Roxane expresses her love for the title character at the end of which 1897 Edmond Rostand play?
Answer: Cyrano de Bergerac.
Edmond Rostand’s 1897 French play Cyrano de Bergerac blends the 17th-century Cyrano’s life with invention and myth; his large nose is real but usually exaggerated in performance.
Two
The order Lagomorpha contains the pika and two other animals. What one has a six-lettered name?
Answer: Rabbit.
Derived from Greek and meaning ‘hare-shaped’ Lagomorphs comprise Leporidae and Ochotonidae, with 109 extant species across twelve genera and one recently extinct genus. Found on all continents except Antarctica, they differ from rodents by having four upper incisors and more cheek teeth. They are almost exclusively herbivores with fur-covered feet. Great Britain alone is estimated to have about 36 million wild European rabbits.
Three
The principal activity of which Yokohama-headquartered company is the production, marketing and sale of commercial vehicles and diesel engines?
Answer: Isuzu.
Headquartered in Yokohama, Isuzu Motors Ltd. produces and sells commercial diesel vehicles and engines globally. Operations include subsidiaries such as UD Trucks and Jiangxi Isuzu Motors, with plants in Fujisawa, Tochigi and Hokkaido.
Four
Wikipedia describes the design of the Flag of Kenya as follows: ‘A horizontal tricolour of black, white-edged red, and green with two crossed white spears behind a red, white, and black … shield.’ What word has been omitted from the description?
Answer: Maasai.
The flag’s design draws from the banner of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), the movement that guided independence. KANU’s colours were woven into the national flag alongside the traditional Maasai shield and crossed spears to signal cultural heritage and defence. This adjustment ensured the flag captured both political history and the broader identity of the Kenyan people.
Five
What is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States?
Answer: Everglades.
The Everglades, a flooded grassland from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay, suffered habitat loss through drainage and development. Conservation efforts resulted with Congress approval of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in 2000.
Roxane expresses her love for the title character at the end of which 1897 Edmond Rostand play?
Two
The order Lagomorpha contains the pika and two other animals. What one has a six-lettered name?
Three
The principal activity of which Yokohama-headquartered company is the production, marketing and sale of commercial vehicles and diesel engines?
Four
Wikipedia describes the design of the Flag of Kenya as follows: ‘A horizontal tricolour of black, white-edged red, and green with two crossed white spears behind a red, white, and black … shield.’ What word has been omitted from the description?
Five
What is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States?
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.
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?
Flag of Côte d’Ivoire/Ivory Coast. See question three. Image Wikimedia Commons
All of these questions relate to today’s date, 7 August.
One
In what sport could a ‘Salchow’ be performed?
Answer: Ice skating.
Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow, born 7 August 1877. The salchow, named the Salchow, an edge jump, after him. It is the easiest figure skating jump. It involves taking off from the back inside edge of one skate, completing one or more full turns, and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite skate. American skater Theresa Weld was reprimanded at the 1920 Olympics for performing a single Salchow jump because her skirt would fly up to her knees, creating an image deemed too risqué.
Two
The six-month-long Battle of Guadalcanal, which began on 7 August 1942, unfolded in which country?
Answer: Solomon Islands.
Guadalcanal Island, the largest island in the Solomon Islands, is situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The Battle of Guadalcanal, occurring from August 1942 to February 1943, involved a series of World War II land and sea engagements between Allied and Japanese forces on and around Guadalcanal, one of the southern Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. Alongside the naval Battle of Midway, the combat on Guadalcanal signified a turning point in favour of the Allies in the Pacific War.
Three
In 1960, the country represented by the flag shown above gained independence from France. What country is it?
Answer: Côte d’Ivoire/Ivory Coast.
Côte d’Ivoire, located on the western coast of Africa, was previously a French colony. Abidjan functions as the de facto capital, while Yamoussoukro has been the administrative capital since 1983. Known as Ivory Coast, this West African nation is the leading cocoa exporter globally and has seen substantial economic growth since 2011. Nonetheless, 46.1% of its population remains in poverty. The economy is predominantly dependent on agriculture, especially smallholder cash-crop production.
Four
How many persons were onboard Thor Heyerdahl’s balsa wood raft, Kon-Tiki when it reached Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands after sailing 4,300 mile (7,000 km) in 101-days?
Answer: Six.
The Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, led by Thor Heyerdahl, was a raft journey from South America to Polynesia. Named after the Inca god Viracocha, it inspired Heyerdahl’s book and a 1950 Oscar-winning documentary. A 2012 dramatised film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.
