There is nothing quite like the thrill of a pub trivia night or the satisfaction of shouting the correct answer at the screen before anyone else. General knowledge challenges have experienced a massive global resurgence, cementing themselves as a favorite pastime for minds looking to stay sharp and competitive.

The Ultimate Brain-Buster Challenge

Today, we are putting your intellect to the test with some of the most challenging trivia questions compiled by our editorial team. Covering history, pop culture, theology, and linguistics, this quiz is designed to separate the casual trivia fans from the true experts. Grab a pen and paper, and see how many you can get right without resorting to a search engine.

The Questions

1. Linguistics: The English word ‘faeces’ finds its origins in a Latin term. What did this original Latin word mean?
2. Theology: In Islamic tradition, Muslims believe that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during a series of visitations by which angel?
3. Pop Culture: In 2014, Apple users worldwide woke up to find an album automatically downloaded into their iTunes libraries without their consent. Which unpopular U2 album was it?
4. History: Irishman Thomas Blood was arrested in 1671 during a daring and infamous heist. What was he attempting to steal from the Tower of London?
5. Literature: Published in the early 20th century to guide young women, what was the official title of the very first handbook for the Girl Guides?
6. Landmarks: In the 1850s, the famous London nickname ‘Big Ben’ was coined. Which specific part of the landmark Westminster tower was originally given this name?
7. Cinema: In the acclaimed 2018 musical drama A Star is Born, Lady Gaga’s character pays tribute to a legendary star of the original 1954 film. Which Judy Garland song does she sing?

Are You a Mastermind? Check Your Answers Below

No peeking until you have written down all your answers! Scroll down to see how well you performed.

The Answer Key

• 1. Dregs or sediment: The Latin word faex translates to "dregs", "sediment", or the yeast/grounds left at the bottom of a wine cask.
• 2. Angel Gabriel (Jibril): Gabriel is revered in Islam as the archangel who acted as the intermediary between God and Muhammad to reveal the holy text.
• 3. Songs of Innocence: The controversial promotional campaign saw the album pushed to over 500 million iTunes accounts, sparking a massive backlash over privacy and digital consent.
• 4. The Crown Jewels: Blood managed to bind and gag the Keeper of the Jewels, but his plot was foiled when the keeper's son made an unexpected return home.
• 5. How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire: Published in 1912, the book was written by Agnes Baden-Powell and her brother, Robert Baden-Powell.
• 6. The Great Bell: While many use "Big Ben" to refer to the clock tower itself, the nickname was strictly given to the massive 13.7-tonne hour bell inside.
• 7. Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Lady Gaga’s character, Ally, hums and sings a snippet of the classic song in an homage to Garland, who starred in the 1954 version of the film.

How did you fare? If you scored five or more correct, you are officially in the upper echelon of trivia buffs. Keep your mind active, and stay tuned for our next weekly challenge!