Mountains and Molehills Trivia Quiz

Answer: Polish

In fact it was given the name by the Polish explorer and geologist, Count Paul Strzelecki. The name was given in memory of the 18th and 19th century nationalist general, Tadeusz Kooeciuszko, who led an uprising against the expansionist Russian empire in 1794.

Answer: Botany

Botany is the study of the composition, structure and uses of plants. As was stated in the question, this was the first recorded ascent of the 3,500 foot Mount Snowdon. However, there have been suggestions (most notably by historian and naturalist, Thomas Pennant) that it may have been conquered as early as the 13th century, during the conquest of Wales by King Edward I.

Answer: Wind in the Willows

Mole is the first anthropomorphised character that the reader of this classic is introduced to and is also one of four main characters. The other main characters are Ratty, Mr. Toad (of Toad Hall) and Mr. Badger. The remaining three animal related books were created by another British novelist, Richard Adams.

Answer: William III

That really is unfortunate isn't it? It is believed that King William III was riding his horse and fell from it after the horse tripped over a molehill. As a result, William III broke his jaw and contracted pneumonia from which he died in early 1702. On the news of his death, the Jacobites (who wished for the restoration of the House of Stuart) praised the so-called,"...little gentleman in the black velvet waistcoat".

This incident has also been alluded to in the literature of former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.

Answer: 600 metres

The highest mountain or Munro (Scottish mountain over the height of 3000ft above sea level) in the United Kingdom is Ben Nevis located in the western Grampians. The highest mountain in the United States is Mount McKinley or to Alaskans, Denali. It stands proud at just over 20,000 feet above sea level and is a truly magnificent geological structure.

Answer: To make an elephant out of a mosquito

The phrase,"to make a mountain out of a molehill", is probably used frequently enough to be considered a cliché, however, the idiom is very popular and there are certain variations of it found in other languages and cultures. The above example,"to make an elephant out of a mosquito", is a translation from the German phrase,"aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen".

Answer: K2

Despite being on the border of Pakistan and China, K2 is only accessible through Pakistan for those who wish to ascend the second highest mountain on Earth. Mount Everest, the largest mountain on Earth is situated between Nepal and Tibet, an autonomous region of China. Table Mountain overlooks Cape Town, South Africa and Mount Narodnaya is the highest peak in the Russian Urals.

Answer: Mount Aconcagua

Standing proud at just under 7000 metres (roughly 23000 ft), Aconcagua was reportedly first conquered by the Swiss mountaineer, Matthias Zurbriggen, at the end of the 19th century (1897). The fabulous peak was caused by the subduction of the famous Nazca plate which extends across most of the west coast of the South American continent.

It is also famous for being one of the seven peaks, which is the highest peak from each of Earth's seven diverse continents. It is amongst other mountains such as Everest, Kilimanjaro and Antarctica's Vinson Massif.

Answer: Prune

I only happened to stumble across this whilst doing the research for this quiz and I don't know whether or not it is something I would like to taste. See what you think! It consists of almond filled prunes coated in a mixture of gelatin and whipped cream and eggs. This is all topped with chocolate - grated of course to give the dessert that distinct earthy "molehill" appearance.

If there is anyone who has tasted this dessert, drop me a note as it would be interesting to hear how people find it!

Answer: Avogadro

Avogadro's number represents, as in the above example, the number of atoms in one mole of a substance. It could also be ions or various other constituents, however, atoms is the most common usage. Avogadro's number is 6.02214199 x 10^23 which is 6.02214199 x 10 raised to the power of 23. (A rather large number indeed!)

Amedeo Avogadro was born in the year of American independence, 1776, and died in 1856. His first field of endeavour was law, however, the wonders of mathematics and physics became the focus of his life's work. His full name is out of this world! Are you sure you want to see? Well, since you persist, it is Lorenzo Romano Amedeo Carlo Avogadro di Quareqa e Carreto.

I hope you enjoyed this completely random quiz provoked by a bit of late night studying! Thanks for playing.