Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: fantasy

  • There and Back Again — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    The Inklings met at The Eagle and Child Pub.
    Image Pinterest

    The first of today’s questions relates to the date, 21 September. The remainder are not date related but follow a fantasy theme?

    One

    An English academic, a member of the Inklings, an informal literary group, published a critically acclaimed, best-selling children’s fantasy novel on this day in 1937? What author and what book?

    Answer: J.R.R. Tolkien; The Hobbit.

    J.R.R. Tolkien created a detailed ‘legendarium’, which later became The Silmarillion, partly to provide a backdrop for his invented Elvish languages. To entertain his children, he wrote The Hobbit (1937), a lighter story that became so popular his publisher requested a sequel. This led to The Lord of the Rings (1954–55), a modern heroic epic that expanded on the world of The Hobbit and connected deeply with the established history of his earlier tales.

    Two

    What Star Wars character was from the planet Kashyyyk, and what character originally played the role?

    Answer: Chewbacca.

    Chewbacca, or ‘Chewie’, is a tall, hairy Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk and a key character in the Star Wars franchise. Known for carrying a bowcaster and speaking Shyriiwook, he is the loyal friend and co-pilot of Han Solo aboard the Millennium Falcon. The character was originally portrayed by Peter Mayhew and later by Joonas Suotamo.

    Three

    In a work of fantasy fiction Zem is described as ‘an affable, yet stupid, swamp-dwelling …’. What word completes the previous description, and from what work is it taken?

    Answers: Mattress; The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (or Life, the Universe and Everything).

    Zem is a friendly but dim-witted, swamp-dwelling mattress from the planet Sqornshellous Zeta. He spends his time trying to cheer up Marvin the Paranoid Android by repeating the same daily conversation. ‘Zem’ is actually the name given to all mattresses on his planet to minimise distress over their eventual fate of being dried and slept on. He appears in the novel Life, the Universe and Everything, the third novel in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and is the only witness to Marvin’s abduction by Krikkit war robots.

    Four

    Which Game of Thrones character is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark; and what was his birth name?

    Answers: Jon Snow; Aegon Targaryen.

    Born Aegon Targaryen to Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, Jon Snow grows up as Eddard Stark’s illegitimate son at Winterfell. After being chosen Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Jon is killed during a mutiny over the wildling settlement and later brought back by Melisandre.

    Five

    Which American sci-fi writer used the pseudonym Paul French for his Lucky Starr series; and by what name was ‘Lucky’ known as in the first novel?

    Answers: Isaac Asimov; David Starr.

    Isaac Asimov wrote the Lucky Starr series as Paul French. The first book was David Starr: Space Ranger; after which the character became Lucky Starr. Six books followed the first, but a seventh was abandoned. As the series progressed, Asimov began using his own name.

    There and Back Again

    The post title There and Back Again is the subtitle of The Hobbit. The Inklings referred to in question one met at The Eagle and Child Pub in Oxford, England. The pub is pictured at the top of the post.

  • There and Back Again

    The Inklings met here. See question one.
    Image Pinterest

    The first of today’s questions relates to the date, 21 September. The remainder are not date related but follow a fantasy theme?

    One

    An English academic, a member of the Inklings, an informal literary group, published a critically acclaimed, best-selling children’s fantasy novel on this day in 1937? What author and what book?

    Two

    What Star Wars character was from the planet Kashyyyk, and what character originally played the role?

    Three

    In a work of fantasy fiction Zem is described as ‘an affable, yet stupid, swamp-dwelling …’. What word completes the previous description, and from what work is it taken?

    Four

    Which Game of Thrones character is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark; and what was his birth name?

    Five

    Which American sci-fi writer used the pseudonym Paul French for his Lucky Starr series; and by what name was ‘Lucky’ known as in the first novel?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Sinners Are Much More Fun — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s title could be the antithesis to the answers.

    One

    What martyr, who lived circa AD 255 – c. AD 288, is the patron saint of archery?

    Answer: Sebastian.

    Sebastian, an early Christian martyr, survived arrow wounds after being tied to a post and shot with arrows during the Diocletianic Persecution. He was healed by Irene of Rome but then clubbed to death after warning Diocletian about his sins; he is venerated as the patron of athletics, archery and plagues.

    Two

    This fisherman is known by his first name; he is known by some the ‘First-called’; and his cross forms part of the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. Who is he?

    Answer: Andrew.

