See question four. …? (Trichoglossus moluccanus moluccanus), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns today’s date, 10th July. The others aren’t date-related but connect to the first.
One
On 10 July 1985, the flagship of a campaigning organisation sank after explosions caused by two bombs planted by agents of the Directorate General for External Security. Four questions:
What was the name of the ship?
For what campaigning organisation was it the flagship?
At a harbour in what city did the sinking occur?
What nationality was the organisation which planted the bombs?
Two
This 1947 musical is set in ‘Missitucky’, U.S. and features a newly arrived Irishman, his daughter and a leprechaun named Og. What is this musical?
Three
Which metallic element derives its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow?
Four
What is the common name for the bird pictured at the top of this post?
Five
A ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg was written for a 1939 film where it would be sung by a character whose name in part is ‘Gale’. The song contains a reference to bluebirds.
Fresh brown loaf sliced to uniform thickness by a bread slicing machine. Image Wikimedia Commons
All of today’s questions relate to the date, 7 July.
One
On this day, bread loaves that had been pre-sliced by a machine designed by jeweller Otto Rohwedder were sold for the first time. In what decade and on what continent did this occur?
Answer: 1920s; North America.
Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first bread-slicing machine, with a working model in 1928. The Chillicothe Baking Company, Chillicothe, Missouri, U.S., sold the first sliced bread on 7 July 1928. Gustav Papendick improved slicing by using cardboard trays, and W.E. Long promoted packaging. Wonder Bread marketed sliced bread nationwide in 1930. The first slicing and wrapping machine in the UK was installed at Wonderloaf Bakery, Tottenham, London, in 1937. By the 1950s, approximately 80% of bread sold in Britain was pre-sliced, reflecting a significant shift in bread consumption habits and bakery practices during that era.
Two
The archipelago in which the six-month-long World War II Battle of Guadalcanal took place gained independence in 1978. By what name is this island country known today, and what country did it gain independence from?
Answer: Solomon Islands; Great Britain.
The Solomon Islands, an archipelagic country in Melanesia, consists of six major islands and over 1,000 smaller islands. Settled since at least 30,000 BC, it became a British protectorate in 1893 and gained independence in 1978, becoming a constitutional monarchy with Elizabeth II as queen, succeeded by King Charles III in 2022.
Three
Also in 1978, Martina Navratilova won the first of her Wimbledon singles titles. Who was the defeated semi-finalist in that match, and how many singles titles did Navratilova win at Wimbledon in total?
Answer: Chris Evert; nine.
Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including 18 singles majors, 31 women’s doubles majors, and 10 mixed doubles majors. Navratilova, who became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship, is also known for her activism on gay rights.
Four
The final film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series premiered in London. What was the film’s title, and in what year was this?
Answer: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2; 2011.
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the life of a young wizard and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series explores themes of prejudice, corruption, love, and death, and has sold over 600 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling book series in history. The franchise has expanded to include films, a play, a television series, and various other derivative works.
Five
On this day in 1937, an incident occurred at the Marco Polo Bridge between troops of two armies. This became the first incident in a war that lasted eight years. In what country is the Marco Polo Bridge? The belligerents in this war were a republic and an empire. Who were they?
Answer: China; Republic of China and the Empire of Japan.
The Marco Polo Bridge, officially the Lugou Bridge, located southwest of Beijing, is famous for its praise by Marco Polo and the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which sparked the Second Sino-Japanese War. This war, referred to in China as the War of Resistance Against Japan, was a conflict between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan, along with its puppet states, from 1937 to 1945. This war followed a localised conflict in Manchuria that began in 1931. It is frequently considered the start of World War II in Asia, as the two wars became closely linked after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. It stands as the largest Asian war of the 20th century.
The best thing since sliced bread
the best thing since sliced bread (also the greatest thing since sliced bread) informal used to emphasize one’s enthusiasm about a new idea, person, or thing: they think that she is the greatest thing since sliced bread. — Oxford English Dictionary
Fresh brown loaf sliced to uniform thickness by a bread slicing machine. Image Wikimedia Commons
All of today’s questions relate to the date, 7 July.
One
On this day, bread loaves that had been pre-sliced by a machine designed by jeweller Otto Rohwedder were sold for the first time. In what decade and on what continent did this occur?
Two
The archipelago in which the six-month-long World War II Battle of Guadalcanal took place gained independence in 1978. By what name is this island country known today, and what country did it gain independence from?
Three
Also in 1978, Martina Navratilova won the first of her Wimbledon singles titles. Who was the defeated semi-finalist in that match, and how many singles titles did Navratilova win at Wimbledon in total?
Four
The final film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series premiered in London. What was the film’s title, and in what year was this?
Five
On this day in 1937, an incident occurred at the Marco Polo Bridge between troops of two armies. This became the first incident in a war that lasted eight years. In what country is the Marco Polo Bridge? The belligerents in this war were a republic and an empire. Who were they?
The first underwater test conducted by the U.S. of an atomic bomb at Bikini atoll. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Today’s first question concerns the date 5 July. The subsequent questions share a theme established by the first.
One
On this day in 1946, French designer Louis Réard introduced a new swimsuit he called the Bikini, inspired by the location of recent US nuclear tests. In what island group is the Bikini Atoll situated?
Answer: Marshall Islands.
On this day in 1946, French designer Louis Réard unveiled the bikini, a two-piece swimsuit named after Bikini Atoll. The bikini became a symbol of changing attitudes towards self-expression and bodily autonomy, despite initial scandal and condemnation. Today, the bikini is celebrated as a powerful expression of agency and body positivity. The Marshall Islands atomic bomb tests by the United States from 1946 to 1958 involved 67 tests on Bikini and Enewetak atolls. The Castle Bravo thermonuclear bomb test in 1954 yielded 15 megatons, far exceeding expectations and causing widespread devastation, including vaporising three of Bikini’s islands. The U.S. has since paid compensation to affected parties but the atolls remain contaminated with radiation and uninhabitable. Bikini’s coral reefs recovered, but land and food are unsafe.
Two
A balaclava, also known as a ski mask, was named after its use by British troops at the Battle of Balaclava. Which war was this and in which decade did it occur?
Answers: Crimean War; 1850s.
A balaclava, or ski mask, is headgear exposing parts of the face, used in skiing, snowboarding, and racing. Originating from the 1854 Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War, British troops wore knitted headgear for warmth. Similar 19th-century headgear included the Uhlan cap and Templar cap.
Three
The sturdy cotton warp-faced textile used to make jeans has a name which points to the city of origin. What is that name, and what is the city?
Answers: Denim; Nîmes.
Denim is a sturdy cotton warp-faced textile in which the weft passes under two or more warp threads, originating from the French phrase sergé de Nîmes (‘serge from Nîmes’). This durable twill-woven fabric, typically made from cotton, is known for its longevity and is yarn-dyed and mill-finished. Jeans, trousers made from denim, originated in the 19th century as workwear. They gained popularity beyond labourers, becoming associated with various cultural movements and are now valued for their versatility and ability to transcend social boundaries.
Four
What U.S. president has a short battledress-type uniform jacket named after him?
Answer: Dwight. D Eisenhower.
The Eisenhower jacket, or Ike jacket, officially the M-1944 Jacket, was developed for the U.S. Army in WWII, named after Dwight D. Eisenhower. Inspired by the British Battledress, it featured a pleated back, adjustable waist, and multiple pockets. Major General Ira C. Eaker influenced its creation.
Five
Made famous when worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (1953) Capri pants are named after the island of Capri. In what marginal sea is the Capri located?
Answer: Tyrrhenian Sea.
Capri pants, introduced by Sonja de Lennart in 1948, gained popularity on the Italian isle of Capri in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Iconic figures like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot popularised them. In the U.S., Mary Tyler Moore’s character in The Dick Van Dyke Show further popularised capris.
As soon as the war ended, we located the one spot on earth that hadn’t been touched by the war and blew it to hell.
The post title is a quote from American comedian Bob Hope.
The first underwater test conducted by the U.S. of an atomic bomb at Bikini atoll. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Today’s first question concerns the date 5 July. The subsequent questions share a theme established by the first.
One
On this day in 1946, French designer Louis Réard introduced a new swimsuit he called the Bikini, inspired by the location of recent US nuclear tests. In what island group is the Bikini Atoll situated?
Two
A balaclava, also known as a ski mask, was named after its use by British troops at the Battle of Balaclava. Which war was this and in which decade did it occur?
Three
The sturdy cotton warp-faced textile used to make jeans has a name which points to the city of origin. What is that name, and what is the city?
Four
What U.S. president has a short battledress-type uniform jacket named after him?
Five
Made famous when worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (1953) Capri pants are named after the island of Capri. In what marginal sea is the Capri located?
See question two. Zonkey, the hybrid offspring of a donkey and a zebra. Image Wikimedia Commons
Today’s questions are not date-related, nor are the questions related, but there is a theme concerning the answers.
One
What word completes the title of a 1965 war film starring Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris, which was based on a true story and shot in Norway: The Heroes of …?
Answer: Telemark.
The Heroes of Telemark is a 1965 British war film based on a true story. It depicts a sabotage mission against a Norwegian heavy water plant during World War II. At the time, Norway was occupied by German forces and there was a fear that the plant could aid their efforts to build an atomic bomb.
Two
What is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘the hybrid offspring of a donkey and a zebra’? (NB. The same word is used in Mexico for donkeys painted as zebras for tourist souvenir photos.)
Answer: Zonkey.
Imagine a creature that embodies the rugged resilience of a donkey and the striking elegance of a zebra. This is no mythical beast, but a living, breathing marvel known as the zonkey. A fascinating hybrid, the zonkey captures the imagination with its unique blend of features, often sporting the sturdy body of a donkey adorned with the distinctive stripes of a zebra, typically concentrated on its legs, neck, and sometimes its torso. These captivating animals are a testament to the intricate dance of genetics and the surprising outcomes that can arise when different species meet.
Dating from the first half of the 20th century from what language did the words ‘rooibos’ and ‘apartheid’ originate?
Answer: Afrikaans.
Rooibos is an evergreen South African shrub, and its leaves are used to make a tea. It originated in the early 20th century from Afrikaans, and means literally ‘red bush’. Apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination, was adopted as a slogan in the 1948 election by the Afrikaner National Party in South Africa. The system was maintained until February 1991 despite domestic unrest and international isolation. Originating in the 1940s, from Afrikaans, literally ‘separateness’.
Four
Who won Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her part in The Constant Gardener?
Answer: Rachel Weisz.
The Constant Gardener is a 2005 drama thriller film directed by Fernando Meirelles, based on John le Carré’s novel. It follows a British diplomat in Kenya investigating his wife’s murder. A critical and box office success, it achieved four Oscar nominations, with Weisz winning Best Supporting Actress.
Five
What body of water was home to the British Fleet during both the First and Second World Wars, as well as being the site of the 1919 scuttling of the interred German High Sea Fleet and the 1939 sinking of HMS Royal Oak?
Answer: Scapa Flow.
Scapa Flow, a sheltered body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, has historical significance as a Viking anchorage and UK naval base. HMS Royal Oak is a war grave for over 800 seamen who perished when the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Today, it is known for its diving sites and as a location for oil and LNG transfers.
Russian Caesars
The post title Russian Caesars refers to Tzar (also Tsar or Czar) in plural, TZARS which gives the start letter for each of the above answers.
See question two. ?, the hybrid offspring of a donkey and a zebra. Image Wikimedia Commons
Today’s questions are not date-related, nor are the questions related, but there is a theme concerning the answers.
One
What word completes the title of a 1965 war film starring Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris, which was based on a true story and shot in Norway: The Heroes of …?
Two
What is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘the hybrid offspring of a donkey and a zebra’? (NB. The same word is used in Mexico for donkeys painted as zebras for tourist souvenir photos.)
Three
Dating from the first half of the 20th century from what language did the words ‘rooibos’ and ‘apartheid’ originate?
Four
Who won Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her part in The Constant Gardener?
Five
What body of water was home to the British Fleet during both the First and Second World Wars, as well as being the site of the 1919 scuttling of the interred German High Sea Fleet and the 1939 sinking of HMS Royal Oak?
Today’s questions are a mixed bag with no connection to the date.
One
What does the Oxford English Dictionary define as ‘a German dish of chopped pickled cabbage’?
Answer: Sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut, made by fermenting finely cut raw white cabbage with lactic acid bacteria, has a sour flavour and a long shelf life. This ancient fermentation process preserves cabbage by converting sugars into lactic acid. Roman writers Cato, Columella, and Plinius the Elder mentioned cabbage preservation, with evidence of sauerkraut in Europe during the early Western Roman Empire. Essential for winter nutrients in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, it was also used by Captain James Cook to prevent scurvy.
Two
What is a shark’s skeleton primarily composed of?
Answer: Cartilage.
Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, making them lighter and more flexible than bony fish and terrestrial vertebrate skeletons.
Three
What 2002 film was a remake of a 1960 Rat pack film?
Answer: Ocean’s Eleven.
Ocean’s Eleven was a remake of Ocean’s 11. During the 1960s, the Rat Pack included legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.
Four
What is the capital city of the State of Florida?
Answer: Tallahassee.
Tallahassee, Florida’s capital since 1824, had 205,089 residents in 2024, ranking eighth in the state. Home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University, it hosts the Florida State Capitol. Indigenous peoples lived there for millennia. During the First Seminole War, future president General Andrew Jackson attacked the Seminoles near Tallahassee.
Five
The Berlin Airlift Monument pictured at top is located at which German airport?
Answer: Tempelhof.
The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) was a Cold War crisis where the Soviet Union blocked Western access to West Berlin. The Berlin Airlift supplied the city, with over 250,000 flights delivering 2,334,374 tons of supplies. The blockade ended, highlighting ideological tensions and aligning West Berlin with the US and Britain. The Berlin Airlift Monument displays the names of the 39 British and 31 American airmen who lost their lives during the operation.
Operation Little Vittles
The post title Operation Little Vittles refers to an operation which came about when aircrew in the airlift started dropping sweets to German children as they made their landing approach over Berlin.
Today’s questions are a random mix, which are neither date-related nor themed.
One
Whose house is scheduled for demolition at the beginning of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?
Answer: Arthur Dent.
Arthur wakes to be informed by a council official that his house has to be demolished that morning to make way for a bypass. While he tries to prevent this happening, his friend Ford Prefect arrives and insists on taking him to the pub. As they do this, a Vogon spaceship appears, and an announcement is made that Earth has to be demolished that morning to make way for an interstellar bypass. Ford manages to get both himself and Arthur onto the spaceship before Earth is destroyed.
Two
Established in the year 324, this city was built on the site of an existing one and initially known as New Rome. Three questions:
What was the name of the existing city?
What name very quickly superseded New Rome?
What name is this city known as today?
Answers
Byzantium
Constantinople
Istanbul Istanbul, originally Byzantium, became a pivotal city, serving as the capital of four empires over 16 centuries: Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman. It advanced Christianity before becoming an Islamic stronghold in 1453. Istanbul’s historic centre remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Three
Starting in the 1970s, an actor who connected Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago dedicated much of his time to bridge. He published books, videos, video games, and a syndicated column all about the card game. Who is this?
Answer: Omar Sharif.
Omar Sharif, born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub, was an Egyptian actor famed for roles in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. He starred in over 100 films and won three Golden Globes and a César Award. A multilingual bridge and horse racing enthusiast, he received prestigious honours and passed away in 2015.
Four
Rhea and Tethys are two major moons of a planet in the solar system. Here are three questions:
Which planet are they moons of?
Rhea and Tethys are what in Greek mythology?
Approximately how many moons does this planet have in total, to the nearest ten?
Answers
Saturn
Titans
270 (274)
Saturn has 274 confirmed moons in its orbit, far more than any other planet in our solar system. In March 2025, astronomers confirmed the discovery of 128 small moons around Saturn — adding to the already large moon count.
Saturn’s moons range in size, from one that is larger than the planet Mercury — the giant moon Titan — to others as small as a sports arena. The small moon Enceladus has a global ocean under a thick, icy shell. Scientists have identified both moons as high-priority science destinations for future deep-space missions.
The 2008 film and 2019 musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are both adaptations of a short story. Who wrote it?
Answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a satirical short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in Collier’s Magazine on 27 May 1922. It features reverse ageing and was included in Tales of the Jazz Age. The story inspired a 2008 Oscar-nominated film and an Olivier Award-winning musical.
Title
The post title ‘Is there any tea on this spaceship?’ is a quote by Arthur Dent in Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Quizology.Online 