ROUND 1 - Events of 2026

1.

Who, on 28th January, will become the first female Archbishop of Canterbury?

2.

On 16th May, which city will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?

3.

On 11th June, in which city will the opening match of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup take place?

4.

In November, which space probe will reach a distance of one light day from Earth?  It is already the most distant human-made object from Earth.

5.

Name either of the two European countries which, as well as Greenland (which may or may not still be Danish) and Iceland, will experience a total solar eclipse on 12th August.

6.

In May, a trial date is expected to be set for which man, accused of the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of health insurer United Healthcare?

7.

Which singer’s 'Eternal Sunshine' tour is likely to be the biggest box office live event of 2026?  Her ten-date residency at London’s O2 Arena will be her only European appearance in 2026.

8.

Likely to be one of the highest grossing films of 2026, an adaptation of which ancient epic will be released by Christopher Nolan?

Sp1

What is the codename of NASA’s program to return humans to the moon?  The first flight is likely to launch in the spring, to take four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the moon.

Sp2

Which verdict was abolished on 1st January for all new criminal trials in Scotland?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme

1.

What was the nickname of the soap opera character whose most infamous act was the service of divorce papers on Christmas Day?

2.

What is the mock oath or exclamation attributed in literature to pirates, most notably Long John Silver and Popeye?

3.

What was the title of a 1915 silent film depicting the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War and its aftermath? Its depiction of black characters and of the Ku Klux Klan as heroes led to its being described as “the most reprehensibly racist film in Hollywood History”.

4.

Which famously successful investor is known as the Sage of Omaha?  (first name and surname required)

5.

Which branch of mathematics deals with the study of collections of objects?

6.

Which is the southernmost of the Great Lakes, on whose shores lie Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo?

7.

What is the acronym given to the workplace pension scheme created by the Pensions Act 2008?

8.

From 1931 until a few years ago, the Christie Hospital was linked with another organisation, whose name appeared in the title of the combined hospital (“The Christie Hospital and …”).  What was the name of the other organisation?

Sp1

The ruins of a medieval church can be found on top of a hill overlooking Southlake Moore in Somerset, on the site of earlier fortifications sometimes known as King Alfred’s Fort.  What is the name of the hill?

Sp2

Which well-known novelist, who died on 1st January 2025 at the age of 89, had been professor of literature at Birmingham University?  He was best known for his Campus Trilogy, two volumes of which were nominated for the Booker Prize.

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - 'Women with an edge'

1.

Which work by Gershwin contains the lines:

“Methusaleh lived 900 years / But who calls that livin’ / When no gal will give in / To no man who’s 900 years old”?

2.

In 1892, who was acquitted of murdering her parents with an axe?  The killings remained unsolved; the crime gave rise to a well-known rhyme and the story has been the subject of film, radio and TV dramas.

3.

To whom is the quotation: “I used to be Snow White but I drifted”, generally attributed?

4.

Who wrote: “If all the girls at the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised”?

5.

Dorothy Parker also wrote: “I require three things in a man.  He must be handsome, ruthless and ...” what?

6.

In the film Grease, Betty Rizzo laments that she is “lousy with virginity”.  To which Hollywood star does she compare herself?

7.

In the same song, Rizzo dismisses a male Hollywood star because of his lust.  Who?

8.

Which mistress of Charles II dispersed a mob who had mistaken her for the Duchess of Portsmouth, a Catholic, with the words: “Be civil, good people. ’Tis I, the Protestant whore”.

Sp1

Jane Shore was the mistress of which English monarch?

Sp2

It is sometimes claimed that one of Nell Gwynne’s lovers was Charles III.  Explain.

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Presidential Bingo

Pick a number between 1 and 11

1.

Which two capital cities are named after US presidents?

2.

Which two US presidents have served two non consecutive terms?

3.

Which US president also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

4.

Who was the first Roman Catholic US president?

5.

Name three of the four presidents who have won the Nobel peace prize.

6.

Which US president won the Distinguished Flying Cross?

7.

Who was the first US president to be born in the United States?

8.

Which president gave the US government Camp David?

9.

Denali was formerly named after which president?

10.

Who was the fourth US President?

11.

Which US president championed the 'Square deal' domestic policies?

Sp.

Translate, from the Norwegian, the unofficial 2025 motto of the Nobel Committee:

“Alle unntatt Trump”

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Run-ons

Definite and indefinite articles may be ignored - first names and surnames required in all answers

1.

