Veteran’s Day Quiz

by Robert Pondiscio
November 11th, 2010

Posted in Core Knowledge Quiz | 4 Comments »

1. What was the original name of Veterans Day?

2. Why is Veterans Day celebrated on November 11? 

3. What was World War I called prior to World War II?

4. True or false: Since becoming an official U.S. holiday Veterans Day has always been celebrated on November 11?   

5. Which President was the first to have the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as a member of his cabinet?

6. The motto of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is “To care for him who shall have borne the battle.”  What famous speech is the source of the motto? 

7. Who is the current Secretary of Veterans Affairs?

8. Two of the last three Presidents (Obama, Clinton) are not military veterans.  Before Obama and Clinton, who was the last U.S. President not to serve in any branch of the military?

9. Who was the first U.S. President who was not a military veteran? 

10. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

(Answers below)

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Core Knowledge Quiz: Volcano Edition

by Robert Pondiscio
April 20th, 2010

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Posted in Core Knowledge, Core Knowledge Quiz | 3 Comments »

Stranded in the airport waiting for a flight to or from Europe?  Pass the time and entertain fellow passengers with this Core Knowledge Quiz about volcanos.  Bonus points if you can correctly pronounce Eyjafjallajökull.

  1. What is the difference between lava and magma? 
  2. Geologists generally identify four types of volcano: cinder cones, composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes, and lava domes.  The Hawaiian Islands are a chain of which type of volcano? 
  3. A massive eruption of this volcano on 1883 killed over 36,000 people; ash from the explosion may have caused a worldwide drop in temperature. 
  4. Nearly 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes occur in a zone called the “Ring of Fire” around which ocean? 
  5. Which country has the most active volcanoes? 
  6. The world’s tallest volcano is in the United States.  What is it? 
  7.  The word volcano comes from an island off the coast of Sicily. During the Roman Empire, it was thought that Vulcano was the home of which Roman god?
  8. How many active volcanoes are on Earth?  Less than 500?  500 to 1000?  1000 to 2000?  1000 to 2000. Or over 2000? 
  9. The expression “to blow his top” is thought to come from volcanoes.  When this U.S. volcano blew its top in 1980, it lost 1,300 feet from its summit. 
  10. Last week’s eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland is an example of a “Plinian” eruption–when a volcano spews a massive column of ash and gas into the stratosphere.  The name comes from the Roman statesman Pliny the Younger, who wrote a detailed description of the eruption of which famous volcano? 

Answers below:

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Core Knowledge Quiz: Characters Who Became Synonyms

by Robert Pondiscio
January 3rd, 2010

Posted in Core Knowledge Quiz | 3 Comments »

A recent Wall Street Journal blog post about irritable American Idol judge Simon Cowell states that he is “no great pop music Svengali.”   The word “Svengali” comes from a character in a book that almost no one reads anymore, George du Maurier’s 1894 novel, Trilby.  It’s a good example of a character that becomes synonymous with his or her traits–in Svengali’s case someone who manipulates another person, usually with ill-intent.  Any person who demonstrates a high degree of influence over others is now commonly described as a Svengali, including Karl Rove, NFL coach Bill Belichick, and Tiger Woods’ father, Earl.

Like Svengali, many character names from literature have entered the language as words to describe a person’s behavior or traits.  How many of the following can you indentify?

  1.  If you can always find something to be happy about, no matter how grim the circumstances, you are like the title character in Eleanor H. Porter’s children’s classic.
  2. A joyless miser is often described as which character from Dickens?
  3. From a James Thurber short story comes this name for a person with a rich, vivid fantasy life. 
  4. This real-life British dandy has been widely fictionalized in plays and movies.  His name is now synonymous with being well-dressed.  
  5. The word “quixotic” comes from Cervantes’ Don Quixote.  So does this name referring to a handsome seducer. 
  6. The title character of Sinclair Lewis’s 1922 novel entered the language as a synonym for a narrow-minded conformist. 
  7. If you make money easily, you might be said to have a “touch” similar to this mythical king. 
  8. A thing of enormous size or power might be described as “gargantuan,” “goliath,” “titanic,” or “colossal.”  Which of these four words does not come from a character in literature?  
  9. This term for vanity, egotism or selfishness comes from the character in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection. 
  10. Which character from Voltaire’s Candide has become synonymous with foolish optimism?

