ROUND 1 - Pot pourri

1.

When was Shakespeare born? (exact year)

2.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

3.

What was the word’s first commercial jet airliner?

4.

With which sport do you associate Gillian Gilks?

5.

How high is the highest board in competition diving?

6.

Which ex US Politician’s name is an anagram of 'Grow a penis'?

7.

Alphabetically what is the last county in England?

8.

Bright’s disease affects which organs of the body?

ROUND 2 - Music Round

All the answers contain something to do with the weather

1.

Name the 1984 hit by one-hit wonders, The Weather Girls, which was re-released in 2001 by someone more famous and featured in the film Bridget Jones’ Diary.

2.

Give the name of the 1971 album, the title track of which was released as a single in 1990 by the original band but this time with a rather more famous front man, not generally recognised as a singer.

3.

What’s the title of Radiohead’s latest album?

4.

Name the 2005 Brit Award nominated rock band whose latest album is Final Straw.

5.

Give the name of a piece by Errol Garner that featured in the title of a 1971 film about a radio DJ.

6.

Name the title of a 1943 musical film named after a song by Harold Arlen, sung by Lena Horne, and later by many jazz singers such as Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald.

7.

Name the late 70s/early 80s group that had hits with September, Boogie Wonderland and After the Love has Gone.

8.

Name the group that released the number one hit Telstar in 1962.

Somewhere in each of the answers, you can find the surname of a current world leader.

1.

Which singer had a UK number one single with  Living La Vida Loca in 1999?

2.

Which entertainer has a website devoted to his memory called Titter Ye Not?

3.

Which former English international footballer was nicknamed ‘Sniffer’?

4.

What was the birth name of the author George Orwell?

5.

In legend, which half-sister of King Arthur, who is often depicted as his adversary, was one of the women who aided Arthur when he was wounded and put him in a barge to be healed?

6.

Which entertainment personality was a judge on the TV show The X Factor along with Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell?

7.

How is the plant Buddleia otherwise known?

8.

In the cartoon strip Peanuts which character idolised Beethoven and was usually seen playing a grand piano?

ROUND 4 - 'Thank Heaven for little girls'

The answers to this round contain, in order, the top eight names given to newborn girls in the UK in 2004

1.

Which US poet was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830?

2.

Aaron Southworth was the fictional father of which regular character in the TV series Dallas?

3.

The 1980s films Music Box, Country and Sweet Dreams all provided Oscar nominations for which actress?

4.

In 2000, who, along with Murray Harkin, set up the PR agency R-JH Public Relations?           

5.

At almost an hour long, which ballet composed by Maurice Ravel was based on a Mikael Fokine adaptation of a romance by the third century Greek writer Longus?

6.

Which first name is shared by the wives of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski?

7.

Which singer’s first UK hit single was If Not For You in 1971?

8.

Who was the queen consort of King George III who married him in 1761?

ROUND 5 - 'The Baker's Round'

 All answers relate to bakers, bakeries or patisseries

1.

Name a character played by Spike Milligan in The Goons.

2.

In the grounds of what palace were the kings of Scotland traditionally crowned?

3.

What was the popular nickname of John Graham of Claverhouse, victorious Jacobite commander at the battle of Killiekrankie in 1689?

4.

Of what are all the following types: Cat’s eye, Swirl, Cloud and Slag?

5.

This type of lace is made by sewing tape into patterns, then filling in the gaps with fancy stitches.  Sometimes known as ‘renaissance lace’ but more commonly known by the town of its origin.  What is it?

6.

This poisonous fungus (Latin name Daldinia concentrica), which can be seen in the UK all year round, is sometimes known as crampballs, but the more common popular name links its appearance with a legendary royal mistake.  What is its common name?

7.

Of what are all of the following types: Stinking Bishop, Cotherstone, Wellington, Sussex Slipcote?

8.

Whose brief biography is this?

Born 1475 - died 1525 - impostor who was first said to be Richard, Duke of York (younger son of Edward IV) and then Edward, Earl of Warwick (nephew of Edward IV) - crowned Edward VI in Dublin, Ireland, prompting Henry VII to parade the real Earl of Warwick through the streets of London - his troops were defeated by Henry VII’s at the Battle of Stoke – later worked in Henry VII’s kitchens.  (only the surname is needed.)

ROUND 6 -  'For and against the demon drink'

The theme in this round should be obvious

1.

What organisation was founded in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon, whose names are not recorded on the organisation’s website?

2.

Which jazz group had hits in the 60’s with Home in Pasadena and You, You’re Driving Me Crazy?

3.

What is the main alcoholic ingredient of a Pina Colada?

4.

What is the main alcoholic ingredient of a Margarita?

5.

What gemstone’s name comes from the Greek for 'not drunk'?

