Question 1: What phenomenon explains why we see the sky as blue during the day?
Question 2: The novel "Moby Dick" primarily takes place aboard what ship?
Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville, largely takes place on the whaling ship named The Pequod. Captain Ahab, who obsessively seeks revenge on the white whale Moby Dick, commands the ship.
Question 3: Who composed the famous four-note opening motif of the Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67?
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 is one of the most recognized compositions in classical music, first performed in 1808. The opening motif has sometimes been referred to as "Fate knocking at the door."
Question 4: In which Australian state is the city of Perth located?
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is the fourth largest city in the country. It is known for its beautiful beaches and abundant parkland.
Question 5: In Greek mythology, who was the hero that slew the Minotaur?
According to legend, Theseus volunteered to slay the Minotaur, a half-man half-bull monster that lived in a labyrinth on the island of Crete. He was able to navigate the maze and defeat the beast with the help of Princess Ariadne, who gave him a ball of thread to retrace his path.
Question 6: In which country would you find the ancient city of Petra?
Petra is a historical city famous for its rock-cut architecture, located in southern Jordan. It is believed to have been established as early as the 4th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Question 7: Why are many plants green?
Plants are green because they contain a pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.
Question 8: What philosophical theory holds that actions are morally right if they maximize overall happiness or well-being?
Utilitarianism was developed by philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. It is a form of consequentialism, which judges the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.
Question 9: If you found a Trilobite fossil, what period would it most likely be from?
Trilobites are marine arthropods that first appeared in the Early Cambrian period and thrived throughout the lower Paleozoic era before slowly declining and finally becoming extinct during the Permian period, about 252 million years ago.
Question 10: Which country is known for the traditional Maori haka dance?
The haka is a traditional war dance with roots in Maori culture. It is often performed by New Zealand's sports teams before games, particularly by the national rugby team, the All Blacks. The haka has various versions, intended for different occasions, including welcoming distinguished guests and acknowledging great achievements, occasions or funerals.
Rayleigh scattering occurs when molecules and small particles in the Earth's atmosphere scatter sunlight in different directions. Blue light is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves, which is why we see a blue sky most of the time.