ROUND 1 - Christmas theme (part 1)

1.

What links Paul Young, Kylie Minogue and Chris Martin?

2.

Which country donates a Christmas tree to Britain each year to recognize the help given to it in World War II?

3.

What is the name of the character played by Graham Norton in the TV show Father Ted?

4.

Where is it always winter but never Christmas?

5.

Which actress starred in The Piano, Broadcast News and Miss Firecracker?

6.

Of which country is Recep Tayyip Erdogan the Prime Minister?

7.

Name the 3 kings who visited Jesus at the time of his birth.

8.

In which 1999 film is Dr Christmas Jones a leading character?

ROUND 2

1.

Which country has the capital Oranjestad?

2.

Which country has the capital Willemstad?

3.

What is unique about Stott Hall Farm?

4.

What was the name of the woman at the centre of the recent BBC ‘Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand’ scandal?

5.

Which are the only two US states which cast their Electoral College votes strictly in proportion to the number of votes cast for each party?

6.

Danish architect Joerm Utzon died recently.  What was he best known for designing?

7.

Which author created DCI Barnaby?

8.

Which fictional detective does Sergeant Hathaway assist?

ROUND 3

1.

Hong Kong tycoon Stanley Ho recently paid $200,000 for a kilogram of what?

2.

Why has Sharon Shoesmith been in the news recently?

3.

Black Ice was a 2008 album released by which band?

4.

Chinese Democracy was a 2008 album released by which band?

5.

Who coached the Welsh Rugby team to their stunning victory over Australia in November 2008?

6.

Who captained the English Rugby team in their disappointing 32 - 6 defeat by New Zealand in November 2008?

7.

Which author published the novel The Ghost in 2007?

8.

P D James published another Adam Dalgliesh novel in 2008.  What is its title?

ROUND 4 - Christmas theme (part 2)

1.

Which of Santa's other 8 reindeer was the father of Rudolph the red-nosed one?

2.

In Dickens’ Christmas Carol, how many children did Bob Cratchit have?

3.

In which country does Joulupukki, the Yul Goat, bring the presents?

4.

Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st, originated from where?

5.

In what decade did John Calcott Horsley invent and design the first Christmas card?

6.

In what decade were the first electric Christmas lights used?

7.

In the 1930s, the Addis Brush Company produced the first artificial Christmas trees, using the same machinery that made what?

8.

Similar to the tradition of putting out cookies and milk out for Santa, the children in Sweden try to please the Swedish Santa, Tomte, by leaving out what?

ROUND 5 - 'Who said? - Christmas Quotes

1.

Who said: "I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six.  Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph"?

2.

Who said: "Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? No, you know... the birth of Santa."?

3.

Who said: "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."?

4.

Who wrote:

"At Christmas I no more desire a rose,

than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows;

But like of each thing that in season grows."?

5.

Who wrote:

"And is it true?  And is it true?

This most tremendous tale of all

Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,

A Baby in an in ox's stall,

The Maker of the stars and sea

Became a Child on earth for me”?

6.

Who wrote:

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day,

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat,

Of peace on Earth, good will to men!"?

7.

Who wrote the lines:

"And in our world of plenty

We can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

At Christmastime."?

8.

Who wrote:

"Forget about the crackers,

And forget about the candy;

I'm sure a box of chocolates

Would never come in handy;

I don't like oranges,

I don't want nuts,

And I HAVE got a pocket-knife

That almost cuts.

But, oh! Father Christmas, if you love me at all,

Bring me a big, red india-rubber ball!"?

ROUND 6 - Themed Links

1.

What word links the founder of Pennsylvania, a device to pump up footballs and a quiz team?

2.

What word links a medal, an East African lake and a quiz team?

3.

What word links Shakespeare, Sibelius and a Quiz venue?

4.

What word links a theatre, a walk (phonetically) and a quiz venue?

5.

What word links a politician, Brentford and a quiz venue?

6.

What word links Kurt Weill, terrorists and a quiz venue?

7.

What word links a notional average, a famous daughter of Kendal and a quiz venue?

8.

What word links Haile Selasse, Henry II and a quiz venue?

ROUND 7 - Themed - 'In the News'

1.

What was unusual about the semi final of Strictly Come Dancing this year 2008?

2.

Who was the winner of this year’s X Factor?

3.

Who wrote the Wallender series of books recently televised by the BBC?

4.

Who played Kurt Wallender in the BBC television series?

5.

Which star of Last of the Summer Wine died on Sunday 14th December?

6.

Why has Edward Bennett been in the news recently?

7.

What is Jill Pay's claim to fame?

8.

Why was Peer Steinbruck recently in the news?

ROUND 8

1.

“Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song” is a quotation from a poem by whom?

2.

“There's a breathless hush in the close tonight....” is a quotation from a poem by whom?

3.

