ROUND 1 - Hidden theme - 'An Excellent Start'

Forenames required

1.

At the conclusion of all 73 episodes of the HBO series Game of Thrones who, perhaps unexpectedly, ascends the Iron Throne becoming 'First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm'?

2.

Which elected San Francisco Supervisor (1977-78) was portrayed by Sean Penn in a 2008 biopic of the same name?

3.

What one word connects the Australian $50 note, Debbie Moore’s Dance Studios, and Manuel Noriega?

4.

Who is the only Blue Peter presenter to have been sacked following allegations of cocaine use?  Despite being stripped of his Blue Peter badge his broadcasting career survived, indeed thrived.

5.

When Lennon and McCartney were writing the lyric for the song that eventually became Yesterday what was the provisional placeholder title they used before the lyric was revised?

6.

Who, in a 1975 novelty record, was described as: “The Queen of Northern Soul”?

7.

What one name connects the actor who played the patriarch of the Cartwright family in the western Bonanza, and the title held by the heir to the Duke of Argyll?

8.

Dominic Raab was twice deputy Prime Minister.  Who served as deputy PM in between his two stints at the job?

Sp1

Known as 'Mr Newcastle' who was leader of Newcastle upon Tyne council 1960-65?  His later links to John Poulson resulted in a prison sentence for corruption.

Sp2

What is the official name for the sovereign state of Jordan?

Sp3

Written by Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews and running for three series on Channel 4 and one on BBC 2 what is the name of the title character, a down at heel actor?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - 'Double Bubble'

Each answer contains a word which has at least one set of double letters

1.

This season who became the first Scotsman to captain an English team to a European trophy final victory since Graeme Souness captained Liverpool in 1984?

2.

In this year’s Commonwealth games who became the first Welsh athlete to win four gold medals.  These included the 1 km time trial an event she last competed in at the age of 12.  She is currently the fastest female cyclist on earth.

3.

Who in 1545 became the first woman to publish a book in English under her own name?  It was entitled Prayers or Meditations.

4.

Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi were both present at what event on 23rd January 1900?

5.

Soul Limbo by Booker T and the MGs is best known as the theme music to the BBC’s test match coverage since 1968.  Who played the iconic cow bells on the tune?  At the time he was an in-house musician for Staxx Records but later had a successful solo career including his own film and TV theme songs, and as a TV school cook.

6.

Which character first appeared on film in 1976 and personally in three later movies, and mentioned in a further five?  His numerous nicknames included 'The King of Sting', 'The Master of Disaster' and 'The Count of Monte Fisto'.  A rival commented: “You think you got enough names?”

7.

Whose statue stands at the entrance to Broadcasting House the BBC’s HQ?  A BBC employee in World War 2 a quote next to the statue reads: “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.

8.

Which Canadian city with a population of 900,000 has an ice hockey team called The Jets?  Although Europeans founded a trading post here in 1738, indigenous people have traded here for 6,000 years.

Sp1

Traditionally made from a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk which cheese, originating in Cyprus, has a very high melting point meaning it can be grilled, fried, or barbecued unlike other cheeses?

Sp2

Which US city is named after a Roman Republic dictator?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme - “All right our kid” - A  Street memories theme

Surnames suffice

1.

What word connects the oldest city in Utah founded by people of European descent which was a critical railway hub in pioneering days AND the forename of the author who wrote: “God in his wisdom made the fly/ And then forgot to tell us why”?

2.

Which Yorkshire cricketer holds the record for the most wickets taken by a male England bowler in T20 International cricket, 171 so far?

3.

Which local institution has the motto “Rise up, take courage and do it”?  It can be seen from the window of one of the WithQuiz venues.

4.

Which American psychiatrist who committed suicide at the age of 29 was a member of the Communist party and wrote for its publication Western Worker?  She is known for her relationship with Robert Oppenheimer and was played by Florence Pugh in the 2023 biopic.

5.

Which DJ hosted Radio 1’s breakfast show from 2012 to 2018 and the drivetime slot until 2021?  He appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with his niece as well as hosting other shows.

6.

Which UK Prime Minister is the only one to have served under three monarchs?

7.

What word connects: a British Art Gallery designed by Sherlock and Vale and opened in 1877; an amateur international sports tournament first played in 1922; and a comedian and game show host born in Belfast in 1940?

