Heavy as a rock

A “carat” is a unit of mass applied to pearls and precious stones. The word comes from the Greek word keration, which in turn comes from an Arabic word meaning:

A) Sand grain
B) Seed
C) Star
D) Woman’s fingernail

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Leadership quality

Many countries have eccentric leaders, but the president of North Korea is probably the strangest of all. Oddly enough, he:

A) Frequently competes internationally as a ballroom dancer
B) Is dead
C) Has never been seen in public, even on television
D) Owns a herd of specially bred pygmy elephants

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The birth of a nation

In what year was Canada founded?

A) 1783
B) 1812
C) 1867
D) 1918

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Extra added bonus

When Richard the Lionheart signed a peace treaty with Tancred of Sicily in 1191, he sweetened the deal with a special bonus gift. What did Tancred receive from Richard I?

A) King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur
B) The arrow that had slain King Harold in 1066
C) The golden hunting horn of Robin Hood
D) The holy grail

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Glaring exception

Who among the following was not a famous composer of classical music?

A) Glazounov
B) Gleyre
C) Glinka
D) Gluck

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No shortcuts

Where in the world is the longest stretch of straight railway track?

A) Siberia, Russia
B) The Gobi Desert, Asia
C) The Nullarbor Plain, Australia
D) The Prairie Provinces, Canada

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Most metal

What is the most abundant metallic element in the earth’s crust?

A) Aluminum
B) Copper
C) Iron
D) Tin

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Maker of champions

In the early years of the 20th century, Charles E. Smith of New York coached a team of young women to a remarkable unbroken series of victories in what competitive activity?

A) Quilting
B) Rafting
C) Shooting
D) Typing

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Banana oil

What is banana oil?

A) A preservative sprayed on bananas before shipping
B) An extract of bananas or plantains, used in cooking
C) An inorganic substance with a banana-like odor
D) Ordinary motor oil that has become yellowish with age

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Farewell to change

The first coin-operated vending machine dates from at least the first century BC. What product did the machine dispense?

A) Healing crystals
B) Holy water
C) Honey wine
D) Horoscopes

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