Two recent daily quizzes have sparked curiosity and conversation among readers, each offering a unique window into the tapestry of global history, culture, and remarkable individuals. While one quiz, published by The Hindu on October 6, 2025, dives deep into the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the other, released a day earlier, casts a wide net over general knowledge—from the founding of NATO to the poetic whimsy of Lewis Carroll and the trailblazing achievements of figures like Corazon Aquino and Hannah Cockcroft.
For those who relish a challenge or simply love learning, these quizzes serve as both a test of memory and an invitation to explore the lesser-known corners of history. But what makes them truly engaging isn’t just the questions themselves—it’s the stories and connections they reveal between people, places, and pivotal moments.
The Gandhi-focused quiz, as reported by The Hindu, offers more than just trivia. It’s a thoughtful look at the rare and fascinating moments that shaped the Mahatma’s journey—from his friendships and literary pursuits to his acts of protest and personal transformation. For instance, readers are reminded that the United Nations declared Gandhi’s birthday the International Day of Non-violence, a testament to the global resonance of his philosophy. The quiz also highlights that Gandhi was named Person of the Year by Time magazine, underscoring his international stature.
One question asks about Gandhi’s book on a strict vegetarian diet, drawing attention to his lifelong commitment to ethical eating—a principle that was inseparable from his broader ideals. Another delves into his correspondence with close friends, whose advice and guidance helped him refine the principles of non-violence that would define his legacy. The quiz doesn’t shy away from the details: it probes who first bestowed the title “Mahatma” upon him and in which year, adding depth to our understanding of how Gandhi’s identity was shaped by those around him.
Gandhi’s early activism is also in the spotlight. The quiz references the group he volunteered with as a stretcher bearer during the Second Boer War in 1900, a role that earned him a medal—one he would later return in protest after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This act of conscience, as noted by The Hindu, was emblematic of Gandhi’s willingness to stand by his principles, even when it meant rejecting honors from the very authorities he once served.
Other questions transport readers to Gandhi’s years in South Africa, where he started a journal in 1903 to report on the Indian community’s struggles and triumphs. The quiz also recalls his collaboration with a friend to create the idealistic Tolstoy Farm—an experiment in communal living and self-sufficiency inspired by the teachings of Leo Tolstoy. And, in a nod to symbolism, it asks about the year and city in which Gandhi first adopted the humble loin-cloth, a gesture of solidarity with India’s poor that would become one of his most enduring trademarks.
Switching gears to the general knowledge quiz published on October 5, 2025, readers are whisked across continents and centuries. The questions span the administrative regions of France—Centre-Val de Loire, Normandie, and Grand Est—reminding us of the complexities of European geography. There’s a nod to religious heritage with the query about the first of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” a foundational precept in Judeo-Christian tradition.
History buffs might pause at the mention of Thomas Rowlandson’s 1808 print, “The Corsican Spider in His Web!,” which places Napoleon Bonaparte at the center of a tangled political landscape. And the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 1949, is a reminder of the alliances that have shaped the modern world order.
The quiz’s literary questions add a touch of whimsy and intellect. “You may hunt it with forks and hope,” a line from Lewis Carroll’s “The Hunting of the Snark,” evokes the playful absurdity of Victorian nonsense poetry. Meanwhile, Dorothy Richardson’s “Pointed Roofs,” the first in her 13-volume “Pilgrimage” series, is a subtle nod to the evolution of modernist literature.
Pop culture and the arts are well represented. Readers are asked which band from Hoylake had hits with “Dreaming of You” and “Pass It On” in the early 2000s (the answer: The Coral), and which film features the song “Glasgow (No Place Like Home),” co-written by actress Mary Steenburgen (that would be “Wild Rose”). There’s even a question about Lucian Freud’s tattoo artistry—specifically, the swallows he inked on supermodel Kate Moss’s lower back, blending the worlds of fine art and fashion.
Notable personalities shine throughout. The quiz spotlights Corazon “Cory” Aquino, who became Asia’s first female president in the Philippines in 1986—a watershed moment for democracy in the region. There’s also a nod to British wheelchair racer Hannah Cockcroft, affectionately known as “Hurricane Hannah,” whose nine Paralympic gold medals have made her a national icon. The quiz doesn’t forget the past, referencing Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, whose portrait and social influence have long fascinated historians.
Science and politics round out the mix. Julian Huxley, author of the 1942 book “Evolution: The Modern Synthesis,” is recognized for his contributions to evolutionary biology. Eric Heffer, the socialist Labour MP for Liverpool Walton from 1964 until his death in 1991, is remembered for his steadfast advocacy and political impact.
What’s striking about these quizzes, as presented by The Hindu and its general knowledge counterpart, is their ability to weave together the personal and the political, the artistic and the historical. They remind us that behind every fact lies a story—and that learning, at its best, is not just about answers, but about curiosity, connection, and the joy of discovery.
In the end, whether readers ace every question or stumble upon new information, they are left with a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experience. These daily quizzes are more than just a pastime; they are a celebration of knowledge in all its forms, inviting us to keep asking, keep learning, and keep exploring.
