Less Tax, of Course Trivia Quiz

Answer: A lack of coordination or control of body movements

Ataxia is the loss of or lack of the ability to control the movement of your body. It is not a disease or disorder but rather a symptom of neurological impairment. Ataxia can be caused by strokes, radiation poisoning, and vitamin deficiency as well as by other disorders.

Answer: Science

Taxonomy is the science of sorting species of flora and fauna into any type of a classification scheme. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus is considered the father of the science of taxonomy. All living things are classified in decending order into kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Each classification is a more specific identifier of the life form.

Answer: "High Tax Harry" Truman

Harry Truman had quite a few nicknames. "High Tax Harry" was a moniker given to him after he raised taxes after the end of WWII. He was also known as "Give 'Em Hell Harry" after he ordered the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima. "Mister Missouri" was a reference to his home-state, while "Haberdasher Harry" was a comment on the fact that he was always well dressed and proper and worked in a haberdashery when he was a young man.

Answer: The Beatles

In their album "Revolver" The Beatles' song "Taxman" protested the the taxation levels being enforced by Harold Wilson, the British Prime Minister. The song was written by George Harrison and was a commentary on the fact that while The Beatles were earning enormous amounts of money they were liable to a 95% supertax that had been introduced by the Labour Party under the leadership of Harold Wilson.

Answer: Mark Twain

Mark Twain was notorious for his scathing, sarcastic wit. This comment is just one of the many that indicated his low opinion of some parts of the government. His ability to deliver such lines with a sense of humour helped cement his place in history as much as his writings did.

Answer: New York City

"Taxi" was a very popular television comedy that focused on the everyday work day of a group of New York City taxi drivers. The show featured many soon to become well-known Hollywood names including Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza and Christopher Lloyd. Most of the television show centered around the daily activity at the taxi garage.

Answer: Syntax

Syntax refers to the rules that govern the construction of sentences in all individual languages. A taximeter is an electronic or mechanical device that computes taxi fares. Epitaxy refers to the natural or artificial growth of crystals of one mineral on the face of another mineral crystal. Paclitaxel is an anticancer drug that is derived from the bark of the yew tree.

Answer: Al "Scarface" Capone

"Scarface" Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters of the Prohibition era. Although undoubtedly guilty of many more serious crimes, he was finally sent to prison for tax evasion. Most of this time was spent in Alcatraz where he lost the standing and reputation he had enjoyed while at the height of his criminal activity.

His physical and mental health rapidly declined while in prison due to syphilis from which he had suffered since early adulthood. This decline continued even after he was released from prison and until his death in 1947.

Answer: Matthew

The Bible identifies St. Matthew as a tax collector from Capernaum before he became one of 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is believed to have witnessed both the Resurrection and the Ascension. Often paired with the disciple Thomas, he is mentioned in the Koran and the Talmud as well as the Christian Bible.

The manner of his death is much debated and will probably never be known. The other three disciples were believed to have been fisherman.

Answer: True

Throughout history there have been some very strange taxes. At one time urine was collected and used as a source of ammonia. It was used for tanning hides and laundering clothing. It was also used for cosmetic purposes. Those who purchased urine were taxed in the same manner as anyone else who bought a valuable commodity. Emperor Vespasian enacted the urine tax to make sure that the government got their fair share of the proceeds.