ROUND 1 - Hidden theme - 'I'm just big-boned'

1.

Which jazz musician (1915-2009) was credited with inventing the solid-body electric guitar?

2.

How did John Major refer to three of his cabinet in 1993 after a no-confidence vote?  (just one word required)

3.

Which Viennese composer (1885-1935) was said to have brought human values to the twelve-tone system and wrote the operas Wozzeck and Lulu?

4.

Which animated movie legend, who made his first short film in 1937 and is still going, had the heavily-lisped catchphrase "You’re dethpicable"?

5.

What name links a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, a roundabout on the A1 and a North-eastern football club?

6.

Which London-born Grime artist won a Mercury Prize in 2003 for his debut album Boy in da Corner?

7.

Which pub stands at 353 Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield?

8.

What is the name of the building housing the Radisson Collection hotel on Peter St in Manchester?

Sp.

Which culture and lifestyle magazine shared it’s name with one of the A-Team?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme

1.

Which 1993 book by Andy McNab was adapted as a TV miniseries with Sean Bean in the lead role?

2.

Which US civil war general, also a prominent politician and businessman, ended up remembered largely for his facial hair?  (both names needed)

3.

The Connie Francis hit Somewhere My Love used which tune from the soundtrack of the 1965 film Dr Zhivago?

4.

Which London borough lies on the south bank of the Thames and is bordered by Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley?

5.

Which British writer (1689-1761) wrote Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded and Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady?

6.

Which Bostonian punk rocker became a TV star on Through the Keyhole and was the first presenter of Masterchef in the UK?  (both names needed)

7.

Which political party did Garret Fitzgerald, twice Taoiseach in the 1980s represent?

8.

Which jockey won the 2000 Grand National, on a horse trained by his dad?

Sp.

Which song from the film Footloose was a hit for Bonnie Tyler in 1984 and again in 1985?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Pairs

1.

In which US state would you find Athens, Macon and Savannah?

2.

In which US state would you find Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Green Bay?

3.

Which was the year of the first World Cup final not to be held in a capital city?

4.

The next 'non-capital' World Cup final was held in Pasadena in 1994.  What was the name of the stadium?

5.

Which May 1471 battle in the West Country led to the destruction of the Lancastrian forces and the death of most of their leaders?

6.

At which 1460 battle was Richard, Duke of York killed?

7.

Which city is served by Narita airport?

8.

Which city is served by Kastrup airport?

Sp1

What would be found at 263 Prinsengracht, Amsterdam?

Sp2

What would be found at 99 Rue de Rivoli, Paris?

Sp3

The Monster Raving Loony party manifesto for 2001 demanded free university tuition for all students with which name?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Run Ons

1.

A 1974 hit for Lulu which was a cover version of a song written by David Bowie,

&

A 1982 film with Robin Williams in the starring role, based on a novel by John Irving.

2.

Country in Central Asia, whose capital is Ashgabat,

&

The only player to score a hat trick in a Wembley FA Cup final.

3.

Radio One DJ in the 1970’s and 1980’s, with the nickname 'The hairy cornflake'.

&

The character played by Robert De Niro in the film Taxi Driver.

4.

Ballet piece that is part of the second act of the Nutcracker

&

The most played Christmas song of the 21st Century in the UK.

5.

Shakespeare comedy featuring Sir John Falstaff,

&

Actor who played Battery Sergeant Major Williams in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum.

6.

Romantic supernatural film directed by Guillermo Del Toro which was winner of the 2018 Best Film Oscar,

&

1972 novel featuring the characters Fiver, Hazel and Bigwig.

7.

English singer, born in 1954, whose real name is Stuart Goddard,

&

American actor, best known for playing Huggy Bear in the TV series Starsky and Hutch,

&

Shakespeare comedy which features the characters Rosalind and Orlando.

8.

1998 film directed by the Farrelly brothers, starring Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller,

&

Animated children's series, first aired in 1969, which featured the adventures of a girl, her dog and her pet mouse,

&

Musician who has played with Ultravox, Thin Lizzy and Visage.

Sp.

1915 novella written by Franz Kafka, telling the story of salesman Gregor Samsa,

&

Song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, which was the UK’s best selling single of 2005 after featuring in a Comic Relief video.

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - 'Of myths and monsters'

1.

What is the name of the phantom dog, often depicted with a single red eye, that is reputed to haunt the countryside of East Anglia?  It is also the name of a song by British rock band the Darkness, doubtless for its obvious rhyming potential.

2.

What is the Japanese word for giant monsters of the type depicted unconvincingly by people in suits in the original Godzilla movies, and more convincingly by computer graphics in the Pacific Rim movies?

3.

Complete the subtitle of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein: The Modern…....

4.

What is the name of Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer’s enormous work on comparative mythology and religion, published between 1890 and 1915?  It influenced writers as varied as Robert Graves, T S Elliot, D H Lawrence and James Joyce.

5.

Name the Minotaur’s half-sister, who provided Theseus with a ball of thread so that he could find his way through the labyrinth.

6.

Name the celebrity football agent who died in November 2020, known for his catchphrase “Monster, monster”.

7.

Which American rock band, from Athens Georgia, released an album named Monster in 1994?

8.

Who won the 2003 Oscar for Best Actress for her depiction of real serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the movie Monster?

Sp.

Name the Scottish reformer who in 1558 wrote The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women, which attacked the rule of women as against the bible.

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'Recent shenanigans'

1.

In the recent debate on the Leadsom Amendment, in the Owen Paterson case, the 'Father of the House' spoke strongly against the Government.  Who is he?

2.

Who was his predecessor?

3.

Who refers to herself as the 'Mother of the House'?

4.

The controversial Leadsom Amendment sought to reverse a recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Standards and Privileges.  Who is the Chairman of that Committee?

5.

The Paterson Affair has brought other names to the fore - not least Sir Geoffrey Cox QC, the former Attorney General.  Which constituency does he represent? (no marks for saying "The Virgin Islands" or "The Maldives"!)

6.

Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood, holds what position?

7.

The late Rose Paterson, former wife of Owen, was a member of the Committee of the Jockey Club and held what other position in the world of horse racing?

8.

Who are the current sponsors of the Grand National?

Sp1

Kenneth Clark was 'Father of the House' because he had been sworn in before another member who had been elected at the same time.  Who was that legendary Labour member?

Sp2

Dennis Skinner was made to withdraw from the House of Commons when he said “Half the Tories opposite are crooks.”  How did he withdraw that statement?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - 'A round on second jobs'

1.

Phil Turnbull’s day job came in handy during his semi-professional football match for Dunston UTS against Marine last weekend in the FA trophy.  Why?

2.

Which best-selling UK author began to appear in cameo roles in TV adaptations of his works during his later years, for example playing an elderly German waiter in 2018?

3.

Which legendary second-jobber competed in a his last 24 hours of Daytona race at the age of 80?

4.

Gary Lineker combines his tenure as host of Match of the Day with hosting which new ITV game show?

5.

Which former England footballer (from a very sporty family) once enjoyed a 236-run partnership with eventual Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden at Greenmount Cricket Club in Lancashire in 1992?

6.

Which Oscar winning Actor combines his first job with sitting on the boards of the Natural Resources Defence Council, Global Green USA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare?

7.

Born in 1898, which opera singer and actor who starred in Show Boat in 1936, and King Solomon’s Mines in 1937, received his LLB from Columbia Law School whist playing Left Tackle in the National Football League?  A victim of McCarthyism, he also starred as Othello on Broadway and in Porgy and Bess.

8.

Which basketball megastar opened the 'I Promise' school in his home town of Akron, Ohio?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme

1.

Which US rock-pop duo of the late 1960s and early 1970s are best known for their 1968 No 1 hit single In the Year 2525 which earned them one-hit wonder status?

2.

In the 1978 World Cup match between Brazil and Sweden which referee infamously blew the whistle for full time seconds before Zico scored a goal which would have given Brazil a 2-1 win?

3.

Which newspaper was founded by Hubert Beuve-Mery at the request of Charles de Gaulle in December 1944, shortly after the liberation of Paris, and has been published continuously since its first edition?

4.

In July 2001, New Orleans International Airport changed its name to honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of which musician?

5.

Which left-handed tennis player won 12 Grand Slam men’s doubles tournaments with his compatriot John Newcombe?

6.

Which actor is best known for his starring role as Richard Kimble in the TV series The Fugitive?

7.

Which British tennis player holds the all-time male record for playing in consecutive Wimbledon tournaments, playing for the 23rd time in 2014 at the age of 37?  In 2016, Andy Murray appointed him as his assistant coach.

8.

With 110 caps, who is Norway’s most capped footballer?  Born in 1980, his club career included spells at Monaco, Liverpool, Roma and Fulham.

Sp.

Located at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills which Somerset town is approximately 13 miles south of Bath, 43 miles east of Taunton and 107 miles west of London?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme - 'I'm just big-boned'

1.

Which jazz musician (1915-2009) was credited with inventing the solid-body electric guitar?

2.

How did John Major refer to three of his cabinet in 1993 after a no-confidence vote?  (just one word required)

3.

Which Viennese composer (1885-1935) was said to have brought human values to the twelve-tone system and wrote the operas Wozzeck and Lulu?

4.

Which animated movie legend, who made his first short film in 1937 and is still going, had the heavily-lisped catchphrase "You’re dethpicable"?

5.

What name links a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, a roundabout on the A1 and a North-eastern football club?

6.

Which London-born Grime artist won a Mercury Prize in 2003 for his debut album Boy in da Corner?

7.

Which pub stands at 353 Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield?

8.

What is the name of the building housing the Radisson Collection hotel on Peter St in Manchester?

Sp.

Which culture and lifestyle magazine shared it’s name with one of the A-Team?

Theme: Each answer contains a word that can be preceded by the word 'fat' to make a familiar phrase

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme

1.

Which 1993 book by Andy McNab was adapted as a TV miniseries with Sean Bean in the lead role?

Bravo Two Zero

2.

Which US civil war general, also a prominent politician and businessman, ended up remembered largely for his facial hair?  (both names needed)

Ambrose Burnside

3.

The Connie Francis hit Somewhere My Love used which tune from the soundtrack of the 1965 film Dr Zhivago?

Lara’s Theme

4.

Which London borough lies on the south bank of the Thames and is bordered by Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley?

Greenwich

5.

Which British writer (1689-1761) wrote Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded and Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady?

(Samuel) Richardson

6.

Which Bostonian punk rocker became a TV star on Through the Keyhole and was the first presenter of Masterchef in the UK?  (both names needed)

7.

Which political party did Garret Fitzgerald, twice Taoiseach in the 1980s represent?

Fine Gael

8.

Which jockey won the 2000 Grand National, on a horse trained by his dad?

Ruby Walsh

Sp.

Which song from the film Footloose was a hit for Bonnie Tyler in 1984 and again in 1985?

Holding Out for a Hero

Theme: Each answer contains the surname (or the sound of the surname) of a famous West Indian cricketer

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Pairs

1.

In which US state would you find Athens, Macon and Savannah?

2.

In which US state would you find Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Green Bay?

3.

Which was the year of the first World Cup final not to be held in a capital city?

4.

The next 'non-capital' World Cup final was held in Pasadena in 1994.  What was the name of the stadium?

5.

Which May 1471 battle in the West Country led to the destruction of the Lancastrian forces and the death of most of their leaders?

6.

At which 1460 battle was Richard, Duke of York killed?

7.

Which city is served by Narita airport?

8.

Which city is served by Kastrup airport?

Sp1

What would be found at 263 Prinsengracht, Amsterdam?

Sp2

What would be found at 99 Rue de Rivoli, Paris?

Sp3

The Monster Raving Loony party manifesto for 2001 demanded free university tuition for all students with which name?

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Run Ons

1.

A 1974 hit for Lulu which was a cover version of a song written by David Bowie,

&

A 1982 film with Robin Williams in the starring role, based on a novel by John Irving.

The Man who Sold the World According to Garp

2.

Country in Central Asia, whose capital is Ashgabat,

&

The only player to score a hat trick in a Wembley FA Cup final.

Turkmenistan Mortensen

3.

Radio One DJ in the 1970’s and 1980’s, with the nickname 'The hairy cornflake'.

&

The character played by Robert De Niro in the film Taxi Driver.

Dave Lee Travis Bickle

4.

Ballet piece that is part of the second act of the Nutcracker

&

The most played Christmas song of the 21st Century in the UK.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairytale of New York

5.

Shakespeare comedy featuring Sir John Falstaff,

&

Actor who played Battery Sergeant Major Williams in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum.

The Merry Wives of Windsor Davies

6.

Romantic supernatural film directed by Guillermo Del Toro which was winner of the 2018 Best Film Oscar,

&

1972 novel featuring the characters Fiver, Hazel and Bigwig.

The Shape of Watership Down

7.

English singer, born in 1954, whose real name is Stuart Goddard,

&

American actor, best known for playing Huggy Bear in the TV series Starsky and Hutch,

&

Shakespeare comedy which features the characters Rosalind and Orlando.

Adam Antonio Fargas You Like It

8.

1998 film directed by the Farrelly brothers, starring Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller,

&

Animated children's series, first aired in 1969, which featured the adventures of a girl, her dog and her pet mouse,

&

Musician who has played with Ultravox, Thin Lizzy and Visage.

There's Something About Mary Mungo and Midge Ure

Sp.

1915 novella written by Franz Kafka, telling the story of salesman Gregor Samsa,

&

Song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, which was the UK’s best selling single of 2005 after featuring in a Comic Relief video.

Metamorphosis The Way to Amarillo

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - 'Of myths and monsters'

1.

What is the name of the phantom dog, often depicted with a single red eye, that is reputed to haunt the countryside of East Anglia?  It is also the name of a song by British rock band the Darkness, doubtless for its obvious rhyming potential.

Black Shuck

2.

What is the Japanese word for giant monsters of the type depicted unconvincingly by people in suits in the original Godzilla movies, and more convincingly by computer graphics in the Pacific Rim movies?

Kaiju

3.

Complete the subtitle of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein: The Modern…....

Prometheus

4.

What is the name of Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer’s enormous work on comparative mythology and religion, published between 1890 and 1915?  It influenced writers as varied as Robert Graves, T S Elliot, D H Lawrence and James Joyce.

The Golden Bough

5.

Name the Minotaur’s half-sister, who provided Theseus with a ball of thread so that he could find his way through the labyrinth.

Ariadne

6.

Name the celebrity football agent who died in November 2020, known for his catchphrase “Monster, monster”.

Eric Hall

7.

Which American rock band, from Athens Georgia, released an album named Monster in 1994?

REM

8.

Who won the 2003 Oscar for Best Actress for her depiction of real serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the movie Monster?

Charlize Theron

Sp.

Name the Scottish reformer who in 1558 wrote The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women, which attacked the rule of women as against the bible.

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'Recent shenanigans'

1.

In the recent debate on the Leadsom Amendment, in the Owen Paterson case, the 'Father of the House' spoke strongly against the Government.  Who is he?

Sir Peter Bottomley

2.

Who was his predecessor?

Kenneth Clark

3.

Who refers to herself as the 'Mother of the House'?

Harriet Harman

(David Cameron and Theresa May have also referred to her as 'Mother of the House')

4.

The controversial Leadsom Amendment sought to reverse a recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Standards and Privileges.  Who is the Chairman of that Committee?

Chris Bryant

(MP for Rhondda)

5.

The Paterson Affair has brought other names to the fore - not least Sir Geoffrey Cox QC, the former Attorney General.  Which constituency does he represent? (no marks for saying "The Virgin Islands" or "The Maldives"!)

Torridge and West Devon

6.

Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood, holds what position?

Government Chief Whip

7.

The late Rose Paterson, former wife of Owen, was a member of the Committee of the Jockey Club and held what other position in the world of horse racing?

Chairman of Aintree Racecourse

8.

Who are the current sponsors of the Grand National?

Randox Health

(One of the two companies paying salaries to Owen Paterson)

Sp1

Kenneth Clark was 'Father of the House' because he had been sworn in before another member who had been elected at the same time.  Who was that legendary Labour member?

Dennis Skinner

Sp2

Dennis Skinner was made to withdraw from the House of Commons when he said “Half the Tories opposite are crooks.”  How did he withdraw that statement?

By saying “Alright, half the Tories opposite are not crooks.”

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - 'A round on second jobs'

1.

Phil Turnbull’s day job came in handy during his semi-professional football match for Dunston UTS against Marine last weekend in the FA trophy.  Why?

2.

Which best-selling UK author began to appear in cameo roles in TV adaptations of his works during his later years, for example playing an elderly German waiter in 2018?

John Le Carré

3.

Which legendary second-jobber competed in a his last 24 hours of Daytona race at the age of 80?

Paul Newman

4.

Gary Lineker combines his tenure as host of Match of the Day with hosting which new ITV game show?

5.

Which former England footballer (from a very sporty family) once enjoyed a 236-run partnership with eventual Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden at Greenmount Cricket Club in Lancashire in 1992?

Gary Neville

6.

Which Oscar winning Actor combines his first job with sitting on the boards of the Natural Resources Defence Council, Global Green USA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare?

Leonardo DiCaprio

7.

Born in 1898, which opera singer and actor who starred in Show Boat in 1936, and King Solomon’s Mines in 1937, received his LLB from Columbia Law School whist playing Left Tackle in the National Football League?  A victim of McCarthyism, he also starred as Othello on Broadway and in Porgy and Bess.

Paul Robeson

8.

Which basketball megastar opened the 'I Promise' school in his home town of Akron, Ohio?

LeBron James

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme

1.

Which US rock-pop duo of the late 1960s and early 1970s are best known for their 1968 No 1 hit single In the Year 2525 which earned them one-hit wonder status?

2.

In the 1978 World Cup match between Brazil and Sweden which referee infamously blew the whistle for full time seconds before Zico scored a goal which would have given Brazil a 2-1 win?

3.

Which newspaper was founded by Hubert Beuve-Mery at the request of Charles de Gaulle in December 1944, shortly after the liberation of Paris, and has been published continuously since its first edition?

4.

In July 2001, New Orleans International Airport changed its name to honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of which musician?

5.

Which left-handed tennis player won 12 Grand Slam men’s doubles tournaments with his compatriot John Newcombe?

6.

Which actor is best known for his starring role as Richard Kimble in the TV series The Fugitive?

7.

Which British tennis player holds the all-time male record for playing in consecutive Wimbledon tournaments, playing for the 23rd time in 2014 at the age of 37?  In 2016, Andy Murray appointed him as his assistant coach.

8.

With 110 caps, who is Norway’s most capped footballer?  Born in 1980, his club career included spells at Monaco, Liverpool, Roma and Fulham.

Sp.

Located at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills which Somerset town is approximately 13 miles south of Bath, 43 miles east of Taunton and 107 miles west of London?

Theme: Each answer contains the surname of a winner of the Tour de France...

Cadel Evans, Geraint Thomas, Greg LeMond, Lance Armstrong, Stephen Roche, Jan Janssen, Pedro Delgado, Bjarne Riise and

Chris Froome

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers