Quizology.Online

A Serious Pursuit of the Trivial

  • 2025-10-29 Bridge to Somewhere—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.

    The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?

    Answer: Shannon Airport, Republic of Ireland and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

    The European route E20 is part of the United Nations International E-road network and runs roughly west-east through Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and finally Russia. The road is not continuous and, at three points, a ferry must be used to continue along its length; although at one of those there is no ferry! The Øresund Bridge, which is known for featuring in the Nordic noir television series The Bridge, carries European Route E20.

    Two

    A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?

    Answer: St Elsewhere

    St. Elsewhere, a medical drama series, aired on NBC from 1982 to 1988. Although it never ranked higher than 47th in Nielsen ratings, it gained a loyal following and critical acclaim, winning 13 Emmy Awards. Set at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston, the show was known for its realistic portrayal of the medical profession and featured a large ensemble cast. It tackled contemporary issues like breast cancer, AIDS, and addiction, while also incorporating humour and inside jokes.

    Three

    In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?

    Answer: Bleak House

    Bleak House, a Dickens novel, satirises the legal system through the long-running case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The novel, partly narrated by Esther Summerson, is set in London and is credited with introducing urban fog to Gothic literature.

    Four

    The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?

    Answer: Copper (smelted copper)

    The Chalcolithic, or Copper Age, was a period characterised by the increasing use of smelted copper, following the Neolithic (latter part of the Stone Age) and preceding the Bronze Age. It occurred at different times in different regions, with the earliest evidence of copper smelting dating back to around 5,000 BC in Serbia. In Britain, the Chalcolithic was a short period between 2,500 and 2,200 BC, marked by the arrival of Beaker culture people and the introduction of copper and gold objects.

    Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III in the Sistine Chapel, October 2025.
    Image thedialog.org

    Five

    In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?

    Answer: King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV

    The reigning British monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, currently King Charles III. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American pope. King Charles and Pope Leo met at the Vatican to pray together in the Sistine Chapel. It was the first occasion that the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the Pope had prayed together since the reformation 500 years ago.

  • Bridge to Somewhere

    Today we have five unrelated and unconnected questions.

    The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?

    Two

    A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?

    Three

    In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?

    Four

    The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?

    Five

    In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Sic semper tyrannisc—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post

    Benito Mussolini, 1939.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On October 28, 1922, a march on Rome resulted in the rise to power of whom?

    Answer: Benito Mussolini

    Mussolini’s ‘March on Rome’ marked the beginning of the fascist era in Italy, with Mussolini taking over the Italian government, being appointed Prime Minister shortly afterwards, gradually eliminating democratic institutions, and establishing a fascist dictatorship. He pursued an aggressive foreign policy, including the conquest of Ethiopia and Albania. His alliance with Nazi Germany led Italy into World War II, resulting in his downfall and execution by communist partisans in 1945.

    Two

    On October 28, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbour. In what decade did this occur, and which US President dedicated the statue?

    Answer: 1886; President Grover Cleveland

    The statue was a gift from France to the United States, formally dedicated by President Grover Cleveland.

    Three

    A vote in the British House of Commons on this day in 1971 approved plans for the UK’s membership of what regional organisation had been created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957?

    Answer: European Economic Community (EEC)

    On October 28, 1971, the UK’s Parliament voted to join the European Economic Community, marking the start of a long and sometimes uneasy partnership. Britain formally entered in 1973 and reaffirmed membership in a 1975 referendum, but it often stood apart—refusing both the euro and the Schengen zone. Over time, disputes over sovereignty and immigration deepened. In 2016, voters chose to leave the European Union, and by January 2020, the UK’s 47-year membership had ended—closing one of Europe’s most complex political relationships.

    Webb Ellis Cup.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    At the 2023 Rugby World Cup final held at the Stade de France, South Africa defeated … (team), and became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup … times. What team fills the first blank space, and what number is missing from the second blank?

    Answer: New Zealand; four (times)

    South Africa’s 2023 victory made them the most successful team in Rugby World Cup history, surpassing New Zealand’s three titles. South African wins were in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023.

    Five

    On October 28, 1919, legislation was passed in the United States that enforced the 18th Amendment and ushered in the era of Prohibition. What was the name of that act?

    Answer: The Volstead Act

    On October 28, 1919, the Volstead Act was passed in the United States, enforcing the 18th Amendment and ushering in the Prohibition era. From 1920 to 1933, the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol were banned nationwide. Despite its aim to curb crime and improve morality, Prohibition had the opposite effect—fueling bootlegging, speakeasies, and the rise of organised crime figures like Al Capone. The experiment ended with the 21st Amendment, making it the only constitutional amendment ever repealed. Prohibition left a lasting mark on American culture, law, and attitudes towards personal freedom.

  • Sic semper tyrannisc

    Five questions which are all related to today, October 28th.

    Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World by Edward Moran. Oil on canvas.
    The J. Clarence Davies Collection, Museum of the City of New York via Wikipedia

    One

    On October 28, 1922, a march on Rome resulted in the rise to power of whom?

    Two

    On October 28, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor. In what decade did this occur, and which US President dedicated the statue?

    Three

    A vote in the British House of Commons on this day in 1971 approved plans for the UK’s membership of what regional organisation had been created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957?

    Four

    At the 2023 Rugby World Cup final held at the Stade de France, South Africa defeated … (team), and became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup … times. What team fills the first blank space, and what number is missing from the second blank?

    Five

    On October 28, 1919, legislation was passed in the United States that enforced the 18th Amendment and ushered in the era of Prohibition. What was the name of that act?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later

  • Connections—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Marlene Dietrich, The Blue Angel. See question two.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    A rock group’s first album, which was self-titled, was released in 1964 while their latest Hackney Diamonds was released in 2023. Which group is this?

    Answer: Rolling Stones

    The Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in 1962, are one of the most influential bands of the rock era. Known for their gritty, rhythmically driven sound, they pioneered hard rock and were at the forefront of the British Invasion. With over 250 million album sales, they have won four Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

    Two

    Who played Lola Lola in 1930’s film The Blue Angel?

    Answer: Marlene Dietrich

    The Blue Angel (1930) is a German musical comedy-drama film directed by Josef von Sternberg, starring Marlene Dietrich. It is based on Heinrich Mann’s novel and follows a professor’s transformation into a cabaret clown.

    Three

    What is the one word name used for the prestigious institution, part of a larger university, which Marie Curie attended for her studies in physics and mathematics, and where she became the first woman professor?

    Answer: Sorbonne

    Marie Curie studied at the Sorbonne, which is part of the University of Paris. She earned her degrees in physics and mathematics there and later became the first woman professor at the Sorbonne — National Geographic

    Four

    What, since February 2025, is the hereditary title of Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis?

    Answer: Aga Khan

    The Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the spiritual leader and Imam of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shias, a branch of Islam.  Currently, the 50th hereditary Imam is Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini. He succeeded his father in February 2025 and oversees development and humanitarian work.

    Five

    Founded by the Greeks in the first millennium BCE, this city is now Italy’s third-largest as well as Campania’s regional capital.  Please name it?Question

    Answer: Naples

    Naples, the regional capital of Campania, is Italy’s third-largest city and a significant cultural centre. Founded by Greeks in the first millennium BCE, it has a rich history, having served as the capital of various kingdoms. Today, it is a major economic hub with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre and numerous cultural sites nearby.

    Peter Sarstedt Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?
    Image chordify.net

    Six

    What connects the five answers above?

    Answers: (The song) Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?

    Peter Sarstedt’s 1966 hit Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)? features all five of these answers in its lyrics.  The song tells the story of Marie-Claire, a girl who rose from poverty in Naples to become a jet-setter. It achieved chart success in the UK, Ireland, Australia,  New Zealand and South Africa, reaching number one in all of them. In the US, it peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and 36 on Canada’s RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The lyrics are shown below.

    Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)

    by Peter Sarstedt

    You talk like Marlene Dietrich
    And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire
    Your clothes are all made by Balmain
    And there’s diamonds and pearls in your hair, yes there are

    You live in a fancy apartment
    Off the Boulevard St. Michel
    Where you keep your Rolling Stones records
    And a friend of Sacha Distel, yes you do

    But where do you go to my lovely
    When you’re alone in your bed?
    Tell me the thoughts that surround you
    I want to look inside your head, yes I do

    I’ve seen all your qualifications
    You got from the Sorbonne
    And the painting you stole from Picasso
    Your loveliness goes on and on, yes it does

    When you go on your summer vacation
    You go to Juan-les-Pins
    With your carefully designed topless swimsuit
    You get an even suntan on your back, and on your legs

    And when the snow falls you’re found in St. Moritz
    With the others of the jet set
    And you sip your Napoleon brandy
    But you never get your lips wet, no you don’t

