ROUND 1 - Pairs with a Hidden theme

1.

Which hugely influential Jamaican musician, one of the innovators of the original Ska sound, is remembered for records including One Step Beyond and Al Capone, amongst many others? Madness paid tribute to him on their debut single in 1979.

2.

Which Grammy award-winning US singer-songwriter, rapper, actress and producer can probably lay claim to the title of First Lady of Hip-Hop?  She scored her debut US hit on Tommy Boy records in 1989 with the song Ladies First.

3.

Which author won the 1978 Booker Prize for her philosophical novel: The Sea, the Sea?

4.

Born in 1893, which author’s poetry collections include: Enough Rope, Sunset Gun and Death & Taxes - though she is probably best remembered for her membership of the Algonquin Round Table?

5.

Who is the only Scottish international footballer to score in three World Cup Final tournaments? His goals were scored at the West Germany (1974), Argentina (1978) and Spain (1982) finals.

6.

In October 2021, which Football League manager was widely criticised when he crassly compared poor performances by his club to a Holocaust?  It wasn’t the first time by any means that he has courted controversy.

7.

Who was the author of the tremendously popular 'Doctor' books which were turned into several feature films starring the likes of Dirk Bogarde, and memorably, James Robertson Justice as Sir Lancelot Spratt?  They were also adapted into a long running ITV sitcom series.

8.

What was the title of the debut novel by Ben Elton?  First published in 1989, it was adapted for a BBC TV mini-series which aired in 1993.  Its plot involved a cabal of billionaires who intend to abandon the rapidly decaying Earth in a fleet of spaceships.  It sounds quite prescient now…

Sp1

Who is currently the Musical Director of the Hamburg State Opera?  He served as the principal conductor of the Halle Orchestra in Manchester from 1992 to 1999.

Sp2

Which US rock band reached number 11 in the UK charts in 2003 with their single Stacy’s Mom? They took their name from a Lawn Ornamental store in New Jersey.

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Women's Sport

With the meteoric rise of Emma Raducanu this year there has been a lot of focus on women’s sport - let’s see if you have been paying attention.

1.

2.

Born in Ethiopia, where she left as a refugee, Safin Hassan, the 2020 Olympic gold medallist at 10,000m, 5000m and bronze medallist at 1500m, represents which European country?

3.

Which British Athlete beat Safin Hassan to the silver medal at the 1500m in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

4.

19-year-old Athlete, Keely Hodgkinson from Atherton surprised everyone with a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in which event?

5.

'The Boss’s' daughter, Jessica Springsteen, won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in which event?

6.

On Tuesday March 16 2021, Rachel Blackmore riding Honeysuckle became the first female jockey to win which race?

7.

In last month’s 20-0 victory for The Lionesses against Latvia in the World Cup qualifiers, whose hat-trick took her to 48 goals for England taking over from Kelly Smith as England’s top scorer in women’s international football?

8.

Hollie Bradshaw won Team GB’s only field event medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a bronze, at which event?

Sp1

Sixteen-year-old Identical twins, Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova won Bronze at the 2020 Olympics representing Team GB in which event?

Sp2

Simone Biles withdrew from several of the Gymnastics events at the 2020 Olympics citing which ‘condition’ the equivalent to Golf’s yips?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Pop Music and Literature Run-ons

Two answers, one big run on - you know how it works - I’ve even managed to squeeze a couple of Christmas songs in at the end to get you in that festive mood

1.

Which 1979 Pulitzer-prize winning true-crime novel by Norman Mailer depicted events around the trial of murderer Gary Gilmore and its aftermath?

&

Which 1976 double album, ranked number 4 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, featured the hit singles I Wish, Another Star and Sir Duke?

2.

Which 1957 post-apocalyptic novel by Nevil Shute details the experiences of a group of people in Melbourne as they await the arrival of deadly radiation spreading towards them from the Northern Hemisphere?

3.

What was the title of the 2003 Mercury Prize winning debut album by Dizzee Rascal?  Its success brought Grime to a more mainstream audience.

4.

In which 1966 novel might you expect to read the phrase: “Broadsword calling Danny Boy”?

5.

Which 1932 semi-autobiographical novel by Louis-Ferdinand Celine, widely considered to be one of the great works of European literature, was ranked 51st by the Guardian in their list of the 100 greatest novels of all time in 2003?

&

Which 1974 top 3 single by Paper Lace told of a gun battle “on the streets of the old East Side”?

6.

Which 1982 chart topper by Buck’s Fizz features lyrics by former King Crimson member Peter Sinfield?  According to him, the song was a subtle attack on Margaret Thatcher and her policies, though, some might argue that its title is even more appropriate at this point in history.

7.

Which much loved Christmas song was written by Eric Boswell in 1959?  Though originally recorded by Gracie Fields and, also, the Beverley Sisters, it was Nina and Frederick who scored the big hit with it, taking it to number 3 in the charts in December 1960.

8.

Which popular Christmas song, written in 1944 contains lyrics which have gradually become more troublesome as cultural expectations have changed?  The only version to trouble the UK top 20 was by Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews in 1999.

Sp.

Which Jane Austen novel tells the story of Fanny Price, the daughter of a drunken sailor, as she struggles to settle into a new, more rarefied environment?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Announced theme - 'Plank Spankers'

Each answer includes the name of a famous guitarist

1.

What surname is shared by the junior US Senator for Kentucky and a YouTube personality who boxed Floyd Mayweather in June 2021?

2.

What is the official name of the all-too-familiar theme tune to Radio 4 soap opera The Archers?

3.

What, precisely, do "rough winds shake" in Shakespeare's sonnet number 18?

4.

Which Cardiff-born journalist has published books about goats and psychopaths, as well as managing the Manchester indie band Man from Delmonte?

5.

Which small Spanish city, 97 kilometres north of Madrid, features a Roman aqueduct and the country's last gothic cathedral?

6.

Which British actress was made a dame in 2001?  She co-created the TV series Upstairs Downstairs and House of Elliot.

7.

Who directed the films Layer Cake in 2004, Kickass in 2010 and is married to Claudia Schiffer?

8.

Which early eighteenth century English statesman and farmer was brother-in-law to Sir Robert Walpole, invented the four crop rotation system and was nicknamed 'Turnip'?

Sp1

Which American billionaire was born in Lansing, Michigan and co-founded Google in 1998?

Sp2

Which parliamentary constituency in Northumberland includes Morpeth, Ashington and Bedlington?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Pairs

1.

Which Beatles song finishes on what has been described "The most famous chord in musical history" - which is E Major?

2.

In which famous Beatles song, which reached number One in the UK and US, can you hear Paul McCartney utter the profanity "fucking hell" between 2min:56s and 2min:58s?

3.

Which enduring Christmas song has been banned by BBC Radio One due to its use of a word in the lyrics people find offensive?

4.

Which enduring Christmas song was recorded on a hot day in August at Record Plant Studios in New York during the band’s 1973 US Tour?

5.

What was the middle name of Fred Trump?  It may help to explain some aspects of his son's behaviour?

6.

What is tennis star Andy Murray's surprisingly Trumpian middle name?

7.

Which TV sitcom was first aired on NBC on 22nd September 1994 and ran for 10 series with the final episode being broadcast 6th May 2004?

8.

Which TV sitcom was first broadcast on BBC2 on 9th July 2001 and ran only for 2 series each of 6 episodes series and a double Christmas special?

Sp.

Which British foreign secretary, widely regarded as the founder of the Congress system of diplomacy, committed suicide in 1822?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Pairs

1.

Before it became Berlin in 1701, which city was the capital of Prussia?

2.

The Seven Years War was triggered in Europe when Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded which German electorate?

3.

Which American actor portrayed the Duke of Edinburgh in the 2006 film The Queen?

4.

Which American actor portrayed the late Bernie Madoff in the 2017 HBO film Wizard of Lies?

5.

Whose first cookbook was A Book of Middle Eastern Food, released in 1968?

6.

Whose first cookbook was A Book Of Mediterranean Food in 1950?

7.

The historical region of Courland is located in which eastern European country?

8.

The historical region of Bessarabia corresponds primarily to which present-day country?

Sp.

Who is the host of the radio show The Mother of All Talk Shows and the TV show Sputnik?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

Who was the Austrian foreign minister from 1809 to 1848?

2.

Who was the French foreign minister for more than eight years during the period 1797 to 1815?

3.

Which office did James Madison, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams all hold immediately prior to become President of the United States?

4.

Uniquely, William Howard Taft went on to hold which office after his presidency of the United States?

5.

In which country is Guarani one of the two national languages?

6.

In which country is Quechua one of the two national languages?

7.

As well as Everton, which Premiership football team runs out to the tune of Z Cars?

8.

As well as Stockport County which other teams is also nicknamed ‘The Hatters’?

Sp.

Who is the chairman of the European Research Group?  He was absent from Parliament for unspecified reasons in 2020.

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - 'Flipping the Chestnuts'

1.

We all know that they’re called Thomson and Thompson in English, but as what were Tintin’s sidekicks known in the original French?

2.

We all know that The Winter’s Tale has the stage direction “Exit, pursued by a bear” but whom does the bear pursue?

3.

We all know that Betty Boothroyd was the first female Speaker of the House of Commons, but whom did she succeed?

4.

We all know that Paul McCartney appears barefoot on the cover of Abbey Road, but which two things - uniquely for a Beatles album - is the cover missing?

5.

We all know that Spencer Perceval is the only British prime minister to have been assassinated, but who shot him?

6.

We all know that Keith Peacock was the first substitute in the Football League, for which London football club did he play?

7.

We all know that Peter Finch received a posthumous Oscar for Network, but what was his last film?

8.

What is the formal title of the song commonly known as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire?

Sp.

In which Welsh county is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Pairs with a Hidden theme

1.

Which hugely influential Jamaican musician, one of the innovators of the original Ska sound, is remembered for records including One Step Beyond and Al Capone, amongst many others? Madness paid tribute to him on their debut single in 1979.

Prince Buster

2.

Which Grammy award-winning US singer-songwriter, rapper, actress and producer can probably lay claim to the title of First Lady of Hip-Hop?  She scored her debut US hit on Tommy Boy records in 1989 with the song Ladies First.

Queen Latifah

3.

Which author won the 1978 Booker Prize for her philosophical novel: The Sea, the Sea?

Iris Murdoch

4.

Born in 1893, which author’s poetry collections include: Enough Rope, Sunset Gun and Death & Taxes - though she is probably best remembered for her membership of the Algonquin Round Table?

Dorothy Parker

5.

Who is the only Scottish international footballer to score in three World Cup Final tournaments? His goals were scored at the West Germany (1974), Argentina (1978) and Spain (1982) finals.

Joe Jordan

6.

In October 2021, which Football League manager was widely criticised when he crassly compared poor performances by his club to a Holocaust?  It wasn’t the first time by any means that he has courted controversy.

Joey Barton

7.

Who was the author of the tremendously popular 'Doctor' books which were turned into several feature films starring the likes of Dirk Bogarde, and memorably, James Robertson Justice as Sir Lancelot Spratt?  They were also adapted into a long running ITV sitcom series.

Richard Gordon

8.

What was the title of the debut novel by Ben Elton?  First published in 1989, it was adapted for a BBC TV mini-series which aired in 1993.  Its plot involved a cabal of billionaires who intend to abandon the rapidly decaying Earth in a fleet of spaceships.  It sounds quite prescient now…

Stark

Sp1

Who is currently the Musical Director of the Hamburg State Opera?  He served as the principal conductor of the Halle Orchestra in Manchester from 1992 to 1999.

Kent Nagano

Sp2

Which US rock band reached number 11 in the UK charts in 2003 with their single Stacy’s Mom? They took their name from a Lawn Ornamental store in New Jersey.

The Fountains of Wayne

Theme: Each answer contains the surname of the secret identity of a Marvel/D.C. superhero...

Diana Prince - Wonder Woman, Oliver Queen – Green Arrow, Matt Murdock – Daredevil, Peter Parker – Spiderman, Clint Barton – Hawkeye, Hal Jordan – Green Lantern, Barbara Gordon – Batgirl, Tony Stark – Iron Man, Clark Kent - Superman, Bruce Wayne - Batman

ROUND 2 - Women's Sport

With the meteoric rise of Emma Raducanu this year there has been a lot of focus on women’s sport - let’s see if you have been paying attention.

1.

Canada

2.

Born in Ethiopia, where she left as a refugee, Safin Hassan, the 2020 Olympic gold medallist at 10,000m, 5000m and bronze medallist at 1500m, represents which European country?

The Netherlands

3.

Which British Athlete beat Safin Hassan to the silver medal at the 1500m in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

Laura Muir

4.

19-year-old Athlete, Keely Hodgkinson from Atherton surprised everyone with a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in which event?

The Women’s 800m

(or Boom! to some)

5.

'The Boss’s' daughter, Jessica Springsteen, won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in which event?

Team Show jumping

6.

On Tuesday March 16 2021, Rachel Blackmore riding Honeysuckle became the first female jockey to win which race?

The Champion Hurdle

7.

In last month’s 20-0 victory for The Lionesses against Latvia in the World Cup qualifiers, whose hat-trick took her to 48 goals for England taking over from Kelly Smith as England’s top scorer in women’s international football?

Ellen White

8.

Hollie Bradshaw won Team GB’s only field event medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a bronze, at which event?

Pole Vault

Sp1

Sixteen-year-old Identical twins, Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova won Bronze at the 2020 Olympics representing Team GB in which event?

Team Gymnastics

Sp2

Simone Biles withdrew from several of the Gymnastics events at the 2020 Olympics citing which ‘condition’ the equivalent to Golf’s yips?

The Twisties

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Pop Music and Literature Run-ons

Two answers, one big run on - you know how it works - I’ve even managed to squeeze a couple of Christmas songs in at the end to get you in that festive mood

1.

Which 1979 Pulitzer-prize winning true-crime novel by Norman Mailer depicted events around the trial of murderer Gary Gilmore and its aftermath?

&

Which 1976 double album, ranked number 4 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, featured the hit singles I Wish, Another Star and Sir Duke?

The Executioner’s Song

Songs in the Key of Life

2.

Which 1957 post-apocalyptic novel by Nevil Shute details the experiences of a group of people in Melbourne as they await the arrival of deadly radiation spreading towards them from the Northern Hemisphere?

There’s a Riot Goin’ on

On the Beach

3.

What was the title of the 2003 Mercury Prize winning debut album by Dizzee Rascal?  Its success brought Grime to a more mainstream audience.

A Suitable Boy

Boy in da Corner

(accept Boy in the Corner)

4.

In which 1966 novel might you expect to read the phrase: “Broadsword calling Danny Boy”?

Road to Nowhere

Where Eagles Dare

5.

Which 1932 semi-autobiographical novel by Louis-Ferdinand Celine, widely considered to be one of the great works of European literature, was ranked 51st by the Guardian in their list of the 100 greatest novels of all time in 2003?

&

Which 1974 top 3 single by Paper Lace told of a gun battle “on the streets of the old East Side”?

Journey to the End of the Night

The Night Chicago Died

6.

Which 1982 chart topper by Buck’s Fizz features lyrics by former King Crimson member Peter Sinfield?  According to him, the song was a subtle attack on Margaret Thatcher and her policies, though, some might argue that its title is even more appropriate at this point in history.

Stranger in a Strange Land

Land of Make Believe

7.

Which much loved Christmas song was written by Eric Boswell in 1959?  Though originally recorded by Gracie Fields and, also, the Beverley Sisters, it was Nina and Frederick who scored the big hit with it, taking it to number 3 in the charts in December 1960.

Vernon God Little

Little Donkey

8.

Which popular Christmas song, written in 1944 contains lyrics which have gradually become more troublesome as cultural expectations have changed?  The only version to trouble the UK top 20 was by Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews in 1999.

Sp.

Which Jane Austen novel tells the story of Fanny Price, the daughter of a drunken sailor, as she struggles to settle into a new, more rarefied environment?

Frosty the Snowman

Mansfield Park

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Announced theme - 'Plank Spankers'

Each answer includes the name of a famous guitarist

1.

What surname is shared by the junior US Senator for Kentucky and a YouTube personality who boxed Floyd Mayweather in June 2021?

Paul

(Senator Rand and Logan - Les Paul is the guitarist)

2.

What is the official name of the all-too-familiar theme tune to Radio 4 soap opera The Archers?

Barwick Green

(Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac)

3.

What, precisely, do "rough winds shake" in Shakespeare's sonnet number 18?

"The Darling Buds of May"

 (Brian May)

4.

Which Cardiff-born journalist has published books about goats and psychopaths, as well as managing the Manchester indie band Man from Delmonte?

Jon Ronson

(Mick Ronson)

5.

Which small Spanish city, 97 kilometres north of Madrid, features a Roman aqueduct and the country's last gothic cathedral?

Segovia

(Andres Segovia, classical guitarist)

6.

Which British actress was made a dame in 2001?  She co-created the TV series Upstairs Downstairs and House of Elliot.

Eileen Atkins

(Chet Atkins, country and western guitarist/producer)

7.

Who directed the films Layer Cake in 2004, Kickass in 2010 and is married to Claudia Schiffer?

Matthew Vaughn

(Stevie Ray Vaughan)

8.

Which early eighteenth century English statesman and farmer was brother-in-law to Sir Robert Walpole, invented the four crop rotation system and was nicknamed 'Turnip'?

Charles, Viscount Townshend

(Pete Townsend)

Sp1

Which American billionaire was born in Lansing, Michigan and co-founded Google in 1998?

Larry Page

(Jimmy Page)

Sp2

Which parliamentary constituency in Northumberland includes Morpeth, Ashington and Bedlington?

Wansbeck

(Jeff Beck)

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Pairs

1.

Which Beatles song finishes on what has been described "The most famous chord in musical history" - which is E Major?

A Day in the Life

2.

In which famous Beatles song, which reached number One in the UK and US, can you hear Paul McCartney utter the profanity "fucking hell" between 2min:56s and 2min:58s?

Hey Jude

(once you hear it you can’t unhear it)

3.

Which enduring Christmas song has been banned by BBC Radio One due to its use of a word in the lyrics people find offensive?

Fairy Tale of New York

(by The Pogues featuring Kirsty McColl)

4.

Which enduring Christmas song was recorded on a hot day in August at Record Plant Studios in New York during the band’s 1973 US Tour?

Merry Xmas Everybody

(by Slade)

5.

What was the middle name of Fred Trump?  It may help to explain some aspects of his son's behaviour?

Christ

6.

7.

Which TV sitcom was first aired on NBC on 22nd September 1994 and ran for 10 series with the final episode being broadcast 6th May 2004?

Friends

8.

Which TV sitcom was first broadcast on BBC2 on 9th July 2001 and ran only for 2 series each of 6 episodes series and a double Christmas special?

The Office

Sp.

Which British foreign secretary, widely regarded as the founder of the Congress system of diplomacy, committed suicide in 1822?

Castlereagh

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Pairs

1.

Before it became Berlin in 1701, which city was the capital of Prussia?

Konigsberg

2.

The Seven Years War was triggered in Europe when Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded which German electorate?

Saxony

3.

Which American actor portrayed the Duke of Edinburgh in the 2006 film The Queen?

James Cromwell

4.

Which American actor portrayed the late Bernie Madoff in the 2017 HBO film Wizard of Lies?

Robert de Niro

5.

Whose first cookbook was A Book of Middle Eastern Food, released in 1968?

Claudia Roden

6.

Whose first cookbook was A Book Of Mediterranean Food in 1950?

Elizabeth David

7.

The historical region of Courland is located in which eastern European country?

Latvia

8.

The historical region of Bessarabia corresponds primarily to which present-day country?

Moldova

Sp.

Who is the host of the radio show The Mother of All Talk Shows and the TV show Sputnik?

George Galloway

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

Who was the Austrian foreign minister from 1809 to 1848?

Metternich

2.

Who was the French foreign minister for more than eight years during the period 1797 to 1815?

Talleyrand

3.

Which office did James Madison, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams all hold immediately prior to become President of the United States?

Secretary of State

4.

Uniquely, William Howard Taft went on to hold which office after his presidency of the United States?

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

5.

In which country is Guarani one of the two national languages?

Paraguay

6.

In which country is Quechua one of the two national languages?

Ecuador

7.

As well as Everton, which Premiership football team runs out to the tune of Z Cars?

Watford

8.

As well as Stockport County which other teams is also nicknamed ‘The Hatters’?

Luton Town

Sp.

Who is the chairman of the European Research Group?  He was absent from Parliament for unspecified reasons in 2020.

Mark Francois

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - 'Flipping the Chestnuts'

1.

We all know that they’re called Thomson and Thompson in English, but as what were Tintin’s sidekicks known in the original French?

Dupont and Dupond

2.

We all know that The Winter’s Tale has the stage direction “Exit, pursued by a bear” but whom does the bear pursue?

Antigonus

3.

We all know that Betty Boothroyd was the first female Speaker of the House of Commons, but whom did she succeed?

4.

We all know that Paul McCartney appears barefoot on the cover of Abbey Road, but which two things - uniquely for a Beatles album - is the cover missing?

The album title and the Beatles’ name

5.

We all know that Spencer Perceval is the only British prime minister to have been assassinated, but who shot him?

John Bellingham

6.

We all know that Keith Peacock was the first substitute in the Football League, for which London football club did he play?

Charlton Athletic

7.

We all know that Peter Finch received a posthumous Oscar for Network, but what was his last film?

Raid on Entebbe

8.

What is the formal title of the song commonly known as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire?

The Christmas Song

Sp.

In which Welsh county is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch?

Gwynedd

(also accept Anglesey)

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers