Impressionable—Answers

Here are the answers to my questions which were posted earlier.

All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, self-portrait, 1910.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?

Answer: Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist and leading Impressionist painter. He later developed a more disciplined technique, focusing on portraits and figure paintings, particularly of women.


Two

This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?

Answer: Anthony Burgess.

Anthony Burgess (1917-1993) was an English novelist, critic, and man of letters renowned for his fictional explorations of modern dilemmas. He wrote over 50 books, including novels, literary criticism, biographies, and musical compositions. Burgess’s works often combined linguistic ingenuity, witty erudition, and sharp social satire. He is best known for his dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange and was also a versatile linguist and literary critic, writing numerous novels, librettos and screenplays.


Three

In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?

Answers: Philippines; Corazon Aquino.

Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines on 25 February 1986, seeking refuge in Hawaii with his family and a vast fortune, in part consisting of 22 crates of cash valued at $717 million, 300 crates of assorted jewellery, $4 million worth of unset precious gems, 65 Seiko and Cartier watches, a 12 by 4 ft box full of pearls, a 3 ft solid gold statue covered in diamonds and other precious stones, $200,000 in gold bullion, nearly $1 million in Philippine pesos, and deposit slips to banks in the United States, Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands worth $124 million. While enjoying a lavish lifestyle, Filipinos back home grappled with the economic consequences of his rule. Amongst other things, Imelda Marcos, the ousted First Lady, was found to have a collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. The revolution that ousted Marcos was fuelled by widespread discontent, with protests erupting not only in Manila but also in the provinces and islands. Source: Wikipedia.


Four

Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

Answers: George Harrison; Ravi Shankar.

George Harrison, lead guitarist of the Beatles, was known for his significant contributions to the band’s musical direction and his successful solo career. He incorporated non-Western musical influences, particularly Indian classical music, into the Beatles’ sound and later established himself as a solo artist with hits like My Sweet Lord. Harrison was also a prolific music and film producer, co-founding HandMade Films and producing acts for Apple Records. He produced the Monty Python’s troupe’s comedy film The Life of Brian (1979).


Five

In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

Answer: Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, ruled England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. Her reign, marked by religious tolerance and cautious foreign policy, saw the establishment of the Church of England and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite numerous courtships, Elizabeth remained unmarried, earning her the moniker ‘Virgin Queen’.


Impressionable

All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

Question One. Self-portrait, 1910.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?


Two

This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?


Three

In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?


Four

Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

Five

In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


Monster Mash—Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

Portrait of Mary Shelley.
Image Wikipedia

One

Answer: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Shelley, daughter of philosopher William Godwin and women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft, was an English novelist best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein. She was married to Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and faced personal tragedy, including the death of her husband and several children. Shelley’s literary output, including novels and travel writing, often challenged the individualistic Romantic ethos and advocated for cooperation and sympathy, particularly as practised by women.

Title page of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, first edition, 1818.
Image Wikipedia

Two

Answer: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.

Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel, Frankenstein, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a sapient creature, and compares him to the Greek Tiata Prometheus who gave fire to humanity. Shelley was inspired to write the novel during a competition with her husband and others, including Lord Byron.

The Titan Prometheus.
The Release of Prometheus by Carl Bloch, 1864.
Image Wikipedia

Three

Answer: Paradise Lost by John Milton

Paradise Lost, an epic poem by John Milton, explores the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. The poem delves into themes of free will, the consequences of disobedience, and the complexities of human nature, while also sparking controversy for its portrayal of Satan.


Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1819. Image Wikipedia

Four

Answer: Percy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) was an English Romantic poet known for his radical views and masterful poetry. Despite limited recognition during his lifetime, his work, including “Ozymandias” and “Ode to the West Wind,” gained acclaim posthumously, influencing generations of poets. Shelley’s life was marked by personal struggles and political controversy, leading him to self-exile in Italy, where he produced some of his most celebrated works. He died in a boating accident at the age of 29.


Theatrical poster for Frankenstein, 1931.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Answer: Boris Karloff

Frankenstein is a 1931 American science fiction horror film directed by James Whale, based on Mary Shelley’s novel. The film, starring Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein) and Boris Karloff (The Monster / ‘?’), was a commercial success and significantly impacted popular culture. In 1991, the United States Library of Congress selected Frankenstein for preservation in the National film Registry, recognising its ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ value.

Monster Mash

All the questions are linked to a person born on August 30th.

One

An author, best known for the 1818 novel Frankenstein, was born on 30 August 1797. Who is this author?

Two

What was the full title of Frankenstein as displayed on the title page of its first edition in 1818?

Three

The title page mentioned in question 3 also features the following epigraph:

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould Me man? Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?

Please identify the epic poem (1667) from which this quote is taken and the author of that poem?

Four

To what poet was the author of Frankenstein married?

Five

In the 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein, what actor was cast as ‘The Monster’ and was depicted as ‘?’ in the opening credits?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Find the Money | Answers

As usual the answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below and additionally I have underlined the monetary connection in the relevant answers.

Ha’penny Bridge, River Liffey, Dublin.
Image Wikipedia

One

Answer: Ha’penny Bridge

Ha’penny Bridge. The common name of the bridge derives from the ha’penny toll the bridge’s buider was allowed to charge anyone crossing it for a period of 100 years. Originally named the Wellington Bridge and after the Irish War of Independence renamed as the Liffey Bridge, Droichead na Life, its official name to this day.


For a Few Dollars More
Image IMDB/Amazon

Two

Answer: For a Few Dollars More

For a Few Dollars More is a 1965 Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef as bounty hunters. It was the second instalment of the Dollars trilogy.


Euros showing Croatian Croatian national sides. Image Wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Croatian_euro_coins_%2810%29.jpg

Three

Answer: Europe

The euro, the currency of the European Union, was introduced in 1999 and became the sole currency of 12 EU member states in 2002. The European Central Bank manages the euro, which is used by 20 EU countries and several non-EU countries. Euro banknotes feature Europa and European symbols, while coins have common and country-specific designs. The euro is the official currency of 20 European Union member states, collectively known as the eurozone. It is also used by several non-EU states and territories, making it the second-largest reserve currency and the second-most traded currency globally. The euro replaced the former European Currency Unit and became the day-to-day currency in 2002.


Popcorn machine.
Image Wikipedia

Four

Answer: Popcorn

This is the red herring with no monetary connection. Ben Elton’s novel is titled Popcorn.

Popcorn, a variety of corn kernel that expands when heated, is one of the oldest snacks. It is commonly eaten salted, buttered, sweetened, or with artificial flavourings.


Mark Spitz, 2012.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Answer: Mark Spitz


The mark was most notabally a currency used in Germany until 1999 although Bosnia and Herzegovina currently use the convertible mark as their currency.

Mark Spitz, a retired American competitive swimmer, achieved remarkable success by winning nine Olympic gold medals between 1968 and 1972. Notably, he secured seven Olympic gold medals in Munich, all of which were achieved in world-record times. This remarkable feat stood as a record for an impressive 36 years. 

A Night at the Movies

Here are a few questions on films based on true stories. No multiple choice today but 60% of the questions relate to films released in 2024.

Charity Wakefield
Image Wikipedia
  1. In the 2024 film Oppenheimer, Gary Oldman portrayed which US President?
  2. Charity Wakefield played the role of who in Scoop (2024)?
  3. In which 1976 film did Hal Holbrook play Deep Throat?
  4. Who played Winston Churchill in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
  5. In what 2014 film did Benedict Cumberbatch portray Alan Turing?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

A Night at the Movies | Answers

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

Harry S. Truman
Image Wikipedia
  1. In the 2024 film Oppenheimer, Gary Oldman portrayed which US President?
    • Harry S Truman—President Harry S. Truman played a significant role in the decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the successful Trinity test. Despite Oppenheimer’s guilt and remorse over the destruction caused, Truman ordered the bombings, leading to Japan’s surrender. Later, when Oppenheimer expressed his regret to Truman and pleaded to halt further atomic development, the president criticised him and dismissed his request.
      Princess Beatrice.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Charity Wakefield played the role of who in Scoop (2024)?
    • Princess Beatrice—Princess Beatrice, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, is a member of the British royal family and niece of King Charles III. She graduated from Goldsmiths College and works with Afiniti and various charities. Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020 and they have two daughters.
  3. In which 1976 film did Hal Holbrook play Deep Throat?
    • All the President’s Men—“All the President’s Men” is a 1976 American biographical political thriller film about the Watergate scandal. The film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as journalists Woodward and Bernstein, respectively. Hal Holbrook portrays ‘Deep Throat’ a senior government official who has turned informant. In 2005, at age 91, Mark Felt revealed to Vanity Fair magazine that during his tenure as Deputy Director of the FBI he had been the anonymous source known as “Deep Throat”.
      Rory Kinnear.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. Who played Winston Churchill in the 2024 film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare?
    • Rory Kinnear—During World War II, the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) launches Operation Postmaster, a sabotage mission to disrupt Nazi U-boat resupply on the island of Fernando Po. The mission involves hijacking an Italian supply ship and two tugboats, successfully damaging Nazi naval strength and allowing the US to join the European theatre.
      Alan Turing, 1930.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. In what 2014 film did Benedict Cumberbatch portray Alan Turing?
    • The Imitation Game—Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, played a pivotal role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II. His work at Bletchley Park, alongside a team of cryptographers, significantly shortened the war and saved millions of lives. However, his life took a tragic turn after the war due to his homosexuality, leading to his conviction and chemical castration.

From Paris to Kashyyyk | Answers

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

First distribution of the Legion of Honor crosses at the church of Les Invalides on July 14, 1804.
Jean-Baptiste Debret, Ca. 1812
Image Wikipedia
  1. The Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour), France’s highest order of merit, was established on May 19. Who was responsible for its establishment?
    • Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802—The National Order of the Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is France’s highest national order of merit, applicable to both military and civil achievements. It is open to all citizens and foreigners, regardless of birth, religion, or rank, and has been maintained by all French governments with minor changes. The order consists of five classes and is led by the President of France as Grand Master. Its insignia includes the head of the Republic and the motto Honour and Country.
      Sam Smith, 2015.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Born on 19 May 1992, the singer-songwriter of the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is…
    • Sam Smith—Samuel Smith, an English singer and songwriter, rose to prominence in 2012 with a feature on Disclosure’s Latch. Smith’s song Writing’s on the Wall became the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre, earning Smith a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
      Map of North America.
      Guillaume Sanson, Rome, 1687.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. On 19 May 1845, British explorer John Franklin set out in command of two ships, the Erebus and Terror, on an ill-fated expedition to find what?
    • Northwest Passage—The Northwest Passage (NWP) is a sea lane connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean. It passes near the northern coast of North America, traversing waterways within the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. Franklin’s search for the Northwest Passage began on May 19, 1845, with two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, carrying 128 men. Last seen in July 1845, their fate remained unknown until 1859 when a search found skeletons and a written account on King William Island. The ships wintered at Beechey Island in 1845-46 and became trapped in ice in Victoria Strait in September 1846. By April 1848, Franklin and 23 others had died, and the remaining 105 survivors deserted the ships, resorting to cannibalism. Postmortems suggested botulism, scurvy and lead poisoning contributed to their decline. In 2014, the Erebus was discovered off King William Island, and in 2016, the Terror was found in Terror Bay, well-preserved and suggesting the crew had prepared for winter before leaving.
      St George’s Chapel, Windsor. St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
      The Nave is dominated by this Great West Window, often claimed to be the third largest in the UK. The chapel dates from 1475 and is built in the richest Perpendicular Gothic style. The whole building is Cathedral size, at over 315ft (96m) in length.
      Image Jack Pease/Wikipedia
  4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding took place on May 19, 2018, in the UK. Where did they get married?
    • St George’s Chapel—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on 19 May 2018 in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The ceremony, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, included elements of African-American culture.
      Peter Mayhew, 2015.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Born on 19 May 1944, this actor was chosen by George Lucas to play a being from the planet Kashyyyk. Who is he?
    • Peter Mayhew—Peter Mayhew, a British-American actor, is best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series from 1977 to 2015. Born on 19 May 1944 in Barnes, Surrey, Mayhew was diagnosed with gigantism at the age of eight and later developed Marfan syndrome. This genetic tissue disorder caused his peak height to reach 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m). He was cast as Chewbacca by director George Lucas, who sought a tall actor for the role. He modelled his performance on observing animals at London Zoo and continued working as a hospital orderly during filming.
Chewbacca.
Image Star Wars Universe

From Paris to Kashyyyk

Here are a few questions related to today’s date, May 19th.

Legion of Honour (Légion d’honneur).
Image Wikipedia
  1. The Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour), France’s highest order of merit, was established on May 19. Who was responsible for its establishment?
    • Louis XV in 1745
    • Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802
    • Charles de Gaulle in 1945
  2. Born on 19 May 1992, the singer-songwriter of the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is…
    • Adele
    • Billie Eilish
    • Sam Smith
  3. On 19 May 1845, British explorer John Franklin set out in command of two ships, the Erebus and Terror, on an ill-fated expedition to find what?
    • Northeast Passage
    • Northwest Passage
    • Southeast Passage
  4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding took place on May 19, 2018, in the UK. Where did they get married?
    • St George’s Chapel
    • St Paul’s Cathedral
    • Westminster Abbey
  5. Born on 19 May 1944, this actor was chosen by George Lucas to play a character from the planet Kashyyyk. Who is he?
    • Anthony Daniels
    • David Prowse
    • Peter Mayhew

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

The Cult of… What? | Answers

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

Portrait of Maximilien de Robespierre, c. 1790.
Anonymous, Musée Carnavalet, Paris.
Image Wikipedia
  1. 1. On 7 May 1794, the Cult of the Supreme Being was introduced by …
    • Maximilien Robespierre—a French lawyer and statesman, was a prominent figure in the French Revolution. He advocated for universal male suffrage, abolition of the slave trade, and other progressive policies. Robespierre, a Deist, disapproved of the anti-Christian movement and advocated for a civic religion centred around the Supreme Being.
      Mary, Queen of Scots.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. The burning of Edinburgh by an English army on this day in 1544, was the first action in the…
    • Rough wooing—Henry VIII’s final years saw wars in France and Scotland, including the Rough Wooing, a brutal conflict aimed at breaking the Auld Alliance and forcing a marriage alliance between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Edward, Prince of Wales.
      Honda Ishirō at the National Museum of Nature and Science, in Tokyo, during the filming of Frankenstein Conquers the World.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. The Japanese film director best known for his Godzilla movies was born 7 May 1911, in Asahi, Yamagata, Japan. He was…
    • Honda Ishirō—a Japanese filmmaker, directed Godzilla and its sequels, sparking Japan’s kaijū eiga craze. After directing over 40 films, he returned to assisting Akira Kurosawa.
      Official portrait of President Juan Domingo Perón accompanied with the First Lady, María Eva Duarte de Perón, ”Evita”, 1948.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. María Eva Duarte was born today in 1919, who did she become better known as…
    • Evita—Eva Perón, or Evita, was an Argentine politician, activist, actress and philanthropist who served as First Lady from 1946 until her death in 1952. She championed women’s suffrage, founded the Female Peronist Party, and ran the Ministries of Labour and Health.
      “Our submarine boats in the harbour”
      (German caption), 1914.
      U-20, which sank RMS Lusitania, is second from left in front row.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. On 7 May 1915, a German submarine sank a British ocean liner. The sinking resulted in the loss of 1,198 lives and played a part in the entry of the United States into World War I. The ocean liner was the…
    • Lusitania—The sinking of the British ocean liner Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915, killing 1,198 people including 128 Americans, increased American support for entering World War I.
RMS Lusitania, New York.
Image Wikipedia