    But where do you go to my lovely
    When you’re alone in your bed?
    Won’t you tell me the thoughts that surround you?
    I want to look inside your head, yes I do

    You’re in between twenty and thirty
    That’s a very desirable age
    Your body is firm and inviting
    But you live on a glittering stage, yes you do, yes you do

    Your name is heard in high places
    You know the Aga Khan
    He sent you a race horse for Christmas
    And you keep it just for fun, for a laugh, ha-ha-ha

    They say that when you get married
    It’ll be to a millionaire
    But they don’t realize where you came from
    And I wonder if they really care, or give a damn

    But where do you go to my lovely
    When you’re alone in your bed?
    Tell me the thoughts that surround you
    I want to look inside your head, yes I do

    I remember the back streets of Naples:
    Two children begging in rags
    Both touched with a burning ambition
    To shake off their lowly-born tags, they tried

    So look into my face, Marie-Claire
    And remember just who you are
    Then go and forget me forever
    But I know you still bear the scar, deep inside

    I know where you go to my lovely
    When you’re alone in your bed
    I know the thoughts that surround you
    ‘Cause I can look inside your head

    — Genius

  • Connections

    His Highness Prince Rahim al-Hussaini. See question 4.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    A rock group’s first album, which was self-titled, was released in 1964 while their latest Hackney Diamonds was released in 2023. Which group is this?

    Two

    Who played Lola Lola in 1930’s film The Blue Angel?

    Three

    What is the one word name used for the prestigious institution, part of a larger university, which Marie Curie attended for her studies in physics and mathematics, and where she became the first woman professor?

    Four

    What, since February 2025, is the hereditary title of Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis?

    Five

    Founded by the Greeks in the first millennium BCE, this city is now Italy’s third-largest as well as Campania’s regional capital.  Please name it?

    Six

    What connects the five answers to the above questions?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • On This Day, October 26th—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    One

    Which country, independent since late 1951, was raised from colonial status to part of Italy proper in 1938 by decree of Italy’s Fascist Grand Council?

    Answer: Libya

    Italian colonisation of Libya began in the 1920s, with significant investment in infrastructure and immigration. After World War II, Libya gained independence in 1951, becoming a kingdom under King Idris I.

    Daily Reenactment at the O.K. Corral.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    Where did the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral take place in 1881?

    Answer: Tombstone, Arizona

    The gunfight at the O.K. Corral, a brief but deadly shootout between lawmen (Wyatt Earp, his brothers and Doc Holiday) and outlaws (Billy Claiborne, brothers Ike and Billy Clanton, and brothers Tom and Frank McLaury) in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, on 26 October 1881, has become an iconic event of the American Old West. The conflict, fuelled by a long-standing feud and a city ordinance prohibiting weapons, resulted in the deaths of three men and injuries to three others. The incident, largely unknown until Wyatt Earp’s death, gained widespread attention through books and films, solidifying its place in popular culture.

    Three

    On this day in 1955, which European country declared a law of perpetual neutrality?

    Answer: Austria

    Since 1955, Austria has been a permanently neutral country—a status declared after the end of post-war Allied occupation. The Austrian State Treaty restored the nation’s sovereignty on the condition that it would not join any military alliances or permit foreign bases on its soil. This neutrality, enshrined in the constitution, has shaped Austria’s identity as a bridge between East and West during the Cold War and beyond.

    Erie Canal, aqueduct over the Mohawk River at Rexford.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    When was the Erie Canal, a major US transport route, inaugurated?  

    Answer: 1825

    The canal connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, fuelling trade and the growth of New York City.

    Five

    How many terms did François Mitterrand, who was born today in 1916, serve as President of France?

    Answer: Two

    François Mitterrand, a French politician, served as President of France from 1981 to 1995, marking the longest tenure in the country’s history under the Fifth Republic. Initially aligned with the Catholic nationalist right, he shifted to the left, becoming the first left-wing president. His presidency was marked by significant reforms, such as the abolition of the death penalty and the promotion of French culture, but also faced controversies like the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. Mitterrand’s tenure spanned pivotal events like the fall of the Berlin Wall and the foundation of the European Union. 

  • On This Day, October 26th

    These questions all relate to today’s date, October 26th.

    François Mitterand, 1983. See question 5.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Which country, independent since late 1951, was raised from colonial status to part of Italy proper in 1938 by decree of Italy’s Fascist Grand Council?

    Two

    Where did the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral take place in 1881?

    Three

    On this day in 1955, which European country declared a law of perpetual neutrality?

    Four

    When was the Erie Canal, a major US transport route, inaugurated?  

    Five

    How many terms did François Mitterrand, who was born today in 1916, serve as President of France?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Here, There and Everywhere—Answers

    The Battle of Agincourt, 15th-century miniature, Enguerrand de Monstrelet. Image Wikipedia

    One

    The Battle of Agincourt took place on 25 October 1415. In what department of France is the battlefield?

    Answer: Pas-de-Calais

    The unexpected victory of the vastly outnumbered English troops against the numerically superior French army boosted English morale and prestige crippling France and heralding a new era of English dominance in the war.

    Two

    On what island in New York Harbor does the Statue of Liberty stand, and by what name was the island known prior to it being renamed by an act of the United States Congress in 1956?

    Answer: Liberty Island, formerly Bedloe’s Island

    The Statue of Liberty, a neoclassical sculpture gifted by France, stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, it was dedicated on 28 October 1886.

    Three 

    The deepest known point on Earth’s seabed is almost 7 miles (approximately 11 kilometres) deep. What is its name and in which ocean is it located?

    Answer: Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean

    On 23 March 1875, the British Royal Navy’s HMS Challenger with depth soundings taken by Baillie-weighted marked rope, and geographical locations were determined by celestial navigation (to an estimated accuracy of two nautical miles). Seventy-five years later HMS Challenger II took depth soundings but the depth was beyond their echo sound equipment so they used a weighted line…

    The Senior Scientist aboard Challenger II, Thomas Gaskell, recalled:

    It took from ten past five in the evening until twenty to seven, that is an hour and a half, for the iron weight to fall to the sea-bottom. It was almost dark by the time the weight struck, but great excitement greeted the reading…

    — Wikipedia 

    Challenger Deep has a depth of approximately 10,935 meters (35,876 feet) below sea level.

    Four

    On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at the Sea of Tranquillity (Mare Tranquillitatis).  A few months later, on 19 November 1969, Apollo 12 landed at a seemingly less tranquil location.  Where did Apollo 12 land?

    Answer: Ocean of Storms (Oceanus Procellarum)

    Six Apollo missions landed on the Moon: Apollo 11 to 17, except Apollo 13, which suffered severe damage after an explosion and missed landing. Twelve astronauts walked on the lunar surface during these missions. The final Apollo astronauts departed the Moon in December 1972.

    Photograph of Mount Erebus (and Adélie penguins) taken by the Terra Nova expedition in 1913. Image Wikipedia

    Five

    McMurdo Station (US) and Scott Base (NZ) are Antarctic research stations located on the Hut Point Peninsula. Two questions: firstly, on what island is this peninsula located; and secondly, the island is home to the planet’s southernmost active volcano, what is that volcano?

    Answer: Ross Island and Mount Erebus

    Ross Island was named after James Clark Ross a British naval officer and explorer. Hut Point, at the southern tip of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island, is a small, ice-free promontory near McMurdo Station. Designated as ASPA No. 158, entry requires a permit. It holds historical significance with a hut and artefacts from the 1901-04 British National Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, also designated as HSM No. 18. McMurdo Station, operated by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is the largest research station in Antarctica, serving as a logistics hub. Ross Island’s Mount Erebus is 3,794 metres (12,448 ft) in height.

  • Here, There and Everywhere

    The first question concerns today, October 25th, and the subsequent questions follow a theme. 

    The Battle of Agincourt, 15th-century miniature, Enguerrand de Monstrelet. Image Wikipedia

    One

    The Battle of Agincourt took place on 25 October 1415. In what department of France is the battlefield?

    Two

    On what island in New York Harbor does the Statue of Liberty stand, and by what name was the island known prior to it being renamed by an act of the United States Congress in 1956?

    Three 

    The deepest known point on Earth’s seabed is almost 7 miles (approximately 11 kilometres) deep. What is its name and in which ocean is it located?

    Four

    On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at the Sea of Tranquillity (Mare Tranquillitatis).  A few months later, on 19 November 1969, Apollo 12 landed at a seemingly less tranquil location.  Where did Apollo 12 land?

    Five

    McMurdo Station (US) and Scott Base (NZ) are Antarctic research stations located on the Hut Point Peninsula. Two questions: firstly, on what island is this peninsula located; and secondly, the island is home to the planet’s southernmost active volcano, what is that volcano?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.