The world’s famous Madame Tussaud’s museum is situated in:
- (A) Paris, France
- (B) London, UK
- (C) Rome, Italy
- (D) New York, USA
- (B) London, UK
Madame Tussaud’s, the wax museum we all know, was started by this French artist, Marie Tussaud. She picked up wax modeling while living in Paris. Later, she moved to London and opened her first real museum there in 1835. So, London is the main spot, even though you can see Madame Tussaud’s in other places now, too.
The world’s oldest parliament, founded in the year 1930 AD, is:
- (A) British Parliament
- (B) Diet of Japan
- (C) Althing of Iceland
- (D) Cortes of Spain
- (C) Althing of Iceland
The Althing (or Alþingi) is known as the oldest parliament still around. It started way back in 930 AD at Þingvellir (Thingvellir) in Iceland’s southwest. It began as a gathering where Viking leaders got together to sort out arguments and make rules. It was basically the Icelandic Commonwealth’s law-making body. It was stopped for a bit in 1800 but got going again in 1844. Now, it still works as Iceland’s parliament in Reykjavík.
The last King of Afghanistan was:
- (A) Habibullah Khan
- (B) Muhammad Zahir Shah
- (C) Sardar Daud Khan
- (D) Amanullah Khan
- (B) Muhammad Zahir Shah
Muhammad Zahir Shah was the last King of Afghanistan. He ruled from November 8, 1933, until his cousin, Sardar Daud Khan, took over in a coup on July 17, 1973. Before the monarchy ended, Zahir Shah ruled Afghanistan for 40 years, which was the longest time for any ruler there, and things were pretty stable then.
“Ornithology” is the study of:
- (A) Birds
- (B) Insects
- (C) Sea Animals
- (D) Sea Plants
- (A) Birds
‘Order of Cloud and Banner’ is the most prestigious military award of:
- (A) Japan
- (B) South Korea
- (C) India
- (D) China
- (D) China
‘Naxalite movement’ is a pro-communism movement started in:
- (A) India
- (B) Nepal
- (C) Sri Lanka
- (D) Bhutan
- (A) India
The Naxalite movement is a far-left, pro-communist (specifically Maoist) uprising that started in India. It all began in 1967 in Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. Radical communist leaders such as Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal led the movement. These leaders split from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to start an armed revolt of peasants against local landlords.
What is meant by “Petticoat Government”?
- (A) A government in exile
- (B) A government runs by a woman
- (C) A government without actual power
- (D) A government runs by some feudal lord
- (B) A government runs by a woman
Petticoat Government is just a way of saying women are in charge or have a lot of say in how things are run. The term uses petticoat, a type of old-fashioned slip, to represent women. You’ll usually hear it when talking about history. A good example is from 1560 to 1562, during the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Back then, his foster mom, Maham Anga, and other women in the palace had a big hand in running the country.
The Cuban Missile Crises occurred in:
- (A) 1961
- (B) 1962
- (C) 1963
- (D) 1964
- (B) 1962
The Cuban Missile Crisis was basically a super tense, two-week face-off between the US and the Soviet Union back in October 1962. It all kicked off when a US spy plane spotted the Soviets building missile launch sites in Cuba. A lot of folks think that this was the closest the Cold War ever got to turning into a full-blown nuclear war.
Light travels from the Sun to Earth in approximately:
- (A) 499 seconds
- (B) 599 seconds
- (C) 699 seconds
- (D) 799 seconds
- (A) 499 seconds
This translates to approximately 8 minutes and 19 seconds, usually rounded to 8 minutes and 20 seconds in general settings. Light takes an average of 499 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth.
What do you understand by the term “Intifada”?
- (A) Reconciliation
- (B) Uprising
- (C) Negotiation
- (D) Offence
- (B) Uprising
The term “Intifada” is of Arabic origin, and it can be translated as “shaking off.” In politics and history, it refers to a massive uprising, rebellion, or movement of resistance. The term is commonly used to refer to the two large waves of Palestinian protests and resistance against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.