[For Seniors] Surprisingly Unknown! General Knowledge Quiz

Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.
Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

Because older adults have a wealth of life experience, they tend to have a lot of general knowledge.

Even so, there may still be things they don’t know yet.

This time, we’re introducing a general-knowledge quiz recommended for seniors.

There are many things people surprisingly don’t know, and some may learn something for the first time through this quiz! No matter your age, making new discoveries is exciting.

Aiming for a perfect score can also be a great opportunity to study a variety of topics.

Thinking is also recommended for dementia prevention.

Enjoy building your knowledge together with everyone.

[For Seniors] Surprisingly Unknown! General Knowledge Quiz (11–20)

In the fairy tale “Momotarō,” which animal is the first to become his companion?

pheasant
monkey
dog

See the answer

dog

Speaking of fairy tales that children have long been familiar with, Momotaro comes to mind. It’s the story of the brave Momotaro who goes to defeat ogres. The companions who join him on his quest are a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. Since the first one he meets is the dog, the answer is the dog.

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Why did sushi and sashimi start being served with wasabi?

Many people don’t know this! Here’s a trivia quiz: Why did wasabi start being served with sushi and sashimi? Some people mix wasabi into soy sauce when eating sushi or sashimi.

But do you know why we began eating them with wasabi in the first place? The answer is: because wasabi has antibacterial properties that help prevent food poisoning.

While its sharp aroma and flavor are key attractions, the antibacterial effect makes it a win-win.

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Which has higher nutritional value: fresh shiitake mushrooms or dried shiitake mushrooms?

A quiz about nutritional value! Which has higher nutritional value: fresh shiitake or dried shiitake? Here’s a fun trivia quiz.

Fresh shiitake are often cooked to highlight their texture and natural flavor, while dried shiitake have a rich aroma and are great for simmered dishes.

Both are delicious in different ways, but do you know which is more nutritious? The answer is dried shiitake.

Comparing vitamin D, dried shiitake contain about 11 times more than fresh shiitake.

Definitely something to include in your diet!

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What is the fifth taste humans can perceive besides sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness?

A quiz that makes sense when you think about it! Here’s a trivia question: Humans perceive five basic tastes—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and what’s the last one? The correct answer is “umami.” It’s found in kombu (kelp), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), tomatoes, and cheese, and it brings out deep richness in dishes.

This “umami” isn’t as widely known as you might think—did you know about it? It’s a fun bit of trivia to remember to enjoy food even more.

By choosing ingredients with umami in mind, you can make your cooking even more delicious!

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Who was the first Prime Minister of Japan?

The first person to become Prime Minister of Japan was Hirobumi Ito.

He served as Prime Minister from 1885 to 1888.

After that, he took office a total of four times: from 1892 to 1896, in 1898, and from 1900 to 1901.

Furthermore, Hirobumi Ito was depicted on the 1,000-yen banknote that was issued from November 1, 1963, to January 4, 1986.

One of his major achievements was drafting the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, which famously combined Japanese traditions with Western culture and a modern system of governance.

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Nakajima Junko

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Which prefecture is the smallest in Japan?

Do you know which prefecture in Japan has the smallest area? The answer is Kagawa.

Some older people might answer “Osaka Prefecture.” In fact, there was a time when Osaka Prefecture was considered the smallest in Japan.

Until 1978, it was Osaka; after that, Kagawa became the smallest.

Some people may think Osaka got larger due to land reclamation for Kansai International Airport.

However, the major factor was a change in 1988 to the topographic maps of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, which serve as the basis for calculating area.

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Nakajima Junko

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[For Seniors] Surprisingly Unknown! General Knowledge Quiz (21–30)

What is the approximate temperature at which the autumn leaves start to change color?

When it comes to autumn, viewing the changing leaves is an essential event, and seeing the mountains turn vivid colors really makes you feel the change of seasons.

So, what temperatures are required for the leaves to start changing? We tend to picture autumn foliage as occurring right before winter—maybe not quite winter, but during a chilly period—so you might be able to guess.

The answer is 8°C.

It’s said that foliage begins when the minimum temperature starts to fall below this level, and once it starts dipping below 5 to 6°C, the coloring progresses rapidly.

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kappamaki

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