Talented Kids Trivia Quiz

Answer: He played music he had composed himself

Mozart was one of the most famous composers of classical music of all time. He composed his first music at age five. Unlike today, music back then had to follow strict rules. Most people needed years to learn them. Little Wolfgang however just understood them naturally and did it right without needing any formal teaching.

Answer: Movie acting

Tatum O'Neal received the award as Best Supporting Actress in the movie "Paper Moon". She played an orphan girl who travels with a small-ticket criminal. Tatum was special among all child actors who received the Oscar: All others got a kid-sized "juvenile award" (not competing against adults), but Tatum won the grown-up version.

Answer: In a television talent show

Connie was one of the candidates for the "Britain's Got Talent" show aired in the United Kingdom. She finished second in the final show. Later, Connie recorded several CDs in a studio that was installed for her in a spare bedroom. She is especially liked in Korea and China. Connie and her parents have worked out a way to combine a mostly normal girl's life with her performances across the world.

Answer: Michael

Michael Jackson experienced both the best and the worst of being a superstar. From age six, he performed with his brothers, often under intense pressure. Michael also suffered multiple painful injuries that never fully healed. He died in 2009, aged 50, poisoned by wrongly given painkillers.

His older son Prince Michael and daughter Paris carry on the legacy. Unlike their late father, they strictly limit their celebrity appearances.

Answer: Computer programming

The software company Microsoft offers exams for those who create computer programs. Most adults would have a hard time passing them. Arfa, a girl from Pakistan, succeeded when she was just nine years old. Sadly, she died in 2012 at just 16 years of age. This is one more case where great talent and poor health came together.

Answer: Biology

In biology, researchers must often mix very small amounts of liquid - far less than the smallest drop of water. Machines can do that, but they cost ten thousand dollars and more. Like many other child inventors, Gabriel used Lego Mindstorm toys as the material for his robot which costs only $750.

Answer: Chess

Grandmaster is a title for chess players. You can only become one by defeating established Grandmasters in several high level tournaments. Out of many millions of players worldwide, only just above one thousand are grandmasters.

Chess has seen many other child prodigies. You may have heard of American Bobby Fischer, a later World Champion, or of Hou Yifan from China, the youngest girl to become a grandmaster.

Answer: Nuclear physics

Taylor built a primitive but working and safe nuclear fusion reactor - a complex machine where atoms are smashed into each other, releasing energy. His goal is to create a cheap and reliable such machine for hospitals who could use it for treating cancer with the resulting radiation.

Answer: The Qur'an (Islamic holy book)

While it is not unusual for Islamic boys to start memorizing the Qur'an early, most just learn the words. Mohammed however also understood the meanings and was revered as a religious teacher as early as age seven. Some Muslims expect him to become a future leader of their faith.

Answer: He climbed Mount Everest

It is no longer allowed for anyone under 16 to try and climb the world's highest mountain. Jordan's record will thus likely stand for a long time. As a small boy, he dreamed of climbing the highest mountain on every continent. He worked hard for this dream and succeeded. The last one he needed was the Vinton Massif near the South Pole. He climbed it on Christmas Eve, 2011.