Most mosques in the world contain a niche in a wall that indicates the qibla. What is it? The direction of Mecca
What breed of dog was a favored imperial pet in ancient China? Pekinese
Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture The Thinker was originally meant to depict whom? Dante at the gates of Hell contemplating his great poem
What is the correct term for a tomb or monument erected in honor of those whose remains are elsewhere? Cenotaph
In the US, baseball parks are often designed so that the batter is facing east, in order that the afternoon sun does not shine in his eyes. This means that left-handed pitchers are always throwing from a particular direction. What term for a left-hander originated from this practice? Southpaw
The Temple of the Tooth which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha (a tooth) is located in the city of Kandy in which Asian country? Sri Lanka
During the canonization process of the Roman Catholic Church, what was the lawyer who argued against the canonization of a candidate called?
The Devils Advocate
Made famous by the movie Midnight Express, what is the punishment of ‘falaka’ or ‘bastinado’? Beating the soles of the feet
In Greek mythology, Achilles’ mother dipped him in a river and held him up by his ankle which remained dry and thus vulnerable. Name the river. Styx
The name of what eponymous color is derived from an artist’s use of brownish orange, especially for the hair of his early portraits of courtesans? Titian
What word meaning a person devoted to luxury is derived from the name of an ancient Greek city that was noted for the pleasure-seeking habits of its inhabitants? Sybaris
In 1940, U.S. paratroopers at Fort Benning saw a biopic before their first mass jump and started a certain trend. Who was the subject of the picture? Geronimo
Two Belgian Malinois dogs called Hurricane and Jordan were in the news in 2014 for tackling an intruder at what location? The White House
Since doctors are meant to ‘cure all’, the first line of the Hippocratic oath appropiately mentions what other goddess along with Apollo, Aesculapius & Hygeia? Panacea
The nymph Caissa created in the 16th century poem has come to be regarded as the goddess for which popular passtime? Chess
Biycle mechanic Charlie Taylor is best known for his collaboration with which two gentlemen in the early 20th century? The Wright Brothers
The legendary Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul, was built in 1892 for passengers who arrived in the city by which specific form of transport? The Orient Express
What annual observation started in 1889 by members of the Second International who wanted to commemorate the Haymarket riot in Chicago in 1886?
Labour Day (May Day)
What organization which operates with the slogan “The Opinion and The other Opinion” started in 1996 with a loan of 500 million Qatari ryals? Al Jazeera
The Berne Convention of 1886 was an international agreement that established rules governing what? Copyright
Château de Pitray, Château Mouton Rothschild, and Château Pape-Clément that attract tourists in a particular area of France are all famous what? Bordeaux Vinyards
The traditional recipe of what sea-food dish strongly associated with Marseilles calls for the use of rascase (scorpion fish) and at least two other types of Mediterranean fish? Bouillabaisse
In the fruit with the scientific name Citrus Sinensis, the protuberance at the blossom end is compared to what human body part? Navel
A flatbread called injera that is traditionally eaten in Ethiopia is made from the flour of what grain that is now being called as the new quinoa? Teff
Compiled in the late 4th or early 5th century AD and sure to delight gourmets, what is Apicius? A collection of Roman cookery recipes
The consumption of Touareg tea which is tea flavored with which herb is widely
prevalent in several Arab countries? Mint
Talking against the new Healthcare Bill, Judge Antonin Scalia said in 2012 that it is akin to forcing people to buy what food item? (hint:George H. W. Bush wouldn’t approve) Broccoli
A 2002 book subtitled The Much Lamented Death of Madam Geneva is a detailed account of the craze for what libation that overtook 18th century England? Gin
What concept of the food industry involves cooking sealed food at lower temperatures but for a long time? Sous-vide
Englishman Albert Howard who had publications like Manufacture of Humus by the Indore Process among others is considered a pioneer of what? Organic agriculture
A favourite mesure of dieters in present times, what index indicates how quickly blood sugars rise after eating a particular type of food? Glysemic index
In a native American legend, corn, beans and what other crop make up the triage called the three sisters owing to the practice of growing them together? Squash
What cocktail made with lemon juice, cointreau, gin and a dash of certain color is also the name of a luxury transport of South Africa? Blue Train
What fast-food ubiquity that chef Bourdain once called “the most disgusting thing he ever ate” comes in bone, ball, bell, and boot shapes?
