Question 1: How was the former South African president Nelson Mandela known for his role in ending what?
Question 2: In which year was the United Nations founded?
The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945 after World War II, with the aim of preventing future wars and ensuring international peace and security.
Question 3: What is the term for the gradual increase in the Earth's surface temperature, often associated with greenhouse gases?
Global warming refers to the long-term heating of Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.
Question 4: If I say "A Song of Ice and Fire", what series am I referring to?
"A Song of Ice and Fire" is the name of the book series written by George R. R. Martin, which has been famously adapted into the HBO TV series "Game of Thrones".
Question 5: The holiday of Diwali is most closely associated with which religion?
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major holiday in Hinduism and is celebrated as a festival of lights marking the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is also recognized in Jainism, Sikhism, and some sects of Buddhism.
Question 6: Who is known as the "father of modern geology"?
James Hutton, a Scottish geologist, is often referred to as the "father of modern geology". His work in the 18th century helped to establish geology as a proper science. His most notable contributions were in the theory of the Earth's formation and the concept of "deep time".
Question 7: Where is the Large Hadron Collider located?
The Large Hadron Collider is a particle physics facility located at CERN, near Geneva, Switzerland. It's the world's largest and highest-energy particle collider.
Question 8: Where is the hottest place on Earth recorded?
On July 10, 1913, Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, USA, recorded the highest air temperature ever at 56.7°C (134°F).
Question 9: The concept of Zero was first used by which civilization?
The concept of zero, both as a placeholder and as a symbol for nothing, is a central idea for the mathematics we use today. This concept was first used by ancient Indian mathematicians around the 5th century A.D.
Question 10: In the Christian tradition, who is the patron saint of travelers?
Saint Christopher, although not officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, is traditionally regarded as the patron saint of travelers, offering them protection during their journeys.
Nelson Mandela, after his release from 27 years of imprisonment, played a significant role in ending apartheid, an institutionalized system of racial segregation in South Africa. He went on to become the country's first black president.