Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

Why a mushroom is not like other living things

A mushroom is the visible fruiting body of a much larger organism that usually lives underground or inside decaying wood. Most of the fungus consists of a network of thread-like structures called mycelium. Unlike amoebas or bacteria, which exist as single cells, fungi are built from many cells organised into complex structures. The mushroom you see is only a small, temporary part of that larger hidden organism.

Catherine the Great and the throne she took

Catherine II came to power in Russia in 1762 after the overthrow of her husband, Peter III. She became one of Russia's longest-ruling female leaders and presided over a period of cultural growth and territorial expansion. Her reign is often associated with the European Enlightenment, and she corresponded with thinkers such as Voltaire and Diderot. The title "the Great" reflects her lasting impact on Russian history rather than any single event.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a storm bigger than Earth

The Great Red Spot is a persistent high-pressure storm in Jupiter's southern hemisphere. Observations from Earth have tracked it for more than 150 years, and spacecraft images show it is large enough to swallow our entire planet. Winds inside the storm can reach several hundred kilometres per hour. Despite its size, the storm has been shrinking in recent decades, though it remains one of the most recognisable features in the solar system.

What Roman women wore over their tunics

The palla was a rectangular cloak worn by women in ancient Rome. It was draped over the shoulders and could also cover the head when outdoors, functioning as both a practical garment and a sign of modesty and respectability. The palla was the female counterpart to the toga, which was largely reserved for male citizens in formal contexts. Its style varied over time and according to social status.

Why Dijon became a mustard capital

Dijon, in the Burgundy region of France, became famous for mustard production during the Middle Ages. The city's location along trade routes and its access to ingredients such as mustard seeds and verjuice, the acidic juice of unripe grapes, helped local producers develop a distinctive style. Modern Dijon mustard is defined more by its preparation method than by a fixed recipe, and many versions today are made outside the city itself.