low as −173 °C while daytime temperatures sore to 427 °C. Mercury takes 87 days to go around the sun.
Earth
Venus
Mars
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Which country funded the explorations of Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus?
Portugal
Although he approached the Spanish monarchy to fund his proposed expedition travelling west, they would not. Portugal, on the other hand, agreed to help Columbus, funding his voyages.
Spain
Great Britain
France
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Can you name the U.S. state with the motto "Live Free or Die"?
Texas
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of the 13 original states to sign the Declaration of Independence and the first to establish an independent government from Great Britain. That might explain the "Live Free or Die" state motto!
Kansas
California
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Who was the American President during the first Gulf War?
Bill Clinton
George H. Bush
George Bush, Sr was the U.S. president who ordered the invasion of Iraq in 1990. It was divided in two phases. The first saw a build-up of troops to encourage Iraq to leave Kuwait, which they had invaded earlier. Afterwards, coalition forces invaded Iraq.
George W. Bush
Ronald Reagan
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Do you know how many signs of the Zodiac there are?
22
16
4
12
There are 12 signs of the zodiac. They are Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
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What was the name of singing cowboy Roy Rogers' horse?
Trigger
Trigger was the ride of singing Cowboy Roy Rogers and appeared alongside him on the silver screen. Originally named Golden Cloud, Trigger could perform to over 150 trick cues and could even walk on his hind legs for great distances.
Reliable
Faithful
Boy
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How many engines does a Boeing 747 have?
1
2
4
The Boeing 747 or "Jumbo Jet" was one of the first big commercial airliner. The 747 first entered service in 1970 and is capable of carrying up to 660 passengers depending on the layout chosen. Over 1,500 have been built.
None of the above
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Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Raphael
Rembrandt
Picasso
Da Vinci
One of the most famous paintings in the world, Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci between 1503 and 1506. It is now housed at the Lourve in Paris.
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In what year did World War I start?
1918
1939
1914
World War I started officially on July 29, 1914. This was the result of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
1913
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Can you name the lead singer for the rock band, Guns 'n Roses?
Axl Rose
William Bruce Bailey, or Axl Rose as we know him, is the lead singer of the rock band Guns 'n Roses. Rose formed this band in 1985. Their first album, Appetite for Destruction, sold 30 million albums.
Slash
Duff McKagan
Brian Johnson
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The Persian word "naan" means what in the West?
Flour
Bread
The Persian word "naan" means bread. And we see that when we order from our local Indian restaurant. They have a bread called "naan" as well. So does that mean we are eating bread bread?
Rock
Salt
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How many states in the United States?
37
24
50
The United States consists of 50 states. These include New York, California and Texas to name a few. The last two states to be named were Hawaii and Alaska in the late 1950's.
49
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What is the largest city in the United States of America?
Dallas
New York
New York has a population of 8.5 million people. It is more than double the size of Los Angeles. Of course, it is popularly known as the "Big Apple."
Los Angeles
Washington
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Do you know which of these explorers discovered the South Pole?
Roald Amundsen
Roald Amundsen and four others discovered the South Pole on December 14, 1911. This was five weeks before Robert Falcon Scott and his expedition, who were also trying to reach the pole. Scott and his men died on the return journey.
David Livingstone
Hernan Cortes
Edmund Hillary
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Can you name the second largest desert in Africa after the Sahara?
Gobi
Kalahari
The Kalahari desert is the second largest on the African continent and covers an area of 350,000 square miles. The name Kalahari means "a waterless place" in the Tswana language.
Mojave
Arabian
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Where does the cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants work?
In a pineapple
At the Chum Bucket
At the Krusty Krab
Spongebob Squarepants is a cartoon from the 1990s that appeared on the children's TV channel Nickelodeon. He works for Mr. Krabs at a takeaway joint, the Krusty Krab where he is a fry cook.
None of the above
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You Got:
/35
