Interactive - National Geographic Magazine

Current Issue November 2009
Table of Contents »

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Gold Quiz

Test your knowledge of gold with our six-question quiz.

Managing Editor, NGM.com Rob Covey <![CDATA[Producer]]> Carolyn Fox <![CDATA[Writer & Researcher]]> Michelle Horst Flash Developer Stefan Estrada Editing and Styling Nancy Gupton /2009/01/gold/img/gold-bars-officials-470.jpg At recent prices, one 28-pound gold bar held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is worth more than $335,000. Inside the vault officials transfer dozens of bars in a transaction between clients. Photograph by Randy Olson /2009/01/gold/img/gold-armlet-470.jpg Photograph by James L. Stanfield /2009/01/gold/img/gold-mine-470.jpg Mile-wide Batu Hijau, a copper and gold mine, generates profits and problems on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. Opened in 2000 by U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corporation, the huge mine employs 4,000 Indonesians. Photograph by Randy Olson /2009/01/gold/img/gold-bars-africa-470.jpg Photograph by James L. Stanfield /2009/01/gold/img/mother-child-470.jpg Desiree Pillay once balanced business and motherhood, weighing gold that miners brought to her store in remote Menzies Landing, Guyana. Today, eight years later, she sees more tourists than gold diggers. Photograph by Randy Olson /2009/01/gold/img/hands-gold-470.jpg A miner holds two handfuls of Dawson City's much sought-after gold. Photograph by George F. Mobley 7 Excellent work. You are an expert on gold. With a little work, you will be a pro on gold. You are off to a good start. You may want to try again. 0 aurum. What does it mean?]]> "Gold shine" "True yellow" "Glowing dawn" "Sparkling dust" 3 aurum, which means "glowing dawn" or the "glow of sunrise."]]> 1 They were stored in cool areas, which slowed down the decaying process. Gold does not decay. They were covered with a liquid that prevented them from eroding. Most ancient gold is denser, because it was mined from the ocean. 2 2 Ocean Africa Tundra Ice field 1 3 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]> Aesop's Fables]]> Huckleberry Finn]]> The Tale of Peter Rabbit]]> 1 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900, is an allegory about silver currency versus gold—a heated debate in the United States during the late 1800s. In the book, Dorothy's slippers are silver (not red, as in the movie) and the Land of Oz is believed to represent gold.]]> 4 15 percent 30 percent 50 percent 65 percent 2 5 Winemaker Jeweler Sawmill manager Carpenter 1