What is the name of the mark used by a proof-reader to show where to insert something?

4.

What name is given to the revolving spiked disc on a spur?

5.

In which children's TV series would you have seen Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Fred Jones and Norbert Rogers?

6.

Name the four human members of Enid Blyton's Famous Five.  (first names only required).

7.

What was the name of the ship that was the only British presence in the Falklands prior to the invasion?

8.

Name the submarine, which sank the General Belgrano in the Falklands War.

Spares

1.

Howard Kirk was professor of Sociology at Watermouth University in which novel?

2.

In 1208, Pope Innocent III, started a Crusade against which heretical sect?

3.

Which treaty ended the Opium Wars and ceded Hong Kong to Britain in 1842?

4.

In January 2008, the last deep coal mine in Wales closed.  What was its name?

5.

November 11th is which Saint's Day?

6.

In literature, who was the weaver of Raveloe?

7.

Ellas Otha Bates died, aged 79, on June 3rd 2008.  His stage name was Black slang for 'nothing at all'.  How was he better known?

8.

In Shakespeare's play, whose mother is called Sycorax?

ROUND 1 - Christmas theme (part 1)

1.

What links Paul Young, Kylie Minogue and Chris Martin?

They all sang the first line of the song Do They Know It's Christmas on the 3 versions that have been made

2.

Which country donates a Christmas tree to Britain each year to recognize the help given to it in World War II?

Norway

3.

What is the name of the character played by Graham Norton in the TV show Father Ted?

Father Noel Furlong

4.

Where is it always winter but never Christmas?

Narnia

5.

Which actress starred in The Piano, Broadcast News and Miss Firecracker?

Holly Hunter

6.

Of which country is Recep Tayyip Erdogan the Prime Minister?

Turkey

7.

Name the 3 kings who visited Jesus at the time of his birth.

Balthasar, Caspar and Melchior

8.

In which 1999 film is Dr Christmas Jones a leading character?

The World is Not Enough

ROUND 2

1.

Which country has the capital Oranjestad?

Aruba

2.

Which country has the capital Willemstad?

Curacao

3.

What is unique about Stott Hall Farm?

It is between the East and West bound lanes of the M62 motorway

4.

What was the name of the woman at the centre of the recent BBC ‘Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand’ scandal?

Georgina Baillie

5.

Which are the only two US states which cast their Electoral College votes strictly in proportion to the number of votes cast for each party?

Nebraska and Maine

6.

Danish architect Joerm Utzon died recently.  What was he best known for designing?

Sydney Opera House

7.

Which author created DCI Barnaby?

Caroline Graham

(in the Midsomer Murder novels)

8.

Which fictional detective does Sergeant Hathaway assist?

Lewis

(in the spin off from the Inspector Morse TV series)

ROUND 3

1.

Hong Kong tycoon Stanley Ho recently paid $200,000 for a kilogram of what?

Truffles

2.

Why has Sharon Shoesmith been in the news recently?

She was the director of children's services at Haringey Council who was moved to another position following the tragic death of ‘Baby P’

3.

Black Ice was a 2008 album released by which band?

AC/DC

4.

Chinese Democracy was a 2008 album released by which band?

Guns N’ Roses

5.

Who coached the Welsh Rugby team to their stunning victory over Australia in November 2008?

Warren Gatland

6.

Who captained the English Rugby team in their disappointing 32 - 6 defeat by New Zealand in November 2008?

Steve Borthwick

7.

Which author published the novel The Ghost in 2007?

Robert Harris

8.

P D James published another Adam Dalgliesh novel in 2008.  What is its title?

The Private Patient

ROUND 4 - Christmas theme (part 2)

1.

Which of Santa's other 8 reindeer was the father of Rudolph the red-nosed one?

Donner

2.

In Dickens’ Christmas Carol, how many children did Bob Cratchit have?

6

3.

In which country does Joulupukki, the Yul Goat, bring the presents?

Finland

4.

Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st, originated from where?

USA

5.

In what decade did John Calcott Horsley invent and design the first Christmas card?

1840s (1843)

6.

In what decade were the first electric Christmas lights used?

1880s (1882)

7.

In the 1930s, the Addis Brush Company produced the first artificial Christmas trees, using the same machinery that made what?

Toilet Brushes

8.

Similar to the tradition of putting out cookies and milk out for Santa, the children in Sweden try to please the Swedish Santa, Tomte, by leaving out what?

A bowl of rice pudding

ROUND 5 - 'Who said? - Christmas Quotes

1

Who said: "I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six.  Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph"?

Shirley Temple

2.

Who said: "Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? No, you know... the birth of Santa."?

Bart Simpson

3.

Who said: "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."?

Ebeneezer Scrooge

(from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol)

4.

Who wrote:

"At Christmas I no more desire a rose,

than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows;

But like of each thing that in season grows."?

Shakespeare

(Biron in Loves Labours Lost)

5.

Who wrote:

"And is it true?  And is it true?

This most tremendous tale of all

Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,

A Baby in an in ox's stall,

The Maker of the stars and sea

Became a Child on earth for me”?

Sir John Betjeman

6.

Who wrote:

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day,

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat,

Of peace on Earth, good will to men!"?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

7.

Who wrote the lines:

"And in our world of plenty

We can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

At Christmastime."?

Bob Geldof and Midge Ure

(in the song Do They Know It's Christmas)

8.

Who wrote:

"Forget about the crackers,

And forget about the candy;

I'm sure a box of chocolates

Would never come in handy;

I don't like oranges,

I don't want nuts,

And I HAVE got a pocket-knife

That almost cuts.

But, oh! Father Christmas, if you love me at all,

Bring me a big, red india-rubber ball!"?

A A Milne

(in King John's Christmas)

ROUND 6 - Themed Links

1

What word links the founder of Pennsylvania, a device to pump up footballs and a quiz team?

Friend

(William Penn, a Quaker; a friend is a valve for attaching to a pump; Snoopy's)

2.

What word links a medal, an East African lake and a quiz team?

Albert

3.

What word links Shakespeare, Sibelius and a Quiz venue?

Swan

(Swan of Avon; Swan of Tuonela; the White Swan a.k.a. The Stadium of Murk)

4.

What word links a theatre, a walk (phonetically) and a quiz venue?

Gate

(Gate Theatre; gait; The Gateway)

5.

What word links a politician, Brentford and a quiz venue?

Griffin

(Nick Griffin; Griffin Park; The Griffin)

6.

What word links Kurt Weill, terrorists and a quiz venue?

September

(September Song; Black September; Sun in September)

7.

What word links a notional average, a famous daughter of Kendal and a quiz venue?

Par

(par; Katherine Parr; Parrswood Hotel)

8.

What word links Haile Selasse, Henry II and a quiz venue?

Lion

(….of Judah; ….in Winter; Red Lion)

ROUND 7 - Themed - 'In the News'

1.

What was unusual about the semi final of Strictly Come Dancing this year 2008?

There was a tie for first place so all three couples went through without a dance off

2.

Who was the winner of this year’s X Factor?

Alexandra Burke

3.

Who wrote the Wallender series of books recently televised by the BBC?

Henning Mankell

4.

Who played Kurt Wallender in the BBC television series?

Kenneth Branagh

5.

Which star of Last of the Summer Wine died on Sunday 14th December?

Kathy Staff

6.

Why has Edward Bennett been in the news recently?

David Tennant's understudy who took over the role of Hamlet when Tennant hurt his back

7.

What is Jill Pay's claim to fame?

She is The Sergeant at Arms in the House of Commons

(who is taking the blame for allowing the police to search Damian Green’s office)

8.

Why was Peer Steinbruck recently in the news?

He is the German Finance Minister who described the recent UK VAT reduction as "Crass Keynesianism"

(accept any answer which indicates he has been critical of recent British financial policies)

ROUND 8

1.

“Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song” is a quotation from a poem by whom?

Edmund Spenser

2.

“There's a breathless hush in the close tonight....” is a quotation from a poem by whom?

Henry Newbolt

3.

What is the name of the mark used by a proof-reader to show where to insert something?

Caret

4.

What name is given to the revolving spiked disc on a spur?

Rowel

5.

In which children's TV series would you have seen Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Fred Jones and Norbert Rogers?

Scooby Doo

6.

Name the four human members of Enid Blyton's Famous Five.  (first names only required).

Julian, Dick, Anne, George (a.k.a. Georgina)

(Timmy the dog is the fifth)

7.

What was the name of the ship that was the only British presence in the Falklands prior to the invasion?

Endurance

8.

Name the submarine, which sank the General Belgrano in the Falklands War.

HMS Conqueror

1.

Howard Kirk was professor of Sociology at Watermouth University in which novel?

History Man

(by Malcolm Bradbury)

2.

In 1208, Pope Innocent III, started a Crusade against which heretical sect?

Cathars

(accept Albigensians or Bon Chretiens)

3.

Which treaty ended the Opium Wars and ceded Hong Kong to Britain in 1842?

Treaty of Nanking

4.

In January 2008, the last deep coal mine in Wales closed.  What was its name?

Tower Colliery

5.

November 11th is which Saint's Day?

St Martin

(Martinmas)

6.

In literature, who was the weaver of Raveloe?

Silas Marner

7.

Ellas Otha Bates died, aged 79, on June 3rd 2008.  His stage name was Black slang for 'nothing at all'.  How was he better known?

Bo Diddley

8.

In Shakespeare's play, whose mother is called Sycorax?

Caliban

(from The Tempest)

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