Monday, October 12, 2009

QUIZ - 83

1. During middle ages there was a curious practice in which Arabs used to carve a pair of ‘Friendly Numbers’, one on each fruit. They would eat one and offer the other to their lover as an aphrodisiac. What were these 2 special numbers?

2. Second only to the Bible in the number of editions published, ‘Elements’ is the most influential textbook ever and has been used to teach geometry for more than 2000 years. Who wrote this book?

3. What new world record did Professor Yasumasa Kanada and his team create at Information Technology Center of Tokyo University using a Hitachi supercomputer for 400 hours in September 2002?
Justify Full
4. Which famous 18th Century mathematician was referred to as ‘Mathematical Cyclops’ by Frederick the Great because he became blind in one eye?

5. Name the French Pope who at the turn of the last millennium was instrumental in introducing the Arab numerals 1,2,3…to the Western World.

6. Proposed by a German mathematician in 1859 what is considered as the Holy Grail of mathematics?

7. He was a lawyer by profession and pursued mathematics as a hobby in his spare time. But his work in number theory is of such exceptionally high quality that he is considered as one of the greatest mathematicians of all times. Name this ‘prince of amateurs’ as he was referred to by E.T. Bell in his well known book on the history of mathematics.

8. Name the British mathematician who finally proved the famous Fermat’s Last Theorem in 1995

9. Name the ancient Greek philosopher who founded a secret society with an inner circle of followers known as ‘mathematikoi’ (priests of mathematicians) who were allowed no personal possessions and were vegetarians.

10. Which famous ancient Greek mathematician, sometimes known as ‘the father of algebra’ has an algebraic riddle carved on his tombstone to calculate his age?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 82

1. When the word "red" is printed in blue identifying the colour of the word takes longer and is more prone to errors than when the word is congruent with its ink colour. Name this paradox based on which a popular cognitive test has been devised to gauge the psychological capacity of a person.

The Stroop Effect after John Ridley Stroop who first reported it in 1935

2. Name the famous 18th Century English litterateur, who earned the disparaging epithet of
‘Great Convulsionary’ because of his facial tics and twitches

Dr. Samuel Johnson

3. Name the management consultant who coined the term ‘servant Leadership’ in his 1970 essay ‘the servant as leader’?

Robert K Greenleaf

4. Literally meaning “Hummingbird of the South”, what was the name of the chief god of the Aztecs?

Huitzilopochtli

5. What medical term, named after the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described this condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman, is used for the neurological disorder characterised by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics?

Tourette syndrome after Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette

6. Who painted ‘The Milkmaid’, considered as the best attraction of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam?

Johannes Vermeer

7. What was the capital city of the Aztec culture?

Tenochtitlan

8. What is the name of the traditional horn used during Jewish religious services?

Shofar

9. What treaty signed on 7 February 1992 created the European Union and the Euro?

The Maastricht Treaty signed in Maastricht, Netherlands

10. Which famous football club is known by its nickname of Red Devils?

Manchester United

Sunday, October 04, 2009

QUIZ - 82

1. When the word "red" is printed in blue identifying the colour of the word takes longer and is more prone to errors than when the word is congruent with its ink colour. Name this paradox based on which a popular cognitive test has been devised to gauge the psychological capacity of a person.

2. Name the famous 18th Century English litterateur, who earned the disparaging epithet of ‘Great Convulsionary’ because of his facial tics and twitches

3. Name the management consultant who coined the term ‘servant Leadership’ in his 1970 essay ‘the servant as leader’?

4. Literally meaning “Hummingbird of the South”, what was the name of the chief god of the Aztecs?

5. What medical term, named after the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described this condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman, is used for the neurological disorder characterised by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics?

6. Who painted ‘The Milkmaid’, considered as the best attraction of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam?

7. What was the capital city of the Aztec culture?

8. What is the name of the traditional horn used during Jewish religious services?

9. What treaty signed on 7 February 1992 created the European Union and the Euro?

10. Which famous football club is known by its nickname of Red Devils?

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 81

1. South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant on 3rd December 1967. Name the Cape Town grocer who received the transplant.

Louis Washkansky

2. She was the first woman to be named as the ‘Person of the year’ by Time Magazine in 1936. Her memoir is titled ‘The Heart has its Reasons’. Who is this controversial American lady to marry whom English King Edward VIII abdicated his throne in 1936?

Wallis Simpson

3. Name the physician who invented the Heart Lung Machine in 1937

John Heysham Gibbon

4. Named after the 19th Century Bohemian Physiologist, what are the specialised fibres of the cardiac muscle that conduct the electrical stimulus and enable the heart to contract in a coordinated fashion?

Purkinje Fibres

5. What term is used to describe the 2 sounds that are heard during each heart beat?

Lub Dub

6. What term describes the medical condition in which the heart beats at a rate that is below the normal of 65 beats per minute?

Brachycardia

7. For what invention did Willem Einthoven receive the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1924?

Electrocardiograph

8. Stents are devices used to open up blocked coronary artery during an angioplasty. What alloy of Nickel and Titanium is usually used to make stents because of its ‘shape memory’ property?

Nitinol

9. If the tricuspid valve separates the right atrium and the right ventricle, what valve, named after its resemblance to a bishop’s hat, separates left atrium and left ventricle?

Mitral valve

10. Who is the author of the 1948 novel ‘The Heart of the Matter’, which was once included by Time magazine in the 100 best English language novels?

Graham Greene

Monday, September 28, 2009

QUIZ - 81

Ten questions on matters of the Heart to mark WORLD HEART DAY

1. South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant on 3rd December 1967. Name the Cape Town grocer who received the transplant.

2. She was the first woman to be named as the ‘Person of the year’ by Time Magazine in 1936. Her memoir is titled ‘The Heart has its Reasons’. Who is this controversial American lady to marry whom English King Edward VIII abdicated his throne in 1936?

3. Name the physician who invented the Heart Lung Machine in 1937

4. Named after the 19th Century Bohemian Physiologist, what are the specialised fibres of the cardiac muscle that conduct the electrical stimulus and enable the heart to contract in a coordinated fashion?

5. What term is used to describe the 2 sounds that are heard during each heart beat?

6. What term describes the medical condition in which the heart beats at a rate that is below the normal of 65 beats per minute?

7. For what invention did Willem Einthoven receive the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1924?

8. Stents are devices used to open up blocked coronary artery during an angioplasty. What alloy of Nickel and Titanium is usually used to make stents because of its ‘shape memory’ property?

9. If the tricuspid valve separates the right atrium and the right ventricle, what valve, named after its resemblance to a bishop’s hat, separates left atrium and left ventricle?

10. Who is the author of the 1948 novel ‘The Heart of the Matter’, which was once included by Time magazine in the 100 best English language novels?

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 80

1. What are Moai and where on earth would you find them?

Monolithic human figures on Easter Island

2. What internationally famous rule originally devised in 1927 and subsequently refined in 1992 and 2002 provides anonymity to speakers and encourages openness and sharing of information in meetings?

Chatham House Rule

3. In what field of human activity would the Palmer Method be used?

Handwriting

4. The September Issue is a documentary film about the September 2007 edition of a famous fashion magazine that at 5 pounds and 840 pages is the single largest issue of a magazine ever published. What is this magazine?

Vogue

5. Name the instrument that measures the amount of work done by a muscle or group of muscles during a workout?

Ergometer

6. With over 32 kilometres of tunnels spread over more than twelve square kilometres which city has the largest underground shopping complex in the world?

Montreal

7. What exceptional character in the entire animal kingdom is exhibited by the Syngnathidae family of fish, of which the seahorse is a typical example?

Male pregnancy

8. Spanning over 72 years and more than 15000 episodes, which is the longest running soap opera in the history of television?

Guiding Light. It came to an end on 18th Sept 2009.

9. Who popularised the economic concept of creative destruction?

Joseph Schumpeter

10. What doctrine or concept allows concentration of economic controls and planning in the hands of government often extending to government ownership of industry?

Statism

Sunday, September 20, 2009

QUIZ - 80

1. What are Moai and where on earth would you find them?

2. What internationally famous rule originally devised in 1927 and subsequently refined in 1992 and 2002 provides anonymity to speakers and encourages openness and sharing of information in meetings?

3. In what field of human activity would the Palmer Method be used?

4. The September Issue is a documentary film about the September 2007 edition of a famous fashion magazine that at 5 pounds and 840 pages is the single largest issue of a magazine ever published. What is this magazine?

5. Name the instrument that measures the amount of work done by a muscle or group of muscles during a workout?

6. With over 32 kilometres of tunnels spread over more than twelve square kilometres which city has the largest underground shopping complex in the world?

7. What exceptional character in the entire animal kingdom is exhibited by the Syngnathidae family of fish, of which the seahorse is a typical example?

8. Spanning over 72 years and more than 15000 episodes, which is the longest running soap opera in the history of television?

9. Who popularised the economic concept of creative destruction?

10. What doctrine or concept allows concentration of economic controls and planning in the hands of government often extending to government ownership of industry?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 79

1. Banana Republic is a derogatory term for small countries ruled by dictators. Originally used for countries of Central America, which famous short story writer coined this term?

O Henry

2. Which is the world’s leading banana producing country in the world?

India

3. What are bananas that needs to be cooked prior to eating called?

Plantains

4. What is the banana problem?

Not knowing where or when to bring a production or operation to a close. This phrase comes from the story of the little girl who said, "I know how to spell 'banana,' I just don't know when to stop."


5. Which famous cartoonist created the mascot for Chiquita, the world’s leading brand of banana?

Dik Browne, who created Hagar the Horrible


6. Name the personal physician to Roman emperor Octavius Augustus who is credited with having popularised the cultivation of banana.

Antonius Musa


7. What term coined by the French geographer Roger Brunet describes the corridor of urbanisation in Western Europe extending from England to Italy?

The Blue Banana


8. Bananas grow in bunches containing 10 to 25 fruits. What is the term used for this bunch

Hands


9. Out of the more than 1000 varieties of bananas, which is the most widely cultivated?

The Cavendish


10. Which American city celebrates an annual festival every June to mark the invention of the famous sundae Banana Split?

Wilmington in Ohio

Sunday, September 06, 2009

QUIZ - 79

1. Banana Republic is a derogatory term for small countries ruled by dictators. Originally used for countries of Central America, which famous short story writer coined this term?

2. Which is the world’s leading banana producing country in the world?

3. What are bananas that needs to be cooked prior to eating called?

4. What is the Banana Problem?

5. Which famous cartoonist created the mascot for Chiquita, the world’s leading brand of banana?

6. Name the personal physician to Roman emperor Octavius Augustus who is credited with having popularised the cultivation of banana.

7. What term coined by the French geographer Roger Brunet describes the corridor of urbanisation in Western Europe extending from England to Italy?

8. Bananas grow in bunches containing 10 to 25 fruits. What is the term used for this bunch?

9. Out of the more than 1000 varieties of bananas, which is the most widely cultivated?

10. Which American city celebrates an annual festival every June to mark the invention of the famous sundae Banana Split?

Answers to Quiz - 78

1. What method for determination of accurate costs was introduced in 1987 by 2 Harvard Business School professors, Robert Kaplan and William Bruns?

Activity Based Costing

2. Which organization first practiced the concept of Benchmarking in 1979 and who introduced it to them?

Xerox, Robert Camp

3. Who coined the term core competence in a 1990 article?

C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel

4. What model developed by Michael Porter explains why particular industries become competitive in particular locations?

Diamond Model

5. Which company developed and pioneered the concept of Economic Value Added (EVA), widely held today as the holy grail of corporate performance measure?

Stern Stewart

6. Who developed the principle of Force Field Analysis, which provides a framework for looking at factors that influence a situation?

Kurt Lewin

7. What theory of decision making was postulated by Irving Janis in 1970’s to explain how decisions are taken by groups more interested in maintaining their cohesiveness than evaluating facts realistically?

Groupthink

8. Name the 1954 book in which Abraham Maslow expounded his famous Hierarchy of Needs model?

Motivation and Personality

9. Who introduced the principle of ‘management by objectives’ in the 1954 book, The Practice of Management?

Peter Drucker

10. Name the management consultant who is widely credited with having devised the tool of SWOT Analysis?

Albert Humphrey

Sunday, August 30, 2009

QUIZ -78

1. What method for determination of accurate costs was introduced in 1987 by 2 Harvard Business School professors, Robert Kaplan and William Bruns?

2. Which organization first practiced the concept of Benchmarking in 1979 and who introduced it to them?

3. Who coined the term core competence in a 1990 article?

4. What model developed by Michael Porter explains why particular industries become competitive in particular locations?

5. Which company developed and pioneered the concept of Economic Value Added (EVA), widely held today as the holy grail of corporate performance measure?

6. Who developed the principle of Force Field Analysis, which provides a framework for looking at factors that influence a situation?

7. What theory of decision making was postulated by Irving Janis in 1970’s to explain how decisions are taken by groups more interested in maintaining their cohesiveness than evaluating facts realistically?

8. Name the 1954 book in which Abraham Maslow expounded his famous Hierarchy of Needs model?

9. Who introduced the principle of ‘management by objectives’ in the 1954 book, The Practice of Management?

10. Name the management consultant who is widely credited with having devised the tool of SWOT Analysis?

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 77

1. What objects constitute a Hickson Compact Group?

Galaxies

2. What is 51 Pegasi b?

The first exoplanet to be discovered. Exoplanets are planets that orbit a star other than the Sun

3. Where is the Headquarters of the International Astronomical Union?

Paris

4. Who discovered the planet Pluto?

Clyde Tombaugh

5. What new category of astronomical objects did the International Astronomical Union create in 2008 following the redefinition of the word planet in 2006?

Plutoid

6. What is the name given to celestial objects between Jupiter and Neptune that act like both asteroids and comets?

Centaurs

7. What astronomical term describes the centre of mass of two bodies that orbit around each other, for example the earth and the moon?

Barycentre

8. What are the 3 satellites of Pluto?

Charon, Nix and Hydra

9. On 21st October 2003, an object bigger than Pluto was discovered and it eventually led to Pluto being stripped of its planetary status. Initially named 2003 UB313, by what name do we know it today?

Eris

10. Name the 19th Century astronomer who posed one of the most interesting problems of astrophysics – ‘why is the sky dark at night?’

Heinrich Olbers (Olbers Paradox)

Monday, August 24, 2009

QUIZ - 77

Ten questions for The International Year of Astronomy 2009

1. What objects constitute a Hickson Compact Group?

2. What is 51 Pegasi b?

3. Where is the Headquarters of the International Astronomical Union?

4. Who discovered the planet Pluto?

5. What new category of astronomical objects did the International Astronomical Union create in 2008 following the redefinition of the word planet in 2006?

6. What is the name given to celestial objects between Jupiter and Neptune that act like both asteroids and comets?

7. What astronomical term describes the centre of mass of two bodies that orbit around each other, for example the earth and the moon?

8. What are the 3 satellites of Pluto?

9. On 21st October 2003, an object bigger than Pluto was discovered and it eventually led to Pluto being stripped of its planetary status. Initially named 2003 UB313, by what name do we know it today?

10. Name the 19th Century astronomer who posed one of the most interesting problems of astrophysics – ‘why is the sky dark at night?’

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 76

1. What is an orphan drug?

A drug developed specifically to treat a rare medical condition, a disorder affecting fewer than 200,000 people in USA as per The Orphan Drug Act

2. What term describes a coral island surrounded by a lagoon?

Atoll

3. In which country would you hear the Dhivehi language?

Maldives

4. What is the name of the infamous award given by Greenpeace International for the worst act of deforestation?

Golden Chainsaw Award

5. Deriving its name from a literary society founded in England in the mid 18th Century, what derisive term is applied to a woman who affects literary interests?

Bluestocking

6. What landmark event n 1688 led to the overthrow of King James – II of England and paved the way for establishment of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy?

The Glorious Revolution

7. Name the largest of the 7 Canary Islands

Tenerife

8. What term borrowed from TV and film industry refers to formal financial approval to go ahead with a project?

Greenlighting

9. Under Megan’s Law in United States of America what details are required to be made available to the public?

Information about sex offenders

10. First stated by a French Mathematician Louis Bachelier in 1900 and later developed in 1960’s by Prof. Eugene Fama at University of Chicago, what theory states that the price at which an asset s traded in the market reflects all known information and instantly change to reflect new information?

Efficient Market Hypothesis

Sunday, August 16, 2009

QUIZ - 76

1. What is an orphan drug?

2. What term describes a coral island surrounded by a lagoon?

3. In which country would you hear the Dhivehi language?
Justify Full
4. What is the name of the infamous award given by Greenpeace International for the worst act of deforestation?

5. Deriving its name from a literary society founded in England in the mid 18th Century, what derisive term is applied to a woman who affects literary interests?

6. What landmark event in 1688 led to the overthrow of King James – II of England and paved the way for establishment of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy?

7. Name the largest of the 7 Canary Islands

8. What term borrowed from TV and film industry refers to formal financial approval to go ahead with a project?

9. Under Megan’s Law in United States of America what details are required to be made available to the public?

10. First stated by a French Mathematician Louis Bachelier in 1900 and later developed in 1960’s by Prof. Eugene Fama at University of Chicago, what theory states that the price at which an asset s traded in the market reflects all known information and instantly change to reflect new information?

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 75

1. Name the 3 Lehman brothers

Henry, Emmanuel and Mayer
Justify Full
2. Which Italian painter is widely referred to as the Rembrandt of Italy?

Caravaggio

3. What is the largest bay on Earth measured by shoreline length?

Hudson Bay

4. What fruit comes in varieties of Burgundy, Duncan and Marsh?

Grapefruit

5. Who was the first American woman to be commemorated on a postage stamp?

Martha Washington, wife of George Washington

6. The Argentines call this place Malvinas. By what name does rest of the world know this place?

Falkland Islands

7. What is the term used for courts that can review and overrule previous judgments given by a lower court?

Courts of Cassation

8. What food was deeply revered by the Incas and referred to as the mother of all grains?

Quinoa

9. What term coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov describes an obsessive kind of romantic love?

Limerence

10. What psychological term describes the tendency of people to form friendships or romantic relationships with those whom they encounter often

Propinquity Effect

Monday, August 10, 2009

QUIZ - 75

1. Name the 3 Lehman brothers

2. Which Italian painter is widely referred to as the Rembrandt of Italy?

3. What is the largest bay on Earth measured by shoreline length?

4. What fruit comes in varieties of Burgundy, Duncan and Marsh?

5. Who was the first American woman to be commemorated on a postage stamp?

6. The Argentines call this place Malvinas. By what name does rest of the world know this place?

7. What is the term used for courts that can review and overrule previous judgments given by a lower court?

8. What food was deeply revered by the Incas and referred to as the mother of all grains?

9. What term coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov describes an obsessive kind of romantic love?

10. What psychological term describes the tendency of people to form friendships or romantic relationships with those whom they encounter often

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 74

1. What international convention seeks to protect biodiversity against the potential risk of being contaminated by genetically modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology?

Cartagena Protocol

2. Who in 1896 developed the Swiss Army Knife and went on to name his company Victoria in memory of his mother?

Karl Elsener

3. Name the American company that introduced the Reclining Chair in 1928 and whose name is today synonymous with that product.

La-z-boy

4. What communication medium did Jack Dorsey create in 2006?

Twitter

5. With students such as Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, who popularized the Method School of acting?

Lee Strasberg

6. What game uses terms like Flop, Fish and Fold?

Poker

7. Which is world’s most active volcano?

Kilauea volcano on Hawaii

8. What is the only country in the world with a solid, single-coloured flag?

Libya. Green colour

9. What are drumlins and eskers formed by?

Glaciers

10. What are the followers of the Unification Church called?

Moonies

Sunday, August 02, 2009

QUIZ - 74

1. What international convention seeks to protect biodiversity against the potential risk of being contaminated by genetically modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology?

2. Who in 1896 developed the Swiss Army Knife and went on to name his company Victoria in memory of his mother?

3. Name the American company that introduced the Reclining Chair in 1928 and whose name is today synonymous with that product.

4. What communication medium did Jack Dorsey create in 2006?

5. With students such as Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, who popularized the Method School of acting?

6. What game uses terms like Flop, Fish and Fold?

7. Which is world’s most active volcano?

8. What is the only country in the world with a solid, single-coloured flag?

9. What are drumlins and eskers formed by?

10. What are the followers of the Unification Church called?

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 73

1. What word describes a person who only eats food grown or produced locally within a limited area?

Locavore

2. From what fruit is the liquor Kirsch derived?Justify Full
Cherry

3. What was Professor Stephen Salter’s 1974 invention Edinburgh Duck used for?

Converting wave energy to electricity

4. In what unit is cloud cover of the sky usually reported?

Octa. It ranges from 0 to 8, 0 being clear blue sky and 8 fully overcast sky

5. What is the term used to describe sailors who have not crossed the equator?

Pollywog

6. What is the popular name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the British Open Golf Championships?

Claret Jug

7. What protein in banana is responsible for producing the neurotransmitter Serotonin?

Tryptophan

8. Name the alternative rock band that in 1988 produced the album Daydream Nation, widely regarded by critics as a milestone of the 1980s underground music.

Sonic Youth

9. What recently became the one millionth word of English language?

Web 2.0

10. What is Polysomnography used for?

To study sleep related disorders

Sunday, July 26, 2009

QUIZ - 73

1. What word describes a person who only eats food grown or produced locally within a limited area?

2. From what fruit is the liquor Kirsch derived?

3. What was Professor Stephen Salter’s 1974 invention Edinburgh Duck used for?

4. In what unit is cloud cover of the sky usually reported?Justify Full

5. What is the term used to describe sailors who have not crossed the equator?

6. What is the popular name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the British Open Golf Championships?

7. What protein in banana is responsible for producing the neurotransmitter Serotonin?

8. Name the alternative rock band that in 1988 produced the album Daydream Nation, widely regarded by critics as a milestone of the 1980s underground music.

9. What recently became the one millionth word of English language?

10. What is Polysomnography used for?

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 72

1. Who became the world’s first woman president in 1974?

Isabel Perón of Argentina

2. Who in 1960 became the world’s first elected woman Prime Minister?

Sirivamo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka

3. Who is the first woman to win the Nobel Prize?

Marie Curie in 1903

4. Name the first woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal

Charlotte Cooper in 1900

5. Who was the first woman to climb Mount Everest in 1975?

Junko Tabei

6. Who was the first woman to land on moon?

Till today no woman has landed on moon.

7. Who in 1889 became America’s first female corporate CEO?

Anna Bissell

8. Who was the first woman to win the Grand Slam in tennis?

Maureen Connolly in 1953

9. Who in 1762 became the first woman newspaper editor?

Ann Franklin

10. Who in 1976 became the first woman to receive an Oscar nomination for the Best Director?

Lina Wertmüller

Monday, March 09, 2009

QUIZ - 72

Ten questions to mark International Women’s Day

1. Who became the world’s first woman president in 1974?

2. Who in 1960 became the world’s first elected woman Prime Minister?

3. Who is the first woman to win the Nobel Prize?

4. Name the first woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal

5. Who was the first woman to climb Mount Everest in 1975?

6. Who was the first woman to land on moon?

7. Who in 1889 became America’s first female corporate CEO?

8. Who was the first woman to win the Grand Slam in tennis?

9. Who in 1762 became the first woman newspaper editor?

10. Who in 1976 became the first woman to receive an Oscar nomination for the Best Director?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 71

1. Named after a Boston endocrinologist, what term describes the most common sex chromosome disorder in which the affected male has an extra X chromosome?

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

2. Only two chemical elements exist as liquids at normal room temperature. What are they?

Bromine and Mercury

3. Name the historical event that took place between May 25 and September 17 in 1787 that resulted in drafting of the constitution of United States of America.

The Philadelphia Convention

4. Which king once famously said ‘I am the State’?

Louis XIV

5. What is the term in economics to describe highly liquid assets that are not cash but can be easily converted into cash?

Near Money

6. What term that literally means ‘Mountain Fortress’ denotes the popular Chinese subculture of pirated brands and goods?

Shanzhai

7. In professional wrestling who are jobbers?

Wrestlers who are scripted to lose their match

8. What word borrowed from German describes the feeling of delight at the suffering of others?

Schadenfreude

9. What rare mineral named after a famous crystallographer has displaced diamond as the hardest substance?.

Lonsdaleite

10. What term describes sharing of office space between employees who are on different shifts or schedule?

Hot Desk

Monday, February 16, 2009

QUIZ - 71

1. Named after a Boston endocrinologist, what term describes the most common sex chromosome disorder in which the affected male has an extra X chromosome?

2. Only two chemical elements exist as liquids at normal room temperature. What are they?

3. Name the historical event that took place between May 25 and September 17 in 1787 that resulted in drafting of the constitution of United States of America.

4. Which king once famously said ‘I am the State’?

5. What is the term in economics to describe highly liquid assets that are not cash but can be easily converted into cash?

6. What term that literally means ‘Mountain Fortress’ denotes the popular Chinese subculture of pirated brands and goods?

7. In professional wrestling who are jobbers?

8. What word borrowed from German describes the feeling of delight at the suffering of others?

9. What rare mineral named after a famous crystallographer has displaced diamond as the hardest substance?.

10. What term describes sharing of office space between employees who are on different shifts or schedule?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 70

1. Which specie of bird is widely believed to have propelled Charles Darwin in his postulation of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?

Finch

2. At a meeting of which well known scientific society did Charles Darwin present his famous theory of evolution on 1st July 1858?

The Linnean Society

3. Which British naturalist independently proposed the theory of natural evolution and thereby precipitated Charles Darwin’s decision to publish his own theory?

Alfred Russell Wallace

4. The inheritance from which famous family, to which he was connected through both his mother and wife, helped Charles Darwin in his chosen vocation?

Wedgwood

5. Who was the captain of HMS Beagle that took Charles Darwin on his 5 year long path breaking scientific expedition?

Robert FitzRoy

6. What marine creature did Charles Darwin study for 8 long years from 1846 to 1854 to train himself in zoology?

Barnacles

7. Name the renowned Geologist whose work deeply influenced Charles Darwin.

Sir Charles Lyell

8. What did Charles Darwin study in Edinburgh between 1825 and 1827 before abandoning it for theological studies in Cambridge?

Medicine

9. Name the famous botanist and explorer with whom Charles Darwin struck a deep friendship and whom he described as "the one living soul from whom I have constantly received sympathy".

Joseph Dalton Hooker

10. What was the strange subject of Charles Darwin’s last book published in 1881, a year before his death?

Vegetable Mould and Worms

Monday, February 09, 2009

QUIZ - 70

February 12 marks the 200th birth anniversary of one of the all time great scientists, Charles Darwin. This quiz is dedicated to his memory.

1. Which specie of bird is widely believed to have propelled Charles Darwin in his postulation of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?Justify Full
2. At a meeting of which well known scientific society did Charles Darwin present his famous theory of evolution on 1st July 1858?

3. Which British naturalist independently proposed the theory of natural evolution and thereby precipitated Charles Darwin’s decision to publish his own theory?

4. The inheritance from which famous family, to which he was connected through both his mother and wife, helped Charles Darwin in his chosen vocation?

5. Who was the captain of HMS Beagle that took Charles Darwin on his 5 year long path breaking scientific expedition?

6. What marine creature did Charles Darwin study for 8 long years from 1846 to 1854 to train himself in zoology?

7. Name the renowned Geologist whose work deeply influenced Charles Darwin.

8. What did Charles Darwin study in Edinburgh between 1825 and 1827 before abandoning it for theological studies in Cambridge?

9. Name the famous botanist and explorer with whom Charles Darwin struck a deep friendship and whom he described as "the one living soul from whom I have constantly received sympathy".

10. What was the strange subject of Charles Darwin’s last book published in 1881, a year before his death?

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 69

1. What is the most common language spoken by Kurdish people?

Kurmanji

2. What term describes the naturally occurring phenomenon of dense concentration of harmful algae in marine bodies that lead to the death of fish?

Red Tide

3. The national film awards of France are given out every year in February and are named after the sculptor who designed the trophies. What are these awards called?

César Awards after César Baldaccini

4. The Haute Route is considered to be the most challenging ski tour in the world. Between which two points in the Alps does this route stretch?

Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland

5. Who are schmooseoisie?

The people who make their living by talking

6. What term describes food derived from genetically modified plants and animals?

Frankenfood

7. The Henry Draper Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for contributions to astrophysics. What did Henry Draper pioneer?

Astrophotography

8. Which chemical compound has the highest melting point of all known substances in the world at 4215 Degrees C?

Tantalum Hafnium Carbide

9. 50 years ago the Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman delivered a famous lecture
‘There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom’. What concept did this lecture give birth to?

Nanotechnology

10. What famous bridge was known by the nickname of Galloping Gertie?

The Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge which collapsed dramatically on 7th Nov 1940.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

QUIZ - 69

1. What is the most common language spoken by Kurdish people?

2. What term describes the naturally occurring phenomenon of dense concentration of harmful algae in marine bodies that lead to the death of fish?

3. The national film awards of France are given out every year in February and are named after the sculptor who designed the trophies. What are these awards called?

4. The Haute Route is considered to be the most challenging ski tour in the world. Between which two points in the Alps does this route stretch?

5. Who are schmooseoisie?

6. What term describes food derived from genetically modified plants and animals?

7. The Henry Draper Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for contributions to astrophysics. What did Henry Draper pioneer?

8. Which chemical compound has the highest melting point of all known substances in the world at 4215 Degrees C?

9. 50 years ago the Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman delivered a famous lecture ‘There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom’. What concept did this lecture give birth to?

10. What famous bridge was known by the nickname of Galloping Gertie?

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 68

1. In 1788 Robert Burns wrote his most famous poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which is customarily sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day. What do the words Auld Lang Syne literally mean?
Justify Full
Old Long Since

2. What is Robert Burns’ most famous nickname that reflects his humble origins as the son of a poor farmer?

The Ploughman Poet

3. Name the first poem of Robert Burns that he wrote in 1774 at the age of 15 inspired by Nelly Kilpatrick, the daughter of the village blacksmith.

My Handsome Nell

4. Robert Burns got his work published for the first time in 1786 and it was a turning point in his poetic career. By what popular name do we know this first collection of poems?

The Kilmarnock Edition

5. Robert Burns wrote one of his longest and finest poems in 1790. Name this poem which has also lent its name to a type of Scottish hat.

Tam O’ Shanter

6. What traditional Scottish dish is associated with Robert Burns?

Haggis

7. Name the muse of Robert Burns, whom he referred to in his poem The Vision

Colia

8. Into which cult organization was Robert Burns initiated in 1781?

Freemasons

9. What trade did Robert Burns formally learn?

Flax combing

10. Robert Burns had 9 children from his wife Jean Armour. What was unusual about his last child Maxwell?

He was born on the same day and almost to the same hour when his father died.

Monday, January 26, 2009

QUIZ - 68

Today the whole of England is celebrating the 250th birth anniversary of Robert Burns.
Here are 10 questions on Robert Burns

1. In 1788 Robert Burns wrote his most famous poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which is customarily sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day. What do the words Auld Lang Syne literally mean?

2. What is Robert Burns’ most famous nickname that reflects his humble origins as the son of a poor farmer?

3. Name the first poem of Robert Burns that he wrote in 1774 at the age of 15 inspired by Nelly Kilpatrick, the daughter of the village blacksmith.

4. Robert Burns got his work published for the first time in 1786 and it was a turning point in his poetic career. By what popular name do we know this first collection of poems?

5. Robert Burns wrote one of his longest and finest poems in 1790. Name this poem which has also lent its name to a type of Scottish hat.

6. What traditional Scottish dish is associated with Robert Burns?

7. Name the muse of Robert Burns, whom he referred to in his poem The Vision

8. Into which cult organization was Robert Burns initiated in 1781?

9. What trade did Robert Burns formally learn?

10. Robert Burns had 9 children from his wife Jean Armour. What was unusual about his last child Maxwell?

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 67

1. Our heart is normally located in the left side of the chest. What term describes the abnormal condition in which the heart is on the right side of the chest?

Dextrocardia

2. What is Pognology the study of?

Beards

3. What structure built on a rock in the Atlantic Ocean is popularly known as The Teardrop of Ireland, because it was the last piece of the country the emigrants saw as they sailed for a better life in America?

The Fastnet Lighthouse

4. What is the name of the tool used for drilling a hole in the skull in a surgery?

Craniotome

5. What sphere of human activity does the Washington Accord signed in 1989 cover?

Engineering Education

6. In which sport would you come across horns, antlers, ears and winglets?

Formula One Racing. They are appendages on the car for improving its aerodynamics.

7. What is meant by Elvis Year?

The year in which the popularity of a product, service, or individual is at its peak

8. What fatal disease, named after a Japanese doctor, is predominantly found among young children, and results in the inflammation of blood vessels?

Kawasaki Syndrome

9. The maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar cell is named after two physicists who first calculated this value in 1961. What is the name of this term?

Shockley-Queisser Limit after William Shockley and Hans Queisser.

10. In 1926 a Russian economist proposed a business cycle lasting 50-60 years in capitalist economies consisting of four phases – beneficial inflation, stagflation, beneficial deflation and deflation. What is the name of this business cycle?

Kondratieff Cycle

Sunday, January 18, 2009

QUIZ - 67

1. Our heart is normally located in the left side of the chest. What term describes the abnormal condition in which the heart is on the right side of the chest?

2. What is Pognology the study of?

3. What structure built on a rock in the Atlantic Ocean is popularly known as The Teardrop of Ireland, because it was the last piece of the country the emigrants saw as they sailed for a better life in America?

4. What is the name of the tool used for drilling a hole in the skull in a surgery?

5. What sphere of human activity does the Washington Accord signed in 1989 cover?

6. In which sport would you come across horns, antlers, ears and winglets?

7. What is meant by Elvis Year?

8. What fatal disease, named after a Japanese doctor, is predominantly found among young children, and results in the inflammation of blood vessels?

9. The maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar cell is named after two physicists who first calculated this value in 1961. What is the name of this term?

10. In 1926 a Russian economist proposed a business cycle lasting 50-60 years in capitalist economies consisting of four phases – beneficial inflation, stagflation, beneficial deflation and deflation. What is the name of this business cycle?

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Answers to Quiz- 66

1. For 70 years he rented, repaired, rebuilt, reconfigured and restored typewriters in a shop in New York that advertised itself as “Psychoanalysis for Your Typewriter.” Such was his authority and popularity that letters addressed to "Mr. Typewriter, New York" would be delivered to his store. Name this wizard of Manual Typewriters who passed away in September 2008.

Martin Tytell


2. An article published in 1945 in Wireless World gave birth to the concept of Geostationary Orbits for communication satellites. The article’s author, an extraordinary science fiction writer and futurist among other things passed away in March 2008. He has been immortalized for posterity by having the Geostationary Orbits named after him. What is the name given to these orbits?

Clarke Orbits

3. Born as Tula Elice Finklea, she started dancing lessons at the age of 6 to build up her strength after a bout of polio. She then went on to act in Hollywood Musicals such as Singin’ in the Rain and The Band Wagon opposite Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire called her ‘Beautiful Dynamite’. She passed away in June 2008. By what name do we know her?

Cyd Charisse

4. He served as President of his country for 32 years, one of the longest reigns of uninterrupted power in modern history. Known as the ‘Smiling General’, he passed away in January 2008. Name him.

Suharto, former President of Indonesia.


5. In 1958 he became the youngest Grandmaster in chess at the age of 15 years and 6 months, a record broken only in 1991 by Judit Polgar. Name this eccentric maestro, considered to be one of the greatest chess players of all time, who died in January 2008.

Bobby Fischer


6. Known as The Giggling Guru for the high-pitched laugh he often used to emphasize his observations, his followers included celebrities like The Beatles. He introduced Transcendentalist Meditation to the West, but later became embroiled in many controversies and John Lennon wrote the song "Sexy Sadie" as a thinly-disguised denunciation of him. Name this spiritual purveyor who passed away in February 2008.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

7. Sir Edmund Hilary, the first man to climb Mount Everest died in January 2008. Who was the leader of that successful 1953 British Expedition?

John Hunt

8. Who directed ‘Out of Africa’, the 1985 epic film that won 7 Academy Awards including those for Best Picture and Best Director? He died in May 2008.

Sydney Pollack

9. Name the Cambodian photojournalist and Genocide survivor who was the subject of the Academy Award-winning film The Killing Fields. He passed away in March 2008.

Dith Pran

10. Name the South African Grammy Award winning singer and Civil Rights activist who was Justify Fulloften referred to as Mama Afrika. She died in November 2008.

Miriam Makeba

Monday, January 12, 2009

QUIZ - 66

1. For 70 years he rented, repaired, rebuilt, reconfigured and restored typewriters in a shop in New York that advertised itself as “Psychoanalysis for Your Typewriter.” Such was his authority and popularity that letters addressed to "Mr. Typewriter, New York" would be delivered to his store. Name this wizard of Manual Typewriters who passed away in September 2008.

2. An article published in 1945 in Wireless World gave birth to the concept of Geostationary Orbits for communication satellites. The article’s author, an extraordinary science fiction writer and futurist among other things passed away in March 2008. He has been immortalized for posterity by having the Geostationary Orbits named after him. What is the name given to these orbits?

3. Born as Tula Elice Finklea, she started dancing lessons at the age of 6 to build up her strength after a bout of polio. She then went on to act in Hollywood Musicals such as Singin’ in the Rain and The Band Wagon opposite Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire called her ‘Beautiful Dynamite’. She passed away in June 2008. By what name do we know her?

4. He served as President of his country for 32 years, one of the longest reigns of uninterrupted power in modern history. Known as the ‘Smiling General’, he passed away in January 2008. Name him.

5. In 1958 he became the youngest Grandmaster in chess at the age of 15 years and 6 months, a record broken only in 1991 by Judit Polgar. Name this eccentric maestro, considered to be one of the greatest chess players of all time, who died in January 2008.

6. Known as The Giggling Guru for the high-pitched laugh he often used to emphasize his observations, his followers included celebrities like The Beatles. He introduced Transcendentalist Meditation to the West, but later became embroiled in many controversies and John Lennon wrote the song "Sexy Sadie" as a thinly-disguised denunciation of him. Name this spiritual purveyor who passed away in February 2008.

7. Sir Edmund Hilary, the first man to climb Mount Everest died in January 2008. Who was the leader of that successful 1953 British Expedition?

8. Who directed ‘Out of Africa’, the 1985 epic film that won 7 Academy Awards including those for Best Picture and Best Director? He died in May 2008.

9. Name the Cambodian photojournalist and Genocide survivor who was the subject of the Academy Award-winning film The Killing Fields. He passed away in March 2008.

10. Name the South African Grammy Award winning singer and Civil Rights activist who was often referred to as Mama Afrika. She died in November 2008.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 65

1. Eight American Presidents have died in office. Who was the first one to do so? Incidentally his tenure is the shortest, a mere 31 days.

William Henry Harrison

2. Four American Presidents have been assassinated. Two of them are Abraham Lincoln and
John F Kennedy. Name the other two.

James Garfield (1881) and William McKinley (1901)

3. 15 Presidents have been elected for two consecutive terms. Name the only President to have served two non-consecutive terms.

Grover Cleveland (1885-89 and 1893-97)

4. What ignominy do Presidents Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson share?

The only 2 Presidents to have been impeached

5. Name the President, whose grandfather was also a president

Benjamin Harrison

6. In the history of American Presidency, what is the extraordinary record held by Gerald Ford?

The only President to serve as President without being elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency, following the resignations of Vice-President Spiro Agnew and President Richard Nixon

7. Which two Presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize during the tenure of their presidency? Jimmy Carter won it in 2002 after the tenure of his presidency.

Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson in 1919

8. There have been 4 instances of a President winning the election despite losing the majority popular vote. The last time it happened was in 2000, when George Bush won despite Al Gore winning the majority popular vote. When did this happen the first time and who were the 2 contestants?

1824, John Quincy Adams was elected as the president despite Andrew Jackson winning the majority popular vote

9. Name the only bachelor President

James Buchanan (1857-61)

10. What is the so called ‘20 year curse’ finally broken by President Ronald Reagan?

Prior to him all presidents elected in an year ending in 0 had died in office

Sunday, November 02, 2008

QUIZ - 65

Next week we will know who will be 44th President of USA, arguably the most powerful elected office on earth. Here are 10 questions on the American Presidents of the past.

1. Eight American Presidents have died in office. Who was the first one to do so? Incidentally his tenure is the shortest, a mere 31 days.

2. Four American Presidents have been assassinated. Two of them are Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy. Name the other two.

3. 15 Presidents have been elected for two consecutive terms. Name the only President to have served two non-consecutive terms.

4. What ignominy do Presidents Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson share?

5. Name the President, whose grandfather was also a president

6. In the history of American Presidency, what is the extraordinary record held by Gerald Ford?

7. Which two Presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize during the tenure of their presidency? Jimmy Carter won it in 2002 after the tenure of his presidency.

8. There have been 4 instances of a President winning the election despite losing the majority popular vote. The last time it happened was in 2000, when George Bush won despite Al Gore winning the majority popular vote. When did this happen the first time and who were the 2 contestants?

9. Name the only bachelor President

10. What is the so called ‘20 year curse’ finally broken by President Ronald Reagan?

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 64

1. Name Paul Newman’s debut film of 1954, in which he played a Greek artisan who makes an ornate holder for the goblet employed by Jesus at the Last Supper. The reviews were so bad Newman actually took out a full-page advert in a trade paper, apologising to film-goers for his performance.

The Silver Chalice

2. For which 1956 film did his producer Charles Schnee and director Robert Wise give him what they called a "Noscar” when he failed to receive an Oscar nomination?

Somebody Up There Likes Me

3. For which 1958 film did Paul Newman receive his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete opposite Elizabeth Taylor?

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

4. With which 1968 film about a repressed school teacher did Paul Newman make his directorial debut?

Rachel Rachel

5. Name the production company that Paul Newman founded in 1971 along with Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand and Steve McQueen.

First Artists

6. Paul Newman was nominated for nine acting Academy Awards in five different decades – 50’s, 60’s, 80’s, 90’s and finally in 2002. Which 1986 film fetched him his one and only acting Oscar?

The Color of Money

7. Along with Peter O'Toole, Al Pacino, Bing Crosby and Cate Blanchett, Paul Newman shares a rare distinction to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. What was the role and the two films?

Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler (1961) and The Color of Money (1986)

8. What unique Oscar distinction does Paul Newman share with Frank Sinatra?

The only other actor to win an Actor Academy Award (1986) , a Humanitarian Academy Award (1993) and a Special Honorary Academy Award (1985)

9. Students of Princeton University and some other American colleges observe an annual tradition of Newman’s Day when they down 24 beers in 24 hours. This celebration is allegedly based on a Paul Newman character from one of his fims. Name the film.

Cool Hand Luke

10. In 1958 Paul Newman married Joanne Woodward and their 50 year long marriage is one of the most celebrated and longest matrimonial unions in the otherwise fickle Hollywood relationships. They acted together in 10 films. Name their first film together which led to Paul Newman divorcing his first wife Jackie Witte followed by their marriage.

The Long Hot Summer

Sunday, September 28, 2008

QUIZ - 64

This was meant to be a quiz on F1 Race Circuits, to welcome the latest addition to F1 venues, Singapore, where in less than an hour from now, an exciting night time race on the city streets will get underway. But then the sad demise of Paul Newman, one of the finest actors and also a perfect gentleman, changed all that. Here are 10 questions on Paul Newman, the actor.

1. Name Paul Newman’s debut film of 1954, in which he played a Greek artisan who makes an ornate holder for the goblet employed by Jesus at the Last Supper. The reviews were so bad that Newman actually took out a full-page advert in a trade paper, apologising to film-goers for his performance.

2. For which 1956 film did his producer Charles Schnee and director Robert Wise give him what they called a "Noscar” when he failed to receive an Oscar nomination?

3. For which 1958 film did Paul Newman receive his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete opposite Elizabeth Taylor?

4. With which 1968 film about a repressed school teacher did Paul Newman make his directorial debut?

5. Name the production company that Paul Newman founded in 1971 along with Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand and Steve McQueen.

6. Paul Newman was nominated for nine acting Academy Awards in five different decades – 50’s, 60’s, 80’s, 90’s and finally in 2002. Which 1986 film fetched him his one and only acting Oscar?

7. Along with Peter O'Toole, Al Pacino, Bing Crosby and Cate Blanchett, Paul Newman shares a rare distinction to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. What was the role and the two films?

8. What unique Oscar distinction does Paul Newman share with Frank Sinatra?

9. Students of Princeton University and some other American colleges observe an annual tradition of Newman’s Day when they down 24 beers in 24 hours. This celebration is allegedly based on a Paul Newman character from one of his fims. Name the film.

10. In 1958 Paul Newman married Joanne Woodward and their 50 year long marriage is one of the most celebrated and longest matrimonial unions in the otherwise fickle Hollywood relationships. They acted together in 10 films. Name their first film together which led to Paul Newman divorcing his first wife Jackie Witte followed by their marriage.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 63

1. In which 1946 film did Ingmar Bergman make his directorial debut?

Crisis

2. Between 1961 and 1963 Bergman produced three films on the theme of religion. These are often known as ‘The Faith Trilogy’ or ‘The Chamber Trilogy’ because of the extensive use of Bach’s chamber music in them. ‘Through a Glass Darkly’ and ‘Winter Light’ are the first 2 films of this trilogy. Name the third.

Silence

3. One of Bergman’s most celebrated techniques is the use of facial close-ups. In which 1966 film is this technique strikingly evident?

Persona

4. Bergman won three Oscars for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’. Two of these are ‘The Virgin Spring’ and ‘Through a Glass Darkly’. Name the third, which is also his last major feature film.

Fanny and Alexander

5. Name the remote Swedish island in which Bergman spent the final decades of his life in solitude?

Fårö

6. Bergman married 5 times and in addition had romantic relationships with his actresses. Name this famous Norwegian actress by whom he had love child (daughter).




Liv Ullmann

7. The collaboration between Bergman and his cinematographer Sven Nykvist is legendary in the history of cinema. Together they made 20 films over a span of 30 years. Which was their first film together?

Sawdust and Tinsel

8. Name the production house that Bergman set up in 1966 to produce his own films

Cinematograph

9. What is the name of Bergman’s first autobiography that was published in 1987?

The Magic Lantern

10. Which of Bergman’s film contains one of the most memorable scenes in all of cinema, in which the knight portrayed by Max Von Sydow plays a game of chess against Death?

The Seventh Seal

Monday, September 15, 2008

QUIZ - 63


These days I am watching a retrospective of films by Ingmar Bergman, one of the finest film makers of all time. Here are 10 questions on Ingmar Bergman.

1. In which 1946 film did Ingmar Bergman make his directorial debut?

2. Between 1961 and 1963 Bergman produced three films on the theme of religion. These are often known as ‘The Faith Trilogy’ or ‘The Chamber Trilogy’ because of the extensive use of Bach’s chamber music in them. ‘Through a Glass Darkly’ and ‘Winter Light’ are the first 2 films of this trilogy. Name the third.

3. One of Bergman’s most celebrated techniques is the use of facial close-ups. In which 1966 film is this technique strikingly evident?

4. Bergman won three Oscars for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’. Two of these are ‘The Virgin Spring’ and ‘Through a Glass Darkly’. Name the third, which is also his last major feature film.

5. Name the remote Swedish island in which Bergman spent the final decades of his life in solitude.

6. Bergman married 5 times and in addition had romantic relationships with his actresses. Name this famous Norwegian actress by whom he had a love child (daughter).


7. The collaboration between Bergman and his cinematographer Sven Nykvist is legendary in the history of cinema. Together they made 20 films over a span of 30 years. Which was their first film together?

8. Name the production house that Bergman set up in 1966 to produce his own films

9. What is the name of Bergman’s first autobiography that was published in 1987?

10. Which of Bergman’s film contains one of the most memorable scenes in all of cinema, in which the knight portrayed by Max Von Sydow plays a game of chess against Death?

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 62

1. Brought by German emigrants to Argentina, identify this instrument which is an important part of the orchestra for tango music



Bandoneón

2. Which two woods are primarily used for making the violin?

Spruce and Maple

3. Often doubling as a stool, name this percussion instrument of Peruvian origin that is an important part of flamenco music.



Cajon
4. Name the 17th Century Italian, who is generally credited with the invention of piano

Bartolomeo Cristofori

5. What low profile instrument of the brass family is celebrated internationally every year, for the last 30 years on the first Friday of May?

The Tuba

6. What instrument did Dr. Robert Moog invent in 1964?

The Synthesizer

7. How many strings are there in a Grand Harp used in concerts?

47

8. The drone and the chanter are important parts of which musical instrument?

The Bagpipe

9. What musical instrument is celebrated at a world music festival held every 4 years in the German town of Trossingen?

Harmonica

10. Identify this South American wind instrument



zampoña

Sunday, September 07, 2008

QUIZ - 62

Ten questions on musical instruments

1. Brought by German emigrants to Argentina, identify this instrument which is an important part of the orchestra for tango music




2. Which two woods are primarily used for making the violin?

3. Often doubling as a stool, name this percussion instrument of Peruvian origin that is an important part of flamenco music


4. Name the 17th Century Italian, who is generally credited with the invention of piano

5. What low profile instrument of the brass family is celebrated internationally every year, for the last 30 years on the first Friday of May?

6. What instrument did Dr. Robert Moog invent in 1964?

7. How many strings are there in a Grand Harp used in concerts?

8. The drone and the chanter are important parts of which musical instrument?

9. What musical instrument is celebrated at a world music festival held every 4 years in the German town of Trossingen?

10. Identify this South American wind instrument

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 61

1. 100 years ago on August 17, 1908, the first animated film was premiered. Name the film and its maker.

Fantasmagorie, Émile Cohl

2. What commodity does the index Live-ex 100 track?

Wine

3. Name the hormone responsible for stimulation of milk secretion during lactation and uterine contraction during birth, and which is released during orgasm

Oxytocin

4. What term describes the method of purchasing wine 12 – 18 months before it is actually bottled, while still in a barrel?

En primeur

5. Standing next to the grave of the poet John Keats in Rome is that of his painter friend who nursed him during his final months. Name this painter, whose letters are the definitive account of Keats’ final months.

Joseph Severn

6. What movement did Marc Kelly Smith, a construction worker turned poet, create during November 1984 in Chicago?

Poetry Slam, a competition in which poets recite their original work, which is then judged on a numeric scale by pre-selected members of the audience

7. If the hormone Ghrelin increases the appetite, name the hormone that suppresses it

Leptin

8. Name the dining society in London, that took its name after Christopher Cat, the owner of the inn where the diners met, that flourished for a couple of decades beginning 1690 with a strong leaning towards Whig policies.

The Kit-Cat Club

9. Its original name in Arabic is Jabal Tāriq meaning "mountain of Tariq". By what name do we know this place today?

Gibraltar

10. The Orange Revolution happened in Ukraine. Where did the Rose Revolution take place?

Georgia