The first question relates to today’s date, April 12th, and the answer begins with the letter ‘V. The remaining questions are not date-related but follow the ‘V’ theme.
Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.
See if you can KO these five questions with the answers beginning with the letters from K to O, with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order.
Para-dummies, pictured above, were a deception device used in World War II. British troops nicknamed them Rupert; what name did the Americans give them?
Answer: Oscar.
These para-dummies, first used in World War II, served as military deception devices to imitate paratroop drops, causing the enemy to shift forces or fires unnecessarily or to lure them into ambushes. The dolls were nicknamed Rupert by British troops and Oscar by American troops. Made of burlap and filled with straw or green waste, these immobile dummies were about 85 cm tall, smaller than a person. However, during twilight, they were difficult to distinguish from real parachutists. To further confuse defenders, the dummies contained explosives that detonated on impact, and real parachutists would hang motionless from their parachutes, mimicking the appearance of real jumpers or fallen.
Two
In 2023, what is the official currency of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands?
Answer: Krone.
Denmark has kept the krone (DKK) instead of adopting the euro, despite meeting the economic convergence criteria and following EU policies. A referendum in September 2000 rejected the euro, and public opinion has consistently been against its adoption. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are autonomous territories of Denmark.
Three
What interplanetary space probe launched in 2006 became, in 2015, the first to perform a flyby study of Pluto?
Answer: New Horizons.
New Horizons, a NASA space probe launched in 2006, conducted a flyby study of the Pluto system in 2015, becoming the first spacecraft to do so. It then flew into and is currently travelling through the Kuiper Belt, which it is expected to exit between 2028 and 2029.
Four
The Galaxy referred to in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is which one?
Answer: Milky Way
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams, follows Arthur Dent’s adventures across the galaxy after Earth’s destruction. The franchise includes radio, novels, comics, TV, games, stage shows, and film.
Five
Known as the Pineapple Island, what is the sixth-largest island in the U.S. state of Hawaii?
Answer: Lānaʻi
Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest Hawaiian island, is known as the Pineapple Island due to its past pineapple plantations. Lānaʻi has a population of 3,367 and is accessible only by dirt roads requiring four-wheel drive. There is one school, Lānaʻi High and Elementary School, one hospital, Lanai Community Hospital, and a community health centre providing primary care. Two per cent of the island is owned by the state or private entities, with the remaining 98% owned by Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of software company Oracle Corporation.
Post Title
It’s a Knockout
Today’s questions have answers in the range K to O and KO is an accepted abbreviation for Knockout.
See if you can KO these five questions with the answers beginning with the letters from K to O, with each letter being used only once, but they are not in alphabetical order.
Para-dummies, pictured above, were a deception device used in World War II. British troops nicknamed them Rupert; what name did the Americans give them?
Two
In 2023, what is the official currency of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands?
Three
What interplanetary space probe launched in 2006 became, in 2015, the first to perform a flyby study of Pluto?
Four
The Galaxy referred to in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is which one?
Five
Known as the Pineapple Island, what is the sixth-largest island in the U.S. state of Hawaii?
An otherworld castle from Arthurian Romance is located at the same spot as the Oxford English Dictionary identifies as Europe’s highest active volcano?
Answer: Mount Etna
Mount Etna, is an active stratovolcano in eastern Sicily, Italy, standing at 3,323 meters (10,902 feet). It is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. Its fertile volcanic soils support agriculture, and its historical activity has earned it the designation of a Decade Volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In various stories, Mongibel is associated with the legendary figure Morgan le Fay, depicted as her magical stronghold linked to Avalon.
Two
Svetlana Savitskaya on 25 July 1984; Kathryn D. Sullivan, 11 October 1984; and Wang Yaping, 8 November 2021 all achieved a first. What common milestone do these dates mark??
Answer: They were the first females of their nationalities and for their space programs to perform extravehicular activity (EVA) or spacewalk
Specifically, they were the first females of their nationalities and space programs to perform EVAs. EVAs. The first woman to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA) was Soviet Svetlana Savitskaya on 25 July 1984, while aboard the Salyut 7 space station. Her EVA lasted 3 hours and 35 minutes. The first American woman to perform an EVA was Kathryn D. Sullivan on 11 October 1984, during the STS-41-G mission. The first female Asian and Chinese woman to perform an EVA was Wang Yaping on 8 November 2021, outside the Chinese Tiangong space station.
Three
The University of St Andrews, Scotland, was founded in what century?
Answer: 15th century.
The University of St Andrews, founded in 1413, is the oldest university in Scotland and the third-oldest in the English-speaking world — after Oxford and Cambridge. Located in St Andrews, Scotland, it is part of the ancient universities of Scotland and played a role in the Scottish Enlightenment. The university consists of three colleges and 18 academic schools across four faculties, with a diverse student body representing over 145 nationalities. It is known for its selective undergraduate admissions and traditional student customs. Notable alumni include Alex Salmond, Chris Hoy, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, with five Nobel laureates among its graduates and staff.
Four
The cave system with the world’s longest known length, Mammoth Cave is in which US state and, according to the U.S. National Park Service, what length is it at present (March 2026) to the nearest 25 miles/40 km?
Answer: Kentucky; 425 miles or 680 km.
Mammoth Cave is currently mapped and explored at 426 miles (686 km), but that is just what has been discovered to date. — U.S. National Park Service.
Mammoth Cave, currently mapped at 426 miles (686 km), is the longest known cave system in the world. Early explorers, including Stephen Bishop and the Hanson and Hunt families, significantly contributed to its discovery. The 1972 connection between the Flint Ridge and Mammoth Cave systems, achieved by a team of six explorers, solidified its status as the longest cave system.
Five
NOUN the scientific study of old age, the process of ageing, and the particular problems of old people. — Oxford English Dictionary.
What word, an –ology, is defined above?
Answer: Gerontology.
Gerontology, a multidisciplinary field, aims to understand the ageing process to minimise age-related disabilities. While geriatrics focuses on treating diseases in older adults, gerontology encompasses a broader study of ageing.
Post title — Mongibel
The name Mongibel, associated with Morgan le Fay and King Arthur, originates from Arthurian Romance and is linked to Etna (Mongibello). Welsh conceptions of a Celtic underworld were adapted and transplanted to Sicily by Bretons.
An otherworld castle from Arthurian Romance is located at the same spot as the Oxford English Dictionary identifies as Europe’s highest active volcano?
Two
Svetlana Savitskaya on 25 July 1984; Kathryn D. Sullivan, 11 October 1984; and Wang Yaping, 8 November 2021 all achieved a first. What common milestone do these dates mark?
Three
The University of St Andrews, Scotland, was founded in what century?
Four
The cave system with the world’s longest known length, Mammoth Cave is in which US state and, according to the U.S. National Park Service, what length is it at present (March 2026) to the nearest 25 miles/40 km?
Five
NOUN the scientific study of old age, the process of ageing, and the particular problems of old people. — Oxford English Dictionary.
Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.
Today’s questions all relate to the date, February 18th.
Pluto. Photograph taken by NASA’s New Horizon spacecraft. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered what in our solar system?
Answer: Pluto.
In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer, discovered Pluto despite lacking formal training. He attended the University of Kansas on a scholarship and completed his M.A. in astronomy in 1939. Tombaugh worked at the Lowell Observatory, cataloguing over 30,000 celestial objects before leaving in 1946. His research included star clusters, extragalactic nebulae, and planetary observations. In 1950, he predicted Mars’ cratered surface due to its proximity to the asteroid belt, a prediction confirmed by Mariner 4 in the 1960s. Tombaugh also taught at Arizona State College and the University of California, contributing significantly to astronomy.
Two
Born in Tokyo in 1933, she is a Japanese artist and musician. In 1968, she released, with her future husband, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, a collaborative experimental album. They later lived in an apartment building at 1 West 72nd Street, New York City. Who is she, what is the building at 1 West 72nd Street, NYC named, and who was her collaborative husband-to-be?
Answer: Yoko Ono; The Dakota; John Lennon.
Yoko Ono, a Japanese artist, musician, activist, and filmmaker, rose to fame in the 1960s and married John Lennon in 1969. She achieved success in music, including a Grammy-winning album with Lennon, and continues to honour his legacy through philanthropy. The Dakota, a historic luxury apartment building in New York City, was built between 1880 and 1884 in the German Renaissance style by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. It was one of the first major developments on the Upper West Side and remains the city’s oldest luxury apartment building. Recognised as a National Historic Landmark, The Dakota is celebrated for its unique architecture and has housed numerous artists and celebrities.
Three
In 1965, The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. This African nation is situated on which ocean and is bordered by which country?
Answer: Atlantic Ocean; Senegal.
The Gambia, Africa’s smallest mainland country, lies along the Atlantic coast surrounded by Senegal and follows the Gambia River through flat, navigable terrain. Its unusual shape stems from 19th‑century territorial agreements between Britain and France. A brief Senegambia confederation existed from 1982 to 1989. The nation, with a 2026 population of around 2.55 million, is a multiparty republic led by President Adama Barrow, with Banjul as its capital. English is the official language, and the main ethnic groups include Malinke, Wolof, Fulani, Diola and Soninke. The economy relies heavily on peanut production and export. Known for its sandy Atlantic beaches and the historic village of Jufureh, The Gambia combines dense rural settlement with cultural and historical links to neighbouring Senegal.
Four
Born on this day, Enzo Ferrari, automobile manufacturer, designer, and racing-car driver. In what decade, and in what city, was he born?
Answer: Modena; 1890s.
Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988) was an Italian car designer, manufacturer, and racing driver who founded Scuderia Ferrari and later Ferrari SpA. He began as a test driver after World War I, joining Alfa Romeo in 1920 and creating Scuderia Ferrari in 1929 to prepare Alfa race cars. By 1939 he had split from Alfa and formed Auto Avio Costruzioni, which evolved into Ferrari. The first car under his name, the 125 S, appeared in 1947 and won Ferrari’s first Grand Prix. Famous for speed and engineering excellence, his teams dominated the 1950s and 1960s, though tragedy struck with multiple driver fatalities and the death of his son Dino. Ferrari sold a stake to Fiat in 1969, remained president until 1977, and became a motorsport legend.
Five
In 2010, WikiLeaks publishes thousands of classified documents which had been disclosed by a U.S. soldier. What is his or her name?
Answer: Bradley Manning or Chelsea Manning.
In 2010, WikiLeaks, which had been founded in 2006, released nearly half a million documents on the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a 2007 video showing a U.S. helicopter attack killing twelve, including two Reuters employees. The Obama administration condemned the leaks as a national security threat. In November 2010, WikiLeaks published 250,000 classified U.S. diplomatic cables, revealing efforts to isolate Iran. Following the leaks, U.S. lawmakers pursued prosecution of Assange and collaborators. Bradley Manning, a U.S. Army analyst, was arrested in May 2010 for releasing the helicopter video and later accused of leaking cables. Manning pleaded guilty to 10 charges, was found guilty of espionage and theft in July 2013, and received a 35-year sentence. The day after sentencing Manning’s attorney issued a press release saying that his client was a female, and asked that she be referred to by her new name of Chelsea and feminine pronouns. WikiLeaks faced setbacks, including being taken offline and losing payment services.
Today’s questions all relate to the date, February 18th.
Photograph taken by NASA’s New Horizon spacecraft. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered what in our solar system?
Two
Born in Tokyo in 1933, she is a Japanese artist and musician. In 1968, she released, with her future husband, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, a collaborative experimental album. They later lived in an apartment building at 1 West 72nd Street, New York City. Who is she, what is the building at 1 West 72nd Street, NYC named, and who was her collaborative husband-to-be?
Three
In 1965, The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. This African nation is situated on which ocean and is bordered by which country?
Four
Born on this day, Enzo Ferrari, automobile manufacturer, designer, and racing-car driver. In what decade, and in what city, was he born?
Five
In 2010, WikiLeaks publishes thousands of classified documents which had been disclosed by a U.S. soldier. What is his or her name?
A singer born in 1991 released their debut album, +, in September 2011. Who is the singer?
Answer: Ed Sheeran.
Ed Sheeran’s debut studio album, + (Plus), was released on 9 September 2011 and marked his commercial breakthrough. The album, produced by Jake Gosling, Sheeran and No I.D., received positive reviews and sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
Two
In 2008, Kosovo declared independence from which country?
Answer: Serbia.
Kosovo, a self-declared independent country in the Balkans, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. While recognised by the US and most EU members, its independence is not universally accepted. In 2010 the International Court of Justice ruled Kosovo’s declaration didn’t breach international law but Serbia rejected the decision. Despite lacking full international agreement, Kosovo has established structures akin to an independent nation under international supervision. The EU oversees police judicial and customs activities.
Three
In what decade did the opera Madama Butterfly premiere at La Scala, Milan, and who composed it?
Answer: 1900s; Giacomo Puccini.
Madama Butterfly is a three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, based on John Luther Long’s short story and Pierre Loti’s novel. The original two-act version premiered in 1904 at La Scala but was poorly received, leading Puccini to revise it into the successful three-act version.
Four
What entertainer and actor born in Kew in 1934, links a housewife, the voice of Bruce in 2003 and, a novennium later, a Great Goblin?
Answer: Barry Humphries.
Barry Humphries, an Australian actor, was best known for his character Dame Edna Everage. He also created other characters, appeared in films, and wrote books. The housewife from the question was of course Dame Edna. Bruce was the shark from Finding Nemo (2003) and the Great Goblin, the king of the caverns, was played by Humphries in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).
Five
In 1965, the Ranger 8 probe was launched on a mission to photograph among other things Mare Tranquillitatis. Where is Mare Tranquillitatis?
Answer: Moon
Ranger was a series of nine unmanned probes launched by NASA between 1961 and 1965 to explore the Moon. While the first five probes failed, the last three, Ranger 7, 8 and 9, successfully transmitted over 17,000 high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface. These images included the Sea of Tranquility (Mare Tranquillitatis), which would become the 1969 landing site of Apollo 11.
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