6.

Which amendment of the US Constitution prohibited 'intoxicating liquors'?

7.

Which character said: “To alcohol!  The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems!”

8.

From which country does this saying come: “In beer there is strength.  In wine there is wisdom.  In water there is bacteria”?

ROUND 7 - Picture Round

All the pictures contain someone called David. Give the surname

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

1.

Which band won Best Rock Album at this week’s Grammys?

2.

In which family did the father, mother, daughter and son-in-law all win Nobel prizes?

3.

Whose first book was called Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less?

4.

In TV’s Happy Days what was The Fonz’s full name?

5.

Which sea is misnamed and is really the world’s largest lake?

6.

Which 4 British cities have hosted the Commonwealth Games? 

7.

Which part of a man’s body enlarges 8 times in size when he sees someone (or something, maybe) that he finds attractive?

8.

The Telephone Exchange which used to service Wythenshawe, and the areas around it, was called Mercury.  Why?

1.

Who said: “I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered”?

2.

Who is the milkman in Ambridge?

3.

'Chaji' is the Japanese name for what?

4.

What was the spin off from TV’s Are You Being Served? called?          

5.

Which European country did the Romans call Lusitania?

6.

In the Star Wars films, which actor provided the voice of Darth Vader?

ROUND 1 - Pot pourri

1.

When was Shakespeare born? (exact year)

1564

2.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

37

3.

What was the word’s first commercial jet airliner?

(de Haviland) Comet

(accept just Comet)

4.

With which sport do you associate Gillian Gilks?

Badminton

5.

How high is the highest board in competition diving?

10 metres

6.

Which ex US Politician’s name is an anagram of 'Grow a penis'?

Spiro Agnew

7.

Alphabetically what is the last county in England?

Worcestershire

(there is no such county as Yorkshire)

8.

Bright’s disease affects which organs of the body?

Kidneys

ROUND 2 - Music Round

All the answers contain something to do with the weather

1.

Name the 1984 hit by one-hit wonders, The Weather Girls, which was re-released in 2001 by someone more famous and featured in the film Bridget Jones’ Diary.

It’s Raining Men

(Geri Halliwell)

2.

Give the name of the 1971 album, the title track of which was released as a single in 1990 by the original band but this time with a rather more famous front man, not generally recognised as a singer.

Fog on the Tyne

(Gazza and Lindisfarne)

3.

What’s the title of Radiohead’s latest album?

Hail to the Thief

4.

Name the 2005 Brit Award nominated rock band whose latest album is Final Straw.

Snow Patrol

5.

Give the name of a piece by Errol Garner that featured in the title of a 1971 film about a radio DJ.

Misty

(Play Misty for Me starring Clint Eastwood)

6.

Name the title of a 1943 musical film named after a song by Harold Arlen, sung by Lena Horne, and later by many jazz singers such as Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald.

Stormy Weather

7.

Name the late 70s/early 80s group that had hits with September, Boogie Wonderland and After the Love has Gone.

Earth Wind and Fire

8.

Name the group that released the number one hit Telstar in 1962.

The Tornadoes

ROUND 3 - 'Who’s the boss?'

Somewhere in each of the answers, you can find the surname of a current world leader.

1.

Which singer had a UK number one single with  Living La Vida Loca in 1999?

Ricky Martin

(Martin - Canadian leader)

2.

Which entertainer has a website devoted to his memory called Titter Ye Not?

Frankie Howerd

(Howerd - Australian leader)

3.

Which former English international footballer was nicknamed ‘Sniffer’?

Allan Clarke

(Clarke - New Zealand leader)

4.

What was the birth name of the author George Orwell?

Eric Blair

(Blair - UK leader)

5.

In legend, which half-sister of King Arthur, who is often depicted as his adversary, was one of the women who aided Arthur when he was wounded and put him in a barge to be healed?

Morgan Le Fay

(Morgan - Welsh leader)

6.

Which entertainment personality was a judge on the TV show The X Factor along with Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell?

Sharon Osbourne

(Sharon - Israeli leader)

7.

How is the plant Buddleia otherwise known?

Butterfly Bush

(Bush - USA leader)

8.

In the cartoon strip Peanuts which character idolised Beethoven and was usually seen playing a grand piano?

Schroeder

(Schroeder - German leader)

ROUND 4 - 'Thank Heaven for little girls'

The answers to this round contain, in order, the top eight names given to newborn girls in the UK in 2004

1.

Which US poet was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830?

Emily Dickinson

2.

Aaron Southworth was the fictional father of which regular character in the TV series Dallas?

Miss Ellie

3.

The 1980s films Music Box, Country and Sweet Dreams all provided Oscar nominations for which actress?

Jessica Lange

4.

