The “How Smart Are You?” Quiz

By: Elizabeth Lavis
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
The “How Smart Are You?” Quiz
Image: Leonello Calvetti / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Being smart doesn't just mean knowing a lot about something specific. 

The true intellectual giants among us know a little something about every subject under the sun. They understand that there is a plethora of topics and disciplines in this big beautiful world that we live in, and they want to know about it all. 

In this quiz, we don't pigeonhole you into one particular study; instead, we test you on topics that range from the animal kingdom to ancient Egypt. If you are one of those people who can tune into Jeopardy and crush every category from literature to space exploration, this quiz is right up your alley. It's the kind of general knowledge that makes you flashback to your ninth-grade Earth Science class, and think about the musical folklore that you heard once upon a time when someone mentioned Janis Joplin and the curse of 27.

We take all of the obscure factoids from Greek mythology to adorable Australian marsupials and to modern children's Christmas stories and wrap it all up nicely in a little box with your name on it.  If you are the king or queen of general trivia knowledge, it's time to show off your smarts!

The Galapagos
Markus Gebauer Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Charles Darwin developed his groundbreaking theory of evolution on these famous islands. What are they called?
The Maldives
The Galapagos
The Marinas
The Philippines
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sheer magnitude of life on the Galapagos Islands gave Charles Darwin the food for thought he needed to develop his Theory of Natural Selection, the widely accepted version of evolution we subscribe to today.

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Liverpool
Wiki Commons by CBS Television
These fab four revolutionized modern music. What British city did the Beatles come from?
London
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Sheffield
Liverpool
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison all hail from Liverpool, England. They originally got together in early 1960 and went on to become one of the most influential bands in musical history.

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Polaris
jtyler / E+ / Getty Images
Sailors have used it to navigate the high seas for centuries. Which option below is the official name of the North Star?
Polaris
Orion
Sirius
Pluto
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Polaris is the brightest star in Ursa Minor, and it is commonly referred to as the North Star. For centuries, this bright celestial feature has been used for navigation on the high seas.

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Robert Johnson
Wiki Commons by Aquabravo77
Legend has it that he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in Mississippi in exchange for musical fame. Which musician was he?
Paul Simon
Jimi Hendrix
Robert Johnson
Gene Simmons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Robert Johnson famously sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the ability to play guitar like nobody else in the world. He died at 27, starting the macabre and spooky "Curse of 27."

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Joeys
Vicki Smith / Moment / Getty Images
Everyone loves the little Aussie hoppers known as kangaroos, but what do we refer to their babies as?
Joeys
Cubs
Spawn
Foals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Baby kangaroos are referred to as "joeys" and often spend a lot of time in their mother's front pouch until they are old enough to start hopping and punching just like the grown 'roos.

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Styx
duncan1890 / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Which Grecian underworld river acted as a conduit between the worlds of the living and the dead?
Volga
Styx
Nile
Dreams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The River Styx is not the ideal place to bring a picnic lunch and relax for a while. In Greek mythology, this river connects the world of the living with the deep and dark underworld.

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Frosty
Jules Bass / Arthur Rankin, Jr. / CBS / Freeform
Put a hat on his head and he comes alive! What is the name of the magical snowman who wanted to get up to the North Pole before he melted?
Scrooge
Jack Frost
Rudolf
Frosty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Frosty the snowman might have been a "happy, jolly soul," but this Christmas character was also the victim of rising temperatures that had him scurrying for the North Pole with the help of some children.

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Prairie dog
Alan Tunnicliffe Photography / Moment / Getty Images
This social creature often forms complex societies. What's the animal pictured here?
Capybara
Squirrel
Possum
Prairie dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prairie dogs are cute little creatures who know that there's a tremendous benefit to be had by working together to get the job done. They hate being alone, and every dog in a pack has its own job.

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Dante
Wiki Commons by Sandro Botticelli
Calling all AP English smarty pants! Who wrote the epic poem, "The Divine Comedy"?
Dante
Michelangelo
Salvador Dali
Shakespeare
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Divine Comedy" is an epic poem in three parts, and it tells the story of heaven, purgatory and hell. It is considered to be one of the most important poems in all of Italian literature.

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Petra
Lucasfilm Ltd.
What ancient Jordanian city did Indiana Jones explore in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"?
Ayutthaya
Petra
Bethlehem
Siem Reap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The climactic ending of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" takes place in the real Jordanian city of Petra. This ancient city is considered to be one of the wonders of the world.

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Yen
ADX Collections / Moment / Getty Images
If you're in Tokyo and want to buy some soba, what currency would you use?
Peso
Euro
Baht
Yen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The yen is the official currency of Japan, and it is also the third most popular currency to trade on international markets. It tends to be fairly strong, even against the euro and the dollar.

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Batu Caves
Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images
You may or may not find bats in these famous Malaysian caves, but you're sure to find plenty of religious relics. What are they?
Zipaqueria Caves
Batu Caves
Mammoth Caves
Galway Caves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Batu Caves are an easy day trip from Malaysia's Kuala Lumper, and they're well worth the trip. This intricate system of caves doubles as temples designed for many Hindu deities.

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DaVinci
Wiki Commons by Leonardo da Vinci
Her secretive smile has captivated art lovers for centuries. What famous artist painted the "Mona Lisa"?
Rembrandt
Dali
Michelangelo
da Vinci
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Leonardo da Vinci was a true "Renaissance Man." He was an inventor, sculptor and painter. His most famous piece is the "Mona Lisa," a small painting that some say could be the master himself!

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Lima
Marcos Granda P - Peru / Moment / Getty Images
What bustling seaside city is also the capital of Peru?
Bogota
Cusco
Lima
Buenos Aires
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lima is the capital city of Peru. Established in the mid-1500s, Lima remains an important city for travelers because it is home to the largest international airport in the country, as well as Incan ruins.

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Penicillin
Wiki Commons by Imperial War Museums
It has saved hundreds of millions of lives. What powerful antibiotic did Alexander Fleming discover?
Penicillin
Scurvy
Ibuprofen
Dramamine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin saved hundreds of millions of lives all over the world because illnesses like pneumonia and sepsis were no longer certain death sentences.

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Pripyat
Wiki Commons by IAEA Imagebank
Chernobyl turned this bustling Ukrainian city into a ghost town. What is the city's name?
Kiev
Moscow
Vladivostok
Pripyat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Thanks to HBO's latest series on the Chernobyl disaster, the ghost town of Pripyat has been getting a lot of attention. This city was abandoned immediately after the catastrophe and remains frozen in time.

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Graphite
YinYang / E+ / Getty Images
Sharpen your pencils! What mineral can you find in your No. 2s?
Mica
Graphite
Lead
Silver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The commonly held belief that pencils contain lead is simply untrue. Lead hasn't been used since ancient times. These days, your No. 2 pencil will write with ease with a graphite core.

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Lake Titicaca
Ilaria Dell'Orco Photographer / Moment / Getty Images
What lake straddles Peru and Bolivia and is known as the highest navigable lake in the world?
Lake Victoria
Lake Malawi
Lake Superior
Lake Titicaca
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sky-high, massive Lake Titicaca sits right on the Peruvian and Bolivian border, and the two countries share it. Some of the islands belong to the Bolivians and some to the Peruvians.

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Aloe
lubilub / E+ / Getty Images
Which dewy green succulent doubles as a cure for sunburn and a superfood?
Acai
Aloe
Cactus
Jade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Aloe is the No. 1 ingredient in any good sunburn treatment, and this cooling green plant has been used for centuries to aid burnt skin. It's also sometimes consumed as a superfood.

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Pacific
FrankRamspott / E+ / Getty Images
This vast body of water takes up massive amounts of planetary surface space? What ocean is it?
Atlantic
Indian
Pacific
Caribbean
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pacific Ocean is a vast body of water that stretches all the way between the Americas and Southeast Asia. It also cuts a huge, wide band across our planet from north to south.

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Pierogi
Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images
A decadent Polish staple, this dumpling goes well with sour cream. What tasty treat are we talking about?
Pierogi
Dim Sum
Gyoza
Torte
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pierogi are Polish dumplings that can be filled with savory or sweet surprises. They can be boiled, baked or fried, and the savory ones are often served with a dollop of sour cream on the side.

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The FIFA World Cup
Wiki Commons
Once every four years, this soccer/football tournament takes the world by storm. What's the competition called?
The Olympics
The Stanley Cup
The FIFA World Cup
The Superbowl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First held in 1930 at the Estadio Centenario (shown here) in Montevideo, Uruguay, the FIFA World Cup rolls around every four years and soccer/football fans all over the world are delighted. Even in the U.S., where soccer generally takes a backseat to American football, there are celebrations.

