Think you know a little about everything? This 30-question challenge mixes science, geography, history, nature, technology and culture. Try answering without searching first, write down your score, then check the answer key at the end. The questions are designed to be fun—not a measure of intelligence.

Round 1: Science and space

• 1. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
• 2. What gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere during photosynthesis?
• 3. What is the chemical symbol for gold?
• 4. What force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
• 5. What is the closest star to Earth?

Round 2: Geography

• 6. What is the largest ocean on Earth?
• 7. Which continent contains the Sahara Desert?
• 8. What is the capital city of Japan?
• 9. Which river flows through Egypt and into the Mediterranean Sea?
• 10. What is the smallest country in the world by area?

Round 3: History and inventions

• 11. In which country did the ancient Olympic Games begin?
• 12. Who is credited with developing the movable-type printing press in Europe?
• 13. The ancient city of Petra is located in which modern country?
• 14. In what decade did humans first land on the Moon?
• 15. Which invention is associated with Alexander Graham Bell’s most famous patent?

Round 4: Nature and the human body

• 16. What is the largest mammal on Earth?
• 17. What part of a plant usually absorbs water from the soil?
• 18. How many chambers does the human heart have?
• 19. What is the name for animals that are most active at dawn and dusk?
• 20. Which blood cells help the body fight infection?

Round 5: Culture, language and technology

• 21. How many strings does a standard violin have?
• 22. What does the abbreviation ‘www’ stand for?
• 23. Which language has the most native speakers worldwide?
• 24. What is the name of the fictional detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle?
• 25. In computing, what does CPU stand for?

Round 6: Mixed challenge

• 26. What is the hardest naturally occurring mineral on the Mohs scale?
• 27. How many sides does a hexagon have?
• 28. Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?
• 29. What is the currency of the United Kingdom?
• 30. What is the process called when liquid water changes into water vapor?

Answer key

• 1. Mars.
• 2. Carbon dioxide.
• 3. Au.
• 4. Gravity.
• 5. The Sun.
• 6. Pacific Ocean.
• 7. Africa.
• 8. Tokyo.
• 9. The Nile.
• 10. Vatican City.
• 11. Greece.
• 12. Johannes Gutenberg.
• 13. Jordan.
• 14. The 1960s (1969).
• 15. The telephone.
• 16. Blue whale.
• 17. Roots.
• 18. Four.
• 19. Crepuscular.
• 20. White blood cells.
• 21. Four.
• 22. World Wide Web.
• 23. Mandarin Chinese.
• 24. Sherlock Holmes.
• 25. Central Processing Unit.
• 26. Diamond.
• 27. Six.
• 28. Barometer.
• 29. Pound sterling.
• 30. Evaporation.

How did you score?

Give yourself one point for each correct answer. A score of 26–30 means you handled a broad mix of topics; 20–25 is a strong result; 14–19 means you know more than you might think; and below 14 simply gives you a list of things to explore next. These score bands are for fun, not a formal assessment.

Keep learning

Smithsonian Institution · NASA · NOAA · Encyclopaedia Britannica

Share your score and challenge someone else. The best part of a general knowledge quiz is discovering which answer sends you down a new rabbit hole.