Tonight, Once More

Well, there’s a thing. A quietly intent, but vaguely cut-throat evening, tonight. The Tom & Jerry’s romped in first, but it was a tough one, even for them. They came in with 51 points, compared to Joe’s 44, in third, and Deanna's Diva’s in at second. To be frank, apart from one or two of the regular’s being a little loud, by the bar, is was quite intense. But here, let me cut & paste the relevant quiz; – number 51, by a complete co-incidence.

ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) In 1986, what did the red rose replace as the symbol of the Labour Party?

A1) The red flag

Q2) “Bring Me To Life” was a 2003 Number One for which Rock Band?

Q2) Evanescence

Q3) Bashed Neeps & Tatties are the traditional accompaniment to which dish?

A3) Haggis

Q4) What are the names of Thomas the Tank Engine’s two carriages?

A4) Annie & Clarabel

Q5) Which requires the use of most facial muscles - a smile or a frown?

A5) Frown

Q6) Which gas has the atomic number, 1?

A6) Hydrogen.

Q7) In ‘Scrabble’, how many points is the letter ‘E’ worth?

A7) One.

Q8) How many sides does a tetrahedron have?

A8) Four.

Q9) Which of Shakespear’s plays begins with a storm at sea?

A9) “The Tempest”.

Q10) Which country was the 1st to retain football’s World Cup?

A10) Italy.

ROUND TWO. FOOD & DRINK.

Q11) What kitchen device did Charles Strite invent; – the toaster, the mandolin, or the microwave oven?

A11) The Toaster.

Q12) Sirloin is a cut of which meat?

A12) Beef.

Q13) Which isn’t a tomato; – plum, cherry, or orange?

A13) Orange.

Q14) What are the tops of asparagus called?

A14) Asparagus tips

Q15) The island of Madeira shares its name with a fortified wine, and what else?

A15) A cake

Q16) In 2005, Jamie Oliver present a series on what, prison food, school dinners, or hospital food?

A16) School dinners

Q17) Which chef presents “The F Word”?

A17) Gordon Ramsey.

Q18) Murphys’s Irish Stout is made in which Irish city?

A18) Cork.

Q19) Vatcharin Bhumichtr (vat-CHA-rin boo-MITCH-re) writes about the food of which East Asian country; – Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia?

A19) Thailand.

Q20) August Escoffier made his international reputation at 2 London hotels; - name one of them. (Two points for naming both.)

A20) The Savoy, or the Carlton.

ROUND THREE. TV DINNERS.

Q21) Michael Wisher, Terry Molloy, and Julian Bleach, have all played which “Dr Who” villain?

A21) Davros.

Q22) In which year of the 80’s did Channel 4 Start broadcasting?

A22) 1982

Q23) How many contestants took part in each episode of “Bullseye”?

A23) Six

Q24) Similarly, how many contestants are there in each episode of “Mastermind”?

A24) Four

Q25) Who was the 1st host of “Wogan,” other than Terry Wogan?

A25) Selina Scott.

Q26) Who was the transvestite character in “Mash”?

A26) Corporal Klinger.

Q27) Nick, & Kate Rowan appear in which TV series?

A27) “Heartbeat.”

Q28) The character of Steve Austin appears in which 70’s show?

A28) “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

Q29) Who’s the presenter of “The Weakest Link”?

A29) Anne Robinson.

Q30) “Grandstand” was, and still is, the BBC’s main sports programme; – but what was its ITV rival, during the 70’s? (Extra point for naming the main presenter)

A30) “World of Sport.” (With Dickie Davies. Des Lynam’s a cheap imitation.)

ROUND FOUR. THE WRITTEN WORD.

Q31) In which George Orwell novel would you find the phrase, “War is Peace”?

A31) “1984.”

Q32) What was the 2nd James Bond novel?

A32) “Dr No.”

Q33) H. G. Welles wrote “War of the Worlds,” “The Invisible Man,” & “The Time Machine.” What did the H stand for? (Extra point for the G.)

A33) Herbert. (George.)

Q34) Mrs Hudson was the landlady, and house of which famous detective?

A34) Sherlock Holmes.

Q35) The character of Scheharazade appears in which famous Arabic book?

A35) “The 1001 Arabian Nights.”

Q36) The 25th January sees the birthday of which Scottish writer?

A36) Robert Burns.

Q37) “Trainspotting,” is based on the book of the same name; - who wrote it?

A37) Irving Walsh.

Q38) Who wrote the novel, “A Clockwork Orange”?

A38) Anthony Burgess.

Q39) Dante’s Inferno forms part of the “Divine…” what, Tragedy, Comedy or Drama?

A39) Comedy

Q40) William the Conqueror ordered a Survey of England, after 1066; - what name is it known by?

A40) The Domesday Book.

ROUND FIVE. SCIENCE, NATURE, AND TECHNOLOGY.

Q41) What’s the more common name for calcium oxide: – quicklime, or chalk??

A41) Quicklime.

Q42) How much of the Earth’s surface is covered in ice, 5%, 10%, or 20%?

A42) 10%

Q43) What’s the world’s most used drug?

A43) Aspirin

Q44) Disposable razors 1st went on sale in which year of the 1890’s?

A44) 1895

Q45) Who introduced the world’s thinnest Laptop, in 2008? (Bonus for telling us the model)

A45) Apple. (MacBook Air)

Q46) Scientists in China have revealed that they can predict earthquakes, by watching the behaviour of snakes, five days in advance, but from what distance can snakes tell if there will be a major tremor; – 75 miles, 750 miles, or 7500 miles?

A46) 75 Miles

Q47) Back in February 2006 , Frenchwoman Isabelle Dinoire was the first person in the world to undergo which medical procedure?

A47) A Face transplant. (After she was savaged by a Rottweiler.)

Q48) What is Cryogenics the study of; – Low temperatures, rare chemicals, or fungus?

A48) Low temperatures

Q49) Recent pictures taken by NASA’s global surveyor show evidence of water on which planet?

A49) Mars.

Q50) What is the chemical symbol for Silver; – Gu, Pb, or Ag?

A50) Ag

ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Asteroids are numbered in order of what, discovery, size, or dampness?

A51) Discovery.

Q52) In the House of Commons, what qualification do you need to be Father of the House?

A52) The longest serving MP

Q53) If you are an LLD, what subject have you studied?

A53) Law

Q54) Edward McGinnis was better known as who; Eddie Large, or Sid Little?

A54) Eddie Large.

Q55) Which US state was the 1st to abolish slavery; Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, or New York?

A55) Pennsylvania.

Q56) What does a lapidary deal in, gems, precious metals, or camels?

A56) Gems.

Q57) Through which part of their bodies do butterflies taste?

A57) Feet

Q58) Which colour Smartie replaced the light brown in 1989?

A58) Blue

Q59) The Open University awarded its first degrees, Roger Moore made his first appearance as James Bond, Noel Coward died in Jamaica, and Yugoslavia hosted the European cup final, which was won by Ajax Amsterdam. What year of the 1970’s are we talking about?

A59) 1973

Q60) Which four leggeed animal produces 200 times more wind than the average human?

A60) Cow

I don’t necessarily think this lot’s tough. Mind you, saying that, I did have the answers in front of me …

As a bonus, for those of you keeping up, we DIDN’T have a repeat turn-out of some of last week’s audience members. So, in spite of my general tiredness, after what has been a very long day, that makes today a good day!

As has getting assorted good wishes from all sorts of people, and to them, I’d like to say thank you!