Over the next nine days, 46 questions will be posed, one for each letter of the alphabet plus 20 others (There will be six one day). The 20 others appear as duplicate letters, and these duplicates spell out the name of the Roman Fortification which in CE 150 to 160 was the furthest boundary from the city of Rome, and the country that it was situated in. It is a three-word answer with eight letters in the first part of the name and four in the second part; the country has eight letters in its name. BTWFit, as used in the post title, is an archaic term meaning ‘a division of a song, ballad, or story’.
Thirty-one
If reading a 32-point compass rose from north in a clockwise direction what point follows S?
Thirty-two
What word is defined as a ‘facility on a watch for measuring speed’?
Thirty-three
What is the Chinese province whose capital city is Chengdu?
Thirty-four
The Troy Dam and Lock, on the Hudson River at Troy, New York, are operated by (the) …
Thirty-five
During what war is the 1854 poem The Charge of the Light Brigade set?
Over the next nine days, 46 questions will be posed, one for each letter of the alphabet plus 20 others (There will be six one day). The 20 others appear as duplicate letters, and these duplicates spell out the name of the Roman Fortification which in CE 150 to 160 was the furthest boundary from the city of Rome, and the country that it was situated in. It is a three-word answer with eight letters in the first part of the name and four in the second part; the country has eight letters in its name. BTWFit, as used in the post title, is an archaic term meaning ‘a division of a song, ballad, or story’.
Twenty-six
What word is defined as ‘a field where rice is grown’?
Twenty-seven
Q is a frequently recurring character who is either mentioned or appears in various of the James Bond series of novels and films. What does the designation ‘Q’ stand for?
Twenty-eight
… one of the least-populated countries in Europe, albeit with the highest population growth rate…
— Wikipedia
The country described above has a name which originated from a word meaning ‘Little Fortress’. What country?
Twenty-nine
Name the production company which made Raiders of the Lost Ark?
Thirty
A federal organisation, often known by a nickname or four initials, gifted Burmese to Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. The same organisation, to mark its 150th anniversary in 2023, gifted Noble to King Charles III. What is the full name of this organisation, and what word best describes Burmese and Noble?
Good luck! I’ll post the answers once all the questions have been asked.
Tomb of the unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Paris. Image Wikimedia Commons
Today’s questions are not date-related. Hopefully, you’ll be saying ‘aargh’ before it is finished.
One
An eternal flame burns in Paris to honour unidentified casualties from both world wars. Where is it located?
Answer: Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (aka Arc de Triomphe).
Beneath the Arc lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Buried on Armistice Day 1920, an eternal flame honours the unidentified dead (now from both world wars). In 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy honoured the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside President Charles de Gaulle. Following the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy recalled the eternal flame at the Arc de Triomphe and asked for a similar flame beside her husband’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Two
Jesus and the Apostles are believed to have spoken … — Encyclopædia Britannica
What language completes the above sentence from Encyclopædia Britannica?
Answer: Aramaic.
Aramaic, a Semitic language linked to Hebrew, Syriac and Phoenician, spread from the Aramaeans via Assyrians and Babylonians, becoming the Achaemenian official language before Greek replaced it. It replaced Hebrew among Jews, appears in Daniel, Ezra and the Talmuds, was spoken by Jesus and the Apostles, and lasted until Arabic displaced it around 650 CE.
Three
A US group released Blitzkrieg Bop as their first single in 1976, while Baby, I Love You became their most successful UK track. What is the band’s name?
Answer: Ramones.
Released in February 1976, Blitzkrieg Bop is the Ramones’ debut single and opening track on their first album. Written by Tommy and Dee Dee Ramone, its chant became a global rallying cry. Baby, I Love You was first recorded by the Ronettes in 1963. Phil Spector produced the Ramones cover version of the song which appeared on their album, End of the Century (1980). The single reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart in 1980, their biggest UK top-ten hit.
Four
What 1992 film starring Al Pacino and Jack Lemmon depicts two days in the lives of four real-estate salesmen?
Answer: Glengarry Glen Ross.
Directed by James Foley and written by David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross follows four salesmen facing dismissal threats from Blake. Critically acclaimed, Jack Lemmon won the Volpi Cup and Al Pacino received award nominations, but the film grossed $10.7 million against a $12.5 million budget.
Five
Before the 1947 partition created India and Pakistan, what historic Persian-derived name was commonly used for the Indian subcontinent—especially its northern regions—and is still sometimes used as a poetic or cultural name for India today?
Answer: Hindustan.
The name Hindustan comes from the Persian word Hind (India) combined with the suffix -stan, meaning “land.” Although it once referred broadly to much of northern India or the Indian subcontinent, today it is mainly used in historical, literary, and cultural contexts rather than as India’s official name.
Aargh
The post title is an exclamation ‘used as an expression of anguish, horror, rage, or other strong emotion, often with humorous intent’. It is used here to provide the initial letters of the answers
Today’s questions are not date-related. Hopefully, you’ll be saying ‘aargh’ before it is finished.
One
An eternal flame burns in Paris to honour unidentified casualties from both world wars. Where is it located?
Two
Jesus and the Apostles are believed to have spoken … — Encyclopædia Britannica
What language completes the above sentence from Encyclopædia Britannica?
Three
A US group released Blitzkrieg Bop as their first single in 1976, while Baby, I Love You became their most successful UK track. What is the band’s name?
Four
What 1992 film starring Al Pacino and Jack Lemmon depicts two days in the lives of four real-estate salesmen?
Five
Before the 1947 partition created India and Pakistan, what historic Persian-derived name was commonly used for the Indian subcontinent—especially its northern regions—and is still sometimes used as a poetic or cultural name for India today?
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 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
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?
