Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

A century-old milestone for American women

The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote nationwide. It followed decades of campaigning by suffragists, who organised marches, petitions and lobbying efforts despite frequent opposition. Some individual states had already extended voting rights to women earlier, which is why the national amendment is often described as the culmination of a long process rather than a single moment.

A web that changed everything

The World Wide Web became publicly available in 1991, when the first web servers and browsers opened up to users outside research institutions. It grew out of work by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN, who proposed a system of linked documents that could be accessed over the internet. Within a few years, the web transformed how people shared information, and the 1990s saw an explosion of websites, email use and early online commerce.

Silicon, the element behind the digital age

Silicon carries the chemical symbol Si, a fact worth remembering because its name and symbol do not match as neatly as those of many other elements. It is a metalloid found abundantly in sand and rocks, and its semiconducting properties made it the foundation of computer chips. That is why the technology hub in California is called Silicon Valley - a nickname that has since been borrowed by startup clusters around the world.

The river that shapes the Middle East

The Jordan River flows through a region of enormous historical and religious significance. It runs through the Jordan Valley, forming part of the border between Israel and Jordan, and passes through the West Bank and near the Sea of Galilee before emptying into the Dead Sea. For centuries it has served as a vital water source in an arid landscape, and it features prominently in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Oman's quiet capital

Muscat, the capital of Oman, sits on the Gulf of Oman and has a long history as a trading port. Unlike some of its flashier neighbours, it is known for low-rise white buildings, historic forts and a corniche that curves along the water. The city's name is thought to mean "anchorage" or "place of dropping anchor", a nod to its maritime past.