ROUND 1 - Given theme - Christmas Music

1.

Following the foundation of the UK singles chart in 1952, what was the first official UK Christmas number 1 to feature the word ’Christmas’ in its title and who performed it?

2.

As of December 2012, what was the last UK number 1 single to feature the word ’Christmas’ in its title and what is the precise name of the act who performed it?

3.

Which power pop trio, formed in New York in 1996, entered the UK singles chart at number 36 in December 1997 with their festive ditty entitled I Want An Alien for Christmas?

4.

Which critically acclaimed Swedish synth pop duo, comprising brother and sister Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olaf Dreijer, and perhaps best known for songs such as Heartbeats and We Share Our Mother's Health, released their somewhat creepy seasonal single Christmas Reindeer in 2007?

5.

6.

7.

8.

1.

Which common Mexican sauce is flavoured with chilli peppers and chocolate?

2.

A performance of which Shakespeare play resulted in the Globe theatre burning down as a result of a special effect going horribly wrong?

3.

Which German electronics giant is Europe’s largest electrical engineering company?

4.

Which German surname, shared by Mozart’s wife, the founder of experimental psychology and a Belgian philosopher, derives from the German word for 'weaver'?

5.

What was the original name of the country with a capital at Ougagadougou, which was renamed by Thomas Sankara in 1985? It retains the altered name to the present day.

6.

Which Scottish river joins the Clyde in Glasgow, and lends its name to one of Glasgow's art galleries?

7.

Which residential district in southern Los Angeles was the scene of major riots in August 1965?

8.

The Jacobites sought to restore the heirs of which king to the throne?

Sp.

What would be produced by a chandler?

ROUND 3 - Given theme - Christmas Entertainment

1.

What is the name of the Christmas cartoon character, voiced by Ardal O’Hanlon, who featured in three animated adventures, the first being 2000's Hooves of Fire and the last being 2007’s Close Encounters of the Herd Kind, which were broadcast as part of BBC1's Christmas Day schedule?

2.

Channel 4 are to broadcast the long-awaited sequel to the animated seasonal favourite The Snowman (based on the book by Raymond Briggs) on Christmas Eve, what is its title?

3.

Which of these names did Charles Dickens not consider using before, probably wisely, settling on the name ’Tiny Tim' for the famous character in A Christmas Carol:  Puny Pete, Little Larry, Minute Michael or Small Sam?

4.

In the fantastic (and surprisingly faithful to the novel) Muppet re-telling of A Christmas Carol, which Muppet played the role of the great Charles Dickens himself?

5.

Which Christmas movie tells the story of Jack Skellington, who sets his sights on taking over Christmas by kidnapping Santa and taking over his job?

6.

What is the name of the eponymous elf in the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell?

7.

What is the pseudonym of the American author, whose real name was William Sydney Porter, who wrote The Gift of the Magi, a classic short story about a young married couple struggling to find the money to buy the perfect Christmas gift for one another?

8.

Who wrote the much-loved Christmas poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?

ROUND 4 - Given theme - Hanukkah

1.

A candelabrum is lit daily during the holiday period. What is its name?

2.

For how many days is Hanukkah observed?

3.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt.  In which century did this revolt occur?

4.

Used throughout the festival period, what is the Shumash?

5.

One food traditionally eaten over the holiday period is latkes.  What was their main original ingredient?

6.

Traditionally, children play with a four-sided wooden spinning top inscribed with the phrase 'A great miracle happened there' throughout the festival period. What is it called?

7.

Which American poet wrote Psalm III about Hanukkah, containing the line: ”Let the straight flower bespeak its purpose in straightness - to seek the light"?

8.

In which 90s American sitcom series was there a famous episode about Hanukkah called The One with the Holiday Armadillo?

Sp.

What is Hanukkah also known as the festival of?

ROUND 5 - Given theme - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Before the round starts the QM should remind the players of the gifts for each of the 12 Days of Christmas - each player in turn is to select a gift and then answer a question related to the gift chosen

1.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

What was the name of Alan Partridge’s long-suffering PA in the TV series I'm Alan Partridge?

2.

Two Turtle Doves

Name the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who have appeared in several films and cartoon series?

3.

Three French Hens

In which dark comedy series does Dawn French play a midwife called ]oy Aston?

4.

Four Calling Birds

Which band had a hit with the novelty record The Birdie Song?

5.

Five Gold Rings

What is the name of the 1980 radio series, starring Simon Callow and Maggie Steed, which was a parody of Lord of the Rings and other fantasy novels?

6.

Six Geese-a-Laying

Whose private plane was called the Spruce Goose?         

7.

Seven Swans-a-Swimmimg

Which Hans Christian Anderson tale tells the story of a confused swan?

