sport – Page 2 – Quizology Online

There’s a Theme Running Through It—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

One

What is the largest butterfly in the UK? It has a ten-letter name and lives in the Norfolk Broads.

Answer: Swallowtail

The swallowtail is the largest and most localised butterfly in the UK. Adults emerge from winter chrysalises, drying their wings in reedbeds before displaying their bright colours. Their swallow-like tails and false eye spots confuse predators. Even as caterpillars, they are striking, with bulging horns for defence and orange scent glands that release a pineapple-like odor when threatened.

Two

In what 1975 novel does IRA member Liam Devlin take part in a wartime plot to kidnap Winston Churchill?

Answer: The Eagle Has Landed

Irish Republican Liam Devlin and Joanna Grey, an Afrikaner woman and seasoned Abwehr agent residing in England, team up with German paratroopers to plan and execute the kidnapping of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Three

In the 1955 film, To Catch a Thief (1955), who is seen sitting beside Cary Grant and a pair of caged birds on a bus?

Answer: Alfred Hitchcock

Producer and director Alfred Hitchcock makes his signature cameo, approximately ten minutes into the film, as a bus passenger sitting next to Cary Grant and a caged pair of birds.

Four

What single answer satisfies all of the following: the title of Fleetwood Mac’s only number one hit on the UK Singles Chart; a significant being in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner; and in golf, refers to a score of three strokes under par for a hole?

Answer: Albatross

Albatross is a guitar-based instrumental by Fleetwood Mac, composed by Peter Green. It was released as a single in 1968 and became their only number one single on the UK charts. The albatross that saves the ship by leading the way from the ice in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and is then shot; and the word used as an alternative to double eagle meaning a score of three strokes under par for a hole.

A nesting pair of Macaroni penguins, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Eudyptes chrysolophus: part of this bird’s name is also a type of pasta. What pasta?

Answer: Macaroni

The macaroni penguin—Eudyptes chrysolophus—is a crested penguin with a distinctive yellow crest, it is the most numerous penguin species, with an estimated 18 million individuals. Despite its abundance, the species is vulnerable due to widespread population declines since the mid-1970s.

Theme

The theme was of course Birds. Question 1. swallow (from swallowtail); 2. Eagle; 3. Caged birds mentioned in the question plus Hitchcock was the director of The Birds; 4. Albatross and 5. penguin.

There’s a Theme Running Through It

Today, a common thread weaves through five seemingly unrelated questions.

One

What is the largest butterfly in the UK? It has a ten-letter name and lives in the Norfolk Broads.

Two

In what 1975 novel does IRA member Liam Devlin take part in a wartime plot to kidnap Winston Churchill?

Three

In the 1955 film, To Catch a Thief (1955), who is seen sitting beside Cary Grant and a pair of caged birds on a bus?

Four

Five

Eudyptes chrysolophus: part of this bird’s name is also a type of pasta. What pasta?

Good luck! The answers will be posted later.

The Rumble in the Jungle—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I asked earlier.

*The Rumble in the Jungle*.
Muhammad Ali (standing) and George Foreman (on canvas).
Image USA Today

One

On October 30, 1974, the legendary boxing event The Rumble in the Jungle took place. In which city and country did this event take place? Who were the two boxers involved? And which fighter emerged victorious, reclaiming the world heavyweight title that day?

Answer: Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo); Muhammad Ali and George Foreman; and Muhammad Ali (recovered title)

This fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). It drew a massive crowd of 60,000 and was one of the most-watched televised events at the time. Ali emerged victorious by knockout in the eighth round.

Orson Welles at the press conference after *The War of the Worlds* broadcast, 1938.
Image Wikipedia

Two

The 1938 broadcast of a radio drama adaptation caused panic among listeners who thought it was real. What was the title of this drama and who wrote the original novel?

Answer: The War of the Worlds; (written by) H.G. Wells

The broadcast presented H.G. Wells’s story in a live news style format and reportedly caused panic by convincing some listeners that Martians were invading.

Three

In 1817, who became president of the newly formed Third Republic of Venezuela?

Answer: Simón Bolívar

Bolívar played a crucial role in Latin American independence, significantly shaping Venezuela’s early republican era.

Comparison of Nuclear Explosions.
Image World of Engineering via Reddit

Four

In 1961, the Tsar Bomba test — the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated — was detonated in what archipelago and by which country?

