2020 Mega News Quiz GC

Question 1

How much coral has been lost in the Great Barrier Reef since 1995 according to a new Australian Research Council report?

Accepted Answer

50%

Question 2

What’s notable about Dreamworld's $3.6 million fine following the tragic deaths of 4 people in 2016?

Accepted Answer

It’s the biggest workplace health and safety prosecution in Australia

Question 3

Which song was used as a “cruel” tactic to torment prisoners in Oklahoma?

Accepted Answer

‘Baby Shark’

Question 4

A BOM and CSIRO report has found Australia has warmed by what amount since 1910?

Accepted Answer

1.5C

Question 5

Australian-British academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert was released from prison from what country?

Accepted Answer

Iran

Question 6

Barack Obama has a new book coming out - what is it called?

Accepted Answer

A Promised Land

Question 7

McDonald's has a new vegan range - what's it called?

Accepted Answer

McPlant

Question 8

What did scientists discover about platypus fur?

Accepted Answer

It glows under blacklight.

Question 9

North Korea unveiled what last weekend at a parade marking the 75th anniversary of the nation’s Workers’ Party?

Accepted Answer

A new long range ballistic missile

Question 10

SA became the world’s first major jurisdiction to be powered entirely by solar. How long did the achievement last for?

Accepted Answer

One hour

Question 11

Australia has a new chief scientist starting in the new year. What is their name?

Accepted Answer

Dr Cathy Foley

Question 12

Which city was awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games?

Accepted Answer

Beijing, China

Question 13

This bull, Rondel Whiskey, has just broken what record?

Accepted Answer

He was sold for a record $160,000

Question 14

Denmark is culling which animal after fears a COVID 19 strain coming from them will create a new wave?

Accepted Answer

Mink

Question 15

NASA researchers confirmed they found what on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

Water

Question 16

A royal commission has been told that what medications are being overused in Australian aged care settings?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Question 17

NASA has collected rocks from an asteroid 321 million kms away for the first time. Which country has done this twice?

Accepted Answer

Japan

Question 18

Who won the 2020 NBA Championship this week?

Accepted Answer

The LA Lakers

Question 19

Kim Kardashian, Michael Buble, Leonardo Di Caprio - what did they have in common during the holidays?

Accepted Answer

They all took 24 hours off social media

Question 20

Thousands protested in Kentucky after it was announced that noone would be charged directly over whose killing by police

Accepted Answer

Breonna Taylor

Question 21

By how much did Australia’s carbon emissions fall in the 2019-20 financial year?

Accepted Answer

3%

Question 22

Approximately how many people have died of COVID-19 in the US since February

Accepted Answer

280 000

Question 23

Which artist missed out on a Grammy nomination despite successfully releasing new music this year?

Accepted Answer

The Weeknd

Question 24

Prince Harry was in hot water after calling on Americans to do what?

Accepted Answer

Vote in November’s presidential election

Question 25

What new burger has Macca's just added to its menu?

Accepted Answer

Chicken Schnitzel Burger

Question 26

Last weekend was super sizzlin’ across a lot of Australia. Which city broke a couple of temperatures?

Accepted Answer

Sydney

Question 27

What percentage of Australians would have to be vaccinated for COVID to effectively end the pandemic?

Accepted Answer

95%

Question 28

Which Aussie artist has pocketed $12 million after scoring the second top-streaming song on Spotify for 2019?

Accepted Answer

Tones and I

Question 29

What did Donald Trump say about appointing Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before November's election?

Accepted Answer

“Should be easy”

Question 30

Italian Farmer Cristian Mallocci's pet dog gave birth to a puppy of what unusual color?

Accepted Answer

Green

Question 31

What happened to Australia’s economy in the July to September quarter?

Accepted Answer

It grew

Question 32

What did Collins English Dictionary name as its word of 2020?

Accepted Answer

Lockdown

Question 33

Residents of an Albury aged care home had to be evacuated - why?

Accepted Answer

A WW2 grenade was found

Question 34

Which two countries are in a battle over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh?

Accepted Answer

Armenia and Azerbaijan

Question 35

August saw the world's highest ever recorded temperature - 54.4 degrees. Where was it?

Accepted Answer

Death Valley, USA

Question 36

Each Aussie household is expected to toss $1043 worth of what in the bin this year?

Accepted Answer

Food

Question 37

The UK reinstated COVID restrictions last week after it was predicted that daily cases will rise to what in October?

Accepted Answer

50000

Question 38

How much are mental health issues costing Australia a year, according to a Productivity Commission report released?

Accepted Answer

$200 billion

Question 39

One of the founders of the Ice Bucket Challenge passed away last week. What disease did the challenge raise money for?

Accepted Answer

Motor neurone disease

Question 40

Archaeologists from the Peru discovered what 37-metre-long character etched into a hill on the Nazca Lines?

Accepted Answer

A cat

Question 41

General Angus Campbell, released findings on SAS troops committing war crimes in what country?

Accepted Answer

Afghanistan

Question 42

How many different vaccines is Australia relying on for its COVID strategy?

Accepted Answer

4

Question 43

A longstanding regional conflict broke out with fighting last week. Which countries are involved?

Accepted Answer

Armenia and Azerbaijan

Question 44

The Australian Olympic Committee has relaunched its bid for which city to host the 2032 games.

Accepted Answer

Brisbane

2020 Mega News Quiz GC

Questions 44

2020 Mega News Quiz GC

Questions 44