History

Whose death sparked World War I?

• Kaiser Wilhelm

• Archbishop Ussher

• Queen Victoria

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer explanation

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz (Francis) Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated. His murder led to World War I.

Which of these ships was sunk by a German submarine?

• Arizona

• Lusitania

• Titanic

• Andrea Doria

Answer explanation

The British passenger ship Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland in 1915, causing great loss of life.

Which weapon was first used at the Battle of the Somme in World War I?

• Submarine

• Tank

• Jet fighter

• Chariot

Answer explanation

The tank was introduced, at first by the British armed forces, at the Battle of the Somme during World War I.

World War I ended in:

• 1925

• 1918

• 1920

• 1915

Answer explanation

World War I officially ended at 11 AM on November 11 (11/11), 1918.

Which of these people was a spy in World War I?

• James Bond

• Mata Hari

• Benedict Arnold

• Serge Plekhanov

Answer explanation

Mata Hari was a spy for Germany during World War I. She was executed in 1917.

How many republics made up the former Soviet Union?

• 15

• 12

• 20

• 10

Answer explanation

The Soviet Union, at its end, was made up of 15 republics. The largest and most powerful was the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, now Russia.

When was the first Nobel Prize in economics awarded?

• 1969

• 1949

• 1909

• 1929

Answer explanation

The Nobel Prize in economics was established in 1969. It was first awarded to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen, who specialized in macroeconomics.

Which book was written by Niccolò Machiavelli?

• The Once and Future King

• The Prince

• The Good Earth

• War and Peace

Answer explanation

In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli studied the world of politics by using reason and scientific methods. He did not judge people’s actions as good or bad; instead, he simply observed them.

Of what country was Simón Bolívar president?

• Bolivia

• Peru

• Argentina

• Chile

Answer explanation

Simón Bolívar, besides being president of Gran Colombia (1821–30), was also the president of Peru (1823–29).

Which of these nations was neutral in World War I?

• Germany

• Norway

• Italy

• England

Answer explanation

Norway was neutral, meaning that it did not take sides, during World War I (1914–18). The country did not want to enter World War II (1939–45) either, but Nazi Germany invaded it in 1940.