We hope we’ve set a paper that will engage and challenge you.  We’re lost in admiration for the effort that week after week all teams put into compiling 64 questions that are fairly balanced, cover many subjects and can generate interest, conversation and debate.  We’ve got fingers crossed that we’ve lived up to the great tradition of WithQuiz - and if not then we apologise right now.  I hand out enough brickbats in my match reports and I’m big and ugly enough to take them in return if they are deserved.  And if our (my, no our) political swipes are not to your taste well sorry, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.  If nothing else we hope we’ve tried to provide some laughs along the way of a couple of hours quizzing.

Twenty four hours ahead of everyone else we await the Public’s verdict.

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme - 'Too close to call'

1.

Complete this set: Britain (since 2000), Modern (founded 2000), Liverpool (founded 1988), Digital (founded 1998).

2.

What connects the following: Lord’s Media Centre (1998), Gateshead Millennium Bridge (2002), 30 St Mary Axe (2004), Goldsmith Street, Norwich (2017)?

3.

Which Manchester establishment, which takes its name from the street where it was previously located, moved round the corner to 46 Sackville Street in June this year?

4.

Another Stirling Prize winner, in 2017, was the redevelopment of the pier in which south coast town?

5.

Which city is home to sports teams including the Heat, the Western Warriors, the Scorchers, the Western Force and the Glory.  It’s beloved old stadium, established in 1890, is no longer used for most major sporting events.

6.

Who is this?  Born 19th April 1935, died 27th March 2002.  An actor comedian, musician and composer.  He was a leading figure in the 1960s British satire boom.  He appeared in several movies, receiving an Oscar nomination in 1981, along with Warren Beatty, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman and the eventual winner, Henry Fonda.

7.

Where might a British polymath who died on 27th November 2019, one half of a film production duo famed for their period dramas, a scientist who was famously not awarded a share in a Nobel Prize in 1962, a Superman and a jazz pianist, have been travelling to in the late 14th century?

8.

Which British garage and hip-hop band’s many members included Lisa Maffia, Romeo, Megaman and Harvey?

Sp.

Which royal palace was the birthplace of Queen Victoria?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Announced theme - 'Come Fly With Me'

Each answer is the name of an individual who has had an international airport named after them

1.

He became a professor of mathematics at the age of 25.  He spent the last 10 years of his life under house arrest.

2.

In 1998 at the age of 77 he became the oldest person to fly in space.

3.

His aliases included 'The Reverend Fred Gherkin', 'Dr Dream', 'Dwarf McDougal' and 'Dr Winston O’Boogie'.

4.

He was awarded the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film on four occasions – more than any other director.

5.

This composer was born in 1810 and died in 1849.  He is best known for his piano music and indeed composed no music that did not include a piano part.  He has been played on film by Cornel Wilde and Hugh Grant.

6.

This composer was born in 1811 and died in 1886.  He is best known for his piano music although he has also been described as the inventor of the symphonic poem.  He has been played on film by Dirk Bogarde, Roger Daltrey and Julian Sands.

7.

He was Time Magazine’s person of the year in 1981.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.  He was President of his country from 1990 to 1995

8.

He served as President of the African National Congress from 1967 until 1991 when he was replaced by Nelson Mandela

Sp1

He was president of his country from 1990 until his death in 1999.  It is likely that but for his death he would have been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Sp2

He was born in 1879 in the Cherokee Nation Indian Territory.  He appeared in 71 films (50 silents and 21 talkies).  He died in a plane crash in 1935.  At the time of his death he was the highest paid star in Hollywood.

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Pairs

1.

What name connects an opera, with the libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, composed in 1786 and a number 1 hit for Brotherhood of Man.

2.

What is the alliterative name of the character played by Harvey Keitel in Pulp Fiction?

3.

Which city was the main setting of the Gunter Grass novel The Tin Drum before and after the breakout of World War II?  Either the German or Polish name is acceptable (although probably not to the Poles).

4.

In mathematics which letter is used to represent the set of all integers?

5.

What is the name of the character played by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever?  (both names required)

6.

