In terms of size this is island is the seventh largest in Scotland. It is often referred to as “Scotland in miniature” and is separated from the mainland by the Kilbrannan Sound. Name the Scottish Island that has Brodick as its capital and Goatfell as its highest point?
Arran
This author was born in 1958 and has since wrote 10 adult novels many of which have been turned into films. He won the Man Booker Prize in 1993 for a novel about a 10 year old boy living in Barrytown although perhaps his most famous novel tells the story of a group of unemployed Irishmen who form a Soul Band. Who is the author of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha HA and The Commitments?
Roddy Doyle
Which American Physicist, born in 1904, and often referred to as “the father of the atomic bomb”, was appointed as director of Eisenhower’s Manhattan Plan in 1941 that sought to create American Nuclear weapons?
Robert Oppenheimer
Which British Formula 1 Driver who drove for Mclaren, Ferrari and Williams won the World Championship in 1992?
Nigel Mansell
Which Actress, born in 1944, took her name from a character in the The Great Gatsby and made her film debut in the 1977 Woody Allen film “Annie Hal” although her most famous role was as Reipley in the Alien series?
Sigourney Weaver
Name the country. This country became a constitutional monarchy in 1952 and its national day falls on December 5th. Over 90% of the population are Buddhists and chief exports include rice, rubber and precious stones. It has borders with Laos and Cambodia amongst others and has the Baht as currency. Its capital city is Bangkok.
Thailand
Name the year. Geoffrey Fisher retired as the archbishop of Canterbury, the World Wildlife Fund was founded, Private Eye was published for the first time, Elvis Presley had 4 UK Number 1’s and Yuri Gargarin became the first man in space?
1961
At 3,776m tall, this mountain is the tallest in its country and was last week announced as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Its name translates as “wealth” or “abundant” in English and along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku it is considered as one of the “Three Holly Mountains” in its country. Located on Honshu Island, what is the largest mountain in Japan?
Mt. Fuji
What name is shared by one of the leaders of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381 and a Labour politician born in 1946 who served as both Home and Foreign Secretary under tony Blair?
Jack Straw
In April 1974, the radio broadcast of a song by the folk protest singer Zeca Afonso, signalled the start of the Carnation Revolution which took place in which country?
Portugal
Which long running BBC Radio 4 show was created by Ian Messiter and first broadcast in 1967? The show has had the same host since its inception and guests on the first episode included Derek Nimmo and Clement Freud. The object of the game is for panellists to talk about a subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation for an assigned period of time. Name the radio show of which Nicolas Parson has been host from 1967 until the present day?#
Just a Minute
What number is the tenth lowest prime number, the number that might lead a bingo caller to announced “In Your Prime”, the atomic number of copper, and the number of days in February in a leap year?
29
With 7.2 million inhabitants, which Australian state is the most populous?
New South Wales
This Pop Group had their first hit in 1987 and were voted Best British Newcomers at the 1988 Brit Awards. There original name was Vortex Motion and the real name of their lead singer is Mark McLoughlin. In 1994 they spent 15 weeks at No.1 with a song that was featured in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Name this band.
Wet Wet Wet
The Ridolfi Plot was plan to assassinate which British Monarch?
Elizabeth I
The $1 dollar coin in which country is commonly called the “Loonie” due to featuring the common loon bird on one side and an image of Queen Elizabeth II on the other?
Canada
This classic 1970’s film was played in full for the jury at the John Hinckley trial. It is set in New York shortly after the Vietnam War and focuses on an Honorably discharged US Marine who attempts to assassinate a Presidential candidate. Name the film starring a 13 year old Jodie Foster in which Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle?
Taxi Driver
“Calm Down Dear…” was Michael Winners famous catchphrase. The saying originated in adverts he starred in for which insurance company?
E Sure
The Sunny Coast Skate in Australia began this Internet craze and by March 2013 4000 related videos per day were being posted on Youtube. The Videos usually last about 30 seconds long and each one contains the same song. Usually the video begins with one person helmeted or masked dancing alone to the song but then cuts to scenes of everyone in the room dancing wildly. What is the two word name given to this internet dance craze which is based on a song by Baauer?
Harlem Shake
In which English was Britain’s most famous terrorist, Guy Fawkes, born and educated?
