1.

Who is the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government?

2.

What is the largest land-locked county in England?

3.

How many different Prime Ministers have been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II?

4.

In which city would you find the Eureka Tower, the Royal Exhibition building and the Docklands Stadium?

5.

Which Shakespeare play inspired an opera by Verdi and orchestral music by Richard Strauss?

6.

In 1979 at the age of 8 Justin Henry was nominated for an Oscar as the best actor in a supporting role.  He is the youngest person to be nominated for an Oscar.  For his performance in which film was he nominated?

7.

Elio Di Rupo is the Prime Minister of which European country?

8.

Of which 1948 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock is this a description: 'Two men murder a friend for the thrill of it and conceal his body in a trunk from which they serve cocktails to a party including his father and girlfriend'?

9.

10.

Which 20th century politician said of himself:  “I was the seventh of nine children and when you come from that far down you have to struggle to survive”?  

11.

Give the next in the following series: Paris, Lyon, Marseille….

12.

Of the ten players to have made the most appearances in the history of the Premier League only one is foreign.  Who is he?

13.

Which 1979 hit begins with the lines: “Don’t start me talking, I could talk I could talk all night;  My mind is sleepwalking when I’m putting the world to rights”?

14.

In chess, which German word describes a position in which a player has to move and, in doing so, can only make his position worse?

15.

Whose 'funnies' played a significant role in the Normandy landings in June 1944?

16.

'Rommel's asparagus' was a system of defensive measures designed to prevent what sort of operations in Normandy in 1944?

17.

In chess, which Italian word describes a manoeuvre in which a knight's pawn is moved forward and the adjacent bishop then developed to the vacated square?

18.

19.

Of the top ten goalscorers in the history of the Premier League only two are foreign.  One is Thierry Henry.  Who is the other?

20.

Give the next in the following series: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich……

21.

22.

Which is the only US group to have had six Number One singles in the UK?

23.

Of which 1943 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock is this a description: 'A favourite uncle comes to visit his family in a small Californian town.  He is in fact a murderer on the run from the police'?

24.

Fredrik Reinfeldt is the Prime Minister of which European country?

25.

In 1981 at the age of 76 Henry Fonda won an Oscar for the best actor in a leading role.  He is the oldest person to win this Oscar.  For his performance in which film did he win the award?

26.

Which Shakespeare play inspired an opera by Bellini and orchestral music by Prokofiev?

27.

In which city would you find the Sky Tower, Westhaven Marina and the North Harbour Stadium?

28.

How many different Poets Laureate have been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II?

29.

What is the largest land-locked county in the Irish Republic?

30.

Who is the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs?

ROUND 2 - Stockport style - Written - Picture Round

Each picture represents either the name or nickname of a symphony - or the title of a number 1 hit of the 70s.  There are 5 of each.  You need to identify:

• the name of the composer, in the case of the symphonies,

• the artist/group who had the number 1 hit.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

ROUND 3 - WithQuiz style - Theme

All the answers start with two consecutive letters of the alphabet

1.

Who won the 1983 European Cup Winners Cup beating Real Madrid in the final?

2.

Which 1973 album was the first to be released on the Virgin label?

3.

In which 1970s film does the prostitute Bree Daniels appear?

4.

The works of which composer include the opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex and the ballet Pulcinella?

(only the surname is needed for the theme)

5.

What is the connection between Joseph Conrad and Alien?

6.

Which group in the Catholic Church was founded in Spain in 1928 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá?

7.

In medieval Italy the Guelphs were supporters of the Pope.  What name was given to their rivals who supported the Holy Roman Emperor?

8.

Which Greek goddess of memory was the mother of the Muses?

Sp.

Which club won the first FA Cup to be held after the 2nd World War?

ROUND 4 - WithQuiz style - Theme

All the answers start with two consecutive letters of a reverse alphabet

1.

Who wrote the novels The Island of Doctor Moreau and Tono-Bungay?

2.

Which blood sucking insect is responsible for spreading the disease Trypanosomiasis?

3.

Fractions such as  3/4 (three over four), where the numerator is smaller than the denominator, are sometimes called common or proper fractions.  By what other name are they known?

4.

Ex boxer Terry Malloy and a priest, Father Barry, are characters in which play and film?

5.

The works of which composer include the opera Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and the ballet The Miraculous Mandarin? (only the surname is needed for the theme)

6.

Which Welsh King was the father of King Arthur?

7.

Who had a number one hit with Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)?

8.

Who starred as the character Valeria in Carry On Screaming?

Sp.

Which punk singer had the real name Marianne Elliott-Said?

ROUND 5 - WithQuiz style - Hidden theme

1.

What is the title of Delacroix’s most famous painting, which commemorates the July Revolution of 1830?

2.

Which James Thomson poem became famous after being set to music in honour of George II in 1740?

3.

Which is the largest of the Isles of Scilly?

4.

After which saint is the capital of Galicia named? (English version of the name required)

5.

What was the emblem of Richard II?

6.

Which tree was supposedly used to make the crown Jesus was forced to wear for the crucifixion?

7.

Which country, which gained full independence from the UK in 1971, was colloquially known as The Pirate Coast from the 18th to the 20th centuries?

8.

What is the Arabic word for 'union' (or alternatively 'together')?

Sp.

Skipton is the chief town of which district of North Yorkshire?

ROUND 6 - WithQuiz style - Hidden theme

1.

Which fruit has the Latin name 'Ananas Comosus'?

2.

According to CAMRA, which is the second most common pub name in England?

3.

Which fictional character is famed for sitting while 'eating a Christmas Pie'?

4.

Which legendary creature had the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle?

5.

What is Elizabeth II’s second Christian name?

6.

What was King George VI’s first Christian name?

7.

Travelling south, which is the penultimate stop on the Altrincham Metrolink line?

8.

Which station, on London’s Piccadilly underground line, lies between Manor House and Wood Green?

1.

What is the title of Ridley Scott’s soon to be released science fiction movie, loosely a prequel to Alien?

2.

Who is the only man to have won the Formula 1 World Championship posthumously?

3.

Who is the author of the Falco novels, featuring a private detective in 1st century Rome?

4.

Ujiji, where Stanley met Livingstone on October 28th, 1871, is on the shores of which African lake?

5.

Which Prime Minister threatened to resign if the King did not give the Royal Assent to the Roman Catholic Relief Act?

6.

According to law 8 of the Laws of Cricket, what height must the top of the stumps be above ground?

7.

What is the name of the cooking utensil consisting of a metal (usually copper) rounded pan with hinged lid, traditionally used for seafood cooking in Portugal?

8.

Merkozy has been replaced by what?

1.

Fauja Singh, from Ilford, Essex, holds the world records for a 100 year old athlete at distances from 100m to the marathon, breaking 8 world records (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, mile, 3000m and 5000m) in a single day. What is his world record 100m time?

2.

How tall, in metres, is the Beetham Tower on Deansgate, Manchester?

3.

According to Swedish researchers, how fast must Santa's reindeer travel to visit every house in the world on Christmas Day? (answer required in miles per second)

1.

Who is the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government?

Eric Pickles

2.

What is the largest land-locked county in England?

Shropshire

3.

How many different Prime Ministers have been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II?

Eleven

(Eden, Macmillan, Douglas-Home, Wilson, Heath, Callaghan, Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown and Cameron)

4.

In which city would you find the Eureka Tower, the Royal Exhibition building and the Docklands Stadium?

Melbourne

5.

Which Shakespeare play inspired an opera by Verdi and orchestral music by Richard Strauss?

Macbeth

6.

In 1979 at the age of 8 Justin Henry was nominated for an Oscar as the best actor in a supporting role.  He is the youngest person to be nominated for an Oscar.  For his performance in which film was he nominated?

Kramer v Kramer

7.

Elio Di Rupo is the Prime Minister of which European country?

Belgium

8.

Of which 1948 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock is this a description: 'Two men murder a friend for the thrill of it and conceal his body in a trunk from which they serve cocktails to a party including his father and girlfriend'?

Rope 

9.

The Spice Girls

10.

Which 20th century politician said of himself:  “I was the seventh of nine children and when you come from that far down you have to struggle to survive”?  

Robert Kennedy

11.

Give the next in the following series: Paris, Lyon, Marseille….

Lille

(Most populous French cities in descending order)

12.

Of the ten players to have made the most appearances in the history of the Premier League only one is foreign.  Who is he?

Mark Schwartzer

(464)

13.

Which 1979 hit begins with the lines: “Don’t start me talking, I could talk I could talk all night;  My mind is sleepwalking when I’m putting the world to rights”?

Oliver's Army

(by Elvis Costello and The Attractions)

14.

In chess, which German word describes a position in which a player has to move and, in doing so, can only make his position worse?

Zugzwang

15.

Whose 'funnies' played a significant role in the Normandy landings in June 1944?

(Major General Sir Percy) Hobart

(they were modified tanks designed for a number of specialist roles)

16.

'Rommel's asparagus' was a system of defensive measures designed to prevent what sort of operations in Normandy in 1944?

Glider-borne landings

(they were wooden poles driven into the ground intended to cause damage to gliders attempting to land – they were largely ineffective)

17.

In chess, which Italian word describes a manoeuvre in which a knight's pawn is moved forward and the adjacent bishop then developed to the vacated square?

Fianchetto

18.

Come on Eileen

(by Dexy's Midnight Runners)

19.

Of the top ten goalscorers in the history of the Premier League only two are foreign.  One is Thierry Henry.  Who is the other?

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank

(127)

20.

Give the next in the following series: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich……

Cologne

(Most populous German cities in descending order)

21.

Winston Churchill

22.

Which is the only US group to have had six Number One singles in the UK?

Blondie

23.

Of which 1943 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock is this a description: 'A favourite uncle comes to visit his family in a small Californian town.  He is in fact a murderer on the run from the police'?

Shadow of a Doubt

24.

Fredrik Reinfeldt is the Prime Minister of which European country?

Sweden

25.

In 1981 at the age of 76 Henry Fonda won an Oscar for the best actor in a leading role.  He is the oldest person to win this Oscar.  For his performance in which film did he win the award?

(In case of any dispute with the wording of this  question Christopher Plummer won an Oscar this year at the age of 82 but his award was for best actor in a supporting role)

26.

Which Shakespeare play inspired an opera by Bellini and orchestral music by Prokofiev?

Romeo and Juliet

27.

In which city would you find the Sky Tower, Westhaven Marina and the North Harbour Stadium?

Auckland

28.

How many different Poets Laureate have been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II?

(Cecil Day-Lewis, John Betjeman, Ted Hughes, Andrew Motion and Carol Ann Duffy) 

29.

What is the largest land-locked county in the Irish Republic?

Tipperary

30.

Who is the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs?

Caroline Spelman

ROUND 2 - Stockport style - Written - Picture Round

Each picture represents either the name or nickname of a symphony - or the title of a number 1 hit of the 70s.  There are 5 of each.  You need to identify:

• the name of the composer, in the case of the symphonies,

• the artist/group who had the number 1 hit.

1.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(The Jupiter symphony, No. 41)

2.

Kenny Rogers

(Lucille Ball)

3.

Sweet

(Blockbuster)

4.

Dmitri Shostakovitch

(The Leningrad symphony, No. 7 – it’s the Hermitage)

5.

Don McLean

(Vincent Kompany)

6.

Abba

(Waterloo – it’s the Waterloo Monument)

7.

Philip Glass

(The Low symphony – it’s a depression or low)

8.

Typically Tropical

(Barbados)

9.

Joseph Haydn

(The Clock symphony, No. 101)

10.

Gustav Mahler

(The Symphony of a Thousand, No. 8)

ROUND 3 - WithQuiz style - Theme

All the answers start with two consecutive letters of the alphabet

1.

Who won the 1983 European Cup Winners Cup beating Real Madrid in the final?

Aberdeen

2.

Which 1973 album was the first to be released on the Virgin label?

Tubular Bells

3.

In which 1970s film does the prostitute Bree Daniels appear?

Klute

4.

The works of which composer include the opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex and the ballet Pulcinella?

(only the surname is needed for the theme)

Stravinsky

5.

What is the connection between Joseph Conrad and Alien?

Nostromo

(novel by Conrad, spaceship in Alien)

6.

Which group in the Catholic Church was founded in Spain in 1928 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá?

Opus Dei

7.

In medieval Italy the Guelphs were supporters of the Pope.  What name was given to their rivals who supported the Holy Roman Emperor?

Ghibellines

8.

Which Greek goddess of memory was the mother of the Muses?

Mnemosyne

Sp.

Which club won the first FA Cup to be held after the 2nd World War?

Derby County

ROUND 4 - WithQuiz style - Theme

All the answers start with two consecutive letters of a reverse alphabet

1.

Who wrote the novels The Island of Doctor Moreau and Tono-Bungay?

H G Wells

2.

Which blood sucking insect is responsible for spreading the disease Trypanosomiasis?

Tsetse Fly

(Trypanosomiasis is also known as sleeping sickness)

3.

Fractions such as  3/4 (three over four), where the numerator is smaller than the denominator, are sometimes called common or proper fractions.  By what other name are they known?

Vulgar

(fractions)

4.

Ex boxer Terry Malloy and a priest, Father Barry, are characters in which play and film?

On the Waterfront

5.

The works of which composer include the opera Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and the ballet The Miraculous Mandarin? (only the surname is needed for the theme)

Bartok

6.

Which Welsh King was the father of King Arthur?

Uther Pendragon

7.

Who had a number one hit with Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)?

Edison Lighthouse

8.

Who starred as the character Valeria in Carry On Screaming?

Fenella Fielding

Sp.

Which punk singer had the real name Marianne Elliott-Said?

Poly Styrene

1.

What is the title of Delacroix’s most famous painting, which commemorates the July Revolution of 1830?

Liberty Leading The People

2.

Which James Thomson poem became famous after being set to music in honour of George II in 1740?

Rule Britannia

3.

Which is the largest of the Isles of Scilly?

St Mary’s

4.

After which saint is the capital of Galicia named? (English version of the name required)

St James

5.

What was the emblem of Richard II?

A white hart

6.

Which tree was supposedly used to make the crown Jesus was forced to wear for the crucifixion?

Hawthorn

7.

Which country, which gained full independence from the UK in 1971, was colloquially known as The Pirate Coast from the 18th to the 20th centuries?

United Arab Emirates

8.

What is the Arabic word for 'union' (or alternatively 'together')?

Etihad

Sp.

Skipton is the chief town of which district of North Yorkshire?

Craven

Theme: Each answer contains part of the name of a league ground in next season's Premiership

ROUND 6 - WithQuiz style - Hidden theme

1.

Which fruit has the Latin name 'Ananas Comosus'?

Pineapple

2.

According to CAMRA, which is the second most common pub name in England?

Red Lion

(the most popular is 'The Crown')

3.

Which fictional character is famed for sitting while 'eating a Christmas Pie'?

Little Jack Horner

4.

Which legendary creature had the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle?

Griffin

5.

What is Elizabeth II’s second Christian name?

Alexandra

6.

What was King George VI’s first Christian name?

Albert

7.

Travelling south, which is the penultimate stop on the Altrincham Metrolink line?

Navigation Road

8.

Which station, on London’s Piccadilly underground line, lies between Manor House and Wood Green?

Turnpike Lane

Theme: Answers to Questions 1, 3, 5 and 7 contain parts of the name of Stockport Quiz League pub venues and answers to questions 2, 4, 6 and 8 contain parts of the names of pubs that serve as venues in the Withington Quiz League

1.

What is the title of Ridley Scott’s soon to be released science fiction movie, loosely a prequel to Alien?

Prometheus

2.

Who is the only man to have won the Formula 1 World Championship posthumously?

Jochen Rindt

(in 1970)

3.

Who is the author of the Falco novels, featuring a private detective in 1st century Rome?

Lindsay Davies

4.

Ujiji, where Stanley met Livingstone on October 28th, 1871, is on the shores of which African lake?

Lake Tanganyika

5.

Which Prime Minister threatened to resign if the King did not give the Royal Assent to the Roman Catholic Relief Act?

Duke of Wellington

6.

According to law 8 of the Laws of Cricket, what height must the top of the stumps be above ground?

28in or 71.1cm

7.

What is the name of the cooking utensil consisting of a metal (usually copper) rounded pan with hinged lid, traditionally used for seafood cooking in Portugal?

Cataplana

8.

Merkozy has been replaced by what?

Merde

(i.e. Merkel & Hollande)

1.

Fauja Singh, from Ilford, Essex, holds the world records for a 100 year old athlete at distances from 100m to the marathon, breaking 8 world records (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, mile, 3000m and 5000m) in a single day. What is his world record 100m time?

23.40s

2.

How tall, in metres, is the Beetham Tower on Deansgate, Manchester?

168m

3.

According to Swedish researchers, how fast must Santa's reindeer travel to visit every house in the world on Christmas Day? (answer required in miles per second)

3604 miles per second

(5800 km per second)