Here are twenty trivia questions that I share with my friends each week. I research and write the question myself. The average score for this quiz was 11/20. Out of around 60 people that did it, the highest score was 18. Let me know how you go!

1. A 2023 survey by Bucket List Travels asked more than 2,000 British travellers about their top bucket list destinations and activities. Which natural display ranked first?

Answer: The Northern Lights

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2. Which language, still spoken by around one million people in Spain and France, is Western Europe's only surviving language not known to belong to any established language family?

Answer: Basque (Euskera)

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3. According to Bunnings' national retail sales data, three indoor plants dominate Australian homes. The Peace Lily and Devil's Ivy are second and third. Which plant is the top seller?

Answer: Monstera

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4. Sometimes it is used to show that an item has sold, other times it is used to restore order, and other times it is used to formally mark the start or end of a session. What is the small wooden hammer/mallet used by judges and auctioneers called?

Answer: A gavel

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5. At the Oscars in 2014, Ellen DeGeneres took the "best selfie in history". Which of the following were not in that famous photo? Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, Jared Leto, Angelina Jolie

Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio

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6. The Oxford Word of the Year for 2025 is defined as "online content deliberately designed to make people angry". What is the word (or phrase)?

Answer: Rage Bait

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7. Which current player holds the NBA record for most three pointers of all-time (currently at 4,248)?

Answer: Steph Curry

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8. In 2025, Sydney recorded an average daily temperature of 24°C. To the nearest one degree either side, what was the Perth equivalent?

Answer: 27°C (So 26, 27 or 28 is correct)

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9. Meditation is generally believed to have originated from which ancient civilisation?

Answer: Ancient India

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10. There are 6 world capital cities that begin with the letter R. Name any of them. (And well done if you can get more than 1)

Answer: Rabat, Reykjavík, Riga, Riyadh, Rome or Roseau

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11. On 31 January 1976, an ABBA single replaced a Queen song at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The title of the ABBA song appears in the lyrics of the Queen song. What were the two songs?

Answer: Mamma Mia and Bohemian Rhapsody

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12. On r/AmItheAsshole, people share a story and the community votes on who was in the wrong. A husband, desperate to skip a week-long vacation with his overbearing in-laws, told his wife a work trip overlapped the whole holiday. It was only two days long; he spent the other five alone at home. Weeks later, coworkers accidentally revealed the truth. How did Reddit vote: he is the asshole, he is not the asshole, or everybody sucks here (both in the wrong)?

Answer: Everybody sucks here (both were in the wrong)

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13. In 2026, the United States celebrated its Semiquincentennial. How many years does it represent?

Answer: 250

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14. Known as "Mountain Man", Kurt Steiner spent years studying the physics of stone skipping and collecting thousands of carefully chosen flat stones. In 2013 at Red Bridge, Pennsylvania, how many consecutive skips did he achieve to set the Guinness World Record: 26, 42 or 88?

Answer: 88

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15. In which cuisine would you find Nasi Lemak, which has rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf?

Answer: Malaysian

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16. The main structural completion of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia was achieved on February 20, 2026. When did Construction first begin? 1882, 1922 or 1965?

Answer: 1882

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17. In 2021, Rolling Stone completely overhauled its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list for the first time in 17 years, polling more than 250 artists, producers, critics and industry figures to create it. 8 songs on the list mention the word "man" in the title. Name any of them.

Answer: Any of: "I'm Waiting for the Man", "Rocket Man", "Mr. Tambourine Man" (both versions are on the list), "Son of a Preacher Man", "(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais", "Iron Man" or "Stand By Your Man"

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18. Which natural disaster was the #1 overall trending Google search in 2025 in Australia?

Answer: Cyclone Alfred

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19. In July 2025, Elon Musk announced the creation of a new political party. What was the name of his new party?

Answer: America Party

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20. Name a famous dead person. Guess what most players said: the most popular answer scores 2 points, any other top-5 answer scores 1.

Answer: Top 5 from 60 players: Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Jesus, Queen Elizabeth, Shakespeare (Michael Jackson was well ahead in first)

Hello all,

I live in south western Sydney and since yesterday I’ve been getting a bunch of chinooks coming back and forth from my place. It’s a pair, one’s callsign is FTBY and the other is CHSW according to flightradar. I went on it, and I’ve been seeing so much military activity, like jets flying around, more military helicopters (blackhawks, etc etc), and unmanned drones.

