Quizology.Online

Tag: geography

  • To Boldly Go

    One

    On 13 September 1959, the first spacecraft successfully made contact with another celestial body. Which spacecraft and celestial body were involved?

    • Kal-L 1 and Mercury
    • Luna 2 and the Moon
    • Mariner 3 and Mars

    Answer: Luna 2 And the Moon

    …the Soviets launched their second Cosmic Rocket (later renamed Luna 2) on Sep. 12 and it successfully achieved escape velocity and placed the spacecraft, virtually identical to Luna 1, on an intercept course with the Moon. The upper stage once again released its one kilogram of sodium gas at a distance of 97,000 miles. On Sep. 13, Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to make contact with another celestial body when it impacted the Moon between Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis, about 160 miles from where Apollo 15 would land 12 years later. The spacecraft’s scientific instruments detected no magnetic field or radiation belts around the Moon. Luna 2 deposited Soviet emblems on the lunar surface, carried in two metallic spheres. During his only visit to the United States a few days after the Luna 2 mission, Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev presented a replica of the spherical pennant to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That sphere is kept at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, while a copy is displayed at the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas.

    — NASA

    Two

    The 13 September Japanese release of Super Mario Bros marked the start of the Super Mario series of platforming games.

    • 1985
    • 1991
    • 1997

    Answer: 1985

    Super Mario Bros. is a 1985 platform game developed by Nintendo for the NES. Players control Mario or Luigi to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser, traversing side-scrolling stages and collecting power-ups. The game is praised for its precise controls and is credited with reviving the video game industry after the 1983 crash.

    Three

    On 12 September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert set a record as the strongest hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Which 2005 hurricane surpassed this record?

    • Maria
    • Rita
    • Wilma

    Answer: Wilma

    Hurricane Gilbert, a Category 5 hurricane in 1988, caused widespread destruction in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It was the second-most intense Atlantic landfalling hurricane (only behind 2005’s Hurricane Wilma) and the most intense to strike Mexico.

    Four

    Hannibal Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film on this date. In what decade did this occur?

    • 1890s
    • 1900s
    • 1910s

    Answer: 1890s

    Five

    On 13 September 1899, the first ascent of Batian was achieved. Of what mountain is Batian the highest peak?

    • Mount Erebus
    • Mount Fuji
    • Mount Kenya

    Answer: Mount Kenya

    Mount Kenya, located near the equator in Kenya, has three highest peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. It is the source of the country’s name.

  • To Boldly Go

    Five multiple choice questions related to today, September 13th.

    One

    On 13 September 1959, the first spacecraft successfully made contact with another celestial body. Which spacecraft and celestial body were involved?

    • Kal-L 1 and Mercury
    • Luna 2 and the Moon
    • Mariner 3 and Mars

    Two

    The 13 September Japanese release of Super Mario Bros marked the start of the Super Mario series of platforming games.

    • 1985
    • 1991
    • 1997

    Three

    On 12 September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert set a record as the strongest hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Which 2005 hurricane surpassed this record?

    • Maria
    • Rita
    • Wilma

    Four

    Hannibal Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film on this date. In what decade did this occur?

    • 1890s
    • 1900s
    • 1910s

    Five

    On 13 September 1899, the first ascent of Batian was achieved. Of what mountain is Batian the highest peak?

    • Mount Erebus
    • Mount Fuji
    • Mount Kenya

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Wedding Bells—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post about events related to 12 September.

    John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on their wedding day.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On 12 September 1953, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Who did she marry?

    Answer: John F. Kennedy

    Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, known as Jackie O, was the First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963. She was a popular figure, admired for her dedication to historic preservation, arts and culture, and her unique fashion sense. After her husband’s assassination, she married Aristotle Onassis and later became a book editor in New York City.

    Two

    On 12 September 1885, Arbroath achieved a world record scoreline in professional football (soccer) by defeating Bon Accord in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Was the margin of Arbroath’s win 26, 31, or 36 goals?

    Answer: 36 goals

    The final scoreboard read Aberdeen 36-0 Bon Accord. Arbroath led 15-0 at halftime and scored 21 more goals in the second half. The match was so one-sided that Arbroath’s goalkeeper didn’t touch the ball.

    It holds the largest margin of victory in an unrigged first-class football match. A match between AS Adema and SO l’Emyrne, a thrown game where SO l’Emyrne scored deliberate own goals in a protest against prior officiating decisions, took the title of most goals in a professional football match in 2002. — Wikipedia

    Three

    The estimated age range of the wall paintings in the Lascaux Cave, France, and the year in which Lascaux was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List are 17,000 to 22,000 years and 1979; 87,000 to 92,000 years old and 1954; or 147,000 to 220,000 years old and 2000?

    Answer: 17,000 to 22,000 years and 1979

    Lascaux, a network of caves in southwestern France, were discovered on this day in 1940 and features over 600 prehistoric wall paintings dating back 17,000 to 22,000 years. The site, recognised for its outstanding art, was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

    Four

    Salisbury, Rhodesia, was founded on 12 September 1890. What are the current names of the city and country?

    Answer: Harare, Zimbabwe

    Founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury, the city served as the capital of Southern Rhodesia and later Rhodesia. Upon independence, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, and Salisbury was renamed Harare in 1982. It remained the capital until the national parliament relocated to Mount Hampden in 2022.

    Five

    The Battle of Marathon, fought on this day in 490 BCE, was a victory for the Athenians against which empire?

    Answer: Persian Empire (aka Achaemenid Empire)

    The Battle of Marathon, usually accepted as occurring in 490 BCE, saw the Athenians and their Plataean allies defeat the first Persian invasion force of Greece.

  • Wedding Bells

    These questions are related to events connected to today’s date, 12 September?

    St. Mary’s Church,
    Newport, Rhode Island.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On 12 September 1953, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Who did she marry?

    Two

    On 12 September 1885, Arbroath achieved a world record scoreline in professional football (soccer) by defeating Bon Accord in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Was the margin of Arbroath’s win 26, 31, or 36 goals?

    Three

    The estimated age range of the wall paintings in the Lascaux Cave, France, and the year in which Lascaux was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List are 17,000 to 22,000 years and 1979; 87,000 to 92,000 years old and 1954; or 147,000 to 220,000 years old and 2000?

    Four

    Salisbury, Rhodesia, was founded on 12 September 1890. What are the current names of the city and country?

    Five

    The Battle of Marathon, fought on this day in 490 BCE, was a victory for the Athenians against which empire?

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

  • Why a Duck?—Answers

    Freddie Mercury, 1977.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Freddie Mercury, born on 5 September 1946 in Stone Town, the Sultanate of Zanzibar, is best known as the frontman of Queen. Which two Queen albums from the mid-seventies are named after Marx Brothers films?

    Answer: A Night at the Opera (1975) and A Day at the Races (1976)

    Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in the Sultanate of Zanzibar, was a British rock singer and songwriter known for his flamboyant showmanship and powerful vocals. He joined the band Smile in 1970, renamed it Queen, and became its lead singer. Queen achieved international fame with albums like A Night at the Opera, and Mercury’s solo career included collaborations with Montserrat Caballé.

    Gerald R. Ford, presidential portrait.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    On 5 September 1975, Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, attempted to assassinate the US president. This was one of two assassination attempts in that month, Who was the president who was targeted?

    Answer: Gerald R Ford

    Twice in September 1975, Ford was the target of assassination attempts. In the first instance, Secret Service agents intervened before shots were fired; in the second, the would-be assassin fired one shot at Ford but missed by several feet.
    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    Jim Henson with Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in 1979.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    The first episode of The Muppet Show aired on 5 September 1976. In which country was it broadcast?

    Answer: United Kingdom

    The Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson, premiered in the UK on 5 September 1976 and ended on 23 May 1981. Five seasons, totalling 120 episodes, were broadcast on ATV and other ITV franchises in the UK and in syndication in the United States from 1976 to 1981. It featured iconic characters like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, with its success leading to films, merchandise, and other series. The Muppets were acquired by Disney in 2004.

    Sam Houston, 1861.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas on 5 September. In which decade of the 19th century did this event occur?
    Thirties

    Answer: Thirties

    Houston was elected in 1836.
    Samuel Houston was an American general and statesman who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas, a U.S. Senator, and the governor of both Tennessee and Texas. Houston opposed secession and was forced out of office as Texas governor in 1861.

    Flag of Tuvala.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On 5 September 2000, the Pacific island nation whose flag is shown above became the 189th member of the United Nations. Please name that country?

    Answer: Tuvala

    Tuvalu, a Polynesian island country in the Pacific Ocean, comprises three reef islands and six atolls. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978 and is a constitutional monarchy. The economy relies on imports, fishing, and remittances, while facing challenges from climate change and sea level rise.

    Why Why a Duck?

    The title of the post, Why a Duck?, doesn’t directly relate to the content, except for the mention of the Marx Brothers in the first question. However, I’ve always enjoyed the routine it originates from. This routine comes from The Cocoanuts. A bit of an explanation follows.

    “Why a Duck?” is a comedy routine featured in the Marx Brothers movie The Cocoanuts (1929). In a scene in which Groucho and Chico are discussing a map, Groucho mentions the presence of a viaduct between the mainland and a peninsula. Chico, who is playing the role of an immigrant with poor English skills, replies “Why a duck?” This leads into a long schtick with Chico responding “Why a no chicken?”, “I catch ona why a horse”, and so forth
    — Wikipedia

    The routine can be read here at The Marx Brothers.

  • Why a Duck?

    See question 5.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Freddie Mercury, born on 5 September 1946 in Stone Town, the Sultanate of Zanzibar, is best known as the frontman of Queen. Which two Queen albums from the mid-seventies are named after Marx Brothers films?

    Two

    On 5 September 1975, Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, attempted to assassinate the US president. This was one of two assassination attempts in that month, Who was the president who was targeted?

    Three

    The first episode of The Muppet Show aired on 5 September 1976. In which country was it broadcast?

    Four

    Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas on 5 September. In which decade of the 19th century did this event occur?

    Five

    On 5 September 2000, the Pacific island nation whose flag is shown above became the 189th member of the United Nations. Please name that country?

    Good luck! The answers will be posted later today.

  • But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?—Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One of the Ford Anglia 105E’s seen in the Harry Potter films.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Which turquoise blue Ford motor car model is depicted as the flying car in the Harry Potter books and films?

    Answer: Ford Anglia 105E

    “My secondary school, Wyedean, where I went when I was eleven, was the place I met Sean Harris, to whom Chamber of Secrets is dedicated and who owned the original Ford Anglia. He was the first of my friends to learn to drive and that turquoise and white car meant FREEDOM and no more having to ask my father to give me lifts, which is the worst thing about living in the countryside when you are a teenager. Some of the happiest memories of my teenage years involve zooming off into the darkness in Sean’s car.“
    — J.K.Rowling. harrypotterfandom.com

    The filming of the scene where the Ford Anglia crashes into the Whomping Willow resulted in the destruction of 14 cars.

    Tristan da Cunha as seen from International Space Station. Image NASA/Wikipedia

    Two

    Tristan da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, has only one settlement. What is its name?

    Answer: Edinburgh of the Seven Seas

    Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is the only settlement of the island of Tristan da Cunha, a part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean. Locally, it is referred to as The Settlement or The Village.

    Juliet’s Balcony, Verona.
    Image No Sweat Shakespeare

    Three

    What tourist attraction in Verona, Italy is a fake as the person allegedly connected to it never existed?

    Answer: (either or both) Juliet’s house or Juliet’s balcony

    In 1905, the mayor of Verona, as part of a tourism marketing campaign, bought the house from the Cappello family, thinking the name resembled Capulet, Juliet’s surname, and declared it the one and only Juliette’s House. Even the balcony is fake, constructed in the 20th century using parts from a 17th-century sarcophagus and attached to the wall to create a bogus balcony.

    Statue of Juliet at Juliets House, Verona.
    Image Wikipedia
    Palace of Holyroodhouse.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    What building is the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland?

    Answer: Palace of Holyroodhouse (aka Holyrood Palace)

    Holyrood Palace, or in full the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the British monarch, is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile. The name derives either from a legendary vision of the cross witnessed by David I, or from a relic of the True Cross known as the Holy Rood or Black Rood, which had belonged to Saint Margaret of Scotland, David’s mother. The palace, which adjoins Holyrood Abbey, is open to the public year-round, except when the royal family is in residence.

    The title page of the first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, published in 1768-71.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On 10 December 1768, the first edition of which reference work was first published in Edinburgh, Scotland?

    Answer: Encyclopædia Britannica

    The Encyclopædia Britannica, a general-knowledge English-language encyclopaedia, was first published in 1768 and is currently owned by Chicago based Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. After 244 years of print, the last printed edition was published in 2010, and it has been available exclusively online since 2016. The Britannica is known for its scholarly articles and has undergone several changes in format and ownership throughout its history.

    The Edinburgh connection is in all the questions except No. 3.

    1. JK Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter while living in Edinburgh.
    2. Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. The settlement was orininally founded and named by a Scotsman: Sergeant William Glass from Kelso, Scottish Borders.
    3. Not part of the theme.
    4. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is at the bottom of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Edinburgh Castle is at the opposite end.
    5. Encyclopædia Britannica was originally founded and published in the city.

    But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
    — The post title is from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

  • But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

    Today, five different questions with a wee bit of a theme running through some of them, though not all.

    Hogwarts Express at Glenfinnan Viaduct. Image HarryPotter.com

    One

    Which turquoise-blue Ford motor car model is depicted as the flying car in the Harry Potter books and films?

    Two

    Tristan da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, has only one settlement. What is its name?

    Three

    What tourist attraction in Verona, Italy, is a fake as the person allegedly connected to it never existed?

    Four

    What building is the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland?

    Five

    On 10 December 1768, the first edition of which reference work was first published in Edinburgh, Scotland?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Mr Standfast—Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, meets HM King Charles III
    at Buckingham Palace. LONDON- UK- 5th May 2023.
    Photo by Ian Jones via Wikipedia

    One

    Who, born 25 August 1875, connects these: the 15th Governor General of Canada; Richard Hannay; and the 1st Baron Tweedsmuir?

    Answer: John Buchan

    John Buchan, a Scottish novelist and politician, served as Governor General of Canada from 1935 until his death in 1940. He promoted Canadian unity and strengthened the country’s sovereignty. Buchan, who was the 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, created the character Richard Hannay.

    Two

    The title of this post, Mr Standfast, is the name of a novel featuring Richard Hannay, as mentioned in question 1. Can you name another novel by the same author that features Hannay as a major character?

    Answer: (Any of) – The Thirty-Nine Steps, Greenmantle, The Three Hostages, The Island of Sheep

    Hannay appears in several novels as a major character, including:

    He also appears as a minor character in:

    — Wikipedia

    Note, Richard Hannay also appears in some works by other authors.

    Three

    The 15th Governor General of Canada is mentioned above, but who is the current and 30th Governor General of Canada? Notably, this is the first Indigenous person to hold the office.

    Answer: Mary Simon

    Mary Simon, the first Indigenous Governor General of Canada, was born in Quebec and previously worked as a broadcaster and diplomat. Her appointment was criticised due to her limited French fluency.

    Four

    The international boundary between Canada and the United States is the world’s longest. Two answers to this question: (1) how many Canadian provinces and territories are on the border, and (2) how many US states are on the border.

    Answer: (1) 8 Canadian provinces or territories and (2) 13 US states

    Canadian Province or Territory

    Ontario 2,727 km (1,682 mi)
    British Columbia 2,168 km (1,347 mi)
    Yukon 1,244 km (786 mi)
    Quebec 813 km (505 mi)
    Saskatchewan 632 km (393 mi)
    New Brunswick 513 km (318 mi)
    Manitoba 497 km (309 mi)
    Alberta 298 km (185 mi)

    US State

    Alaska 2,475 km (1,538 mi)
    Michigan 1,160 km (721 mi)
    Maine 983 km (611 mi)
    Minnesota 880 km (547 mi)
    Montana 877 km (545 mi)
    New York 716 km (445 mi)
    Washington 687 km (427 mi)
    North Dakota 499 km (310 mi)
    Ohio 499 km (310 mi)
    Vermont 145 km (90 mi)
    New Hampshire 93 km (58 mi)
    Idaho 72 km (45 mi)
    Pennsylvania 68 km (42 mi)

    — Wikipedia

    Alaska, US–Yukon, Canada border.
    Image Fine Art America

    Five

    The northern end of the Yukon, Canada/Alaska, US border at 69°39′N 141°00′W is on the shore of what sea?

    Answer: Beaufort Sea

    The Canadian territory of Yukon shares its entire western border with the U.S. state of Alaska, beginning at the Beaufort Sea at 69°39′N 141°00′Wand proceeding southwards along the 141st meridian west. At 60°18′N, the border proceeds away from the 141st meridian west in a southeastward direction, following the Saint Elias Mountains. South of the 60th parallel north, the border continues into British Columbia
    — Wikipedia

  • Mr Standfast

    Firstly, a question about someone born on August 26th. The rest of the questions are follow-ups to this one.

    One

    Who, born 25 August 1875, connects these: the 15th Governor General of Canada; Richard Hannay; and the 1st Baron Tweedsmuir?

    Two

    The title of this post is the name of a novel featuring Richard Hannay, as mentioned in question 1. Can you name another novel by the same author that features Hannay as a major character?

    Three

    The 15th Governor General of Canada is mentioned above, but who is the current and 30th Governor General of Canada? Notably, this is the first Indigenous person to hold the office.

    Four

    The international boundary between Canada and the United States is the world’s longest. Two answers to this question: (1) how many Canadian provinces and territories are on the border, and (2) how many US states are on the border.

    Five

    The northern end of the Yukon, Canada/Alaska, US border at 69°39′N 141°00′W is on the shore of what sea?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.