Incredible Historical Facts Trivia Quiz!
This trivia quiz is about incredible historical facts! Did you know that the first remains that prove the early man's evolution were found in Africa, and there have just been two world wars that shook the world as we know it? If you consider yourself a know it all when it comes to history, all you have to do is take this quiz and see how high you score.
- 1.
What male author wrote "Encyclopedia Brown," the long-running series about a boy detective hired to solve the town's pettiest crimes?
- A.
Gertrude Chandler Warner
- B.
Donald J. Sobol
- C.
Megan Whalen Turner
- D.
Mary Pope Osborne
Correct Answer
B. Donald J. SobolExplanation
Donald is the only 'male' first name in the list. Do you know what the other authors wrote?Rate this question:
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- 2.
What monarch of England reluctantly signed the 'Magna Carta'?
- A.
Pope Leo X
- B.
King John
- C.
Robin Hood
- D.
Sir Lancelot
Correct Answer
B. King JohnExplanation
You should be able to make the connection of Monarch = King.Rate this question:
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- 3.
'Hypo' is the Greek prefix meaning 'beneath.' Which of the following brain structures is directly below the thalamus?
- A.
Neocortex
- B.
Cerebellum
- C.
Hypothalamus
- D.
Medulla oblongota
Correct Answer
C. HypothalamusExplanation
The only excuse for not getting this question right is if you only know a language that has no concept of 'root' 'prefix' or 'suffix'.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Galileo (1564-1642) published "The Starry Messenger" in what year?
- A.
1300
- B.
1610
- C.
1969
- D.
2012
Correct Answer
B. 1610Explanation
It's conventionally known that ( ) after a name refers to the years of birth and death of that person. And most people publish their work while they're still living, and 1610 is the only year that falls between Galileo's birth and death.Rate this question:
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- 5.
During deep sleep, an EEG picks up the lowest frequency brain wave ranging 1-4 Hz known as the Delta wave. Put the following brain waves in order of increasing frequency.
- A.
Alpha, Beta, Delta
- B.
Delta, Beta, Alpha
- C.
Beta, Alpha, Delta
- D.
Beta, Delta, Alpha
Correct Answer
B. Delta, Beta, AlphaExplanation
Knowing that Delta is the lowest frequency, it must appear first in the order.Rate this question:
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- 6.
A great civilization called Egypt blossomed in the fertile valleys of the Nile River. What does the name 'Egypt' stand for?
- A.
The Gift of the Nile
- B.
The Present of the Amazon
- C.
The Receipt of the Mississippi
- D.
The Refund of the Rhine
Correct Answer
A. The Gift of the NileExplanation
Just another question where the answer is in the question.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Madame Marie Sklodowska-Curie and her husband discovered radium in 1898. What was her husband's name?
- A.
Pierre Curie
- B.
Pierce Brosnan
- C.
Isaac Newton
- D.
Renee Descartes
Correct Answer
A. Pierre CurieExplanation
This question relies on the knowledge that in many culture, the woman takes the last name of the man she marries.Rate this question:
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- 8.
You have 36 to the 1/2 power red flowers, four yellow flowers, and positive x number of purple flowers. Which of these do you have most of?
- A.
Red flowers
- B.
Yellow flowers
- C.
Purple flowers
- D.
Flowers
Correct Answer
D. FlowersExplanation
This concept is called 'class inclusion.' When shown a poster filled with red and yellow flowers and asked "Are there more yellow flowers or more flowers", children younger than 7 answer incorrectly. So if you get this question wrong, you must have the mental age of a toddler.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Who invented the assault rifle AK-47, and in what year was it patented?
- A.
Eugene Stoner, 1959
- B.
L. James Sullivan, 1957
- C.
Mikhail Kalashnikova, 1947
- D.
Samuel Colt, 1872
Correct Answer
C. Mikhail Kalashnikova, 1947Explanation
I did not explain that AK stands for Avtomat (automatic) Kalashnikova, but the 47 should lead you to the right year and, thus, the right answer.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Sherwood Anderson wrote his 1918 masterpiece "Winesburg, Ohio", inspired by his experience as a young man growing up in what small town?
- A.
Salina, Kansas
- B.
Grovers Corner, New Hampshire
- C.
Clyde, Ohio
- D.
Davenport, Iowa
Correct Answer
C. Clyde, OhioExplanation
The clue here, of course, is Ohio. Do you remember where Grovers Corner is from?Rate this question:
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- 11.
Amendment 18 to the US Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. Which amendment later repealed Amendment 18?
- A.
Amendment 10
- B.
Amendment 15
- C.
Amendment 17
- D.
Amendment 21
Correct Answer
D. Amendment 21Explanation
To understand this, you must have the concept of cause and effect and chronological order. In order for something to be undone, it has to be done first!Rate this question:
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- 12.
The three largest countries that border Belgium are France, Germany, and the Dutch-speaking Netherlands. Which of the following is NOT an official language of Belgium?
- A.
Dutch
- B.
French
- C.
Portuguese
- D.
German
Correct Answer
C. PortugueseExplanation
It's all about proximity!Rate this question:
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- 13.
Due to an extensive overcast, the pilots of Bockscar could not drop the atomic bomb 'Fat Man' at their original target in Kokura, and opted for their second choice in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. What Japanese expression is now referred to someone who avoids something unpleasant without their knowing it?
- A.
Lucky Hiroshima
- B.
Lucky Kokura
- C.
Lucky Nagasaki
- D.
Lucky-son-of-a-gun
Correct Answer
B. Lucky KokuraExplanation
This question does rely somewhat on your world history knowledge. However, since Kokura escaped an atomic bomb because of a the weather...I'd say that's pretty damn lucky.Rate this question:
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Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Mar 15, 2009Quiz Created by
Friendsrulez
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