Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

The mystery writer behind a famous island plot

Agatha Christie wrote Ten Little Indians, a novel also published under a title that is now widely avoided. The story strands a group of strangers on an isolated island, where they are accused of past crimes and killed one by one. The book remains one of the best-selling mystery novels ever written and has been adapted for stage, film and television many times. Its tightly constructed plot helped cement Christie's reputation as a master of suspense.

Two of Europe's defining rivers

The Rhine and the Danube are often treated as geographical anchors of the continent. The Rhine rises in the Swiss Alps and flows through or along several countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, before reaching the North Sea. The Danube takes a more southeasterly course, passing through cities such as Belgrade and eventually emptying into the Black Sea. Both rivers have shaped trade, borders and cultural life for centuries.

A capital change in East Africa

Burundi's political capital shifted from Bujumbura to Gitega in recent years, a change that took many outside observers by surprise. Gitega is located more centrally in the country, while Bujumbura remains an important economic hub on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. The move reflected efforts to balance development and administrative presence across the country.

A short flight that changed everything

The Wright brothers' first successful powered flight took place in 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The first attempt lasted only a few seconds and covered a distance shorter than the wingspan of a modern airliner. Wilbur and Orville Wright were bicycle builders by trade, and their methodical approach to control and balance set them apart from earlier aviation pioneers.