Sticking Points Trivia Quiz

Answer: Burdock

Burdock plants reproduce using sticky seeds that have tiny hooks, which attach to the fur of animals or even clothing, helping the seeds spread far from the parent plant. Bamboo spreads by underground rhizomes, milkweed seeds float on the wind with silky hairs, and teasel seeds drop or are carried by gravity, so none of these use hooks to stick to animals like burdock does.

Answer: Gecko

Geckos can climb smooth walls because their feet have tiny hair-like structures called setae that create enough adhesion to stick to surfaces. Frogs, salamanders, and chameleons can climb in certain conditions, but they do not have the same special pads that allow geckos to stick to flat, smooth walls.

Answer: Nile

The Nile has been a sticking point between Egypt and Sudan because both countries depend heavily on its water for farming, drinking, and electricity. Disagreements have developed over control of water use and nearby territories linked to the river system. Edfu and Luxor are cities located inside Egypt along the Nile, while N'Djamena is a distant capital in Central Africa, and none of them are connected to disputes between Egypt and Sudan.

Answer: Trolltunga

Trolltunga is a cliff in Norway that sticks out horizontally over the Ringedalsvatnet fjord. It is about 700 meters above the water and formed through glacial erosion during the last Ice Age. The hike to Trolltunga is around 28 kilometers round trip and can take 10-12 hours, so it is recommended only in good weather. El Capitan is a granite monolith in California, Hengifoss is a waterfall in Iceland, and Dachstein is a mountain in Austria.

Answer: The NeverEnding Story

In "The NeverEnding Story" (1984), Atreyu and his horse Artax enter the Swamps of Sadness, where despair causes Artax to sink and become stuck. The scene shows how giving up makes escape impossible, both physically and emotionally. The other films include fantasy journeys but do not feature this type of scene.

Answer: Swiftlet

Swiftlets produce sticky saliva that they use to construct their nests, which are collected in some countries to make bird's nest soup. Other birds like hummingbirds, finches, and sparrows build nests from twigs, leaves, or mud, but their saliva is not sticky enough to serve as a building material.

Answer: Orb-weaver spider

Orb-weaver spiders spin sticky webs to trap insects. Praying mantises grab prey with their front legs, antlions dig pits to catch insects, and Venus flytraps use rapid leaf movements to trap insects. Only the Orb-weaver uses sticky silk as a trap.

Answer: Odysseus

In "The Odyssey", Odysseus faces two deadly sea hazards: Scylla, a six-headed monster, and Charybdis, a giant whirlpool. He must navigate carefully between them to save his ship and crew. This story gave rise to the phrase "between Scylla and Charybdis", meaning being caught between two dangers or difficult choices.

Answer: Stuck in the Moment

"Stuck in the Moment" (2010) is from Justin Bieber's album "My World 2.0". The song was written by Justin Bieber along with several other songwriters and produced by the team The Stereotypes. It talks about being unable to move on from a relationship. Fans liked it for its emotional lyrics and pop melody.

Answer: Casein glue

Casein glue is made from milk protein called casein. It has been used for hundreds of years in woodworking and furniture making. To make it, casein is separated from milk and mixed with a small amount of alkali, which turns it into a sticky paste. This glue sticks very well to wood and hardens as it dries, making strong joints. Before modern synthetic glues were invented, casein glue was a reliable way to join wooden pieces.