General Knowledge

The barcode scanner was invented in the early 1970s, with the first commercial use occurring in 1974 when a pack of Wrigley's gum was scanned. This marks the 1970s as the correct decade for its invention.

The world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau, and China is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, often referred to as the Zhuhai Macau Bridge. It is a major infrastructure project linking these regions across the Pearl River Delta.

Alexandria is a well-known city located in Egypt, famous for its historical significance and the ancient Library of Alexandria.

Bismillah Khan was a legendary Indian musician renowned for playing the shehnai, a traditional wind instrument. Hence, the correct answer is Shehnai.

Charles Drew pioneered the concept of blood banks by developing improved techniques for blood storage and establishing large-scale blood banks during World War II. The other options are notable figures in different fields but not related to blood banking.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) was originally founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference on 15 June 1909 by representatives from Australia, England, and South Africa. It was later renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965 and finally the International Cricket Council in 1987. Therefore, the correct founding year is 1909, making option C the correct answer.

The word 'democracy' originates from the Greek language, combining 'demos' meaning 'people' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'rule'. This reflects the concept of rule by the people.

Sir Frank Whittle is credited with inventing the jet engine, having developed the concept and prototype in the 1930s. The other options are unrelated to the invention of the jet engine.

The first solid chocolate bar was created in 1847 by Joseph Fry, who discovered that adding melted cocoa butter back into Dutch-processed cocoa produced a moldable paste that could be formed into bars. There is no exact date in the early 1830s or specifically 1831 for the first chocolate bar. Therefore, among the given options, 'There is no sure date' is the most accurate answer, as the precise year of the first chocolate bar's appearance is 1847, which is not listed in the options.

In Italian culture, the number 13 is traditionally regarded as a lucky number. This positive view is linked to religious and cultural associations, such as the Virgin Mary and the belief that a group of thirteen people can defeat the devil. Additionally, the phrase "fare tredici" (to make thirteen) from the Italian football pools (Totocalcio) symbolizes hitting the jackpot, reinforcing 13 as a symbol of good fortune and success. Conversely, the number 5 is not commonly considered lucky in Italy, and the number 17, rather than 13, is often viewed as unlucky in Italian superstition.