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Core Knowledge Quiz: U.S. Foreign Policy

by Robert Pondiscio
December 2nd, 2009

Posted in Core Knowledge Quiz | 10 Comments »

On this day in 1823, President James Monroe declared the Americas could no longer be colonized by European nations.  Under the “Monroe Doctrine” the U.S. would consider any such attempts an act of aggression and promised to intervene.  It was a defining moment in U.S. foreign policy.  Here’s a Core Knowledge Quiz to test your knowledge of other important moments in U.S. diplomacy and foreign relations.

  1. Which President warned America to beware of “foreign entanglements?” 
  2. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson paid France $15 million—almost exactly the value of Alex Rodriguez’s contract with the Yankees in today’s dollars—for a tract of land that doubled the size of the U.S.  What was it?  
  3. Name the term or idea, first applied to the annexation of Texas, that signified the belief that the United States was meant – even divinely ordained – to expand across the continent to the Pacific.  
  4. True or false?  As chief executive, the President of the United States has the authority to negotiate and sign treaties with other nations? 
  5. What was “Seward’s Folly”? 
  6. After his 1928 election, FDR announced a policy to mend U.S. relations with Latin America.  What was it called?
  7. Considered by some to be the noblest undertaking in U.S. history – and others to be a waste of $12 billion—this program launched under President Truman sought to help Europe recovery from the devastation of World War II.   What was it?
  8. One of the cornerstones of Post World War II U.S. foreign policy was the idea of “containment.”  Who or what was being contained? 
  9. For each of the following peace treaties, name the war it ended (3 out of 4 needed for credit):
    The Treaty of Ghent.
    The Treaty of Versailles.
    The Treaty of Paris.
    Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
  10. There are five countries with which the United States does not maintain diplomatic relations. Name three of them. 

Answers and scoring below.

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Core Knowledge Quiz: Springsteen Study Guide Edition

by Robert Pondiscio
November 17th, 2009

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Posted in Core Knowledge Quiz | 4 Comments »

When you’re 60-years-old and living on the road it’s easy to get disoriented.  Surely that explains why Bruce Springsteen shouted out “Hello, Ohio!” to the crowd at the Auburn Hills Palace in Michigan last Friday.  He mistakenly referred to the Buckeye State from the stage several times before one of his bandmates set him straight.  Even if you’re born to run, it’s good to know where you are.  To prevent similar faux pas over the rest of his tour, here’s a handy quiz to help The Boss—and you– test your knowledge of the next ten cities on his tour. 

1.        Known today as “Music City,” this state capital was an important river port long before it became the home of the Grand Ole Opry in 1925. 

2.       Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner describing an unsuccessful British attack on this city during the War of 1812. It is also the hometown of Edgar Allan Poe and Babe Ruth. 

3.       Located on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, this city grew rapidly after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825.  At the beginning of 20th century, it was the 8th largest city in America, however today there are fewer people living there than in 1900. 

4.       The first capital of California, this city must now content itself to be known as The Capital of Silicon Valley.   

5.       By reputation the most politically liberal city in one of the nation’s most conservative states, it is home to the headquarters of Dell Computers and Whole Foods Supermarkets.

6.       First settled in the 1830s by the Creek tribe, it was once known as the “Oil Capital of the World.”  Today, however, this city on the Arkansas River in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains has a diverse economy in energy, education, finance and aviation.

7.       Located just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, this city was originally settled as a gold mining town.  It really is 5,280 feet above sea level. 

