What geographic feature is the third word in the title of a 1973 work by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn?
See question two. William Blake: Christian Reading in His Book, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Image Wikimedia Commons
Two
In what century was The Pilgrim’s Progress first published?
Three
Digital Fortress (1998) and Deception Point (2001) were the first novels of an author better known for a series of books, some of which have been made into films, featuring an academic protagonist. Who is this author, who is the academic protagonist, what novel published in 2000 is the first in the series, and what, published in 2025, is the most recent?
Four
What author’s work includes a Mr. and Mrs. Maggot who live at Bamfurlong?
Five
HARI SELDON … born in the 11,988th year of the Galactic Era: died 12,069. The dates are more commonly given in terms of the current Foundational Era as -79 to the year 1 F.E.
The Psychohistorians, which is part I of a book published in 1951, opens its first chapter with the above quote. What is the title of the book, and who was its author?
Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.
Continuing the alphabetical theme with today’s questions having answers beginning with the letters from P to T, with each letter being used only once. Please note they are not in alphabetical order. If a question has more than one part it is only the first that conforms to the theme.
See question four. Muggle quidditch or quadball. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
In Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, by what twelve-letter word does Éowyn, a noblewoman of Rohan, describe herself?
Answer: Shieldmaiden
Éowyn, a noblewoman of Rohan and shieldmaiden, kills the Witch-King of Angmar in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, fulfilling a prophecy. Her brief courtship by Faramir is seen as influenced by Tolkien’s experience with war brides. In Nordic folklore and Norse mythology Shield-maidens are female warriors.
Two
What three words completes this sentence from Encyclopædia Britannica: ’At the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, around June 21, the Sun attains its greatest declination north and is directly over the …’
At what latitude does the above answer lie?
Answers
Tropic of Cancer.
23°26’
The Tropic of Cancer, the northernmost circle of latitude where the Sun can be seen directly overhead, is currently 23°26′09.2″ north of the Equator. Its position changes due to the tilt of Earth’s axis. The Tropic of Capricorn is its southern equivalent.
Three
Which fairy tale features a miller, his daughter, a king and the transformation of straw into gold?
Answer: Rumpelstiltskin.
Rumpelstiltskin, a gnomelike man, spins straw into gold for a miller’s daughter in exchange for her firstborn child. When the miller’s daughter, now the queen, begs for her child’s release from the bargain, he gives her three days to guess his name.
Four
In 2022, the sport formerly known as muggle quidditch changed its name to what?
Answer: Quadball.
Quadball, formerly known as muggle quidditch, is a team sport inspired by the Harry Potter series. Two teams of seven players compete to score points by passing a ball through hoops while defending their own.
Five
Cobblepot: does he live in a rookery?
Answer: Penguin.
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, a Gotham City criminal and Batman adversary, is known for his distinctive appearance and criminal activities centred around his nightclub, the Iceberg Lounge. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, he is one of Batman’s most enduring enemies and has been featured in various media adaptations. Penguin colonies are known as rookeries.
Posing Questions Referencing Selected Trivia
The post title is simply representing the five letters for today’s answers as I’m sure you all noticed.
Continuing the alphabetical theme with today’s questions having answers beginning with the letters from P to T, with each letter being used only once. Please note they are not in alphabetical order. If a question has more than one part it is only the first that conforms to the theme.
In Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, by what twelve-letter word does Éowyn, a noblewoman of Rohan, describe herself?
Two
What three words completes this sentence from Encyclopædia Britannica: ’At the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, around June 21, the Sun attains its greatest declination north and is directly over the …’
At what latitude does the above answer lie?
Three
Which fairy tale features a miller, his daughter, a king and the transformation of straw into gold?
Four
In 2022, the sport formerly known as muggle quidditch changed its name to what?
In 1721, a collection of six instrumental works—the composer’s own title was Six Concerts Avec plusieurs Instruments (Six Concertos With several Instruments)—were presented by Johann Sebastian Bach to Christian Ludwig, a marquess and younger brother of King Frederick I of Prussia. Using the above picture as a clue, by what name is this collection commonly known today?
Answer: Brandenburg Concertos
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, now his most popular work, were likely never performed during his lifetime. Bach sent the original manuscript to the Margrave (Marquess) of Brandenburg in 1721, possibly as a job application, but the Margrave never acknowledged the gift. The concertos were forgotten for over a century until they were rediscovered and published in the 19th century.
The male monarch pictured above succeeded the female one on her death in 1603.
Who is the queen?
Who was the king?
What was the familial relationship between them?
Answers
Queen Elizabeth I
King James VI and I
Cousins.
Queen Elizabeth I’s death in 1603 ended her reign of England and Ireland, leading to her cousin King James VI of Scotland’s succession as King of England and Ireland. Now both James VI and I, his reign saw the beginning of the Plantation of Ulster and English colonisation of the Americas.
Three
From Jules Verne’s novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Image Wikimedia CommonsFrom the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne Image Wikimedia Commons
The two illustrations above are from novels by an author, ‘the father of science fiction’, who died in 1905, aged 77. Since 1979, he has been the second most translated author.
Who was the author?
From what novel is the first illustration?
From what novel is the second illustration?
Answers
Jules Verne
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
From the Earth to the Moon
Jules Verne was a French novelist, poet, and playwright, best known for his adventure novels like Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Around the World in Eighty Days His work, often set in the 19th century, incorporated contemporary scientific knowledge and technological advances. Verne is considered an important author in Europe and has been the second most-translated author in the world since 1979.
Four
Harry Houdini, performing The Chinese Water Torture Cell. Image Wikimedia Commons
Erik Weisz, who was born in 1874, is pictured above during one of his acts, although he’s better known by his stage name.
In what European city was he born?
Who is he better known as?
Answers
Budapest
Harry Houdini.
Harry Houdini, a Hungarian-American escapologist, gained fame for his daring escape acts, including freeing himself from handcuffs, chains, and straitjackets. He also pursued a crusade against fraudulent spiritualists and was a pioneer aviator.
The prisoner of war camp above was made famous by a 1963 film which features the inmates attempts to leave it on the night of 24 March 1944.
By what name is this POW camp commonly known?
What was the 1963 film?
In what modern country is the site of the camp today?
Answers
Stalag Luft III
The Great Escape
Poland
Stalag Luft III (in full Stammlager Luft III; literally meaning Main Camp, Air, III) was a World War II POW camp for Allied airmen, known for escape plots including the Great Escape. Of the 76 men who escaped that night, 73 were recaptured, and fifty of those were executed. The camp, which was liberated in 1945 and is now a museum, was the subject of two feature films about the escape attempts that were made: The Wooden Horse (1950) and The Great Escape (1963).
Five pictures and some questions all of which are related to today’s date, March 24th.
One
Image Wikimedia Commons
In 1721, a collection of six instrumental works—the composer’s own title was Six Concerts Avec plusieurs Instruments (Six Concertos With several Instruments)—were presented by Johann Sebastian Bach to Christian Ludwig, a marquess and younger brother of King Frederick I of Prussia. Using the above picture as a clue, by what name is this collection commonly known today?
Two
Image Wikimedia CommonsImage Wikimedia Commons
The male monarch pictured above succeeded the female one on her death in 1603.
Who is the queen?
Who was the king?
What was the familial relationship between them?
Three
First illustration. Image Wikimedia Commons Second illustration. Image Wikimedia Commons
The two illustrations above are from novels by an author, ‘the father of science fiction’, who died in 1905, aged 77. Since 1979, he has been the second most translated author.
Who was the author?
From what novel is the first illustration?
From what novel is the second illustration?
Four
Eric Weisz. Image Wikimedia Commons
Erik Weisz, who was born in 1874, is pictured above during one of his acts, although he’s better known by his stage name.
In what European city was he born?
Who is he better known as?
Five
Image Wikimedia Commons
The prisoner of war camp above was made famous by a 1963 film which features the inmates attempts to leave it on the night of 24 March 1944.
By what name is this POW camp commonly known?
What was the 1963 film?
In what modern country is the site of the camp today?
This is a tale of a meeting of two lonesome, skinny, fairly old white men on a planet which was dying fast…
This quote is the opening of Breakfast of Champions, a 1973 novel by a writer born in Indianapolis in 1922. Who is the writer?
Answer: Kurt Vonnegut.
Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions is a satirical novel critiquing American society through the story of Kilgore Trout and Dwayne Hoover, whose meeting leads to Hoover’s insanity. The novel addresses themes of free will, suicide and race relations.
Two
Following Sauron’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn is crowned king. What name does he adopt on his coronation?
Answer: Elessar (aka Elfstone).
After Sauron’s defeat, Aragorn is crowned King Elessar, meaning ‘Elfstone’. This Quenya name was given to him by his grandmother, Galadriel. He marries Arwen at midsummer and becomes the twenty-sixth King of Arnor, the thirty-fifth King of Gondor, and the first High King of the united Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. His lineage is known as the House of Telcontar, meaning ’Strider’ in Quenya.
Three
Time it was And what a time it was, it was A time of innocence A time of confidences
These are the opening lyrics to a 1968 song that served as the title track for an album. Please name the track/album and the artist?
Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel
The post title Bookends derives from this track and album. Bookends is a concept album exploring a life journey from childhood to old age. Side one marks life stages, while side two includes singles and unused material. Today’s quiz is bookended by questions one and five being about books.
Four
T.E. Lawrence is commonly known by what name?
Answer: Lawrence of Arabia.
T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British Army officer, archaeologist, and writer. He gained fame for his role in the Arab Revolt during World War I and his subsequent work with Emir Faisal. Lawrence published his autobiography, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and later served in the Army and RAF before his death in a motorcycle accident in 1935.
Five
What fish does the fisherman have an epic struggle to catch in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea?
Answer: Marlin.
Ernest Hemingway’s short, heroic novel The Old Man and the Sea, published in 1952 and winning the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, marked his final major work of fiction. The story follows an ageing fisherman’s epic struggle to catch a giant marlin.
Bookends — Post title
See explanation in Three above.
Bookends
Simon and Garfunkel
Time it was And what a time it was, it was A time of innocence A time of confidences
Long ago it must be I have a photograph Preserve your memories They’re all that’s left you — AZ Lyrics
On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web.
Who submitted the proposal?
What is The European Organization for Nuclear Research more commonly known as?
Answers.
Tim Berners-Lee
CERN Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 at CERN to facilitate information sharing among scientists. CERN released the web software into the public domain in 1993, enabling its widespread adoption. The acronym CERN relates to the original provisional council which was set up in 1952 — Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research).
Two
Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?
Answer: 11th Century.
Urban II, pope from 1088 to 1099, furthered ecclesiastical reforms, launched the Crusade movement, and strengthened the papacy’s political power.
Three
James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?
Answers: James Taylor; Carole King.
Fire and Rain by James Taylor, released in 1970, is about his friend’s suicide and his struggles with addiction and fame. You’ve Got a Friend is a 1971 song by Carole King, recorded for her album Tapestry. James Taylor’s version, featuring Joni Mitchell, reached number one in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.
Four
André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?
Answer: Palace and Park of Versailles.
The Palace and Park of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the residence and seat of power for the French monarchy from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. The site, a masterpiece of French art and architecture, includes the Palace, Trianon châteaux, and gardens, all designed by renowned artists and architects. Despite the loss of its original function during the Revolution, the site’s integrity and authenticity have been preserved through conservation efforts and the reconstruction of interior spaces and furnishings.
Five
An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?
Answer: Terry Pratchett.
The Ankh-Morpork City Watch, founded in 1561 UC, evolved from a small, ineffective force to a modern, multi-ethnic police department. Under the leadership of Sam Vimes and Carrot Ironfoundersson, the Watch was revitalised, merging the Day Watch, Night Watch and Palace Guard. The Watch now serves as a powerful deterrent to crime, with a focus on public service and a strong presence in the city. Cheery, the first female dwarf in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, revolutionises dwarfish culture by openly identifying as female. Detritus, a troll, joined the Ankh-Morpork City Watch under Lord Vetinari’s hiring procedures. Despite being initially considered stupid, he became a natural sergeant, aided by a cooling helmet that improved his intelligence. He is known for his destructive crossbow, the Piecemaker, and his overprotective nature, earning him the respect of Commander Vimes.
Down the Rabbit Hole
In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice falls into a rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland. Today the phrase ‘down the rabbit hole’ is commonly used to describe endlessly clicking through online links or items. As Collins Dictionary puts it, ‘The internet is a great research tool – but be warned you might end up down a rabbit hole.’
On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web.
Two
Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?
Three
James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?
Four
André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?
Five
An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?
Born in 1952, Douglas Adams is known for writing a ’trilogy in five parts’. One of these parts mentions creatures in its title. What creatures?
Answer: Fish
So Long and Thanks for All the Fish (1984) is the fourth part in that well-known trilogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This instalment’s title refers to a message left by the dolphins when they departed planet Earth just before it was demolished in the building of a hyperspace bypass.
Two
In what city was media mogul Rupert Murdoch born in 1931?
Answer: Melbourne.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rupert Murdoch, an Australian-American media mogul, built a global media empire through News Corp, owning newspapers, book publishers, and television channels like Fox News and Sky News. His influence and wealth have been significant, leading to accusations of right-wing bias and political influence. In 2023, Murdoch announced his retirement as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp.
Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?
Answers: Dorothy and Lillian Gish
Dorothy Gish, an American stage and screen actress, was a major movie star of the silent era alongside her sister Lillian. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dorothy made her stage debut at age four and later, with Lillian, was introduced to director D.W. Griffith by Mary Pickford.
Four
In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?
Answer: Triple jump.
Yolanda Chen, a retired Russian athlete, specialised in long jump and later triple jump—hop, skip and jump—achieving a personal best of 14.97 metres in 1993. She won gold at the World Indoor Championships in 1995 with a world indoor record of 15.03 metres.
Five
The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?
Answer: 1700s.
Elizabeth Mallet founded Britain’s first daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, on 11 March 1702, at her premises near the King’s Arms tavern at Fleet Bridge, London. Despite her pioneering efforts, Mallet received little recognition and sold the paper after just 40 days. The single-page newspaper, with advertisements on the reverse, featured only foreign news, as Mallet believed her readers could reflect for themselves. She sold The Daily Courant to Samuel Buckley, who later became the publisher of The Spectator. The Daily Courant continued until 1735, when it merged with the Daily Gazetteer.
Stage Struck
The post is named after the 1917 American silent drama film starring Dorothy Gish (see question three). A copy survives in the Library of Congress.
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