ROUND 1 - ‘A Tortuous Round’

Set by The Opsimaths

Questions in this round are presented as reverse pairs

1.

In a 2007 press release, which US politician wrote:

“Torture is how you create enemies, not how you defeat them.”?

2.

In Greek mythology, the fruit above Tantalus forever eluded his grasp, and the water below always receded before he could get any.  Ixion was bound forever to a burning solar wheel.  Who was forced to eternally roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll down every time it neared the top?

3.

A victim's hands are tied behind his back, he is lifted off the ground by a rope attached to the wrists, and then dropped partway to the ground with a jerk, typically resulting in dislocated shoulders.  Weights can be added to the body to intensify the pain.  From an Old Italian word meaning ‘to tug sharply’, what is this torture called?

4.

To force confessions, the Spanish Inquisition subjected victims to punishments including strangulation, being stretched on the rack, waterboarding or the strappado.  Who presided over the Inquisition from 1483 to 1498?

5.

Born in 1431, who was Voivode of Wallachia (pronounced Voi-vohd of wo-ley-kee-uh) three times between 1448 and his death in 1476 or 77?

6.

Blows are administered to the soles of a person's bare feet, generally with a light rod, knotted cord, or lash.  From a Spanish word meaning ‘a beating’ or ‘cudgeling’, what is this foot whipping torture called?

7.

In Greek mythology, which bandit from Attica tortured people by stretching them or cutting off their legs, to force them to fit the size of an iron bed?

8.

In a 1958 essay, which French philosopher wrote:

“Torture is senseless violence, born in fear.... We would almost be too lucky if these crimes were the work of savages: the truth is that torture makes torturers.”

Sp1

Since 1903, the USA has sent an annual cheque for $4,085 to Cuba.  This cheque, which Cuba hasn’t accepted since Castro took power, pays for what?

Sp2

What two-word term did the Bush administration introduce to cover beatings, binding in contorted stress positions, hooding, subjection to deafening noise, sleep deprivation, subjection to extreme heat or cold, deprivation of food, drink, and medical care for wounds, sexual humiliation, waterboarding, walling, and confinement in coffin-like boxes?

Sp3

In 2016, which US politician said:

“Torture works, okay folks?... Believe me, it works.... Waterboarding is your minor form.  Some people say it's not actually torture. Let's assume it is.  But they asked me the question. What do you think of waterboarding? Absolutely fine.  But we should go much stronger than waterboarding.  That's the way I feel.”

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Pairs

Set by The Charabancs of Fire

1.

Name the author of the Victorian novels Adam Bede (1859) and Daniel Daronda (1876).

2.

Who wrote the Palliser series of books (also called The Parliamentary Novels) between 1864 and 1879?

3.

Which current football league club entered the league in 1970 replacing Bradford Park Avenue?

4.

Which current football league club entered the league in 1978 replacing Southport?

5.

What is the name of the philosophical principle paraphrased by statements such as "the simplest explanation is most likely the right one"?

6.

The well-known ‘proof’ that Achilles cannot overtake a tortoise (and other variants of the same argument) is known to the modern world by what name?

7.

What title links a 1980 album by The Cure and a 1999 film starring Hilary Swank?

8.

What links a 1980 song by Dire Straits and a 1996 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio?

Sp.

Which city would you be visiting if you saw a large sign across Stonegate enticing you into ‘Ye Olde Starre Inn’?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Pictures

Set by The Prodigals

You will see a photo of a woman.  All you need to do is name their famous parent.  You will get a series of clues along the way.

1.

This actress famous for a role in Eastenders has recently lost her actor father.  He had a very successful TV career in shows such as The Sweeney and William amongst others. Who was he?

2.

This successful model and reality TV star has over 237m followers on Instagram (seriously haven’t people got better things to do) - but who is her Olympic gold medal winning father.  Her father goes by a different name to the one they had when winning Olympic gold.

3.

This 20 year old is aiming for supermodel stardom – just like her mother.  Her mother was the face of numerous campaigns include a famous ad for Pepsi.  She featured in videos by George Michael and was the inspiration behind a song by Prince.  Who is the famous mother?

