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Weekly News Quiz

Did you hear about the hantavirus outbreak, online gambling and 2025’s top baby names?


a deck of cards being shuffled
Pete Ryan

This quiz was created with the assistance of generative AI. It was reviewed by editors before publication.

Question 1 of 8

The user-friendliness of apps that transform computers, tablets and smartphones into portable casinos has almost doubled the amount Americans have wagered over the past five years. That has driven a rise in problem gambling nationwide, notably in people age 50 and older. Last year, how much money was wagered gambling?

Much of the $700 billion placed in bets last year was wagered online, and not just on sports.

Question 2 of 8

An outbreak of a rare virus on board a cruise ship that set sail from Argentina on April 1 has sparked concern and raised questions about hantavirus and the illnesses it can cause. Hantavirus illness is fatal in how many people who get it?

Illness caused by hantavirus is fatal in about 4 out of 10 people who get it, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The cruise ship was carrying nearly 150 passengers. So far, three people have died, and several are ill. World Health Organization officials say the strain at the center of the outbreak is the Andes virus — the one known to spread from person to person.

Question 3 of 8

Filling out a ballot at your kitchen table and slipping it in the mail may not carry the same gravitas as heading to your polling station on Election Day, but it’s quick, convenient and beats spending hours in line. But keep one recent, big change in mind: Mail is now postmarked with the date it is ___.

In December 2025, the USPS announced that it would postmark letters and packages with the date they are processed at a postal facility, rather than the date they are deposited in a mailbox. That means a ballot popped in the mail shortly before the election may now be considered late in some states.

Question 4 of 8

Enjoying the outdoors is a great way to spend time, but it’s more important than ever that people prepare to encounter unwanted companions in nature: ticks. According to experts, how has tick season changed, compared with previous years?

“Tick season is more severe and longer than it was in the past,” says Thomas Hart, an infectious disease microbiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Question 5 of 8

The entries topping the lists of most popular baby names of 2025 looked awfully familiar. Which pair held the No. 1 spots yet again?

For the seventh consecutive year, Liam and Olivia were the most popular names for newborn American boys and girls, respectively.

Question 6 of 8

This month, several snack mix products sold under the Fisher, Southern Style Nuts, Squirrel Brand and Good & Gather labels were recalled due to potential salmonella risk. How many illnesses have been reported from the recalled trail mix products?

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products. The recall is tied to a seasoning ingredient that contained dry milk powder previously recalled by supplier California Dairies. Although the affected seasoning batches tested negative before use, the company issued a recall as a precaution.

Question 7 of 8

If you’re watching your blood pressure, you probably know the common triggers that can cause it to spike — too much salt or stress, for example. But other triggers might surprise you. How much can a full bladder raise your blood pressure?

A full bladder is one of the causes of sudden high blood pressure that you can control. “A full bladder raises blood pressure about 10 to 15 points,” explains Dr. Luke Laffin, codirector of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic. When your bladder is full, it sends a signal to your brain to activate your nervous system, which can cause high blood pressure.

Question 8 of 8

You pay for home insurance with the expectation that the insurer will help cover your costs when something happens to your property. But filing a claim may lead to higher premiums or other less favorable terms when you go to renew your policy. Homeowners insurance claims usually stay on your insurance record for about how long?

Claims typically remain on your insurance record for five to seven years, depending on the database an insurer uses to pull your report.

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