8.

Eight Maids-a-Milking

Milk was a top 40 hit for which band, fronted by Shirley Manson?

9.

Nine Ladies Dancing

Which film musical features the song Two Ladies?

10.

Ten Lords-a-Leaping

Which band sued George Harrison for plagiarism claiming that his song My Sweet Lord, had stolen the melody from one of their hits?

11.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Which favourite children’s book has a chapter entitled Piper at the Gates of Dawn, which was later used as an album title by Pink Floyd?

12.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Which band, fronted by songwriter Elizabeth Morris, released the single My Heart is A Drummer in 2010?

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

Which American playwright and essayist, born in October 1915, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949?

2.

Which Rowntree’s fruit sweet was launched in 1967, originally with 3 companions, is 7mm in diameter and comes in the flavours lemon, lime, orange, blackcurrant and strawberry?

3.

The word for which item of clothing was originally derived from Persian, literally translating as 'leg garment'?

4.

Which actor, born in May 1949, has appeared in the films Moulin Rouge, Bridget Jones' Diary and as Professor Slughorn in the Harry Potter franchise?

5.

What is the common name for the medical term cutis anserina?

6.

What is considered to be the oldest oilseed crop known to man with its largest producing country being Burma?

7.

Which play by the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is currently premiering at Manchester' s Royal Exchange Theatre?

8.

Which British city is home to the Barber Institute of Fine Art, St. Philip’s Cathedral and the Alexander Stadium?

Sp1

Which British Director won an Academy Award for his directorial debut American Beauty and is married to the actress Kate Winslet?

Sp2

What, according to Oscar Wilde, is "the unique result of a unique temperament"?

ROUND 7 - Given theme - General Christmas Knowledge

1.

Who wrote the poem ln the Bleak Midwinter, which is now regularly heard as a Christmas carol?

2.

What staple of the Christmas dinner table was invented by Thomas J Smith in 1847?

3.

What is the name given to the long thin strands of tinsel which are meant to replicate icicles?

4.

What is traditionally said to be the fate of the person who finds a button or thimble in their slice of Christmas pudding?  

5.

What is the name of the Beatrix Potter tale about a poor man who is commissioned to make a fine outfit for the Mayor’s Christmas Day wedding, while being hindered by his bad tempered cat Simpkin but helped by very industrious mice?

6.

What names are traditionally given to the three wise men, or Magi, although they are not mentioned by name in the bible?

7.

Gabrielle Aplin’s cover of which Frankie Goes To Hollywood song can be heard on this year's Iohn Lewis advert featuring a snowman who goes out of his way to find the perfect gift for his girlfriend?

8.

An advert for which supermarket has generated over 1500 complaints this year after TV viewers complained that it was sexist?

ROUND 8 - Given theme - Constellations

The answer to each question contains either the English of Latin name of a constellation - both are given in the answers

1.

Which beleaguered healthcare company, once the largest provider of care homes in the United Kingdom, closed in 2011?

2.

Which sportsmen competed in red, green, white or blue?

3.

Which Smiths' single, released in 1987, and reaching #13 in the UK charts, was the first single from their last studio album?

4.

Heaviside’s, Hector's, Risso's and Striped are all types of which marine mammal?

5.

Which navigational instrument is used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon?

6.

In Greek mythology, the god Hermes traded which instrument for a herd of Apollo’s cattle?

7.

Which part of a ship can be winged, false, bulbed or bilge?

8.

Who was the first Athenian lawgiver, from whose name we derive a word meaning cruel or unforgiving?

ROUND 1 - Given theme - Christmas Music

1.

Following the foundation of the UK singles chart in 1952, what was the first official UK Christmas number 1 to feature the word ’Christmas’ in its title and who performed it?

Christmas Alphabet by Dickie Valentine

(Christmas number 1 in 1955)

2.

As of December 2012, what was the last UK number 1 single to feature the word ’Christmas’ in its title and what is the precise name of the act who performed it?

Do They Know lt's Christmas by Band Aid 2

(Christmas number 1 in 1989)

3.

Which power pop trio, formed in New York in 1996, entered the UK singles chart at number 36 in December 1997 with their festive ditty entitled I Want An Alien for Christmas?

Fountains of Wayne

4.

Which critically acclaimed Swedish synth pop duo, comprising brother and sister Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olaf Dreijer, and perhaps best known for songs such as Heartbeats and We Share Our Mother's Health, released their somewhat creepy seasonal single Christmas Reindeer in 2007?

The Knife

5.

Kate Bush

6.

The Ramones

7.

White Christmas

8.

]ingle Bells

1.

Which common Mexican sauce is flavoured with chilli peppers and chocolate?

