Quizologist

Hot Shot—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.

A few true or false posers for you today.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

Gun-toting … … triggers police alert at hotel

True or false: The above 2003 headline from The Herald in Glasgow, Scotland, referenced opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa’s arrival in the city with several shotguns.

Answer: True

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the renowned soprano, caused a stir at a Glasgow hotel when she requested a gun store, leading to a police presence. The hotel, lacking a gunroom, followed protocol and contacted the police, who stored the firearms overnight. The incident occurred shortly after Glasgow was labelled the murder capital of Britain and was reported in The Herald newspaper on 5 December 2003.

Two

True or false: On 18 June 1983, US astronaut Sally Ride became the first woman to travel in space.

Answer: False

On 16 June 1963, Cosmonaut Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova became the first woman to travel in space when she flew a solo mission in Vostok 6. Svetlana Savitskaya, aboard Soyuz T-7, became the second woman to travel in space in 1982, and Sally Ride became the third woman, and first American woman, to travel in space.

Three

True or false: According to the United States Geological Survey, about 90% of the world’s earthquakes, including most of its largest, occur within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Answer: True

The Ring of Fire is a 25,000-mile (40,000 km) long tectonic belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean, characterised by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. It is formed by the subduction of various tectonic plates, creating oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and back-arc basins. The Ring of Fire contains the majority of the world’s active volcanoes and earthquakes.

Four

Those kids were fast as lightning
In fact, it was a little bit frightening

True or false: The above lyric from a 1974 song was a number one hit in multiple nations.

Answer: True

Kung Fu Fighting is a disco song by Carl Douglas, released in 1974. It topped charts worldwide, sold eleven million copies, and popularised disco music. The song was covered (using different lyrics) by CeeLo Green and Jack Black in the first film of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and later by The Vamps for the third film.

Five

True or false: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1878.

Answer: False

Fleming did discover penicillin, but not in 1878, and, in fact, he was not born until 1881. On 3 September 1928, Fleming noticed a fungus contaminating a staphylococci culture, destroying the bacteria around it. He identified the fungus as Penicillium, later confirmed as P. rubens.

Hot Shot

A few true or false posers for you today.

One

Gun-toting … … triggers police alert at hotel

True or false: The above 2003 headline from The Herald in Glasgow, Scotland, referenced opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa’s arrival in the city with several shotguns.

Two

True or false: On 18 June 1983, US astronaut Sally Ride became the first woman to travel in space.

Three

True or false: According to the United States Geological Survey, about 90% of the world’s earthquakes, including most of its largest, occur within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Four

Those kids were fast as lightning
In fact, it was a little bit frightening

True or false: The above lyric from a 1974 song was a number one hit in multiple nations.

Five

True or false: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1878.

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Happy New Year—Answers

Happy New Year. Yet another random mix of questions for today

The Palace of Westminster seen from east.
Victoria Tower and the House of Lords are on the left. The Clock Tower of Big Ben and the House of Commons are on the right. The spire left of centre is the 300ft ventilation chimney above the central lobby. The twin white towers of Westminster Abbey are just visible in the background.
Image Wikipedia

One

How are the hours nine, ten, eleven and twelve shown on the clock faces of the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster, which is also known as Big Ben?

Answer: IF; F; FI and FII

The famous dial features [Augustus] Pugin’s favoured gothic numerals rather than traditional roman numerals – an ‘F’-shaped character replaces X for 10. These numerals are also found on clocks around Parliament.

— UK Parliament 2025

Palace of Westminster clock face, aka ‘Big Ben’.
Image Wikimedia Commons

Two

What is the complete title of this 1987 Hanna-Barbera made-for-television film: The Jetsons Meet…

Answer: The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones

The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones is a 1987 animated crossover film where the two families meet after a time travel experiment.

Three

Rabbit underground, rabbit safe and sound

This quote is from a story which features anthropomorphised animals living in their natural habitats, complete with their own language, culture and mythology. Originally a 1972 novel, there have been both film (1978) and television adaptations (1999 and 2018), with the most recent being a co-production by the BBC and Netflix. Could you tell me the title and author of this novel?

Answer: Watership Down and Richard Adams

Richard Adams, an English novelist born in 1920, is best known for Watership Down. He served in the British Army during World War II and later joined the Civil Service before becoming a full-time author in 1974. Adams was a strong advocate for animal welfare and served as president of the RSPCA.

Four

Through how many countries does the Andes mountain range extend and what are they?

Answer: Seven; Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela

The Andes extend from south to north through seven South American countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

Five

We are drinking beer at noon on Tuesday

The above quote is from a song which also mentions a boulevard. Could you please identify the song, the singer-songwriter who wrote it, and the specific boulevard mentioned in the lyrics?

Answer: All I Wanna Do; Sheryl Crow; Santa Monica Boulevard

All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow, from her debut album, was a breakthrough hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning two Grammy Awards. The song achieved international success, topping charts in Australia and Canada and reaching the top 10 in several European countries.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. Yet another random mix of questions for today

One

How are the hours nine, ten, eleven and twelve shown on the clock faces of the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster, which is also known as Big Ben?

Two

What is the complete title of this 1987 Hanna-Barbera made-for-television film: The Jetsons Meet…

Three

Rabbit underground, rabbit safe and sound

Four

Through how many countries does the Andes mountain range extend and what are they?

Five

We are drinking beer at noon on Tuesday

The above quote is from a song which also mentions a boulevard. Could you please identify the song, the singer-songwriter who wrote it, and the specific boulevard mentioned in the lyrics?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Top of the Pops—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier today.

Today’s questions are a random mix.

One

The Beatles held the festive top spot with four singles topping the UK singles chart on Christmas Day in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. Which songs secured these number one positions?

Answers: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

The Beatles hold the record for the most British Christmas number ones according to Guinness World Records,

The Beatles (UK) have had four singles in the festive top spot: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” which went to No.1 on 12 December 1963, “I Feel Fine” (10 December 1964), “Day Tripper/We Can Work it Out” (16 December 1965) and “Hello Goodbye” (6 December 1967).

— Guinness World Records (accessed 30-12-2025)

Two

In 2004, researchers discovered that the rock summit of Mont Blanc was located west of the ice-covered summit. What is the distance between these two summits?

4 m (13 feet)
26 m (85 feet)
40 m (130 feet)

Answer: 40 m (130 feet)

Researchers discovered that the rock summit of Mont Blanc is 40 metres west of its ice summit. The rock summit, which reaches 4,792 metres, is actually 40 metres west of the ice summit at 4,807 metres. This finding informed an ice core drilling programme beginning in autumn 2004.

Three

What words are missing from this book title — The … at the … of the … — the second book in a ‘trilogy’?

Answer: Restaurant; End; Universe

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, the second book in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a trilogy in five parts, follows Arthur Dent and his companions on their cosmic adventures. The book, like its predecessor, was an adaptation of Adams’ BBC radio series.

Four

What Australian city, a state capital, stands on the Swan River?

Answer: Perth

The Swan River in southwestern Western Australia flows 224 miles from the Avon River to the Indian Ocean. It is known for its black swans and was the site of Western Australia’s first free settlement in 1829.

Five

Who played Eloise Chandler, a florist, in the 2009 film Love Happens?

Answer: Jennifer Aniston

Love Happens is a 2009 romantic drama film starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. The film, about a grieving widower finding love again.

Top of the Pops

Today’s questions are a random mix.

One

The Beatles held the festive top spot with four singles topping the UK singles chart on Christmas Day in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. Which songs secured these number one positions?

Two

In 2004, researchers discovered that the rock summit of Mont Blanc was located west of the ice-covered summit. What is the distance between these two summits?

4 m (13 feet)
26 m (85 feet)
40 m (130 feet)

Three

What words are missing from this book title — The … at the … of the … — the second book in a ‘trilogy’?

Four

What Australian city, a state capital, stands on the Swan River?

Five

Who played Eloise Chandler, a florist, in the 2009 film Love Happens?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Tea for One—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

Today’s questions are a random mix.

Jean-Luc Picard ‘Tea, Earl Grey, hot’.
Image Pinterest (cropped)

One

Jean-Luc Picard, commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, is known for this catchphrase ‘tea, … …, hot’. What two words are missing?

Answer: Earl Grey

Earl Grey tea is a black tea blend flavoured with bergamot oil, though many use artificial flavouring. Traditionally made from Chinese keemun, it can also be blended with lapsang souchong or made with green or oolong tea.

Two

The Italian hero Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi, Italian general, revolutionary and republican, was born in what city?

Answer: Nice (France)

Giuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian general, revolutionary, and republican who played a key role in the Unification of Italy. He embraced republican nationalism but allied with the monarchist Cavour for unification. Garibaldi led successful military campaigns, including the Expedition of the Thousand, and became an international figurehead for national independence and republican ideals.

Three

New York’s Central Park is bordered by what four roadways?

Answer: Central Park North, Fifth Avenue, Central Park South and Central Park West

Central Park, a 843-acre urban park in Manhattan, is the most visited urban park in the United States. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, it opened in 1858 and was completed in 1876. The park features attractions like the Ramble and Lake, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Central Park Zoo. It also offers recreational activities such as carriage rides and concerts.

Four

Jennifer Grey plays ‘Baby’ in 1987’s Dirty Dancing but what is the character’s actual name?

Answer: Frances Houseman

Dirty Dancing is a 1987 American romantic drama dance film starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The film, based on screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s childhood, was a commercial success, earning over $214 million worldwide and spawning a successful franchise.

Five

In music, what ten-letter noun means ‘a passage marked to be performed very loudly’. What word?

Answer: Fortissimo

Fortissimo, abbreviated ff, is an Italian musical term meaning ‘very loud’. Italian has been the standard language for musical dynamics since the Baroque era. Pipe organs are among the few acoustic instruments capable of sustaining true fortissimo levels for long periods, sometimes producing sound pressures that can be physically felt. Some modern composers and film scores push beyond traditional notation, using ffff or textual instructions to indicate overwhelming or explosive sound effects.

Tea for One

Today’s questions are a random mix.

Jean-Luc Picard ‘Tea, … …, hot’.
Image Pinterest (cropped)

One

Jean-Luc Picard, commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, is known for this catchphrase ‘tea, … …, hot’. What two words are missing?

Two

The Italian hero Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi, Italian general, revolutionary and republican, was born in what city?

Three

New York’s Central Park is bordered by what four roadways?

Four

Jennifer Grey plays ‘Baby’ in 1987’s Dirty Dancing but what is the character’s actual name?

Five

In music, what ten-letter noun means ‘a passage marked to be performed very loudly’. What word?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Canterbury Tales—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posed earlier today.

I have five questions about today, December 29th.

The Murder of Thomas Becket.
Image The British Library via Encyclopædia Britannica

One

Four knights—Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton—were responsible for an assassination in England on this date in 1170. Who was the victim of this assassination?

Answer: Thomas Becket

St. Thomas Becket, chancellor of England and archbishop of Canterbury, clashed with King Henry II, leading to his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

Two

In 1890, the Wounded Knee massacre resulted in 300 Lakota deaths on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Which US state is Wounded Knee located in, and which US regiment was responsible for this massacre?

Answer: South Dakota; 7th Cavalry Regiment

The Wounded Knee massacre is widely regarded as marking the end of the Indian Wars, a series of conflicts between the United States and Native American tribes that spanned much of the 19th century.

Three

In 1911, after gaining independence, the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu was enthroned as Khagan. This took place in which country?

Answer: Mongolia

The 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu became both the spiritual and temporal leader of the newly independent state, establishing a theocratic government that lasted until Mongolia fell under strong influence from the Soviet Union.

Four

1860 – The launch of HMS Warrior, with her combination of …, … and …, renders all previous warships obsolete

The above quote from Wikipedia is missing the three factors which rendered previous warships obsolete. What were these factors?

Answer: Screw propeller, iron hull and iron armour

HMS Warrior demonstrated that ironclad, steam-powered warships were superior to traditional wooden sailing vessels, prompting navies worldwide to rapidly abandon older ship designs.

Five

According to his own account, which Native American woman saved the life of English explorer John Smith in 1607 by pleading with her father, the Powhatan leader Wahunsenacawh?

Answer: Pocahontas

Pocahontas was the daughter of Wahunsenacawh, the paramount chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, and her dramatic rescue of John Smith is known primarily from Smith’s own later writings—leading historians to debate how literally the event should be interpreted.

Canterbury Tales

I have five questions about today, December 29th.

One

Two

Three

In 1911, after gaining independence, the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu was enthroned as Khagan. This took place in which country?

Four

1860 – The launch of HMS Warrior, with her combination of …, … and …, renders all previous warships obsolete.

The above quote from Wikipedia is missing the three factors which rendered previous warships obsolete. What were these factors?

Five

According to his own account, which Native American woman saved the life of English explorer John Smith in 1607 by pleading with her father, the Powhatan leader Wahunsenacawh?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.