Question 1: What architectural style is characterized by flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and large stained-glass windows?
Question 2: The first computer virus to widely affect personal computers was called what?
The Brain virus was the first computer virus for MS-DOS personal computers, appearing in 1986. It was created by two Pakistani brothers and was designed to infect the boot sector of floppy disks. The virus did relatively little damage and was meant to be a sort of copyright protection.
Question 3: What is the real name of the superhero character Superman?
Superman, created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938. His real name is Kal-El, and he hails from the planet Krypton. The name Superman is his Earth-based alias.
Question 4: What unit is used to measure electric resistance?
The ohm is named after Georg Simon Ohm, a German physicist who contributed to the field of electrodynamics with his formulation of Ohm's law, which relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in a simple equation: V=IR.
Question 5: When is the Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah, usually celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days or "Days of Awe" and is observed on the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which falls during September or October. It’s a time for prayer and reflection, and customs include the sounding of the shofar (a ram's horn) and eating sweet foods for a sweet new year.
Question 6: Which movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1950?
"All the King's Men" is a political drama film that centers around the rise and fall of a corrupt politician, Willie Stark. It is based on the 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Robert Penn Warren.
Question 7: What is the real name of the superhero known as "Iron Man"?
Iron Man, also known as Tony Stark, was first introduced by Marvel Comics in "Tales of Suspense" #39 in 1963. Created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. Iron Man's alter ego, Tony Stark, is a wealthy industrialist and genius inventor who created a powered suit of armor to save his life and escape captivity.
Question 8: What term describes the relationship between two different kinds of organisms when both benefit from the association?
Mutualism is a form of symbiosis where both organisms involved benefit from the relationship. Examples of mutualism include bees pollinating flowers while collecting nectar, and clownfish living among anemone's tentacles, gaining protection from predators while the anemone feeds on the waste produced by the fish.
Question 9: What is the longest-running Broadway show of all time?
"The Phantom of the Opera" premiered on Broadway in 1988 and has performed well over 10,000 shows. It surpasses "Cats," which had 7,485 performances during its original run.
Question 10: Who is the messenger of the gods in Roman mythology?
Mercury is the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Hermes. Known for his speed, he was often depicted with winged sandals. Mercury was also the god of trade, profit, and commerce.
Gothic architecture originated in the 12th century in France and is most commonly associated with cathedrals and other religious buildings. It was designed to be light and airy, an ethereal contrast to the heavier Romanesque style that preceded it. Notable examples include Notre-Dame de Paris and Chartres Cathedral.