ROUND 1

1.

What is the island capital of The Maldives?

2.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is Prime Minister of which European country?

3.

Which entrepreneur hopes to develop part of the Aberdeenshire coast in a £500 million plan to build 2 golf courses, a hotel and 950 timeshare flats?

4.

Which iconic Eastern Bloc product is celebrating its 50th birthday?

5.

Why is Doris Salcedo in the news?

6.

With which of the arts do we associate Alvin Haley?     

7.

Where in the world is The Burj Al Arab Hotel where rooms can cost £14,000 per night?

8.

What unenviable record did Bedfordshire Police Force recently achieve?

ROUND 2

1.

Name the photographer who took the Queen’s photograph, which led to the ‘Crowngate’ affair.

2.

Name the photographer who has recently published a book about his times with Frank Sinatra.

3.

Who presents the Culture Show on BBC 2?

4.

Who presents Dragon’s Den on BBC 2?

5.

Who was known as ‘Lady Day’?

6.

Whose albums include Birth of the Cool and Bitches’ Brew?

7.

The film Citizen Kane was loosely based on the life of which newspaper magnate?

8.

On which newspaper did Spiderman’s alter ego, Peter Parker, work?

ROUND 3 - Picture Round - 'There ain't nothing like a Dame'

1.

Name this fashion designer.

2.

Name this biographer who also has a famous husband.

3.

Name this singer.

4.

Name this actress.       

5.

Name this sportswoman.

6.

Name this novelist.

7.

Name this former Manchester headteacher who was sacked in controversial circumstances in August 2006.

8.

Name this woman who was the first female to be appointed to the post she held between 1992 and 1996.

ROUND 4 - Hidden theme - 'He’s started so I’ll finish'

All the answers are connected by a common theme, but there is another link connected to that theme which could help you with the answers in the second half of the round

1.

Which England footballer, born in Gateshead in 1967 and noted for his off-the-field activities, married Sheryl Failes in 1996?          

2.

Which Johann Wyss novel of 1812 centres around the consequences of a wreck of a ship in the East Indies en route to Australia?

3.

Which film actress is this: born Hedwig Eva Maria Kessler in Vienna in 1913, she had six husbands and appeared nude in the 1933 film Ecstasy; she also co-patented a secret communications system used by the United States in its blockade of Cuba in 1962?

4.

Which surname connects a regular presenter of BBC TV’s Songs of Praise, the chairman of a premiership football club, and 12th, 13th and 14th century kings of both Norway and Sweden?

5.

Which current entertainer, who was born in Melbourne in 1934, was the son-in-law of the English writer Sir Stephen Spender?

6.

Founded in 1870 in Amsterdam and subsequently taken over by Heineken in 1968, which was the first Dutch brewery to export cans of beer?  The brewery no longer exists, but its name is still used today by Heineken as a brand of lager.

7.

Which television news presenter turned down an OBE and then made a highly critical 2003 Channel 4 documentary called Secrets of the Honours System?

8.

Who is the current UK ambassador to Mexico?

ROUND 5

1.

And When Did You Last See Your Father? stars Colin Firth in a film based on the memoirs of Blake Morrison. Who plays the part of the father figure?

2.

What is the name of the US security firm currently being pressed for compensation by the Iraqi government after the deaths of civilians in Baghdad last month?

3.

Who is the husband of Yvette Cooper MP, Minister of State for Planning and Housing?

4.

In which German state was Pope Benedict XVI born?

5.

Whose new album is entitled In Rainbows?

6.

Who played the part of Dougal in Father Ted?

7.

What is the title of the new film which documents the career of Ian Curtis of Joy Division? 

8.

Who is assistant to Dennis Wise as manager of Leeds United?

ROUND 6 - 'Mathematical'

All the answers contain something mathematical 

1.

Name Martin Scorcese’s first feature film of 1973 which had characters Charlie and Johnny Boy. 

2.

The current film Closer shares its name with the title of an album of which band (released in 1980)?

3.

What was the name of the 2002 Booker prize winning novel, featuring a boy and a tiger, which is the biggest selling ever Booker prize winner?

4.

Which novel featured the character Gradgrind?

5.

Who was Henry VIII’s first minister who fell from power because of the delays to the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon?

6.

Name the long-running TV game show that was hosted by Gordon Burns.

7.

What was Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase in the film Toy Story?

8.

What is the name of Cherie Booth’s legal chambers, which she co-founded?

ROUND 7 - 'The Al-Bert Picture Round'

Identify these famous people - all have first names of either Al or Bert (or Burt)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

1.

Which renowned French philosopher, a founding father of green politics and friend of Jean-Paul Satre, committed suicide with his wife on September 22nd 2007 at the age of 84?

2.

Which stretch of Essex coastline is soon to be returned to salt marshes after 500 years of cultivation, under an RSPB scheme?

3.

What is the highest mountain in Europe?

4.

Off which country’s coast is the first commercial wavefarm (for producing electricity) about to be installed?

5.

What is the 6th and final novel in Anthony Trollope’s series The Chronicles of Barsetshire?

6.

Who, fictionally, was Michael Henchard?

7.

Which 1960’s rock band’s albums include Surrealistic Pillow, After Bathing at Baxter’s and Crown of Creation?

8.

Which 1960’s rock band took its name from a book by Aldous Huxley, who in turn took it from a poem by William Blake?

1.

According to a recent survey, what percentage of 10-15 year olds have had their mobile phones stolen? (+ or - 2%)

2.

Which member of the royal family was born on August 15th 1950?

3.

Kieran Fallon, currently facing charges of race-fixing, won the recent Arc de Triomphe race.  How many times has he been champion jockey?

4.

Which England cricketer wears the Number 5 shirt in one day internationals?

5.

Name the two actors who played the lead characters in the The Streets of San Francisco.

6.

Which actors starred in the TV series Starsky and Hutch?

7.

Who wrote about the pipe-smoking detective Maigret?

8.

Name the author who first wrote about detective Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep.

9.

Amateur sleuth Brother Cadfael was a 12th century Welsh monk.  Who played him in the TV series?

10.

Which fat detective did William Conrad play in the TV series of the same name?

11.

What is the name of the San Franciscan private eye in Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon?

12.

Barry Foster played which Amsterdam-based detective in the TV series of the same name?

ROUND 1

1.

What is the island capital of The Maldives?

Male

2.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is Prime Minister of which European country?

Turkey

3.

Which entrepreneur hopes to develop part of the Aberdeenshire coast in a £500 million plan to build 2 golf courses, a hotel and 950 timeshare flats?

Donald Trump

4.

Which iconic Eastern Bloc product is celebrating its 50th birthday?

Trabant

(motor car)

5.

Why is Doris Salcedo in the news?

She is the artist responsible for the crack in the floor of Tate Modern

6.

With which of the arts do we associate Alvin Haley?     

(Contemporary) Dance

7.

Where in the world is The Burj Al Arab Hotel where rooms can cost £14,000 per night?

Dubai

8.

What unenviable record did Bedfordshire Police Force recently achieve?

It scored just one point on the Government’s recent assessment of Police Forces

(out of a possible 21 -  accept answers saying it had the lowest national rating)

ROUND 2

1.

Name the photographer who took the Queen’s photograph, which led to the ‘Crowngate’ affair.

Annie Leibovitz

2.

Name the photographer who has recently published a book about his times with Frank Sinatra.

Terry O’Neil

3.

Who presents the Culture Show on BBC 2?

Lauren Laverne

4.

Who presents Dragon’s Den on BBC 2?

Evan Davies

5.

Who was known as ‘Lady Day’?

Billie Holiday

6.

Whose albums include Birth of the Cool and Bitches’ Brew?

Miles Davis

7.

The film Citizen Kane was loosely based on the life of which newspaper magnate?

William Randolph Hearst

8.

On which newspaper did Spiderman’s alter ego, Peter Parker, work?

The Daily Bugle  

ROUND 3 - Picture Round - 'There ain't nothing like a Dame'

1.

Name this fashion designer.

Dame Vivienne Westwood

2.

Name this biographer who also has a famous husband.

Dame Norma Major

3.

Name this singer.

Dame Shirley Bassey

4.

Name this actress.       

Dame Diana Rigg

5.

Name this sportswoman.

Dame Ellen Mcarthur

6.

Name this novelist.

Dame Beryl Bainbridge

7.

Name this former Manchester headteacher who was sacked in controversial circumstances in August 2006.

Dame Jean Else

(former Head of Whalley Range High School)

8.

Name this woman who was the first female to be appointed to the post she held between 1992 and 1996.

Dame Stella Rimington

ROUND 4 - Hidden theme - 'He’s started so I’ll finish'

All the answers are connected by a common theme, but there is another link connected to that theme which could help you with the answers in the second half of the round

1.

Which England footballer, born in Gateshead in 1967 and noted for his off-the-field activities, married Sheryl Failes in 1996?          

Paul Gascoigne

2.

Which Johann Wyss novel of 1812 centres around the consequences of a wreck of a ship in the East Indies en route to Australia?

Swiss Family Robinson

3.

Which film actress is this: born Hedwig Eva Maria Kessler in Vienna in 1913, she had six husbands and appeared nude in the 1933 film Ecstasy; she also co-patented a secret communications system used by the United States in its blockade of Cuba in 1962?

Hedy Lamarr

4.

Which surname connects a regular presenter of BBC TV’s Songs of Praise, the chairman of a premiership football club, and 12th, 13th and 14th century kings of both Norway and Sweden?

Magnusson

5.

Which current entertainer, who was born in Melbourne in 1934, was the son-in-law of the English writer Sir Stephen Spender?

Barry Humphries

6.

Founded in 1870 in Amsterdam and subsequently taken over by Heineken in 1968, which was the first Dutch brewery to export cans of beer?  The brewery no longer exists, but its name is still used today by Heineken as a brand of lager.

Amstel

7.

Which television news presenter turned down an OBE and then made a highly critical 2003 Channel 4 documentary called Secrets of the Honours System?

Jon Snow

8.

Who is the current UK ambassador to Mexico?

(Giles) Paxman

(only the surname needed)

ROUND 5

1

And When Did You Last See Your Father? stars Colin Firth in a film based on the memoirs of Blake Morrison. Who plays the part of the father figure?

Jim Broadbent

2.

What is the name of the US security firm currently being pressed for compensation by the Iraqi government after the deaths of civilians in Baghdad last month?

Blackwater

3.

Who is the husband of Yvette Cooper MP, Minister of State for Planning and Housing?

Ed Balls MP

4.

In which German state was Pope Benedict XVI born?

Bavaria

5.

Whose new album is entitled In Rainbows?

Radiohead

6.

Who played the part of Dougal in Father Ted?

Ardal O’Hanlon

7.

What is the title of the new film which documents the career of Ian Curtis of Joy Division? 

Control

8.

Who is assistant to Dennis Wise as manager of Leeds United?

Gustavo Poyet

ROUND 6 - 'Mathematical'

All the answers contain something mathematical 

1

Name Martin Scorcese’s first feature film of 1973 which had characters Charlie and Johnny Boy. 

Mean Streets

2.

The current film Closer shares its name with the title of an album of which band (released in 1980)?

Joy Division

3.

What was the name of the 2002 Booker prize winning novel, featuring a boy and a tiger, which is the biggest selling ever Booker prize winner?

Life of Pi

4.

Which novel featured the character Gradgrind?

Hard Times

5.

Who was Henry VIII’s first minister who fell from power because of the delays to the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon?

Cardinal Wolsey

6.

Name the long-running TV game show that was hosted by Gordon Burns.

The Krypton Factor

7.

What was Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase in the film Toy Story?

“To Infinity and Beyond”

8.

What is the name of Cherie Booth’s legal chambers, which she co-founded?

Matrix

ROUND 7 - 'The Al-Bert Picture Round'

Identify these famous people - all have first names of either Al or Bert (or Burt)

1.

Al Martino

2.

Burt Bacharach

3.

Burt Ward

4.

Al Murray

5.

Al Capone

6.

Bert Kwouk

(note to QM: be generous in allowing variations on this surname)

7.

Bert Trautmann

8.

Al Jolson

1.

Which renowned French philosopher, a founding father of green politics and friend of Jean-Paul Satre, committed suicide with his wife on September 22nd 2007 at the age of 84?

André Gorz

2.

Which stretch of Essex coastline is soon to be returned to salt marshes after 500 years of cultivation, under an RSPB scheme?

Wallasea Island

3.

What is the highest mountain in Europe?

Mount Elbrus

(Caucasus mountains – 18,510 feet)

4.

Off which country’s coast is the first commercial wavefarm (for producing electricity) about to be installed?

Portugal

5.

What is the 6th and final novel in Anthony Trollope’s series The Chronicles of Barsetshire?

The Last Chronicle of Barset

6.

Who, fictionally, was Michael Henchard?

The Mayor of Casterbridge

7.

Which 1960’s rock band’s albums include Surrealistic Pillow, After Bathing at Baxter’s and Crown of Creation?

Jefferson Airplane

8.

Which 1960’s rock band took its name from a book by Aldous Huxley, who in turn took it from a poem by William Blake?

The Doors

(Doors of Perception)

1.

According to a recent survey, what percentage of 10-15 year olds have had their mobile phones stolen? (+ or - 2%)

9%

2.

Which member of the royal family was born on August 15th 1950?

Princess Royal

3.

Kieran Fallon, currently facing charges of race-fixing, won the recent Arc de Triomphe race.  How many times has he been champion jockey?

6

4.

Which England cricketer wears the Number 5 shirt in one day internationals?

Paul Collingwood

5.

Name the two actors who played the lead characters in the The Streets of San Francisco.

Karl Malden & Michael Douglas

6.

Which actors starred in the TV series Starsky and Hutch?

Paul Michael Glazer & David Soul

7.

Who wrote about the pipe-smoking detective Maigret?

George Simenon

8.

Name the author who first wrote about detective Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep.

Raymond Chandler

9.

Amateur sleuth Brother Cadfael was a 12th century Welsh monk.  Who played him in the TV series?

Derek Jacobi

10.

Which fat detective did William Conrad play in the TV series of the same name?

Cannon

11.

What is the name of the San Franciscan private eye in Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon?

Sam Spade

12.

Barry Foster played which Amsterdam-based detective in the TV series of the same name?

Van der Valk

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