ROUND 1 - 'Ooh la la'

All the questions are about France although with foreign influences

1.

What is the name of George Simenon’s Parisian detective who appeared in 75 novels?  Forename is required.

2.

In which 1967 British film, loosely based on a novel by Baroness Orczy, do the characters Citizen Camembert, Duc de Pommfrit and the Black Fingernail appear?

3.

4.

How is the literary character Edmond Dantes better known?

5.

The first UK number 1 hit in French was in 1969.  Who were the two singers?

6.

The Parisian detective Auguste Dupin first appeared in an 1843 short story widely considered the first detective fiction story.  Written by an American author, what is the name of the story?

7.

Which Russian citizen portrayed The Count of Monte Cristo in a TV series in 1998 and Maigret in a 2022 film?

8.

The only French language top 10 punk/new wave UK hit (as far as we know) was Ca Plane Pour Moi. Who was the Belgian singer?

Sp.

Which 1980s British sitcom was a parody of the TV series Secret Army?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Top to tail or 'chained'

You’ll get the idea

1.

C’était un rendez-vous is a short film about a reckless drive to meet a woman in which city?

2.

 Paris is the name of the wife of which heavyweight boxer?

3.

Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion in 2015.  Wladimir Klitscko’s brother Vitali has been mayor of which city since 2014?

4.

Kyiv stands on which river?

5.

The Dnieper is the fourth longest river in Europe.  Of the nine longest European rivers only one flows wholly outside Russia.  Which river?

6.

The northernmost point of the Danube is which Bavarian city?

7.

The Perpetual Diet of Regensburg sat for 143 years from 1643 until it was indirectly dissolved by whom?

8.

Napoleon is buried where?  Be precise with your answer.

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Paired

1.

Originally written as a screenplay, which 2005 novel by Cormac McCarthy is set around the US – Mexico border in 1980?

2.

A radio guidance system for torpedoes invented during the early years of World War II used technology which was the direct forerunner of that which is used today for secure wireless networking such as Bluetooth.  The inventors were the American avant-garde composer George Antheil and an Austrian/American film star of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.  Who?

3.

The original Die Hard film was based on a 1979 novel by the author Roderick Thorp which was a sequel to his earlier work of 1966.  The 1966 book had been made into a film and because of this 20th Century Fox were contractually obliged to offer the role of John McClane to the actor who had starred in the earlier film.  Thankfully he declined the role due to his age (he was 70 at the time). Who was the major world star, not only known as an actor, who decided not to take the role?

4.

Which author set much of his work in the fictional Yoknapataapha County in Mississippi?

5.

We’re all familiar with smart watches that can alert you to problems with your heart among other capabilities.  The world’s first wrist-worn heart monitor which paved the way for modern electrocardiogram technology was invented in 1952 by a film star who was a member of a family troupe for four years at the start of their screen careers.  Who?

6.

In the 1960s Frank Sinatra lobbied very hard to play a role in a cult TV series but his lobbying was in vain as another actor had already been cast.  The role in question has subsequently been played on film by several of the world’s biggest film stars.  What was the role?

7.

Which author set much of his work in the non fictional neighbourhood of Weequahic in Newark, New Jersey?

8.

Alongside the development of a film, a novel of the same name as the film was written collaboratively by the film’s director and Arthur C Clarke though the novel was published under Clarke’s name only.  What was the title of the novel and film?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Paired

There are some soundalikes

1.

What name links a member of the Cabinet, a former Manchester City manager and an actor dubbed ‘Britain’s thirstiest Thespian’?

2.

What name links a member of the cabinet, a former Manchester City manager and an actor best known for a series set in Surbiton?

3.

Which band was formed in 1982 as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem? They achieved rather more success after naming themselves after a cooking ingredient.  They’ve now sold over 120 million albums.

4.

Which band was formed in 1968 as The Polka Tulk Blues Band?  They achieved rather more success after naming themselves after a 1963 Boris Karloff film.  They’ve now sold over 75 million albums.

5.

Violins were traditionally made from two types of wood.  Name either of them.

6.

Baseball bats were traditionally made from which type of wood?

7.

Which is the only Metrolink station whose full name is also that of a person?

8.

Two city Centre Metrolink stations have closed since the system was introduced in 1992.  Name either of them.

Sp1

In 1997 who became the first overseas manager to win the FA Cup?

Sp2

Which three boroughs of Greater Manchester currently have no Metrolink stations?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - 'Classical links'

Each question requires a single word answer which connects the first part of the question (always about classical music/opera) with the second part

All words are English, often in translation - usual caveats i.e. words within words and ignore definite articles

1.

Which word connects a choral work by Elgar and a group whose only Top 20 hit was Life in a Northern Town?

2.

Which word connects an opera by Britten, based on a story by Henry James, and a mechanical device for lifting water?

3.

Which word connects an opera by Wagner and a series of films and books by Stephenie Meyer?

4.

Which word connects a requiem by Brahms and a BBC Shipping Forecast Area in the North Sea?

5.

Which bird connects a tone poem by Sibelius and a Nilotic structure approximately 900 km from Cairo and 1200km from Khartoum?

6.

Which biblical name connects an opera by Saint-Saens and a poem by Milton?

7.

Which name connects an opera by Verdi and a board game, patented in 1971, played with 64 pieces?

8.

Which word connects an opera by Stravinsky inspired by William Hogarth and an English folk singer who committed suicide in 1974 at the age of 26?  His sister, Gabrielle, managed the Crossroads motel from 1985 to 1987.

Sp.

Which fish connects an opera by Britten and a bricklaying pattern?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'Living in the city'

Paired questions about cities

1.

Which are the only two UK cities to have been European Capital of Culture?

2.

In addition to Dublin which two Irish cities have been European Capital of Culture?

3.

The films Vertigo, The Conversation and Basic Instinct are set in which city?

4.

The films The Blues Brothers, Home Alone and My Big Fat Greek Wedding are set in which city?

5.

Which city is next in this sequence: Istanbul, London, Munich …..?

6.

Which city is next in this sequence: Liverpool, Malmo, Basel …..?

7.

In which city were the first Paralympic Games held?

8.

In which city was the first Super Bowl held?

Sp1

Which was the first city in the world to have a population of over 10 million?  It achieved this milestone in 1950.

Sp2

In which city was Martin Luther King assassinated?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - 'What's in a name' - pairs

1.

It originated in Kansas and is thought to have been twice as detrimental to humankind as the global event which immediately preceded it.  By what name do we know it?

2.

These originated in the Andes region. They may have acquired the name by which they are known from a stop on their route to Europe, or from a corruption of a place name some distance from the Andes.  What are they?

3.

 The name of this item first came into use in the late 17th century, due to the nationality of its pre-eminent early manufacturers.  The more sophisticated version we know today was developed in a country neighbouring the one for which it is named.  What is it?

4.

Named for the nationality of the three scientists who first described it in the mid 18th century or perhaps due to its similarity to previously identified conditions, how do we know it today?

5.

This is native to central North America.  The name by which we know it probably derives from a corruption of the Italian word for the species to which it is related.  What is it?

6.

Invented in a Manhattan bar in 1941 this has been renamed in some quarters since February 2022 for a place around 470 miles distant.  What is it?

7.

This originates from Central America.  Its only connection to the name it bears is a supposed resemblance to a signature item from that place.  What is it?

8.

Originating in Ecuador but suffering from poor sales there, demand for this item picked up elsewhere when travellers to the California Gold Rush started buying it in numbers.  What is it?

Sp.

This very successful product was invented in Germany in 1892 as a variation of something devised in America ten or so years earlier.  The name by which we know it was dreamed up as a marketing scheme in 1928 by the Pressman brothers.  What is it?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Pairs

1.

Name either male cyclist to have won each of the Grand Tour events at least twice.

2.

Three British Prime Ministers have won a majority of seats in the House of Commons at four general elections.  Gladstone was one, name either of the other two.

3.

 The 1856 US Presidential election is the most recent instance of a Democrat nominee succeeding an incumbent Democrat President.  Name either the candidate or the incumbent.

4.

The Victoria Cross and bar (i.e. being awarded the VC twice) has been given to three people.  Two of the awards were given to British Army surgeons.  What was the nationality of the only combatant soldier to receive the Victoria Cross twice?  He wasn’t British and he won the two medals within fifteen months, first at Crete in May 1941 and then at El Alamein in July 1942.

5.

United States 3,095, Soviet Union 1,204, Great Britain 1,014 are the top three in a list of what?

6.

Name either male golfer to have won each major championship at least twice.

7.

The George Cross has been awarded collectively (i.e. not to an individual) three times.  One was to the island of Malta during World War II.  Name either of the other recipients.

8.

United States 425, United Kingdom 144, Germany 116 are the top three in a list of what?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - 'Ooh la la'

All the questions are about France although with foreign influences

1.

What is the name of George Simenon’s Parisian detective who appeared in 75 novels?  Forename is required.

Jules Maigret

2.

In which 1967 British film, loosely based on a novel by Baroness Orczy, do the characters Citizen Camembert, Duc de Pommfrit and the Black Fingernail appear?

Carry On Don’t Lose Your Head

3.

The Rebel

4.

How is the literary character Edmond Dantes better known?

The Count of Monte Cristo

5.

The first UK number 1 hit in French was in 1969.  Who were the two singers?

Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin

(Je t’aime...moi non plus)

6.

The Parisian detective Auguste Dupin first appeared in an 1843 short story widely considered the first detective fiction story.  Written by an American author, what is the name of the story?

The Murders in the Rue Morgue

(by Edgar Allan Poe)

7.

Which Russian citizen portrayed The Count of Monte Cristo in a TV series in 1998 and Maigret in a 2022 film?

Gerard Depardieu

8.

The only French language top 10 punk/new wave UK hit (as far as we know) was Ca Plane Pour Moi. Who was the Belgian singer?

Plastic Bertrand

(Blondie did do a French language version of Denis)

Sp.

Which 1980s British sitcom was a parody of the TV series Secret Army?

‘Allo ‘Allo

ROUND 2 - Top to tail or 'chained'

You’ll get the idea

1.

C’était un rendez-vous is a short film about a reckless drive to meet a woman in which city?

Paris

2.

 Paris is the name of the wife of which heavyweight boxer?

Tyson Fury

3.

Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion in 2015.  Wladimir Klitscko’s brother Vitali has been mayor of which city since 2014?

Kyiv

4.

Kyiv stands on which river?

Dnieper

5.

The Dnieper is the fourth longest river in Europe.  Of the nine longest European rivers only one flows wholly outside Russia.  Which river?

The Danube

6.

The northernmost point of the Danube is which Bavarian city?

Regensburg

7.

The Perpetual Diet of Regensburg sat for 143 years from 1643 until it was indirectly dissolved by whom?

Napoleon

8.

Napoleon is buried where?  Be precise with your answer.

Les Invalides, Paris

(QM: Do not accept just Paris as the answer)

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Paired

1.

Originally written as a screenplay, which 2005 novel by Cormac McCarthy is set around the US – Mexico border in 1980?

No Country for Old Men

2.

A radio guidance system for torpedoes invented during the early years of World War II used technology which was the direct forerunner of that which is used today for secure wireless networking such as Bluetooth.  The inventors were the American avant-garde composer George Antheil and an Austrian/American film star of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.  Who?

Hedy Lamarr

3.

The original Die Hard film was based on a 1979 novel by the author Roderick Thorp which was a sequel to his earlier work of 1966.  The 1966 book had been made into a film and because of this 20th Century Fox were contractually obliged to offer the role of John McClane to the actor who had starred in the earlier film.  Thankfully he declined the role due to his age (he was 70 at the time). Who was the major world star, not only known as an actor, who decided not to take the role?

Frank Sinatra

4.

Which author set much of his work in the fictional Yoknapataapha County in Mississippi?

William Faulkner

5.

We’re all familiar with smart watches that can alert you to problems with your heart among other capabilities.  The world’s first wrist-worn heart monitor which paved the way for modern electrocardiogram technology was invented in 1952 by a film star who was a member of a family troupe for four years at the start of their screen careers.  Who?

Zeppo Marx

6.

In the 1960s Frank Sinatra lobbied very hard to play a role in a cult TV series but his lobbying was in vain as another actor had already been cast.  The role in question has subsequently been played on film by several of the world’s biggest film stars.  What was the role?

The Joker

(in the Batman TV series; Cesar Romero got the part in the TV series and the Joker has been played on film by Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix amongst others)

7.

Which author set much of his work in the non fictional neighbourhood of Weequahic in Newark, New Jersey?

Philip Roth

8.

Alongside the development of a film, a novel of the same name as the film was written collaboratively by the film’s director and Arthur C Clarke though the novel was published under Clarke’s name only.  What was the title of the novel and film?

2001: A Space Odyssey

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Paired

There are some soundalikes

1.

What name links a member of the Cabinet, a former Manchester City manager and an actor dubbed ‘Britain’s thirstiest Thespian’?

Reed

(Steve, Peter and Oliver)

2.

What name links a member of the cabinet, a former Manchester City manager and an actor best known for a series set in Surbiton?

Kendal

(Liz, Howard and Felicity)

3.

Which band was formed in 1982 as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem? They achieved rather more success after naming themselves after a cooking ingredient.  They’ve now sold over 120 million albums.

The Red Hot Chilli Peppers

4.

Which band was formed in 1968 as The Polka Tulk Blues Band?  They achieved rather more success after naming themselves after a 1963 Boris Karloff film.  They’ve now sold over 75 million albums.

Black Sabbath

5.

Violins were traditionally made from two types of wood.  Name either of them.

Spruce (the front) or

Maple (back, sides and neck)

6.

Baseball bats were traditionally made from which type of wood?

Ash

7.

Which is the only Metrolink station whose full name is also that of a person?

Abraham Moss

(Note to QM: don’t accept St Peter’s Square or St
Werburgh’s Road)

8.

Two city Centre Metrolink stations have closed since the system was introduced in 1992.  Name either of them.

High Street

(closed in 1998) or

Mosely Street

(closed in 2013)

Sp1

In 1997 who became the first overseas manager to win the FA Cup?

Ruud Gullitt

(with Chelsea)
 

Sp2

Which three boroughs of Greater Manchester currently have no Metrolink stations?

Bolton, Wigan and Stockport

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - 'Classical links'

Each question requires a single word answer which connects the first part of the question (always about classical music/opera) with the second part

All words are English, often in translation - usual caveats i.e. words within words and ignore definite articles

1.

Which word connects a choral work by Elgar and a group whose only Top 20 hit was Life in a Northern Town?

Dream

(Dream of Gerontius and Dream Academy)

2.

Which word connects an opera by Britten, based on a story by Henry James, and a mechanical device for lifting water?

Screw

(Turn of the Screw and Archimedes screw)

3.

Which word connects an opera by Wagner and a series of films and books by Stephenie Meyer?

Twilight

(Twilight of the Gods or Gotterdammerung and Twilight)

4.

Which word connects a requiem by Brahms and a BBC Shipping Forecast Area in the North Sea?

German

(German Requiem and German Bight)

5.

Which bird connects a tone poem by Sibelius and a Nilotic structure approximately 900 km from Cairo and 1200km from Khartoum?

Swan

(Swan of Tuonela and Aswan Dam)

6.

Which biblical name connects an opera by Saint-Saens and a poem by Milton?

Samson

(Samson and Delilah and Samson Agonistes)

7.

Which name connects an opera by Verdi and a board game, patented in 1971, played with 64 pieces?

Othello

8.

Which word connects an opera by Stravinsky inspired by William Hogarth and an English folk singer who committed suicide in 1974 at the age of 26?  His sister, Gabrielle, managed the Crossroads motel from 1985 to 1987.

Rake

(Rake’s Progress and Nick Drake)

Sp.

Which fish connects an opera by Britten and a bricklaying pattern?

Herring

(Albert Herring and herringbone)

o back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'Living in the city'

Paired questions about cities

1.

Which are the only two UK cities to have been European Capital of Culture?

Glasgow (in 1990) and

Liverpool (in 2008)

2.

In addition to Dublin which two Irish cities have been European Capital of Culture?

Cork (in 2005) and

Galway (in 2020)

3.

The films Vertigo, The Conversation and Basic Instinct are set in which city?

San Francisco

4.

The films The Blues Brothers, Home Alone and My Big Fat Greek Wedding are set in which city?

Chicago

5.

Which city is next in this sequence: Istanbul, London, Munich …..?

Budapest

(host cities of the Champions League final)

6.

Which city is next in this sequence: Liverpool, Malmo, Basel …..?

Vienna

(host cities of the Eurovision Song Contest)

7.

In which city were the first Paralympic Games held?

Rome (in 1960)

8.

In which city was the first Super Bowl held?

Los Angeles (in 1967)

Sp1

Which was the first city in the world to have a population of over 10 million?  It achieved this milestone in 1950.

New York

Sp2

In which city was Martin Luther King assassinated?

Memphis

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - 'What's in a name' - pairs

1.

It originated in Kansas and is thought to have been twice as detrimental to humankind as the global event which immediately preceded it.  By what name do we know it?

Spanish flu

2.

These originated in the Andes region. They may have acquired the name by which they are known from a stop on their route to Europe, or from a corruption of a place name some distance from the Andes.  What are they?

Guinea pigs

(not from the Guinea coin which they predate by at least ten years)

3.

 The name of this item first came into use in the late 17th century, due to the nationality of its pre-eminent early manufacturers.  The more sophisticated version we know today was developed in a country neighbouring the one for which it is named.  What is it?

French horn

(which originated in Germany)

4.

Named for the nationality of the three scientists who first described it in the mid 18th century or perhaps due to its similarity to previously identified conditions, how do we know it today?

German Measles

5.

This is native to central North America.  The name by which we know it probably derives from a corruption of the Italian word for the species to which it is related.  What is it?

Jerusalem artichoke

(from 'girasole' the Italian for sunflower to which it is related)

6.

Invented in a Manhattan bar in 1941 this has been renamed in some quarters since February 2022 for a place around 470 miles distant.  What is it?

Moscow mule

(now named a Kyiv mule by some)

7.

This originates from Central America.  Its only connection to the name it bears is a supposed resemblance to a signature item from that place.  What is it?

Scotch bonnet

8.

Originating in Ecuador but suffering from poor sales there, demand for this item picked up elsewhere when travellers to the California Gold Rush started buying it in numbers.  What is it?

Panama hat

(the prospectors travelled through Panama on their way to California)

Sp.

This very successful product was invented in Germany in 1892 as a variation of something devised in America ten or so years earlier.  The name by which we know it was dreamed up as a marketing scheme in 1928 by the Pressman brothers.  What is it?

Chinese Checkers

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Pairs

1.

Name either male cyclist to have won each of the Grand Tour events at least twice.

Bernard Hinault or

Alberto Contador

2.

Three British Prime Ministers have won a majority of seats in the House of Commons at four general elections.  Gladstone was one, name either of the other two.

Robert Walpole

(1722, 1727, 1734 and 1741) or

Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

(1812,1818, 1820 and 1826

N.B.Harold Wilson did not win an overall majority in February 1974.

3.

 The 1856 US Presidential election is the most recent instance of a Democrat nominee succeeding an incumbent Democrat President.  Name either the candidate or the incumbent.

James Buchanan succeeded

Franklin Pierce

4.

The Victoria Cross and bar (i.e. being awarded the VC twice) has been given to three people.  Two of the awards were given to British Army surgeons.  What was the nationality of the only combatant soldier to receive the Victoria Cross twice?  He wasn’t British and he won the two medals within fifteen months, first at Crete in May 1941 and then at El Alamein in July 1942.

New Zealander

Captain Charles Upham (VC & Bar)

5.

United States 3,095, Soviet Union 1,204, Great Britain 1,014 are the top three in a list of what?

Olympic medals won

(Summer and Winter Olympics combined)

6.

Name either male golfer to have won each major championship at least twice.

Jack Nicklaus or

Tiger Woods

7.

The George Cross has been awarded collectively (i.e. not to an individual) three times.  One was to the island of Malta during World War II.  Name either of the other recipients.

NHS

(post Covid) or

Royal Ulster Constabulary

(in 2000 - feel free to raise an eyebrow at that)

8.

United States 425, United Kingdom 144, Germany 116 are the top three in a list of what?

Nobel Laureates by nationality

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers