The Year 2020 in a Nutshell Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bushfires

The bushfire season covering the 2019-2020 Australian summer was particularly widespread and destructive. Over 18 million hectares (46 million acres) were destroyed and 34 people died (it is estimated that another 445 people died due to the effects of smoke inhalation.) Pictures of beachside evacuations showed the seriousness of these fires. Later in the year, both Europe and America were also impacted by widespread fires.

Answer: Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to step back from public life in January 2020. There was much speculation in the media about what led to their decision. Originally they proposed to continue to do work on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, however it was decided that this would not be appropriate. The couple relocated with their son, Archie, initially to Canada and then the US.

The other choices all featured in the news, supporting NHS workers and charities. Princess Eugenie announced she was pregnant, and Princess Beatrice married in a small, private ceremony.

Answer: European Union

David Cameron promised the British people the right to vote on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union if his party won the 2015 election. The referendum took place in 2016 after a close fought campaign with 51.88% of the population agreeing to the withdrawal.

The subsequent negotiations governing rules such as trade and freedom of movement stretched out over several years. The 'divorce' was finalised on 31st January 2020.

Answer: Summer Olympic Games

The Tokyo Olympics were due to be held 24 July to 9 August 2020. However, due to COVID 19 were postponed for 12 months. Tokyo had previously been a host nation in 1964. This was the first time the modern Olympics had been postponed. The 1916, 1940 and 1944 Olympics were not held at all due to World Wars I and II.

Answer: Captain Sir Tom Moore

Captain Tom Moore was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in May of 2020. A World War II veteran of the Burma campaign, he decided to mark his 100th birthday by walking laps of his garden to raise funds for the National Health Service. His original aim was to raise £1000, however, he achieved £35 million. He was immortalised in the New Year fireworks display in London on 31st December 2020.

Answer: Crew Dragon Demo-2

Space X was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to try and reduce transportation costs with the aim of one day enabling the planet Mars to be colonised. The crew on this mission, Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken, were former NASA astronauts who spent several weeks on the ISS. They named their craft 'Endeavour' after the Space Shuttle of the same name on which they had both been crew members.

Answer: Black Lives Matter

George Floyd was asphyxiated after a police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes. Footage of this incident led to widespread condemnation of the police actions and protests were held around the world. These protests featured the powerful slogan 'Black Lives Matter' which itself started as a Twitter hashtag in 2013. The police officer was subsequently found guilty of murder.

Answer: Korean

The screenplay for 'Parasite' was written by Bong Joon-ho, with Han Jin-won. Boon Joon-ho was also the director. Winning a total of four Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film) 'Parasite' tells the story of the Kim family who are struggling to make ends meet when their son is offered a role in the wealthy Park household.

The rest of the family then find ways to work for the Parks.

Answer: Kamala Harris

The world watched the lead up to the US presidential election with interest, particularly after the incumbent, Donald Trump, cast doubt on the integrity of the voting process, particularly the use of postal ballots. Kamala Harris became the first female Vice President, the first African American and first Asian American Vice President. The subsequent legal battles and storming of the Capitol building overshadowed the transition to the Biden-Harris team.

Geraldine Ferraro was the first female to run for Vice President in 1984 alongside Walter Mondale. They were subsequently defeated by Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Answer: Lockdown

One of the common strategies to try and stop Covid-19 spreading was the introduction of lockdowns. These lockdowns affected cities, regions or even whole countries. Another phrase that also came to symbolise COVID 19 was 'social distancing', where people were encouraged to stay up to 2 m away from one another.