York
One half of this famous musical duo recently released her autobiography entitled “Bedsit Disco Queen” . The duo got their names from a shop selling furniture and in 1988 released “Idelwild” which proved to be their breakthrough album. After a period of quiet they were given a new lease of life with the release of “Missing” in 1995. Which musical duo consists of Ben Watt and Tracy Thorn?
Everything But the Girl
Born in Kenya in 1985, this man won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games for Great Britain. He was runner up to Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France last year and this year will lead team sky in the race. Name this cyclist?
Chris Froome
Despite KGB efforts to stop him, which famous ballet dancer defected from the Soviet Union in 1961?
Nureyev
Name this island. On average 1.5 million tourists visit this island every year which is a greater amount than the actual popualtion. The flag of this island country is the only one in the world to contain an outline of the country on it and in 1974 Nikos Sampson led a famous coup here. Popular destinations on the island include Larnaca and Limassol and its capital is Nicosia.
Cyprus
Success stories include successfully finding funding for a Zach Braff movie,sourcing finance for a film of the TV series Veronica Mars and a Top 10 album by Amanda Palmer. Launched in 2009, what is the name of the most successful website in the relatively new online market of “crowdfunding”? It shares a name with a charity launched by Chuck Norris.
Kickstart
This American TV Comedy first appeared on British screens in 1979. The star of the show went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest box office stars. It was set in the American Town of Boulder and characters included Mr Bickley and a prophet named Exidor. Pam Dawber played the female lead and Robin Williams played the male lead, an alien who landed on earth in a giant egg.
Mork and Mindy
This English city was the original Burial Place of Saint Swithun and stands on the River Itchen. It is the location of a 13th Century building known as The Great Hall which was built during the reign of Henry III and houses the Arthurian Round Table. The worlds largest gothic cathedral can be found in this city. It was once the capital of England and shares its name with a type of rifle.
Winchester
Name this footballer. He was born in 1973 and he has earned 8 caps for England, his first being under Kevin Keegan. He remains the only Englishman to win the European Golden Boot for his 30-goal tally within one Premier League season. His first league club was Watford before spending 6 years with the same club netting 113 times. He also scored the winning penalty in this years championship playoff final.
Kevin Phillips
What is the name of the “intelligent personal assistant” which appears on Apple phones and tablets which requires the user to simply speak into the device in order to carry out tasks?
Siri
This city will be one of the 2014 European Capitals of Culture and is served by the largest airport in the Baltic States. It hosted a NATO Summit in 2006 as well as the 2003 Eurovision Song contest. With a population of around 800,000 it is also the largest city in any Baltic state and is home to such famous buildings as the Doms Cathedral. What is the capital city of Latvia?
Riga
You may have seen this man at the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony in the section entitled Dawn of the Digital Age where a model of a house rose to reveal him sitting at a computer desk. He was knighted in 2004 and labelled by Time Magazine as one of the 100 greatest minds of the 20th Century. Work on his most famous invention began at CERN in the 1980’s where he aimed to develop a means by which researchers could share their computer documents more easily. Name this British computer scientists who is most famous for inventing the Internet?
Tim Berners-Lee
Which music festival was first held in 1968 when it was headlined by Jefferson Airplane. It currently takes place at Seaclose Park and was this year headlined by Bon Jovi and The Killers. The festival was most famously held in 1970 when 600,000 people attended to see legendary sets by acts including The Who and Jimi Hendrix?
Isle of Wight Festival
Which comic book character was originally born as James Howlett but is more commonly known as Logan. He is a mutant who possess animal like sense and a healing power that allows him to recover from almost any injury. He is often depicted as a member of the X-Men and was played in the X-Men movies by Hugh Jackman?
Wolverine
It is estimated that this creature has lived on our planet for around 140 million years. It is indigenous in Asia, Australia, Africa and North and South America. Some species have up to 110 teeth and can grow up to 20 feet in length. Species of this animal include the Orinoco, African Dwarf and mugger. In a famous childrens book this creature swallows an Alarm Clock. Name this creature.
Crocodile
The earliest record of this sport dates back to 23BC and until 1919 female spectators were banned. As a youngster to enter this sport you need to weigh at least 165 pounds and be 173cm tall. This is the national sport of Japan and the Grand Champion is known as a Yokozuna
Sumo Wrestling
Which game was named by its inventor, Peter Adolph, after a bird of prey commonly known as the Eurasian Hobby? It was first released in 1946 although initially only available through the magazine called “The Boys Own Paper”. The game was referenced by the Undertones in their hit song “My Perfect Cousin” and cardigan buttons were used as bases for the first set of players. Since then Hasbro have purchased the company who produce the game although the basic set up of a cloth pitch, a goalkeeper on a stick and 10 plastic figurines per side remains.
Subuetteo
Before his career as a politician this man worked as a trainee chef whilst also training as an amateur boxer. Between 1970 and 2010 he was the labour MP for Hull East. Who was the deputy Prime Minister between 1997-2007?
John Prescott
This country is divided into 23 provinces and has a population of around 35 million. A Golden Sun is depicted at the centre of its flag and until the 19th century this country was ruled by Spain. Its national anthem is “Hear Oh Mortals” and in 1982 this country went to war with Great Britain. Name the country that has Buenos Aires as its capital.
Argentina
In which year did the following all occur – Prince Charles attended the funeral of King Olaf of Norway, his son William had to undergo emergency surgery after being hit with a golf ball, John Mccarthy was released by Lebanese terrorists, major supermarkets were given Permission to open on Sundays in the UK and Brian Adams topped the UK Charts with the theme song from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
1991
This billionaire’s real first name is Keith although you rarely hear it being used. The Private Eye often refer to him as “The Dirty Digger” and in order to enhance his US business prospects he became an American citizen in 1985 where he began to take over mainstream media companies including 20th Century Fox and Harpercollins. What is the name of the media mogul who made the News Corporation one of the most influential companies in the World?
Rupert Murdoch
The cornerstone of this famous building was laid 3 weeks before the economic crisis known as “Black Friday”. It was designed by the architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon and was built on the former site of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Standing at over 1,400 feet tall from the ground to the tip of the roof flagpole, name this building which was the tallest building in the world when it was opened in 1931?
Empire State Building
This novel is set in a village called Tevershall and centres around the events in a mansion called Wragby Hall. Which novel was written in 1928 but did not become available to the general public in 1960 following a landmark court case which resulted in Penguin Books being prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act? It was also the last novel by DH Lawrence.
Lady Chatterlys Lover
Born in Scotland in 1723, which moral philosopher and economist is best known for his works entitled The Theory of Moral Sentiments and Wealth of Nations?
Adam Smith
In Computing what does the B stand for the in term USB?
Bus
English Rugby Players Simon Shaw, Nick Kennedy, Delon Armitage and Jonny Wilkinson all played club rugby last season for which Heineken Cup Winning side?
Toulon
“What passing bells for those who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns “ is the opening lines to which poem by Wilfred Owen?
Anthem for Doomed Youth
Who composed the opera ‘The Love For Three Oranges’?
Prokofiev
Which French rock singer who has sold over 100 million albums since the 1960s played his first ever gigs in Britain in October 2012?
Johnny Halliday
St George’s Park, the new National Football Centre, is located in which Midlands town?
Burton
Which area of England was called Vectis by the Romans?
Isle of Wight
This landlocked state in South Asia was the first to introduce a total ban on tobacco. It has borders with both China and India and held its first general election in 2008 when it became a constitutional monarchy. Is capital city is Thimpu
Bhutan
Which Scottish Athlete, Rugby International and Missionary won the Mens 400m Gold Medal at the 1924 Olympics in Paris and is featured in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire?
Eric Lidell
Described by the American Institute as “The Greatest American Architect of All Time” who designed over 1,000 projects in his career including Falling Water in Bear Run Pennsylvania?
Frank Lloyd Wright
Which British comedian had a top 40 novelty hit in 1961 with ‘Don’t Jump off the Roof Dad’?
Tommy Cooper
Which golfer, born in 1963, was inducted into the Golf World Hall of Fame in 2013. He has won a record 8 European Tour Order of Merit titles including a streak of 7 between 1993 and 1999. He holds the record for the most number of European tour event victories with 31 and is known as the greatest Scottish golfer never to have won a major.
Colin Montgomerie
Within one year either way, which year saw the deaths of Alfred Hitchcock and Greta Garbo?
1980
Which horse won the 2013 Epsom Derby?
Ruler of the World