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.
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.
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.
What is the complete title of this 1987 Hanna-Barbera made-for-television film: The Jetsons Meet…
Answer: The Jetsons Meetthe 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. 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?
The Beatles held the festive top spot with four singles topping the UK singles chart on Christmas Day in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. Which songs secured these number one positions?
Answers: I Wanna Hold Your Hand
The Beatles hold the record for the most British Christmas number ones according to Guinness World Records,
The Beatles (UK) have had four singles in the festive top spot: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” which went to No.1 on 12 December 1963, “I Feel Fine” (10 December 1964), “Day Tripper/We Can Work it Out” (16 December 1965) and “Hello Goodbye” (6 December 1967).
In 2004, researchers discovered that the rock summit of Mont Blanc was located west of the ice-covered summit. What is the distance between these two summits?
4 m (13 feet)
26 m (85 feet)
40 m (130 feet)
Answer: 40 m (130 feet)
Researchers discovered that the rock summit of Mont Blanc is 40 metres west of its ice summit. The rock summit, which reaches 4,792 metres, is actually 40 metres west of the ice summit at 4,807 metres. This finding informed an ice core drilling programme beginning in autumn 2004.
Three
What words are missing from this book title — The … at the … of the … — the second book in a ‘trilogy’?
Answer: Restaurant; End; Universe
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, the second book in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a trilogy in five parts, follows Arthur Dent and his companions on their cosmic adventures. The book, like its predecessor, was an adaptation of Adams’ BBC radio series.
Four
What Australian city, a state capital, stands on the Swan River?
Answer: Perth
The Swan River in southwestern Western Australia flows 224 miles from the Avon River to the Indian Ocean. It is known for its black swans and was the site of Western Australia’s first free settlement in 1829.
Five
Who played Eloise Chandler, a florist, in the 2009 film Love Happens?
Answer: Jennifer Aniston
Love Happens is a 2009 romantic drama film starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. The film, about a grieving widower finding love again.
The Beatles held the festive top spot with four singles topping the UK singles chart on Christmas Day in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. Which songs secured these number one positions?
Two
In 2004, researchers discovered that the rock summit of Mont Blanc was located west of the ice-covered summit. What is the distance between these two summits?
4 m (13 feet)
26 m (85 feet)
40 m (130 feet)
Three
What words are missing from this book title — The … at the … of the … — the second book in a ‘trilogy’?
Four
What Australian city, a state capital, stands on the Swan River?
Five
Who played Eloise Chandler, a florist, in the 2009 film Love Happens?
Jean-Luc Picard, commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, is known for this catchphrase ‘tea, … …, hot’. What two words are missing?
Answer: Earl Grey
Earl Grey tea is a black tea blend flavoured with bergamot oil, though many use artificial flavouring. Traditionally made from Chinese keemun, it can also be blended with lapsang souchong or made with green or oolong tea.
Two
The Italian hero Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi, Italian general, revolutionary and republican, was born in what city?
Answer: Nice (France)
Giuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian general, revolutionary, and republican who played a key role in the Unification of Italy. He embraced republican nationalism but allied with the monarchist Cavour for unification. Garibaldi led successful military campaigns, including the Expedition of the Thousand, and became an international figurehead for national independence and republican ideals.
Three
New York’s Central Park is bordered by what four roadways?
Answer: Central Park North, Fifth Avenue, Central Park South and Central Park West
Central Park, a 843-acre urban park in Manhattan, is the most visited urban park in the United States. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, it opened in 1858 and was completed in 1876. The park features attractions like the Ramble and Lake, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Central Park Zoo. It also offers recreational activities such as carriage rides and concerts.
Four
Jennifer Grey plays ‘Baby’ in 1987’s Dirty Dancing but what is the character’s actual name?
Answer: Frances Houseman
Dirty Dancing is a 1987 American romantic drama dance film starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The film, based on screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s childhood, was a commercial success, earning over $214 million worldwide and spawning a successful franchise.
