ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Reaching only number 6 in the UK charts when it was released, what school subject (that you might study at GCSE level for example) was a hit for One Direction in 2015?

2.

Reaching only number 4 in the UK charts when it was released, what school subject (that you might study at GCSE level for example) was a hit for Girls Aloud in 2005?

3.

If you travel North, East, South or West from the town of Stamford in Connecticut, you arrive in which other State?

4.

Travelling due South from the city of Detroit (Michigan) across the Ambassador Bridge, you enter which other state?

5.

Which national capital city, that Alexander Pushkin took residence in (after being exiled by Alexander I Russia) lies halfway between Istanbul and Minsk?

6.

Which former capital city (noted for it’s historic and beautiful castle) lies almost exactly halfway between the cities of Lviv in Ukraine and Prague in Czech Republic?

7.

British actor of stage and screen Alfred Molina made his film debut in which action adventure of the 1980s, in which his character dies horribly when he is impaled by a grill of spears that shoot out of the wall?

8.

Oscar winning actress Julianne Moore made her film debut in which psychological thriller of 1992, in which her character dies horribly when a greenhouse is rigged to fall on her?  The film takes its title from a poem by William Ross Wallace.

Sp.

Reaching only number 9 in the UK charts when it was released, what school subject (that you might study at GCSE for example) was a hit for Girls Aloud in March 2008?  It is normally known by a 3-word title, the first two words a disclaimer about the poor quality of the singer's performance at this subject.

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - 'It's a Punny Old World'

A set of general knowledge questions with an extra clue in the form of a pun on the answer.

They are loosely paired either on the first or second part of the question.

1.

The early history of which UK retail chain, founded in 1908, was dramatised on ITV between 2013 and 2016?

(Punny clue) This is what a company that supplies white goods does.

2.

Which dishwasher detergent produced by Reckitt was known as Calgonit in some European countries?

(Punny clue) A cuisine includes ruisleipä, pulla and Runeberg torte.

3.

What is the two-word collective term, corresponding to the cardinal directions, used by Tolkien for the sub-divsions of The Shire region of Middle Earth?

(Punny clue) This could describe objects from the county town of Angus.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Sp.

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Announced theme - 'It's all Academic really'

1.

With the Lion as its school mascot, which of the Ivy League Universities has the greatest number of students?  Although it's home to 30,000 students, its namesake has a lot more residents!

2.

Which Oxford College was founded in the 19th century, but named after the mother of Henry VII of England?

3.

Cardinal Richelieu studied at which academic institute, named after the French nobleman (and chaplain of Louis IX) who founded it in the year that Simon De Montfort returned from exile in Gascony?  (the answer has no connection with Simon De Montfort)

4.

Which famous writer, born around the time that Lincoln Cathedral lost its status as the tallest building in the world, was one of the most famous alumni of Salamanca University?  (this writer has no connection with Lincoln or its Cathedral)

5.

The oldest university in the Nordic world, Uppsaala University, had which person as professor of astronomy taking their post in 1730?  Coming from a family of scientists he was also a mathematician and physicist.  His life was tragically cut short by tuberculosis in the same year that Queen Charlotte (wife of George III) was born.  (this person has no connection to Queen Charlotte)

6.

Sharing its name with a major landmark in the capital city in which it is located, which Czech University was founded in 1349 and is still in operation today?

7.

The University of Dublin was originally founded to be a college University such as Oxford or Cambridge, but only one college was ever founded, hence it is often known as Trinity College.  Who founded it (and by that we mean who issued the charter for it), almost exactly 100 years before the Glencoe Massacre in Scotland, and the Candlemas Massacre in Maine?  (this person has no connection to Glencoe or Candlemas)

8.

The University of San Marco in Lima, Peru is the oldest University in South America, and was founded in 1552 by which person, a direct first cousin of Queen Mary I of England who would come to the throne the following year?

Sp1

Along with its namesake, Andrew Dickson White was the co-founder of which Ivy League institution that is one of two located in its home state?  The town in which it is located is named after a Greek island, home to Odysseus, although the town's name is not the answer you need.

Sp2

Peterhouse College, the oldest in Cambridge University was founded by Hugh De Balsham, bishop of which cathedral, located approximately 5 hours walk away?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Mixed pairs with a common theme

1.

What was the full name of the character played by Will Smith in the role that won him the Best Actor Oscar?

2.

Graham Hick played for which County club for all 23 years of his career?

3.

What is the State Capital of New Hampshire?

4.

What name is shared by Alpha Papa, perdix perdix and David Cassidy?

5.

In the film Clockwise, what specific meeting was the destination of John Cleese’s character Mr Stimpson?

6.

A live turtle usually found in Florida and the southern states was found in The Lake District last week.  Named for part of its diet (although it mainly eats fish), of what ‘snapping turtle’ species was the ironically named ‘Fluffy’?

7.

What name is shared by the mascot for the 2022 Commonwealth games, Clark Kent’s editor at The Daily Planet, and the American pop singer born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson in 1984?

8.

What fruit is used to make the Maltese red coloured sweet liquor known as Bajtra?

Sp1

Defined as a shade of Chartreuse, what is the name of the colour with the ISCC–NBS designation of ‘deep yellow green’?

Sp2

Which wine appellation of the Loire Valley is best known for the popular medium-sweet rosés that comprise about half of all wine produced locally?

Sp3

What are flavoured by isoamyl acetate and ethyl acetate?  Another similar ester is Ethyl decadienoate.

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Announced theme - 'Oscar actresses'

Each answer contains the surname of a winner of the Best actress Oscar (normal rules about soundalikes and part words apply)

Where applicable forenames and surnames are required

1.

Which business founded near Manchester in 1695, and still in business, is one of the leading moving and storage companies in the country?

2.

Which rock guitarist was born William George Perks in Lewisham in 1936?

3.

What was the world's first commercial jet airliner?

4.

Which Scottish football club is one of the 11 founder clubs of the Scottish league, has two nicknames one of which is the Buddies, and used to play at Love Street before moving to a new ground in 2009?

5.

Which biscuit company was founded in Leith in 1813 and was taken over by United Biscuits in 1960?  The company was known for selling its wares in decorative biscuit tins one of which was sold at auction for over £15,000 in 2007.

6.

Which Royal hunting lodge later to become a royal residence is located roughly 35 miles to the south-east of Paris?  It has been the Royal Palace for French monarchs from Louis 7th to Napoleon 3rd.

7.

Which country singer who died in 2020 had a hit with New Edition in 1969 with Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town and had more than 120 hit singles in all?

8.

Which publication offering predictions of world and sporting events, first published in this country by a physician and astrologer in 1697, is still published annually?

Sp1

Which French Duchy, centred on Bourges, was created as a source of revenue for junior members of the French royal family?  The style Duke was later granted by several Bourbon monarchs for their grandsons.

Sp2

Which comedian's catchphrase was "pin back your lug holes"?  He was well known for his Odd Odes when appearing on the TV programme That's Life.

Sp3

Who, along with Sarah Dallin, is the only constant member of Bananarama, both having been a part of the group since 1979?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'E before I before C'

1.

What type of product uses CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) as a more environmentally friendy alternative to sodium chloride and calcium chloride?

2.

What is the term for the killing of a god?

3.

Which footwear retailer, one of Europe's largest, has it HQ in Essen?  There is a branch in Merseyway and in The Arndale.

4.

Which manufacturer of optical devices was founded by Ernst Leitz in Germany in 1869?

5.

David Icke, Sue Townsend and Mark Selby were born in which city?

6.

What does the letter 'R' stand for in the abbreviation RNA?

7.

What is the Italian word for 600?

8.

Which set of cascades in Switzerland was made famous in a fictional volume of memoirs published in 1893/4?

Sp.

Which fatty acid derives its name from the Latin for oil?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

What does DRS stand for in Formula One?

2.

What does DLS stand for in cricket?  (the 'S' does not stand for system)

3.

The German NATO phonetic alphabet is almost the same in Austria and Germany.  However there are two different words for 'K' (Kilo).  One shares its name with at least 4 early mediaeval German kings and the christian name of one post-war Chancellor.  The other is the German word for 'merchant'.  Name both.

4.

There are also two different German and Austrian NATO phonetic words for 'S' (Sierra).  One is a Wagnerian hero; the other is the Biblical son of Hannah and Elkanah.  Name both.

5.

The actor who became the fifteenth person to direct himself to a Best Actor nomination for A Star Is Born, has now become the fifth person to have done so more than once.  Who is he, and what is the film?

6.

She became only the second actress and producer to earn both a Best Actress and Best Picture nomination for the same film.  Name her and the film.  The plot of the film follows Bella Baxter, who is resurrected following her suicide and embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery.

7.

The Manchester Museum has a Vivarium on the top floor.  They research, display and help maintain critically endangered species of which animal in particular?

8.

Also in the Manchester museum, who or what is ‘Stan’?

Sp.

Which real life person links the Game of Thrones characters High Sparrow, Edmure Tully and Daemon Targarye?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Pairs

1.

Which composer's piano music was orchestrated and used in the ballet Les Sylphides?

2.

Which composer's music was orchestrated by Respighi and used in the ballet La Boutique Fantasque?  The same composer's music was used by Britten in his Soirée Musicale.

3.

Widely publicised in the British press which Asian country's football association sacked Jürgen Klinsmann after the side was knocked out of the Asian cup semi-finals by Jordan?

4.

Which country won the recent African Nations cup?

5.

The musical film genre has been very successful in winning the Oscar for best film.  In 2002 which was the latest musical to win the Oscar?  It was the film version of the 1975 musical based on a play written in 1926 and filmed as Kitty Foyle in 1940.

6.

In 1951 which was the first post-war musical to win the best film Oscar?  It starred amongst others Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron and was based on the music of George Gershwin.

7.

Which book publisher was founded in 1973 by Carmen Callil primarily to publish books by women writers?  It was originally known as Spare Rib Books.

8.

Which publisher did Alan, Richard and John Lane found in 1935 as an offshoot of The Bodley Head, revolutionising publishing in that decade by selling cheap books through such vendors as Woolworths for sixpence?

Sp1

Two NFL clubs have a record of most wins in the Super Bowl final since 1967.  Name one of them.

Sp2

After United States and Great Britain which country lies third in the list of total number of Nobel prizewinners?

Sp3

Which is the only non-European country (counting Russia as European) in the top 10 list of total Nobel prizewinners?

Sp4

Which left-leaning book publisher was founded in 1927 and specialised in the publication of high-quality literature, non-fiction, and popular fiction?  The founder pioneered the Left Book Club which offered members a monthly book choice.

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Reaching only number 6 in the UK charts when it was released, what school subject (that you might study at GCSE level for example) was a hit for One Direction in 2015?

History

2.

Reaching only number 4 in the UK charts when it was released, what school subject (that you might study at GCSE level for example) was a hit for Girls Aloud in 2005?

Biology

3.

If you travel North, East, South or West from the town of Stamford in Connecticut, you arrive in which other State?

4.

Travelling due South from the city of Detroit (Michigan) across the Ambassador Bridge, you enter which other state?

5.

Which national capital city, that Alexander Pushkin took residence in (after being exiled by Alexander I Russia) lies halfway between Istanbul and Minsk?

Chisinau

6.

Which former capital city (noted for it’s historic and beautiful castle) lies almost exactly halfway between the cities of Lviv in Ukraine and Prague in Czech Republic?

Krakow

7.

British actor of stage and screen Alfred Molina made his film debut in which action adventure of the 1980s, in which his character dies horribly when he is impaled by a grill of spears that shoot out of the wall?

Raiders of the Lost Ark

8.

Oscar winning actress Julianne Moore made her film debut in which psychological thriller of 1992, in which her character dies horribly when a greenhouse is rigged to fall on her?  The film takes its title from a poem by William Ross Wallace.

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

Sp.

Reaching only number 9 in the UK charts when it was released, what school subject (that you might study at GCSE for example) was a hit for Girls Aloud in March 2008?  It is normally known by a 3-word title, the first two words a disclaimer about the poor quality of the singer's performance at this subject.

(Can’t Speak) French

ROUND 2 - 'It's a Punny Old World'

A set of general knowledge questions with an extra clue in the form of a pun on the answer.

They are loosely paired either on the first or second part of the question.

1.

The early history of which UK retail chain, founded in 1908, was dramatised on ITV between 2013 and 2016?

(Punny clue) This is what a company that supplies white goods does.

Selfridges

(sell fridges)

2.

Which dishwasher detergent produced by Reckitt was known as Calgonit in some European countries?

(Punny clue) A cuisine includes ruisleipä, pulla and Runeberg torte.

Finish

(Finnish)

3.

What is the two-word collective term, corresponding to the cardinal directions, used by Tolkien for the sub-divsions of The Shire region of Middle Earth?

(Punny clue) This could describe objects from the county town of Angus.

Four Farthings

(Forfar things)

4.

Cole Porter

(Coalporter)

5.

6.

Idaho

(I'd a hoe)

7.

Bigelow

(Big Hello)

8.

Parasite

(Para site)

Sp.

Mississippi

(Mrs Hippy)

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Announced theme - 'It's all Academic really'

1.

With the Lion as its school mascot, which of the Ivy League Universities has the greatest number of students?  Although it's home to 30,000 students, its namesake has a lot more residents!

Columbia

2.

Which Oxford College was founded in the 19th century, but named after the mother of Henry VII of England?

Lady Margaret Hall

3.

Cardinal Richelieu studied at which academic institute, named after the French nobleman (and chaplain of Louis IX) who founded it in the year that Simon De Montfort returned from exile in Gascony?  (the answer has no connection with Simon De Montfort)

The Sorbonne

4.

Which famous writer, born around the time that Lincoln Cathedral lost its status as the tallest building in the world, was one of the most famous alumni of Salamanca University?  (this writer has no connection with Lincoln or its Cathedral)

Miguel De Cervantes

5.

The oldest university in the Nordic world, Uppsaala University, had which person as professor of astronomy taking their post in 1730?  Coming from a family of scientists he was also a mathematician and physicist.  His life was tragically cut short by tuberculosis in the same year that Queen Charlotte (wife of George III) was born.  (this person has no connection to Queen Charlotte)

Anders Celcius

(1701-1744)

6.

Sharing its name with a major landmark in the capital city in which it is located, which Czech University was founded in 1349 and is still in operation today?

(of Prague)

7.

The University of Dublin was originally founded to be a college University such as Oxford or Cambridge, but only one college was ever founded, hence it is often known as Trinity College.  Who founded it (and by that we mean who issued the charter for it), almost exactly 100 years before the Glencoe Massacre in Scotland, and the Candlemas Massacre in Maine?  (this person has no connection to Glencoe or Candlemas)

Elizabeth I

8.

The University of San Marco in Lima, Peru is the oldest University in South America, and was founded in 1552 by which person, a direct first cousin of Queen Mary I of England who would come to the throne the following year?

(a.k.a. Charles I Spain & Charles Habsburg - he was son of Joanna the Mad, sister of Catherine of Aragon)

Sp1

Along with its namesake, Andrew Dickson White was the co-founder of which Ivy League institution that is one of two located in its home state?  The town in which it is located is named after a Greek island, home to Odysseus, although the town's name is not the answer you need.

Cornell

(located in Ithaca, New York)

Sp2

Peterhouse College, the oldest in Cambridge University was founded by Hugh De Balsham, bishop of which cathedral, located approximately 5 hours walk away?

Ely

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Mixed pairs with a common theme

1.

What was the full name of the character played by Will Smith in the role that won him the Best Actor Oscar?

Richard Williams

2.

Graham Hick played for which County club for all 23 years of his career?

Worcestershire

3.

