As the final days of 2025 draw to a close, it's time to reflect on a year that delivered its fair share of surprises, controversies, and memorable moments. From the corridors of power to the world of entertainment, the past twelve months have kept us all on our toes.
A Year of Political Drama and Tech Power Plays
The political landscape continued to be dominated by familiar, polarising figures. Donald Trump remained a central force in global politics, his actions and statements generating headlines and debate on an almost daily basis. Meanwhile, the influence of technology magnates grew ever more pronounced, with their decisions shaping economies and public discourse.
In a notable development within the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew faced a year of significant public scrutiny, often referred to in media reports without his former military titles, highlighting his diminished official role. The year also saw key figures like former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making waves in their respective spheres.
From Pop Culture to Puzzling Challenges
Beyond politics, 2025 offered a rich tapestry of cultural events and sporting narratives. Football fans followed the fortunes of clubs like Chelsea, while the spectre of former US Vice President Dick Cheney re-entered public discourse in unexpected ways. The year's events provided ample material for anyone keen on testing their knowledge.
To cap off the year, The Guardian has launched a compelling new quiz, challenging readers to see how closely they followed the unfolding stories of 2025. The quiz promises to test recall on everything from pop to politics, offering a fun and engaging way to review the year's key milestones.
How Did You Fare? Grading Your 2025 Awareness
Participants in the quiz receive feedback based on their score. A result of 1-5 correct answers comes with the light-hearted suggestion to pay more attention in the future. Those scoring between 6 and 14 are congratulated for a very good effort, though advised to spend a little less time looking up from their phones in 2026. The top tier, achieving 15 to 20 points, are deemed so knowledgeable they are invited to write the quiz for the following year.
For those whose appetite for puzzles and games is now whetted, The Guardian points readers towards its suite of digital offerings. This includes all their popular crosswords and sudoku puzzles, alongside new interactive games like the football-focused On The Ball and the cinematic Film Reveal quiz. All these diversions are available through The Guardian app, which can be downloaded from both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
As we turn the page to 2026, this quiz serves as a perfect, engaging recap of a tumultuous and eventful year that few will forget in a hurry.