Comedy science fiction film starring Tim Allen, Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver, spoofing Star Trek and its attendant Trekkies,

&

long-running TV quiz whose first participants, in 1970, included David Vine, Henry Cooper and Cliff Morgan.

2.

Book by Jessica Mitford about abuses in the funeral home industry in the USA,

&

black comedy film starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, winner of an Oscar for best visual effects.

3.

Youngest-ever mayor of New York, sworn into office on 1st January 2026,

&

stage name of a female impersonator, hugely famous in the 1960s, who died in 2009.

4.

Natural polymer secreted by insects onto trees, where it is harvested by scraping, once used to make 78-rpm records,

&

opera by Delibes which includes the song used by British Airways in advertisements since 1984.

5.

Belgian musician and inventor in the 1840s of a musical instrument which has since achieved some popularity,

&

royal house of which Queen Victoria’s consort was a member.

6.

Current girlfriend of a former prime minister of Canada,

&

fictional lawyer played on TV by Raymond Burr.

7.

British comic strip and series of novels about a young female adventurer who with her sidekick Willie has given up a life of crime to pursue various villains, often unofficially on behalf of the British Secret Intelligence Service,

&

current, and first female, chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service.

8.

1944 musical, starring Judy Garland, whose numbers include the song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,

&

French film director, winner in 1956 of an Oscar for best documentary whose first American production was Pretty Baby, starring Brooke Shields.

Sp.

Title of song and 13th album by Neil Diamond, released in 1979 - the album also including a version of I’m a Believer,

&

the only person ever to have been convicted, in 1933, of an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.  (first name and surname required)

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

What is the title of the theme song for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre, recorded by Sam Smith?

2.

In Monty Python and the Holy Grail, who said “’Tis but a scratch”?

3.

For what 2017 biopic did Gary Oldman win the Best Actor Oscar?

4.

“I pictured a rainbow / You held it in your hands” is the opening line of what song by The Waterboys?

5.

What duo, comprising CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse, achieved a UK number one hit in 2005 with Crazy?

6.

Which feature in Private Eye magazine showcases examples of pretentious or overly elaborate writing?

7.

The Somalis and the Afar are the two largest ethnic groups in which African country?

8.

In Greek mythology, who is the mother of the nine Muses?

Sp1

What Arctic bird is also known as a snow chicken because its feathers turn white in winter?

Sp2

The manna eaten by the Israelites in the wilderness is described as having the colour of what myrrh-like resin?

Sp3

What song, a no. 12 hit in 1971, was the only UK hit for the pop group St Cecilia?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Masked characters

1.

Wade Wilson’s mask conceals his disfigured appearance.  How is he otherwise known?

2.

Superheroine Kate Kane is known by what other name?

3.

Who played the lead in Batman Forever?

4.

Who played the lead in Batman Returns?

5.

Barry Allen conceals his identity as “the fastest man alive”.  How is his character otherwise known?

6.

In which 1994 film is Stanley Ipkiss the main character?

7.

Which character, who featured in McDonald’s advertising from 1971 to the early 2000s, made a brief comeback in 2015?

8.

What is the first name of The Phantom of the Opera?

Sp1

Which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle wears a purple mask?

Sp2

Who won The Masked Singer UK in 2025?

Sp3

How was John Reid, a hugely popular character on US TV from 1949 to 1957 and first seen on UK TV in 1956, better known?

Sp4

Don Diego de la Vega is the true identity of which fictional character?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Something for Everyone

Each question has two clues, one on classical and one on popular music - the answer is the word they have in common.

For questions 4 to 8 either of the titles may be given instead of the word in common.

1.

In the singular, the movement of Holst’s Planets Suite in which the orchestra is joined by an offstage female chorus,

&

In the plural, the duo in which Pharrell Williams made his name.

2.

 In the singular, nickname of Haydn’s Symphony Number 101,

&

In the plural, song by Coldplay, single on their A Rush of Blood to the Head album, which begins: “The lights go out and I can’t be saved / Tides that I tried to swim against”.

3.

City, nickname of Mozart’s Symphony Number 38,

&

In 1986, all that satirical indie band Half Man Half Biscuit wanted for Christmas was the away kit of a now defunct football team from this city.

4.

1727 sacred oratorio by Bach, his second setting of the Passion,

&

1966 single by Cat Stevens telling the story of the titular company and its exploitation of its timid workers.

5.

Opera by Puccini which includes The Humming Chorus,

&

2015 album by Kendrick Lamar which contains the singles The Blacker the Berry and King Kunta and was ranked 19th on Rolling Stones Greatest Albums of All Time list of 2020.

6.