Mole Poblano

(accept Mole)

(Mole - unit of amount of substance)

2.

A performance of which Shakespeare play resulted in the Globe theatre burning down as a result of a special effect going horribly wrong?

Henry VIII

(Henry - unit of inductance)

3.

Which German electronics giant is Europe’s largest electrical engineering company?

Siemens

(Siemens - unit of conductance)

4.

Which German surname, shared by Mozart’s wife, the founder of experimental psychology and a Belgian philosopher, derives from the German word for 'weaver'?

Weber

(Weber - unit of magnetic flux)

5.

What was the original name of the country with a capital at Ougagadougou, which was renamed by Thomas Sankara in 1985? It retains the altered name to the present day.

Upper Volta

(currently Burkina Faso)

(Volt - unit of electrical potential)

6.

Which Scottish river joins the Clyde in Glasgow, and lends its name to one of Glasgow's art galleries?

The Kelvin

(Kelvin - unit of temperature)

7.

Which residential district in southern Los Angeles was the scene of major riots in August 1965?

Watts

(Watt - unit of power) 

8.

The Jacobites sought to restore the heirs of which king to the throne?

James II

(Second - unit of time)

Sp.

What would be produced by a chandler?

Candles

(Candela - unit of luminous intensity) 

ROUND 3 - Given theme - Christmas Entertainment

1.

What is the name of the Christmas cartoon character, voiced by Ardal O’Hanlon, who featured in three animated adventures, the first being 2000's Hooves of Fire and the last being 2007’s Close Encounters of the Herd Kind, which were broadcast as part of BBC1's Christmas Day schedule?

Robbie the Reindeer

2.

Channel 4 are to broadcast the long-awaited sequel to the animated seasonal favourite The Snowman (based on the book by Raymond Briggs) on Christmas Eve, what is its title?

The Snowman and the Snowdog

3.

Which of these names did Charles Dickens not consider using before, probably wisely, settling on the name ’Tiny Tim' for the famous character in A Christmas Carol:  Puny Pete, Little Larry, Minute Michael or Small Sam?

Minute Michael

(a name used for a Tiny Tim-inspired character in the Radio 4 Dickensian spoof, Bleak Expectations)

4.

In the fantastic (and surprisingly faithful to the novel) Muppet re-telling of A Christmas Carol, which Muppet played the role of the great Charles Dickens himself?

Gonzo

5.

Which Christmas movie tells the story of Jack Skellington, who sets his sights on taking over Christmas by kidnapping Santa and taking over his job?

Nightmare Before Christmas 

6.

What is the name of the eponymous elf in the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell?

Buddy

7.

What is the pseudonym of the American author, whose real name was William Sydney Porter, who wrote The Gift of the Magi, a classic short story about a young married couple struggling to find the money to buy the perfect Christmas gift for one another?

O Henry

8.

Who wrote the much-loved Christmas poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?

Clement Clarke Moore

ROUND 4 - Given theme - Hanukkah

1.

A candelabrum is lit daily during the holiday period. What is its name?

Menorah

(accept Hanukiah)

2.

For how many days is Hanukkah observed?

Eight

3.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt.  In which century did this revolt occur?

2nd century BC

4.

Used throughout the festival period, what is the Shumash?

The ninth candle used to light the other candles on the menorah

5.

One food traditionally eaten over the holiday period is latkes.  What was their main original ingredient?

Potato

6.

Traditionally, children play with a four-sided wooden spinning top inscribed with the phrase 'A great miracle happened there' throughout the festival period. What is it called?

Dreidel

7.

Which American poet wrote Psalm III about Hanukkah, containing the line: ”Let the straight flower bespeak its purpose in straightness - to seek the light"?

Allen Ginsberg

8.

In which 90s American sitcom series was there a famous episode about Hanukkah called The One with the Holiday Armadillo?

Friends

Sp.

What is Hanukkah also known as the festival of?

Lights

ROUND 5 - Given theme - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Before the round starts the QM should remind the players of the gifts for each of the 12 Days of Christmas - each player in turn is to select a gift and then answer a question related to the gift chosen

1.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

What was the name of Alan Partridge’s long-suffering PA in the TV series I'm Alan Partridge?

Lynne

(only first name needed)

2.

Two Turtle Doves

Name the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who have appeared in several films and cartoon series?

Leonardo,

Michelangelo,

Raphael,

Donatello

3.

Three French Hens

In which dark comedy series does Dawn French play a midwife called ]oy Aston?

Psychoville 

4.

Four Calling Birds

Which band had a hit with the novelty record The Birdie Song?

The Tweets

5.

Five Gold Rings

What is the name of the 1980 radio series, starring Simon Callow and Maggie Steed, which was a parody of Lord of the Rings and other fantasy novels?

Hordes of the Things

6.

Six Geese-a-Laying

Whose private plane was called the Spruce Goose?         

Howard Hughes

7.

Seven Swans-a-Swimmimg

Which Hans Christian Anderson tale tells the story of a confused swan?

The Ugly Duckling

8.

Eight Maids-a-Milking

Milk was a top 40 hit for which band, fronted by Shirley Manson?

Garbage

9.

Nine Ladies Dancing

Which film musical features the song Two Ladies?

Cabaret

10.

Ten Lords-a-Leaping

Which band sued George Harrison for plagiarism claiming that his song My Sweet Lord, had stolen the melody from one of their hits?

The Chiffons

(the song they claimed he had plagiarised was He’s So Fine)

11.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Which favourite children’s book has a chapter entitled Piper at the Gates of Dawn, which was later used as an album title by Pink Floyd?

Wind in the Willows

12.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Which band, fronted by songwriter Elizabeth Morris, released the single My Heart is A Drummer in 2010?

Allo Darlin'

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

Which American playwright and essayist, born in October 1915, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949?

Arthur Miller

2.

Which Rowntree’s fruit sweet was launched in 1967, originally with 3 companions, is 7mm in diameter and comes in the flavours lemon, lime, orange, blackcurrant and strawberry?

Jelly tots

3.

The word for which item of clothing was originally derived from Persian, literally translating as 'leg garment'?

Pyjamas

4.

Which actor, born in May 1949, has appeared in the films Moulin Rouge, Bridget Jones' Diary and as Professor Slughorn in the Harry Potter franchise?

Jim Broadbent  

5.

What is the common name for the medical term cutis anserina?

Goosebumps

(accept goose pimples)

6.

What is considered to be the oldest oilseed crop known to man with its largest producing country being Burma?

Sesame

7.

Which play by the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is currently premiering at Manchester' s Royal Exchange Theatre?

Rats' Tails

8.

Which British city is home to the Barber Institute of Fine Art, St. Philip’s Cathedral and the Alexander Stadium?

Birmingham

Sp1

Which British Director won an Academy Award for his directorial debut American Beauty and is married to the actress Kate Winslet?

Sam Mendes

Sp2

What, according to Oscar Wilde, is "the unique result of a unique temperament"?

Works of art

(accept art)

ROUND 7 - Given theme - General Christmas Knowledge

1.

Who wrote the poem ln the Bleak Midwinter, which is now regularly heard as a Christmas carol?

Christina Rossetti

2.

What staple of the Christmas dinner table was invented by Thomas J Smith in 1847?

Christmas crackers

3.

What is the name given to the long thin strands of tinsel which are meant to replicate icicles?

Lametta

4.

What is traditionally said to be the fate of the person who finds a button or thimble in their slice of Christmas pudding?  

They will remain unmarried

5.

What is the name of the Beatrix Potter tale about a poor man who is commissioned to make a fine outfit for the Mayor’s Christmas Day wedding, while being hindered by his bad tempered cat Simpkin but helped by very industrious mice?

The Tailor of Gloucester

6.

What names are traditionally given to the three wise men, or Magi, although they are not mentioned by name in the bible?

Gaspar (accept Caspar),

Melchior,

Balthasar  

7.

Gabrielle Aplin’s cover of which Frankie Goes To Hollywood song can be heard on this year's Iohn Lewis advert featuring a snowman who goes out of his way to find the perfect gift for his girlfriend?

The Power of Love

8.

An advert for which supermarket has generated over 1500 complaints this year after TV viewers complained that it was sexist?

Asda

ROUND 8 - Given theme - Constellations

The answer to each question contains either the English of Latin name of a constellation - both are given in the answers

1.

Which beleaguered healthcare company, once the largest provider of care homes in the United Kingdom, closed in 2011?

Southern Cross Healthcare

(Corona Australis)

2.

Which sportsmen competed in red, green, white or blue?

Charioteers

(Auriga)

3.

Which Smiths' single, released in 1987, and reaching #13 in the UK charts, was the first single from their last studio album?

Girlfriend in a Coma

(Coma Berenices)

4.

Heaviside’s, Hector's, Risso's and Striped are all types of which marine mammal?

Dolphin

(Delphinus)

5.

Which navigational instrument is used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon?

Sextant

(Sextans)

6.

In Greek mythology, the god Hermes traded which instrument for a herd of Apollo’s cattle?

The Lyre

(Lyra)

7.

Which part of a ship can be winged, false, bulbed or bilge?

Keel

(Carina)

8.

Who was the first Athenian lawgiver, from whose name we derive a word meaning cruel or unforgiving?

Dracon

(Draco)