Trivia Quiz of the Day

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Trivia Quiz of the Day
Image: SensorSpot / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Quick! Who was the first man to walk on the moon? Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? What kind of car was the General Lee? Who was the fourth president of the United States? What flower does vanilla bean come from? Did you nail those or did you stumble a bit? Those are four quick-hit trivia questions in four very different areas of expertise, but if you're a trivia lover, this is the type of thing you live for!

And, there's even better news: Experts in science and medicine believe that trivia quizzes and game nights that involve them are actually good for your brain, keeping you engaged and improving your memory. Just like your body benefits from regular exercise, your brain can benefit from its own "cardio." Sounds like this quiz is just what the doctor ordered, huh?

So, now it's time to get started. We've curated an interesting assortment of trivia factoids here, ranging from sports to science to ice cream (yum!). Test your smarts – and give your brain the workout it so desperately wants – with this trivia quiz of the day. Then, come back tomorrow, and let's do it again! Now ... get going!



118
Image Source / Getty Images
H20 anyone? How many elements are there on the periodic table?
27
400
118
99
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The periodic table of elements contains 118 different elements, from hydrogen to ununoctium. Each of these elements is assigned an atomic number. Hydrogen, for example, is No. 1 and is represented by the letter "H."

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Michael Jackson
Richard Newstead / Moment / Getty Images
Who holds the title for "best-selling album of all time?"
The Eagles
Whitney Houston
Michael Jackson
The Bee Gees
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For a number of years, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" held the top spot as the best-selling album of all time. Proving their longevity, though, the Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975" passed The Gloved One for the top spot.

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O
asiseeit / E+ / Getty Images
If you have this blood type, you can donate universally. Which one is it?
A
B
O
AB
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People who belong to the blood type O are considered "universal donors," meaning that they are able to donate blood to any of the blood types. Individuals who are O negative, specifically, have this capability.

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Omnivore
Rex Lisman / Moment Open / Getty Images
An animal that eats both meat and plants is known as what?
Piscivore
Carnivore
Herbivore
Omnivore
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some animals don't discriminate, eating both a meat- and plant-based diet. These animals are called "omnivores" for their more diverse culinary tastes. Herbivores focus solely on a plant-based diet, while carnivores eat all the meat.

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300
Lauren Bates / Moment / Getty Images
Roughly how many bones is a human baby born with?
87
150
206
300
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know we're born with more bones than we have as adults? It's true! Babies are born with roughly 300 bones, but as we grow, they fuse together, giving us the roughly 206-bone skeleton of a human adult.

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William Shakespeare
clu / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
This prolific writer penned classics such as "Romeo & Juliet" and "Macbeth." Who was it?
James Joyce
Ernest Hemingway
William Shakespeare
Leo Tolstoy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Three cheers for Shakespeare! Noted playwright William Shakespeare is to thank for classics like "Romeo & Juliet," "Macbeth," "Hamlet," "Othello" and "Julius Caesar," among others.

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The British Prime Minister
Wiki Commons by Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC
Knock-knock, anyone home? Who would you find living at 10 Downing Street?
The U.S. president
Elton John
The British Prime Minister
The Queen of England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first prime minister to live at 10 Downing Street was Robert Walpole, when he was gifted the residence by King George II. The famous address has served as the prime minister's official residence ever since.

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Leonardo da Vinci
Wiki Commons
The artwork known as "Mona Lisa" was painted by which of these artists?
Leonardo da Vinci
Pablo Picasso
Vincent nan Gogh
Michelangelo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Leonardo da Vinci is credited with painting what has become one of the world's most famous and celebrated pieces of art, the Mona Lisa. It currently hangs at the Louvre Museum in France.

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42
PM Images / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Add them up: How many dots are on a pair of dice?
21
40
42
56
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each die has 21 dots spread among six sides (with ranges from 1 dot to six dots each). That means when you add up 1+2+3+4+5+6, you get 21. Multiply that by two (for two dice), and you arrive at 42!

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In the beginning ...
TokenPhoto / E+ / Getty Images
Which of these phrases includes the words that start The Holy Bible?
"Amen and amen ..."
"Now, let us consider ..."
"In the beginning ... "
"Once upon a time .... "
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's always best to start at the beginning, right? Which is exactly what The Holy Bible does, when Genesis 1:1 begins with, "In the beginning..." It then goes on to explain the days of creation in the early history of the world.

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A hashtag
Towfiqu Photography / Moment / Getty Images
What is this symbol – # – called when used on social media?
A pound sign
A sharp
A hashtag
A number sign
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though the "#" has had numerous uses and meanings (including all of the answer choices presented), it is known solely as a "hashtag" when used on social media to group common thoughts together.

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They were miners
Walt Disney Productions
In "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," what did the dwarfs do for work?
They were shoemakers.
They were electricians.
They were miners.
They didn't work.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Who remembers, "Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work we go?" Catchy tune. The dwarfs used to sign this headed to (and coming home) from their worksite, where they functioned as (miniature) miners.

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Pacific Ocean
xingmin07 / E+ / Getty Images
Water, water, everywhere: Which of these is the world's largest body of water?
Caribbean Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Arabian Sea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pacific Ocean wins this designation, and it's not even really close. This body of water occupies an entire one-third of the surface of the Earth and touches the Americas, Asia and Australia.

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Novella
Rekha Garton / DigitalVision / Getty Images
What is the term for a fictional work that is shorter than a novel, but longer than a short story?
Novella
Play
Narrative
Epilogue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A novella is the name for a work that falls between a short story and a novel in terms of length. Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which tells the story of a changed Scrooge, is considered to be a novella.

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Yen
RoBeDeRo / E+ / Getty Images
If you travel to Japan, you'll need to convert your money into which type of currency?
Dinar
Yen
Euro
Rupee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Japanese form of currency is known as the "yen." It is one of the most popular forms of currency in the world, beside the Euro and the U.S. dollar. A typical can of soda will cost you about 120 yen in Japan.

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Diagonally
DrGrounds / E+ / Getty Images
Grab your tape measure! How is the size of a flat-screen TV measured?
Transversally
Diagonally
Horizontally
Vertically
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Trying to figure out the picture size of your television? Grab a tape measure and extend it diagonally from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. This will tell you the size of your flat screen.

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African
bucky_za / E+ / Getty Images
The better to hear you with, my dear! Which type of elephant has the largest ears?
Indian
African
Asian
Chinese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

African elephants boast the largest ears among the roughly 10 or so elephant species on the Earth. You can remember this by recalling that an African elephant's ears take on the shape of the African continent. They're used to help keep the large mammals cool.

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Red and yellow
ROMAOSLO / E+ / Getty Images
It's time for art class! What colors of paint would you need to make orange?
Red and yellow
Blue and yellow
Green and red
Red and blue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Running short on colors? If you're in the market for a shade of orange, but don't have any on-hand, consider mixing red and yellow to create a new shade - orange! Red and yellow are both primary colors; when mixed, they make the secondary color known as orange.

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Mars
photovideostock / E+ / Getty Images
If you were traveling to the Red Planet, where are you headed?
Pluto
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mars earned the name, "The Red Planet," for the red color it gives off when viewed. That is due to iron oxide on its surface that sets its color apart from the remainder of the solar system.

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Earthquake
Jose A. Bernat Bacete / Moment / Getty Images
Which natural disaster has the ability to turn water into gold?
Wildfire
Tornado
Hurricane
Earthquake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's definitely a strong tie between California's earthquakes and the Gold Rush that happened in the state in the 1840s. Scientists believe that earthquakes cause the water present in faults to vaporize, leaving behind gold in its place.

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Sean Carter
Wiki Commons by Mikamote
If you were personal friends with Jay-Z, you might call him by this, his real name. What is it?
Sean Carter
Sean Combs
Nasir Jones
Nayvadius Wilburn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're a fan of his, you'll hear him mention it in some of his songs, but Jay-Z's given name is Sean Corey Carter (extra points if you knew his middle name). That makes Queen Bey, Mrs. Beyoncé Knowles Carter, if you please.

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Silver
Wiki Commons by George M. Hill
What color were Dorothy's slippers in the original "Wizard of Oz?"
Black
Gold
Red
Silver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When L. Frank Baum wrote "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," he gave Dorothy silver slippers, not the sparkly red ones we've grown accustomed to seeing thanks to the movie. The color was changed for the film to draw more contrast against the yellow brick road.

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10
Wiki Commons by Agnete
What does the letter "X" mean in Roman numerals?
10
5
50
100
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Roman numerals, the letter "X" represents the number 10. This system of numbers was devised in Rome and used for generations before being replaced by the numbering system we use today.

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Toronto Raptors
Wiki Commons by Andrew Scheer
Which NBA team was responsible for giving Canada its first conference title?
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Raptors
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Blue Jays
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toronto Raptors finally brought an NBA Championship to the country of Canada when the Kawhi Leonard-led team beat the Golden State Warriors at the conclusion of the 2019 season.

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6
Wiki Commons by Harris & Ewing
How many years did World War II last?
8
4
6
3
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

World War II started in 1939 when Hitler's troops invaded Poland and continued through 1945 when Germany and Japan surrendered. World War II caused the deaths of upward of 80 million people, by some estimates.

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Myocardial infarction
timmy / E+ / Getty Images
What is the official medical term for a heart attack?
Cardiac arrest
Myocardial infarction
Myocarditis
Cerebrovascular accident
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If the doctor says you've had a "myocardial infarction," what he or she is trying to tell you is that you've had a heart attack. Heart attacks happen when vessels carrying blood to the heart become blocked.

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Water Displacement – 40th Attempt
Wiki Commons by Jorge Barrios
You've probably used it, but do you know what the acronym WD-40 stands for?
Water Displacement – 40th Attempt
Wet or Dry – 40 Max
Water Development – 40 Exposure
Waste Discrepancy – 40 Proof
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's good for squeaky hinges, but do you know where its name came from? WD-40 stands for "Water Displacement – 40th Attempt," a nod to the number of tries it took manufacturers to perfect the recipe. It's NOT a lubricant!