1900 work for soloists, chorus and orchestra by Elgar, with text by John Henry Newman,

&

Band which, despite being a bunch of southern softies, had a 1985 hit with Life in a Northern Town.

7.

March written by Walton for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation,

&

English electronic duo best known for their 1990 single Little Fluffy Clouds.

8.

1921 satirical opera by Prokofiev telling the story of a hypochondriac prince,

&

Song by R.E.M. from their album Green which refers to a defoliant used in the Vietnam War.

Sp1

Occasionally-used nickname of Beethoven’s Symphony Number 5, the short-short-short-long motif at the start being characterised as this concept’s knocking at the door,

&

The last word of the title of the Bob Dylan song which begins: “They sat together in the park, as the evening sky grew dark, she looked at him and he felt a spark”.

Sp2

Work for soloists, chorus and orchestra by Britten, written for the consecration of Coventry Cathedral in 1962,

&

Third album by U2, containing the singles New Year’s Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Events of 2026

1.

Who, on 28th January, will become the first female Archbishop of Canterbury?

Sarah Mullally

2.

On 16th May, which city will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?

Vienna

3.

On 11th June, in which city will the opening match of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup take place?

Mexico City

4.

In November, which space probe will reach a distance of one light day from Earth?  It is already the most distant human-made object from Earth.

Voyager

(One)

5.

Name either of the two European countries which, as well as Greenland (which may or may not still be Danish) and Iceland, will experience a total solar eclipse on 12th August.

Spain or Portugal

6.

In May, a trial date is expected to be set for which man, accused of the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of health insurer United Healthcare?

Luigi Mangione

7.

Which singer’s 'Eternal Sunshine' tour is likely to be the biggest box office live event of 2026?  Her ten-date residency at London’s O2 Arena will be her only European appearance in 2026.

Ariana Grande

8.

Likely to be one of the highest grossing films of 2026, an adaptation of which ancient epic will be released by Christopher Nolan?

The Odyssey

Sp1

What is the codename of NASA’s program to return humans to the moon?  The first flight is likely to launch in the spring, to take four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the moon.

Artemis

Sp2

Which verdict was abolished on 1st January for all new criminal trials in Scotland?

Not proven

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme

1.

What was the nickname of the soap opera character whose most infamous act was the service of divorce papers on Christmas Day?

Dirty Den

2.

What is the mock oath or exclamation attributed in literature to pirates, most notably Long John Silver and Popeye?

'Shiver me timbers'

3.

What was the title of a 1915 silent film depicting the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War and its aftermath? Its depiction of black characters and of the Ku Klux Klan as heroes led to its being described as “the most reprehensibly racist film in Hollywood History”.

The Birth of a Nation

4.

Which famously successful investor is known as the Sage of Omaha?  (first name and surname required)

Warren Buffett

5.

Which branch of mathematics deals with the study of collections of objects?

Set theory

6.

Which is the southernmost of the Great Lakes, on whose shores lie Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo?

Erie

7.

What is the acronym given to the workplace pension scheme created by the Pensions Act 2008?

NEST

(National Employment Savings Trust)

8.

From 1931 until a few years ago, the Christie Hospital was linked with another organisation, whose name appeared in the title of the combined hospital (“The Christie Hospital and …”).  What was the name of the other organisation?

Holt Radium Institute

Sp1

The ruins of a medieval church can be found on top of a hill overlooking Southlake Moore in Somerset, on the site of earlier fortifications sometimes known as King Alfred’s Fort.  What is the name of the hill?

Burrow Mump

Sp2

Which well-known novelist, who died on 1st January 2025 at the age of 89, had been professor of literature at Birmingham University?  He was best known for his Campus Trilogy, two volumes of which were nominated for the Booker Prize.

David Lodge

Theme: Each answer contains the name of an animal lair ...

Den, warren, earth, sett, eyrie, hive, nest, holt, burrow and lodge

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - 'Women with an edge'

1.

Which work by Gershwin contains the lines:

“Methusaleh lived 900 years / But who calls that livin’ / When no gal will give in / To no man who’s 900 years old”?

Porgy and Bess

2.

In 1892, who was acquitted of murdering her parents with an axe?  The killings remained unsolved; the crime gave rise to a well-known rhyme and the story has been the subject of film, radio and TV dramas.

Lizzie Borden

("…took an axe / And gave her mother forty whacks. / When she saw what she had done / She gave her father forty-one")

3.

To whom is the quotation: “I used to be Snow White but I drifted”, generally attributed?

Mae West

4.