McDonalds Chicken McNuggets
The Cypriot dish ambelopoulia that is the subject of much controversy in the country is made from what? Songbirds
In 2011, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion upended the Naga Bhut Jolokia for what culinary distinction? The worlds hottest chilli pepper
The 18th century English nobleman John Montagu who was so fond of gambling that he played even while eating was the earl of what town in Kent? Sandwich
The ‘culinary triangle’ concept proposed by anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss discusses what three basic types of cooking of meat?
Boiling, roasting and smoking
If ‘single malt’ describes a whisky made at one distillery, what is the word for a wine that is made from a single grape type? Varietal
Vehicles from which country use the international registration letters WG? Grenada
What was Elton john’s first US No1 hit? Crocadile Rock
Which celebrity was born in Craigton Rd. Eltham in 1903? Bob Hope
In which English city is the Burrows Toy Museum? Bath
What was Oliver Reed’s real first name? Robert
In which Woody Allen movie did Madonna play a trapeze artist? Shadows & Fog
From 1903 to 1958 , every Pope-bar-one took which name? Pius
In which US state is John F. Kennedy buried? Virginia
Which US No 1 single came from Diana Ross’s platinum album Diana ?
Upside Down
What was the title of Kitty Kelly’s book about Elizabeth Taylor?
Elizabeth Taylor : The Last Star
Which country does the airline Sansa come from? Costa Rica
Who drew Felix the cat? Otto Messmer
In which English city was Cary Grant born? Bristol
Who wrote the lyrics to “Je ne regette rien”? Michel Vaucaire
What is Mel Gibson’s middle name? Colmcille
In which country was Julie Christie born? India
Sculptor Drederic Auguste Bartholdi based the face of the Statue of liberty on whom? His Mother
Which group made albums.Bare Trees and Penguin?
Fleetwood Mac
Which lady was taking driving lessons in Bob Newharts classic sketch? Mrs.Webb
One of Hollywood’s most notorious rivalries, to which actress was Bette Davis referring when she said “She slept with every male star at MGM except Lassie”? Joan Crawford
What was the name of the American doctor who in 2011 was sentenced to four years in Jail after being convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of pop star Michael Jackson ? Conrad Murray
Who is the only English Footballer to have scored in the FA Cup Final, the League Cup Final, the Champions League final and the UEFA cup Final? Steven Gerrard
In 2000, Operation Palliser was a large scale intervention by British Forces in the civil war of which country? Sierra Leon
Born in 1797, which composers major works include the “Tragic Symphony”, “Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel” and a Fantasy in C known as “The Wanderer”? Franz Schubert
Which British singer released UK No 1 album In the Lonely Hour, and 2014 No 1 singles Money on My Mind and Stay With Me? Sam Smith
Newmarket racecourse straddles Suffolk and which other county? Cambridgeshire
What was the name of the British law brought into play in the early 20th Century to prevent prisoners from going on hunger strike? The law allowed the released of convicted criminals until they had eaten, at which point they would be returned to prison. The Cat & Mouse Act
“In oder to make ice,fill the trays with water” was one of the many party tips in the much ridiculed 2013 book “Celebrate” by which “celebrity” author? Pippa Middleton
With a name meaning “Rightful King”, which figure was considered as the first Emperor in History and established the capital of his Empire at Akkad? Sargon
Two countries share a land border with Ecuador. Colombia is one, what is the other? Peru
Nomophobia is the fear of being without or losing what? A mobile phone
What name is given to the period in Amish culture in which young people are permitted to leave their strict live for a period of time in order to decide on their faith? Rumspringa
Team Europe plays Team America for the Weber Cup in which sport or game?
