Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - July 26
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What word for a tying goal in soccer was also a TV character played by Edward Woodward? The Equalizer
2. By area, what's the largest landlocked U.S. state? Montana
3. Currently, the most popular names for British baby boys and girls both begin with the same four letters and are both characters in Shakespearean comedies--As You Like It and Twelfth Night, respectively. What are they? Twelfth Night ---> Olivia, Oliver
4. What nation's largest cruise ship collided with and sank the Andrea Doria in 1956? US? UK?
5. What African primate, closely related to the baboon, is often called the world's most colorful mammal? mandrill?
6. Who's the only actor that played one of the gang of boys in both The Goonies and Stand By Me? Choose from among Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and the other kid. I think River Phoenix was a Goonie.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these albums? Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not, The Beatles' Abbey Road, David Bowie's Young Americans, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, Keith Richards's Talk Is Cheap, Frank Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours, The Smiths' Louder than Bombs, Van Halen's 1984. Thank you, wikipedia. Cigarettes on the album cover.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What name is shared by the animal companions of both Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist and Woody in the Toy Story film? One menaces orphans, the other performs daring frontier rescues. But both are named Bullseye. Also the name of a famous putter by Acushnet. I used one for many years. Still have it.
2. What kind of grain are Cheerios made from? The 'O' originally stood for "oats." correct
3. How many men are raising the flag over Iwo Jima in the famed news photo? Six. The oft-repeated story that the Iwo Jima memorial sculpture features a miraculous thirteenth hand (God's?) is in fact an urban legend. I was within 17% of the correct answer
4. In March, who replaced Justin Bieber ("Baby") as the singer of YouTube's most-disliked video ever? Yet another addition to Rebecca Black's already-impressive musical resume! correct
5. What sport's number 7 player is referred to as the scrum-half? "Scrum" is a rugby term. However, I'm informed that the scrum-half is only #7 in "rugby league"--in the more common form of the sport, rugby union, the scrum-half is #9. But I'm sure you already knew that, assuming you are not American. I think any answer containing rugby should be credited as correct
6. What specific field is often learned with the help of the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA? That mystical phrase has helped millions of high schoolers remember how to calculate the sine, cosine, and tangent ratios in trigonometry. Maybe I learned trig the hard way. I don't recall this mnenomic. But it does bring back memories.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Arkansas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. These are all the states to have former governors elected to the presidency. (I left out territorial governors like Andrew Jackson in Florida or William Henry Harrison in Indiana.) As a rule, I am kind of tired of presidential trivia. But this is a pretty good question. Alternately could ask the 10 states whose former governors were elected to the presidency. Or ask How many states have had their governors or former governors elected president.
1. What word for a tying goal in soccer was also a TV character played by Edward Woodward? The Equalizer
2. By area, what's the largest landlocked U.S. state? Montana
3. Currently, the most popular names for British baby boys and girls both begin with the same four letters and are both characters in Shakespearean comedies--As You Like It and Twelfth Night, respectively. What are they? Twelfth Night ---> Olivia, Oliver
4. What nation's largest cruise ship collided with and sank the Andrea Doria in 1956? US? UK?
5. What African primate, closely related to the baboon, is often called the world's most colorful mammal? mandrill?
6. Who's the only actor that played one of the gang of boys in both The Goonies and Stand By Me? Choose from among Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and the other kid. I think River Phoenix was a Goonie.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these albums? Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not, The Beatles' Abbey Road, David Bowie's Young Americans, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, Keith Richards's Talk Is Cheap, Frank Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours, The Smiths' Louder than Bombs, Van Halen's 1984. Thank you, wikipedia. Cigarettes on the album cover.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What name is shared by the animal companions of both Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist and Woody in the Toy Story film? One menaces orphans, the other performs daring frontier rescues. But both are named Bullseye. Also the name of a famous putter by Acushnet. I used one for many years. Still have it.
2. What kind of grain are Cheerios made from? The 'O' originally stood for "oats." correct
3. How many men are raising the flag over Iwo Jima in the famed news photo? Six. The oft-repeated story that the Iwo Jima memorial sculpture features a miraculous thirteenth hand (God's?) is in fact an urban legend. I was within 17% of the correct answer
4. In March, who replaced Justin Bieber ("Baby") as the singer of YouTube's most-disliked video ever? Yet another addition to Rebecca Black's already-impressive musical resume! correct
5. What sport's number 7 player is referred to as the scrum-half? "Scrum" is a rugby term. However, I'm informed that the scrum-half is only #7 in "rugby league"--in the more common form of the sport, rugby union, the scrum-half is #9. But I'm sure you already knew that, assuming you are not American. I think any answer containing rugby should be credited as correct
6. What specific field is often learned with the help of the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA? That mystical phrase has helped millions of high schoolers remember how to calculate the sine, cosine, and tangent ratios in trigonometry. Maybe I learned trig the hard way. I don't recall this mnenomic. But it does bring back memories.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Arkansas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. These are all the states to have former governors elected to the presidency. (I left out territorial governors like Andrew Jackson in Florida or William Henry Harrison in Indiana.) As a rule, I am kind of tired of presidential trivia. But this is a pretty good question. Alternately could ask the 10 states whose former governors were elected to the presidency. Or ask How many states have had their governors or former governors elected president.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - July 19
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What name is shared by the animal companions of both Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist and Woody in the Toy Story film? Must be the name of Woody's horse which I do not recall. I could look it up, but that violates the spirit of KJTT, doesn't it.
2. What kind of grain are Cheerios made from? Oats. Oat flour in fact. I eat a lot of Cheerios.
3. How many men are raising the flag over Iwo Jima in the famed news photo? A common question and I can't remember the answer. 5?
4. In March, who replaced Justin Bieber ("Baby") as the singer of YouTube's most-disliked video ever? Rebecca Black
5. What sport's number 7 player is referred to as the scrum-half? scrum --> rugby
6. What specific field is often learned with the help of the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA? no idea, but anatomy or medicine uses a lot of mnemonics
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Arkansas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. I thought of "Technical" schools. I know of Cal Tech, MIT, NJIT, Tennessee Tech, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech. But there is also Oregon Tech and Louisiana Tech.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What musical choice was offered by Doris Day in 1954 and again by ABBA in the first line of their hit "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"? "Love me or leave me." Doris Day and ABBA are apparently not going to take your crap.
2. What did French politician Andre Maginot and shortstop Mario Mendoza both have named for them? They both have namesake lines. I have often dreamed of having a conga line named after me. correct
3. Multiple examples of which of the so-called "six simple machines" can be combined to form a block and tackle? The six simple machines are the level, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, wedge...and pulley. A block and tackle is a series of pulleys. correct. When I read this originally I thought he was looking for multiple machines. It would have been clearer if he had just asked, "which of the so-called "six simple machines" can be combined to form a block and tackle?"
4. Jesus's Twelve Apostles included two pairs of brothers. Name one brother from each pair. The two pairs of brother are Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John. woo hoo!
5. Donna Karan has been called "the Queen of" which New York thoroughfare, also known as "Fashion Avenue"? Seventh Avenue is signed as "Fashion Avenue" through the Garment District. Saks should change its label to to Seventh Avenue. Fifth Avenue is slumming.
6. Who's the only person to have appeared on the face of U.S. paper money who was never eligible to run for president? Alexander Hamilton, on the ten, was born in the Caribbean, and was therefore Constitutionally unable to run for president. Also being killed by Aaron Burr didn't help. this question generated a lot of good discussion. Thanks to all! I learned some interesting facts.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV series? Arrested Development, Batman: The Animated Series, Freaks and Geeks, Laugh-In, The Simpsons, Soap, Solid Gold, The Twilight Zone. Like all my favorite TV shows, these series all featured ventriloquists. "No, they didn't." Yes they did. "They didn't." You be quiet. not sure that I like this question since the references cover sitcom characters, variety show skits and a specific Twilight Zone episode.
1. What name is shared by the animal companions of both Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist and Woody in the Toy Story film? Must be the name of Woody's horse which I do not recall. I could look it up, but that violates the spirit of KJTT, doesn't it.
2. What kind of grain are Cheerios made from? Oats. Oat flour in fact. I eat a lot of Cheerios.
3. How many men are raising the flag over Iwo Jima in the famed news photo? A common question and I can't remember the answer. 5?
4. In March, who replaced Justin Bieber ("Baby") as the singer of YouTube's most-disliked video ever? Rebecca Black
5. What sport's number 7 player is referred to as the scrum-half? scrum --> rugby
6. What specific field is often learned with the help of the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA? no idea, but anatomy or medicine uses a lot of mnemonics
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Arkansas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. I thought of "Technical" schools. I know of Cal Tech, MIT, NJIT, Tennessee Tech, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech. But there is also Oregon Tech and Louisiana Tech.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What musical choice was offered by Doris Day in 1954 and again by ABBA in the first line of their hit "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"? "Love me or leave me." Doris Day and ABBA are apparently not going to take your crap.
2. What did French politician Andre Maginot and shortstop Mario Mendoza both have named for them? They both have namesake lines. I have often dreamed of having a conga line named after me. correct
3. Multiple examples of which of the so-called "six simple machines" can be combined to form a block and tackle? The six simple machines are the level, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, wedge...and pulley. A block and tackle is a series of pulleys. correct. When I read this originally I thought he was looking for multiple machines. It would have been clearer if he had just asked, "which of the so-called "six simple machines" can be combined to form a block and tackle?"
4. Jesus's Twelve Apostles included two pairs of brothers. Name one brother from each pair. The two pairs of brother are Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John. woo hoo!
5. Donna Karan has been called "the Queen of" which New York thoroughfare, also known as "Fashion Avenue"? Seventh Avenue is signed as "Fashion Avenue" through the Garment District. Saks should change its label to to Seventh Avenue. Fifth Avenue is slumming.
6. Who's the only person to have appeared on the face of U.S. paper money who was never eligible to run for president? Alexander Hamilton, on the ten, was born in the Caribbean, and was therefore Constitutionally unable to run for president. Also being killed by Aaron Burr didn't help. this question generated a lot of good discussion. Thanks to all! I learned some interesting facts.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV series? Arrested Development, Batman: The Animated Series, Freaks and Geeks, Laugh-In, The Simpsons, Soap, Solid Gold, The Twilight Zone. Like all my favorite TV shows, these series all featured ventriloquists. "No, they didn't." Yes they did. "They didn't." You be quiet. not sure that I like this question since the references cover sitcom characters, variety show skits and a specific Twilight Zone episode.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - July 12
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What musical choice was offered by Doris Day in 1954 and again by ABBA in the first line of their hit "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"? In Que Sera, Doris Day asks her mother "what will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?" She also asks later whether she will have rainbows. I remember this from The Man Who Knew Too Much. Could either be the correct answer?
2. What did French politician Andre Maginot and shortstop Mario Mendoza both have named for them? Lines
3. Multiple examples of which of the so-called "six simple machines" can be combined to form a block and tackle? pulley and lever. A good quiz question would be what are the six simple machines
4. Jesus's Twelve Apostles included two pairs of brothers. Name one brother from each pair. we were just asked almost the exact same question at Pub Quiz. Of course, I don't remember the answer! Shoot. I have a 4 in 12 chance of being right. I'll guess Simon Peter and James.
5. Donna Karan has been called "the Queen of" which New York thoroughfare, also known as "Fashion Avenue"? 5th Avenue
6. Who's the only person to have appeared on the face of U.S. paper money who was never eligible to run for president? trying to think of non-presidents on paper money. Benjamin Franklin - definitely American. Were Alexander Hamilton or Salmon P Chase born outside the US?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV series? Arrested Development, Batman: The Animated Series, Freaks and Geeks, Laugh-In, The Simpsons, Soap, Solid Gold, The Twilight Zone. Some quality tv shows. Not seeing a pattern yet.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Eighty-five percent of the population of the Horn of Africa lives in which of the region's four countries? The Horn of Africa--that pointy bit at right--is made of Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and the one that actually has people: Ethiopia. when I am tired, I confuse Capes and Horns
2. What psychedelic 1960s rock group sometimes performed, due to legal battles over their band name, as The Melvilles? Moby Grape. Get it? Moby? Melville? correct
3. The only two one-word quotes on the AFI's list of 100 movie quotes are from Citizen Kane and The Graduate, respectively. Name them. "Rosebud" and "Plastics." I'm picturing a plastic sled now... correct
4. What was unique about the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 19th-century U.S. army? These cavalry divisions were the first all-black regiments in the peacetime army. The last original Buffalo Soldier died just six years ago, at the impressive age of 111. correct (mostly). I thought that perhaps the Indians were part of the regiment. In fact, the Indians gave the solidiers their name because they fought as fiercely as buffaloes.
5. The "LPG gas" sometimes used to power vehicles is a mixture of what two simple alkanes? "Liquefied petroleum gas" is just a mixture of propane and butane. KJ said "simple alkanes." Methane is the simplest so I just started there.
6. The Potato Sack is a suite of games designed to promote what 2011 video game release? You know what game franchise is surprisingly potato-centric? Portal. This is Portal 2. I still don't understand the connection. Why is Portal potato-centric?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous duos? Hope and Crosby, Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O, Laurel and Hardy, Lunt and Fontanne, Morgan and Stanley, Axl Rose and Slash, John Smith and Pocahontas, Watson and Crick. I thought this would be especially appropriate for the Fourth of July week: these are all partnerships in which one member was American-born and the other British-born. correct!
1. What musical choice was offered by Doris Day in 1954 and again by ABBA in the first line of their hit "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"? In Que Sera, Doris Day asks her mother "what will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?" She also asks later whether she will have rainbows. I remember this from The Man Who Knew Too Much. Could either be the correct answer?
2. What did French politician Andre Maginot and shortstop Mario Mendoza both have named for them? Lines
3. Multiple examples of which of the so-called "six simple machines" can be combined to form a block and tackle? pulley and lever. A good quiz question would be what are the six simple machines
4. Jesus's Twelve Apostles included two pairs of brothers. Name one brother from each pair. we were just asked almost the exact same question at Pub Quiz. Of course, I don't remember the answer! Shoot. I have a 4 in 12 chance of being right. I'll guess Simon Peter and James.
5. Donna Karan has been called "the Queen of" which New York thoroughfare, also known as "Fashion Avenue"? 5th Avenue
6. Who's the only person to have appeared on the face of U.S. paper money who was never eligible to run for president? trying to think of non-presidents on paper money. Benjamin Franklin - definitely American. Were Alexander Hamilton or Salmon P Chase born outside the US?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV series? Arrested Development, Batman: The Animated Series, Freaks and Geeks, Laugh-In, The Simpsons, Soap, Solid Gold, The Twilight Zone. Some quality tv shows. Not seeing a pattern yet.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Eighty-five percent of the population of the Horn of Africa lives in which of the region's four countries? The Horn of Africa--that pointy bit at right--is made of Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and the one that actually has people: Ethiopia. when I am tired, I confuse Capes and Horns
2. What psychedelic 1960s rock group sometimes performed, due to legal battles over their band name, as The Melvilles? Moby Grape. Get it? Moby? Melville? correct
3. The only two one-word quotes on the AFI's list of 100 movie quotes are from Citizen Kane and The Graduate, respectively. Name them. "Rosebud" and "Plastics." I'm picturing a plastic sled now... correct
4. What was unique about the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 19th-century U.S. army? These cavalry divisions were the first all-black regiments in the peacetime army. The last original Buffalo Soldier died just six years ago, at the impressive age of 111. correct (mostly). I thought that perhaps the Indians were part of the regiment. In fact, the Indians gave the solidiers their name because they fought as fiercely as buffaloes.
5. The "LPG gas" sometimes used to power vehicles is a mixture of what two simple alkanes? "Liquefied petroleum gas" is just a mixture of propane and butane. KJ said "simple alkanes." Methane is the simplest so I just started there.
6. The Potato Sack is a suite of games designed to promote what 2011 video game release? You know what game franchise is surprisingly potato-centric? Portal. This is Portal 2. I still don't understand the connection. Why is Portal potato-centric?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous duos? Hope and Crosby, Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O, Laurel and Hardy, Lunt and Fontanne, Morgan and Stanley, Axl Rose and Slash, John Smith and Pocahontas, Watson and Crick. I thought this would be especially appropriate for the Fourth of July week: these are all partnerships in which one member was American-born and the other British-born. correct!
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - July 5
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. Eighty-five percent of the population of the Horn of Africa lives in which of the region's four countries? South Africa
2. What psychedelic 1960s rock group sometimes performed, due to legal battles over their band name, as The Melvilles? Psychedelic? Melvilles --> Moby Dick --> Moby Grape
3. The only two one-word quotes on the AFI's list of 100 movie quotes are from Citizen Kane and The Graduate, respectively. Name them. Rosebud and Plastics
4. What was unique about the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 19th-century U.S. army? I think they were all black. Or were they Indians? or both?
5. The "LPG gas" sometimes used to power vehicles is a mixture of what two simple alkanes? methane and ethane. I guess propane is a possibility
6. The Potato Sack is a suite of games designed to promote what 2011 video game release? I know nothing about video games. LA Noire is the only recent release I have heard of.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous duos? Hope and Crosby, Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O, Laurel and Hardy, Lunt and Fontanne, Morgan and Stanley, Axl Rose and Slash, John Smith and Pocahontas, Watson and Crick. This one is pretty easy. One of the pair was born in the US and the other in Britain.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What NBA team was the last stop in the careers of both Pete Maravich and Shaquille O'Neal? The Boston Celtics were the elephant graveyard of Shaq and co. correct
2. What cancelled historical event, to have been led by Captain Richard F. Gordon, has lent its name to a They Might Be Giants album and an upcoming horror film? Apollo 18 was cancelled due to lack of funding--or, if you believe the trailer for the forthcoming horror movie, due to aliens or ghosts or alien ghosts or something. correct
3. In the U.S., what are selected via "voir dire"? "Voir dire" comes from the Latin for "to tell the truth," and the terms has come to refer to the process of jury selection. correct.
4. What large U.S. metropolitan area deposits 90% of its human burials in above-ground vaults, a higher percentage than any other world city? These are the famous "cities of the dead" in New Orleans, Louisiana--though, contrary to popular belief, the practice is more attributable to the traditions of the city's French and Spanish founders than flooding issues. correct
5. What involuntary movement of the orbicularis oculi muscle do adult humans perform over 15,000 times per day? You blink a lot. Unless you are Sir Michael Caine. (YouTube it if you don't know what I'm talking about.) correct
6. What TV and movie actor published the memoir Just One More Thing: Stories from My Life in 2006? "Just one more thing" was the Columbo-era catchphrase of the late great Peter Falk. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these historical figures? Julius Caesar, Thomas Chatterton, Cleopatra, James Cook, Lady Jane Grey, Leonardo da Vinci, Jean-Paul Marat, Montezuma, Horatio Nelson, Socrates. All these people's deaths were depicted in famous paintings. You could also add Elvis, I guess, if you count the "King Is Dead" acrylic canvas I produced in my 10th-grade art class. Brad nailed it. Nice job!
1. Eighty-five percent of the population of the Horn of Africa lives in which of the region's four countries? South Africa
2. What psychedelic 1960s rock group sometimes performed, due to legal battles over their band name, as The Melvilles? Psychedelic? Melvilles --> Moby Dick --> Moby Grape
3. The only two one-word quotes on the AFI's list of 100 movie quotes are from Citizen Kane and The Graduate, respectively. Name them. Rosebud and Plastics
4. What was unique about the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 19th-century U.S. army? I think they were all black. Or were they Indians? or both?
5. The "LPG gas" sometimes used to power vehicles is a mixture of what two simple alkanes? methane and ethane. I guess propane is a possibility
6. The Potato Sack is a suite of games designed to promote what 2011 video game release? I know nothing about video games. LA Noire is the only recent release I have heard of.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous duos? Hope and Crosby, Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O, Laurel and Hardy, Lunt and Fontanne, Morgan and Stanley, Axl Rose and Slash, John Smith and Pocahontas, Watson and Crick. This one is pretty easy. One of the pair was born in the US and the other in Britain.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What NBA team was the last stop in the careers of both Pete Maravich and Shaquille O'Neal? The Boston Celtics were the elephant graveyard of Shaq and co. correct
2. What cancelled historical event, to have been led by Captain Richard F. Gordon, has lent its name to a They Might Be Giants album and an upcoming horror film? Apollo 18 was cancelled due to lack of funding--or, if you believe the trailer for the forthcoming horror movie, due to aliens or ghosts or alien ghosts or something. correct
3. In the U.S., what are selected via "voir dire"? "Voir dire" comes from the Latin for "to tell the truth," and the terms has come to refer to the process of jury selection. correct.
4. What large U.S. metropolitan area deposits 90% of its human burials in above-ground vaults, a higher percentage than any other world city? These are the famous "cities of the dead" in New Orleans, Louisiana--though, contrary to popular belief, the practice is more attributable to the traditions of the city's French and Spanish founders than flooding issues. correct
5. What involuntary movement of the orbicularis oculi muscle do adult humans perform over 15,000 times per day? You blink a lot. Unless you are Sir Michael Caine. (YouTube it if you don't know what I'm talking about.) correct
6. What TV and movie actor published the memoir Just One More Thing: Stories from My Life in 2006? "Just one more thing" was the Columbo-era catchphrase of the late great Peter Falk. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these historical figures? Julius Caesar, Thomas Chatterton, Cleopatra, James Cook, Lady Jane Grey, Leonardo da Vinci, Jean-Paul Marat, Montezuma, Horatio Nelson, Socrates. All these people's deaths were depicted in famous paintings. You could also add Elvis, I guess, if you count the "King Is Dead" acrylic canvas I produced in my 10th-grade art class. Brad nailed it. Nice job!
