general knowledge Online Quiz - 3129

Mario Puzo wrote the 1969 novel 'The Godfather'. Francis Ford Coppola directed the famous film adaptation but did not write the original novel. William Wordsworth was a Romantic poet, and William Stevenson is not associated with this work.

Lal Bahadur Shastri served as Prime Minister of India but was never President. Ramaswamy Venkataraman, Zakir Hussain, and Giani Zail Singh all served as President of India. Shastri died in 1966 while in office as PM, making this a notable political distinction.

Charles Babbage is widely regarded as the 'Father of Computer' for his work on the Analytical Engine and Difference Engine in the 1830s-1840s. While others like Konrad Zuse built early computers, Babbage's conceptual and mechanical work laid the foundation for modern computing. The title recognizes his pioneering vision.

Earth's atmosphere contains approximately 20.946% oxygen by volume, making nitrogen the most abundant gas at about 78%. The other values (16.676%, 29.836%, 11.238%) are incorrect. This is a fundamental fact in atmospheric science and chemistry.

A person weighs about 1/6th on the moon compared to Earth due to the moon's weaker gravitational pull. Weight = mass × gravity, and while mass stays constant, the moon's gravity is ~16% of Earth's. The person would feel much lighter, not heavier or the same.

The Inland Taipan (also known as the fierce snake) is the most venomous land snake in the world. Its venom is the most toxic of any land snake, with enough venom in one bite to kill over 100 adult humans. The Black Mamba and King Cobra are highly venomous but less toxic than the Inland Taipan. The Boomslang is venomous but less deadly than these others.

India won 38 gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, which was a record performance for the host nation. This was India's best-ever Commonwealth Games performance, topping the medal table. The 2010 Delhi Games were a significant milestone in Indian sports history.

While hippos are herbivores, they are extremely territorial and kill approximately 500 people annually in Africa, making them deadlier than crocodiles. Nile crocodiles kill hundreds but fewer than hippos. Lions and hyenas, though dangerous, have much lower human fatality rates. The hippo's aggression combined with human encroachment creates this surprising statistic.

Polar bears are the largest land predators, with males weighing 400-600 kg (up to 800 kg). Tigers and lions are large big cats but smaller than polar bears. White rhinos, though massive, are herbivores, not predators. 'Predator' means carnivorous hunters, making polar bear the correct answer among the options.

The Other Boleyn Girl tells the story of Anne and Mary Boleyn, two sisters who compete for the affection of King Henry VIII of England. Philippa Gregory's historical novel dramatizes this famous rivalry for the king's love. Little Women is about sisters but not competing for a king's love. Pride and Prejudice involves romantic competition but not between sisters for a monarch.

Stephenie Meyer famously dreamed of a vampire and a human girl in a meadow, which became the central scene in Twilight. She wrote the draft rapidly in three months for personal enjoyment, not planning publication. The series became a global bestseller and major film franchise. Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia were consciously crafted over many years. Harry Potter was planned as a series from the outset.

Johnny Gone Down by Karan Bajaj follows a NASA scientist's surreal transformations through multiple identities over 20 years. The novel was a major bestseller in India, selling 45,000 copies in 3 days. Life of Pi is about survival at sea, not multiple identities. The Alchemist focuses on a single character's spiritual journey. Three Mistakes of My Life has no such surreal transformations.

Howard Jacobson won the 2010 Man Booker Prize for The Finkler Question, a novel about male friendship and Jewish identity. The other shortlisted novels were Room by Emma Donoghue, Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey, and In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut. Jacobson's novel explores themes of friendship and belonging with sharp, witty prose.

The Duchess speaks this cynical line in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, reflecting her harsh character. The White Rabbit is always anxious about being late. The March Hare is a mad tea party host. The Mock Turtle tells Alice about his school education. Only the Duchess delivers this particular line about minding one's business.