Five
In music, what ten-letter noun means ‘a passage marked to be performed very loudly’. What word?
Answer: Fortissimo
Fortissimo, abbreviated ff, is an Italian musical term meaning ‘very loud’. Italian has been the standard language for musical dynamics since the Baroque era. Pipe organs are among the few acoustic instruments capable of sustaining true fortissimo levels for long periods, sometimes producing sound pressures that can be physically felt. Some modern composers and film scores push beyond traditional notation, using ffff or textual instructions to indicate overwhelming or explosive sound effects.
Jean-Luc Picard, commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, is known for this catchphrase ‘tea, … …, hot’. What two words are missing?
Two
The Italian hero Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi, Italian general, revolutionary and republican, was born in what city?
Three
New York’s Central Park is bordered by what four roadways?
Four
Jennifer Grey plays ‘Baby’ in 1987’s Dirty Dancing but what is the character’s actual name?
Five
In music, what ten-letter noun means ‘a passage marked to be performed very loudly’. What word?
Happy Christmas. Here are five festive questions for you.
A Visit From Saint Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore Project Gutenberg Caption “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blitzen— To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall! Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!”
One
The names for Santa’s reindeer originate from a poem known variously as A Visit from St. Nicholas (in full Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas); The Night Before Christmas or ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. In this, there are eight reindeer, and below are anagrams of their names.
(Two are doubled — two reindeer names joined by ‘and’ — for example, if we were looking for cartoon characters, ‘trendy major’ would be ‘Tom and Jerry’.) The confused reindeer are
shared
craned
cavern annex drip
me cot
up cid
Over the years, the final two reindeer have had various names, so I’ve provided you with three versions: (1) is from the original publication, (2) is from Project Gutenberg, and (3) is [possibly] the best known.
darn mixed bundle
bland intruded zen
bland intern zoned
Answers
Dasher
Dancer
Prancer and Vixen
Comet
Cupid
The final two reindeer with their various names
Dunder and Blixem — published in the Sentinel of Troy, New York, on 23 December 1823
There is an even greater variety of spellings for the last two names than I’ve shown. A quick look online finds, for example, the Poetry Foundation using Donder and Blitzen from The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (Random House Inc., 1983).
Two
A writer best known for his 1900 novel, which was adapted into a musical film in 1939, penned The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus in 1902. In this work, he renamed Santa’s reindeer and increased their number to ten: Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Fearless, Peerless, Ready, Steady, Feckless and Speckless. Who was the writer, and what was the title of his 1900 novel?
Answer: L. Frank Baum; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a 1900 children’s novel by L. Frank Baum, follows Dorothy’s journey in the magical Land of Oz. The book’s success led to thirteen sequels, and it is considered a beloved American fairytale. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a 1902 children’s book by L. Frank Baum. The story follows Claus, a human raised by fairies in the Forest of Burzee, who becomes known for his kindness to children and his gift-giving. After a battle with the evil Awgwas, Claus is granted immortality and becomes the immortal Santa Claus, with his deputies Wisk, Peter, Kilter, and Nuter.
Three
In Arthur C. Clarke’s short story The Star (1955), the faith of a Jesuit priest is tried when he discovers the Star of Bethlehem was actually a… — What nine-letter word completes this?
Answer: Supernova
The Star is a 1955 science fiction short story by Arthur C. Clarke. It follows a group of space explorers who discover the remnants of an advanced civilisation destroyed by a supernova. The story explores themes of faith and the intersection of religion and science, culminating in a crisis of faith for the chief astrophysicist, a Jesuit priest.
Four
The first solo female vocalist to reach number one on the UK Christmas chart simultaneously topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks – a record at the time. Who was the singer and with what song did she achieve these feats?
Answer: Whitney Houston: I Will Always Love You
I Will Always Love You from The Bodyguard soundtrack, spent 14 weeks at number one on the Hot 100, won GRAMMYs and was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Recording Registry.
Five
Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe.”
This is the opening of ‘Christmas Creeps’, which is chapter one of what novel, and who wrote it?
Answer: The Stupidest Angel or The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror; Christopher Moore
The Stupidest Angel is a 2004 novel by Christopher Moore, set in the fictional town of Pine Cove. The story follows an angel named Raziel, who accidentally turns the townspeople into zombies while trying to grant a child’s wish. The novel won the 2005 Quill Award for Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror.
Six
The creature who performed the wedding ceremony in The Owl and the Pussycat is popular at Christmas. What is this creature?
Answer: Turkey
The creature is a turkey — specifically, ‘the Turkey who lives on the hill’ from Edward Lear’s poem The Owl and the Pussycat. Turkey is very popular as a dinner ingredient at Christmas.
Seven
What Christmas ballet features the ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’?
Answer: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker, a two-act ballet by Tchaikovsky, premiered in 1892. Though initially not as successful as the Nutcracker Suite, it gained popularity and is now performed by many ballet companies, especially in North America.
Eight
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown visits a psychiatric booth for help with his problems. Who runs this booth?
Answer: Lucy Van Pelt
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 animated TV special based on the Peanuts comic strip. It follows Charlie Brown as he struggles with holiday depression and directs a neighbourhood Christmas play.
Nine
In which decade did the first commercially available Christmas cards go on sale to the public?
Answer: 1840s
The first commercially available Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley in 1843, depicted a family toasting and scenes of charity. Early British cards favoured fanciful designs, humour, and sentimentality over winter or religious themes.
Ten
White Christmas is Guinness World Records’ best-selling single. Who composed the song, for what film was it written, and who sang it in that film?
Answer: Irving Berlin; Holiday Inn (1942)
White Christmas was composed by Irving Berlin for Holiday Inn and sung by Bing Crosby. It has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, having topped the charts for eleven weeks in 1942 and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Elton John’s tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, Candle in the Wind 1997, has sold 33 million copies.
I hope you are having a Happy Christmas and continue to do so. At the moment, I do not have posts planned for the next couple of days, but I’ll see what happens.
Happy Christmas. Here are five festive questions for you.
A Visit From Saint Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore Project Gutenberg
One
The names for Santa’s reindeer originate from a poem known variously as A Visit from St. Nicholas (in full Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas); The Night Before Christmas or ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. In this, there are eight reindeer, and below are anagrams of their names.
(Two are doubled — two reindeer names joined by ‘and’ — for example, if we were looking for cartoon characters, ‘trendy major’ would be ‘Tom and Jerry’.) The confused reindeer are
shared
craned
cavern annex drip
me cot
up cid
Over the years, the final two reindeer have had various names, so I’ve provided you with three versions: (1) is from the original publication, (2) is from Project Gutenberg, and (3) is [possibly] the best known.
darn mixed bundle
bland intruded zen
bland intern zoned
Two
A writer best known for his 1900 novel, which was adapted into a musical film in 1939, penned The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus in 1902. In this work, he renamed Santa’s reindeer and increased their number to ten: Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Fearless, Peerless, Ready, Steady, Feckless and Speckless. Who was the writer, and what was the title of his 1900 novel?
Three
In Arthur C. Clarke’s short story The Star (1955), the faith of a Jesuit priest is tried when he discovers the Star of Bethlehem was actually a… — What nine-letter word completes this?
Four
The first solo female vocalist to reach number one on the UK Christmas chart simultaneously topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks – a record at the time. Who was the singer and with what song did she achieve these feats?
Five
Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe.”
This is the opening of ‘Christmas Creeps’, which is chapter one of what novel, and who wrote it?
Six
The creature who performed the wedding ceremony in The Owl and the Pussycat is popular at Christmas. What is this creature?
Seven
What Christmas ballet features the ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’?
Eight
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown visits a psychiatric booth for help with his problems. Who runs this booth?
Nine
In which decade did the first commercially available Christmas cards go on sale to the public?
Ten
White Christmas is Guinness World Records’ best-selling single. Who composed the song, for what film was it written, and who sang it in that film?
Quizology.Online 
