Quizology.Online

Tag: politics

  • Meeting of the Waters—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.

    Meeting of the waters is the confluence
    between the dark Rio Negro (blackwater) and the pale sandy-coloured Amazon River (whitewater), referred to as the Solimões River in Brazil upriver of this confluence.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The confluence of what two rivers is shown in the above picture?

    Answer: Rio Negro and Amazon aka (Rio Solimões)

    The Meeting of Waters in Brazil is where the dark Rio Negro meets the pale, sediment-rich Rio Solimões (Amazon River) but flows side by side for kilometres without mixing due to differences in speed, temperature, and sediment content. The Rio Negro is slower, warmer, and almost sediment-free, while the Solimões is faster, cooler, and carries Andean sediments. This striking visual contrast continues for many kilometres before blending fully.

    Two

    Who composed the original Star Wars film score?

    Answer: John Williams.

    Williams’ iconic score, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, revitalized interest in grand orchestral film music and remains one of the most recognizable movie themes in history.

    Xi Jinping, President of China.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    Is it true that China’s President Xi Jinping spent part of his childhood living in a cave?

    Answer: True

    As of 2010, approximately 3 million people in China’s Shanxi province resided in yaodong, which are caves dug into soft yet insulating dirt. These caves are naturally cool in summer and warm in winter, making them an affordable housing option. China’s president, Xi Jinping, spent part of his childhood in a similar cave in a nearby province. In 1968, at the age of 15, Xi applied to leave Beijing for the countryside, influenced by Mao Zedong’s Down to the Countryside Movement. On 13 January 1969, he moved to Liangjiahe Village in Yan’an, Shaanxi. The rural conditions were challenging which fostered his connection with the rural poor. Initially unable to adapt, he attempted to return to Beijing but was arrested and sent to a work camp. Persuaded by his aunt and uncle, he returned to the village, where he served as the party secretary and lived in a cave house.

    Yaodong(earth shelter) covered in snow.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    What is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere?

    Answer: Nitrogen

    Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere. Despite being so common, most living organisms can’t use atmospheric nitrogen directly — it must first be made into usable forms by bacteria and plants.

    Five

    The novel Brave New World was written by whom?

    Answer: Aldous Huxley

    Published in 1932, Brave New World predicted technologies and societal trends — such as genetic engineering and consumerism — that became eerily relevant decades later.

  • Meating of the Waters

    Today’s questions are a random selection.

    Meeting of the waters, see question one.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The confluence of what two rivers is shown in the above picture?

    Two

    Who composed the original Star Wars film score?

    Three

    Is it true that China’s President Xi Jinping spent part of his childhood living in a cave?

    Four

    What is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere?

    Five

    The novel Brave New World was written by whom?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Nuclear Standoff—Answers

    Here are the answers to the wrapping in my earlier post.

    John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) and Nikita Khrushchev (1894–1971) in Vienna, Austria in May 1961.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    President John F. Kennedy’s televised announcement on 22 October 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. What confrontation was it about?

    Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis

    President Kennedy, following advice from Dwight D. Eisenhower, announces that American reconnaissance aircraft have identified Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba and that he has ordered a naval ‘quarantine’ of the Communist country.

    Two

    Tsar Peter I proclaimed the Russian Empire. In which century was this?

    Answer: 18th (1721)

    > The title was transformed from the previous title of tsar and grand prince of all Russia. The old title tsar (or tsaritsa) continued to be popularly used to refer to the emperor (or empress) until the monarchy was abolished in 1917. — Wikipedia

    Three

    On 22 October 1964, a French writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, though it was subsequently declined. Who was the author?

    Answer: Jean-Paul Sartre

    Jean-Paul Sartre declined the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, citing his refusal to accept official honours and his belief that the prize favoured Westerners and Eastern rebels. The Swedish Academy acknowledged his decision but maintained the validity of the award.

    Emperor Naruhito, official portrait 2019.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Naruhito was officially enthroned as Japan’s 126th emperor on 22 October 2019. Earlier that year, he had ascended the Imperial Throne following the abdication of whom?

    Answer: Emperor Akihito

    Five

    Who became the first President of the Republic of Texas on 22 October 1836?

    Answer: Sam Houston

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Nuclear Standoff

    Here are five questions about historical events some connected to today, October 22nd.

    U.S. Pres. John F. Kennedy announcing on television the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba, October 22, 1962.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    President John F. Kennedy’s televised announcement on 22 October 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. What confrontation was it about?

    Two

    Tsar Peter I proclaimed the Russian Empire. In which century was this?

    Three

    On 22 October 1964, a French writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, though it was subsequently declined. Who was the author?

    Four

    Naruhito was officially enthroned as Japan’s 126th emperor on 22 October 2019. Earlier that year, he had ascended the Imperial Throne following the abdication of whom?

    Five

    Who became the first President of the Republic of Texas on 22 October 1836?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Grand Slam—Answers

    Martina Navratilova, 2011.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born? In what city was she born and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

    Answer: 18 (Grand Slam singles titles)

    Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including nine Wimbledon singles titles and a career Grand Slam in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Navratilova became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship in 2008.

    Two

    In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
    What was his name and his place of birth?

    Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald and New Orleans

    Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, assassinated President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963 and was himself killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The Warren Commission concluded Oswald, who had a troubled past and at one time defected to the Soviet Union, acted alone, a finding supported by multiple investigations, though many Americans remain sceptical.

    Three

    The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

    Answer: 1920s

    The British Broadcasting Corporation—established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company—is headquartered in London and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the UK. Funded primarily by a television licence fee, it provides radio, TV, and online services, including the BBC World Service.

    Four

    On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

    Answer: Sitka and 2.4 miles or 3.8 km

    The Alaska Purchase, negotiated by William H. Seward in 1867, was finalised on October 18th with a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka, now celebrated as Alaska Day.

    Anything between 2 and 3 miles or 3 and 4 km is acceptable.

    The Diomede Islands, Little Diomede (Alaska, U.S.) and Big Diomede (Chukotka, Russia), are located in the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Siberia.

    • The distance between the islands is about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometres).
    • The International Date Line runs between them, making Big Diomede almost one day ahead of Little Diomede; consequently, they are sometimes called ‘Tomorrow Island’ (Big Diomede) and ‘Yesterday Island’ (Little Diomede).

    Five

    The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

    Answer: Herman Melville

    The British edition of The Whale was published on October 18th with only 500 copies printed, a small print run due to slow sales of previous books. The American editions—titled Moby Dick or The Whale was released on November 14th.

  • Grand Slam

    Here are some questions all related to today’s date, October 18th.

    Martina Navratilova, 1980.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born. In what city was she born, and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

    Two

    In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
    What was his name and his place of birth?

    Three

    The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

    Four

    On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

    Five

    The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Unsinkable—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    One

    In the film Titanic what were Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s fictional characters full names?

    Answer: Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater

    Titanic film poster.
    Image Original Vintage

    Two

    Name the independent countries in Africa that have names beginning with ‘M’?

    Answer: Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco and Mozambique

    Three

    What type of animal was Flipper, the star of the sixties American television series?

    Answer: Bottlenose dolphin

    Bottlenose dolphins.
    Image American Oceans

    Four

    There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?

    Answer: Somethin’ Stupid Frank and Nancy Sinatra

    This 1967 hit, which was billed as being by ‘Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra’, was the first and only instance of a father-daughter number-one song in America. Nancy Sinatra has said, ‘Some people call (it) the Incest Song, which I think is, well, very sweet!’

    Five

    Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?

    Answer: Woodrow Wilson and Harold Wilson

    Woodrow Wilson, was the 28th President of the United States and was in office from 1913 to 1921.
    Harold Wilson, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was in office from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976.

  • Unsinkable

    Today’s questions are random with no connection between them.

    RMS Titanic.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    In the film Titanic what were Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s fictional characters full names?

    Two

    Name the independent countries in Africa that have names beginning with ‘M’?

    Three

    What type of animal was Flipper, the star of the sixties American television series?

    Four

    There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?

    Five

    Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Shrouded in Mystery—Answers

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

    Nero.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Is it true or false that in 1988 the Archbishop of Turin announced that carbon-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin placed its date in the first century CE?

    Answer: False

    He admitted the shroud’s origins date back to the Middle Ages. The Shroud of Turin, traditionally believed to be Jesus’ burial cloth, was radiocarbon dated in 1988 to the period 1260–1390 CE This contradicts its traditional association with Jesus’ crucifixion. While some question the reliability of the 1988 test, no expert has deemed it substantially unreliable.

    Two

    The 1972 Andes flight carrying the Old Christians Rugby Club became international news when it was revealed that the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to survive. Is it true or false that the flight originated from Buenos Aires, Argentina?

    Answer: False

    They were flying from Montevideo, Uruguay to Santiago, Chile. Old Christians Club, a Uruguayan sports club from Montevideo, is known for its rugby union team. The club also has football and field hockey branches. Forty rugby club members and five crew members were on board a plane that crashed in the Argentinean Andes. They endured an avalanche and weeks of starvation, resorting to eating the frozen bodies of the deceased. Sixteen survivors were rescued after two trekked across the mountains to seek help.

    Three

    Is it true of false that in 54 CE the Roman emperor Claudius died from poisoning and was succeeded by his son Caligula, rather than his son with Messalina?

    Answer: False

    He was succeeded by his adoptive son Nero rather than Britannicus, his son with Messalina. Ancient historians believe Claudius was poisoned, likely by his wife Agrippina, to secure Nero’s succession. However, some argue he died from illness or old age, citing his poor health and the lack of evidence against his taster Halotus.

    Four

    Is this statement true or false: In 2010, 33 miners were rescued from South America’s Patagonian Desert after spending a 69 days underground.

    Answer: False

    It was the Atacama Desert in Chile. The 2010 Copiapó mining accident trapped 33 miners 700 metres underground for a record 69 days after a cave-in at the San José mine in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The rescue operation, involving multiple countries and organisations, successfully brought the miners to the surface. The mine’s owner, San Esteban Mining Company, had a history of safety violations and negligence.

    Margaret Thatcher.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    Margaret Thatcher, who was born today in 1925 was the British Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990. Is it true or false that she was Member of Parliament for the constituency of Finchley for more than 32 years?

    Answer: True

    She became the MP for Finchley on 8 October 1959 and held the position until her retirement in the spring of 1992. Thatcher was Europe’s first female prime minister and the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century, also the only one to secure three consecutive terms.

  • Shrouded in Mystery

    Here are five questions which are all related to today, October 13th

    Shroud of Turin.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Is it true or false that in 1988 the Archbishop of Turin announced that carbon-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin placed its date in the first century CE?

    Two

    The 1972 Andes flight carrying the Old Christians Rugby Club became international news when it was revealed that the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to survive. Is it true or false that the flight originated from Buenos Aires, Argentina?

    Three

    Is it true of false that in 54 CE the Roman emperor Claudius died from poisoning and was succeeded by his son Caligula, rather than his son with Messalina?

    Four

    Is this statement true or false: In 2010, 33 miners were rescued from South America’s Patagonian Desert after spending a 69 days underground.

    Five

    Margaret Thatcher, who was born today in 1925 was the British Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990. Is it true or false that she was Member of Parliament for the constituency of Finchley for more than 32 years?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.