As Easy as A-B-C-D! Trivia Quiz

Answer: A is for Apple

Fuji apples are a popular variety of apple known for their crisp texture, juicy flesh, and sweet flavor. They were developed in Japan in the late 1930s and were first introduced to the market in the 1960s. The Fuji apple is a cross between two American apple varieties, the Red Delicious and the Ralls Janet, and it was named after Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic volcano.

These apples have a yellow-green background color, often with red blush or stripes covering much of the surface. What makes them so appealing is that they have an exceptionally sweet and crisp flesh. They keep for much longer than many other apple varieties.

Answer: A is for Apple

Applesauce is a versatile culinary product made from cooked and mashed apples. It has been enjoyed for centuries and is quite popular globally. Applesauce has a naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor, which appeals to many palates, including both children and adults. The sweetness can vary depending on the type of apples used and whether any sweeteners or flavorings are added. It is smooth and easy to swallow making it often one of the first foods given to babies. It can also benefit those adults who have issues chewing.

As a food, it can be enjoyed in various ways. It can be eaten plain as a snack or side dish, used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal, incorporated into baking recipes to add moisture and sweetness, or even used as a substitute for oil or eggs in some recipes. While applesauce is convenient and readily available in supermarkets, it is also extremely simple to make at home. In fact, when I make it, I often incorporate other fruits into the apple base in order to give it a different flavour and/or texture.

Answer: A is for Apple

The iPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc., an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California. The iPhone was first introduced by Apple's co-founder, Steve Jobs, in January 2007, entirely disrupting the concept of a cell phone and continuously revolutionizing the smartphone industry with its innovative design, user-friendly interface, and powerful capabilities.

iPhones are known for their sleek and minimalist design, featuring premium materials such as glass, titanium, and aluminum. They typically incorporate cutting-edge hardware components, including high-resolution displays, powerful processors, advanced cameras, and biometric authentication methods. There is an extensive array of apps and products designed to complement the iPhone, adding to the power of Apple Inc. as an industry leader.

Answer: A is for Apple

Apple Blythe Alison Martin was born on May 14, 2004. She is the oldest child of American actress Gwyneth Paltrow and English singer Chris Martin, the frontman for the successful rock band Coldplay. Her unique name, 'Apple', generated significant media interest and discussion upon her birth and is taken from a song her father wrote for her mother. She also has a younger brother, Moses.

As the child of two prominent figures in the entertainment industry, Apple Paltrow has grown up in the public eye. Nevertheless, her parents have tried to maintain some level of privacy about her life. She has worked with her mother on Goop campaigns as well as sung songs with her father, and received some writing credits to boot.

Answer: B is for Balls

Ball bearings are mechanical components used to reduce friction between moving parts. They are a type of rolling-element bearing, which means they use rolling elements - the balls themselves - to maintain separation while helping bear the load.

The system is comprised of two aligned grooves and the balls themselves. These balls are often made of steel, silicon nitride, or zirconia - tough materials which have very low friction to maximize efficiency. The designs may vary but the idea behind them stays the same. These have become indispensable in industrial design.

Answer: B is for Balls

A gala, when referred to as a ball, typically denotes a formal social event or celebration characterized by elegance, sophistication, and often featuring dancing. Historically, balls were grand social gatherings held by royalty, aristocrats, or high society to mark significant occasions or to entertain guests.

In modern times, a gala as a type of ball retains many of these characteristics but is often organized by charitable organizations, cultural institutions, or corporations for fundraising or promotional purposes. Galas can vary in scale and theme, ranging from intimate affairs to large-scale events attended by hundreds of guests. The attire is often formal and the atmosphere is often classy, unless you're at the Oscars, of course...

(While there are Gala apples, only one combination works to complete this puzzle.)

Answer: B is for Balls

The connection between "bravery" and "balls" is often metaphorical, drawing on the idea of courage and fortitude associated with physical attributes traditionally associated with masculinity. In colloquial language, particularly in informal or casual contexts, the phrase "having balls" or "having the balls" is often used to describe someone who demonstrates courage, boldness, or audacity in the face of challenges or adversity. This expression alludes to the concept of testicles (colloquially referred to as "balls") as symbols of masculinity and strength.

Nevertheless, I have definitely encountered many women who have "balls" and have been told as much. While the idea of masculinity is historically strong, in today's world it is clear that women are just as "ballsy" as men are.

Answer: B is for Balls

Rubber balls are common toys and recreational objects made primarily of rubber, a flexible and resilient material derived from the latex sap of certain plants or produced synthetically. Rubber balls come in various sizes, colors, and textures, and they are used for a wide range of activities and purposes.

Natural rubber is derived from the latex sap of rubber trees, grown mainly in Central and South America. Synthetic rubber has also been developed for recreational and industrial use. As toys, rubber balls tend to be hollow. However, in the Mesoamerican ball game, sometimes referred to as ullamaliztli in Nahuatl or pok-ta-pok in Mayan (amongst many other names), the ball was solid rubber and large. This means that it packed quite a punch when it hit you, requiring the players to wear padding.

Answer: C is for Court

A 'kangaroo court' is a colloquial term used to describe a mock or sham legal proceeding or trial that lacks proper legal authority, fairness, or impartiality. In a kangaroo court, the outcome is often predetermined or biased, while the proceedings may be conducted arbitrarily or without adherence to standard legal procedures.

This term is typically used to criticize a situation where justice is not served and where the rights of the accused are disregarded. The term "kangaroo" in this context is believed to have originated from the idea of the court "jumping to conclusions" or being as nonsensical as a kangaroo's movements.

Answer: C is for Court

Tennis courts can have different surfaces, each with its own characteristics. Common surfaces include grass, like at Wimbledon, clay, like at the Roland Garros, hard court (made of asphalt or concrete) like at the US Open, and artificial turf, though no major tournaments are played on that.

The court is marked with various lines that define the boundaries of play. These lines include the baselines (at the ends of the court), the sidelines (along the sides), the service lines (which divide the service boxes), and the center service line. The net runs across the middle of the court, dividing it into two equal halves. The standard dimensions of a tennis court vary depending on whether it is for singles or doubles play. For singles, the court is 78 feet (23.77 meters) long and 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide. For doubles, the court is slightly wider, measuring 36 feet (10.97 meters) in width.

Answer: C is for Court

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body within a country's legal system. Its primary function is to act as the final arbiter in interpreting and applying the law, resolving disputes, and ensuring the consistency and uniformity of legal principles within the jurisdiction.

Variations of the Supreme Court exist from country to country, with differences in structure, powers, and jurisdiction. In some countries, it consists of a panel of judges appointed by the head of state or government. In others, it may include both judges and lay members, such as justices of the peace or experts in specific fields. In some countries, the Supreme Court has broad jurisdiction over both civil and criminal matters, while in others, it may be limited to constitutional issues or matters of national significance.

In general and overall, the Supreme Court plays an important role in upholding the rule of law, protecting individual rights, and ensuring the proper functioning of the legal system in countries around the world.

Answer: C is for Court

A court jester was a historical entertainer employed by mainly European monarchs and nobility during the medieval and Renaissance periods. The primary role of the court jester was to provide amusement and entertainment to the royal court through various forms of comedy, music, dance, storytelling, and acrobatics.

Court jesters were known for their colorful and eccentric costumes, often adorned with bells, and their witty and sometimes satirical humor. They were permitted to speak freely and even to mock or criticize the monarch or other members of the court, although they did so in a humorous and non-threatening manner.

Despite their seemingly frivolous role, court jesters often played an important function in the royal court. They provided much-needed comic relief during tense or stressful situations, acted as confidants and advisors to the monarch, and sometimes even served as mediators in disputes among courtiers. On the flip side, court jesters were also subject to the whims of their employers and could fall out of favor or face punishment (sometimes extreme punishment) if their jokes went too far or offended the wrong people.

Answer: D is for Dry

The dryness of a martini refers to the ratio of dry vermouth to gin used in the cocktail. Vermouth is a fortified wine flavored with various botanicals, and in a traditional martini, it serves to add complexity and balance to the gin. The term "dry" in the context of a martini originally referred to the amount of vermouth used, with a "dry martini" containing less vermouth than a "wet martini".

A dry martini contains a high ratio of gin to vermouth which results in a more spirit-forward and less sweet cocktail. Traditionally, a dry martini might have a ratio of around six parts gin to one part vermouth or even less, depending on personal preference.

An extra dry martini contains even less vermouth than a standard dry martini, sometimes as little as a quick rinse of vermouth in the glass before discarding it, resulting in a cocktail that is almost entirely gin with just a hint of vermouth.

Finally, I was taught to make a bone-dry martini by just tapping the vermouth bottle against the shaker, making the gin acknowledge the vermouth. However, you're just getting straight up gin in this version. Thus, it's usually more economical to just order that and ask the bartender to pour it into a martini glass, not a rock glass... just sayin'.

Answer: D is for Dry

In terms of precipitation, a desert is defined as a geographical area that receives very little rainfall or precipitation. Specifically, deserts are characterized by having an average annual precipitation of less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) per year, or less. This low level of precipitation results in arid or semi-arid conditions, with sparse vegetation and limited water availability.

Of all of the warm deserts, the Atacama is the driest of them all. Stretching along the Pacific coast of northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is known for its extremely arid conditions, some parts of the desert receiving little to no rainfall for decades at a time! The combination of its high elevation, the presence of the Andes Mountains blocking moisture from the east, and the cold Humboldt Current along the coast, all contribute to its dryness.

Answer: D is for Dry

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2), a compound that occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. It is called "dry" ice because it does not melt into a liquid like ordinary ice but instead changes directly from a solid to a gas, a process scientifically known as sublimation, at a temperature of -78.5° C (-109.3° F).

Dry ice appears as a white or translucent solid, similar in appearance to regular ice. However, it is much colder and can cause frostbite upon contact with skin due to its extremely low temperature. The fact that it sublimates makes it useful for creating a dense fog or smoke effect in stage productions, haunted houses, and other entertainment events. It can also be used as a coolant to help transfer goods and medical supplies, like body parts that are ready for transplanting.

Answer: D is for Dry

While I know your gas tank can run dry, I intended for this quiz to be a dry run to gauge whether to continue to make more like these.

In general, a "dry run" refers to a rehearsal or practice session that is conducted without actually executing the intended action. The term originates from the idea of a trial run conducted in the absence of any actual substances or materials, hence the use of the word "dry" to imply that it is without the usual elements or ingredients. The army uses this type of training extensively in order to train their troops without using live ammunition. This can help identify potential issues or challenges before executing the intended action, which makes for a safer and more efficient execution of the actual action.