Tag: geography

  • Number soup

    A five course cornucopia.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 2019.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. What number is represented by these Roman numerals: MCMLXXV?
      • 1565
      • 1975
      • 1885
    2. The name of the Japanese Island Iwo Jima literally means …
      • Seaweed Island
      • Spirit Island
      • Sulfur Island
    3. Who is the only actress in Oscar history to be nominated twice for playing the same role in two films?
      • Annette Bening
      • Anne Hathaway
      • Cate Blanchett
    4. The deity Khnum was originally associated with the…
        • Cataracts of the Nile
        • Confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates
        • Source of the Rhine
      • In 2000, Angela Merkel succeeded who as Chancellor of of Germany?
        • Christian Wulff
        • Helmut Kohl
        • Gerhard Schröder

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    5. Americana | Answers

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

      Jacques Cartier by Theophile Hamel, 1844.
      Image Wikipedia
      1. The first European to describe and map North America’s Saint Lawrence River was Jacques Cartier. He sailed into the river for the first time on 9 June 1534. Who was he?
        • Jacques Cartier—Jacques Cartier, commissioned by King Francis I of France, sailed into the St. Lawrence River in 1534 in search of gold, spices and a northern passage to Asia. He made contact with the Iroquois nation on Prince Edward Island and believed he had discovered a new seaway to Asia.
          Michael J. Fox, 2020.
          Image Wikipedia
      2. Michael J. Fox was born 9 June 1961, what role did he play in Spin City?
        • Mike Flaherty—Michael J. Fox, a Canadian-American actor and activist, rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s through roles in Family Ties, Back to the Future and Spin City. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, he became an advocate for finding a cure, founding The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. Fox officially retired from acting in 2020 due to declining health.
          Lyndon. B Johnson, 1964.
          Image Wikipedia
      3. On this date, a US President declared a national day of mourning following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Which US president made this decision?
        • Lyndon B. Johnson—On 5 June 1968, Robert F. Kennedy, a US senator and presidential candidate, was shot and fatally wounded by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Kennedy died on 6 June. Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian with anti-Zionist beliefs, was convicted and sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison.
          Patricia Cornwall, 2016
          Image Wikipedia
      4. Best known for her Kay Scarpetta novels, which author was born today in 1956?
        • Patricia Cornwell—Kay Scarpetta, a fictional character inspired by Marcella Farinelli Fierro, is the protagonist in Patricia Cornwell’s crime novels. The name Scarpetta means ‘Little Shoe’ and is a pun on Caligula, meaning ‘Little Boot’.
          The US Navy ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN-598) underway, circa in the 1970s. Image Wikipedia
      5. On 9 June 1959, the world’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine was launched. Which of these was it?
        • USS George Washington (United States)—The world’s first functioning nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) was the USS George Washington, armed with 16 Polaris A-1 missiles. The Soviets, although having several SSBs, followed suit as part of the arms race, in developing a Soviet SSBN.
    6. Americana

      Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, June 9th.

      Grande Hermine with cameos of Jacques Cartier & Francis I, King of France in margins.
      Image US Library of Congress
      1. The first European to describe and map North America’s Saint Lawrence River sailed into the river for the first time on 9 June 1534. Who was he?
        • Jacques Cartier
        • Jacques Chirac
        • Jacques Cousteau
      2. Michael J. Fox was born 9 June 1961, what role did he play in Spin City?
        • Frank Bannister
        • Mike Flaherty
        • Ben Stone
      3. On this date, a US President declared a national day of mourning following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Which US president made this decision?
        • Gerald Ford
        • Lyndon B. Johnson
        • Richard Nixon
      4. Best known for her Kay Scarpetta novels, which author was born today in 1956?
        • Jane Adams
        • Patricia Cornwell
        • Sandra Brown
      5. On 9 June 1959, the world’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine was launched. Which of these was it?
        • K-19 (Soviet Union)
        • HMS Resolution (United Kingdom)
        • USS George Washington (United States)

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    7. Golden II | Answers

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

      Perspective view looking southwest over the Golden Gate Bridge toward the Pacific Ocean.
      Image Wikipedia
      1. The Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay are connected by what strait?
        • Golden Gate—The Golden Gate is a strait connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It is spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge. The entire shoreline and adjacent waters throughout the strait are managed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
          The Tremeloes, Silence is Golden.
          Image obriens.no
      2. In 1967, what British group had number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the US charts with Silence is Golden?
        • The TremeloesSilence Is Golden was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in 1964 and later covered by The Tremeloes in 1967. The Tremeloes’ version reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the US charts. Selling one million records globally earned it a Gold Disc.
          Golden Snitch.
          Image The Making of Harry Potter/Wikipedia
      3. In Quidditch, the Seeker needs to capture what to end the game?
        • Golden Snitch–Quidditch, a fictional sport from the Harry Potter series, is played on flying broomsticks. The objective is to score points by throwing a ball through hoops, while avoiding Bludgers and catching the Golden Snitch.
          Vegas Golden Knights logo.
          Image Wikipedia
      4. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights made their debut in which sports league?
        • National Hockey League (or NHL)—The Vegas Golden Knights, founded in 2017, are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas. They compete in the NHL’s Western Conference and won their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023.
          Mrs Coulter, The Golden Compass, 2007.
          Image Pinterest.
      5. Nicole Kidman’s character in The Golden Compass (2007) was who?
        • Mrs Coulter (or Marisa Coulter)—Mrs. Coulter, a powerful and ruthless character in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy and its adaptions. She and Lord Asriel are Lyra Belacqua’s parents. Initially, she is portrayed as elegant and sophisticated. However, she is revealed to be calculating and power-hungry. She manipulates events to dominate the armoured bears and later betrays the Church to save Lyra. Ultimately, she sacrifices herself alongside Asriel to defeat Metatron, demonstrating her complex character and love for her daughter.
    8. Golden II

      This is a second outing for a theme based on the title. The word ‘golden’ appears in either the question or the answer, so there’s no multiple-choice.

      Quidditch arena.
      Image Pinterest
      1. The Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay are connected by what strait?
      2. In 1967, what British group had number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the US charts with Silence is Golden?
      3. In Quidditch, the Seeker needs to capture what to end the game?
      4. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights made their debut in which sports league?
      5. Nicole Kidman’s character in The Golden Compass (2007) was who?

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    9. Golden | Answers

      The Golden Girls.
      Image BBC

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

      1. The Golden Girls, which first aired in 1985, was set in which US city?
        • MiamiThe Golden Girls is an American sitcom about four older women sharing a home in Miami. The show aired on NBC for seven seasons, spanning 180 episodes receiving critical acclaim, winning multiple awards including Emmys and Golden Globes. The series ranked among the top ten in Nielsen ratings for six seasons and is still popular today.
          Goldeneye, Jamaica.
          Image Wikipedia
      2. English author Ian Fleming’s Caribbean estate was named…
        • Goldeneye—is the name of Ian Fleming’s estate in Jamaica, built in 1946 on a cliff overlooking a private beach. The estate, featuring a three-bedroom house and swimming pool, hosted celebrities and filmmakers. It is now a hotel and resort.
          Jack Nicklaus, Augusta National Golf Club, 2006.
          Image Wikipedia
      3. Who is the ‘Golden Bear’, a winner of over 70 events on the PGA Tour?
        • Jack Nicklaus—nicknamed “the Golden Bear”, is an American retired professional golfer and golf course designer. He won 117 professional tournaments, including a record 18 major championships, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Nicklaus also holds records for the most top three finishes in PGA Tour history and the most major tournament appearances.
          Golden Horn, Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara.
          Image Wikipedia
      4. What body of water do the Halic Bridge and Ataturk Bridge cross? (Two word answer)
        • Golden Horn—is an inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul near to where the Bosphorus meets the Sea of Marmara. A natural inlet the Golden Horn separates the old historic heart of Istanbul from the remainder of the city.
          William Wordsworth.
          Image National Trust/Wikipedia
      5. Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?
        • I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud—the full poem is shown below. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud is a popular lyric poem by William Wordsworth, inspired by a walk with his sister in 1802. First published in 1807 and revised in 1815 It is sometimes called Daffodils.Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?

      I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud

      By William Wordsmith

      I wandered lonely as a cloud
      That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
      When all at once I saw a crowd,
      A host, of golden daffodils;
      Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
      Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

      Continuous as the stars that shine
      And twinkle on the milky way,
      They stretched in never-ending line
      Along the margin of a bay:
      Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
      Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

      The waves beside them danced; but they
      Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
      A poet could not but be gay,
      In such a jocund company:
      I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
      What wealth the show to me had brought:

      For oft, when on my couch I lie
      In vacant or in pensive mood,
      They flash upon that inward eye
      Which is the bliss of solitude;
      And then my heart with pleasure fills,
      And dances with the daffodils
    10. Golden

      Today’s post, 6 June 2025, has a theme based on the post title. The word ‘golden’ is contained in either the question or the answer consequently, there is no multiple-choice.

      The Golden Girls.
      Image BBC
      1. The Golden Girls, which first aired in 1985, was set in which US city?
      2. English author Ian Fleming’s Caribbean estate was named…
      3. Who is the ‘Golden Bear’, a winner of over 70 events on the PGA Tour?
      4. What body of water do the Halic Bridge and Ataturk Bridge cross? (Two word answer)
      5. Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?
        When all at once I saw a crowd,
        A host, of golden daffodils;
        Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
        Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    11. Roamin’ in the Gloamin’ | Answers

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

      Positions of North Magnetic Pole of the Earth. Poles shown are dip poles, defined as positions where the direction of the magnetic field is vertical. Red circles mark magnetic north pole positions as determined by direct observation, blue circles mark positions modelled using the GUFM model (1590–1890) and the IGRF-12 model (1900–2020) in 1 year increments. For the years 1890–1900, a smooth interpolation between the two models was performed. The modelled locations after 2015 are projections.
      Image Wikipedia
      1. On 1 June 1831, British naval officer James Clark Ross made history as the first person to precisely locate the position of the Earth’s north magnetic pole. Using current locations, where was it discovered?
        • Boothia Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada—The north magnetic pole was located on the Boothia Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada—the northernmost portion of mainland Canada and North America—since then it has roamed the Arctic, gradually drifting north-northwest by more than 600 miles (1,100 km).
          James Madison.
          Image Wikipedia
      2. Today in 1812, the US President asked Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom. Who was this president?
        • James Madison—After failed sanctions and policies, Madison believed war with Britain was necessary. A “war hawk” Congress, elected by an angry public, declared war on 1 June 1812, despite the country’s small, poorly trained military.
          Scotch Whisky.
          Image Wikipedia
      3. On this date, a monk recorded the first known batch of Scotch whisky. In which year was this record made?
        • 1495—John Cor, a fifteenth-century Scottish friar, is linked to the earliest written record of Scotch whisky. King James IV ordered Cor to use malt to make whisky in 1495, marking the first mention of whisky in a Scottish source.
          Jason Donovan.
          Image Wikipedia
      4. All celebrating birthdays today, but who was born the earliest?
        • Jason Donovan, actor and singer—the former Neighbours and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat star was born in 1968. Heidi Klum was 1973 and Brandi Carlile, 1981.
      5. On 1 June 1919, as one of its first acts after independence from the Russian Empire, Finland imposed which of these?
        • Prohibition (Ban on alcohol)—Finland enacted prohibition in 1919 after independence from Russia, but repealed it in 1932 following a referendum after widespread smuggling and increased crime.
    12. Roamin’ in the Gloamin’

      Some questions connected to today’s date, June 1st.

      Map of Arctic Circle (shown in blue).
      Image Wikipedia
      1. On 1 June 1831, British naval officer James Clark Ross made history as the first person to precisely locate the position of the Earth’s north magnetic pole. Using current locations, where was it discovered?
        • Boothia Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada
        • Ittoqqortoormiit, Sermersooq, Greenland
        • Nuvuk, Murchison Promontory, Alaska, USA
      2. Today in 1812, the US President asked Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom. Who was this president?
        • Thomas Jefferson
        • James Madison
        • James Monroe
      3. On this date, a monk recorded the first known batch of Scotch whisky. In which year was this record made?
        • 1009
        • 1243
        • 1495
      4. All celebrating birthdays today, but who was born the earliest?
        • Brandi Carlile, singer-songwriter
        • Heidi Klum, model
        • Jason Donovan, actor and singer
      5. On 1 June 1919, as one of its first acts after independence from the Russian Empire, Finland imposed which of these?
        • Conscription (Military draft)
        • Prohibition (Ban on alcohol)
        • Women’s suffrage (Right to vote)

      Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    13. From sewers to Easter eggs | Answers

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

      The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
      Image Pinterest https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e1/b2/c5/e1b2c5a680091ded3db244f81704b73b.png
      1. Who were the four anthropomorphic turtle brothers who first appeared in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book stories, co-created by Kevin Eastman, who was born today in 1962?
        • Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and MichelangeloTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American media franchise about four anthropomorphic turtle brothers trained in ninjutsu. Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird the franchise began as a comic book in 1984 and expanded to include television series, films, video games and merchandise.
      2. Born on 30th May 1908, the voice actor who voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweety was who?
        • Mel Blanc—Melvin Jerome Blanc was an American voice actor and radio personality known for his work in the Golden Age of American Animation, voicing characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. He also voiced characters for Hanna-Barbera’s television cartoons, including Barney Rubble and Mr. Spacely.
          Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife.
          Image Google Art Project/Wikipedia
      3. Today marks the anniversary of England’s King Henry VIII’s third marriage. Who was his third wife?
        • Jane Seymour—Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, died of postnatal complications after giving birth to Edward VI. She was the only wife of Henry VIII to receive a queen’s funeral.
      4. The Kharan Desert was the location of an underground test of a nuclear device on this day in 1998. Which country carried out this test?
        • Pakistan—The Kharan Desert is a sandy and mountainous desert located in Balochistan, Pakistan which was the site of Pakistan’s second nuclear test, Chagai-II.
          Bouquet of Lilies Clock, made in 1899 by Fabergé for Alexandra Feodorovna as a gift from her husband, Czar Nicholas II.
          Image Wikipedia
      5. Born on this day in 1846, a goldsmith and jeweller was known for his Easter eggs made from precious metals and gems. Who was he?
        • Peter Carl Fabergé—Peter Carl Fabergé and his brother Agathon transformed their father’s jewellery business into an international phenomenon. Their success, driven by design-led artistry and a focus on colour, included the creation of deluxe objets like the Imperial Easter Eggs, renowned for their craftsmanship.
      Mel Blanc’s Gravestone.
      Image Wikipedia