Voyage Trivia Quiz

Answer: Abraham

The forefather of many nations, Abraham, is a central and revered figure in three of the world's major monotheisms: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Collectively, these three became known as the Abrahamic religions because of their shared origin. Born as Abram in Ur of the Chaldees (located in modern-day Iraq), he is considered the founding patriarch whose life and unwavering faith established the covenant between God and the Hebrew people. Abraham's story of migration, obedience, and the enduring covenant, underpins the spiritual heritage and shared ancestry of over half the world's population, linking Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

In the Biblical narrative, God commanded Abram to leave his homeland and travel to Canaan, promising to make him the father of a great nation and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Over three thousand years ago, this was no small ask. God then changed his name to Abraham ("father of many"). Abraham's obedience, demonstrated over and over again, showed the absolute faith that makes him the archetype for all believers.

For both Jews and Christians, Abraham's account appears in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. In Islam, he is known as Ibrahim and is recognized as a prophet of God. He is deeply connected to the founding of the Kaaba in Mecca, which he is believed to have rebuilt with his son Ishmael.

Answer: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is often and by far regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, he quickly, even as a rookie, became a global cultural icon who drastically revolutionized his team, his teammates, and the sport while setting new standards for excellence.

Jordan led the Bulls to a never-before-achieved six NBA championships in one decade, the 1990s, achieving two historic "three-peats" from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. He was named the Finals MVP in ALL SIX of those victories. His individual accolades include five NBA MVP awards, ten scoring titles, and nine All-Defensive First Team selections. As an athlete, Jordan was known for his extraordinary and other-worldly athleticism, his competitive fire, and his clutch performances (like the so-called 'flu game' for example). Jordan earned the nickname "Air Jordan" for his gravity-defying dunks and amazing leap.

Off the court, his partnership with Nike to create the Air Jordan brand pioneered modern sports marketing and fundamentally reshaped sneaker culture worldwide. Beyond the well publicized deal with Nike, Michael Jordan had major and long-lasting partnerships and endorsements with companies like Gatorade, Hanes, and Upper Deck, along with well-known deals with McDonald's, Wheaties, and Chevrolet. Some of these deals continued well past Jordan's playing days.

Answer: Cell

The smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism is the cell. It carries out all basic life processes, making it the fundamental unit of structure and function. Its major components include the nucleus (which houses DNA and controls activities) and the cytoplasm, a gel-like substance containing specialized structures called organelles (like mitochondria for energy). The cell functions by taking in nutrients, converting them to energy, carrying out specialized tasks, and reproducing. The first form of life on Earth was a single cell.

Molecule is incorrect because it is a group of atoms bonded together, which, though essential to life, the universe, and everything, does not independently perform the basic functions required of a living unit. Nucleus is incorrect because it is a specialized organelle that acts as the control center of a cell, but it cannot function outside of the complete cellular structure, just like a teenager can't function without a cellular structure in their hand. And, finally, a prokaryote is an incorrect answer because it is a classification for a type of single-celled organism (like bacteria), rather than the general fundamental unit of all life. Now, go wash your hands.

Answer: Super Mario Bros.

"Super Mario Bros." is a groundbreaking 1985 platform video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), starring Mario, the Italian plumber, and his brother Luigi. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, the game is credited with revitalizing the stagnant North American video game industry after the 1983 crash and established the conventions of the modern side-scrolling platform genre. In the game, players travel through the different parts of the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Peach from the villainous Koopa King, Bowser.

The gameplay mechanics, which include jumping on enemies, collecting power-ups like the red or green mushrooms, and fire flowers, and navigating diverse worlds with hidden areas and warp zones, were revolutionary. "Super Mario Bros." was one of the best-selling video games of all time and launched the massively successful "Mario" franchise.

The line "The Princess Is in Another Castle!" is the infamous message a player receives when defeating a decoy Bowser at the end of any of the intermediate levels, setting a recurring narrative goal that defines the game's endless pursuit.

Answer: Aesthetics

Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy that systematically studies beauty, art, and taste. It examines the nature of aesthetic value and the principles underlying perception and appreciation. Some of the key questions it raises include "What is art?" and "What makes something beautiful?" Originating from the Greek word 'aisthetikos' (of sense perception), it explores sensory and emotional responses, not just in fine art but also in nature and culture. Philosophers analyze aesthetic judgments and the concept of disinterested pleasure (the 'meh', if you will).

The sublime is an aesthetic notion of greatness that is immeasurable, inspiring awe and a mix of exhilaration and terror because it overwhelms human comprehension. Sort-of like this quiz.

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was a British Conservative stateswoman who served as the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990, the longest continuous service in that office since 1827.

Nicknamed the "Iron Lady" for her uncompromising politics and leadership style, she spearheaded a set of economic reforms which became known as Thatcherism. Her right-wing policies focused on privatization of state-owned industries, deregulation, and significantly reducing the power of trade unions, notably during the 1984-85 miners' strike (which made her quite unpopular in many circles). Her premiership was also marked by the 1982 Falklands War victory and her close alliance with US President Ronald Reagan against the Soviet Union. Ultimately, she resigned over divisions in her party, particularly concerning her opposition to European integration and the unpopular Community Charge. Nevertheless, her legacy profoundly reshaped modern Britain.

Answer: Dan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg was an American folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist famous for his soft rock hits of the 1970s and 1980s. His most notable songs include the ballads "Longer", the autobiographical "Same Old Lang Syne", and "Leader of the Band", a song which honored his musician father. Known for his romantic lyrics and intricate musical arrangements, he released several platinum albums, including "Souvenirs" and "The Innocent Age".

Answer: They have only the one singular purpose

Bumblebee drones (and, indeed, most male social bees) do not participate in colony tasks like foraging, building the nest, or guarding. Their sole biological purpose is to mate with new queens from other colonies to ensure genetic diversity. Once their reproductive duty is complete, they die. All of the other tasks listed in the answers are done by the hive females.

Answer: Kalaallit Nunaat

Kalaallit Nunaat is Greenland, an island with Inuit self-rule. It is the world's largest island and an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Geographically part of North America, most of its massive landmass is covered by a permanent ice sheet. The population is small and primarily composed of Inuit (Kalaallit) people, who reside along the ice-free coastlines. Its economy relies heavily on fishing, and its future is probably tied to its wealth of hidden natural resources and increasing global interest in the Arctic.

The incorrect answers are all Indigenous language names for major island territories: Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand, the Inuktitut name for Baffin Island is Qikiqtaaluk, while Lutruwita is the palawa kani (Tasmanian Aboriginal language) name for the island of Tasmania.

Answer: The US Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The US Declaration of Independence, famously adopted on July 4, 1776, announced the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain. Primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the great statesman of the American Founding Fathers, it asserts the fundamental principle that "all men are created equal" and are endowed with the aforementioned unalienable rights. The document justified the revolution by listing numerous grievances against King George III, formally establishing the colonies as free and independent states. The concept of rights was heavily influenced by the English Enlightenment philosopher John Locke, who famously articulated the natural rights as "Life, Liberty, and Estate (or property)". Jefferson adapted Locke's third right, replacing "property" with the more expansive (and less materialistic) "pursuit of Happiness".