Tag: geography

  • 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.


  • Hot Shot

    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.


    Two

    True or false: On 18 June 1983, US astronaut Sally Ride became the first 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.


    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.


    Five

    True or false: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1878.

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Happy New Year—Answers

    Happy New Year. Yet another random mix of questions for today

    .

    The Palace of Westminster seen from east.
    Victoria Tower and the House of Lords are on the left. The Clock Tower of Big Ben and the House of Commons are on the right. The spire left of centre is the 300ft ventilation chimney above the central lobby. The twin white towers of Westminster Abbey are just visible in the background.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    How are the hours nine, ten, eleven and twelve shown on the clock faces of the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster, which is also known as Big Ben?

    Answer: IF; F; FI and FII

    The famous dial features [Augustus] Pugin’s favoured gothic numerals rather than traditional roman numerals – an ‘F’-shaped character replaces X for 10. These numerals are also found on clocks around Parliament.

    UK Parliament 2025

    Palace of Westminster clock face, aka ‘Big Ben’.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Two

    What is the complete title of this 1987 Hanna-Barbera made-for-television film: The Jetsons Meet…

    Answer: The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones

    The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones is a 1987 animated crossover film where the two families meet after a time travel experiment.


    Three

    Rabbit underground, rabbit safe and sound

    This quote is from a story which features anthropomorphised animals living in their natural habitats, complete with their own language, culture and mythology. Originally a 1972 novel, there have been both film (1978) and television adaptations (1999 and 2018), with the most recent being a co-production by the BBC and Netflix. Could you tell me the title and author of this novel?

    Answer: Watership Down and Richard Adams

    Richard Adams, an English novelist born in 1920, is best known for Watership Down. He served in the British Army during World War II and later joined the Civil Service before becoming a full-time author in 1974. Adams was a strong advocate for animal welfare and served as president of the RSPCA.


    Four

    Through how many countries does the Andes mountain range extend and what are they?

    Answer: Seven; Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela

    The Andes extend from south to north through seven South American countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.


    Five

    We are drinking beer at noon on Tuesday

    The above quote is from a song which also mentions a boulevard. Could you please identify the song, the singer-songwriter who wrote it, and the specific boulevard mentioned in the lyrics?

    Answer: All I Wanna Do; Sheryl Crow; Santa Monica Boulevard

    All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow, from her debut album, was a breakthrough hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning two Grammy Awards. The song achieved international success, topping charts in Australia and Canada and reaching the top 10 in several European countries.