Quizology.Online

Tag: geography

  • Space Oddity—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post

    LRV-1, Apollo 15.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Who was the first astronaut to drive a Lunar Rover on the Moon’s surface?

    Answer: David Scott

    Between July 30 and August 2, 1971, David Scott, commander of Apollo 15, drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-1) for 3 hours and 2 minutes. These journeys covered A total of 17.25 miles (27.76 km) across the lunar surface. Apollo 15(LRV-1) 17.25 miles (27.76 km) 3 h 02 min 7.75 miles (12.47 km) 3.1 miles (5.0 km)

    Two

    What, in Roman numerals, is the sum of LXXXIV and DCCLIX?

    Answer: DCCCXLIII

    LXXXIV =

    • L = 50
    • XXX = 30
    • IV = 4
      → 50 + 30 + 4 = 84

    DCCLIX =

    • D = 500
    • CC = 200
    • L = 50
    • IX = 9
      → 500 + 200 + 50 + 9 = 759

    84 + 759 = 843

    Convert 843 to Roman numerals:

    • 800 = DCCC
    • 40 = XL
    • 3 = III

    → 843 = DCCCXLIII

    Three

    John F. Kennedy had a dog called Dunker. What breed was it?

    Answer: Dachshund

    The Dachshund is a small, long-bodied dog breed originally developed in Germany to hunt badgers. The name literally means ‘badger dog’—Dachs = badger, Hund = dog. They’re often called ‘sausage dogs’ because of their shape.

    Four

    Which character in a work by Alexandre Dumas was possibly inspired by the vengeful shoemaker Pierre Picaud of Nîmes?

    Answer: Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo

    Pierre Picaud, a shoemaker from Nîmes, is believed to have inspired Edmond Dantès, the protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
    Picaud’s story is strikingly similar to that of Dantès. In the early 19th century, Picaud was wrongfully imprisoned due to the betrayal of his friends and his fiancée. During his imprisonment in the Château d’If, he met an old man who shared with him knowledge of treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Upon his release, Picaud used this treasure to exact revenge on those who had wronged him, much like Edmond Dantès does in Dumas’ novel.
    This story of Picaud’s life—his unjust imprisonment, subsequent escape, and thirst for vengeance—closely mirrors the narrative of The Count of Monte Cristo.

    Five

    Please list the US states whose names start with the letter ‘M’?

    Answer: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Montana

  • Space Oddity

    Today’s questions are random and unrelated.

    LRV-1.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Who was the first astronaut to drive a Lunar Rover on the Moon’s surface?

    Two

    What, in Roman numerals, is the sum of LXXXIV and DCCLIX?

    Three

    John F. Kennedy had a dog called Dunker. What breed was it?

    Four

    Which character in a work by Alexandre Dumas was possibly inspired by the vengeful shoemaker Pierre Picaud of Nîmes?

    Five

    Please list the US states whose names start with the letter ‘M’?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

  • Cat and Mouse—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Bart Mancuso (Scott Glenn), commander USS Dallas, The Hunt for Red October.
    Image Jack Ryan Fandom

    One

    American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?

    Answer: Alec Baldwin and USS Dallas

    The Hunt for Red October chronicles the efforts of CIA analyst Jack Ryan to prove that Soviet submarine Captain Marko Ramius is not attempting to attack the US but is instead defecting to the United States with the Soviet Union’s cutting-edge ballistic missile submarine, the Red October. The story, adapted from Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, portrays a dangerous geopolitical game of cat and mouse as both the Soviet and American navies attempt to locate the advanced, stealthy submarine, fearing a nuclear confrontation if Ramius’ intentions are misunderstood.

    Two

    On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?

    Answer: Mary I

    Mary I, England’s first queen ruling in her own right, earned the nickname Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants to restore Roman Catholicism. Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, became Queen of England and Ireland in 1553. Her attempts to restore Catholicism, including the Marian persecutions, were largely unsuccessful and her reign ended with her death in 1558.

    Three

    Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?

    Answer: California and Death Valley National Park

    Yosemite National Park is located in California. Nevada boasts two national parks: Great Basin National Park and Death Valley National Park. Death Valley extends across both California and Nevada.

    Thrilla in Manila, 1975.
    Image Amazon

    Four

    The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?

    Answer: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier

    Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the 14th round of their third boxing match, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’, on 1 October 1975. The fight, considered one of the greatest in boxing history, was watched by an estimated 1 billion viewers.

    Paddy O’Neil (Richard Harris), Patriot Games.
    Image Jack Ryan Fandom

    Five

    Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?

    Answer: Richard Harris

    Irish actor and singer Richard Harris, known for his roles in films like This Sporting Life, The Field, and Gladiator, received numerous accolades including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Grammy Award. He also gained acclaim for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. He also topped the music charts with MacArthur Park reaching number one in Australia, Canda and Jamaica; and top-ten entries in the UK, US and Ireland.

  • Cat and Mouse

    Here are five questions all related to today’s date, October 1st.

    The Hunt for Red October.
    Image Jack Ryan Fandom

    One

    American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?

    Two

    On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?

    Three

    Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?

    Four

    The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?

    Five

    Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

  • The Devil is in the Detail—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.

    Devils Tower, Wyoming.
    Image US National Parks Service

    One

    On 24 September 1906 Devils Tower, Wyoming was named the first national monument in the United States. What 290 miles (470 km) long river, a tributary of the Cheyenne River, passes Devil’s Tower?

    Answer: Belle Fourche River

    The Belle Fourche River, a 290-mile tributary of the Cheyenne River, flows through Wyoming and South Dakota. It is part of the Mississippi River watershed via the Cheyenne and Missouri Rivers.

    Skellig Michael.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    An Early Medieval ecclesiastical site, an Irish National Monument and World Heritage Site, featured in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. What is this site?

    Answer: Skellig Michael

    Skellig Michael, a twin-pinnacled crag off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, is known for its well-preserved Gaelic monastery and diverse wildlife. The island, accessible only during summer, features steep stone steps leading to the monastery and a hermitage on the south peak. The island was used as the planet Ahch-To in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). While aerial footage was used in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

    Uluru/Ayers Rock.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    The World Heritage Site Uluru was named Ayers Rock in 1873. How many years prior to this had it been known as Uluru? (To the nearest thousand.)

    Answer: 10,000 years

    Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, was named by explorer William Gosse in 1873. However, the Pitjantjatjara people, the local indigenous population, have called it Uluru for around 10,000 years before Gosse’s renaming. They believe its formations are physical manifestations of creation events.

    Taj Mahal.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    In which century was the Taj Mahal built?

    Answer: 17th century

    The Taj Mahal at Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India was built between 1631 and 1653 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a 17-hectare complex which features a mausoleum, mosque and guest house, showcasing Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture.

    Cabot Tower.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    Cabot Tower is a National Monument in which country?

    Answer: Canada

    Cabot Tower, built in 1898 on Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada commemorates the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s landing and Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

  • The Devil is in the Detail

    Here are five questions, the first of which is related to today, September 24th. The others follow a theme.

    Devils Tower, Wyoming.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On 24 September 1906 Devils Tower, Wyoming was named the first national monument in the United States. What 290 miles (470 km) long river, a tributary of the Cheyenne River, passes Devil’s Tower?

    Skellig Michael.
    Image UNESCO

    Two

    An Early Medieval ecclesiastical site, an Irish National Monument and World Heritage Site, featured in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. What is this site?

    Uluru (Ayers Rock).
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    The World Heritage Site Uluru was named Ayers Rock in 1873. How many years prior to this had it been known as Uluru? (To the nearest thousand.)

    Taj Mahal.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    In which century was the Taj Mahal built?

    Cabot Tower.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    Cabot Tower, pictured, is a National Monument in which country?

  • The Tide Is High—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    The Admiral Benbow in Penzance, reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Which 1883 novel begins at an inn called the Admiral Benbow, and who wrote it?

    Answer: Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson

    The Admiral Benbow in Penzance is reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn from Treasure Island, although the inn in the story was set in a rural location.

    Two

    Lady Jane Grey’s reign of only nine days came between what two other monarchs?

    Answer: Edward VI and Mary I

    Lady Jane Grey, known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’, was proclaimed Queen of England and Ireland in 1553 after Edward VI’s death. However, her reign was short-lived as Mary I was proclaimed queen just nine days later. Jane was later executed for treason in 1554.

    Three

    Of what ocean is the Bay of Fundy an arm?

    Answer: Atlantic Ocean

    The Bay of Fundy (French: Baie de Fundy) is a bay located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the US state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and is renowned for its exceptionally high tidal range, making it the highest in the world.

    Cnidus Aphrodite.
    Marble, Roman copy after a Greek original of the 4th century.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Which ancient goddess of love is a 2010 album by Kylie Minogue named after?

    Answer: Aphrodite

    Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty and passion, was associated with various symbols and worshipped in several cult centres. Her origins can be traced back to the Phoenician goddess Astarte and the Sumerian goddess Inanna.

    Five

    What ‘A’, found in perfumes and food, is defined as follows?

    a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture. — Oxford English Dictionary

    Answer: Ambergris

    Ambergris, used in perfumes like musk, has also been used as a flavouring agent in food and drink, including a favourite dish of King Charles II and in Turkish coffee and hot chocolate.

    ambergris /ˈambəɡriːs , ˈambəɡrɪs /
    ▸ noun [mass noun] a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.
    – ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French ambre gris ‘grey amber’, as distinct from ambre jaune ‘yellow amber’ (the resin).
    — Oxford English Dictionary

    Mother and baby sperm whale.
    Image Wikipedia

  • The Tide Is High

    Low and high tide.
    Image from Ocean Info.

    I have five random questions for you today. They’re unrelated to the date or each other.

    One

    Which 1883 novel begins at an inn called the Admiral Benbow, and who wrote it?

    Two

    Lady Jane Grey’s reign of only nine days came between what two other monarchs?

    Three

    Of what ocean is the Bay of Fundy an arm?

    Four

    Which ancient goddess of love is a 2010 album by Kylie Minogue named after?

    Five

    What ‘A’, found in perfumes and food, is defined as follows?

    a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.

    — Oxford English Dictionary

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Multiples of… — Answers

    One

    A cathedral located in the Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany is named St …

    • Hagrid’s
    • Hedwig’s
    • Hogwart’s

    Answer: Hedwig’s

    St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Berlin, was built in Baroque style from 1747 to 1773. Damaged in WWII, it was restored in post-war modernist style and reopened in 2024 with a modern interior design.

    Two

    This has connected Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula’s since 1957?

    • Big Bang
    • Big Easy
    • Big Mac

    Answer: Big Mac

    The Mackinac Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, spans the Straits of Mackinac. Opened in 1957, it is the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere and part of Interstate 75.

    Three

    Who played the bride’s father in the 1950 version of Father of the Bride?

    • Cary Grant
    • James Stewart
    • Spencer Tracy

    Answer: Spencer Tracy

    Father of the Bride is a 1950 romantic comedy film about a man coping with his daughter’s wedding preparations.

    Four

    What is the community of Ballarat in Australia most associated with?

    • Ballet
    • Gold
    • Surfing

    Answer: Gold

    Ballarat, a city in Victoria, Australia, experienced rapid growth during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s. The Eureka Rebellion, a significant event in Australian history, occurred in Ballarat in 1854. Today, Ballarat is a major regional centre known for its history, culture and well-preserved colonial heritage.

    Five

    What channel is found between mainland Italy and Sicily?

    • Strait of Bonifacio
    • Strait of Messina
    • Strait of Otranto

    Answer: Strait of Messina

    The Strait of Messina, connecting the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, separates Sicily from Calabria in Southern Italy.

  • Multiples of…

    One

    A cathedral located in the Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany is named St …

    • Hagrid’s
    • Hedwig’s
    • Hogwart’s

    Two

    This has connected Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula’s since 1957?

    • Big Bang
    • Big Easy
    • Big Mac

    Three

    Who played the bride’s father in the 1950 version of Father of the Bride?

    • Cary Grant
    • James Stewart
    • Spencer Tracy

    Four

    What is the community of Ballarat in Australia most associated with?

    • Ballet
    • Gold
    • Surfing

    Five

    What channel is found between mainland Italy and Sicily?

    • Strait of Bonifacio
    • Strait of Messina
    • Strait of Otranto

    Good luck! The answers will be posted later.