Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

A discovery that reshaped warfare

Gunpowder is widely credited to China, where early recipes and explosive mixtures appear in medieval texts long before similar formulas reached Europe. Its introduction changed siege warfare, armour design and the balance of power between states. The word itself reflects an old assumption that the mixture was made of just a few simple ingredients.

Three bones with a story

The middle ear contains the malleus, incus and stapes, the smallest bones in the human body. The stapes is tiny enough to fit on a fingernail, yet it plays a crucial role in transmitting vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. Damage or stiffness in these bones can cause hearing loss, which is why they matter far beyond anatomy exams.

One kingdom, many far-flung places

Denmark's realm includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands, both of which have their own distinct languages, landscapes and political arrangements. Greenland is the world's largest island, while the Faroes sit in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. Neither is part of the European Union, despite the Danish connection.

Capitals that are not the biggest city

Ottawa is Canada's capital, though Toronto and Vancouver are larger and more famous internationally. Panama City serves as Panama's capital and is also its largest urban centre. Juba, the capital of South Sudan, became the seat of government when the country gained independence in 2011. Andorra la Vella, meanwhile, is one of Europe's highest capitals, tucked into the Pyrenees.