Last week, we held our annual “Christmas Quiz”, with curious minds joining from all over the world.

On this dark December evening, contestants racked their brains (1) to answer questions related to episodes of English Learning for Curious Minds from 2025.

From which relative of a British Prime Minister was caught up in a coup in Equatorial Guinea to the origins of unusual idioms, it was a celebration of weird and wonderful English language, news and culture.

It was neck and neck (2) for several rounds, but first prize went to Karolina, an amazing lady from Poland, who managed to answer 20 out of 25 questions correctly.

I wonder…could you do any better?

The good news is that you can try.

I’ve recorded a version of the quiz that you can take in your own time. The same 25 questions, the same time pressure, and I’ve even thrown in a prize draw there (if you do it before 31st December 2025).

Give it a go and add a comment on the video letting me know what you think.

All you’ll need is some peace and quiet, a pen, and 45 minutes.

1) to rack your brain = to think very hard about something

(2) neck and neck = very close (in a competition or race)