What is the State Capital of New Hampshire?

Concord

4.

What name is shared by Alpha Papa, perdix perdix and David Cassidy?
 

Partridge

(Alan P in the film:

the grey P;

the best known cast member of The P Family)

5.

In the film Clockwise, what specific meeting was the destination of John Cleese’s character Mr Stimpson?

The Headmasters’ Conference

('Conference' is the key word here - accept 'Teachers’ C' or 'Headteachers’ C' - although the HMC is an actual thing)

6.

A live turtle usually found in Florida and the southern states was found in The Lake District last week.  Named for part of its diet (although it mainly eats fish), of what ‘snapping turtle’ species was the ironically named ‘Fluffy’?

Alligator (Snapping Turtle)

7.

What name is shared by the mascot for the 2022 Commonwealth games, Clark Kent’s editor at The Daily Planet, and the American pop singer born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson in 1984?

Perry

(Perry Barr; Perry White; Katy Perry)

8.

What fruit is used to make the Maltese red coloured sweet liquor known as Bajtra?

Prickly Pear

(prompt if the answer given is ‘pear’)

Sp1

Defined as a shade of Chartreuse, what is the name of the colour with the ISCC–NBS designation of ‘deep yellow green’?

Avocado

Sp2

Which wine appellation of the Loire Valley is best known for the popular medium-sweet rosés that comprise about half of all wine produced locally?

Anjou

(the pears are called Beurre d’Anjou)

Sp3

What are flavoured by isoamyl acetate and ethyl acetate?  Another similar ester is Ethyl decadienoate.

Peardrops

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a type of pear

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Announced theme - 'Oscar actresses'

Each answer contains the surname of a winner of the Best actress Oscar (normal rules about soundalikes and part words apply)

Where applicable forenames and surnames are required

1.

Which business founded near Manchester in 1695, and still in business, is one of the leading moving and storage companies in the country?

Pickfords

2.

Which rock guitarist was born William George Perks in Lewisham in 1936?

Bill Wyman

3.

What was the world's first commercial jet airliner?

De Havilland Comet

4.

Which Scottish football club is one of the 11 founder clubs of the Scottish league, has two nicknames one of which is the Buddies, and used to play at Love Street before moving to a new ground in 2009?

St Mirren

5.

Which biscuit company was founded in Leith in 1813 and was taken over by United Biscuits in 1960?  The company was known for selling its wares in decorative biscuit tins one of which was sold at auction for over £15,000 in 2007.

Crawfords

6.

Which Royal hunting lodge later to become a royal residence is located roughly 35 miles to the south-east of Paris?  It has been the Royal Palace for French monarchs from Louis 7th to Napoleon 3rd.

Fontainebleau

7.

Which country singer who died in 2020 had a hit with New Edition in 1969 with Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town and had more than 120 hit singles in all?

Kenny Rogers

8.

Which publication offering predictions of world and sporting events, first published in this country by a physician and astrologer in 1697, is still published annually?

Old Moore's Almanack

Sp1

Which French Duchy, centred on Bourges, was created as a source of revenue for junior members of the French royal family?  The style Duke was later granted by several Bourbon monarchs for their grandsons.

Duchy of Berry

Sp2

Which comedian's catchphrase was "pin back your lug holes"?  He was well known for his Odd Odes when appearing on the TV programme That's Life.

Cyril Fletcher

Sp3

Who, along with Sarah Dallin, is the only constant member of Bananarama, both having been a part of the group since 1979?

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'E before I before C'

1.

What type of product uses CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) as a more environmentally friendy alternative to sodium chloride and calcium chloride?

De-icer

2.

What is the term for the killing of a god?

Deicide

3.

Which footwear retailer, one of Europe's largest, has it HQ in Essen?  There is a branch in Merseyway and in The Arndale.

Deichmann

4.

Which manufacturer of optical devices was founded by Ernst Leitz in Germany in 1869?

Leica

5.

David Icke, Sue Townsend and Mark Selby were born in which city?

Leicester

6.

What does the letter 'R' stand for in the abbreviation RNA?

(actually it's 'RN' that stands for ribonucleic)

7.

What is the Italian word for 600?

Seicento

8.

Which set of cascades in Switzerland was made famous in a fictional volume of memoirs published in 1893/4?

Reichenbach

Sp.

Which fatty acid derives its name from the Latin for oil?

Oleic

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Pairs

1.

What does DRS stand for in Formula One?

Drag Reduction System

2.

What does DLS stand for in cricket?  (the 'S' does not stand for system)

Duckworth-Lewis-Stern

3.

The German NATO phonetic alphabet is almost the same in Austria and Germany.  However there are two different words for 'K' (Kilo).  One shares its name with at least 4 early mediaeval German kings and the christian name of one post-war Chancellor.  The other is the German word for 'merchant'.  Name both.

Konrad and Kaufmann

4.

There are also two different German and Austrian NATO phonetic words for 'S' (Sierra).  One is a Wagnerian hero; the other is the Biblical son of Hannah and Elkanah.  Name both.

Siegfried and Samuel

5.

The actor who became the fifteenth person to direct himself to a Best Actor nomination for A Star Is Born, has now become the fifth person to have done so more than once.  Who is he, and what is the film?

Bradley Cooper and Maestro

6.

She became only the second actress and producer to earn both a Best Actress and Best Picture nomination for the same film.  Name her and the film.  The plot of the film follows Bella Baxter, who is resurrected following her suicide and embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery.

Emma Stone and Poor Things

7.

The Manchester Museum has a Vivarium on the top floor.  They research, display and help maintain critically endangered species of which animal in particular?

Frogs

(especially subtropical leaf frogs - there are a few other reptiles and amphibians but it is the frogs they are famous for)

8.

Also in the Manchester museum, who or what is ‘Stan’?

A plaster cast of a T. Rex

(prompt if just ‘dinosaur’ is offered)

Sp.

Which real life person links the Game of Thrones characters High Sparrow, Edmure Tully and Daemon Targarye?

The Duke of Edinburgh

(played in The Crown by Jonathan Price, Tobias Menzies and Matt Smith)

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Pairs

1.

Which composer's piano music was orchestrated and used in the ballet Les Sylphides?

Chopin

2.

Which composer's music was orchestrated by Respighi and used in the ballet La Boutique Fantasque?  The same composer's music was used by Britten in his Soirée Musicale.

Rossini

3.

Widely publicised in the British press which Asian country's football association sacked Jürgen Klinsmann after the side was knocked out of the Asian cup semi-finals by Jordan?

South Korea

4.

Which country won the recent African Nations cup?

Côte d'Ivoire

5.

The musical film genre has been very successful in winning the Oscar for best film.  In 2002 which was the latest musical to win the Oscar?  It was the film version of the 1975 musical based on a play written in 1926 and filmed as Kitty Foyle in 1940.

Chicago

6.

In 1951 which was the first post-war musical to win the best film Oscar?  It starred amongst others Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron and was based on the music of George Gershwin.

An American in Paris

7.

Which book publisher was founded in 1973 by Carmen Callil primarily to publish books by women writers?  It was originally known as Spare Rib Books.

Virago

8.

Which publisher did Alan, Richard and John Lane found in 1935 as an offshoot of The Bodley Head, revolutionising publishing in that decade by selling cheap books through such vendors as Woolworths for sixpence?

Penguin

Sp1.

Two NFL clubs have a record of most wins in the Super Bowl final since 1967.  Name one of them.

New England Patriots or

Pittsburgh Steelers

Sp2

After United States and Great Britain which country lies third in the list of total number of Nobel prizewinners?

Germany

Sp3

Which is the only non-European country (counting Russia as European) in the top 10 list of total Nobel prizewinners?

Japan

Sp4

Which left-leaning book publisher was founded in 1927 and specialised in the publication of high-quality literature, non-fiction, and popular fiction?  The founder pioneered the Left Book Club which offered members a monthly book choice.

(Victor) Gollancz

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers