Bonnie or Clyde?

All of today’s questions relate to today’s date, January 14th.

Bonnie and Clyde, 1967.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

Born in Florida, USA, on this day in 1941, with a film debut in The Happening (1967), one of the stars of Bonnie and Clyde (also 1967), is whom?


Two

In 1939, Queen Maud Land was claimed and named. Which country made this claim on this 1.0-million-square-mile area of Antarctica?


Three

In 1970, The Supremes performed their final concert with whom?


Four

In 2005, which organisation developed the probe that became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Mars, and on which moon of Saturn did it touch down?


Five

In 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after 52 years on the throne. Her eldest son, the Crown Prince, succeeded her as king. Who was the new king, and in which country did this happen?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


One to Ten equals 55, Part II—Answers

Second of two parts. Questions one to five were posted in Part I yesterday.

Compass Rose, see question eight.
Image Clipartbest.com

Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.

Continuing from yesterday with questions six to ten.

Six

For SIX points, name the members of the comedy troupe, Monty Python.

Answer: Graham Chapman—John Cleese—Terry Gilliam—Eric Idle—Terry Jones—Michael Palin


Seven

For SEVEN points, list the Harry Potter novels. No need to put Harry Potter and…

Answer: Philosopher’s Stone—Chamber of Secrets—Prisoner of Azkaban—Goblet of Fire,—Order of the Phoenix—Half-Blood Prince—Deathly Hallows


Eight

For EIGHT points, starting from 0 degrees and moving clockwise, list the compass points formed by dividing a compass rose into eight segments. (in clockwise order)

Answer: North—Northeast—East—Southeast—South—Southwest—West—Northwest.


Nine

For NINE points. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a group of nine, known as the Company of the Ring or the Fellowship of the Ring, embarked on a mission to destroy the ring. Who were they?

Answer: Gandalf—Legolas—Gimli—Aragorn—Boromir—Frodo Baggins—Samwise Gamgee—Merry Brandybuck—Pippin Took.


Ten

For TEN points, list the world’s ten most populous cities as listed by the UN 2025 Population Estimates.

Answer: Jakarta, Indonesia—Dhaka, Bangladesh—Tokyo, Japan—Delhi, India—Shanghai, China—Guangzhou, China—Cairo, Egypt — Manila, Philippines — Kolkata, India—Seoul, South Korea


One to Ten equals 55, Part II

Second of two parts. Questions one to five were posted in Part I yesterday.

Compass Rose.
Image Clipartbest.com

Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.

Continuing from yesterday with questions six to ten.

Six

For SIX points, name the members of the comedy troupe, Monty Python.


Seven

For SEVEN points, list the Harry Potter novels. No need to put Harry Potter and…


Eight

For EIGHT points, starting from 0 degrees and moving clockwise, list the compass points formed by dividing a compass rose into eight segments. (in clockwise order)


Nine

For NINE points. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a group of nine, known as the Company of the Ring or the Fellowship of the Ring, embarked on a mission to destroy the ring. Who were they?


Ten

For TEN points, list the world’s ten most populous cities as listed by the UN 2025 Population Estimates.

Good luck! As usual I’ll post the answers later.


One to Ten equals 55, Part I—Answers

Noah’s Ark, question two.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.

Posted in two parts with the second part following tomorrow.

One

For ONE point, in what country was the composer Franz Liszt born

Answer: Hungary


Two

For TWO points. According to the Bible story, Noah released two birds from the ark to determine whether the flood had abated; what birds?

Answer: Raven—Dove


Three

For THREE points. In Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, the title characters meet and befriend d’Artagnan; what are their names?

Answer: Athos—Porthos—Aramis


Four

For FOUR points, list the patron saints of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.

Answer: Andrew—George—David—Patrick


Five

For FIVE points, list the five boroughs of New York City.

Answer: The Bronx—Brooklyn—Manhattan—Queens—Staten Island


Part II follows tomorrow

One to Ten equals 55, Part I

Noah’s Ark, question two.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.

Posted in two parts with the second part following tomorrow.

One

For ONE point, in what country was the composer Franz Liszt born


Two

For TWO points. According to the Bible story, Noah released two birds from the ark to determine whether the flood had abated; what birds?