8.       Chicago may be nicknamed the Second City, but its population makes it #3.  This city is actually the second largest in the United States. 

9.       Founded by Puritan colonists in 1630, this city had America’s first public school, and first subway system. 

10.   One of America’s best known poets, Wallace Stevens, spent most of his career working as a lawyer and insurance executive in this city, still known as “The Insurance Capital of the World.” Other famous authors who lived there included Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Answers, scoring guide, and Springsteen tour dates below:

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Core Knowledge Quiz: Ancient Egypt

by Robert Pondiscio
November 6th, 2009

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Posted in Core Knowledge Quiz | 6 Comments »

On this day in 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter sent a telegraph to his sponsor announcing he had discovered an undisturbed tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.  His discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb stunned the world and revolutionized our understanding of Ancient Egypt.  Children encounter Egypt and other ancient civilizations in the Core Knowledge Sequence beginning in first grade, both in history and in art.   How much do you remember about Ancient Egypt?  Here’s this week’s Core Knowledge Quiz:

1. What was the name given to the religious and political leader of Egypt? 

2. Egyptians made a form of paper from fibers of a reed that grows in marshes along the Nile.  What was it called? 

3. What is the name for Egyptian writing that includes pictorial symbols?

4. This artifact, discovered in 1799, features the same text inscribed in three languages – Greek and two Egyptian languages – and enabled scholars to translate ancient Egyptian texts.  What is it?

5. What feature of the Nile River enabled Egyptian farms to produce large amounts of food? 

6. The Nile River empties into what body of water? 

7. What is a canopic jar and what was its purpose? 

8. Who was the Egyptian god of the afterlife? 

9. What figure, featuring a human head on the body of a reclining lion, is a symbol of both modern and ancient Egypt? 

10. Hatshepsut, one of the most successful pharaohs, expanded trade, grew the Egyptian economy, and  built and restored many temples.  What was unusual about Hatshepsut?  

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Core Knowledge Quiz: American Symbols and Icons

by Robert Pondiscio
October 28th, 2009

Posted in Core Knowledge, Core Knowledge Quiz | 6 Comments »

On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland at a ceremony in New York harbor.  This week’s Core Knowledge Quiz is about the Statue of Liberty and other American symbols.  In schools usng the Core Knowledge Sequence, children begin to recognize and become familiar with the Statue of Liberty and other national symbols starting in kindergarten.

  1. How many rays are on the Statue of Liberty’s crown and what do they symbolize? 
  2. The Statue of Liberty holds a torch in one hand and a tablet in the other with the date July 4, 1776.  What lies at the statue’s feet and why? 
  3. Benjamin Franklin described this bird as “a much more respectable bird…and a true original Native of America” and favored it over the bald eagle as America’s national symbol.  What was it? 
  4. Construction of which monument began in 1848, but was stalled for over 20 years by, among other factors, lack of funds and the Civil War? 
  5. An upstate New York businessman who sold beef to the U.S. Army during the War of 1812 was given a nickname that evolved into a symbol for the American government.  Which symbol? 
  6. The 50 stars on the American flag stand for the 50 states.  What do the stripes stand for? 
  7. True or false: The four Presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore appear from left to right in the order in which they served as President.   
  8. On the Great Seal of the United States, what is the eagle clutching in its talons and what do they represent? 
  9. The reverse of the Great Seal, most commonly seen on the back of the one-dollar bill, shows an unfinished pyramid topped by an eye.  What is the eye called and what does it symbolize? 
  10. The bald eagle is the national bird.  The rose is the national flower.  Does the U.S. have a national tree?

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Core Knowledge Quiz: Inventors and Inventions

by Robert Pondiscio
October 20th, 2009

Posted in Core Knowledge, Core Knowledge Quiz | 1 Comment »

130 years ago tomorrow, Thomas Alva Edison perfected the incandescent lightbulb.  How much do you know about inventors and inventions?  Here’s this week’s Core Knowledge Quiz:

1. Which of the following did Edison NOT invent or perfect: the phonograph, the motion picture camera, the stock ticker, or the microphone?

