Quizology Online

Gallimaufry VI—Answers

Here are wandered to my earlier questions.

Today, a sixth dose of gallimaufry, that is ‘a confused jumble or medley of things’.

Question five. Watergate Complex, Washington D.C.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

What American golfer founded the US Masters golf tournament?

Answer: Bobby Jones.

Jones retired from golf in 1930 and, with Clifford Roberts, bought a nursery in Augusta to create a golf club. The club opened in 1933 with a members’ tournament, which was expanded the following year, and the Masters tournament began.

Two

What two countries have shores on Lake Titicaca?

Answer: Bolivia and Peru.

Lake Titicaca, located in the Andes on the Bolivia–Peru border, has a single outlet, the Río Desaguadero. It faces challenges from receding water levels due to climate change and pollution from growing urban centres, threatening its biodiversity.

Boris Karloff as the monster in the film *Frankenstein*, directed by James Whale and released in 1931.
Universal Studios
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Three

Born in London, United Kingdom, in 1887, William Henry Pratt rose to fame as a renowned actor. His career spanned from 1911 to 1968, beginning with a significant role in the film serial The Hope Diamond Mystery in 1920. In 1932, he took on the title role in The Mask of Fu Manchu. Beyond his acting career, Pratt was also known for his charitable work. From 1940 onwards, he donned the Father Christmas costume every Christmas to deliver presents to physically disabled children at a Baltimore hospital. What is his stage name?

Answer: Boris Karloff

Boris Karloff, an English actor, was a horror icon known for his roles in Frankenstein, The Mummy and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! He also appeared in numerous films, stage plays, radio and television programmes.

Four

What two names fill the blanks and complete this list: Javier Pérez de Cuéllar ____ Kofi Annan ____ António Guterres?

Answer: Boutros Boutros-Ghali; Ban Ki-moon

It is a list of those who have held the office of Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1982 until present (February 2026). The UN Secretary-General oversees the UN Secretariat, one of the six principal UN organs. The role, qualifications, selection process, and tenure are established by custom.

Five

All the President’s Men is a non-fiction book detailing the Watergate break-ins, the ensuing political scandal, and the eventual downfall of President Richard M. Nixon. It was penned by the two Washington Post journalists who uncovered the story. Who are these journalists?

Answer: Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.

The Watergate scandal involved a 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters by operatives linked to President Nixon’s re-election campaign. Nixon’s attempts to cover up his administration’s involvement led to his resignation in 1974. The scandal, considered the greatest presidential scandal, resulted in numerous convictions and had lasting electoral consequences for the Republican Party.

Gallimaufry VI

Today, a sixth dose of gallimaufry, that is ‘a confused jumble or medley of things’.

One

What American golfer founded the US Masters golf tournament?

Two

What two countries have shores on Lake Titicaca?

Three

Four

What two names fill the blanks and complete this list: Javier Pérez de Cuéllar ____ Kofi Annan ____ António Guterres?

Five

Goood luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Nine Days Wonder—Answers

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

Question one. Lady Jane Grey.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, was executed on 12 February 1554. Who was her predecessor, and who succeeded her as monarch?

Answer: Edward VI; Mary I.

Lady Jane Grey, a cousin of Edward VI, king of England from 1547 to 1553, was persuaded by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to become his heir before Edward’s death, despite Edward having two half-sisters. Jane’s Protestantism made her the preferred candidate of those like Northumberland who supported the Reformation. She reigned as queen for nine days in 1553, but the English people largely supported Edward VI’s half-sister Mary Tudor, the rightful heir by Henry VIII’s will. Jane was persuaded to relinquish the crown she never wanted, and at the beginning of Mary’s reign, she was arraigned for high treason and later executed

Question two. Flag of North Macedonia.
Image Wikimedia Commons

Two

In 2019, the country represented by this flag changed its name. What did the country’s name change from and to?

Answer: Republic of Macedonia (or the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia); Republic of North Macedonia.

North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. Due to a long-standing name dispute with Greece, it was admitted to the United Nations in 1993 under the provisional reference ‘the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’ (FYROM). Following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece in June 2018 and implemented in February 2019, the country officially changed its name from the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia.

Three

Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1912 becoming the last emperor of which country?

Answer: China.

Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was forced to abdicate in 1912. He later became the puppet emperor of Manchukuo under Japanese control. After World War II, he was imprisoned and later pardoned, living out his days in Beijing.

Four

On this date in 1818, the country whose flag this is declared independence. Which country achieved independence and from whom?

Answer: Chile; Spain.

The Chilean Declaration of Independence, drafted in January 1818 and approved by Bernardo O’Higgins on 12 February 1818, declared Chile’s independence from the Spanish Empire. The original document was damaged, and a new copy signed by O’Higgins and his ministers was destroyed during the 1973 Chilean coup d’état.

Five

Future US president Abraham Lincoln was born on this day. In what US state, and in what decade, was he born?

