The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan's expedition crossed a strait to enter an ocean. Which one?
Possible answers:
- The Indian Ocean
- The Atlantic Ocean
- The Pacific Ocean
- The Arctic Ocean
Explanation: The Strait of Magellan separates the South American continent from Tierra del Fuego. The crossing was perilous: violent storms, mutinies, and insufficient supplies put the expedition through a grueling ordeal. Magellan himself died in the Philippines in 1521, without completing the circumnavigation of the world.
Question 2 : What major political event took place in Albania on November 28, 1912?
Possible answers:
- The proclamation of a communist republic
- The independence of Albania
- Albania's accession to the Ottoman Empire
- The signing of a peace treaty with Serbia
Explanation: Albanian independence was proclaimed in Vlorë by Ismail Qemali, ending several centuries of Ottoman rule. This date is now celebrated as the Albanian national holiday, known as Flag Day.
Question 3 : Which space probe was launched on November 28, 1964?
Possible answers:
- Mariner 2
- Voyager 1
- Pioneer 10
- Mariner 4
Explanation: Mariner 4 was the first probe to fly close by Mars, in July 1965, returning 22 images of the Martian surface. These photos revealed a crater-riddled landscape, sweeping away the romantic idea of inhabited Martian canals.
Question 4 : On November 28, 1893, New Zealand held historic legislative elections. Why are they remarkable?
Possible answers:
- It's the first election held in Oceania
- Women vote for the first time
- It's the first secret ballot election in the world
- The Māori gain the right to vote for the first time
Explanation: New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in national elections, thanks to the law signed on September 19, 1893. Kate Sheppard was one of the leading figures in this suffragist fight.
Question 5 : Friedrich Engels, born on November 28, 1820, is best known for co-writing a foundational work with Karl Marx. What text is it?
Possible answers:
- On the Origin of Species
- The Communist Manifesto
- The Social Contract
- The Wealth of Nations
Explanation: The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848, is one of the most influential political texts in modern history. Engels was also Marx's main financial backer, allowing him to write Capital, and he completed volumes II and III himself after Marx's death in 1883.
Question 6 : On November 28, 1990, Lee Kuan Yew resigned as Prime Minister of Singapore. Since what year had he been in office?
Possible answers:
- 1955
- 1959
- 1963
- 1965
Explanation: Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore for 31 years, transforming this island with no natural resources into one of the most prosperous and competitive economies in the world. His authoritarian yet effective model is often called the "Singapore miracle".
Question 7 : On November 28, 2016, a plane crash devastated the football world. Which Brazilian team was on board the LaMia Airlines flight?
Possible answers:
- The Flamengo team
- The Chapecoense team
- The Santos FC team
- The Grêmio Porto Alegre team
Explanation: The plane crashed near Medellín, Colombia, killing 71 people. The Chapecoense team was heading to the Copa Sudamericana final. Despite this tragedy, the club was rebuilt and their Colombian opponents, Atlético Nacional, requested that the title be symbolically awarded to Chapecoense.
Question 8 : Born on November 28, 1908, Claude Lévi-Strauss is one of the great figures of French social sciences. In which field did he mainly work?
Possible answers:
- Psychoanalysis
- Political philosophy
- Anthropology and ethnology
- Economic sociology
Explanation: Claude Lévi-Strauss is the father of structural anthropology, which analyzes human societies through their underlying structures (myths, kinship, rituals). His major work, Tristes Tropiques (1955), is both a travel narrative and a profound reflection on Western civilization.
Question 9 : The Irish party Sinn Féin was founded on November 28, 1905. What does its name mean in Irish Gaelic?
Possible answers:
- Free land
- We alone
- Long live Ireland
- The people first
Explanation: Founded by Arthur Griffith, Sinn Féin initially advocated for Irish autonomy rather than full independence. After 1916, the movement radicalized its positions. Today, Sinn Féin is the main republican party in Northern Ireland and a major player in Irish politics.
Question 10 : In 2018, Magnus Carlsen retained his world chess championship title against Fabiano Caruana. What nationality is Fabiano Caruana?
Possible answers:
- Russian
- American
- Ukrainian
- Norwegian
Explanation: Caruana is an American-Italian player, born in Miami, who represented Italy before returning under the American flag in 2015. The 2018 match was notable because all 12 classical games ended in draws, a first in the history of world championships, before Carlsen won in rapid play.
