Quiz of the week, 25-31 July 2020
Test your recollection of the events of the last seven days with MoneyWeek's quiz of the week.
Untitled Document
1. Why has US President Donald Trump raised the prospect of delaying the November election?
a. He doesn’t want to leave the Oval Office
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
b. He doesn’t like Joe Biden
c. Because of coronavirus safety concerns
d. He thinks the vote would be marred by fraud due to increased mail-in ballots
2. The IMF this week approved a $4.3bn coronavirus emergency funding package, the largest pandemic disbursement yet, for which hard-hit country?
a. Brazil
b. South Africa
c. India
d. Mexico
3. Which country slipped into deflation this week after its consumer price index took its biggest hit in the history of its measurement?
a. New Zealand
b. Japan
c. Australia
d. Brazil
4. On the opposite end of the spectrum, which country toppled over into hyperinflation after its central bank’s money-printing failed to finance its deficits?
a. Lebanon
b. Syria
c. Kuwait
d. Oman
5. British, Canadian and now US governments are warning people receiving mystery packages of unidentified what?
a. Powder
b. Seeds
c. Plants
d. Dog treats
6. The coronavirus pandemic plunged some of Europe’s leading economies into historic recessions. Which countries were the hardest hit?
a. France, Italy and Portugal
b. Germany, Italy and Portugal
c. France, Italy and Spain
d. France, Italy and Germany
7. Gold finally surpassed its 2011 peak this week. How many dollars per ounce is it currently worth?
a. $1,875
b. $2,037
c. $1764
d. $1923
8. The fourth richest woman in the world this week announced this week she donated $1.7bn between 116 charities. According to Forbes, who is the fourth richest woman in the world?
a. Walmart heir Alice Walton
B. L’Oreal heir Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
c. Real estate developer Yang Huiyan
d. Novelist (and Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife) MacKenzie Scott
9. Sales at which high street retailer have recovered much better than expected, prompting predictions of sizeable profits this year?
a. M&S
b. Next
c. H&M
d. Debenhams
10. Which banking group revealed this week it fell to a £770m loss for the first six months of the year?
a. Natwest Group
b. Lloyds Banking Group
c. Barclays
d. Santander
Answers
1. d. He thinks the vote would be marred by fraud due to increased mail-in ballots. Trump said in a tweet universal mail-in voting would make 2020 “the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history”. Congress immediately rejected the notion.
2. b. South Africa. With over 450,000 confirmed cases, South Africa is the worst hit country in Africa.
3. c. Australia.
4. a. Lebanon. Lebanon became the first country in North Africa and the Middle East to fall into hyperinflation, with prices for food and clothing surging 190% and 172% respectively.
5. b. Seeds. British and Canadian government agencies are reporting people in their countries receiving mystery packages of seeds. Residents have been urged not to plant them or ingest them.
6. c. France, Italy and Spain. Spain’s GDP declined 18.5%, France’s GDP was down 13.8%, and Italy’s GDP fell by 12.4% in the first and second quarters of the year.
7. d. $1923.
8. d. Novelist (and Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife) MacKenzie Scott
9. b. Next. Next said trading greatly improved after its shops reopened, expecting a £195m profit rather than breaking even or a feared £150m loss.
10. b. Lloyds Banking Group.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Nic studied for a BA in journalism at Cardiff University, and has an MA in magazine journalism from City University. She joined MoneyWeek in 2019.
-
The best houses for sale with wildflower meadows
The best houses for sale with wildflower meadows – from a 1770s mill house in Petersfield, Hampshire, to a cottage in Fittleworth, West Sussex
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Will a Santa Rally bring festive cheer to investor portfolios this year?
Investors will be hoping for a seasonal stock market boost in December
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
UK wages grow at a record pace
The latest UK wages data will add pressure on the BoE to push interest rates even higher.
By Nicole García Mérida Published
-
Trapped in a time of zombie government
It’s not just companies that are eking out an existence, says Max King. The state is in the twilight zone too.
By Max King Published
-
America is in deep denial over debt
The downgrade in America’s credit rating was much criticised by the US government, says Alex Rankine. But was it a long time coming?
By Alex Rankine Published
-
UK economy avoids stagnation with surprise growth
Gross domestic product increased by 0.2% in the second quarter and by 0.5% in June
By Pedro Gonçalves Published
-
Bank of England raises interest rates to 5.25%
The Bank has hiked rates from 5% to 5.25%, marking the 14th increase in a row. We explain what it means for savers and homeowners - and whether more rate rises are on the horizon
By Ruth Emery Published
-
UK wage growth hits a record high
Stubborn inflation fuels wage growth, hitting a 20-year record high. But unemployment jumps
By Vaishali Varu Published
-
UK inflation remains at 8.7% ‒ what it means for your money
Inflation was unmoved at 8.7% in the 12 months to May. What does this ‘sticky’ rate of inflation mean for your money?
By John Fitzsimons Published
-
VICE bankruptcy: how did it happen?
Was the VICE bankruptcy inevitable? We look into how the once multibillion-dollar came crashing down.
By Jane Lewis Published