. Who wrote ‘The Ugly Duckling’? A Jacob Grimm B Hans Christian Andersen C Aesop The Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen published ‘The Ugly Duckling’ in 1843. The fairy tale about transformation and the relative nature of beauty has been turned into operas, musicals, and films and even inspired a statue in New York’s Central Park. … Read more
What are baby swans called? A Chicks B Swanlings C Cygnets Young swans are called ‘cygnets’ and look very different from the adults they will become. Cygnets have dull gray down and dark bills. At about a year old, their feathers turn white and their bills orange. The transformation is part of the premise of … Read more
This swan species has a name that’s a bit of a misnomer. What is it? A Mute swan B Trumpeter swan C Whooper swan The mute swan seen here in a nature preserve in the Netherlands is the quintessential swan species of popular imagination. Despite their name, mute swans are not silent, although they are … Read more
Which top chef would you rather hang out and make dinner with? Emeril Lagasse Gordon Ramsay The correct answer is Emeril Lagasse.
The Question: What is China’s national animal? A Giant panda B Tiger C Giant salamander Long a symbol of China, the panda has appeared on the Chinese Gold Panda coin since it was introduced in 1982. The correct answer is Giant panda.
The Question: What is the most practiced religion in China? A Islam B Taoism C Buddhism While the People’s Republic of China is officially an atheist state, the government formally recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. Nearly three-quarters of Chinese people are atheist, irreligious, or practice Chinese folk religion. The correct answer … Read more
The Question: The Lijiang River flows through these mountains and is depicted on the back of the Chinese 20 yuan bill. Who’s on the front of the bill? A Chiang Kai-shek B Mao Zedong C Xi Jinping Mao is considered the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, which he led as chairman of … Read more
Which October-born author would you rather get spooked by? R.L. Stine Anne Rice The correct answer is R.L. Stine.
The Quiz: The bald cypress is the official tree of what state? A Louisiana B Florida C Georgia Stands of bald cypress (aka ‘swamp cypress’ or ‘red cypress’) are an iconic sight in Louisiana bayous, their branches draped in Spanish moss. The state adopted the cypress as its official tree on May 26, 1963, after … Read more
The Quiz: The cypress tree takes its name from Cyparissus in Greek mythology. What does ‘Cyparissus’ refer to? A A bird B A god of the river C A boy Cyparissus was a boy beloved by Apollo and other deities. Cyparissus’ favorite companion was a tamed deer. One day he accidentally killed the deer with … Read more