Quizology.Online

Tag: nature

  • Why a Duck?—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions which were posted earlier.

    Five random multiple-choice questions for you today.

    The Marx Brothers, 1931.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Who was the eldest of the Marx Brothers? 

    1. Chico
    2. Groucho
    3. Harpo

    Answer: 1. Chico.

    Chico, born Leonard Joseph Marx in 1887, was the eldest. Harpo, born Adolph Marx in 1888, followed. Groucho, born Julius Henry Marx in 1890, then came Gummo, born Milton Marx in 1893. Finally, Zeppo, born Herbert Manfred Marx in 1901, was the youngest and last of the five Marx brothers. The picture shows them in age order but missing Gummo. From top: Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo.

    Two

    The African polecat is also known as a …

    1. Zimbal
    2. Zorilla 
    3. Zugerro

    Answer: 3. Zorilla.

    The striped polecat, native to sub-Saharan Africa, is a nocturnal, mostly carnivorous mammal with distinctive black and white fur. It uses its long claws to dig for prey and its spray to deter predators. While mostly solitary, females tolerate males during breeding season, and the species is not considered threatened.

    Three

    What movement which flourished in the early twentieth century was also referred to as Style Moderne?

    1. Art Deco
    2. Naturalism
    3. Realism

    Answer: 1. Art Deco.

    Art Deco, a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, emerged in Paris in the 1910s and flourished internationally during the 1920s and 1930s. Influenced by various artistic movements and cultures, it represented luxury and progress, utilising both rare and new materials. While its popularity waned after World War II, Art Deco remains a significant architectural and design style.

    Four

    At what age did Alexander the Great die?

    1. 32 years old
    2. 41 years old
    3. 49 years old

    Answer: 1. 32 years old.

    Alexander the Great, king of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BCE – 10/11 June 323 BCE), created one of the largest empires in history through a decade-long military campaign. He conquered the Persian Empire, invaded India, and founded numerous cities, spreading Greek culture and initiating the Hellenistic period. His legacy includes cultural diffusion, military tactics, and legendary status in both Greek and non-Greek cultures.

    Five

    1. Florida
    2. Louisiana
    3. Texas

    Answer: 3. Texas.

    The latitude of the three cities listed are as follows with the southernmost first…

    • Austin, Texas (30.2672° N)
    • Tallahassee, Florida (30.4383° N)
    • Baton Rouge, Louisiana (30.4571° N)

    Why a Duck? — Post Title

    Why a Duck? is a well-known comedy routine from the Marx Brothers’ movie The Cocoanuts (1929). The scene, features Groucho mentioning an ‘viaduct’ and Chico asking ‘Why a duck?’. This turns into a prolonged routine which is a favourite among fans and has been analysed in Richard Anobile’s book of the same name. The script for the scene is on the Marx Brothers website here.

  • Why a Duck?

    Five random multiple-choice questions for you today.

    The Marx Brothers, 1931.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Who was the eldest of the Marx Brothers? 

    1. Chico
    2. Groucho
    3. Harpo

    Two

    The African polecat is also known as a …

    1. Zimbal
    2. Zorilla 
    3. Zugerro

    Three

    What movement which flourished in the early twentieth century was also referred to as Style Moderne?

    1. Art Deco
    2. Naturalism
    3. Realism

    Four

    At what age did Alexander the Great die?

    1. 32 years old
    2. 41 years old
    3. 49 years old

    Five

    1. Florida
    2. Louisiana
    3. Texas

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Gallimaufry VII—Answers

    Today we have a mixed bag of trivia with no theme.

    Tom kha kai soup.
    Image Pinterest

    One

    Tom kha kai is a Thai soup made with which milk?

    Answer: Coconut

    Tom kha, a Thai soup originating around 1890, evolved from tom kha pet (duck and galangal) to tom kha kai (chicken) and tom kha kung (shrimp). It is distinguished from tom yam by its coconut milk base.

    Two

    In which country is Punta Gallinas, the northernmost part of mainland South America?

    Answer: Colombia

    Punta Gallinas, also known as Cape Gallinas or Cape Hens, is a northern Colombian headland in the Caribbean Sea.  Situated in Uribia Municipality within La Guajira Department, it marks the northernmost point on South America’s mainland and is one of the continent’s extreme points.

    Three

    Caspian, Indian, and monocled are species of which snake?

    Answer: Cobra

    The Caspian cobra, a highly venomous snake endemic to Central Asia, and the monocled cobra, found in South and Southeast Asia, are both known for their potent venom and are responsible for numerous snakebite incidents. The Indian cobra, native to the Indian subcontinent, is one of the ‘big four’ species responsible for the most snakebite cases in Sri Lanka and India.

    Four

    In what game was a character renamed in 2023 as Boden ‘Boddy’ Black Jr?

    Answer: Cluedo/Clue.

    In the 2023 update of Cluedo/Clue, Boden “Boddy” Black Jr. finally aligns the British Dr. Black with the American Mr. Boddy.

    Five

    Where in Ireland is the cultural region of Connemara?

    Answer: County Galway.

    Connemara, a region in western County Galway, Ireland, is renowned for its traditional Irish culture. It’s Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht, a district where Irish is the predominant language, and boasts mountains, peninsulas, coves, islands and small lakes. Clifden serves as its largest settlement.

  • Gallimaufry VII

    Today we have a mixed bag of trivia with no theme.

    Tom kha kai soup.
    Image Pinterest

    One

    Tom kha kai is a Thai soup made with which milk?

    Two

    In which country is Punta Gallinas, the northernmost part of mainland South America?

    Three

    Caspian, Indian, and monocled are species of which snake?

    Four

    In what game was a character renamed in 2023 as Boden ‘Boddy’ Black Jr?

    Five

    Where in Ireland is the cultural region of Connemara?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Truth Will Out II—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Today’s questions aren’t about dates; they simply ask whether something is true or false.

    Orville Wright beginning the first successful controlled flight in history, at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 1903.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    Is it true or false that the first controlled and sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft was made by Wilbur Wright?

    Answer: False.

    The first flight was made by Orville Wright at 10:35 am on 17 December 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, United States. The flight was captured in the above photograph. The duration of the flight was 120 feet (37 m) in 12 seconds at a speed of 6.8 mph (10.9 km/h). By noon that day, they had made four flights, and on the last, Wilbur flew 852 feet.

    Two

    Is it true or false that a gnu is another name for a water buffalo?

    Answer: False.

    A gnu is another name for a wildebeest. Wildebeest are antelopes native to Eastern and Southern Africa. There are two species: the black wildebeest and the blue wildebeest, which differ in colour and horn orientation. Wildebeest are abundant in East Africa, often migrating in herds with zebras for protection against predators.

    Three

    Is it true or false that Marc Antony, Roman general and politician, lived in the first century CE?

    Answer: False.

    Born in 83 BCE, Marc Antony died at the age of 53 in August 30 BCE. Mark Antony, a Roman general and triumvir, was defeated by Octavian in the final civil war that ended the Roman Republic. He allied with Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and their relationship, along with his perceived favour towards Greek culture, contributed to his downfall. Despite his abilities as a leader and general ultimately lost the battle of Actium, leading to his and Cleopatra’s suicides.

    Four

    Is it true or false that Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa?

    Answer: True.

    Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, shares borders with South Africa and Mozambique. Formerly known as Swaziland, it’s a developing nation with a lower-middle income economy. Agriculture and manufacturing are its primary industries. Eswatini is an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III since 1986 and faces significant health challenges, including a high HIV/AIDS prevalence.

    Five

    Is it true or false that nephology, a term from the late 19th century, relates to the study of the ground in relation to gold prospecting?

    Answer: False.

    Nephology, a rare term from the late 19th century derived from the Greek word ‘nephos’ meaning ‘cloud’ and the suffix ‘-logy’, refers to the study or contemplation of clouds. A nephoscope, an instrument from the 19th century, was used to measure cloud altitude, direction, and velocity through transit-time measurement, distinguishing it from a nephometer, which measures cloudiness.

  • The Truth Will Out II

    Today’s questions aren’t about dates; they simply ask whether something is true or false.

    The beginning the first successful controlled flight in history, at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 1903.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    Is it true or false that the first controlled and sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft was made by Wilbur Wright?

    Two

    Is it true or false that a gnu is another name for a water buffalo?

    Three

    Is it true or false that Marc Antony, Roman general and politician, lived in the first century CE?

    Four

    Is it true or false that Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa?

    Five

    Is it true or false that nephology, a term from the late 19th century, relates to the study of the ground in relation to gold prospecting?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Gallimaufry V—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.

    Today, more gallimaufry — ‘a confused jumble or medley of things’.

    Snow leopard aka ounce.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Panthera uncia, native to Central and South Asia, inhabits mountain ranges like the Altai, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas. What is its name in English and by what other name, which could be confused with a measure, was it known?

    Answer: Snow leopard; ounce.

    The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a large cat native to Central and South Asia’s mountain ranges. It is listed as Vulnerable due to poaching and habitat destruction, with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remaining. The snow leopard is legally protected in most of its range and is culturally significant in Kyrgyzstan.

    Two

    The acronym SONAR means what?

    Answer: Sound navigation and ranging. (SO(und) NA(vigation and) R(anging).

    sonar
    noun [mass noun] a system for the detection of objects under water by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return after being reflected: [as modifier] a weak sonar signal. – [count noun] an apparatus used in sonar: we reduced the sensitivity of our scanning sonars. – the method of echolocation used in air or water by animals such as whales and bats: the fishing nets are detectable by dolphin sonar. – ORIGIN 1940s: from so(und) na(vigation and) r(anging), on the pattern of radar. — Oxford English Dictionary iOS App ©Oxford English Dictionary.

    Three

    The name of a 2003 Grammy Award winner and the title of a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1839 are linked by a single word. Can you supply the word and the full title of Poe’s short story?

    Answer: Usher; The Fall of the House of Usher.

    Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic fiction short story, The Fall of the House of Usher, delves into themes of madness, family and isolation. In 2003, Usher won his second consecutive Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for U Don’t Have to Call.

    Four

    What was the name of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ship during his ill-fated Antarctic expedition?

    Answer: Terra Nova.

    The Terra Nova Expedition, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, aimed to reach the South Pole and conduct scientific research. Although they achieved this goal on January 17, 1912, they arrived second—a month after Amundsen. Scott and his team tragically died on the Ross Ice Shelf during their return journey, leading to debate about the expedition’s organisation and management.

    Five

    In December 1969, on a television programme, a Norwegian Blue was purchased, and then an attempt was made to return it. What was the name that this sketch is known by, and in what TV programme was it featured?

    Answer: ‘Dead Parrot sketch’; Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

    The ‘Dead Parrot sketch’ from Monty Python’s Flying Circus satirises poor customer service. It features a customer, Mr Praline, arguing with a shopkeeper about a dead parrot. Mr Praline complains about a deceased parrot he bought. The shopkeeper, using euphemisms for death, sends him to his brother’s shop in Bolton for a refund, but Praline discovers it’s the same shop. The shopkeeper, claiming it’s a prank, is interrupted by a Colonel who orders the sketch to stop.

  • Gallimaufry V

    Today, more gallimaufry — ‘a confused jumble or medley of things’.

    Snow leopard aka ounce.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Panthera uncia, native to Central and South Asia, inhabits mountain ranges like the Altai, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas. What is its name in English and by what other name, which could be confused with a measure, was it known?

    Two

    The acronym SONAR means what?

    Three

    The name of a 2003 Grammy Award winner and the title of a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1839 are linked by a single word. Can you supply the word and the full title of Poe’s short story?

    Four

    What was the name of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ship during his ill-fated Antarctic expedition?

    Five

    In December 1969, on a television programme, a Norwegian Blue was purchased, and then an attempt was made to return it. What was the name that this sketch is known by, and in what TV programme was it featured?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Naturally Confused—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

    Today’s questions revolve around animals but the specific types are concealed within capitalised anagrams. The solution lies in identifying the animal type hidden within the anagram.

    Platypus aka Duck-billed Platypus.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    SING ODE to wild, perhaps half-domesticated, members of the family Canidae.

    Answer: Dingoes

    dingo, (Canis lupus dingo, Canis dingo), member of the family Canidae native to Australia. Most authorities regard dingoes as a subspecies of the wolf (Canis lupus dingo); however, some authorities consider dingoes to be their own species (C. dingo). The name dingo is also used to describe wild dogs of Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and New Guinea.

    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    Two

    LAID MORALS are nocturnal insectivorous mammals, which are found from South America to southern North America; they have large claws for digging and a body covered in bony plates.

    Answer: Armadillos

    Armadillos (Spanish for ‘little armoured ones’) are New World placental mammals in the order Cingulata. They form part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths. 21 extant species of armadillo have been described, some of which are distinguished by the number of bands on their armour.

    — Wikipedia

    Three

    HEATHER TWIGS ARK while Peter Benchley researched this species, Carcharodon carcharias.

    Answer: Great white shark

    The great white was the villain in Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws and its film adaptation by Steven Spielberg. The white shark, a vulnerable apex predator, is widely protected due to its low productivity and human impacts. Despite being well-studied, many questions about its abundance, life history, habitats, and movements remain unanswered.

    Four

    PUP DULY BLACKLISTED when a specimen arrived in England, it was assumed to be a hoax or practical joke.

    Answer: Duckbilled platypus (aka platypus)

    When the first platypus specimen reached England from Australia in 1799, the scientific community claimed that it was a hoax. On closer investigation, dubious European naturalists eventually declared it to be real, though in an age obsessed with classification, the category-defying platypus sparked heated debates across Europe for a century.

    — Publishers note for Platypus: The Extraordinary Story of How a Curious Creature Baffled the World by Ann Mayal.*

    Five

    A ‘water boa’ has another name which can be unravelled from DANCE GOER NANA.

    Answer: Green anaconda

    The green anaconda, the largest snake in the world by mass and length, is dark green with black spots and can grow up to 10 metres long. It feeds on aquatic and amphibious animals, and cannibalism has been observed.

    *Moyal, Ann. Platypus: The Extraordinary Story of How a Curious Creature Baffled the World*. United States: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.

  • Naturally Confused

    Geese migrating. Which has no relevance to today’s questions.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s questions revolve around animals but the specific types are concealed within capitalised anagrams. The solution lies in identifying the animal type hidden within the anagram.

    One

    SING ODE to wild, perhaps half-domesticated, members of the family Canidae.

    Two

    LAID MORALS are nocturnal insectivorous mammals, which are found from South America to southern North America; they have large claws for digging and a body covered in bony plates.

    Three

    HEATHER TWIGS ARK while Peter Benchley researched this species, Carcharodon carcharias.

    Four

    PUP DULY BLACKLISTED when a specimen arrived in England, it was assumed to be a hoax or practical joke.

    Five

    A ‘water boa’ has another name which can be unravelled from DANCE GOER NANA.

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.