Which country is the setting for the Graham Greene novel The Quiet American?

7.

In mathematics Euler’s Identity connects what are (arguably) the 5 most important mathematical constants. 0, 1 , i and π are four of them .  What is the other one?

8.

What name connects an opera by Alban Berg and the singer Marie Lawrie?

Sp.

Who played the title role in the Quentin Tarantino film Jackie Brown?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - 'You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone'

1.

We’re going to miss John Bercow, not least for his ability to call MPs to speak in a tuneful way which would become an instant internet meme.  So which 1981 number 1 hit became the internet backdrop for the summoning of Bambos Charalambous?

2.

Bercow summoning again.  Which 1986 number 1 hit did the speaker mimic when calling upon Thangam Debbonaire?

3.

Ken Clarke, the nearest thing the Tory party has to an acceptable face, is retiring at the election and thus there will be a new 'Father of the House' (longest continuously serving member).  Who’s in line for the job if they hang on to their 5,000+ majority?

4.

'Gesturing Jennie' won’t be returning to parliament on Friday nor, one suspects, Putney.  Apologies for messing up the name but who will be saying farewell?

5.

John Humphrys won’t be harrumphing his way through the election entrails on Friday’s Today programme. Nor will he be cheerleading (hooray!). Nick Robinson will most likely be around though (boo!) Name one of the other three main presenters of the Today programme?

6.

David Dimbleby won’t be impartially (?) guiding the nation through its darkest hours early on Friday morning.  The 58 year old Huw Edwards taking his place.  Only two non-Dimblebys have ever anchored the BBC’s election night coverage (how will we cope?).  Name either of the other election night hosts

7.

This mixed up member probably will hang around in Mid Sussex but is leaving Westminster.  Hansard doesn’t record him shouting “Assholes Monica” in the chamber but don’t you wish he had? Who is it?

8.

Come Friday Boris Johnson will have been Prime Minister for 143 days.  Let’s be optimistic while we can - If he has to resign on Friday 13th who is the only PM who will have served a shorter term?

Sp1

This superbly anagrammed 'Crony Making' MP will be waving a tearful farewell to Loughborough and the House of Commons on Thursday.  I’m sure there will be many dry eyes.  Who?

Sp2

Up to now only one serving Prime Minister has ever lost their seat at a general election.  Who?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Eve of Destruction?

This time of year has often witnessed the fall of leaders, endings, death, and general mayhem. So if your “blood’s so mad, feels like coagulatin’” think back, some have had it worse in the past. Probably.

1.

On December 12th 2000 the United States Supreme Court ruled that Katherine Harris of Florida had discharged her duties correctly.  What resulted from that decision?

2.

This poet died on December 12th 1899 at his son’s house in Venice.  No doubt he spent his last hours having 'Home Thoughts From Abroad'.  Who was he?

3.

On December 12th 1999 'Something Happened' to this American author.  The something being a fatal heart attack.  Who was he?

4.

It ended on December 12th 1965 at the Capitol Cinema, Cardiff and, despite a couple of one offs, it never happened again.  What?

5.

On December 11th in Leith, Elizabeth cried in public for the only time in her near 70 year public career.  What caused that show of emotion?

6.

On December 10th Edward, Albert, Henry and George all signed the same document.  Then Edward left for Boulogne early on December 12th.  What was that all about?

7.

On December 11th 1972 Eugene and Harrison did something that nobody has done since.  What did they do?

8.

December 11th was pretty eventful for this man.  He threw a heavy object into the Thames in the hope of impeding the process of government but was then taken prisoner near Sheerness.  Who was he?

Sp1

He was brought to trial on December 11th but he did not respond to the charges until the 26th.  On January 15th 693 out of 721 jurors convicted him and he was executed on January 21st.  Who was he?

Sp2

He was once a teacher to George Harrison who proved to be an unsatisfactory pupil.  He was also a member of parliament from 1986 to 1992.  His daughter has won nine Grammys, bettering his total by four.  He died on December 11th 2012.  Who was he?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'Two’s Company'

You will be given clues to the names of two famous people.  Put the two surnames together to form the name of a famous company. 

All the company names are in the form ‘X and Y’.  There is one sound alike.

1.

The subject of the film Mr Nice;

The world snooker champion in 1969, 1971 and 1977

2.

His films include King Kong, Bernie and Kung Fu Panda;

American athlete who won gold medals in the 1983 world championships at 1500m and 3000m but famously fell in the 1984 Olympic 3000m final

3.

The co-writer of Baby Love, Heat Wave and I Can’t Help Myself;

The subject of the Pink Floyd song Shine On You Crazy Diamond

4.

Winner of the 2011 Booker Prize for The Sense of an Ending;

Stand-up comedian and regular guest on Have I Got News For You

5.

Former Conservative MP recently awarded £900,000 compensation from the Metropolitan Police;

Co-creator of the Philadelphia (or Philly) sound

6.

Jamaican-born opera singer who also played Othello for the Royal Shakespeare Company;

He won the football league title as a player in 1961 and as a manager in 1975 - he was also joint winner of the PFA Player of the Year award in 1969

7.

She was born in Hull in 1903 - she died in the Thames Estuary in 1941 - she was played by Anna Neagle in a 1942 film about her life;

He played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1979 to 1991 and also in 1996 - a member of the ‘Dream Team’ that won Olympic gold in 1992

8.

He delivered the inaugural Reith Lectures in 1948 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950;

The BBC’s horse racing correspondent from 1959 to 2001

Sp.

The BBC’s New York correspondent;

Guitarist who has had an asteroid named after him

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

Which football team plays its home matches at St James’ Park in red and white stripes?  Their nickname is ‘The Grecians’. The city in which they are based has a cathedral with the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England and a famous astronomical clock.

2.

What name links the sister of Rocco Ciccone Ritchie and the site of the Grotto of Apparitions approximately 150 km from Toulouse?

3.

Who composed the opera Les Troyens (The Trojans) first performed in 1863.  He shares his forename with one of the characters in the opera.  (surname is sufficient)

4.

Newcastle play in black and white stripes as do Forest Green and Notts County.  Which League Two team also play in black and white stripes?  Their nickname is ‘The Mariners’.  The town doesn’t have a cathedral but the fans have been known to praise their team by singing "We Piss on Your Fish"?

5.

The interior angle of a regular polygon is 1620.  How many sides does the polygon have?

6.

Elizabeth has a bag containing 4 red and 3 black sweets.  She picks a sweet at random and eats it.  She picks another and eats it.  What is the probability she has eaten two red sweets?  Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

7.

What name links a British Olympic Gold Medallist and a pilgrimage site approximately 130km north of Lisbon?

8.

What is the nickname give to Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 in D Major?  It shares its name with a character from the Trojan Wars.

Sp.

In which city are the 2028 Olympics to be held?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Run-ons

...or, as Richard Osman insists on calling it, AnswerSmash

1.

Album released in 1979 by AC/DC, their second best selling album after Back in Black;

Islands in the eastern North Sea, ceded by the UK to Germany in 1890, in exchange for Zanzibar.

2.

Most northerly town in the mainland UK;

1985 hit for Sinnita, extolling the virtues of hyper-masculinity.

3.

Second in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons books for children;

Presenter of a British daytime gameshow from 1993 to 2001 - it has recently been revived on ITV2 with the seemingly ubiquitous Rylan Clark-Neal as host.

4.

Science book by Iowa-born author better known for his travel writing;

Musical duo, Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt whose albums included Love Not Money and Idlewild.

5.

MP for Surrey Heath constituency since 2005;

Epithet applied to GIs in Britain during WW2, referencing their perceived income, libido and location.

6.

Group of wretched fish that have regularly graced the pages of Viz;

Traditional but controversial Japanese dish consisting of a broth and the eponymous ingredient, included for its texture, rather than taste.

7.

1967 film in which a group of convicts are recruited and trained to carry out a top secret mission ahead of the D-Day landings;

Cult 1974 book which used a fictionalized road trip to explore a number of philosophical themes.

8.

Nickname given to an elaborate road junction built in 1972 in Swindon;

Second novel by an author whose first book was an autobiographical account culminating in the author’s ecstatic reaction, in 1989, to events which occurred in L4 0TH.

Sp1

Historical Parts which, along with the Parts of Lindsay and Parts of Holland, made up the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire;

Former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and author of A Brief History of Time.

Sp2

Composer whose second piano concerto was used as incidental music in the film Brief Encounter;

Footballing term to describe a goal scored via the woodwork.

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme - 'Too close to call'

1.

Complete this set: Britain (since 2000), Modern (founded 2000), Liverpool (founded 1988), Digital (founded 1998).

St Ives

(Tate museums)

2.

What connects the following: Lord’s Media Centre (1998), Gateshead Millennium Bridge (2002), 30 St Mary Axe (2004), Goldsmith Street, Norwich (2017)?

Stirling Prize winners

3.

Which Manchester establishment, which takes its name from the street where it was previously located, moved round the corner to 46 Sackville Street in June this year?

Richmond Tea Rooms

4.

Another Stirling Prize winner, in 2017, was the redevelopment of the pier in which south coast town?

Hastings

5.

Which city is home to sports teams including the Heat, the Western Warriors, the Scorchers, the Western Force and the Glory.  It’s beloved old stadium, established in 1890, is no longer used for most major sporting events.

Perth

(Baseball - men’s and women’s, Big Bash 20/20, Rugby Union and football)

6.

Who is this?  Born 19th April 1935, died 27th March 2002.  An actor comedian, musician and composer.  He was a leading figure in the 1960s British satire boom.  He appeared in several movies, receiving an Oscar nomination in 1981, along with Warren Beatty, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman and the eventual winner, Henry Fonda.

Dudley Moore

7.

Where might a British polymath who died on 27th November 2019, one half of a film production duo famed for their period dramas, a scientist who was famously not awarded a share in a Nobel Prize in 1962, a Superman and a jazz pianist, have been travelling to in the late 14th century?

Canterbury

(Miller, Merchant, Franklin, Reeve, Monk)

8.

Which British garage and hip-hop band’s many members included Lisa Maffia, Romeo, Megaman and Harvey?

So Solid Crew

Sp.

Which royal palace was the birthplace of Queen Victoria?

Kensington Palace

Theme: Each answer contains a reference to a 'hypermarginal' constituency...

St Ives (maj 312), Stirling (148), Hastings and Rye (346), Richmond Park (45), Perth and North Perthshire (21), Dudley North (22), Canterbury (187), Crewe and Nantwich (45), Kensington (20).

ROUND 2 - Announced theme - 'Come Fly With Me'

Each answer is the name of an individual who has had an international airport named after them

1.

He became a professor of mathematics at the age of 25.  He spent the last 10 years of his life under house arrest.

Galileo

(Pisa)

2.

In 1998 at the age of 77 he became the oldest person to fly in space.

John Glenn

(Colombus, Ohio)

3.

His aliases included 'The Reverend Fred Gherkin', 'Dr Dream', 'Dwarf McDougal' and 'Dr Winston O’Boogie'.

John Lennon

(Liverpool)

4.

He was awarded the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film on four occasions – more than any other director.

Federico Fellini

(Rimini)

5.

This composer was born in 1810 and died in 1849.  He is best known for his piano music and indeed composed no music that did not include a piano part.  He has been played on film by Cornel Wilde and Hugh Grant.

6.

This composer was born in 1811 and died in 1886.  He is best known for his piano music although he has also been described as the inventor of the symphonic poem.  He has been played on film by Dirk Bogarde, Roger Daltrey and Julian Sands.

Franz Lizst

(Budapest)

7.

He was Time Magazine’s person of the year in 1981.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.  He was President of his country from 1990 to 1995

Lech Walesa

(Gdansk)

8.

He served as President of the African National Congress from 1967 until 1991 when he was replaced by Nelson Mandela

Oliver Tambo

(Johannesburg)

Sp1

He was president of his country from 1990 until his death in 1999.  It is likely that but for his death he would have been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Franjo Tudman

(Zagreb)

Sp2

He was born in 1879 in the Cherokee Nation Indian Territory.  He appeared in 71 films (50 silents and 21 talkies).  He died in a plane crash in 1935.  At the time of his death he was the highest paid star in Hollywood.

Will Rogers

(Oklahoma City)

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Pairs

1.

What name connects an opera, with the libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, composed in 1786 and a number 1 hit for Brotherhood of Man.

2.

What is the alliterative name of the character played by Harvey Keitel in Pulp Fiction?

Winston Wolfe

3.

Which city was the main setting of the Gunter Grass novel The Tin Drum before and after the breakout of World War II?  Either the German or Polish name is acceptable (although probably not to the Poles).

Danzig/Gdansk

4.

In mathematics which letter is used to represent the set of all integers?

Z

5.

What is the name of the character played by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever?  (both names required)

Tony Manero

6.

Which country is the setting for the Graham Greene novel The Quiet American?

Vietnam

7.

In mathematics Euler’s Identity connects what are (arguably) the 5 most important mathematical constants. 0, 1 , i and π are four of them .  What is the other one?

e

8.

What name connects an opera by Alban Berg and the singer Marie Lawrie?

Lulu

Sp.

Who played the title role in the Quentin Tarantino film Jackie Brown?

Pam Grier

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - 'You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone'

1.

We’re going to miss John Bercow, not least for his ability to call MPs to speak in a tuneful way which would become an instant internet meme.  So which 1981 number 1 hit became the internet backdrop for the summoning of Bambos Charalambous?

Under Pressure

2.

Bercow summoning again.  Which 1986 number 1 hit did the speaker mimic when calling upon Thangam Debbonaire?

Livin’ On A Prayer

3.

Ken Clarke, the nearest thing the Tory party has to an acceptable face, is retiring at the election and thus there will be a new 'Father of the House' (longest continuously serving member).  Who’s in line for the job if they hang on to their 5,000+ majority?

Dennis Skinner

4.

'Gesturing Jennie' won’t be returning to parliament on Friday nor, one suspects, Putney.  Apologies for messing up the name but who will be saying farewell?

Justine Greening

5.

John Humphrys won’t be harrumphing his way through the election entrails on Friday’s Today programme. Nor will he be cheerleading (hooray!). Nick Robinson will most likely be around though (boo!) Name one of the other three main presenters of the Today programme?

(one of)

Justin Webb, Mishal Husain or Martha Kearney

6.

David Dimbleby won’t be impartially (?) guiding the nation through its darkest hours early on Friday morning.  The 58 year old Huw Edwards taking his place.  Only two non-Dimblebys have ever anchored the BBC’s election night coverage (how will we cope?).  Name either of the other election night hosts

(either)

Cliff Michelmore (1966 and 1970)

(or)

Alistair Burnett (February and October 1974)

7.

This mixed up member probably will hang around in Mid Sussex but is leaving Westminster.  Hansard doesn’t record him shouting “Assholes Monica” in the chamber but don’t you wish he had? Who is it?

Nicholas Soames

8.

Come Friday Boris Johnson will have been Prime Minister for 143 days.  Let’s be optimistic while we can - If he has to resign on Friday 13th who is the only PM who will have served a shorter term?

George Canning

(119 days; Viscount Goderich succeeded Canning and lasted 144 days; don’t let the door hit you on the way out….)

Sp1

This superbly anagrammed 'Crony Making' MP will be waving a tearful farewell to Loughborough and the House of Commons on Thursday.  I’m sure there will be many dry eyes.  Who?

Nicky Morgan

Sp2

Up to now only one serving Prime Minister has ever lost their seat at a general election.  Who?

Arthur Balfour

(Manchester East in 1906; a Conservative Prime Minister in Manchester East??? Really????)

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Eve of Destruction?

This time of year has often witnessed the fall of leaders, endings, death, and general mayhem. So if your “blood’s so mad, feels like coagulatin’” think back, some have had it worse in the past. Probably.

1.

On December 12th 2000 the United States Supreme Court ruled that Katherine Harris of Florida had discharged her duties correctly.  What resulted from that decision?

The recount of ballots in Florida in the presidential election (the 'hanging chads') was halted and George W Bush took all Florida’s delegates for the electoral college thereby becoming president

2.

This poet died on December 12th 1899 at his son’s house in Venice.  No doubt he spent his last hours having 'Home Thoughts From Abroad'.  Who was he?

Robert Browning

3.

On December 12th 1999 'Something Happened' to this American author.  The something being a fatal heart attack.  Who was he?

Joseph Heller

(Something Happened was his follow up to Catch-22)

4.

It ended on December 12th 1965 at the Capitol Cinema, Cardiff and, despite a couple of one offs, it never happened again.  What?

It was the final date of The Beatles last ever UK tour

(the one offs were the NME poll winners concert in 1966 and the 1969 appearance on the roof of the Apple building)

5.

On December 11th in Leith, Elizabeth cried in public for the only time in her near 70 year public career.  What caused that show of emotion?

The decommissioning of her yacht, Britannia

(no tears for the deaths of her parents, sister or daughter in law, but waterworks when she loses her yacht - I guess we all grieve differently)

6.

On December 10th Edward, Albert, Henry and George all signed the same document.  Then Edward left for Boulogne early on December 12th.  What was that all about?

The abdication of Edward VIII

(Albert, Henry and George being his brothers)

7.

On December 11th 1972 Eugene and Harrison did something that nobody has done since.  What did they do?

They landed on the moon

(Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, commander and lunar module pilot of Apollo 17)

8.

December 11th was pretty eventful for this man.  He threw a heavy object into the Thames in the hope of impeding the process of government but was then taken prisoner near Sheerness.  Who was he?

James II

(who in 1688 threw the Great Seal - without which legislation could not come into force - into the Thames and who was later captured by some, presumably anti-Catholic, fishermen)

Sp1

He was brought to trial on December 11th but he did not respond to the charges until the 26th.  On January 15th 693 out of 721 jurors convicted him and he was executed on January 21st.  Who was he?

Louis XVI

Sp2

He was once a teacher to George Harrison who proved to be an unsatisfactory pupil.  He was also a member of parliament from 1986 to 1992.  His daughter has won nine Grammys, bettering his total by four.  He died on December 11th 2012.  Who was he?

Ravi Shankar

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'Two’s Company'

You will be given clues to the names of two famous people.  Put the two surnames together to form the name of a famous company. 

All the company names are in the form ‘X and Y’.  There is one sound alike.

1.

The subject of the film Mr Nice;

The world snooker champion in 1969, 1971 and 1977

Marks and Spencer

(Howard Marks and John Spencer)

2.

His films include King Kong, Bernie and Kung Fu Panda;

American athlete who won gold medals in the 1983 world championships at 1500m and 3000m but famously fell in the 1984 Olympic 3000m final

Black and Decker

(Jack Black and Mary Decker)

3.

The co-writer of Baby Love, Heat Wave and I Can’t Help Myself;

The subject of the Pink Floyd song Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Holland and Barrett

(Brian - or Eddie - Holland and Syd Barrett)

4.

Winner of the 2011 Booker Prize for The Sense of an Ending;

Stand-up comedian and regular guest on Have I Got News For You

Barnes and Noble

(Julian Barnes and Ross Noble)

5.

Former Conservative MP recently awarded £900,000 compensation from the Metropolitan Police;

Co-creator of the Philadelphia (or Philly) sound

Proctor and Gamble

(Harvey Proctor and Kenny Gamble)

6.

Jamaican-born opera singer who also played Othello for the Royal Shakespeare Company;

He won the football league title as a player in 1961 and as a manager in 1975 - he was also joint winner of the PFA Player of the Year award in 1969

Whyte and Mackay

(Willard White and Dave Mackay)

7.

She was born in Hull in 1903 - she died in the Thames Estuary in 1941 - she was played by Anna Neagle in a 1942 film about her life;

He played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1979 to 1991 and also in 1996 - a member of the ‘Dream Team’ that won Olympic gold in 1992

Johnson and Johnson

(Amy Johnson and Magic Johnson)

8.

He delivered the inaugural Reith Lectures in 1948 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950;

The BBC’s horse racing correspondent from 1959 to 2001

Russell and Bromley

(Bertrand Russell and Peter Bromley)

Sp.

The BBC’s New York correspondent;

Guitarist who has had an asteroid named after him

Bryant and May

(Nick Bryant and Brian May)

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

Which football team plays its home matches at St James’ Park in red and white stripes?  Their nickname is ‘The Grecians’. The city in which they are based has a cathedral with the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England and a famous astronomical clock.

Exeter City

2.

What name links the sister of Rocco Ciccone Ritchie and the site of the Grotto of Apparitions approximately 150 km from Toulouse?

Lourdes

(Madonna’s daughter)

3.

Who composed the opera Les Troyens (The Trojans) first performed in 1863.  He shares his forename with one of the characters in the opera.  (surname is sufficient)

(Hector) Berlioz

4.

Newcastle play in black and white stripes as do Forest Green and Notts County.  Which League Two team also play in black and white stripes?  Their nickname is ‘The Mariners’.  The town doesn’t have a cathedral but the fans have been known to praise their team by singing "We Piss on Your Fish"?

Grimsby Town

5.

The interior angle of a regular polygon is 1620.  How many sides does the polygon have?

20

(exterior angle = 180 – 162 = 18; 360 ÷ 18 = 20)

6.

Elizabeth has a bag containing 4 red and 3 black sweets.  She picks a sweet at random and eats it.  She picks another and eats it.  What is the probability she has eaten two red sweets?  Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

2/7 (two sevenths)

(4/7) × (3/6)

7.

What name links a British Olympic Gold Medallist and a pilgrimage site approximately 130km north of Lisbon?

Fatima

8.

What is the nickname give to Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 in D Major?  It shares its name with a character from the Trojan Wars.

Paris

Sp.

In which city are the 2028 Olympics to be held?

Los Angeles

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Run-ons

...or, as Richard Osman insists on calling it, AnswerSmash

1.

Album released in 1979 by AC/DC, their second best selling album after Back in Black;

Islands in the eastern North Sea, ceded by the UK to Germany in 1890, in exchange for Zanzibar.

Highway to Heligoland

2.

Most northerly town in the mainland UK;

1985 hit for Sinnita, extolling the virtues of hyper-masculinity.

Thurso Macho

3.

Second in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons books for children;

Presenter of a British daytime gameshow from 1993 to 2001 - it has recently been revived on ITV2 with the seemingly ubiquitous Rylan Clark-Neal as host.

Swallowdale Winton

4.

Science book by Iowa-born author better known for his travel writing;

Musical duo, Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt whose albums included Love Not Money and Idlewild.

A Short History of Nearly Everything But The Girl

(the author is Bill Bryson)

5.

MP for Surrey Heath constituency since 2005;

Epithet applied to GIs in Britain during WW2, referencing their perceived income, libido and location.

Michael Gover-paid, over-sexed and over here

6.

Group of wretched fish that have regularly graced the pages of Viz;

Traditional but controversial Japanese dish consisting of a broth and the eponymous ingredient, included for its texture, rather than taste.

The Pathetic Sharks’ Fin Soup

7.

The Dirty Dozen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

8.

Nickname given to an elaborate road junction built in 1972 in Swindon;

Second novel by an author whose first book was an autobiographical account culminating in the author’s ecstatic reaction, in 1989, to events which occurred in L4 0TH.

The Magic Roundabout a Boy

(the author is Nick Hornby and his first book was Fever Pitch)

Sp1

Historical Parts which, along with the Parts of Lindsay and Parts of Holland, made up the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire;

Former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and author of A Brief History of Time.

Parts of Kesteven Hawking

Sp2

Composer whose second piano concerto was used as incidental music in the film Brief Encounter;

Footballing term to describe a goal scored via the woodwork.

Rachmaninoff the post

(or 'in off the bar' if you like)

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers