Quizology.Online

Tag: science fiction

  • 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.

  • Bookends—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions from earlier today.

    A book shelf of questions on literature today, with a bit of history and an album squeezed in the middle to provide the background music.

    See question two. Aragorn.
    Image The Digital Flix

    One

    This is a tale of a meeting of two lonesome, skinny, fairly old white men on a planet which was dying fast…

    This quote is the opening of Breakfast of Champions, a 1973 novel by a writer born in Indianapolis in 1922. Who is the writer?

    Answer: Kurt Vonnegut.

    Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions is a satirical novel critiquing American society through the story of Kilgore Trout and Dwayne Hoover, whose meeting leads to Hoover’s insanity. The novel addresses themes of free will, suicide and race relations.

    Two

    Following Sauron’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn is crowned king. What name does he adopt on his coronation?

    Answer: Elessar (aka Elfstone).

    After Sauron’s defeat, Aragorn is crowned King Elessar, meaning ‘Elfstone’. This Quenya name was given to him by his grandmother, Galadriel. He marries Arwen at midsummer and becomes the twenty-sixth King of Arnor, the thirty-fifth King of Gondor, and the first High King of the united Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. His lineage is known as the House of Telcontar, meaning ’Strider’ in Quenya.

    Three

    Time it was
    And what a time it was, it was
    A time of innocence
    A time of confidences

    These are the opening lyrics to a 1968 song that served as the title track for an album. Please name the track/album and the artist?

    Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel

    The post title Bookends derives from this track and album. Bookends is a concept album exploring a life journey from childhood to old age. Side one marks life stages, while side two includes singles and unused material. Today’s quiz is bookended by questions one and five being about books.

    Four

    T.E. Lawrence is commonly known by what name?

    Answer: Lawrence of Arabia.

    T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British Army officer, archaeologist, and writer. He gained fame for his role in the Arab Revolt during World War I and his subsequent work with Emir Faisal. Lawrence published his autobiography, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and later served in the Army and RAF before his death in a motorcycle accident in 1935.

    Five

    What fish does the fisherman have an epic struggle to catch in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea?

    Answer: Marlin.

    Ernest Hemingway’s short, heroic novel The Old Man and the Sea, published in 1952 and winning the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, marked his final major work of fiction. The story follows an ageing fisherman’s epic struggle to catch a giant marlin.

    Bookends — Post title

    See explanation in Three above.

    Bookends

    Simon and Garfunkel

    Time it was 
    And what a time it was, it was 
    A time of innocence 
    A time of confidences 

    Long ago it must be 
    I have a photograph 
    Preserve your memories 
    They’re all that’s left you
    — AZ Lyrics

  • Bookends

    A book shelf of questions on literature today, with a bit of history and an album squeezed in the middle to provide the background music.

    See question two. Aragorn.
    Image The Digital Flix

    One

    This is a tale of a meeting of two lonesome, skinny, fairly old white men on a planet which was dying fast…

    This quote is the opening of Breakfast of Champions, a 1973 novel by a writer born in Indianapolis in 1922. Who is the writer?

    Two

    Following Sauron’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn is crowned king. What name does he adopt on his coronation?

    Three

    Time it was
    And what a time it was, it was
    A time of innocence
    A time of confidences

    These are the opening lyrics to a 1968 song that served as the title track for an album. Please name the track/album and the artist?

    Four

    T.E. Lawrence is commonly known by what name?

    Five

    What fish does the fisherman have an epic struggle to catch in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Stage Struck—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    These questions all have a connection to today’s date, March 11th.

    Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in 1952, Douglas Adams is known for writing a ’trilogy in five parts’. One of these parts mentions creatures in its title. What creatures?

    Answer: Fish

    So Long and Thanks for All the Fish (1984) is the fourth part in that well-known trilogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This instalment’s title refers to a message left by the dolphins when they departed planet Earth just before it was demolished in the building of a hyperspace bypass.

    Two

    In what city was media mogul Rupert Murdoch born in 1931?

    Answer: Melbourne.

    Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rupert Murdoch, an Australian-American media mogul, built a global media empire through News Corp, owning newspapers, book publishers, and television channels like Fox News and Sky News. His influence and wealth have been significant, leading to accusations of right-wing bias and political influence. In 2023, Murdoch announced his retirement as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp.

    Lillian and Dorothy Gish.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Three

    Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?

    Answers: Dorothy and Lillian Gish

    Dorothy Gish, an American stage and screen actress, was a major movie star of the silent era alongside her sister Lillian. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dorothy made her stage debut at age four and later, with Lillian, was introduced to director D.W. Griffith by Mary Pickford.

    Four

    In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?

    Answer: Triple jump.

    Yolanda Chen, a retired Russian athlete, specialised in long jump and later triple jump—hop, skip and jump—achieving a personal best of 14.97 metres in 1993. She won gold at the World Indoor Championships in 1995 with a world indoor record of 15.03 metres.

    Five

    The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?

    Answer: 1700s.

    Elizabeth Mallet founded Britain’s first daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, on 11 March 1702, at her premises near the King’s Arms tavern at Fleet Bridge, London. Despite her pioneering efforts, Mallet received little recognition and sold the paper after just 40 days. The single-page newspaper, with advertisements on the reverse, featured only foreign news, as Mallet believed her readers could reflect for themselves. She sold The Daily Courant to Samuel Buckley, who later became the publisher of The Spectator. The Daily Courant continued until 1735, when it merged with the Daily Gazetteer.

    Stage Struck

    The post is named after the 1917 American silent drama film starring Dorothy Gish (see question three). A copy survives in the Library of Congress.

  • Stage Struck

    These questions all have a connection to today’s date, March 11th.

    Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in 1952, Douglas Adams is known for writing a ’trilogy in five parts’. One of these parts mentions creatures in its title. What creatures?

    Two

    In what city was media mogul Rupert Murdoch born in 1931?

    Ms Gish & Ms Gish.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Three

    Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?

    Four

    In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?

    Five

    The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Omnium Gatherum II—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions from earlier.

    Today five pieces of miscellany.

    See question five. Franklin D. Roosevelt, president of the United States.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What two words appear with ‘Band’, ’Heart’, and ’Fields’ in the titles of three songs from 1970, 1972 and 1993 respectively?

    Answer: of Gold.

    Band of Gold by Freda Payne, a 1970 hit, was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland and Ron Dunbar. Heart of Gold by Neil Young, from his album Harvest, is his only US No. 1 single and reached No. 1 in Canada twice. Fields of Gold is a 1993 song by Sting from his album Ten Summoner’s Tales. It reached No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

    Two

    This modern city was mentioned in the Icelandic sagas when it was known as Mikligarðr — from the Old Norse mikill ‘big’ and garðr ‘wall’ or ‘stronghold’. What city?

    Answer: Istanbul.

    Pliny the Elder called it Lygos, Augusta Antonina and New Rome were other names for Istanbul.  Originally called Byzantium, it evolved into Constantinople and is now known by its Turkish name reflecting its rich history. The Turkish government advocated for “Istanbul” in English which the US State Department adopted in 1930.

    Three

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog became the State Dog of which U.S. state in 1979?

    Answer: Louisiana.

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog, named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, is a herding breed recognised by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service. Despite it having a herding designation it has traditionally been used in hunting feral boars
    It was officially named the state dog of Louisiana in 1979.

    Four

    What creatures home world is the planet Kashyyyk?

    Answer: Wookies.

    Wookiees are fictional humanoid aliens from the Star Wars franchise, originating from the planet Kashyyyk. They are known for their large size, furry appearance, and intelligence, with Chewbacca being a prominent character.

    Five

    Three questions rolled into one. Hi-Catoctin was a retreat in Frederick County, Maryland for U.S. Federal Agents and their families from the mid-1930s. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt converted it to a presidential retreat and renamed it. In 1953, the then incumbent president gave it its present name in honour of two people. 

    1. What did President Roosevelt name it in 1942?
    2. Which president renamed it in 1953?
    3. By what current name has it been known since?

    Answers

    1. Shangri-La
    2. Dwight D. Eisenhower
    3. Camp David
      The origin of the name Camp David seems to be agreed but Shangri-La raises different opinions. Both extracts below sourced 9 March 2026.

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt took it over in a few years and named it “Shangri-La,” for the mountain kingdom in Lost Horizon, the 1933 novel by James Hilton.

    It was renamed in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in honor of his then-five-year-old grandson, Dwight David Eisenhower II.
    — United States National Archives

    President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s grandson David Eisenhower posed beneath his name on the sign at Camp David in 1960. According to Press Secretary Jim Haggerty, President Eisenhower renamed the retreat after his grandson and father, both named David, and David was his own middle name. President Franklin Roosevelt’s name “Shangri-La, was just a little fancy for a Kansas farm boy,” according to the president.
    — The White House Historical Association

  • Omnium Gatherum II

    Today five pieces of miscellany.

    See question five. Franklin D. Roosevelt, president of the United States.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What two words appear with ‘Band’, ’Heart’, and ’Fields’ in the titles of three songs from 1970, 1972 and 1993 respectively?

    Two

    This modern city was mentioned in the Icelandic sagas when it was known as Mikligarðr — from the Old Norse mikill ‘big’ and garðr ‘wall’ or ‘stronghold’. What city?

    Three

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog became the State Dog of which U.S. state in 1979?

    Four

    What creatures home world is the planet Kashyyyk?

    Five

    Three questions rolled into one. Hi-Catoctin was a retreat in Frederick County, Maryland for U.S. Federal Agents and their families from the mid-1930s. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt converted it to a presidential retreat and renamed it. In 1953, the then incumbent president gave it its present name in honour of two people. 

    1. What did President Roosevelt name it in 1942?
    2. Which president renamed it in 1953?
    3. By what current name has it been known since?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres

    Diagram of the Solar System from Copernicus’ manuscript of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, February 19th.

    One

    In what century was Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus born?

    Two

    In 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began when US Marines invaded the Japanese volcanic island of Iwo Jima.  What does the name Iwo Jima mean in English?

    Three

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was born in 1960 and was known as Prince Andrew. He would later also be known as the Duke of York. For the first 22 years of his life, he was second in the line of succession to the British throne, who, born in 1982, replaced him as second in the line of succession?

    Four

    Born in 1924, this actor was a decorated World War II veteran, where he served in the U.S. Marines. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for Cat Ballou (1965) where he played both Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn. He appeared in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and Gorky Park (1983). He died in 1987. Who is this actor?

    Five

    In 1913, Pedro Lascuráin assumed the role of President of Mexico. What connects the number 45 to his presidency? Was it

    • 45 marriages (he was married 45 times during his presidency)
    • 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)
    • 45 murders (he was connected to 45 murders during his presidency)

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Everybody’s Talkin’—Answers

    Here are today’s answers.

    Today’s questions all relate to the date 16th February.

    Kiefer Sutherland and Sally Field in Eye for an Eye (1996), directed by John Schlesinger.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    Born in 1926, this director won the Academy Award for Best Director for Midnight Cowboy starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. He also directed Eye for an Eye (1996) featuring Sally Field and Kiefer Sutherland. Who is he?

    Answer: John Schlesinger.

    John Schlesinger was an English director and actor, known for his work in the British New Wave and Hollywood. He gained recognition for his documentaries and feature films, including the Academy Award-winning Midnight Cowboy, and received numerous accolades throughout his career. He also served as associate director of the National Theatre. Fred Neil’s song Everybody’s Talkin’ became the theme for the film and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by Harry Nilsson.

    Two

    In 1923, the burial chamber of King Tutankhamun was unsealed. Who was the archaeologist responsible for this discovery?

    Answer: Howard Carter.

    Tutankhamen, an Egyptian pharaoh, ruled in the 14th century BC and restored traditional religion. His tomb, discovered in 1922, contained treasures that made him renowned, despite his early death and limited achievements. The opening of the tomb was soon followed by stories that it was cursed. One of these relates that shortly after opening the tomb, Carter’s messenger found a cobra in Carter’s house, having killed Carter’s canary. This fuelled rumours of a curse, as the cobra was a symbol of the Egyptian monarchy.

    Flag of Lithuania.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Three

    In 1918, this country declared independence and two months later adopted this flag which is again the national flag today. Which country?

    Answer: Lithuania.

    The Act of Independence of Lithuania, signed on 16 February 1918, proclaimed Lithuania’s independence from Russia and established a democratic state with Vilnius as its capital. Although initially hindered by German occupation, Lithuania gained control over its territory after Germany’s defeat in World War I. The Act remains the legal basis for modern Lithuania’s existence. The national flag of Lithuania was adopted in April 1918 during this first period of independence (1918–1940). It was re-adopted in 1988, approximately one and a half years before Lithuania’s independence was re-established and almost three years before the Soviet Union’s collapse.

    Four

    Born in 1964, this English actor portrayed the ninth incarnation of The Doctor in BBC’s time-travelling series Doctor Who. As The Doctor, he was accompanied by Rose Tyler and inspired Charles Dickens. Who is this actor?

    Answer: Christopher Eccleston.

    Christopher Eccleston is an English actor known for his work in British social realist dramas and for playing the ninth Doctor in Doctor Who. He has received numerous award nominations and accolades for his performances in television, film and theatre.

    Five

    Born in 1973, this athlete made history in 2000 as the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Who is this athlete?

    Answer: Cathy Freeman.

    Cathy Freeman, an Australian sprinter, made history as the first Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal in the 400-metres at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She achieved numerous victories, including Commonwealth Games gold medals and a world championship title, and was a symbol of Aboriginal reconciliation. Freeman retired from competition in 2003 and established the Cathy Freeman Foundation to support Indigenous children.