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Mole
©fitopardo.com / Moment / Getty Images
This national dish of Mexico might contain chocolate, but it's not a dessert. What is this intense savory sauce?
Mole
Pico de Gallo
Salsa
Chipotle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Making mole is varsity-level cooking. This Mexican sauce combines garlic, onions, spices, seeds, and bittersweet chocolate together in a layered and complex sauce that truly is a culinary masterpiece.

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Bonsai
Eric Francis Newton / Moment / Getty Images
It's so teeny-tiny that you can display it in your home, no problem. What type of tree is the smallest in the world?
Lilac
Bonsai
Birch
Miniature Pine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bonsai actually refers to a style of tree, rather than a type of tree and is the result of aggressive pruning and shaping. Some bonsais have been known to be as small as gum drops.

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Red, yellow, blue
MirageC / Moment / Getty Images
What are the three original primary colors?
Red, yellow, blue
Gold, white, black
Green, blue, purple
Orange, green, purple
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Red, yellow and blue are the original primary colors that you probably learned about in your fourth-grade art class. Mix them together and you can make any number of different shades.

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The Pony Express
Wiki Commons
Giddyup! This mounted postal service ran between Missouri and California. What was it?
The Rough Riders
The Minutemen
The United Postal Workers On Horseback
The Pony Express
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pony Express only ran for about a year, serving the territory between Missouri and California with mail, newspaper and parcel delivery. Despite the long ride times, it billed itself as a fast service.

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Carbon
Jeffrey Hamilton / DigitalVision / Getty Images
They are one of the most sought-after gems in the world. What humble element do diamonds come from?
Graphite
Zirconia
Mica
Carbon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Diamonds are made out of hyper-condensed carbon. These sparkly stones certainly come from humble beginnings, but they are not as rare as you would believe. Diamonds are quite common.

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Tutankhamun
Hisham Ibrahim / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images
He was one of the youngest rulers in the ancient world. Who was the boy king of Egypt?
Ramesses
Tutankhamun
Hatshepsut
Amenhotep
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Tutankhamun, also known as "King Tut," was discovered in 1922. He is known as the boy king of ancient Egypt and was buried in a lavish tomb surrounded by many royal relics and treasures.

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Metal
jack0m / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
We all know it as our shared home, but deep under the oceans and continents, what is the Earth's core made of?
Rock
Plasma
Gas
Metal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although nobody has ever been there, scientists speculate that the core of the earth is comprised of metal. The outer core is liquid and the inner core is thought to be solid.

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Les Miserables
Wiki Commons by Étienne Carjat
It's the iconic story of Jean Valjean. What famous book written by Victor Hugo inspired a major musical?
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
A Tale of Two Cities
Les Miserables
Pride and Prejudice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a French man who was imprisoned for stealing bread to feed his family. It was a criticism of French society and classism as a whole.

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Koala
Bobby-Jo Clow / Moment / Getty Images
This cute animal is an Australian marsupial. What creature is pictured here?
Panda
Koala
Meerkat
Grouse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Koalas are eucalyptus-eating animals that are indigenous to Australia. They tend to live high in trees and are famously shy. Although they look cute, they can be vicious if provoked.

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Blackbeard
Wiki Commons by United States Library of Congress
Which famous pirate was known for his fearsome looks and thick dark beard?
Blackbeard
Long John Silver
Dread Pirate Roberts
One-Eyed Willy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Blackbeard's real name was Edward Teach, and he ruled the seas with fear and intimidation. He got his nickname because of his thick mat of black hair that he would never comb or tame.

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Red
Eastimages / Moment / Getty Images
Chinese New Year starts at the end of January and is signified by this color. Which hue is it?
Blue
Green
Red
Black
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Red is one of the lucky Chinese colors and the primary color for Chinese New Year. You'll see this fiery hue adorning just about everything that has to do with the holiday, from favors to fancy dress.

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100 degrees Celsius
RyersonClark / E+ / Getty Images
It's getting hot in here. At what temperature does water boil?
100 degrees Celsius
100 degrees Fahrenheit
212 degrees Celsius
200 degrees Kelvin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, which is roughly 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiling water is one of the most effective ways to remove some of the nastier water-borne germs from it.

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Bangkok
Mongkol Chuewong / Moment / Getty Images
It has been called the "Venice of the East." What's the capital of Thailand?
Bogota
Singapore
Bangkok
Perth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bangkok is the bustling capital city of Thailand. Located near the bottom part of the country, it is a metropolis that is famous for its industry, food, culture and incredible shopping.

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Leonello Calvetti / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images