The Friday Question Set — 31-1-2014

Hmmm … 

You know, I’v e got to admit to feeling SLIGHTLY rushed.

Although, granted, I have get all day.

But here’s me, happily posting up today’s Friday Question … 

RIGHT in the middle of writing Daily Teasers, AND making the videos for them … !

~≈Â≈~

Oy Veh … !

At any rate, here’s this week’s Friday Question Set: without links, I’m afraid, but covered by the usual Creative Commons License*

Online 237

ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What sort of Christian building derives its name from the Greek word for seat?

A1) A cathedral.

Q2) Which musical instrument is the largest member of the tuba family?

A2) The Sousaphone

Q3) In the UK aristocracy, which rank comes between a baron, and an earl?

A3) A Viscount.

Q4) Which musical is performed on roller skates?

A4) Starlight Express.

Q5) In which European country did Punch and Judy shows originate?

A5) Italy.

Q6) Which Brazilian dance became popular, in Europe, in 1989: the Lambada or the Tango?

A6) The Lambada.

Q7) In the E. M. Forster novel, A Room With A View, which Italian city provided the view?

A7) Florence.

Q8) Which fashion designer created The New Look, during the 50’s?

A8) Christian Dior.

Q9) What is made from a mixture of linseed oil and chalkdust?

A9) Putty.

Q10) What’s the capital city of Norway?

A10) Oslo.

ROUND TWO.   SEA LIFE.

Q11) The Whale Shark is the largest species of what?

A11) Fish.

Q12) Which fish shares its name with a type of sporting footwear?

A12) The Skate.

Q13) What is the name of the world’s heaviest marine mammal?

A13) Blue Whale.

Q14) A mollusc’s body is covered with what?

A14) A shell.

Q15) What name is given to a baby whale, calf, puppy, or kid?

A15) Calf.

Q16) Great White, Frilled and Hammerhead are types of what?

A16) Shark.

Q17) Dolphins, lobsters or seals: which one has pincers?

A17) Lobsters.

Q18) What type of sea life is the Portuguese Man O’War?

A18) Jellyfish.

Q19) How many tentacles does a squid have?

A19) 10.

Q20) What 5 limbed sea creature has its mouth at the bottom of its body?

A20) The Starfish.

ROUND THREE.   PLANT LIFE.

Q21) What type of wood is Balsa: hard or soft?

A21) Hard.

Q22) Plantain and yams are relatives of which fruit?

A22) The banana

Q23) The Blackthorn is also known as which berry?

A23) The sloe berry.

Q24) The demands of which industry boosted the production of the rubber plant, last century? 

A24) The car industry.

Q25) What does a berry typically contain?

A25) Seeds.

Q26) How often do biennial plants flower and seed?

A26) Every second year?

Q27) The name ‘tulip’ comes from a Turkish word meaning what?

A27) Turban.

Q28) How is the wild Rosa Canina better known?

A28) The Dog Rose.

Q29) The Rose of York is which colour?

A29) White.

Q30) Gypsophilia is usually for what: flower arranging, smoking or eating?

A30) Flower arranging: it’s a type of carnation.

ROUND FOUR.   HISTORY.

Q31) In which European country were the Baader Meinhof Gang based?

A31) Germany.

Q32) Hastings Banda became Prime Minister of which African country, in 1964?

A32) Malawi.

Q33) Which small Caribbean country triggered a missile crisis, during the 1960’s?

A33) Cuba.

Q34) Black September were a terrorist group from which middle eastern country?

A34) Palestine/Israel.

Q35) In which year of the 1940’s did the Battle of Britain begin?

A35) 1940.

Q36) General Pinochet lead a coup in which South American country?

A36) Chile.

Q37) During the 1980s, which Berkshire site was the scene of many anti-nuclear protests?

A37) Greenham Common.

Q38) Who succeeded François Mitterand as President of France?

A38) Jacques Chirac.

Q39) Milton Friedman was the senior policy advisor to which American president: Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter or George Bush senior?

A39) Ronald Reagan

Q40) In which far Eastern country was the Great Leap Forward, during the 1950’s?

A40) China.

ROUND FIVE.   ROUND BRITAIN.

Q41) Is Aberdeen north or south of Glasgow?

A41) North.

Q42) Prestwick and Gatwick are both what, airports, seaports, or film studios?

A42) Airports.

Q43) In which English county are the Dales?

A43) Yorkshire.

Q44) Denbighshire is in which country of the UK?

A44) Wales.

Q45) On which Devon Moor is there a famous prison?

A45) Dartmoor

Q46) What is the administrative centre for Scotland’s Dumfries & Galloway region?

A46) Dumfries.

Q47) Eastbourne, Esher and Eccles.   Which of these is on the coast?

A47) Eastbourne.

Q48) Where, in the UK, is Armagh?

A48) Northern Ireland.   (Accept Ulster, but not Ireland: that’s the Republic of Ireland.)

Q49) Who was the last Queen to inherit the throne of the UK, prior to Queen Elizabeth 2nd?

A49) Queen Victoria.

Q50) Dudley is near which major city of the Midlands?

A50) Birmingham.

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Which Blondie album did their hit Atomic come from?

A51) Eat To The Beat.

Q52) True or False: The native language of film star Ioan Griffudd is English.

A52) False.  It’s Welsh.

Q53) Which kitchen item is linked to satellite TV?

A53) A dish.

Q54) How many minutes are there, in 11 hours?

A54) 660.

Q55) Trumpets and cornets belong to which group of musical instruments?

A55) Brass.

Q56) What word describes linking computers together?

A56) Networking.

Q57) Who did Bianca de Macias marry, in 1971?

A57) Mick Jagger.

Q58) Where on the body might a cataract appear?

A58) An eye.

Q59) The giant panda is native to which continent?

A59) Asia.

Q60) What was the name of the family, in The Beverly Hillbillies?

A60) Clampett.

Enjoy those: I hope they’re useful … 

*        Regulars will know already, but for newcomers … all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 31-1-2014

You know, as I write, it’s actually NOT raining in Brentwood.

No, really … !

Speaking personally … ?

I’m grateful: it means I can go out, without getting drenched.

Unlike parts of the UK: which are looking like paddy fields, AND getting more flood warnings.

Again, I’m grateful.

Grateful that, frankly, I’m living nowhere near the Somerset Levels, or a river.

I’m thinking I’d need to use a stronger word than ‘damp’ … !

~≈Î≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Adrence putting in their answers: and saw Adrence* scoring four out of seven, with Debbi† bagging six, and winning the day.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 31st January, 2014, marks the start of the Chinese New Year.   2014 is the year of which Chinese astrological animal … ?

Q2) 31st January, 1929, saw the Soviet Union exile Leon Trotsky.   In which country was he eventually assassinated … ?

Q3) 31st January, 1968, saw the USA receive reports of over 500 deaths: during which Vietnam War offensive … ?

Q4) 31st January, 1983, saw UK drivers ordered to wear seat-belts.   Under that same legislation, who else in the car had to … ?

Q5) Finally … 31st January, 1990, saw McDonald’s open its first restaurant: in Moscow’s Pushkin Square.   How many Russian restaurant does the firm now have: 407, 408 0r 409?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 30th January, 1703, saw forty-seven ronin avenge the death of their master: in which East Asian country … ?

A1) Japan.

Q2) The ronin sought revenge after their master was forced to commit seppuku: or ritual … what … ?

A2) Suicide.

Q3) What exactly was WAS a ronin: a cashiered soldier, a masterless knight or an out of work farmer … ?

A3) A masterless samurai, or knight: although they’re not quite the same, that’s the nearest European equivalent.

Q4) The ronins’ master was a lord, in their country: what term is used for a feudal lord, in that nation … ?

A4) A daimyo.

Q5) The slightly curved ronin long swords are called what: scimitar, seax or katana?

A5) The Katana.

Q6) What was the name given to the code of honour followed by ronin … ?

A6) Bushidō.

Q7) Finally … who’s plays the lead character, in the 2013 film version of the tale, called 47 Ronin … ?

A7) Keanu Reeves.

I’ll leave you with this tune from birthday boy, Justin Timberlake … 

And this thought …

“We’ll use a signal I have tried and found far-reaching and easy to yell. Waa-hoo!”

From The Last Of The Plainsmen, by Zane Grey, January 31, 1872 – October 23, 1939

Have a good day.

*        Adrence, I think you’ve just put in your personal best score, there … !

†        Debbi, I just hope that article’s readable!   I’m a bit … um … yeah, Ummm … about it!   (And thinking maybe some sort of glossary of terms would be useful … ?)

The Daily Teaser — 30-1-2014: 47 Ronin.

I have to admit, there’s a few bits of TV on I enjoy.

Dr Who’s a long time favourite.   Merlin was fun: and had Katie McGrath!   Blake’s 7, The Prisoner and The Fades have come, gone and been loved.

But I think I’m going to add the rebooted The Tomorrow People and the modern BBC version of The Musketeers to that list: they’re very different from each other: but great fun!

You can tell, I’ve got The Tomorrow People on in the background, can’t you … ?

With that said … ?   Let’s get moving on … 

~≈$≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting me know she’d call, she also scored seven out of seven.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 30th January, 1703, saw forty-seven ronin avenge the death of their master: in which East Asian country … ?

Q2) The ronin sought revenge after their master was forced to commit seppuku: or ritual … what … ?

Q3) What exactly was WAS a ronin: a cashiered soldier, a masterless knight or an out of work farmer … ?

Q4) The ronins’ master was a lord, in their country: what term is used for a feudal lord, in that nation … ?

Q5) The slightly curved ronin long swords are called what: scimitar, seax or katana?

Q6) What was the name given to the code of honour followed by ronin … ?

Q7) Finally … who’s plays the lead character, in the 2013 film version of the tale, called 47 Ronin … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 29th January, 1916, saw Paris bombed by German airships known as Zeppelins.   What gas provided lift, for those early Zeppelins … ?

A1) Hydrogen.

Q2) What was the name of the German noble who designed them … ?

A2) Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

Q3) What type of boat gives its name to the part of a Zeppelin, used to carry the crew, passengers or cargo … ?

A3) The gondola.

Q4) The gasbags in the airships were made from what’s called goldbeater’s skin.   In other words, the intestines of a young what: sheep, goat or cow?

A4) A cow: or calf, if you want the term.

Q5) Airships are what kind of aircraft: lighter than air, fixed wing or helicopter … ?

A5) Lighter than air.

Q6) Which Manhattan landmark has a spire originally intended as a mooring mast for airships … ?

A6) The Empire State Building.

Q7) Finally … What was the name of the airship that exploded in New Jersey, in 1937?

A7) The Hindenburg.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with Black Maria, by Ronin … 

And this thought …

“The warrior doesn’t care if he’s called a beast or a dog; the main thing is winning.”

Asakura Norikage.

Have a good day.

*        Cool, I’ll look forward to it, Debbi!

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser

Would you know it … ?

I’m jobhunting, at the moment: as people who follow me for a while, will already know.

As part of that, I have to sign at my local Job Centre/Benefits office, in order to claim any money: and to show what I’m doing to find work.

Until recently … ?   Until recently, I also had to attend the government’s Work Programme.   My last Appointment … ?   Was last week.

Today, I was due to sign on — which went well — and speak to my new personal adviser, who’s supposed to help me find work, now I’ve come off the work programme.

He was off ill.

Lovely.

I’ll get to see him next time I sign on, but even so … ?   That’s just about my luck … 

~≈Í≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser.

Here’s this week’s questions, covered by the Creative Commons License* …

Q1) 29th January saw the VC medal first instituted.   What does VC stand for … ?

Q2) Which Queen introduced it … ?

Q3) In which year of the 1850s was the VC introduced … ?

Q4) The Queen introduced the VC and saw it awarded: for which ‘V’?

Q5) The VC is awarded for that ‘V’, in the face of whom … ?

Q6) During which war was the VC first awarded … ?

Q7) Who was Britain fighting against in that war … ?

Q8) The medal’s shape is a cross what: pattée, paté or pattern … ?

Q9) How many times — since World War 2 — has the original VC been awarded … ?

Q10) Finally … who’s the most recent British Army soldier to have received the VC … ?

Here’s last week’s questions and answers …

Questions.

Q1) 22nd January, 1984, saw the airing of the first ad for the Apple Macintosh computer.   Which George Orwell novel was the ad named after … ?

Q2) Which well known British director directed it: Barry Scott, Tony Scott or Ridley Scott?

Q3) The heroine of the advert was played by athlete and model, Anya Major.   She also appeared in the video for which Elton John song: ‘Nikita’, ‘Sad Songs,’ or ‘I’m Still Standing’ … ?

Q4) The ad was famously shown during a well known — and very American — sporting event.   WHICH sporting event: the World Series final, the Superbowl or the NBA Basketball finals … ?

Q5) Name either of the teams in that year’s event … ?

Q6) Apple itself was founded by two Steves: the late Steve Jobs, and who else?

Q7) The original Mac was the first commercially successful computer to use a ‘GUI’, or Graphical User … what … ?

Q8) It was also the first commercially successful computer to use what handheld device … ?

Q9) Apple’s currently range of Macs include its famous all-in-one desktop: what’s the name of that desktop … ?

Q10) Finally … Apple’s current computer operating system — the one on the Mac, not the iPad and iPhone — is called OS X.   What does the X stand for … ?

Answers.

A1) 1984.

A2) Ridley Scott.

A3) ‘Nikita’.

A4) The Superbowl.

A5) The Washington Redskins or the LA Raiders.

A6) Steve Wozniak.

A7) Interface.

A8) The computer mouse.   (The Apple mouse is partly why I went mad for Macs: it only has one button, so you don’t need to fiddle about, changing  hard-to-find settings.   That came as a revelation to a southpaw, like me)

A9) The iMac.

A10) It doesn’t stand for a word: it’s actually the Roman numeral for ten.   (There’s a bit of a clue in the question number.)

Enjoy those: I’ll catch you later … !

*        Regulars will know already, but for newcomers … all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.

Back At The Job Centre ...

This is literally going to be a quick post: courtesy of Brentwood Library.

As I'm in town!

At any rate, I've just signed on: the usual thing, that says I'm available to work should a job come my way: and should any jobs be available.

As part of my first time back, after being on the Work Program for two years, I'm supposed to have been seen by a personal adviser: who'll advise me on what happens next, and what help the Job Centre can offer me.

Guess what?

The chap was ill.

Story of my life, that ... !

The Daily Teaser — 29-1-2014: Unleaded Zeppelins

Hmmm … 

Right … 

BIT of a rush, this morning: as I have to be at the Job Centre — to sign on — reasonably early.

I also get to find out what now happens, as I’ve finished with the Government’s Work Programme.

Somehow … ?

I feel it won’t be that much in the way of practical help.

With that said?   Let’s get moving on … 

~≈Î≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers.   With Trevor† telling us I’d got the tense wrong in a question, the day before, the day saw Debbi bagging five out of five.

Let’s see how everybody does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 29th January, 1916, saw Paris bombed by German airships known as Zeppelins.   What gas provided lift, for those early Zeppelins … ?

Q2) What was the name of the German noble who designed them … ?

Q3) What type of boat gives its name to the part of a Zeppelin, used to carry the crew, passengers or cargo … ?

Q4) The gasbags in the airships were made from what’s called goldbeater’s skin.   In other words, the intestines of a young what: sheep, goat or cow?

Q5) Airships are what kind of aircraft: lighter than air, fixed wing or helicopter … ?

Q6) Which Manhattan landmark has a spire originally intended as a mooring mast for airships … ?

Q7) Finally … What was the name of the airship that exploded in New Jersey, in 1937?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th January, 1754, saw Horace Walpole coin the word, ‘serendipity,’ in a letter to Horace Mann.   The word refers to a happy … what … ?

A1) A happy accident, or coincidence.

Q2) 28th January, 1521, saw the start of the Diet of Worms: in which European country … ?

A2) Germany.

Q3) That Diet produced the Edict Of Worms: which forbade people from ‘receiving, defending, sustaining, or favouring’ which religious figure: Pope Leo 10th, Martin Luther or the (then) Archbishop of Canterbury?

A3) Martin Luther.

Q4) 28th January, 1958, saw the patenting of the Lego brick.   Which European country is Lego from … ?

A4) Denmark.

Q5) Finally … 28th January, 1958, saw the last broadcast of which comedy show … ?

A5) The Goon Show.

I’ll leave you with this tune from VNV Nation …

And with this thought from Jasper Fforde …

“What is wrong with airships anyway? They have borne mankind aloft for over a hundred relatively accident-free years and I see no reason to impugn their popularity...”

Jasper Fforde. The Eyre Affair

Have a good day … 

*        Oh, Debbi: I’ve a little thing I’m thinking of posting to the blog at some point: but want to make sure it’s fairly readable to my fellow lay-people.   Would you mind me emailing it over?

†        Cheers, Trevor: I can get that modified … !   (Oh, same thing, Trevor: mind me emailing this over … ?)

The Daily Teaser — 28-1-2014

I have to say, I’ve got a little something I’m working on.

Well … in between jobhunting, writing teasers and trying to get some exercise.

I’m doing a little … article … ?   Yeah, article: on how I can turn stuff my TV records into stuff that’s usable on an iPod.

Which I’m going to have to work on, I think: just to make it as readable as possible!

The reason I say that … ?   Is because I’d like to post it here: and obviously, I’d like to post it here, at some point.

I’d like it to be useful, obviously … 

Hmm … Let’s move on, shall we?   The day’s a’moving … 

~≈†≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with telling us about Vertigo, she also scored four out of five†.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video …

Q1) 28th January, 1754, saw Horace Walpole coin the word, ‘serendipity,’ in a letter to Horace Mann.   The word refers to a happy … what … ?

Q2) 28th January, 1521, saw the start of the Diet of Worms: in which European country … ?

Q3) That Diet produced the Edict Of Worms: which forbade people from ‘receiving, defending, sustaining, or favouring’ which religious figure: Pope Leo 10th, Martin Luther or the (then) Archbishop of Canterbury?

Q4) 28th January, 1958, saw the patenting of the Lego brick.   Which European country is Lego from … ?

Q5) Finally … 28th January, 1958, saw the last broadcast of which comedy show … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th January, 2010, saw Porfirio Lobo Sosa become president of which Central American country … ?

A1) Honduras.

Q2) 27th January, 1945, saw the concentration camps at Auschwitz liberated: by which country’s armed forces … ?

A2) The Soviet Union’s.

Q3) 27th January, 1973, saw the formal end of the Vietnam War: with the signing of Peace Accords in which European city … ?

A3) Paris.

Q4) 27th January, 2006, saw Western Union discontinue what: telegraphs, telegrams or its telephone services … ?

A4) Telegrams.

Q5) Finally … 27th January, 1933, saw the birth of Egyptian businessman, Mohamed Al-Fayed.   Which noted London department store is he the owner of … ?

A5) Harrods.

I’ll leave you with this thought from Elijah Wood …

“I won’t change and my perspective won’t change. I want to continue my life the way I live it, and I’m not going to let anything stop me from doing that. It isn’t all about acting. There’s a lot more to life than Hollywood.”
Elijah Wood, born 28th January, 1981.

And this tune … 

Have a good day … !

*        I think a friend of mine has a copy, Debbi: I may have to borrow it.

†        Yeah, sorry about that, Debbi: I was after the country, rather than the army, in question 2.

The Daily Teaser — 27-1-2014

You know, I’m going to state the obvious, here.

It’s Monday.

You knew that.

And, I don’t know about you, but I can always feel the the start of the working week twitching away at me.

Possibly ‘twitching’ isn’t the right choice of word, there.

But I always think the day has some sort of fresh feel to it: that’s like no other day of the week.

With that said … ?

We’d better get a move on, hadn’t we … ?

~≈|≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* and — I’m assuming — Paul O putting their answers in: and both scoring ten out of ten.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 27th January, 2010, saw Porfirio Lobo Sosa become president of which Central American country … ?

Q2) 27th January, 1945, saw the concentration camps at Auschwitz liberated: by which country’s armed forces … ?

Q3) 27th January, 1973, saw the formal end of the Vietnam War: with the signing of Peace Accords in which European city … ?

Q4) 27th January, 2006, saw Western Union discontinue what: telegraphs, telegrams or its telephone services … ?

Q5) Finally … 27th January, 1933, saw the birth of Egyptian businessman, Mohamed Al-Fayed.   Which noted London department store is he the owner of … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th January is Australia Day.   What’s the capital city of Australia … ?

A1) Canberra.

Q2) What’s Australia’s largest city … ?

A2) Sydney.

Q3) What name do Indigenous Australians give Australia Day … ?

A3) Invasion Day.

Q4) Australia has six states, and two territories.   Name either of the territories.

A4) The Northern Territory and the ACT: or Australian Capital Territory.

Q5) Name any of the six states …

A5) New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland Tasmania and Western Australia.

Q6) Which Australian marsupial famously eats a heck of a lot of eucalyptus leaves … ?

A6) The koala.

Q7) The monotremes are an order of egg laying Australian mammals that include four species of Echidna, or spiny anteaters.   The only other monotreme in Australia is the duck-billed what … ?

A7) Duck billed platypus.

Q8) The Hunter Valley, Margaret River and Barossa Valley are noted producers of Australian … what … ?

A8) Australian wine.   (The general opinion seems to be if you want a good white wine from the Antipodes, get one from New Zealand: on the other hand, go Australian if you want a good red.)

Q9) The (very) Australian pie floater consists of a meat pie — with a named meat, if you’re feeling posh — upside down in a bowl of soup made from what vegetable … ?

A9) Pea soup.

Q10) Finally … which Oscar winning Australian is also a current artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company … ?

A10) Cate Blanchett.

I’ll leave you with this tune by Tricky … 

And these words of wisdom …

“It’s very easy to get excited about a job, but it’s a big commitment because you do it and then you have to live with it when it’s finished. It’s forever in your section in the video store. It's you. It’s almost like deciding who you have a child with.”
Bridget Fonda born January 27, 1964.

Have a good day.

*        Ooh, Debbi, did I tell you I’ve got a documentary on about horror movies in the background?   Fascinating stuff: turns out Hitchcock’s Vertigo was based on a French horror novel … !