BINGO QUIZ

Choose you own question from 1 to 74

1.

Name the man charged by the US government with the thankless task of overseeing Iraq’s transition to democracy.

2.

In April HM the Queen traveled to Paris for a special visit to commemorate something.  What was she helping to commemorate?

3.

Of which English king was it said, during his lifetime: “He never said a foolish thing nor ever did a wise one”?

4.

Two US film icons celebrated their 80th birthdays on the same day in April this year.  Name them both.

5.

The 2004 Summer Olympics will open in Athens later this year.  Which city will host them in 2008?

6.

Name the chairman of the apparently newly revitalised Conservative Party.

7.

Which well known British actor, writer, wit and raconteur passed away in April this year?

8.

What name did astronomers give to the recently discovered small planet orbiting beyond Pluto?

9.

Who was recently named as the richest man in Britain overtaking the long time title holder, the Duke of Westminster?

10.

Name the young lady who is claiming to have kept David Beckham company during those lonely nights in Madrid while Posh was away in London - apparently Posh was mysteriously unaware of this arrangement!!

11.

Leap of Faith is the name of the recently published autobiography of an American lady who married the ruler of a Muslim country.  What is her name?

12.

Which film won the Best Film award at the recent Hollywood Oscars ceremony?

13.

Of which Mediterranean island is Olbia the chief port?

14.

According to the latest news reports, what does the government plan to charge us for the privilege of holding a compulsory identification card?

15.

Of what is aileurophobia the fear?

16.

Which player won the Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon in 2003?

17.

What position is currently held in the French government by Dominique de Villepin?

18.

In his controversial attempt to create an authentic film of Jesus’ passion and death, director Mel Gibson recorded the dialogue in his film The Passion of The Christ in which two ancient languages?

19.

The American author, Paul Theroux, wrote a memoir about a thirty year long friendship with another author entitled Sir Vidia’s Shadow.  Who was the other author he wrote about?

20.

In which African country is Makerere University?

21.

Which British queen came to the throne shortly after she was born, was widowed at eighteen, widowed again at the age of twenty-four and was deserted by her third husband after abandoning her throne?

22.

Name the fiery Italian girlfriend of Sven Goran Eriksson who saw off competition from his fellow Swede, Ulrika Jonsson, and who, according to some satirical comedy shows, is the real manager of the England football team.

23.

Situated in the Baltic Sea, to which country does the island of Bornholm belong?

24.

Of which European country is The Wilhelmus the title of the national anthem?

25.

Which woman tennis player won the Singles title in three of the four tennis grand slam events in 2003 (Wimbledon being the only exception)?

26.

Which sub-atomic particle situated in the nucleus of the atom is the only one not to carry an electric charge?

27.

Name the mother of the late Princess Diana, currently in hospital, who has recently published her autobiography.

28.

What does US President George W Bush uniquely have in common, as a president, with predecessors John Quincy Adams and Benjamin Harrison?

29.

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales which of Chaucer’s characters told the first of the tales?

30.

Aged almost 65 at the time of his accession, who is the oldest monarch to date to succeed to the British throne?

31.

Which common tree, of which there are about 30 separate species, is represented by the genus Ulmus? 

32.

Two hundred years ago this year, in 1804, the first French Republic came to an end.  How?

33.

What is the English translation of the name of the Irish political party, Fianna Fail?

34.

In which year in the 1970s were two general elections held in the UK?

35.

In 1614, the Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Bathory, was imprisoned in her castle for what unusual and shocking crime?

36.

The l8th century play, Candide, was a satire on the writings of the philosopher, Leibnitz, as summed up in Candide’s favourite phrase: “All’s for the best in the best of all possible worlds”.  Who wrote the play?

37.

Which EU country voted against joining the Euro in a referendum held last September?

38.

Who won the Women’s Singles tennis title at Wimbledon in 2003?

39.

Succeeding to the throne at the age of just 10 months, who was the youngest monarch to succeed to the English throne?

40.

What happened for the last time in Britain on August 13th 1964?

41.

Which top 10 single from 1979 made excellent use of narrative half rhymes such as: “And now she's two years older/ and her mother’s with a soldier”

42.

Which revolt was provoked by Captain Queeg?

43.

Which type of structure can be smock, post or tower?

44.

Where do football teams always line up with a 1-2-5-3 formation?

45.

“I can’t believe we’ve just met Mr Bean”.  Which fictional character said this after meeting Tony Blair?

46.