Answer: Novaya Zemlya (archipelago); Soviet Union (USSR)

The Tsar Bomba, or AN602, was the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created and tested, designed by Soviet physicists under Andrei Sakharov’s oversight. The bomb’s yield was around 50 megatonnes, and the test took place over the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.

Five

In 1905, to quell revolutionary pressure in Russia, a significant concession was made: the establishment of an elected parliament, the Duma, and the guarantee of civil liberties. Who made this concession?

Answer: Tsar Nicholas II

This was part of the aftermath of the 1905 Russian Revolution and marked the beginning of attempts at constitutional government in Russia, with Tsar Nicholas II issuing the October Manifesto in 1905, promising civil rights and an elected parliament, the Duma, after being pressured by Sergei Witte and Grand Duke Nicholas.

The Rumble in the Jungle

Here are five questions related to today, October 30th.

Orson Welles, 1937. See question 2.
Image Wikipedia

One

Two

The 1938 broadcast of a radio drama adaptation by Orson Welles caused panic among listeners who thought it was real. What was the title of this drama and who wrote the original novel?

Three

In 1817, who became president of the newly formed Third Republic of Venezuela?

Four

In 1961, the Tsar Bomba test — the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated — was detonated in what archipelago and by which country?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Sic semper tyrannisc

Five questions which are all related to today, October 28th.

*Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World* by Edward Moran. Oil on canvas.
The J. Clarence Davies Collection, Museum of the City of New York via Wikipedia

One

On October 28, 1922, a march on Rome resulted in the rise to power of whom?

Two

On October 28, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor. In what decade did this occur, and which US President dedicated the statue?

Three

A vote in the British House of Commons on this day in 1971 approved plans for the UK’s membership of what regional organisation had been created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957?

Four

At the 2023 Rugby World Cup final held at the Stade de France, South Africa defeated … (team), and became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup … times. What team fills the first blank space, and what number is missing from the second blank?

Five

On October 28, 1919, legislation was passed in the United States that enforced the 18th Amendment and ushered in the era of Prohibition. What was the name of that act?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later

Let There Be Light—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Edison incandescent light bulb enclosed in cage.
Image Wikipedia

One

On October 21, Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb. In which decade did he make this application?

Answer: 1870s

Thomas Edison, an American inventor and businessman, developed influential devices like the phonograph and electric light bulb. He pioneered organised scientific invention and established the first industrial research laboratory.

Two

In 1984, Niki Lauda clinched Formula One’s World Drivers’ Championship for the final time. How many times had he won the title in total?

Answer: Three

Austrian racing driver Niki Lauda competed in Formula One from 1971 to 1979 and 1982 to 1985, winning three World Drivers’ Championships—1975, 1977 and 1984—with Ferrari and McLaren. He survived a horrific crash in 1976 and made a remarkable comeback to win his second and third titles. Beyond racing, Lauda founded three airlines and held advisory and team principal roles in Formula One.

Three

In 1940, the first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls was published. In what war was the story set?

Answer: Spanish Civil War

Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls, follows Robert Jordan, an American volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, tasked with destroying a bridge. The book assumes knowledge of the war between the Republican government and the Nationalist faction, supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Four

The Guggenheim Museum opened in New York on this date in 1959. Which architect designed its iconic spiral building?

Answer: Frank Lloyd Wright

Wright’s radical design broke from traditional gallery layouts, using a continuous ramp to display art in a flowing, organic space. The museum is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its innovation.

Five

The Battle of Trafalgar, fought on 21 October 1805, took place in the …. It was named after a prominent geographic feature: …. Firstly, what body of water and secondly, what geographic feature fill the two gaps in the previous sentence?

Answer: Atlantic Ocean; Cape Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar was a decisive victory for the British Royal Navy against the combined French and Spanish fleets during the Napoleonic Wars. Admiral Lord Nelson’s tactics ensured Britain’s naval supremacy but cost him his life. Trafalgar Square in London was named to commemorate this victory.

Let There Be Light

Five questions which are all related to today, October 21st.

One

On 21 October Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb. In which decade did he make this application?

Two

In 1984, Niki Lauda clinched Formula One’s World Drivers’ Championship for the final time. How many times had he won the title in total?

Three

In 1940, the first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls was published. In what war was the story set?

Four

The Guggenheim Museum opened in New York on this date in 1959. Which architect designed its iconic spiral building?

Five

The Battle of Trafalgar, fought on 21 October 1805, took place in the …. It was named after a prominent geographic feature: the …. Firstly, what body of water and secondly, what geographic feature fill the two gaps in the previous sentence?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later?

Grand Slam—Answers

Martina Navratilova, 2011.
Image Wikipedia

One

In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born? In what city was she born and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

Answer: 18 (Grand Slam singles titles)

Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including nine Wimbledon singles titles and a career Grand Slam in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Navratilova became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship in 2008.

Two

In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
What was his name and his place of birth?

Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald and New Orleans

Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, assassinated President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963 and was himself killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The Warren Commission concluded Oswald, who had a troubled past and at one time defected to the Soviet Union, acted alone, a finding supported by multiple investigations, though many Americans remain sceptical.

Three

The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

Answer: 1920s

The British Broadcasting Corporation—established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company—is headquartered in London and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the UK. Funded primarily by a television licence fee, it provides radio, TV, and online services, including the BBC World Service.

Four

On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

Answer: Sitka and 2.4 miles or 3.8 km

The Alaska Purchase, negotiated by William H. Seward in 1867, was finalised on October 18th with a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka, now celebrated as Alaska Day.

Anything between 2 and 3 miles or 3 and 4 km is acceptable.

The Diomede Islands, Little Diomede (Alaska, U.S.) and Big Diomede (Chukotka, Russia), are located in the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Siberia.

The distance between the islands is about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometres).
The International Date Line runs between them, making Big Diomede almost one day ahead of Little Diomede; consequently, they are sometimes called ‘Tomorrow Island’ (Big Diomede) and ‘Yesterday Island’ (Little Diomede).

Five

The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

Answer: Herman Melville

The British edition of The Whale was published on October 18th with only 500 copies printed, a small print run due to slow sales of previous books. The American editions—titled Moby Dick or The Whale was released on November 14th.

Grand Slam

Here are some questions all related to today’s date, October 18th.

Martina Navratilova, 1980.
Image Wikipedia

One

In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born. In what city was she born, and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

Two

Three

The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

Four

Five

The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Presidential Genesis—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.
Image Wikipedia

One

The US state of Virginia is in pole position with eight US presidents being born there. What state would be in second place?

Answer: Ohio

Ohio ranks second to Virginia in the number of US presidents born there. These seven presidents hail from Ohio: Ulysses S Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, James A Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G Harding.

Two

Which mammal family, common or scientific name, is the wolverine the largest member of?

Answer: Weasels or Mustelidae

The wolverine, the largest member of the Mustelidae family – commonly known as the weasel family – includes other animals like weasels otters martens and badgers. Renowned for their stocky build thick fur and impressive strength relative to their size, wolverines are truly remarkable creatures.

Petrus Kartner—Father Abraham.
Image Wikipedia

Three

In 1977 Petrus Kartner was commissioned to compose a promotional song for The Smurfs which became a hit single and album. What nationality was Kartner and under what stage name did he perform?

Answer: Dutch and Father Abraham

Dutch musician and record producer Petrus Antonius Laurentius Kartner (1935-2022), known as Vader Abraham, wrote around 1600 songs. He is best known for his Smurf-themed music, including The Smurf Song, which sold 400,000 copies after a repress and a full album that sold 500,000 copies.

Four

In volleyball, a defensive specialist who can’t serve or rotate to the front line and wears a different coloured jersey is known as a …. What six-letter word describes this player?

Answer: Libero

The word originates from Italian and means ‘free’. The libero, is a defensive specialist in volleyball, wearing a different coloured jersey and unable to serve or attack above the net. Libero replacements don’t count against the substitution limit, but can only be made with the original libero.
Established in 1998, this position is recognised by most volleyball governing bodies and is credited with lengthening rallies.

Neptune’s Staircase, Caledonian Canal, Scotland, UK.
Image Wikipedia

Five

What eventually links Loch Ness to Neptune’s Staircase?

Answer: Caledonian Canal

Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822 the Caledonian Canal is one of Scotland’s most remarkable engineering achievements — a scenic 60-mile (97 km) waterway that cuts through the Great Glen, connecting the east coast at the Beauly Firth near Inverness with the west coast’s Loch Linnhe at Corpach near Fort William. Some 60 miles (97 km) in length with 22 miles (35 km) of man-made canal while the rest is natural lochs which include Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Neptune’s Staircase is a flight of eight locks near to the Loch Linnhe end of the canal.