Answer: Kentucky; 1800s.

Abraham Lincoln, from humble beginnings, became the 16th President of the United States, led the nation through the Civil War, and played a pivotal role in abolishing slavery. He navigated political challenges, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and delivered the Gettysburg Address. Tragically, Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, shortly after the Confederate surrender

Nine Days Wonder

One

Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, was executed on 12 February 1554. Who was her predecessor, and who succeeded her as monarch?

Two

In 2019, the country represented by this flag changed its name. What did the country’s name change from and to?

Three

Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1912 becoming the last emperor of which country?

Four

On this date in 1818, the country whose flag this is declared independence. Which country achieved independence and from whom?

Five

Future US president Abraham Lincoln was born on this day. In what US state, and in what decade, was he born?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Really Useful Robots—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

Today the questions all relate to February 11th.

An example of a robot but not one connected to question one.
Marvin the Paranoid Android from
*The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy*,
Gunnersbury park museum, London
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

In what decade was the first science fiction television programme broadcast?

Answer: 1930s.

The first known science fiction television programme was produced by the BBC’s pre-war television service in Great Britain. On 11 February 1938, a 35-minute adapted extract of the play R.U.R., written by the Czech playwright Karel Čapek, was broadcast live from the BBC’s Alexandra Palace studios. Concerning a future world in which robots rise up against their human masters, it was the only piece of science fiction to be produced before the television service was suspended for the duration of the war. Today’s post title is a hint towards this play, using the same initials, but the play’s ‘R.U.R.’ stands for Rossumovi Univerzální Roboti—Rossum’s Universal Robots—and not Really Useful Robots.

Two

On this day in 1929, a treaty was signed recognising papal sovereignty over Vatican City. What was the treaty’s name and who was the Italian signatory?

Answer: Lateran Treaty; Benito Mussolini.

The Lateran Treaty of 1929 established Vatican City as an independent state and settled the Roman question between Italy and the Holy See. The treaty was named after the Lateran Palace where it was signed on 11 February 1929. It was revised in 1984, ending Catholicism as Italy’s sole state religion.

Three

Today marks the traditional date for Jimmu’s founding of which country’s empire in 660 BCE?

Answer: Japan.

Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, is said to have ascended the throne in 660 BCE. His story, recounted in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, involves a divine lineage from the sun goddess Amaterasu and a military expedition from Kyushu to Yamato. While his existence is debated by scholars, Jimmu’s legacy endures as a symbol of Japan’s imperial lineage and is celebrated annually on February 11th as National Foundation Day.

Four

In 1858, 14-year-old Mademoiselle Soubirous had visions of the Virgin Mary. Where did this occur, and what was Mademoiselle Soubirous’s first name?

Answer: Lourdes, France; Bernadette.

In February 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing visions of a ‘small young lady’ at the grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, later believed to be the Virgin Mary. The apparitions, which continued daily for two weeks despite scepticism from local authorities and clergy, including Father Peyramale, instructed Bernadette to perform acts of penance. On 25 March, Bernadette claimed the Virgin revealed herself as the ‘Immaculate Conception’, prompting further investigation and increasing pilgrimages. The growing number of witnesses to Bernadette’s visions led to widespread attention and speculation.

Five

On this date, and in what year did the World Health Organisation officially name the coronavirus outbreak COVID-19? And up to February 2026, to the nearest million, how many people have died from COVID-19?

Answer: 2020; 7 million.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an estimated 7.1 million confirmed deaths worldwide. Estimates indicate that the total number of deaths could range from 19.1 to 36 million.

Really Useful Robots

Today the questions all relate to February 11th.

One

In what decade was the first science fiction television programme broadcast?

Two

On this day in 1929, a treaty was signed recognising papal sovereignty over Vatican City. What was the treaty’s name and who was the Italian signatory?

Three

Today marks the traditional date for Jimmu’s founding of which country’s empire in 660 BCE?

Four

In 1858, 14-year-old Mademoiselle Soubirous had visions of the Virgin Mary. Where did this occur, and what was Mademoiselle Soubirous’s first name?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Gallimaufry V—Answers

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

Today, more gallimaufry — ‘a confused jumble or medley of things’.

Snow leopard aka ounce.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

Panthera uncia, native to Central and South Asia, inhabits mountain ranges like the Altai, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas. What is its name in English and by what other name, which could be confused with a measure, was it known?

Answer: Snow leopard; ounce.

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a large cat native to Central and South Asia’s mountain ranges. It is listed as Vulnerable due to poaching and habitat destruction, with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remaining. The snow leopard is legally protected in most of its range and is culturally significant in Kyrgyzstan.

Two

The acronym SONAR means what?

Answer: Sound navigation and ranging. (SO(und) NA(vigation and) R(anging).

sonar
noun [mass noun] a system for the detection of objects under water by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return after being reflected: [as modifier] a weak sonar signal. – [count noun] an apparatus used in sonar: we reduced the sensitivity of our scanning sonars. – the method of echolocation used in air or water by animals such as whales and bats: the fishing nets are detectable by dolphin sonar. – ORIGIN 1940s: from so(und) na(vigation and) r(anging), on the pattern of radar. — Oxford English Dictionary iOS App ©Oxford English Dictionary.

Three

The name of a 2003 Grammy Award winner and the title of a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1839 are linked by a single word. Can you supply the word and the full title of Poe’s short story?

Answer: Usher; The Fall of the House of Usher.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic fiction short story, The Fall of the House of Usher, delves into themes of madness, family and isolation. In 2003, Usher won his second consecutive Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for U Don’t Have to Call.

Four

What was the name of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ship during his ill-fated Antarctic expedition?

Answer: Terra Nova.

The Terra Nova Expedition, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, aimed to reach the South Pole and conduct scientific research. Although they achieved this goal on January 17, 1912, they arrived second—a month after Amundsen. Scott and his team tragically died on the Ross Ice Shelf during their return journey, leading to debate about the expedition’s organisation and management.

Five

In December 1969, on a television programme, a Norwegian Blue was purchased, and then an attempt was made to return it. What was the name that this sketch is known by, and in what TV programme was it featured?

Answer: ‘Dead Parrot sketch’; Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

The ‘Dead Parrot sketch’ from Monty Python’s Flying Circus satirises poor customer service. It features a customer, Mr Praline, arguing with a shopkeeper about a dead parrot. Mr Praline complains about a deceased parrot he bought. The shopkeeper, using euphemisms for death, sends him to his brother’s shop in Bolton for a refund, but Praline discovers it’s the same shop. The shopkeeper, claiming it’s a prank, is interrupted by a Colonel who orders the sketch to stop.

Gallimaufry V

Today, more gallimaufry — ‘a confused jumble or medley of things’.

One

Two

The acronym SONAR means what?

Three

Four

What was the name of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ship during his ill-fated Antarctic expedition?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Hard Rock Café—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

Today’s questions all pertain to February 9th.

One

Born in 1909, this Hollywood star made her film debut in Down Argentine Way alongside Don Ameche and Betty Grable. Who was she and where was she born?

Answer: Carmen Miranda; Portugal

Carmen Miranda, a Portuguese-born Brazilian singer, dancer and actress, gained fame in Brazil as a samba dancer. She became a Hollywood star in the 1940s, known for her exotic image and fruit-hat outfits, and popularised Brazilian music and Latin culture in the United States. Despite her success, she struggled with the stereotypical ‘Brazilian Bombshell’ image and later focused on nightclub appearances and television.

Two

On this day in 1893, Giuseppe Verdi’s final opera premiered at La Scala in Milan. What was its title?

Answer: Falstaff.

Giuseppe Verdi’s comic opera Falstaff is based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and incorporates scenes from Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2. While not as popular as his earlier works, it’s now a staple of the operatic repertoire, championed by conductors like Toscanini, Karajan, Solti and Bernstein. Following its first performance, Verdi made numerous changes to the music resulting in a somewhat fluid score.

Three

On this day in what year was the Davis Cup established and which teams competed in the inaugural tournament?

Answer: 1900; USA and Great Britain (or British Isles*).

Davis Cup began in 1900 as a competition between USA and Great Britain. It’s now the world’s largest annual international team competition in sport, with 157 nations entering in 2025. — Davis Cup

*Some sources, for example Encyclopædia Britannica, list the first competition to have been between the USA and the British Isles; others, such as the official competition website, show Great Britain.

Four

Born in 1940, this novelist is the first writer to win the Booker Prize twice – in 1983 and 1999. His first win was for Life & Times of Michael K and his second for Disgrace. He’s also the second writer from his nationality, after Nadine Gordimer, to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Who is he, and what is his nationality?

Answer: J.M. Coetzee; South African.

J.M. Coetzee, a South African-Australian author, is a Nobel Prize winner and recipient of numerous literary awards. He was born in Cape Town but now resides in Adelaide, South Australia.

Five

Who, born in New York City in 1942, was the most successful female songwriter on the UK singles charts from 1962 to 2005?

Answer: Carole King

Carole King is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She wrote or co-wrote numerous hit songs and achieved success as a solo performer, releasing 25 albums and selling over 75 million records worldwide. Today’s post title refers to her song Hard Rock Café from her 1977 album Simple Things.

Hard Rock Café

Today’s questions all pertain to February 9th.

One

Born in 1909, this Hollywood star made her film debut in Down Argentine Way alongside Don Ameche and Betty Grable. Who was she and where was she born?

Two

On this day in 1893, Giuseppe Verdi’s final opera premiered at La Scala in Milan. What was its title?

Three

On this day in what year was the Davis Cup established and which teams competed in the inaugural tournament?

Four

Five

Who, born in New York City in 1942, was the most successful female songwriter on the UK singles charts from 1962 to 2005?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.