In 1815, Jane Austen published her fourth novel, which was later adapted into a film in 1996. What was the title of the book?
Answer: Emma
Jane Austen’s 1815 novel, Emma, follows the matchmaking misadventures of Emma Woodhouse in the fictional town of Highbury.
Two
Who, born in 1933, became the 125th emperor of Japan in 1989, and how did his reign end in 2019?
Answer: Akihito; abdication
Akihito, the 125th emperor of Japan, reigned from 1989 to 2019. He abdicated in favour of his son, Crown Prince Naruhito.
Three
In 1888, what two artists were involved in ‘the incident at the Yellow House’, and what injury happened to one of them?
Answers: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin; Van Gogh cut off part of his left ear
Vincent van Gogh cut off part of his ear in 1888 after a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. The incident, possibly linked to van Gogh’s mental health struggles, led to his hospitalisation and Gauguin’s departure from Arles.
Four
In 2001, which South American nation announced the suspension of payments on its external debt marking the largest debt default in history?
Answer: Argentina
Argentina’s economy experienced a severe recession from 1998 to 2002, culminating in a US$93 billion debt default in 2001. This led to a rapid devaluation of the peso, soaring inflation, and a significant drop in GDP.
Five
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born in 1805. Which US state was his birthplace?
Answer: Vermont
Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, translated golden plates into the Book of Mormon. His teachings, including revelations and polygamy, were recorded and published.
Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.
These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.
Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921. Image Wikipedia
One
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called? A. Maxwell Mouse B. Meredith Mouse C. Mortimer Mouse
Answer: C. Mortimer Mouse
The mouse was originally called Mortimer Mouse but Lillian Disney, Walt’s wife, suggested Mickey. Disney received a record 59 Oscar nominations and won 22 competitive Academy Awards – still the most for any individual in history.
The post title Steamboat Willie is a nod to Mickey. It is the title of what was Mickey’s third film, which was the first to be distributed and so considered to be his public debut.
Two
Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany? A. Pope Alexander VI B. Pope Julius II C. Pope Innocent VIII
Answer: C. Pope Innocent VIII
The bull later helped legitimise Malleus Maleficarum (1487), one of the most notorious witch-hunting manuals of the era.
Three
Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis? A. Downton Abbey B. The Crown C. Call the Midwife
Answer: B. The Crown
The Great Smog has also inspired satirical and fictional treatments—including a Goon Show episode in 1954 and the Doctor Who audio drama The Creeping Death, both of which use the choking fog as a dramatic backdrop.
Four
Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema? A. F.W. Murnau B. Sergei Eisenstein C. Fritz Lang
Answer: C. Fritz Lang
Lang fled Nazi Germany the same day he was offered a high-ranking propaganda role, later becoming influential in shaping American film noir.
Five
On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup? A. Sitiveni Rabuka B. Frank Bainimarama C. Epeli Nailatikau
Answer: B. Frank Bainimarama
Bainimarama later served as Fiji’s elected prime minister from 2014 to 2022, overseeing the country’s return to democratic elections.
These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.
Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921. Image Wikipedia
One
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called? A. Maxwell Mouse B. Meredith Mouse C. Mortimer Mouse
Two
Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany? A. Pope Alexander VI B. Pope Julius II C. Pope Innocent VIII
Three
Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis? A. Downton Abbey B. The Crown C. Call the Midwife
Four
Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema? A. F.W. Murnau B. Sergei Eisenstein C. Fritz Lang
Five
On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup? A. Sitiveni Rabuka B. Frank Bainimarama C. Epeli Nailatikau
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Today’s questions focus on individuals born, married or deceased on December 3rd.
One
Which heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 and known for pioneering the genre, featured Ozzy Osbourne as its original lead vocalist?
Answer: Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osbourne was born this day in 1948. Black Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled debut album is often cited as one of the first true heavy-metal records, in part because its tritone-based title track was considered unusually dark and ominous for its time.
Two
Which pioneering psychoanalyst, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became one of the founders of child psychoanalysis?
Answer: Anna Freud
During World War II, Anna Freud co-founded the Hampstead War Nurseries in London, providing care for bomb-displaced children and shaping her influential theories on child development. She was born in Vienna, Austria, on this day in 1895.
Three
Which Polish-born British novelist wrote Heart of Darkness, the novella that later inspired the 1979 film Apocalypse Now?
Answer: Joseph Conrad
Conrad did not speak fluent English until his twenties, yet became one of the language’s most celebrated stylists. He was born on this day in 1857.
Which Baroque composer, known for works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, married Anna Magdalena Wilcken on 3 December 1721?
Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Anna Magdalena herself was an accomplished singer, and Bach compiled two Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach, collections of keyboard pieces for her to study and perform.
Five
Which co-founder of the Jesuit order, famed for missionary work in India, Japan and Southeast Asia, died off the coast of China in 1552?
Answer: St. Francis Xavier
Xavier’s extensive travels—over 60,000 miles by ship—made him one of the most widely travelled religious figures of the 16th century.
Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.
All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.
One
At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.
The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?
Answer: Doctor Who
The very first episode was An Unearthly Child—Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford, being the title character. Doctor Who, a British science fiction television series, follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-travelling Time Lord from Gallifrey who regenerates into different forms. The Doctor travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling various evils including the Daleks. Originally airing from 1963 to 1989, the show was revived in 2005 and has featured multiple actors in the title role, with the most recent being Ncuti Gatwa. Doctor Who is a significant part of British popular culture and has influenced generations of television professionals.
The post title 76 Totters Lane is spoken by Barbara Wright in this episode, and is the address of the junkyard where they find Susan and her grandfather in the TARDIS.
Two
What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?
Answer: Party in the U.S.A.
Despite the famous lyric, Miley later revealed she wasn’t actually listening to Jay-Z at the time—the line was written by the songwriters Jessie J, Dr. Luke, and Claude Kelly before she recorded it.
Three
In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?
Answer: Antarctica and Ellsworth Land
In 1935, explorer Lincoln Ellsworth landed in Antarctica during his transcontinental flight, raised the U.S. flag, and claimed the territory between about 80°W and 120°W, naming it Ellsworth Land. The U.S. government never formalised this claim, and later overlapping national claims were suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.
Four
Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?
Answer: The BFG; Roald Dahl
The BFG, a 1982 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, has sold 37 million copies and inspired adaptations including a 1989 animated film and a 2016 Disney live-action film.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Image Wikipedia
Five
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?
Answer: Georgian Orthodox Church
Georgia’s dominant religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. Its roots stretch back to the 1st and 4th centuries AD, and it is currently led by Patriarch Ilia II. The main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, which was built between 1995 and 2004.
All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.
One
At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.
The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?
Two
What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?
Three
In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?
Four
Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Image Wikipedia
Five
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?
Good luck! As usual the answers will be posted later.
Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.
The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1. Image Wikipedia
One
The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?
Answer: Shannon Airport, Republic of Ireland and Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The European route E20 is part of the United Nations International E-road network and runs roughly west-east through Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and finally Russia. The road is not continuous and, at three points, a ferry must be used to continue along its length; although at one of those there is no ferry! The Øresund Bridge, which is known for featuring in the Nordic noir television series The Bridge, carries European Route E20.
Two
A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?
Answer: St Elsewhere
St. Elsewhere, a medical drama series, aired on NBC from 1982 to 1988. Although it never ranked higher than 47th in Nielsen ratings, it gained a loyal following and critical acclaim, winning 13 Emmy Awards. Set at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston, the show was known for its realistic portrayal of the medical profession and featured a large ensemble cast. It tackled contemporary issues like breast cancer, AIDS, and addiction, while also incorporating humour and inside jokes.
Three
In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?
Answer: Bleak House
Bleak House, a Dickens novel, satirises the legal system through the long-running case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The novel, partly narrated by Esther Summerson, is set in London and is credited with introducing urban fog to Gothic literature.
Four
The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?
Answer: Copper (smelted copper)
The Chalcolithic, or Copper Age, was a period characterised by the increasing use of smelted copper, following the Neolithic (latter part of the Stone Age) and preceding the Bronze Age. It occurred at different times in different regions, with the earliest evidence of copper smelting dating back to around 5,000 BC in Serbia. In Britain, the Chalcolithic was a short period between 2,500 and 2,200 BC, marked by the arrival of Beaker culture people and the introduction of copper and gold objects.
Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III in the Sistine Chapel, October 2025. Image thedialog.org
Five
In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?
Answer: King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV
The reigning British monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, currently King Charles III. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American pope. King Charles and Pope Leo met at the Vatican to pray together in the Sistine Chapel. It was the first occasion that the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the Pope had prayed together since the reformation 500 years ago.
Today we have five unrelated and unconnected questions.
The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1. Image Wikipedia
One
The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?
Two
A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?
Three
In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?
Four
The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?
Five
In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Marlene Dietrich, The Blue Angel. See question two. Image Wikipedia
One
A rock group’s first album, which was self-titled, was released in 1964 while their latest Hackney Diamonds was released in 2023. Which group is this?
Answer: Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in 1962, are one of the most influential bands of the rock era. Known for their gritty, rhythmically driven sound, they pioneered hard rock and were at the forefront of the British Invasion. With over 250 million album sales, they have won four Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Two
Who played Lola Lola in 1930’s film The Blue Angel?
Answer: Marlene Dietrich
The Blue Angel (1930) is a German musical comedy-drama film directed by Josef von Sternberg, starring Marlene Dietrich. It is based on Heinrich Mann’s novel and follows a professor’s transformation into a cabaret clown.
Three
What is the one word name used for the prestigious institution, part of a larger university, which Marie Curie attended for her studies in physics and mathematics, and where she became the first woman professor?
Answer: Sorbonne
Marie Curie studied at the Sorbonne, which is part of the University of Paris. She earned her degrees in physics and mathematics there and later became the first woman professor at the Sorbonne — National Geographic
Four
What, since February 2025, is the hereditary title of Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis?
Answer: Aga Khan
The Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the spiritual leader and Imam of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shias, a branch of Islam. Currently, the 50th hereditary Imam is Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini. He succeeded his father in February 2025 and oversees development and humanitarian work.
Five
Founded by the Greeks in the first millennium BCE, this city is now Italy’s third-largest as well as Campania’s regional capital. Please name it?Question
Answer: Naples
Naples, the regional capital of Campania, is Italy’s third-largest city and a significant cultural centre. Founded by Greeks in the first millennium BCE, it has a rich history, having served as the capital of various kingdoms. Today, it is a major economic hub with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre and numerous cultural sites nearby.
Peter Sarstedt Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)? Image chordify.net
Six
What connects the five answers above?
Answers: (The song) Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?
Peter Sarstedt’s 1966 hit Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)? features all five of these answers in its lyrics. The song tells the story of Marie-Claire, a girl who rose from poverty in Naples to become a jet-setter. It achieved chart success in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, reaching number one in all of them. In the US, it peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and 36 on Canada’s RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The lyrics are shown below.
Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)
by Peter Sarstedt
You talk like Marlene Dietrich And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire Your clothes are all made by Balmain And there’s diamonds and pearls in your hair, yes there are
You live in a fancy apartment Off the Boulevard St. Michel Where you keep your Rolling Stones records And a friend of Sacha Distel, yes you do
But where do you go to my lovely When you’re alone in your bed? Tell me the thoughts that surround you I want to look inside your head, yes I do
I’ve seen all your qualifications You got from the Sorbonne And the painting you stole from Picasso Your loveliness goes on and on, yes it does
When you go on your summer vacation You go to Juan-les-Pins With your carefully designed topless swimsuit You get an even suntan on your back, and on your legs
And when the snow falls you’re found in St. Moritz With the others of the jet set And you sip your Napoleon brandy But you never get your lips wet, no you don’t
But where do you go to my lovely When you’re alone in your bed? Won’t you tell me the thoughts that surround you? I want to look inside your head, yes I do
You’re in between twenty and thirty That’s a very desirable age Your body is firm and inviting But you live on a glittering stage, yes you do, yes you do
Your name is heard in high places You know the Aga Khan He sent you a race horse for Christmas And you keep it just for fun, for a laugh, ha-ha-ha
They say that when you get married It’ll be to a millionaire But they don’t realize where you came from And I wonder if they really care, or give a damn
But where do you go to my lovely When you’re alone in your bed? Tell me the thoughts that surround you I want to look inside your head, yes I do
I remember the back streets of Naples: Two children begging in rags Both touched with a burning ambition To shake off their lowly-born tags, they tried
So look into my face, Marie-Claire And remember just who you are Then go and forget me forever But I know you still bear the scar, deep inside
I know where you go to my lovely When you’re alone in your bed I know the thoughts that surround you ‘Cause I can look inside your head
Quizology Online 
