Tag: asia

  • Meeting of the Waters—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.

    Meeting of the waters is the confluence
    between the dark Rio Negro (blackwater) and the pale sandy-coloured Amazon River (whitewater), referred to as the Solimões River in Brazil upriver of this confluence.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The confluence of what two rivers is shown in the above picture?

    Answer: Rio Negro and Amazon aka (Rio Solimões)

    The Meeting of Waters in Brazil is where the dark Rio Negro meets the pale, sediment-rich Rio Solimões (Amazon River) but flows side by side for kilometres without mixing due to differences in speed, temperature, and sediment content. The Rio Negro is slower, warmer, and almost sediment-free, while the Solimões is faster, cooler, and carries Andean sediments. This striking visual contrast continues for many kilometres before blending fully.


    Two

    Who composed the original Star Wars film score?

    Answer: John Williams.

    Williams’ iconic score, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, revitalized interest in grand orchestral film music and remains one of the most recognizable movie themes in history.


    Xi Jinping, President of China.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    Is it true that China’s President Xi Jinping spent part of his childhood living in a cave?

    Answer: True

    As of 2010, approximately 3 million people in China’s Shanxi province resided in yaodong, which are caves dug into soft yet insulating dirt. These caves are naturally cool in summer and warm in winter, making them an affordable housing option. China’s president, Xi Jinping, spent part of his childhood in a similar cave in a nearby province. In 1968, at the age of 15, Xi applied to leave Beijing for the countryside, influenced by Mao Zedong’s Down to the Countryside Movement. On 13 January 1969, he moved to Liangjiahe Village in Yan’an, Shaanxi. The rural conditions were challenging which fostered his connection with the rural poor. Initially unable to adapt, he attempted to return to Beijing but was arrested and sent to a work camp. Persuaded by his aunt and uncle, he returned to the village, where he served as the party secretary and lived in a cave house.

    Yaodong(earth shelter) covered in snow.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    What is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere?

    Answer: Nitrogen

    Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere. Despite being so common, most living organisms can’t use atmospheric nitrogen directly — it must first be made into usable forms by bacteria and plants.


    Five

    The novel Brave New World was written by whom?

    Answer: Aldous Huxley

    Published in 1932, Brave New World predicted technologies and societal trends — such as genetic engineering and consumerism — that became eerily relevant decades later.

  • Meating of the Waters

    Today’s questions are a random selection.

    Meeting of the waters, see question one.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The confluence of what two rivers is shown in the above picture?

    Two

    Who composed the original Star Wars film score?

    Three

    Is it true that China’s President Xi Jinping spent part of his childhood living in a cave?

    Four

    What is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere?

    Five

    The novel Brave New World was written by whom?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Nuclear Standoff—Answers

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

    John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) and Nikita Khrushchev (1894–1971) in Vienna, Austria in May 1961.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    President John F. Kennedy’s televised announcement on 22 October 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. What confrontation was it about?

    Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis

    President Kennedy, following advice from Dwight D. Eisenhower, announces that American reconnaissance aircraft have identified Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba and that he has ordered a naval ‘quarantine’ of the Communist country.


    Two

    Tsar Peter I proclaimed the Russian Empire. In which century was this?

    Answer: 18th (1721)

    > The title was transformed from the previous title of tsar and grand prince of all Russia. The old title tsar (or tsaritsa) continued to be popularly used to refer to the emperor (or empress) until the monarchy was abolished in 1917. — Wikipedia


    Three

    On 22 October 1964, a French writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, though it was subsequently declined. Who was the author?

    Answer: Jean-Paul Sartre

    Jean-Paul Sartre declined the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, citing his refusal to accept official honours and his belief that the prize favoured Westerners and Eastern rebels. The Swedish Academy acknowledged his decision but maintained the validity of the award.


    Emperor Naruhito, official portrait 2019.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Naruhito was officially enthroned as Japan’s 126th emperor on 22 October 2019. Earlier that year, he had ascended the Imperial Throne following the abdication of whom?

    Answer: Emperor Akihito


    Five

    Who became the first President of the Republic of Texas on 22 October 1836?

    Answer: Sam Houston

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Nuclear Standoff

    Here are five questions about historical events some connected to today, October 22nd.

    U.S. Pres. John F. Kennedy announcing on television the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba, October 22, 1962.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    President John F. Kennedy’s televised announcement on 22 October 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. What confrontation was it about?

    Two

    Tsar Peter I proclaimed the Russian Empire. In which century was this?

    Three

    On 22 October 1964, a French writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, though it was subsequently declined. Who was the author?

    Four

    Naruhito was officially enthroned as Japan’s 126th emperor on 22 October 2019. Earlier that year, he had ascended the Imperial Throne following the abdication of whom?

    Five

    Who became the first President of the Republic of Texas on 22 October 1836?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • What’s in a Name | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    George Wendt as Norm Peterson. Image Cheers Fandom

    One of the regular characters in the television series Cheers has the first name Hilary. Who is that?

    Answer: Norm (Hilary Norman Peterson)

    Norm Peterson, a regular at Cheers, is known for his witty remarks and love of beer. His enormous tab at the bar is a running gag, with jokes about its size and his occasional attempts to pay it off. Despite his unemployment, Norm remains the bar’s best customer, receiving a complimentary beer on his birthday.


    Two

    George Clinton, Fourth Vice-President of the United States,
    Portrait by Ezra Ames, 1814.
    Image Wikipedia

    Born on 26 July 1739, the fourth vice president of the United States and the first governor of New York was…

    Answer: George Clinton

    George Clinton was an American soldier, statesman and Democratic-Republican. He served as the fourth vice president, first governor of New York, and holds the record for the second-longest gubernatorial tenure in U.S. history. He was also the first vice-president to die in office, and the first of two to hold office under two consecutive presidents, Thomas Jefferson (1805–1809) and James Madison (1809–1812).


    Three

    Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
    Image Wikipedia

    Best known for an achievement with Norgay in 1953, he later became New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh, and Ambassador to Nepal. What is his first and last name, and where did the 1953 achievement take place?

    Answer: Edmund Hillary, Mount Everest

    Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer, who with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. He later served as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh and Ambassador to Nepal, and founded the Himalayan Trust to assist the Sherpa people.


    Four

    Clint Eastwood, 2010.
    Image Wikipedia

    Elected in 1986, this well-known entertainment figure served as the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, for a two-year term. Can you identify this individual?

    Answer: Clint Eastwood (Clinton Eastwood)

    Clint Eastwood is an American actor and film director known for his roles in Westerns and action films. He served as the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California from 1986 to 1988 and has received numerous awards, including four Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.


    Five

    Hilary Mantel, 2020.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    The author of the historical novel The Mirror & the Light, the concluding instalment in a trilogy and the author’s final novel published during their lifetime, is who?

    Answer: Hilary Mantel

    Hilary Mantel was a British writer known for historical fiction, personal memoirs, and short stories. She won the Booker Prize twice for the first and second novels in her Cromwell trilogy, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, and sold over 5 million copies.

  • Number soup | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.

    Aerial view of Iwo Jima, 2014.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. What number is represented by these Roman numerals: MCMLXXV?
      • 75
    2. The name of the Japanese Island Iwo Jima literally means …
      • Sulfur Island—Iwo Jima, a volcanic island in the Ogasawara Archipelago, is administered by Tokyo despite its 1,200 km distance. The island, known for its strategic importance during World War II, was the site of a pivotal battle and is now home to a Self-Defence Force base. Its area has increased due to ongoing volcanic activity.
        Cate Blanchett, 2024.
        Image Wikipedia
    3. Who is the only actress in Oscar history to be nominated twice for playing the same role in two films?
      • Cate Blanchett—was nominated twice for playing the same role in two films, namely Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).
        Khnum.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. The deity Khnum was originally associated with the…
      • Cataracts of the Nile—Khnum, an ancient Egyptian deity, was revered as the creator of human bodies and the life force. He was believed to shape them from clay on a potter’s wheel. Khnum’s worship spanned from the First Dynasty to the Greco-Roman period. He was typically depicted with ram horns, representing fertility and rebirth, and later evolved to feature the down-turned horns of Ammon.
        Gerhard Schroeder, 2005.
        Image Wikipedia
    5. In 2000, Angela Merkel succeeded who as Chancellor of of Germany?
      • Gerhard Schröder
        Angela Merkel won the CDU/CSU nomination to challenge Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in the 2005 federal elections. After a close election, Merkel formed a grand coalition with the SPD, becoming Chancellor on 22 November 2005, with a focus on reducing unemployment.

  • Number soup

    A five course cornucopia.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 2019.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. What number is represented by these Roman numerals: MCMLXXV?
      • 1565
      • 1975
      • 1885
    2. The name of the Japanese Island Iwo Jima literally means …
      • Seaweed Island
      • Spirit Island
      • Sulfur Island
    3. Who is the only actress in Oscar history to be nominated twice for playing the same role in two films?
      • Annette Bening
      • Anne Hathaway
      • Cate Blanchett
    4. The deity Khnum was originally associated with the…
        • Cataracts of the Nile
        • Confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates
        • Source of the Rhine
      • In 2000, Angela Merkel succeeded who as Chancellor of of Germany?
        • Christian Wulff
        • Helmut Kohl
        • Gerhard Schröder

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    5. Golden | Answers

      The Golden Girls.
      Image BBC

      The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

      1. The Golden Girls, which first aired in 1985, was set in which US city?
        • MiamiThe Golden Girls is an American sitcom about four older women sharing a home in Miami. The show aired on NBC for seven seasons, spanning 180 episodes receiving critical acclaim, winning multiple awards including Emmys and Golden Globes. The series ranked among the top ten in Nielsen ratings for six seasons and is still popular today.
          Goldeneye, Jamaica.
          Image Wikipedia
      2. English author Ian Fleming’s Caribbean estate was named…
        • Goldeneye—is the name of Ian Fleming’s estate in Jamaica, built in 1946 on a cliff overlooking a private beach. The estate, featuring a three-bedroom house and swimming pool, hosted celebrities and filmmakers. It is now a hotel and resort.
          Jack Nicklaus, Augusta National Golf Club, 2006.
          Image Wikipedia
      3. Who is the ‘Golden Bear’, a winner of over 70 events on the PGA Tour?
        • Jack Nicklaus—nicknamed “the Golden Bear”, is an American retired professional golfer and golf course designer. He won 117 professional tournaments, including a record 18 major championships, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Nicklaus also holds records for the most top three finishes in PGA Tour history and the most major tournament appearances.
          Golden Horn, Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara.
          Image Wikipedia
      4. What body of water do the Halic Bridge and Ataturk Bridge cross? (Two word answer)
        • Golden Horn—is an inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul near to where the Bosphorus meets the Sea of Marmara. A natural inlet the Golden Horn separates the old historic heart of Istanbul from the remainder of the city.
          William Wordsworth.
          Image National Trust/Wikipedia
      5. Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?
        • I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud—the full poem is shown below. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud is a popular lyric poem by William Wordsworth, inspired by a walk with his sister in 1802. First published in 1807 and revised in 1815 It is sometimes called Daffodils.Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?

      I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud

      By William Wordsmith

      I wandered lonely as a cloud
      That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
      When all at once I saw a crowd,
      A host, of golden daffodils;
      Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
      Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

      Continuous as the stars that shine
      And twinkle on the milky way,
      They stretched in never-ending line
      Along the margin of a bay:
      Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
      Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

      The waves beside them danced; but they
      Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
      A poet could not but be gay,
      In such a jocund company:
      I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
      What wealth the show to me had brought:

      For oft, when on my couch I lie
      In vacant or in pensive mood,
      They flash upon that inward eye
      Which is the bliss of solitude;
      And then my heart with pleasure fills,
      And dances with the daffodils
    6. Golden

      Today’s post, 6 June 2025, has a theme based on the post title. The word ‘golden’ is contained in either the question or the answer consequently, there is no multiple-choice.

      The Golden Girls.
      Image BBC
      1. The Golden Girls, which first aired in 1985, was set in which US city?
      2. English author Ian Fleming’s Caribbean estate was named…
      3. Who is the ‘Golden Bear’, a winner of over 70 events on the PGA Tour?
      4. What body of water do the Halic Bridge and Ataturk Bridge cross? (Two word answer)
      5. Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?
        When all at once I saw a crowd,
        A host, of golden daffodils;
        Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
        Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    7. Exploring history | Answers

      The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

      Sunset over the Strait of San Juan de Fuca, as seen from the town of Sekiu, Washington, USA.
      Image Wikipedia
      1. Manuel Quimper explored the Strait of Juan de Fuca on this day in 1790. What international boundary runs down the centre of the strait?
        • Canada and USA—The Strait of Juan de Fuca, named after Greek navigator Juan de Fuca, is the Salish Sea’s main outlet to the Pacific Ocean. Its existence was confirmed by Charles Barkley in 1787, though John Meares later attempted to claim credit. The strait was further explored between 1789 and 1791 by Spanish explorers including Manuel Quimper.
          HMS Warspite and Malaya on 31 May 1916 during the battle of Jutland.
          Image Wikipedia
      2. On this day in 1916, the largest naval battle of the First World War took place. What is it known as?
        • Battle of Jutland—The Battle of Jutland, known by the Germans as Skagerrakschlacht (Battle of the Skagerrak), fought between the British and German navies in 1916, was the largest naval battle of World War I. The outcome denied the German surface fleet access to the North Sea and Atlantic for the remainder of the war.
          Painting of the Pont Neuf project as approved by King Henry III in 1578. The bridge was completed in 1607 with a less ornate design.
          Image Wikipedia
      3. Today in 1578, France’s King Henry III laid the first stone for what is now Paris’s oldest bridge. What is its name?
        • Pont Neuf (New Bridge)—The Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, spans the Seine and connects the left and right banks to the Île de la Cité. It was named Pont Neuf, meaning New Bridge, to distinguish it from older bridges lined with houses.
          A Japanese Ko-hyoteki class midget submarine, believed to be the vessel known as Midget No. 14, is raised from the bed of Sydney Harbour. The night before the picture was taken, the submarine’s two crew members were part of a raid on shipping in Sydney Harbour. (Photo 1 June 1942)
          Image Wikipedia
      4. On this day in 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a series of attacks on Sydney, Australia. What was used to in these attacks?
        • Midget submarines—Between 31 May and 8 June 1942, three Japanese midget submarines launched a series of attacks on Sydney Harbour. Two submarines were detected and sunk, while the third sank a converted ferry, resulting in the loss of 21 sailors.
          Genghis Khan.
          Image Wikipedia
      5. On 31st May 1223, Genghis Khan’s armies emerged victorious at the Battle of the Kalka River. In which modern-day country was this battle fought?
        • Ukraine—The Battle of the Kalka River in 1223, on the Kalka River, in present-day Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, was a decisive Mongol victory against a coalition of Rus’ principalities and Cumans.