1. Which major European country experienced extensive riots in August?
a) France
b) Italy
c) Germany
d) Britain

2. What position was held by Solomon Mujuru who died recently?
a) Finance minister
b) Head of the army
c) Vice President
d) Governor of the Reserve Bank

3. What subject does a UK government report think pupils should study up to age 18?
a) English
b) Maths
c) A foreign language
d) History

4. What animal grounded a flight leaving the airport at Stockholm in Sweden?
a) Dog
b) Mouse
c) Snake
d) Spider

5. A remote Pacific island has just experienced its first
a) Football match
b) Workers’ strike
c) Bank robbery
d) Murder

6. The father of which football player was kidnapped and later released?
a) Jon Obi Mikel
b) Didier Drogba
c) Emmanuel Adebayor
d) Asamoah Gyan

7. What is the capital city of Libya?
a) Cairo
b) Lagos
c) Tripoli
d) Rabat

8. The USA has seen a marked increase in theft in recent years of what?
a) Mail boxes
b) School furniture
c) Traffic lights
d) Dogs

9. What percentage of new words in the new Chambers dictionary is internet related?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 50%
d) 75%

10. Serious attacks on humans by animals have occurred in the last few months; which two animals have been responsible for these attacks?
a) Elephant and tiger
b) Shark and polar bear
c) Lion and grizzly bear
d) Anaconda and dingo

11. The 50th anniversary has been celebrated of which iconic building?
a) The Berlin Wall
b) The Statue of Liberty
c) The Sydney Harbour Bridge
d) The Eiffel Tower

12. Astronomers claim to have found a planet made out of what?
a) Wood
b) Gold
c) Diamonds
d) Asbestos

13. Which team did Zimbabwe beat in their first cricket Test Match for 6 years?
a) Sri Lanka
b) Pakistan
c) New Zealand
d) Bangladesh

14. Why was Usain Bolt disqualified from the 100m in the World Championships in South Korea?
a) He failed a drugs test
b) He ran out of his lane
c) He false started
d) He was late for the event

15. It has been suggested that lack of sleep may lead to what?
a) Cravings for sugar
b) Increased consumption of alcohol
c) Proposals of marriage
d) Thieving

16. Which country using the Euro currency is not currently in undue economic difficulty?
a) Italy
b) Greece
c) Germany
d) Spain

17. Hosni Mubarak has gone on trial. He is the former President of which country?
a) Tunisia
b) Egypt
c) Bahrain
d) Syria

18. Which country hosted the 2011 All Africa Games?
a) Mozambique
b) Botswana
c) Zambia
d) South Africa

19. Sebastian Vettel looks set to win the 2011 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. What team does he drive for?
a) Red Bull
b) Ferrari
c) Maclaren
d) Williams

20. Which country on the United Nations Security Council says it will veto Palestine’s application to become a full member nation?
a) China
b) France
c) Russia
d) United States

21. A children’s general knowledge quiz on a radio station in Somalia offered some unusual prizes. Which of the following was one of those prizes?
a) A wedding dress
b) AK 47 rifles
c) Training to become a Moslem imam
d) HIV testing

22. Another unusual planet has been discovered by astronomers. What is unusual about this one?
a) It is orbiting 2 suns
b) It does not orbit any sun
c) It does not rotate on its axis
d) It is the only planet in its solar system

23. According to a newspaper, what do British parents want in schools?
a) Free lunches
b) Caning to be reintroduced
c) Fruit for pupils to eat at break time
d) CCTV in all classrooms

24. A Dutch woman is to be charged with stalking after making a large number of phone calls to him. How many times in the past year did she phone him?
a) 1000
b) 10,000
c) 50,000
d) 65,000

25. Players in which sport have threatened to strike, complaining of an overcrowded schedule
a) Golf
b) Athletics
c) Tennis
d) MotoGP

26. Which pop singer was told to “cover up” by a farmer whilst filming a video in his field?
a) Janet Jackson
b) Lady Gaga
c) Rihanna
d) Katy Perry

27. Worth $200m, what was found on a shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean
a) Silver
b) Jewelry from the Spanish royal family
c) Drugs
d) Artefacts taken from Aztec settlements in Mexico

28. What drink may help ward off depression in women?
a) Tea
b) Mango juice
c) Sprite
d) Coffee

29. Albert Uderzo has retired after 52 years of drawing which famous cartoon character?
a) Tintin
b) Hagar the Horrible
c) Fred Bassett
d) Asterix

30. Denmark has imposed a tax of foods containing saturated fats. Which of the following would not be taxed?
a) Milk
b) Pizza
c) Cheese
d) Bread

31. Which team will win the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand?
a) England
b) Australia
c) South Africa
d) New Zealand