Today’s Instagram Trivia Answers
In a recent edition of The Atlantic Daily, readers were invited to engage with a series of trivia questions that touch on various topics, including American currency, traditional beverages, and significant historical landmarks. One intriguing question asked about the primary metal used in U.S. pennies, which are primarily composed of zinc, despite their copper plating. This trivia comes at a pivotal moment as minting of pennies has abruptly ceased, leading to concerns about the future of the 300 billion pennies already in circulation. As Caity Weaver notes, this sudden halt in production raises questions about the practicality and value of these coins, which are now seen as less desirable for recycling due to their zinc composition, marking a notable shift in American currency and its implications for everyday life.
Another question delves into the world of beverages, specifically asking about matcha, a traditional Japanese drink made from ground tencha leaves. Ellen Cushing highlights the growing popularity of matcha in contemporary culture, contrasting its traditional preparation—which involves whisking the powdered leaves in a ceramic bowl called a cha-wan—with the modern, often sugary variations marketed by new companies. This exploration sheds light on how traditional practices can evolve (or be diluted) in the face of global demand, raising important questions about authenticity and cultural appreciation in the age of commercialization.
Lastly, the trivia featured a question about the Statue of Liberty, which was originally designed to hold broken chains and shackles, symbolizing freedom from oppression. Clint Smith reflects on how a redesign replaced these elements with a tablet, pondering whether this change was an effort to make the statue more palatable to a broader audience. He emphasizes the importance of educators in preserving the statue’s original message of hope and liberation, particularly in today’s context where historical narratives are often contested. This multifaceted trivia not only engages readers but also encourages them to reflect on the deeper meanings and implications of the subjects at hand, inviting ongoing dialogue and exploration. For those eager to test their knowledge, The Atlantic Daily promises more trivia questions in the coming days, fostering a community of curious minds.
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Monday, December 1, 2025
U.S. pennies are plated in copper but principally made of
what other metal
at the end of the alphabet?
What beverage
is traditionally made of ground tencha leaves, prepared with a whisk, and drunk from a ceramic bowl called a cha-wan?
Broken chains and shackles were originally intended to be held in the left hand of
what American landmark
before a new design replaced those items with a tablet?
Answers:
Zinc.
Penny minting abruptly stopped last week. The coins will soon drop out of circulation, and their composition—zinc is much less valuable than copper—makes them unappealing to recycle. What this means, Caity Weaver writes, is that those 300 billion pennies floating around are now Americans’ problem.
Read more.
Matcha.
This old-school Japanese preparation is a far piece from the energy drinks and sugary beverages that new companies are marketing as matcha. Ellen Cushing explores the ramifications of the collision between matcha’s tradition and its current world-historic demand.
Read more.
The Statue of Liberty.
The gift from France, Clint Smith writes, was meant not just to welcome immigrants but also to celebrate America’s abolition of slavery; he wonders whether the change was intended to make the statue “more palatable” to a wider audience. That instinct has never gone away, and it’s the job of educators to resist it.
Read more.
How did you do? Come back tomorrow for more questions, and if you think up a great one after reading an
Atlantic
story, send it my way at
trivia@theatlantic.com
.
