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: BOTANY

(e.g., The death cap is a poisonous ____. Answer: Mushroom (fungus).)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. You can tell a tree’s age by counting _____.

2. General term for trees whose leaves fall in autumn.

3. What plant is associated with St Patrick’s Day?

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. What is the sacred flower of both Hindus and Buddhists?

5. Which part of the tree is used to make cork?

6. Term for the female reproductive organ of a flower.

PHD LEVEL

7. Its basic function is to transport water from roots to shoots and leaves.

8. Charles Darwin described this carnivorous plant as “most wonderful.”

9. This plant’s name is from the Italian word for ‘beautiful lady.’

ANSWERS FOR MONDAY, MARCH 5:

1. Annual rings. 2. Deciduous.

3. Shamrock (or clover). 4. Lotus.

5. Bark. 6. Pistil. 7. Xylem.

8. Venus flytrap. 9. Belladonna.

SCORING:

18 points – congratulations, doctor; 15 to 17 points – honours graduate; 10 to 14 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 4 to 9 points – you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 3 points – enrol in remedial courses immediately; 0 points – who reads the questions to you?