Today’s Answers

Continuing the theme of the last few days.

One

What ‘K’ was the given name of Pope John Paul II who was elected pope at the October 1978 conclave? In what month and year had the previous conclave taken place?

Answers: Karol; August 1978.

Pope John Paul I was elected on 26 August 1978 and died 33 days later. John Paul II, who died in 2005 and was canonised in 2014, was born Karol Józef Wojtyła and was the first non-Italian pope for 455 years. He is credited with helping to end communist rule in Europe and expanding the Catholic Church’s influence globally.

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Two

What ‘L’ was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World depicted, with the Colosseum, in the Octo Mundi Miracula? Name any of these Ancient Seven which still remain?

Answers: Lighthouse of Alexandria; One: Pyramid of Giza.

The Octo Mundi Miracula (1572) lists seven classical structures plus the Colosseum: the Great Pyramid of Giza, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia and Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Only the Pyramid remains; other lists differ.

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Three

What ‘M’ is a port in which the German warship Admiral Graf Spee had taken refuge prior to being scuttled in 1939? In what country is the port located?

Answers: Montevideo, Uruguay.

Admiral Graf Spee, a German Panzerschiff, sank nine vessels before the Battle of the River Plate. Damaged, it was scuttled at Montevideo by Hans Langsdorff.

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Four

What ’N’ is a demonym which best refers to William the Conqueror, and who did he defeat at the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

Answers: Norman; Harold Godwinson aka Harold II.

William the Conqueror was Norman. While the Normans were descendants of Vikings who had settled in Normandy (now a region in modern-day France), they had adopted the French language and customs by the time of William’s reign.

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Five

In the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones is shown lecturing students about Skara Brae, a stone-built Neolithic settlement located in an archipelago. What ‘O’ is the name of this archipelago, and in what country is it located?

Answers: Orkney Islands; Scotland, UK.

Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement on Orkney’s west coast, was revealed by a storm and occupied from 3180 BC to 2500 BC. Ten structures remain within this UNESCO site, managed by Historic Environment Scotland and partners; visitors are welcome year-round.

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