Quizology.Online

A Serious Pursuit of the Trivial

  • Lists—Answers

    Today there are five questions relating to various lists.

    Taylor Swift Eras Tour – Arlington Texas, US.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Here’s a chronological list of studio albums released since 2017: Reputation, Lover, … Evermore. Who released these and which album is missing?

    Answer: Taylor Swift and Folklore

    Swift released the studio album Folklore in 2020.

    Two

    …, Aconcagua, Denali. This is the second and third items in a list of seven. What’s the first?

    Answer: Everest

    It is a list of the highest peaks the on seven continents: Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, Elbrus, Mount Wilhelm. There are variations to this list depending on definition used but the first five peaks remain the same regardless of definition.

    Three

    Which film follows in this list from an ‘official’ film series: Thunderball, You Only Live Twice? Secondly, who played the main protagonist in this film?

    Answer: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and George Lazenby

    This was Lazenby’s only outing as Bond.

    Four

    Out of the 193 member states of the United Nations, nine follow Oman and precede Qatar in alphabetical order. Can you name as many of these nine as you can?

    Answer: Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland and Portugal

    — Wikipedia

    The Rolling Stones in July 1963.
    From left: Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    The Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia agree on the first stable lineup of this group. Listed alphabetically by surname, they are Mick Jagger, …, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Who is missing from second place in this list?

    Answer: Brian Jones

    Formed in London as an alliance between Jagger, Richards, and multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones along with Watts and bassist Bill Wyman, the Stones began as a grubby conclave of students and bohemians playing a then-esoteric music based on Chicago blues in pubs and clubs in and around West London. Their potential for mass-market success seemed negligible at first, but by 1965 they were second to the Beatles in the collective affection of teenage Britain. — Encyclopædia Britannica

  • Lists

    Today we have five questions about different lists.

    One

    Here’s a chronological list of studio albums released since 2017: Reputation, Lover, … Evermore. Who released these and which album is missing?

    Two

    …, Aconcagua, Denali. This is the second and third items in a list of seven. What’s the first?

    Three

    Which film follows in this list from an ‘official’ film series: Thunderball, You Only Live Twice? Secondly, who played the main protagonist in this film?

    Four

    Out of the 193 member states of the United Nations, nine follow Oman and precede Qatar in alphabetical order. Can you name as many of these nine as you can?

    Five

    The Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia agree on the first stable lineup of this group. Listed alphabetically by surname, they are Mick Jagger, …, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Who is missing from second place in this list?

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

  • Two Capitals (at least)—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Sucre.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    If Sucre is described as the constitutional and judicial capital, where is the seat of government?

    Answer: La Paz

    Bolivia has two official capitals: Sucre, the constitutional capital and seat of the judiciary, and La Paz, the seat of government, executive and legislature.

    Two

    name: Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative and economic capital); note – the US Embassy is in Abidjan — CIA’s The World Factbook

    This quote is from the CIA’s The World Factbook. Which nation does it refer to?

    Answer: Côte d’Ivoire

    Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire and officially the Republic of the Ivory Coast, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is the port city of Abidjan. — Wikipedia

    Three

    Mbabane and Lobamba are the two capitals of which nation?

    Answer: Eswatini

    Eswatini has two capitals: Mbabane, the administrative capital and seat of government, and Lobamba, the royal and legislative capital.

    Four

    South Africa is unique in having three separate capital cities: one for the executive and administrative branch, one for the legislative branch, and one for the judicial branch. Can you name these three capitals?

    Answer: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein

    Pretoria is the executive and administrative capital while Cape Town serves as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital.

    Five

    If Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital of a nation, which city functions as the economic, executive and judicial capital? Secondly, what is the name of the country?

    Answer: Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is located adjacent to the urban area of Sri Lanka’s de facto economic, executive, and judicial capital, Colombo. — Wikipedia

  • Two Capitals (at least)

    Today’s questions are about capital cities.

    Sucre.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    If Sucre is described as the constitutional and judicial capital, where is the seat of government?

    Two

    name: Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative and economic capital); note – the US Embassy is in Abidjan — CIA’s The World Factbook

    This quote is from the CIA’s The World Factbook. Which nation does it refer to?

    Three

    Mbabane and Lobamba are the two capitals of which nation?

    Four

    South Africa is unique in having three separate capital cities: one for the executive and administrative branch, one for the legislative branch, and one for the judicial branch. Can you name these three capitals?

    Five

    If Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital of a nation, which city functions as the economic, executive and judicial capital? Secondly, what is the name of the country?

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

  • Space Oddity—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post

    LRV-1, Apollo 15.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Who was the first astronaut to drive a Lunar Rover on the Moon’s surface?

    Answer: David Scott

    Between July 30 and August 2, 1971, David Scott, commander of Apollo 15, drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-1) for 3 hours and 2 minutes. These journeys covered A total of 17.25 miles (27.76 km) across the lunar surface. Apollo 15(LRV-1) 17.25 miles (27.76 km) 3 h 02 min 7.75 miles (12.47 km) 3.1 miles (5.0 km)

    Two

    What, in Roman numerals, is the sum of LXXXIV and DCCLIX?

    Answer: DCCCXLIII

    LXXXIV =

    • L = 50
    • XXX = 30
    • IV = 4
      → 50 + 30 + 4 = 84

    DCCLIX =

    • D = 500
    • CC = 200
    • L = 50
    • IX = 9
      → 500 + 200 + 50 + 9 = 759

    84 + 759 = 843

    Convert 843 to Roman numerals:

    • 800 = DCCC
    • 40 = XL
    • 3 = III

    → 843 = DCCCXLIII

    Three

    John F. Kennedy had a dog called Dunker. What breed was it?

    Answer: Dachshund

    The Dachshund is a small, long-bodied dog breed originally developed in Germany to hunt badgers. The name literally means ‘badger dog’—Dachs = badger, Hund = dog. They’re often called ‘sausage dogs’ because of their shape.

    Four

    Which character in a work by Alexandre Dumas was possibly inspired by the vengeful shoemaker Pierre Picaud of Nîmes?

    Answer: Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo

    Pierre Picaud, a shoemaker from Nîmes, is believed to have inspired Edmond Dantès, the protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
    Picaud’s story is strikingly similar to that of Dantès. In the early 19th century, Picaud was wrongfully imprisoned due to the betrayal of his friends and his fiancée. During his imprisonment in the Château d’If, he met an old man who shared with him knowledge of treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Upon his release, Picaud used this treasure to exact revenge on those who had wronged him, much like Edmond Dantès does in Dumas’ novel.
    This story of Picaud’s life—his unjust imprisonment, subsequent escape, and thirst for vengeance—closely mirrors the narrative of The Count of Monte Cristo.

    Five

    Please list the US states whose names start with the letter ‘M’?

    Answer: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Montana

  • Space Oddity

    Today’s questions are random and unrelated.

    LRV-1.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Who was the first astronaut to drive a Lunar Rover on the Moon’s surface?

    Two

    What, in Roman numerals, is the sum of LXXXIV and DCCLIX?

    Three

    John F. Kennedy had a dog called Dunker. What breed was it?

    Four

    Which character in a work by Alexandre Dumas was possibly inspired by the vengeful shoemaker Pierre Picaud of Nîmes?

    Five

    Please list the US states whose names start with the letter ‘M’?

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

  • Cat and Mouse—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Bart Mancuso (Scott Glenn), commander USS Dallas, The Hunt for Red October.
    Image Jack Ryan Fandom

    One

    American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?

    Answer: Alec Baldwin and USS Dallas

    The Hunt for Red October chronicles the efforts of CIA analyst Jack Ryan to prove that Soviet submarine Captain Marko Ramius is not attempting to attack the US but is instead defecting to the United States with the Soviet Union’s cutting-edge ballistic missile submarine, the Red October. The story, adapted from Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, portrays a dangerous geopolitical game of cat and mouse as both the Soviet and American navies attempt to locate the advanced, stealthy submarine, fearing a nuclear confrontation if Ramius’ intentions are misunderstood.

    Two

    On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?

    Answer: Mary I

    Mary I, England’s first queen ruling in her own right, earned the nickname Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants to restore Roman Catholicism. Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, became Queen of England and Ireland in 1553. Her attempts to restore Catholicism, including the Marian persecutions, were largely unsuccessful and her reign ended with her death in 1558.

    Three

    Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?

    Answer: California and Death Valley National Park

    Yosemite National Park is located in California. Nevada boasts two national parks: Great Basin National Park and Death Valley National Park. Death Valley extends across both California and Nevada.

    Thrilla in Manila, 1975.
    Image Amazon

    Four

    The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?

    Answer: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier

    Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the 14th round of their third boxing match, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’, on 1 October 1975. The fight, considered one of the greatest in boxing history, was watched by an estimated 1 billion viewers.

    Paddy O’Neil (Richard Harris), Patriot Games.
    Image Jack Ryan Fandom

    Five

    Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?

    Answer: Richard Harris

    Irish actor and singer Richard Harris, known for his roles in films like This Sporting Life, The Field, and Gladiator, received numerous accolades including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Grammy Award. He also gained acclaim for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. He also topped the music charts with MacArthur Park reaching number one in Australia, Canda and Jamaica; and top-ten entries in the UK, US and Ireland.

  • Cat and Mouse

    Here are five questions all related to today’s date, October 1st.

    The Hunt for Red October.
    Image Jack Ryan Fandom

    One

    American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?

    Two

    On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?

    Three

    Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?

    Four

    The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?

    Five

    Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?

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

  • My Huckleberry Friend

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    In the 1961 comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly. Born on this date in 1924, who wrote the novella that inspired the film?

    Answer: Truman Capote

    Truman Capote’s 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s is set in 1940s New York City’s Upper East Side. It follows a writer’s recollections of his neighbour Holly Golightly and her life in Manhattan. While based on the novella, the film’s screenplay deviates from the book’s original storyline.

    Two

    In an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler, Great Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand for the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in what former country?

    Answer: Czechoslovakia

    The Munich Agreement, signed on September 30, 1938, was a settlement reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that allowed for the German annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in western Czechoslovakia. This agreement was part of the policy of appeasement, where European powers aimed to prevent war by conceding to some of Adolf Hitler’s territorial demands. The Czechoslovak government was not consulted during the negotiations and was forced to accept the terms. The agreement is often criticized for emboldening Hitler, as it failed to prevent further aggression, leading to the occupation of the rest of Czechoslovakia and eventually World War II.

    Matina Hingis, 2011.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    …professional tennis player who became the youngest person in the “open” era to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest to be ranked world number one. In her relatively short, injury-plagued career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles—the Australian Open (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), and the United States Open (1997).

    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    This quote refers to a tennis player born in 1980 in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Who is she?

    Answer: Martina Hingis

    Martina Hingis, who was named after Martina Navratilova, was introduced to sports by her tennis-playing parents and excelled in skiing and tennis from a young age. After moving to Switzerland, she became the youngest Grand Slam junior titleholder at 12. Hingis turned professional at 14, becoming the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match and the youngest Wimbledon doubles champion. The WTA later restricted participation for young players.

    Following World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the British, French, Americans and Russians.  Berlin, completely encircled by the Russian zone, was also partitioned.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Today in 1949, an airlift delivering 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies was officially ended. To what city was this relief supplied?

    Answer: West Berlin

    The Berlin Blockade (1948-49) was a Soviet attempt to force the Western Allies out of West Berlin by severing all land and water routes. In retaliation, the US and Britain launched the Berlin Airlift to deliver supplies to the city by air. This airlift symbolised the Allies’ unwavering commitment to resisting Soviet expansion. successfully supplying the city for 15 months. The operation, involving over 250,000 flights, underscored the ideological divide between East and West and solidified West Berlin’s alignment with the US and Britain.

    Five

    An opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered in Austria on this day in 1791. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, ‘It is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment presented through Freemasonry symbols’. What is the opera?

    The Magic Flute

    Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment, rich with Masonic symbolism. The libretto, believed to draw from various sources including medieval romance and Freemasonry, was written by Emanuel Schikaneder, a close friend of Mozart.

    See question 4 above. ‘A U.S. Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster making a “Little Vittles” candy drop (note the parachutes below the tail of the C-54) on approach to a Berlin airfield. Aircrews dropped candy to children during the Berlin Airlift.’
    Image Wikipedia

  • My Huckleberry Friend

    Today’s questions all relate to September 30th.

    Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    In the 1961 comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly. Born on this date in 1924, who wrote the novella that inspired the film?

    Two

    In an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler, Great Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand for the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in what former country?

    Three

    …professional tennis player who became the youngest person in the “open” era to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest to be ranked world number one. In her relatively short, injury-plagued career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles—the Australian Open (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), and the United States Open (1997).

    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    This quote refers to a tennis player born in 1980 in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Who is she?

    Four

    Today in 1949, an airlift delivering 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies was officially ended. To what city was this relief supplied?

    Five

    An opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered in Austria on this day in 1791. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, ‘It is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment presented through Freemasonry symbols’. What is the opera?

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