Junk Drawer of Random Trivia #2 Quiz

Answer: New York

Despite being one of the most luxurious and advanced ships of its time, the Titanic was sadly not iceberg-proof, and disaster struck on April 14, 1912. It sank in the early hours of April 15. The ship was carrying over 2,200 passengers and crew, but only around 700 survived due to a shortage of lifeboats, and heartbreakingly small floating doors. Had it successfully completed its journey, the Titanic would have docked at Pier 59 in New York City.

Answer: Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr was not only a queen but also a writer and a strong advocate for religious reform. She played a significant role in reconciling Henry with his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, and helping to restore them to the line of succession. After the king's death, Parr - having successfully kept her head through her marriage to Henry - remarried Thomas Seymour but died in childbirth in 1548. Anne of Cleves was Henry's fourth wife whom he divorced, and the only other to outlive Henry.

Answer: Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels, known for his dramatic roles at the time, took a major career risk by starring in 'Dumb and Dumber'. Many advised him against it, fearing it would damage his reputation. However, the film became a massive success, grossing over $247 million worldwide and solidifying its status as a cult classic. Daniels later reprised the role in 'Dumb and Dumber To' in 2014.

The part was originally offered to Nicolas Cage, who - being Nicolas Cage - demanded more money. The studio wasn't pleased with the choice of Jeff Daniels any more than the latter's agent, and offered him only $50,000 to take the movie, hoping he would refuse. Daniels accepted the offer.

Answer: Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis has been dogging humanity for millennia, with evidence found in ancient Egyptian mummies. Unlike outbreaks such as the bubonic plague, TB has persisted over time rather than appearing in devastating waves, so slow and steady wins the race. Despite being curable today, it remains a major global health issue, with millions of new cases and deaths annually.

Answer: Danielle Steel

'The Ring' tells the story of Ariana von Gotthard, a young woman from a wealthy German family whose life is shattered by the rise of the Nazis and the horrors of World War II. After enduring devastating losses, she flees to America in search of a new beginning, carrying only a gold ring that connects her to her past. The novel is a tale of love, survival, and resilience.

Answer: They are in freefall

It is a common misconception that astronauts float in space because there is no gravity. Earth's gravity extends far beyond the atmosphere - if you think about it, gravity is what keeps the Moon in orbit after all. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station experience weightlessness because they are in freefall.

The ISS is zooming through space at about 17,500 mph, falling toward Earth, but because Earth curves away at the same rate, it never actually lands - or crashes, if you like. Since the astronauts are falling at the same speed as the station, they don't feel gravity pulling them down like we do on the ground. That's why they appear to float - it's like an endless skydiving experience, just without the parachute!

Answer: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' explores themes of emotional turmoil and self-reflection, but I suppose that goes without saying. The album features collaborations with artists like Post Malone and Florence + The Machine, adding additional musical textures. Upon its release, the album broke streaming records, becoming the most-streamed album in a single day on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Critics praised Swift's lyrical depth, noting her ability to convey complex emotions through minimalist synth-pop and folk-pop arrangements.

Answer: The Eiffel Tower

Designed by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1889, the tower was initially met with harsh criticism from prominent artists and intellectuals who considered it an eyesore. However, it soon became one of the world's most recognizable and beloved landmarks. Standing 1,083 feet tall, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930.

The Eiffel Tower was originally meant to be temporary, scheduled for dismantling after 20 years. However, its value as a radio transmission tower helped save it from demolition.

Answer: Persian

Persian is an Indo-European language and has been spoken in the region for over 2,500 years. It is the primary language used in government, education, and media in Iran. In addition to Iran, Persian is also spoken in other countries such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Despite its long history, modern Persian has absorbed many words from Arabic, especially after the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. It is also distinct from Arabic in both grammar and syntax, though both languages share the same alphabet.

Answer: BIOS

BIOS is your PC's "bootstrap" loader and has been a fundamental part of computers since the early PC era. UEFI has largely replaced it in modern machines due to its improved security, faster boot times, and support for larger storage devices, but the name persists (My own computer refers to it as UEFI BIOS). Now if only you could only find and press F2 fast enough to get into the settings, we might actually be able to see what it does.