Free general knowledge questions covering science, history, geography, sport, and South African facts with full explanations and 50 flashcards.
General Knowledge tests appear in job applications, university entrance assessments, graduate programmes, and competitive exam processes across South Africa. Tour practice set covers the broad knowledge areas that appear most frequently: South African geography and culture, world geography and capitals, history, science and nature, mathematics and reasoning, sports, arts and literature, and current affairs. Questions range from foundational to challenging — designed to stretch your knowledge across all areas, not just the topics you already know well.
The flashcard set is particularly useful for GK preparation — use it for rapid-fire recall across topics in the days leading up to an assessment, alongside working through the full question set with explanations.
General knowledge is tested in job aptitude assessments, university entrance exams (NBT), and professional board tests. Tour quiz covers a broad range of topics.
Study tip: Work through all 150 questions with explanations, then use the 100-card flashcard set for daily recall practice. Active testing beats passive reading every time.
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Question 01 of 20
Capital city of Australia?
Explanation: Canberra is Australia's capital. Purpose-built, became seat of government in 1913.
Question 02 of 20
How many bones in adult human body?
Explanation: Adults have 206 bones. Babies born with ~270-300 which fuse during development.
Question 03 of 20
Closest planet to the Sun?
Explanation: Mercury is closest to the Sun.
Question 04 of 20
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Explanation: Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa (c.1503-1519). Hangs in the Louvre, Paris.
Question 05 of 20
Chemical symbol for gold?
Explanation: Au from Latin 'aurum'. Silver=Ag, Iron=Fe, Copper=Cu.
Question 06 of 20
Nelson Mandela served as SA President from?
Explanation: Mandela: 10 May 1994 to 14 June 1999. SA's first democratically elected president.
Question 07 of 20
Longest river in the world?
Explanation: Nile (~6,650km) is world's longest river. Amazon is largest by volume.
Question 08 of 20
Hardest natural substance?
Explanation: Diamond: 10 on Mohs hardness scale. A form of carbon.
Question 09 of 20
How many continents are there?
Explanation: 7 continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, South America.
Question 10 of 20
Largest ocean?
Explanation: Pacific Ocean: ~165 million km^2.
Question 11 of 20
Who wrote Romeo and Juliet?
Explanation: Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet c.1594-1596.
Question 12 of 20
Gas making up ~78% of Earth's atmosphere?
Explanation: Nitrogen (78%) is most abundant. Followed by oxygen (21%).
Question 13 of 20
When did the first Moon landing occur?
Explanation: Apollo 11 landed 20 July 1969. Neil Armstrong was first human on Moon.
Question 14 of 20
SA's three capitals: legislative, executive, judicial?
Explanation: Russia: 17.1 million km^2. By far the world's largest country.
Question 17 of 20
Who invented the telephone?
Explanation: Alexander Graham Bell received first telephone patent in 1876.
Question 18 of 20
What is the powerhouse of the cell?
Explanation: Mitochondria produce ATP through aerobic cellular respiration.
Question 19 of 20
Smallest country in the world?
Explanation: Vatican City (0.44 km^2). World's smallest by area and population.
Question 20 of 20
Speed of light?
Explanation: c=3x10^8 m/s. Used in E=mc^2.
Q21
What is the capital of France?
Explanation: Paris is the capital and largest city of France, situated on the Seine river. It has been the capital since the 10th century.
Q22
Which country has the longest coastline?
Explanation: Canada has the world's longest coastline at approximately 202,080 km, including islands. It borders three oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.
Q23
What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Explanation: Au comes from the Latin 'aurum' meaning gold. Ag (silver) comes from 'argentum'. Both are noble metals that don't corrode in air.
Q24
What is the largest ocean?
Explanation: The Pacific Ocean is the largest, covering about 165 million km² — greater than all land areas combined. It spans from the Arctic to Antarctic.
Q25
Who wrote 'Romeo and Juliet'?
Explanation: William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet around 1594–96. It is one of our most performed plays, a tragedy of two star-crossed lovers from rival families.
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Q26
What is the speed of light?
Explanation: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 km/s (often rounded to 300,000 km/s). It is the universal speed limit and the basis of Einstein's theory of relativity.
Q27
What is the tallest mountain in the world?
Explanation: Mount Everest at 8,848.86 metres (2020 survey) is the highest point above sea level. It sits on the Nepal-Tibet border in the Himalayas.
Q28
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Explanation: Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun at an average distance of 57.9 million km. Despite this, Venus is actually hotter due to its greenhouse atmosphere.
Q29
What currency does Japan use?
Explanation: Japan's currency is the Yen (JPY, symbol ¥). It has been Japan's currency since 1871. The Bank of Japan is the central bank.
Q30
What is the largest country by area?
Explanation: Russia is the world's largest country at approximately 17.1 million km² — nearly twice the size of Canada (second largest). It spans 11 time zones.
Q31
How many bones are in the adult human body?
Explanation: The adult human body has 206 bones. Babies are born with around 270–300 bones, many of which fuse together during development.
Q32
What is photosynthesis?
Explanation: Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. Occurs in chloroplasts. The glucose produced fuels plant growth. Forms the base of almost all food chains.
Q33
Which element has atomic number 1?
Explanation: Hydrogen (H) has atomic number 1, meaning it has one proton. It is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, making up about 75% of all normal matter.
Q34
What is the powerhouse of the cell?
Explanation: Mitochondria produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration — the energy currency of the cell. They have their own DNA, supporting the endosymbiotic theory.
Q35
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Explanation: Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa between approximately 1503 and 1519. It hangs in the Louvre in Paris and is arguably the most famous painting in the world.
Q36
What is the boiling point of water at sea level?
Explanation: Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm / 101.325 kPa). At higher altitudes (lower pressure), water boils at lower temperatures.
Q37
What is the largest bone in the human body?
Explanation: The femur (thigh bone) is the largest and strongest bone in the human body, running from the hip to the knee. It can support up to 30 times a person's body weight.
Q38
What does DNA stand for?
Explanation: DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is the molecule that carries genetic information and is found in the nucleus of cells. Its double helix structure was discovered by Watson, Crick, Franklin, and Wilkins in 1953.
Q39
How many continents are there?
Explanation: There are 7 continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America. Some models combine Europe and Asia as Eurasia (6 continents).
Q40
What is the smallest planet in our solar system?
Explanation: Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system with a diameter of approximately 4,880 km. Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union.
Q41
What is Newton's first law of motion?
Explanation: Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia): an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion at the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Q42
What is the currency of the United Kingdom?
Explanation: The UK uses the Pound Sterling (GBP, £). The UK voted not to adopt the euro. Banknotes are issued by the Bank of England and feature the reigning monarch.
Q43
What is the process by which water changes from liquid to gas?
Explanation: Evaporation is the process of liquid water converting to water vapour (gas) below the boiling point, driven by heat energy. Sublimation skips the liquid phase (solid → gas). Condensation is gas → liquid.
Q44
Who developed the theory of relativity?
Explanation: Albert Einstein developed the Special Theory of Relativity (1905) and the General Theory of Relativity (1915). E=mc² is perhaps the most famous equation in physics, showing mass-energy equivalence.
Q45
What is the tallest waterfall in the world?
Explanation: Angel Falls (Salto Ángel) in Venezuela is the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall at 979 metres total drop (807 metres free fall). It was named after Jimmy Angel, who flew over it in 1933.
Q46
What does 'www' stand for in web addresses?
Explanation: WWW stands for World Wide Web, invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. The web is a system of interlinked documents and resources accessible via the internet. The internet is the network; the web is a service on it.
Q47
What is the main gas in Earth's atmosphere?
Explanation: Earth's atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.04% CO₂, and trace gases. Nitrogen is largely inert under normal conditions. Oxygen supports combustion and animal respiration.
Q48
In what year did World War II end?
Explanation: World War II ended in 1945: V-E Day (Victory in Europe) was 8 May 1945 when Germany surrendered; V-J Day (Victory over Japan) was 15 August 1945 following Japan's surrender after the atomic bombs.
Q49
What is the hardest natural substance?
Explanation: Diamond is the hardest natural material on the Mohs hardness scale (10/10). It is a form of carbon where atoms are arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Used in cutting tools and jewellery.
Q50
What is the human body's largest organ?
Explanation: The skin is the largest organ, covering approximately 1.5–2 m² in adults and weighing about 3–4 kg. It provides protection, temperature regulation, and sensory functions.
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Q51
How many elements are in the periodic table?
Explanation: As of 2024, the periodic table has 118 confirmed elements, from Hydrogen (1) to Oganesson (118). Elements 1–94 occur in nature; elements 95–118 are synthetic.
Q52
What is the capital of Australia?
Explanation: Canberra is Australia's capital, not Sydney (largest city) or Melbourne (second largest). Canberra was purpose-built as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne and has been the capital since 1913.
Q53
What does the acronym 'NASA' stand for?
Explanation: NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, established in 1958. It is the US government agency responsible for the civilian space programme and aeronautics research.
Q54
What is inflation?
Explanation: Inflation reduces how much you can buy with a fixed amount of money. Causes: demand-pull (too much money chasing goods), cost-push (input costs rise), monetary (excessive money supply growth). Measured by CPI.
Q55
What is the function of white blood cells?
Explanation: White blood cells (leukocytes) are the immune system's defence. Types: neutrophils (bacteria), lymphocytes (B-cells make antibodies, T-cells destroy infected cells), monocytes, eosinophils, basophils.
Q56
What are the primary colours of light?
Explanation: The primary colours of light (additive colour mixing) are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). Combining all three produces white light. Screens use RGB. Different from pigment primary colours (RYB) or print (CMYK).
Q57
Who was the first person to walk on the Moon?
Explanation: Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon on 21 July 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. He was followed by Buzz Aldrin. Michael Collins orbited above in the command module.
Q58
What is the most spoken language in the world by native speakers?
Explanation: Mandarin Chinese has the most native speakers (approximately 920 million). English has the most total speakers (native + second language) at approximately 1.5 billion. Spanish has about 485 million native speakers.
Q59
What is a ecosystem?
Explanation: An ecosystem includes all living organisms (biotic) and their physical environment (abiotic) in a defined area, and all interactions between them. Energy flows in one direction; nutrients cycle.
Q60
How many days are in a leap year?
Explanation: A leap year has 366 days — February has 29 days instead of 28. A leap year occurs every 4 years, except century years, which are only leap years if divisible by 400. 2000 was a leap year; 1900 was not.
Q61
What is gravity?
Explanation: Gravity is described by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation (F=Gm₁m₂/r²) and Einstein's General Relativity (gravity as curvature of spacetime). On Earth, g ≈ 9.8 m/s².
Q62
What is the largest desert in the world?
Explanation: The Antarctic Desert is the world's largest at approximately 14 million km². The Sahara (9.2 million km²) is the largest hot desert. A desert is defined by precipitation (<250mm/year), not temperature.
Q63
What is the speed of sound in air at sea level?
Explanation: Sound travels at approximately 343 m/s (1,235 km/h) in dry air at 20°C. It travels faster in denser media: faster in water (1,480 m/s), fastest in solids. 'Mach 1' refers to the local speed of sound.
Q64
What is a prime number?
Explanation: Prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29... 2 is the only even prime. 1 is not prime (by convention). There are infinitely many primes (proven by Euclid ~300 BCE).
Q65
What does pH measure?
Explanation: pH scale: 0–14. pH 7 = neutral (pure water). pH < 7 = acidic (lemon juice ≈ 2). pH > 7 = alkaline/basic (bleach ≈ 13). Each unit is a 10-fold change in H⁺ concentration (logarithmic scale).
Q66
Which planet has the most moons?
Explanation: Saturn has the most confirmed moons — 146 as of 2023, surpassing Jupiter (95 confirmed). Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has a thick atmosphere and liquid methane lakes.
Q67
What is a black hole?
Explanation: Black holes form from stellar collapse (stellar black holes), at galaxy centres (supermassive — millions to billions of solar masses), or primordially (theoretical). Event horizon: point of no return. Hawking radiation: theoretical emission.
Q68
Who invented the telephone?
Explanation: Alexander Graham Bell is credited with patenting the first practical telephone in 1876, though Elisha Gray filed a patent caveat the same day. Tour led to one of history's most disputed patents.
Q69
What is the function of the heart?
Explanation: The heart is a muscular pump that beats about 100,000 times per day. Left side: pumps oxygenated blood to the body. Right side: pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. Average resting rate: 60–100 bpm.
Q70
What is the greenhouse effect?
Explanation: The greenhouse effect: sunlight passes through atmosphere → warms Earth's surface → Earth emits infrared radiation → greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapour) trap some radiation → keeps Earth ~33°C warmer than it would be otherwise.
Q71
What is osmosis?
Explanation: Osmosis: water moves from low solute concentration (hypotonic) to high solute concentration (hypertonic) through a semipermeable membrane. Isotonic: equal concentrations, no net movement. Drives: plant cell turgidity, kidney function.
Q72
What is the currency of South Africa?
Explanation: South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR, R), issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). It was introduced on 14 February 1961 when South Africa became a republic. 100 cents = 1 Rand.
Q73
What is the ozone layer?
Explanation: The ozone layer (15–35 km altitude) absorbs 97–99% of harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) deplete it. The Montreal Protocol (1987) phased out CFCs — the ozone hole over Antarctica is slowly recovering.
Q74
What is the Pythagorean theorem?
Explanation: The Pythagorean theorem: in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (c) equals the sum of squares of the other two sides: a²+b²=c². Proven by Pythagoras (~570–495 BCE) but known to Babylonians earlier.
Q75
What is a democracy?
Explanation: Democracy: direct (citizens vote on all issues — ancient Athens) or representative (citizens elect representatives). Constitutional democracy: majority rule limited by individual rights. South Africa is a constitutional democracy.
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Q76
What does the acronym 'AI' stand for?
Explanation: AI stands for Artificial Intelligence — the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems. Includes: machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics. AI is a broad field; machine learning is a subset.
Q77
What is evolution?
Explanation: Evolution by natural selection (Darwin, 1859): heritable variation → differential survival and reproduction → change in population over generations. Supported by fossil record, genetics, biogeography, comparative anatomy. Basis of modern biology.
Q78
Who wrote '1984'?
Explanation: George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) wrote '1984' in 1948, published in 1949. It describes a totalitarian society under surveillance by 'Big Brother.' Coined terms: doublethink, newspeak, Room 101, thoughtcrime.
Q79
What is the main function of the liver?
Explanation: The liver performs 500+ functions: detoxification of drugs and alcohol, bile production (fat digestion), glycogen storage (blood sugar regulation), protein synthesis (albumin, clotting factors), cholesterol metabolism.
Q80
What is a tsunami?
Explanation: Tsunamis: generated by underwater earthquakes (subduction zones), submarine landslides, or volcanic eruptions. Travel at 800+ km/h in deep water but slow near shore while height increases. 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed 230,000+ people.
Q81
Which two elements make up water?
Explanation: Water (H₂O) is made of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. It is a polar molecule (unequal charge distribution), giving it unique properties: high surface tension, dissolves many substances, high heat capacity.
Q82
What is the function of red blood cells?
Explanation: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) carry oxygen using haemoglobin (iron-containing protein). Haemoglobin binds O₂ in lungs, releases it in tissues. Also carries CO₂ back to lungs. Lifespan: 120 days. Produced in bone marrow.
Q83
What is compound interest?
Explanation: Compound interest: A = P(1+r)^n. Interest earns interest over time, creating exponential growth. Daily compounding grows faster than annual. Albert Einstein allegedly called it the 'eighth wonder of the world'.
Q84
What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium?
Explanation: Bacteria: prokaryotic cells, reproduce by binary fission, can be killed by antibiotics. Viruses: non-cellular (protein + nucleic acid), require host cells to replicate, not affected by antibiotics — antivirals treat some viral infections.
Q85
What is latitude and longitude?
Explanation: Latitude lines (parallels) run east-west, measure N-S position. Equator = 0°. Longitude lines (meridians) run N-S, measure E-W position. Prime meridian (Greenwich) = 0°. GPS uses lat/long in decimal degrees.
Q86
What is the function of the lungs?
Explanation: Lungs: oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into blood; CO₂ from blood diffuses into air and is exhaled. Alveoli: tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs (huge surface area ~70m²). Breathing rate: 12–20 breaths/min at rest.
Q87
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
Explanation: EM spectrum: Radio → Microwave → Infrared → Visible → UV → X-ray → Gamma. All travel at the speed of light. Higher frequency = shorter wavelength = more energy. Gamma rays most energetic; radio waves least.
Q88
What is democracy's opposite?
Explanation: An autocracy (dictatorship) is characterised by one person holding absolute power with no constitutional limitations. Oligarchy: rule by a small group. Theocracy: rule by religious leaders. Authoritarianism: repressive rule without absolute monarch.
Q89
What is the function of the kidneys?
Explanation: Kidneys filter ~180 litres of blood daily, producing ~1.5 litres of urine. Functions: remove waste (urea, creatinine), regulate blood pressure (renin), maintain electrolyte balance, activate vitamin D, produce erythropoietin (stimulates red blood cell production).
Q90
Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Explanation: Mars appears red due to iron oxide (rust) on its surface. It has the largest volcano (Olympus Mons) and canyon (Valles Marineris) in the solar system. Mars has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos.
Q91
What is the national language of South Africa with the most first-language speakers?
Explanation: isiZulu is South Africa's most widely spoken home language (approximately 25% of the population). South Africa has 11 official languages. English is the language of government and business but is the home language of only about 8% of South Africans.
Q92
What are the main types of rocks?
Explanation: Igneous: formed from cooled magma/lava (granite, basalt). Sedimentary: formed from compressed sediments (sandstone, limestone, coal). Metamorphic: formed by heat/pressure transforming existing rocks (marble from limestone, slate from shale). Rocks cycle between types.
Q93
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Explanation: Weather: today's temperature, rain, wind. Climate: the pattern — 'Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate' means predictably dry summers, wet winters. Climate change alters long-term patterns; weather is day-to-day variability.
Q94
What is globalisation?
Explanation: Globalisation: accelerated by internet, container shipping, liberalised trade (WTO). Benefits: economic growth, technology spread, cultural exchange. Challenges: inequality, job displacement, environmental impact, cultural homogenisation, loss of sovereignty.
Q95
What is photovoltaic (solar) energy?
Explanation: Photovoltaic cells: semiconductor material (usually silicon) releases electrons when struck by photons. Direct current (DC) produced is converted to AC by an inverter. Solar panels are now one of the cheapest sources of new electricity generation globally.
Q96
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Explanation: Gandhi (1869–1948): led Salt March (1930), negotiated Indian independence. His philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) influenced Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and anti-colonial movements worldwide. Assassinated January 1948.
Q97
What is the United Nations Security Council?
Explanation: UNSC permanent members (P5): USA, UK, France, Russia, China — each has veto power. Elected members: 10 non-permanent (2-year terms). Can authorise peacekeeping operations, sanctions, and military action. Established 1945.
Q98
What is the periodic table?
Explanation: Periodic table (Mendeleev, 1869): elements arranged by atomic number. Rows (periods): elements with same number of electron shells. Columns (groups): elements with same number of outer electrons and similar chemical properties. 118 elements currently.
Q99
What is the function of mitochondria?
Explanation: Mitochondria: double-membraned organelles. Inner membrane folded into cristae (increases surface area). Produce ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. Have their own circular DNA (evidence of endosymbiotic origin from ancient bacteria). Multiple per cell.
Q100
What is a budget deficit?
Explanation: Budget deficit: Expenditure > Revenue. Government borrows to cover the difference, adding to national debt. Opposite: budget surplus (Revenue > Expenditure). Structural deficit: persists regardless of economic cycle. South Africa has run a budget deficit for many consecutive years.
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Q101
What is the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Explanation: Darwin and Wallace (1858): variations exist in populations, some heritable, those aiding survival/reproduction become more common, over many generations populations change, over very long times new species form. Supported by genetics, palaeontology, comparative biology.
Q102
What does gravity depend on?
Explanation: Newton's law: F = G(m₁m₂)/r². Both mass and distance matter. Double the distance: gravity is ¼ as strong (inverse square). Earth's gravity: 9.8 m/s² at surface. Moon's gravity: 1/6 of Earth's (smaller mass).
Q103
What is the rule of law?
Explanation: Rule of law: no one is above the law, including rulers. Requires: clear laws, independent judiciary, equal application. Opposite: rule of man (arbitrary power). Foundation of constitutional democracy. Enshrined in SA Constitution.
Q104
What is a pandemic?
Explanation: Pandemic: WHO declares when new disease spreads globally. Examples: COVID-19 (2020), Spanish Flu (1918), HIV/AIDS (1981–ongoing). Epidemic: widespread within one country/region. Endemic: constantly present in a region.
Question 105 of 150
What is the capital of France?
Explanation: Paris is the capital and largest city of France, situated on the Seine river. It has been the capital since the 10th century.
Question 106 of 150
Which country has the longest coastline?
Explanation: Canada has the world's longest coastline at approximately 202,080 km, including islands. It borders three oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.
Question 107 of 150
What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Explanation: Au comes from the Latin 'aurum' meaning gold. Ag (silver) comes from 'argentum'. Both are noble metals that don't corrode in air.
Question 108 of 150
What is the largest ocean?
Explanation: The Pacific Ocean is the largest, covering about 165 million km² — greater than all land areas combined. It spans from the Arctic to Antarctic.
Question 109 of 150
Who wrote 'Romeo and Juliet'?
Explanation: William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet around 1594–96. It is one of our most performed plays, a tragedy of two star-crossed lovers from rival families.
Question 110 of 150
What is the speed of light?
Explanation: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 km/s (often rounded to 300,000 km/s). It is the universal speed limit and the basis of Einstein's theory of relativity.
Question 111 of 150
What is the tallest mountain in the world?
Explanation: Mount Everest at 8,848.86 metres (2020 survey) is the highest point above sea level. It sits on the Nepal-Tibet border in the Himalayas.
Question 112 of 150
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Explanation: Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun at an average distance of 57.9 million km. Despite this, Venus is actually hotter due to its greenhouse atmosphere.
Question 113 of 150
What currency does Japan use?
Explanation: Japan's currency is the Yen (JPY, symbol ¥). It has been Japan's currency since 1871. The Bank of Japan is the central bank.
Question 114 of 150
What is the largest country by area?
Explanation: Russia is the world's largest country at approximately 17.1 million km² — nearly twice the size of Canada (second largest). It spans 11 time zones.
Question 115 of 150
How many bones are in the adult human body?
Explanation: The adult human body has 206 bones. Babies are born with around 270–300 bones, many of which fuse together during development.
Question 116 of 150
What is photosynthesis?
Explanation: Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. Occurs in chloroplasts. The glucose produced fuels plant growth. Forms the base of almost all food chains.
Question 117 of 150
Which element has atomic number 1?
Explanation: Hydrogen (H) has atomic number 1, meaning it has one proton. It is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, making up about 75% of all normal matter.
Question 118 of 150
What is the powerhouse of the cell?
Explanation: Mitochondria produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration — the energy currency of the cell. They have their own DNA, supporting the endosymbiotic theory.
Question 119 of 150
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Explanation: Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa between approximately 1503 and 1519. It hangs in the Louvre in Paris and is arguably the most famous painting in the world.
Question 120 of 150
What is the boiling point of water at sea level?
Explanation: Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm / 101.325 kPa). At higher altitudes (lower pressure), water boils at lower temperatures.
Question 121 of 150
What is the largest bone in the human body?
Explanation: The femur (thigh bone) is the largest and strongest bone in the human body, running from the hip to the knee. It can support up to 30 times a person's body weight.
Question 122 of 150
What does DNA stand for?
Explanation: DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is the molecule that carries genetic information and is found in the nucleus of cells. Its double helix structure was discovered by Watson, Crick, Franklin, and Wilkins in 1953.
Question 123 of 150
How many continents are there?
Explanation: There are 7 continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America. Some models combine Europe and Asia as Eurasia (6 continents).
Question 124 of 150
What is the smallest planet in our solar system?
Explanation: Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system with a diameter of approximately 4,880 km. Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union.
Question 125 of 150
What is Newton's first law of motion?
Explanation: Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia): an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion at the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Question 126 of 150
What is the currency of the United Kingdom?
Explanation: The UK uses the Pound Sterling (GBP, £). The UK voted not to adopt the euro. Banknotes are issued by the Bank of England and feature the reigning monarch.
Question 127 of 150
What is the process by which water changes from liquid to gas?
Explanation: Evaporation is the process of liquid water converting to water vapour (gas) below the boiling point, driven by heat energy. Sublimation skips the liquid phase (solid → gas). Condensation is gas → liquid.
Question 128 of 150
Who developed the theory of relativity?
Explanation: Albert Einstein developed the Special Theory of Relativity (1905) and the General Theory of Relativity (1915). E=mc² is perhaps the most famous equation in physics, showing mass-energy equivalence.
Question 129 of 150
What is the tallest waterfall in the world?
Explanation: Angel Falls (Salto Ángel) in Venezuela is the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall at 979 metres total drop (807 metres free fall). It was named after Jimmy Angel, who flew over it in 1933.
Question 130 of 150
What does 'www' stand for in web addresses?
Explanation: WWW stands for World Wide Web, invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. The web is a system of interlinked documents and resources accessible via the internet. The internet is the network; the web is a service on it.
Question 131 of 150
What is the main gas in Earth's atmosphere?
Explanation: Earth's atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.04% CO₂, and trace gases. Nitrogen is largely inert under normal conditions. Oxygen supports combustion and animal respiration.
Question 132 of 150
In what year did World War II end?
Explanation: World War II ended in 1945: V-E Day (Victory in Europe) was 8 May 1945 when Germany surrendered; V-J Day (Victory over Japan) was 15 August 1945 following Japan's surrender after the atomic bombs.
Question 133 of 150
What is the hardest natural substance?
Explanation: Diamond is the hardest natural material on the Mohs hardness scale (10/10). It is a form of carbon where atoms are arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Used in cutting tools and jewellery.
Question 134 of 150
What is the human body's largest organ?
Explanation: The skin is the largest organ, covering approximately 1.5–2 m² in adults and weighing about 3–4 kg. It provides protection, temperature regulation, and sensory functions.
Question 135 of 150
How many elements are in the periodic table?
Explanation: As of 2024, the periodic table has 118 confirmed elements, from Hydrogen (1) to Oganesson (118). Elements 1–94 occur in nature; elements 95–118 are synthetic.
Question 136 of 150
What is the capital of Australia?
Explanation: Canberra is Australia's capital, not Sydney (largest city) or Melbourne (second largest). Canberra was purpose-built as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne and has been the capital since 1913.
Question 137 of 150
What does the acronym 'NASA' stand for?
Explanation: NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, established in 1958. It is the US government agency responsible for the civilian space programme and aeronautics research.
Question 138 of 150
What is inflation?
Explanation: Inflation reduces how much you can buy with a fixed amount of money. Causes: demand-pull (too much money chasing goods), cost-push (input costs rise), monetary (excessive money supply growth). Measured by CPI.
Question 139 of 150
What is the function of white blood cells?
Explanation: White blood cells (leukocytes) are the immune system's defence. Types: neutrophils (bacteria), lymphocytes (B-cells make antibodies, T-cells destroy infected cells), monocytes, eosinophils, basophils.
Question 140 of 150
What are the primary colours of light?
Explanation: The primary colours of light (additive colour mixing) are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). Combining all three produces white light. Screens use RGB. Different from pigment primary colours (RYB) or print (CMYK).
Question 141 of 150
Who was the first person to walk on the Moon?
Explanation: Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon on 21 July 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. He was followed by Buzz Aldrin. Michael Collins orbited above in the command module.
Question 142 of 150
What is the most spoken language in the world by native speakers?
Explanation: Mandarin Chinese has the most native speakers (approximately 920 million). English has the most total speakers (native + second language) at approximately 1.5 billion. Spanish has about 485 million native speakers.
Question 143 of 150
What is a ecosystem?
Explanation: An ecosystem includes all living organisms (biotic) and their physical environment (abiotic) in a defined area, and all interactions between them. Energy flows in one direction; nutrients cycle.
Question 144 of 150
How many days are in a leap year?
Explanation: A leap year has 366 days — February has 29 days instead of 28. A leap year occurs every 4 years, except century years, which are only leap years if divisible by 400. 2000 was a leap year; 1900 was not.
Question 145 of 150
What is gravity?
Explanation: Gravity is described by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation (F=Gm₁m₂/r²) and Einstein's General Relativity (gravity as curvature of spacetime). On Earth, g ≈ 9.8 m/s².
Question 146 of 150
What is the largest desert in the world?
Explanation: The Antarctic Desert is the world's largest at approximately 14 million km². The Sahara (9.2 million km²) is the largest hot desert. A desert is defined by precipitation (<250mm/year), not temperature.
Question 147 of 150
What is the speed of sound in air at sea level?
Explanation: Sound travels at approximately 343 m/s (1,235 km/h) in dry air at 20°C. It travels faster in denser media: faster in water (1,480 m/s), fastest in solids. 'Mach 1' refers to the local speed of sound.
Question 148 of 150
What is a prime number?
Explanation: Prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29... 2 is the only even prime. 1 is not prime (by convention). There are infinitely many primes (proven by Euclid ~300 BCE).
Question 149 of 150
What does pH measure?
Explanation: pH scale: 0–14. pH 7 = neutral (pure water). pH < 7 = acidic (lemon juice ≈ 2). pH > 7 = alkaline/basic (bleach ≈ 13). Each unit is a 10-fold change in H⁺ concentration (logarithmic scale).
Question 150 of 150
Which planet has the most moons?
Explanation: Saturn has the most confirmed moons — 146 as of 2023, surpassing Jupiter (95 confirmed). Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has a thick atmosphere and liquid methane lakes.
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South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (administrative capital — seat of the executive branch and government departments), Cape Town (legislative capital — where Parliament sits), and Bloemfontein (judicial capital — seat of the Supreme Court of Appeal).
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was South Africa's first democratically elected president, serving from May 1994 to June 1999. He won the ANC's 62.6% of the vote in the April 27, 1994 elections — South Africa's first non-racial democratic election. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 alongside F.W. de Klerk.
Asia is the largest continent by both land area (approximately 44.6 million km² — about 30% of Earth's total land area) and population (approximately 4.7 billion people — about 60% of the world's population). Russia, the world's largest country by area, spans both Europe and Asia.
The Nile River in northeastern Africa is traditionally considered the world's longest river at approximately 6,650 km, flowing northward through Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Some scientists argue the Amazon River in South America is longer when including all tributaries, at approximately 6,992 km.
The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, international cooperation, and human rights. It currently has 193 member states. Key bodies: the General Assembly (all members), Security Council (15 members, 5 permanent with veto: US, UK, France, Russia, China), and Secretariat.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders in a period, regardless of who produces them. GNP (Gross National Product) measures the total output produced by a country's residents, regardless of location. GNP = GDP + income from abroad − income paid to foreigners.
India surpassed China in 2023 to become the world's most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people. China remains close behind at approximately 1.4 billion. The third most populous country is the United States with approximately 335 million. India's young population gives it a demographic dividend for economic growth.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. While some climate change is natural, since the mid-20th century human activities — primarily burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) — have been the dominant driver. Tour releases CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing global warming.