Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

A coronation watched around the world

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1953, more than a year after she became Queen. The ceremony was broadcast on television, a first for a British coronation, and millions followed it live. Westminster Abbey has hosted coronations for centuries, making it one of the most historically loaded venues in Europe.

Why the Philippines carries a poetic nickname

The label "Pearl of the Orient" has long been attached to the Philippines, a nod to its location and its role in early Pacific trade. The archipelago sits in Southeast Asia, with Manila as its capital. The phrase has also been used for other places over the years, which is why it can trip people up in quizzes.

Eiffel's tower was never meant to stay

Gustave Eiffel's company built the iron tower for the 1889 Paris World's Fair, and it was originally intended as a temporary structure. Many critics hated it at first, calling it an eyesore on the Paris skyline. It survived because it proved useful for radio and telegraphy, and today it is the city's most recognisable landmark.

The Sphinx and its missing nose

The Great Sphinx sits on the Giza plateau in Egypt, near the pyramids, carved from a single limestone outcrop. It has the body of a lion and a human head, though the face is badly worn and the nose is gone. Popular legend blames Napoleon's soldiers, but historical accounts suggest the damage happened earlier.

Nairobi, a capital with a national park

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and one of the few capital cities with a national park right on its edge. The city grew around a railway depot in the late 19th century and became the seat of government. Today it is East Africa's major hub for business, transport and international organisations.

Potassium and its puzzling symbol

The chemical symbol for potassium is K, which comes from kalium, the Latin name linked to potash. That is why it does not match the English word at all, unlike most element symbols. Potassium is essential for nerve function and muscle contractions, and it appears in bananas, potatoes and beans.