A Repeat: With Extras …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve been writing this blog, now, for quite some time.

You’d probably noticed, haven’t you … ?

Part of my motivation, originally, was good old fashioned greed.

Well, greed, and a fondness for showing off, being totally frank.

Well, greed, a fondness for showing off …

And frustration at the lack of freely available questions.

For a struggling pub quiz master … ?

That’s frustrating … !

Very, in fact …

Especially themed ones: you know, Christmas, Halloween, what have you.

Which will tell you why I put those 60-question-sets in the Daily Teaser posts, on Friday.

So, with that in mind … ?

I’m going to do what both the BBC and ITV — Britain’s main commercial station — have done for many years.

A couple of repeats, in other words.

Firstly … ?

Here’s the Christmas quiz from this year: initially released with yesterday’s teaser, and republished under the Creative Commons License …

Christmas Quiz 2010

ROUND ONE: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Which one of Santa’s reindeer shares its name with a love god?

A1) Cupid.

Q2) Whose ghost was the first to appear to Ebenezer Scrooge?

Q2) Jacob Marley.

Q3) Which supermarket got into trouble, in 2009, for putting “Santa Loves All Kids, including the Ginger ones” on some of its Xmas cards?

A3) Tescos.

Q4) Boxing Day, December the 26th, is also the feast day of which saint?

A4) Saint Stephen.

Q5) Which item of Christmas decoration did Prince Albert introduce to the UK?

A5) The Christmas Tree.

Q6) George Orwell once said that “the whole point of Christmas was to have a …” what?

A6) Debauch.

Q7) Christmas takes place a week before New Year. Which festival takes place a week after the Jewish New Year?

A7) Yom Kippur, the Day Of Atonement.

Q8) Finding a button in your xmas pudding means you’ll be what, during the New Year?

A8) A bachelor.

Q9) A Robert L. May short story in 1939 was the first appearance of which Xmas character?

A9) Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Q10) Saint Nicholas was born in which country?

A10) Turkey.

ROUND TWO: MUSIC AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

Q11) Christmas hit, 2000 Miles, was a hit for which US band?

A11) The Pretenders.

Q12) Noddy Holder and Dave Hill topped the Christmas charts with which band?

A12) Slade.

Q13) More to the point, with what song?

A13) Merry Christmas, Everybody.

Q14) According to a popular Christmas song, who had “…a jolly happy soul”?

A14) Frosty the Snowman.

Q15) Which 2009 song, was the first to be a Christmas Number One, purely on download sales?

A15) Killing In the Name, by Rage Against the Machine

Q16) Boney M had a Xmas hit with Mary’s Boy Child; - how many members of Boney M sang on Boney M’s records?

A16) Just one: Liz Mitchell

Q17) Rolf Harris had a Christmas number 1, in 1969: with which song?

A17) Two Little Boys.

Q18) Which composer wrote the music for Hark the Herald Angels Sing: Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Sebastien Bach or Ludwig van Beethoven?

A18) Felix Mendelssohn.

Q19) What did my true love send to me, on the 2nd day of Xmas?

A19) Two turtle doves.

Q20) Which singer appears on both the original version of Do They Know It’s Christmas and the 2005 remake?

A20) Bono, from U2.

ROUND THREE: IN PANTO

Q21) What told Dick Whittington to “… turn again”?

A21) The Bells Of London.

Q22) In which pantomime does Maid Marian appear?

A22) Babes In The Wood.

Q23) In traditional versions of “Cinderella”, what is the name of Prince Charming’s friend?

A23) Dandini.

Q24) In Jack and the Beanstalk, what does Jack get in exchange for his mother’s cow?

A24) Magic Beans.

Q25) What is the name of Aladdin’s mother?

A25) Widow Twankey.

Q26) When Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on a spindle, what happened to her?

A26) She fell asleep.

Q27) What does Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother turn into a coach?

A27) A Pumpkin.

Q28) Who is the sweetheart of Harlequin in Italian pantomime?

A28) Columbine.

Q29) Who ate the Gingerbread House?

A29) Hansel And Gretel.

Q30) Which pantomime character marries Alice Fitzwarren?

A30) Dick Whittington.

ROUND FOUR: Christmas TV Puddings …

Q31) The Vicar in White was the 2007 Christmas special for which TV show?

A31) The Vicar Of Dibley.

Q32) Dear Dad, Death Takes a Holiday, and ’Twas the Day After Christmas were Christmas episodes of which wartime American comedy?

A32) M*A*S*H.

Q33) How many Morecambe & Wise Christmas Specials were there?

A33) Fourteen. (The first in 1969, and last in 1983.)

Q34) What’s the name of the 2008 Doctor Who Xmas Special? (Bonus point for telling us which Australian singer made an appearance in it.)

A34) The Voyage of the Damned. (Kylie Minogue.)

Q35) How many Christmas specials did the late Ronnie Barker appear in?

A35) Nine. (Seven for the The Two Ronnies and two Porridge specials.)

Q36) According to the characters in TV show South Park who else visits, on Christmas Day?

A36) Mr Hanky, the Christmas Poo.

Q37) What vegetable was used a booby prize on kids TV show, Crackerjack?

A37) A cabbage.

Q38) Which long running character died in the 2006 EastEnders Christmas special?

A38) Pauline Fowler.

Q39) More to the point, which late actress played that character?

A39) Wendy Richards.

Q40) Which comedienne appeared in the 2006 Dr Who Xmas special?

A40) Catherine Tate.

ROUND FIVE: TOYS AND GAMES AND OTHER ARGUMENTS.

Q41) Which Nintendo computer games console went on sale in 2006?

A41) The Wii.

Q42) Barbara Millicent Roberts is better known as Barbie. Who was her boyfriend?

A42) Ken.

Q43) Which Japanese collectable card game has proved popular, over the past few years?

A43) Yu-Gi-Oh.

Q44) Which rather spoiled dolls have been a christmas hit, over the past few years?

A44) Bratz.

Q45) He’s Action Man in the UK; what’s his US name?

A45) GI Joe.

Q46) What board-game has a circular board, & wedges shaped pieces?

A46) Trivial Pursuits.

Q47) Which football based game has a name that means ‘Hobby’?

A47) Subbuteo.

Q48) According to popular belief, what board game causes the most family arguments, at Christmas?

A48) Monopoly.

Q49) What traditional Christmas game involves pulling raisins out of burning brandy?

A49) Snap Dragon.

Q50) What puzzle sold over 150 million copies, whilst causing the largest amount of Repetitive Strain Injury?

A50) Rubik’s Cube.

ROUND SIX: – GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Christmas Day 1967, Paul McCartney announced his engagement to who?

A51) Jane Asher. (Who’s now — ironically — got a site devoted to her range of wedding cakes … )

Q52) In a 2008 advert, posters relocated the Nativity into what: bus shelter, airport, or taxi rank?

A52) Bus shelter.

Q53) The traditional Christmas tree, in Trafalgar Square, is a present to the UK, from which European country?

A53) Norway.

Q54) The traditional Christmas cracker was invented in 1847. It originally contained what?

A54) Sweets. (Bonbons, to be precise …)

Q55) Which Xmas decoration is also known as the Great Ashen Faggot?

A55) The Yule Log. (I don’t know about anyone else, bur I’m getting worrying images of Julien Clary. At any rate, if no-one makes comments about faggots or logs … )

Q56) On Christmas Day in 1950 what was stolen from Westminster Abbey?

A56) The Stone of Scone.

Q57) In February 1993 Queen Elizabeth issued a writ against which newspaper over the publication of her Christmas day speech?

A57) The Sun.

Q58) Which King of England was crowned on Christmas day?

A58) William the Conqueror.

Q59) If you were born on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day, what would your star sign be?

A59) Capricorn.

Q60) In some countries, Christmas gifts are usually given on January 1st: by which saint … ?

A60) Saint Basil of Cæsarea

And here’s last years’s one, as well.

ROUND ONE: – CHRISTMAS KNOWLEDGE.

(A Generalised Christmas trivia round. That’s going to be fun. Really.)

Q1) In which century were fake Xmas trees first used; the 18th, 19th or 20th?

A1) The Nineteenth.

Q2) According to Dutch and Belgian tradition, Santa Clause lives in which European country?

Q2) Spain. (And he travels around by steam boat.)

Q3) A three ton Christmas cake was made and eaten, in 2008. But in which German city?

A3) Dresden.

Q4) Which Will Smith film had a record US opening weekend, in December of 2007?

A4) I Am Legend.

Q5) According to national statistics how many Christmas cards does the average family send every year; – 15, 35 or 55?

A5) 55.

Q6) Which Christmas tale saw it’s 25th anniversary, in 2007?

A6) The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs.

Q7) Who makes the traditional Urbi et Orbi speech, at Xmas?

A7) The Pope.

Q8) On which website was the Queen’s Speech made available, in 2007?

A8) YouTube.

Q9) Who named Christmas Island in 1777?

A9) Captain William Mynors.

Q10) According to legend, what special task did King Arthur perform one Christmas Day?

A10) Pulled the sword from the stone.

ROUND TWO: – MUSIC AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

(And Carol isn’t in sight. Who is Carol, anyway … ? Ooh, about Q19 …)

Q11) Which band had a 1968 Xmas hit with Lily the Pink?

A11) The Scaffold.

Q12) Which former Beatle had a Xmas hit with Pipes of Peace?

A12) Paul McCartney.

Q13) According to the song, Xmas is coming, and the what is getting fat?

A13) The Goose.

Q14) If you were wassailing at Christmas, what would you be singing?

A14) Carols.

Q15) What Jonah Lewie song was the only Christmas hit on Stiff Records?

A15) Stop The Cavalry.

Q16) How many version’s of Leonard Cohen song, Hallejeujah charted in the Christmas 2008 chart? (Bonus for telling us who had a Number One hit with it.)

A16) Three. (X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, at number 1, Jeff Buckley, at Number 2, and Leonard Cohen himself, at number 36)

Q17) Which girl-band had the Christmas number 1 in 2002?

A17) Girls Aloud.

Q18) According to the carol, when did Good King Wencelas look out; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day?

A18) Boxing Day; - the Feast of Saint Stephen.

Q19) What do You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, by Aretha Franklin, The Locomotion, and Tony Orlando hit, Halfway to Paradise all have in common?

A19) They’re all Carole’s. Written by singer-songwriter, Carole King, in other words.

Q20) In what year did Band Aid first have a Christmas no.1, with Do They Know It’s Christmas?

A20) 1984.

ROUND THREE: – TOYS AND GAMES.

(The Real Meaning of Christmas is … )

Q21) Barbara Millicent Roberts is better known how?

A21) Barbie.

Q22) Which Sony console was delayed until 2007?

A22) The Playstation 3.

Q23) Which children’s characters saw their 50th anniversary, in 2008?

A23) The Smurfs.

Q24) What toy does an actophile collect?

A24) Teddy bears.

Q25) What was the name of Nintendo’s 2005 canine computer game?

A25) Nintendogs.

Q26) Which toy brick got recalled in 2008?

A26) Sticklebricks.

Q27) Who bought the toy company, Corgi, in 2008?

A27) Hornby.

Q28) What children’s toy was invented in 1900 by Frank Hornby?

A28) Meccano.

Q29) In the board game, Cluedo, what colour is the Reverend?

A29) Green.

Q30) What type of toy was found in a cabbage patch?

A30) Doll. (DO NOT accept Cabbage Patch Kids.)

ROUND FOUR: – AT THE FESTIVE MOVIES.

(Films either released at Christmas, or with a seasonal connection …)

Q31) Denise Richards played Dr Christmas Jones in which James Bond movie?

A31) The World is Not Enough.

Q32) Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz co-star with Jack Black and Jude Law in which romantic Christmas movie?

A32) The Holiday, released in 2006.

Q33) In which Bruce Willis film do terrorists take over an office block on Christmas Eve?

A33) Die Hard.

Q34) What is the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in It’s A Wonderful Life?

A34) Clarence Oddbody.

Q35) Who won an Oscar for Best Actress in 1993 for her role in The Piano?

A35) Holly Hunter.

Q36) What do George C. Scott, Alastair Sim, Daffy Duck, Michael Caine, and Jim Carey all have in common?

A36) They have all played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Q37) In which city is Kevin left in the original Home Alone?

A37) Chicago.

Q38) 2005 saw a straight to DVD Xmas clunker called My Little Pony: A Very … what … Christmas?

A38) My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas. (Straight to DVD, remember; that should tell you something …)

Q39) What was the subtitle of The Santa Clause 3?

A39) The Escape Clause.

Q40) In which celebrated film does James Stewart attempt suicide one Christmas?

A40) It’s a Wonderful Life.

ROUND FIVE: – GETTING STUFFED.

(By festive food …)

Q41) Name any of the three days do Americans consume the most food?

A41) Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and Superbowl Sunday.

Q42) One often has a glass of something before Christmas dinner as an APERITIF. The word stems from the Latin word meaning what?

A42) To open.

Q43) The name of which herb is used as a magic word in a Christmas pantomime?

A43) Sesame.

Q44) According to a 2008 report, who eats more Brussel sprouts; – men, or women?

A44) Men. (Feel free to insert the inevitable joke, here …)

Q45) Eggnog is traditionally consumed in the US over Christmas and which other holiday season?

A45) Thanksgiving.

Q46) Which Christmas dinner was eaten by Elizebeth 1st to celebrate the English victory over the Spanish Armada; – fish, peacock, goose, or eel?

A46) Goose.

Q47) In which European capital city is eel a traditional dinner on Christmas Eve; London, Rome, Paris or Oslo?

A47) Rome.

Q48) Révellion is the term for Christmas dinner, in which European language?

A48) French.

Q49) Thousands of what were marched on London from Norfolk just prior to Christmas each year in Victorian times?

A49) Turkeys and Geese. (The turkeys wore little leather boots, the geese just had their feet tarred.)

Q50) Which German city, famous for its Christmas market (Christkindmarkt) and Christmas ginger bread (Lebkuchen) was once known as the “… ginger bread capital of the world”?

A50) Nuremburg; – or Nürnberg in German.

ROUND SIX: – CHRISTMAS IGNORANCE.

(Like the first round; except tougher!!)

Q51) The poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas, is better known how?

A51) The Night Before Christmas.

Q52) 1843 saw the first commercial printing of what?

A52) Christmas cards. (By Sir Henry Cole.)

Q53) Tom Smith was the first person to make Xmas Crackers. What type of Russian did he name them after?

A53) Cossacks. (He thought the snap sounded like a Cossack’s whip.)

Q54) ‘Caribou’ is the North American name for what?

A54) Reindeer.

Q55) Who beat Austria 6-0, on aggregate, in the play-offs for the 2002 World Cup?

A55) Turkey

Q56) Which one of Santa’s reindeer shares its name with a love god?

A56) Cupid

Q57) In which decade of the 19th century were electric lights first used on Christmas trees?

A57) The 1890’s

Q58) Which island nation banned Christmas in 1969 and re-introduced it in 2000?

A58) Cuba.

Q59) Which Puritan leader banned Christmas in 1647?

A59) Oliver Cromwell.

Q60) What was the second ghost to appear to Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol?

A60) The Ghost of Christmas Past.

Enjoy them, every one …