8.

Which South Manchester Georgian mansion in the Palladian style was built in the 1760s for the Worsley family?  Grade 2 listed it housed the Gallery of Costume from 1947 to 2017.  Currently it is a community and creative space for art projects.

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - 'One answer is enough for the points'

1.

Since 1900 only three UK Prime Ministers have been undergraduates at a Cambridge college.  Andy Burnham is the most recent.  Name EITHER of the other two.

2.

Since 1900 only three UK Prime Ministers have LATER returned to the Cabinet as Foreign Secretary.  David Cameron is the most recent.  Name EITHER of the other two.

3.

In the 2000s the US sitcom Malcolm in the Middle starring Bryan Cranston and Frankie Muniz provided family-friendly Sunday night entertainment on Sky and BBC2.  Give the forename of any ONE of Malcolm’s four brothers.

4.

Andrew, formerly known as Prince, will now have more time to spend with his five grandchildren (and maybe step grandchild Wolfie too).  The youngest grandchild is called Adelaide.  Can you name any ONE of the other four?

5.

Five authors have won the Booker Prize for fiction on two occasions.  Hilary Mantel was one.  Can you name ONE of the other four?

6.

Currently there are four English-born men who are members of the Sacred College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church (they wear the red hat).  Name ONE.

7.

In the UK whole of life sentences are uncommon. Only three women are currently serving whole of life tariffs.  Lucy Letby is one.  Name EITHER of the other two.

8.

Since the establishment of Israel in 1946 there have been only two judicial executions carried out. Name EITHER of the convicted.

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - 'ISPOTY'

Since 1985 the Irish national broadcaster, RTE, have had the 'Sports Person of the Year Award' (like the BBC’s 'Sports Personality of the Year Award') which is open to sports people from the whole island of Ireland

1.

Which actor, who appeared in all eight series of HBO’s Game of Thrones, is married to actress Rose Leslie, who had played his love interest Ygritte in the series?

2.

Which actress played Jane to Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan in six films of the franchise 1932-42?  Her seven children include actress Mia Farrow.

3.

Which musician founded and was the frontman for the bands The Libertines, The Babyshambles and The Puta Madres?

4.

Which alternative rock band had their debut album Hopes and Fears in 2004 and their most recent album Cause and Effect in 2019?

5.

Who wrote the 1869 novel Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor?

6.

Which fictional detective is the subject of over 4000 books by over 200 authors over eight decades?  Living in Baker Street with a young adolescent boy assistant called Tinker his enemies included Count Ivor Carlac, Prince Wu Ling, and Zenith the Albino.

7.

Which family-owned business founded forty years ago in County Mayo is now the largest toy retailer in Western Europe with over 300 outlets?

8.

Which house building business was founded in Blackpool in 1921 and named after its founder Frank and his uncle Jack?  Responsible for some of the country’s most eminent construction projects over the last century it was acquired by Vinci plc in 2008.  However, the civil engineering division retains its original name.

Sp1

Which footballer played for both Manchester United and City, was a member of the team which won the last ever Home Internationals in 1984, played in two world cups captaining the team in the latter, but never won Sports Person of the Year?

Sp2

In the Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrice Potter Peter invades a garden belonging to which man from whom he has a lucky escape?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme - 'What's New?'

Forenames required unless indicated otherwise

1.

Which Olympic champion married film producer Dustin Lance Black in 2017?  They have now relocated to Los Angeles with their two children.

2.

Founded near Fort Gatlin and once known as Jernagin which is the fourth most populous city in Florida?

3.

Which composer, also surnamed Bartholdy, founded the Leipzig Conservatory of Music, the oldest university school of music in Germany, in 1843?

4.

Which 1786 opera by Mozart is based on a 1784 play by Pierre Beaumarchais?

5.

What was the surname of the most recent (and possibly last) Conservative MP for the Manchester Withington constituency?  He lost his seat to Keith Bradley in 1987.

6.

Alexander Graham Bell invented a metal detector that was famously used in 1881, albeit unsuccessfully, on a shooting victim to locate the bullet.  Who was the victim?

7.

What was Stephen King’s second published novel?  It has been a mini-series in 1979 and 2004 and a feature film in 2024.