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China
BRETT STEVENS / Cultura / Getty Images
Rocky road or mint chocolate chip? Which of these countries is credited with inventing ice cream?
Switzerland
Italy
United States
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can thank the Chinese if you love the sweet and creamy treat known as ice cream. It is believed that the first ice cream-esque treat was created in that country as early as 3000 B.C.

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Stonefish
Rubén Chase Carbó / Moment Open / Getty Images
What is the name of the fish that's considered most venomous for humans?
Lionfish
Stonefish
Scorpion fish
Stargazer fish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Beware the stonefish – one of the most venomous in the world and potentially fatal for humans who come in contact with them. The stonefish earned its name for its ability to blend into the sea floor.

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Late Night Snack
Wiki Commons by Tony Hisgett
Which flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream contained potato chips?
Half Baked
Chunky Monkey
Late Night Snack
Everything But The ...
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Now discontinued, Ben & Jerry's "Late Night Snack" contained chocolate-covered potato chip clusters in a base of vanilla ice cream. The unusual flavor also included a caramel swirl.

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Homichlophobia
joshblake / E+ / Getty Images
No weather lovers here! What is the fear of fog called?
Homichlophobia
Arachnophobia
Allodoxaphobia
Chronomentrophobia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From the Greek word "homíkhlē," which means "mist or fog," we find this unusual phobia. Individuals suffering from homichlophobia have a fear of fog or foggy conditions, perhaps because they can't see what's happening.

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Capricorn
jfairone / E+ / Getty Images
If you were born on Christmas Day, what zodiac symbol represents you?
Cancer
Capricorn
Taurus
Leo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We think if you have a Christmas birthday, you're already pretty awesome. Christmas babies share the Capricorn zodiac sign, and are marked by traits of patience and determination.

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A Few Good Men
Castle Rock Entertainment
In which movie would you hear the famous line, "You can't handle the truth?"
"Pretty Woman"
"Forrest Gump"
"A Few Good Men"
"The Godfather"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most memorable movie lines of all time, "You can't handle the truth" was delivered by a character named Colonel Nathan Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson. The movie also featured Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon.

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Louisiana
Poligrafistka / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Which southern U.S. state is known by the nickname, "The Pelican State?"
Alabama
Florida
Mississippi
Louisiana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Welcome to Louisiana, known as "The Pelican State." The state earned this nickname for its state bird, the brown pelican, and its NBA team also shares the same name, the New Orleans Pelicans.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
zxvisual / E+ / Getty Images
Where is the statue known as "Christ the Redeemer" located?
Sydney, Australia
Nashville, Tennessee
Prague, Czech Republic
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Standing 125 feet tall more than 2,300 feet over the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the statue known as "Christ the Redeemer." It was completed in 1931 and is made from concrete and soapstone.

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NaCl
art-4-art / E+ / Getty Images
What is the chemical formula for sodium chloride, or salt?
ClNa
SoCl
Sa
NaCl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The two chemical elements that come together to make salt are sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl). Thus, the chemical formula for this common household product is NaCl. Na and Cl are represented on the periodic table of elements.

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Hula Hoop
Wiki Commons by Dnh52
Which toy still enjoyed by children today was invented in 1958 by Arthur Melin?
Silly Putty
Rubik's Cube
Hula Hoop
Tinkertoys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Melin was quite the inventor, apparently. As co-founder of the WHAM-O Manufacturing Company, he helped create the Hula Hoop and also worked in the manufacture of other vintage toys such as the Frisbee, the Superball and the Hacky Sack.

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Mashed potatoes
Krug Studios / Corbis / Getty Images
Mmm ... What sits on top of a traditional shepherd's pie?
Mashed potatoes
Pie crust
Whipped cream
Creamed corn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A traditional shepherd's pie, which is believed to have originated in the U.K., is filled with meat and vegetables covered with gravy and then topped with mashed potatoes. It has also been called a "cottage pie."

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Tokyo
Wiki Commons by Fernando Frazão / Agência Brasil
The upcoming Summer Olympics in 2020 will be hosted in what city?
Atlanta
Madrid
Tokyo
Rome
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The next Summer Olympics, which will take place in 2020, will be hosted in Tokyo, Japan. It will mark the capital city's second time hosting the summer games, with the first occurring in 1964. Shown here is the Closing Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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Dallas
Wiki Commons by Walt Cisco, Dallas Morning News
In which U.S. city was President John F. Kennedy assassinated as he rode in a motorcade?
Dallas
Los Angeles
Houston
Atlanta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The date was Nov. 22, 1963, and the location was Dallas, Texas, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding beside his wife in a motorcade through the city. The gunman was later identified as Lee Harvey Oswald, although conspiracy theories about the shooting have swirled ever since.

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You Got:
/40
SensorSpot / E+ / Getty Images