What young animal connects Lord Melbourne, Elia and Kleftiko?

47.

In the 1996 Olympic Games at Atlanta, two countries whose name begins with the letter A won their first ever Olympic medals.  Name either one.

48.

Give a year in the life of the Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen.

49.

The French call it 'un chapeau melon'.  What do the British call it?

50.

Which boyish hero made his first appearance in 1929 in a comic strip published by a French Catholic newspaper in which he helped to save the world from a dastardly Soviet villain ?

51.

The flag of which Australian state features a Union Jack and a black swan in a yellow circle?

52.

What colour was the cover of Monty Python’s Big Red Book?

53.

Who, according to poet John Betjeman, was “furnished and burnished by Aldershot sun”?

54.

If Errol Flynn was Robin Hood in 1938, who was his Maid Marian?

55.

On which London building would you see Eric Gill’s sculpture of Prosper and Ariel ?

56.

One of Britain’s most famous scientists and one of her most famous poets were born in the Cumbrian town of Cockennouth within four years of each other in 1766 and 1770 respectively.  Name both of them.

57.

Name the real life killer recently portrayed in an Oscar winning performance by Charlize Theron in The Monster?

58.

What British word corresponds to what the Americans call a meatwrap?

59.

Ireland’s largest island is Achill Island.  It lies off the coast of which county?

60.

What is the first instrument to be heard in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue?

61.

To whom was US comedienne Joan Rivers referring in the 1980’s when she said: “Just what England needs.  Another Queen who can’t dress”?

62.

Which two teams would be playing in the Nationwide football league if the mascots were 'Berkley the Bluebird' and 'Chaddy the Owl'?

63.

Let’s play Blockbuster!  What 'F' can be an illustration facing the title page of a book or the principal face of a building ?

64.

The Bachelors were the first Irish pop group to top the UK charts.  Who were the next Irish group to achieve similar success?

65.

If a 13th century townsman of Diddesbury got caught in a timewarp and wandered into 21st century Didsbury he would probably notice a lot of changes.  He would however be reassured to find that two things haven’t changed.  Firstly that St Caths are still chugging along in the local quiz league and secondly that Didsbury’s oldest thoroughfare is still there and is still called….what?

66.

Latin is making a timely comeback.  In a recently published dictionary of modern Latin usage, what controversial phenomenon, commonly abbreviated in English, is translated from the Latin phrase 'Res Inexplicata Volens'?

67.

Breath is said to be the world’s shortest play.  Containing no dialogue, it features a baby’s cry, then the death rattle of an old man.  Who was the author?

68.

Who has just published her first novel entitled Sorting out Billy?

69.

Apart from pasta what is the main ingredient of spaghetti alla vougole?

70.

What do Barleywood, Berryfields and Barnsdale all have in common?

71.

What one word can be placed in front of all the following to make valid new words: spit, clock and pint?

72.

The name of which martial art translates into English as 'foot hand way'?

73.

Which computer game was invented in 1985 by Alexei Pajitnov?

74.

BINGO QUIZ

Choose you own question from 1 to 74

1.

Name the man charged by the US government with the thankless task of overseeing Iraq’s transition to democracy.

Paul Bremer

2.

In April HM the Queen traveled to Paris for a special visit to commemorate something.  What was she helping to commemorate?

The 100th Anniversary of The Entente Cordiale

3.

Of which English king was it said, during his lifetime: “He never said a foolish thing nor ever did a wise one”?

Charles II

(who retorted “My actions are my ministers”)

4.

Two US film icons celebrated their 80th birthdays on the same day in April this year.  Name them both.

Doris Day and Marlon Brando

5.

The 2004 Summer Olympics will open in Athens later this year.  Which city will host them in 2008?

Beijing

6.

Name the chairman of the apparently newly revitalised Conservative Party.

Michael Ancram

7.

Which well known British actor, writer, wit and raconteur passed away in April this year?

Peter Ustinov

8.

What name did astronomers give to the recently discovered small planet orbiting beyond Pluto?

Sedna

9.

Who was recently named as the richest man in Britain overtaking the long time title holder, the Duke of Westminster?

Roman Abramovich

(that well known cockney football club owner - who else?)

10.

Name the young lady who is claiming to have kept David Beckham company during those lonely nights in Madrid while Posh was away in London - apparently Posh was mysteriously unaware of this arrangement!!

Rebecca Loos

(aptly named if that’s the direction she’s sending their marriage!)

11.

Leap of Faith is the name of the recently published autobiography of an American lady who married the ruler of a Muslim country.  What is her name?

Queen Noor of Jordan

(fourth wife and widow of the late King Hussein)

12.

Which film won the Best Film award at the recent Hollywood Oscars ceremony?

Return Of The King

13.

Of which Mediterranean island is Olbia the chief port?

Sardinia

14.

According to the latest news reports, what does the government plan to charge us for the privilege of holding a compulsory identification card?

£35

(a bargain I’m sure!!)

15.

Of what is aileurophobia the fear?

Cats

16.

Which player won the Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon in 2003?

Roger Federer

(from Switzerland)

17.

What position is currently held in the French government by Dominique de Villepin?

Minister of Foreign Affairs

(or Foreign Secretary in our parlance - i.e. Jack Straw’s oppo)

18.

In his controversial attempt to create an authentic film of Jesus’ passion and death, director Mel Gibson recorded the dialogue in his film The Passion of The Christ in which two ancient languages?

Latin & Aramaic

19.

The American author, Paul Theroux, wrote a memoir about a thirty year long friendship with another author entitled Sir Vidia’s Shadow.  Who was the other author he wrote about?

V S Naipaul

20.

In which African country is Makerere University?

Uganda

(if you know the answer to Question 19 you should know this one)

21.

Which British queen came to the throne shortly after she was born, was widowed at eighteen, widowed again at the age of twenty-four and was deserted by her third husband after abandoning her throne?

Mary Queen of Scots

(of course!)

22.

Name the fiery Italian girlfriend of Sven Goran Eriksson who saw off competition from his fellow Swede, Ulrika Jonsson, and who, according to some satirical comedy shows, is the real manager of the England football team.

Nancy del’ Oglio

23.

Situated in the Baltic Sea, to which country does the island of Bornholm belong?

Denmark

24.

Of which European country is The Wilhelmus the title of the national anthem?

The Netherlands

(accept Holland)

25.

Which woman tennis player won the Singles title in three of the four tennis grand slam events in 2003 (Wimbledon being the only exception)?

Justin Henin-Hardenne

(yet another one to add to the growing list of famous Belgians!!)

26.

Which sub-atomic particle situated in the nucleus of the atom is the only one not to carry an electric charge?

Neutron

27.

Name the mother of the late Princess Diana, currently in hospital, who has recently published her autobiography.

Frances Shand-Kydd

(the book is entitled Frances)

28.

What does US President George W Bush uniquely have in common, as a president, with predecessors John Quincy Adams and Benjamin Harrison?

Their fathers were US Presidents before them

(John Adams, William Henry Harrison and George Bush senior)

29.

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales which of Chaucer’s characters told the first of the tales?

The Knight

30.

Aged almost 65 at the time of his accession, who is the oldest monarch to date to succeed to the British throne?

William IV

(in 1830 - he reigned until his death seven years later in 1837)

31.

Which common tree, of which there are about 30 separate species, is represented by the genus Ulmus? 

The Elm

32.

Two hundred years ago this year, in 1804, the first French Republic came to an end.  How?

Napoleon Bonaparte abolished the Republic and crowned himself Emperor

(the answer must state that he made himself Emperor)

33.

What is the English translation of the name of the Irish political party, Fianna Fail?

Soldiers of Destiny

34.

In which year in the 1970s were two general elections held in the UK?

1974

(February & October)

35.

In 1614, the Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Bathory, was imprisoned in her castle for what unusual and shocking crime?

Bathing in the blood of murdered peasant girls

(she thought it made her look younger!)

36.

The l8th century play, Candide, was a satire on the writings of the philosopher, Leibnitz, as summed up in Candide’s favourite phrase: “All’s for the best in the best of all possible worlds”.  Who wrote the play?

Voltaire

(of course!)

37.

Which EU country voted against joining the Euro in a referendum held last September?

Sweden

38.

Who won the Women’s Singles tennis title at Wimbledon in 2003?

Serena Williams

(one half of the American tennis sisters)

39.

Succeeding to the throne at the age of just 10 months, who was the youngest monarch to succeed to the English throne?

Henry VI

(in 1422)

40.

What happened for the last time in Britain on August 13th 1964?

Legal executions were held

(there were actually two that day, one in Walton gaol in Liverpool and one in Strangeways prison in Manchester - the death penalty was abolished the following year)

41.

Which top 10 single from 1979 made excellent use of narrative half rhymes such as: “And now she's two years older/ and her mother’s with a soldier”

Up the Junction

(by Squeeze)

42.

Which revolt was provoked by Captain Queeg?

The Caine Mutiny

43.

Which type of structure can be smock, post or tower?

Windmill

44.

Where do football teams always line up with a 1-2-5-3 formation?

In table football

45.

“I can’t believe we’ve just met Mr Bean”.  Which fictional character said this after meeting Tony Blair?

Homer Simpson

46.

What young animal connects Lord Melbourne, Elia and Kleftiko?

Lamb

(William Lamb, pseudonym of Charles Lamb and a Greek dish of baked lamb)

47.

In the 1996 Olympic Games at Atlanta, two countries whose name begins with the letter A won their first ever Olympic medals.  Name either one.

(One of)

Armenia or Azerbaijan

48.

Give a year in the life of the Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen.

1805 to 1875

49.

The French call it 'un chapeau melon'.  What do the British call it?

A bowler hat

50.

Which boyish hero made his first appearance in 1929 in a comic strip published by a French Catholic newspaper in which he helped to save the world from a dastardly Soviet villain ?

Tintin

51.

The flag of which Australian state features a Union Jack and a black swan in a yellow circle?

Western Australia

52.

What colour was the cover of Monty Python’s Big Red Book?

Blue

53.

Who, according to poet John Betjeman, was “furnished and burnished by Aldershot sun”?

Miss Joan Hunter Dunn

54.

If Errol Flynn was Robin Hood in 1938, who was his Maid Marian?

Olivia de Haviland

55.

On which London building would you see Eric Gill’s sculpture of Prosper and Ariel ?

(BBC) Broadcasting House

56.

One of Britain’s most famous scientists and one of her most famous poets were born in the Cumbrian town of Cockennouth within four years of each other in 1766 and 1770 respectively.  Name both of them.

John Dalton & William Wordsworth

57.

Name the real life killer recently portrayed in an Oscar winning performance by Charlize Theron in The Monster?

Aileen Wournos

58.

What British word corresponds to what the Americans call a meatwrap?

A pasty

(cautionary note: if you insist on being given a pasty in the US you will be handed a nipple tassle!!)

59.

Ireland’s largest island is Achill Island.  It lies off the coast of which county?

Mayo

60.

What is the first instrument to be heard in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue?

The Clarinet

61.

To whom was US comedienne Joan Rivers referring in the 1980’s when she said: “Just what England needs.  Another Queen who can’t dress”?

Boy George

62.

Which two teams would be playing in the Nationwide football league if the mascots were 'Berkley the Bluebird' and 'Chaddy the Owl'?

Cardiff City and Oldham Athletic

63.

Let’s play Blockbuster!  What 'F' can be an illustration facing the title page of a book or the principal face of a building ?

Frontispiece

64.

The Bachelors were the first Irish pop group to top the UK charts.  Who were the next Irish group to achieve similar success?

The Boomtown Rats

65.

If a 13th century townsman of Diddesbury got caught in a timewarp and wandered into 21st century Didsbury he would probably notice a lot of changes.  He would however be reassured to find that two things haven’t changed.  Firstly that St Caths are still chugging along in the local quiz league and secondly that Didsbury’s oldest thoroughfare is still there and is still called….what?

Millgate Lane

66.

Latin is making a timely comeback.  In a recently published dictionary of modern Latin usage, what controversial phenomenon, commonly abbreviated in English, is translated from the Latin phrase 'Res Inexplicata Volens'?

Unidentified Flying Objects

(UFOs)

67.

Breath is said to be the world’s shortest play.  Containing no dialogue, it features a baby’s cry, then the death rattle of an old man.  Who was the author?

Samuel Beckett

(so no surprises there!)

68.

Who has just published her first novel entitled Sorting out Billy?

Jo Brand

69.

Apart from pasta what is the main ingredient of spaghetti alla vougole?

Clams

70.

What do Barleywood, Berryfields and Barnsdale all have in common?

All are gardens featured in Gardener’s World

71.

What one word can be placed in front of all the following to make valid new words: spit, clock and pint?

Cuckoo

72.

The name of which martial art translates into English as 'foot hand way'?

Tae Kwan Do

73.

Which computer game was invented in 1985 by Alexei Pajitnov?

Tetris

74.

Which painting, by which artist, was recently sold at Sotheby’s for a sum in the region of £60 million, a new record for a picture being sold at auction?

Boy with a Pipe by Picasso