Three

For THREE points. In Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, the title characters meet and befriend d’Artagnan; what are their names?


Four

For FOUR points, list the patron saints of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.


Five

For FIVE points, list the five boroughs of New York City.

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later and part II follows tomorrow.


Bridge Over What Water—Answers

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

The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges — aka Gateway Bridges — crossing the Brisbane River, 2011.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

The pictured ‘Gateway Bridges’ at Brisbane in Queensland, Australia cross what 214 mile (344 km) long river?

Answer: Brisbane River

The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, formerly known as the Gateway Bridge, are twin road bridges over the Brisbane River. The original bridge opened in 1986, and the duplicate bridge opened in 2010, carrying twelve lanes of traffic, six in each direction. The western bridge carries northbound traffic while the eastern bridge carries traffic to heading to the south. A toll is imposed on both bridges until 2051.


Two

In 1787, William Herschel discovered two Moons which were later named Titania and Oberon.These moons are satellites of which planet?

Answer: Uranus

Titania and Oberon, both discovered by William Herschel in 1787, are moons of Uranus. They were later named respectively after the Queen and King of the Fairies in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titania is the largest moon of Uranus and the eighth largest in the Solar System. It’s composed of ice and rock with a rocky core, icy mantle and possibly a liquid water layer at the core-mantle boundary. Its surface, shaped by impacts and internal processes, features canyons and scarps and may have a tenuous carbon dioxide atmosphere. Oberon is the outermost and second-largest moon of Uranus. Like Titania, it’s composed of ice and rock with a dark cratered surface. Voyager 2 provided the only close-up images of Oberon in 1986 mapping 40% of its surface.


Three

The Throgs Neck Bridge, which opened in 1961, crosses the East River and links two New York City boroughs. Which two?

Answer: The Bronx and Queens

The Throgs (or Throggs) Neck Bridge, a suspension bridge in New York City, connects the Bronx and Queens boroughs. Opened in 1961, it carries six lanes of Interstate 295 over the East River. The bridge, designed by Othmar Ammann, features a centre span of 1,800 feet and is supported by two main cables.


Four

In 1935, a renowned aviator achieved the first successful flight from Hawaii to California. Who was this aviator?

Answer: Amelia Earhart

On 11 January 1935, Amelia Earhart became the first solo aviator to fly from Honolulu to Oakland in a Lockheed 5C Vega. This feat followed unsuccessful attempts by other aviators including an air race which resulted in three deaths. Earhart’s flight was routine with no mechanical issues.


Five

In 1972, this country’s name was changed. It’s now the eighth most populous nation globally and shares a border with the Siliguri Corridor. Which country?

Answer: Bangladesh

Bangladesh, officially the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a densely populated country in South Asia. It gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a war for independence. Despite challenges like corruption and climate change, Bangladesh is a middle power with a growing economy and the fourth-largest Muslim population in the world. India’s Siliguri Corridor is a vital land connection between India’s mainland and its northeastern states, crucial for logistics and military movements.


Bridge Over What Water

The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges — aka Gateway Bridges, 2011.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

The pictured ‘Gateway Bridges’ at Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, cross what 214-mile (344-km) long river?


Two

In 1787, William Herschel discovered two moons which were later named Titania and Oberon. These moons are satellites of which planet?


Three

The Throgs Neck Bridge, which opened in 1961, crosses the East River and links two New York City boroughs. Which two?


Four

In 1935, a renowned aviator achieved the first successful flight from Hawaii to California. Who was this aviator?


Five

In 1972, this country’s name was changed. It’s now the eighth most populous nation globally and shares a border with the Siliguri Corridor. Which country?

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


GRANS A MA—Answers

Here are the answers to my questions from earlier.

No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…


Example 1
WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.?
Answer: Answer

Example 2
GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post?
Answer: Anagrams

Topkapi Palace.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?

Answer: Topkapi Palace

‘AKA EPIC LAPTOP’ is an anagram of Topkapi Palace. Topkapı Palace, a large museum and library in Istanbul, served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from the 1460s to 1856. The palace complex, which expanded over centuries, includes the Imperial Harem, treasury and various buildings used by state officials. Today, the palace is a museum showcasing Ottoman artefacts and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Areas of Istanbul.


Two

A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?

Answer: Chianti

‘A CHI TIN’ is an anagram of Chianti. Chianti is an Italian red wine from the Chianti region of Tuscany, primarily made from Sangiovese grapes. The Chianti region was first defined in 1716 and later divided into seven sub-areas in 1932, with Chianti Classico being the most prominent. Chianti must be made with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes, with Riserva and Superiore designations indicating higher quality and stricter production requirements.


Three

The German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, 1937.
Image IWM via Wikimedia Commons

ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?

Answer: Admiral Graf Spee

‘ARMADA FLEES GRIP’ is an anagram of Admiral Graf Spee which was a German Panzerschiff, or ‘pocket battleship’, that served during World War II. It was deployed to the South Atlantic before the war, sinking nine vessels before being damaged and then scuttled after the Battle of the River Plate.

__

Four

RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?

Answer: Goldfinger

‘RED GOLFING’ is an anagram of Goldfinger. Auric Goldfinger is the title character and main antagonist in both Ian Fleming’s novel and the 1964 film adaptation. The character, portrayed in the film by red-haired Gert Fröbe, was voted the most sinister James Bond villain, and his line ‘No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die’ was voted the best moment in the franchise.


Five

ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

‘ARRANGED LOAN’ is an anagram of Ronald Reagan. A governor of California, Ronald Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A prominent figure in the American conservative movement, his presidency, known as the Reagan era, was marked by economic policies like “Reaganomics,” increased military spending, and a shift in Cold War policy. Reagan’s impact on American conservatism and his role in ending the Cold War are widely recognised.


GRANS A MA

No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…


Example 1
WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.?
Answer: Answer

Example 2
GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post?
Answer: Anagrams

Image Wikimedia Commons

One

AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?


Two

A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?


Three

Image Imperial War Museum via Wikimedia Commons

ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?

__

Four

RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?


Five

ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?

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


Hot Shot—Answers

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

A few true or false posers for you today.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

Gun-toting … … triggers police alert at hotel

True or false: The above 2003 headline from The Herald in Glasgow, Scotland, referenced opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa’s arrival in the city with several shotguns.

Answer: True

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the renowned soprano, caused a stir at a Glasgow hotel when she requested a gun store, leading to a police presence. The hotel, lacking a gunroom, followed protocol and contacted the police, who stored the firearms overnight. The incident occurred shortly after Glasgow was labelled the murder capital of Britain and was reported in The Herald newspaper on 5 December 2003.


Two

True or false: On 18 June 1983, US astronaut Sally Ride became the first woman to travel in space.

Answer: False

On 16 June 1963, Cosmonaut Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova became the first woman to travel in space when she flew a solo mission in Vostok 6. Svetlana Savitskaya, aboard Soyuz T-7, became the second woman to travel in space in 1982, and Sally Ride became the third woman, and first American woman, to travel in space.


Three

True or false: According to the United States Geological Survey, about 90% of the world’s earthquakes, including most of its largest, occur within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Answer: True

The Ring of Fire is a 25,000-mile (40,000 km) long tectonic belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean, characterised by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. It is formed by the subduction of various tectonic plates, creating oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and back-arc basins. The Ring of Fire contains the majority of the world’s active volcanoes and earthquakes.


Four

Those kids were fast as lightning
In fact, it was a little bit frightening

True or false: The above lyric from a 1974 song was a number one hit in multiple nations.

Answer: True

Kung Fu Fighting is a disco song by Carl Douglas, released in 1974. It topped charts worldwide, sold eleven million copies, and popularised disco music. The song was covered (using different lyrics) by CeeLo Green and Jack Black in the first film of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and later by The Vamps for the third film.


Five

True or false: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1878.

Answer: False

Fleming did discover penicillin, but not in 1878, and, in fact, he was not born until 1881. On 3 September 1928, Fleming noticed a fungus contaminating a staphylococci culture, destroying the bacteria around it. He identified the fungus as Penicillium, later confirmed as P. rubens.