Asia-Pacific Quiz - 2008

It's the end of the year... How much can you remember about what's been happening in Asia and the Pacific in 2008? Here's your chance to find out!

When you've got your result, why not e-mail the quiz to your friends to see how they measure up?

Question 1

2008 saw a protracted confrontation between Thailand's then ruling party and anti-government protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). PAD supporters were often seen wearing the colour yellow - why?

A: In Thailand (and some other Asian countries) yellow signifies courage B: It symbolises the sun, and represents the protesters' desire to govern C: It represents Monday, the day of the week on which Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born D: It represents the Thai capital Bangkok, PAD's power base

Question 2

Which animals did researchers find had a 36% chance of being drunk on any given night?

A: Police sniffer dogs in Australia B: Elephants in Thailand C: Tree-shrews in Malaysia D: Przewalski's wild horses in Mongolia

Question 3

Which of the following was NOT said by Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso?

A: "Even people with Alzheimer's disease could understand" that Japanese rice is more expensive in China B: There are many doctors "who lack a fair degree of common sense" C: On the elderly: "Why should I have to pay for those who just eat and drink and make no effort?" D: On why tackling the falling birth rate was hard: "The number of birth-giving machines and devices is fixed"

Question 4

Who or what are Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, Sex Fruit, Keenan Got Lucy and Yeah Detroit?

A: Children's names blocked by a New Zealand judge B: The titles of pop songs supposedly created by the Flight of the Conchords – the fictional band featured in the hit New Zealand TV comedy show of the same name C: The names of the year's best-selling novels on the Cook Islands – all written by a former islander D: The names of cocktails on offer at a surrealism-themed bar in Astana, Kazakhstan

Question 5

In August Beijing hosted an Olympics to be proud of, topping the gold medal table and providing state-of-the-art facilities and extravagant displays. But what went wrong at the opening ceremony?

A: The little girl who sang a solo was actually found to be miming B: Pro-Tibet protesters staged a large demonstration on the roof of the stadium C: One of the 2,008 drummers was out of synch with the others D: Spectators couldn't see the action properly due to the high pollution levels

Question 6

In February, people in China and many other parts of Asia celebrated the Lunar New Year and welcomed in the Year of the Rat. But why did 2008 not prove so lucky for the rodents themselves?

A: Thieves in China tried to cash in by selling stuffed rats to welcome in the new year B: Vietnam banned people keeping hamsters as pets, after sales rose to celebrate the Year of the Rat C: Malaysia began taxing owners of pet mice and rats D: Japanese diners started to follow the South American trend of eating guinea pigs as a delicacy

Question 7

Why are Australians being urged to eat kangaroos?

A: There are too many wild kangaroos in Australia, and they are eating farmers' crops B: Kangaroos do not produce as much methane as sheep and cows, and are therefore better for the environment C: Kangaroo meat is low in fat, and much better for you than other types of red meat D: Kangaroos drink less water than other animals, and Australia faces a prolonged drought

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