Answers 12th Nov 2010

Thank you for the encouraging response people. I hope you had fun.

Here are the answers for yesterday's quiz:


12Nov10 #Q1. The first high quality steel was made in India around 300 BC. It was later called Damascus steel. What is its original name?

A: Wootz steel

The name comes from "ukku", which means steel or iron in South Indian languages. It had a high carbon content and was used to make high quality swords and other weapons.

Correct answers: @KiranKS

12Nov10 #Q2. The meteorite ALH84001 (discovered in Antarctica) is speculated to contain evidence for extraterrestrial life. On which planet?

A: Mars. It is named after Allan Hills in Antarctica, where it was discovered in the year 1984. You've seen this picture before, havent you? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/ALH84001_structures.jpg

The rock originated on Mars some 4 billion years ago, when conditions might have been conducive for life. It came to Earth 13,000 years ago after it was blasted off Mars by a large meteorite impact.

For more: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/marslife.html

Correct answers: @pavanvoice, @kishor_narayan, @KiranKS

12Nov10 #Q3. Which major epidemic during the medieval era is believed to have indirectly led to the Renaissance in Europe?

A: The Black Death or The Plague or The Bubonic Plague. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It took away half of Europe's population. How it may have led to the Renaissance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance#Black_Death

Correct answers: @dubash @rushikeshgk, @KiranKS

12Nov10 #Q4. Its inventor called it "medicine for the soul." What is this potent but *non-addictive* and controversial hallucinogenic drug?

A: LSD. They went to war over Opium but probably no other drug is as controversial as LSD is. Interestingly, it is not addictive http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/4094/Overview

12Nov10 #Q5. (my favourite) Which drink is known as "liquid bread" ?

A: Beer, especially strong or stout beers like Guiness, which are nutrient-rich: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3266819.stm

Correct answers: @dubash, @kishor_narayan