Quizology.Online

Tag: sport

  • The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Fresh brown loaf sliced to uniform thickness by a bread slicing machine.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, 7 July.

    One

    On this day, bread loaves that had been pre-sliced by a machine designed by jeweller Otto Rohwedder were sold for the first time. In what decade and on what continent did this occur?

    Answer: 1920s; North America.

    Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first bread-slicing machine, with a working model in 1928. The Chillicothe Baking Company, Chillicothe, Missouri, U.S., sold the first sliced bread on 7 July 1928. Gustav Papendick improved slicing by using cardboard trays, and W.E. Long promoted packaging. Wonder Bread marketed sliced bread nationwide in 1930. The first slicing and wrapping machine in the UK was installed at Wonderloaf Bakery, Tottenham, London, in 1937. By the 1950s, approximately 80% of bread sold in Britain was pre-sliced, reflecting a significant shift in bread consumption habits and bakery practices during that era.

    Two

    The archipelago in which the six-month-long World War II Battle of Guadalcanal took place gained independence in 1978. By what name is this island country known today, and what country did it gain independence from?

    Answer: Solomon Islands; Great Britain.

    The Solomon Islands, an archipelagic country in Melanesia, consists of six major islands and over 1,000 smaller islands. Settled since at least 30,000 BC, it became a British protectorate in 1893 and gained independence in 1978, becoming a constitutional monarchy with Elizabeth II as queen, succeeded by King Charles III in 2022.

    Three

    Also in 1978, Martina Navratilova won the first of her Wimbledon singles titles. Who was the defeated semi-finalist in that match, and how many singles titles did Navratilova win at Wimbledon in total?

    Answer: Chris Evert; nine.

    Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including 18 singles majors, 31 women’s doubles majors, and 10 mixed doubles majors. Navratilova, who became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship, is also known for her activism on gay rights.

    Four

    The final film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series premiered in London. What was the film’s title, and in what year was this?

    Answer: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2; 2011.

    The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the life of a young wizard and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series explores themes of prejudice, corruption, love, and death, and has sold over 600 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling book series in history. The franchise has expanded to include films, a play, a television series, and various other derivative works.

    Five

    On this day in 1937, an incident occurred at the Marco Polo Bridge between troops of two armies. This became the first incident in a war that lasted eight years. In what country is the Marco Polo Bridge? The belligerents in this war were a republic and an empire. Who were they?

    Answer: China; Republic of China and the Empire of Japan.

    The Marco Polo Bridge, officially the Lugou Bridge, located southwest of Beijing, is famous for its praise by Marco Polo and the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which sparked the Second Sino-Japanese War. This war, referred to in China as the War of Resistance Against Japan, was a conflict between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan, along with its puppet states, from 1937 to 1945. This war followed a localised conflict in Manchuria that began in 1931. It is frequently considered the start of World War II in Asia, as the two wars became closely linked after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. It stands as the largest Asian war of the 20th century.

    The best thing since sliced bread

    the best thing since sliced bread (also the greatest thing since sliced bread) informal used to emphasize one’s enthusiasm about a new idea, person, or thing: they think that she is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
    — Oxford English Dictionary 

  • The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

    Fresh brown loaf sliced to uniform thickness by a bread slicing machine.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, 7 July.

    One

    On this day, bread loaves that had been pre-sliced by a machine designed by jeweller Otto Rohwedder were sold for the first time. In what decade and on what continent did this occur?

    Two

    The archipelago in which the six-month-long World War II Battle of Guadalcanal took place gained independence in 1978. By what name is this island country known today, and what country did it gain independence from?

    Three

    Also in 1978, Martina Navratilova won the first of her Wimbledon singles titles. Who was the defeated semi-finalist in that match, and how many singles titles did Navratilova win at Wimbledon in total?

    Four

    The final film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series premiered in London. What was the film’s title, and in what year was this?

    Five

    On this day in 1937, an incident occurred at the Marco Polo Bridge between troops of two armies. This became the first incident in a war that lasted eight years. In what country is the Marco Polo Bridge? The belligerents in this war were a republic and an empire. Who were they?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Let Me Count the Days — Answers

    Here are the answers to the earlier questions.

    Bear Garden (left) and Globe Theatre (right), Southwark, London. Engraving, 1597.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s selection of trivia is all related to the date, 29 June.

    One

    London’s Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, which took hold during a performance of William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. What caused the fire?