4.

This award US actress is the stalwart of TV crime drama Law and Order Special Victims Unit, playing the role of Olivia Benson.  Her mother was a fifties sex symbol who starred in films such as The Girl Can’t Help It and Too Hot to Handle.  She died of head injuries in a car crash in 1967 whilst her daughter was asleep in the back of the car.  Who was the mother?

5.

This multi award-winning actress has a famous mother.  Her mother will be taking the Sunday legends slot at this year’s Glastonbury.  Who is she?

6.

This photographer followed in her mother’s career footsteps.  Her father is a musician.  He will be appearing at this year’s Glastonbury.  Who is he?

7.

This actress appeared in the TV adaptation of The Luminaries.  Her father is an Irish musician.  She has chosen to keep the name she was born with.  He decided to give himself another name.  Who is he?

8.

This actress has appeared in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise and is the current squeeze of Chris Martin.  She has two famous parents who are divorced.  Her grandmother was also a famous actress who was a favourite of Alfred Hitchcock.  Name either of her parents.

Sp1

This actress proved to be really good at running away from dinosaurs in high heels in the role as Claire Dearing in Jurassic World.  Her father is one of Hollywood’s most respected directors, but he first came to prominence playing the role of Ritchie Cunningham in a TV comedy series.  Who is he?

Sp2

This British actress played the role of Fantine in the BBC’s adaptation of Les Miserables and plays the eponymous Emily in Netflix’s Emily in Paris.  Her father has played The Artful Dodger on the West End, but he is more famous as a musician.  Who is he?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Pairs

Set by Knocked Out United

1.

(Opsimaths)

Now the publication of an historical society, where was the ‘Atlantic Daily Bulletin’ originally printed and published in 1912?

2.

(Opsimaths)

Which magazine was first published on February 12th 1916 by the 12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters in Belgium, with a circulation of 100 copies, and was followed by another 22 issues?

3.

(Prodigals)

17 years and 2 films later, what is the name of the re-booted series of Sex and The City?  It features just 3 of the 4 original protagonists.

4.

(Prodigals)

HBO have recently launched a TV series from the team behind Downton Abbey.  It concerns the upstairs and downstairs antics of New York high society from the 19th Century. What is the series call?

5.

Abolhassan Banisadr died on October 9th 2021 in Paris.  From February 4th 1980 until June 22nd 1981, he was the first President of which country?

6.

(Opsimaths)

Ahmed Fuad now lives in Switzerland.  He was born January 16th 1952.  From July 26th 1952 until June 18th 1953, as Fuad II, he was the last king of which country?

7.

(KFD)

He died on May 18th 1911 at the age of 50 in Vienna.  His works include Tragic and Song of the Night.  Who was he?

8.

(KFD)

He was born on May 18th 1872 in Monmouthshire.  His works include The Principles of Mathematics and Why Men Fight.  Who was he?

Sp1

(Opsimaths)

What item of furniture was first mentioned by Medieval Norman poet Wace in his Roman de Brut in about 1155?

Sp2

(Opsimaths)

Being the oldest known depiction of this monument, a 14th century manuscript of Wace’s Roman de Brut shows a giant helping Merlin build what?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Pairs

Set by Knocked Out United

1.

(Electric Pigs)

Which pastry is used in a 'Croque en bouche'?

2.

(Electric Pigs)

What is the traditional French cake for Christmas?

…and just for fun the Electric Pigs ask…

Une blague: What do you call a Frenchman in sandals?

Une autre blague: What do the French call a really bad Thursday?

3.

(Electric Pigs)

“Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,
It made one Gasp and Stretch one’s Eyes.”

Who wrote this cautionary tale?

4.

(Electric Pigs)

“The manager wanted no trouble.
He took out his purse right away,
Saying, ‘How much to settle the matter?’
Pa said ‘What do you usually pay?’”

Give the exact title of this cautionary tale about another wayward child.

5.

