QUIZ - 97

After Wind and Clouds (Sky), it is the turn of Fire this week.


1) If Vulcan was the Roman God of Fire, who was the Greek God of Fire?

2) What is the highest grade of sacred fire in Zoroastrian Temples?

3) In 1667 Johann Joachim Becher postulated a scientific theory (now defunct) stating that all combustible substances contain within a fire-like element, which is released during the process of combustion. What name did he give to this fire-like element?

4) What happened at the bakery of Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane, shortly after midnight on 2nd September 1666?

5) What term describes the property of a substance that will spontaneously ignite in air?

6) The Olympic flame commemorates the theft of fire from Greek God Zeus by Prometheus. In which modern Olympics was the practice of lighting the flame introduced?

7) What does Haines Index measure?

8) What is Pyrolatry?

9) Fahrenheit 451, a cult science fiction by Ray Bradbury published in 1953 describes a futuristic American society. What is the significance of the number 451 in the book’s title?

10) What enzyme is responsible for the glow in fireflies?

Answers to Quiz - 96

1) First observed only in 1885, these are the highest cloud in earth’s atmosphere at altitudes of 80 km. They are normally too faint to be seen, and are visible only when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon while the lower layers of the atmosphere are in the earth's shadow. What is the name of this not so well understood cloud?

Noctilucent Cloud

2) Name this cloud that has been often mistaken for UFO because of its characteristic lens like appearance and smooth saucer-like shape.

Lenticular Cloud

3) These clouds form when there are two parallel layers of air that are usually moving at different speeds and in difference directions. What is the name of this cloud that looks like a breaking wave in the ocean?

Kelvin-Helmholtz cloud

4) Name this extremely rare cloud that forms when a rush of moist air from the Gulf Stream gets trapped between layers of dry air.

Jellyfish Cloud

5) Name these thin wispy fair weather clouds

Cirrus Clouds

6) Name this smooth cloud that forms on the top of a major geographic feature, like a mountain

Pileus Cloud

7) Seen mostly during winter at high latitudes like Scandinavia, Iceland, Alaska and Northern Canada, these clouds are mostly visible within two hours after sunset or before dawn when they blaze unbelievably bright with vivid and slowly shifting iridescent colours. What are they called?

Nacreous clouds, sometimes called mother-of-pearl clouds

8) Name this low, horizontal tube-shaped cloud associated with a thunderstorm front

Roll Cloud

9) Very ominous in appearance these clouds are harmless and are usually seen after the worst of a thunderstorm has passed. What is the name of this cloud with its characteristic pouch like structures?

Mammatus Cloud

10) What is the name given to cloud-like vapour trail that forms behind an aircraft flying in cold, clear, humid air from the water vapor contained in the engine exhaust?

Contrail

QUIZ - 96

The idea for this Quiz on Clouds was planted in my head by a person whose twitter handle is Blue Sky (in translation). Since the last Quiz was on Wind, I decided to do a series on the 5 elements of nature – Wind, Sky (Clouds), Fire, Water and Earth. The Ash Cloud from the erupting volcano in Iceland is a curious coincidence and not the inspiration for this Quiz.

1) First observed only in 1885, these are the highest cloud in earth’s atmosphere at altitudes of 80 km. They are normally too faint to be seen, and are visible only when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon while the lower layers of the atmosphere are in the earth's shadow. What is the name of this not so well understood cloud?

2) Name this cloud that has been often mistaken for UFO because of its characteristic lens like appearance and smooth saucer-like shape.

3) These clouds form when there are two parallel layers of air that are usually moving at different speeds and in difference directions. What is the name of this cloud that looks like a breaking wave in the ocean?

4) Name this extremely rare cloud that forms when a rush of moist air from the Gulf Stream gets trapped between layers of dry air.

5) Name these thin wispy fair weather clouds

6) Name this smooth cloud that forms on the top of a major geographic feature, like a mountain

7) Seen mostly during winter at high latitudes like Scandinavia, Iceland, Alaska and Northern Canada, these clouds are mostly visible within two hours after sunset or before dawn when they blaze unbelievably bright with vivid and slowly shifting iridescent colours. What are they called?

8) Name this low, horizontal tube-shaped cloud associated with a thunderstorm front

9) Very ominous in appearance these clouds are harmless and are usually seen after the worst of a thunderstorm has passed. What is the name of this cloud with its characteristic pouch like structures?

10) What is the name given to cloud-like vapour trail that forms behind an aircraft flying in cold, clear, humid air from the water vapor contained in the engine exhaust?

Answers to Quiz - 95

1) What is the name of the winds blowing from east to southeast in Canada and USA that bring with them extreme cold air, so cold that it freezes all that it touches including hair and beards.

The Barber

2) What is the name of the sudden violent cold gust of wind that descends from mountain to sea in the Straits of Magellan and is a constant threat to ships sailing around Cape Horn?

Williwaw

3) Derived from Greek mythology what is the name of the warm and gentle westerly breeze that blows during summer in the Northern Hemisphere?

Zephyr

4) Lasting as briefly as 20 minutes, this extremely hot dust laden wind blows across the deserts of Arabia. Named after the Arabic word for poison, it is responsible for reshaping the sand dunes of the desert in summer. What is it called?

Simoom

5) What is the name of the wind that funnels though the Strait of Gibraltar and is usually accompanied by a characteristic Banner Cloud on top of the Rock of Gibraltar?

Levanter

6) Named after the Arab word for wind, what is the name of the sand/dust storm that occurs on an average of 24 times in a year in Khartoum, Sudan?

Haboob

7) What is the generic term for a warm and very dry wind that descends on the leeward side of a mountain barrier?

Föhn Wind

8) Where would you expect to encounter ‘The Brickfielder’, a strong, hot, dry and dusty wind?

Southern Australia

9) With what sea would you associate the wind Meltemi?

Aegean Sea

10) What is the name of the warm dry wind that periodically occurs late afternoons in the Santa Barbara area of Southern California?

Sundowner

QUIZ - 95

Ten questions on Wind names

1) What is the name of the winds blowing from east to southeast in Canada and USA that bring with them extreme cold air, so cold that it freezes all that it touches including hair and beards.

2) What is the name of the sudden violent cold gust of wind that descends from mountain to sea in the Straits of Magellan and is a constant threat to ships sailing around Cape Horn?

3) Derived from Greek mythology what is the name of the warm and gentle westerly breeze that blows during summer in the Northern Hemisphere?

4) Lasting as briefly as 20 minutes, this extremely hot dust laden wind blows across the deserts of Arabia. Named after the Arabic word for poison, it is responsible for reshaping the sand dunes of the desert in summer. What is it called?

5) What is the name of the wind that funnels though the Strait of Gibraltar and is usually accompanied by a characteristic Banner Cloud on top of the Rock of Gibraltar?

6) Named after the Arab word for wind, what is the name of the sand/dust storm that occurs on an average of 24 times in a year in Khartoum, Sudan?

7) What is the generic term for a warm and very dry wind that descends on the leeward side of a mountain barrier?

8) Where would you expect to encounter ‘The Brickfielder’, a strong, hot, dry and dusty wind?

9) With what sea would you associate the wind Meltemi?

10) What is the name of the warm dry wind that periodically occurs late afternoons in the Santa Barbara area of Southern California?

Answers to Quiz - 94

1) What is the study of butterflies and moths called?

Lepidopterology

2) Name the smallest butterfly which has a wingspan of less than half an inch.

Western Pygmy Blue

3) When an adult butterfly emerges from the pupa it expels the metabolic waste product through the anal opening. What is the name given to this blood like red fluid?

Meconium

4) What metaphorical term in Chaos Theory attributed to mathematician and meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz describes how small variations can affect giant and complex systems?

The Butterfly Effect

5) Name the collection of cells located at the base of the butterfly’s antennae that is responsible for maintaining its sense of balance and orientation during flight.

Johnston's organ

6) What is the term for a group of butterflies?

Rabble or Swarm

7) What is the term for modified wing scales on male butterflies that release pheromones to attract females?

Androconia

8) Which is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do?

The Monarch

9) What is the significance of 86 degrees F in a butterfly’s life?

They can fly only if their body temperature is above 86 degrees F

10) What is the biggest butterfly of the world with a wingspan of up to one foot found in the forests of Papua New Guinea?

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing

QUIZ - 94

1) What is the study of butterflies and moths called?

2) Name the smallest butterfly which has a wingspan of less than half an inch.

3) When an adult butterfly emerges from the pupa it expels the metabolic waste product through the anal opening. What is the name given to this blood like red fluid?

4) What metaphorical term in Chaos Theory attributed to mathematician and meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz describes how small variations can affect giant and complex systems?

5) Name the collection of cells located at the base of the butterfly’s antennae that is responsible for maintaining its sense of balance and orientation during flight.

6) What is the term for a group of butterflies?

7) What is the term for modified wing scales on male butterflies that release pheromones to attract females?

8) Which is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do?

9) What is the significance of 86 degrees F in a butterfly’s life?

10) What is the biggest butterfly of the world with a wingspan of up to one foot found in the forests of Papua New Guinea?

Answers to Quiz - 93

1) How many different types of flags are used by the race marshals to convey different messages?

Ten

2) Name the highly flame retardant material used for the overalls of drivers and pit crew that has revolutionized safety in Formula One racing.

Nomex

3) When and where was the first Formula One race held?

1950, Silverstone Circuit, England

4) Name the infamous corner on the Imola Circuit where on 1st May 1994, Ayrton Senna died in a horrific crash, an event which became a major turning point of Formula One sport.

Tamburello

5) What is the name given to the warm up lap before the start of the race?

Formation Lap

6) The tightest and the slowest corner in Formula One racing is a hairpin bend on the Monaco Circuit and is named after a hotel located nearby. What is its name?

The Loews Hairpin

7) What is the name given to the contract between Formula One teams and FIA, the governing body of the sport?

Concorde Agreement

8) Name the British engineer and founder of Lotus Engineering Company who revolutionized the design of Formula One car in 1950’s and 1960’s and whose influence can be felt even today.

Colin Chapman

9) What is common to the Formula One circuits in Istanbul, Sao Paolo, Singapore and Abu Dhabi?

They are the only ones to run in anticlockwise direction

10) Name the World War – I ace Italian fighter pilot from whose plane the prancing horse logo of Ferrari has been derived.

Francesco Baracca

QUIZ - 93

1) How many different types of flags are used by the race marshals to convey different messages?


2) Name the highly flame retardant material used for the overalls of drivers and pit crew that has revolutionized safety in Formula One racing.


3) When and where was the first Formula One race held?


4) Name the infamous corner on the Imola Circuit where on 1st May 1994, Ayrton Senna died in a horrific crash, an event which became a major turning point of Formula One sport.

5) What is the name given to the warm up lap before the start of the race?


6) The tightest and the slowest corner in Formula One racing is a hairpin bend on the Monaco Circuit and is named after a hotel located nearby. What is its name?


7) What is the name given to the contract between Formula One teams and FIA, the governing body of the sport?

8) Name the British engineer and founder of Lotus Engineering Company who revolutionized the design of Formula One car in 1950’s and 1960’s and whose influence can be felt even today.


9) What is common to the Formula One circuits in Istanbul, Sao Paolo, Singapore and Abu Dhabi?


10) Name the World War – I ace Italian fighter pilot from whose plane the prancing horse logo of Ferrari has been derived.

Answers to Quiz - 92

1) What is the Davie Brown Index used to measure?

A celebrity’s ability to influence brand

2) What does the Drake Equation calculate?

Potential number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy

3) What term describes the certification of a spacecraft as worthy of transporting human beings?

Man-Rating or Human-Rating

4) Name the Swedish American meteorologist who first explained large scale motions in the atmosphere in 1940’s

Carl-Gustaf Rossby

5) The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered between 1947 and 1956 are widely believed to be the library of which Jewish religious group?

Essenes

6) Established in 1930 with it’s headquarter in Basel, Switzerland name the international organization of central banks.

Bank for International Settlements

7) Named after a Swiss agricultural chemist, what law states that an animal’s metabolic rate is proportional to ¾ power of its mass?

Kleiber’s Law

8) What did the French men Émile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau invent in 1943?

Aqua-Lung

9) The only silent film to win a ‘Best Picture’ Oscar is also the first Oscar winning film for the year 1927-28. Name the film.

Wings

10) Name the German women’s rights activist who conceived the first International Women’s day on 8th March 1911.

Clara Zetkin

QUIZ - 92

1) What is the Davie Brown Index used to measure?


2) What does the Drake Equation calculate?


3) What term describes the certification of a spacecraft as worthy of transporting human beings?


4) Name the Swedish American meteorologist who first explained large scale motions in the atmosphere in 1940’s


5) The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered between 1947 and 1956 are widely believed to be the library of which Jewish religious group?


6) Established in 1930 with it’s headquarter in Basel, Switzerland name the international organization of central banks.


7) Named after a Swiss agricultural chemist, what law states that an animal’s metabolic rate is proportional to ¾ power of its mass?


8) What did the French men Émile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau invent in 1943?


9) The only silent film to win a ‘Best Picture’ Oscar is also the first Oscar winning film for the year 1927-28. Name the film.


10) Name the German women’s rights activist who conceived the first International Women’s day on 8th March 1911.

Answers to Quiz - 91

1) What do we call a person who repairs stringed musical instruments?

Luthier

2) Name the town in Northern Italy which has a distinguished history of manufacturing musical instruments, specially violins

Cremona

3) What is the name for the scientific method of dating past events through study of tree ring growth?

Dendrochronology

4) Atonal Music describes music that does not conform to the system of tonal hierarchies that characterizes classical European music between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Who is regarded as the father of Atonal Music?

Arnold Schoenberg

5) What is philematology the study of?

Kissing

6) What cuisine would use ‘gomasio’, a dry condiment made from sesame seeds?

Japanese

7) The Aztecs did not have a written language. But what language did they speak?

Nahuatl

8) Homo floresiensis is a small brained primate that was discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003. By what more popular name do we know this species?

Hobbit

9) The Jewish scriptures were translated into Greek in Alexandria, Egypt between 300 – 200 BC. By what famous abbreviation do we know this translation?

LXX, after the 70 scholars who were commissioned for the translation

10) Derived from the Japanese word for cleverness, name the logical puzzle invented in 2004 by the Japanese math teacher Tetsuya Miyamoto

KenKen

QUIZ - 91

1) What do we call a person who repairs stringed musical instruments?

2) Name the town in Northern Italy which has a distinguished history of manufacturing musical instruments, specially violins

3) What is the name for the scientific method of dating past events through study of tree ring growth?

4) Atonal Music describes music that does not conform to the system of tonal hierarchies that characterizes classical European music between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Who is regarded as the father of Atonal Music?

5) What is philematology the study of?

6) What cuisine would use ‘gomasio’, a dry condiment made from sesame seeds?

7) The Aztecs did not have a written language. But what language did they speak?

8) Homo floresiensis is a small brained primate that was discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003. By what more popular name do we know this species?

9) The Jewish scriptures were translated into Greek in Alexandria, Egypt between 300 – 200 BC. By what famous abbreviation do we know this translation?

10) Derived from the Japanese word for cleverness, name the logical puzzle invented in 2004 by the Japanese math teacher Tetsuya Miyamoto

Answers to Quiz - 90

1. What term describes birds that have two toes projecting forwards and two projecting backwards?

Zygodactyl

2. Measuring 2.5 inches long and weighing 1.6 grams, what is the smallest bird in the world?

Bee Hummingbird

3. Many birds have a gland located at the base of their tail, which secretes an oil that the birds use for preening themselves. What is the name of this gland?

Uropygial Gland

4. What term is used to describe birds that have their eyes open at hatching and leave the nest almost immediately after hatching to find food for themselves?

Precocial

5. With cruising speeds of 65-90 km/hr which is the fastest bird on earth?

Peregrine Falcon

6. What is Warbler Neck?

A sore neck following staring at the tops of trees for hours looking for warblers

7. What term is used to describe birdwatchers who travel long distances to see a rare bird that can then be ticked off a list?

Twitchers

8. Which bird lays the largest egg weighing as much as 1.4 kg?

Ostrich

9. What is the name of the vocal organ of birds located at the base of the windpipe?

Syrinx

10. Name the bird order that accounts for more than half of all bird species

Passeriformes

QUIZ - 90

Last week I was in the Great Rann of Kutch with a group of birders. Here are 10 questions about birds:

1. What term describes birds that have two toes projecting forwards and two projecting backwards?

2. Measuring 2.5 inches long and weighing 1.6 grams, what is the smallest bird in the world?

3. Many birds have a gland located at the base of their tail, which secretes an oil that the birds use for preening themselves. What is the name of this gland?

4. What term is used to describe birds that have their eyes open at hatching and leave the nest almost immediately after hatching to find food for themselves?

5. With cruising speeds of 65-90 km/hr which is the fastest bird on earth?

6. What is Warbler Neck?

7. What term is used to describe birdwatchers who travel long distances to see a rare bird that can then be ticked off a list?

8. Which bird lays the largest egg weighing as much as 1.4 kg?

9. What is the name of the vocal organ of birds located at the base of the windpipe?

10. Name the bird order that accounts for more than half of all bird species

Answers to Quiz - 89

1. The increase in concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the reason for global warming. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is presently 385 ppm. What was the 19th Century pre-industrial level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

280 ppm

2. The loss of ice from the Petermann and Jakobshavn glaciers are one of the most closely monitored signals of global warming. Where are these two glaciers located?

Greenland

3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 at a UN conference in Rio de Janeiro. By what popular name is this conference known?

Earth Summit

4. What is the popular term used by energy experts for household gadgets that waste power while on standby mode?

Vampires

5. One of the key strategies that will be a major focus at the Copenhagen Conference is REDD, presently not covered under the Kyoto Protocol. What is REDD?

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation

6. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 passed in June 2009 is the first attempt of the US Congress to address climate change through legislation. By what popular name, after its authors, is this act known?

Waxman-Markey Bill

7. As a consequence of massive de-industrialisation that followed the fall of communism, Russia and other East European countries have a huge accumulated pile of unused pollution credits granted by the Kyoto Protocol. What is the popular term for this surplus credit that reportedly runs into billions?

Russian Hot Air

8. What term describes jobs in the environment friendly sector of the economy?

Green Collar Jobs

9. Commissioned by the British Government and released in October 2006, what is the name of the biggest and most widely discussed report on the economic impact of climate change?

The Stern Review

10. What target level above the pre-industrial times has been proposed for limiting the global warming?

2 degree Celsius

QUIZ - 89

The UN Conference on Climate Change in currently in progress at Copenhagen. 10 questions on climate change and global warming:


1. The increase in concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the reason for global warming. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is presently 385 ppm. What was the 19th Century pre-industrial level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

2. The loss of ice from the Petermann and Jakobshavn glaciers are one of the most closely monitored signals of global warming. Where are these two glaciers located?

3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 at a UN conference in Rio de Janeiro. By what popular name is this conference known?

4. What is the popular term used by energy experts for household gadgets that waste power while on standby mode?

5. One of the key strategies that will be a major focus at the Copenhagen Conference is REDD, presently not covered under the Kyoto Protocol. What is REDD?

6. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 passed in June 2009 is the first attempt of the US Congress to address climate change through legislation. By what popular name, after its authors, is this act known?

7. As a consequence of massive de-industrialisation that followed the fall of communism, Russia and other East European countries have a huge accumulated pile of unused pollution credits granted by the Kyoto Protocol. What is the popular term for this surplus credit that reportedly runs into billions?

8. What term describes jobs in the environment friendly sector of the economy?

9. Commissioned by the British Government and released in October 2006, what is the name of the biggest and most widely discussed report on the economic impact of climate change?

10. What target level above the pre-industrial times has been proposed for limiting the global warming?

Answers to Quiz - 88

1) Government of India has banned cell phones that do not have the IMEI number with effect from 1st December. What does IMEI stand for?

International Mobile Equipment Identity

2) The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is the country’s longest cable-stayed bridge. Name the company owned by Ajit Gulabchand that built this bridge.

Hindustan Construction Company

3) To which town in Gujarat did Tata Motors shift their facility to manufacture NANO after the prolonged agitation in Singur?

Sanand

4) Name the Canada based company that manufactures Blackberry phones

RIM (Research in Motion)

5) This year the CAT for IIM went online. Name the company headquartered in Baltimore, USA which provides this online testing.

Prometric

6) What unique distinction is shared by Bishwanath Das, F.A.Khonglam and Madhu Koda?

Independent legislators who were elected as Chief Ministers

7) What was declared as the most popular English word of 2009?

Twitter

8) Last month Mumbai narrowly escaped being hit by the cyclone Phyan. From what language is the word Phyan, meaning a cherry fallen from tree, derived?

Burmese

9) The most viewed single day sporting event in the world is a race that takes place in England every spring between 2 teams. What is this race which has been held every year since 1856, except during the 2 world wars?

The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge Universirty on the river Thames in London

10) There is an apocryphal story that William Webb Ellis accidentally invented a new game by committing a foul in another game. Today his name is immortalized with this game by William Webb Ellis Cup being awarded to the World Champions. What game did he invent?

Rugby

11) Which 2 teams compete annually in a Rugby match for the Calcutta Cup?

England and Scotland

12) What term named after a famous Indian cricketer is used to describe the dismissal in which the bowler runs out a non-striking batsman for backing up beyond the crease?

Mankaded after Vinoo Mankad

13) What sport uses the terms - Fletch, Petticoat, Bodkin and Tiller?

Archery

14) Lionel Messi of Argentina has been declared this year's European Footballer of the Year.

What award will be presented to him?
Ballon d'Or or Golden Ball
15) In 1984, Uwe Hohn from the then East Germany threw the Javelin to an amazing 104.8 metres. What change happened as a consequence of this phenomenal throw?
The Javelin was redesigned to keep it within the safe confines of the field and records were restarted
16) On the 2nd Saturday of August every year a spectacular boat race takes place in the Punnamada Lake in Kerala and is witnessed by more than 2 lakh people including foreign tourists. What trophy is awarded to the winners?
Nehru Trophy
17) Who wrote the famous play Charandas Chor?
Habib Tanvir
18) What is the nationality of Hercule Poirot, the famous fictional detective created by Agatha Christie?
Belgian
19) She was born in Russia and her real name was Alisa Rosenbaum. By what name do we know this novelist who achieved cult status with her 2 books that developed the philosophy of objectivism?
Ayn Rand
20) Satyavrat Shastri and Ravindra Kelekar were jointly awarded the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary prize, for year 2006 (declared in 2008). What 2 Indian languages were recognised for the first time by this award?
Sanskrit and Konkani
21) Which Booker Prize winning novel is written in the form of a long letter to the Prime Minister of China?
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
22) What prestigious awards are conferred annually by Columbia University for achievements in American journalism, literature and music from an endowment created by a Hungarian born newspaper publisher?
Pulitzer Prizes
23) Jaswant Singh stirred up a controversy this year by his book on Jinnah. Name his 2006 book which had stirred up a similar controversy suggesting that there was a mole in PM's office.
A Call to Honour: In Service of Emergent India
24) Who recently wrote the book - The Last Bullet?
Vinita Kamte, wife of police officer Ashok Kamte who died during 26/11 Mumbai attack
25) One of the finest examples of viviparous plants are the Mangroves. What are viviparous plants?
They produce seeds that germinate before they detach from the parent
26) The Seahorse is an important member of the Syngnathidae family, the only family in the entire animal kingdom to exhibit a unique characteristic. What is this unique feature?
Male pregnancy
27) The gender of the offspring in crocodiles is determined not by genetics but in another unique way. How?
Temperature at which the eggs are incubated
28) Cavendish is the most widely grown kind of this very popular fruit. What fruit are we talking about?
Banana
29) What volcano is world's longest erupting volcano? It is called the 'Lighthouse of the Mediterranean' as it has continuously erupted several times an hour for thousands of years, guiding sailors
Stromboli
30) BT Brinjal is India's first genetically modified food. What does BT stand for?
Bacillus Thuringiensis, the soil bacteria from which a gene has been transplanted into Brinjal
31) What is the difference between isthmus and strait?
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses. A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water
32) At 2600 m located in the Nilgris, what is the tallest peak of South India?
Doddabetta (Big Mountain)

33) Which actor (male or female) has won the maximum number (4) of Oscars?

Katharine Hepburn

34) He was a Norwegian politician who assisted Nazi Germany to invade Norway and then collaborated with them to form a Government. His name has been immortalized in English language to mean traitor. Who is he?

Quisling

35) Washingon, the capital of USA is named after the first American President George Washington. Which is the only other capital city in the world to be named after an American President?

Monrovia, the capital of Liberia after James Monroe

36) Name the king from Greek mythology who was punished with the endless task of rolling a huge boulder up a hill only to see it rolling back down.

Sisyphus

37) He fought in 3 major wars - WWI, WWII and Korean War. President Truman dismissed him for insubordination. He is one of the only 5 men to rise to the rank of General of the Army, the 2nd highest rank in the US Army. One of the most controversial figures in American history, he was nicknamed 'Gaijjin Shogun' (Foreign Military Leader). Name him.

General Douglas MacArthur

38) She had a sweet high pitched voice but during the middle of her career lost it during an illness. When she recovered her voice had acquired a masculine timbre and she continued to sing in a voice that was more powerful than male singers. Name this doyenne of Kirana Gharana.

Gangubai Hangal

39) Name the company founded by Henry, Emanuel and Mayer, the 3 sons of a cattle merchant, after they migrated from Germany to USA in 1850's

Lehman Brothers

40) Who was the first Law Minister of India?

B.R.Ambedkar

41) Bar coding of products is a routine thing today. What was the first product in the world to be bar coded in June 1974?

Wrigley's chewing gum

42) If you ask for Doggy Bag after eating in a restaurant what would you get?

Left over food packed in a bag for taking home

43) What word was crowned as the millionth word of English language in June this year?

Web 2.0

44) What former name of an Indian city also means a lighweight cotton fabric in a checked or striped pattern?

Madras

45) If nano denotes 10 raised to power of minus 9, what is the term for 10 raised to power of plus 9?

Giga

46) What is the name of the symbol & ?

Ampersand

47) What recently became India's highest broad gauge railway station at an altitude of 1722 m?

Qazigund near Srinagar

48) If you have triskaidekaphobia what would you be afraid of?

Number 13

49) Created by an ancient Greek mathematician what is the Sieve of Eratosthenes used for?

For finding prime numbers upto a specified integer

50) A nearly identical eclipse occurs after a period of 18 years 11 days and 8 hours. What is this eclipse cycle called?

Saros Cycle

51) What are the only 2 elements that are liquid at the room temperature of 25 deg C?

Mercury and Bromine

52) Name the endocrine gland in our brain that secretes melatonin, the hormone that regulates our waking and sleeping pattern.

Pineal Gland

53) What is the 10-point Mohs scale used to measure?

Hardness of minerals

54) The 180 million year period during which dinosaurs lived are divided into 3 parts - Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. What is the collective name for this period?

Mesozoic Era

55) Ceres used to be the largest asteroid in the solar system. But in 2006 after International Astronomical Union redefined the term planet, Pluto and Ceres became dwarf planets. What is currently the largest asteroid after this reclassification?

Vesta

56) What is limnology?

Study of inland waters

QUIZ - 88

This is a special quiz. I asked these questions at an Inter-School quiz competition.


1) Government of India has banned cell phones that do not have the IMEI number with effect from 1st December. What does IMEI stand for?

2) The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is the country’s longest cable-stayed bridge. Name the company owned by Ajit Gulabchand that built this bridge.

3) To which town in Gujarat did Tata Motors shift their facility to manufacture NANO after the prolonged agitation in Singur?

4) Name the Canada based company that manufactures Blackberry phones

5) This year the CAT for IIM went online. Name the company headquartered in Baltimore, USA which provides this online testing.

6) What unique distinction is shared by Bishwanath Das, F.A.Khonglam and Madhu Koda?

7) What was declared as the most popular English word of 2009?

8) Last month Mumbai narrowly escaped being hit by the cyclone Phyan. From what language is the word Phyan, meaning a cherry fallen from tree, derived?

9) The most viewed single day sporting event in the world is a race that takes place in England every spring between 2 teams. What is this race which has been held every year since 1856, except during the 2 world wars?

10) There is an apocryphal story that William Webb Ellis accidentally invented a new game by committing a foul in another game. Today his name is immortalized with this game by William Webb Ellis Cup being awarded to the World Champions. What game did he invent?

11) Which 2 teams compete annually in a Rugby match for the Calcutta Cup?

12) What term named after a famous Indian cricketer is used to describe the dismissal in which the bowler runs out a non-striking batsman for backing up beyond the crease?

13) What sport uses the terms - Fletch, Petticoat, Bodkin and Tiller?

14) Lionel Messi of Argentina has been declared this year's European Footballer of the Year. What award will be presented to him?

15) In 1984, Uwe Hohn from the then East Germany threw the Javelin to an amazing 104.8 metres. What change happened as a consequence of this phenomenal throw?

16) On the 2nd Saturday of August every year a spectacular boat race takes place in the Punnamada Lake in Kerala and is witnessed by more than 2 lakh people including foreign tourists. What trophy is awarded to the winners?

17) Who wrote the famous play Charandas Chor?

18) What is the nationality of Hercule Poirot, the famous fictional detective created by Agatha Christie?

19) She was born in Russia and her real name was Alisa Rosenbaum. By what name do we know this novelist who achieved cult status with her 2 books that developed the philosophy of objectivism?

20) Satyavrat Shastri and Ravindra Kelekar were jointly awarded the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary prize, for year 2006 (declared in 2008). What 2 Indian languages were recognised for the first time by this award?

21) Which Booker Prize winning novel is written in the form of a long letter to the Prime Minister of China?

22) What prestigious awards are conferred annually by Columbia University for achievements in American journalism, literature and music from an endowment created by a Hungarian born newspaper publisher?

23) Jaswant Singh stirred up a controversy this year by his book on Jinnah. Name his 2006 book which had stirred up a similar controversy suggesting that there was a mole in PM's office.

24) Who recently wrote the book - The Last Bullet?

25) One of the finest examples of viviparous plants are the Mangroves. What are viviparous plants?

26) The Seahorse is an important member of the Syngnathidae family, the only family in the entire animal kingdom to exhibit a unique characteristic. What is this unique feature?

27) The gender of the offspring in crocodiles is determined not by genetics but in another unique way. How?

28) Cavendish is the most widely grown kind of this very popular fruit. What fruit are we talking about?

29) What volcano is world's longest erupting volcano? It is called the 'Lighthouse of the Mediterranean' as it has continuously erupted several times an hour for thousands of years, guiding sailors.

30) BT Brinjal is India's first genetically modified food. What does BT stand for?

31) What is the difference between isthmus and strait?

32) At 2600 m located in the Nilgris, what is the tallest peak of South India?

33) Which actor (male or female) has won the maximum number (4) of Oscars?

34) He was a Norwegian politician who assisted Nazi Germany to invade Norway and then collaborated with them to form a Government. His name has been immortalized in English language to mean traitor. Who is he?

35) Washingon, the capital of USA is named after the first American President George Washington. Which is the only other capital city in the world to be named after an American President?

36) Name the king from Greek mythology who was punished with the endless task of rolling a huge boulder up a hill only to see it rolling back down.

37) He fought in 3 major wars - WWI, WWII and Korean War. President Truman dismissed him for insubordination. He is one of the only 5 men to rise to the rank of General of the Army, the 2nd highest rank in the US Army. One of the most controversial figures in American history, he was nicknamed 'Gaijjin Shogun' (Foreign Military Leader). Name him.

38) She had a sweet high pitched voice but during the middle of her career lost it during an illness. When she recovered her voice had acquired a masculine timbre and she continued to sing in a voice that was more powerful than male singers. Name this doyenne of Kirana Gharana.

39) Name the company founded by Henry, Emanuel and Mayer, the 3 sons of a cattle merchant, after they migrated from Germany to USA in 1850's

40) Who was the first Law Minister of India?

41) Bar coding of products is a routine thing today. What was the first product in the world to be bar coded in June 1974?

42) If you ask for Doggy Bag after eating in a restaurant what would you get?

43) What word was crowned as the millionth word of English language in June this year?

44) What former name of an Indian city also means a lighweight cotton fabric in a checked or striped pattern?

45) If nano denotes 10 raised to power of minus 9, what is the term for 10 raised to power of plus 9?

46) What is the name of the symbol & ?

47) What recently became India's highest broad gauge railway station at an altitude of 1722 m?

48) If you have triskaidekaphobia what would you be afraid of?

49) Created by an ancient Greek mathematician what is the Sieve of Eratosthenes used for?

50) A nearly identical eclipse occurs after a period of 18 years 11 days and 8 hours. What is this eclipse cycle called?

51) What are the only 2 elements that are liquid at the room temperature of 25 deg C?

52) Name the endocrine gland in our brain that secretes melatonin, the hormone that regulates our waking and sleeping pattern.

53) What is the 10-point Mohs scale used to measure?

54) The 180 million year period during which dinosaurs lived are divided into 3 parts - Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. What is the collective name for this period?

55) Ceres used to be the largest asteroid in the solar system. But in 2006 after International Astronomical Union redefined the term planet, Pluto and Ceres became dwarf planets. What is currently the largest asteroid after this reclassification?

56) What is limnology?

Answers to Quiz - 87

1. What non-profit organization did the famous American astronomer Carl Sagan co-found in 1980 for space exploration?

Planetary Society

2. What is the highest level of decree issued by the Pope?

Apostolic Constitution

3. What is the term for trading platforms where shares can be bought and sold without the details being made public?

Dark Pools

4. What popular term in the retail business originated from the department store started by Edward Filene in the early 20th Century?

Bargain Basement

5. The mass extinction of Dinosaurs 65 million years ago is controversially linked to the collision of earth with an asteroid. Name the impact crater located in Mexico that resulted from this collision.

Chicxulub Crater

6. By what famous name do we know the writer and philosopher who was born as Alisa Rosenbaum?

Ayn Rand

7. In what style of painting are objects depicted with photographically realistic detail to create the illusion of three dimensions?

trompe l'oeil

8. Where are the American war heroes buried?

Arlington National Cemetery

9. What is the name of a series of systematic studies on Unidentified Flying Objects undertaken by the US Air Force between 1952 and 1970

Project Blue Book

10. A unit of measurement called ‘Sagan’ has been humorously defined as a tribute to the famous American astronomer Carl Sagan. How much is one ‘Sagan’?

At least 4 billion