ISAAC ASIMOV’S SUPER QUIZ

Take this Super Quiz to a PhD. Score one point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, two points on the Graduate Level and three points on the PhD Level.

SUBJECT: COUNTRIES

(e.g., It is located between Spain and France. Answer: Andorra.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Its island state is Tasmania. 2. It is Haiti’s neighbour. 3. Its population is about 75 per cent Jewish. 4. Its islands include Java, Sumatra and Borneo. 5. Which country has more lakes than the rest of the world combined?

GRADUATE LEVEL

6. Its largest islands are named North and South. 7. Its local name is Misr. 8. Its two major groups are the Sinhalese and the Tamils. 9. Lake Baikal is its largest lake. 10. Its official languages are Dutch, French and German.

PHD LEVEL

11. The most sparsely populated country in the European Union. 12. Its Mekong Delta has been called a ‘biological treasure trove’. 13. It includes the Galapagos Islands. 14. It has the lowest population density of any country in Europe. 15. It has the longest coastline on Africa’s mainland.

ANSWERS FOR FRI, NOV 18:

1. Ironwood. 2. Cotton. 3. Toadstool (mushroom). 4. Catkins. 5. Pistil. 6. Three. 7. India. 8. Gardenia. 9. Flax.

SCORING:

24 to 30 points — congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points — honours graduate; 13 to 17 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 5 to 12 points — you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 4 points — enrol in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you?