Question 1: Who was the first human to journey into space?
Question 2: Why is MSG (monosodium glutamate) sometimes added to foods?
MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in many cuisines around the world. It imparts a savory, umami taste that intensifies the flavor of foods. While it is generally recognized as safe, some people report sensitivity to MSG.
Question 3: Which American sitcom was set in the fictional bar "Cheers"?
The sitcom "Cheers" ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993 and was set primarily in the fictional bar named "Cheers" in Boston, Massachusetts. The show followed the lives of the bar's owner and employees, as well as its regular patrons.
Question 4: In which country was the car manufacturer Volvo originally founded?
Volvo was founded in 1927 by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. Today, the brand is owned by the Chinese automotive company Geely.
Question 5: Why are bees important to agriculture?
Bees are critical pollinators for many fruit, nut, vegetable and seed crops. In fact, bees are responsible for pollinating about one-third of the food crops worldwide. Without bees, agricultural production would be significantly reduced.
Question 6: In which musical would you find the song 'Defying Gravity'?
Defying Gravity' is a popular song from the musical Wicked, which tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy's arrival. The song is performed by the characters Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North) at the end of Act 1.
Question 7: In which ancient Greek school of thought is happiness (eudaimonia) achieved through living a life of virtue?
Aristotelianism, founded by Greek philosopher Aristotle, posits that living a life of virtue and fulfilling one's potential leads to eudaimonia, or happiness. This was a central concept for the philosopher in his ethical teachings.
Question 8: What art movement was associated with the use of abstract forms and bold colors?
Fauvism was an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by the use of bold, non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms. The term "Fauvism" comes from the French word "fauve," meaning "wild beast," which was used by an art critic to describe the movement's bold and unconventional style.
Question 9: The 'Four Seasons' is a famous set of concertos written by which composer?
Antonio Vivaldi, an Italian Baroque composer, wrote the 'Four Seasons' (Le quattro stagioni) around 1723, which is among the most popular pieces in the classical music repertoire. Each concerto corresponds to a different season, and they were among the first examples of program music—music with a narrative element.
Question 10: What popular Australian dessert is made up of layers of sponge cake, chocolate coating, and coconut flakes?
Lamingtons are believed to have been created in the late 19th or early 20th century and are said to be named after Lord Lamington, who served as the Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901.
Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, made history on April 12, 1961, by becoming the first human to travel into space, orbiting Earth in the Vostok 1 spacecraft. His famous words upon lift-off, "Poyekhali!" mean "Let's go!" in Russian.