Mirror Magazine

This planet has been ‘home’ (in the broadest possible sense) to you and I for a couple of decades now (give or take a few), and if you believe in reincarnation, then it’s been quite a lot longer than that. The fact is that it’s as perfect as it gets; we literally couldn’t live anywhere else. But that doesn’t mean we all get along all the time.

However, as any self-help guru worth his fees will tell you, really knowing and respecting each other is the key to a successful relationship. (In case you’re wondering what brought this on – It’s World Environment Day tomorrow!)

So Earthie, how much do you know about your planet? Take our quiz and find out.
1. Coal produces twice as much carbon dioxide per unit of heat as natural gas.
a) No way!
b) Don’t tell me you didn’t know that! It’s element-ary.
c) Err…

2. The current best estimate for the earth’s weight is
a) 5.9725 billion trillion metric tonnes.
b) 7. 8976 billion trillion metric tonnes.
c) Now, let me guess, you said the all-carbon diet didn’t work, right?

3. Where is the largest desert on Earth?
a) Africa.
b) Hmm… honestly, I’d have to say the ice cream parlour next door. Ever tried their banana boat? No? You should.
c) Antarctica.

4. What is the general term used to refer to the interaction between organisms of different species?
a) Mutualism.
b) Symbiosis.
c) Marriage.

5. What is the hottest place on Earth?
a) Death valley California (so many well-baked skeletons cannot be wrong).
b) El Azizia in Libya.
c) My bedroom, mid-April, 2 ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, see you there.

6. Can rocks float?
a) “Yes, yes!” (Screams the man, weighed down by granite, about to be thrown overboard)
b) “No, No!” (Gloats the evil pirate getting the plank ready)
c) “It couldn’t be possible, could it?” (asks the philosopher next in line)

7. Earth travels through space at
a) Since we haven’t gotten a speeding ticket yet… (Shrugs shoulders indifferently).
b) 66,700 miles per hour.
c) 33,900 miles per hour.

8. How far can wind really carry dust?
a) Into my window, then into my CD player. After that I take it to the mechanics.
b) Across cities and countries.
c) Across continents.