Earth and Venus – Often called twins

Venus is only 40 million kilometres closer to the sun than we are. Its size is very much like the earth. But this small distance of 40 million kilometres has made all the difference. Venus and Earth are often called twins because of their similar size, mass, density, composition and gravity. However, Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system with its surface temperature reaching about 465 degrees celsius.

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What are the plastic things on the ends of shoelaces called?

The word ‘aglet’ is derived from old French word aguillette, which in turn originates from the Latin word acus meaning a needle. Aglets are plastic or metal sheaths that tightly cover the tips of shoelaces and cords to enable them to easily pass through the eyelet holes or other such lacing guides. In addition, aglets keep the threads of a lace together and prevent them from fraying.

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Why doesn’t honey spoil?

Honey is made by the honey bees from the nectar of flowers. Honey is composed mainly of sugar. It gets its sweetness from glucose and fructose. It also contains granulated sugar. Honey is viscous and contains very little water (about 16 per cent). This prevents the micro organisms such as bacteria and fungal spores from growing in honey. Honey, therefore, does not spoil easily.

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John F Kennedy- President with a Pulitzer Prize

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States of America. At 43 he became one of the youngest Presidents of the USA. He is the only US President to have won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. The notable events during his tenure were the Cuban missile crisis, building of Berlin War and the beginning of the Vietnam War. Aldous Leonard Huxley was an eminent English writer who was also a humanist, pacifist and a satirist. He moved to Los Angeles and settled there. Some of his works are Point Counter Point, Do What You Will, The Devils of Loudun and Island. He also wrote an essay in a very poignant style on the ‘Bose Institute’, the research institution created by Sir J.C. Bose. Both Kennedy and Huxley died on the same day, i.e. November 22, 1963.

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