Quizology.Online

Tag: Europe

  • Randomness — Answers

    Here’s the answers to my earlier questions.

    Elvis at Prestwick Airport, 3 March 1960. See question four.
    Image Daily Record.


    No date-related theme today, just five very random questions for you to ponder.

    One

    Johann Ludwig Burckhardt is best known for rediscovering two of the world’s best-known examples of rock-cut architecture in Jordan in 1812 and Egypt the following year. What are these examples of rock-cut architecture?

    Answers: Petra and Abu Simbel.

    Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (1784 – 1817) was a Swiss traveller, geographer and Orientalist. During his travels in Arabia, he adopted the alias Sheikh Ibrahim Ibn Abdallah and wrote his letters in French, signing them Louis. He is best known for rediscovering two of the world’s most famous examples of rock-cut architecture: the ruins of Petra, an ancient Nabataean city in Jordan, and the temples of Abu Simbel in Egypt. Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when Burckhardt rediscovered it. The Great Temple at Abu Simbel remained unknown to Europeans until March 1813, when Burckhardt found the small temple and top frieze of the main temple.

    Two

    ‘I can resist everything except temptation’ is a line from what play and who wrote it?

    Answer: Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Play About a Good Woman by Oscar Wilde.

    Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Play About a Good Woman is a four-act comedy by Oscar Wilde, debuting on 20 February 1892 at London’s St James’s Theatre. Lady Windermere suspects her husband of infidelity and plans to leave him for Lord Darlington. Mrs. Erlynne, the other woman, intervenes, revealing herself as Lady Windermere’s mother. She sacrifices her reputation to save the marriage, allowing Lady Windermere to return to her husband unnoticed.

    Three

    What religious organisation was founded by Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Alba?

    Answer: Opus Dei.

    Opus Dei, founded in 1928 by Josemaría Escrivá, is a Catholic Church personal prelature promoting holiness through daily life. Approved by the Holy See in 1950 and affirmed in 1982, it faces controversy over abuse allegations. Members, mostly laypeople, engage in secular careers and spiritual training globally.

    Four

    Elvis Presley and the beginnings of Open Golf are both linked to what town?

    Answer: Prestwick.

    Prestwick, a town in South Ayrshire on Scotland’s west coast, is approximately 30 miles (50 kilometres) southwest of Glasgow. The Prestwick Old Course hosted the inaugural Open Golf Championship in 1860 and was the venue for the first twelve Open Championships from 1860 to 1872, although the event did not take place in 1871. During World War II, the US Army Air Corps set up and maintained a base at the airport. Elvis Presley made his only visit to the UK on 3 March 1960 when his US Army transport aircraft stopped at the airport for refuelling en route from Germany.

    Five

    Who in 1762 succeeded Peter III, Emperor of Russia, and what relationship was the successor to Peter?

    Answers: Catherine II (the Great); his wife.

    Peter III, Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762, was overthrown by his wife, Catherine the Great. Despite implementing notable reforms, he is criticised for his alliance with Prussia.
    On 28 June 1762, Catherine was proclaimed heir to the Russian throne. Peter attempted to flee to Kronstadt but was repelled by the fleet’s cannons. The people of St. Petersburg armed themselves against him. After losing support from the Senate, army, and fleet, Peter was arrested and abdicated on 9 July. He was transported to Ropsha, where he died under mysterious circumstances. Officially, he died from haemorrhoidal colic and a stroke, but assassination is suspected. Some accounts suggest suffocation attempts followed by strangulation. He was buried on 3 August 1762 in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, Saint Petersburg.

  • Randomness

    Elvis, see question four.
    Image Daily Record.


    No date-related theme today, just five very random questions for you to ponder.

    One

    Johann Ludwig Burckhardt is best known for rediscovering two of the world’s best-known examples of rock-cut architecture in Jordan in 1812 and Egypt the following year. What are these examples of rock-cut architecture?

    Two

    ‘I can resist everything except temptation’ is a line from what play and who wrote it?

    Three

    What religious organisation was founded by Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Alba?

    Four

    Elvis Presley and the beginnings of Open Golf are both linked to what town?

    Five

    Who in 1762 succeeded Peter III, Emperor of Russia, and what relationship was the successor to Peter?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • My Way — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    The Declaration of Arbroath.
    The ‘Tyninghame’ copy
    National Library of Scotland
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question concerns a national declaration and is linked to today’s date, April 6th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the declaration theme with some slightly more modern examples.

    One

    On this day in 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. It declared and asserted the independence of which nation? 

    Answer: Scotland.

    The Declaration of Arbroath, written in 1320 by Scottish barons and addressed to Pope John XXII, asserted Scotland’s independence and right to self-defence against English subjugation. Believed to have been written by Bernard of Kilwinning, it was sealed by fifty-one magnates and nobles and remained largely unknown until the late 17th century when it was printed and translated into English. The Declaration strengthened Robert the Bruce’s position, and although he secured independence through the Treaty of Northampton in 1328, his successor faced the same struggle.

    Two

    In 1918, Estonia declared independence after the collapse of one empire and before a second invasion. Which empires were they?

    Answer: Russian Empire and German Empire.

    Following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, Estonia declared independence on 24 February 1918, forming the Estonian Provisional Government. German occupation followed, but they relinquished power to the Estonian government on 19 November 1918 after their surrender at the end of the First World War.

    Three

    A 1965 Declaration of Independence, which was the first unilateral break from the United Kingdom by one of its colonies since the United States in 1776, was made by what colony? Secondly, what is that former colony now known as?

    Answer: Rhodesia; Zimbabwe.

    Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, a move by the white minority government to break away from British rule, was deemed illegal by the UK, Commonwealth, and UN. This led to international isolation and economic sanctions, with Rhodesia receiving support from South Africa and Portugal. The conflict escalated into the Rhodesian Bush War, ultimately leading to the country’s reconstitution as Zimbabwe in 1980.

    Four

    In 1822 and in 1877, Greece and Romania both declared their independence from the same empire. What was that empire? 

    Answer: Ottoman Empire.

    Greek merchants, inspired by the Modern Greek Enlightenment, promoted Greek nationalism, leading to the Greek War of Independence with the Ottomans. With assistance from France, Russian Empire and the United Kingdom, the Greeks gained control of Central Greece, resulting in the recognition of the Greek state in 1830. Meanwhile, Romania achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78) by signing a treaty with Russia and joining the Russian Army in the fight against the Ottomans.

    Five

    In 1918, Czechoslovakia declared independence form what empire? 

    Answer: Austro-Hungarian Empire.

    The Czechoslovak Declaration of Independence published on 18 October 1918, declared the independence of the Czechoslovak Nation from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This empire had encompassed the Czech and Slovak lands for nearly four centuries and its downfall followed World War I.

  • My Way

    The Declaration of Arbroath.
    The ‘Tyninghame’ copy
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question concerns a national declaration and is linked to today’s date, April 6th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the declaration theme with some slightly more modern examples.

    One

    On this day in 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. It declared and asserted the independence of which nation? 

    Two

    In 1918, Estonia declared independence after the collapse of one empire and before a second invasion. Which empires were they?

    Three

    A 1965 Declaration of Independence, which was the first unilateral break from the United Kingdom by one of its colonies since the United States in 1776, was made by what colony? Secondly, what is that former colony now known as?

    Four

    In 1822 and in 1877, Greece and Romania both declared their independence from the same empire. What was that empire? 

    Five

    In 1918, Czechoslovakia declared independence form what empire? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Islands in the Stream — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    See question three. Aerial view of the New York City metropolitan area.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question concerns an island and is linked to today’s date, April 5th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the island theme including a wee bonus at the end.

    One

    On 5 April 1946, Soviet military forces ended their year-long occupation of what island in the Baltic Sea?

    Answer: Bornholm, Denmark.

    On 9 May 1945, Soviet forces captured Bornholm after German commander Gerhard von Kamptz refused to surrender, preferring the Western Allies. Soviet air raids destroyed over 800 houses and killed 10 civilians. The Soviet Union occupied Bornholm for 11 months post-World War II, despite its location east of the agreed East-West dividing line. Initially seen as a bargaining chip for Soviet influence in Denmark, the occupation aimed to secure Western goodwill and focus resources on the war with Japan and Eastern Europe’s reconstruction. The Soviets withdrew on 5 April 1946, reinforcing Denmark’s alignment with the west.

    Not date related anymore but continuing the island theme.

    Two

    Of what island nation is Antananarivo the capital city?

    Answer: Madagascar.

    Madagascar, the fourth largest island, is situated off the southeastern coast of Africa. Although close to Africa, its population, language, and culture are more akin to Indonesia, while its unique wildlife and vegetation differ significantly from the continent. As an island nation in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is celebrated for its unique biodiversity due to its long isolation. It gained independence from France in 1960 but has since faced political instability, transitioning through four republics. Despite economic growth, Madagascar remains a least-developed country with notable income disparities and a low quality of life for many.

    New York City’s Five Boroughs: 1. Manhattan; 2. Brooklyn; 3. Queens; 4. The Bronx and 5. Staten Island. JFK and La Guardia Airports are shown (brown) in lower and upper Queens.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Three

    Brooklyn and Queens, two of New York’s five boroughs, are mainly located on what island? 

    Answer: Long Island.

    Brooklyn and Queens are both at the western end of Long Island. The Bronx is the only borough mostly on the mainland. The remaining boroughs are Manhattan, chiefly on Manhattan Island, and Staten Island.

    Four

    What two distinct islands are home to the Althing and the Tynwald, the oldest legislatures in the world?

    Answers: Iceland; Isle of Man.

    Guinness World Records describe the Althing and the Tynwald thus…

    The oldest recorded legislative body is the Icelandic Althing, founded in AD930. This body, which originally comprised 39 local chieftains at Thingvellir, was abolished in 1800 but restored by Denmark to a consultative status in 1843 and a legislative status in 1874. It is often cited as the oldest existing parliament. However, the legislative assembly with the oldest continuous history is the Isle of Man Tynwald, which may have its origins in the late ninth century and hence possibly pre-date the Althing.
    — Guinness World Records

    Sculptures cut from volcanic rock, Easter Island.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Five

    On what island are these sculptures located?

    Answer: Easter Island.

    Easter Island, a special territory of Chile in the eastern Pacific Ocean, is renowned for its nearly 1,000 moai statues created by the early Rapa Nui people. Originally called Rapa Nui, the island has a mixed population predominantly of Polynesian descent. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park.

    Islands in the Stream

    Today’s post title managed to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 as well as several other national charts in 1983-84. What performer(s) achieved this success, and who wrote the song?

    Answer: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton; (songwriters were) Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.

    Islands in the Stream, a Bee Gees song recorded by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Country and Adult Contemporary charts. It was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.

  • Islands in the Stream

    See question three. Aerial view of the New York City metropolitan area.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question concerns an island and is linked to today’s date, April 5th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the island theme including a wee bonus at the end.

    One

    On 5 April 1946, Soviet military forces ended their year-long occupation of what island in the Baltic Sea?

    Not date related anymore but continuing the island theme.

    Two

    Of what island nation is Antananarivo the capital city?

    Three

    Brooklyn and Queens, two of New York’s five boroughs, are mainly located on what island? 

    Four

    What two distinct islands are home to the Althing and the Tynwald, the oldest legislatures in the world?

    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Five

    On what island are these sculptures located?

    Islands in the Stream

    Today’s post title managed to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 as well as several other national charts in 1983-84. What performer(s) achieved this success, and who wrote the song?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Last Six: From Uniform to Zulu — Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Kublai Khan, a posthumous painting executed shortly after his death in February of 1294.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Finishing the alphabetical theme with the remaining letters, so six questions today with answers beginning with the letters from U to Z, with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order. If a question has more than one part it is only the first that conforms to the theme.

    One

    What word links Shangdu, which was ruled by Kublai Khan and is mentioned in the first line of a Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem, with the title track of a 1980 musical of the same name? 

    Answer: Xanadu.

    Shangdu, the summer capital of Yuan dynasty ruled by Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan.
    A metaphor for opulence or an idyllic place, based upon Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s description of Shangdu in his 1816 poem Kubla Khan. Xanadu is the title song from the soundtrack of the 1980 musical film of the same name. Written by Jeff Lynne of the English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the song is performed by British-Australian singer, songwriter and actress Olivia Newton John.

    Two

    What professional golfer won the U.S. Masters tournament in 2007, and 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews?

    Answer: Zach Johnson.

    Zachary Harris Johnson, an American professional golfer, has won 12 PGA Tour events, including two majors. He captained the unsuccessful U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2023.

    Three

    1. The Macallan, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig are three examples of what product from the United Kingdom?
    2. The last two mentioned, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig, both come from what region which is well known for this product?

    Answers

    1. Whisky.
    2. Island of Islay.

    Scotch whisky, first mentioned in 1494, was originally made from malted barley. Single malt Scotch whisky, which the three examples mentioned are, must be distilled in one distillery using only water and malted barley. By 2024, Scotland boasted 151 distilleries, solidifying its reputation for this renowned spirit.

    Four

    Which name connects a character from a Charles Dickens’ 1850 novel to the 1972 studio album The Magician’s Birthday?

    Answer: Uriah Heap.

    Uriah Heep, a sycophantic character in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, manipulates his employer, Mr. Wickfield, into making him a partner. He later faces exposure for his frauds and is imprisoned for bank fraud. Named after the Dickens’ character Uriah Heep, an English rock band formed in 1969, pioneered hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide, they are known for hits like Lady in Black and maintain a strong following in Europe and Asia.

    Five

    In what film does Tom Hanks play Joe Fox?

    Answer: You’ve Got Mail.

    You’ve Got Mail is a 1998 romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, directed by Nora Ephron. The film, inspired by a Hungarian play, tells the story of two online romantics who are business rivals.

    Six

    This small fully independent nation-state’s independence was recognised by the Lateran Treaty of 1929. Which nation is it?

    Answer: Vatican City.

    Vatican City, the smallest independent nation-state, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. It has its own infrastructure and diplomatic relations, with a population of around 882 people.

  • The Last Six: From Uniform to Zulu

    Kublai Khan, a posthumous painting executed shortly after his death in February of 1294.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Finishing the alphabetical theme with the remaining letters, so six questions today with answers beginning with the letters from U to Z, with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order. If a question has more than one part it is only the first that conforms to the theme.

    One

    What word links Shangdu, which was ruled by Kublai Khan and is mentioned in the first line of a Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem, with the title track of a 1980 musical of the same name? 

    Two

    What professional golfer won the U.S. Masters tournament in 2007, and 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews?

    Three

    1. The Macallan, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig are three examples of what product from the United Kingdom?
    2. The last two mentioned, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig, both come from what region, an island which is well known for this product?

    Four

    Which name connects a character from a Charles Dickens’ 1850 novel to the 1972 studio album The Magician’s Birthday?

    Five

    In what film does Tom Hanks play Joe Fox?

    Six

    This small fully independent nation-state’s independence was recognised by the Lateran Treaty of 1929. Which nation is it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • It’s a Knockout — Answers

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

    See if you can KO these five questions with the answers beginning with the letters from K to O, with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order.

    Para-dummies.
    Image Warfare History Network

    One

    Para-dummies, pictured above, were a deception device used in World War II. British troops nicknamed them Rupert; what name did the Americans give them? 

    Answer: Oscar.

    These para-dummies, first used in World War II, served as military deception devices to imitate paratroop drops, causing the enemy to shift forces or fires unnecessarily or to lure them into ambushes. The dolls were nicknamed Rupert by British troops and Oscar by American troops. Made of burlap and filled with straw or green waste, these immobile dummies were about 85 cm tall, smaller than a person. However, during twilight, they were difficult to distinguish from real parachutists. To further confuse defenders, the dummies contained explosives that detonated on impact, and real parachutists would hang motionless from their parachutes, mimicking the appearance of real jumpers or fallen. 

    Two

    In 2023, what is the official currency of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands? 

    Answer: Krone.

    Denmark has kept the krone (DKK) instead of adopting the euro, despite meeting the economic convergence criteria and following EU policies. A referendum in September 2000 rejected the euro, and public opinion has consistently been against its adoption. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are autonomous territories of Denmark. 

    Three

    What interplanetary space probe launched in 2006 became, in 2015, the first to perform a flyby study of Pluto? 

    Answer: New Horizons.

    New Horizons, a NASA space probe launched in 2006, conducted a flyby study of the Pluto system in 2015, becoming the first spacecraft to do so. It then flew into and is currently travelling through the Kuiper Belt, which it is expected to exit between 2028 and 2029.

    Four

    The Galaxy referred to in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is which one?

    Answer: Milky Way

    The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams, follows Arthur Dent’s adventures across the galaxy after Earth’s destruction. The franchise includes radio, novels, comics, TV, games, stage shows, and film.

    Five

    Known as the Pineapple Island, what is the sixth-largest island in the U.S. state of Hawaii?

    Answer: Lānaʻi

    Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest Hawaiian island, is known as the Pineapple Island due to its past pineapple plantations. Lānaʻi has a population of 3,367 and is accessible only by dirt roads requiring four-wheel drive. There is one school, Lānaʻi High and Elementary School, one hospital, Lanai Community Hospital, and a community health centre providing primary care. Two per cent of the island is owned by the state or private entities, with the remaining 98% owned by Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of software company Oracle Corporation. 

    Post Title

    It’s a Knockout

    Today’s questions have answers in the range K to O and KO is an accepted abbreviation for Knockout.

  • It’s a Knockout

    See if you can KO these five questions with the answers beginning with the letters from K to O, with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order.

    Para-dummies.
    Image Warfare History Network

    One

    Para-dummies, pictured above, were a deception device used in World War II. British troops nicknamed them Rupert; what name did the Americans give them? 

    Two

    In 2023, what is the official currency of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands? 

    Three

    What interplanetary space probe launched in 2006 became, in 2015, the first to perform a flyby study of Pluto? 

    Four

    The Galaxy referred to in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is which one?

    Five

    Known as the Pineapple Island, what is the sixth-largest island in the U.S. state of Hawaii?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.