Odd couple

The month January is named for Janus, a Roman god who had two…

A) Centaurs
B) Faces
C) Mothers
D) Physical forms

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No success like failure

In 1856, English chemist William Perkin, hoping to improve the treatment of malaria, set himself the task of producing artificial quinine in his home laboratory. Although the effort failed, Perkin succeeded in creating quite a different product instead. What was it?

A) The first commercial bug repellant
B) The first food preservative
C) The first synthetic dye
D) The first transparent plastic

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End of an empire

In what year did the Holy Roman Empire fall?

A) 476
B) 814
C) 1453
D) 1806

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Oscar the First

What was the name of the first motion picture to win the Oscar for “Best Picture”?

A) Cimarron
B) Mutiny on the Bounty
C) Wings
D) The Wizard of Oz

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President and prince

The presidency of France carries with it a second title. According to the terms of a centuries-old document, the French President is also an honorary prince of:

A) Andorra
B) Burkina Faso
C) France
D) Monte Carlo

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Made to measure

The sphygmomanometer is a commonly-used measuring instrument. What does it measure?

A) Acidity
B) Blood pressure
C) Light intensity
D) Tide levels

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A lot or a little

Farms in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan are measured in “sections”. How much land is contained in one section?

A) 4 acres (1.6 hectares)
B) 160 acres (65 hectares)
C) 480 acres (194 hectares)
D) 640 acres (259 hectares)

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You light up my sky

The Latin name for the Northern Lights is Aurora Borealis. The Southern Lights are called:

A) Aurora Australis
B) Aurora Copernicus
C) Aurora Orientalis
D) Aurora Sudensis

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Nine Men’s Morris

The ancient board game known variously as Morelles, Merry Peg and Mills, is now usually called Nine Men’s Morris. This name comes from:

A) A London inn
B) A medieval field sport
C) A musical instrument
D) A traditional dance

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Athens vs. whom?

The Peloponnesian War lasted for several decades in the fifth century B.C. One side was led by Athens, and their main adversary was:

A) Persia
B) Sparta
C) Thebes
D) Troy

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