2. The earliest form of writing, using clay tablets and a reed stylus, emerged in the Sumerian civilization.  What was this form of writing called? 

3. The compass, gunpowder, and paper money were the products of which ancient civilization? 

4. It is often said that Alfred B. Nobel bequeathed his fortune and created the Nobel Prizes to improve his reputation, which was damaged by his controversial invention.  What was it? 

5. Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company are widely credited with “inventing” the assembly line, but the first U.S. patent for the process was awarded to another carmaker.  Who? 

6. Which African American inventor discovered over 100 commercial products that could be made from peanuts and was dubbed a “Black Leonardo” by Time Magazine?

7.  Put these inventions or technological developments in chronological order:  the light bulb, the telephone, the internal combustion engine, the airplane. 

8. What invention or advance in transportation are each of the following people associated with:

  • The Wright Brothers
  • The Montgolfier Brothers
  • Elisha Graves Otis
  • James Watt
  • Robert Fulton
  • Robert Goddard

9. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 helped to make cotton cloth cheap and plentiful, which contributed to the rise of slavery as cotton production boomed in the American South.  What exactly did the cotton gin do?

10. Many inventors names are familiar to us today because they have become familiar brand names for the products  they helped develop.  Which inventors are associated with the following products?

  • The Safety Razor
  • Vulcanized rubber 
  • Frozen foods
  • Air conditioning

Answers below:

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Core Knowledge Quiz: The Age of Exploration

by Robert Pondiscio
October 12th, 2009

Posted in Core Knowledge, Core Knowledge Quiz | 3 Comments »

1. Who was the first explorer to circumnavigate the world?
2. What is a caravel?  Describe its significance
3.  Which Spanish explorer supposedly sought the Fountain of Youth and in the process landed in Florida?
4. If Columbus “discovered” America, why are the continents of the Western Hemisphere called North and South America and not North and South Columbia?
5. Who led the first European expedition down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico?
6. Which English explorer named land on the east coast of North America Virginia, to honor “The Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth I?
7. Which Spanish conquistador’s expedition led to the fall of the Aztec empire and the colonization of much of present-day Mexico?
8. Which European made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, making contact with Australia and the Hawaiian Islands?
9. Who made the first water voyage from Europe to India, around Africa via the Indian Ocean?
10. What is the Northwest Passage?
11. Which English explorer made four attempts to find the Northwest Passage and died after his crew mutinied and set him adrift in a rowboat?
12. Which European’s 1497 expedition is commonly believed to be the first European voyage to North America since Leif Ericson’s?

Answers below:

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First Monday in October

by Robert Pondiscio
October 5th, 2009

Posted in Core Knowledge, Core Knowledge Quiz | 2 Comments »

The first Monday in October is the traditional start of the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court.  Teachers (and a few adults) might wish to see how much their students know about the highest court in the land.

1. The Supreme Court is part of which branch of the government?

2. How are Supreme Court justices appointed and confirmed?

3. True or False: The number of Supreme Court justices is established by the U.S. Constitution.

4. How long does the term of a Supreme Court justice last?

5. Who was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

6. Who is the current Chief Justice?

7. According to the Constitution, no person except a natural born citizen age 35 or older can be President of the United States.  What are the qualifications to be nominated to the Supreme Court?

 8. Of the current nine Justices, how many were nominated by Republican presidents?

9. Describe why each of the following decisions of the Supreme Court are important:

  • Brown v. The Board of Education
  • Dred Scott v. Sandford
  • Plessy v. Ferguson
  • Marbury v. Madison
  • Miranda v. Arizona

10. What words appear on the front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, DC?

11. How many Justices must agree in order for the Supreme Court to hear a case?

Answers below:

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