2026 Chinese GP – Mercedes – Kimi Antonelli – Qualifying. Image Wikimedia Commons
Today’s first question concerns the date May 5th. Each subsequent question builds on the previous one.
One
In Shangdu on 5 May 1260 Kublai was unanimously elected khan. An English poet later wrote a poem featuring Kublai Khan in which he changed Shangdu’s name to what?
Two
Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.
The poet who wrote the poem mentioned in question one wrote another which includes the lines quoted above. Who was the poet, and what poem does the quote come from?
Three
A song released by a British American rock band in November 1968 has a creature from the poem mentioned in question two as its title. In January 1969, this instrumental track provided the band with its only UK number one hit in their more than fifty years of performing. Name the song and the band?
Four
A track by the above-mentioned band, which is from their Rumours album, is the only one written by all five band members at that time. It has been used on the BBC since 1978 as a theme tune for a sports programme. That sport is now covered in the UK by Channel 4, but they have kept the same theme. What is both the relevant track and sport?
Five
Following on from above a question about Formula One. In the 2026 F1 World Championship two races were cancelled during April because of the international situation. What circuits, and where are these circuits, were effected by these cancellations?
See Question Three. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, 1974. Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns today, May 4th. The rest follow a theme related to the first.
One
On 4 May, Napoleon landed on an island to begin his first exile. What island and in what year?
Answers: Elba; 1814.
Napoleon escaped Elba in February 1815 and embarked on his ‘Hundred Days’ before ultimately being defeated at Waterloo and exiled to Saint Helena.
The first question related to ‘exile’ so we will continue with that theme for the remainder.
Two
Which band released the double album Exile on Main St on this day in 1972?
The Rolling Stones.
This double album was the band’s tenth studio album and was recorded at various locations including Mick Jagger’s country house in England and a villa in the south of France, which was rented by Keith Richards.
Three
After eight years in a labour camp and a year of internal exile, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was finally permitted to receive cancer treatment in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1954. Which 1966 Solzhenitsyn novel specifically depicts this period?
Answer: Cancer Ward.
Cancer Ward, a semi-autobiographical novel by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, explores the moral responsibility of those implicated in Stalin’s Great Purge. The story, set in a Tashkent hospital in 1955, follows a group of patients, including the protagonist Oleg Kostoglotov, who reflect on their roles and the lasting impact of Stalinism. Kostoglotov ultimately realises that healing after Stalin is impossible, likening the situation to cancer. Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn (1918–2008) was a Soviet and Russian author and dissident renowned for exposing Soviet political repression, particularly the Gulag system. Awarded the 1970 Nobel Prize in Literature, his work The Gulag Archipelago challenged the Soviet state and sold millions. Born into a devout Orthodox family, he initially embraced atheism and Marxism–Leninism. Arrested during WWII for criticising Stalin, he served eight years in the Gulag, leading to his conversion to Orthodox Christianity. Released during the Khrushchev Thaw, he published One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich in 1962. Exiled in 1974, he settled in the U.S. before returning to Russia in 1994.
Four
Dante Alighieri, known as Dante, poet, writer and philosopher who was the author of Divine Comedy was, in the early 14th century, exiled from his native city for life. What was that city?
Answer: Florence.
Dante Alighieri, while serving as Florence’s city prior in 1300, was accused of corruption by the Black Guelphs. Still in Rome in 1302, he was considered an absconder by Florence. Dante refused to pay the fine, believing in his innocence and having his assets seized. Condemned to perpetual exile, he risked execution if he returned. In 2008, Florence rescinded his sentence.
Five
Five music questions spread over the past fifty years?
King Crimson’s song Exiles was featured on their 1973 album …’ Tongues in Aspic. What word completes the album title?
Irish singer Enya’s song Exile was from her 1988 album Water…. What four letters complete the album’s one-word title?
Exile, a track from the 1997 album also titled Exile, was performed by a man considered a pioneer of electronic music. Who was this singer?
Exile featured on Slayer’s 2001 album … Hates Us All. What word is missing from the start of the album name?
In 2020, Bon Iver featured on whose song Exile?
Answers
Larks. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic was the full title of King Crimson’s 1973 album.
Mark. Watermark was the 1988 album by Enya.
Gary Numan. Numan was the 1997 exile who was a pioneer of electronic music.
God. Slayer’s Exile came from God Hates Us All (2001).
Taylor Swift. The Exile featuring Bon Iver was by none other than Ms Swift, who Wikipedia describes as ‘the highest-grossing live music artist, the wealthiest female musician, and one of the best-selling music artists of all time’.
May the Fourth Be With You
Star Wars Day is celebrated annually on May 4, originating from the pun ‘May the Fourth be with you’. Though not officially declared by Lucasfilm, it began in 1977 and has since been embraced by fans, Lucasfilm and Disney as a celebration of the Star Wars franchise.
See Question Three. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, 1974. Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns today, May 4th. The rest follow a theme related to the first.
One
On 4 May, Napoleon landed on an island to begin his first exile. What island and in what year?
The first question related to ‘exile’ so we will continue with that theme for the remainder.
Two
Which band released the double album Exile on Main St on this day in 1972?
Three
After eight years in a labour camp and a year of internal exile, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was finally permitted to receive cancer treatment in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1954. Which 1966 Solzhenitsyn novel specifically depicts this period?
Four
Dante Alighieri, known as Dante, poet, writer and philosopher who was the author of Divine Comedy was, in the early 14th century, exiled from his native city for life. What was that city?
Five
Five music questions spread over the past fifty years?
King Crimson’s song Exiles was featured on their 1973 album …’ Tongues in Aspic. What word completes the album title?
Irish singer Enya’s song Exile was from her 1988 album Water…. What four letters complete the album’s one-word title?
Exile, a track from the 1997 album also titled Exile, was performed by a man considered a pioneer of electronic music. Who was this singer?
Exile featured on Slayer’s 2001 album … Hates Us All. What word is missing from the start of the album name?
Today’s five questions centre on American singers who were all born on May 3rd. The title’s relevance to the content is unharmonious.
One
Who is this person described by Encyclopædia Britannica as…
Born in 1919 in New York.
An iconic American singer-songwriter who honed skills on the five-string banjo.
Wrote or co-wrote standards like Where Have All the Flowers Gone, If I Had a Hammer, and Turn, Turn, Turn.
Answer: Pete Seeger.
Pete Seeger (1919–2014) was an iconic American singer-songwriter and activist who championed folk music and inspired the 1960s revival. He co-founded the Almanac Singers, wrote folk standards, popularised hootenannies, and remained active in environmental causes despite being blacklisted. He received numerous honours, including the National Medal of Arts.
Two
These three clues originate from points in the relevant Wikipedia article. Who is this describing?
Born 3 May 1934 in New Jersey.
Solo artist and lead singer known for his powerful falsetto voice.
First number one was Sherry in 1962.
Answer: Frankie Valli.
Frankie Valli, born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, is an American singer known for his powerful falsetto and lead role in the Four Seasons. He achieved 29 top-40 hits with the group, nine solo, and was inducted into multiple halls of fame. Valli received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.
Three
Encyclopædia Britannica reveals the following about this artiste, who is it?
Born on 3 May 1903 in Washington.
One of the best-selling singers in history with sales numbers varying between: 300 million, 500 million, or even 1 billion, depending on source.
Oscar winning actor who famously went to Morocco.
Answer: Bing Crosby.
Bing Crosby (1903–1977) was a pioneering American singer and actor, influential in the 20th century. He made over 70 films — including the ‘Road to’ series — recorded 1,600 songs, and won an Oscar for Going My Way. Crosby innovated radio recording, co-owned the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was a global cultural icon, notably associated with Christmas.
Four
Some points taken from a Wikipedia article, but who being described…
Born in Texas on 3 May 1951
Uses a stage name but birth surname is Geppert
Debut album won five Grammy Awards including Song of the Year for Sailing
Answer: Christopher Cross.
Christopher Cross, an American singer-songwriter, gained fame with his debut album, winning five Grammys, including Record and Album of the Year for Sailing. Though his popularity declined in the 1980s, he continued releasing albums and touring. In 2018, he formed Freedonia, releasing two albums and an EP.
Five
Identify this person from these points taken from their Encyclopædia Britannica article…
Born in South Carolina on 3 May 1933.
Singer who is known for powerful vocals.
Their innovative album Live at the Apollo (1963) was in the charts for 66 weeks.
Answer: James Brown.
James Brown, known for his ability to “scream” on key and to blend multiple vocal styles together, was one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. Brown also broke new ground with his landmark ‘live and in concert‘ album Live at the Apollo (1963), which stayed on the charts for 66 weeks.
The Great American Songbook
The Great American Songbook is a loosely defined canon encompassing significant 20th-century American jazz standards popular songs and show tunes.
Who currently (April 2026) is the principal occupant of the Quirinal Palace (pictured), and what is that person’s office?
Answer: Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic.
The Quirinal Palace, the main official residence of the President of the Italian Republic, is located on the Quirinal Hill in Rome. It has served as a residence for popes, kings and presidents. Mattarella was elected on 31 January 2015, and re-elected on 29 January 2022.
What
What song gave Tom Jones his first UK number one single and his debut US hit, where it peaked at number ten.
Answer: It’s Not Unusual.
Released in 1965, It’s Not Unusual became a chart-topper in the UK, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. It also marked his first US hit, peaking at number ten; it further climbed to number three on Billboard’s easy listening chart. Initially rejected by the BBC in the UK due to Jones’ image, the song gained popularity on pirate radio. In the US, Jones performed it three times on The Ed Sullivan Show.
When
When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen.
The above sentence opens what English classic children’s story and who wrote it?
Answers: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
The Secret Garden, a classic English children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, was first published in 1911. It has been adapted for stage and film.
Where
Where are lemurs endemic?
Answer: Madagascar.
Lemurs are a diverse group of primates endemic to Madagascar, with around 100 extant species. They are social, nocturnal, and primarily arboreal, exhibiting a range of sizes and diets. Despite their importance for research and conservation efforts, many lemur species are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Why
Why was Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, extensively rebuilt twice during the twentieth century? (NB Two answers as it was rebuilt on two separate occasions.)
Answers: (First rebuild) World War II Japanese air raids; (Second rebuild) Cyclone Tracy.
On 19 February 1942, 188 Japanese warplanes attacked Darwin, killing at least 243 people and causing significant damage. This was the first of many air raids on Darwin and was the most serious attack on Australia during wartime. Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin on 25 December 1974, killing 71 people and destroying over 70% of the city. The Darwin Reconstruction Commission oversaw the city’s rebuilding with modern materials and techniques.
How
How old, according to television’s Smallville, was Lex Luther when he became bald?
Answer: Nine.
I’ve been bald since I was nine. I’m used to people judging me before they get to know me. — Lex Luther, Pilot episode Smallville
Lex Luthor, introduced in the pilot as the son of billionaire Lionel Luthor, is sent to Smallville by his father to manage the local fertiliser plant. As a child, he’s caught in the first meteor shower, which leaves him completely bald but also grants him perfect health.
Six questions on random topics, each beginning with one of these words: Who, What, When (When is the first word of a quote), Where, Why and How.
Court of the Quirinal Palace. Image Wikimedia Commons
Who
Who currently (April 2026) is the principal occupant of the Quirinal Palace (pictured), and what is that person’s office?
What
What song gave Tom Jones his first UK number one single and his debut US hit, where it peaked at number ten.
When
When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen.
The above sentence opens what English classic children’s story and who wrote it?
Where
Where are lemurs endemic?
Why
Why was Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, extensively rebuilt twice during the twentieth century? (NB Two answers as it was rebuilt on two separate occasions.)
How
How old, according to television’s Smallville, was Lex Luther when he became bald?
1 Greek mythology a priestess of Hera who was loved by Zeus. Trying to protect her from the jealousy of Hera, Zeus turned [her] into a heifer. Hera sent a gadfly to torture the heifer, which then fled across the world and finally reached Egypt, where Zeus turned her back into human form. 2 Astronomy one of the Galilean moons of Jupiter, the fifth-closest satellite to the planet, being actively volcanic and coloured red and yellow with sulphur compounds (diameter 3,630 km. — Oxford English Dictionary
The above entry in the Oxford English Dictionary defines what word?
Answer: Io.
Io, a mortal lover of Zeus, was a princess whose descendants included Perseus and Heracles. Named after this princess, Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter, is the most geologically active object in the Solar System, with over 400 active volcanoes.
Two
Cato Fong is the manservant of which fictional inspector?
Answer: Inspector Clouseau.
Cato, Clouseau’s manservant and martial arts expert, is known for unexpectedly attacking Clouseau to keep his skills sharp. Despite Clouseau’s frequent humiliation, he always gets revenge. In later films, Cato helps Clouseau on cases and even runs a covert brothel in Clouseau’s apartment.
Three
Which Swedish actress played Ilsa Lund in the classic film Casablanca?
Answer: Ingrid Bergman.
Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress with a career spanning five decades. She is regarded as one of the most influential actresses in cinema history, winning numerous accolades including three Academy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. Bergman, who spoke five languages, starred in notable films like Casablanca, Gaslight, and Murder on the Orient Express.
Four
Which 2013 Dan Brown novel begins with Robert Langdon waking in a Florence hospital?
Answer: Inferno.
Harvard professor Robert Langdon, suffering from amnesia, escapes an assassin with the help of Dr. Sienna Brooks. He discovers he mumbled ‘Very sorry’ but later learns it was ‘Vasari’ and refers to the artist Giorgio Vasari.
Five
What was the title of Carrie Underwood’s debut single?
Answer: Inside Your Heaven.
Inside Your Heaven, written by Andreas Carlsson, Pelle Nylén, and Savan Kotecha, was released as a single by both Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice in June 2005. Underwood’s version debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Canadian Singles Chart, while Bice’s peaked at number two.
The Eyes Have It
The title is a pun on the word ’eyes’, with each of the answers beginning with the letter ‘I’.
1 Greek mythology a priestess of Hera who was loved by Zeus. Trying to protect her from the jealousy of Hera, Zeus turned [her] into a heifer. Hera sent a gadfly to torture the heifer, which then fled across the world and finally reached Egypt, where Zeus turned her back into human form. 2 Astronomy one of the Galilean moons of Jupiter, the fifth-closest satellite to the planet, being actively volcanic and coloured red and yellow with sulphur compounds (diameter 3,630 km. — Oxford English Dictionary
The above entry in the Oxford English Dictionary defines what word?
Two
Cato Fong is the manservant of which fictional inspector?
Three
Which Swedish actress played Ilsa Lund in the classic film Casablanca?
Four
Which 2013 Dan Brown novel begins with Robert Langdon waking in a Florence hospital?
Five
What was the title of Carrie Underwood’s debut single?
Elvis at Prestwick Airport, 3 March 1960. See question four. Image Daily Record.
No date-related theme today, just five very random questions for you to ponder.
One
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt is best known for rediscovering two of the world’s best-known examples of rock-cut architecture in Jordan in 1812 and Egypt the following year. What are these examples of rock-cut architecture?
Answers: Petra and Abu Simbel.
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (1784 – 1817) was a Swiss traveller, geographer and Orientalist. During his travels in Arabia, he adopted the alias Sheikh Ibrahim Ibn Abdallah and wrote his letters in French, signing them Louis. He is best known for rediscovering two of the world’s most famous examples of rock-cut architecture: the ruins of Petra, an ancient Nabataean city in Jordan, and the temples of Abu Simbel in Egypt. Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when Burckhardt rediscovered it. The Great Temple at Abu Simbel remained unknown to Europeans until March 1813, when Burckhardt found the small temple and top frieze of the main temple.
Two
‘I can resist everything except temptation’ is a line from what play and who wrote it?
Answer: Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Play About a Good Woman by Oscar Wilde.
Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Play About a Good Woman is a four-act comedy by Oscar Wilde, debuting on 20 February 1892 at London’s St James’s Theatre. Lady Windermere suspects her husband of infidelity and plans to leave him for Lord Darlington. Mrs. Erlynne, the other woman, intervenes, revealing herself as Lady Windermere’s mother. She sacrifices her reputation to save the marriage, allowing Lady Windermere to return to her husband unnoticed.
Three
What religious organisation was founded by Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Alba?
Answer: Opus Dei.
Opus Dei, founded in 1928 by Josemaría Escrivá, is a Catholic Church personal prelature promoting holiness through daily life. Approved by the Holy See in 1950 and affirmed in 1982, it faces controversy over abuse allegations. Members, mostly laypeople, engage in secular careers and spiritual training globally.
Four
Elvis Presley and the beginnings of Open Golf are both linked to what town?
Answer: Prestwick.
Prestwick, a town in South Ayrshire on Scotland’s west coast, is approximately 30 miles (50 kilometres) southwest of Glasgow. The Prestwick Old Course hosted the inaugural Open Golf Championship in 1860 and was the venue for the first twelve Open Championships from 1860 to 1872, although the event did not take place in 1871. During World War II, the US Army Air Corps set up and maintained a base at the airport. Elvis Presley made his only visit to the UK on 3 March 1960 when his US Army transport aircraft stopped at the airport for refuelling en route from Germany.
Five
Who in 1762 succeeded Peter III, Emperor of Russia, and what relationship was the successor to Peter?
Answers: Catherine II (the Great); his wife.
Peter III, Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762, was overthrown by his wife, Catherine the Great. Despite implementing notable reforms, he is criticised for his alliance with Prussia. On 28 June 1762, Catherine was proclaimed heir to the Russian throne. Peter attempted to flee to Kronstadt but was repelled by the fleet’s cannons. The people of St. Petersburg armed themselves against him. After losing support from the Senate, army, and fleet, Peter was arrested and abdicated on 9 July. He was transported to Ropsha, where he died under mysterious circumstances. Officially, he died from haemorrhoidal colic and a stroke, but assassination is suspected. Some accounts suggest suffocation attempts followed by strangulation. He was buried on 3 August 1762 in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, Saint Petersburg.
