ROUND 1 - 'The First Cut is the Deepest'

1.

The first in modern Britain took place in Woking in March 1885.  430,000 took place in Britain in 2014.  What are they?

2.

The first in Britain took place in Harrow in 1899.  1,792 took place in Britain in 2016.  What are they?

3.

Whose first symphony is nicknamed 'The Titan'?

4.

Whose first symphony is nicknamed 'The Classical'?

5.

In December 2000 which country became the first to legalise same-sex marriage?

6.

In August 2013 which country became the first to recognise Bitcoin for legal and tax purposes?

7.

In which biblical city were the followers of Jesus first referred to as Christians?

8.

In Greek mythology what is the name of the primeval state from which the first gods appeared?

Sp1

In a 1970 Watney Cup match between Manchester United and Hull City Denis Law became the first player in

English football to do what?

Sp2

Who is the first priest mentioned in the Bible?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme - 'Something worth watching'

There are sound-alikes and some of the theme words may form part of longer words

1.

This group of seven bright stars, including Alioth, Alkaid and Mizar is prominent in the northern hemisphere sky. By what name is it called in the USA?

2.

Which 1969 film has Jack Nicholson saying: "I think I’ll order kidneys, ‘cause I left mine out there on the road somewhere."?

3.

This fast-moving sport originated in the USA in the 1930s but subsequently degenerated into a scripted form of sports entertainment, much like professional wrestling.  More recently, there has been a revival as a competitive, amateur sport, played mostly by teams of women.  The World Cup was held in Manchester last month.  What is it?

4.

Which National League football club, who played in the Football League for five seasons in the early 2000s, are nicknamed 'The Carpetmen'?

5.

The Blackpool born actor, John Mahoney, died last month.  He is probably best known for his role in a long running TV series between 1993 and 2004.  What was the name of the character he played in this series?

6.

Which 1970s ITV sitcom set in 1970s Manchester starred Diane Keen and David Roper as a newlywed couple who take in a lodger?

7.

He played for Kent between 1964 and 1975 and for England between 1967 and 1981.  He took 250 catches for England but his international career ended when he joined a rebel tour to South Africa.  One of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1970, who was he?

8.

The entry fees from which nearby attraction once enabled Betws-y-Coed to have the lowest rates in the country?

Sp1

What links an egghead, a character in a 1970s British sitcom, another character in a long running US political drama and a writer of historical crime fiction?

Sp2

Which impressionist, who has worked on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers, was the first woman to win Celebrity Mastermind?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - 'The Question Round'

Each answer contains two words starting with consecutive letters of the alphabet - the word 'the' is missing from one answer

1.

Which battle is the subject of the Clint Eastwood film Flags of Our Fathers?

2.

Inspector Javert is a character in which 19^th Century novel?

3.

The most famous role for Lee Majors was in the Six Million Dollar Man.  In which TV series did he play a stunt man called Colt Seavers?

4.

Which composer’s works include the opera Pelléas et Mélisande and the ballet Jeux?

5.

Which cartoonist created the character Andy Capp?

6.

Which battle of 1815 was the subject of a 1959 hit for Lonnie Donnegan?

7.

Whose plays include Brand and Ghosts?

8.

Which team has won the NBA championship on the most occasions?

Sp1

Cayenne is the capital of which country?

Sp2

Which Asian city’s name translates as 'muddy confluence'?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - 'Two for the Price of.....Two'

Each answer is the name of two famous people with the same surname but different first names, for example Siegfried and Vidal Sassoon.  Therefore first names and surnames of both people are required for a correct answer.  Soundalikes are involved in that surnames may have different spellings but the same pronunciation.

1.

A) The scorer of the winning goal in famous FA Cup final upset

B) New Zealand born, Durham based international cricketer

2.

B) London born actress, Oscar nominated for Good Will Hunting

3.

A) On being told of his death Dorothy Parker allegedly remarked “How can they tell?”

B) Singer/songwriter and 'Delta Lady' who found the time to build a Grammy Award winning career while having romances with Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Kris Kristofferson (amongst others!)

4.

A) Three time Premier League Golden Boot winner

B) Classically trained dancer who later became a film star and a one time Eurovision Song Contest presenter

5.

