Quizology.Online

Author: Quizologist

  • Writing is on the Wall

    Image selfpublishing.com

    The first two questions focus on authors born on November 29th, while the remaining three questions maintain a literary theme but avoid that date.

    One

    Born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) in 1898, an author wrote a classic children’s literature series of seven fantasy novels published between 1950 and 1956. These novels are often referred to as a collective. Here are seven clues to the individual books in the series; each clue points to a single word in the relative title. They are listed in publication order (1 to 7):

    1. Cat
    2. A landlocked sea
    3. Ship
    4. A piece of furniture
    5. Equus
    6. A relative 
    7. An engagement

    What is the collective name of the series, and who is the author?

    Two

    An American author born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on this day in 1832, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in her infancy. She’s best known for her children’s book first published in 1868. Though its two-word title is widely recognised, it was originally published with the subtitle ‘Or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy’. Who is this author and what is the title of her book?

    Three

    Which American author and adventurer wrote The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), novels inspired by his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush?

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    Four

    What British crime novelist created detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Mystery’?

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    Five

    A poet born in Saint Louis, Missouri, wrote the iconic poem Because I could not stop for Death and is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American literature. Who is she?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Pleading the Belly—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.

    Anne Bonny and Mary Read, pirates. Life-size bronze statues. Image CN Statue https://www.cnstatue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Anne-Bonny-and-Mary-Read-statue.jpg

    One

    Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?

    Answer: Piracy

    In 1720, Read and her crew commandeered a sloop, leading the Bahamas governor to declare them enemies of the Crown. Captured, they faced trial in Jamaica, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. All the male crew members were executed by hanging, but Read and Bonny claimed pregnancy—pleading the belly, which granted them a stay of execution. Read eventually died in prison, likely from a fever, and Bonny was eventually freed.

    Two

    Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?

    Answer: New Zealand

    The film premiered in Wellington, New Zealand—the capital of Middle-earth—on 28 November 2012. An Unexpected Journey, set in Middle-earth sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, follows Bilbo Baggins on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. The film, released in 2012, received mixed reviews but grossed $1.017 billion and was nominated for three Academy Awards.

    Flag of Albania.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?

    Answer: Albania

    Independent Albania was declared a parliamentary state in Vlorë on 28 November 1912 during the First Balkan War. Despite seeking international recognition based on ethnic rights, the London Conference of 1913 partitioned much of the claimed Albanian lands, leaving only a central region as an independent territory under Great Power protection. This led to the establishment of the Principality of Albania as a constitutional monarchy in August 1913.

    Four

    In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?

    Answer: William Shakespeare

    Aged 18, William Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway and had three children: Susanna—six months after their marriage—and twins Hamnet and Judith. After the twins’ birth, he disappeared from historical records until 1592, leading to speculation about his ‘lost years’, including deer poaching, horse minding, and school teaching.

    Five

    In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?

    Answer: Tehran, Iran

    The Tehran Conference, held from 28 November to 1 December 1943, was the first meeting of the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders during World War II. The main outcome was a commitment to open a second front against Nazi Germany by 1 June 1944. The conference also addressed relations with Turkey and Iran, operations in Yugoslavia and against Japan, and the envisioned post-war settlement.

  • Pleading the Belly

    These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.

    One

    Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?

    Two

    Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?

    Flag of ____
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?

    Four

    In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?

    Five

    In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Go With a Bang—Answers

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

    Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.

    The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?

    Answer: Stockholm, Sweden; Dynamite

    Alfred Nobel, inventor of powerful explosives, established the Nobel Prizes, possibly to avoid a negative posthumous reputation. His interests in physics, chemistry, physiology and literature, along with his friendship with pacifist Bertha von Suttner, influenced the prize categories.

    Two

    An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?

    Answer: PD James

    PD James, a British mystery novelist, is best known for her fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh. She wrote 14 Dalgliesh novels, as well as other works including An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Children of Men. James was made OBE in 1983 and was named a life peer in 1991.

    Three

    The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?

    Answer: Clovis I

    Clovis I, king of the Franks from 481 to 511, consolidated power in Gaul and expanded his influence through military conquests. His conversion to Catholicism, a pivotal moment in Frankish history, is shrouded in legend and debate, with some suggesting he leaned towards Arianism before his baptism. Clovis’s legacy endures as the founder of France and a significant figure in the spread of Christianity in Europe.

    Rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix in his last concert performance, the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on Fehmarn island, Germany, September 6, 1970. Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Four

    Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?

    Answer: Seattle, Washington, US; London, UK; 27 years old

    Jimi Hendrix, an American rock guitarist, singer and composer, redefined the electric guitar by fusing American blues, jazz, rock and soul with British avant-garde rock. Despite a brief career, Hendrix’s innovative techniques, charismatic performances and genre-defying music made him a highly influential figure in popular music. His impact continues to inspire musicians, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

    Five

    The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?

    Answer: 1920s

    The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 as a Christmas parade to promote holiday shopping. It features giant balloons, floats, marching bands and performers, with Santa Claus marking the parade’s end. The parade has been televised since 1947, becoming a beloved Thanksgiving morning ritual for millions.

  • Go With a Bang

    Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.

    The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?

    Two

    An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?

    Three

    The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?

    Four

    Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?

    Five

    The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Good Grief!—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Today’s first question relates to a cartoonist born on this date, November 26th. The remaining questions are on a comic strip theme.

    Charles Schulz drawing Charlie Brown in 1956.
    Image Roger Higgins, World Telegram staff photographer/Wikipedia

    One

    Which cartoonist, pictured above, created the comic panel published weekly from 1947 to 1950 under the title Li’l Folks, and what name was given to his new syndicated strip that launched in 1950 and ran until 2000?

    Answer: Charles M. Schulz; Peanuts

    Li’l Folks was a weekly single-panel feature Schulz produced for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. When he began national syndication in 1950, he launched a new strip drawing on similar themes—but United Feature Syndicate renamed it Peanuts, a title Schulz himself never liked. It went on to become one of the most influential comic strips of all time.

    The catchphrase of Charlie Brown, the principal character of the comic strip Peanuts is ‘Good grief!’, hence the post title.

    Charlie Brown ‘Good Grief!’
    Image Credit: Peanuts Worldwide/BBC

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    Two

    What was created by a Belgian cartoonist in 1929 featured a young reporter embarking on globe-spanning adventures? This character became a cornerstone of European comics. Who was the cartoonist?

    Answer: The Adventures of Tintin; Hergé

    Hergé’s clear-line (ligne claire) drawing style shaped generations of European artists. Tintin books have been translated into over 70 languages, making the character one of the world’s best-travelled cartoon heroes.

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    Three

    First published in 1959, what is the name of the diminutive Gaulish warrior whose strength comes from a magic potion brewed by a druid, and what is the druid’s name?

    Answer: Asterix; Getafix

    Created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, Asterix became a European cultural landmark. The first animated film, Asterix the Gaul (1967), was produced without the creators’ knowledge—leading them to take direct control over later adaptations.

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    Four

    Which British stop-motion animated series, debuting in 1989, follows a farmer, his dog, and a mischievous flock of sheep in largely dialogue-free comedic stories? What other comedy series was this a spin-off of?

    Answer: Shaun the Sheep; Wallace & Gromit

    Aardman Animations in Bristol, UK, produced the show. Its universal physical humour, despite almost no spoken dialogue, made it popular worldwide.

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    Five

    In the Popeye comic strip, which character was originally intended to be the star before Popeye’s popularity took over?

    Answer: Olive Oyl

    When E.C. Segar created the comic strip Thimble Theatre in 1919, Olive Oyl and her boyfriend—and later her family—were the main characters. Popeye didn’t appear until 1929, a full decade later, but he became so popular that he soon took over the strip entirely, eventually transforming it into the Popeye series we know today.

  • Good Grief!

    Today’s first question relates to a cartoonist born on this date, November 26th. The remaining questions are on a comic strip theme.

    Which cartoonist created Charlie Brown in 1956.
    Image Roger Higgins, World Telegram staff photographer/Wikipedia

    One

    Which cartoonist, pictured above, created the comic panel published weekly from 1947 to 1950 under the title Li’l Folks, and what name was given to his new syndicated strip that launched in 1950 and ran until 2000?

    ⸻

    Two

    What was created by a Belgian cartoonist in 1929 featured a young reporter embarking on globe-spanning adventures? This character became a cornerstone of European comics. Who was the cartoonist?

    ⸻

    Three

    First published in 1959, what is the name of the diminutive Gaulish warrior whose strength comes from a magic potion brewed by a druid, and what is the druid’s name?

    ⸻

    Four

    Which British stop-motion animated series, debuting in 1989, follows a farmer, his dog, and a mischievous flock of sheep in largely dialogue-free comedic stories? What other comedy series was this a spin-off of?

    ⸻

    Five

    In the Popeye comic strip, which character was originally intended to be the star before Popeye’s popularity took over?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Hand of God—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posed earlier.

    All of the people in these questions are connected to today, November 25th.

    See question 2.
    Diego Maradona after winning the 1986 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Who, born on this day in 1952, captained his team to their first World Cup victory, defeating England in the final. The final was played to the east of the prime meridian?

    Answer: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan led Pakistan to its first Cricket World Cup win in 1992, retiring from the sport immediately after the triumph. The final was played at the MCG, Melbourne, Australia.

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    Two

    Which FIFA World Cup saw Diego Maradona score his iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal? Furthermore, what other Maradona goal from that match later received recognition?

    Answer: 1986, Mexico; Goal of the Century

    In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, Maradona scored a controversial goal against England. He used his hand to punch the ball into the net, a move later dubbed the ‘Hand of God’. In the same match, he also scored what FIFA later named the ‘Goal of the Century’. Maradona weaved past multiple England players to score this iconic goal.

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    Three

    Steven de Jongh was a professional rider best known for competing in which type of road cycling events: stage races, one-day Classics, or time trials?

    Answer: One-day Classics

    De Jongh was a consistent Classics performer, with major results in Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne and Gent–Wevelgem, and later became a successful directeur sportif.

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    Joe DiMaggio
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Joe DiMaggio set an MLB record in 1941 by hitting safely in how many consecutive games?

    Answer: 56 games

    DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak is often considered one of baseball’s most untouchable records.

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    Five

    Lillian Copeland won Olympic gold in which event at the 1932 Los Angeles Games?

    Answer: Discus throw

    Copeland became the first American woman to win Olympic gold in the discus, and she also set multiple world records in both discus and shot put.

  • Hand of God

    All of the people in these questions are connected to today, November 25th.

    See question 2.
    Diego Maradona after winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Who, born on this day in 1952, captained his team to their first World Cup victory, defeating England in the final. The final was played to the east of the prime meridian?

    ⸻

    Two

    Which FIFA World Cup saw Diego Maradona score his iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal? Furthermore, what other Maradona goal from that match later received recognition?

    ⸻

    Three

    Steven de Jongh was a professional rider best known for competing in which type of road cycling events: stage races, one-day Classics, or time trials?

    ⸻

    Joe DiMaggio
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Joe DiMaggio set an MLB record in 1941 by hitting safely in how many consecutive games?

    ⸻

    Five

    Lillian Copeland won Olympic gold in which event at the 1932 Los Angeles Games?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • 321 Years—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    These questions cover 321 years from the earliest to the most recent, but all are connected to today’s date, November 24th.

    One

    On this day in 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sailed along the southern coast of the island now known as Tasmania. His voyage, an expedition from the Dutch East Indies capital eastwards towards southern South America, marked the first recorded European contact with the island. Four questions: (i) What did Tasman name the island that is now called Tasmania? (ii) What was the Dutch East Indies capital at that time; (iii) what is it called today? And (iv) which country is it now the capital of?

    Answer: (i) Anthony van Diemen’s Land; (ii) Batavia; (iii) Jakarta and (iv) Indonesia

    Tasman named the island Anthony van Diemen’s Land after his sponsor Anthony van Diemen, the Governor of the Dutch East Indies. This became shortened to Van Diemen’s Land.

    Batavia was the capital city of the Dutch East Indies; this city is now Jakarta, which is the capital of Indonesia. Batavia, founded by the Dutch in 1619 on the site of Jayakarta, became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and the centre of the Dutch East India Company’s trading network. The city, located on the north coast of Java, remained a European colonial city until World War II.

    Two

    On this day in 1700, which European monarch accepted the will of the late Charles II of Spain and proclaimed his grandson Philip as King of Spain — a decision that helped trigger the War of the Spanish Succession?

    Answer: Louis XIV of France

    The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) was a European conflict over the succession of the Spanish throne. The war ended with the Peace of Utrecht, confirming Philip as King of Spain but preventing a union with France.

    Cartoon depicting Charles Darwin as an ape, 1871.
    Image Slideshare.net

    Three

    Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was published today in which decade?

    Answer: 1850s

    Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, published in 1859, introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection. The book, supported by evidence from Darwin’s Beagle expedition and subsequent research, sparked scientific, philosophical, and religious debate. While initially controversial, Darwin’s ideas gained widespread acceptance within the scientific community by the 1940s.

    Four

    On this day in 1877, the book Black Beauty was published. Who was the author?

    Answer: Anna Sewell

    British author Anna Sewell wrote the beloved children’s classic Black Beauty to champion kindness and understanding towards horses. Confinement to her home due to illness saw Sewell spend her final years penning the book. It’s believed this work played a significant role in abolishing the cruel practice of using the checkrein.

    Pulitzer Prize winning photo of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, 24 November 1963.
    Originally published in the Dallas Times Herald, November 25, 1963.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    Who, in the above picture, is the man facing away from the camera shooting Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas today, 1963?

    Answer: Jack Ruby

    Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, murdered Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas Police Headquarters. Ruby was convicted of Oswald’s murder and sentenced to death, but this conviction was overturned on appeal, leading to a new trial. However, Ruby fell ill, was diagnosed with cancer, and died on January 3, 1967, before the new trial could take place. While the Warren Commission concluded Ruby acted alone, his death fuelled conspiracy theories.