[For Seniors] Great for killing time! A fun three-choice trivia quiz

Mountain Day

Mountain Day is on August 11 and is a summer holiday. Meanwhile, Silver Week occurs when dates such as Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox Day in mid-September align. Because Mountain Day falls at a different time, it is not included in Silver Week. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Mountain Day.'

salt

By adding salt to ice water and spinning the can around in it, you can chill it faster than putting it in a refrigerator or freezer. Lowering the freezing point of the ice water causes the melting ice to absorb heat from the water, creating ice water at around minus 10 degrees Celsius, which cools things quickly.

Moisture prevention

When ochazuke seasoning was first sold, it was difficult to seal the packets tightly, so they would quickly get damp. Arare (rice crackers) were added to absorb moisture. Nowadays the packets are properly sealed, and there are surely many people who love that toasty aroma and crunchy texture!

packing table

In the UK, the employees who bag your items are called “sackers,” which is the origin of the term for the bagging counter. You might think of the sport “soccer,” but in English the spelling is different.

newspaper

Using newspaper for window cleaning can remove dirt effectively. The reason is the ink in the newspaper. The oils in the ink are said to break down components like hand grime and greasy stains. By using newspaper, you can clean windows without detergent.

put into hot water

If you put a banana in hot water at around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius for about five minutes, it becomes sweeter. The reason is that the starch in the banana turns into sugar, making it taste sweeter. It’s said that 40 to 50 degrees Celsius is the temperature range where an enzyme called amylase, which converts starch into sugar, becomes active.

baking soda

Baking soda is said to neutralize isovaleric acid—the cause of foot odor—and make it odorless. Isovaleric acid has a strong smell and is even designated as a specific malodorous substance. Another substance responsible for foot odor is acetic acid. Baking soda is reportedly effective against this acetic acid as well.