In 2000, who, along with Murray Harkin, set up the PR agency R-JH Public Relations?           

Sophie Rhys-Jones

5.

At almost an hour long, which ballet composed by Maurice Ravel was based on a Mikael Fokine adaptation of a romance by the third century Greek writer Longus?

Daphnis et Chloe

6.

Which first name is shared by the wives of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski?

Lucy

7.

Which singer’s first UK hit single was If Not For You in 1971?

Olivia Newton John

8.

Who was the queen consort of King George III who married him in 1761?

Queen Charlotte

 All answers relate to bakers, bakeries or patisseries

1

Name a character played by Spike Milligan in The Goons.

Eccles

2.

In the grounds of what palace were the kings of Scotland traditionally crowned?

Scone Palace

(pronounced ‘skoon’)

3.

What was the popular nickname of John Graham of Claverhouse, victorious Jacobite commander at the battle of Killiekrankie in 1689?

Bonnie Dundee

4.

Of what are all the following types: Cat’s eye, Swirl, Cloud and Slag?

Marbles

5.

This type of lace is made by sewing tape into patterns, then filling in the gaps with fancy stitches.  Sometimes known as ‘renaissance lace’ but more commonly known by the town of its origin.  What is it?

Battenberg lace

6.

This poisonous fungus (Latin name Daldinia concentrica), which can be seen in the UK all year round, is sometimes known as crampballs, but the more common popular name links its appearance with a legendary royal mistake.  What is its common name?

King Alfred’s Cakes

7.

Of what are all of the following types: Stinking Bishop, Cotherstone, Wellington, Sussex Slipcote?

Cheese

8.

Whose brief biography is this?

Born 1475 - died 1525 - impostor who was first said to be Richard, Duke of York (younger son of Edward IV) and then Edward, Earl of Warwick (nephew of Edward IV) - crowned Edward VI in Dublin, Ireland, prompting Henry VII to parade the real Earl of Warwick through the streets of London - his troops were defeated by Henry VII’s at the Battle of Stoke – later worked in Henry VII’s kitchens.  (only the surname is needed.)

Lambert Simnel

ROUND 6 - 'For and against the demon drink'

The theme in this round should be obvious

1

What organisation was founded in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon, whose names are not recorded on the organisation’s website?

Alcoholics Anonymous

2.

Which jazz group had hits in the 60’s with Home in Pasadena and You, You’re Driving Me Crazy?

The Temperance Seven

3.

What is the main alcoholic ingredient of a Pina Colada?

Rum

4.

What is the main alcoholic ingredient of a Margarita?

Tequila

5.

What gemstone’s name comes from the Greek for 'not drunk'?

Amethyst

6.

Which amendment of the US Constitution prohibited 'intoxicating liquors'?

The 18th amendment

7.

Which character said: “To alcohol!  The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems!”

Homer Simpson

8.

From which country does this saying come: “In beer there is strength.  In wine there is wisdom.  In water there is bacteria”?

Germany

ROUND 7 - Picture Round

All the pictures contain someone called David. Give the surname

1.

Schwimmer

(Actor - Friends)

2.

Duchovny

(Actor - X-Files)

3.

Carradine

(Actor – Kung-Fu)

4.

Bailey

(Photographer)

5.

Davis

(Tory politician)

6.

Miliband

(Labour politician)

7.

Hume

(Philosopher)

8.

Livingstone

(Explorer)

1.

Which band won Best Rock Album at this week’s Grammys?

Green Day

(for American Idiot)

2.

In which family did the father, mother, daughter and son-in-law all win Nobel prizes?

The Curies

3.

Whose first book was called Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less?

Jeffrey Archer

4.

In TV’s Happy Days what was The Fonz’s full name?

Arthur Fonzarelli

5.

Which sea is misnamed and is really the world’s largest lake?

The Caspian Sea

6.

Which 4 British cities have hosted the Commonwealth Games? 

London, Edinburgh, Cardiff & Manchester

7.

Which part of a man’s body enlarges 8 times in size when he sees someone (or something, maybe) that he finds attractive?

The pupils of his eyes

8.

The Telephone Exchange which used to service Wythenshawe, and the areas around it, was called Mercury.  Why?

Because it was located at Heald Green, and Hg is the chemical symbol for Mercury

1.

Who said: “I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered”?

George Best

2.

Who is the milkman in Ambridge?

Mike Tucker 

3.

'Chaji' is the Japanese name for what?

The Tea ceremony

4.

What was the spin off from TV’s Are You Being Served? called?          

Grace & Favour

5.

Which European country did the Romans call Lusitania?

Portugal

6.

In the Star Wars films, which actor provided the voice of Darth Vader?

James Earl Jones

Go back to Spare questions without answers