Who wrote: “If all the girls at the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised”?

Dorothy Parker

5.

Dorothy Parker also wrote: “I require three things in a man.  He must be handsome, ruthless and ...” what?

"Stupid"

6.

In the film Grease, Betty Rizzo laments that she is “lousy with virginity”.  To which Hollywood star does she compare herself?

Sandra Dee

7.

In the same song, Rizzo dismisses a male Hollywood star because of his lust.  Who?

Troy Donahue

8.

Which mistress of Charles II dispersed a mob who had mistaken her for the Duchess of Portsmouth, a Catholic, with the words: “Be civil, good people. ’Tis I, the Protestant whore”.

Nell Gwynn

Sp1

Jane Shore was the mistress of which English monarch?

Edward IV

Sp2

It is sometimes claimed that one of Nell Gwynne’s lovers was Charles III.  Explain.

She had three notable lovers called Charles, of which King Charles II was the third

(the others were Charles Hart, an actor, and Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset)

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Presidential Bingo

Pick a number between 1 and 11

1.

Which two capital cities are named after US presidents?

Washington and Monrovia

(do not accept Trumpton)

2.

Which two US presidents have served two non consecutive terms?

Donald Trump and Grover Cleveland

3.

Which US president also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

William Taft

4.

Who was the first Roman Catholic US president?

John F Kennedy

5.

Name three of the four presidents who have won the Nobel peace prize.

(three from)

Obama, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter

6.

Which US president won the Distinguished Flying Cross?

George H W Bush

7.

Who was the first US president to be born in the United States?

Martin van Buren

8.

Which president gave the US government Camp David?

Eisenhower

9.

Denali was formerly named after which president?

McKinley

10.

Who was the fourth US President?

James Madison

11.

Which US president championed the 'Square deal' domestic policies?

Teddy Roosevelt

Sp.

Translate, from the Norwegian, the unofficial 2025 motto of the Nobel Committee:

“Alle unntatt Trump”

"Anybody except Trump"

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Run-ons

Definite and indefinite articles may be ignored - first names and surnames required in all answers

1.

Comedy science fiction film starring Tim Allen, Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver, spoofing Star Trek and its attendant Trekkies,

&

long-running TV quiz whose first participants, in 1970, included David Vine, Henry Cooper and Cliff Morgan.

Galaxy Quest

&

(A) Question of Sport

2.

Book by Jessica Mitford about abuses in the funeral home industry in the USA,

&

black comedy film starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, winner of an Oscar for best visual effects.

The American Way of Death

&

Death Becomes Her

3.

Youngest-ever mayor of New York, sworn into office on 1st January 2026,

&

stage name of a female impersonator, hugely famous in the 1960s, who died in 2009.

Zohran Mamdani

&

Danny La Rue

4.

Natural polymer secreted by insects onto trees, where it is harvested by scraping, once used to make 78-rpm records,

&

opera by Delibes which includes the song used by British Airways in advertisements since 1984.

Shellac

&

Lakme (the Flower Duet)

5.

Belgian musician and inventor in the 1840s of a musical instrument which has since achieved some popularity,

&

royal house of which Queen Victoria’s consort was a member.

Adolphe Sax

&

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

6.

Current girlfriend of a former prime minister of Canada,

&

fictional lawyer played on TV by Raymond Burr.

Katy Perry

&

Perry Mason

7.

British comic strip and series of novels about a young female adventurer who with her sidekick Willie has given up a life of crime to pursue various villains, often unofficially on behalf of the British Secret Intelligence Service,

&

current, and first female, chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service.

Modesty Blaise

&

Blaise Metreweli

8.

1944 musical, starring Judy Garland, whose numbers include the song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,

&

French film director, winner in 1956 of an Oscar for best documentary whose first American production was Pretty Baby, starring Brooke Shields.

Meet Me in St Louis

&

Louis Malle

Sp.

Title of song and 13th album by Neil Diamond, released in 1979 - the album also including a version of I’m a Believer,

&

the only person ever to have been convicted, in 1933, of an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.  (first name and surname required)

September Morn

&

Maundy Gregory

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

What is the title of the theme song for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre, recorded by Sam Smith?

Writing’s On The Wall

2.

In Monty Python and the Holy Grail, who said “’Tis but a scratch”?

The Black Knight

3.

For what 2017 biopic did Gary Oldman win the Best Actor Oscar?

The Darkest Hour

4.

“I pictured a rainbow / You held it in your hands” is the opening line of what song by The Waterboys?

The Whole Of The Moon

5.

What duo, comprising CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse, achieved a UK number one hit in 2005 with Crazy?

Gnarls Barkley

6.

Which feature in Private Eye magazine showcases examples of pretentious or overly elaborate writing?

Pseud's Corner

7.

The Somalis and the Afar are the two largest ethnic groups in which African country?

Djibouti

8.

In Greek mythology, who is the mother of the nine Muses?

Mnemosyne

Sp1

What Arctic bird is also known as a snow chicken because its feathers turn white in winter?

Ptarmigan

Sp2

The manna eaten by the Israelites in the wilderness is described as having the colour of what myrrh-like resin?

Bdellium

Sp3

What song, a no. 12 hit in 1971, was the only UK hit for the pop group St Cecilia?

Leap Up And Down

(Wave Your Knickers In The Air)

Theme: Each answer contains a word with a silent letter

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Masked characters

1.

Wade Wilson’s mask conceals his disfigured appearance.  How is he otherwise known?

Deadpool

2.

Superheroine Kate Kane is known by what other name?

Batwoman

3.

Who played the lead in Batman Forever?

Val Kilmer

4.

Who played the lead in Batman Returns?

Michael Keaton

5.

Barry Allen conceals his identity as “the fastest man alive”.  How is his character otherwise known?

The Flash

6.

In which 1994 film is Stanley Ipkiss the main character?

The Mask

7.

Which character, who featured in McDonald’s advertising from 1971 to the early 2000s, made a brief comeback in 2015?

Hamburglar

8.

What is the first name of The Phantom of the Opera?

Erik

Sp1

Which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle wears a purple mask?

Donatello

Sp2

Who won The Masked Singer UK in 2025?

Samantha Barks

(as Pufferfish)

Sp3

How was John Reid, a hugely popular character on US TV from 1949 to 1957 and first seen on UK TV in 1956, better known?

The Lone Ranger

Sp4

Don Diego de la Vega is the true identity of which fictional character?

Zorro

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Something for Everyone

Each question has two clues, one on classical and one on popular music - the answer is the word they have in common.

1.

In the singular, the movement of Holst’s Planets Suite in which the orchestra is joined by an offstage female chorus,

&

In the plural, the duo in which Pharrell Williams made his name.

Neptune(s)

2.

 In the singular, nickname of Haydn’s Symphony Number 101,

&

In the plural, song by Coldplay, single on their A Rush of Blood to the Head album, which begins: “The lights go out and I can’t be saved / Tides that I tried to swim against”.

Clock(s)

3.

City, nickname of Mozart’s Symphony Number 38,

&

In 1986, all that satirical indie band Half Man Half Biscuit wanted for Christmas was the away kit of a now defunct football team from this city.

Prague

(the HMHB song was All I Want for Christmas is a Dukla Prague Away Kit)

4.

1727 sacred oratorio by Bach, his second setting of the Passion,

&

1966 single by Cat Stevens telling the story of the titular company and its exploitation of its timid workers.

Matthew or

St Matthew Passion or

Matthew and Son

5.

Opera by Puccini which includes The Humming Chorus,

&

2015 album by Kendrick Lamar which contains the singles The Blacker the Berry and King Kunta and was ranked 19th on Rolling Stones Greatest Albums of All Time list of 2020.

Butterfly or

Madame Butterfly or

To Pimp a Butterfly

6.

1900 work for soloists, chorus and orchestra by Elgar, with text by John Henry Newman,

&

Band which, despite being a bunch of southern softies, had a 1985 hit with Life in a Northern Town.

Dream or

The Dream of Gerontius or

The Dream Academy

7.

March written by Walton for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation,

&

English electronic duo best known for their 1990 single Little Fluffy Clouds.

Orb or

Orb and Sceptre or

The Orb

8.

1921 satirical opera by Prokofiev telling the story of a hypochondriac prince,

&

Song by R.E.M. from their album Green which refers to a defoliant used in the Vietnam War.

Orange or

The Love of Three Oranges or

Orange Crush

Sp1

Occasionally-used nickname of Beethoven’s Symphony Number 5, the short-short-short-long motif at the start being characterised as this concept’s knocking at the door,

&

The last word of the title of the Bob Dylan song which begins: “They sat together in the park, as the evening sky grew dark, she looked at him and he felt a spark”.

Fate

(the Dylan song is A Simple Twist of Fate)

Sp2

Work for soloists, chorus and orchestra by Britten, written for the consecration of Coventry Cathedral in 1962,

&

Third album by U2, containing the singles New Year’s Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday.

War

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers