Reach For The Sky! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Skyscraper

Constructed between 2004 and 2009, the Burj Khalifa became the tallest skyscraper in the world upon its completion, at a height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft). Located in the United Arab Emirates, it was originally named the Burj Dubai for the city it was being built in, but the name was changed upon its completion, in honour of the ruler of the UAE at the time, Sheikh Khalifa.

After taking over the tallest skyscraper title from the Taipei 101, the Burj Khalifa also became the tallest free-standing structure in the world in 2007, when it surpassed Canada's CN Tower.

Answer: Skyscraper

Formerly dubbed the Menara Warisan Merdeka (which translates as Independence Heritage Tower), Merdeka 118 (it has 118 floors) was built in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between the years 2014 and 2022. Constructed on the site of the former Merdeka Park, this skyscraper became the world's second-tallest building upon its completion, at a height of 678.9 m (2,227 ft).

Answer: Skyscraper

The Shanghai Tower held the mantle of the second-tallest skyscraper in the world for eight years upon its completion in 2014 (until the Merdeka 118 claimed the title). Construction on the building began in 2008, and was considered complete in 2014, although exterior work continued into 2015, and the observation deck was not opened to the public until 2016.

In total, the Shanghai Tower tops out at 632 m (2,073 ft).

Answer: Skyscraper

Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower is the tallest of a set of seven buildings in the complex known as "The Clock Towers." Located just 300 meters from the Great Mosque of Mecca, the tallest tower lights up spectacularly for the Call to Prayer five times a day, and for other special occasions.

Upon its completion in 2011, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower became the second-tallest skyscraper in the world, but that mark has since been surpassed.

Answer: Communications Tower

The Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting (and observation) tower in Sumido, Japan, which is part of the Tokyo Metropolis. Designed in 2006, its construction was begun in 2008 and completed in 2012. At the time of its completion, the Tokyo Skytree became the tallest tower in the world with a height of 634 m (2,080 ft), although only the fourth-tallest structure.

Interestingly, the height of 634 m was chosen to be easily remembered (in Japanese). The figures 6 (mu), 3 (sa), 4 (shi) stand for "Musashi", which is the old name for the region where the Tokyo Skytree stands.

Answer: Communications Tower

Formally named the Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, the less formally titled 'Canton Tower' was constructed between 2005 and 2010, with the grand opening just in time for the 2010 Asian Games. At the time of its completion, the Canton Tower supplanted Canada's CN Tower as the tallest tower in the world (since 1976) with a height of 604 m (1,982 ft).

Unfortunately, the Canton Tower's title as the tallest tower only lasted a couple of years, as the Tokyo Skytree overtook it in 2011 on its way to its 2012 construction completion.

Answer: Communications Tower

Canada's CN Tower is located in Toronto, Ontario, and was built by the rail company Canadian National (hence the 'CN'). Construction began in 1973, and two years later it surpassed the previous record holder for the tallest free-standing structure in the world. When finally completed in 1976, the CN Tower reached its full height at 553.3 m (1,815.3 ft).

This iconic communications and observation tower held the record as the tallest in the world for 32 years until the Burj Khalifa surpassed it during its construction in 2007.

Answer: Communications Tower

Designed and built in honour of the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution, Ostankino Tower was constructed between 1963 and 1967. It was the first ever structure to exceed 500 m in height, and topped out at 540.1 m (1,772 ft). The Ostankino Tower replaced the Empire State Building as the tallest structure in the world at the time.

Named for the district of Moscow that it was built in, the Ostankino Tower's reign as the tallest free-standing structure in the world lasted until 1974 when Canada's CN Tower claimed the title.

Answer: Observation Tower

The Baiterek Tower is located in Astana, Kazakhstan, and was constructed between 1996 and 2002 as a symbol of the establishment of Astana as the capital the Republic of Kazakhstan, which was moved from Alma Ata in 1997. It is 105 m (344 ft) tall, with the observation floor at a height of 97 m, for the year 1997.

The tower's name is a reference to a folktale about a mythical tree of life and a magic bird of happiness. The bird (Simurgh), laid her egg in the crevice between two branches of the tree. It represents the new stage of (post-Soviet) life for the Kazakh people.

Answer: Observation Tower

At one point, Seattle's Space Needle was the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, topping out at a respectable 184 m 605 ft (184 m). In Seattle (and the state of Washington), it was the tallest structure from its construction in 1962 until 1969, when the 50-story Safeco Plaza skyscraper was built.

The Space Needle was built as an observation tower (albeit originally also with two restaurants) for the 1962 World's Fair, and was designed for its west coast environment, able to withstand Category 5-plus wind speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph), and built to avoid serious damage in earthquakes up to a magnitude of 9.1.

Answer: Observation Tower

Originally named the Husky Tower (for Husky Oil, which was one of the financing partners), the Calgary Tower was constructed between 1967 and 1968, in honour of Canada's centennial celebrations. Upon completion, the Husky (Calgary) Tower stood 190.8 m (626 ft) tall and was the tallest structure (of its type) in North America. The observation tower also included a restaurant, which was originally named the Hitching Post.

When built, it was more than twice the height of the next-tallest building in the city, but now Calgary's skyline is dominated by office building towers, many of which obscure the sight of the formerly skyline-iconic tower.

Answer: Observation Tower

Originally named the Stratosphere Tower (and still called that by many), this Las Vegas icon has been officially shortened and combined with the casino and hotel that is part of the complex: "The Strat Hotel & Casino & Tower."

Constructed between 1992 and 1996, the Strat topped out at a height of 350.2 m (1,149 ft), in spite of the owner's desire to go up to 556 m (1,825 ft), in order to claim the title of tallest free-standing structure in the world. It didn't happen because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opposed it, and the city of Las Vegas consequently did not approve it. Even so, the Stratosphere Tower claimed the second-tallest observation tower in North America, behind the CN Tower (which is also a communications tower).