ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Which Roman Emperor's name translates into English as 'Little Boots'?

2.

Under which ruler did the Roman Empire reach its greatest geographical area in the year 117 CE?

3.

What is the popular name for Prunella modularis, the common British garden bird also called the hedge sparrow?

4.

What is the common name of Falco tinnunculus, the bird which Gerard Manley Hopkins called The Windhover in his 1877 poem?

5.

What surname is shared by the current president of Israel and a novel published in 1964 by Saul Bellow?

6.

What surname is shared by the current president of Ireland and the snooker player known as the 'Wizard of Wishaw'?

7.

What is missing from the following list of poems in TS Eliot's Four Quartets:

Little Gidding, East Coker, The Dry Salvages?

8.

What is missing from the following list of operas in Wagner's Ring Cycle:

Rheingold, The Valkyrie, Twilight of the Gods?

Sp1

Name the medieval theologian, born in 1033, who first propounded the ontological argument for the existence of God.

Sp2

Which theologian from the late Roman empire, born 354 CE, wrote a book called The City of God?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Announced theme - 'Stand up and Fight!'

Prodigal Jimmy was much taken by the rabble-rousing speech given to the Tory faithful at their recent Manchester conference by the fragrant Penny Mordaunt.  La Pen’s bluster inspired this round.

Each answer contains a word that could logically go before or after the words 'Stand' or 'Fight'.

1.

What title is given to a public decree or charter issued by the Pope?  The name stems from the leaden seal traditionally used to authenticate it.

2.

Which large bay and multiple estuary is fed by the rivers Witham, Welland, Nene and Great Ouse?

3.

Which 2014 film directed by Wes Anderson features an all-star ensemble cast and is set in the fictional Eastern European country of Zubrowka?  Though its imposing title may suggest another actual former member of the Eastern Bloc altogether.

4.

Lee Marvin won his only Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of the dual roles of Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn in which 1965 comedy western film?

5.

The following sentence is an extract from which famous literary work:

"Hush, the babies are sleeping, the farmers, the fishers, the tradesmen and pensioners, cobbler, schoolteacher, postman and publican, the undertaker and the fancy woman, drunkard, dressmaker, preacher, policeman, the web foot cocklewomen and the tidy wives."?

6.

What is the collective name given to the trilogy of novels written by Evelyn Waugh between 1952 and 1961, loosely based on his World War II experiences?  Daniel Craig starred in the 2001 Channel 4 dramatisation.

7.

Which 1985 book by neurologist Oliver Sacks describes the case histories of some of his patients?  Its title suggests a marital, millinery misunderstanding.

8.

What was the nickname of Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon who lived from 1743 to 1827?  The name is also given to a Scottish military march and features prominently in the Manchester United supporters’ song The Pride of All Europe.

Sp1

Which influential group released the album Music from Big Pink in 1968?

Sp2

What was the title of Bruce Lee’s second major movie released in 1972?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme

First names and surnames are required where the answer is a person's name

1.

Name the large Cornish coastal village, 10 miles from Newquay and 5 miles from Redruth, that hosts the former Wheal Coates tin mine.

2.

Which actor, born in Belfast in 1953, was nominated for an Academy award as best supporting actor in 2021?

3.

Which Danish film, from a story by Karen Blixen, won the Academy award for best foreign language film in 1988?

4.

Name the former ballet dancer and prominent widow who was asked the famous "What first attracted you..." question on Caroline Aherne's Mrs Merton Show.

5.

Which former model, daughter of a Swedish politician, was married to Tiger Woods until 2010?

6.

Who is the BBC journalist who became its medical editor in 2020?

7.

Which popular song, written in 1875 by Thomas Paine Westendorf and a favourite with Irish tenors, has a melody inspired by Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E flat minor?

8.

Originally a singer, which actress has starred in films including Grosse Pointe Blank, Good Will Hunting and Goldeneye?  A career highlight was providing the voice of Brooke Shields in South Park, Bigger, Longer and Uncut.

Sp1

Which Dutch artist, with a penchant for geometrical designs, painted Broadway Boogie in 1943 and died in 1944?  (first name and surname are required)

Sp2

The US sitcom Frasier is being filmed again in 2023 after a 19 year gap.  Which actor plays Frasier's British friend in the new series?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Some pairs, some pictures

1.

Name the English botanist who accompanied Captain James Cook on his first voyage to the South Seas, had 80 species of plant named after him and was president of the Royal Society for 41 years.

2.

Name the Birmingham-based industrialist who went into business with James Watt in 1772 and sold hundreds of their patented steam engines to mines and factories.

3.

Rene Magritte's image of a pipe with the caption 'This is not a pipe' is very familiar, but what is the official name of the 1929 artwork?

4.

Salvador Dali's image of floppy timepieces is equally famous, but what is the official title of the 1932 painting?

5.

What does this say in British Sign Language?

6.

In which language does this say ‘General Knowledge'?

7.

It’s a bit early, but what does this say in Morse Code?

8.

In which language does this say 'Seasons Greetings'?

Sp1

Two chemical elements are liquid at 20 degrees Celsius.  One is mercury, but what's the other?

Sp2

What is the only chemical element that, in its pure form and at standard atmospheric pressure, can remain solid at 3,500 degrees Celsius?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Some pictures, some pairs

1.

What does this say in British Sign Language?

2.

In which language does this say ‘Prodigal Quiz’?

3.

A phrase said every day, what does this say in Morse Code?

4.

In which language does this say ‘Happy Birthday’

5.

Douglas Stuart won the Booker prize in 2020 with Shuggie Bain, but what's the title of his second novel published in 2022?

6.

Eleanor Catton won the 2013 Booker Prize with The Luminaries, but what's the title of her third novel published in 2023?

7.

Quiz host Richard Osman is the more famous sibling, but which rock band features his brother Matt on bass?

8.

Martin Sheen has two sons who are also actors.  One is Charlie Sheen, but what is the other son called?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Announced theme - 'Little things mean a lot'

Prodigal Danny and his wife Maeve are leaving us to live in the tiny nation of Luxembourg

Inspired by this news, each answer relates to one of the world's 50 smallest countries by area

1.

Which NFL player was the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback between 1983 and 1999, throwing over 400 career touchdown passes?

2.

Which novel, set on the Cornish coast, was published by Daphne du Maurier in 1936 and released as an Alfred Hitchcock film in 1939?

3.

Which opera by Donizetti, first performed in 1835, is based on a novel by Sir Walter Scott?

4.

In 1948 President Harry S Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act, designed to rebuild Europe's economic infrastructure after the war.  By what name is the act better known?

5.

Which UK rock band was formed in 1995 by Peter Hook and David Potts?  Their debut single What do You Want From Me reached number 11 in the British charts.

6.

Which military operation during the Ottoman/Hapsburg wars took place between 18 May and 11 September 1565?

7.

Which 2004 film on the subject of genocide earned Academy Award nominations for Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo?

8.

Which city in the Bahia region was the first capital of colonial Brazil and is now the nation's third most populous city?

Sp1

What substance can be defined as 'a green or greenish blue poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper'?

Sp2

Name the British writer and artist, author of Rodinsky's Room and other books about the London Jewish community, who is currently reader in English at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Hidden theme - 'Old dirty bastards'

Usual caveats on soundalikes apply

1.

Which author won the 1993 Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha?

2.

Which author’s debut novel was the bestselling alternative-history Fatherland published in 1992?

3.

Which 1955 American film noir starred Robert Mitchum as Preacher Harry Powell, a misogynistic serial killer?

4.

Which 1984 film based on a novel by Michael Ende told of a boy who finds a magical book?  It is probably best remembered now for its theme song which made the UK top ten and was sung by former Kajagoogoo vocalist Limahl.

5.

Which American musician, poet, painter and author scored her only major UK hit with the song Because the Night?  It reached number 5 in the UK charts in 1978 and was co-written with Bruce Springsteen.

6.

Which veteran American vocalist scored minor UK chart hits in the early 1980s with the songs This Little Girl and Jolé Blon?  They both featured contributions from Bruce Springsteen.  The singer took his unusual stage name in the hope that it would be confused with a public service announcement.

7.

Which comedian scored a 1985 UK chart hit under the pseudonym of 'The Commentators'?  It was entitled N-N-Nineteen Not Out and featured impersonations of the Cricket commentators: Richie Benaud, John Arlott and Brian Johnstone.

8.

Who in 2020 became the first-ever male cover star on the US edition of Vogue?  Prominent conservatives voiced disapproval over what he was wearing, a voluminous periwinkle blue gown paired with a black tuxedo jacket.

Sp.

Which recurring character in The Simpsons has the catchphrase “release the hounds”?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Announced theme - 'Who said it?'

Each question is a well-known quote - your answer is the name person who said or wrote it

1.

US Physicist:

“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”

2.

US Journalist and essayist:

“For every complex problem there's a solution that is clear, simple and wrong.”

3.

Poet and painter:

“The tigers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction.”

4.

Philosopher and mathematician:

“War does not determine who is right, only who is left.”

5.

German poet and playwright:

“Music is liquid architecture, architecture is frozen music.”

6.

Poet and dramatist:

“The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

7.

Writer and dramatist:

“Ever tried, ever failed, no matter. Try again, fail again, fail better.”

8.

Writer:

“If not exactly, disgruntled, he was certainly far from being gruntled.”

Sp1

US Writer and humourist:

“The universe is a big place. Perhaps the biggest. “

Sp2

British Philosopher:

“The life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Which Roman Emperor's name translates into English as 'Little Boots'?

Caligula

2.

Under which ruler did the Roman Empire reach its greatest geographical area in the year 117 CE?

Trajan

3.

What is the popular name for Prunella modularis, the common British garden bird also called the hedge sparrow?

Dunnock

4.

What is the common name of Falco tinnunculus, the bird which Gerard Manley Hopkins called The Windhover in his 1877 poem?

Kestrel

5.

What surname is shared by the current president of Israel and a novel published in 1964 by Saul Bellow?

Herzog

6.

What surname is shared by the current president of Ireland and the snooker player known as the 'Wizard of Wishaw'?

Higgins

(Michael D and John)

7.

What is missing from the following list of poems in TS Eliot's Four Quartets:

Little Gidding, East Coker, The Dry Salvages?

Burnt Norton

8.

What is missing from the following list of operas in Wagner's Ring Cycle:

Rheingold, The Valkyrie, Twilight of the Gods?

Siegfried

Sp1

Name the medieval theologian, born in 1033, who first propounded the ontological argument for the existence of God.

Anselm

Sp2

Which theologian from the late Roman empire, born 354 CE, wrote a book called The City of God?

Augustine (of Hippo)

ROUND 2 - Announced theme - 'Stand up and Fight!'

Prodigal Jimmy was much taken by the rabble-rousing speech given to the Tory faithful at their recent Manchester conference by the fragrant Penny Mordaunt.  La Pen’s bluster inspired this round.

Each answer contains a word that could logically go before or after the words 'Stand' or 'Fight'.

1.

What title is given to a public decree or charter issued by the Pope?  The name stems from the leaden seal traditionally used to authenticate it.

A Papal Bull

2.

Which large bay and multiple estuary is fed by the rivers Witham, Welland, Nene and Great Ouse?

The Wash

3.

Which 2014 film directed by Wes Anderson features an all-star ensemble cast and is set in the fictional Eastern European country of Zubrowka?  Though its imposing title may suggest another actual former member of the Eastern Bloc altogether.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

4.

Lee Marvin won his only Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of the dual roles of Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn in which 1965 comedy western film?

Cat Ballou

5.

The following sentence is an extract from which famous literary work:

"Hush, the babies are sleeping, the farmers, the fishers, the tradesmen and pensioners, cobbler, schoolteacher, postman and publican, the undertaker and the fancy woman, drunkard, dressmaker, preacher, policeman, the web foot cocklewomen and the tidy wives."?

Under Milk Wood

6.

What is the collective name given to the trilogy of novels written by Evelyn Waugh between 1952 and 1961, loosely based on his World War II experiences?  Daniel Craig starred in the 2001 Channel 4 dramatisation.

Sword of Honour

7.

Which 1985 book by neurologist Oliver Sacks describes the case histories of some of his patients?  Its title suggests a marital, millinery misunderstanding.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat

8.

What was the nickname of Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon who lived from 1743 to 1827?  The name is also given to a Scottish military march and features prominently in the Manchester United supporters’ song The Pride of All Europe.

The 'Cock of the North'

Sp1

Which influential group released the album Music from Big Pink in 1968?

The Band

Sp2

What was the title of Bruce Lee’s second major movie released in 1972?

Fist of Fury

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme

First names and surnames are required where the answer is a person's name

1.

Name the large Cornish coastal village, 10 miles from Newquay and 5 miles from Redruth, that hosts the former Wheal Coates tin mine.

St Agnes

2.

Which actor, born in Belfast in 1953, was nominated for an Academy award as best supporting actor in 2021?

Ciaran Hinds

3.

Which Danish film, from a story by Karen Blixen, won the Academy award for best foreign language film in 1988?

Babette's Feast

4.

Name the former ballet dancer and prominent widow who was asked the famous "What first attracted you..." question on Caroline Aherne's Mrs Merton Show.

Debbie McGee

5.

Which former model, daughter of a Swedish politician, was married to Tiger Woods until 2010?

Elin Nordegren

6.

Who is the BBC journalist who became its medical editor in 2020?

Fergus Walsh

7.

Which popular song, written in 1875 by Thomas Paine Westendorf and a favourite with Irish tenors, has a melody inspired by Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E flat minor?

I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen

8.

Originally a singer, which actress has starred in films including Grosse Pointe Blank, Good Will Hunting and Goldeneye?  A career highlight was providing the voice of Brooke Shields in South Park, Bigger, Longer and Uncut.

Minnie Driver

Sp1

Which Dutch artist, with a penchant for geometrical designs, painted Broadway Boogie in 1943 and died in 1944?  (first name and surname are required)

Piet Mondrian

Sp2

The US sitcom Frasier is being filmed again in 2023 after a 19 year gap.  Which actor plays Frasier's British friend in the new series?

Nicholas Lyndhurst

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a 2023/24 storm according to the UK Storm Centre

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Some pairs, some pictures

1.

Name the English botanist who accompanied Captain James Cook on his first voyage to the South Seas, had 80 species of plant named after him and was president of the Royal Society for 41 years.

Joseph Banks

2.

Name the Birmingham-based industrialist who went into business with James Watt in 1772 and sold hundreds of their patented steam engines to mines and factories.

Matthew Boulton

3.

Rene Magritte's image of a pipe with the caption 'This is not a pipe' is very familiar, but what is the official name of the 1929 artwork?

The Treachery of Images

(Le Trahison des Images)

4.

Salvador Dali's image of floppy timepieces is equally famous, but what is the official title of the 1932 painting?

The Persistence of Memory

(La Persistencia de la Memoria)

5.

What does this say in British Sign Language?

'General Knowledge'

6.

In which language does this say ‘General Knowledge'?

Korean

7.

It’s a bit early, but what does this say in Morse Code?

'Seasons Greetings'

8.

In which language does this say 'Seasons Greetings'?

Icelandic

Sp1

Two chemical elements are liquid at 20 degrees Celsius.  One is mercury, but what's the other?

Bromine

Sp2

What is the only chemical element that, in its pure form and at standard atmospheric pressure, can remain solid at 3,500 degrees Celsius?

Carbon

(as diamond or graphite - just 'carbon' is an acceptable answer)

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Some pictures, some pairs

1.

What does this say in British Sign Language?

'Prodigal Quiz'

2.

In which language does this say ‘Prodigal Quiz’?

Russian

3.

A phrase said every day, what does this say in Morse Code?

'Happy Birthday'

4.

In which language does this say ‘Happy Birthday’

Hindi

5.

Douglas Stuart won the Booker prize in 2020 with Shuggie Bain, but what's the title of his second novel published in 2022?

Young Mungo

6.

Eleanor Catton won the 2013 Booker Prize with The Luminaries, but what's the title of her third novel published in 2023?

Birnam Wood

7.

Quiz host Richard Osman is the more famous sibling, but which rock band features his brother Matt on bass?

Suede

8.

Martin Sheen has two sons who are also actors.  One is Charlie Sheen, but what is the other son called?

Emilio Estevez

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Announced theme - 'Little things mean a lot'

Prodigal Danny and his wife Maeve are leaving us to live in the tiny nation of Luxembourg

Inspired by this news, each answer relates to one of the world's 50 smallest countries by area

1.

Which NFL player was the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback between 1983 and 1999, throwing over 400 career touchdown passes?

Dan Marino

(San Marino)

2.

Which novel, set on the Cornish coast, was published by Daphne du Maurier in 1936 and released as an Alfred Hitchcock film in 1939?

Jamaica Inn

(Jamaica)

3.

Which opera by Donizetti, first performed in 1835, is based on a novel by Sir Walter Scott?

Lucia di Lammermoor

(St Lucia)

4.

In 1948 President Harry S Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act, designed to rebuild Europe's economic infrastructure after the war.  By what name is the act better known?

The Marshall Plan

(Marshall Islands)

5.

Which UK rock band was formed in 1995 by Peter Hook and David Potts?  Their debut single What do You Want From Me reached number 11 in the British charts.

Monaco

(Monaco)

6.

Which military operation during the Ottoman/Hapsburg wars took place between 18 May and 11 September 1565?

The Siege of Malta

(Malta)

7.

Which 2004 film on the subject of genocide earned Academy Award nominations for Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo?

Hotel Rwanda

(Rwanda)

8.

Which city in the Bahia region was the first capital of colonial Brazil and is now the nation's third most populous city?

Salvador

(El Salvador)

Sp1

What substance can be defined as 'a green or greenish blue poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper'?

Verdigris

(Cape Verde)

Sp2

Name the British writer and artist, author of Rodinsky's Room and other books about the London Jewish community, who is currently reader in English at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Rachel Lichtenstein

(Liechtenstein)

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Hidden theme - 'Old dirty bastards'

Usual caveats on soundalikes apply

1.

Which author won the 1993 Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha?

Roddy Doyle

2.

Which author’s debut novel was the bestselling alternative-history Fatherland published in 1992?

Robert Harris

3.

Which 1955 American film noir starred Robert Mitchum as Preacher Harry Powell, a misogynistic serial killer?

The Night of the Hunter

4.

Which 1984 film based on a novel by Michael Ende told of a boy who finds a magical book?  It is probably best remembered now for its theme song which made the UK top ten and was sung by former Kajagoogoo vocalist Limahl.

The Never-ending story

5.

Which American musician, poet, painter and author scored her only major UK hit with the song Because the Night?  It reached number 5 in the UK charts in 1978 and was co-written with Bruce Springsteen.

Patti Smith

6.

Which veteran American vocalist scored minor UK chart hits in the early 1980s with the songs This Little Girl and Jolé Blon?  They both featured contributions from Bruce Springsteen.  The singer took his unusual stage name in the hope that it would be confused with a public service announcement.

Gary 'US' Bonds

7.

Which comedian scored a 1985 UK chart hit under the pseudonym of 'The Commentators'?  It was entitled N-N-Nineteen Not Out and featured impersonations of the Cricket commentators: Richie Benaud, John Arlott and Brian Johnstone.

Rory Bremner

8.

Who in 2020 became the first-ever male cover star on the US edition of Vogue?  Prominent conservatives voiced disapproval over what he was wearing, a voluminous periwinkle blue gown paired with a black tuxedo jacket.

Harry Styles

Sp.

Which recurring character in The Simpsons has the catchphrase “release the hounds”?

Montgomery Burns

Theme: Each answer contains the surname of one of football’s most notorious 'hard men' from the setter’s youth: 

Mike Doyle (Manchester City), Ron 'Chopper' Harris (Chelsea), Norman 'Bite your legs' Hunter (Leeds), Peter Storey (Arsenal), Tommy Smith (Liverpool), Billy Bonds (West Ham), Billy Bremner (Leeds), Nobby Stiles (Manchester United) and Kenny Burns (Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest)

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Announced theme - 'Who said it?'

Each question is a well-known quote - your answer is the name person who said or wrote it

1.

US Physicist:

“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”

Richard Feynman

2.

US Journalist and essayist:

“For every complex problem there's a solution that is clear, simple and wrong.”

H L Mencken

3.

Poet and painter:

“The tigers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction.”

William Blake

4.

Philosopher and mathematician:

“War does not determine who is right, only who is left.”

Bertrand Russell

5.

German poet and playwright:

“Music is liquid architecture, architecture is frozen music.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

6.

Poet and dramatist:

“The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

W B Yeats

7.

Writer and dramatist:

“Ever tried, ever failed, no matter. Try again, fail again, fail better.”

Samuel Beckett

8.

Writer:

“If not exactly, disgruntled, he was certainly far from being gruntled.”

P G Wodehouse

Sp1

US Writer and humourist:

“The universe is a big place. Perhaps the biggest. “

Kurt Vonnegut

Sp2

British Philosopher:

“The life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”

Thomas Hobbes

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers