Identify the following creatures and plants from the descriptions of their scientific names. You don’t need to give the scientific name. An example is given below:
e.g Q: Originally given a scientific name meaning ‘sea-going sea-bear’ in a mixture of Latin and Greek, but recently just reclassified with the Latin name for ‘sea-going bear’. A: Polar bear
According to the Italian meaning of one of this plant’s names, a beautiful lady. Deadly nightshade – atropa belladonna
Often seen by gardeners, this bird’s scientific name suggests a little red hard-working field-labourer. Robin – erithacus rubecula; an ‘erithakis’ was a hired farm-worker in ancient Greece
This mammal’s scientific name says it’s cat-footed and piebald, but it looks nothing like a cat. Giant panda –ailuropoda melanoleuca; recently reclassified as a bear.
This plant’s scientific name suggests it’s mouse-eared and likes marshland. Forget-me-not; myosotis palustris
This herbivorous mammal has the scientific name of ‘water-porker’, even though it’s not a pig at all. Capybara – hydrochoerus hydrochoeris
According to its scientific name, this little British bird lives in caves or holes; and to make sure you know that, the name is repeated. Wren –troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes
Is this hole-nesting seabird masquerading as a completely different species of hole-nesting seabird – its arctic little sibling? Manx shearwater –scientific name puffinus puffinus; the puffin’s scientific name is fratercula arctica.
This attractive insect shares a first name with a famous actress and a second name with a mythical huntress, but is there a naval connection? Red Admiral butterfly –vanessa atalanta
9. An aquatic mammal, this creature’s scientific name suggests it’s a one-toothed unicorn. Narwhal – monodon monoceros
10. This mammal is named after its mane or crest and the fact that it is missing one of the major anatomical characteristics of all its other relatives. Cheetah – acinonyx jubatus – acinonyx means ‘immobile claw’ and the cheetah is the only cat with non-retractile claws; a mature male cheetah has a smallish but prominent mane or crest.
Amity Island is the fictional location for which 1975 American thriller starrng Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss? Jaws
In John Carpenter’s 1982 film The Thing, what is the name of the character played by Kurt Russell? R.J.
“Revenge of the Creature’ and ‘The Creature Walks Among Us‘ are sequels to which 1954 American horror film directed by Jack Arnold?
The Creature from the Black lagoon
Which 2008 found footage horror film from Matt Reeves and J.J. Abrams follows six young New York City residents as they attempt to escape from a city under attack? Cloverfield
Which Japanese director directed the 1954 film Godzilla? Ishiro Honda
Which 1986 horror film directed by David Cronenberg sees Jeff Goldblum play Seth Brundle, a brilliant though eccentric scientist who invents ‘telepods’? The Fly
Kevin Bacon plays handyman Val McKee in which 1990 Ron Underwood directed film from Universal Pictures? Tremors
In which 1984 film does Billy receive a pet mogwai? Gremlins
A twenty-eight year old Steve McQueen made his debut leading role as teenager Steve Andrews in which Irvin Yeaworth directed horror film which was released a double feature with ‘I Married a Monster from Outer Space‘? The Blob
Which 1990 American horror, based on the novella Cabal, starred Craig Sheffer as Aaron Boone and Anne Bobby as Lori Winston? Nightbreed
Identify these sports people from their initials, they have competed
at high level in at least two different sports.
IK – Athletics and Cross-Country Skiing
Ingrid Kristiansen – Norwegian world 10000m champion, London marathon winner and international cross-country skier.
MA – Athletics and Bobsleigh
Marcus Adam – British Olympic sprinter and Olympic Bobsleigh competitor.
CH – Cycling and Speed Skating
Clara Hughes – Canadian Olympic cycling medallist and Winter Olympic speed skating medallist.nion
RA – Cricket and Rugby U
Rob Andrew – Cambridge University cricket captain and England Rugby Union player.
GH – Cricket and Soccer
Geoff Hurst – Essex county cricketer and England World Cup winner.
LA – Alpine Skiing and Rally Driving
Luc Alphand – French Olympic alpine skier and winner of the Dakar rally.
JA – Tennis and Figure Skating
Jeanette Altwegg – Junior Wimbledon tennis finalist and British Olympic Figure Skating champion.
PS – Athletics and Orienteering
Peter Snell – New Zealand Olympic athletics champion and over 65 USA orienteering champion.
JO – Athletics and Powerlifting
Judy Oakes – British Olympic shot putter and Powerlifting world champion.
JR – Cricket and Hockey
Jonty Rhodes – South African Test cricketer and Hockey international.
Identify the surname of these distinguished sporting siblings
Dominic and Daniel – Race Walking
KING – English international race walkers.
Angela and Susan – Athletics
TOOBY – Welsh middle/long distance runners.
Pirmin and Heidi – Skiing
ZURBRIGGEN – Swiss Olympic Alpine Skiers.
Rodney and Graham – Cricket and Golf
MARSH – Australian International Cricket (Rodney) and Golf (Graham) players.
Mack and Jackie – Athletics and Baseball
ROBINSON – American Olympic Sprinter (Mack) and Major League Baseball Player (Jackie).
Bobby and Jackie – Football
CHARLTON – England World Cup Winning Football Players.
Jonny and Greg – Rowing
SEARLE – English Olympic Champion Rowers.
Eric and Beth – Speed Skating
HEIDEN – American Speed Skating Olympic Medal Winners.
Sinead and John – Figure Skating
KEAR – Scottish Olympic Ice Dancers.
Rory and Tony – Rugby Union
UNDERWOOD – England International Rugby Union Players.
Ralf and Michael – Motor Racing
SCHUMACHER – German Formula One Drivers.
Ian, Greg and Trevor – Cricket
CHAPPELL – Australian Test Cricket Players
Carol and Carl – Athletics
LEWIS – American Olympic Sprinter/Long Jumpers.
Dayle, Barry and Richard – Cricket
HADLEE – New Zealand International Cricket Players.
Adam and Ben – Cricket
HOLLIOAKE – England Test Cricket Players.
Gary, Phil and Tracey – Football and Netball
NEVILLE – Gary and Phil, England International Footballers; Tracey, England International Netball Player.
Leon and Michael – Boxing
SPINKS – American Olympic and World Professional Boxing Champions.
Phil and Steve – Skiing
MAHRE – American Olympic Alpine Skiers.
Kenenisa and Tariku – Athletics
BEKELE – Ethiopian Olympic Long Distance Runners.
Martin and Graham – Skiing
BELL – British Olympic Alpine Skiers.
Thomas Arne is best known for Rule Britannia, but which popular nursery rhyme did he also write? “A Hunting We Will Go”
In which year did English violinist and bandleader Wallace Henry Hartley die? 1912 (bandleader on the RMS Titanic)
First made by Jaques of London in 1849 and named after Howard Staunton, they come in a set – what are they?
The Staunton chess set (this is the familiar standard version of chess pieces we all recognise, and the only one allowed for competitions}
A block of which type of intrusive igneous rock broke off to trap 33 Chilean miners underground in 2010? Diorite
In which game might you get ‘Ko-fighting’ on a 19 by 19 grid?
Go (traditional Chinese board game for two players, older than Chess)
Godwin’s law is an Internet adage which asserts that that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving the name of whom approaches? Adolf Hitler
The Perry Index is a widely used index for which set of works?
Aesop’s Fables
In 1936, which female was awarded ‘Person of the Year’ by America’s Time Magazine – the first female to be awarded the title?
Wallis Simpson
What were Buzz Aldrin’s first two words on the Moon?
“Beautiful view”
What was awarded to James Bond in the film A View to a Kill and in ‘real-life’ to Nelson Mandela in 1990? The Order of Lenin
In the Book of Exodus, what is described as being ‘a fine, flake-like thing like the frost on the ground’? Manna
Which sort of agriculture is used to create a swidden plot?
Slash and burn
Which country is the most populated in the world to have French as an official language? Democratic Republic of the Congo
What was first known as Hi-Catoctin?
Camp David (country retreat of the American President)
In 2005, which country saw the Tulip Revolution?
Kyrgyzstan
The CIA world fact book points out that the UK is slightly smaller than which American Pacific State? Oregon
Who was the tallest British king – his skeleton measures 6’4½”?
Edward IV
Which political party was founded in 1983 to fight the Bermondsey by-election? The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Where would you find the ‘Ocean of Storms’? On the Moon
Specializing in televised home shopping, what does the acronym QVC stand for? Quality, Value, Convenience
Which Leonard Cohen song featured in the 2011 film Shrek? And what nationality was Leonard Cohen? Hallelujah – Canadian
Which American President was assassinated in the year that Queen Victoria died? William McKinley
In millimetres, what size of copper piping supplies the kitchen sink in most UK households? 15mm
Name the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America? El Salvador
In the bible, who was married to Zipporah? Moses
In the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, in one scene runners attempt to round the perimeter of the Great Court, in which University is this?
And can you name the actual college? Cambridge – Trinity
When musician Lily Allen was growing up which comedian was in a relationship with her mother for several years, all living together as a family? Harry Enfield
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are traditionally named War, Pestilence, Death, and which other name? Conquest
Name the only non-individual winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award? Jane Torvill & Christopher Dean
Which capital city is the most remote in the world?
Wellington – New Zealand
How many compartments does a cow’s stomach have? Four
What nationality was the chemist Robert Bunsen, after whom the Bunsen burner is named? German
Who actually said: ‘Houston, Tranquility Base here. The eagle has landed’? Neil Armstrong
Which actor was married to actress Emma Thompson from 1989 to 1995? Kenneth Branagh
‘Gone for a Burton’ is a euphemistic phrase used by World War Two pilots meaning gone missing, however, what actually is a Burton?
A Beer
What are the only birds that can fly backwards? Hummingbirds
What is the name of the character played by Julia Sawalha in the TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous? Saffron
Which former Blue Peter presenter hosts the British paranormal reality television series Most Haunted? Yvette Fielding
Keele University is in which English county? Staffordshire
As of 2016, who is the youngest winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature? Rudyard Kipling (aged 41 in 1907)
What does the Liverpudlian term ‘diddy’ mean? Small
How many members were in the Monty Python team?
Six – John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Eric Idle,
Graham Chapman and Terry Gillam
In which country would you find the original Legoland theme park?
Denmark
What year was the first motor race held that was classed as Formula 1? 1950
Which Apollo moon mission was the first to carry a lunar rover vehicle? Apollo 15
Which famous group performed the first ever song on Top Of The Pops in 1964? The Rolling Stones
Tokelau is a dependency of which country? New Zealand
In which 1951 film did Fred Astaire appear to dance on the ceiling? Royal Wedding
What does digamy mean?A second legal marriage after the death or divorce of the first husband or wife
In the TV show Family Guy, what is the name of the Griffins` lecherous neighbour? Glenn Quagmire
Which is the only USA state that has no letters in common with its state capital? South Dakota (Pierre is the capital)
Who were the first two teams to compete in an international cricket match? USA and Canada (in 1844)
Which is the only horse to have won English, Scotish and Welsh Grand Nationals?
Earth Summit (Scottish 1994, Welsh 1997 Grand national 1998)
By what name was Helen Porter Mitchell better known?
Dame Nellie Melba
Who was the third man to walk on the moon?
Charles `Pete` Conrad
What did Hugh Heffner originally plan to call his Playboy magazine? Stag Party
What condition has the medical name of bruxism?
Grinding of the teeth
What does MRSA stand for?
Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccocus Aureus
Written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, which poem starts with the line `On either side of the river lie`?
The Lady of Shalott
Which two South American countries are landlocked?
Bolivia and Paraguay
Which country contains the largest number of active volcanoes?
Indonesia
In Greek mythology, which King was the son of Laius and Jocasta? Oedipus
In Egyptian mythology, who was the God of embalming who also watched over the dead? Anubis
How was the European Recovery Program in the 1940s more commonly known? The Marshall Plan.
Elmas international airport is in which country?
Italy. (Cagliari, Sardinia)
Who was the first white music star to record on Atlantic, through its sister label Atco? Bobby Darin.
Who took the assumed name Sebastian Melmoth when living in Paris? Oscar Wilde.
Established in 1919, which is the world’s oldest surviving airline? KLM.
Bryan Abrams, Sam Walters, Mark Calderon and Kevin Thornton formed which group? Color Me Badd.
Which European country was the first to allow women the vote? Finland
Who was the British Prime Minister when independence was granted to India, Pakistan and Ceylon? Clement Attlee.
Who was the defending champion when Bjorn Borg first won Wimbledon singles? Arthur Ashe.
Who directed The Silence of the Lambs? Jonathan Demme
Meanings of place names
January River – Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Black Pool – Dublin, Ireland
Fragrant Harbour – Hong Kong, China
Merchant’s Harbour – Copenhagen, Denmark
Second Lake – Rotorua, New Zealand
Sheltered Harbour – Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Saint Francis – San Francisco, California, USA
The Angels – Los Angeles, California, USA
Muddy Water – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Northern Capital – Beijing, China
White House – Casablanca, Morocco
Royal Mountain – Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Island Fort – Stockholm, Sweden
New City – Naples, Italy
Fair Winds – Buenos Aires, Argentina
JFK Assassination Quiz
1/ In which Texas city did President Kennedy give his last speech, before boarding Air Force one to fly to Dallas? Fort Worth
2/ At which Dallas airfield did Air force One land? Love Field
3/ What was Jackie Kennedy’s reaction when presented with a bouquet by the wife of the mayor of Dallas?
“Red Roses from Texas”? (The bouquet was a dozen Red roses, not Yellow, the state flower)
4/ In what make of car was President Kennedy riding in on the motorcade? (Ford) Lincoln Continental
5/ From which floor of the Texas School Depository Building were the fatal shots fired? The 6th
6/ What make of rifle did Lee Harvey Oswald use to shoot President Kennedy? A 6.5×5.2mm Mannlicher-Carcano
7/ Whose home movie was the only filmed record of the assassination? Jacob Zapruder (Graeme Jones has pointed out that there was another film by Orville Nix from the opposite side of the street)
8/ Who was the Governor of Texas who was riding in the presidential limousine with his wife and was wounded by the so called “magic bullet” ? John Connelly
9/ Who was the secret service agent, riding on the second car running board, who ran forward and climbed onto the presidential limousine? Clint Hill
10/ To which hospital was President Kennedy taken following the shooting, Lee Harvey Oswald died there two days later?
Parkland Memorial Hospital
11/ After fleeing the School depository building, Oswald shot and killed a Dallas police officer. What was the officers name?
J.D.Tippet
12/ What was the name of the cinema in which Oswald was arrested? The Texas Theatre
13/ Who was the Federal judge who administered the oath of office to Vice President Lyndon B Johnson on board Air Force One?
Sarah T Hughes
14/ Which hospital was President Kennedy’s body taken for a post mortem ? Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland
15/ Oswald was shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby, what was Ruby’s given name? Jacob Leonard Rubenstien
16/ Which future President served on the Warren Commision?
Gerald Ford
17/ Who was the New Orleans District Attorney who brought charges against the only person to be charged with plotting the assassination? Jim Garrison
18/ Who was the person charged?
Clay Shaw, a New Orleans businessman. The jury took less than an hour to acquit him?
19/ Who was the Dallas Police chief at the time of the assassination
Jesse Curry
20/ Who officiated at the Requiem Mass for President Kennedy on Monday 25th November?
Cardinal Richard Cushing, Archbishop of Boston