General Knowledge Quiz 281 (20 MCQs)

Quiz Instructions

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1. The first recorded windmills, used in Persia in the 9th century and later India and China, operated on the horizontal plane. When is the first definite record in Europe of the use of vertical windmills instead?
2. Where does the dance called the "tarantella" have its ancient roots?
3. What is an informal phrase for "intelligence" ?
4. Which of these is a famous book by Agatha Christie?
5. What was distinctive about Tarzan's friend in the films, Cheeta?
6. Which of these is a play by Anton Chekhov?
7. Patrick Cox is known as a designer of what?
8. Where are the larger of the remnants of the once 68, 000 sq. km (26, 000 sq miles) Aral Sea?
9. What is the nickname of the Australian national netball team?
10. On 25 November 2010, which country held a general election whereby the majority of seats (17 out of 26) in its Legislative Assembly were elected by universal suffrage for the first time?
11. Either by invitation or by conquest the Viking, or Varangian, leader Rurik (Hrorekr) established himself in 862 CE in which area?
12. In the musical "Oliver!", who is the conniving career criminal who takes in homeless boys and teaches them to pick pockets for him?
13. What does the phrase "in his cups" imply?
14. Of the approximately 13% of its land that Brazil has recognised for its indigenous population, almost all lies where?
15. Which poet is buried in an upright position in Westminster Abbey?
16. Traditionally the designation "caviar" is only used for sturgeon roe from the wild species living in the Caspian and Black Seas. Which of these is NOT one of them?
17. What US television series (the format for which is now syndicated world-wide) involves a chief executive spending time as a trainee in his or her own firm?
18. What piece of music was played by German radio in 1945 after the announcement of the death of Adolf Hitler?
19. What is meant by "persona non grata" ?
20. What sort of art work is the "Venus de Milo" ?