Question 1: What term describes a government system where power is constitutionally divided between a central authority and constituent political units?
Question 2: How long did the 100 Years' War between England and France actually last?
Despite its name, the 100 Years' War actually lasted 116 years, from 1337 to 1453. It was a series of conflicts between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France for control of the French throne.
Question 3: Why are human nails on fingers and toes made of keratin?
Keratin is a strong, fibrous protein that is also the main structural component of hair and the outer layer of skin. It makes nails hard and resistant to damage from daily wear and tear.
Question 4: Which type of rock is formed from cooled lava or magma?
Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. The word "igneous" comes from the Latin word "ignis" meaning fire.
Question 5: How many fingers does Mickey Mouse have on each hand?
Walt Disney said he chose four fingers for Mickey Mouse because "five fingers looked like too much on such a little figure." Most Disney characters, including Mickey's friends Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy, all have four fingers on each hand.
Question 6: Where is the largest known star located in the Milky Way?
The star UY Scuti, located in the constellation Scutum, is currently considered the largest known star in the Milky Way galaxy. It has a radius over 1,700 times larger than our Sun. If placed at the center of our solar system, its surface would extend beyond the orbit of Jupiter.
Question 7: What was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II?
The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Overlord, took place on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It was the largest seaborne invasion in history, with nearly 5,000 landing and assault craft, 289 escort vessels, and 277 minesweepers participating.
Question 8: How old are the paintings in the Lascaux Cave in France estimated to be?
The Lascaux Cave, located in southwestern France, contains some of the most well-known Upper Paleolithic cave paintings. They primarily consist of images of large animals that are known from fossil evidence to have lived in the area at the time. The cave was discovered in 1940 by a teenager named Marcel Ravidat.
Question 9: What was the name of the monster that guarded the entrance to the Underworld in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology, Cerberus was a multi-headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld, preventing the dead from leaving. He was known as the "hound of Hades".
Question 10: Why did Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night" get its name?
In Elizabethan England, the Twelfth Night marked the end of a winter festival that started on All Hallows Eve. Shakespeare's play was meant to be entertainment for this special occasion.
Federalism divides power between multiple levels of government - a central government and regional governments. Examples of countries with federal political systems include the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.