Tag: words

  • Ancient Myths continued | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    Avro Vulcan.
    Image Wikipedia

    What former Royal Air Force aircraft is pictured?

    Answer: Vulcan (Avro Vulcan)

    The Avro Vulcan, a jet-powered, tailless, delta-wing bomber, was operated by the RAF from 1956 to 1984. It served as the backbone of the UK’s airborne nuclear deterrent during the Cold War and was later adapted for maritime reconnaissance and aerial refuelling.
    Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, deserts, metalworking and the forge, is often depicted with a blacksmith’s hammer. His Greek counterpart is Hephaestus, and his Etruscan counterpart is Sethlans.


    Two

    King Neptune, SpongeBob SquarePants.
    Image Pinterest

    Can you name a powerful, trident-wielding merman from SpongeBob SquarePants?

    Answer: King Neptune

    In SpongeBob SquarePants King Neptune, a powerful merman god, rules the sea from Atlantis with his wife and son. He is portrayed as arrogant and selfish, but is a fan of Patrick Star, releasing the Star family from trespassing charges and moving his ball to their house.
    In mythology, Neptune, the Roman god of freshwater and the sea, is the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. He is associated with horses and horse-racing, and his festival, Neptunalia, is celebrated on July 23rd.


    Three

    Ulysses/Bloomsday Map of Dublin.
    Image Pinterest

    Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressinggown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him on the mild morning air. He held the bowl aloft and intoned:
    Introibo ad altare Dei.

    The opening words of a novel are quoted above. What is this work that chronicles the events of a single day, the 16 June 1904?

    Answer: Ulysses

    Ulysses, a modernist novel by James Joyce, chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners on 16 June 1904. The novel, published in 1922, parallels the Odyssey and explores themes of antisemitism, sexuality, British rule, Catholicism and Irish nationalism. Bloomsday, celebrated annually on 16 June, commemorates the life of Irish writer James Joyce. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the protagonist Ulysses, and the events of the novel take place on this date.
    Odysseus (Roman Ulysses), the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, is the hero of Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. He is known for his cunning and intelligence, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.


    Four

    Pouring liquid mercury (Hg).
    Image Wikipedia


    Quicksilver is connected to this United States human spaceflight programme (1958–1963): Project…

    Answer: (Project) Mercury

    Quicksilver is defined as ‘the liquid metal mercury’.
    Project Mercury, the first US human spaceflight programme, ran from 1958 to 1963. It conducted 26 flights, six with astronauts, and cost $2.76 billion.
    Mercury is a major Roman god, associated with commerce, communication, travellers and thieves. He is the son of Maia and Jupiter, and is often depicted holding the caduceus, a staff with intertwined snakes.


    Five

    Archaeological Museum in Herakleion. Statue of Isis-Persephone holding a sistrum. Temple of the Egyptian gods, Gortyn. Roman period (180-190 C.E.).
    Image Wikipedia

    PRONE SHEEP

    …can be rearranged to give the name of a daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was abducted by Hades and became the queen of the underworld. Who is she?

    Answer: Persephone

    In Greek mythology, Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, became the queen of the underworld after being abducted by her uncle Hades. Her myth symbolises spring and vegetation, representing the eternal cycle of life and death.

  • Ancient Myths continued

    Today, we’ll have a few more questions about ancient Greek and Roman myth, with each answer featuring an ancient mythical figure.

    One

    Image Wikipedia

    What former Royal Air Force aircraft is pictured?

    Two

    Can you name a powerful, trident-wielding merman from SpongeBob SquarePants?

    Three

    Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressinggown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him on the mild morning air. He held the bowl aloft and intoned:
    Introibo ad altare Dei.

    The opening words of a novel are quoted above. What is this work that chronicles the events of a single day, June 16th, 1904?

    Four

    Quicksilver is connected to this United States human spaceflight programme (1958–1963): Project…

    Five

    PRONE SHEEP

    …can be rearranged to give the name of a daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was abducted by Hades and became the queen of the underworld. Who is she?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • I is for… | Answers


    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

    Cliff Richard, 2021.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. Where was singer Cliff Richard born?
      • India—Sir Cliff Richard, a British singer and actor, was born in Lucknow, India where his father worked. He has sold over 250 million records worldwide. Richard dominated the British music scene in the late 1950s to early 1960s with his backing group, the Shadows, and has achieved numerous UK chart successes, including 14 No. 1 singles.
        Central starry pathway is the Milky Way, our home galaxy. The Andromeda galaxy is an elongated fuzzy patch, just right of centre. Photo copyright Mike Taylor of Taylor Photography.
        Image EarthSky
    2. What 13-letter word describes travelling between Earth and Andromeda?
      • Intergalactic—The Earth and the Solar System are situated within the Milky Way galaxy. Andromeda, on the other hand, is a distinct galaxy. Consequently, intergalactic travel would be necessary to traverse between these celestial bodies.
        Marty Feldman as Igor, in Young Frankenstein.
        Image Pinterest
    3. A forename links the following fictional characters: The Soviet spy who featured in the first issue of The Incredible Hulk comic book (1962); a servant played by Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein (1974); and Karkaroff from the Harry Potter series. What forename?
      • Igor—firstly, a Soviet spy who detonated the Gamma Bomb, creating the Hulk. After the Hulk’s first transformation, Igor was captured and imprisoned. Secondly, Marty Feldman was Igor, a hunchbacked servant of Frederick Frankenstein, and grandson of the original Igor who worked with Victor. Finally, in Harry Potter, Igor Karkaroff, Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute, is a former Death Eater who favours Viktor Krum in the Triwizard Tournament. He is later found dead in a shack with the Dark Mark, suggesting he was killed by other Death Eaters.
        Elegantly Wasted
        by INXS
    4. Elegantly Wasted, released in 1997, was what band’s tenth studio album?
      • INXSElegantly Wasted, INXS’s tenth studio album, was released in 1997 and is the final album with lead singer Michael Hutchence. The album was dedicated to the Farriss brothers’ mother, Jill, who died in 1995.
        Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom poster.
        Image The Movie Database
    5. What was the full name of the second Indiana Jones film?
      • Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom—is a 1984 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film follows Indiana Jones as he is asked by desperate villagers to find a mystical stone and rescue their children from a Thuggee cult. The film was a financial success, grossing $333.1 million worldwide, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
  • I is for…

    The alphabet theme continues with some questions where all the answers begin with ‘I’.

    Cliff Richard and The Shadows, 1962.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. Where was singer Cliff Richard born?
    2. What 13-letter word describes travelling between Earth and Andromeda?
    3. A forename links the following fictional characters: The Soviet spy who featured in the first issue of The Incredible Hulk comic book (1962); a servant played by Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein (1974); and Karkaroff from the Harry Potter series. What forename? Igor—firstly, a Soviet spy who detonated the Gamma Bomb, creating the Hulk. After the Hulk’s first transformation, Igor was captured and imprisoned. Marty Feldman was Igor, a hunchbacked servant of Frederick Frankenstein, and grandson of the original Igor who worked with Victor. In Harry Potter, Igor Karkaroff, Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute, is a former Death Eater who favours Viktor Krum in the Triwizard Tournament. He is later found dead in a shack with the Dark Mark, suggesting he was killed by other Death Eaters.
    4. Elegantly Wasted, released in 1997, was what band’s tenth studio album?
    5. What was the full name of the second Indiana Jones film?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • D is for… | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.

    Devils Tower, Wyoming.
    Image US National Parks Service
    1. What is the pictured US National Monument and in what US state is it located?
      • Devils Tower, Wyoming—Devils Tower, a 1,267-foot igneous rock butte in Wyoming, was established as the first US national monument in 1906. Originally named ‘Bear’s House’ by indigenous peoples, it was renamed “Devils Tower” in 1875 and remains unchanged despite proposals to recognise indigenous ties.
        Tenzin Gyatso – 14th Dalai Lama
        Image Wikipedia
    2. The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people is known by what title?
      • Dalai Lama—The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, with the title bestowed upon Sonam Gyatso in 1578. Since the 17th century, the Dalai Lama has symbolised Tibetan unity, serving as both a religious and secular leader. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, lives in exile in India and has advocated for Tibetan autonomy while rejecting calls for independence.
        Dacha in Yekaterinburg, Russia
        Image Wikipedia
    3. What is defined as a ‘country house or cottage in Russia, typically used as a second or holiday home’?
      • Dacha—A dacha is a seasonal or year-round second home, often located in the outskirts of post-Soviet countries. Originating as small country estates gifted by the tsar, dachas have been popular among the Russian upper and middle classes. During the Soviet era, many dachas were state-owned and given to the people, and today, about 62% of Russians visit dachas in the summer.
        Marvin the Paranoid Android.
        Costume used in the TV series, on display at Gunnersbury Park Museum.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. Marvin the Paranoid Android was created by which science fiction writer?
      • Douglas Adams—writer of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy created Marvin as the ship’s robot aboard the Heart of Gold. Marvin is a failed prototype of Sirius Cybernetics Corporation’s GPP technology who, despite his vast intellect, is underutilised, leading to severe depression and boredom.
        David Coulthard.
        Champions for Charity 2022.
        Image Wikipedia
    5. A Scottish driver won 13 Formula One Grands Prix across his 15-season career, which began in 1994. Despite this, he didn’t secure the World Drivers’ Championship, although he came in second place in 2001. Can you identify him?
      • David Coulthard—nicknamed ‘DC’, is a former British Formula One driver who competed from 1994 to 2008. He won 13 Grands Prix, finished second in the Drivers’ Championship in 2001, and retired from Formula One in 2008. After retirement, he became a broadcaster and commentator for Formula One.

  • D is for…

    A few questions where all the answers begin with ‘D’. As you know the starting letter, there are no multiple-choice options.

    Devils Tower, Wyoming.
    Image US National Parks Service
    1. What is the pictured US National Monument, and in which US state is it located?
    2. The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people is known by what title?
    3. What is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as a ‘country house or cottage in Russia, typically used as a second or holiday home’?
    4. Marvin the Paranoid Android was originally created for a radio series by which science fiction writer?
    5. A Scottish driver won 13 Formula One Grands Prix across his 15-season career, which began in 1994. Despite this, he didn’t secure the World Drivers’ Championship, although he came in second place in 2001. Can you identify him?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • C is for… | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.

    1. What word connects the painter of the first image with the content of the second image?
      • Constable—John Constable, artist, is the painter of The Vale of Dedham , pictured, and Police Constable, three of whom are shown in London.
        A 21-foot bronze statue of Shakira erected in 2023 in Barranquilla, Colombia.
        Image Wikipedia
    2. In what country was the singer Shakira born?
      • Colombia—Shakira, a Colombian singer, songwriter, musician, and dancer achieved success in both Spanish- and English-speaking markets. Her early career included songwriting, talent competitions, and acting in a Colombian telenovela before releasing her breakthrough album, Pies descalzos, in 1995.
        Roadrunner
        Image Wikipedia
    3. To which family does the roadrunner belong? (Hint, the answer is one word which features in the title of a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey which was adapted into a 1975 Academy Award winning film of the same name.)
      • Cuckoo—Roadrunners (genus Geococcyx), or chaparral birds, are two species of fast-running ground cuckoos found in the southwestern and south-central United States, Mexico and Central America. They are capable of flight but typically flee predators on the ground, reaching speeds of up to 32 km/h. Ken Kesey’s book and subsequent film were One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
        One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest poster.

    4. Only one of the countries that border Mongolia fits this theme. Can you name it?
      • China—Mongolia, a landlocked country in north-central Asia, is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. It has a continental climate with long, cold winters and short, cool-to-hot summers, featuring a variety of landscapes including steppes, semi-deserts, deserts and mountain ranges.
        Madonna, The Celebration Tour
        Image Wikipedia
    5. The lyric shown below is from a 2009 Madonna single. Which one?

      I guess I just don’t recognise you with your clothes on

      • Celebration—is a dance pop party song by Madonna, released in 2009 as the lead single from her compilation album of the same name. The song received mixed reviews, with some praising its dance nature and others finding it forgettable. It peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 but reached the top spot in several European countries.
  • C is for…

    A few questions where all the answers begin with ‘C’. As you know the starting letter, there are no multiple-choice options.

    1. What word connects the painter of the first image with the content of the second image?
    2. In what country was the singer Shakira born?
    3. To which family does the roadrunner belong? (Hint, the answer is one word which features in the title of a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey, which was adapted into a 1975 Academy Award winning film of the same name.)
    4. Only one of the countries that border Mongolia fits this theme. Can you name it?
    5. The lyric shown below is from a 2009 Madonna single. Which one?

      I guess I just don’t recognise you with your clothes on

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • B is for… | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.

    Bette Davis as Baby Jane Hudson in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
    Image Wikipedia
    1. What two words link these: a Bette Davis role from 1962 film, a 1977 single from Dr Feelgood and a 1983 single by Rod Stewart?
      • Baby Jane—Davis was nomininated for an Academy Award for her performance as the title character in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). Baby Jane, by Dr Feelgood first appeared on Be Seeing You, a Dr. Feelgood album released in 1977 and was later a single. A track with the same name was the lead single from Rod Stewart’s twelfth studio album Body Wishes (1983).
        A bearded Jeremy Paxman.
        Image BBC
    2.  Pogonophobia is an extreme dislike of what?
      • Beards—Pogonophobia, derived from Greek words for “beard” and “fear”, is a fear of beards. The term is often used jokingly, but it has been studied in psychological experiments and has been associated with cultural norms, religious beliefs and societal perceptions. Jeremy Paxman accused the BBC of pogonophobia after facing criticism for presenting Newsnight with a beard.
        Charles Dickens.
        Image Wikipedia
    3. Charles Dickens only wrote one book with a female narrator. What was it?
      • Bleak House—Charles Dickens’s Bleak House, published serially from 1852 to 1853, satirises a long-running legal case, Jarndyce and Jarndyce, inspired by real-life precedents. The novel, set in London, is credited with introducing urban fog to Gothic fiction and helped support judicial reform.
        City of Puno, Peru the largest urban area on Lake Titicaca.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. Two countries share shores on Lake Titicaca, but only one fits the theme of today’s questions. Which country is it?
      • Bolivia—Lake Titicaca, located in the Andes mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru, is the largest lake in South America. It is often called the highest navigable lake in the world, with a surface elevation of 3,812 metres. The lake consists of two sub-basins, Lago Grande and Wiñaymarka, connected by the Strait of Tiquina.
        European beech (Fagus sylvatica)
        Image Wikipedia
    5. The following word origin from the Oxford English Dictionary relates to a natural world name. What is the name that has been removed below?
      • Beech—Beech trees, native to Eurasia and North America, are deciduous trees with 14 accepted species. The European beech, Fagus sylvatica, is commonly cultivated for its timber, used in furniture, flooring, engineering, and brewing.

    – ORIGIN Old English bēce, of Germanic origin; related to Latin fagus ‘beech’, Greek phagos ‘edible oak’.

    – Oxford English Dictionary

  • B is for…

    A few questions where all the answers begin with ‘B’. As you know the starting letter there are no multiple-choice options.

    Amantaní viewed from Taquile on Lake Titicaca.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. What two words link these: a Bette Davis role from 1962 film, a 1977 single from Dr Feelgood and a 1983 single by Rod Stewart?
    2. Pogonophobia is an extreme dislike of what?
    3. Charles Dickens only wrote one book with a female narrator. What was the title?
    4. Two countries share shores on Lake Titicaca, but only one fits the theme of today’s questions. Which country is it?
    5. The following word origin from the Oxford English Dictionary relates to a natural world name. What is the name that has been removed below?

    – ORIGIN Old English bēce, of Germanic origin; related to Latin fagus ‘…’, Greek phagos ‘edible oak’.

    – Oxford English Dictionary

    Good luck! As usual, I will post the answers later today.