Take your Pick | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

One

What animal is pictured above?

• Aardvark
• Bonito
• Coypu

Answer: Aardvark

Aardvarks are medium-sized, nocturnal mammals native to Africa, using their long proboscis to sniff out ants and termites. They are the only living species of the family Orycteropodidae and the order Tubulidentata, and are not closely related to pigs or anteaters despite superficial similarities.

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Two

According to NYC Parks, the largest public park in New York City is…

• Central Park, Manhattan
• Marine Park, Brooklyn
• Pelham Bay Park, Bronx

Answer: Pelham Bay Park

Pelham Bay Park, the largest public park in New York City, spans 2,765 acres in the Bronx. It features peninsulas, a lagoon, and recreational areas such as Orchard Beach and golf courses. The park has a rich history, having been part of Anne Hutchinson’s colony and later playing a role in the Revolutionary War.

In contrast, Brooklyn’s Marine Park covers 798 acres, while Central Park is an impressive 843 acres.

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Three

Aaron Copland composed which 1938 ballet?

• Billy the Kid
• The Gunfight at the OK Corral
• Wild Bill

Answer: Billy the Kid

Aaron Copland’s 1938 ballet Billy the Kid, commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein and choreographed by Eugene Loring, is a popular and widely performed piece. It incorporates cowboy tunes and American folk songs, portraying the ‘Wild West’ through the figure of Billy the Kid.

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Four

In what year, and where, was Rift Valley fever first identified?

• 1851, Japan
• 1931, Kenya
• 2011, Laos

Answer: 1931, Kenya

The virus was first identified in 1931 during an investigation into an epidemic among sheep in the Rift Valley of Kenya. It is a viral disease transmitted through contact with infected animal blood, raw milk, or mosquito bites. Symptoms range from mild fever and muscle pain to severe complications like blindness, brain infections, and bleeding, with a 50% fatality rate for those with bleeding. Outbreaks occur in Africa and Arabia, typically during rainy periods.

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Five

What is the approximate area of the City of London?

• 1 square mile
• 11 square miles
• 111 square miles

Answer: 1 square mile

The City of London, or “the City,” is the historic centre of London, containing historic sites like St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Stock Exchange. It is the smallest ceremonial county and local government district in England, with an area of 1.12 sq mi, earning it the nickname the Square Mile.