L.A. Times quizzes

Despite a lukewarm economy and lackluster job market, the Dow Jones industrial average is closing in on a new all-time high, surpassing its last peak of 14,164.

General Motors introduced the seventh generation of its Chevrolet Corvette at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

Does your romantic relationship contain the elements of classic fiction, à la “Anna Karenina”?

Test what you’ve learned on your travels, or study up before heading out.

The White House and Congress are battling over raising the nation’s debt limit, which is the statutory ceiling on federal borrowing.

In what should probably not be considered guides to modern living, the British Library has re-released a pair of charming Victorian-era books about beauty and fashion.

President Obama will be formally sworn in for his second term in office Jan. 21.

Sure, you know about Champagne and hangovers.

How well did you pay attention to business news in 2012?

There are many things about Christmas that we all know: the lyrics to “Jingle Bells,” Scrooge’s first name, how many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh.

Many of us interact with one of Google’s products everyday -- whether navigating with the help of Google Maps, watching a video clip on YouTube, or searching for anything you can think of on the Internet using the company’s search engine.

Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, made a lot of headlines in 2012.

Fears are growing that the nation is hurtling toward the so-called “fiscal cliff” -- a combination of expiring tax cuts and automatic federal spending reductions that would take effect at the start of the new year unless Congress acts to stop it.

When Pantone announces the color of the year every December, it doesn’t just predict a hot hue for the 12 months to follow.

The ancient Greeks made them—and served them for breakfast.

Think you’ve got what it takes to recognize your local Los Angeles landmarks?

Many have worn it, few really know it. How much do you think you know about the venerable tuxedo?

Maybe you’ve got a huge collection of vintage cameras and rolls of film in your refrigerator, or maybe you just installed Instagram on your smartphone.

Did you know there are no hamburgers in Hamburg, Germany?

The 2012 hurricane season, which proved to be one of the busiest on record, officially comes to a close Friday.

Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, released its lists of the most searched for terms of 2012.

You don’t mean to text and drive.

So you think you know the witty, stylish songwriter? Test your knowledge -- or learn something -- as you peruse these trivia questions.

Cooking isn’t all fun and games, you know. Sometimes you have to do the math.

Mortgages are the traditional key to U.S. homeownership.

The security screening process at the nation’s airports has been the source of heated debate since the federal government took it over following the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks.

China is the world’s second-largest economy, valued at $7.3 trillion in 2011, according to the World Bank.

California motorists have been battered worse than those in any other state this year.

Healthcare costs continue to climb, putting pressure on employers and consumers in a sputtering economy.

Southern California is the home of high-priced luxury denim manufacturers.

Regularly chowing down on burgers and fries does not a fast-food expert make.

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest family holidays of the year, a time for celebration — or regret, depending on the kind of family you’re born into.

What do Hermano Cortez, Martha Stewart and Pliny the Younger have in common?

French fries. Chicago fries. Duck fat fries. Bacon drippings. Cheese curds and brown gravy.

Sure, the Oscars aren’t until February, but The Season is here already: the jockeying for best movie release dates, campaigning for attention, and most important of all, getting people chatting about films and awards.

Despite what they may tell you in New York, we all know there’s more to food in the Golden State than bacon-avocado cheeseburgers.

California officials boast the Golden State has the ninth-largest economy in the world, with the equivalent of a gross domestic product in 2011 of $1.95 trillion.

A World Series-related food quiz? No, not this one.

Does kale cure cancer? Will it make your teeth whiter and brighter?

What do the Sex Pistols, Suicidal Tendencies and the Germs have to do with food?

In November, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, an international treaty ratified by 190 nations that set out to preserve important cultural and natural sites.

Google’s stated goal is to index all of the world’s information.

The space shuttle Endeavour was making its way across the nation en route to its new home at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

The space shuttle Endeavour made its final journey across the nation and Los Angeles to its new home at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

Goodbye, “Jersey Shore” guidos and guidettes.

Last week, Thai Airways received its first Airbus A380, the world’s largest commercial airplane.

Vladimir Putin, past and current president of Russia (in between he was its prime minister) has a somewhat unique public image, which is cultivated in many ways.

Salman Rushdie’s new memoir of his time in hiding, “Joseph Anton,” weighs in at more than 600 pages.

Test your fast food knowledge.

Siri? Steve Jobs’ net worth? Which came first -- the Mini or the Nano?

Because of her Harry Potter series, author J.K.

Giant pandas are in the news with the recent death of a cub at Washington’s National Zoo.