(Electric Pigs)

“I've had eighteen straight whiskies, I think that's the record."

A man of many words , including “the sloeback, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat bobbing sea”, whose last words were these?

6.

(Electric Pigs)

“I'm going to the bathroom to read."

One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, whose last words were these?

7.

(KFD)

What is missing from this list: Venice, Milan, Venice, BLANK, Ostia and Velletri–Segni, Buenos Aires?

8.

(KFD)

What is missing from this list: Austria, Peru, Egypt, Ghana, BLANK, Portugal?

Sp1

(Prodigals)

20th century German author W G Sebald, famous for The Rings of Saturn, spent his adult life teaching at two English universities.  Name one of them.

Sp2

Albert Einstein spent his later years in the USA.  At which American university's Institute for Advanced Studies was he a faculty member?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Pairs

Set by Knocked Out United

1.

(Charabancs)

Near which coastal town would you find Pendennis Castle, constructed by Henry VIII between 1540 and 1542?

2.

(Charabancs)

Which castle near the Welsh border was the honeymoon destination for Henry VIII’s brother Prince Arthur and his bride Catherine of Aragon and home of Mary Tudor between 1525 and 1528?

3.

(Prodigals)

Which UK TV quiz host has a brother who plays bass in rock band Suede?

4.

(Prodigals)

Which UK TV quiz host has a brother who won the best joke award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014 with this quip:

"I decided to sell my vacuum cleaner, it was just collecting dust"?

5.

(Charabancs)

Which poem includes the lines-:-

"Old age should burn and rave at close of day
Rage rage against the dying of the light"?

6.

(Charabancs)

Which poem includes these lines:-

"And all that's best of dark and bright
meet in the aspect of her eyes"?

7.

(KFD)

The bands The Fratellis, Texas and Belle & Sebastian come from which British city?

8.

(KFD)

The bands Cabaret Voltaire, Heaven 17 and Comsat Angles come from which British city?

Sp1

(Charabancs)

Which summer migratory birds shares their name with a British pop group who had a 1986 hit with Happy Hour?

Sp2

(Charabancs)

Which bird of the duck family shares its name with a James Bond film of 1995?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

Set by Electric Pigs

1.

The following 3 events happened in years that use the same 4 digits and are numerical anagrams of each other.  Give all 3 years.

• Richard, son of Oliver Cromwell, resigns as Lord Protector

• The USSR invades to quash Hungarian uprising

• Winston Churchill dies

2.

The following 3 events happened in years that use the same 4 digits and are numerical anagrams of each other.  Give all 3 years.

• Current St Paul’s Cathedral consecrated for use

• James Cook lands in NZ

• The Six Day War (Arab/Israeli)

3.

When the current Queen was born what position was she in the line of succession?

4.

Who was the first PM to have been born in the current Queen’s reign and to have served under her?

5.

What mammal possesses fingerprints closest in shape to a human and almost identical under an electron microscope?

6.

Two species which share 98.7% of human DNA are chimpanzees and another which is restricted to South of the Congo River. Name it.

7.

From which classic novel is this quote:

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”?

8.

From which famous 20th century play is this quote:

“You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away – a man is not a piece of fruit.”?

Sp.

Excluding the current Prime Minister (whose marital record risked over-complicating the question!), how many former spouses of British Prime Ministers are still alive?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - ‘The Final Round’

Set by KFD

Each answer contains a word which can follow the word “final” to form a common phrase 

1.

In 1920 a Grand Jury indicted eight Chicago White Sox players, accusing them of throwing the 1919 World Series.  Following the indictments, what famous headline did the Chicago Daily News run?

2.

What phrase referring to escaping a difficult situation by leaving rather than dealing with the matter originates from an 18th century naval practice?

3.

First broadcast on November 2nd 1982, the 84th series of this game show is due to air from July. What is it called?

4.

What is the title of the last Agatha Christie novel published in her lifetime?

5.

Which line comes next after these in the poem The Walrus and the Carpenter?

“O Oysters, said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?”

6.

What are the first six words of a famous speech, delivered in Pennsylvania on 19th November 1863?

7.

What can be found between The Angel, Islington and Euston Road?

8.

He represented Tennessee in the US House of Representatives between 1827 and 1831 and again between 1833 and 1835.  He died in Texas on March 6th 1836.  By what epithet was he known?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

Tiebreaker

The team giving the nearest to the correct answer wins the quiz

What is the total population (as of the 2011 census) living on the 94 inhabited Scottish Islands?

Go to Tiebreaker question with answer

ROUND 1 - ‘A Tortuous Round’

Set by The Opsimaths

Questions in this round are presented as reverse pairs

1.

In a 2007 press release, which US politician wrote:

“Torture is how you create enemies, not how you defeat them.”?

Barack Obama

2.

In Greek mythology, the fruit above Tantalus forever eluded his grasp, and the water below always receded before he could get any. Ixion was bound forever to a burning solar wheel. Who was forced to eternally roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll down every time it neared the top?

Sisyphus

3.

A victim's hands are tied behind his back, he is lifted off the ground by a rope attached to the wrists, and then dropped partway to the ground with a jerk, typically resulting in dislocated shoulders. Weights can be added to the body to intensify the pain.  From an Old Italian word meaning ‘to tug sharply’, what is this torture called?

Strappado

4.

To force confessions, the Spanish Inquisition subjected victims to punishments including strangulation, being stretched on the rack, waterboarding or the strappado.  Who presided over the Inquisition from 1483 to 1498?

Tomás de Torquemada

5.

Born in 1431, who was Voivode of Wallachia (pronounced Voi-vohd of wo-ley-kee-uh) three times between 1448 and his death in 1476 or 77?

Vlad the Impaler

(accept also ‘Vlad III’ or ‘Vlad Dracula’)

6.

Blows are administered to the soles of a person's bare feet, generally with a light rod, knotted cord, or lash.  From a Spanish word meaning ‘a beating’ or ‘cudgeling’, what is this foot whipping torture called?

Bastinado

7.

In Greek mythology, which bandit from Attica tortured people by stretching them or cutting off their legs, to force them to fit the size of an iron bed?

Procrustes

(accept also Prokoptas or Damastes)

8.

In a 1958 essay, which French philosopher wrote:

“Torture is senseless violence, born in fear.... We would almost be too lucky if these crimes were the work of savages: the truth is that torture makes torturers.”

Jean-Paul Sartre

Sp1

Since 1903, the USA has sent an annual cheque for $4,085 to Cuba.  This cheque, which Cuba hasn’t accepted since Castro took power, pays for what?

The lease on Guantánamo Bay
(accept any answer that mentions ‘Guantánamo Bay’)

Sp2

What two-word term did the Bush administration introduce to cover beatings, binding in contorted stress positions, hooding, subjection to deafening noise, sleep deprivation, subjection to extreme heat or cold, deprivation of food, drink, and medical care for wounds, sexual humiliation, waterboarding, walling, and confinement in coffin-like boxes?

Enhanced Interrogation

Sp3

In 2016, which US politician said:

“Torture works, okay folks?... Believe me, it works.... Waterboarding is your minor form. Some people say it's not actually torture. Let's assume it is. But they asked me the question. What do you think of waterboarding? Absolutely fine. But we should go much stronger than waterboarding. That's the way I feel.”

Donald Trump

ROUND 2 - Paired

Set by The Charabancs of Fire

1.

Name the author of the Victorian novels Adam Bede (1859) and Daniel Daronda (1876).

George Eliot

2.

Who wrote the Palliser series of books (also called The Parliamentary Novels) between 1864 and 1879?

Anthony Trollope

3.

Which current football league club entered the league in 1970 replacing Bradford Park Avenue?

Cambridge United

4.

Which current football league club entered the league in 1978 replacing Southport?

Wigan Athletic

5.

What is the name of the philosophical principle paraphrased by statements such as "the simplest explanation is most likely the right one"?

Ockham’s Razor

6.

The well-known ‘proof’ that Achilles cannot overtake a tortoise (and other variants of the same argument) is known to the modern world by what name?

Zeno’s Paradox

7.

What title links a 1980 album by The Cure and a 1999 film starring Hilary Swank?

Boys Don't Cry

8.

What links a 1980 song by Dire Straits and a 1996 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio?

Romeo and Juliet

Sp.

Which city would you be visiting if you saw a large sign across Stonegate enticing you into ‘Ye Olde Starre Inn’?

York

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Pictures

Set by The Prodigals

You will see a photo of a woman.  All you need to do is name their famous parent.  You will get a series of clues along the way.

1.

This actress famous for a role in Eastenders has recently lost her actor father.  He had a very successful TV career in shows such as The Sweeney and William amongst others. Who was he?

Dennis Waterman

(she is Hannah Waterman)

2.

This successful model and reality TV star has over 237m followers on Instagram (seriously haven’t people got better things to do) - but who is her Olympic gold medal winning father.  Her father goes by a different name to the one they had when winning Olympic gold.

Caitlyn Jenner

(accept Bruce Jenner)

(she is Kendall Jenner)

3.

This 20 year old is aiming for supermodel stardom – just like her mother.  Her mother was the face of numerous campaigns include a famous ad for Pepsi.  She featured in videos by George Michael and was the inspiration behind a song by Prince.  Who is the famous mother?

Cindy Crawford

(she is Kaia Gerber)

4.

This award US actress is the stalwart of TV crime drama Law and Order Special Victims Unit, playing the role of Olivia Benson.  Her mother was a fifties sex symbol who starred in films such as The Girl Can’t Help It and Too Hot to Handle.  She died of head injuries in a car crash in 1967 whilst her daughter was asleep in the back of the car.  Who was the mother?

Jayne Mansfield

(she is Mariska Hargitary)

5.

This multi award-winning actress has a famous mother.  Her mother will be taking the Sunday legends slot at this year’s Glastonbury.  Who is she?

Diana Ross

(she is Tracee Ellis Ross)

6.

This photographer followed in her mother’s career footsteps.  Her father is a musician.  He will be appearing at this year’s Glastonbury.  Who is he?

Paul McCartney

(she is Mary McCartney

7.

This actress appeared in the TV adaptation of The Luminaries.  Her father is an Irish musician.  She has chosen to keep the name she was born with.  He decided to give himself another name.  Who is he?

Bono

(she is Eve Hewson)

8.

This actress has appeared in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise and is the current squeeze of Chris Martin.  She has two famous parents who are divorced.  Her grandmother was also a famous actress who was a favourite of Alfred Hitchcock.  Name either of her parents.

Don Johnson or Melanie Griffith

(she is Dakota Johnson)

Sp1

This actress proved to be really good at running away from dinosaurs in high heels in the role as Claire Dearing in Jurassic World.  Her father is one of Hollywood’s most respected directors, but he first came to prominence playing the role of Ritchie Cunningham in a TV comedy series.  Who is he?

Ron Howard

(she is Bryce Dallas Howard)

Sp2

This British actress played the role of Fantine in the BBC’s adaptation of Les Miserables and plays the eponymous Emily in Netflix’s Emily in Paris.  Her father has played The Artful Dodger on the West End, but he is more famous as a musician.  Who is he?

Phil Collins

(she is Lily Collins)

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Pairs

Set by Knocked Out United

1.

(Opsimaths)

Now the publication of an historical society, where was the ‘Atlantic Daily Bulletin’ originally printed and published in 1912?

On board the Titanic

2.

(Opsimaths)

Which magazine was first published on February 12th 1916 by the 12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters in Belgium, with a circulation of 100 copies, and was followed by another 22 issues?

The Wipers Times

3.

(Prodigals)

17 years and 2 films later, what is the name of the re-booted series of Sex and The City?  It features just 3 of the 4 original protagonists.

And Just Like That

4.

(Prodigals)

HBO have recently launched a TV series from the team behind Downton Abbey.  It concerns the upstairs and downstairs antics of New York high society from the 19th Century. What is the series call?

The Gilded Age

5.

Abolhassan Banisadr died on October 9th 2021 in Paris.  From February 4th 1980 until June 22nd 1981, he was the first President of which country?

Iran

6.

(Opsimaths)

Ahmed Fuad now lives in Switzerland.  He was born January 16th 1952.  From July 26th 1952 until June 18th 1953, as Fuad II, he was the last king of which country?

Egypt

(accept also the Sudan)

7.

(KFD)

He died on May 18th 1911 at the age of 50 in Vienna.  His works include Tragic and Song of the Night.  Who was he?

Gustav Mahler

(Tragic is the 6th symphony and Song of the Night the 7th)

8.

(KFD)

He was born on May 18th 1872 in Monmouthshire.  His works include The Principles of Mathematics and Why Men Fight.  Who was he?

Bertrand Russell

Sp1

(Opsimaths)

What item of furniture was first mentioned by Medieval Norman poet Wace in his Roman de Brut in about 1155?

King Arthur’s Round Table

(accept ‘The Round Table’)

Sp2

(Opsimaths)

Being the oldest known depiction of this monument, a 14th century manuscript of Wace’s Roman de Brut shows a giant helping Merlin build what?

Stonehenge

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Pairs

Set by Knocked Out United

1.

(Electric Pigs)

Which pastry is used in a 'Croque en bouche'?

Choux

2.

(Electric Pigs)

What is the traditional French cake for Christmas?

La Buche de Noel

...and just for fun the Electric Pigs ask this pair...

Une blague: What do you call a Frenchman in sandals?

Philippe Floppe

Une autre blague: What do the French call a really bad Thursday?

A trajeudi

3.

(Electric Pigs)

“Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,
It made one Gasp and Stretch one’s Eyes.”

Who wrote this cautionary tale?

Hilaire Belloc

4.

(Electric Pigs)

“The manager wanted no trouble.
He took out his purse right away,
Saying, ‘How much to settle the matter?’
Pa said ‘What do you usually pay?’”

Give the exact title of this cautionary tale about another wayward child.

The Lion and Albert

(by Marriott Edgar)

5.

(Electric Pigs)

“I've had eighteen straight whiskies, I think that's the record."

A man of many words , including “the sloeback, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat bobbing sea”, whose last words were these?

Dylan Thomas

6.

(Electric Pigs)

“I'm going to the bathroom to read."

One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, whose last words were these?

Elvis Presley

7.

(KFD)

What is missing from this list: Venice, Milan, Venice, BLANK, Ostia and Velletri–Segni, Buenos Aires?

Krakow

(the seats or Sees of the last six Popes immediately prior to their election as Pontiff. Benedict XVI was a Vatican apparatchik and was given the sinecures of Archbishop of Ostia and Archbishop of Velletri-Segni in order that he could be a member of the College of Cardinals)

8.

(KFD)

What is missing from this list: Austria, Peru, Egypt, Ghana, BLANK, Portugal?

South Korea

(the countries of origin of the last six Secretaries-General of the United Nations)

Sp1

(Prodigals)

20th century German author W G Sebald, famous for The Rings of Saturn, spent his adult life teaching at two English universities.  Name one of them.

Manchester or East Anglia

Sp2

Albert Einstein spent his later years in the USA.  At which American university's Institute for Advanced Studies was he a faculty member?

Princeton

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Pairs

Set by Knocked Out United

1.

(Charabancs)

Near which coastal town would you find Pendennis Castle, constructed by Henry VIII between 1540 and 1542?

Falmouth

2.

(Charabancs)

Which castle near the Welsh border was the honeymoon destination for Henry VIII’s brother Prince Arthur and his bride Catherine of Aragon and home of Mary Tudor between 1525 and 1528?

Ludlow Castle

3.

(Prodigals)

Which UK TV quiz host has a brother who plays bass in rock band Suede?

Richard Osman

(brother is Mat Osman)

4.

(Prodigals)

Which UK TV quiz host has a brother who won the best joke award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014 with this quip:

"I decided to sell my vacuum cleaner, it was just collecting dust"?

Jeremy Vine

(brother is Tim Vine)

5.

(Charabancs)

Which poem includes the lines-:-

"Old age should burn and rave at close of day
Rage rage against the dying of the light"?

Do not go gentle in to that good night

(by Dylan Thomas)

6.

(Charabancs)

Which poem includes these lines:-

"And all that's best of dark and bright
meet in the aspect of her eyes"?

She Walks in Beauty

(by Lord Byron)

7.

(KFD)

The bands The Fratellis, Texas and Belle & Sebastian come from which British city?

Glasgow

8.

(KFD)

The bands Cabaret Voltaire, Heaven 17 and Comsat Angles come from which British city?

Sheffield

Sp1

(Charabancs)

Which summer migratory birds shares their name with a British pop group who had a 1986 hit with Happy Hour?

Housemartins

Sp2

(Charabancs)

Which bird of the duck family shares its name with a James Bond film of 1995?

Goldeneye

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

1.

The following 3 events happened in years that use the same 4 digits and are numerical anagrams of each other.  Give all 3 years.

• Richard, son of Oliver Cromwell, resigns as Lord Protector

• The USSR invades to quash Hungarian uprising

• Winston Churchill dies

1659,
1956,
1965

2.

The following 3 events happened in years that use the same 4 digits and are numerical anagrams of each other.  Give all 3 years.

• Current St Paul’s Cathedral consecrated for use

• James Cook lands in NZ

• The Six Day War (Arab/Israeli)

1697,
1769,
1967

3.

When the current Queen was born what position was she in the line of succession?
 

3rd

(behind her uncle, later King Edward VIII and her father, later King George VI)

4.

Who was the first PM to have been born in the current Queen’s reign and to have served under her?

Tony Blair

5.

What mammal possesses fingerprints closest in shape to a human and almost identical under an electron microscope?

Koala bear

6.

Two species which share 98.7% of human DNA are chimpanzees and another which is restricted to South of the Congo River. Name it.

Bonobo

(Pan Paniscus)

7.

From which classic novel is this quote:

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”?

Anna Karenina

8.

From which famous 20th century play is this quote:

“You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away – a man is not a piece of fruit.”?

Death of a Salesman

Sp.

Excluding the current Prime Minister (whose marital record risked over-complicating the question!), how many former spouses of British Prime Ministers are still alive?

5
(Dame Norma Major, Cherie Blair, Sarah Brown, Samantha Cameron, Sir Philip May)

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - ‘The Final Round’

Set by KFD

Each answer contains a word which can follow the word “final” to form a common phrase 

1.

In 1920 a Grand Jury indicted eight Chicago White Sox players, accusing them of throwing the 1919 World Series.  Following the indictments, what famous headline did the Chicago Daily News run?

“Say it ain’t so Joe”

(of Shoeless Joe Jackson)

2.

What phrase referring to escaping a difficult situation by leaving rather than dealing with the matter originates from an 18th century naval practice?

Cut and run

(in difficulty a warship would cut its anchor free and make sail to facilitate a quicker escape)

3.

First broadcast on November 2nd 1982, the 84th series of this game show is due to air from July. What is it called?

Countdown

4.

What is the title of the last Agatha Christie novel published in her lifetime?

Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case

(accept just ‘Curtain’)

5.

Which line comes next after these in the poem The Walrus and the Carpenter?

“O Oysters, said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?”

 “But answer came there none”

6.

What are the first six words of a famous speech, delivered in Pennsylvania on 19th November 1863?

“Four score and seven years ago”

(the opening words of the Gettysburg Address)

7.

What can be found between The Angel, Islington and Euston Road?

Chance

(on a traditional Monopoly board)

8.

He represented Tennessee in the US House of Representatives between 1827 and 1831 and again between 1833 and 1835.  He died in Texas on March 6th 1836.  By what epithet was he known?

King of the Wild Frontier

(he was Davy Crockett)

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers