General Knowledge 27

Question 1

Who lived at 263 Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, which is now a museum?

Answer 1

Anne Frank (and her family)

The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.

Question 2

Eamon de Valera and Erskine Childers were Presidents of which country?

Answer 2

Ireland

Both Eamon de Valera and Erskine Childers served as Presidents of Ireland.

Question 3

Which animal takes its name from the Greek for ‘river-horse’?

Answer 3

Hippopotamus

The name ‘hippopotamus’ is derived from the Greek words ‘hippos’ (horse) and ‘potamos’ (river).

Question 4

True or False? In his 2009 autobiography, tennis legend Andre Agassi revealed that he did not eat any fruit or vegetables for over nine months in 1986.

Answer 4

False

Agassi’s autobiography recounts various aspects of his life, including his diet.

Question 5

Name any five first names mentioned in the title of Roald Dahl novels.

Answer 5

James, Charlie, Danny, George, Matilda

Other names include Henry and Oswald.

Question 6

Which branch of maths derives its name from the Ancient Greek for ‘earth measure’?

Answer 6

Geometry

Geometry is concerned with the properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces, and solids.

Question 7

Complete the baby-holding trio: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and … who?

Answer 7

Ted Danson

Steve Guttenberg

They starred together in the film ‘Three Men and a Baby’.

Question 8

What is the currency of Denmark?

Answer 8

Krone

The Danish krone is abbreviated as DKK.

Question 9

Which notoriously weak footballing nation describes itself as ‘The Most Serene Republic’ and claims to be the oldest republic in the world?

Answer 9

San Marino

San Marino is a landlocked enclave surrounded by Italy.

Question 10

Name any five national capital cities which have just four letters in their name.

Answer 10

Apia, Baku, Bern, Dili, Kyiv

Other four-letter capitals include Lima, Lomé, Malé, Oslo, Riga, Rome, Suva.

Question 11

The leader of an orchestra plays which instrument?

Answer 11

Violin

The conductor may also be a violinist, but the term generally refers to the orchestral leader.

Question 12

At Starbucks, which size of drink comes above Tall and Grande?

Answer 12

Venti

Starbucks drink sizes in increasing order are Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta.

Question 13

Omaha is the largest city in which US state, whose name is also the title of a Bruce Springsteen album?

Answer 13

Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen’s album ‘Nebraska’ was released in 1982.

Question 14

Whose only world title fight victory was against Oliver McCall for the WBC Heavyweight Title on 2nd September 1995?

Answer 14

Frank Bruno

Frank Bruno is a British former professional boxer.

Question 15

Russia, Canada, China and the USA are the four biggest independent countries in the world in terms of area. Name any five of the next six.

Answer 15

Brazil, Australia, India, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Algeria

These countries follow the top four in terms of land area.

Question 16

Which arts centre in London shares its name with a term for a fortified outpost or gateway?

Answer 16

Barbican

The Barbican Centre is a prominent arts venue in London.

Question 17

Who was the Democrat challenger defeated by George W Bush when he won his first US presidential election?

Answer 17

Al Gore

Al Gore was the Vice President under Bill Clinton before running for president.

Question 18

After which explorer is Venice’s main international airport named?

Answer 18

Marco Polo

Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and explorer.

Question 19

What links ‘revenge’ and the Spanish soup gazpacho?

Answer 19

It is a dish best served cold

This phrase suggests that revenge is more satisfying when delayed.

Question 20

Name the four teenagers who travelled with Scooby-Doo.

Answer 20

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy

These characters are known for solving mysteries alongside Scooby-Doo.

Question 21

What colour is the neutral wire in a modern British plug?

Answer 21

Blue

The neutral wire in a UK electrical system is blue, while the live wire is brown.

Question 22

On ‘Blind Date’, as presented by Cilla Black, what was the first name of the man who did the voiceover summaries of each contestant?

Answer 22

(Our) Graham

Graham was the voiceover artist for the show.

Question 23

Who said in 2007: ‘I have a lot of good moments, but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan’?

Answer 23

Eric Cantona

Cantona is a former French footballer known for his controversial moments.

Question 24

Who replaced the injured Marvin Berry on guitar at the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance at Hill Valley High School in 1955?

Answer 24

Marty McFly

This event is from the film ‘Back to the Future’.

Question 25

Name any five independent countries whose normal English name ends in the letter R.

Answer 25

Ecuador, El Salvador, Madagascar, Niger, Qatar ## Footnote Also includes East Timor and Myanmar.