Quizology.Online

A Serious Pursuit of the Trivial

  • Opening Words | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

    One

    Mr. and Mrs. …, of number four, … Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.

    What surname and street name are missing from this opening line?

    Answer: Dursley and Privet

    Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first novel in the Harry Potter series. It follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage and faces Lord Voldemort at Hogwarts.

    Two

    Physicist Leonardo Vetra smelled burning flesh, and he knew it was his own.

    The above quote is the first line of what Dan Brown novel?

    Answer: Angels and Demons

    Angels & Demons is a 2000 mystery-thriller novel by Dan Brown, introducing Robert Langdon and featuring secret societies, a single-day timeframe, and the Catholic Church. The book heavily references ancient history, architecture, and symbology.

    Three

    Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically.

    The above quote opens a book written in the UK in 1928 but not published openly in that country until 1960. What book?

    Answer: Sonds and Lovers

    Lady Chatterley’s Lover, D.H. Lawrence’s final novel, was published privately in 1928 and 1929. The book, known for its explicit content, was banned in several countries and became a landmark obscenity trial in the UK in 1960.

    Four

    The … were over.

    What flower completes this quote from the opening of Richard Adams’ novel, Watership Down?

    Answer: Primrose

    The primroses were over.

    Watership Down is an adventure novel about a group of anthropomorphised rabbits escaping the destruction of their warren and seeking a new home. The novel evokes epic themes as the rabbits face perils and temptations on their journey.

    Five

    Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

    This is the first line of what novel and who wrote it?

    Answer: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

    Rebecca, a 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier, follows an unnamed young woman who marries a wealthy widower haunted by his late first wife, Rebecca. The novel, a bestseller, has been adapted numerous times for stage, screen, and as a musical.

  • Opening Words

    As Harry Potter novelist JK Rowling was born 31 July 1965 today’s question are on books and first lines.

    One

    Mr. and Mrs. …, of number four, … Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.

    What surname and street name are missing from this opening line?

    Two

    Physicist Leonardo Vetra smelled burning flesh, and he knew it was his own.

    The above quote is the first line of what Dan Brown novel?

    Three

    Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically.

    The above quote opens a book written in the UK in 1928 but not published openly in that country until 1960. What book?

    Four

    The … were over.

    What flower completes this quote from the opening of Richard Adams’ novel, Watership Down?

    Five

    Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

    This is the first line of what novel and who wrote it?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Is that a Fact | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    Mark Antony.
    Image Wikipedia

    True of False: the character Mark Antony only appears in one of Shakespeare’s plays.

    Answer: False

    Mark Antony is in both Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.

    Two

    Mark Selby practicing.
    Image Wikipedia

    True or false: snooker was first played in Raffles Hotel, Singapore?

    Answer: False

    Snooker originated in various officers’ mess of the British Army in India during the British Raj in the 1870s. It combined elements of pyramids and black pool, and the first set of rules was finalised in 1882 by Neville Chamberlain.

    Three

    Solenodon.
    Image Wikipedia

    True or False: There are no mammals which produce venom.

    Answer: False

    Venomous mammals include several species of shrew, the solenodon, pictured, and the male duck-billed platypus.

    Four

    Arctic Circle.
    Image Wikipedia

    True or false: The Arctic Circle passes through eight countries.

    Answer: True

    The Arctic Circle passes through these eight countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and the United States (Alaska).

    Five

    Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
    Image Wikipedia

    True or false: a group of two or three sharks, whether all male or all female, is called a shiver.

    Answer: True

    Another type of gathering is called a shiver. A shiver of sharks refers to smaller groups, usually composed of only two or three individuals. It’s unclear why these small clusters form, but some believe they could be related to mating behavior. Unlike a school, a shiver of sharks is usually made up of only one gender – either all males or all females.
    – Shark Sider

  • Is that a Fact

    A compilation of factual and non-factual statements for your perusal. Simply decide if they are true or false.

    One

    Mark Antony.
    Image Wikipedia

    True or false: the character Mark Antony only appears in one of Shakespeare’s plays.

    Two

    True or false: snooker was first played in Raffles Hotel, Singapore.

    Three

    True or false: There are no mammals which produce venom.

    Four

    True or false: The Arctic Circle passes through eight countries.

    Five

    True or false: a group of two or three sharks, whether all male or all female, is called a shiver.

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • It Goes to Show | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

    One

    Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers and Clara Bow in Wings (1927).
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    The above picture is a still from the 1927 film Wings, the first to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It features Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers and an actress known as the ‘It’ girl. Can you identify who this actress, born 29 July 1905, is?

    Answer: Clara Bow

    Clara Bow, known as ‘The It Girl’, was a prominent American actress during the silent film era and talkies. She retired from acting in 1933 after marrying and having two children.

    Two

    Culzean Castle.
    Image Daily Record

    Beginning the 25 July 2025, United States President Donald Trump stayed at his Turnberry Resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Interestingly, another US President was gifted an apartment in Culzean Castle, just a short drive from Turnberry. Who was this other president?

    Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower

    In 1945, the Marquess of Ailsa gifted Culzean Castle to the National Trust for Scotland, offering the top floor to General Eisenhower as a token of appreciation for his role in World War II. Eisenhower visited the castle four times, including once as President, and affectionately called it his ‘Scottish White House’.

    Dwight D. Eisenhower played Turnberry in 1959 while still president of the USA. Image BBC

    Three

    Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning STS-135, the final mission of the Space Shuttle program.
    Image NASA.

    On this day in 1958, NASA was established in the United States. What four words are represented by the letters in the NASA abbreviation?

    Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    In response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1, President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1958 to establish NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), separating the US military and civil spaceflight programmes. NASA, succeeding NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), has led most of America’s space exploration programmes, including the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle.

    Four

    The track of the Armada around Britain.
    Robert Adams, Augustine Rythe, 1590.
    Image National Maritime Museum, London/Wikipedia

    On July 29, 1588, the Spanish Armada was sighted off the southern coast of England. Which Spanish monarch dispatched the fleet, and the overthrow of what English monarch was the objective of the Spanish invasion?

    Answer: King Philip II (of Spain) and Queen Elizabeth I (of England)

    The Spanish Armada, sent by King Philip II in 1588 to invade England and reinstate Catholicism, was commanded by Alonso de Guzmán and sailed from Lisbon. Despite reaching Calais, the Armada was defeated by the English fleet, which relied on artillery and faster ships. The Armada suffered losses from fire ships and the Battle of Gravelines, forcing it to retreat around Scotland and Ireland. The long and treacherous voyage back to Spain resulted in the loss of most of the Armada, with only 60 ships returning.

    Five

    Gandalf proves that Frodo’s Ring is the One Ring by throwing it into Frodo’s fireplace, revealing the hidden text of the Rhyme of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring.
    Image Wikipedia

    On 29 July, the first part of J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings was published. In which decade did this occur?

    ANSWER: 1950s (1954)

    The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, set in Middle-earth. The story follows the quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron, uniting a diverse group of characters including hobbits, a wizard, men, an elf, and a dwarf. The work, initially published in three volumes between 29 July 1954 and 20 October 1955, has become a literary classic, influencing the fantasy genre and inspiring numerous adaptations.

  • It Goes to Show

    Today’s questions have a link to the 29 July.

    One

    Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers and ? in Wings (1927).
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    The above picture is a still from the 1927 film Wings, the first to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It features Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers and an actress known as the ‘It’ girl. Can you identify who this actress, born 29 July 1905, is?

    Two

    Beginning the 25 July 2025, United States President Donald Trump stayed at his Turnberry Resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Interestingly, another US President was gifted an apartment in Culzean Castle, just a short drive from Turnberry. Who was this other president?

    Three

    On this day in 1958, NASA was established in the United States. What four words are represented by the letters in the NASA abbreviation?

    Four

    On July 29, 1588, the Spanish Armada was sighted off the southern coast of England. Which Spanish monarch dispatched the fleet, and the overthrow of what English monarch was the objective of the Spanish invasion?

    Five

    On 29 July, the first part of J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings was published. In which decade did this occur?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived. | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    18the Duke of Norfolk wearing parliamentary robes as Earl Marshal in 2022.
    Image Wikipedia

    Which English Duke, the hereditary Earl Marshal, was responsible for arranging Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral and the accession and coronation of King Charles III?

    Answer: (Duke of) Norfolk

    Edward William Fitzalan-Howard’s family connection to the Royal Family is long, with the 3rd Duke of Norfolk being the uncle of both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the second and fifth wives respectively of Henry VII.

    Two

    Jennyanydots, Cats.
    Image alchetron.com

    Jennyanydots features in what musical?

    Answer: Cats

    Jennyanydots, originally a character from T.S Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, later became a character in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats. While she appears lazy during the day, she becomes active at night, ruling mice and cockroaches. In the musical, she leads a tap dancing routine.

    Three

    Mr Incredible and Elastigirl.
    Image Screenrant

    Bob and Helen Parr are a superhero couple known as…

    Answer: Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl

    Parr was the surname of Catherine, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.
    The Incredibles is a 2004 Pixar film about a superhero couple, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, who hide their powers to live a quiet suburban life. However, Mr. Incredible’s desire to help people draws the entire family into a confrontation with a vengeful fan. The film received widespread acclaim for its animation, screenplay, and voice acting.

    Four

    Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, 1977 Open Championship, Turnberry.
    Image tomwatson.com

    The 1977 Open Championship, famously remembered for the ‘Duel in the Sun’ between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, was held at which Open Championship venue?

    Answer: Turnberry

    The 1977 Open Championship, held at Turnberry, Scotland, was won by Tom Watson by one stroke over Jack Nicklaus. The two golfers, who played together in the final two rounds, separated themselves from the field, leading to the championship being remembered as the ‘Duel in the Sun’.

    Five

    Solitaire (Jane Seymour), Live and Let Die, 1973.
    Image Screenrant

    Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg’s stage name is the same as one of Henry VIII’s wives. In 1973, she played a Bond girl in Live and Let Die. What is her stage name, and what character did she portray in this film?

    Answer: Jane Seymour and Solitaire

    Jane Seymour was also the name of the third wife of Henry VIII,
    Jane Seymour, born Joyce Frankenberg, is a British actress known for roles in film and television, including The Onedin Line and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She has received numerous awards and nominations, including Golden Globes and Emmys, for her performances. Seymour is also a philanthropist, author and designer.

  • Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived.

    Portrait of a Lady, perhaps Katherine Howard (1520-1542) c. 1540 Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/8-1543) Image Royal collection Trust

    On 28 July 1540 King Henry VIII of England privately married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. A few of today’s questions are tenuously linked to this and two are not.

    One

    Which English Duke, the hereditary Earl Marshal, was responsible for arranging Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral and the accession and coronation of King Charles III?

    Two

    Jennyanydots features in what musical?

    Three

    Bob and Helen Parr are a superhero couple known as…

    Four

    The 1977 Open Championship, famously remembered for the ‘Duel in the Sun’ between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, was held at which Open Championship venue?

    Five

    Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg’s stage name is the same as one of Henry VIII’s wives. In 1973, she played a Bond girl in Live and Let Die. What is her stage name, and what character did she portray in this film?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • I Hope Someday You’ll Join Us | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

    Born in London Bob Hope’s family emigrated to the United States two months before his fifth birthday. Hope was an American comedian, actor and entertainer with a nearly 80-year career spanning vaudeville, radio, television and USO Tours. He starred in over 50 films, including the Road to … series with Bing Crosby, and hosted the Academy Awards a record 19 times. Hope retired in 1999 and died in 2003 at the age of 100.

    One

    Entertainers Bob Hope and Ann Jillian perform for military personnel at the USO Christmas Tour during Operation Desert Shield.
    Image Wikipedia

    In the 1995 Bob Hope Classic pro-am golf tournament, three United States presidents participated in a team with Bob Hope and professional golfer Scott Hoch. Who were the three presidents who were involved in this event?

    Answer: Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford

    This event marked the first time a sitting president – Clinton – had played during a PGA Tour event and perhaps the first time three presidents had ever played together.
    The Bob Hope Classic, with its long history and association with golf in the Coachella Valley, has featured celebrities like Frank Sinatra and US presidents Eisenhower, Ford, Bush and Clinton. The tournament’s legacy, including Hope’s name, ensures continued charitable donations.

    Two

    Mars taken by Hope. Image Wikipedia

    Which nation launched the Hope probe, an unmanned space exploration probe, on a mission to Mars in 2020?

    Answer: United Arab Emirates

    The Emirates Mars Mission, led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, successfully sent the Hope probe to Mars in 2021. The mission, involving 200 Emirati scientists and engineers, studies Mars’ weather cycles and atmospheric loss, contributing to the UAE’s knowledge-based economy. The UAE became the first Arab country and fifth country to reach Mars.

    Three

    Len Deighton.
    Image spyscape.com

    Hope (1995), a novel in the Faith, Hope and Charity trilogy, is written by whom?

    Answer: Len Deighton

    Bernard Samson, a middle-aged SIS officer, is the central character in Len Deighton’s three trilogies. The plot revolves around his wife Fiona’s defection to East Germany, leaving Bernard to question her loyalty and his own. The first trilogy comprises the books Berlin Game, Mexico Set and London Match. The second trilogy comprises Spy Hook, Spy Line and Spy Sinker. The third and final trilogy comprises Faith, Hope and Charity.

    Four

    1960 Hopestar SM.
    Image Wikipedia

    In which country was the company that began manufacturing the pictured vehicle in 1952 based?

    Answer: Japan

    In 1952 the Hope Jidosha Company in Tokyo (Japan) built a 3-wheeler that had a 7cwt carrying capacity. The vehicle was powered by a 350cc twin-piston 2 stroke engine that provided power to the rear wheels. The Hope Star came with a number of body variations and the company also produced 4-wheeler trucks up until 1962.

    Five

    John Lennon, 1974.
    Image Wikipedia

    You may say I’m a dreamer
    But I’m not the only one
    I hope someday you’ll join us
    And the world will live as one

    The word ‘hope’ appears in this final verse of a 1971 song. Can you identify the song and the singer-songwriter?

    Answer: Imagine – John Lennon

    Imagine, a song by John Lennon, encourages listeners to imagine a world of peace without materialism, borders or religion. The song, co-produced by Lennon, Yoko Ono and Phil Spector, has been widely praised and covered by over 200 artists. It remains controversial due to its lyrics, particularly the lyric ‘no religion too’.

    Imagine

    (from Imagine: John Lennon soundtrack)

    Imagine there’s no heaven
    It’s easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky
    Imagine all the people
    Living for today… Aha-ah…

    Imagine there’s no countries
    It isn’t hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion, too
    Imagine all the people
    Living life in peace… You…

    You may say I’m a dreamer
    But I’m not the only one
    I hope someday you’ll join us
    And the world will be as one

    Imagine no possessions
    I wonder if you can
    No need for greed or hunger
    A brotherhood of man
    Imagine all the people
    Sharing all the world… You…

    You may say I’m a dreamer
    But I’m not the only one
    I hope someday you’ll join us
    And the world will live as one

    – AZ Lyrics

  • I Hope Someday You’ll Join Us

    British-born comic, actor, and entertainer Bob Hope passed away on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100. All today’s questions relate to the word or name ‘Hope’

    Bob Hope putting in Oval Office watched by US President Richard Nixon.
    Image Die Welt

    One

    In the 1995 Bob Hope Classic pro-am golf tournament, three United States presidents participated in a team with Bob Hope and professional golfer Scott Hoch. Who were the three presidents who were involved in this event?

    Two

    Which nation launched the Hope probe, an unmanned space exploration probe, on a mission to Mars in 2020?

    Three

    Hope (1995), a novel in the Faith, Hope and Charity trilogy, is written by whom?

    Four

    1960 Hopestar SM.
    Image Wikipedia

    In which country was the company that began manufacturing the pictured vehicle in 1952 based?

    Five

    You may say I’m a dreamer
    But I’m not the only one
    I hope someday you’ll join us
    And the world will live as one

    The word ‘hope’ appears in this final verse of a 1971 song. Can you identify the song and the singer-songwriter?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.