160+ general knowledge quiz questions for any occasion [2024]

Crafting the perfect quiz can be a real head-scratcher. Coming up with a mix of challenging and entertaining quiz questions is no easy feat. Whether you're hosting a virtual game night, planning a pub quiz, or just looking to impress your friends, you need a solid arsenal of trivia questions to keep everyone on their toes.

That's where we come in! From history to pop culture, we’ve gathered a diverse range of general knowledge quiz questions to spark your creativity and help you create a quiz that's as fun as it is challenging.

General knowledge quiz questions

Geography

Science

History

Food and drink

Pop culture

Sports

Animals

Disney

Other quiz templates

How to create a great quiz

FAQ

General knowledge quiz questions

Time to put your collection of random fun facts to the test! Check out these quiz questions no one could see coming:

1. Which country has the highest life expectancy? Hong Kong
2. What is the most common surname in the United States? Smith
3. Who was the Ancient Greek God of the Sun? Apollo
4. How many minutes are in a full week? 10,080
5. Aureolin is a shade of what color? Yellow
6. How many faces does a Dodecahedron have? 12
7.  What is the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet? Delta
8. What company was initially known as "Blue Ribbon Sports"? Nike
9. What art form is described as "decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering"? Calligraphy
10. What software company is headquartered in Redmond, Washington? Microsoft
11. How many dots appear on a pair of dice? 42
12.  What is acrophobia a fear of? Heights
13.  December 26 is known by what names in Ireland? Saint Stephen's Day
14.  What phone company produced the 3310? Nokia
15. What is the world’s largest retailer? Walmart
16. Which day of the week does the Jewish Sabbath begin? Friday
17. What is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of characters that reads the same backward as forward? Palindrome
18. What is the name of the Chinese philosophical system that emphasizes harmony with nature? Taoism

Geography

Ready to embark on a global adventure? Host a live classroom quiz and test your students’ knowledge of the world with these geography trivia questions:

1. Where would you be if you were standing on the Spanish Steps? Rome
2. What city is known as "The Eternal City"? Rome
3. In which country would you find Mount Kilimanjaro? Tanzania
4. True or false: Halloween originated as an ancient Irish festival. True
5. What is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world? Mexico City
6. Which country has the most islands? Sweden (270,000)
7. In Australia, what is commonly known as a bottle-o? An off-license/liquor store
8. In which U.S. state is the country's busiest airport located? Georgia (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)
9. Which is the only continent with land in all four hemispheres? Africa
10. Which river flows through the Grand Canyon? Colorado River
11. Where is Angel Falls, the world’s largest waterfall, located? Venezuela
12. What is the state capital of New York? Albany
13. On which continent would you find the world’s largest desert? Antarctica
14. What is the capital of Ireland? Dublin
15. What is the smallest U.S. state by area? Rhode Island
16. What is the tallest type of tree? Redwood
17. True or false: Holland is a region in The Netherlands? True
18. What are the five Great Lakes? Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario
19. How many European capitals does the Danube flow through? 4
20. Fill in the blanks: The capital of Bulgaria is _ofi_. Sofia
21. What is the capital of Canada? Ottawa
22.  In what capital would you find The Little Mermaid statue? Copenhagen
23. On which continent would you find the city of Baku? Asia
24. What is the only flag that does not have four sides? Nepal
25. How many stars are on the Chinese flag? 5
26. How many colors are used in the South African flag? 6
27. What colors is the flag of the United Nations? Blue and white
28. What country features a shipwreck on its national flag? Bermuda
29.  In what country is the Chernobyl nuclear plant located? Ukraine
30. Which is the only sea without any coastlines? The Sargasso Sea
31. What mountain range separates Europe and Asia? The Ural Mountains

Science

Time to dig up everything you learned in high school chemistry class! From the smallest particles to the vast cosmos, we've got science questions to challenge your knowledge:

1. How many elements are in the periodic table? 118
2. Which planet in the Milky Way is the hottest? Venus
3. Who discovered that the Earth revolves around the sun? Nicolaus Copernicus
4.  Which planet has the most moons? Saturn
5. Which planet is closest to the sun? Mercury
6. Where is the strongest human muscle located? Jaw
7. Which is the only body part that is fully grown from birth? Eyes
8. How many bones do we have in an ear? 3
9.  What scientific theory proposed that Earth revolves around the sun? Heliocentrism
10.  What is the process by which plants convert sunlight to energy? Photosynthesis
11. What is the scientific theory that explains the origin of the universe? The Big Bang Theory
12. What is the name of the world's first artificial satellite? Sputnik 1
13. What is the chemical element with the symbol Fe? Iron
14. What is the smallest unit of matter? Atom
15. What is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere called? Exosphere
16. What is the process by which a liquid changes into a gas? Evaporation

History

Test your knowledge of the past! From ancient civilizations to modern events, we've got quiz questions to challenge history buffs of all levels:

1. What was the name of the crime boss who was head of the feared Chicago Outfit? Al Capone
2. What year was the United Nations established? 1945
3. What Renaissance artist is buried in Rome's Pantheon? Raphael
4. Who was the last Tsar of Russia? Nicholas II
5. Roald Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole, but where was he from? Norway
6. Who famously crossed the Alps with elephants on the way to war with the Romans? Hannibal
7. The Parthenon Marbles are controversially located in what museum? The British Museum
8. In what year did World War II end? 1945
9. Which famous historical document begins with the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident"? The Declaration of Independence
10. What event marked the end of the Roman Empire in the West? The Fall of Rome
11. Which ancient Chinese dynasty is often considered the "golden age" of Chinese civilization? Han Dynasty
12. What Renaissance artist painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling? Michelangelo
13. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? Marie Curie
14. What was the name of the German military strategy of rapid, overwhelming attacks? Blitzkrieg
15. In what decade was the internet created? 1960s
16. What was the primary cause of the Great Irish Famine? Potato blight
17. What was the name of the peace treaty that ended World War I? Treaty of Versailles
18. What was the name of the first computer virus? Creeper
19. What was the name of the ancient Egyptian sun god? Ra
20. What was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy? Operation Overlord
21. Which powerful Mongol ruler conquered a vast empire stretching from Asia to Europe? Genghis Khan

Food and drink

Ready to whet your appetite for knowledge? From national dishes to types of wine, these quiz questions will satisfy your craving for trivia:

1. Which country drinks the most coffee per capita? Finland
2. How many measures of Gordon’s Gin are in a Vesper (James Bond) martini? 3
3. Cacio e pepe is a staple of what Italian city’s cuisine? Rome
4. Where did sushi originate? Japan
5. What is a Beaujolais? A type of red wine
6. Which of the following sauces is NOT traditionally vegan: hoisin, Worcestershire, mustard, or wasabi? Worcestershire
7. What is the world’s best-selling stout beer? Guinness
8. What meat is used in a shepherd's pie? Lamb
9. What is the difference between brandy and cognac? Cognac must come from the Cognac region of France
10. Pink Ladies and Granny Smiths are types of what fruit? Apples
11. What is the main ingredient in hummus? Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
12.  What is the rarest and most expensive spice in the world by weight? Saffron
13. What cheese is traditionally made from the milk of a donkey? Pule
14. What is the primary ingredient in the alcoholic beverage absinthe? Grand wormwood
15.  What is the process of adding yeast to dough to create carbon dioxide bubbles? Fermentation
16. Which country is credited with inventing ice cream? China
17. What is the primary ingredient in the Italian dessert tiramisu? Mascarpone cheese
18. What is the name of the Japanese art of preparing and presenting food? Moritsuke

Pop culture

Think you're a pop culture guru? Put your knowledge of movies, music, TV, and more to the test. From classic hits to the latest trends, these trivia questions will determine if you're truly in the know:

1. Who has won the most total Academy Awards? Walt Disney
2. What artist has the most streams on Spotify? Drake
3. What company was originally called "Cadabra"? Amazon
4. Queen guitarist Brian May is also an expert in what scientific field? Astrophysics
5. How many ghosts chase Pac-Man at the start of each game? 4
6.  What shoe brand makes the "Mexico 66"? Onitsuka Tiger
7. What game studio makes the Red Dead Redemption series? Rockstar Games
8.  What character have both Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch played? Sherlock Holmes
9.  What is the highest-rated film on IMDb as of January 1, 2024? The Shawshank Redemption
10.  Complete the following lyrics: "I should have changed that stupid lock....." I should have made you leave your key
11. What was the name of the record label founded by Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and Interscope Records? Aftermath Records
12.  Kratos is the main character of what video game series? God of War
13. What Netflix show had the most streaming views in 2021? Squid Game
14. In which country was Elon Musk born? South Africa
15.  Who performs the voice of Homer Simpson? Dan Castellaneta
16.  What is the highest-grossing film of all time? Avatar
17.  What is the longest-running Broadway musical? The Phantom of the Opera
18. What luxury brand is known for its iconic interlocking “C” logo? Chanel
19.  What year was the first iPhone released? 2007
20. Who is the director of the critically acclaimed film “Parasite”? Bong Joon-ho
21. Troy Bolten and Gabriella Montez are the two main characters in what 2006 Disney movie? High School Musical
22. The 2002 movie “8 Mile” is a semi-biographical story of what rapper? Eminem
23. In the wildly popular 2011 series “Game of Thrones,” what is the sigil of House Stark? Direwolf

Sports

Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, these sports trivia questions are sure to get you and your friends riled up:

1. What does FIFA stand for in English? International Federation of Association Football
2. Which country has won the most World Cups? Brazil
3. Who was the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2023? Cristiano Ronaldo
4. In what city is the NFL Hall of Fame located? Canton, Ohio
5. Simone Biles is famous for her skill in what sport? Gymnastics
6. Where does the Tour de France finish each year? Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris
7. What do you call it when a bowler makes three strikes in a row? Turkey
8. What was the first name of Argentinian soccer star Maradona? Diego
9. What height is a regulation NBA basket? 10 feet / 3.02 meters
10. What is the national sport of Japan? Sumo wrestling
11. What sporting event has a strict dress code of all white? Wimbledon

Animals

Put your animal expertise to the test with these fun quiz questions! From the wilds of the jungle to the depths of the ocean, let's see if you're a true animal aficionado:

1. What is the world's fastest bird? Peregrine falcon
2. What is a group of crows called? A murder
3. How many hearts does an octopus have? Three
4. What is a group of pandas known as? An embarrassment
5. What is the loudest animal on Earth? Sperm whale
6. What is the only mammal capable of true flight? Bat
7. What animal has the largest brain relative to body size? Dolphin
8. What animal has the longest lifespan? Ocean quahog clam
9. What is the term for the study of birds? Ornithology
10. What is the process by which some animals produce light called? Bioluminescence
11. What animal had the most powerful bite in the world? Nile crocodile
12. What animal has the longest tongue? Giraffe

Disney

Dive into the magical world of Disney! How well do you know your favorite characters, movies, and songs? Let's find out with these enchanting trivia quiz questions:

1. Where is Disney's European theme park located? Paris, France
2. Which Disney movie has had the most sequels? Toy Story (4)
3. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is a song from which movie? Mulan
4. What character have both Glen Close and Emma Stone played? Cruella de Vil
5. Who was the first Disney princess? Snow White
6. What color are Mickey Mouse's shoes? Yellow
7. Scuttle stars in which movie? The Little Mermaid
8. What year was Cinderella released? 1950
9. Mickey Mouse was originally named what? Mortimer Mouse
10. How many Academy Awards for Best Original Song has Disney won? 14

Other quiz templates

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How to create a great quiz

Have your family and friends battle it out with your own customized trivia quiz! Crafting a killer quiz is all about striking the perfect balance between challenge and fun. Here's how to do it:

• Sign in to your Mentimeter account: If you don’t already have one, create your free account here.
• Know your audience: Who are you trying to impress? Kids? Adults? Quiz buffs? Tailor your questions accordingly.
• Pick a theme: From outer space to under the sea, a theme adds excitement.
• Browse templates: Select the quiz template you want to use and add it to your account. Pick any of those included here or browse our template library!
• Mix it up: Don't just stick to multiple choice. Use true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and even picture rounds to keep things interesting.
• Challenge accepted: Make sure your questions are tough enough to test knowledge but not so hard that players feel defeated.
• Test it out: Try your quiz on friends or family to get feedback and tweak as needed.

Remember, the best quizzes are both informative and entertaining, so have fun with it!

Cue the competition with Mentimeter

Transform your living room into a game show studio! Forget the old pen and paper — with interactive elements, stunning visuals, and real-time results, Mentimeter turns trivia night into a captivating spectacle. Try Mentimeter today to see how you can up your quiz game.

FAQ

How can I customize the quiz templates for my audience? You can customize the quiz templates by logging into your Mentimeter account, selecting a template, and then editing the questions, answers, and design to match your audience's interests and the theme of your event.

What are some tips for keeping the audience engaged during the quiz? To keep your audience engaged, vary the question types, include multimedia elements like images or videos, encourage audience participation through live polls, and offer small prizes or recognition for top performers.

Can I use these quizzes in virtual settings? Yes, Mentimeter quizzes are designed to be versatile and can be easily integrated into virtual meetings or webinars. Participants can join from their devices by entering a code, making it a seamless experience for remote audiences.

How should I choose question difficulties? Aim for a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions to cater to a diverse audience. Starting with easier questions can help build confidence, while more challenging ones can stimulate discussion and keep participants engaged.

Are there recommended follow-up activities after the quiz? A: Post-quiz discussions, sharing interesting facts related to the questions, or even creating thematic breakout sessions can enhance learning and engagement. It's also an opportunity to debrief and gather feedback for future quizzes.