Thursday, March 21, 2013

March 19th The Questions

 

SET BY

THE WEAVER

Vetted by the Knot Know-Alls and The Cock Inn

SPECIALIST

HISTORY

SPORT

GEOGRAPHY

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

SCIENCE

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

GIVE IT ‘ZEDS’

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

12th March–The Questions

 

Specialist questions (All questions set by the Knot Originals)

1. Those were the Daves

2. History

3. All that Jazz

4. Science

5. Sport

6. Art and Entertainment, but mainly Art

7. Geography

8. Famous Cars

THOSE WERE THE DAVES
The answers to all these questions contain the name David or variations of it such
as Dave, Davie and Dai.

1 Which explorer and missionary was born in Blantyre, Scotland in 1813? A: David Livingstone
2 Who played the part of Che Guevara in the original London stage production of Evita? A: David Essex
3 Which scientist, born in 1778, discovered sodium, potassium, barium and magnesium? A: Humphrey Davey
4 Which famous documentary maker said in an interview in January, “I’m not a celebrity. Celebrities are generally famous for doing nothing. I’d rather spend time with a chameleon“? A: David Attenborough
5 Victoria Coren, presenter of “ Only Connect “ on BBC4, married which comedian in November last year? A: David Mitchell
6 Which food writer was responsible for popularising Mediterranean cuisine in Britain and the use of ingredients such as peppers, aubergines and courgettes. In 1950 she published the bestselling book “Mediterranean Food“? A: Elizabeth David
7 Who wrote the children’s books The Boy in the Dress and Mister Stink? A: David Walliams
8 Cilla Black had hits with “Alfie“ and “Anyone Who Had a Heart“. Who wrote the lyrics? A: Hal David

Supplementary
1 Michelangelo’s statue of David stands in the Academia in Florence. How tall is the statue in feet? A: 17 - accept 15 to 19
2 In which US state was Davy Crockett born? A: Tennessee

HISTORY
1 Which former ruler of Russia died in March 1953? A: Joseph Stalin
2 In which year was the slave trade finally abolished in England? A: 1807 - accept 1802 to 1812
3 What was the code name of Hitler’s planned invasion of Britain in 1940? A: Operation Sealion
4 What symbol was on the shield of Richard I from 1198? A: Three golden lions passant guardant (accept three lions)
5 What was designed by Joseph Paxton as the central feature of the Great Exhibition of 1851? A: The Crystal Palace
6 Who was Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife? A: Catherine Parr
7 The late Queen Mother was born in the same year that Oscar Wilde died. Which year was that? A: 1900 - no leeway
8 Which king of England was nicknamed Longshanks? A: Edward I
Supplementary
1 Which famous meeting took place at Ujiji in Africa in 1871? A: Livingstone met Stanley
2 In which century was Eton College founded? A: 15th (in 1440)

ALL THAT JAZZ
1 What name is given to the style of jazz singing where improvised sounds are used instead of words (e.g. “doobie doobie doo dah”)? A: Scat
2 Cleo Laine married bandleader Johnny Dankworth but who was the British bandleader husband of singer Ottilie Patterson? A: Chris Barber
3 Which famous jazz club is in Frith Street, Soho? A: Ronnie Scott’s
4 Which jazz singer was known as “The First Lady of Song “? A: Ella Fitzgerald
5 Who presents the Tuesday night Jazz programme on BBC Radio 2? A: Jamie Cullum
6 What was the real first name of jazz pianist and singer Fats Waller? A: Thomas
7 Humphrey Lyttleton, jazz musician and chairman of Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue who died in 2008, played which instrument? A: Trumpet
8 “Won’t you come along with me, Down the Mississippi, We’ll take a trip to the land of dreams, Down the Mississippi, Down to New Orleans“ are the first lines of which well known jazz song? A: “Basin Street Blues”
Supplementary
1 The MJQ, led by pianist John Lewis, are one of the best known jazz groups. For what do the initials MJQ stand? A: Modern Jazz Quartet
2 The ODJB were the first American jazz band to play in Britain (1919). For what do the initials ODJB stand? A: Original Dixieland Jazz Band

SCIENCE
1 The soft drink 7 Up was originally developed as a cure for what condition? A: Hangover
2 According to the famous quote by Thomas Edison, what percentage of genius is inspiration? A: 1% - the other 99% is perspiration
3 What was the first man-made object to break the sound barrier? A: Whip
4 Which of the organs of the human body was the first to be successfully transplanted? A: Kidney
5 Often seen in the night sky, The Plough is made up of the brightest stars of which constellation? A: Ursa Major
6 Which constellation is named after a woman rescued by Perseus from a sea monster? A: Andromeda
7 Brontophobia is the morbid fear of what? A: Thunder
8 If a person is said to be Cynophobic, what do they fear? A: Dogs
Supplementary
1 In the night sky, the constellation Cancer is represented by a crab and Leo by a lion. Which creature is used to represent the constellation Cetus? A: Whale
2 Which British bird has the most feathers? A: Mute swan – with circa 20,000 feathers

