Confluence of Nile at Khartoum, Sudan. Image Pinterest
One
On mainland South America what countries do NOT border Brazil?
Two
Europe: what seven-letter word gives a name to both an Irish province and a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany?
Three
In Asia, what is the capital of Mongolia?
Four
This quote from Wikipedia refers to what Australian city?
The city has been almost entirely rebuilt four times, following devastation caused by a cyclone in 1897, another one in 1937, Japanese air raids during World War II, and Cyclone Tracy in 1974
— Wikipedia
Five
Of the two major tributaries of Africa’s River Nile, which is the longer?
What actor is pictured above, and what film is the picture taken from?
Answers: Cary Grant; North by Northwest
See after question two for some additional trivia.
Two
Where was the above actor born on this day in 1904, and what was his birth name?
Answers: Bristol, England, United Kingdom; Archibald Leach (or Archibald Alexander Leach)
Cary Grant, born Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, England, was a British-born American film actor celebrated for his debonair style and talent in romantic comedies. He gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in a variety of classic films, including screwball comedies, action-adventures, and suspense thrillers. Grant frequently collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock and received two Academy Award nominations along with an honorary Oscar, though he never won a competitive Oscar for acting. He retired from acting in 1966 and passed away in 1986.
The ‘Where were they born’ theme continues with the following questions.
Three
Where was Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland born?
Answer: Britain (or Roman Britain)
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is credited with bringing Christianity to the country in the 5th century. Born in Roman Britain, he was enslaved in Ireland at 16 but later escaped and returned to spread Christianity. Known for his missionary work and writings, St. Patrick’s legacy is celebrated annually on St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March.
Four
Where was Angus Young, the only continuous member of the hard rock band AC/DC, born?
Answer: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Angus Young, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1955, is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of AC/DC. He emigrated to Australia with his family in 1963 and grew up in Sydney, where he developed his musical talents and later became a self-taught guitarist. Young’s early life in Scotland, his family’s musical background, and his move to Australia all played a significant role in shaping his career as a musician.
Five
Where was Christopher Columbus born, between August and October 1451?
Answer: Genoa (Republic of Genoa)
Christopher Columbus, a Genoese explorer from the Republic of Genoa, completed four Spanish-sponsored voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. His expeditions, beginning in 1492, opened the way for European exploration and colonisation of the Americas, though his legacy is now viewed more critically due to the impact on indigenous populations.
The International Car Registration Code for the United Kingdom is what?
Answer: GB
With a history dating to 1909, International vehicle registration codes, also known as VRI codes, indicate the country of registration. These codes, maintained by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, are used in international traffic and are often based on ISO codes. The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic mandates that vehicles from signatory countries display their country’s distinguishing sign on the rear.
Two
Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days, which was first published in French, was originally published in what decade?
Answer: 1870s
Jules Verne’s 1872 adventure novel, Around the World in Eighty Days, follows Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe in eighty days.
Three
What canal joins the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea?
Answer: Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal, completed in 1893, connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in Greece. Despite its historical significance, the canal’s narrowness and navigational challenges limit its economic importance, making it primarily a tourist attraction.
Four
Who was the first human in outer space, and from which present-day country was his historic space flight launched?
Answer: Yuri Gagarin; Kazakhstan
Vostok 1, the first human orbital spaceflight, launched on 12 April 1961 with Yuri Gagarin aboard. Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the 108-minute flight completed a single orbit around Earth.
Five
What is the correct title of the song often called Starry Starry Night, and who wrote it?
Answer: Vincent; Don McLean
Vincent is a song by Don McLean, written as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh. The song, released in 1971, topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked at No. 12 in the United States.
Which tennis player fills in the gap in this list of Wimbledon Men’s Champions from the early nineties: Edberg — … — Agassi — Sampras — Sampras
Answer: Michael Stich
In the list shown Edberg vein in 1990 and Stich in 1991. Michael Stich, a former German professional tennis player, achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles and No. 9 in doubles. He won 18 singles titles, including Wimbledon and the ATP Tour World Championships, and ten doubles titles, including Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal.
Two
What is the capital of Lithuania?
Answer: Vilnius
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is known for its well-preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a multicultural centre during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and is now a financial centre and important fintech hub.
Three
Who created the fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey?
Answer: Dorothy L. Sayers
Lord Peter Wimsey, a gentleman detective created by Dorothy L. Sayers, solves mysteries for amusement, often assisted by his valet, a police detective, and later, his wife.
Four
What word does the ‘U’ in U-boat actually refer to?
Answer: Unterseeboot
U-boats, German naval submarines, were used in unrestricted submarine warfare during both World Wars to disrupt UK merchant traffic. While initially successful, improved Allied tactics, particularly during the Battle of the Atlantic, led to significant U-boat losses, culminating in ‘Black May’ 1943.
Five
The title of Pink Floyd’s debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn derived from what children’s novel?
Answer: The Wind in the Willows
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is Pink Floyd’s debut album, released in 1967. It was recorded at EMI Studios and produced by Norman Smith, blending improvisational pieces with Syd Barrett’s pop songs and psychedelia. The Wind in the Willows was a childhood favourite of Barrett.
In what decade did the television comedy Happy Days premiere in the United States?
Answer: 1970s
Happy Days, a popular American sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984, depicted an idealised view of 1950s and 60s America. The show’s most memorable character, Fonzie, became a pop culture icon, leading to several spin-off shows and launching the careers of its stars.
Two
The first national public museum in the world, opened in 1759, boasts a collection of over eight million artefacts. What museum?
Answer: British Museum
The British Museum was founded in 1753 and opened its doors in 1759. It was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, open to visitors from across the world.
Enlightenment ideals and values – critical scrutiny of all assumptions, open debate, scientific research, progress and tolerance – have marked the Museum since its foundation.
The Museum is driven by an insatiable curiosity for the world, a deep belief in objects as reliable witnesses and documents of human history, sound research, as well as the desire to expand and share knowledge. — British Museum
Three
The 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III, depicts his remarkable landing of a crippled aircraft in a river. Which river did the aircraft land in, and who directed the film?
Answer: Hudson River; Clint Eastwood
On 15 January 2009, US Airways flight 1549, an Airbus A320, made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after both engines were damaged by a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. Captain Chesley Sullenberger successfully ditched the plane, resulting in no fatalities but five serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded Sullenberger’s decision to land in the river was appropriate.
Four
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on this date in 1929 and dying at the age of 39 in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, this American religious leader became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Who was this?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who led the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He advocated for civil rights for people of colour through nonviolent resistance, achieving significant legislative gains like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday in January and a memorial dedicated to him stands in the National Mall, Washington, DC.
Five
In 2001, Wikipedia saw its debut. The free Internet-based encyclopaedia was initially launched as a feature of Nupedia prior to being relaunched as an independent entity a few days later. Who were the two founders?
Answer: Jimmy Wales; Larry Sanger
Wikipedia, launched in 2001 as a complement to the expert-written Nupedia, quickly grew into the largest encyclopedia ever assembled. While initially experiencing rapid growth, the English Wikipedia’s growth rate in terms of new articles and editors peaked around 2007 and has since stabilised after a period of decline. Despite concerns about a decline in active editors and page views, Wikipedia remains a widely used and influential resource.
Brace for Impact
The title refers to Captain Sullenberger’s announcement to his passengers in the final approach of flight 1549 to the Hudson River, ‘This is the captain. Brace for impact.’
In what decade did the television comedy Happy Days premiere in the United States?
Two
The first national public museum in the world, opened in 1759, boasts a collection of over eight million artefacts. What museum?
Three
The 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III, depicts his remarkable landing of a crippled aircraft in a river. Which river did the aircraft land in, and who directed the film?
Four
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on this date in 1929 and dying at the age of 39 in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, this American religious leader became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Who was this?
Five
In 2001, Wikipedia saw its debut. The free Internet-based encyclopaedia was initially launched as a feature of Nupedia prior to being relaunched as an independent entity a few days later. Who were the two founders?
Born in Florida, USA, on this day in 1941, with a film debut in The Happening (1967), one of the stars of Bonnie and Clyde (also 1967), is whom?
Answer: Faye Dunaway
Faye Dunaway is an acclaimed American actress with a career spanning Broadway and film. She rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with notable films like Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown, earning an Academy Award for Network. Dunaway later transitioned to mature character roles in independent films and stage performances.
Two
In 1939, Queen Maud Land was claimed and named. Which country made this claim on this 1.0-million-square-mile area of Antarctica?
Answer: Norway
Queen Maud Land is a 2.7 million square kilometre region of Antarctica claimed by Norway. It is a demilitarised zone within the Antarctic Treaty System, with no permanent population but 12 active research stations. The region is divided into five coasts and is bordered by the British and Australian Antarctic Territories. It is named after the Norwegian Queen Maud (1869–1938).
Three
In 1970, The Supremes performed their final concert with whom?
Answer: Diana Ross
The Supremes, an American girl group formed in Detroit in 1959, were the most commercially successful act of Motown Records during the 1960s. With Diana Ross as lead singer and Holland-Dozier-Holland as their songwriting and production team, they achieved mainstream success with twelve number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The group disbanded in 1977 after numerous lineup changes.
Four
In 2005, which organisation developed the probe that became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Mars, and on which moon of Saturn did it touch down?
Answers: European Space Agency; Titan
The Huygens probe spent over two hours descending through Titan’s thick, orange, nitrogen-rich atmosphere before landing, sending back the first-ever images and sounds from the surface of a moon in the outer Solar System.
Five
In 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after 52 years on the throne. Her eldest son, the Crown Prince, succeeded her as king. Who was the new king, and in which country did this happen?
Answer: King Frederick X; Denmark
Margrethe, Queen of Denmark, is a talented scenographer and costume designer, having designed costumes for the Royal Danish Ballet and films like The Wild Swans and Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction. She has also designed sets and costumes for numerous ballets, including The Nutcracker and The Snow Queen. Additionally, Margrethe is an accomplished painter and has illustrated works like Prince Henrik’s poetry collection and Danish editions of The Lord of the Rings.
