Question 1: Which instrument is used to measure wind speed?
Question 2: Which composer is known for his series of 9 symphonies, the last of which features the famous "Ode to Joy"?
Beethoven's 9th Symphony, completed in 1824, is one of his most celebrated works. Its final movement features a choral setting of Friedrich Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy", which has become one of the most recognizable melodies in classical music. The symphony is seen as a pivotal work bridging the Classical and Romantic eras.
Question 3: Why are pumpkins associated with Halloween?
The association of pumpkins with Halloween originates from an Irish myth about a man named "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Jack tricked the Devil, and as a result, Jack was cursed to wander the earth with only a carved-out turnip and a lump of burning coal to light his way. Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America, replacing the turnips with pumpkins, which were native to the region.
Question 4: Which holiday, celebrated primarily in Mexico, is dedicated to honoring deceased loved ones?
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember deceased loved ones, helping to support their spiritual journey. Traditions include building altars, decorating graves, and offering food, drinks, and possessions the dead enjoyed in life.
Question 5: When is the Lunar New Year typically celebrated in many Asian countries?
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is celebrated in many Asian countries on the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice, which usually falls in late January or early February. The exact date varies from year to year based on the lunar calendar.
Question 6: Where was the Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach born?
Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 31, 1685, in Eisenach, a town in the Duchy of Saxe-Eisenach, in the modern-day German state of Thuringia. He came from a renowned musical family and went on to become one of the most influential composers of the Baroque era.
Question 7: What is the name of the fictional haunted house in the musical The Phantom of the Opera?
The Phantom of the Opera is set in the Paris Opera House, a real opera house in Paris, France. In the musical, the Paris Opera House is haunted by the mysterious figure known as "The Phantom" who resides in the catacombs beneath the building.
Question 8: Which American author wrote the novel "The Great Gatsby"?
F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby" is considered a classic of American literature, depicting the Jazz Age and exploring themes of decadence, idealism, and social upheaval. The novel has been adapted into several films, most notably the 1974 version starring Robert Redford and the 2013 version directed by Baz Luhrmann.
Question 9: Where was the first electronic general-purpose digital computer invented?
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the first electronic general-purpose digital computer, was invented by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. It was completed in 1945 and was used to calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory.
Question 10: Where was the philosopher Socrates from?
Socrates, one of the founders of Western philosophy, was born in Athens around 470 BC. He is known for his method of questioning, the Socratic method, which laid the groundwork for Western systems of logic and philosophy.
An anemometer is a device used for measuring wind speed and direction. It is commonly used in meteorology and can help forecast weather conditions.