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GK is essential for everyone; at least the basic level is a must. But it's not a cup of tea for many. We have got you this basic general knowledge test quiz, so find out just how smart you are with this quiz. Do you know as much as everyone else does? The quiz contains pretty general questions, not too easy but not hard either. Just try to score as much as you can, and we'll see how well you score in the end. Best of luck!
Questions and Answers
1.
What is the color of blood when it's inside your body?
A.
Yellow
B.
White
C.
Red
D.
Green
Correct Answer C. Red
Explanation It’s always red; it only appears blue because of the way light interacts with your skin.
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2.
Which is the fastest bird in the world?
A.
Bald Eagle
B.
Peregrine Falcon
C.
Hummingbird
D.
Raven
Correct Answer B. Peregrine Falcon
Explanation The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird in the world, with a recorded airspeed of 389 km/hr.
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3.
What is the tallest waterfall in the world?
A.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
B.
Niagara Falls, New York
C.
Wailua Falls, Hawaii
D.
Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
Correct Answer A. Angel Falls, Venezuela
Explanation Angel Falls in Venezuela is the tallest waterfall in the world with a height of 979 m.
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4.
What letter is not present anywhere on the periodic table of elements?
A.
C
B.
J
C.
F
D.
X
Correct Answer B. J
Explanation The letter J is not present; Q is mentioned once.
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5.
Which of these animals has the ability to laugh?
A.
Dog
B.
Whale
C.
Bear
D.
Rat
Correct Answer D. Rat
Explanation So far, apes and rats are the only known animals to laugh.
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6.
Which of these foods will never spoil?
A.
Honey
B.
Beef Jerky
C.
Cereal
D.
Beans
Correct Answer A. Honey
Explanation Honey will never spoil because it has a very low moisture content and a high acidity level, which creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria and other microorganisms to grow. Additionally, honey contains natural preservatives such as hydrogen peroxide and high sugar content, which further inhibit the growth of bacteria and spoilage. These factors make honey an extremely shelf-stable food that can last indefinitely if stored properly.
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7.
What is something the ancient Romans used as mouthwash?
A.
Saltwater
B.
Urine
C.
Mint tea
D.
Freshwater
Correct Answer B. Urine
Explanation Urine was used as a mouthwash by the ancient Romans. This may seem unusual to us today, but urine was commonly used for various purposes in ancient times due to its ammonia content. Ammonia has antibacterial properties and can help to kill germs and freshen breath. The Romans believed that urine had cleansing properties and used it as a mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene.
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8.
About how many scents can a human nose remember?
A.
Around 500
B.
Around 10,000
C.
Around 50,000
D.
Around 1 million
Correct Answer C. Around 50,000
Explanation The human nose is capable of remembering around 50,000 scents. This is due to the olfactory system, which is responsible for our sense of smell. The olfactory system contains millions of olfactory receptors that can detect different scents. These receptors send signals to the brain, where the scents are processed and stored as memories. The ability to remember such a large number of scents is impressive and highlights the complexity and sensitivity of the human sense of smell.
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9.
What is the capital city of Canada?
A.
Toronto
B.
Vancouver
C.
Ottawa
D.
Montreal
Correct Answer C. Ottawa
Explanation Ottawa is the correct answer. It is the capital city of Canada, where the federal government is located.
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10.
People with what color hair are genetically mutants?
A.
Black
B.
Red
C.
Blonde
D.
Brown
Correct Answer B. Red
Explanation People with red hair are genetically mutants because they have a variation in the MC1R gene, which is responsible for producing the pigment that determines hair color. This variation causes a decrease in the production of eumelanin (dark pigment) and an increase in the production of pheomelanin (red pigment), resulting in red hair. This genetic mutation is present in only about 1-2% of the world's population, making red hair relatively rare.
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11.
Which color is not there in the rainbow?
A.
Indigo
B.
Red
C.
Brown
D.
Yellow
Correct Answer C. Brown
Explanation The colors of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Brown is not included in the rainbow colors.
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12.
How many stripes are there on the US flag?
A.
10
B.
11
C.
12
D.
13
Correct Answer D. 13
Explanation There are 13 stripes on the US flag. Each stripe represents one of the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and formed the United States. The stripes alternate between red and white, with a total of seven red stripes and six white stripes. This design has been in use since 1777 when the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, establishing the flag's design.
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13.
How many rings appear on the Olympic flag?
A.
1
B.
3
C.
5
D.
7
Correct Answer C. 5
Explanation The Olympic flag has five rings, which represent the five continents of the world. The rings are interlocked to symbolize unity and friendship among nations. Each ring is a different color - blue, yellow, black, green, and red - and together they create a powerful and recognizable symbol of the Olympic Games.
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14.
What is the atomic sign for Helium on the periodic table?
A.
H
B.
He
C.
Hl
D.
Hu
Correct Answer B. He
Explanation The correct atomic sign for Helium on the periodic table is He.
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15.
What is the general name for a group of wolves?
A.
Pack
B.
School
C.
Flock
D.
Flock
Correct Answer A. Pack
Explanation A group of wolves is commonly referred to as a pack. This term is used to describe the social structure and organization of wolves, where they live and hunt together in a coordinated manner. Packs usually consist of an alpha male and female, along with their offspring. The pack is essential for the survival and success of the wolves, as they work together to defend their territory, hunt for food, and raise their young.
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16.
What is the currency of Scotland?
A.
Euro
B.
Yen
C.
Pound sterling
D.
Haggis
Correct Answer C. Pound sterling
Explanation The currency of Scotland is pound sterling. Pound sterling is the official currency of the United Kingdom, which includes Scotland. It is commonly used for transactions and is accepted throughout Scotland. Euro is the currency used in many other European countries, while yen is the currency of Japan. Haggis, on the other hand, is a traditional Scottish dish and not a currency.
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17.
In which country is the Taj Mahal situated?
A.
Pakistan
B.
India
C.
Japan
D.
France
Correct Answer B. India
Explanation The Taj Mahal is situated in India. It is a famous white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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18.
Which is the longest river in the world?
A.
Mississippi
B.
Nile
C.
Amazon
D.
Yangtze
Correct Answer B. Nile
Explanation The Nile is the longest river in the world. It stretches over 4,135 miles, flowing through eleven countries in northeastern Africa. The river has played a significant role in the development of ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt, and continues to be a vital water source for millions of people today. Its length and historical importance make it the correct answer to the question.
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19.
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
A.
Caravaggio
B.
Sandro Botticelli
C.
Leonardo Da Vinci
D.
Galileo Galilei
Correct Answer C. Leonardo Da Vinci
Explanation Leonardo Da Vinci is the correct answer because he is widely recognized as the artist who painted the Mona Lisa. Da Vinci was a renowned Italian artist, inventor, and polymath during the Renaissance period. The Mona Lisa is one of his most famous and iconic works, known for its enigmatic smile and masterful technique. Da Vinci's exceptional skill and attention to detail are evident in this painting, making him the most likely artist responsible for its creation.
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20.
Which planet is the 3rd closest to the sun?
A.
Earth
B.
Mars
C.
Jupiter
D.
Venus
Correct Answer A. Earth
Explanation Earth is the 3rd closest planet to the sun because it is positioned between Venus and Mars in terms of distance from the sun. Venus is the 2nd closest planet to the sun, while Mars is the 4th closest. Jupiter, on the other hand, is the 5th planet from the sun and is much farther away from the sun compared to Earth.