8.

Which literary awards were established in 1987 by Mystery Readers International?  Past winners include Minette Walters, Val McDermid, and Anthony Horowitz.

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Reverse paired with Round 8

1.

Nevil Maskelyne was the Astronomer Royal for 46 years until his death.  Give any year in which he held office.

2.

Tofiq Bahramov, an Azerbaijani after whom the then national stadium was named in 1993 after his death, is more fondly remembered in England by what three-word erroneous nickname?

3.

What is the common name of the plant Polemonium?

4.

Which 1954 musical film features an all African-American cast and is an updated version of an opera composed in 1875?  Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her role min it.

5.

St Magnus Cathedral, the UK’s most northerly, was appropriately the venue for Magnus Magnusson’s last appearance as QM for Mastermind.  In which Scottish town is it?

6.

Who is credited with the authorship of the Old Testament book The Song of Songs, an erotic love poem that might have allegorical merits?

7.

After cyclist Tadej Pogacar had to retire from this year’s Vuelta a Espana which Mallorcan rider won?  He had previously been second in the race on three occasions.

8.

Malawi has land borders with three other countries.  Name ONE of them.

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Reverse paired with Round 7

1.

Honduras has land borders with three other countries.  Name ONE of them.

2.

Which cyclist won this year’s Giro d’Italia for the first time?  A Danish rider, his greatest rival in the race previously has been Tadej Pogacar.

3.

Which evangelist is credited with the authorship of the New Testament book The Acts of the Apostles?

4.

Which city in the UK has two cathedrals, one founded in 445 and one founded in 1840?  Both are named after the same saint, and both are the seats of archbishops.

5.

Which 1973 blaxploitation film starred Tamara Dobson whose day job as a supermodel provides the money and opportunities for her activities as a James Bond-like undercover government agent?

6.

What is the common name of the plant Nepeta?

7.

Australian ballet dancer Sir Robert Helpmann is best remembered for his frightening performance in a 1968 children’s film as one of the most villainous and creepy characters ever seen in a children’s film.  What was his (three-word) role?

8.

The naturalist and botanist Sir Joseph Banks was President of the Royal Society for 42 years until his death.  Give any year in which he held office.

Sp1

Which disease in Papua/New Guinea caused by ritual eating of human brain is now thought to be extinct?

Sp2

This year’s Nobel Prize for Literature was once again won by someone no one has heard of and once again was a Canadian woman who was not Margaret Atwood.  Who was she?

Sp3

Who became the 37th White House press secretary but sadly did not cut the mustard and left after five days?

Sp4

Which US vice-president and one-time presidential candidate had the nickname 'Fritz'?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme - 'An Excellent Start'

Forenames required

1.

At the conclusion of all 73 episodes of the HBO series Game of Thrones who, perhaps unexpectedly, ascends the Iron Throne becoming 'First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm'?

Bran Stark

2.

Which elected San Francisco Supervisor (1977-78) was portrayed by Sean Penn in a 2008 biopic of the same name?

Harvey Milk

3.

What one word connects the Australian $50 note, Debbie Moore’s Dance Studios, and Manuel Noriega?

Pineapple

4.

Who is the only Blue Peter presenter to have been sacked following allegations of cocaine use?  Despite being stripped of his Blue Peter badge his broadcasting career survived, indeed thrived.

Richard Bacon

5.

When Lennon and McCartney were writing the lyric for the song that eventually became Yesterday what was the provisional placeholder title they used before the lyric was revised?

Scrambled Eggs

6.

Who, in a 1975 novelty record, was described as: “The Queen of Northern Soul”?

Black Pudding Bertha

7.

What one name connects the actor who played the patriarch of the Cartwright family in the western Bonanza, and the title held by the heir to the Duke of Argyll?

8.

Dominic Raab was twice deputy Prime Minister.  Who served as deputy PM in between his two stints at the job?

Therese Coffey

Sp1

Known as 'Mr Newcastle' who was leader of Newcastle upon Tyne council 1960-65?  His later links to John Poulson resulted in a prison sentence for corruption.

T Dan Smith

Sp2

What is the official name for the sovereign state of Jordan?

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Sp3

Written by Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews and running for three series on Channel 4 and one on BBC 2 what is the name of the title character, a down at heel actor?

Steven Toast

Theme: Each answer contains an item from an excellent breakfast ...

Bran, Milk, Pineapple, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Lorne (sausage), Black Pudding, Coffee, Tea, Hash Browns and Toast

ROUND 2 - 'Double Bubble'

Each answer contains a word which has at least one set of double letters

Double letters might appear in forenames so full names required for all answers

1.

This season who became the first Scotsman to captain an English team to a European trophy final victory since Graeme Souness captained Liverpool in 1984?

John McGinn

(Aston Villa)

2.

In this year’s Commonwealth games who became the first Welsh athlete to win four gold medals.  These included the 1 km time trial an event she last competed in at the age of 12.  She is currently the fastest female cyclist on earth.

Emma Finucane

3.

Who in 1545 became the first woman to publish a book in English under her own name?  It was entitled Prayers or Meditations.

Catherine Parr

4.

Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi were both present at what event on 23rd January 1900?

Battle of Spion Kop

5.

Soul Limbo by Booker T and the MGs is best known as the theme music to the BBC’s test match coverage since 1968.  Who played the iconic cow bells on the tune?  At the time he was an in-house musician for Staxx Records but later had a successful solo career including his own film and TV theme songs, and as a TV school cook.

Isaac Hayes

(he voices Chef in South Park)

6.

Which character first appeared on film in 1976 and personally in three later movies, and mentioned in a further five?  His numerous nicknames included 'The King of Sting', 'The Master of Disaster' and 'The Count of Monte Fisto'.  A rival commented: “You think you got enough names?”

Apollo Creed

7.

Whose statue stands at the entrance to Broadcasting House the BBC’s HQ?  A BBC employee in World War 2 a quote next to the statue reads: “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.

George Orwell

8.

Which Canadian city with a population of 900,000 has an ice hockey team called The Jets?  Although Europeans founded a trading post here in 1738, indigenous people have traded here for 6,000 years.

Winnipeg

Sp1

Traditionally made from a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk which cheese, originating in Cyprus, has a very high melting point meaning it can be grilled, fried, or barbecued unlike other cheeses?

Halloumi

Sp2

Which US city is named after a Roman Republic dictator?

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme - “All right our kid” - A  Street memories theme

Surnames suffice

1.

What word connects the oldest city in Utah founded by people of European descent which was a critical railway hub in pioneering days AND the forename of the author who wrote: “God in his wisdom made the fly/ And then forgot to tell us why”?

Ogden

2.

Which Yorkshire cricketer holds the record for the most wickets taken by a male England bowler in T20 International cricket, 171 so far?

Adil Rashid

3.

Which local institution has the motto “Rise up, take courage and do it”?  It can be seen from the window of one of the WithQuiz venues.

Barlow Roman Catholic High School

4.

Which American psychiatrist who committed suicide at the age of 29 was a member of the Communist party and wrote for its publication Western Worker?  She is known for her relationship with Robert Oppenheimer and was played by Florence Pugh in the 2023 biopic.

Jean Tatlock

5.

Which DJ hosted Radio 1’s breakfast show from 2012 to 2018 and the drivetime slot until 2021?  He appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with his niece as well as hosting other shows.

Nick Grimshaw

6.

Which UK Prime Minister is the only one to have served under three monarchs?

Stanley Baldwin

7.

What word connects: a British Art Gallery designed by Sherlock and Vale and opened in 1877; an amateur international sports tournament first played in 1922; and a comedian and game show host born in Belfast in 1940?

Walker

(Walker gallery, Walker Cup, Roy Walker)

8.

Which South Manchester Georgian mansion in the Palladian style was built in the 1760s for the Worsley family?  Grade 2 listed it housed the Gallery of Costume from 1947 to 2017.  Currently it is a community and creative space for art projects.

Platt Hall

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a Coronation Street family over more than six decades

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - 'One answer is enough for the points'

1.

Since 1900 only three UK Prime Ministers have been undergraduates at a Cambridge college.  Andy Burnham is the most recent.  Name EITHER of the other two.

Arthur Balfour or

Stanley Baldwin

2.

Since 1900 only three UK Prime Ministers have LATER returned to the Cabinet as Foreign Secretary.  David Cameron is the most recent.  Name EITHER of the other two.

Arthur Balfour or

Alec Douglas Home

3.

In the 2000s the US sitcom Malcolm in the Middle starring Bryan Cranston and Frankie Muniz provided family-friendly Sunday night entertainment on Sky and BBC2.  Give the forename of any ONE of Malcolm’s four brothers.

Francis, Reese, Dewey or Jamie

4.

Andrew, formerly known as Prince, will now have more time to spend with his five grandchildren (and maybe step grandchild Wolfie too).  The youngest grandchild is called Adelaide.  Can you name any ONE of the other four?

Sienna, Athena, August or Ernest

5.

Five authors have won the Booker Prize for fiction on two occasions.  Hilary Mantel was one.  Can you name ONE of the other four?

Margaret Atwood, Peter Carey, J M Coetzee or J G Farrell

6.

Currently there are four English-born men who are members of the Sacred College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church (they wear the red hat).  Name ONE.

Vincent Nichols, Timothy Radcliffe,  Arthur Roche or Michael Fitzgerald

7.

In the UK whole of life sentences are uncommon. Only three women are currently serving whole of life tariffs.  Lucy Letby is one.  Name EITHER of the other two.

Rose West or Joanna Dennehy

8.

Since the establishment of Israel in 1946 there have been only two judicial executions carried out. Name EITHER of the convicted.

Meir Topianski or Adolf Eichmann

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - 'ISPOTY'

Since 1985 the Irish national broadcaster, RTE, have had the 'Sports Person of the Year Award' (like the BBC’s 'Sports Personality of the Year Award') which is open to sports people from the whole island of Ireland

Every answer contains the name of a winner

1.

Which actor, who appeared in all eight series of HBO’s Game of Thrones, is married to actress Rose Leslie, who had played his love interest Ygritte in the series?

Kit Harington

(Golf: Padraig Harrington 2002, 2007, 2008)

2.

Which actress played Jane to Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan in six films of the franchise 1932-42?  Her seven children include actress Mia Farrow.

Maureen O'Sullivan

(Athletics: Sonia O’Sullivan 1993,1994, 1995, 1998, 2000)

3.

Which musician founded and was the frontman for the bands The Libertines, The Babyshambles and The Puta Madres?

Pete Doherty

(Snooker: Ken Doherty 1997)

4.

Which alternative rock band had their debut album Hopes and Fears in 2004 and their most recent album Cause and Effect in 2019?

Keane

(Soccer: Roy Keane 1999)

5.

Who wrote the 1869 novel Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor?

R D Blackmore

(Jockey Rachael Blackmore 2021)

6.

Which fictional detective is the subject of over 4000 books by over 200 authors over eight decades?  Living in Baker Street with a young adolescent boy assistant called Tinker his enemies included Count Ivor Carlac, Prince Wu Ling, and Zenith the Albino.

Sexton Blake

(Rugby: Johnny Sexton 2019)

7.

Which family-owned business founded forty years ago in County Mayo is now the largest toy retailer in Western Europe with over 300 outlets?

Smyths Toys

(Swimmer: Michelle Smith 1996)

8.

Which house building business was founded in Blackpool in 1921 and named after its founder Frank and his uncle Jack?  Responsible for some of the country’s most eminent construction projects over the last century it was acquired by Vinci plc in 2008.  However, the civil engineering division retains its original name.

TAYLOR WOODROW (Boxing: Katie Taylor 2012, 2022)

Sp1

Which footballer played for both Manchester United and City, was a member of the team which won the last ever Home Internationals in 1984, played in two world cups captaining the team in the latter, but never won Sports Person of the Year?

Sammy McIlroy

(Golf: Rory McIlroy 2011/14/25)

Sp2

In the Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrice Potter Peter invades a garden belonging to which man from whom he has a lucky escape?

Mr McGregor

(MMA: Conor McGregor 2016)

Note from the setter:

The absence of Gaelic sportspeople in this round is not due to Ulster-Scots bigotry by the setter.  There have been only two winners in 40 years, both in hurling, and every other Shefflin and O hAilpin on Wikipedia are hurling/GAA relatives so it was hard to think of a question! 

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme - 'What's New?'

Forenames required unless indicated otherwise

1.

Which Olympic champion married film producer Dustin Lance Black in 2017?  They have now relocated to Los Angeles with their two children.

Tom Daley

2.

Founded near Fort Gatlin and once known as Jernagin which is the fourth most populous city in Florida?

Orlando

3.

Which composer, also surnamed Bartholdy, founded the Leipzig Conservatory of Music, the oldest university school of music in Germany, in 1843?

Felix Mendelssohn

4.

Which 1786 opera by Mozart is based on a 1784 play by Pierre Beaumarchais?

The Marriage of Figaro

5.

What was the surname of the most recent (and possibly last) Conservative MP for the Manchester Withington constituency?  He lost his seat to Keith Bradley in 1987.

(Fred) Silvester

6.

Alexander Graham Bell invented a metal detector that was famously used in 1881, albeit unsuccessfully, on a shooting victim to locate the bullet.  Who was the victim?

President (James) Garfield

7.

What was Stephen King’s second published novel?  It has been a mini-series in 1979 and 2004 and a feature film in 2024.

Salem's Lot

8.

Which literary awards were established in 1987 by Mystery Readers International?  Past winners include Minette Walters, Val McDermid, and Anthony Horowitz.

Macavity Awards

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a fictional cat ...

Tom, Orlando, Felix, Figaro, Sylvester, Garfield, Salem and Macavity

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Reverse paired with Round 7

1.

Nevil Maskelyne was the Astronomer Royal for 46 years until his death.  Give any year in which he held office.

1765-1811

2.

Tofiq Bahramov, an Azerbaijani after whom the then national stadium was named in 1993 after his death, is more fondly remembered in England by what three-word erroneous nickname?

'The Russian Linesman'

3.

What is the common name of the plant Polemonium?

Jacob's Ladder

4.

Which 1954 musical film features an all African-American cast and is an updated version of an opera composed in 1875?  Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her role min it.

Carmen Jones

5.

St Magnus Cathedral, the UK’s most northerly, was appropriately the venue for Magnus Magnusson’s last appearance as QM for Mastermind.  In which Scottish town is it?

Kirkwall

(in Orkney)

6.

Who is credited with the authorship of the Old Testament book The Song of Songs, an erotic love poem that might have allegorical merits?

Solomon

7.

After cyclist Tadej Pogacar had to retire from this year’s Vuelta a Espana which Mallorcan rider won?  He had previously been second in the race on three occasions.

Enric Mas

8.

Malawi has land borders with three other countries.  Name ONE of them.

Mozambique, Tanzania or Zambia

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Reverse paired with Round 8

1.

Honduras has land borders with three other countries.  Name ONE of them.

El Salvador, Guatemala or Nicaragua

2.

Which cyclist won this year’s Giro d’Italia for the first time?  A Danish rider, his greatest rival in the race previously has been Tadej Pogacar.

Jonas  Vingegaard

3.

Which evangelist is credited with the authorship of the New Testament book The Acts of the Apostles?

Luke

4.

Which city in the UK has two cathedrals, one founded in 445 and one founded in 1840?  Both are named after the same saint, and both are the seats of archbishops.

Armagh

5.

Which 1973 blaxploitation film starred Tamara Dobson whose day job as a supermodel provides the money and opportunities for her activities as a James Bond-like undercover government agent?

Cleopatra Jones

6.

What is the common name of the plant Nepeta?

Catnip (or Catmint)

7.

Australian ballet dancer Sir Robert Helpmann is best remembered for his frightening performance in a 1968 children’s film as one of the most villainous and creepy characters ever seen in a children’s film.  What was his (three-word) role?

The Child Catcher

(in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

8.

The naturalist and botanist Sir Joseph Banks was President of the Royal Society for 42 years until his death.  Give any year in which he held office.

1778-1820

Sp1

Which disease in Papua/New Guinea caused by ritual eating of human brain is now thought to be extinct?

Kuru

Sp2

This year’s Nobel Prize for Literature was once again won by someone no one has heard of and once again was a Canadian woman who was not Margaret Atwood.  Who was she?

Anne Carson

Sp3

Who became the 37th White House press secretary but sadly did not cut the mustard and left after five days?

Katie Zacharia

Sp4

Which US vice-president and one-time presidential candidate had the nickname 'Fritz'?

Walter Mondale

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers