Quizology.Online

Tag: miscellany

  • The Cream Rises to the Top — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to three events related to today’s date, 26 June, in different years. The remaining questions do not relate to today’s date but do follow a similar format.

    One

    Listed alphabetically, these three events all occurred on this day in the 1970s. Arrange them chronologically starting with the earliest.

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    Answer

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    CN Tower opened in 1976 becoming the world’s tallest building until the the Burj Khalifa opened in Dubai, UAE in 2007. Market Square Arena in Indianapolis became Elvis Presley’s last public concert when he performed there in 1977. In 1979, after nearly two decades of professional boxing, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali announced his retirement.

    While the remaining questions are not related to today’s date they share a similar format. 

    Two

    These three films each won the Best Picture Academy Award in the 1990s. Listed alphabetically, arrange them chronologically by the year they won the Oscar.

    • Braveheart
    • Titanic
    • Unforgiven

    Answer

    • Unforgiven
    • Braveheart
    • Titanic

    Unforgiven is a 1992 American Western film directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars as an ageing outlaw. Braveheart is a 1995 American epic historical war drama film directed by and starring Mel Gibson as William Wallace. The film was inspired by Blind Harry’s 15th century epic poem. Titanic is a 1997 American epic historical romance film about the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The film, written and directed by James Cameron, stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as lovers from different social classes.

    Three

    These tennis professionals all won the Ladies Singles Championships at Wimbledon in the 1990s. Listed here alphabetically, place them in chronological order of their championship wins.

    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport
    • Martina Hingis

    Answer

    • Martina Hingis
    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport

    Martina Hingis won the title in 1997, beating Jana Novotná in the final. Novotná won the following year with a final victory over Nathalie Tauziat, and Lindsay Davenport’s win came in 1999 when she defeated Steffi Graf to claim the title.

    Four

    Yet again listed alphabetically, these three artists topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2010s. Arrange the three answers by the correct chronological year from that decade.

    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Answer

    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream first topped the charts on 18 September 2010. Adele’s Someone Like You followed a year later on 17 September 2011 and Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together topped the charts on 1 September 2012.

    Five

    The Hugo Award for Best Novel is awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy novel from the previous year. Listed alphabetically are three winners from the early 21st century. Rearrange and list them in their chronological order.

    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    Answer

    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    These three novels and their authors won the 2001, 2002 and 2003 awards respectively.

  • The Cream Rises to the Top

    CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to three events related to today’s date, 26 June, in different years. The remaining questions do not relate to today’s date but do follow a similar format.

    One

    Listed alphabetically, these three events all occurred on this day in the 1970s. Arrange them chronologically starting with the earliest.

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    While the remaining questions are not related to today’s date they share a similar format. 

    Two

    These three films each won the Best Picture Academy Award in the 1990s. Listed alphabetically, arrange them chronologically by the year they won the Oscar.

    • Braveheart
    • Titanic
    • Unforgiven

    Three

    These tennis professionals all won the Ladies Singles Championships at Wimbledon in the 1990s. Listed here alphabetically, place them in chronological order of their championship wins.

    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport
    • Martina Hingis

    Four

    Yet again listed alphabetically, these three artists topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2010s. Arrange the three answers by the correct chronological year from that decade.

    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Five

    The Hugo Award for Best Novel is awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy novel from the previous year. Listed alphabetically are three winners from the early 21st century. Rearrange and list them in their chronological order.

    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • First III — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    See question five. Flag of Greenland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Going back to the ‘first’ theme, but today’s questions also all relate to 21 June.

    One

    She was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.
    — Wikipedia

    Who, born in 1953, is the politician referred to in the above quote?

    Answer: Benazir Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of former Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the first female leader of a Muslim nation. She served two terms as Prime Minister of Pakistan, facing challenges including corruption charges and political instability. Bhutto was assassinated in 2007 while campaigning for parliamentary elections.

    Two

    The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at a World Fair. What was the official title of this World Fair, and what event was the fair commemorating?

    Answer: Answer: World’s Columbian Exposition; 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

    The World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the New World. The fair showcased Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse’s alternating current system, featured the world’s first Ferris wheel, and attracted over 27 million visitors. Designed in Beaux-Arts style, the exposition left a lasting impact on American architecture and culture.

    Three

    What was the name of the craft which, in 2004, completed the first crewed private spaceflight?

    Answer: SpaceShipOne.

    Piloted by Mike Melvill, SpaceShipOne, an experimental air-launched rocket-powered aircraft, achieved sub-orbital spaceflight in 2004, completing the first crewed private spaceflight and winning the Ansari X Prize. Developed by Mojave Aerospace Ventures, the project, named ‘Tier One’, aimed to take passengers into space with a successor ship.

    Four

    Which team won the very first game in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history when the league debuted in 1997?

    Answer: New York Liberty.

    The WNBA’s inaugural game was played at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, on 21 June 1997. The New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, marking the beginning of the league’s first season.

    Five

    The country represented by the flag above first became self-governing in 2009; its parliament is the Inatsisartut; and it appears first on list of a specific geographic superlative. What country is this?

    Answer: Greenland.

    Greenland, officially the world’s largest island that is not a continent, is home to 56,000 people. It has its own extensive local government but is also part of the Realm of Denmark. Most of its inhabitants live in the 20% of the country that is not covered by ice and snow. 

  • First III

    See question five. Flag of ….
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Going back to the ‘first’ theme, but today’s questions also all relate to 21 June.

    One

    She was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.
    — Wikipedia

    Who, born in 1953, is the politician referred to in the above quote?

    Two

    The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at a World Fair. What was the official title of this World Fair, and what event was the fair commemorating?

    Three

    What was the name of the craft which, in 2004, completed the first crewed private spaceflight?

    Four

    Which team won the very first game in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history when the league debuted in 1997?

    Five

    The country represented by the flag above first became self-governing in 2009; its parliament is the Inatsisartut; and it appears first on list of a specific geographic superlative. What country is this?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.  

  • Then Peace will Guide the Planets—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 23rd.

    Image Astrology-Online

    One

    Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?

    Answer: Age of Aquarius

    When the moon is in the Seventh House

    And Jupiter aligns with Mars

    Then peace will guide the planets

    And love will steer the stars

    — Lyricfind

    Two

    In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?

    Answer: Finland

    Turku, Finland’s oldest city, is the regional capital of Southwest Finland. With a population of approximately 207,000, it is the country’s third-most populous urban area. Turku, a bilingual municipality, is a significant business and cultural centre, known for its rich history, vibrant food scene, and as a major port city.

    Three

    In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?

    Answer: Frisbee

    A frisbee, also known as a flying disc, is a gliding toy used for recreational and competitive throwing and catching. It is typically made of plastic and has a pronounced lip, allowing it to fly with reduced drag and increased lift.

    Four

    In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?

    Answer: Netscape Communications Corporation

    Netscape announced its Communicator browser software would be free and open-source in 1998, leading to the creation of the Mozilla project. Initially a technology provider, Mozilla later focused on developing independent applications like Firefox and Thunderbird, and expanded into mobile platforms and other projects.

    Five

    In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?

    Answer: Alex Haley

    Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The series, which aired on ABC, received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including nine Primetime Emmy Awards. It was followed by a sequel, Roots: The Next Generations, and a remake commissioned by the History Channel in 2016.

  • Then Peace will Guide the Planets

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 23rd.

    Image Astrology-Online

    One

    Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?

    Two

    In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?

    Three

    In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?

    Four

    In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?

    Five

    In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers tomorrow.

  • First Things First—Answers

    Today’s questions focus on ‘firsts’ that occurred on January 3rd.

    Flag of Liberia.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In 1848, Joseph Jenkins Roberts was sworn in as the first president of a country which began as a project of the American Colonization Society. What country?

    Answer: Liberia

    Liberia, Africa’s oldest republic, was established for formerly enslaved people from the United States. It gained independence in 1847 and experienced relative stability until a civil war in the 1990s.

    Two

    Who, in 1987, was the first woman to be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

    Answer: Aretha Franklin

    Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was a highly acclaimed American singer known for her powerful voice and hits like Respect and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

    Three

    A spacecraft named for a goddess who, according to legend, flew from Earth to the Moon was the first to land on the far side of the Moon. What name do the goddess and spacecraft share, and in what decade did this first landing take place?

    Answer: Chang’e; 2010s

    Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month during the Mid-Autumn Festival. She is often depicted floating towards the moon, holding a moon disk, or with the Hare preparing the elixir of immortality. The spacecraft Chang’e 4, carrying the Yutu-2 rover, landed on the Moon’s far side on 3 January 2019, becoming the first spacecraft to do so. It communicated with Earth via the Queqiao relay satellite.

    Four

    In 1749, the first issue of Berlingske was published. It is now the oldest continually operating newspaper in what country?

    Answer: Denmark

    Berlingske, Denmark’s oldest continually operating newspaper, was founded in 1749 and is considered a newspaper of record. Originally titled Kjøbenhavnske Danske Post-Tidender, it has a conservative stance and is known for its traditionalism. The newspaper, now published in tabloid format, has won numerous awards, including the World Press Photo Award three times.

    Five

    In what decade was the first electric watch introduced to the retail market?

    Answer: 1950s

    The Hamilton Watch Company produced the first electric watch to be retailed in 1957, using a balance wheel or tuning fork driven by a battery. Quartz watches later surpassed them in accuracy and durability.

  • First Things First

    Today’s questions focus on ‘firsts’ that occurred on January 3rd.

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In 1848, Joseph Jenkins Roberts was sworn in as the first president of a country which began as a project of the American Colonization Society. What country?

    Two

    Who, in 1987, was the first woman to be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

    Three

    A spacecraft named for a goddess who, according to legend, flew from Earth to the Moon was the first to land on the far side of the Moon. What name do the goddess and spacecraft share, and in what decade did this first landing take place?

    Four

    In 1749, the first issue of Berlingske was published. It is now the oldest continually operating newspaper in what country?

    Five

    In what decade was the first electric watch introduced to the retail market?

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

  • 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.

  • Happy New Year

    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 Wikimedia Commons

    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?

    Two

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

    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?

    Four

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

    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?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.