Question 1: Which language has the most native speakers worldwide?
Question 2: Where would an object weigh the least: on the equator, at the North Pole, or at the South Pole?
An object would weigh the least at the equator due to the Earth's rotation. The centrifugal force is greatest at the equator, which counteracts some of the force of gravity, thus reducing the effective weight of the object. The effect is less pronounced at the poles where the centrifugal force is minimal.
Question 3: Where does the legendary character Robin Hood traditionally reside?
In English folklore, Robin Hood is an outlaw who, with his band of Merry Men, resides in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. From there, he famously robs from the rich to give to the poor.
Question 4: Why is the Leaning Tower of Pisa leaning?
The ground underneath the Leaning Tower of Pisa started to compress almost immediately after construction began in 1173, causing the foundation to tilt. The builders tried to compensate by making the tower's columns and arches taller on one side, but it still leans to this day.
Question 5: What instrument is commonly associated with traditional Australian music?
The didgeridoo, which is also known as the yidaki in indigenous languages, is an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument made from hollowed-out wooden branches or bamboo. It dates back more than a thousand years and has held a central role in Aboriginal music and culture.
Question 6: Who discovered the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun?
British archaeologist Howard Carter, sponsored by Lord Carnarvon, discovered the nearly intact tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, in 1922. It is widely considered to be one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
Question 7: In what decade did the miniskirt first become a popular fashion item?
The miniskirt first became popular during the 1960s, thanks to fashion designer Mary Quant, who named the skirt after her favorite make of car, the Mini. It became a symbol of the youthful and revolutionary spirit of the decade.
Question 8: Where was the sitcom "Cheers" primarily set?
The iconic TV show Cheers ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was set in a bar called "Cheers" in Boston, Massachusetts. The exterior shots of the bar were actually of the Bull & Finch Pub, located at 84 Beacon Street.
Question 9: What is the study of fungi called?
Mycology is the branch of biology that studies fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy, and their use to humans, including as a source for medicine, food, and entheogens. While related to plants, fungi are classified in their own separate kingdom.
Question 10: Which legendary creature is associated with the town of Sleepy Hollow?
The Headless Horseman is a spectral figure from the short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. The tale, set in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, New York, in the 1790s, tells of the headless ghost of a Hessian trooper who haunts the area.
Mandarin Chinese, with over a billion native speakers, holds the top position for the language with the most native speakers worldwide. This is largely due to the huge population of mainland China where Mandarin is predominantly spoken.