A) Second World War RAF ace and subsequently long term POW in Colditz

B) Munich born founder member of the RAF who died in a supposed suicide pact in 1977

6.

A) Academy Award winner in a Woody Allen film (and also three time Golden Raspberry nominee)

B) Three time Golden Globe winner whose films have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide - also, pleasingly, a three time Golden Raspberry winner

7.

A) Home economist who taught Britain how to cook using rationed food during World War II

B) Current Chancellor of Oxford University and former Chair of the BBC Trust

8.

A) Founder of a major American film studio in 1919

B) Footballer transferred in 2017 for the largest fee in history for a British player in his position

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - "I Wonder What He Meant by That?"

....as Talleyrand supposedly said of the death of the Turkish ambassador, or Metternich said of the death of Talleyrand.

So what was being said or meant in the following?

1.

What useful euphemism did Winston Churchill first use during the 1906 election campaign and again shortly after in Parliament when speaking about slavery in Transvaal?

2.

It was the 'prize' in the Great Game which lasted from 1830 to 1895 and has been the subject of countless bloody disputes since.  What is it?

3.

Who was described as “The wisest fool in Christendom”?

4.

According to Talleyrand (him again!) who had “learned nothing and forgotten nothing.”?

5.

What is meant by the term 'zugzwang'?

6.

Aside from being the name of a former Manchester City footballer and the nickname of the US 7^th cavalry, what in terms of ball games is a 'Garryowen'?

7.

Which British business’s motto translated from Latin as 'All things, for all people, everywhere'?

8.

Which British university’s motto translates from the Latin as 'Knowledge is the adornment and safeguard of the Empire'?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'The Backwards Alphabet Round'

All the answers have two words starting with consecutive letters of the alphabet but in reverse order - the word 'the' is missing from some answers

1.

Who is the missing actress from this list of the original Charlie’s Angels: Farrah Fawcett Majors, Jaclyn Smith and …?

2.

France and Argentina are the most recent winners of which sporting trophy?

3.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight? and Circle of Life are songs from which musical?

4.

Katharina von Bora, a former nun, was married to which famous German?

5.

Which German World War One fighter pilot was the 3^rd and final commander of (Richtofen’s) Flying Circus?

6.

Which French composer’s most famous work is his Requiem in D Minor first performed in 1888?

7.

Which nickname was popularised in the 1920s by John J Fitzgerald, a sportswriter for the New York Morning telegraph?

8.

Which character in a children’s book was played on film by Peter Ostrum in 1971 and by Freddie Highmore in a 2005 film directed by Tim Burton?

Sp1

For what does 'T S'  stand for in the name T S Eliot?

Sp2

Mr Yunioshi is a Japanese character in a 1958 novella by Truman Capote.  Who is the main female character in the same book

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

In which novel of 1874 is the hero reduced to working as an agricultural labourer for the heroine after his flock of sheep are driven over a cliff?

2.

In which novel of 1908 is the heroine caught by the hero, with whom she eventually falls in love, when she faints after witnessing a murder?

3.

What is the name of the mixture of thyme and/or oregano, sesame seeds, sumac and salt which is widely used in Middle Eastern cookery?  It is also the name of a herb of the oregano family.

4.

Which small citrus fruit, popular in Japan and Korea, is an essential ingredient of ponzu sauce?

5.

Which Roman emperor was victorious at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, arguably one of the most crucial events in European history, in 312 AD?

6.

He was born in what is now Croatia and became Roman emperor in 284 AD.  In 304 AD he retired to his palace at Spalatum and its ruins form the heart of modern day Split.  Who was he?

7.

Wroxham, Barton, Hoveton Great and Ranworth are all examples of what geographical features of largely human origin?

8.

By what name are Harrison Stickle, Pike o’ Stickle and Pavey Ark collectively known?

Sp1

The college on the road of the same name in Whalley Range has had a variety of owners and names.  It was originally an independent congregational college but in the late 20th century became a training centre for trade unionists run by the GMB.  What is its current function?

Sp2

Which footballer scored on his debut in each of the Europa League, Premier League, Champions League and League Cup as well as on his international debut?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - 'This Could Be the Last Time'

1.

In 1747 Simon Fraser, the 11^th Lord Lovat, was the last person in Britain to what?

2.

What last took place in Britain in Fishguard in 1797?

3.

In the Shakespeare play who is the last character to die before Hamlet?

4.

In the Shakespeare play who is the last character executed by Richard III, as well as being the last character to die before Richard himself?

5.

The last lines of which 1957 film are these: 

“Hey what’s your name?
Davis.
My name’s McCardle.
Well so long.
So long.”

6.

The last lines of which 1968 film are these:

“You finally really did it.  You maniacs.  You blew it up.  God damn you!  God damn you all to hell!”

7.

What was the last battle of the English Civil War?

8.

What was the last battle of the American War of Independence?

Sp1

Eugene Cernan, who died in January 2017, was the last person to do what?

Sp2

Who was the last British film director to win the Oscar for best director?

Sp3

What was the last song to be recorded by the Beatles before they split up (perhaps surprisingly it was a George Harrison song)?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - 'The First Cut is the Deepest'

1.

The first in modern Britain took place in Woking in March 1885.  430,000 took place in Britain in 2014.  What are they?

2.

The first in Britain took place in Harrow in 1899.  1,792 took place in Britain in 2016.  What are they?

Fatal car accidents

3.

Whose first symphony is nicknamed 'The Titan'?

Mahler

4.

Whose first symphony is nicknamed 'The Classical'?

Prokofiev

5.

In December 2000 which country became the first to legalise same-sex marriage?

The Netherlands

6.

In August 2013 which country became the first to recognise Bitcoin for legal and tax purposes?

Germany

7.

In which biblical city were the followers of Jesus first referred to as Christians?

Antioch

8.

In Greek mythology what is the name of the primeval state from which the first gods appeared?

Chaos

Sp1

In a 1970 Watney Cup match between Manchester United and Hull City Denis Law became the first player in

English football to do what?

Miss a penalty in a penalty shoot-out

Sp2

Who is the first priest mentioned in the Bible?

Melchizedek

(in the Book of Genesis Chapter 14)

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme - 'Something worth watching'

There are sound-alikes and some of the theme words may form part of longer words

1.

This group of seven bright stars, including Alioth, Alkaid and Mizar is prominent in the northern hemisphere sky. By what name is it called in the USA?

The Big Dipper

2.

Which 1969 film has Jack Nicholson saying: "I think I’ll order kidneys, ‘cause I left mine out there on the road somewhere."?

Easy Rider

3.

This fast-moving sport originated in the USA in the 1930s but subsequently degenerated into a scripted form of sports entertainment, much like professional wrestling.  More recently, there has been a revival as a competitive, amateur sport, played mostly by teams of women.  The World Cup was held in Manchester last month.  What is it?

Roller derby

4.

Which National League football club, who played in the Football League for five seasons in the early 2000s, are nicknamed 'The Carpetmen'?

Kidderminster Harriers

5.

The Blackpool born actor, John Mahoney, died last month.  He is probably best known for his role in a long running TV series between 1993 and 2004.  What was the name of the character he played in this series?

Martin Crane

(in Frazier)

6.

Which 1970s ITV sitcom set in 1970s Manchester starred Diane Keen and David Roper as a newlywed couple who take in a lodger?

The Cuckoo Waltz

7.

He played for Kent between 1964 and 1975 and for England between 1967 and 1981.  He took 250 catches for England but his international career ended when he joined a rebel tour to South Africa.  One of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1970, who was he?

Alan Knott

8.

The entry fees from which nearby attraction once enabled Betws-y-Coed to have the lowest rates in the country?

Swallow Falls

Sp1

What links an egghead, a character in a 1970s British sitcom, another character in a long running US political drama and a writer of historical crime fiction?

C J

(C J de Mooi, Reginald Perrins’ boss, C J Clegg in The West Wing and C J Sansom)

Sp2

Which impressionist, who has worked on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers, was the first woman to win Celebrity Mastermind?

Jan Ravens

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a type of bird....

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - 'The Question Round'

Each answer contains two words starting with consecutive letters of the alphabet - the word 'the' is missing from one answer

1.

Which battle is the subject of the Clint Eastwood film Flags of Our Fathers?

Iwo Jima

2.

Inspector Javert is a character in which 19^th Century novel?

Les Miserables

3.

The most famous role for Lee Majors was in the Six Million Dollar Man.  In which TV series did he play a stunt man called Colt Seavers?

Fall Guy

4.

Which composer’s works include the opera Pelléas et Mélisande and the ballet Jeux?

Claude Debussy

5.

Which cartoonist created the character Andy Capp?

Reg Smythe

6.

Which battle of 1815 was the subject of a 1959 hit for Lonnie Donnegan?

New Orleans

7.

Whose plays include Brand and Ghosts?

Henrik Ibsen

8.

Which team has won the NBA championship on the most occasions?

Boston Celtics

Sp1

Cayenne is the capital of which country?

French Guiana

Sp2

Which Asian city’s name translates as 'muddy confluence'?

Kuala Lumpur

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 -  'Two for the Price of.....Two'

Each answer is the name of two famous people with the same surname but different first names, for example Siegfried and Vidal Sassoon.  Therefore first names and surnames of both people are required for a correct answer.  Soundalikes are involved in that surnames may have different spellings but the same pronunciation.

1.

A) The scorer of the winning goal in famous FA Cup final upset

B) New Zealand born, Durham based international cricketer

Bobby and Ben Stokes

2.

B) London born actress, Oscar nominated for Good Will Hunting

Elizabeth (Betty) and Minnie Driver

3.

A) On being told of his death Dorothy Parker allegedly remarked “How can they tell?”

B) Singer/songwriter and 'Delta Lady' who found the time to build a Grammy Award winning career while having romances with Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Kris Kristofferson (amongst others!)

Calvin and Rita Coolidge

4.

A) Three time Premier League Golden Boot winner

B) Classically trained dancer who later became a film star and a one time Eurovision Song Contest presenter

Alan and Moira Shearer

5.

A) Second World War RAF ace and subsequently long term POW in Colditz

B) Munich born founder member of the RAF who died in a supposed suicide pact in 1977

Douglas Bader and Andreas Baader

(the 'RAF' in Baader's case was the Red Army Faction)

6.

A) Academy Award winner in a Woody Allen film (and also three time Golden Raspberry nominee)

B) Three time Golden Globe winner whose films have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide - also, pleasingly, a three time Golden Raspberry winner

Penelope Cruz and Tom Cruise

7.

A) Home economist who taught Britain how to cook using rationed food during World War II

B) Current Chancellor of Oxford University and former Chair of the BBC Trust

Marguerite and Chris Patten

8.

A) Founder of a major American film studio in 1919

B) Footballer transferred in 2017 for the largest fee in history for a British player in his position

Mary and Jordan Pickford

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - "I Wonder What He Meant by That?"

....as Talleyrand supposedly said of the death of the Turkish ambassador, or Metternich said of the death of Talleyrand.

So what was being said or meant in the following?

1.

What useful euphemism did Winston Churchill first use during the 1906 election campaign and again shortly after in Parliament when speaking about slavery in Transvaal?

"Terminological inexactitude"

2.

It was the 'prize' in the Great Game which lasted from 1830 to 1895 and has been the subject of countless bloody disputes since.  What is it?

Afghanistan

The Great Game being the struggle between Britain and Russia to control Afghanistan and therefore access to India

3.

Who was described as “The wisest fool in Christendom”?

James I

(and VI for those wishing to acknowledge Scottish propriety)

4.

According to Talleyrand (him again!) who had “learned nothing and forgotten nothing.”?

The restored French Bourbon dynasty following the abdication of Napoleon

5.

What is meant by the term 'zugzwang'?

A situation in chess or other games where a player is compelled to move but any move made will only worsen their position

6.

Aside from being the name of a former Manchester City footballer and the nickname of the US 7^th cavalry, what in terms of ball games is a 'Garryowen'?

A high kick downfield intended to remain in the air long enough for the kicker's team mates to gather under the ball and collect it on its descent

(What Eddie Waring always described as an “up and under”.  It’s employed in Rugby, American football and Aussie Rules amongst others)

7.

Which British business’s motto translated from Latin as 'All things, for all people, everywhere'?

Harrods

('Omnia Omnibus Ubique')

8.

Which British university’s motto translates from the Latin as 'Knowledge is the adornment and safeguard of the Empire'?

Imperial College, London

('Scientia imperii decus et tutamen')

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'The Backwards Alphabet Round'

All the answers have two words starting with consecutive letters of the alphabet but in reverse order - the word 'the' is missing from some answers

1.

Who is the missing actress from this list of the original Charlie’s Angels: Farrah Fawcett Majors, Jaclyn Smith and …?

Kate Jackson

2.

France and Argentina are the most recent winners of which sporting trophy?

Davis Cup

3.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight? and Circle of Life are songs from which musical?

Lion King

4.

Katharina von Bora, a former nun, was married to which famous German?

Martin Luther

5.

Which German World War One fighter pilot was the 3^rd and final commander of (Richtofen’s) Flying Circus?

Hermann Göring

6.

Which French composer’s most famous work is his Requiem in D Minor first performed in 1888?

Gabriel Fauré

7.

Which nickname was popularised in the 1920s by John J Fitzgerald, a sportswriter for the New York Morning telegraph?

Big Apple

8.

Which character in a children’s book was played on film by Peter Ostrum in 1971 and by Freddie Highmore in a 2005 film directed by Tim Burton?

Charlie Bucket

(Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

Sp1

For what does 'T S'  stand for in the name T S Eliot?

Thomas Stearns

Sp2

Mr Yunioshi is a Japanese character in a 1958 novella by Truman Capote.  Who is the main female character in the same book

Holly Golightly

(Breakfast at Tiffany’s)

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

In which novel of 1874 is the hero reduced to working as an agricultural labourer for the heroine after his flock of sheep are driven over a cliff?

Far From the Madding Crowd

2.

In which novel of 1908 is the heroine caught by the hero, with whom she eventually falls in love, when she faints after witnessing a murder?

A Room With a View

3.

What is the name of the mixture of thyme and/or oregano, sesame seeds, sumac and salt which is widely used in Middle Eastern cookery?  It is also the name of a herb of the oregano family.

Za’atar

4.

Which small citrus fruit, popular in Japan and Korea, is an essential ingredient of ponzu sauce?

Yuzu

5.

Which Roman emperor was victorious at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, arguably one of the most crucial events in European history, in 312 AD?

Constantine I

(or Constantine the Great)

6.

He was born in what is now Croatia and became Roman emperor in 284 AD.  In 304 AD he retired to his palace at Spalatum and its ruins form the heart of modern day Split.  Who was he?

Diocletian

7.

Wroxham, Barton, Hoveton Great and Ranworth are all examples of what geographical features of largely human origin?

Norfolk Broads

(or just Broads)

8.

By what name are Harrison Stickle, Pike o’ Stickle and Pavey Ark collectively known?

Sp1

The college on the road of the same name in Whalley Range has had a variety of owners and names.  It was originally an independent congregational college but in the late 20th century became a training centre for trade unionists run by the GMB.  What is its current function?

British Muslim Heritage Centre

(accept anything referring to Islamic/muslim, culture/heritage etc)

Sp2

Which footballer scored on his debut in each of the Europa League, Premier League, Champions League and League Cup as well as on his international debut?

Marcus Rashford

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - 'This Could Be the Last Time'

1.

In 1747 Simon Fraser, the 11^th Lord Lovat, was the last person in Britain to what?

Be beheaded

2.

What last took place in Britain in Fishguard in 1797?

Invasion by foreign troops

(the French during the War of the First Coalition)

3.

In the Shakespeare play who is the last character to die before Hamlet?

Laertes

4.

In the Shakespeare play who is the last character executed by Richard III, as well as being the last character to die before Richard himself?

Duke of Buckingham

5.

The last lines of which 1957 film are these: 

“Hey what’s your name?
Davis.
My name’s McCardle.
Well so long.
So long.”

Twelve Angry Men

6.

The last lines of which 1968 film are these:

“You finally really did it.  You maniacs.  You blew it up.  God damn you!  God damn you all to hell!”

The Planet of the Apes

7.

What was the last battle of the English Civil War?

Worcester

8.

What was the last battle of the American War of Independence?

Yorktown

Sp1

Eugene Cernan, who died in January 2017, was the last person to do what?

Walk on the Moon

Sp2

Who was the last British film director to win the Oscar for best director?

Tom Hooper

(in 2010 for The King's Speech)

Sp3

What was the last song to be recorded by the Beatles before they split up (perhaps surprisingly it was a George Harrison song)?

I Me Mine

(from the album Let It Be)

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers