Saturday, August 15, 2026

These are the 10 questions BrainRank served to the whole world on Saturday, August 15, 2026 — now over, with every answer revealed and explained. Reading time only; the score no longer counts.

1. history

   The Viking seafarers originated primarily from which region of Europe?

   • Scandinavia
   • Iberia
   • The Balkans
   • The British Isles

   Answer: Scandinavia

   The Vikings originated from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark).

2. everyday-science

   Which type of energy does a moving object possess?

   • Potential energy
   • Chemical energy
   • Kinetic energy
   • Nuclear energy

   Answer: Kinetic energy

   Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

3. everyday-science

   Through which type of material does sound generally travel fastest?

   • A solid
   • A gas
   • A vacuum
   • Empty space

   Answer: A solid

   Sound travels faster through solids than through liquids or gases because particles are more tightly packed.

4. nature

   Which ability are starfish well known for?

   • Changing colour to speak
   • Flying short distances
   • Regrowing lost arms
   • Breathing through gills on land

   Answer: Regrowing lost arms

   Starfish can regenerate lost arms.

5. arts

   Which instrument in the orchestra is typically the largest and lowest-pitched of the bowed string family?

   • Cello
   • Viola
   • Double bass
   • Violin

   Answer: Double bass

   The double bass is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the orchestra.

6. geography

   Which desert covers much of southern Mongolia and northern China?

   • Kalahari Desert
   • Gobi Desert
   • Thar Desert
   • Atacama Desert

   Answer: Gobi Desert

   The Gobi Desert spans southern Mongolia and northern China.

7. math

   How many sides does a pentagon have?

   • 4
   • 6
   • 7
   • 5

   Answer: 5

   A pentagon has 5 sides.

8. mythology

   The Roman god of war lent his name to which planet?

   • Mars
   • Venus
   • Mercury
   • Saturn

   Answer: Mars

   Mars, the Roman god of war, is the namesake of the planet Mars.

9. history

   The period in European history following the fall of Rome is commonly called the what?

   • Middle Ages
   • Bronze Age
   • Space Age
   • Stone Age

   Answer: Middle Ages

   The Middle Ages is the era of European history between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance.

10. science

    What is the chemical symbol for the element potassium?

    • Po
    • K
    • Pt
    • Ka

    Answer: K

    K (from Latin 'kalium') is the chemical symbol for potassium.