The first question refers to the colony where Virginia Dare, the first child born in the Americas to European parents, was born on 18 August 1587. The other questions are random and have no connection to the date.
Baptism of Virginia Dare, wood engraving 1880. Image Wikipedia
One
The person who sent ships and colonists to set up a fort at Roanoke in what is now North Carolina, US is described by Wikipedia as an ‘English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer’. Who is he?
Two
Which Elton John song, released in 1997, remained in the Canadian Singles Charts for three years. What was that song?
Three
Zupaysaurus, meaning ‘devil lizard’ from the Queshua word supay meaning ‘devil’ and the Greek sauros meaning ‘lizard’, is an early theropod dinosaur. In which country was it discovered?
Four
Tasmania, an island state of Australia, is named after Dutch seafarer and explorer Abel Tasman. In 1642, Tasman became the first reported European to sight the island. What name did Tasman give the island?
Five
An ibex is any of several species of wild…
What is the next word in the above quote from the Wikipedia article on the ibex?
The Hoof and Horn flag described in Animal Farm has painted on it a ‘hoof and a horn in white’, which resembles the communist hammer and sickle Image Wikipedia
One
Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes.
The above quote is the opening line of a classic satire published on 17 August 1945. What was the title of this novella?
— Answer: Animal Farm
Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella by George Orwell, published in 1945. It reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution and the Stalinist era, criticising Stalin’s dictatorship. The book was initially rejected by several publishers but became a commercial success after World War II.
The 168-letter official name for Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, translates as
The city of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the Nine Gems, seat of the King, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra’s behest.
Rufus took over from Hamish in 2000 to perform a specific duty at The Championships on Wimbledon’s famous grass tennis courts. His social media manager reveals that Rufus has undergone an intensive training process for this role, which includes starting work each day at 5 am. What is Rufus’s two-word job title?
— Answer: Bird scarer
Rufus the Harris Hawk, Wimbledon’s official bird scarer, prevents pigeons from disrupting play. Trained to scare birds away, Rufus works from 5am before the gates open, ensuring a bird-free environment for the tournament. His handler, Imogen Davis, manages his training and monitors his weight to ensure optimal performance. Imogen also manages his social media where he has more than 11,000 followers on X (Twitter).
Don Juan Pond, Wright Valley, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Image NASA/Wikipedia
Four
The Don Juan Pond, located in Wright Valley, Victoria Land, is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. It is situated on which continent?
—Answer: Antarctica
Don Juan Pond, located in Victoria Land, Antarctica, is the saltiest lake in the continent with a salinity level of 45.8%. Discovered in 1961, it remains liquid even at temperatures as low as −50 °C (−58 °F).
School of trumpetfishes (Macroramphosus scolopax), Faial-Pico Channel, Azores Islands, Portugal Image Wikipedia
Five
Is it true or false that there are more species of mammals than there are amphibians, birds, fish and reptiles combined?
— Answer: False
There are over 33,000 extant species of fish, surpassing the combined total of all amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Most fish belong to the class Actinopterygii, which represents about half of all living vertebrates, making fish the largest group of vertebrates by species count.
Rufus took over from Hamish in 2000 to perform a specific duty at The Championships on Wimbledon’s famous grass tennis courts. His social media manager reveals that Rufus has undergone an intensive training process for this role, which includes starting work each day at 5 am. What is Rufus’s two-word job title?
Four
The Don Juan Pond, located in Wright Valley, Victoria Land, is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. It is situated on which continent?
Five
Is it true or false that there are more species of mammals than there are amphibians, birds, fish and reptiles combined?
A quagga died in Amsterdam Zoo on 12 August 1883. Native to South Africa, the quagga was a type of…
Answer: Zebra
The quagga, a subspecies of plains zebra, was native to South Africa, where it was found in vast herds on the great plains, but is now extinct. It had a reddish-brown body with dark stripes and a white underside.
Two
What ‘Q’ links the novelist Herman Melville with Special Agent Dana Scully?
Answer: Queequeg
Queequeg, a Polynesian royal with facial tattoos, befriends Ishmael in Moby-Dick and becomes a harpooner on the Pequod. In The X-Files Scully names her dog Queequeg after the Moby-Dick character and used the name as her email handle and home alarm password.
Three
In which fictional series does Max Quordlepleen, a comedian and host, appear hosting a show at Milliways?
Answer: The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he said, ‘the Universe as we know it has been in existence for over one hundred and seventy thousand million billion years and will be ending in a little over half an hour. So, welcome to Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe!’
With a gesture he deftly conjured another round of spontaneous applause. With another gesture he cut it. “I am your host for tonight,” he said, “my name is Max Quordlepleen.” — The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (Pan Books).
Four
What ‘Q’ is a capital city which sits on the equator and is officially known as San Francisco de …
Answer: Quito
Officially known as San Francisco de Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is the highest national capital city in the world. It is the political and cultural centre of Ecuador, with a rich history dating back to its incorporation into the Inca Empire in the late 15th century.
Five
Quirinus Quirrell is a character in the works of which novelist?
Answer: J.K. Rowling
In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories, Quirinus Quirrell, Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, is possessed by Voldemort during Harry’s first year at Hogwarts. Harry defeats Quirrell, allowing Dumbledore to arrive and Voldemort to flee, resulting in Quirrell’s death.
The first question relates to today’s date, August 12th, and contains a word beginning with a ‘Q’. The rest of the questions follow a ‘Q’ theme, either with a ‘Q’ in the question or answer.
One
A quagga died in Amsterdam Zoo on 12 August 1883. Native to South Africa, the quagga was a type of…
Two
What ‘Q’ links the novelist Herman Melville with Special Agent Dana Scully?
Three
In which fictional series does Max Quordlepleen, a comedian, appear hosting a show at Milliways?
Four
What ‘Q’ is a capital city which sits on the equator and is officially known as San Francisco de …
Five
Quirinus Quirrell is a character in the works of which novelist?
Is it true or false that velociraptors were only about the size of turkeys?
Answer: True
Velociraptor, commonly known as “raptor,” is one of the dinosaur genera most familiar to the general public. This is largely due to its prominent role in the Jurassic Park films. However, in reality, Velociraptor was roughly the size of a turkey, considerably smaller than the approximately 2 metres (6.6 feet) tall and 90 kilograms (200 pounds) reptiles depicted in the novels and films. These depictions were based on members of the related genus Deinonychus.
Is it true or false that P.T. Barnum started his career as a showman by publicly displaying an elderly African slave he claimed was George Washington’s 161-year-old former nursemaid?
Answer: True
In 1834 he moved to New York City, where he found his vocation as a showman one year later when he successfully presented Joice Heth, a wizened Black woman whom he advertised as the 161-year-old nurse to Gen. George Washington. On her death, however, the story was exposed as a hoax.
Is it true or false that if broccoli is left unharvested, each green bud usually produces a flower with four yellow petals?
Answer: True
Broccoli, a nutritious vegetable from the mustard family, is high in fibre and vitamins. It can be eaten fresh or cooked and should be dark green with firm stalks. If left unharvested, those buds produce yellow flowers with four petals and dry capsule fruits called siliques.
Four
Is it true or false that elephants can communicate with each other using ambisonic calls?
Answer: False
Elephants can communicate with each other using infrasonic calls that are below the range of human hearing. They also stomp messages on the ground that can be felt and understood by other elephants miles away.
Five
Is it true or false that on Venus, the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east?
Answer: True
Venus is unusual because it spins the opposite direction of Earth and most other planets…
…And because Venus rotates backwards, the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.
Is it true or false that velociraptors were about the size of turkeys?
Two
Is it true or false that P.T. Barnum started his career as a showman by publicly displaying an elderly African slave he claimed was George Washington’s 161-year-old former nursemaid?
Three
Is it true or false that if broccoli is left unharvested, each green bud usually produces a flower with four yellow petals?
Four
Is it true or false that elephants can communicate with each other using ambisonic calls?
Five
Is it true or false that on Venus, the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east?
True or false: snooker was first played in Raffles Hotel, Singapore?
Answer: False
Snooker originated in various officers’ mess of the British Army in India during the British Raj in the 1870s. It combined elements of pyramids and black pool, and the first set of rules was finalised in 1882 by Neville Chamberlain.
True or false: The Arctic Circle passes through eight countries.
Answer: True
The Arctic Circle passes through these eight countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and the United States (Alaska).
Five
Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) Image Wikipedia
True or false: a group of two or three sharks, whether all male or all female, is called a shiver.
Answer: True
Another type of gathering is called a shiver. A shiver of sharks refers to smaller groups, usually composed of only two or three individuals. It’s unclear why these small clusters form, but some believe they could be related to mating behavior. Unlike a school, a shiver of sharks is usually made up of only one gender – either all males or all females. – Shark Sider
The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.
Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) in the Bushveld, Limpopo, South Africa. Image Wikipedia
One
What animal is pictured above?
Aardvark
Bonito
Coypu
Answer: Aardvark
Aardvarks are medium-sized, nocturnal mammals native to Africa, using their long proboscis to sniff out ants and termites. They are the only living species of the family Orycteropodidae and the order Tubulidentata, and are not closely related to pigs or anteaters despite superficial similarities.
Aerial view of Pelham Bay Park (pictured centre left). Image Wikipedia
Two
According to NYC Parks, the largest public park in New York City is…
Central Park, Manhattan
Marine Park, Brooklyn
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Answer: Pelham Bay Park
Pelham Bay Park, the largest public park in New York City, spans 2,765 acres in the Bronx. It features peninsulas, a lagoon, and recreational areas such as Orchard Beach and golf courses. The park has a rich history, having been part of Anne Hutchinson’s colony and later playing a role in the Revolutionary War.
In contrast, Brooklyn’s Marine Park covers 798 acres, while Central Park is an impressive 843 acres.
Billy the Kid, ballet by Aaron Copland (Premiere 1938). Image aaroncopland.com
Three
Aaron Copland composed which 1938 ballet?
Billy the Kid
The Gunfight at the OK Corral
Wild Bill
Answer: Billy the Kid
Aaron Copland’s 1938 ballet Billy the Kid, commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein and choreographed by Eugene Loring, is a popular and widely performed piece. It incorporates cowboy tunes and American folk songs, portraying the ‘Wild West’ through the figure of Billy the Kid.
Four
In what year, and where, was Rift Valley fever first identified?
1851, Japan
1931, Kenya
2011, Laos
Answer: 1931, Kenya
The virus was first identified in 1931 during an investigation into an epidemic among sheep in the Rift Valley of Kenya. It is a viral disease transmitted through contact with infected animal blood, raw milk, or mosquito bites. Symptoms range from mild fever and muscle pain to severe complications like blindness, brain infections, and bleeding, with a 50% fatality rate for those with bleeding. Outbreaks occur in Africa and Arabia, typically during rainy periods.
City of London within London (in centre of image). Image Maproom
Five
What is the approximate area of the City of London?
1 square mile
11 square miles
111 square miles
Answer: 1 square mile
The City of London, or “the City,” is the historic centre of London, containing historic sites like St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Stock Exchange. It is the smallest ceremonial county and local government district in England, with an area of 1.12 sq mi, earning it the nickname the Square Mile.