Ten Pin Bowling
Which musical, first performed off Broadway in 1971, and in London starring Julie Covington and David Essex, is comprised of a series of parables based on the Gospels? Godspell
Reprimanded for labelling the Bay City Rollers “Musical Garbage” . Who is the current host of “Sounds of the Seventies” on BBC Radio 2? Johnnie Walker
Which Canadian province has shores on four of the five Great Lakes Ontario
What word derived from the Italian for ‘charcoal’ is used as the name of a creamy pasta sauce usually made with eggs, cheese, black pepper and pork? Carbonara
From 1997 to 2010 only three Labour politicians were members of the Cabinet. Two were Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling, who was the other? Jack Straw
Who was the most famous of the Norse heroes, his story is that of the hero of the Nibelungenlied? Sigurd or Sigfried
Who was the most beloved of the Norse Gods; his death was the first of thedisasters which fell upon the Gods. He was killed with the mischief of Loki? Balder
Who lived in the golden palace called Gladsheim; he eats nothing and two wolves crouch at his feet. On his shoulders perch two ravens who fly each day through the world and bring him back news of all that men do – one is named Thought (Hugin) and the other Memory (Munin)? Odin
What were the magical inscriptions whose knowledge was won by Mimir the wise and learnt by Odin? Runes
What in Norse mythology was the realm of men? Midgard
Niflheim was the world of the dead, who was the Goddess of the Dead? Hel
Who was the Norse Goddess of Love and Beauty? Freya
What was the home of the gods? Asgard
What term was used for a member of a group of poets? Skald
What name is given to the hall of the chosen dead? Valhalla
According to Norse mythology man was created from which tree? Ash
Likewise, which tree was woman created from? Elm
What name is given to the three sisters who made one of threads for every life; they are the counterparts of fates in Greek myth? Norns
What was the name of the eight-legged horse of Odin? Sleipnir
What drink did Odin steal from the Giants, and whoever tastes it becomes a poet? (Skaldic) Mead
Which tree, an immense ash tree that is central in Norse cosmology, as it supports the universe? Yggdrasil
What eventit is popularly known as Day of Doom, it is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of gods? Ragnarök
What were the two main wartime conferences between the “Big Three” (Stalin, F.D.Roosevelt & Churchill) which led to a series of agreements on post-WW2 Europe and set the tone for the Cold War?
Tehran (1943) Yalta (1945)
What name is given to a series of protocols of 1899 and 1907 named for a Dutch city, that sought to build on the Geneva Conventions?
The Hague Conventions
The Simla Agreement of 1972 that followed a war whi9ch led to the creation of a new country, was signed between which two countries?
Pakistan and India (The new country was Bangladesh)
The Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 led to the recognition of which sovereign country as the natural successor state of a long lasting Islamic entity? Turkey (The Ottoman Empire)
Which 1955 East European agreement was more or less an answer to the formation of NATO? The Warsaw Pact
What term is given to the collective treaties of 1648 that ended two major European wars, The 30 Years war and The 80 years war?
Peace of Westphalia
The Treaty of Trianon that ended the First World War and caused the dissalution of a noted empire, defined the modern borders of which land locked European country? Hungary
Name the two foreign ministers who signed a treaty in 1939 that established peace between Germany and the Soviet Union ? It was famously violated by Operation Barbarossa when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. (Vyacheslav Molotov & (Joachim von) Ribbentrop
The Dayton Agreement of 1995 ended which bitter European conflict?
The Bosnian War
What name was given to the series of agreements signed on 8th April 1904 between the United Kingdom and France, marking the start of the alliance against Germany and Austria-Hungary? Entente Cordiale
The Treaty of portsmouth of 1905 ended which war?
The Russo-Japanese War (1904-5)
GATT, which took effect in 1948 and lasted until 1994 was replaced by which organisation in 1995? World Trade Organisation
What were the names of the “Big Four” leaders, who led the negotiations for the Allies at the treaty of versailles? Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau and Vittorio Orlando
Which famous declaration that ultimately led to the formation of Israel was incorporated into the Sevres peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire and the mandate for Palestine following the First World War ?
The Balfour Declaration
The treaty of Tordesillas of 1494 divided the world between which two countries? Spain and Portugal
Which city gives its names to several important treaties including one in 1783 to end the American Revolutionary War, one in 1898 that ended the Spanish/American war , one in 1856 to end the Crimean War and 1815 following Napoleons defeat at Waterloo? Paris
What was the 1848 treaty between the United States and Mexico that gained the US the areas of California and what are now New Mexico, Arizona,Utah,Wyoming and Colorado?
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The proposal made by President Woodrow Wilson at the Treaty of Versailles is known as what? The Fourteen Points
The Treaty of Ghent ended which 19th century war?
The War of 1812
The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819, not only settled the border dispute between the US and Spain, but also ceded which territory to the United States? Florida
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