Fourth-graders at St. Jane Frances School in Pasadena tried to stump Professor Hopkins with some really good questions. Here are a few of his answers.
Was General Patton in WWI or WWII? ? Tyler
Nice try with the trick question, Tyler. General George Smith Patton Jr. fought in both WWI and WWII. During WWI, he served in the newly established United States Tank Corps, but he is famous for his role in WWII when he fought in North Africa and across Europe.
How did dogs become pets? ? Lyndsey
Believe it or not, Lyndsey, the earliest known evidence of a domesticated dog is a jawbone found in a cave in Iraq dated to about 12,000 years ago.
Every single breed of dog is a descendent of wolves. It is commonly understood that humans began domesticating wolves by taking in orphaned wolf cubs.
These “adopted” wolves then bred to have more wolf cubs and slowly evolved into different breeds of dog.
How fast can a rabbit run? ? Thomas
Thomas, rabbits can run 35 miles per hour, which is really fast, but only half the speed of a cheetah, which can run up to 70 miles per hour.
How old was Ben Franklin when he invented electricity? ? Garrett
Well, Garrett, first, Ben Franklin did not invent electricity; rather he discovered many of electricity?s basic principles by studying lightning. In June 1752, at age 46, Franklin performed his famous kite and key experiment with the aid of his 21-year-old son, William.
How old was George Washington when he died? ? Nicole
Nicole, George Washington died at his Mount Vernon estate on Dec. 14, 1799, at age 67.
How do volcanoes erupt? ? Madison
Deep inside the earth, the temperature is so hot that the rocks melt and become a thick flowing substance called magma. Because magma is hotter than the rocks around it, it rises and collects in pools called magma chambers.
Eventually magma pushes through vents and erupts out of cracks in the earth?s surface. This is called a volcano eruption, and the magma that pours out is called lava.
How can you tell the age of diamondback terrapins? ? Courtney
Well, Courtney, the scutes, or plates on the bottom shell, can be used to determine the age of diamondback terrapins, similar to the growth rings on trees. However, after 10 years the markings on their shell wear away and this method becomes less reliable.
Sources: generalpatton.com, history world.net, mathcats.com, bbep.org
Got a question?
Want to try to stump Professor Hopkins? Send questions to Professor Hopkins, The Examiner, 400 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, 21202 or e-mail [email protected]
