Can You Answer These $500 “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” Questions?

EDUCATION

By: Teresa McGlothlin

6 Min Quiz

Image: RichLegg / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

First aired on British television in 1998, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" quickly gained popularity around the world. When released as a franchise show to U.S. audiences in 1999, millions of Americans glued themselves to their television sets week after week. If you had the chance to appear on the show as so many people dream about, how do you think you would do? 

As you go through the $500 questions we've found, you'll have to use your thinking cap. While we won't be keeping track of how many times you phone a friend, we will be keeping a tally of the answers you manage to answer correctly. Do you think you'll make it all the way through, or will you have to go home with empty pockets? 

We've stayed away from asking you any trick questions, but you'll have to trust your instincts to choose the right answers. If you've ever watched the game on television, you know that the categories will be broad, but we think you can handle it! If you need to use a lifeline, we won't hold it against you. We challenge you to live up to your personal best. Do you think you can do it?


From 1964 to 1985, who asked you not to squeeze the Charmin?

Along with stints on shows like "Bewitched," actor Dick Wilson made over 500 commercials for the Charmin toilet-paper brand. As an ever-diligent store clerk, he urged customers to avoid squeezing the merchandise.

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Nadia Comaneci was the first gymnast to ever do what at the Olympics?

During the 1976 Olympics, Nadia Comaneci turned heads when she became the first gymnast ever to score a perfect 10. During the same year, she won three gold medals and scored an addition six perfect scores.

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Which of these birds has the biggest brain relative to its size?

While an ostrich brain might be bigger than a hummingbird brain, the hummingbird has the biggest brain when compared to body size. Hummingbirds might be small, but their brain makes up nearly 5% of their mass.

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When playing Blackjack, how many points would be considered a bust?

In the game of Blackjack, a winning hand adds up to 21 points. If you were to exceed the 21 points, you would go bust and lose the hand. The chance of being dealt a perfect hand by the dealer is only 4.8%.

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Oysters can change something most other animals cannot. What is it?

Although most oysters are born male, they usually change gender to female by the time they have their first birthday. However, they can also change gender at will when a reproductive need arises.

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The Statue of Liberty was originally supposed to function as what?

Given to the U.S. as a gift from France, the Statue of Liberty has been gracing the New York skyline since 1875. Though originally intended to be a lighthouse, the famous statue is visited by 3.5 million people every year.

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Which of these U.S. state names has the fewest syllables?

Granted statehood in 1820, Maine is the only state in the U.S. to have one syllable. With only 1.3 million residents, it's also one of the least populated states in the continental portion of the nation; it ranks 42nd out of 50 states.

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"Heart of Glass" was a single recorded by which '70s band?

Led by the very blonde Deborah Harry, Blondie's "Heart of Glass" rose all the way to number one in 1979. With over 40 million in album sales and 38 singles, the band has endured longer than most from the era.

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Which one of these historical meanies died from a nosebleed?

He might have been terrible enough to slaughter his brother over the throne and cause suffering for thousands, but Atilla the Hun was not quite as tough as he thought. In fact, he met his demise after passing out and drowning in the blood of a nosebleed.

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Which of these rock groups released an album titled "The Joshua Tree"?

Partially produced by the legendary Brian Eno, U2's "The Joshua Tree" was a hit when it was released in 1987. Although it was the band's fifth studio album, it was the first to see them nominated for a Grammy.

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What was Will Ferrell's character's name in the 2003 hit movie "Elf"?

Truly living larger than all the other elves at the North Pole made for a hilarious character named Buddy in the movie "Elf." With Will Ferrell's talent as a draw, the film grossed nearly $221 million at American box offices.

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Which of these lazy animals sleeps up to 22 hours a day?

The common housecat can sleep for up to 14 hours a day, but the koala has it beat! Eating up to 2.5 pounds of food every day, koalas need a lot of downtime to digest all that eucalyptus. As a result, they tend to sleep around 22 hours per day.

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Where did Noah's Ark come to rest after the flood?

Resting on the eastern side of Turkey, Mount Ararat is the location rumored to hold the remains of Noah's Ark. Although the Ark's presence on Mount Ararat has yet to be proven, a team of researchers did find a cave with wooden walls high up on the mountain in 2007.

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How many years are there in an eon?

A century is 100 years, but a millennium is 1,000 years. While they are both a long time, they are certainly not as long as an eon. For an eon to pass, you'll need to wait 1 billion years.

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Out of these European countries, which has the smallest population density?

With only three people per square kilometer, Iceland is the least populated country in Europe. Conversely, weighing in with 47,000 people per square kilometer earns Monaco the title of the most populated.

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Do you know which U.S. newspaper is nicknamed "The Gray Lady"?

