ROUND 1 - Paired with Round 2

1.

Which country unexpectedly won the 1992 EUFA European Football Championship?  They only qualified as a late replacement for Yugoslavia who had been expelled because of that country’s war-time disintegration.

2.

Carmen Smith, Baroness Smith of Llanfaes, is currently the youngest life peer.  Only 27 when ennobled she took her seat in March 2024.  Which party does she represent?

3.

In which country in 2010 were 33 miners trapped 2300 feet underground in a gold mine?  After 69 days of herculean effort all were rescued.

4.

Dedicated to a French saint what is the name of the parish church on the north-eastern corner of Trafalgar Square?  Notable burials include Nell Gwyn, Thomas Chippendale, and Robert Boyle.

5.

Mindanao is the second largest island of which island nation?

6.

In the recent BBC series Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light Thomas Cromwell’s enemy, the Duke of Norfolk, is played by Timothy Spall.  Which actor, who died in 2024, played him in the first series?

7.

Which composer’s Piano Concerto was premiered in Dresden in 1845, with the composer’s wife Clara Wieck at the keyboard?

8.

Who is missing from this comic literary line up first appearing in book form in 1957: Horatio the Captain, Mr Mate the Master, Willy Barnabas and ..... the Cabin Boy?

Sp.

Who is the longest serving Secretary of State for Health, in office for nearly six years, though it seemed longer?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Paired with Round 1

1.

Who is missing from this literary line-up first appearing in book form in 1930: John the Captain, Susan the Mate, .... the Able Seaman and Roger the Cabin Boy?

2.

Which composer’s Second Piano Concerto was premiered in Moscow in 1957, with the composer’s 19-year-old son Maxim at the keyboard?

3.

In the recent BBC series Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light Thomas Cromwell’s enemy, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, is played by Alex Jennings.  Which 'Gentleman' actor played him in the first series?

4.

Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) is the second largest island of which island nation?

5.

Dedicated to an Irish saint what is the name of the parish church in Fleet Street faithfully restored after WW2 damage with money from the press barons?  It was the venue for the marriage of Rupert Murdoch to the fourth Mrs Murdoch, Jerry Hall.

6.

In which country in July 2018 were 12 members of the Wild Boars football team and their coach trapped in a flooded cave system?  They were all rescued after a herculean effort by international cave divers after 18 days.

7.

Ulster-born Pat Cullen, the former CEO and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, was elected to parliament at the General Election in July 2024.  Which party does she represent?

8.

Which country unexpectedly won the 2004 EUFA European Football Championship?  They beat the host nation Portugal in the opening game and again in the final.

Sp.

Who was the first player to hold simultaneously the World Chess Championship, the World Rapid Chess Championship, and the World Blitz Chess Championship?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme - 'Our British winter obsession'

1.

Travelling at speeds of 600 knots underwater and reaching depths of 36 000 feet who is the captain of the nuclear-powered combat submarine Stingray?

2.

In 1966 parents of pre-schoolers were probably shocked when which well-loved stop-start animation character 'fell asleep' in charge of dangerous machinery having consumed a flagon of cider for lunch?

3.

Which Scottish journalist has her daily show immediately after Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 fielding telephone calls from the public on issues of the day?

4.

Who is the only cricketer to have scored a century in a Twenty20 international, a double century in a One Day International, and a triple century in a test match?

5.

Which poem of 1798 ends with the following lines:

“He went like one that had been stunn’d
And is of sense forlorn
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn”?

6.

Who is missing from this list: Black, Arden, Rose, Simler?

7.

Which band was the last act to appear on the last ever episode of Top of the Pops on 30th July 2006?  They sang Chasing Cars which has since (inexplicably) become the most played song of the 21st century on UK radio.

8.

Which Liverpool Indie alternative rock band was founded by Ian McNabb and Chris Layhe in 1981 and is now gigging again after 35 years?  Their albums include The Small Price of a Bicycle and their biggest single was Love is a Wonderful Colour.

Sp1

Which award winning actress and director was born Stephanie Gregory on St Patrick’s Day 1979?

Sp2

What was the family name of Edina and Saffron in the hit BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUNDS 4 & 5 - Bingo - 'Pick Your Own Question'

Pick the question type and the question within that type

'Runalong'

Two separate questions where the answers merge with the last part of answer 1 overlapping the first part of answer 2

1.

A fictional town first seen in 1960, served by Camp Millstone army base, The Daily Granite newspaper, and Prinstone University,

&

a song which in the USA in 1986 become the first and indeed still the only Billboard No. 1 single to feature primarily German lyrics.

2.

The country which shares the world's second longest land border at over 7600 km with Russia,

&

a Swiss tennis player with 3 Grand Slam singles titles, and who often played doubles with Roger Federer.

3.

Monty Python characters who were very fond of shrubberies especially ones with a little path running down the middle,

&

a gritty film drama starring Leila Morse, Kathy Burke and Ray Winstone about a dysfunctional London family struggling to survive, while alcohol, drugs and violence get in their way.

4.

Also called the nutria, this is a South American semi-aquatic member of the spiny rat family of rodents.  It has been introduced into North America and Europe to be bred for its fur,

&

a word borrowed from Hindi and Urdu meaning 'solid' which is applied to something that is genuine or reliable.

'Change a Letter'

Each pair of answers are words that differ by a single letter somewhere in that word - both words are required (e.g., STONE and STORE)

5.

Alternative name for the cassava plant which is derived from its genus name which comes from the Guarani language,

&

someone who can be described as behaving in a wildly foolish, reckless, or dangerous manner. They may also have a psychological syndrome.

6.

Canadian national park adjacent to Banff national park whose name means 'wonder and awe' in the Cree language,

&

first name of a singer, songwriter, artist, and activist born in 1933 who is more well known as being a famous spouse, although in 2016 was named the eleventh most successful dance club artist by Billboard magazine.

7.

Former Brazilian footballer who made his international debut in 2004 and until recently was a technical director in the Premier League,

&

a period of Japan's history when the country was under the Tokugawa shogunate and known for its art and culture.

8.

Name of a sea bordered to the North by the South Orkney Islands and to the West by the Antarctic Peninsula,

&

the current name given to the trophy contested for by players in the PDC World Darts Championship.  It is named after someone connected with the sport.

'Add a Letter'

The second answer is formed by the addition of a single letter to the first. It may be anywhere in the word – both words are required (e.g., PEAL and PETAL)

9.

An expensive hardwood from Africa listed as endangered, known for its deep rich brown colour and popular in high-end furniture and flooring,

&

surname of a football player and manager born in Strasbourg who obtained a degree in Economics during his less successful playing career.

10.

One of 32 council areas of Scotland located in the North-East of the country of which the principal town is Elgin, and having a native creature named after it,

&

a sauce made using butter, milk, flour, eggs and salt with cheese added, usually Gruyere or Emmental.

11.

Surname of an American born in 1848 who joined the police force in Wichita, Kansas before moving to Dodge City,

&

surname of an award-winning goalkeeper born in Nottingham in 1993 who has played for Birmingham City, Wolfsburg, and Paris St. Germain amongst other teams.

12.

Composer who was himself a cellist and enthusiastic chamber music player, an interest that deepened during his chemical studies in Heidelberg.  His string quartets caused displeasure amongst his contemporaries,

&

a battle with around 250,000 troops and over a thousand guns.  An estimated 70,000 troops died on a single day, one of the worst in history.  One of the sides was led by General Kutuzov and took place near the Moskva River.

'Connections'

One word or name connects all three parts of the question

13.

What word or name connects:

a) An Indie rock band from Southport who had a no.2 album in 1999 with Liquid Skin.

b) An American singer and actress born in 1992 who originally came to prominence in the Disney's The Wizards of Waverley Place and had a Golden Globe nomination in this year's awards for her role in Emilia Perez.

c) Currently Liverpool football club's longest serving player who signed in June 2015.

14.

What word or name connects:

a) An American Olympic gold medallist sprinter born in 1997.

b) An American lexicographer who is chiefly responsible for why Americans spell words such as 'color', 'center', and 'waggon' the way they do.

c) An Armenian football club formed in 2017 who played against Chelsea this season.

15.

What word or name connects:

a) A group of islands formed from fossilised coral reefs with over 1700 named islands and a population of over 80,000.

b) A singer-songwriter who has won 16 Grammy awards, had multiple number one albums and singles, one of her most successful being Girl on Fire.

c) A sports commentator who left Sky after making derogatory comments about a female assistant referee.

'Repeated Letters'

Each answer features within it a repeated set of letters as part of the full answer e.g., “Baden Baden” or “It’s a mad mad mad mad world”. The full answer is required not just the repeated section

16.

2018 AG37 is currently the farthest observable known object in our Solar System at 130 Astronomical Units from earth.  How is it more commonly known due to its remote location?

17.

Indie pop band The Primitives are most well known for their 1988 top ten single Crash.  They were rivals to Transvision Vamp and The Darling Buds in the 'Blonde Pop' scene.  Can you name the lead singer?

18

A ballistic projectile designed to expand on impact which causes it to reduce velocity and transfer more kinetic energy to the target thereby causing increased damage.  How are they more commonly known?

Go to Rounds 4 & 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme - 'Contenders Ready?'

1.

Name the 1959 Western whose movie posters contained the following synopsis:

“John Wayne, the big guy with the battered hat .. and Dean Martin, the ragged woman-wrecked cast-off called Dude... and Ricky Nelson, the rockin' babyfaced gunfisted kid.... and time was running out through bullet holes at ….”

2.

If I was on holiday in the city of Charlotte in the USA and decided I wanted to go and watch the local NFL team play, who would I be watching? (two-word answer required)

3.

What is the common English name of a genus of plants of about 2,300 species which are characterised as containing alkaloids such as solanine and atropine?  Members include tobacco, chilli peppers, aubergine, and potatoes.

4.

What is the name of the dark coloured gemstone consisting of about 75 % carbon, 12 % oxygen, with small amounts of sulphur and hydrogen.  It is formed from the decomposition of wood under extreme pressure.  Although also found in other countries, in the UK it is most associated with Whitby?

5.

Who is the actress and comedian whose breakout role was in Bridesmaids and has featured in the Pitch Perfect movies and Jojo Rabbit?  She has released several ranges of her own brand of plus sized clothing over the last decade or so.

6.

Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow from Friends, Khloe Kardashian, and Courtney Love have all admitted to, while Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock have been rumoured to, but not admitted to, which cosmetic surgical procedure?  The medical term is needed for the answer.

7.

Name the American journalist whose quotes include:

 “The downward spiral of dumbness in America is about to hit a new low”

and

“I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me”.

He rose to prominence in the late 60s and was a pioneer of Gonzo journalism.

8.

Can you name the film and TV production company based in Cardiff which is most famously responsible for Doctor Who, but also has His Dark Materials, Industry and I Hate Suzie as past productions?

Sp.

Can you name this rugby union team founded in 1876?  They played at Vicarage Road for 15 years and have been European champions 3 times.  Following Owen Farrell's departure Maro Itoje was named club captain this year.

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Political Connections

It might help (but probably not) to know that every answer contains the surname of a member of Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet. You do not need to give the name of the politician (…and no, me neither)

1.

Which footballer was signed by Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013 for £8.5 million and sold to Barcelona in 2018 for over £105 million?

2.

Which broadcaster published a 2002 autobiography entitled Unless I’m Very Much Mistaken?

3.

Which writer, comedian and entertainment panel show regular is the current presenter of ITV’s game show The 1% Club?

4.

Which broadcaster was dismissed from his presenter role on Blue Peter in 1998 following allegations of cocaine use but has since managed to resurrect his radio and TV career both in the UK and the USA with some success?

5.

Which Kentucky-born frontiersman, later a Texas Ranger commander, died at the Alamo in 1836?  In the 1960 film The Alamo he was played by Richard Widmark.

6.

Which Cole Porter song from the musical High Society was duetted by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly? Covered many times a version by Elton John and Kiki Dee reached No 2 in the charts in 1993.

7.

Nicknamed 'Long Liz' who was the Swedish-born woman believed to be the third victim of the serial killer Jack the Ripper?

8.

What was the birth name of the current Earl of Inverness?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Head to Head Pairs

1.

In some years it is the least used mainline train station in the UK that is open 12 months of the year.  It is on the Stockport to Stalybridge line.  In the 23/24 season a grand total of 54 people used it, but it has been as few as 12 during the 20/21 season due to lockdown.  Can you name the station?

2.

Two London Underground lines are totally underground.  One is the Hammersmith and City Line.  What is the other one which runs from Brixton to Walthamstow?

3.

The aardwolf is a species of a family of mammals with only 3 other members: Spotted, Striped, and Brown.  It is so named because of its penchant for termites.  Can you give the English name of this mammalian family?

4.

Which mammal's name means 'no drink' in the native language on account of the fact that it very rarely drinks water?  It gets its fluids from the leaves it eats of which it consumes about 500g a day which is about ten percent of its body weight.

5.

Jimmy Carter is the longest-lived US president so far dying at 100 last month.  Which Republican president, in office in the 20th century, has had the second longest life span of any president?

6.

James Callaghan is the longest-lived UK Prime Minister so far dying a day before his 93rd birthday. Which Conservative PM, in office in the 20th century, has had the second longest life span of any PM?

7.

I am gazing at the 180-foot-tall Cerne Abbas Giant, a chalk figure believed to originate in the 10th century.  I now travel eastwards to the 12th century Corfe Castle constructed during the Matilda and King Stephen conflict to view the nesting peregrine falcons.  After this I head south to the National Trust-owned Brownsea Island to watch one of England's largest red squirrel colonies.  Which English County have I been travelling across?

8.

I am standing on Symonds Yat Rock taking in the magnificent views to watch its resident peregrine falcons swoop over the river valley below.  This inspires me to read some local literature, so I travel northwest to a small town with over twenty bookshops that is famed for its literary festival.  With my recent purchase I travel north along a pathway that follows an 8th century earthwork built to keep out the rowdy locals to the West.  Which English County have I been travelling across?

Sp1

Which US State still has a Union Flag (Union Jack) as part of its state flag?

Sp2

Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster has recently married actress Talulah Riley.  She has been married twice before to which man?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Paired with Round 2

1.

Which country unexpectedly won the 1992 EUFA European Football Championship?  They only qualified as a late replacement for Yugoslavia who had been expelled because of that country’s war-time disintegration.

2.

Carmen Smith, Baroness Smith of Llanfaes, is currently the youngest life peer.  Only 27 when ennobled she took her seat in March 2024.  Which party does she represent?

Plaid Cymru

3.

In which country in 2010 were 33 miners trapped 2300 feet underground in a gold mine?  After 69 days of herculean effort all were rescued.

Chile

4.

Dedicated to a French saint what is the name of the parish church on the north-eastern corner of Trafalgar Square?  Notable burials include Nell Gwyn, Thomas Chippendale, and Robert Boyle.

St Martin-in-the-Field

5.

Mindanao is the second largest island of which island nation?

Philippines

6.

In the recent BBC series Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light Thomas Cromwell’s enemy, the Duke of Norfolk, is played by Timothy Spall.  Which actor, who died in 2024, played him in the first series?

