General Trivia Questions #655-660

Question 655: Entertainment & Food -- Go Cowboys!

For what sport did singer Garth Brooks attend Oklahoma State University on scholarship?

a) Baseball
b) Football
c) Tennis
d) Track and field

Question 656: History & Government -- A Ross by Any Other Name...

What is Ross Perot's real first name?

a) Hal
b) Henry
c) Howard
d) Hubert

Question 657: Math & Science -- Math Million

What was the oldest of the seven $1 million dollar math problems that the Clay Mathematics Institute posed in May 2000?

a) Hodge Conjecture
b) Poincare Conjecture
c) P vs. NP Problem
d) Riemann Hypothesis

Question 658: Geography & Nature -- Canine Class

What class of dogs includes the Chihuahua, Maltese, Pekingese, Pomeranian, and Shih Tzu?

a) Dwarf
b) Midget
c) Miniature
d) Toy

Question 659: Literature & Arts -- Heaps for Keeps

What does a philographist collect?

a) Autographs
b) Cancelled checks
c) Newspaper articles
d) Posters

Question 660: Sports & Games -- C.U.B. Crown

Who was the first male golfer to win the Triple Crown consisting of the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the Canadian Open?

a) Gary Player
b) Jack Nicklaus
c) Lee Trevino
d) Tiger Woods

General Trivia Answers #649-654

Answer 649: Entertainment & Food -- Two Bucks for Yuks

d) Rip Taylor

The beauty contest parody judged six contestants each week on their "beauty" and "talent".

Answer 650: History & Government -- Triple Threat

c) Spain

The 1907 agreement added to the alliances each pair of the countries already had.

Answer 651: Math & Science -- Rock & Roll

b) Metamorphic

Metamorphic rocks are created when existing rocks undergo heavy pressure and high temperatures. Marble is transformed limestone.

Answer 652: Geography & Nature -- Capital City Song

a) Bangkok

Murray Head's "One Night in Bangkok" reached #3 on the U.S. pop charts in May 1985 and made it to #1 in Australia.

Answer 653: Literature & Arts -- Shakespeare Spouse

b) Desdemona

Senator Brabantonio's daughter is accused of being unfaithful to Othello but is innocent of the charge.

Answer 654: Sports & Games -- Fine Equine

d) Seattle Slew

The Horse of the Year was the second of three horses to sweep the races in the 1970s.

General Trivia Questions #649-654

Question 649: Entertainment & Food -- Two Bucks for Yuks

What comedian hosted The $1.98 Beauty Show from 1978 to 1980?

a) Dom Deluise
b) Flip Wilson
c) Jonathan Winters
d) Rip Taylor

Question 650: History & Government -- Triple Threat

Before World War I, what country below was not part of the Triple Entente?

a) France
b) Russia
c) Spain
d) United Kingdom

Question 651: Math & Science -- Rock & Roll

Which type of rock is marble?

a) Igneous
b) Metamorphic
c) Sedimentary
d) none of the above

Question 652: Geography & Nature -- Capital City Song

What capital city features in a song from the musical Chess?

a) Bangkok
b) Hanoi
c) Manila
d) Rangoon

Question 653: Literature & Arts -- Shakespeare Spouse

Who was the title character's wife in Shakespeare's play Othello?

a) Bianca
b) Desdemona
c) Emilia
d) Phrynia

Question 654: Sports & Games -- Fine Equine

Which horse won the Triple Crown in 1977?

a) Iron Constitution
b) Run Dusty Run
c) Sanhedrin
d) Seattle Slew

General Trivia Answers #643-648

Answer 643: Entertainment & Food -- Mother of Invention

c) Michael Nesmith

Bette Graham was the Monkees' member's mistake-masking mom.

Answer 644: History & Government -- Low-Priced Politicians

c) New Hampshire

House and Senate members receive only $100 per year for being a member of the state's citizen legislature.

Answer 645: Math & Science -- Transfusion Trouble

d) Pigs

They have sixteen blood groups, twice as many as humans.

Answer 646: Geography & Nature -- Bank Capital

b) Columbus, Ohio

The Scioto begins in West Central Ohio and ends by joining the Ohio River.

Answer 647: Literature & Arts -- Blondie at Birth

c) Boopadoop

The housewife-turned-caterer married Dagwood on February 17, 1933.

Answer 648: Sports & Games -- Coveting the Cup

a) Calgary Flames

They ruled the NHL in 1989, nine seasons after relocating from Atlanta.

General Trivia Questions #643-648

Question 643: Entertainment & Food -- Mother of Invention

What singer's mother invented Liquid Paper in 1956?

a) George Harrison
b) Manfred Mann
c) Michael Nesmith
d) Ray Davies

Question 644: History & Government -- Low-Priced Politicians

Which state's legislature's members earn the lowest salary?

a) Alabama
b) Montana
c) New Hampshire
d) Utah

Question 645: Math & Science -- Transfusion Trouble

What animal has the most blood groups?

a) Chickens
b) Cows
c) Horses
d) Pigs

Question 646: Geography & Nature -- Bank Capital

Which U.S. state capital is located on the Scioto River?

a) Boise, Idaho
b) Columbus, Ohio
c) Helena, Montana
d) Pierre, South Dakota

Question 647: Literature & Arts -- Blondie at Birth

What is the title character's maiden name in the Blondie comic strip?

a) Blakeslee
b) Bombshell
c) Boopadoop
d) Bumstead

Question 648: Sports & Games -- Coveting the Cup

Which is the only team below that has drunk from the Stanley Cup?

a) Calgary Flames
b) Los Angeles Kings
c) St. Louis Blues
d) Washington Capitals

General Trivia Answers #637-642

Answer 637: Entertainment & Food -- Pre-Nicks

c) Blues band

Guitarist Peter Green, drummer Mick Fleetwood, and bassist John McVie began the group in 1968 after leaving John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

Answer 638: History & Government -- One-Way Trip

c) Santa Maria

The sailing ship wrecked on Hispaniola in 1492.

Answer 639: Math & Science -- So Long, Solar System

b) Pioneer 10

The American rocket ship passed beyond Neptune's orbit on June 13, 1983 and continued to transmit data for almost two more decades.

Answer 640: Geography & Nature -- South Side

d) Yemen

The Middle Eastern country touches the Red Sea on the west and the Gulf of Aden on the south.

Answer 641: Literature & Arts -- Ancient Author

a) Aeschylus

The warrior was born in 525 B.C. and began writing plays in 498 B.C., although his earliest surviving play is The Suppliants from eight years later when he fought in and lost his brother at the Battle of Marathon.

Answer 642: Sports & Games -- The Court's the Same Size, Actually

c) U.S. Open - Arthur Ashe Stadium

The arena seats 23,000 spectators.

General Trivia Questions #637-642

Question 637: Entertainment & Food -- Pre-Nicks

What kind of music group did Fleetwood Mac start as?

a) A capella singing group
b) Barbershop quartet
c) Blues band
d) Jazz ensemble

Question 638: History & Government -- One-Way Trip

Which of Columbus' original ships did not return to Spain?

a) Nina
b) Pinta
c) Santa Maria
d) They all returned

Question 639: Math & Science -- So Long, Solar System

What was the first spacecraft to leave the solar system?

a) Galileo
b) Pioneer 10
c) Voyager 1
d) Voyager 2

Question 640: Geography & Nature -- South Side

What is the southernmost country on the Arabian Peninsula?

a) Oman
b) Qatar
c) Saudi Arabia
d) Yemen

Question 641: Literature & Arts -- Ancient Author

Who was the earliest of the great Greek playwrights responsible for the Oresteia trilogy?

a) Aeschylus
b) Homer
c) Pindar
d) Sappho

Question 642: Sports & Games -- The Court's the Same Size, Actually

Which Grand Slam tennis tournament has the largest center court?

a) Australian Open - Flanders Park
b) French Open - Stade Roland Garros
c) U.S. Open - Arthur Ashe Stadium
d) Wimbledon - Centre Court

General Trivia Answers #631-636

Answer 631: Entertainment & Food -- Composer Couple

a) Richard and Oscar

Rodgers had been unhappy with his former partner, but waited until Lorenz Hart passed away to join Hammerstein. The new team was off and running with Oklahoma! in 1943.

Answer 632: History & Government -- Not-So-Fun Run

b) Michael Dukakis

The governor of Massachusetts from 1974 to 1978 and 1982 to 1990 ran with Lloyd Bentsen.

Answer 633: Math & Science -- Try Another Angle

a) Dodecahedron

The regular, three-dimensional shape consists of twelve pentagons.

Answer 634: Geography & Nature -- Sand Land

b) Libya

The nation broke from Italy in 1951.

Answer 635: Literature & Arts -- Heller Again

a) Closing Time

The New Yorker waited 33 years, finally returning to his infamous cast of characters in 1994.

Answer 636: Sports & Games -- Singular Sport

b) Boxing

The word "cavalcade" originally meant a procession of people on horseback.

General Trivia Questions #631-636

Question 631: Entertainment & Food -- Composer Couple

What were the first names of composers Rodgers and Hammerstein?

a) Richard and Oscar
b) Rodney and Marvin
c) Roger and Michael
d) Russell and Oliver

Question 632: History & Government -- Not-So-Fun Run

Who was the 1988 Democratic presidential candidate?

a) Lloyd Bentsen
b) Michael Dukakis
c) Sargent Shriver
d) Walter Mondale

Question 633: Math & Science -- Try Another Angle

What Pythagorean solid's faces are not triangles?

a) Dodecahedron
b) Icosahedron
c) Octahedron
d) Tetrahedron

Question 634: Geography & Nature -- Sand Land

What country mostly consists of the Sahara Desert and has Tripoli as its capital?

a) Algeria
b) Libya
c) Morocco
d) Niger

Question 635: Literature & Arts -- Heller Again

What was Joseph Heller's sequel to Catch-22?

a) Closing Time
b) Good As Gold
c) Picture This
d) Something Happened

Question 636: Sports & Games -- Singular Sport

What was the only sport that television's Cavalcade of Sports presented from 1944 to 1960?

a) Bowling
b) Boxing
c) Car racing
d) Horse racing

Top 40 Music Countdowns - Random Trivia Answers

• A1) 1958 (August 9). Billboard magazine had published other singles charts since January 1, 1955.
• A2) 1970 (July 4). The #1 song in the first countdown was Three Dog Night's "Mama Told Me Not to Come".
  • A3) He was born in Detroit on April 27, 1932 as Kemal Amin Kasem (yeah, that's K.A., not K.C.).
  • A4) Casey's Top 40 (1989-98). Casem also hosted America's Top 10 on television from 1980 until 1993.
• A5) Rick Dees. The show will mark its 25th anniversary next year and is now broadcast on over 350 radio stations in the U.S. and 37 other countries.
  • A6) He was born on March 14, 1950 as Rigdon Osmond Dees III in Jacksonville, Florida but began his career as a DJ as a teenager in Greensboro, North Carolina.
  • A7) Disco Duck. The disco novelty song includes quacking ducks, an unauthorized Donald Duck impersonation, and Rick's Cast of Idiots.
• A8) Shadoe Stevens (1988-95). He now hosts the radio programs "Top of the World" and "Rock the World".
  • A9) He was born on November 3, 1947 as Terry Ingstad in Jamestown, North Dakota.
  • A10) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He replaced Richard Malmos on the CBS show in 2005.
• A11) Ryan Seacrest. He was born in Georgia on December 24, 1974, and it's actually his real name.
  • A12) He has hosted television's American Idol since 2002.

What I found especially interesting is how the major Top 40 countdowns have been tabulated over the years. The following table comes from several sources:

	American Top 40	Casey's Top 40	Rick Dees' Weekly Top 40*
Host	Casey Kasem (1970-88 and 1998-2004**) Shadoe Stevens (1988-95) Ryan Seacrest (2004-present)	Casey Kasem (1989-98)	Rick Dees (1983-present)
Data Source	Billboard Hot 100 (1970-91) Top 40/Top 100 Radio Monitor (1991-92) Top 40/Mainstream (1992) Radio and Records CHR***/Pop (1998-2001 and 2002-03) Mediabase 24/7 unpublished chart (2001-02) Mediabase custom chart (2004-present)	Radio and Records CHR***/Pop (1989-98)	Cashbox (1983-84) Radio and Records (1984-2005?) Mediabase (2004?-present)

* Countdown was briefly available as a podcast (no iPod required). There is also an AT40 podcast, but it only contains the interviews.

** 75-year-old Casey Kasem still counts down the American Top 20 (adult contemporary) and American Top 10 (soft adult contemporary).

*** CHR stands for Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR/Pop basically means Top 40). Radio and Records ended its countdowns in August 2006 as the company merged with the Billboard Information Group.

Top 40 Music Countdowns - Random Trivia Questions

I grew up listening to the American Top 40 countdown on the radio every Sunday as far back as I remember much of anything, which is when I was eleven years old. Before that, my recollections of music were mostly fuzzy, listening to AM radio on the car mono (definitely not stereo) from the back seat of a mold-green Dodge Dart Swinger. It's somehow reassuring to find that WICC is still around, even if I can't remember the last time I listened to AM music.

I got my first real radio (that is, I semi-permanently relocated my mom's AM/FM shoebox to my bedroom) when the Eagles "Hotel California" took over the number one spot (which marks the date as May 1977). After that, I listened to the countdown semi-regularly for the next half-dozen years until college intervened and disrupted my schedule (it's hard to listen to the radio when you're asleep).

Top 40 Music Countdowns Questions

• Q1) In what year was the Billboard Hot 100 chart first published?
• Q2) In what year did Casey Kasem begin counting down the American Top 40?
  • Q3) What is his real first name?
  • Q4) What countdown did he host for almost a decade between stints on American Top 40?
• Q5) Who began his competing Weekly Top 40 in 1983?
  • Q6) What is his first name short for?
  • Q7) What song did he reach #1 with as a music artist on October 16, 1976?
• Q8) Who both succeeded and preceded Casey Kasem as host of the American Top 40?
  • Q9) What was his original name?
  • Q10) What television talk show is he currently the announcer for?
• Q11) Who took over as host of the American Top 40 in 2004?
  • Q12) Why do you know what he looks like?

Puzzling Delivery -- Quiz Quilt 21 Solution

Category Answers:

History & Government	HINCKLEY	John Hinckley, a Jodie Foster-obsessed lunatic, ricocheted one of his six shots off the President's limo and punctured the Gipper's lung.
Literature & Arts	EUROPANTO	The translator for the European Council of Ministers in Brussels created the flexible English-alternative in 1996.
Geography & Nature	GUATEMALA	The Mayan Empire peaked between the 2nd and 9th centuries and was mostly destroyed by Spain in the first half of the 16th century.
Sports & Games	WANAMAKER	Rodman Wanamaker founded the PGA in 1916 and donated the trophy for the event, which began in the same year.
Math & Science	QUARTZ	This property is one of the reasons quartz can be used to make accurate watches. The quartz maintains its shape until intentionally bent by an electric current.
Entertainment & Food	GREASE	The double album became the top-grossing record ever, selling over ten million copies by April and topping the charts for 24 weeks.

Quiz Quilt Answer: LAMAZE (6th letters)

Lamaze is a childbirth technique developed in the 1940s. "La Maze" would of course be a female labyrinth.

Puzzling Delivery -- Quiz Quilt 21 Puzzle

Category Questions:

History & Government	Who shot at Ronald Reagan in 1981, leading the President to tell his wife Nancy, "Honey, I forgot to duck"?
Literature & Arts	What artificial language, constructed by Diego Marani, consists of about 42% English and 38% French?
Geography & Nature	What is the main country besides Mexico that exists where the Mayan civilization once flourished?
Sports & Games	What trophy is given to the winner of the PGA Championship?
Math & Science	What mineral expands and contracts the least with changes of temperature?
Entertainment & Food	What musical's soundtrack was the album of the year in 1978?

General Trivia Answers #625-630

Answer 625: Entertainment & Food -- Bergman's Best

a) Anastasia

"Sweden's illustrious gift to Hollywood" played the title role in 1956, a dozen years after winning her first Oscar for Gaslight.

Answer 626: History & Government -- Fluid Force

c) Loom

The Englishman's weaving machine contributed to the Industrial Revolution.

Answer 627: Math & Science -- Bubble Boy

c) Joseph Priestley

The scientist created his "mephitic julep" ("foul-smelling drink") in 1767 to prevent scurvy on long voyages, an ironic footnote in the history of soft drinks.

Answer 628: Geography & Nature -- Joker Jack

d) Kookaburra

The kingfisher's loud call resembles insane laughter.

Answer 629: Literature & Arts -- Before Lord

a) George

The Baron was christened George Gordon in 1788, in honor of his grandfather.

Answer 630: Sports & Games -- Four Scores in Two Scores

c) Ray Floyd

The Tar Heel won in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Snead's run was from the 1930s to the 1960s.

General Trivia Questions #625-630

Question 625: Entertainment & Food -- Bergman's Best

For which movie below did Ingrid Bergman win a Best Actress Academy Award?

a) Anastasia
b) Casablanca
c) For Whom the Bell Tolls
d) Notorious

Question 626: History & Government -- Fluid Force

What device did Edmund Cartwright develop a water powered version of in 1785?

a) Alarm clock
b) Elevator
c) Loom
d) Sawmill

Question 627: Math & Science -- Bubble Boy

What English chemist invented carbonated water?

a) Arthur Harden
b) Humphry Davy
c) Joseph Priestley
d) William Ramsay

Question 628: Geography & Nature -- Joker Jack

What animal is also known as the laughing jackass?

a) Coyote
b) Hyena
c) Jackal
d) Kookaburra

Question 629: Literature & Arts -- Before Lord

What was poet Lord Byron's given first name?

a) George
b) Henry
c) James
d) William

Question 630: Sports & Games -- Four Scores in Two Scores

Who is the only male golfer besides Sam Snead to win a PGA event in four different decades?

a) Bobby Jones
b) Jack Nicklaus
c) Ray Floyd
d) Tom Watson

General Trivia Answers #619-624

Answer 619: Entertainment & Food -- Wake-Up Song

b) "I Got You Babe"

The Sonny & Cher tune plays on his clock radio on cue each day.

Answer 620: History & Government -- Baby Boys

c) Robert

The name made the top ten in ninety out of the 100 years.

Answer 621: Math & Science -- Stable Stuff

b) Gadolinium

The name honors Finnish chemist Johan Gadolin, who discovered the mineral later called gadolinite in 1792.

Answer 622: Geography & Nature -- Don't Tread on Me

c) Thailand

The country's name means "land of the free" (Prathet Thai).

Answer 623: Literature & Arts -- Menace Moniker

b) Mitchell

By coincidence, an unrelated U.K. strip also named Dennis the Menace debuted just three days afterward in March 1951.

Answer 624: Sports & Games -- Man of Steals

d) Scottie Pippen

The two-time Chicago Bull retired with 395 postseason steals, 94 more than the regular season record set by Alvin Robertson in 1985-86.

General Trivia Questions #619-624

Question 619: Entertainment & Food -- Wake-Up Song

Which song does Phil wake up to every morning in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day?

a) "Here Comes the Sun"
b) "I Got You Babe"
c) "I'm Alright"
d) "Monday Morning"

Question 620: History & Government -- Baby Boys

What was among the top ten baby boy's names the most years in the U.S. in the 20th century?

a) James
b) John
c) Robert
d) William

Question 621: Math & Science -- Stable Stuff

What is the only stable chemical element named after a person?

a) Cadmium
b) Gadolinium
c) Palladium
d) Rutherfordium

Question 622: Geography & Nature -- Don't Tread on Me

What is the only current Southeast Asian country that has never been colonized by a non-native country?

a) Burma
b) Laos
c) Thailand
d) Vietnam

Question 623: Literature & Arts -- Menace Moniker

What is American comic strip character Dennis the Menace's last name?

a) Maxwell
b) Mitchell
c) Morris
d) Munyer

Question 624: Sports & Games -- Man of Steals

What NBA player had the most career playoff steals?

a) John Stockton
b) Magic Johnson
c) Michael Jordan
d) Scottie Pippen

General Trivia Answers #613-618

Answer 613: Entertainment & Food -- Peppy Pepe

d) Skunk

The black and white, French romantic debuted in "Odor-able Kitty" in 1945.

Answer 614: History & Government -- Plane Interest

b) British Airlines

Loans were offered at 15.9% annual interest.

Answer 615: Math & Science -- How Far to The Star?

d) 25 trillion miles away

Proxima Centauri is 4.22 light years away (24.8 billion miles).

Answer 616: Geography & Nature -- Ghost Town

d) Wyoming

The second most populous city in the state was named for Fort Caspar, which started as a trading post on the Oregon Trail in 1859.

Answer 617: Literature & Arts -- Calvinist Cartoonist

b) Bill Watterson

The 6-year-old boy and his stuffed tiger appeared in over 2,400 newspapers and seventeen books.

Answer 618: Sports & Games -- Pine Whine

a) George Brett

Umpire Tim McLeland ejected the Kansas City Royals third baseman for vehemently arguing the call.

General Trivia Questions #613-618

Question 613: Entertainment & Food -- Peppy Pepe

What type of animal is cartoon character Pepe Le Pew?

a) Cat
b) Dog
c) Rat
d) Skunk

Question 614: History & Government -- Plane Interest

Which airline started taking applications for loans to buy tickets on April 6, 1999?

a) American Airlines
b) British Airlines
c) TWA
d) United Airlines

Question 615: Math & Science -- How Far to The Star?

Approximately how far away is the closest star to the Sun?

a) 25 billion miles away
b) 250 billion miles away
c) 2.5 trillion miles away
d) 25 trillion miles away

Question 616: Geography & Nature -- Ghost Town

Which U.S. state has a town named Casper, like the friendly ghost?

a) Alaska
b) Colorado
c) North Dakota
d) Wyoming

Question 617: Literature & Arts -- Calvinist Cartoonist

What cartoonist drew Calvin and Hobbes from 1985 to 1995?

a) Berke Breathed
b) Bill Watterson
c) Garry Trudeau
d) Jim Davis

Question 618: Sports & Games -- Pine Whine

What Major League Baseball Hall of Famer was denied a home run on July 24, 1983 because he had pine tar too far up his bat?

a) George Brett
b) Mike Schmidt
c) Orlando Cepeda
d) Reggie Jackson

General Trivia Answers #607-612

Answer 607: Entertainment & Food -- Bond Babe

d) Ursula Andress

The Swiss actress swam out of the sea as Honey Ryder in Dr. No in 1962.

Answer 608: History & Government -- Country Currency

c) Kwanza

One kwanza equals one hundred centimos.

Answer 609: Math & Science -- Political Scientist

c) Joseph Priestley

The Englishman's political views led to the 1791 Priestley Riots being named for him after he supported the French Revolution.

Answer 610: Geography & Nature -- Charcoal-Powered Planes?

d) Sydney, Australia

The airport was renamed in 1953 for Charles Kingsford Smith, an Australian aviating pioneer who was the first to cross the Pacific Ocean from Australia to the U.S.

Answer 611: Literature & Arts -- David's Direct Descendant

c) Absalom

The reputed handsomest man in the kingdom avenged his sister Tamar's rape by ordering his servants to murder the offending Amnon.

Answer 612: Sports & Games -- 2-Love

b) Pete Sampras

His wife debuted on the television series Saved By the Bell in 1992 before appearing in the movies Last Action Hero, Billy Madison, and Mortal Kombat.

General Trivia Questions #607-612

Question 607: Entertainment & Food -- Bond Babe

In the movies, who played the first James Bond girl?

a) Jane Seymour
b) Lana Wood
c) Luciana Paluzzi
d) Ursula Andress

Question 608: History & Government -- Country Currency

What is the monetary unit of Angola?

a) Cedi
b) Escudo
c) Kwanza
d) Pula

Question 609: Math & Science -- Political Scientist

What scientist wrote "Essay on the First Principles of Government" in 1768 and "The Present State of Liberty in Great Britain and her Colonies" a year later?

a) Arthur Harden
b) Humphry Davy
c) Joseph Priestley
d) William Ramsay

Question 610: Geography & Nature -- Charcoal-Powered Planes?

What city does Kingsford International Airport service?

a) Buenos Aires, Argentina
b) Dublin, Ireland
c) Edmonton, Canada
d) Sydney, Australia

Question 611: Literature & Arts -- David's Direct Descendant

According to the Old Testament, who was the third and favorite son of King David?

a) Aaron
b) Abraham
c) Absalom
d) Amnon

Question 612: Sports & Games -- 2-Love

What tennis player married actress Bridgette Wilson on September 30, 2000?

a) Patrick Rafter
b) Pete Sampras
c) Tim Henman
d) Yevgeny Kafelnikov

General Trivia Answers #601-606

Answer 601: Entertainment & Food -- Show City

d) New York

The police show aired on CBS from 1982 to 1988.

Answer 602: History & Government -- Nagirroc Salguod

a) Dublin

The aviator filed a flight plan to travel from New York to Los Angeles but intended to make the first crossing to Ireland all along.

Answer 603: Math & Science -- Warming Water

a) BTU

One British Thermal Unit equals approximately 253 calories or 1,060 joules.

Answer 604: Geography & Nature -- Quake Country

a) Chile

The Great Chilean Earthquake measured 9.5 on the Richter Scale on May 22, 1960.

Answer 605: Literature & Arts -- Starring Santiago

c) The Old Man and the Sea

The Cuban fisherman battles to reel in a marlin.

Answer 606: Sports & Games -- Official Olympic Animals

d) Wolf

The American black bear, coyote, and snowshoe hare split the duties.

General Trivia Questions #601-606

Question 601: Entertainment & Food -- Show City

In what city was the TV show Cagney & Lacey set?

a) Chicago
b) Detroit
c) Los Angeles
d) New York

Question 602: History & Government -- Nagirroc Salguod

In 1938, where did Douglas "Wrong-Way" Corrigan earn his nickname by flying to?

a) Dublin
b) Glasgow
c) London
d) Paris

Question 603: Math & Science -- Warming Water

What unit is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water from 59.5° to 60.5° Fahrenheit?

a) BTU
b) Calorie
c) Joule
d) Watt

Question 604: Geography & Nature -- Quake Country

Since 1900, what country has experienced the largest earthquake?

a) Chile
b) Ecuador
c) Russia
d) United States

Question 605: Literature & Arts -- Starring Santiago

Which of the following novel's title characters is named Santiago?

a) The Good Soldier
b) The Magus
c) The Old Man and the Sea
d) The Secret Agent

Question 606: Sports & Games -- Official Olympic Animals

Which of the following was not one of the official mascots for the 2002 Winter Olympics?

a) Bear
b) Coyote
c) Hare
d) Wolf

Feats of Clay - Random Trivia Answers

• A1) Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer ended the Spanish lefty's 81-match clay winning streak in the Hamburg Final 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 just before the 2007 French Open. Nadal had won 13 consecutive clay tournaments since losing to Igor Andreev in the 2005 Valencia quarterfinals.
• A2) Guillermo Vilas. The Argentinian captured 53 straight dirt matches from May to September 1977 and was in Paris to witness Nadal's historic 54th consecutive win at the 2006 French Open. Bjorn Borg won 46 straight from 1977 to 1979, and Thomas Muster 40 in 1995 and 38 from 1995 to 1996.
• A3) Chris Evert. The American legend didn't lose on clay for almost six years, winning 125 consecutive matches and 24 tournaments from August 1973 until May 1979. Tracy Austin finally upset her 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 in the semifinals of the Italian Open.
• A4) Roger Federer. The number one player in the world has won 53 straight on natural turf since a first-round loss to Mario Ancic at Wimbledon in 2002. Bjorn Borg took 41 straight from 1976 to 1981, all at Wimbledon.
• A5) Martina Navratilova. The Czech-born American won 47 straight grass matches from Eastbourne in 1983 to the Australian Open in 1984.
• A6) Roger Federer. The Swiss ran off 56 straight hard court victories from 2005 to 2006, losing to Rafael Nadal in the Dubai Final in March. Pete Sampras is a distant second at 34 straight, and Ivan Lendl third with 31.
• A7) Ivan Lendl. The Czech, who immigrated to the U.S. a few years later, won 66 straight indoor matches from 1981 to 1983, losing to John McEnroe in the Philadelphia final.
• A8) John McEnroe. The lefty crafted a 75-match winning streak on carpet from September 1983 to April 1985.
• A9) Guillermo Vilas. The southpaw's 1977 run included 46 straight wins (and four more in Davis Cup competition). Ivan Lendl won 44 straight from 1981 to 1982, John McEnroe 42 in 1984, Roger Federer 41 from 2006 to 2007, and Bjorn Borg 38 from 1979 to 1980 and 35 in 1978.
• A10) Martina Navratilova. The Czechoslovakian-American won an amazing 74 straight matches in 1984, bookended by a January loss to Hana Mandlikova in the Virginia Slims of California final and a December loss to Helena Sukova in the Australian Open semifinals. Navratilova also had streaks of 58 from 1986 to 1987 and 54 from 1983 to 1984. Steffi Graf won 66 straight from 1989 to 1990, Margaret Court 57 from 1972 to 1973, and Chris Evert 55 in 1974.
• A11) Bjorn Borg. The Ice Man won 28 straight matches from 1978 to 1981 but retired before the 1982 tournament.
• A12) Chris Evert. The Ice Maiden won 29 straight matches from 1974 to 1981, losing in the semifinals to Hana Mandlikova. She captured the tournament in 1974, 1975, 1979, and 1980 but skipped the event from 1976 to 1978.

Feats of Clay - Random Trivia Questions

As the French Open nears, let's look at some tennis winning streaks in the Open Era (beginning in 1968, when the Grand Slam tournaments began allowing professionals to compete). Davis Cup matches are not included.

Feats of Clay Questions

• Q1) Which male pro tennis player won the most consecutive clay court matches in the Open Era?
• Q2) Whose record did he break?
• Q3) Who holds the women's record on clay?
• Q4) Who holds the men's record on grass?
• Q5) Who holds the women's record on grass?
• Q6) Who holds the men's record on hard courts?
• Q7) Who holds the men's record indoors?
• Q8) Who holds the men's record on carpet?
• Q9) Who holds the men's record on all surfaces?
• Q10) Who holds the women's record on all surfaces?
• Q11) Which male won the most consecutive French Open matches?
• Q12) Which female won the most consecutive French Open matches?

Salisbury Mistake -- Quiz Quilt 20 Solution

Category Answers:

History & Government	EISENHOWER	Actually, the logo on Dwight Eisenhower's shirt was a crocodile. Rene "The Crocodile" Lacoste earned his nickname from winning a crocodile-skin suitcase in a bet with his Davis Cup captain.
Math & Science	PRIESTLEY	Humphry Davy later became famous for testing the effects of Joseph Priestley's laughing gas on Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, and himself.
Sports & Games	GRAF	Steffi Graf, nicknamed Fraulein Forehand, won 22 singles majors in all before retiring in August 1999.
Literature & Arts	EMERSON	Unitarian minister Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston in 1803.
Geography & Nature	CALGARY	The Alberta capital, which was originally a ranching and farming community, hosts the Calgary Stampede festival and rodeo each July.
Entertainment & Food	PIKACHU	The thundershocking, androgynous mouse stands sixteen inches tall and weighs thirteen pounds.

Quiz Quilt Answer: HARARE (Reverse diagonal)

Salisbury has been the wrong answer to "What is the capital of Zimbabwe?" since it was renamed Harare on April 18, 1982.

Salisbury Mistake -- Quiz Quilt 20 Puzzle

Category Questions:

History & Government	Which U.S. President helped popularize the Izod alligator shirt?
Math & Science	What English chemist discovered nitrous oxide in 1772?
Sports & Games	Who was the only female tennis player to win each of the Grand Slam tournaments at least four times?
Literature & Arts	What American author wrote, "Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path"?
Geography & Nature	What Canadian city is known as Cowtown?
Entertainment & Food	What is the main Pokemon monster, which looks like a flying, yellow marshmallow with black eyes?

General Trivia Answers #595-600

Answer 595: Entertainment & Food -- Why Not Fly?

a) Bus

Their school bus was painted with colorful tiles and sported the band's name on the side.

Answer 596: History & Government -- First-Born

a) George Washington

Adams was five years older when he took office, but Washington served for eight years.

Answer 597: Math & Science -- Triton Truth

b) Neptune

With a diameter of 1,680 miles, the satellite is about one-fourth smaller than the Earth's moon.

Answer 598: Geography & Nature -- Umpteen Acres

c) 640

The acre was originally defined as the amount of land a man with an ox could till in a day.

Answer 599: Literature & Arts -- Calendar Pal

c) Friday

The pair met on a Friday.

Answer 600: Sports & Games -- Slam Stopper

d) Wimbledon

Steffi Graf won both years. Seles mysteriously withdrew three days before the 1991 tournament, admitting to shin splits much later, and was obliterated by Graf in the 1992 Final.

General Trivia Questions #595-600

Question 595: Entertainment & Food -- Why Not Fly?

In The Partridge Family TV show, what did the singing family travel in?

a) Bus
b) RV
c) Station wagon
d) Van

Question 596: History & Government -- First-Born

Which U.S. President was born the earliest?

a) George Washington
b) James Madison
c) John Adams
d) Thomas Jefferson

Question 597: Math & Science -- Triton Truth

Which planet's largest moon is Triton?

a) Jupiter
b) Neptune
c) Saturn
d) Uranus

Question 598: Geography & Nature -- Umpteen Acres

How many acres are in a square mile?

a) 1.6
b) 32
c) 640
d) 12,800

Question 599: Literature & Arts -- Calendar Pal

In Robinson Crusoe, what does the title character name the native he befriends?

a) Wednesday
b) Thursday
c) Friday
d) Saturday

Question 600: Sports & Games -- Slam Stopper

What was the only Grand Slam event that eluded Monica Seles in both 1991 and 1992?

a) Australian Open
b) French Open
c) U.S. Open
d) Wimbledon

General Trivia Answers #589-594

Answer 589: Entertainment & Food -- Shore Thing

c) Inventor of the tuning fork

The musician created the vibrating, two-pronged metal fork to tune his trumpet and his lute.

Answer 590: History & Government -- Tax Loophole

b) Fly

Publius Vergilius Maro honored a different insect with his poem "Culex" ("the mosquito") around A.D. 1.

Answer 591: Math & Science -- Source Tree

c) Oak

The lightweight, impermeable material comes from the cork oak tree.

Answer 592: Geography & Nature -- Awash in Water

c) Michigan

The Great Lakes State could fit the entire state of Indiana into its almost 40,000 square miles of water. Alaska ranks first.

Answer 593: Literature & Arts -- Super Titian

b) Vecellio

The painter of St. John the Baptist, The Venus of Urbino, and Emperor Charles V was born as Tiziano Vecellio in 1490.

Answer 594: Sports & Games -- Hockey's Harvey

b) Defenseman

The Hall of Famer won six Stanley Cups with his hometown Canadiens, earned seven Norris trophies, and helped organize hockey's first players' union.

General Trivia Questions #589-594

Question 589: Entertainment & Food -- Shore Thing

What was English trumpeter John Shore's claim to fame in 1711?

a) Creator of the modern trumpet
b) First trumpeter in an orchestra
c) Inventor of the tuning fork
d) Saved from a bullet by his trumpet

Question 590: History & Government -- Tax Loophole

For what insect did Virgil hold a funeral to turn his villa into an officially tax-exempt burial ground?

a) Ant
b) Fly
c) Ladybug
d) Spider

Question 591: Math & Science -- Source Tree

From what type of tree is commercial cork obtained?

a) Beech
b) Maple
c) Oak
d) Sycamore

Question 592: Geography & Nature -- Awash in Water

Which U.S. state has the second most area that is covered by water?

a) Alaska
b) Florida
c) Michigan
d) Minnesota

Question 593: Literature & Arts -- Super Titian

What was Venetian artist Titian's last name?

a) Vecchietta
b) Vecellio
c) Veneziano
d) Verrocchio

Question 594: Sports & Games -- Hockey's Harvey

Which position did Doug Harvey play in the NHL?

a) Center
b) Defenseman
c) Left wing
d) Right wing

General Trivia Answers #583-588

Answer 583: Entertainment & Food -- Fight Films

d) Saving Private Ryan

The film had brought in almost $480 million worldwide through July 2005.

Answer 584: History & Government -- 3-on-1

c) Lebanon

Lebanon and Iraq had invaded Israel during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, shortly after Israel became a country.

Answer 585: Math & Science -- Colder Than Cold

d) -387.59° Fahrenheit

The point of minimal kinetic energy is -459.67° Fahrenheit.

Answer 586: Geography & Nature -- Subterranean Travel

d) Washington, D.C.

The Washington Metro has over 100 miles of tracks.

Answer 587: Literature & Arts -- Mediterranean Merchant

a) Antonio

Antonio borrows money from Shylock and promises to repay or give up a pound of flesh.

Answer 588: Sports & Games -- Collegiate Cats

b) Cincinnati

They are called the Bearcats. The University of New Hampshire, Northwestern, Villanova, and numerous smaller colleges are also the Wildcats.

General Trivia Questions #583-588

Question 583: Entertainment & Food -- Fight Films

What is the top-grossing war movie of all-time?

a) Apocalypse Now
b) Good Morning, Vietnam
c) Platoon
d) Saving Private Ryan

Question 584: History & Government -- 3-on-1

In 1967, which country below did not fight Israel in the Six-Day War?

a) Egypt
b) Jordan
c) Lebanon
d) Syria

Question 585: Math & Science -- Colder Than Cold

Which temperature below is not equivalent to the others?

a) Absolute zero
b) 0° Kelvin
c) -273.15° Celsius
d) -387.59° Fahrenheit

Question 586: Geography & Nature -- Subterranean Travel

What U.S. subway system has the most miles of track?

a) Boston
b) New York
c) San Francisco
d) Washington, D.C.

Question 587: Literature & Arts -- Mediterranean Merchant

What is the title character's name in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice?

a) Antonio
b) Balthasar
c) Bassanio
d) Shylock

Question 588: Sports & Games -- Collegiate Cats

What college's men's basketball team below is not nicknamed the Wildcats?

a) Arizona
b) Cincinnati
c) Kansas State
d) Kentucky

General Trivia Answers #577-582

Answer 577: Entertainment & Food -- So Low

b) Bass

Baritone is the second lowest.

Answer 578: History & Government -- Dime Time

b) Franklin Roosevelt

The Roosevelt dime replaced the Mercury dime, which actually depicts a winged Liberty Head, not the Roman messenger god.

Answer 579: Math & Science -- Old Math

b) Euclid

The Greek penned the thirteen volumes around 300 B.C.

Answer 580: Geography & Nature -- Adjacent to the Arctic

b) 3

Asia, Europe, and North America all touch the polar waters.

Answer 581: Literature & Arts -- Gypsy Girl

b) Esmeralda

Clopin purchased her from the gypsies when she was young.

Answer 582: Sports & Games -- Wearing White

c) National Football League

Most rulebooks state that the home team can choose, and home whites are the tradition everywhere but the NFL.

General Trivia Questions #577-582

Question 577: Entertainment & Food -- So Low

What is the lowest male vocal part?

a) Baritone
b) Bass
c) Countertenor
d) Tenor

Question 578: History & Government -- Dime Time

Which U.S. President first appeared on the face of the dime on January 30, 1946?

a) Abraham Lincoln
b) Franklin Roosevelt
c) George Washington
d) Thomas Jefferson

Question 579: Math & Science -- Old Math

What mathematician wrote the classical geometry textbook The Elements?

a) Archimedes
b) Euclid
c) Pythagoras
d) Zeno

Question 580: Geography & Nature -- Adjacent to the Arctic

How many continents border the Arctic Ocean?

a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

Question 581: Literature & Arts -- Gypsy Girl

Who was the gypsy heroine of The Hunchback of Notre Dame?

a) Daniella
b) Esmeralda
c) Gabriela
d) Jasmine

Question 582: Sports & Games -- Wearing White

In which major U.S. professional sport does the home team not usually wear white?

a) Major League Baseball
b) National Basketball Association
c) National Football League
d) National Hockey League

General Trivia Answers #571-576

Answer 571: Entertainment & Food -- Fresh Peanuts

a) A Charlie Brown Christmas

The timeless animated show made its first annual appearance on December 9, 1965.

Answer 572: History & Government -- Tip Takers

b) Barbers

The median income including tips for salaried U.S. barbers was $18,960 in 2002.

Answer 573: Math & Science -- Fear Factor

b) Pain

Algos is the Greek word for "pain".

Answer 574: Geography & Nature -- Mountain States

a) Colorado

The state took its name from the Colorado River, whose name is Spanish for "colored".

Answer 575: Literature & Arts -- I Like Hike

b) Sinclair Lewis

The boy's adventure story appeared in 1912.

Answer 576: Sports & Games -- More Than a Good Score

b) Gary Player

Known for saying, "The harder you practice, the luckier you get", the South African captured the major in 1959, 1968, and 1974.

General Trivia Questions #571-576

Question 571: Entertainment & Food -- Fresh Peanuts

What was the first Peanuts television special?

a) A Charlie Brown Christmas
b) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
c) It's the Great Pumpkin...
d) You're in Love, Charlie Brown

Question 572: History & Government -- Tip Takers

What profession was the first to accept what we now call tips?

a) Actors
b) Barbers
c) Doctors
d) Plumbers

Question 573: Math & Science -- Fear Factor

What does a person suffering from algophobia fear?

a) Math
b) Pain
c) Public speaking
d) Seaweed

Question 574: Geography & Nature -- Mountain States

Which state below was not named for something related to mountains?

a) Colorado
b) Massachusetts
c) Utah
d) Wyoming

Question 575: Literature & Arts -- I Like Hike

What author's first novel was Hike and the Aeroplane?

a) E.M. Forster
b) Sinclair Lewis
c) Somerset Maugham
d) Zane Grey

Question 576: Sports & Games -- More Than a Good Score

Who was the only golfer to win the British Open in three different decades in the 20th century?

a) Bobby Jones
b) Gary Player
c) Jack Nicklaus
d) Tom Watson

Animal Pairs - Random Trivia Answers

• Butterflies vs. Moths: b) Number of wings. Both butterflies and moths have four wings, a pair of forewings and a pair of hindwings. One other distinguishing characteristic is that most butterflies are brightly colored while most moths are not.
• Alligators vs. Crocodiles: a) Heart chambers: 3 vs. 4. Both types of crocodilians have four heart chambers, whereas all other reptiles have three. If you see one of these reptiles in the wild in North America, it's a thousand times more likely to be an alligator.
• Frogs vs. Toads: d) Toes: Webbed vs. Not Webbed. Both frogs and toads usually have webbed toes. Other ways to tell them apart: frogs have narrower bodies than toads and live near the water while toads only lay eggs there. And no, you can't get warts from either of them.
• Mice vs. Rats: a) Babies born: Naked and Blind vs. Hairy with Eyes Open. All of them are born naked as a jaybird and blind as a bat. Mice have longer tails and bigger ears relative to their body size. Rats live longer (3 to 5 years vs. less than 2). And just because you always wanted to know: house mice have five pairs of nipples while Norway rats have six.
• Rabbits vs. Hares: d) Lifespan: 4 to 10 years vs. 10 to 18 years. Most rabbits and hares can live up to ten years. Some other differences: because of their size, hares are faster (hopping up to 45 miles per hour). The color of hares' fur changes to white in the winter while rabbits' do not. And hares are more solitary creatures, while rabbits live together in warrens (see Watership Down). One final note: both were once considered to be rodents because they gnaw plants, but they now have their own order (Lagomorpha) because their teeth are different.

Another pair of animals I considered for this quiz was Turtles vs. Tortoises, but the real question there is more of a linguistic one than a biological one. American English, British English, and Australian English all have different distinctions. For the record, in American English the freshwater varieties are turtles (including terrapins), the saltwater varieties are sea turtles, and the land-based varieties are tortoises.

Animal Pairs - Random Trivia Questions

How can you tell an alligator from a crocodile? A butterfly from a moth? A frog from a toad? A mouse from a rat? A rabbit from a hare?

This week's themed quiz features multiple choice questions for a change. But don't think that means it's going to be easy!

Animal Pairs Questions

• Alligators vs. Crocodiles: Both alligators and crocodiles are large, aquatic reptiles that you wouldn't want to swim with. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the carnivores apart?

  a) Heart chambers: 3 vs. 4
  b) Jaw shape: 'U' vs. 'V'
  c) Spots on scales: No vs. Yes
  d) Teeth visible when mouth closed: Upper vs. Upper and Lower

• Butterflies vs. Moths: Both butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera (and hence are collected by lepidopterists). Scientifically, butterflies are a subset of moths (i.e., all butterflies are moths), but in common parlance, butterflies and moths are considered distinct. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the floating insects apart?

  a) Antennas: Thin vs. Fuzzy
  b) Number of wings: One Pair vs. Multiple Pairs
  c) Time of activity: Day vs. Night
  d) Wing position when resting: Up vs. Down

• Frogs vs. Toads: Like butterflies and moths, toads are actually a subset of frogs. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the hopping amphibians apart?

  a) Eyes: Bulging vs. Flat
  b) Legs: Long vs. Short
  c) Skin: Smooth and Slimy vs. Dry and Warty
  d) Toes: Webbed vs. Not Webbed

• Mice vs. Rats: Both encompass a large range of varieties and make the timid shriek. For the sake of this exercise, let's just talk about the kinds you're likely to find inside: house mice and Norway rats. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the disease-carrying rodents apart?

  a) Babies born: Naked and Blind vs. Hairy with Eyes Open
  b) Body size: Smaller vs. Larger
  c) Chromosomes: 20 Pairs vs. 22 Pairs
  d) Tails: Thinner vs. Thicker

• Rabbits vs. Hares: While bunny rabbits are lovable and cuddly (well, maybe not Bugs Bunny), hares got a bad name when Aesop detailed how one of their brethren lost a race to a tortoise. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the furry vegetarians apart?

  a) Babies born: Naked and Blind vs. Hairy with Eyes Open
  b) Body size: Smaller vs. Larger
  c) Ears and legs: Shorter vs. Longer
  d) Lifespan: 4 to 10 years vs. 10 to 18 years

Hip Hopper -- Quiz Quilt 19 Solution

Category Answers:

Sports & Games	GYMNASTICS	The moves are skills on the men's parallel bars.
History & Government	MACARTHUR	Quoting from a ballad in April 1951, World War I and II veteran Douglas MacArthur told the U.S. Congress, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
Literature & Arts	BURROUGHS	Edgar Rice Burroughs's book series has been translated into over fifty languages.
Entertainment & Food	TURMERIC	The tropical Indian plant is related to ginger.
Geography & Nature	BABYLON	Nebuchadnezzar, one of Mesopotamia's most famous leaders, had the gardens constructed around 600 B.C.
Math & Science	TERESHKOVA	On June 16, 1963, Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova blasted off on Vostok 6.

Quiz Quilt Answer: KNIGHT (7th letter going up)

Favorite chess piece of many kids because it can jump over other pieces.

Hip Hopper -- Quiz Quilt 19 Puzzle

Category Questions:

Sports & Games	In what sport might you see peach baskets, clips, and elephant lifts?
History & Government	What general led forces against North Korea but wanted to attack China and was removed by President Truman?
Literature & Arts	What author created Tarzan in 1914?
Entertainment & Food	What is the bitter, orange-colored spice used in pilaf and curry powder?
Geography & Nature	What ancient city in Mesopotamia was the home of the Hanging Gardens, one of the ancient wonders of the world?
Math & Science	Who was the first woman in space?

General Trivia Answers #565-570

Answer 565: Entertainment & Food -- Laugh Doctor

c) Dennis Miller

A year after his supporting role as Dr. Alan Champion, the Weekend Update anchor starred as a detective in Tales From the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood.

Answer 566: History & Government -- Korean Cuisine

d) Rabbits

Following a severe drought and massive floods, the government suggested breeding the rapid reproducers for their fur and meat.

Answer 567: Math & Science -- Don't Call Me Yellow

b) Neptune

The gas giant looks blue.

Answer 568: Geography & Nature -- Snow Where

a) Australia

The Snowies are the tallest mountain range on the continent.

Answer 569: Literature & Arts -- Circus Canine

a) Barfy

The children named their cat Kittykat.

Answer 570: Sports & Games -- Almost Pitcher Perfect

d) 7

The ageless wonder pitched his seventh gem on May 1, 1991 when he was 44 years old. Sandy Koufax is a distant second with four no-nos.

General Trivia Questions #565-570

Question 565: Entertainment & Food -- Laugh Doctor

What comedian and actor played Sandra Bullock's ex-psychiatrist and ex-lover in the 1995 movie The Net?

a) Chevy Chase
b) Dan Aykroyd
c) Dennis Miller
d) Steve Martin

Question 566: History & Government -- Korean Cuisine

In May 1999, what animals did the North Korean government recommend raising for food to ease hunger?

a) Cats
b) Dogs
c) Mice
d) Rabbits

Question 567: Math & Science -- Don't Call Me Yellow

Which is the only planet below that does not appear white, yellow, or orange in the night sky?

a) Jupiter
b) Neptune
c) Saturn
d) Venus

Question 568: Geography & Nature -- Snow Where

In which country are the aptly named Snowy Mountains located?

a) Australia
b) Canada
c) Russia
d) United States

Question 569: Literature & Arts -- Circus Canine

What is the name of the other family dog besides Sam in The Family Circus comic strip?

a) Barfy
b) Barky
c) Barley
d) Barney

Question 570: Sports & Games -- Almost Pitcher Perfect

How many no-hitters did Nolan Ryan throw in his career, the most by any Major League Baseball pitcher?

a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 7

General Trivia Answers #559-564

Answer 559: Entertainment & Food -- Cognac Convention

c) Stars

Three stars denote that the brandy has been stored in cask at least two years.

Answer 560: History & Government -- Lefty Leaders

d) Ronald Reagan

James Garfield and Harry Truman were the only other lefties.

Answer 561: Math & Science -- Acid In Digestion

c) Hydrochloric acid

The acid kills bacteria, stimulates hunger, and generates pepsin.

Answer 562: Geography & Nature -- Old Ottoman

d) Turkey

In 1281, Osman I founded the empire, which lasted until the Republic of Turkey was declared on October 29, 1923.

Answer 563: Literature & Arts -- Pilot's Potable

c) Root beer

His doghouse serves as his airplane, the Sopwith Camel.

Answer 564: Sports & Games -- V.E.J.

a) Bo

The "boar" won the 1985 Heisman Trophy and went pro in football and baseball, playing for the Kansas City Royals from 1986-94 and the Oakland Raiders from 1987-90.

General Trivia Questions #559-564

Question 559: Entertainment & Food -- Cognac Convention

What markings are used on cognac bottles to indicate their age?

a) Circles
b) Diamonds
c) Stars
d) X's

Question 560: History & Government -- Lefty Leaders

Which of the following U.S. presidents was not left-handed?

a) Bill Clinton
b) George Bush
c) Gerald Ford
d) Ronald Reagan

Question 561: Math & Science -- Acid In Digestion

What does stomach acid mostly consist of?

a) Acetic acid
b) Ascorbic acid
c) Hydrochloric acid
d) Sulfuric acid

Question 562: Geography & Nature -- Old Ottoman

Which modern country did the Ottoman Empire evolve into?

a) Germany
b) Hungary
c) Italy
d) Turkey

Question 563: Literature & Arts -- Pilot's Potable

What is Snoopy's drink of choice after he fights the Red Baron?

a) Chocolate milk
b) Iced tea
c) Root beer
d) Sparkling water

Question 564: Sports & Games -- V.E.J.

By what nickname is athlete Vincent Edward Jackson better known?

a) Bo
b) Joe
c) Phil
d) Reggie

General Trivia Answers #553-558

Answer 553: Entertainment & Food -- Billy Buddies

c) "My Life"

The half-hour sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari aired from 1980 to 1982 on ABC and had a brief run on NBC in 1984.

Answer 554: History & Government -- Slave Census

c) 17.5%

Just under 700,000 slaves were counted.

Answer 555: Math & Science -- Jupiter Journey

b) Pioneer 10

The probe crossed the gas giant's orbit on December 3, 1973, eighteen months after leaving Cape Canaveral.

Answer 556: Geography & Nature -- Small Capital

c) Montpelier, Vermont

The city had 8,035 people as of the 2000 U.S. Census, over 5,000 fewer than Pierre, and had lost 500 people by 2003 estimates.

Answer 557: Literature & Arts -- Good King Chesterton

c) Gilbert

The English writer was born as Gilbert Keith Chesterton on May 29, 1874.

Answer 558: Sports & Games -- Perfect Putt

b) Justin Leonard

The 1994 NCAA champion was the event's hero although he did not win any matches as the putt guaranteed the U.S. the final half point it needed.

General Trivia Questions #553-558

Question 553: Entertainment & Food -- Billy Buddies

What Billy Joel song played during the credits of Bosom Buddies?

a) "Big Shot"
b) "Movin' Out"
c) "My Life"
d) "Uptown Girl"

Question 554: History & Government -- Slave Census

When the first U.S. Census was tabulated in 1790, what percent of the population was slaves?

a) 3.5%
b) 10.5%
c) 17.5%
d) 24.5%

Question 555: Math & Science -- Jupiter Journey

What was the first spacecraft to pass by Jupiter?

a) Galileo
b) Pioneer 10
c) Voyager 1
d) Voyager 2

Question 556: Geography & Nature -- Small Capital

What is the least populous U.S. state capital?

a) Augusta, Maine
b) Juneau, Alaska
c) Montpelier, Vermont
d) Pierre, South Dakota

Question 557: Literature & Arts -- Good King Chesterton

What is author G.K. Chesterton's first name?

a) Gary
b) George
c) Gilbert
d) Graham

Question 558: Sports & Games -- Perfect Putt

What golfer's 45-foot putt to birdie the 17th hole won the 1999 Ryder Cup for the U.S.?

a) Davis Love III
b) Justin Leonard
c) Phil Mickelson
d) Tom Lehman

General Trivia Answers #547-552

Answer 547: Entertainment & Food -- PBS Prez

c) Lyndon Johnson

The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 led to the debut of PBS and Sesame Street two years later.

Answer 548: History & Government -- Wishes Come True

c) A wishbone

The charity for children with life-threatening medical conditions was founded in 1980 and granted its 100,000th wish in 2002.

Answer 549: Math & Science -- Spray Date

d) Norway

Engineer Erik Rotheim originally developed the spray to apply wax to his skis.

Answer 550: Geography & Nature -- Rodent Quotient

c) 60%

The order Rodentia contains between 2,000 and 3,000 species such as squirrels, beavers, and porcupines but has not included rabbits and hares since a reclassification in 1912.

Answer 551: Literature & Arts -- Black & White & Read a Long Time

b) The Hartford Courant

The Connecticut paper began as a weekly on October 29, 1764.

Answer 552: Sports & Games -- Grand Old Slammer

a) Ben Hogan

The Hawk was 40 years old when he finally conquered the British Open in 1953.

General Trivia Questions #547-552

Question 547: Entertainment & Food -- PBS Prez

Which U.S. President signed the law that created the PBS television network?

a) Dwight Eisenhower
b) Harry Truman
c) Lyndon Johnson
d) Richard Nixon

Question 548: History & Government -- Wishes Come True

What image is on the Make-A-Wish foundation's logo?

a) Birthday candles
b) A fairy godmother's wand
c) A wishbone
d) A wishing well

Question 549: Math & Science -- Spray Date

In what country was the aerosol can invented in 1926?

a) Netherlands
b) New Zealand
c) Nigeria
d) Norway

Question 550: Geography & Nature -- Rodent Quotient

Approximately what percent of the Earth's mammals are classified as rodents?

a) 20%
b) 40%
c) 60%
d) 80%

Question 551: Literature & Arts -- Black & White & Read a Long Time

What is the oldest, continually-published U.S. newspaper?

a) The Boston Globe
b) The Hartford Courant
c) The New York Times
d) The Philadelphia Inquirer

Question 552: Sports & Games -- Grand Old Slammer

What golfer was the oldest when he completed his career Grand Slam?

a) Ben Hogan
b) Gary Player
c) Jack Nicklaus
d) Sam Snead

General Trivia Answers #541-546

Answer 541: Entertainment & Food -- Martial Artists

a) Dante

Donatello is the fourth.

Answer 542: History & Government -- Congressional Quayle

b) Indiana

The oft-quoted politician spent most of his childhood in Arizona before returning to the Hoosier state for high school, DePauw University, and Indiana University Law School.

Answer 543: Math & Science -- Gas Gauge

d) Oxygen

Inhaled air contains about 21% oxygen, while exhaled air drops to 18%.

Answer 544: Geography & Nature -- Count Country

d) Romania

The historic region is now a province in central and western Romania.

Answer 545: Literature & Arts -- Statue Status

a) He died in battle

One leg in the air means the soldier died later from battle wounds, and all four legs on the ground mean he died of natural causes.

Answer 546: Sports & Games -- Chuck a Buck

a) Converse

Marquis Mills Converse established the company in 1908, and Nike purchased it in 2003.

General Trivia Questions #541-546

Question 541: Entertainment & Food -- Martial Artists

Which historical figure below is not one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

a) Dante
b) Leonardo
c) Michelangelo
d) Raphael

Question 542: History & Government -- Congressional Quayle

From which state was Dan Quayle a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate?

a) Illinois
b) Indiana
c) Iowa
d) Ohio

Question 543: Math & Science -- Gas Gauge

What chemical element makes up one-fifth of the volume of the air?

a) Helium
b) Hydrogen
c) Nitrogen
d) Oxygen

Question 544: Geography & Nature -- Count Country

In what country is Transylvania located?

a) Bosnia and Herzegovina
b) Czech Republic
c) Denmark
d) Romania

Question 545: Literature & Arts -- Statue Status

Traditionally, what does a statue of a person on a horse with both front legs in the air indicate about the rider?

a) He died in battle
b) He died later from battle wounds
c) He died of natural causes
d) He was still alive

Question 546: Sports & Games -- Chuck a Buck

What sneaker company, famous for its Chuck Taylor model, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 22, 2001?

a) Converse
b) Fila
c) New Balance
d) Puma

Mystery Motif - Random Trivia Answers

• A1) David Dinkins. The Howard University and Brooklyn Law School graduate was sworn in on January 1, 1990.
• A2) Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney has been known for its shadow-seeking rodent since February 2, 1887.
• A3) Rodney King. An amateur videographer filmed the infamous confrontation on March 3. A year later, an innocent verdict on April 29 sparked the Rodney King riots.
• A4) Jim Clark. The Internet browser company, born on April 4, became better known later as Netscape Communications Corporation.
• A5) France. Mexico celebrates the occasion as the national holiday Cinco de Mayo (May 5). Note that this isn't the country's Independence Day, which is September 16.
• A6) Sirhan B. Sirhan. Kennedy had just given a speech at the Ambassador Hotel and died the following day, on June 6.
• A7) Samantha Smith. On July 7, she became "America's Youngest Ambassador" but died tragically in a plane crash only two years later.
• A8) Bhutan. The landlocked country celebrates its Independence Day each August 8.
• A9) Attica. The problems began on September 9, when some prisoners freed an inmate they believed was being tortured. Four days later State Troopers opened fire, leaving 29 inmates and 10 hostages dead.
• A10) Tokyo, Japan. The Olympic flame was lit on October 10 by Yoshinori Sakai, who was born in Hiroshima on the day the atomic bomb was exploded there (August 6, 1945).
• A11) South Korea. Pepero sticks (crunchy, chocolate-covered, cylindrical cookies) are exchanged on the country's Valentine's Day equivalent on November 11 (11/11 can be easily spelled out with Pepero sticks). [I learned this from the Korean Adoptee Bride whose wedding and banquet I attended; The cookies were given out as wedding favors.]
• A12) Calcutta (now spelled Kolkata). The British moved the capital on December 12 partly because of local unrest and partly because of the city's location.

All of these events occurred on the month and day matching the question number (1/1, 2/2, etc.), just like the day I posted the questions (5/5/07).

Mystery Motif - Random Trivia Questions

This week's random trivia questions involve an extra challenge. How are the answers all related (warning: this is pretty hard)?

Mystery Motif Questions

• Q1) Who was the first black mayor of New York City?
• Q2) In what U.S. state was Groundhog Day first observed?
• Q3) What speeder were Los Angeles Police Department officers videotaped beating in 1991?
• Q4) Who founded the Mosaic Communications Corporation with Marc Andreessen in 1994?
• Q5) In 1862, what country's invasion did Ignacio Zaragoza repulse in the Battle of Puebla?
• Q6) Who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy in 1968?
• Q7) What 11-year-old girl visited the Soviet Union in 1983 at the request of Secretary General Yuri Andropov in response to her letter?
• Q8) What country gained its independence from India in 1949, only two years after India itself parted from the United Kingdom?
• Q9) What prison's inmates rioted in 1971, ultimately resulting in 39 deaths?
• Q10) What city hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics?
• Q11) What country celebrates Pepero Day each November 11?
• Q12) What was the capital of India until 1911?

Square Circle -- Quiz Quilt 18 Solution

Category Answers:

Entertainment & Food	YELLOW	The gem weighed 287.42 carats in the rough and was cut into a 128.54-carat cushion shape.
History & Government	NEVADA	The territory did not have enough people to qualify for statehood otherwise. The amendment outlawing slavery was ratified on December 18, 1865.
Geography & Nature	SACRAMENTO	Sutter named the California town after the Sacramento River, not the other way around.
Sports & Games	BOGGS	Long-time Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs made history on August 7, 1999 as a Tampa Bay Devil Ray. He hit only one other homer that season and just 118 for his career.
Literature & Arts	MARLOWE	Christopher Marlowe's five-act play originally contained thirteen scenes in 1604, but he added seven more by 1616.
Math & Science	LIBIDO	The father of psychoanalysis believed that the conflict between the libido and the id led to neurosis.

Quiz Quilt Answer: DOSADO (Fifth letters going up)

A square dance maneuver (from the French "dos-a-dos", meaning back-to-back).

Square Circle -- Quiz Quilt 18 Puzzle

Category Questions:

Entertainment & Food	What color is the Tiffany diamond?
History & Government	Which state did President Lincoln help join the U.S. to get another vote to pass the 13th Amendment?
Geography & Nature	Which U.S. state capital was laid out on property that John Sutter owned?
Sports & Games	Who is the only Major League Baseball player to belt a home run for his 3,000th career hit?
Literature & Arts	What English author wrote The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus?
Math & Science	What was Sigmund Freud's term for the source of the aggressive drive and the sexual drive?

General Trivia Answers #535-540

Answer 535: Entertainment & Food -- Tell Me About Telly

b) Aristotle

The Greek-American actor's nickname comes from the end of his first name, which is pronounced "Ah-Reese-Toe-Tay'-Lease".

Answer 536: History & Government -- Elephant Head

b) Mary Louise Smith

Richard Nixon appointed her chair of the Republican National Committee in 1974.

Answer 537: Math & Science -- Bell Bottom

c) Gus Grissom

The capsule had sunk after his fifteen-minute sub-orbital flight on July 21, 1961.

Answer 538: Geography & Nature -- Oldest Glory

c) Denmark

Its current flag, bearing a white cross on a red background, was first waved in 1218.

Answer 539: Literature & Arts -- From Court to Canvas

b) Henri Matisse

The court administrator found his new calling after he had an attack of appendicitis.

Answer 540: Sports & Games -- 61*

b) Ford C. Frick

The first non-political commissioner considered the mark tainted because the season had been lengthened by eight games since Babe Ruth set the previous record.

General Trivia Questions #535-540

Question 535: Entertainment & Food -- Tell Me About Telly

What was Telly Savalas's given first name?

a) Archimedes
b) Aristotle
c) Plato
d) Socrates

Question 536: History & Government -- Elephant Head

Who was the first woman to head the U.S. Republican Party?

a) Elizabeth Cady Stanton
b) Mary Louise Smith
c) Rebecca Felton
d) Victoria Woodhull

Question 537: Math & Science -- Bell Bottom

What astronaut was originally in the Mercury spaceship's Liberty Bell 7, which was recovered from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean on July 20, 1999?

a) Alan Shepard
b) Gordon Cooper
c) Gus Grissom
d) John Glenn

Question 538: Geography & Nature -- Oldest Glory

What country flies the oldest national flag?

a) Austria
b) China
c) Denmark
d) Italy

Question 539: Literature & Arts -- From Court to Canvas

What French artist studied law and only became a painter while recovering from an operation?

a) Camille Pissarro
b) Henri Matisse
c) Paul Cezanne
d) Paul Gauguin

Question 540: Sports & Games -- 61*

What Major League Baseball commissioner affixed an asterisk next to Roger Maris's 1961 home run record?

a) Albert Benjamin Chandler
b) Ford C. Frick
c) Kenesaw Mountain Landis
d) William Dole Eckert

General Trivia Answers #529-534

Answer 529: Entertainment & Food -- Why Butterfly?

a) A divorce

Carey married Tommy Mottola, Vice President of Sony Records, in June 1993. They separated in 1997 although the divorce was not finalized until the next year.

Answer 530: History & Government -- Around Africa

a) Bartholomew Dias

King John II of Portugal had sent the explorer to find a trade route to Asia. Dias dubbed the southern tip the Cape of Storms, but the king preferred the positive Cape of Good Hope.

Answer 531: Math & Science -- Little Bits

b) 4

The term humorously refers to half a byte.

Answer 532: Geography & Nature -- The Good Herb

c) San Francisco

Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition that landed on March 28, 1776 and built the Presidio of San Francisco fort and the Mission San Francisco de Asis settlement.

Answer 533: Literature & Arts -- Trashing Tradition

a) Dadaism

The proponents of the movement, which began as a response to World War I, considered their work "anti-art".

Answer 534: Sports & Games -- Convention Invention

c) Football huddle

The coach created the pre-snap meeting because he suspected his opponents, the University of Pennsylvania, of stealing his team's signals.

General Trivia Questions #529-534

Question 529: Entertainment & Food -- Why Butterfly?

Mariah Carey named her 1997 album Butterfly to signify her emergence after what event?

a) A divorce
b) Her father's death
c) A non-platinum album
d) A record label switch

Question 530: History & Government -- Around Africa

Who was the first person to sail to the southern tip of Africa, in 1488?

a) Bartholomew Dias
b) Ferdinand Magellan
c) James Cook
d) Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Question 531: Math & Science -- Little Bits

In computer programming, how many bits are in a nibble?

a) 2
b) 4
c) 8
d) 16

Question 532: Geography & Nature -- The Good Herb

Which California city did the Spanish found as Yerba Buena in 1776?

a) Sacramento
b) San Diego
c) San Francisco
d) San Ramon

Question 533: Literature & Arts -- Trashing Tradition

What art and literature movement was based on deliberate irrationality and the negation of traditional and artistic values?

a) Dadaism
b) Fauvism
c) Futurism
d) Pointillism

Question 534: Sports & Games -- Convention Invention

What sports convention did Herb McCracken of Lafayette College introduce in 1924?

a) Baseball bullpen
b) Basketball bench
c) Football huddle
d) Hockey penalty box

General Trivia Answers #523-528

Answer 523: Entertainment & Food -- Wary Jerry

d) Mouse

Tom is a gray house cat who is forever chasing the small, brown rodent.

Answer 524: History & Government -- Disappearing Ponies

b) Telegraph

The mail service ran only from April 1860 to November 1861, ending with the widespread deployment of the Morse/Vail telegraph.

Answer 525: Math & Science -- Tell Me Where It Hurts

d) Lungs

The infection attacks the alveoli.

Answer 526: Geography & Nature -- Peak Pre-1959 Peak

c) Mount Whitney

The California peak sits 14,494 feet high in Sequoia National Park.

Answer 527: Literature & Arts -- Magnificent Menagerie

d) Tennessee Williams

The play won the 1945 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award.

Answer 528: Sports & Games -- Winter Home

b) Lake Placid

The New York town held the Games in 1932.

General Trivia Questions #523-528

Question 523: Entertainment & Food -- Wary Jerry

In the cartoon Tom and Jerry, what type of animal is Jerry?

a) Bird
b) Cat
c) Dog
d) Mouse

Question 524: History & Government -- Disappearing Ponies

What device's invention was the main reason for the demise of the Pony Express?

a) Radio
b) Telegraph
c) Telephone
d) Train

Question 525: Math & Science -- Tell Me Where It Hurts

What part of the body does pneumonia affect?

a) Brain
b) Heart
c) Kidneys
d) Lungs

Question 526: Geography & Nature -- Peak Pre-1959 Peak

What is the highest peak in the 48 contiguous U.S. states?

a) Mount Elbert
b) Mount Rainier
c) Mount Whitney
d) Pikes Peak

Question 527: Literature & Arts -- Magnificent Menagerie

What playwright's The Glass Menagerie appeared on Broadway and was made into three movies?

a) Arthur Miller
b) David Mamet
c) Noel Coward
d) Tennessee Williams

Question 528: Sports & Games -- Winter Home

What was the first U.S. city to host the Winter Olympics?

a) Denver
b) Lake Placid
c) Salt Lake City
d) Squaw Valley

General Trivia Answers #517-522

Answer 517: Entertainment & Food -- Burger Burg

c) Miami, Florida

McLamore started Insta Burger King on March 1 and joined with Edgerton three months later. They dropped the "Insta" in 1957.

Answer 518: History & Government -- Custer's Bluster

a) Montana

Not realizing that his men were greatly outnumbered, the Lieutenant Colonel instigated the Battle of the Little Big Horn that led to the annihilation of the 7th Cavalry in 1876.

Answer 519: Math & Science -- Dream Discovery

b) Benzene

The German chemist envisioned the aromatic, carcinogenic hydrocarbon's ring arrangement.

Answer 520: Geography & Nature -- Potato Place

c) Topeka

Appropriately, the capital city is now home to a Frito-Lay potato chip-making plant.

Answer 521: Literature & Arts -- Drink to Think

c) F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Minnesota-born novelist was an alcoholic.

Answer 522: Sports & Games -- Still Just a Hill

b) 10 inches

The rubber was lowered by a third from fifteen inches after pitchers dominated the 1968 season.