Quizology.Online

Tag: music

  • 76 Totters Lane—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.

    All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.

    One

    At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.

    The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?

    Answer: Doctor Who

    The very first episode was An Unearthly Child—Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford, being the title character. Doctor Who, a British science fiction television series, follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-travelling Time Lord from Gallifrey who regenerates into different forms. The Doctor travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling various evils including the Daleks. Originally airing from 1963 to 1989, the show was revived in 2005 and has featured multiple actors in the title role, with the most recent being Ncuti Gatwa. Doctor Who is a significant part of British popular culture and has influenced generations of television professionals.

    The post title 76 Totters Lane is spoken by Barbara Wright in this episode, and is the address of the junkyard where they find Susan and her grandfather in the TARDIS.

    Two

    What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?

    Answer: Party in the U.S.A.

    Despite the famous lyric, Miley later revealed she wasn’t actually listening to Jay-Z at the time—the line was written by the songwriters Jessie J, Dr. Luke, and Claude Kelly before she recorded it.

    Three

    In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?

    Answer: Antarctica and Ellsworth Land

    In 1935, explorer Lincoln Ellsworth landed in Antarctica during his transcontinental flight, raised the U.S. flag, and claimed the territory between about 80°W and 120°W, naming it Ellsworth Land. The U.S. government never formalised this claim, and later overlapping national claims were suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.

    Four

    Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?

    Answer: The BFG; Roald Dahl

    The BFG, a 1982 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, has sold 37 million copies and inspired adaptations including a 1989 animated film and a 2016 Disney live-action film.

    Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?

    Answer: Georgian Orthodox Church

    Georgia’s dominant religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. Its roots stretch back to the 1st and 4th centuries AD, and it is currently led by Patriarch Ilia II. The main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, which was built between 1995 and 2004.

  • 76 Totters Lane

    All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.

    One

    At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.

    The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?

    Two

    What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?

    Three

    In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?

    Four

    Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?

    Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?

    Good luck! As usual the answers will be posted later.

  • Now You See It, Now You Don’t—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Today’s Question 1 concerns the revocation of an award on this date, November 19th. The subsequent questions explore a similar theme, focusing on disqualification, revocation or stripping of awards, medals and other honours.

    Grammy Award.
    Image Recording Academy

    One

    Which pop duo had their 1989 Grammy Award for Best New Artist revoked on 19 November 1990 after it was revealed they had not actually sung on their album?

    Answer: Milli Vanilli

    This remains the only time in Grammy history that an award has been formally withdrawn.

    Two

    Which professional cyclist had all of his Tour de France titles stripped after a major doping investigation, and how many titles were involved?

    Answer: Lance Armstrong; seven (1999–2005)

    Armstrong was stripped of seven titles (1999–2005). After his disqualification, race organisers chose not to award his vacated titles to anyone else.

    Three

    In 2024, the arrest and subsequent conviction of a multi-BAFTA award winner forced the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to amend its procedures to include the power to retrospectively strip future award winners should they be convicted of a crime. Whose arrest and conviction led to this change?

    Answer: Huw Edwards

    Huw Edwards, a Welsh news presenter, was the lead presenter of BBC News at Ten from 2003 to 2023. He resigned from the BBC in 2024 after pleading guilty to child pornography offences.

    Ben Johnson, 2017.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Which Canadian sprinter was stripped of his 1988 Olympic gold medal in the 100 metres after testing positive for steroids?

    Answer: Ben Johnson.

    His world-record-breaking time of 9.79 seconds was erased, and the gold medal was reassigned to American runner Carl Lewis.

    Five

    What event in 1966 saw the competitors who finished in the first four places disqualified because of a single filament bulb?

    Answer: Monte Carlo Rally

    In 1966, the Monte Carlo Rally was marred by controversy when the winning Minis were disqualified for using an illegal lighting system with non-standard bulbs. Despite the disqualification, the incident generated significant publicity for the Minis and the rally, ultimately leading to a Mini victory in 1967. The event highlighted the growing professionalism of rallying and the complexities of navigating evolving regulations.

  • Now You See It, Now You Don’t

    Today’s Question 1 concerns the revocation of an award on this date, November 19th. The subsequent questions explore a similar theme, focusing on disqualification, revocation or stripping of awards, medals and other honours.

    Grammy Award.
    Image Recording Academy

    One

    Which pop duo had their 1989 Grammy Award for Best New Artist revoked on 19 November 1990 after it was revealed they had not actually sung on their album?

    Two

    Which professional cyclist had all of his Tour de France titles stripped after a major doping investigation, and how many titles were involved?

    Three

    In 2024, the arrest and subsequent conviction of a multi-BAFTA award winner forced the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to amend its procedures to include the power to retrospectively strip future award winners should they be convicted of a crime. Whose arrest and conviction led to this change?

    Four

    Which Canadian sprinter was stripped of his 1988 Olympic gold medal in the 100 metres after testing positive for steroids?

    Five

    What event in 1966 saw the competitors who finished in the first four places disqualified because of a single filament bulb?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Smoke That Thunders—Answers

    Here are the answers to the earlier posed questions.

    All of these questions are related to today, November 16th.

    José Saramago, 2001.
    Image Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images via Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    José Saramago, the novelist pictured above, won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his extensive body of work including O Evangelho Segundo Jesus Cristo (The Gospel According to Jesus Christ). What nationality was he?

    Answer: Portuguese

    Born in 1922, Portuguese novelist José Saramago, a Nobel Prize winner, grew up in poverty. He worked various jobs including mechanic journalist and translator before achieving international fame with novels like Memorial do convento (English title Baltasar and Blimunda) and O evangelho segundo Jesus Cristo (The Gospel According to Jesus Christ). His subversive perspectives on historic events and critique of institutions like the Catholic Church, often set against historical backdrops, earned him both acclaim and controversy. This led to his self-imposed exile in the Canary Islands after the Portuguese government censored his work.

    Two

    On this day, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act was signed authorising the construction of a pipeline across Alaska. Which US President signed it and what communities are at either end?

    Answer: Richard Nixon; Prudhoe Bay and Valdez

    The Trans-Alaska Pipeline, built to transport oil 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, was constructed in response to the 1968 oil discovery on Alaska’s North Slope. Environmental concerns led to design modifications, including elevated sections to prevent permafrost thawing and wildlife crossings. Construction, completed between 1975 and 1977, faced challenges due to extreme cold and permafrost. Despite initial mechanical issues, subsequent oil spills, and incidents of oil leakage, the pipeline remains operational and has shipped over 17 billion barrels of oil since 1977.

    Diana Krall, 2010.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    Who is this Canadian singer, born on 16 November 1964, as pictured in 2010?

    Answer: Diana Krall

    Diana Krall, a Canadian jazz pianist and singer, is renowned for her contralto vocals and has sold over 15 million albums worldwide. She holds the record for the most albums debuting at number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and has won numerous awards, including two Grammys and eight Junos.

    Four

    With NASA’s ___ campaign, we are exploring the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon.

    — NASA

    The above is taken from a NASA website and describes a program which is named after the twin sister of Apollo. What is this name which has been omitted from the above quote?

    Answer: Artemis

    Artemis, the Greek goddess of wild animals, the hunt, vegetation, chastity, and childbirth, was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo. Apollo and Artemis were respectively personifications of the Sun and the Moon Her worship varied across regions, reflecting her diverse roles as a huntress, protector of young animals, and goddess of nature and fertility. While poets emphasised her chastity and love for the hunt, Greek sculpture often depicted her in a more gentle and graceful manner. She was also a protector of young children and a patron of healing, particularly among women and children. Widely venerated, her worship spread throughout ancient Greece, with her great temple at Ephesus being one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

    Five

    On this day in 1855, an explorer became the first European to witness Mosi-oa-Tunya, a now-renowned World Heritage Site. What name did he give it?

    Answer: Victoria Falls

    The Zambezi River does not gather speed as it nears the drop, the approach being signaled only by the mighty roar and characteristic veil of mist for which the Kalolo-Lozi people named the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”).

    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is a spectacular waterfall twice as wide and deep as Niagara Falls. The falls plunge over a sheer precipice into a chasm, creating a dramatic gorge and the Boiling Pot pool. In 1855, British explorer David Livingstone was the first European to see the falls which he named after Great Britain’s Queen Victoria. The surrounding national parks offer diverse wildlife and recreational facilities, and the area was designated a World Heritage site in 1989.

    The Smoke That Thunders.
    Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls.
    Image Wikipedia

  • The Smoke That Thunders

    All of these questions are related to today, November 16th.

    José Saramago, 2001.
    Image Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images via Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    José Saramago, the novelist pictured above, won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his extensive body of work including O Evangelho Segundo Jesus Cristo (The Gospel According to Jesus Christ). What nationality was he?

    Two

    On this day, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act was signed authorising the construction of a pipeline across Alaska. Which US President signed it and what communities are at either end?

    Diana Krall, 2010.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    Who is this Canadian singer, born on 16 November 1964, as pictured in 2010?

    Four

    With NASA’s ___ campaign, we are exploring the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon.

    — NASA

    The above is taken from a NASA website and describes a program which is named after the twin sister of Apollo. What is this name which has been omitted from the above quote?

    Five

    On this day in 1855, an explorer became the first European to witness Mosi-oa-Tunya, a now-renowned World Heritage Site. What name did he give it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • My great-grandmother was your great-great grandfather’s mistress—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Today’s questions are simply a random mix.

    Two-colour gold, guilloché enamel, brilliant and rose-cut diamonds. It was given to King Edward VII by his favourite mistress, Mrs George Keppel, in 1908.
    Image Royal Collection Trust

    One

    ‘My great-grandmother was your great-great grandfather’s mistress,’ she is said to have joked. ‘So how about it?’

    — Tatler, 11 December 2024

    This quote was reportedly made in the second half of the twentieth century by one Briton speaking to another. Who is the person speaking, and who is listening?

    Answer: Camilla Shand (later Parker Bowles) and Charles, Prince of Wales (now Queen Camilla and King Charles III)

    Alice Keppel, a mistress of King Edward VII, gifted him a Fabergé cigarette case symbolising her love. History has somewhat repeated itself: Alice Keppel’s great-granddaughter is none other than Queen Camilla, who was, of course, in a relationship with Prince Charles when he was married to Princess Diana. Queen Camilla, is married to King Charles III.

    Two

    Stay With Me ___ was a 1979 single by Judie Tzuke. What two words complete the title?

    Answer: Till Dawn (Stay With Me Till Dawn)

    Her debut album Welcome to the Cruise included the single that peaked at number 8 in Australia and 16 in the UK. It also reached number 47 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

    Three

    The rings of ___, comprising 13 planetary rings, were discovered in 1977. Which body in the Solar System has been omitted from the previous sentence?

    Answer: Uranus

    Uranus has 13 planetary rings, discovered in 1977. Their complexity is between Saturn’s extensive rings and Jupiter and Neptune’s simpler systems. In 1789, William Herschel reported observing rings. However modern astronomers are divided on whether he could have seen them as they are very dark and faint.

    Four

    This wall, which began construction in AD 142, served as the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire while garrisoned. What wall is this and in which modern country is this wall located?

    Answer: Antonine Wall

    The Antonine Wall, a turf fortification built by the Romans in Scotland, spanned 63 kilometres and was the northernmost frontier barrier of the Roman Empire. Constructed under Emperor Antoninus Pius, it was abandoned after eight years and its remains are less evident than Hadrian’s Wall due to weathering. It is now under the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Five

    The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event is the most recent mass extinction and the only one definitively connected to a major asteroid impact. Some ___ percent of all species on the planet, including all nonavian dinosaurs, went extinct.

    — National Geographic, September 26, 2019

    Complete the quote by selecting one of these percentages: 43, 61 or 76.

    Answer: 76

    The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, 66 million years ago, wiped out 76% of species, including all non-avian dinosaurs, due to an asteroid impact near Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

  • My great-grandmother was your great-great grandfather’s mistress

    Today’s questions are simply a random mix.

    Two-colour gold, guilloché enamel, brilliant and rose-cut diamonds. It was given to King Edward VII by his favourite mistress, Mrs George Keppel, in 1908.
    Image Royal Collection Trust

    One

    ‘My great-grandmother was your great-great grandfather’s mistress,’ she is said to have joked. ‘So how about it?’

    — Tatler, 11 December 2024

    This quote was reportedly made in the second half of the twentieth century by one Briton speaking to another. Who is the person speaking, and who is listening?

    Two

    Stay With Me ___ was a 1979 single by Judie Tzuke. What two words complete the title?

    Three

    The rings of ___, comprising 13 planetary rings, were discovered in 1977. Which body in the Solar System has been omitted from the previous sentence?

    Antonine Wall near Bar Hill showing ditch.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    This wall, which began construction in AD 142, served as the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire while garrisoned. What wall is this and in which modern country is this wall located?

    Five

    The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event is the most recent mass extinction and the only one definitively connected to a major asteroid impact. Some ___ percent of all species on the planet, including all nonavian dinosaurs, went extinct.

    — National Geographic, September 26, 2019

    Complete the quote by selecting one of these percentages: 43, 61 or 76.

  • Our House—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Four of today’s questions concern November 7th and Canada or Canadians.  Question two is included because the house mentioned was owned by a Canadian at the time (she is the answer to question one).

    Déjà Vu, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
    Image

    One

    Roberta Joan Anderson, who was born at Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada on 7 November 1943, wrote Ladies of the Canyon (released 1970), her third studio album while living at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon. Who is Roberta Joan Anderson better known as?

    Answer: Joni Mitchell

    Joni Mitchell’s third studio album, Ladies of the Canyon, was released in 1970 and includes Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock and The Circle Game.

    Two

    A follow-on from the previous question regarding 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon where singer-songwriter Graham Nash lived with lady referred to in question one. The house is the subject of Our House written by Nash and released in 1970. What group, described by Wikipedia as a ‘folk rock supergroup’, released the song on and album and as a single in 1970.

    Answer: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

    Joni Mitchell bought the house in the Laurel Canyon district of Los Angeles in 1968 and met Graham Nash shortly after. Their house became a popular hangout for musicians. Our House featured on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s Déjà Vu album in 1970 and was released as a single the same year.

    Three

    The ‘Last Spike’ ceremony at Craigellachie on 7 November, marked the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway. In what decade did the ‘Last Spike’ ceremony take place, and in what Canadian province or territory is Craigellachie?

    Answer: 1880s (1885) and British Columbia

    At 9:22 a.m. on November 7, 1885, the ceremonial final spike was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) at Craigellachie, British Columbia. The honor fell to CPR financier Donald Smith, Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal. This historic moment marked the completion of Canada’s first transcontinental railway, bringing to a close years of struggle marked by natural disasters, financial crises, and even rebellion.

    Leonard Cohen.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Born in Quebec, this songwriter, singer, poet and novelist passed away at 82 on 7 November 2016.  A fifteenth studio album Thanks for the Dance was released three years later. Who is this singer?

    Answer: Leonard Cohen

    Leonard Cohen, a celebrated Canadian songwriter, singer, poet and novelist, explored faith, mortality and love in his work. He received numerous accolades, including induction into several halls of fame and the Prince of Asturias Award for literature.

    Sergeant Edward Holland’s Victoria Cross, for valour at the Battle of Leliefontein, 7 November 1900.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On this date in 1900, at The Battle of Leliefontein, the Royal Canadian Dragoons won three Victoria Cross. During what war did this battle take place?

    Answer: Second Boer War

    Lieutenant-Colonel François-Louis Lessard led a rearguard action to cover the withdrawal of a larger force. The Royal Canadian Dragoons, supported by artillery and a machine gun, repelled multiple Boer assaults, including a mounted charge. Despite heavy casualties, the Dragoons successfully protected the field guns, earning three of their members—Sergeant Edward Holland, Lieutenant Richard Turner, and Lieutenant Hampden Cockburn—the Victoria Cross for their bravery.

  • Our House

    Four of today’s questions concern November 7th and Canada or Canadians.  Question two is included because the house mentioned was owned by a Canadian at the time (she is the answer to question one).

    Flag of Canada.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Roberta Joan Anderson, who was born at Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada on 7 November 1943, wrote Ladies of the Canyon (released 1970), her third studio album while living at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon. Who is Roberta Joan Anderson better known as?

    Two

    A follow-on from the previous question regarding 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon where singer-songwriter Graham Nash lived with the lady referred to in question one. The house is the subject of Our House written by Nash and released in 1970. What group, described by Wikipedia as a ‘folk rock supergroup’, released the song on an album and as a single in 1970.

    Three

    The ‘Last Spike’ ceremony at Craigellachie on 7 November, marked the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway. In what decade did the ‘Last Spike’ ceremony take place, and in what Canadian province or territory is Craigellachie?

    Four

    Born in Quebec, this songwriter, singer, poet and novelist passed away at 82 on 7 November 2016.  A fifteenth studio album Thanks for the Dance was released three years later. Who is this singer?

    Sergeant Edward Holland’s Victoria Cross, for valour at the Battle of Leliefontein, 7 November 1900.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On this date in 1900, at The Battle of Leliefontein, the Royal Canadian Dragoons won three Victoria Cross. During what war did this battle take place?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today