Bernard Hill

7.

Which composer’s Piano Concerto was premiered in Dresden in 1845, with the composer’s wife Clara Wieck at the keyboard?

Robert Schumann

8.

Who is missing from this comic literary line up first appearing in book form in 1957: Horatio the Captain, Mr Mate the Master, Willy Barnabas and ..... the Cabin Boy?

Tom

(Captain Pugwash’s crew)

Sp.

Who is the longest serving Secretary of State for Health, in office for nearly six years, though it seemed longer?

Jeremy Hunt

ROUND 2 - Paired with Round 1

1.

Who is missing from this literary line-up first appearing in book form in 1930: John the Captain, Susan the Mate, .... the Able Seaman and Roger the Cabin Boy?

Titty

(also accept the later bowdlerisations 'Kitty' or 'Tatty' - they are the Walker children crewing the Swallow in the book Swallows and Amazons)

2.

Which composer’s Second Piano Concerto was premiered in Moscow in 1957, with the composer’s 19-year-old son Maxim at the keyboard?

Dimitri Shostakovich

3.

In the recent BBC series Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light Thomas Cromwell’s enemy, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, is played by Alex Jennings.  Which 'Gentleman' actor played him in the first series?

Mark Gatiss

4.

Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) is the second largest island of which island nation?

Cuba

5.

Dedicated to an Irish saint what is the name of the parish church in Fleet Street faithfully restored after WW2 damage with money from the press barons?  It was the venue for the marriage of Rupert Murdoch to the fourth Mrs Murdoch, Jerry Hall.

St Bride’s Church

6.

In which country in July 2018 were 12 members of the Wild Boars football team and their coach trapped in a flooded cave system?  They were all rescued after a herculean effort by international cave divers after 18 days.

Thailand

7.

Ulster-born Pat Cullen, the former CEO and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, was elected to parliament at the General Election in July 2024.  Which party does she represent?

Sinn Fein

8.

Which country unexpectedly won the 2004 EUFA European Football Championship?  They beat the host nation Portugal in the opening game and again in the final.

Greece

Sp.

Who was the first player to hold simultaneously the World Chess Championship, the World Rapid Chess Championship, and the World Blitz Chess Championship?

Magnus Carlsen

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme - 'Our British winter obsession'

1.

Travelling at speeds of 600 knots underwater and reaching depths of 36 000 feet who is the captain of the nuclear-powered combat submarine Stingray?

Troy Tempest

2.

In 1966 parents of pre-schoolers were probably shocked when which well-loved stop-start animation character 'fell asleep' in charge of dangerous machinery having consumed a flagon of cider for lunch?

Windy Miller

3.

Which Scottish journalist has her daily show immediately after Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 fielding telephone calls from the public on issues of the day?

Storm Huntley

4.

Who is the only cricketer to have scored a century in a Twenty20 international, a double century in a One Day International, and a triple century in a test match?

Chris Gayle

5.

Which poem of 1798 ends with the following lines:

“He went like one that had been stunn’d
And is of sense forlorn
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn”?

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

6.

Who is missing from this list: Black, Arden, Rose, Simler?

Hale

(the five ladies so far to sit on the Supreme Court)

7.

Which band was the last act to appear on the last ever episode of Top of the Pops on 30th July 2006?  They sang Chasing Cars which has since (inexplicably) become the most played song of the 21st century on UK radio.

Snow Patrol

8.

Which Liverpool Indie alternative rock band was founded by Ian McNabb and Chris Layhe in 1981 and is now gigging again after 35 years?  Their albums include The Small Price of a Bicycle and their biggest single was Love is a Wonderful Colour.

The Icicle Works

Sp1

Which award winning actress and director was born Stephanie Gregory on St Patrick’s Day 1979?

Stormy Daniels

Sp2

What was the family name of Edina and Saffron in the hit BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous?

Monsoon

Theme: Each answer contains a type of bad weather condition ...

tempest, windy, storm, gale, rime, hail, icicle, snow, storm and monsoon

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUNDS 4 & 5 - Bingo - 'Pick Your Own Question'

Pick the question type and the question within that type

1.

A fictional town first seen in 1960, served by Camp Millstone army base, The Daily Granite newspaper, and Prinstone University,

&

a song which in the USA in 1986 become the first and indeed still the only Billboard No. 1 single to feature primarily German lyrics.

Bedrock Me Amadeus

(song by the Austrian Falco)

2.

The country which shares the world's second longest land border at over 7600 km with Russia,

&

a Swiss tennis player with 3 Grand Slam singles titles, and who often played doubles with Roger Federer.

Kazakhstan Wawrinka

(his full name of Stanislas will also fit)

3.

Monty Python characters who were very fond of shrubberies especially ones with a little path running down the middle,

&

a gritty film drama starring Leila Morse, Kathy Burke and Ray Winstone about a dysfunctional London family struggling to survive, while alcohol, drugs and violence get in their way.

The Knights Who Say Nil By Mouth

4.

Also called the nutria, this is a South American semi-aquatic member of the spiny rat family of rodents.  It has been introduced into North America and Europe to be bred for its fur,

&

a word borrowed from Hindi and Urdu meaning 'solid' which is applied to something that is genuine or reliable.

Coypukka

5.

Alternative name for the cassava plant which is derived from its genus name which comes from the Guarani language,

&

someone who can be described as behaving in a wildly foolish, reckless, or dangerous manner. They may also have a psychological syndrome.

Manioc & Maniac

6.

Canadian national park adjacent to Banff national park whose name means 'wonder and awe' in the Cree language,

&

first name of a singer, songwriter, artist, and activist born in 1933 who is more well known as being a famous spouse, although in 2016 was named the eleventh most successful dance club artist by Billboard magazine.

Yoho & Yoko

7.

Former Brazilian footballer who made his international debut in 2004 and until recently was a technical director in the Premier League,

&

a period of Japan's history when the country was under the Tokugawa shogunate and known for its art and culture.

Edu & Edo

8.

Name of a sea bordered to the North by the South Orkney Islands and to the West by the Antarctic Peninsula,

&

the current name given to the trophy contested for by players in the PDC World Darts Championship.  It is named after someone connected with the sport.

Weddell & Waddell

(named after commentator Sid Waddell)

9.

An expensive hardwood from Africa listed as endangered, known for its deep rich brown colour and popular in high-end furniture and flooring,

&

surname of a football player and manager born in Strasbourg who obtained a degree in Economics during his less successful playing career.

Wenge & Wenger

10.

One of 32 council areas of Scotland located in the North-East of the country of which the principal town is Elgin, and having a native creature named after it,

&

a sauce made using butter, milk, flour, eggs and salt with cheese added, usually Gruyere or Emmental.

Moray & Mornay

11.

Surname of an American born in 1848 who joined the police force in Wichita, Kansas before moving to Dodge City,

&

surname of an award-winning goalkeeper born in Nottingham in 1993 who has played for Birmingham City, Wolfsburg, and Paris St. Germain amongst other teams.

Earp & Earps

(Wyatt and Mary)

12.

Composer who was himself a cellist and enthusiastic chamber music player, an interest that deepened during his chemical studies in Heidelberg.  His string quartets caused displeasure amongst his contemporaries,

&

a battle with around 250,000 troops and over a thousand guns.  An estimated 70,000 troops died on a single day, one of the worst in history.  One of the sides was led by General Kutuzov and took place near the Moskva River.

Borodin & Borodino

One word or name connects all three parts of the question

13.

What word or name connects:

a) An Indie rock band from Southport who had a no.2 album in 1999 with Liquid Skin.

b) An American singer and actress born in 1992 who originally came to prominence in the Disney's The Wizards of Waverley Place and had a Golden Globe nomination in this year's awards for her role in Emilia Perez.

c) Currently Liverpool football club's longest serving player who signed in June 2015.

Gomez

(Selena & Joe)

14.

What word or name connects:

a) An American Olympic gold medallist sprinter born in 1997.

b) An American lexicographer who is chiefly responsible for why Americans spell words such as 'color', 'center', and 'waggon' the way they do.

c) An Armenian football club formed in 2017 who played against Chelsea this season.

Noah

(Lyles, Webster, and FC Noah)

15.

What word or name connects:

a) A group of islands formed from fossilised coral reefs with over 1700 named islands and a population of over 80,000.

b) A singer-songwriter who has won 16 Grammy awards, had multiple number one albums and singles, one of her most successful being Girl on Fire.

c) A sports commentator who left Sky after making derogatory comments about a female assistant referee.

Keys

(Florida, Alicia, and Richard)

16.

2018 AG37 is currently the farthest observable known object in our Solar System at 130 Astronomical Units from earth.  How is it more commonly known due to its remote location?

Farfarout

(named when it overtook 2018 VG18 known as 'Farout')

17.

Indie pop band The Primitives are most well known for their 1988 top ten single Crash.  They were rivals to Transvision Vamp and The Darling Buds in the 'Blonde Pop' scene.  Can you name the lead singer?

18.

A ballistic projectile designed to expand on impact which causes it to reduce velocity and transfer more kinetic energy to the target thereby causing increased damage.  How are they more commonly known?

Dumdum bullets

Go back to Rounds 4 & 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme - 'Contenders Ready?'

1.

Name the 1959 Western whose movie posters contained the following synopsis:

“John Wayne, the big guy with the battered hat .. and Dean Martin, the ragged woman-wrecked cast-off called Dude... and Ricky Nelson, the rockin' babyfaced gunfisted kid.... and time was running out through bullet holes at ….”

Rio Bravo

2.

If I was on holiday in the city of Charlotte in the USA and decided I wanted to go and watch the local NFL team play, who would I be watching? (two-word answer required)

Carolina Panthers

3.

What is the common English name of a genus of plants of about 2,300 species which are characterised as containing alkaloids such as solanine and atropine?  Members include tobacco, chilli peppers, aubergine, and potatoes.

Nightshade

4.

What is the name of the dark coloured gemstone consisting of about 75 % carbon, 12 % oxygen, with small amounts of sulphur and hydrogen.  It is formed from the decomposition of wood under extreme pressure.  Although also found in other countries, in the UK it is most associated with Whitby?

Jet

5.

Who is the actress and comedian whose breakout role was in Bridesmaids and has featured in the Pitch Perfect movies and Jojo Rabbit?  She has released several ranges of her own brand of plus sized clothing over the last decade or so.

Rebel Wilson

6.

Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow from Friends, Khloe Kardashian, and Courtney Love have all admitted to, while Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock have been rumoured to, but not admitted to, which cosmetic surgical procedure?  The medical term is needed for the answer.

Rhinoplasty

7.

Name the American journalist whose quotes include:

 “The downward spiral of dumbness in America is about to hit a new low”

and

“I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me”.

He rose to prominence in the late 60s and was a pioneer of Gonzo journalism.

Hunter S Thompson

8.

Can you name the film and TV production company based in Cardiff which is most famously responsible for Doctor Who, but also has His Dark Materials, Industry and I Hate Suzie as past productions?

Bad Wolf

Sp.

Can you name this rugby union team founded in 1876?  They played at Vicarage Road for 15 years and have been European champions 3 times.  Following Owen Farrell's departure Maro Itoje was named club captain this year.

Saracens

Theme: Each answer contains a member of the original TV series of Gladiators from the 90s ...

Rio, Panther, Nightshade, Rebel, Jet, Rhino, Hunter, Wolf, Saracen

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

It might help (but probably not) to know that every answer contains the surname of a member of Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet. You do not need to give the name of the politician (…and no, me neither)

1.

Which footballer was signed by Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013 for £8.5 million and sold to Barcelona in 2018 for over £105 million?

Philippe Coutinho

(Claire Coutinho)

2.

Which broadcaster published a 2002 autobiography entitled Unless I’m Very Much Mistaken?

Murray Walker

(James Murray)

3.

Which writer, comedian and entertainment panel show regular is the current presenter of ITV’s game show The 1% Club?

Lee Mack

(Alan Mak)

4.

Which broadcaster was dismissed from his presenter role on Blue Peter in 1998 following allegations of cocaine use but has since managed to resurrect his radio and TV career both in the UK and the USA with some success?

Richard Bacon

(Gareth Bacon)

5.

Which Kentucky-born frontiersman, later a Texas Ranger commander, died at the Alamo in 1836?  In the 1960 film The Alamo he was played by Richard Widmark.

James (Jim) Bowie

(Andrew Bowie)

6.

Which Cole Porter song from the musical High Society was duetted by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly? Covered many times a version by Elton John and Kiki Dee reached No 2 in the charts in 1993.

True Love

(Lord True)

7.

Nicknamed 'Long Liz' who was the Swedish-born woman believed to be the third victim of the serial killer Jack the Ripper?

Elizabeth Stride

(Mel Stride)

8.

What was the birth name of the current Earl of Inverness?

Prince Andrew

(Stuart Andrew)

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Head to Head Pairs

1.

In some years it is the least used mainline train station in the UK that is open 12 months of the year.  It is on the Stockport to Stalybridge line.  In the 23/24 season a grand total of 54 people used it, but it has been as few as 12 during the 20/21 season due to lockdown.  Can you name the station?

Denton Railway Station

2.

Two London Underground lines are totally underground.  One is the Hammersmith and City Line.  What is the other one which runs from Brixton to Walthamstow?

Victoria Line

3.

The aardwolf is a species of a family of mammals with only 3 other members: Spotted, Striped, and Brown.  It is so named because of its penchant for termites.  Can you give the English name of this mammalian family?

Hyaena

(accept hyena)

4.

Which mammal's name means 'no drink' in the native language on account of the fact that it very rarely drinks water?  It gets its fluids from the leaves it eats of which it consumes about 500g a day which is about ten percent of its body weight.

Koala

5.

Jimmy Carter is the longest-lived US president so far dying at 100 last month.  Which Republican president, in office in the 20th century, has had the second longest life span of any president?

George H W Bush

(accept George Bush senior)

6.

James Callaghan is the longest-lived UK Prime Minister so far dying a day before his 93rd birthday. Which Conservative PM, in office in the 20th century, has had the second longest life span of any PM?

Harold Macmillan

7.

I am gazing at the 180-foot-tall Cerne Abbas Giant, a chalk figure believed to originate in the 10th century.  I now travel eastwards to the 12th century Corfe Castle constructed during the Matilda and King Stephen conflict to view the nesting peregrine falcons.  After this I head south to the National Trust-owned Brownsea Island to watch one of England's largest red squirrel colonies.  Which English County have I been travelling across?

Dorset

8.

I am standing on Symonds Yat Rock taking in the magnificent views to watch its resident peregrine falcons swoop over the river valley below.  This inspires me to read some local literature, so I travel northwest to a small town with over twenty bookshops that is famed for its literary festival.  With my recent purchase I travel north along a pathway that follows an 8th century earthwork built to keep out the rowdy locals to the West.  Which English County have I been travelling across?

Herefordshire

(Hay-on-Wye & Offa's Dyke path)

Sp1

Which US State still has a Union Flag (Union Jack) as part of its state flag?

Sp2

Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster has recently married actress Talulah Riley.  She has been married twice before to which man?

Elon Musk

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers