flags – Quizology Online

Show the Flag—Answers

Today’s first question concerns an event on December 7th, illustrated by a flag. The rest of the questions follow the flag theme.

One

This image depicts the flag of the first state to ratify the US Constitution on 7 December 1787. Can you identify the state and its capital?

Answer: Delaware and Dover

Delaware, the second-smallest US state, is located in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions. It is bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, earning it the nickname ‘The First State’.

Two

What is the official three-word English name of this country, and what countries does it border?

Answer: Bhutan, and (bordered by) China and India

Bhutan, a landlocked country in South Asia, is a democratic constitutional monarchy with a population of over 727,145. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including the Himalayan takin and golden langur, and its highest peak, Gangkhar Puensum. Bhutan has a rich history, having never been colonised, and is a founding member of several international organisations.

Three

Which two islands are represented by these three-legged flags and in which seas are they found respectively?

Answer: Isle of Man and Sicily; Irish Sea and Mediterranean Sea

The triskelion, an ancient motif of three spirals or triplicate patterns, has roots in European Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts. It became associated with Sicily in the Hellenistic period and later appeared in heraldry, notably on the flags of Sicily and the Isle of Man.

Four

Flag of Northern Territory, Australia.
Image Wikipedia

What sub-national state or territory does this flag represent, and what is that state or territory’s capital city?

Answer: Northern Territory (Australia), and Darwin

The Northern Territory (NT) is an Australian internal territory located in the central and central-northern regions. It’s sparsely populated with a population of 260,400. Its economy is primarily driven by mining and petroleum. Darwin, the largest population centre, accounts for approximately 52.6% of the Territory’s population.

Five

What is the official four-word English name of the country represented by this flag, and what is its capital city?

Answer: Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and Georgetown

Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern coast of South America. It is the only country in mainland South America with English as its official language and is part of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Guyana’s economy has been transforming since the discovery of crude oil in 2015, with its economy growing by 49% in 2020.

Y is for… | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

Tibetan Yak or Sarlyk, as they say in Altai.
Image Wikipedia

One

Remembering the theme, the animal pictured is a…

Answer: Yak

The yak, a long-haired domesticated cattle species, inhabits the Himalayan region, Tibetan Plateau, and parts of Central Asia. It is descended from the wild yak.

Two

Located on the island of Honshu, what is Japan’s second-largest city in terms of population?

Answer: Yokohama

Yokohama, the second-largest city in Japan, is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and a major economic, cultural, and commercial hub. It is home to many of Japan’s firsts, including the first foreign trading port and Chinatown, and is a prominent port city.

Three

The lyrics of this 1972 song by Carly Simon describe a self-absorbed lover, whose identity has long been a matter of speculation. What is the song?

Answer: You’re So Vain

In 2015, the Los Angeles Times published some more information about Carly Simon’s 1972 hit You’re So Vain—

Carly Simon has confirmed the answer — at least in part — to one of the most puzzling questions in recent history: Who is the song “You’re So Vain” really about?

“I have confirmed that the second verse is Warren,” the 70-year-old told People magazine. That’d be Warren Beatty, long suspected of being the vain one. The other verses (“You walked into the party … “ and “I hear you went up to Saratoga …”) are about other men, she said.
– Los Angeles Times

Four

Susanna Clarke’s novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell begins,

‘Some years ago there was in the city of … a society of magicians. They met upon the third Wednesday of every month and read each other long, dull papers upon the history of English magic.’

What city is missing from this quote?

Answer: York

In 1806, during the Napoleonic Wars, the reclusive magician Mr Norrell emerges, captivating England with his displays of magic. However, his cautious nature is challenged by the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange, leading to a dangerous battle between the two magicians.

Five

What colour links these?
– Cross on the flag of Sweden
– A ball with a value of two points snooker

Answer: Yellow

The Swedish flag features a yellow Nordic cross on a light blue field, inspired by the 1442 coat of arms. Blue and yellow have been used in Swedish heraldry since 1275. The yellow ball has a value of two points in the game of snooker.

A snooker table, drawn exactly to scale.
Image Wikipedia

Y is for…

Continuing the alphabet theme with all of today’s answers beginning with the letter ‘Y’.

This is known as a Sarlyk in Altai, see question one.
Image Wikipedia

One

Remembering the theme, the animal pictured is a…

Two

Located on the island of Honshu, what is Japan’s second-largest city in terms of population?

Three

The lyrics of this 1972 song by Carly Simon describe a self-absorbed lover, whose identity has long been a matter of speculation. What is the song?

Four

Susanna Clarke’s novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell begins,

‘Some years ago there was in the city of … a society of magicians. They met upon the third Wednesday of every month and read each other long, dull papers upon the history of English magic.’

What city is missing from this quote?

Five

What colour links these?
– The cross on the flag of Sweden
– A ball with a value of two points snooker

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

H is for… | Answers

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

National flag of Haiti.
Image is from CRW Flags

Added to the Liechtenstein flag in 1937 the prince’s crown distinguishes it from what other national flag?
- Haiti—Liechtenstein’s flag, originally plain blue and red, was changed in 1937 to include a golden crown to avoid confusion with Haiti’s flag. The fact that both were identical had been first noticed at the previous summer’s Olympic games.
  
  Haiku.
  Image Pinterest
In Japanese literature what is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.
- Haiku—is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines with a pattern of 5, 7 and 5 syllables. Traditionally, it evokes images of the natural world.
  
  Happy Mondays.
  Image Pinterest
The original line-up of what band included the brothers Shaun and Paul Ryder?
- Happy Mondays—an English rock band from Salford, pioneered the Madchester sound by blending Manchester alternative rock with funk, house and psychedelia. They achieved commercial success with albums like Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches before disbanding in 1993. They have since reunited several times with variations in the line-up.
  
  Flyer for the 1979 stage production of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.
  Image Wikipedia
In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox steals a prototype spacecraft. What was it named?
- Heart of Gold—Arthur Dent, the protagonist of the stories, and his friend Ford Prefect are improbably rescued from interstellar space by the Heart of Gold, stolen by Zaphod Beeblebrox. The ship, powered by the infinite improbability drive, carries Trillian (Tricia McMillan, also from Earth) and the depressed Marvin, the Paranoid Android. Eventually, the ship moves into orbit around the legendary planet of Magrathea.
  
  Hercules and the Wagoner or Hercules and the Carter.
  Image is from Fables of Aesop
_ and the Wagoner is one of Aesop’s Fables. What mythical hero’s name is missing from the title?
- Hercules—Hercules and the Wagoner. A Wagoner, stuck in the mud, prayed to Hercules for help. Hercules appeared and advised the Wagoner to help himself by pushing the wagon. Aesop’s Fables, initially aimed at adults, have been adapted for children and reinterpreted over time. The fables, covering religious, social and political themes, have been adapted into various media, reinforcing their ethical dimension and enduring popularity.

H is for…

A few questions where all the answers begin with ‘H’. As you know the starting letter, there are no multiple-choice options.

Added to the Liechtenstein flag in 1937 the prince’s crown distinguishes it from what other national flag?
In Japanese literature what is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively?
The original line-up of what band included the brothers Shaun and Paul Ryder?
In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox steals a prototype spacecraft. What was it named?
___ and the Wagoner is one of Aesop’s Fables. What mythical hero’s name is missing from the title?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

An A to Z Cornucopia of Trivia. Part III | Answers

(K) Kazakhstan—The flag of Kazakhstan was adopted on 4 June 1992, replacing the Soviet-era flag. The flag was designed by Shaken Niyazbekov.
(L) Lake Huron—Manitoulin Island, the largest lake island in the world, is located in Lake Huron, Ontario. With an area of 2,766 sq km, it contains over 100 lakes, including Lake Manitou, Lake Kagawong and Lake Mindemoya.

Lady Macbeth, Sleepwalking scene, Macbeth. Wikipedia
(M) Macbeth—In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, rubbing her hands and recalling the deaths of King Duncan, Lady Macduff and Banquo. The Doctor, observing her guilt-ridden state, believes she needs divine help rather than medical treatment.
(N) Naughtiest—Enid Blyton’s Naughtiest Girl series, set at a progressive boarding school, was written in the 1940s and 1950s. Anne Digby later added to the series.

Poster for Hyde Park of Hudson Wikipedia
(O) Olivia Colman—is an English actress, is known for her roles in television series like Peep Show, Broadchurch and The Crown, as well as films like The Favourite, The Father and The Lost Daughter. She has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award, four BAFTAs, two Emmys and three Golden Globes. As well as playing Elizabeth II in The Crown she played her mother, Queen Elizabeth, who was King George VI’s consort and the future Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in Hyde Park on Hudson.
(P) Putney Bridge—The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between Cambridge and Oxford universities, held on the River Thames in London. The men’s race began in 1829 and the women’s race in 1927. Cambridge leads in both the men’s and women’s races, with 87 and 47 wins respectively.

Putney Bridge at Dusk as viewed from the south-west at the boat sheds along the Thames. Wikipedia

An A to Z Cornucopia of Trivia. Part III

Some trivia related to the letters K to P.

(K) The flag pictured above is the flag of…
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
(L) Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest island within a freshwater lake, is in…
- Lake Huron
- Lake Superior
- Lake Winnipeg
(M) The quote, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” is from Shakespeare’s…
- Hamlet
- Macbeth
- Othello
(N) The _ Girl in the School was the first in a series by Enid Blyton, the word missing from this title is …
- Nastiest
- Naughtiest
- Nicest
(O) This actress has played both Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, Queen Elizabeth. She is…
- Olivia Colman
- Olivia de Havilland
- Olivia Hussey
(P) The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, which is held in London annually, starts on the River Thames just downstream of…
- Ponders End
- Pratt’s Bottom
- Putney Bridge

Vexillological Fluttering Part II | Answers

Switzerland—The Swiss national flag, featuring a white cross on a red field, adheres to heraldic tradition by being square in proportion when displayed on land.

Flag of the United States.
Wikipedia
7—The US flag has 50 white stars on a blue canton and 13 alternating red and white stripes. The stars represent the 50 states, while the stripes represent the original 13 states.

Flag of India.
Wikipedia
India—The Indian flag prominently features the Ashoka Chakra, a wheel symbolising the dharmachakra. Adopted on 22 July 1947, it replaced the charkha symbol.

Flag of Hawaii.
Wikipedia
Hawaii—The flag of Hawaii, the US state flag, features alternating horizontal stripes of white, red and blue, with the Union Jack in the canton.
Denmark—The flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, is red with a white Nordic cross. It has been used since the 14th century and is the oldest continuously used national flag.

Vexillological Fluttering Part II

Part I, posted 25 March 2025, was multiple choice but today’s offering is not

Vexillological Fluttering Part I’s questions revealed the Vatican City State as being only one of two square national flags, what other nation has a national flag which is square?
How many red stripes are on the flag of the United States?
The Ashoka dharmachakra is on which national flag?
The official flag of what US State has a British Union Jack on it?
What European national flag is the oldest continuously used national flag?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Vexillological Fluttering Part I | Answers

Vatican City State—Both the coat of arms and flag of Vatican City feature crossed gold and silver keys bound with a red cord, topped with a tiara. The yellow and white stripes of the flag date back to the early 19th century.

Flag of Nepal
Wikipedia
Nepal—Nepal’s national flag is unique in the modern world as it is non-rectangular. It consists of two united pennant shapes, resembling a triangular flag. The flag is crimson with blue borders and incorporates stylised symbols of the sun and moon.
Wales—Until the early 17th century, England and Scotland were two entirely independent kingdoms. Wales had been annexed into the Kingdom of England under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542.

Flag of Mozambique
Wikipedia
Mozambique—The national flag of Mozambique is a horizontal tricolour of green, black, and golden-yellow with a red isosceles triangle at the hoist. The triangle contains a gold star, a gun, a hoe, and an open book, representing the Mozambican people and their war of independence. Although the constitution doesn’t mention the specific gun used in the design, it’s generally understood to be an AK-47 with a bayonet attached.
Triskelion—a Celtic symbol consisting of three legs or lines radiating from a centre. The Manx triskelion, a sun symbol, has been used since the late 13th century. It became the basis for the Manx flag after Sir Thomas Randolph became ruler in 1313.
Brazil—The national flag of Brazil, adopted in 1889, features a green field with a yellow rhombus and a blue disc depicting a starry sky. The stars represent Brazilian states and the federal district, with their sizes proportional to their geographical size.