Quizology.Online

Tag: politics

  • Ride ‘Em Cowboy — Answers

    The answers to the earlier posted questions are below.

    Pony Express Statue, St, Joseph, Missouri.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.

    One

    The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?

    Answer: St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.

    The Pony Express was a mail delivery system that operated between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 to October 1861. Utilising horse-and-rider relays, the service significantly reduced mail delivery time from 24 days to about 10 days. Despite its efficiency, the Pony Express was a costly venture and ceased operations with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph system.

    Two

    On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur? 

    Answer: 1930s.

    In April 1933, two Westland aircraft piloted by Lord Clydesdale and David McIntyre, with observers Stewart Blacker and Sidney Bonnett, became the first to fly over Mount Everest. The expedition, funded by Lucy, Lady Houston, aimed to promote British aviation and gather information for a planned summit attempt. Despite challenges with oxygen supply and weather conditions, the team successfully completed the flight, capturing valuable photographs of the terrain.

    Three

    The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?

    Answer: 1973; Motorola.

    Motorola’s Martin Cooper made the first handheld mobile phone call in 1973. The prototype, nicknamed ‘the Brick’, weighed 2 kilograms and offered 30 minutes of talk time.

    Four

    In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?

    Answer: France; 355 mph (575 km/h).

    In 2007, a French TGV train on the LGV Est high-speed line set a new world speed record, achieving 357.2 mph (574.8 km/h) or 159.6 m/s. This was part of Operation V150, a series of high-speed trials that culminated in the record-breaking speed on 3 April 2007. The top speed was reached near the village of Le Chemin, between the Meuse and Champagne-Ardenne TGV stations, where the most favourable profile exists, 12 minutes and 40 seconds after leaving Prény from a standstill, covering 71 km.

    Five

    Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office? 

    Answer: 1720s.

    The office of prime minister in Britain emerged in the 18th century, with Sir Robert Walpole recognised as the first de facto prime minister, serving from 1721 to 1742. Walpole’s financial expertise, peaceful foreign policy, and adept management of Parliament established his authority and set the foundation for the modern Cabinet system. However, he faced criticism for bribery and corruption and resigned following a failed war with Spain.

    Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?

    Answer: Abbott and Costello.

    Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star as peanut vendors at a rodeo show who are forced to flee their boss, they hide on a train, and become cowboys on a dude ranch despite lacking experience whatever.

  • Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Pony Express Statue.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.

    One

    The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?

    Two

    On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur? 

    Three

    The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?

    Four

    In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?

    Five

    Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office? 

    Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Dancing a Foxtrot with Juliett — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier posted questions.

    Mario Andretti in the lead with Ronnie Petterson behind, 1978 Dutch GP.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Five questions with the answers beginning with the letters from F to J —Foxtrot to Juliett — with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order.

    One

    What one word can be all of these: a mythical creature which pulled Poseidon’s sea-chariot; an area of the human brain; and a genus of small marine bony fish? 

    Answer: Hippocampus.

    The hippocampus, located in the temporal lobe and part of the limbic system, is essential for memory and spatial navigation and is one of the first areas affected in Alzheimer’s disease, causing memory loss and disorientation. In mythology, the hippocampus is a creature with a horse’s upper body and a fish’s lower body, often depicted with Poseidon, the god of the sea, driving a chariot drawn by hippocampi and accompanied by dolphins. The Romans associated it with Neptune, the sea god. Additionally, Hippocampus refers to a genus of 46 species of small marine bony fish, known as seahorses, which have a horse-like head, segmented bony armour, and a curled prehensile tail. Found in shallow coastal waters worldwide, seahorses belong to the family Syngnathidae, along with pipefishes and seadragons, and vary in size from 2 to 35 cm.

    Two

    Who was the next North American to win Formula 1’s World Championship, and be crowned World Drivers’ Champion, after Mario Andretti?

    Answer: Jacques Villeneuve.

    Mario Andretti, an American racing driver, competed in Formula One and IndyCar, winning numerous races and championships, including the 1978 F1 championship. Jacques Villeneuve, a Canadian racing driver, competed in IndyCar and Formula One. He won the 1997 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship and the 1995 IndyCar World Series and Indianapolis 500.

    Three

    In what television sitcom did characters have surnames beginning with the these letters: 3 x G plus 2 x B and 1 x T?

    Answer: Friends

    G: Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), Ross Geller (David Schwimmer); B: Phoebe Buffay-Hannigan (Lisa Kudrow), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry); T: Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc). 

    Four

    ‘When I saw Finn waiting for me at the corner of the street, I knew at once that something had gone wrong.’ This is the opening line of a work by what author, and what was the work?

    Answers: Iris Murdoch; Under the Net.

    Irish-British novelist and philosopher Dame Jean Iris Murdoch, known for her works exploring good and evil, sexual relationships, morality, and the unconscious, won the Booker Prize for The Sea, The Sea and was made a Dame in 1987. Her first published novel, Under the Net, is a philosophical story about a struggling writer in London. The novel, dedicated to Raymond Queneau, was named one of the best English-language novels since 1923 by Time magazine.

    Five

    Which double-Oscar-winning actress became a UK Member of Parliament in 1992, and for what two films did she win Best Actress Oscars? 

    Answer: Glenda Jackson; Women in Love and A Touch of Class

    Glenda Jackson (1936–2023) was a British actress and Labour Party politician. She was a member of the House of Commons from 1992 to 2015. Jackson won two Academy Awards for best actress, the first in 1970 for Women in Love and the second in 1973 for A Touch of Class. Other notable roles include her portrayals of Queen Elizabeth I in both the BBC television miniseries Elizabeth R (1971) and the film Mary, Queen of Scots (1971). After retiring from politics, Jackson returned to acting, earning a Tony Award in 2018 for her performance in Three Tall Women.

    Post Title

    Dancing a Foxtrot with Juliett

    Juliett is spelled as it is in radio communications, as Wikipedia explains…

    The spelling Juliett is used rather than Juliet for the benefit of French speakers, because they may otherwise treat a single final t as silent.

  • Dancing a Foxtrot with Juliett

    Mario Andretti in the lead with Ronnie Petterson behind, 1978 Dutch GP.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Five questions with the answers beginning with the letters from F to J —Foxtrot to Juliett — with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order.

    One

    What one word can be all of these: a mythical creature which pulled Poseidon’s sea-chariot; an area of the human brain; and a genus of small marine bony fish? 

    Two

    Who was the next North American to win Formula 1’s World Championship, and be crowned World Drivers’ Champion, after Mario Andretti?

    Three

    In what television sitcom did characters have surnames beginning with the these letters: 3 x G plus 2 x B and 1 x T?

    Four

    ‘When I saw Finn waiting for me at the corner of the street, I knew at once that something had gone wrong.’ This is the opening line of a work by what author, and what was the work?

    Five

    Which double-Oscar-winning actress became a UK Member of Parliament in 1992, and for what two films did she win Best Actress Oscars? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • All at Sea — Answers

    The questions are all related to today’s date, March 23rd.

    Ever Given in Suez Canal 2021.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The Suez Canal was blocked for six days in 2021, when a container ship ran aground, see picture above. What was the name of the container ship?

    Answer: Ever Given.

    The Ever Given, a 400-metre-long vessel, blocked the Suez Canal on 23 March, disrupting global trade. After six days, the ship was freed, and shipping resumed. The Egyptian government impounded the vessel, seeking compensation, and a settlement was reached in July.

    Two

    What animals were retired from the U.S. Army in 1957 when it was decided that they were obsolete? 

    Answer: Pigeons.

    During World War I, 10,000 messenger pigeon spots were filled, delivering messages where telegraph lines were vulnerable. Despite their service from the Spanish-American War to the Korean War, advances in communication technology made pigeons obsolete, leading to the end of pigeon service in 1956.

    Three

    In 1998, James Cameron’s Titanic won eleven Academy Awards. Which of these did it not win: 

    1. Best Actress
    2. Best Director
    3. Best Picture

    Answer: 1. Best Actress.

    James Cameron and Jon Landau Received the Oscar for the Best Picture, and Cameron was also the recipient for Best Director. Although nominated Kate Winslet did not win the Best Actress award which went to Helen Hunt for her role in As Good as it Gets.

    Four

    In 1956, the world’s first Islamic republic came into being. Currently the term is used in the names of three states: name those three countries? 

    Answer: Pakistan, Mauritania and Iran.

    The term is currently used in the official name of three states – Pakistan, Mauritania, and Iran. Pakistan first adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. Despite having similar names, the countries differ greatly in their governments and laws.
    — Wikipedia (22/03/2026)

    Five

    In 1806, Lewis and Clark began their return journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Their return journey began from a position near to the mouth of what river?

    Answer: Columbia River.

    The Lewis and Clark Expedition, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark, explored the newly acquired western US territory after the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition, which began in 1804 and ended in 1806, traversed the continent, reaching the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River, where they built Fort Clatsop. The fort became their winter encampment prior to heading back to St. Louis. The original fort was replaced with a replica, and the area is now the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

  • All at Sea

    These questions are all related to today’s date, March 23rd.

    Suez Canal 2021.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The Suez Canal was blocked for six days in 2021, when a container ship ran aground, see picture above. What was the name of the container ship?

    Two

    What animals were retired from the U.S. Army in 1957 when it was decided that they were obsolete? 

    Three

    In 1998, James Cameron’s Titanic won eleven Academy Awards. Which of these did it not win: 

    1. Best Actress
    2. Best Director
    3. Best Picture

    Four

    In 1956, the world’s first Islamic republic came into being. Currently the term is used in the names of three states: name those three countries?

    Five

    In 1806, Lewis and Clark began their return journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Their return journey began from a position near to the mouth of what river?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Today’s questions revolve around March 21st and follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. This results in six questions instead of the usual five.

    Who

    In a 1980 television series finale, who shot J.R.? 

    Answer: Kristin Shepard.

    ’Who shot J.R.?’ is a catchphrase from the 1980 season finale of Dallas, referring to the fictional murder attempt on J.R. Ewing. The mystery, resolved eight months later, became a pop culture phenomenon and increased the popularity of cliffhanger endings. Kristin Shepard, played by Mary Crosby, was J.R.’s sister-in-law and mistress.

    What

    What did Jack Dorsey use to end the first public tweet in 2006: ‘just setting up my ——’? 

    Answer: twttr.

    Twitter (originally Twttr), launched in 2006, quickly grew to over 100 million users by 2012. Initially limited to 140 characters per post, the limit was increased to 280 in 2017 and removed for subscribed accounts in 2023.

    Flag of Namibia.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Where

    Represented by this flag, where, in 1990, gained independence after a combined period of 106 years German and then South African rule?

    Answer: Namibia.

    Namibia, a sparsely populated country in Southern Africa, gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Despite significant GDP growth, poverty and inequality remain high, with a Gini coefficient of 59 in 2015. The economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and mining, with a small manufacturing sector.

    When

    When was Gary Oldman’s year of birth?

    Answer: 1958.

    Gary Oldman, an English actor and filmmaker, is known for his versatility and intense acting style. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, and his films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide. Oldman began his career in theatre and rose to prominence in British film, later achieving greater recognition in American films and franchise roles.

    Why

    Why, in 1980, did U.S. President Jimmy Carter announce that the United States was boycotting that year’s Summer Olympics in Moscow?

    Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

    The 1980 Moscow Olympics, boycotted by the U.S. and 60 other countries due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, saw 5,000 athletes from 81 countries compete amidst ongoing protests and security concerns.

    How

    How many visitors, according to the U.S. National Park Service, visit Alcatraz annually (to the nearest 100,000)? 

    Answer: 1.2 million.

    Golden Gate National Recreation Area, established in 1972, includes Alcatraz Island, attracting 1.2 million visitors annually. The island offers a unique opportunity to explore its layered history and contemplate crime and punishment.

  • Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

    Today’s questions revolve around March 21st and follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. This results in six questions instead of the usual five.

    Who

    In a 1980 television series finale, who shot J.R.?

    What

    What did Jack Dorsey use to end the first public tweet in 2006: ‘just setting up my ——’? 

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Where

    Represented by this flag, where, in 1990, gained independence after a combined period of 106 years German and then South African rule?

    When

    When was Gary Oldman’s year of birth?

    Why

    Why, in 1980, did U.S. President Jimmy Carter announce that the United States was boycotting that year’s Summer Olympics in Moscow?

    How

    How many visitors, according to the U.S. National Park Service, visit Alcatraz annually (to the nearest 100,000)? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Coathanger—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Sydney Harbour Bridge.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    People, places, and events from today’s date, March 19th, feature in these questions.

    One

    On this date, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened. In what decade did this occur?

    Answer: 1930s

    Opened in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a steel through arch bridge, connects Sydney’s CBD to the North Shore. An iconic image of Sydney, nicknamed the ‘Coathanger’, it carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

    Two

    A writer who had been born in 1917 died in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 19 March 2008. His best-known works include the script he wrote with director Stanley Kubrick for 2001: A Space Odyssey and his novel of that film. Who is this writer?

    Answer: Arthur C. Clarke.

    Arthur C. Clarke was an English writer known for his science fiction and non-fiction works. He co-wrote the script for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey and its novelisation. Clarke’s notable works include Childhood’s End, Rendezvous with Rama, and The Fountains of Paradise. He was knighted in 2000.

    Three

    This American actor, who was born in West Germany in 1955, earned a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination in 1990 for his role as Emmett Smith in the film In Country. Who is he?

    Answer: Bruce Willis

    In Country (1989) follows Samantha Hughes, a recent high school graduate, as she becomes fixated on learning about her deceased father a Vietnam veteran. Staying with her Uncle Emmett (Bruce Willis) another veteran she embarks on a journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. seeking closure. Bruce Willis, a retired American actor, is renowned for his action roles, particularly his portrayal of John McClane in the Die Hard franchise. He starred in over 100 films including Pulp Fiction and The Sixth Sense, earning numerous accolades throughout his career. Willis retired in 2022 due to aphasia and was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

    Four

    This 20th-century national leader issued his ‘Nero Decree’, ordering that all of the nation’s ‘industries, military installations, shops, transportation facilities, and communications facilities be destroyed’? Who was he, and what was the country?

    Answers: Adolf Hitler; Germany.

    The Nero Decree, issued by Hitler in March 1945, ordered the destruction of German infrastructure to prevent its use by the Allies. It was disobeyed by Albert Speer, Minister of Armaments and War Production, before the Nazi regime’s fall.

    Five

    American actress Glenn Close, born on 19 March 1947 in Greenwich, Connecticut, received her first Academy Award nomination for her debut film. This was for her role as Jenny Fields in a 1982 film with a five-word title: The World ——. What film?

    Answer: The World According to Garp.

    Glenn Close is an American actress with a career spanning five decades. She has won numerous awards, including three Emmys, three Tonys, and three Golden Globes, as well as having been nominated for eight Academy Awards. Her debut film role earned her a Best Actress in a Supporting Role nomination for The World According to Garp. Close, who is known for her work in film, television, and theatre, is a vocal advocate for women’s rights, same-sex marriage, and mental health.

  • Coathanger

    Sydney Harbour Bridge.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    People, places, and events from today’s date, March 19th, feature in these questions.

    One

    On this date, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened. In what decade did this occur?

    Two

    A writer who had been born in 1917 died in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 19 March 2008. His best-known works include the script he wrote with director Stanley Kubrick for 2001: A Space Odyssey and his novel of that film. Who is this writer?

    Three

    This American actor, who was born in West Germany in 1955, earned a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination in 1990 for his role as Emmett Smith in the film In Country. Who is he?

    Four

    This 20th-century national leader issued his ‘Nero Decree’, ordering that all of the nation’s ‘industries, military installations, shops, transportation facilities, and communications facilities be destroyed’? Who was he, and what was the country?

    Five

    American actress Glenn Close, born on 19 March 1947 in Greenwich, Connecticut, received her first Academy Award nomination for her debut film. This was for her role as Jenny Fields in a 1982 film with a five-word title: The World ——. What film?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.