The New York Times has been keeping the newspaper presses rolling since 1851. Also nicknamed "The Gray Lady," The New York Times is the most circulated paper in the country.

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According to Albert Einstein, what is the "hardest thing in the world to understand"?

Though lauded as one of the most brilliant minds on the planet, Albert Einstein was as baffled by income taxes as the rest of us are. He may have created the Theory of Relativity, but he would have never fit in at the Internal Revenue Service.

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What was the singer Pink named at birth?

Born Alecia Beth Moore in 1979, Pink decided to change her name to be more marketable in the music business. She took inspiration from a character in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" named Mr. Pink, and she's made quite a name for herself.

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When you cut into an onion, which element causes it to smell?

Onions might not smell all that bad before you cut into them. But when you do, an amino acid in the onion reacts with the air and releases sulfur. The next time onions make you cry, you can blame the elements!

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Which part of your body has the more sweat glands than the others?

With 250,000 sweat glands in a concentrated area, your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body. Throughout any given day, your body sweats out around eight ounces of fluid from all parts of your body, but mostly your feet!

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Where did Lady Godiva's famous naked ride take place?

When her husband, the Count of Mercia, imposed unreasonable taxes on citizens, Lady Godiva decided to ride through the streets wearing only her hair to protest. Although scholars still debate the accuracy of the story, many still applaud her efforts.

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What is another name for your armpit?

When you apply your deodorant, you're applying it to your axilla. Armpits are often ignored, but they are important parts of the body. It's a location where major nerves leave the upper portion of the body, and it's packed with connective tissues that allow you to move freely.

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Which of these celebrities appeared on a Wheaties box most frequently?

In addition to his countless basketball awards, Michael Jordan also gets the prize for appearing on the Wheaties box 18 times, more than any other athlete. If you still have unopened boxes with any of his appearances, you could be sitting on a pile of cash.

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What sort of a treat did the very first vending machine dispense?

Designed by Hero of Alexandria in 1 A.D., the very first vending machine dispensed holy water. Because his designs were considered miracles, they were placed in temples throughout the city. When churchgoers were ready for holy water, they inserted a coin and received their prize.

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What sort of flower is used to make saffron?

If you wanted to make a pound of saffron, you would need up to 200,000 crocus flowers to make it happen. Then you would have to discard the leaves and petals to use only the stigma.

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What is the modern-day name of the country once called Hibernia?

Long before European occupation, Ireland was discovered by ancient Greek and ancient Roman cultures. Referred to as Hibernia in journals and texts, it's said to have been found by Pytheas of Massilia.

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Which one of the planets has the longest day?

If you think your workday is long, you should try working on Venus. One day on the second planet from the sun is the equivalent of 243 days on earth. At least you would have time to get everything done, right?

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Which Disney Princess was coronated at Kensington Palace?

On October 2, 2011, Rapunzel officially became Disney's 10th princess. The event was held at the home of Queen Elizabeth — Kensington Palace — to ring in the occasion with true princess style and Disney flair.

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Where would you find the start of the Amazon River?

Although scientists have greatly debated the exact river that turns into the Amazon, Peru is the country where all three rivers are located. High up in the Andes Mountains, the Marañón, Apurímac and Mantaro rivers all contribute to the Amazon.

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Where is the birthplace of Walt Disney located?

Born on December 5, 1901, Walt Disney's birthplace is honored in a suburb near Chicago. Although he spent most of his childhood in Missouri, he went on to found Walt Disney Productions with his brother.

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The Incas were the first to domesticate which of these animals?

Around 1000 A.D., the Incas looked away from state-owned animals like llamas and alpacas and started looking toward guinea pigs. For the ancient civilization, guinea pigs became valuable in both ceremonial and nutritional roles. They also made great pets.

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Which of these computer brands holds the record as the top-selling?

Released in the summer of 1982, the Commodore 64 holds the record as the best-selling computer of all time. Boasting only 64KBs of RAM, the model sold over 17 million units worldwide.

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According to Numbers 21:6, why were snakes sent to the Israelites?

As the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness, their complaints about the food were enough to make God turn vengeful, to punish them for their lack of gratitude. According to Numbers, many were killed.

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He was played by James Marsden, but can you correctly name the prince from Disney's "Enchanted"?

In 2007, Disney released a real-world style fairytale starring Susan Sarandon and Amy Adams. When Queen Narissa tries to ruin Giselle's dreams, Prince Edward comes to her rescue. In typical Disney fashion, they live happily ever after.

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Which of these daunting nicknames is given to the mountain K2?

K2 is located on the border of China and Pakistan. With a 25% fatality rate, it's considered one of the most dangerous mountains on earth to climb. K2's deadly reputation has earned it the nickname of "Savage Mountain."

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