    Answer: Cannon fire.

    A theatrical cannon misfired during a performance, causing a fire in the wooden beams and thatching. Only one person was injured, with his burning breeches extinguished by ale. The building was rebuilt the next year with a tile roof, costing £1,400.

    Two

    Brazil won their first FIFA World Cup on this day. In what year was this victory, and who were their defeated opponents in the final?

    Answer: 1958; Sweden.

    The 1958 FIFA World Cup final in Sweden saw Brazil win their first title by defeating the hosts. The match, which was the first final between European and American teams, set records for goals, winning margin, and age of the youngest and oldest goal scorers. Pelé was only 17 years and 249 days old, while Nils Liedholm was 18 years and 15 days older than Pelé at 35 years and 263 days.

    Three

    In 1534, Canada’s Prince Edward Island was ‘discovered’ by Europeans. In 1908, a Canadian author wrote a children’s novel about an orphan sent to live at Avonlea, PEI. Who made the 1534 discovery; who was the author, and what was the title of the 1908 novel?

    Answer: Jacques Cartier; Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables.

    Lucy Maud Montgomery, known as L. M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author famous for Anne of Green Gables (1908). She published 20 novels and over a thousand short stories and poems. Her work, set on Prince Edward Island, inspired adaptations and tourism.

    Four

    Born in 1978, Nicole Scherzinger played what role in the film Men in Black 3?

    Answer: Lilly Poison.

    Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She gained fame as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls and later pursued a successful solo career. Scherzinger has also served as a judge on various talent shows and has received numerous accolades for her work in music and theatre.

    Five

    On this day in 1861, in Florence, Italy, an English poet died at the age of 55. She was living in Florence with her English husband, also a poet. She is known for the line, ’How do I love thee? Let me count the ways’, which, in part, has been used in the title of several works of music and literature? Who is this poet?

    Answer: Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

    Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an English poet, is celebrated for Sonnets from the Portuguese and Aurora Leigh, an early feminist text. Despite a spinal injury at 15, she married Robert Browning in 1846, moved to Florence, and engaged in Italian politics. Her influential work advocated social reforms, impacting slavery and child labour laws.

  • Let Me Count the Days

    Bear Garden (left) and Globe Theatre (right), Southwark, London. Engraving, 1597.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s selection of trivia is all related to the date, 29 June.

    One

    London’s Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, which took hold during a performance of William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. What caused the fire?

    Two

    Brazil won their first FIFA World Cup on this day. In what year was this victory, and who were their defeated opponents in the final?

    Three

    In 1534, Canada’s Prince Edward Island was ‘discovered’ by Europeans. In 1908, a Canadian author wrote a children’s novel about an orphan sent to live at Avonlea, PEI. Who made the 1534 discovery; who was the author, and what was the title of the 1908 novel?

    Four

    Born in 1978, Nicole Scherzinger played what role in the film Men in Black 3?

    Five

    On this day in 1861, in Florence, Italy, an English poet died at the age of 55. She was living in Florence with her English husband, also a poet. She is known for the line, ’How do I love thee? Let me count the ways’, which, in part, has been used in the title of several works of music and literature? Who is this poet?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Cream Rises to the Top — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to three events related to today’s date, 26 June, in different years. The remaining questions do not relate to today’s date but do follow a similar format.

    One

    Listed alphabetically, these three events all occurred on this day in the 1970s. Arrange them chronologically starting with the earliest.

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    Answer

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    CN Tower opened in 1976 becoming the world’s tallest building until the the Burj Khalifa opened in Dubai, UAE in 2007. Market Square Arena in Indianapolis became Elvis Presley’s last public concert when he performed there in 1977. In 1979, after nearly two decades of professional boxing, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali announced his retirement.

    While the remaining questions are not related to today’s date they share a similar format. 

    Two

    These three films each won the Best Picture Academy Award in the 1990s. Listed alphabetically, arrange them chronologically by the year they won the Oscar.

    • Braveheart
    • Titanic
    • Unforgiven

    Answer

    • Unforgiven
    • Braveheart
    • Titanic

    Unforgiven is a 1992 American Western film directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars as an ageing outlaw. Braveheart is a 1995 American epic historical war drama film directed by and starring Mel Gibson as William Wallace. The film was inspired by Blind Harry’s 15th century epic poem. Titanic is a 1997 American epic historical romance film about the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The film, written and directed by James Cameron, stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as lovers from different social classes.

    Three

    These tennis professionals all won the Ladies Singles Championships at Wimbledon in the 1990s. Listed here alphabetically, place them in chronological order of their championship wins.

    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport
    • Martina Hingis

    Answer

    • Martina Hingis
    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport

    Martina Hingis won the title in 1997, beating Jana Novotná in the final. Novotná won the following year with a final victory over Nathalie Tauziat, and Lindsay Davenport’s win came in 1999 when she defeated Steffi Graf to claim the title.

    Four

    Yet again listed alphabetically, these three artists topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2010s. Arrange the three answers by the correct chronological year from that decade.

    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Answer

    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream first topped the charts on 18 September 2010. Adele’s Someone Like You followed a year later on 17 September 2011 and Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together topped the charts on 1 September 2012.

    Five

    The Hugo Award for Best Novel is awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy novel from the previous year. Listed alphabetically are three winners from the early 21st century. Rearrange and list them in their chronological order.

    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    Answer

    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    These three novels and their authors won the 2001, 2002 and 2003 awards respectively.

  • The Cream Rises to the Top

    CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to three events related to today’s date, 26 June, in different years. The remaining questions do not relate to today’s date but do follow a similar format.

    One

    Listed alphabetically, these three events all occurred on this day in the 1970s. Arrange them chronologically starting with the earliest.

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    While the remaining questions are not related to today’s date they share a similar format. 

    Two

    These three films each won the Best Picture Academy Award in the 1990s. Listed alphabetically, arrange them chronologically by the year they won the Oscar.

    • Braveheart
    • Titanic
    • Unforgiven

    Three

    These tennis professionals all won the Ladies Singles Championships at Wimbledon in the 1990s. Listed here alphabetically, place them in chronological order of their championship wins.

    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport
    • Martina Hingis

    Four

    Yet again listed alphabetically, these three artists topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2010s. Arrange the three answers by the correct chronological year from that decade.

    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Five

    The Hugo Award for Best Novel is awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy novel from the previous year. Listed alphabetically are three winners from the early 21st century. Rearrange and list them in their chronological order.

    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Bamboozling Business — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Pilkington Jackson’s statue of Robert I, aka Robert the Bruce, at Bannockburn.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of these questions are related to today’s date, 23 January but there is also a bit of a theme bubbling in the background.

    One

    A decisive battle on this day in 1314 saw Scotland regain independence and established Robert I as king. What was the battle, and of what Royal house was Robert I the first monarch ?

    Answer: Bannockburn; Bruce.

    The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 was a decisive victory for the Scots under Robert I against the English under Edward II. Despite being outnumbered, the Scots used strategic positioning and strong infantry to repel English cavalry charges. The battle resulted in heavy English losses and is considered a turning point in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

    Two

    A Canadian Parliamentary Act in 1887 created the country’s first national park which was originally called Rocky Mountains Park. What is the current name of Canada’s first national park?

    Answer: Banff National Park.

    Prime Minister John A. Macdonald set aside a small area around hot springs in 1885. This became Canada’s first national park with the passing of the Rocky Mountains Park Act in 1887. Originally named Rocky Mountains Park, it later became Banff National Park. The Canadian Pacific Railway promoted tourism with hotels like Banff Springs. Wealthy tourists from Europe, America, and England visited, engaging in mountaineering. By 1911, Banff was accessible by car, with motorcoach tours starting in 1916.

    Three

    In 1894, the International Olympic Committee was founded at the Sorbonne in Paris. This was at the initiative of a French noble; who, including his title, was this man?

    Answer: Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

    Charles Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (1863–1937), was a French educator and historian, co-founder and second president of the IOC, and the father of the modern Olympic Games. He promoted sports in French schools and inspired the Pierre de Coubertin World Trophy and Medal.

    Four

    In a game against the Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox pitcher Ernie Shore retires 26 batters in a row after replacing …, who had been ejected for punching the umpire.
    — Wikipedia

    This Wikipedia quote refers to a game of baseball played on 23 June 1917. The name of the player who had been replaced is missing. Who is this player? 

    Answer: Babe Ruth.

    On June 23, 1917, Ernie Shore overshadowed Babe Ruth by retiring 26 consecutive batters after Ruth was ejected for punching an umpire. Shore, a North Carolina native, played for the Red Sox and Yankees, ending his career in 1920. The Red Sox won 4-0, and the game was ruled a combined no-hitter.

    Five

    The 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum took place on 23rd June. What is the referendum and its aftermath commonly known as, and what prime minister finalised it on 31 January 2020? 

    Answer: Brexit; Boris Johnson.

    Prime Minister David Cameron called a Brexit referendum in 2016, which the ‘leave’ campaign won. Theresa May succeeded him but faced party divisions and opposition to her Brexit deal, particularly over the Northern Ireland backstop, leading to her resignation. Boris Johnson, her successor, promised Brexit by 31 October 2019, and finalised it on 31 January 2020. In June 2022, Johnson proposed removing checks on goods to Northern Ireland, risking the trade agreement and peace.

  • Bamboozling Business

    Pilkington Jackson’s statue of Robert I.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of these questions are related to today’s date, 23 January but there is also a bit of a theme bubbling in the background.

    One

    A decisive battle on this day in 1314 saw Scotland regain independence and established Robert I as king. What was the battle, and of what Royal house was Robert I the first monarch ?

    Two

    A Canadian Parliamentary Act in 1887 created the country’s first national park which was originally called Rocky Mountains Park. What is the current name of Canada’s first national park?

    Three

    In 1894, the International Olympic Committee was founded at the Sorbonne in Paris. This was at the initiative of a French noble; who, including his title, was this man?

    Four

    In a game against the Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox pitcher Ernie Shore retires 26 batters in a row after replacing …, who had been ejected for punching the umpire.
    — Wikipedia

    This Wikipedia quote refers to a game of baseball played on 23 June 1917. The name of the player who had been replaced is missing. Who is this player? 

    Five

    The 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum took place on 23rd June. What is the referendum and its aftermath commonly known as, and what prime minister finalised it on 31 January 2020? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • First III — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    See question five. Flag of Greenland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Going back to the ‘first’ theme, but today’s questions also all relate to 21 June.

    One

    She was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.
    — Wikipedia

    Who, born in 1953, is the politician referred to in the above quote?

    Answer: Benazir Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of former Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the first female leader of a Muslim nation. She served two terms as Prime Minister of Pakistan, facing challenges including corruption charges and political instability. Bhutto was assassinated in 2007 while campaigning for parliamentary elections.

    Two

    The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at a World Fair. What was the official title of this World Fair, and what event was the fair commemorating?

    Answer: Answer: World’s Columbian Exposition; 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

    The World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the New World. The fair showcased Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse’s alternating current system, featured the world’s first Ferris wheel, and attracted over 27 million visitors. Designed in Beaux-Arts style, the exposition left a lasting impact on American architecture and culture.

    Three

    What was the name of the craft which, in 2004, completed the first crewed private spaceflight?

    Answer: SpaceShipOne.

    Piloted by Mike Melvill, SpaceShipOne, an experimental air-launched rocket-powered aircraft, achieved sub-orbital spaceflight in 2004, completing the first crewed private spaceflight and winning the Ansari X Prize. Developed by Mojave Aerospace Ventures, the project, named ‘Tier One’, aimed to take passengers into space with a successor ship.

    Four

    Which team won the very first game in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history when the league debuted in 1997?

    Answer: New York Liberty.

    The WNBA’s inaugural game was played at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, on 21 June 1997. The New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, marking the beginning of the league’s first season.

    Five

    The country represented by the flag above first became self-governing in 2009; its parliament is the Inatsisartut; and it appears first on list of a specific geographic superlative. What country is this?

    Answer: Greenland.

    Greenland, officially the world’s largest island that is not a continent, is home to 56,000 people. It has its own extensive local government but is also part of the Realm of Denmark. Most of its inhabitants live in the 20% of the country that is not covered by ice and snow. 

  • First III

    See question five. Flag of ….
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Going back to the ‘first’ theme, but today’s questions also all relate to 21 June.

    One

    She was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.
    — Wikipedia

    Who, born in 1953, is the politician referred to in the above quote?

    Two

    The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at a World Fair. What was the official title of this World Fair, and what event was the fair commemorating?

    Three

    What was the name of the craft which, in 2004, completed the first crewed private spaceflight?

    Four

    Which team won the very first game in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history when the league debuted in 1997?

    Five

    The country represented by the flag above first became self-governing in 2009; its parliament is the Inatsisartut; and it appears first on list of a specific geographic superlative. What country is this?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.