The 18 quiz questions
Question 1 : What process allows plants to transform CO2 into oxygen?
Possible answers:
- Transpiration
- Photosynthèse
- Fermentation
- Respiration
Explanation: Photosynthesis allows plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, using sunlight and chlorophyll.
Question 2 : Which marine animal has three hearts and blue blood?
Possible answers:
- Méduse
- Calmar
- Pieuvre
- Homard
Explanation: The octopus has three hearts (two for the gills, one for the body) and its blood is blue because it contains copper (hemocyanin) instead of iron.
Question 3 : What is the largest coral reef in the world?
Possible answers:
- New Caledonia Reef
- Great Barrier Reef
- Récif des Maldives
- Récif de Belize
Explanation: The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia, stretches over 2,300 km. It is visible from space and harbors exceptional biodiversity.
Question 4 : How long can a tardigrade survive without water?
Possible answers:
- 1 semaine
- 1 mois
- 1 an
- 10 ans
Explanation: Tardigrades can enter cryptobiosis and survive up to 10 years without water. These micro-animals also resist the vacuum of space and radiation.
Question 5 : Which fungus is the largest known living organism on Earth?
Possible answers:
- Amanite tue-mouches
- Truffe
- Bolet
- Armillaria ostoyae
Explanation: The Armillaria ostoyae (honey fungus) in Oregon spans 965 hectares and is over 2,400 years old. Its underground mycelium makes it the largest known organism.
Question 6 : Which animal produces the strongest known substance (silk)?
Possible answers:
- Ver à soie
- Moule
- Escargot
- Araignée Darwin
Explanation: Darwin's bark spider silk (Caerostris darwini) is 10 times stronger than Kevlar and more elastic than nylon, making it the strongest known biomaterial.
Question 7 : What natural phenomenon causes bioluminescence in fireflies?
Possible answers:
- Électricité statique
- Phosphorescence
- Fluorescence
- Luciferin-luciferase chemical reaction
Explanation: Bioluminescence in fireflies is caused by a chemical reaction involving luciferin and the enzyme luciferase, producing cold light without heat.
Question 8 : What percentage of marine species remains to be discovered according to scientists?
Possible answers:
- 10%
- 20%
- 50%
- 80%
Explanation: It is estimated that 80% of ocean species remain to be discovered. The deep sea, representing more than 95% of Earth's habitable space, is largely unexplored.
Question 9 : Which tree can live more than 5,000 years?
Possible answers:
- Séquoia géant
- Pin Bristlecone
- Olivier
- Baobab
Explanation: Bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) are the oldest trees in the world. One of them, named Methuselah, is over 4,850 years old.
Question 10 : Which ocean contains the deepest point on Earth?
Possible answers:
- Océan Arctique
- Océan Indien
- Océan Pacifique
- Océan Atlantique
Explanation: The Pacific Ocean contains the Mariana Trench, whose Challenger Deep reaches 10,994 meters in depth.
Question 11 : Which meteorological phenomenon is measured on the Fujita scale?
Possible answers:
- Ouragans
- Tornades
- Tsunamis
- Séismes
Explanation: The Fujita scale (F0 to F5) measures tornado intensity based on damage caused. It has been replaced by the Enhanced Fujita scale (EF).
Question 12 : Which animal can fully regenerate its heart?
Possible answers:
- Axolotl
- Lézard
- Étoile de mer
- Salamandre
Explanation: The axolotl can regenerate not only its limbs but also its heart, brain, and spinal cord, fascinating researchers in regenerative medicine.
Question 13 : Which animal has fingerprints most similar to those of humans?
Possible answers:
- Chimpanzé
- Orang-outan
- Koala
- Gorille
Explanation: Koalas have fingerprints so similar to ours that they can even fool forensic experts. This is a case of convergent evolution.
Question 14 : What phenomenon causes the Northern Lights?
Possible answers:
- Reflection of moonlight
- Pollution lumineuse
- Solar particles and Earth's magnetism
- Volcanic eruptions
Explanation: The Northern Lights are caused by the interaction between charged solar particles and gases in the upper atmosphere, channeled by Earth's magnetic field.
Question 15 : How many liters of water can an elephant drink per day?
Possible answers:
- 20 litres
- 50 litres
- 100 litres
- 200 litres
Explanation: An adult elephant can drink up to 200 liters of water per day and uses its trunk to suck up to 10 liters at a time.
Question 16 : Which ecosystem produces the most oxygen on Earth?
Possible answers:
- Oceans (phytoplankton)
- Forêts tropicales
- Prairies
- Toundra
Explanation: Ocean phytoplankton produces 50 to 80% of Earth's oxygen, much more than tropical forests. These microorganisms are essential to life on Earth.
Question 17 : What is a relationship between two species where both benefit from each other called?
Possible answers:
- Symbiosis
- Parasitism
- Commensalism
- Predation
Explanation: Mutualistic symbiosis is a win-win relationship. Example: clownfish and sea anemones protect each other.
Question 18 : What do you call a species that exists in only one place in the world?
Possible answers:
- An endemic species
- An invasive species
- A migratory species
- A protected species
Explanation: An endemic species lives only in a limited geographic area. Madagascar is home to 90% endemic species, such as lemurs.




