Task developed by Karen Yager, Knox Grammar School and Kathy Harrison, Methodist Ladies’ College 2013
National da Vinci
Decathlon
Celebrating the Academic Gifts
of Australian Youth
General Knowledge
Session 1
‘All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions’ Leonardo da Vinci.
Team Number
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Task developed by Karen Yager, Knox Grammar School and Kathy Harrison, Methodist Ladies’ College 2013
Section 1: Literature Questions – Famous Quotes (10 marks)
Who said these famous lines?
No.
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5
Question
Answer
‘You can fool all the people some of the time, and some
of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the
people all the time.’
‘An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole
world blind.’
‘Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and
some have greatness thrust upon them.’
‘We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the
landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the
streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never
surrender.’
‘This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for
mankind.’
‘In praising Antony I have dispraised Caesar.’
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‘ask not what your country can do for you; ask what
you can do for your country’
‘No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions
of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will
remember her.’
‘You must pursue this investigation of Watergate even
if it leads to the president. I'm innocent.’
‘Well may we say "God save the Queen", because
nothing will save the Governor-General!’
Section 2: Musical titles about different perspectives (5 marks)
No.
1
2
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5
Question
Answer
Who sang the song that asks ‘Where is the love?’ that
questions how humanity can be so cruel?
What is the title of the song that does not care about
race or binaries?
What is the title of the song that features two people
remembering when they first met last summer and how
the relationship would not work because they were so
different?
What is the title of the song that features two former
lovers being critical and bitter about each other?’
What song tells the story of a son who has become like
the father who was rarely at home?
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Task developed by Karen Yager, Knox Grammar School and Kathy Harrison, Methodist Ladies’ College 2013
Section 3: Geography and Science perspective questions (10 marks)
No.
Question
1
What influences how rivers flow?
2
How often does a 100 year flood occur?
3
Which country emits the most greenhouse gases?
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Which planet’s poisonous atmosphere was caused by a
runaway greenhouse effect?
How long does it take for carbon monoxide to
disperse? 10, 50 or 100 years?
The six hottest days on record accorded in the last 10,
50 or 100 years?
Does melting ice have the potential to raise sea levels?
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Is El Nino the result of global warming?
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Have sea levels been higher than they are today?
10
Which is the only continent of the world with no
glaciers?
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6
Answer
Section 4: Famous People questions - the following people are remembered
for expressing their opinion and ensuring that their message is memorable
(5marks)
No.
Famous People
1
I floated like a butterfly in boxing
2
Over the waves I voiced my opinion and was held in
contempt
I leaked classified information and now I can only eat
South American food.
With my first name being the same as a former Prime
Minister I should have known better than to ask
insulting questions.
Please explain…
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Name
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Task developed by Karen Yager, Knox Grammar School and Kathy Harrison, Methodist Ladies’ College 2013
Section 5: Recent Events (10 events)
No.
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10
Question
Answer
The city of Rio de Janeiro is preparing to host a
number of major events in the near future? What are
these events and when will they be (what year)?
There have been demonstrations in Turkey in recent
weeks. What is the name of the square that has been
the focus of protests?
Performance artist Erdem Gunduz became the new
symbol of anti-government protests in Turkey. What
was this man doing in his peaceful protest?
Who did Australia play against and what was the score
in the soccer match which secured Australia’s place in
the 2014 FIFA world cup?
When is the 2013 Australian Federal election?
Who am I?
Born in 1953 in Cape Town, South Africa and
educated at University of New South Wales
and Sydney Grammar School, I am an Australian
public figure and businessman, a leading
philanthropist and Patron of the Australian Indigenous
Education Foundation. I was chairman of a committee
to make recommendations regarding funding of
education in Australia.
What is the current top rating game on Facebook?
According to a UNESCO report in May 2013,
Australia’s mining boom is endangering which famous
Australian location?
Recent massive flooding and mudslides at Kedarnath
Temple has claimed lives of at least 50 people. While
the shrine is intact, much of the surrounds has been
destroyed. Where is Kedarnath Temple?
In June this year, Google launched a fleet capable of
beaming wireless internet to remote locations far more
cheaply than satellites. What was it a fleet of?
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