His Highness Prince Rahim al-Hussaini. See question 4. Image Wikipedia
One
A rock group’s first album, which was self-titled, was released in 1964 while their latest Hackney Diamonds was released in 2023. Which group is this?
Two
Who played Lola Lola in 1930’s film The Blue Angel?
Three
What is the one word name used for the prestigious institution, part of a larger university, which Marie Curie attended for her studies in physics and mathematics, and where she became the first woman professor?
Four
What, since February 2025, is the hereditary title of Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis?
Five
Founded by the Greeks in the first millennium BCE, this city is now Italy’s third-largest as well as Campania’s regional capital. Please name it?
Six
What connects the five answers to the above questions?
The Battle of Agincourt, 15th-century miniature, Enguerrand de Monstrelet. Image Wikipedia
One
The Battle of Agincourt took place on 25 October 1415. In what department of France is the battlefield?
Answer: Pas-de-Calais
The unexpected victory of the vastly outnumbered English troops against the numerically superior French army boosted English morale and prestige crippling France and heralding a new era of English dominance in the war.
Two
On what island in New York Harbor does the Statue of Liberty stand, and by what name was the island known prior to it being renamed by an act of the United States Congress in 1956?
Answer: Liberty Island, formerly Bedloe’s Island
The Statue of Liberty, a neoclassical sculpture gifted by France, stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, it was dedicated on 28 October 1886.
Three
The deepest known point on Earth’s seabed is almost 7 miles (approximately 11 kilometres) deep. What is its name and in which ocean is it located?
Answer: Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean
On 23 March 1875, the British Royal Navy’s HMS Challenger with depth soundings taken by Baillie-weighted marked rope, and geographical locations were determined by celestial navigation (to an estimated accuracy of two nautical miles). Seventy-five years later HMS Challenger II took depth soundings but the depth was beyond their echo sound equipment so they used a weighted line…
The Senior Scientist aboard Challenger II, Thomas Gaskell, recalled:
It took from ten past five in the evening until twenty to seven, that is an hour and a half, for the iron weight to fall to the sea-bottom. It was almost dark by the time the weight struck, but great excitement greeted the reading…
Challenger Deep has a depth of approximately 10,935 meters (35,876 feet) below sea level.
Four
On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at the Sea of Tranquillity (Mare Tranquillitatis). A few months later, on 19 November 1969, Apollo 12 landed at a seemingly less tranquil location. Where did Apollo 12 land?
Answer: Ocean of Storms (Oceanus Procellarum)
Six Apollo missions landed on the Moon: Apollo 11 to 17, except Apollo 13, which suffered severe damage after an explosion and missed landing. Twelve astronauts walked on the lunar surface during these missions. The final Apollo astronauts departed the Moon in December 1972.
Photograph of Mount Erebus (and Adélie penguins) taken by the Terra Nova expedition in 1913. Image Wikipedia
Five
McMurdo Station (US) and Scott Base (NZ) are Antarctic research stations located on the Hut Point Peninsula. Two questions: firstly, on what island is this peninsula located; and secondly, the island is home to the planet’s southernmost active volcano, what is that volcano?
Answer: Ross Island and Mount Erebus
Ross Island was named after James Clark Ross a British naval officer and explorer. Hut Point, at the southern tip of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island, is a small, ice-free promontory near McMurdo Station. Designated as ASPA No. 158, entry requires a permit. It holds historical significance with a hut and artefacts from the 1901-04 British National Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, also designated as HSM No. 18. McMurdo Station, operated by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is the largest research station in Antarctica, serving as a logistics hub. Ross Island’s Mount Erebus is 3,794 metres (12,448 ft) in height.
The first question concerns today, October 25th, and the subsequent questions follow a theme.
The Battle of Agincourt, 15th-century miniature, Enguerrand de Monstrelet. Image Wikipedia
One
The Battle of Agincourt took place on 25 October 1415. In what department of France is the battlefield?
Two
On what island in New York Harbor does the Statue of Liberty stand, and by what name was the island known prior to it being renamed by an act of the United States Congress in 1956?
Three
The deepest known point on Earth’s seabed is almost 7 miles (approximately 11 kilometres) deep. What is its name and in which ocean is it located?
Four
On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at the Sea of Tranquillity (Mare Tranquillitatis). A few months later, on 19 November 1969, Apollo 12 landed at a seemingly less tranquil location. Where did Apollo 12 land?
Five
McMurdo Station (US) and Scott Base (NZ) are Antarctic research stations located on the Hut Point Peninsula. Two questions: firstly, on what island is this peninsula located; and secondly, the island is home to the planet’s southernmost active volcano, what is that volcano?
Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.
Meeting of the waters is the confluence between the dark Rio Negro (blackwater) and the pale sandy-coloured Amazon River (whitewater), referred to as the Solimões River in Brazil upriver of this confluence. Image Wikipedia
One
The confluence of what two rivers is shown in the above picture?
Answer: Rio Negro and Amazon aka (Rio Solimões)
The Meeting of Waters in Brazil is where the dark Rio Negro meets the pale, sediment-rich Rio Solimões (Amazon River) but flows side by side for kilometres without mixing due to differences in speed, temperature, and sediment content. The Rio Negro is slower, warmer, and almost sediment-free, while the Solimões is faster, cooler, and carries Andean sediments. This striking visual contrast continues for many kilometres before blending fully.
Two
Who composed the original Star Wars film score?
Answer: John Williams.
Williams’ iconic score, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, revitalized interest in grand orchestral film music and remains one of the most recognizable movie themes in history.
Is it true that China’s President Xi Jinping spent part of his childhood living in a cave?
Answer: True
As of 2010, approximately 3 million people in China’s Shanxi province resided in yaodong, which are caves dug into soft yet insulating dirt. These caves are naturally cool in summer and warm in winter, making them an affordable housing option. China’s president, Xi Jinping, spent part of his childhood in a similar cave in a nearby province. In 1968, at the age of 15, Xi applied to leave Beijing for the countryside, influenced by Mao Zedong’s Down to the Countryside Movement. On 13 January 1969, he moved to Liangjiahe Village in Yan’an, Shaanxi. The rural conditions were challenging which fostered his connection with the rural poor. Initially unable to adapt, he attempted to return to Beijing but was arrested and sent to a work camp. Persuaded by his aunt and uncle, he returned to the village, where he served as the party secretary and lived in a cave house.
Yaodong(earth shelter) covered in snow. Image Wikipedia
Four
What is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere?
Answer: Nitrogen
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere. Despite being so common, most living organisms can’t use atmospheric nitrogen directly — it must first be made into usable forms by bacteria and plants.
Five
The novel Brave New World was written by whom?
Answer: Aldous Huxley
Published in 1932, Brave New World predicted technologies and societal trends — such as genetic engineering and consumerism — that became eerily relevant decades later.
In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born? In what city was she born and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?
Answer: 18 (Grand Slam singles titles)
Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including nine Wimbledon singles titles and a career Grand Slam in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Navratilova became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship in 2008.
Two
In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New …. What was his name and his place of birth?
Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald and New Orleans
Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, assassinated President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963 and was himself killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The Warren Commission concluded Oswald, who had a troubled past and at one time defected to the Soviet Union, acted alone, a finding supported by multiple investigations, though many Americans remain sceptical.
Three
The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?
Answer: 1920s
The British Broadcasting Corporation—established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company—is headquartered in London and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the UK. Funded primarily by a television licence fee, it provides radio, TV, and online services, including the BBC World Service.
Four
On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?
Answer: Sitka and 2.4 miles or 3.8 km
The Alaska Purchase, negotiated by William H. Seward in 1867, was finalised on October 18th with a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka, now celebrated as Alaska Day.
Anything between 2 and 3 miles or 3 and 4 km is acceptable.
The Diomede Islands, Little Diomede (Alaska, U.S.) and Big Diomede (Chukotka, Russia), are located in the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Siberia.
The distance between the islands is about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometres).
The International Date Line runs between them, making Big Diomede almost one day ahead of Little Diomede; consequently, they are sometimes called ‘Tomorrow Island’ (Big Diomede) and ‘Yesterday Island’ (Little Diomede).
Five
The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?
Answer: Herman Melville
The British edition of The Whale was published on October 18th with only 500 copies printed, a small print run due to slow sales of previous books. The American editions—titled Moby Dick or The Whale was released on November 14th.
In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born. In what city was she born, and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?
Two
In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New …. What was his name and his place of birth?
Three
The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?
Four
On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?
Five
The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?
There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?
Answer: Somethin’ Stupid Frank and Nancy Sinatra
This 1967 hit, which was billed as being by ‘Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra’, was the first and only instance of a father-daughter number-one song in America. Nancy Sinatra has said, ‘Some people call (it) the Incest Song, which I think is, well, very sweet!’
Five
Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?
Answer: Woodrow Wilson and Harold Wilson
Woodrow Wilson, was the 28th President of the United States and was in office from 1913 to 1921. Harold Wilson, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was in office from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976.
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States. Image Wikipedia
One
The US state of Virginia is in pole position with eight US presidents being born there. What state would be in second place?
Answer: Ohio
Ohio ranks second to Virginia in the number of US presidents born there. These seven presidents hail from Ohio: Ulysses S Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, James A Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G Harding.
Two
Which mammal family, common or scientific name, is the wolverine the largest member of?
Answer: Weasels or Mustelidae
The wolverine, the largest member of the Mustelidae family – commonly known as the weasel family – includes other animals like weasels otters martens and badgers. Renowned for their stocky build thick fur and impressive strength relative to their size, wolverines are truly remarkable creatures.
In 1977 Petrus Kartner was commissioned to compose a promotional song for The Smurfs which became a hit single and album. What nationality was Kartner and under what stage name did he perform?
Answer: Dutch and Father Abraham
Dutch musician and record producer Petrus Antonius Laurentius Kartner (1935-2022), known as Vader Abraham, wrote around 1600 songs. He is best known for his Smurf-themed music, including The Smurf Song, which sold 400,000 copies after a repress and a full album that sold 500,000 copies.
Four
In volleyball, a defensive specialist who can’t serve or rotate to the front line and wears a different coloured jersey is known as a …. What six-letter word describes this player?
Answer: Libero
The word originates from Italian and means ‘free’. The libero, is a defensive specialist in volleyball, wearing a different coloured jersey and unable to serve or attack above the net. Libero replacements don’t count against the substitution limit, but can only be made with the original libero. Established in 1998, this position is recognised by most volleyball governing bodies and is credited with lengthening rallies.
Neptune’s Staircase, Caledonian Canal, Scotland, UK. Image Wikipedia
Five
What eventually links Loch Ness to Neptune’s Staircase?
Answer: Caledonian Canal
Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822 the Caledonian Canal is one of Scotland’s most remarkable engineering achievements — a scenic 60-mile (97 km) waterway that cuts through the Great Glen, connecting the east coast at the Beauly Firth near Inverness with the west coast’s Loch Linnhe at Corpach near Fort William. Some 60 miles (97 km) in length with 22 miles (35 km) of man-made canal while the rest is natural lochs which include Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Neptune’s Staircase is a flight of eight locks near to the Loch Linnhe end of the canal.
