Here are today’s questions. Answers will be published tomorrow. The theme runs from Mon-Thu:

1. What company was founded in 1870, later evolving into a trust in 1882 and achieving a near monopoly until its court-ordered dissolution in 1911?
2. What company formed in 1882 and named after a pair of Afrikaner brothers had a near monopoly for a significant part of the 20th century?
3. What company, granted a monopoly and vast powers by its country’s government, formed a trading empire that lasted nearly two centuries before bankruptcy in 1799?
4. What company established in 1999 was granted a monopoly on several essential services to the Indian Railways? The government has since reduced its share in the company, technically a public sector undertaking, to just over 60%.
5. [Theme: 4 of 4] What word is used to describe both hyperpalatable high-calorie foods and email typically seen in a spam folder?

Here are the answers to 2026: Week 1, Quiz 3:

1. Sami
2. Australia
3. Caribou / seal
4. Vicuna
5. Theme – will be revealed on Friday