I’ve done some research and found out about the joint military exercise between Indonesia and Australia called Keris Woomera. Is that why there’s so much military activity? I know this is definitely some sort of training but I’ve never seen chinooks around my area, just blackhawks by themselves.

Anyone from nsw 25 bellow?

I've heard a lot of people discuss how unsettled they feel when travelling through that area particularly between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. Lots of Yowie talk too.

Does every state have a similar place, or is 'The Pilliga' Australia's strangest place?

it's been the majority of 2 years (may 2025, even earlier too) since they proposed rules for escooter use and i haven't heard anything about them legalising it yet since, just random stories about how people die from being hit by some irrensponsible kid on one (or those unregistered electric motorbikes, which for some reason they lump together with pedal assist ebikes)

while i don't agree with the top speed limit (20 is way too slow to keep up with traffic let alone overtake, not to mention there's little to no bike infrastructure near me other than painted lines, quiet roads and the occasional sign/painted symbol so cars have to go around me. i can see the safety aspect since that's about as fast as you can go before needing full moto gear to survive a crash so there's that), at the very least not having the potential threat of having some particularly bad-mooded police officer take my escooter would be nice, especially since it has happened to others

for reference, i ride an escooter (segway g3) for trips that would be exhausting on my pushscooter (3-12km with a total range of 25 or so, i've done 17km once on my pushscooter and it was rough but i usually use it on short trips like if im late for uni, perfect for trains and stuff like that since it's easy to carry and smallish too) and i wear an acceptable amount of gear on it too so i've taken some precaution to be somewhat safe after an altercation. it's very cheap (1200 for the unit, few hundred on top for gear with more on the way, couple hundred on accessories, and refilling it is pretty much free since the batt is only more than half a kwh which is only like 25-50c per anyway) so as a student who uses it every so often instead of say a car which is anywhere from the same upfront to multiple times more, not to mention the rego and the youngperson insurance and the fuel cost (have you seen those recently? insane stuff) and maybe parts if i got a bad example, not to knock on having a car i do love the sound of them and even driving to some extent it's mainly my personal financial situation would make it hard to own one without running out of money

now im not asking to have the full system that Germany has or something, where they have rego and insurance and police dynos for escooters but at the very least have it at parity with other states

I feel like I’m a really bad driver because today I nearly got into 2 accidents the first one was only involving me and the other was something where I merged into a lane without knowing someone was there, I only have had my p’s for a week and want to know if there are any tips that could help prevent something like the merge accident

Piercing through the early morning bird calls comes a loud blaring horn.

It is a warning. Be aware — the battle has begun.

In the Armidale pine forest a group of soldiers, merchants and knights have gathered to spend a weekend in the Middle Ages.

Life circa 1450–1470 was far from easy, so this is no luxury getaway.

The soldiers are fuelled by simple food such as bread and cheese and their days are spent engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Through the long nights they keep watch for the enemy.

Event organiser Luke Binks says visiting an old reality can help people find real-life connections away from the digital world.

"I think people are really craving some realism, they're craving escape from what feels like a lie to us sometimes," he says.

Mr Binks has been taking part in events such as these for more than two decades and makes his living building period-accurate armour.

"People really want authenticity," he says.

"Not just authenticity in a historically accurate kind of way, but authenticity in a true understanding and connection to what they're doing and who they are.

"It's difficult to be 100 per cent immersed but … we're in a cool forest, we're camping for four days, you get to deploy out with a medieval military and you almost get to be part of what you see in the movies."

'More real' than real life

Amanda McCaughey, who has six years' worth of live-action role-playing (LARP) experience under her belt, says "the weird thing" is that "it's not about escaping real life".

"This is almost more real life, because if you get stuck in a doomscroll forever, how is that real?" she says.

"You can actually be present in the moment and that's what these events do really well."

Ms McCaughey said preparation was vital, but not cheap.

"You're using natural materials only, wool, linens, which are very expensive," she said.

"The number [of dollars you spend] is infinite, because it's depending on how much gear you buy, how much equipment you buy to participate, whether or not you have someone you can stay in tents with."

SKEMA Business School persuasive language professor Tom van Laer said LARP had its origins in the world of board games such as Dungeons and Dragons but evolved to the point where the board was removed, leaving only the people.

"It brings back the social — not the social as in 'social media' … humans in the same space doing something together," he said.

"That is becoming rarer because of technology."

Great escapes, emotional journeys

Mr Binks said the events also helped participants build confidence and allowed people a space to challenge themselves.

"People have a great time doing it," he said.

"They get to explore themselves a bit, get to test their courage. That may seem like a trivial something, but it's actually not.

"'What's my endurance like? Can I actually last? I'm going to trudge around a forest for four days in soft-soled leather shoes, can I actually do it?'

"This is a great escape. Sometimes it can feel like too much effort to get here, but as soon as you're here and doing stuff you're, 'Like this is actually really relaxing — I don't know if I want to go home.'"

But Professor van Laer said some people could also experience what is known as "bleed".

That happens when the fictional life encroaches on the ordinary, leaving some feeling dissatisfied.

"You learn about leadership, teamwork, all kinds of skills that you could use in your real life. You know how to deal with stress, but there's also clashes," Professor van Laer said.

"Say that you slayed a dragon on the weekend, and then on Monday morning you're sitting in your cubicle with your emails. You start to question, 'Are these the life choices I was meant to make?'

"People actually use these LARPs to reflect on their own life and whether they need to make changes. But that can be a very emotional journey."

I may be losing my license due to double demerits (on my P2 license) but I am on my fulls the first week of January. I’ve heard I can wait til the last day to take my case to court- get it delayed and then pay the fine? So it’ll be paid once I’m on my fulls and I will have enough points.
I was wondering if this is true as I need my license from work (yes silly of me to get myself into this situation, was a mistake) so if this isn’t true I’d rather not risk it and just plea for a shorter suspension.

Would love to hear everyone’s experience

i'll be visiting sydney and wanted to go watch the match
is the official website down?
also is viagogo a safe website to get tickets with?
can we get tickets at the stadium?

Does anyone know of a phone based counseling or therapy line for smokers who are trying to quit? I'm asking for a friend who is anxious about an in person visit, and has struggled with their mental health.

Please let me know any recos and whether there's a better subreddit to ask for suggestions. Any advice appreciated.

Hi! I wanted to do a DIY 5-meter wedding signage like the photo on the left and iron it at home. I already bought this heat transfer paper (photo on the right). I realized that I can't print on it at Officeworks cause they use laser printers instead of inkjet. Does anyone know any printer shops that allow self-printing cause I don't want these to go to waste?

I'm around Hurstville but willing to travel to the city! Thank you so much!

Hey Everyone!

ik this might be a bit of a stretch, but considering that there may be fellow NSW girl guides/scouts on here, I thought I would ask.

I am looking to buy or swap for any redhead district girl guide/scout badges anyone has. Redhead is an area just north of Newcastle, NSW if that helps anyone, I'm not from there, just someone interested in collecting them.

Attached is an image of what the girl guide ones look like, but I do know there is a Redhead Scout Hall, so they may have their own badges too, which I am also looking for.

(a note on safety: I would not be giving out my actual address, I would be giving out a post office address to send to which I can pick them up from)

I saw this post just now, there's no evidence but the times and everything check out. I'm inclined to believe it, the timelines and everything match perfectly and it would explain a lot.

https://www.reddit.com/r/newcastle/comments/1wy1d1r/why_spanian_has_a_personal_grievance_with/

There are kids on dirt bikes on our street everyday. They ride up and down, doing wheelies etc.

I've called the cops multiple times but they say they can't do anything about it because they might run away and hurt themselves. So I told the cops where they live, and now the excuse is that they havnt seen them do it or its classified as intimidation, lmao

Wtf do we pay cops for? I'm really over it. I have kids that play in the front yard, because our backyard is too small.

If one of my kids gets hit, then what? These kids don't have insurance, license, rego.

Anyone know what options I have?

Clock goes forward btw

I’m curious to hear people’s thoughts on this .

Recently I was pulled over by an undercover cop car that was traveling behind me , I saw them and I’m a p plater . I make sure I’m doing everything right because I was stressing , they then put their sirens on , I pull over . 3 maybe 4 cops come out of the car with a cop on either side of my car . I ask how are you going is everything alright , no response .

They tell me that everything is being recorded and asking if that’s fine with me I say yes . They then ask me to count to ten on a machine but I didn’t hear them and was asking how this works . He says “ you’ve done this before “ I’m like no I don’t , also the reason they pulled me over he said was because my break lights weren’t working but I wasn’t aware . ( the cops also had a very rude tone and weren’t kind), they ask me why are you shaking , I’m like I have anxiety this is pretty scary ( it is pretty scary when 4 cops come out of a care treating you like a criminal just because of some break lights not working . They then ask are you doing any drugs , asking me where I’m going , how long I had the car for . I keep on saying I’m sorry and im just shaming trembling with my voice scared because I’ve never had such a bad experience with cops . I do have a bodykit on my car but that’s it ,they say just before he was leaving if I ever catch you without your break lights not working I will give you a yellow sticker . I cannot stress enough though the tone of the cops , no empathy , no kindness , I’m clearly young and they literally were so rude .

Is this normal ? I don’t believe so .

Please tell me your thoughts .

I’m sorry but did I miss something this week? Like an apology from ‘Uncle ‘Sam’ Altman’? Where’s it at? When’s it arriving in Canberra?

Has he sent it via info@servicesaustralia.gov.au again? Or has his brain atrophied to the point where he can’t hold a pen or write a letter anymore?

Uncle Sam illegally hacked one of Australia’s most important Federal Departments! And he hacked the portal for COMMERCIAL purposes only!

He committed this crime against Australia in June - and as every single world citizen knows - you do not message a general government info email address ever; not if you want or need something within an actual reasonable timeframe!

This ‘notification’ he apparently sent, is so dubious as to be blatantly suspicious. There is not a court, a tribunal, a commission, a judge, a registrar or even a lawyer who would ever consider that email to be any thing close to ‘legal notification’.

As Uncle Sam was clearly trying to pull a fast one on us and because he knew pleading stupidity is not a legitimate defence and certainly doesn’t apply to him in any way whatsoever! When can we expect to see him in handcuffs Mr Prime Minister?

When are the AFP flying to SanFran to extradite his American ass? I want to know now!

We are American’s closest ally, second only to Canada, if you, Uncle Sam, were so desperate for this information - why didn’t you just ask?

When has Australia ever said no to you?

Korean - that was a Yes
Vietnam - all the way with LB Bloody J!
Afghanistan - Yes
Iraq - Obviously
And from what I’ve heard we’re, right now holding up the fucking Ukraine alone practically - whilst you guys are laundering money in Iran!

Who the hell do you think you are?

Go to your windows now, my fellow Australians, open them and shout out loud enough for everyone to hear - WHERE’S OUR APOLOGY? WHERE’S OUR APOLOGY? WHERE’S OUR APOLOGY?

P.S. ‘You better get a lawyer son, you better get a real good one’!

Hey all,

Looking for a place to go car camping in Sydney this long weekend.

We bought a SUV and want to trial it out, and if it doesn't work we will go straight home so we would want to stay somewhere close lol. We have a tailgate tent we'd like to use.

Initially looked at campsites Bonnie Vale - doesn't allow car on site. Cattai - booked out but seem like a bit of overkill for sleeping in the car?!

My initial thoughts are beaches - would they allow day time camping? We are open to day time camping and pack up in the evening too, or if they allow overnight camping that's great.

TIA

I'm trying to make it easier to find an earlier test date without checking every centre one by one. Looking for one person who's eligible to book and can spare 10 minutes to show me what the booking page looks like on their end (screen share, you stay logged in, I don't touch your account). Nothing to install, nothing for sale. DM me if keen.

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone has given birth at either Young Hospital or Cootamundra Hospital in NSW?

I’m recently back in Tumut and looking at my hospital options for this birth. I’m considering a smaller hospital rather than Wagga Base and would love to hear about anyone’s experiences at either Young or Cootamundra — whether good or bad!

I've previously birthed my previous two kids at Cooma which was excellent! Great midwives and personal care was top notch. Unfortunately it's a bit far to travel probably, since I'm now in Tumut.

Would really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you so much! 😊

Any good spots to park your car overnight and sleep for a few hours?