    Andrew the Apostle, a fisherman and one of the Twelve Apostles, is titled First-Called in Eastern Orthodox tradition for following Jesus and introducing Simon Peter; the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is his successor. He is the patron saint of Scotland hence his cross being included in the Union Flag.

    Three

    The third of the Weasley children, Percy, shares his middle name with the first name of a saint who founded the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1534. What is the name they have in common?

    Answer: Ignatius.

    In Harry Potter Percy Ignatius Weasley was the very serious brother of Fred, George, Ron and Ginny. Ignatius of Loyola, born in 1491, was a Basque Catholic saint and founder of the Society of Jesus. Ignatius founded the Jesuit order through vows in Paris and an organisation approved by Pope Paul III. Innovations included a black robe, centralised authority, long probation, obedience to the pope and flexibility for global ministries.

    Four

    An early saint from what is now modern Turkey who was known for genorosity and gift giving. He is amongst others the Patron Saint of Children. This line of poetry may help, ‘’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house’. Who is he?

    Answer: Nicholas.

    St Nicholas, a fourth-century figure from Myra, is a widely honoured minor saint linked to Christmas and patron of children and sailors; gifts are given on 6 December in many countries.

    Five

    Which saint shown above is portrayed as being in seventh heaven?

    Answer: Teresa.

    The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, completed in 1652 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the white marble altarpiece in Rome’s Cornaro Chapel, depicts Saint Teresa of Ávila swooning in ecstasy beneath an angel with a spear. Some scholars describe the work as showing Teresa in religious ecstasy; others suggest that the work carries sexual implications.

    The Sinners Are Much More Fun

    The is from Billy Joel’s Only The Good Die Young, here is the full verse which ends with it:

    And they say there’s a heaven for those who will wait

    And some say it’s better, but I say it ain’t

    I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints

    The sinners are much more fun

    The sinners are, according to Mr Joel, much more fun than the saints, and S A I N T singular is what should have been leading you today as the initial letters of the answers — Sebastian, Andrew, Ignatius, Nicholas and Teresa.

  • The Sinners Are Much More Fun

    The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s title could be the antithesis to the answers.

    One

    What martyr, who lived circa AD 255 – c. AD 288, is the patron saint of archery?

    Two

    This fisherman is known by his first name; he is known by some the ‘First-called’; and his cross forms part of the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. Who is he?

    Three

    The third of the Weasley children, Percy, shares his middle name with the first name of a saint who founded the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1534. What is the name they have in common?

    Four

    An early saint from what is now modern Turkey who was known for genorosity and gift giving. He is amongst others the Patron Saint of Children. This line of poetry may help, ‘’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house’. Who is he?

    Five

    Which saint shown above is portrayed as being in seventh heaven?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Seconds Out — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    See question three.
    Brünnhilde pleads with her sisters to rescue Sieglinde: (Arthur Rackham, 1910).
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are not date-related but do follow a theme mentioned in the title.

    One

    What is the title of the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novel?

    Answer: The Two Towers.

    Published in 1954, The Two Towers is the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Its title remains ambiguous, as five towers appear in the text. The narrative creates suspense through interwoven storylines. Critics have praised its epic and romantic qualities, and it became the basis for Peter Jackson’s 2002 film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

    Two

    When it is visible, it is the most brilliant planet in the sky.

    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    The above sentence is from an Encyclopædia Britannica article about a planet. What planet?

    Answer: Venus.

    Venus, second from the Sun and closest large body to Earth, appears near sunrise or sunset as the brightest planet. Although today named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, ancient records, which include Babylonian, Chinese, Central American, Egyptian, and Greek, show it was studied by multiple civilisations.

    Three

    The third drama conceived and written, yet the second opera in Wagner’s tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen. Which mythic creatures does this drama take its name from?

    Answer: Valkyries.

    Die Walküre, the second opera in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), premiered in Munich in June 1870 and as part of the cycle in 1876. Based on Norse mythology, it follows Volsung twins Sieglinde and Siegmund, whose love angers the gods. Brünnhilde defies them, saving Sieglinde and her unborn child.

    Four

    The … Revolution created the second independent country in the Americas after the United States became independent in 1783.

    — Office of Historian, U.S. Department of State

    An adjective has been omitted from the preceding quote; which nation does the term describe?

    Answer: Haiti.

    Haitian was removed from the quote. The Haitian Revolution established the second independent American nation after the U.S. in 1783. Haiti, formerly St. Domingue, was a profitable French colony reliant on slave labour. The French Revolution sparked a slave revolt in 1791, led by Toussaint L’Ouverture. U.S. leaders, many of whom were slaveowners, were ambivalent about the revolt. Initially, they aided its suppression but later supported L’Ouverture. Due to policy shifts and domestic issues, the U.S. didn’t recognise Haiti’s independence until 1862. Jefferson initially aided L’Ouverture but later isolated Haiti.

    Five

    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s second Sherlock Holmes novel involves the theft of the Agra treasure. What is the title of the novel?

    Answer: The Sign of the Four (aka The Sign of Four).

    The Sign of the Four is Arthur Conan Doyle’s second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes. In it, he investigates Mary Morstan’s case involving her missing father. Dr Watson, Holmes’ companion, marries Mary Morstan. Published in February 1890 it followed the first novel, A Study in Scarlet. 

  • Seconds Out

    See question three.
    Brünnhilde pleads with her sisters to rescue Sieglinde: (Arthur Rackham, 1910).
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are not date-related but do follow a theme mentioned in the title.

    One

    What is the title of the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novel?

    Two

    When it is visible, it is the most brilliant planet in the sky.

    The above sentence is from an Encyclopædia Britannica article about a planet. What planet?

    Three

    The third drama conceived and written, yet the second opera in Wagner’s tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen. Which mythic creatures does this drama take its name from?

    Four

    The … Revolution created the second independent country in the Americas after the United States became independent in 1783.

    An adjective has been omitted from the preceding quote; which nation does the term describe?

    Five

    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s second Sherlock Holmes novel involves the theft of the Agra treasure. What is the title of the novel?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Leading Lady — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Vigdís Finnbogadóttir President of Iceland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions are related to the date, 1 August.

    One

    In 1980, for the first time anywhere in the world, a woman was elected head of state in a national election. This election was the first of four terms in this role. Who is she, and of what country was she president?

    Answer: Vigdís Finnbogadóttir; Iceland.

    Vigdís Finnbogadóttir served as Iceland’s president from 1980 to 1996 and was the first woman globally elected head of state. After retiring from office Finnbogadóttir chaired the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology from 1997 to 2001 and became UNESCO’s goodwill ambassador for languages in 1998.

    Two

    In 1996, George R.R. Martin published the first volume of a book series. What is the book series called?

    Answer: A Song of Ice and Fire.

    George R.R. Martin, born in 1948, is an American fantasy writer known for his A Song of Ice and Fire series, adapted into Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. He began his career with short fiction and television writing before returning to novels.

    Three

    What Formula 1 driver, who suffered extensive burns in a severe accident in the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, returned to racing still heavily bandaged, having only missed two races?

    Answer: Niki Lauda

    Niki Lauda, after a near-fatal crash in 1976, won his second championship with Ferrari in 1977. He took a two-year hiatus before returning with McLaren, winning his third championship in 1984, and retiring in 1985.

    Four

    On this date, the Guam Organic Act was signed, officially establishing Guam as an organised unincorporated territory of the United States. Who was the U.S. president at the time? 

    Answer: Harry S. Truman.

    Guam, a territory since 1899, was acquired at the end of the Spanish-American War. It’s home to Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base. Organised under the Guam Organic Act of 1950, it granted U.S. citizenship to Guamanians and established a local government. The act was amended in 1968 to allow for the election of a governor.

    Five

    In 1620, Myles Standish, his wife Rose and others sailed from Delfshaven, Netherlands to England where they would join with the Mayflower to sail to America. What is the name of the ship on which Standish and his wife sailed from Delfshaven, and in what modern country is Delfshaven?

    Answer: Speedwell; Netherlands.

    On 1 August 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers left Delfshaven on the Speedwell. After delays due to leaks, they departed Southampton on 5 August with the Mayflower. The Speedwell was abandoned, and its passengers, including the Standishes, joined the Mayflower for the voyage to the New World.

  • Leading Lady

    See question one.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions are related to the date, 1 August.

    One

    In 1980, for the first time anywhere in the world, a woman was elected head of state in a national election. This election was the first of four terms in this role. Who is she, and of what country was she president?

    Two

    In 1996, George R.R. Martin published the first volume of a book series. What is the book series called?

    Three

    What Formula 1 driver, who suffered extensive burns in a severe accident in the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, returned to racing still heavily bandaged, having only missed two races?

    Four

    On this date, the Guam Organic Act was signed, officially establishing Guam as an organised unincorporated territory of the United States. Who was the U.S. president at the time? 

    Five

    In 1620, Myles Standish, his wife Rose and others sailed from Delfshaven, Netherlands to England where they would join with the Mayflower to sail to America. What is the name of the ship on which Standish and his wife sailed from Delfshaven, and in what modern country is Delfshaven?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • 42-0-20-(Z 16-102–8-15-39)-13 — Answers

    Here are today’s answers.

    George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four.
    Image Pinterest

    Today’s questions are not related to the date; instead, they share a theme linked to the title in a subtle or hidden manner.

    One

    ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha, an appreciation society and their publication Mostly Harmless is connected to what science fiction franchise?

    Answer: The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

    ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha organises gatherings and social events, produces the magazine Mostly Harmless and sells Beeblebears modelled on Zaphod Beeblebrox. It celebrates The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Douglas Adams’s works.

    Two

    What single word can mean nought, a strong-lined fabric, a quick immersion, a bivalve mollusc, a lowering of the head or a bird and in which sport did the meaning ‘nought’ originate?

    Answer: Duck: cricket.

    All of the above are from definitions of duck.

    • Nought: in cricket a batter’s score of zero. Origin mid 19th century: short for duck’s egg, used for the figure 0 because of its similar outline.
    • Fabric: a strong cotton or linen fabric. Origin mid 17th century: from Middle Dutch doek ‘linen, linen cloth’; related to German Tuch ‘cloth’.
    • Immersion: to dip under water. Origin Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to Dutch duiken and German tauchen ‘dive, dip, plunge’.
    • Mollusc: a pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America. Genus Anatina, family Mactridae.
    • Lowering head: lower the head or the body quickly. Origin Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to Dutch duiken and German tauchen ‘dive, dip, plunge’.
    • Bird: a waterbird with a broad blunt bill. Origin Old English duce, from the Germanic German tauchen ‘dive, dip, plunge’.

    Three

    Where is the mythical Snow Lion a celestial emblem?

    Answer: Tibet.

    The Snow Lion, Tibet’s celestial emblem, symbolises power, strength, fearlessness, joy, east, and earth. Featured on Tibet’s flag from 1916 to 1950, it remains used by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Depicted as white with a turquoise mane, it represents hermits and yogis, and is prominent in Tibetan culture.

    Four

    What character is named when symbols for sulphur, nobelium, oxygen, phosphorus and yttrium are placed together in order?

    Answer: Snoopy

    S-sulphur
    No-nobelium
    O-oxygen
    P-phosphorus
    Y-yttrium

    Five

    What are the three super-states in the novel Nineteen Eighty-four, and in which of these is London located?

    Answers: Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia; Oceania.

    In April 1984, Winston Smith lives in Airstrip One (previously Great Britain), a province of Oceania, under totalitarian rule by ‘the Party’ and Big Brother. The Party enforces conformity through surveillance and Thought Police, erasing dissenters as “unpersons”. Winston, an Outer Party member at the Ministry of Truth, secretly rebels against the regime.

    42-0-20-(Z 16-102–8-15-39)-13

    The numbers in the title offer clues, perhaps obscure, to each of the questions in the correct order. The information breaks down like this

    1. 42: In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.
    2. 0: A duck is 0 as explained above, see ‘Nought’ under the second answer.
    3. 20: The 20th letter of the alphabet ‘T’ is the initial to this answer.
    4. (Z 16-102–8-15-39): Z is the symbol for atomic numbers and 16 is the atomic number for sulphur, 102 is nobelium 8 is oxygen 15 is phosphorus and 39 is yttrium each of which make Snoopy.
    5. 13: : ‘It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.’ Thirteen concludes the opening line of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four.

  • 42-0-20-(Z 16-102–8-15-39)-13

    George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four.
    Image Pinterest

    Today’s questions are not related to the date; instead, they share a theme linked to the title in a subtle or hidden manner.

    One

    ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha, an appreciation society and their publication Mostly Harmless is connected to what science fiction franchise?

    Two

    What single word can mean nought, a strong-lined fabric, a quick immersion, a bivalve mollusc, a lowering of the head or a bird and in which sport did the meaning ‘nought’ originate?

    Three

    Where is the mythical Snow Lion a celestial emblem?

    Four

    What character is named when symbols for sulphur, nobelium, oxygen, phosphorus and yttrium are placed together in order?

    Five

    What are the three super-states in the novel Nineteen Eighty-four, and in which of these is London located?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.