Tuesday, September 15, 2026

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

1. history

   The Iron Age followed which earlier period of metalworking?

   • The Stone Age
   • The Space Age
   • The Bronze Age
   • The Digital Age

   Answer: The Bronze Age

   The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age in the traditional three-age system.

2. science

   Counting outward from the Sun, which planet is fourth?

   • Mars
   • Jupiter
   • Venus
   • Earth

   Answer: Mars

   The order from the Sun is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars; Mars is fourth.

3. history

   Which empire was ruled from the city of Constantinople for much of the medieval period?

   • Mongol Empire
   • Byzantine Empire
   • Mughal Empire
   • Inca Empire

   Answer: Byzantine Empire

   The Byzantine Empire was ruled from its capital, Constantinople.

4. science

   Which chemical symbol represents the element sodium?

   • Na
   • So
   • Sd
   • Nm

   Answer: Na

   Na (from Latin 'natrium') is the chemical symbol for sodium.

5. language

   Words like 'I', 'you', 'he', and 'they' are examples of which part of speech?

   • Nouns
   • Verbs
   • Pronouns
   • Adjectives

   Answer: Pronouns

   'I, you, he, they' are pronouns, which stand in for nouns.

6. language

   If a region is described as 'arid', what is it?

   • Very wet
   • Very cold
   • Very dry
   • Very bright

   Answer: Very dry

   'Arid' means extremely dry, as in a desert.

7. everyday-science

   Which household activity relies on evaporation to work?

   • Drying wet clothes on a line
   • Freezing ice cubes
   • Inflating a balloon
   • Charging a phone

   Answer: Drying wet clothes on a line

   Clothes dry as the water in them evaporates into the air.

8. language

   What is the standard plural of the noun 'foot' (the body part)?

   • Foots
   • Feets
   • Feet
   • Foot

   Answer: Feet

   'Foot' has the irregular plural 'feet'.

9. history

   Which ancient people built an extensive network of roads across their empire, giving rise to the saying that all roads lead to their capital?

   • Greeks
   • Egyptians
   • Romans
   • Mongols

   Answer: Romans

   The Romans built an extensive road network across their empire, centered on Rome.

10. everyday-science

    What causes the sound of thunder?

    • Clouds crashing together
    • Wind hitting mountains
    • Air rapidly heating and expanding around a lightning bolt
    • Rain striking the ground hard

    Answer: Air rapidly heating and expanding around a lightning bolt

    Thunder results from the rapid expansion of air superheated by a lightning strike.