Timeline of Scientific Discoveries MCQs 2026
25 questions with detailed answers · 0 from past papers · 3 quiz batches available
Choose a Quiz Batch. Each batch has 10 questions from this topic, in order. Take them one by one to work through all 25 MCQs. Login to save your scores and see your best per batch.
Read each question, think about the answer, then click Show Answer to reveal the correct option and explanation. Load 10 at a time so it stays manageable — perfect for one-topic study sessions on the bus or during a break.
- Q1medium
In what year did Albert Einstein publish his theory of special relativity
💡 Explanation:Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity in 1905, often called his "miracle year" for multiple significant publications.
- Q2medium
In what century did Nicolaus Copernicus propose the heliocentric model of the solar system
💡 Explanation:Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model in the 16th century, published shortly before his death in 1543.
- Q3medium
In what century did Isaac Newton formulate his laws of motion and universal gravitation
💡 Explanation:Newton formulated his foundational laws of motion and gravitation in the 17th century, published in his 1687 Principia Mathematica.
- Q4medium
In what year did Charles Darwin publish "On the Origin of Species," introducing the theory of evolution by natural selection
💡 Explanation:Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, introducing his theory of evolution by natural selection.
- Q5hard
In what decade did Gregor Mendel conduct his foundational pea plant experiments on inheritance
💡 Explanation:Gregor Mendel conducted his foundational pea plant experiments on inheritance during the 1850s and 1860s.
- Q6medium
In what year did Wilhelm Rontgen discover X-rays
💡 Explanation:Wilhelm Rontgen discovered X-rays in 1895, earning him the first Nobel Prize in Physics.
- Q7medium
In what decade did Marie and Pierre Curie discover the elements polonium and radium
💡 Explanation:Marie and Pierre Curie discovered polonium and radium in the 1890s, specifically in 1898.
- Q8medium
In what year did Albert Einstein publish his theory of general relativity
💡 Explanation:Einstein published his theory of general relativity in 1915, a decade after his special relativity paper.
- Q9medium
In what decade did Alexander Fleming discover penicillin
💡 Explanation:Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, within the 1920s decade.
- Q10medium
In what decade was the structure of DNA discovered by Watson and Crick
💡 Explanation:Watson and Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953, within the 1950s decade.
- Q11medium
In what year did the first successful powered flight occur, achieved by the Wright brothers
💡 Explanation:The Wright brothers achieved the first successful powered flight in 1903.
- Q12medium
In what year was the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, launched into space
💡 Explanation:Sputnik 1 was launched in 1957, marking the beginning of the Space Age.
- Q13medium
In what year did the first human travel into space, achieved by Yuri Gagarin
💡 Explanation:Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961.
- Q14medium
In what year did the first crewed Moon landing occur, during the Apollo 11 mission
💡 Explanation:The Apollo 11 mission achieved the first crewed Moon landing in 1969.
- Q15medium
In what decade was the first working laser developed
💡 Explanation:The first working laser was developed in 1960, within the 1960s decade.
- Q16medium
In what decade was the World Wide Web invented by Tim Berners-Lee
💡 Explanation:Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989-1990, spanning the transition into the 1990s.
- Q17medium
In what decade was the Human Genome Project completed, successfully mapping the human genome
💡 Explanation:The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, within the 2000s decade.
- Q18medium
In what year was the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, created
💡 Explanation:Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, was created in 1996.
- Q19medium
Which occurred earlier: the discovery of penicillin or the discovery of DNA's structure
💡 Explanation:Penicillin was discovered in 1928, while DNA's structure was discovered in 1953, meaning penicillin's discovery occurred earlier.
- Q20medium
Which occurred earlier: the first Moon landing or the discovery of DNA's structure
💡 Explanation:DNA's structure was discovered in 1953, while the Moon landing occurred in 1969, meaning the DNA discovery occurred earlier.
- Q21easy
In what decade did the COVID-19 pandemic begin, significantly impacting global health and society
💡 Explanation:The COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019/early 2020, within the 2020s decade.
- Q22hard
In what decade was the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology developed
💡 Explanation:CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology was significantly developed and refined during the 2010s decade.
- Q23medium
In what year was the first direct image of a black hole captured
💡 Explanation:The first direct image of a black hole was captured and released in 2019.
- Q24medium
In what year was the first direct detection of gravitational waves achieved
💡 Explanation:The first direct detection of gravitational waves was achieved in 2015 by the LIGO facility.
- Q25medium
In what year did the James Webb Space Telescope launch into space
💡 Explanation:The James Webb Space Telescope launched in December 2021.