SPORT

1 Who won rugby union’s last Five Nations trophy in 1999? A: Scotland

2 Who was the last winner of the Football League First Division in 1992? A: Leeds United

3 What sport is played by the London Blitz? A: American Football

4 In what sport do the Birmingham Brummies and the Belle Vue Aces compete? A: Speedway

5 PG Wodehouse’s short story collections The Clicking of Cuthbert and The Heart of a Goof feature which sport? A: Golf

6 A school friend of major PG Wodehouse character Psmith, Mike Jackson excels at which sport? A: Cricket

7 For which rugby league club did current England rugby union coach Andy Farrell play? A: Wigan

8 Which rugby league teammate of Andy Farrell now coaches the Welsh national rugby union side? A: Shaun Edwards

Supplementary

1 Who is the current snooker World Champion? A: Ronnie O’Sullivan

2 Which baseball franchise won the 2012 World Series? A: San Francisco Giants

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT, BUT MAINLY ART

1 For which new English cathedral did Graham Sutherland design a tapestry (“Christ in Majesty”) in 1962? A: Coventry

2 Who composed "Der Rosenkavalier" in 1911 (full name required)? A: Richard Strauss

3 Which Puccini opera from 1900 tells the story of Napoleon’s invasion of Naples? A: Tosca

4 Which painter accidentally killed a young man named Ranuccio Tomassoni in a duel in 1606, leading to his exile? A: Caravaggio

5 Who is the only potter to have won the Turner Prize? A: Grayson Perry

6 Which former children's TV series featured the Soup Dragon character? A: The Clangers

7 "Suffering Succotash" was the catchphrase of which animated cat? A: Sylvester

8 Which French Impressionist artist famously painted a series based on the facade of Rouen Cathedral at different times of day? A: Claude Monet

Supplementary

1 Which Venetian artist painted "Bacchus and Ariadne" (1520-23) which hangs in the National Gallery London? A: Titian (Tiziano Vechellio)

2 Sir John Tenniel is most famous for illustrating two classic children’s books by the same author. Name the titular character of both books. A: Alice (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Alice through the Looking Glass)

GEOGRAPHY

1 Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and which other southern US state’s coastline has been affected by the oil leaking from BP’s Deepwater Horizon project? A: Alabama

2 China’s drive to provide protein and omega-3 oils for its booming fish farming industry threatens which shrimp-like creature that forms the basis of the Antarctic food chain? A: Krill

3 Which European country was the second latest in the World to be granted nation status (the latest was South Sudan in 2011)? A: Kosovo

4 Which county became the first to scrap speed cameras in 2010? A: Oxfordshire

5 Flood water and debris flowing down the Yangtze River threatens to choke which dam, one of China’s most prestigious engineering projects? A: Three Gorges Dam

6 Mackerel fishing is popular off this shingle beach which connects the mainland to the Isle of Portland on the Dorset coast. Name the beach. A: Chesil

7 The vast majority of the UK’s gas imports come from pipelines in Holland and which other European country? A: Norway

8 The National Parks authority recently denied it had plans to tarmac paths to the summit of which mountain? A: Snowdon

Supplementary

1 In which Italian province is Milan? A: Lombardy

2 Name the missing county: Down, Antrim, Londonderry, Armagh, Tyrone, and…? A: Fermanagh (counties of Northern Ireland)

FAMOUS CARS

These real and fictional cars were made famous by either the sport in which they competed or the films and TV series in which they appeared.

1 What was the name of the World Rally Championship dominating car of the 1970s, manufactured by the Italian firm, Lancia? A: Stratos HF

2 Colin McRae won his only World Rally Drivers Championship behind the wheel of which car? A: Subaru Impreza 555

3 Which supernatural law enforcement agency converted a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance into a vehicle known as the Ecto-1? A: Ghostbusters

4 Clint Eastwood named a 2008 film after which Ford model, also driven famously on screen by Starsky and Hutch? A: Gran Torino

5 The first Porsche to win outright at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1970 was also driven by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film, Le Mans. Name the famous model. A: 917

6 Built on Formula One technology to commemorate the manufacturer’s first F1 title of the new Millennium in 2002, which Ferrari model was named after the founder of the brand? A: Enzo

7 Which fictional vehicle was based upon a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car in its first television appearance in 1966, before undergoing a significant redesign described as “a cross between a Lamborghini and a tank” in a film trilogy completed in 2012? A: The Batmobile

8 A 1972 Bedford CF van painted with swirling psychedelic colours was used as “The Mystery Machine” in the mostly live-action 2002 film version of which Hanna-Barbera cartoon franchise? A: Scooby-Doo

Supplementary

1 The Dukes of Hazzard predominantly features a 1969 model of which long-running American car? A: Dodge Charger

2 British sports car the Radical SR8 LM currently holds which famous European motorsport record, having been used to set a time of 6 minutes and 48 seconds by Michael Vergers in 2009? A: Fastest lap time around the 20.6km Nürburgring Nordschleife (accept “Nürburgring fastest lap”)

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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1 Which philosopher first wrote that if God did not exist, it would have been necessary to invent him? A: Voltaire

2 Which film star was born William Pratt? A: Boris Karlov

3 Which TV series featured Mulder and Scully? A: The X Files

4 In which sport was Mick the Miller a celebrity? A: Greyhound Racing

5 Which plant does the Colorado Beetle mainly attack? A: Potato

6 How many dice are used in the game Poker Dice? A: 5

7 What is the eastern terminus of the trans-Siberian railway? A: Vladivostok

8 Who wrote the novel ‘Waverley’? A: Sir Walter Scott

9 What is the positive square root of 361? A: 19

10 About 50 miles south of Paris, which castle was the home of French royalty? A: Fontainebleau

11 What is measured with an anemometer? A: Wind speed

12 Who was British Prime Minister immediately before Margaret Thatcher? A: James Callaghan

13 Which country is known as Bharat in its own language? A: India

14 Sabena Airways went bust in the early 2000’s, but in which country were they based? A: Belgium

15 What is the term used for a person who sells ribbon, buttons, tape etc.? A: Haberdasher

16 Name either of the stars of Channel 4’s Peep Show? A: Robert Webb or David Mitchell

17 The Brenner Pass connects Italy and which other country? A: Austria

18 Who wrote the Maigret series of detective novels? A: Georges Simenon

19 Which cricket county has its headquarters at the St Lawrence Ground? A: Kent

20 On which river does Leicester stand? A: Soar

21 Who was US president immediately before Ronald Reagan? A: Jimmy Carter

22 Over 95% of Japan’s population lives on 4 islands: Hokkaido is one. Give the name of one of the others. A: Shikoku, Honshu, Kyushu

23 What is the diameter in inches of a golf hole? A: 4¼ (accept 4 to 4.5)

24 Why are capuchin monkeys so called? A: Because their heads are shaped like the hood of a capuchin monk’s habit

25 What do the Spanish call a bullfight? A: Corrida

26 What is the modern name for the seaport on the Adriatic coast, formerly known as Ragusa? A: Dubrovnik

27 Which sporting event has taken place at Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Riverside? A: US Grand Prix

28 In which film did Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier co-star? A: The Prince and the Showgirl

29 What colour is amethyst? A: Mauve (accept Purple)

30 Why has Bradley Manning been in the news recently? A: he is the US soldier who passed information to Wikileaks, and is awaiting trial.

31 What is the closest star to the sun? A: Proxima Centauri

32 Bolivia was named after Simon Bolivar, but which South American country was his country of birth? A: Venezuela

33 In which country would you find Mount Egmont? A: New Zealand

34 The English words ‘cherub’, ‘seraph’ and ‘shibboleth’ are borrowed from which language? A: Hebrew

35 The monkey puzzle tree is native to which country? A: Chile

36 By what name is the flame-like electrical discharge seen above ships’ masts or about an aircraft in stormy weather known? A: St Elmo’s Fire

37 If you were watching a home match of the Green Bay Packers, which US state would you be in? A: Wisconsin

38 Copenhagen is the first city of Denmark. What is its second city (by population)? A: Aarhus

39 What is the term for unaccompanied choral singing? A: A capella

40 Rock from the island of Ailsa Craig (located in the Firth of Clyde) is used to manufacture what piece of sporting equipment? A: Curling stones.

41 Who was the first female Prime Minister in the world? A: Sirimavo Bandaranaike

42 Which country won the first European football Championship in 1960? A: USSR (reluctantly accept Russia)

43 According to the old rhyme, who saw Cock Robin die? A: The fly - “said the fly with my little eye, I saw him die”

44 In the rhyme "The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly", the first creature she swallows is a fly and the last creature she swallows is a horse ("she's dead of course"). In total, how many creatures does she swallow? A: 8 (the others are: spider, bird, cat, dog, goat, cow)

45 What is mixed with leeks and breadcrumbs to make a Glamorgan sausage? A: Cheese (usually Caerphilly)

46 Pershore Eggs and Warwickshire Droopers are varieties of which fruit? A: Plums

47 In which century did Leonardo da Vinci paint “The Last Supper”? A: 15th - in the 1480s

48 The Taj Mahal at Agra was completed in which century? A: 17th - finished in 1653

49 What was the name of Rupert Bear's elephant friend? A: Edward Trunk

50 Which well-known character from children's fiction was created by Hugh Lofting? A: Doctor Doolittle

51 Where on television will you regularly see the opera singer Wynne Evans? A: As the singer in the Go Compare adverts

52 Marlon Brando won his first Best Actor Oscar in 1954 for which film? A: On the Waterfront

53 In which town in England is there a museum dedicated to the history and manufacture of pencils? A: Keswick

54 In which Derbyshire town is the National Tramways Museum? A: Crich

55 In the 1976 film Robin and Marian, Sean Connery played Robin Hood. Which actress played Maid Marian? A: Audrey Hepburn

56 Which UK fashion designer’s sporty 2012 work was featured in the London Design Museum’s Design to Win exhibition in August shortly after completing its intended function? A: Stella McCartney’s (It was Team GB’s Olympic wear)

57 In Dad's Army , what was Private Fraser's occupation? A: Undertaker

58 The character Marion Crane is murdered in which famous film? A: Psycho (stabbed in the shower)

59 What is the title of David Bowie’s latest single? A: “Where are we now?”

60 Which Liverpool player returned to the club from Juventus complaining “Living in Italy was like living in a foreign country”? A: Ian Rush

61 Who is the current Prime Minister (or Taioiseach) of the Republic of Ireland? A: Enda Kenny

62 Until his recent resignation, what job did James Harding hold? A: Editor of The Times

63 What is the name of the lead character in The Killing? A: Sarah Lund

64 Caroline Lucas, who became the Green Party’s first MP at the 2010 General Election, represents which constituency? A: Brighton Pavilion (accept Brighton)

65 Which Hollies song was recently covered by the Hillsborough Justice Collective? A: “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”

66 Which Premiership footballer suffered the ignominy of scoring two own goals and missing a penalty in his team’s first home defeat of the season? A: Jonathan Walters, of Stoke City

67 From which satirical TV series did Ed Miliband borrow the term “omnishambles”? A: The Thick Of It

68 Who did Alex McLeish briefly replace as manager of Nottingham Forest? A: Shaun O’Driscoll

69 Which was the first national football team to exit Euro 2012? A: The Republic of Ireland

70 What is emetophobia? A: The fear of vomiting

71 Who was the first woman to appear on Channel 4? A: Carol Vorderman, co-presenting Countdown

72 Which singer won the Eurovision song contest for Switzerland in 1988? A: Celine Dion

73 In a right-angled triangle, dividing the length of the side adjacent to an angle by the length of the hypotenuse gives which trigonometric function? A: The cosine of an angle

74 What is the term for a convex quadrilateral with at least two parallel sides? A: Trapezium (also accept Trapezoid)

75 Before Andy Murray in 2012 who was the only British winner of the Men’s Singles at the US Open? A: Fred Perry

76 Who is still the only British singles winner of tennis’s Australian Open? A: Virginia Wade

77 Which poet of the early 19th century wrote: “‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know’”? A: John Keats (from ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’)

78 Which songwriter of the 20th century wrote: “Ain’t it just like the night to play tricks when you’re trying to be so quiet?”? A: Bob Dylan (from ‘Visions of Johanna’, Blonde on Blonde)

79 Of which African country is Luanda the capital? A: Angola

80 What is the capital of Sudan? A: Khartoum

81 Which football team changed the colour of its home strip from blue to red last year as part of a “rebranding process” instituted by its new Malaysian owners? A: Cardiff City (red is considered a lucky colour in Malaysia)

82 Which charity became the first brand to be found on the FC Barcelona shirt in 2006, before being replaced by the more profitable Qatar Foundation in 2011? A: Unicef

83 Which Scot was the first to put the pneumatic tyre into production in 1887, having helped his son win a tricycle race with his new bike product? A: John Boyd Dunlop

84 Who is the Scottish inventor of waterproof fabrics, who gave his name to one of the best known applications of his invention? A: Charles Macintosh

85 Kathryn Bigelow is the only woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director for which film? A: The Hurt Locker

86 Which famous actor directed the films Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night, and Good Luck and The Ides of March? A: George Clooney

87 Crockford’s is the directory of what? A: The Clergy

88 The dress infamously worn by musician Björk to the 73rd Academy Awards featured which bird? A: A swan

89 In contract bridge, which two suits are known as the minor suits (need both)? A: Clubs and Diamonds

90 Regarding which side of the road they drive on, which of the following countries is the odd one out: Canada, Australia, Japan and South Africa? A: Canada (all the others drive on left)

91 Which poet wrote “The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” and “Frost At Midnight”?

A: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

92 Which former soap actress was the unlikely leader of last year's Strictly Come Dancing after the first week's point-scoring? A: Lisa Riley

93 Benedict Cumberbatch played the lead in which recent BBC adaptation of Ford Madox Ford's novels? A: Parade’s End

94 What was the name of the Nobel Prize-winning novelist who wrote Buddenbrooks and Death In Venice? A: Thomas Mann

95 Name the Australian kingfisher with a loud laughter-like call. A: Kookaburra

96 What variety of sherry is sweet, dark and full-bodied? A: Oloroso

SUPPLEMENTARIES

97 Who was the ruler of Asgard in Norse mythology? A: Odin

98 In the countryside, what is the name of the track where horses and their riders have right of way?

A: Bridle path

99 Which district in the Swiss canton of Fribourg gave its name to a variety of cheese?

A: Gruyere

100 The capital of which landlocked African country is Harare? A: Zimbabwe

101 What is the 2 letter postcode prefix for Leeds? A: LS

102 Which cricketer has the most international wickets of any England bowler? A: James Anderson (he took his 529th wicket to surpass Ian Botham’s 528 in New Zealand last month)

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

March 5th Questions

 

Specialist Questions 5th March 2013

Set by

The Prince of Wales

1. History

2. Sport

3. Science

4. Geography

5. Arts & Entertainment

6. Comedy Capers

7. Musical Geography

8. The Smeg It Is

History

1. Which English monarch had a horse called White Surrey?

A. Richard III

2. In which year did Paul Revere ride to warn of the British advance?

A. 1735 (ACCEPT 1733-1737)

3. Who was the first Prime Minister to occupy Chequers

A. Lloyd George

4. Which Roman leader was defeated at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC?

A. Julius Caesar

5. Which British territory was captured on Christmas Day 1941?

A. Hong Kong

6. Which American President claimed that “The ballot is stronger than the bullet”?

A. Abraham Lincoln

7. What institution did George Williams found in London in 1844?

A. YMCA

8. How was Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar better known to history?

A. El Cid

Supps

1. In what year did the first public library open in the UK?

A. 1847 (accept three years either way 1844-1850)

2. Who was the victorious Russian commander at Stalingrad?

A. Marshall Zhukov

Sport

1. The home of Sunderland F.C. shares its name with which Portuguese club’s stadium?

A. Benfica

2. Modern baseball bats are normally made from which type of wood?

A. Ash

3. What number is associated with NBA legend Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls?

A. 23 (Guess what, no leeway)

4. Since its inception in 1895, how many different nationalities have won the US Open Golf tournament?

A. 9 (USA, Scotland, England, South Africa, Jersey, Australia, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Argentina)

5. Which was the first County Cricket Club to be formed in England, in 1839?

A. Sussex

6. Which Rugby League side are known as The Vikings?

A. Widnes

7. What name is shared by a card game that dates back to the 17th century, and a variation of the game of billiards?

A. Cribbage

8. Who became the first black footballer to be named captain of the England team?

A. Paul Ince

Supps

1. In Canadian Football how many attempt are allowed to obtain a first down?

A. 3

2. Traditionally, ten pin bowling pins are made from which wood?

A. Maple

Science & Nature

1. What would you grow if you grew Peruvian Apples?

A. Tomatoes

2. From what fauna is the oil copra obtained

A. Coconut palm

3. Sea fans and sea whips are types of what?

A. Coral

4. What is found in a plant’s anther?

A. Pollen

5. Which flightless bird, as well as the emu, is native to Australia?

A. The Cassowary

6. What colour are the fruits of the deadly nightshade?

A. Black

7. What sort of fruit is a Mirabelle?

A. Plum

8. What is the only member of the giraffe family, other than the giraffe itself?

A. The Okapi

Supps

1. What colour tongue does a chow chow have?

A. Blue

2.  What does a whitebait grow into>

A. Sprat

 

Geography

1. Vilnius is the capital of which European country?

A. Lithuania

2. How many islands make up the Cook Islands?

A. 15 (accept 13 – 17)

3. The city of London can be found in three American states, Name One

A. Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio

4. The town of Macclesfield can be found in which American State?

A. North Carolina

5. What is the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba?

A. Winnipeg

6. Mt Pico is the highest mountain in which European country?

A. Portugal

7. The Takla Makan desert or Sea of Death is found in which country?

A. China

8. What is the largest and longest of London’s subterranean rivers?

A. Fleet

Supps

1. On which river does the city of Ely stand?

A. Ouse

2. What is the largest city within the Arctic Circle?

A. Murmansk

Arts & Entertainment: The World of Books

1. In which book do we find the character of Sophie Neveu, a French Cryptologist?

A. The Da Vinci Code

2. Which book in the Harry Potter series features the Triwizard Tournament?

A. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

3. Which book opens with the line ‘New Year’s Resolutions, I will not drink more than fourteen alcohol units a week. Smoke’?

A. Bridget Jones’s Diary

4. Which American author wrote the best selling novel ‘The Passage’ in 2011 and its sequel ‘The Twelve’?

A. Justin Cronin

5. Which book by Irishman John Boyne tells the story of two young boys befriending each other through a barbed wire fence and the consequences of that friendship?

A. The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

6. Which Spanish author wrote the Barcelona trilogy, ‘The Shadow of the Wind’, ‘The Angel’s Game’ and ‘The Prisoner of Heaven’?

A. Carlos Ruiz Zafon

7. Rene Goscinny wrote which series of children’s stories?

A. Asterix

8. What is the title of Alan Gardner’s third book in the trilogy that began with ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’ published last year after a gap of thirty years?

A. Boneland

Supps

1. What is the name of the new Dan Brown novel to be published in May 2013?

A. Inferno

2. Which Australian writer’s best selling books include ‘Seven Ancient Wonders’, ‘Six Sacred Stones’ and ‘Five Greatest Warriors’?

A. Matthew Reilly

Musical Trips Around The World

Simply put, a series of music questions that feature towns, cities and countries from around this little old planet we call home!

1. Bonnie Tyler found herself ‘Lost In’ which European country in 1976?

A. France

2. Which seaside resort were Chas n’ Dave singing about in 1982?

A. Margate

3. ‘Knutsford’ is a song by which infamous punk band?

A. The Macc Lads

4. This theme tune to a long running political show was a single and album for rock band Mountain and features a Sleighride?

A. Nantucket

5. Who sang about ‘Old Durham Town’ in 1969?

A. Roger Whittaker

6. Which country were Alphaville ‘Big In’ according to their 1984 debut single?

A. Japan

7. In which city was there a mining disaster, according to the Bee Gee’s?

A. New York

8. Where did The Beautiful South end up according to their 1996 hit single, but it wasn’t London or Rome?

A. Rotterdam

Supps

1. Indiana wanted whom in 1970?

A. R. Dean Taylor

2. What did Tony Orlando & Dawn want you to do in 1970?

A. Knock Three Times

Comedy Capers

1. Which Brummie comedian was born Christopher Graham Collins and has ended up in charge of Room 101?

A. Frank Skinner

2. Who was The Rochdale Cowboy?

A. Mike Harding

3. The Pub Landlord, played by Al Murray, featured in which award winning TV series?

A. Time Gentlemen, Please

4. Who starred as Mad Gerald in Blackadder, and Robin Hood in Blackadder: Back and Forth?

A. Rik Mayall

5. In which country was comedian Mike Myers born?

A. Canada

6. Which British-born Iranian comedian starred in such films as “Gladiator”, “Mean Machine” and “The Mummy”?

A. Omid Djalili

7. Which TV comedy sketch show launched the career of Pamela Stephenson?

A. Not The Nine O’Clock News

8. Who played the part of Brenda Furlong in the BBC comedy ‘Dinnerladies’?

A. Victoria Wood

Supps

1. Adrian Edmondson is married to which comedian?

A. Jennifer Saunders

2. Who had live stand-up shows called Animals, Politics, Fame and Science?

A. Ricky Gervais

The Smeg It Is!

After years of answering (or not as the case may be) questions on obscure monuments in Ireland, historical events that took place on a Sunday some time in the 18th century and even to identify Rugby League players from 1962. I’ve decided to take the plunge with a round I’ve considered for many years…. Yes… it’s a round on that legendary TV series Red Dwarf… oh I can hear the hearty cheers now!!

1. What is the ‘New Testament’ middle name of character Arnold Rimmer?

A. Judas

2. The actor David Ross played the original Kryten before being replaced, however he returned to voice the character of which annoying kitchen appliance?

A. Talkie Toaster (accept Toaster)

3. Ed Bye directed many of the early episodes, but to which ‘loud mouth’ comedienne is he married?

A. Ruby Wax

4. Which planet in the solar system makes up the name of the corporation that Red Dwarf is owned by?

A. Jupiter (Mining Corporation)

5. What did Dave Lister lose on the Bootle Municipal Council golf course when he was twelve years old?

A. His Virginity (He was so excited, he even dropped his skateboard!!)

6. Which song was performed by the cast that reached Number 17 in the charts in October 1993?

A. Tongue Tied

7. The character Kochanski was originally played by Clare Grogan who was the lead singer of which 1980s pop group?

A. Altered Images

8. Whilst trying to impress officers at a meal what culinary delight did Arnold Rimmer tell the chef to take away and mistakenly tell him to serve ‘piping hot’?

A. Gazpacho soup (do not accept just soup)

Supps

1. The production company that makes Red Dwarf is made up of the surnames of both creators of the show, what are those two surnames?

A. Grant & Naylor

2. When Dave Lister eventually gets back to Earth, which South Pacific country does he aim to settle in to breed sheep and horses?

A. Fiji

General Knowledge Questions

set by the Waters Green Phoenix

1. Who wrote the novel “The World According to Garp”?

John Irving

2. Jack Dee is the chairman of which Radio 4 antidote to panel games?

“I’m sorry I haven’t a clue”

3. What was the name of the final NASA Space Shuttle to orbit the Earth?

Atlantis

4. In the periodic table, only two elements are liquid at room temperature. Mercury is one, what is the other?

Bromine (not Bromide)

5. Who was the first black, female Member of Parliament?

Diane Abbott

6. To whom would a Nansen Passport be issued?

A stateless refugee

7. Who was the US President of the USA when Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne ?

Harry S Truman (April 1945-Jan 1953)

8. Who succeeded Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany?

Admiral Karl Donitz

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9.The Limpopo river flows through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and which other country?

Botswana

10 If you come across the word “Uxor” in a Latin inscription, what does it mean?

Wife

11 Who, according to the song

“Took an axe, and gave her mother forty whacks,

When he had seen what she had done, gave her father forty-one”?

Lizzie Borden

12 Name the SECOND longest reigning English monarch

Elizabeth II

13 Amersham and High Wycombe are in which range of hills?

The Chilterns

14 Which primitive civilisation supposedly prophesised Armageddon for December 2012?

The Mayans

15 On BBC2’s The Eggheads, Dave Rainsford is the only one to have a nickname. What is it?

“Tremendous Knowledge”

16 Which train station was opened in 1837 as the London terminus of the London to Birmingham line?

Euston

17 What is the name for the lowest part of a ship’s hull, where the water gathers?

The bilge

18 The 1932 American election was won by Franlin D Roosevelt, which incumbent president did he defeat?

Herbert Hoover

19 In World War II which German concentration camp was situated approximately 50km west of Krackow?

Auschwitz

20 According to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , Moriarty was a professor in which subject?

Mathematics

21 What is the unique characteristic of a “Stargazy Pie”

Pilchard heads sticking up out of the pie crust (accept fish heads)

22 In which Oscar winning film of 1943 were the central characters, Ilsa Lund and Rick Blaine?

Casablanca

23 The Borghese Art Gallery is situated in which European city?

Rome

24 What kind of transport is a “Segway”?

It’s a two wheeled self balancing, battery powered electric vehicle.

25 The 1812 Overture was written to celebrate Napoleon’s defeat in which city?

Moscow

26 A lead pencil and a diamond are both made from carbon atoms arranged differently – what is the name for this feature?

Allotropes

27 In the film ‘The Great Escape’, which actor played the role of ‘The Forger’?

Donald Pleasance

28 In which American state is Arlington National Cemetery?

Virginia

29 ‘The Outlaws’ is the name of a children’s gang in which series of books?

Just William by Richmal Compton

30 After Alf Ramsey’s departure as England Manager, Joe Mercer was appointed as ‘caretaker manager’. Who took over from Mercer on a full time contract?

Don Revie

31 Which group won the Grammy for ‘Album of the year’ in February 2013.

Mumford and Son (for Babel)

32 The Greek for ‘Circle of life’ gives its name to what?

The Zodiac

33 Which sports personality is known as the ‘Mansfield Mermaid’?

Rebecca Adlington

34 Christiansborg Palace is the seat of the Danish Government. It’s nick name is the title of a TV series shown on BBC 4. What is it?

Borgen

35 In Greek mythology the jealous Athena turned Arachne into what?

A Spider

36 Who was Margaret Thatcher’s longest serving minister?

Geoffrey Howe

37 Big Diomede Island and Little Diomede Islands are only 4 miles apart but belong to 2 different countries.

Name either country.

Big Diomede – Russia, Little Diomede- USA ( They are located in the Bering Straits, off the coast of Alaska and Siberia)

38 In internet slang what name is given to a person who posts inflammatory messages in an online community, such as a chat room or blog?

A Troll

39 Ralph Vaughan Williams, Sir Stanley Spencer and Neville Shute died in consecutive years in the 20th century. Give one of those years.

1958/59 or60

40 Lionel of Antwerp, John of Gaunt and Edmund of Langley were among the sons of which King?

Edward III

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41 The fifth labour of Hercules was to clean which stables?

The Augean

42 Effie Gray was the wife of art critic John Ruskin. After their marriage was annulled which British painter did she marry?

John Millais

43 Who plays the title role in the recently released film ‘Hitchcock’?

Anthony Hopkins

44 ‘My Family and Other Animals’ is an autobiography of naturalist Gerald Durrell which tells of his childhood on which Greek island?

Corfu

45 Which Opera opened in Cairo in December 1871?

Aida (Verdi)

46 Comic Relief was founded in 1985 by Lenny Henry and which film director?

Richard Curtis

47 The hilltop site of Massada (now a world heritage site) was besieged in 72AD and the 960 inhabitants committee suicide rather than surrender to the Romans. In which modern country is Massada?

Israel

48 Logan Airport serves which U.S city?

Boston

49 Sir Alex Ferguson has been manager of Manchester United for 23 years. The second longest serving manager in the premiership is Arsene Wenger , in what year did he join Arsenal as manager?

1996 (accept 95-97)

50 Who requisitioned Peover Hall, near Knutsford, during World War II?

General George Patton

51 Who wrote the operas ‘Billy Budd’ and ‘Albert Herring’

Benjamin Britten

52 Which Beatles album was released 50 years ago in March 1963?

Please Please me.

53 Who was offered, but turned down, the Presidency of Israel in 1952?

Albert Einstein

54 Who, on being asked for correct ratio of gin to vermouth to make a dry martini, is said to have replied “Take an ice cold glass, fill with gin and wave it in the general direction of Italy”?

Noel Coward

55 What breed of animal is a Charolais?

Cattle

56 Which TV sports programme is currently hosted by Graham Bell and Ed Leigh?

Ski Sunday

57 Which European river flows through 10 countries and four capital cities?

The Danube

58 Which dinosaurs name translates as ‘swift seizer’?

Velociraptor

59 Who commanded the Confederate forces in the American Civil War?

Robert E Lee

60 In which decade of the 17th century was the Bank of England established?

1690s

61 In the Harry Potter series of films who played Ron Weasley’s mother?

Julie Walters

62 Which artist has a museum in his home town of Figueres in Catalonia?

Salvador Dali

63 Who had a hit in 2009 with ‘New York’

Paloma Faith

64 Who was the only politician in the 20th century to have held the posts of Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary but did not go on to become Prime Minister?

R A Butler

65 Who was the original Peeping Tom peeping at?

Lady Godiva

66 Charlie Sheen, Janet Jackson and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were all born in consecutive years. Give one of those years.

1965/66/67

67 What phantom ship is said to haunt the seas around the Cape of Good Hope?

The Flying Dutchman

68 Which soup’s name translates as ‘pepper water’

Mulligatawny

69 The ferry from Southampton lands at which point on the Isle of Wight?

Cowes

70 Which is the only active volcano in mainland Europe? (last activity 1944)

Vesuvius

71 Jonquil is a shade of which colour?

Yellow

72 In which 2013 Oscar nominated film is the CGI generated character of Richard Parker?

The Life of Pi (Richard Parker is the tiger)

73 The steepest rise in altitude of any narrow gauge railway is on a route in northern India. The lowest point is at Kalka, in which town is the highest terminus?

Shimla

74 Kelly Jones, Richard Jones and Adam Zindani are the core members of which band?

The Stereophonics

75 What was the surname of Jerry and Margo in the TV series “The Good Life”?

Leadbetter

76 Who was King of England during the Seven Years war?

George III

77 Who was the first westerner to discover the Niger River and to reach Timbuktu?

Mungo Park

78 Which spirit is the basis for each of these cocktails: A Churchill, Mint Julep and a Rob Roy

Whiskey

79 Who was found hiding in Abottabad in 2011?

Osama Bin Laden

80 Verdi’s opera La Traviata was set in which city?

Paris

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81 What colour is the cross of Finland?

Blue

82 Where did Matthew Webb drown in 1883?

Niagara Falls (He was the first man to swim the English Channel in 1875)

83 Which film and stage show has the role of Edna Turnbald been played by both John Travolta and Michael Ball

Edna Turnblad in Hairspray

84 Whose last unfinished novel was ‘The Last Tycoon’?

F Scott Fitzgerald

85 In which city is the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome?

Glasgow

86 If an alloy is an amalgam which metal must it contain?

Mercury

87 Tempura uses water and what to paint with?

Egg white

88 Kandy, Galle and Ratnapura are cities in which country?

Sri Lanka

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89 Which record label signed the Rolling Stones in 1991

Virgin

90 Edward Whymper was the first person to climb which mountain?

The Matterhorn

91 To which family of fish does the minnow belong?

Carp

92 What dance is usually performed to ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’?

The Can Can

93 What relation is the Prime Minister of Denmark to Neil Kinnock?

Daughter-in-Law, she is married to Neil Kinnock’s son, Stephen.

94 What was the original profession of Somerset Maughan, A J Cronin and Richard Gordon?

Medicine (Doctors)

95 Maria Nunez and Tony Wyzek are the central characters in which 1961 Oscar winning film?

West Side Story

96 In what year were the Munich Olympics held?

1972

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Supps

The movie ‘Russian Ark’ was filmed in one take in which museum?...........The Hermitage

Who was the cartoonist in the Monty Python series……………..Terry Gilliam

Distaff is the female family side – what is the male?.................Spear

Karaoke and Cold Lazarus are plays by which author? ………………….. Dennis Potter

Caligari is the capital of which island?....................Sardinia

The song ‘How to handle a woman’ comes from which musical…………Camelot