Fun Facts Resource for JS 2 ICT Test Prep

Read before attempting the test. Sources: BBC Science, National Geographic, NIH, IEEE, NERC, Computer History Museum.

ICT & Digital Life

• When you "delete" a file, it usually moves to a temporary folder (Recycle Bin/Trash) first. The space is only marked as reusable; data remains until overwritten.
• The first computer mouse (1964) was made of wood and named for its tail-like cord. It was inspired by tracking devices, not a specific animal—but "rat" became a playful nickname.
• "Wi-Fi" isn't short for anything. It was a brand name created by a marketing firm; the tech is based on IEEE 802.11 standards.
• Turning off your phone nightly doesn't significantly extend modern lithium-ion battery life. These batteries prefer partial discharges over full cycles.
• A "bit" is the smallest unit of digital info (0 or 1). Eight bits make one "byte".
• Emojis aren't tiny images; they're Unicode characters, like letters, rendered by your device's font system.
• Strong passwords combine unrelated words, numbers, and symbols (e.g., "BluePencilPencilRain7"). Avoid personal info or repeated patterns.

Basic Science & Everyday Phenomena

• Freezing watermelon forms ice crystals that break cell walls. After defrosting, it becomes soft/mushy—not crunchy.
• Ice floats because it's less dense than liquid water—a rare property critical for aquatic life in cold climates.
• Microwaves heat food by making water molecules vibrate, creating friction and heat.
• The "pop" when opening soda is carbon dioxide gas rapidly escaping pressure.
• Copper conducts electricity well because its atoms easily release electrons. Rubber and wood resist electron flow.
• Sound travels ~4x faster in water than air because water molecules are closer together, transmitting vibrations efficiently.
• Bubbles rise in boiling water because steam (gas) is less dense than liquid water.
• Most metals expand when heated as atoms vibrate more and take up more space.
• Magnets attract only ferromagnetic materials (iron, nickel, cobalt)—not plastic, wood, or copper.
• A straw looks bent in water due to refraction: light changes speed and direction when moving between air and water.
• Plants absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and release oxygen.
• Lightning can strike the same place twice—tall structures like towers are hit repeatedly.
• Rainbows form when sunlight enters raindrops, bends (refracts), reflects internally, and splits into colors.
• Matter exists as solid, liquid, gas, or plasma—not "energy", which is a property, not a state.
• Not all metals are magnetic; aluminum, gold, and copper are not attracted to magnets.

Health & Human Body

• Adults have 206 bones; babies have ~270, which fuse as they grow.
• Drinking cold water slightly increases calorie burn as the body warms it, but the effect is minimal.
• The heart pumps blood; lungs oxygenate it; the liver processes nutrients.
• White blood cells defend against infection; red blood cells carry oxygen.
• Humans use virtually all brain regions over a day—not just 10%. The "10% myth" is false.
• Sunlight on skin triggers vitamin D synthesis, crucial for bone health and immunity.
• Knuckle-cracking is gas bubbles collapsing in joint fluid; studies show no link to arthritis.
• Skin is the largest organ—protecting, regulating temperature, and sensing the environment.
• Platelets are cell fragments that clump to form clots and stop bleeding.
• Sneezing doesn't stop your heart; pressure changes may briefly alter rhythm, but the heart keeps beating.

Environment & Nature

• Autumn leaf colors appear when chlorophyll (green) breaks down, revealing carotenoids (yellow/orange) and anthocyanins (red).
• Some snails can hibernate up to 3 years in extreme dryness—a survival adaptation.
• ~71% of Earth's surface is water; ~97% of that is saltwater in oceans.
• Nitrogen makes up ~78% of Earth's atmosphere; oxygen is ~21%.
• Cheetahs reach 112 km/h in short bursts—the fastest land animal.
• Mars appears red due to iron oxide (rust) on its surface.
• Spiders have 8 legs; insects have 6.
• Bees collect nectar (sugary liquid) to make honey; pollen is used for protein.
• Solar power is renewable; coal and gas are finite fossil fuels.
• Ocean tides are primarily caused by the Moon's gravitational pull on Earth's water.

Digital Safety Essentials

• Never share passwords. Legitimate companies won't ask for them via message.
• Public Wi-Fi is risky for banking; use mobile data or a VPN for sensitive tasks.
• Phishing emails often create urgency, use generic greetings, and request personal info.
• "https://" means the site uses encryption (SSL/TLS) to protect data in transit.
• Unique passwords per account limit damage if one is compromised.
• Before posting photos, check for visible addresses, IDs, or location tags.
• Deleted posts may persist on servers or screenshots—think before you share.
• Limit app location access to "while using" to reduce tracking.
• Cyberbullying includes harassment, threats, or sharing private info online—report it.
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Quick Logic Tips

• For sequence puzzles, check for addition, multiplication, or pattern alternation.
• In syllogisms ("All A are B..."), focus on what must be true—not what could be.
• For direction questions, sketch a quick compass or use hand gestures.
• Word puzzles: Rearranging letters often forms common words (e.g., LISTEN → SILENT/ENLIST).
• The "bat and ball" problem: If ball = X, bat = X+100; X + (X+100) = 110 → X=5.

General Knowledge Nuggets

• Abuja became Nigeria's capital in 1991, replacing Lagos for central location and planning.
• The Nile (~6,650 km) and Amazon (~6,400 km) debate exists, but most sources cite Nile as longest.
• Asia is largest by area and population.
• Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" (1958) is a foundational African novel.
• Empire State Building (381 m) is taller than Eiffel Tower (330 m without antenna).
• Pacific Ocean covers more area than all landmasses combined.
• Diamond ranks 10 on Mohs hardness scale; talc is 1.
• Nigeria has 36 states + FCT (Abuja).
• Mercury orbits closest to the Sun; Venus is hottest due to greenhouse effect.
• Garri is made from fermented, dried cassava—a staple in West Africa.

Language & Communication Fun

• "LOL" = Laughing Out Loud; "BRB" = Be Right Back—common chat abbreviations.
• Palindromes read same forward/backward: "level", "radar", "madam".
• "Mouse" (computer): both "mice" (traditional) and "mouses" (technical) are accepted.
• Onomatopoeia words imitate sounds: "buzz", "hiss", "clang".
• Tech slang evolves: "google" (verb), "selfie", "ghosting" (digital communication terms).