Quizology.Online

Category: Pursuit of the Trivial

  • Flying the Flag—Answers

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

    The first two questions reference today’s date, February 1st. The rest continue the flag theme.

    One

    Flag if Myanmar.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    In 2021, the military of this country staged a coup d’état, ousting the country’s de facto leader. What country and who was the de facto leader?

    Answer: Myanmar; Aung San Suu Kyi

    Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is a Southeast Asian country with a population of about 55 million. Aung San Suu Kyi, a prominent politician, State Counsellor, and Nobel laureate, faced criticism for her leadership and was arrested following the 2021 military coup.

    Two

    Flag of United Nations.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    In 1946, who was elected as this organisation’s first head and what was their title?

    Answer: Trygve Lie; Secretary-General of the United Nations

    Trygve Lie, the first UN Secretary-General, served from 1946 to 1952. He resigned due to Soviet opposition stemming from his support for UN intervention in the Korean War. Lie also faced challenges from McCarthyism in the United States.

    Today’s remaining questions continue the flag theme but are not related to the date.

    Three

    Flag of Nepal.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What country is flying high with this flag?

    Answer: Nepal

    Nepal stands alone as the only modern nation without a rectangular national flag. The flag, which was adopted in 1962, consists of two united pennant shapes, crimson with blue borders, and decorated with stylised sun and moon symbols. It uses traditional designs with symbolic elements representing bravery, peace and Nepal’s national flower.

    Four

    ‘P’ aka Blue Peter.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What does it signify if a ship in harbour displays this international maritime signal flag as a single flag?

    Answer: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.

    In English, the flag is known as the Blue Peter. It represents the letter ‘P’ if being used with other flags to spell out a message, and when flown on its own, in a harbour, it is an indication that the ship is preparing to depart, and all crew and passengers should report onboard.

    Five

    Flag of Vatican City State.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    This national flag was raised for the first time at the UN headquarters in 2015. Where does it represent?

    Answer: Vatican City State (or Holy See)

    The flag of Vatican City, adopted in 1929, features a vertical yellow and white bicolour with the emblem of the Holy See. It symbolises the Catholic faith and can be displayed at Catholic churches.

  • Flying the Flag

    The first two questions reference today’s date, February 1st. The rest continue the flag theme.

    One

    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    In 2021, the military of this country staged a coup d’état, ousting the country’s de facto leader. What country and who was the de facto leader?

    Two

    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    In 1946, who was elected as this organisation’s first head and what was their title?

    Today’s remaining questions continue the flag theme but are not related to the date.

    Three

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What country is flying high with this flag?

    Four

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What does it signify if a ship in harbour displays this international maritime signal flag as a single flag?

    Five

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    This national flag was raised for the first time at the UN headquarters in 2015. Where does it represent?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Truth Will Out—Answers

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

    Simply choose today, are the statements below either true or false?

    Stena Line’s Jutlandica in Gothenburg.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    True or false: ferries operating between Gothenburg, Sweden, and Frederikshavn in Denmark cross the Kattegat.

    Answer: True

    The Swedish company Stena Line operates between Gothenburg/Frederikshavn in Denmark. The Kattegat is a 140-mile (225 km) long strait which is linked to the North Sea by the Skagerrak and to the Baltic Sea by the Øresund.

    Two

    True or false: Humphrey Bogart’s character name in The African Queen (1951) was Charlie Allnut.

    Answer: True

    The African Queen was a John Huston film based on C.S. Forester’s 1935 novel of the same name. Bogart starred as Charlie Allnut alongside Katharine Hepburn as Rose Sayer.

    Three

    True or false: Harald Hardrada was the king of England who died at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066.

    Answer: False

    Hardrada was an epithet of Harald Sigurdsson, king of Norway, who did die in England that year, but on 25 September 1066 when he was defeated by the forces of Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Godwinson, aka Harold II, king of England, died at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066 to be succeeded by William I (William the Conqueror).

    Four

    True or false: the film The Exorcist was based on the novel of the same name written by Stephen King.

    Answer: False

    The Exorcist (1973) is a horror film about a young girl’s demonic possession and the priests’ exorcism attempt. It was based on a screenplay by William Peter Blatty, which itself was based on his 1971 novel of the same name.

    Five

    True or false: pangolins are only native to Africa.

    Answer: False

    Pangolins are armoured placental mammals found in tropical Asia and Africa. They are nocturnal, feed mainly on termites, and defend themselves by rolling into a ball. Pangolins are the only mammals covered in scales and are threatened by poaching not only for meat but for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine. They are also believed to be a potential intermediate host for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

  • The Truth Will Out

    Simply choose today, are the statements below either true or false?

    Stena Line’s Jutlandica in Gothenburg.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    True or false: ferries operating between Gothenburg, Sweden, and Frederikshavn in Denmark cross the Kattegat.

    Two

    True or false: Humphrey Bogart’s character name in The African Queen (1951) was Charlie Allnut.

    Three

    True or false: Harald Hardrada was the king of England who died at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066.

    Four

    True or false: the film The Exorcist was based on the novel of the same name written by Stephen King.

    Five

    True or false: pangolins are only native to Africa.

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Good Herb—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    These five questions are all related to today’s date, January 30th.

    MV Wilhelm Gustloff.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On 30 January 1945, the greatest maritime disaster in history occurred as the German ocean liner Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk. In what body of water was this sinking, and approximately how many people perished?

    Answer: Baltic Sea; ≈ 9,000 lives were lost

    The MV Wilhelm Gustloff, a German ocean liner originally built as a cruise ship for the Nazi Strength Through Joy organisation, was sunk by a Soviet submarine S-13 in the Baltic Sea on 30 January 1945, during Operation Hannibal. The ship, carrying an estimated 10,000 people, including refugees and military personnel, sank in one hour after being hit by three torpedoes. This disaster resulted in the greatest maritime disaster in history, with an estimated 8,761 to 9,343 casualties. Despite the high civilian death toll, the sinking is not considered a war crime due to the presence of military personnel and weapons on board.

    Two

    On this day in 1847, Yerba Buena became what North American city?

    Answer: San Francisco

    Yerba Buena (good herb), now San Francisco, was claimed by the US in 1846 during the Mexican-American War. The city became a US military territory in 1848 and was admitted to the Union as a state in 1850.

    Three

    Charles I, king of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was executed in London. In what decade did this occur?

    Answer: 1640s

    Charles I, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 to 1649, believed in the divine right of kings and clashed with Parliament over his policies, including taxation without consent and religious reforms. His actions led to the English Civil War, his defeat, and his execution for high treason in 1649. The monarchy was abolished but restored in 1660 with his son, Charles II.

    Four

    Oliver Cromwell was one of the regicides responsible for Charles I’s execution. What happened to Cromwell two years after his own death?

    Answer: He was disinterred and ritually executed.

    Oliver Cromwell, who had died in 1658, was subjected to a posthumous execution. His body was disinterred, hanged at Tyburn, and beheaded. Then it was thrown into a pit and his head placed on a spike at the end of Westminster Hall facing the spot where Charles I had been executed.

    Five

    On this day in 1931 City Lights premiered. The film was written, produced, directed by, and starred whom?

    Answer: Charlie Chaplin

    City Lights is a 1931 American romantic comedy-drama film written, produced, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The film, which follows the Tramp’s misadventures, was released with a synchronised musical score and sound effects despite the rise of talking pictures. City Lights was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of Chaplin’s greatest films.

    Good Herb

    The post title is the translation of Yerba Buena, which is now the city of San Francisco. See question two.

  • Good Herb

    These five questions are all related to today’s date, January 30th.

    MV Wilhelm Gustloff.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On 30 January 1945, the greatest maritime disaster in history occurred as the German ocean liner Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk. In what body of water was this sinking, and approximately how many people perished?

    Two

    On this day in 1847, Yerba Buena became what North American city?

    Three

    Charles I, king of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was executed in London. In what decade did this occur?

    Four

    Oliver Cromwell was one of the regicides responsible for Charles I’s execution. What happened to Cromwell two years after his own death?

    Five

    On this day in 1931 City Lights premiered. The film was written, produced, directed by, and starred whom?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Strangelove—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Five questions about events related to today’s date, January 29th.

    Colleen McCullough.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    Australian novelist Colleen McCullough was best known for what romance set in a fictional Drogheda—named after Drogheda, Ireland—a sheep station in the Australian Outback?

    Answer: The Thorn Birds

    The Thorn Birds, a 1977 novel by Colleen McCullough, is a family saga set on an Australian sheep station. It is the best-selling book in Australian history and inspired an eponymous television series, which became one of the most-watched mini-series of all time. Colleen McCullough died today in 2015, aged 77.

    Two

    Who, born today in 1966, scored their somewhat controversial 1,000th career goal while playing for Vasco da Gama against Sport Recife in 2007?

    Answer: Romário

    Romário’s 1,000th career goal, scored from a penalty kick for Vasco da Gama, sparked debate due to his inclusion of goals from friendlies and unofficial games. While celebrated in Brazil, the milestone’s validity was questioned internationally. After his football career ended, he became a politician, advocating for people with disabilities.

    Three

    Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, but in which U.S. state was she born?

    Answer: Mississippi

    Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi
    Oprah Winfrey, an American media mogul, is best known for her influential talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is the richest Black woman and was once the world’s only Black billionaire.

    Four

    Released in cinemas today in 1964, Dr. Strangelove… but what was the full title?

    Answer: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

    Dr. Strangelove is a 1964 political satire black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film, loosely based on the novel Red Alert, parodies Cold War fears of nuclear war and stars Peter Sellers in three roles. It is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.

    Five

    Who, born on this day in 1939, an Australian journalist and author, has used the pseudonyms Rose Blight and Dr. G?

    Answer: Germaine Greer

    Germaine Greer, an Australian writer and public intellectual, is a prominent and controversial figure in feminism. She was the columnist Rose Blight in Private Eye and Dr. G in Oz.

  • Strangelove

    Colleen McCullough.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Five questions about events related to today’s date, January 29th.

    One

    Australian novelist Colleen McCullough was best known for what romance set in a fictional Drogheda—named after Drogheda, Ireland—a sheep station in the Australian Outback?

    Two

    Who, born today in 1966, scored their somewhat controversial 1,000th career goal while playing for Vasco da Gama against Sport Recife in 2007?

    Three

    Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, but in which U.S. state was she born?

    Four

    Released in cinemas today in 1964, Dr. Strangelove… but what was the full title?

    Five

    Who, born on this day in 1939, an Australian journalist and author, has used the pseudonyms Rose Blight and Dr. G?

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

  • Today’s the Day—Answers

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

    All of today’s questions are related to the date, January 28th.

    Flag of Canada.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On this day, Charlemagne, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, died in Aachen, Germany. In what century did this occur?

    Answer: 9th Century

    Charlemagne, an 8th-century Frankish king, united most of Europe, restored the Western Roman Empire, and facilitated a cultural renaissance. He was crowned ’emperor of the Romans’ by Pope Leo III in 800 CE.

    Two

    In 1813, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published in the United Kingdom. The novel features Mr and Mrs Bennet and their family. How many daughters do they have, and what are their names?

    Answer: Five; Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine ‘Kitty’ and Lydia Bennet

    Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet’s character development as she learns about hasty judgements and the difference between superficial and actual goodness. The novel examines the societal pressures on the Bennet family, particularly the expectation that their daughters must marry well to secure their future.

    Three

    On this day, a proclamation by the Monarch of Canada officially introduced a new Canadian flag. In which decade was this, and which monarch made the proclamation?

    Answer: 1960s; Queen Elizabeth II

    On this day in 1965, Queen Elizabeth II, in her role as Queen of Canada signed the Royal proclamation of the national flag of Canada. The hand written illuminated document on vellum had ben flown to the United Kingdom for the signing.

    Four

    In 1896, Walter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent, U.K., became the first person convicted of speeding in a horseless carriage after a police chase on 28th January. At what speed was he driving?

    Answer: 8mph

    Guinness World Records highlights several key points about Walter Arnold’s offence. He received this first speeding ticket on January 28, 1896, for driving at 8 mph in a 2 mph zone. Arnold was charged with multiple violations, including operating a locomotive without a horse, operating it with fewer than three people, exceeding the speed limit, and failing to display his name and address. Found guilty on all counts, he was fined £4 7s, with 10 shillings specifically for speeding. Adjusted for inflation, this total fine would amount to £507 today, as of December 2025.

    Five

    Pippi Långstrump, a 1945 Swedish children’s novel, was first published in English in 1950. What English title was it published under, and who was its author?

    Answer: Astrid Lindgren

    Pippi Longstocking, a beloved children’s book by Astrid Lindgren, follows the adventures of a strong, independent nine-year-old girl living alone with her monkey and horse. The book, originally published in Swedish in 1945, has been translated into numerous languages and adapted for film and television. On this day in 2002, Astrid Lindgren died at the age of 94.

  • Today’s the Day

    All of today’s questions are related to the date, January 28th.

    Flag of Canada.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On this day, Charlemagne, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, died in Aachen, Germany. In what century did this occur?

    Two

    In 1813, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published in the United Kingdom. The novel features Mr and Mrs Bennet and their family. How many daughters do they have, and what are their names?

    Three

    On this day, a proclamation by the Monarch of Canada officially introduced a new Canadian flag. In which decade was this, and which monarch made the proclamation?

    Four

    In 1896, Walter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent, U.K., became the first person convicted of speeding in a horseless carriage after a police chase on 28th January. At what speed was he driving?

    Five

    Pippi Långstrump, a 1945 Swedish children’s novel, was first published in English in 1950. What English title was it published under, and who was its author?

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