Five
In 1926, in motor racing the first British Grand Prix was held. Where was the race held?
Answer: Brooklands.
Built in 1907 near Weybridge, Surrey, Brooklands was the first purpose-built motor racing venue and one of the UK’s first airfields. The British Grand Prix debuted there on 7 August 1926, won by Robert Sénéchal and Louis Wagner. The second race, on 1 October 1927, was also held there.
Bonus Question
The post title is two lines taken from a popular song, what song?
In olden days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking
It is part of the lyrics from Anything Goes from the Cole Porter musical of the same name. It is used here only as an oblique remark about Ms Weld’s risqué performance; see answer one.
Anything Goes
By Cole Porter
[RENO] Times have changed, And we’ve often rewound the clock, Since the Puritans got a shock, When they landed on Plymouth Rock. If today, Any shock they should try to stem, ‘Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock would land on them.
In olden days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking, But now, God knows, Anything Goes.
Good authors too who once knew better words, Now only use four letter words Writing prose, Anything Goes.
The world has gone mad today And good’s bad today, And black’s white today, And day’s night today, When most guys today That women prize today Are just silly gigolos And though I’m not a great romancer I know that you’re bound to answer When I propose, Anything goes
When grandmama whose age is eighty In night clubs is getting matey with gigolo’s, Anything Goes.
When mothers pack and leave poor father Because they decide they’d rather be tennis pros, Anything Goes.
If driving fast cars you like, If low bars you like, If old hymns you like, If bare limbs you like, If Mae West you like Or me undressed you like, Why, nobody will oppose! When every night, The set that’s smart Is intruding in nudist parties in studios, Anything Goes.
[RENO, PASSENGERS & CREW] The world has gone mad today And good’s bad today, And black’s white today, And day’s night today, When most guys today That women prize today Are just silly gigolos And though I’m not a great romancer I know that you’re bound to answer When I propose, Anything goes
[RENO] If saying your prayers you like, If green pears you like If old chairs you like, If back stairs you like, If love affairs you like With young bears you like, Why nobody will oppose!
[ALL] And though I’m not a great romancer And though I’m not a great romancer I know that you’re bound to answer When I propose, Anything goes… Anything goes! — All Musicals
All of these questions relate to today’s date, 7 August.
One
In what sport could a ‘Salchow’ be performed?
Two
The six-month-long Battle of Guadalcanal, which began on 7 August 1942, unfolded in which country?
Three
In 1960, the country represented by the flag shown above gained independence from France. What country is it?
Four
How many persons were onboard Thor Heyerdahl’s balsa wood raft, Kon-Tiki when it reached Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands after sailing 4,300 mile (7,000 km) in 101-days?
Five
In 1926, in motor racing the first British Grand Prix was held. Where was the race held?
Bonus Question
The post title is two lines taken from a popular song, what song?
Today’s first question relates to July 6th. The remainder are not date-related but follow a theme originating with the first.
One
On this day in 1964, the country represented by the flag above gained independence. Which country is it, and what nine-letter name was it known by immediately before independence?
Answer: Nyasaland.
The British established the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate in 1891, later renamed Nyasaland. Colonial rule prioritised European settlers, neglecting African welfare and agriculture, leading to migration and opposition to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. This fuelled nationalism, culminating in independence on 6 July 1964 when it was renamed Malawi.
Two
Rockjumpers are native to southern Africa. What best describes them: bird, mammal, or reptile?
Answer: Birds.
Rockjumpers are medium-sized birds endemic to southern Africa, with two species: the Cape rockjumper and the Drakensberg rockjumper. They differ in size and plumage, with non-overlapping ranges. They run and jump among rocks and grass while hunting insects.
Three
Which African percussion instrument was the original default ringtone for the iPhone?
Answer: Marimba.
The original iPhone Marimba ringtone is a clean line-out recording that is iconic and often used for incoming calls. It is a short sound, lasting about 7 seconds.
Four
Who was the Scottish explorer who introduced Europeans to West Africa through his book Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa: James Bruce, David Livingstone or Mungo Park?
Answer: Mungo Park.
Mungo Park (1771–1806) was a Scottish explorer who pioneered African exploration. He theorised the Niger and Congo rivers merged, though later proven incorrect. Park’s influential book, Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa, introduced Europeans to West Africa, setting a standard for future explorers and colonial ambitions. Park died on the Niger River during his second expedition. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society award the Mungo Park medal annually in his honour.
Five
The African monkey gets its name from its crescent-shaped browband, which resembles the bow of a Roman goddess. What is it known as?
Answer: Diana monkey (Cercopithecus Diana).
The Diana monkey’s crescent-shaped broadband is said to resemble the the shape of the bow carried by the Roman goddess Diana. It is endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting as bushmeat. It can be found in West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Côte d’Ivoire.
Today’s first question relates to July 6th. The remainder are not date-related but follow a theme originating with the first.
One
On this day in 1964, the country represented by the flag above gained independence. Which country is it, and what nine-letter name was it known by immediately before independence?
Two
Rockjumpers are native to southern Africa. What best describes them: bird, mammal, or reptile?
Three
Which African percussion instrument was the original default ringtone for the iPhone?
Four
Who was the Scottish explorer who introduced Europeans to West Africa through his book Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa: James Bruce, David Livingstone or Mungo Park?
Five
The African monkey gets its name from its crescent-shaped browband, which resembles the bow of a Roman goddess. What is it known as?
Today’s questions follow a theme. The post’s title, which can reveal in part a relevant literary character, serves as a starting point.
One
Air Burkina’s primary base is located at the airport of which African capital city?
Answer: Ouagadougou.
Air Burkina SA, Burkina Faso’s national airline, operates from Ouagadougou Airport to domestic and regional destinations. It is currently government-owned, with a new investor being sought.
Two
Which Thomas Keneally book was adapted into a film that won the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director in 1994?
Answer: Schindler’s Ark.
Schindler’s Ark is a biographical novel by Thomas Keneally about Oskar Schindler, a Nazi who saved 1,200 Jews. It won the 1982 Booker Prize, gained fame through Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List, and was featured on the 2022 ‘Big Jubilee Read’ list.
Three
What was the name of the balsa-wood raft used by Thor Heyerdahl to cross the Pacific in 1947?
Answer: Kon-Tiki.
The Kon-Tiki expedition, led by Thor Heyerdahl in 1947, was a raft journey from South America to Polynesia. Funded by private loans and U.S. Army equipment, Heyerdahl and five companions sailed 6,900 km on a balsa log raft, landing safely at Raroia after 101 days, inspiring a book and films.
Four
The flag shown above is from an archipelago of nine major islands, which is an autonomous region of a European country. It is named for the northern goshawk, although it is thought unlikely that the bird nested or hunted there, as there were no prey animals until sheep were introduced. What is the name of the archipelago?
Answer: Azores.
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, consists of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. Known for its mild climate, the region’s economy relies on agriculture, dairy farming, livestock, fishing, and tourism. Mount Pico is Portugal’s highest point. The Azores are seismically active at the Azores triple junction where the Eurasian, Nubian and North American tectonic plates meet.
Five
In an Alfred Hitchcock film starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, Stewart’s character is confined to a wheelchair. What is the film?
Answer: Rear Window.
Rear Window, shot almost entirely from one room, is considered one of Hitchcock’s best films and one of the greatest ever made. Confined to his apartment, photojournalist Jeff (James Stewart) observes his neighbours, including Thorwald, who he suspects of murdering his wife. Jeff enlists the help of his nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) and girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) to investigate. It received four Academy Award nominations and was added to the United States National Film Registry.
Doctor Skaro
Doctor Skaro is, I confess, a bit misleading. Skaro is the home planet of the Daleks, the highly xenophobic, violent, merciless, and pitiless cyborg aliens from the long-running BBC television programme Doctor Who, but neither the title nor the theme has anything to do with their home planet or the Doctor. Doctor Skaro is cryptic. If you ‘doctor’ the word ‘Skaro’, that is, treat it as an anagram and rearrange the letters, you’ll find ‘in part a relevant literary character’: Oskar from question two, Oskar Schindler. Today’s answers begin with the letters O, S, K, A, R.
See question four. Flag of ? Image Wikimedia Commons
Today’s questions follow a theme. The post’s title, which can reveal in part a relevant literary character, serves as a starting point.
One
Air Burkina’s primary base is located at the airport of which African capital city?
Two
Which Thomas Keneally book was adapted into a film that won the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director in 1994?
Three
What was the name of the balsa-wood raft used by Thor Heyerdahl to cross the Pacific in 1947?
Four
The flag shown above is from an archipelago of nine major islands, which is an autonomous region of a European country. It is named for the northern goshawk, although it is thought unlikely that the bird nested or hunted there, as there were no prey animals until sheep were introduced. What is the name of the archipelago?
Five
In an Alfred Hitchcock film starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, Stewart’s character is confined to a wheelchair. What is the film?
