Quizologist

Initially FIVES

Here are five random questions today, unrelated to the date, but with a clue in the title.

One

In 2018, which jockey won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the second year in a row riding Enable?

Two

What ‘I’ are animals that have no backbones?

Three

Which Hogarth Press co-founder published a third novel, Jacob’s Room, in 1922?

Four

The writer of the song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life is described by Wikipedia as an ‘actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, screenwriter and playwright’. Who is he?

Five

The Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet was based at which anchorage in the Orkney Islands during the First World War?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

One

On 18 September 1905, the actress Greta Garbo was born. In which capital city was she born?

Answer: Stockholm

Greta Garbo, was born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, in Stockholm, Sweden. The Swedish-American actress was a prominent figure in Hollywood’s silent and early golden eras. Known for her melancholic screen persona and subtle performances, she achieved international stardom with films like Flesh and the Devil and A Woman of Affairs. Despite her success, Garbo retired from acting in 1941, shunning publicity and leading a private life until her death in 1990.

Two

A Dictionary of the English Language, published 1755, was considered the most famous work of which English writer, poet, playwright and lexicographer who was born 18 September 1709?

Answer: Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson, an English writer, made significant contributions to literature as a poet, playwright, essayist, and lexicographer. His most famous work, A Dictionary of the English Language, was published in 1755 and remained influential for 150 years. Johnson’s friendship with James Boswell resulted in the renowned biography, Life of Samuel Johnson.

Three

Dylan Kwabena Mills, born today in 1984, is known professionally as whom?

Answer: Dizzee Rascal

Dizzee Rascal, a British rapper, is credited with pioneering British hip hop and grime music. His work, incorporating elements of UK garage, bassline, and R&B, brought UK rap into the mainstream and achieved international recognition.

Four

John G. Diefenbaker, who was born on this day in 1895, was the prime minister of which country from 1957 to 1963?

Answer: Canada

John G. Diefenbaker, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, served as Canada’s prime minister from 1957 to 1963, ending 22 years of Liberal rule. His government faced challenges, including a crisis over nuclear weapons, leading to his defeat in the 1963 election.

Five

American police officer J.D. Tippit was born on 18 September 1924. When he was 39 years of age he was shot and killed while on duty by a suspect he was questioning regarding an earlier shooting. Who was he shot by?

Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald

After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas at 1230 on 22 November 1963, bullet casings were found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, where a rifle owned by Lee Harvey Oswald was discovered. Two employees were missing: one outside watching the motorcade and Oswald, who had been working there for a month. Oswald was seen on the sixth floor before the shooting and encountered by the building superintendent and a policeman afterward. Law enforcement circulated his description. Oswald returned to his boardinghouse, and then left again. At 1:15 pm he was confronted by Dallas policeman J.D. Tippit, whom he shot and killed. Witnesses saw Oswald enter the Texas Theatre, where he was apprehended by police at 1:50 PM.

All in a Day

These questions all relate to people born on September 18th.

One

On 18 September 1905, the actress Greta Garbo was born. In which capital city was she born?

Two

A Dictionary of the English Language, published 1755, was considered the most famous work of which English writer, poet, playwright and lexicographer who was born 18 September 1709?

Three

Dylan Kwabena Mills, born today in 1984, is known professionally as whom?

Four

John G. Diefenbaker, who was born on this day in 1895, was the prime minister of which country from 1957 to 1963?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Today—Answers

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

One

M*A*S*H debuted on television on 17 September 1972. It was based on the 1970 film of the same name, which was directed by whom?

Answer: Robert Altman

M*A*S*H*, an American war comedy-drama TV series, aired from 1972 to 1983. It follows a team of doctors and support staff at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War. Renowned for its blend of comedy and drama, the show is considered one of the greatest TV series of all time. It was based on Robert Altman’s film, which in turn was adapted from a 1968 novel by Richard Hooker.

Two

The opening paragraph of Encyclopædia Britannica‘s article on Wenceslas II is quoted below. What word is missing after ‘king of’?

Wenceslas II (born Sept. 17, 1271—died June 21, 1305) was the king of Bohemia from 1278 and of Poland from 1300 who ably ruled his Bohemian kingdom and spread his influence not only into Poland but also into Hungary.

Answer: Bohemia

Wenceslas II, King of Bohemia from 1278 and Poland from 1300, ruled successfully after overcoming early challenges. He expanded his influence into Hungary and increased his kingdom’s wealth. He is not the Good King Wenceslas of Christmas carol fame who was St Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935).

Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter and Menachem Begin (left to right), at Camp David, 1978.
Image Wikipedia

Three

In 1978, the Nobel Prize for Peace was awarded to two leaders who signed the Camp David Accords on 17 September of that year. Name these two leaders?

Answers: Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat

The Camp David Accords, signed in 1978, were agreements between Israel and Egypt brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The accords, officially titled the ‘Framework for Peace in the Middle East’, led to a peace treaty between the two countries.

Four

On 17 September 1940, Adolf Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion. What was the purpose of this operation?

Answer: The invasion of Great Britain (or United Kingdom)

Operation Sea Lion was Nazi Germany’s planned invasion of the United Kingdom during World War II. Despite preparations, the invasion was indefinitely postponed due to the German Luftwaffe’s losses in the Battle of Britain.

Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada, 1993.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Martin Brian Mulroney became prime minister of what nation on this date in 1984?

Answer: Canada

Brian Mulroney, a Canadian lawyer and businessman, served as the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993. He led the Progressive Conservative Party to a landslide victory in the 1984 federal election and later secured a second majority government in 1988.

Today

Five questions which are all related to today’s date, September 17.

*M*A*S*H* (From left) Actors McLean Stevenson, Wayne Rogers, Gary Burghoff, and Alan Alda in a scene from the television series *M*A*S*H*.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

M*A*S*H debuted on television on 17 September 1972. It was based on the 1970 film of the same name, which was directed by whom?

Two

The opening paragraph of Encyclopædia Britannica‘s article on Wenceslas II, who was born on this date, is quoted below. What word is missing after ‘king of’?

Wenceslas II (born Sept. 17, 1271—died June 21, 1305) was the king of … from 1278 and of Poland from 1300 who ably ruled his …n kingdom and spread his influence not only into Poland but also into Hungary.

Three

In 1978, the Nobel Prize for Peace was awarded to two leaders who signed the Camp David Accords on 17 September of that year. Name these two leaders?

Four

On 17 September 1940, Adolf Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion. What was the purpose of this operation?

Five

Martin Brian Mulroney became prime minister of what nation on this date in 1984?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

The Tide Is High—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

The Admiral Benbow in Penzance, reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn.
Image Wikipedia

One

Which 1883 novel begins at an inn called the Admiral Benbow, and who wrote it?

Answer: Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson

The Admiral Benbow in Penzance is reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn from Treasure Island, although the inn in the story was set in a rural location.

Two

Lady Jane Grey’s reign of only nine days came between what two other monarchs?

Answer: Edward VI and Mary I

Lady Jane Grey, known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’, was proclaimed Queen of England and Ireland in 1553 after Edward VI’s death. However, her reign was short-lived as Mary I was proclaimed queen just nine days later. Jane was later executed for treason in 1554.

Three

Of what ocean is the Bay of Fundy an arm?

Answer: Atlantic Ocean

The Bay of Fundy (French: Baie de Fundy) is a bay located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the US state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and is renowned for its exceptionally high tidal range, making it the highest in the world.

Cnidus Aphrodite.
Marble, Roman copy after a Greek original of the 4th century.
Image Wikipedia

Four

Which ancient goddess of love is a 2010 album by Kylie Minogue named after?

Answer: Aphrodite

Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty and passion, was associated with various symbols and worshipped in several cult centres. Her origins can be traced back to the Phoenician goddess Astarte and the Sumerian goddess Inanna.

Five

What ‘A’, found in perfumes and food, is defined as follows?

a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture. — Oxford English Dictionary

Answer: Ambergris

Ambergris, used in perfumes like musk, has also been used as a flavouring agent in food and drink, including a favourite dish of King Charles II and in Turkish coffee and hot chocolate.

ambergris /ˈambəɡriːs , ˈambəɡrɪs /
▸ noun [mass noun] a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.
– ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French ambre gris ‘grey amber’, as distinct from ambre jaune ‘yellow amber’ (the resin).
— Oxford English Dictionary

Mother and baby sperm whale.
Image Wikipedia

The Tide Is High

Low and high tide.
Image from Ocean Info.

I have five random questions for you today. They’re unrelated to the date or each other.

One

Which 1883 novel begins at an inn called the Admiral Benbow, and who wrote it?

Two

Lady Jane Grey’s reign of only nine days came between what two other monarchs?

Three

Of what ocean is the Bay of Fundy an arm?

Four

Which ancient goddess of love is a 2010 album by Kylie Minogue named after?

Five

What ‘A’, found in perfumes and food, is defined as follows?

a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.

— Oxford English Dictionary

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Ring of Fire—Answers

Chinstrap penguin (*Pygoscelis antarctica*),
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands.
Image Wikipedia

One

How old, in years, was Stevie Wonder when Little Stevie Wonder – The Twelve Year Old Genius topped the US album charts in 1963?

Answer: 13

Stevie Wonder was 13 years 3 months old when his album Little Stevie Wonder – The Twelve Year Old Genius (1963) topped the US charts.
— Guinness World Records

Two

What’s is a species of penguin?

Backstrap
Bootstrap
Chinstrap

Answer: Chinstrap

The chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) is a penguin species that inhabits various islands and shores in the Southern Pacific and the Antarctic Oceans. Its name stems from the narrow black band under its head, which makes it appear as if it were wearing a black helmet. Due to its loud, harsh call, other common names include ringed penguin, bearded penguin, and stonecracker penguin. — Wikipedia

Three

Johnny Cash’s family once blocked advertisers using Ring of Fire, what did they want to promote?

Pacific ring sea cruises
Haemorrhoid preparations
Propane gas products

Answer: Haemorrhoid preparations

…the 1963 classic “Ring of Fire”, was to be used in a commercial for a haemorrhoid ointment. The Cash family blocked the deal immediately. Johnny Cash’s daughter Rosanne, also a singer, explained that the family would never allow the song to be demeaned in this way. When she hears the lines “And it burns, burns, burns, that ring of fire” she is in no doubt that “it is about the transformative power of love. That is what it will always mean to us”.
— The Independent

Four

Which city was the birthplace of former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir?

Kyiv, Ukraine
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Minsk, Belarus

Answer: Kyiv, Ukraine

Meir was born Golda Mabovitch on 3 May 1898 into a Jewish family in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire. Her parents were Blume Neiditch (died 1951) and Moshe Yitzhak Mabovitch (died 1944), a carpenter. Meir wrote in her autobiography that her earliest memories were of Moshe boarding up the front door in response to rumours of an imminent pogrom. She was named after Blume’s paternal grandmother, Golde. She had two sisters, Sheyna (born 1889) and Tzipke (later known as Clara; born 1902), as well as five other siblings who died in infancy. — Wikipedia

Five

It’s a Hap-Hap-Happy Day is a song which was originally featured in what 1939 film?

Beauty and the Beast
Gulliver’s Travels
Sleeping Beauty

Answer: Gulliver’s Travels

“It’s a Hap-Hap-Happy Day” is a popular song with words by Sammy Timberg & Winston Sharples and music by Al J. Neiburg. It was featured in the animated feature film Gulliver’s Travels in 1939. It was a hit in the UK in 1940 during the Battle of Britain, having been played heavily on BBC radio. — Wikipedia

Ring of Fire

One

How old, in years, was Stevie Wonder when Little Stevie Wonder – The Twelve Year Old Genius topped the US album charts in 1963?

Two

What’s is a species of penguin?

Backstrap
Bootstrap
Chinstrap

Three

Johnny Cash’s family once blocked advertisers using Ring of Fire, what did they want to promote?

Pacific ring sea cruises
Haemorrhoid preparations
Propane gas products

Four

Which city was the birthplace of former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir?

Kyiv, Ukraine
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Minsk, Belarus

Five

It’s a Hap-Hap-Happy Day is a song which was originally featured in what 1939 film?

Beauty and the Beast
Gulliver’s Travels
Sleeping Beauty

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Multiples of… — Answers

One

A cathedral located in the Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany is named St …

Hagrid’s
Hedwig’s
Hogwart’s

Answer: Hedwig’s

St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Berlin, was built in Baroque style from 1747 to 1773. Damaged in WWII, it was restored in post-war modernist style and reopened in 2024 with a modern interior design.

Two

This has connected Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula’s since 1957?

Big Bang
Big Easy
Big Mac

Answer: Big Mac

The Mackinac Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, spans the Straits of Mackinac. Opened in 1957, it is the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere and part of Interstate 75.

Three

Who played the bride’s father in the 1950 version of Father of the Bride?

Cary Grant
James Stewart
Spencer Tracy

Answer: Spencer Tracy

Father of the Bride is a 1950 romantic comedy film about a man coping with his daughter’s wedding preparations.

Four

What is the community of Ballarat in Australia most associated with?

Ballet
Gold
Surfing

Answer: Gold

Ballarat, a city in Victoria, Australia, experienced rapid growth during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s. The Eureka Rebellion, a significant event in Australian history, occurred in Ballarat in 1854. Today, Ballarat is a major regional centre known for its history, culture and well-preserved colonial heritage.

Five

What channel is found between mainland Italy and Sicily?

Strait of Bonifacio
Strait of Messina
Strait of Otranto

Answer: Strait of Messina

The Strait of Messina, connecting the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, separates Sicily from Calabria in Southern Italy.