A Mixed Bag

A Mixed Bag #1 - It's only natural

1. On which continent would you possibly get a shock from an electric eel? 

2. From which part of the tree is cinnamon obtained? 

3. How does the flamingo get its colour?

4. Sometimes called a “thrip”, what is it – an insect, fish or reptile? 

5. Which grain is used to make semolina?

6. In addition to the emu, which other flightless bird is native to Australia?

7. We call it a “ladybird”, what do the Americans call it? 

8. What sort of fruit is a “Mirabelle” – pear, peach or plum?

9. Besides the giraffe itself, which other animal is a member of the giraffe family? 

10. Which extinct creature’s name is the Portugese for “stupid”?

A Mixed Bag #2 - Hatched, matched and despatched! 

1. Paddy Ashdown, Joanna Lumley and Spike Milligan were all born in which country? 

2. Which composer wrote “The marriage of Figaro”? 

3. Who were the stars of the animated film “A matter of loaf and death”? 

4. Which US President is the first to have been born in a hospital – Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan? 

5. In 2011, Nancy Shevell became the third wife of which musician?

6. According to the proverb, “Nothing is certain but death and....” what?

7. Which 1966 film was based on the story of Joy and George Adamson?

8. How many of Henry VIII’s wives outlived him?

9. Which soul-singer was tragically killed by his father in 1984, at the age of 44? 

10. In which film did Tom Cruise play the part of Ron Kovic? 

A Mixed Bag #3 - Gone to the dogs!

1. Which group had a hit in 2000 with “Who let the dogs out”? 

2. In the Peanuts cartoons, what breed of dog is Snoopy?

3. The only public footpath under the Thames links the Isle of Dogs with where – Bermondsey, Deptford or Greenwich? 

4. From 700 AD to 1797, which city was ruled by a Chief Magistrate called a Doge?

5. A factory manufacturing which brand of toys was opened in Swansea in 1956 and closed 27 years later?

6. In which famous 1901 novel does the murderer, whilst fleeing pursuit, stumble into Dartmoor’s Grimpen Mire bog and is drowned?

7. First held in 1717, the annual Doggett’s Coat and Badge race is believed to be the world’s oldest continuous competitive race – is it held on a river, a running track or a racecourse?

8. The brightest star in the night sky is called the Dog Star – what is its proper name?

9. What specifically connects the original 1974 film “The taking of Pelham 123” with the 1992 film “Reservoir dogs”?

10. In which UK city is there a memorial to a Skye Terrier named Greyfriars Bobby, who guarded his master’s grave from 1858 to 1872?

A Mixed Bag #4 - Take your pick

1. Which City is the capital of Nevada – Cody, Custer or Carson? 

2. Who was originally offered the role of Del Boy in “Only fools and horses” –Bernard Cribbins, Robert Lindsey or Jim Broadbent?

3. When did the UK first have a referendum on leaving the EEC – 1975, ’85 or ’95? 

4. Which large animal sweats the colour red – a Cape buffalo, Elephant seal or Hippopotamus? 

5. In the 1970s, what did Fred Smith, founder of Fedex, do to prevent the company going bankrupt – gamble the company’s last $5,000 at Las Vegas, sell a body organ on the black market or hold a fundraiser?

6. How many noggins in a pint – 2,3 or 4? 

7. Which country has more lakes than the rest of the world combined – Canada, Finland or Russia?

8. The Harvey Wallbanger cocktail is named after Tom Harvey, a star in which sport – surfing, volleyball or skiing?

9. Which of these ran for Mayor of Detroit in 1989 – Jerry Springer, Stevie Wonder or Jay Leno?

10. Which of these Japanese car companies was formerly known as Datsun – Subaru, Mazda or Nissan?

A Mixed Bag #5 - It's a fair cop! 

1.  Which produced the famous Keystone Cops silent movies? 

2. Which ex-policeman, a World Champion, was a regular player on the Pot Black TV snooker series? 

3. In which decade were the famous Bow Street Runners formed, 1740s, ‘50s or ‘60s? 

4. In which film does Matt Damon play a corrupt policeman in the pay of gangster Jack Nicholson?

5. Which dreaded wartime security unit were known by a shortened version of their full title “Secret State Police” 

6. Which organisation, the world’s second largest, has its headquarters in the  French city of Lyon?

7. In which famous book do the Thought Police play a role?

8. How many times did Herbert Lom play Police Commissioner Dreyfus in the Pink Panther comedy series, 5, 6 or 7?

9. Where in particular would you find a “Master at Arms” in charge of law and order?

10. Inspector Aberline, played on film by both Michael Caine and Johnny Depp, was the real-life policeman involved in which infamous 19th century crime?

A Mixed Bag #6 - Night and Day

1. Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel is one of the main characters in which Frederick Forsyth novel? 

2. Aubergine, bell peppers, white potatoes, paprika and cayenne are all members of which food family?  

3. Born with the surname Kapelhoff, by which name is this legendary US actress/singer better known?

4. What was the name of the villain in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” film franchise?

5. “Flit on cheering angel” is an appropriate anagram of which historic Briton’s name? 

6. Who won the Decathlon Olympic Gold medal in both 1980 and 1984 and broke the world record for the event four times? 

7. Which group recorded albums called “A day at the races” and “A night at the opera”?

8. Celebrated annually in the USA and Canada on 2nd February, what supposedly predicts the arrival of Spring? 

9. President Roosevelt is often misquoted as saying “a day that will live in infamy” in a speech he made on December 8th 1941. What was he talking about?

10. In the legend of King Arthur, which knight was the illegitimate son of Sir Lancelot?

A Mixed Bag #7 - Myths and Legends

1. Reportedly alive and well and living in the American wilderness, how is Sasquatch better known?

2. On December 5th1852, Captain Briggs and his crew of which ship disappeared?

3. In Irish folklore, the wailing of which female spirit is said to predict imminent death?

4. Who, in the popular 1930s song based on folk myth, “with her head tucked underneath her arm, walks the Bloody Tower”? 

5. According to legend, Wild Bill Hickock was killed whilst playing poker and was holding a hand of “aces and eights”, two black aces and two black eights. What is the popular name for this? 

6. The feathers of which bird, due to popular belief, when brought into a house will cause bad luck? 

7. Which nightmare creature of legend is known in France as “loupe garou”? 

8. According to 19th century gossip, Prince Albert Victor was one of the suspects in which famous criminal investigation? 

9. Which of these legendary lines was actually said on film by the named actor – “You dirty rat” – James Cagney, “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do”-John Wayne or “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” – Marlon Brando? 

10. On July 22nd 1933, whilst out driving, George Spicer and his wife reportedly witnessed the first modern sighting of which famous creature?

A Mixed Bag #8 - The Natural World

1. Which mineral is the main source of aluminium? 

2. The Maine Coon is a breed of which animal?

3. Solanine is a poison found in which common food – potatoes, kidney beans or tomatoes? 

4. The sea wasp is another name for which dangerous marine creature?

5. Wild chinchillas are native to which continent?

6. The name of which grape, used in wine-making, is thought to come from the French for “blackbird”? 

7. Which creature has the largest eye in the animal kingdom – the giant squid, ostrich or blue whale?

8. What is the more common name for the plant “belladonna”?

9. What is the largest bird of prey found in the UK? 

10. What are mined in the South Australian town of Coober Pedy?

A Mixed Bag #9 - Food and Drink

1. Which brand of bread derives its name from the Latin for “man’s strength”?

2. In 1923, Frank Epperson left a glass of lemonade with a spoon in it on his bedroom window-sill on a very cold night – leading to the invention of what?

3. Which snack food was created in Sarasota Springs, New York on August 24th 1853 – potato crisps, pot noodle or pork scratchings?

4. Dating from 1777, the British brewer Bass has the world’s oldest patented what?

5. In 1887 Daniel Peter developed the original formula for milk chocolate and sold it to his neighbour Henri. What was Henri’s surname?

6. Which popular drink was originally advertised as an “Esteemed Brain Tonic and Intellectual Beverage”?

7. Which of these was produced first - Kit-Kat, Bounty or Crunchie?

8. What colour top do bottles of unpasteurised milk have?

9. How is Maria Smith, who emigrated to Australia in the 19th century and established a successful fruit farm in NSW, better known today? 

10. How are fizzy wines, other than champagne, described?

A Mixed Bag #10 - Colour it in

1. “A study in scarlet” was the first book to feature which famous literary character? 

2. During times of national emergency, what name is given to the fire engines used by the army? 

3. “Before the year Dot” is the autobiography of which veteran British actress?

4. The Black Prince was the eldest son of which English king? 

5. Which sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia? 

6. The term “Whitechapel” is used in which sport?

7. In which decade was the children’s TV programme “Blue Peter” first shown?

8. The 1968 UK hit “Fire”, awarded a gold disc for over a million sales, was recorded by “The Crazy World of”... who? 

9. Which highly successful novel by EL James was published in June 2011? 

10. Which spice is traditionally used to dye cloth a bright yellow? 

A Mixed Bag #11 - Auf Wiedersehen Pet!

1. Which popular author wrote the children’s book “The cat in the hat”? 

2. Adam Faith played the title character in which popular ‘70s TV series?

3. In slang money terms, how many pounds make a pony? 

4. What first name did Walt Disney originally have in mind for Mickey Mouse? 

5. Defeating Jimmy White, who won the World Snooker Championship in 1991?

6. What more familiar surname did Samuel Goldfish legally adopt in 1916?

7. Published in 1990, which pet features in a Roald Dahl book about a shy old man trying to win the love of his neighbour who lives below him? 

8. What connects a major business district in East London, the old West’s Calamity Jane and Las Palmas?

9. In the Sun newspaper’s most infamous headline of March 13th 1986, which famous entertainer was accused of what horrendous act?

10. The brightest star in the Earth’s night sky, how is Sirius better known? 

A Mixed Bag #12 - "X" marks the spot!

1. Which London street is the site of London’s famous “Petticoat Lane” market?

2. Who, in Greek mythology, were Helen of Troy’s twin brothers?

3. Which publication, founded in 1868, contains only adverts?

4. What was the name of Joan Collins’ character in “Dynasty”?

5. The name of which musical instrument translates from the Greek as "wooden voice"?

6. Who do we associate with the phrase “I wanna tell you a story”?

7. What would an American call Perspex?

8. Whose guitar was sold for a then record £198,000 in 1990?

9. Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was supposedly the founder of which organisation, set up in 1865? 

10. Which 1960 film was based on the partitioning of Palestine? 

A Mixed Bag #13 - The good, the bad and the ugly

1. Who wrote the fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling”?

2. Bryan Cranston played drug-dealer Walter White in which acclaimed TV series?

3. The Leadbetters were the long-suffering neighbours in which TV comedy classic? 

4. Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album produced a record how many Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles – 3, 5 or 7? 

5. What historic political accord was reached in Northern Ireland on 10th April 1998?

6. Tony Blair once played in a band called what? 

7. In the TV series “The Sopranos”, what was the name of the strip club run by Silvio Dante?

8. Which international sporting event, held for the first time in Moscow in 1986, was set up in response to boycotts of the Olympic Games? 

9. Which comic-strip character is famous for the phrase “Good grief”?

10. Who, when told he was drunk, reportedly replied “Yes madam, and you are ugly but in the morning I will be sober”?

A Mixed Bag #14 - "Happy Easter!"

1. Fill in the blank- Because of the variability in the dates when it is celebrated, Easter is known as the “…….” Feast? 

2. Which US composer wrote the ballad “Easter Parade”?

3. The first commercial chocolate Easter Egg was produced in 1873, by which company – Cadbury’s, Fry’s or McIntosh? 

4. In the UK, what tradition is carried out every year by the reigning monarch on the Thursday before Good Friday? 

5. In which year did the Easter Rising in Dublin occur?

6. In the United States, how many states recognise Good Friday as an official holiday – 12, 22 or 32?

7. Which country is responsible for the administration of Easter Island?

8. Falling between April 22nd and March 25th, the variation in the dates of Easter are governed by what?

9. The practice of painting eggs for Easter originated where – Estonia, Poland or Ukraine?

10. Originally eaten on Mothering Sunday but now an Easter favourite, what do the eleven chocolate balls on a Simnel cake symbolise?

A Mixed Bag #15 - From first to last

1. In which city was the first skyscraper built? 

2. Of which country was King Zog I the last king? 

3. Who became the first female Speaker of the House of Commons? 

4. Which US state was the last to join the Union?

5. The pencil made its first appearance in which year – 1695, 1795 or 1895?

6. Who, traditionally, would use a “last“? 

7. Who, in 1955, scored the first official maximum break in snooker?

8. Worcester was the site of the last battle in which conflict?

9. What first did Kevin Moran of Man. United achieve in the 1985 Cup Final?

10. What was the last thing left in Pandora’s Box after it was opened? 

A Mixed Bag #16 - Play Time

1. Which record gave Cliff Richard his first UK No. 1 in 1959? 

2. Which toy, inspired by exotic dancing, was first marketed in the USA in 1958?

3. What was the name of the British-made vinyl teenage doll, Toy of the Year in 1968,  that disappeared in 1997 after the company was sold? 

4. Company owner Fred Francis developed and first marketed his Formula 1 racing-car based “Scalextric” in which year – 1956, ’60 or ’64? 

5. In 1923, which toy, based on a hunting weapon used in the Philippines, was introduced into the USA by a Filipino hotel bellboy in Santa Monica?

6. The niece of actor Stewart Granger appears regularly to give expert advice on   dolls in which TV programme?

7. Which toy was awarded the first “Toy of the Year” in 1965 – Action man, James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 or Barbie? 

8. Which table-top game, devised in 1947, still has a world-wide appeal where devotees compete in various leagues and knockouts?

9. Designed in 1976 by Xavier Roberts as “Little People”, what name did Coleco use to market the hand-made cloth dolls in 1983? 

10. What was the name of the coloured wax crayons first marketed in 1903 in the USA by the chemical company Binney & Smith? 

A Mixed Bag #17 - Face the Music

1. Which ‘90s group named themselves after a Bernard Cribbins song?

2. Which former F1 World-Champion racing driver once played in a band called “Sex Hitler and the Hormones”?

3. How old was Tom Jones when he first married – 16, 18 or 20? 

4. Which director made a cameo appearance in “The Blues Brothers”?

5. In the mid-‘30s through to the ‘60s, Canadian David C Rockola was one of the last major developers of which boon to the music industry?

6. The song “Summertime” features in which opera? 

7. How old was “The boy named Sue” when his Daddy left home?

8. Name the occupation for each member of the group “Village People”?

9. What were the Christian names of the song-writing team Bacharach and David? 

10. In the newspaper cartoon series Peanuts, what is the name of the little boy who plays the piano?

A Mixed Bag #18 - If the shoe fits! 

1. In order to get home to Kansas, in the film “The wizard of Oz” what did Dorothy have to do with her shoes?

2. Who would wear boots called “mukluks”? 

3. What type of wartime disruptive activity takes its name from the French for “wooden shoe”? 

4. Which type of fastening, in everyday use today, was originally used to secure boots?

5. When, along with her husband, Imelda Marcos was ousted from power in the Philippines, approximately how many pairs of shoes were found in her wardrobes – 560, 1060 or 1560?

6. In which film did the character Rosa Klebb wear a poison-tipped shoe? 

7. The town of Shoeburyness, or Shoebury as it’s sometimes called, is in which county?

8. According to legend, which US Civil War battle started because Confederate troops were searching for supplies, “boots especially”, in a nearby town - Gettysburg, Fredericksburg or Shiloh?

9. A  US singer/guitarist at a gig in the early ‘50s overheard a man making a plea to his dancing partner which gave him the idea for which classic song?

10. A method used by smugglers to hide contraband led to which commonly used word?

A Mixed Bag #19 - Sport for all!

1. What was the name of the horse that collapsed under Dick Francis in the 1956 Grand National?

2. For which game was Wimbledon originally designed as a venue? 

3. Which city hosts the world’s oldest annual Marathon?

4. Former World Chess Champion Bobby Fisher was arrested in 1981 on suspicion of what – kidnapping, forgery or bank robbery?

5. Where were the 1944 Olympic Games supposed to be held? 

6. Which card game features his “heels” and his “nobs”?

7. In which event are the reserve teams called “Goldie” and “Isis”?

8. In which century was the jigsaw puzzle invented-16th,17th or 18th?

9. In which game are un-played pieces gathered in a “boneyard”?

10. Who was accused of tripping an opponent in the 1984 Olympic 5000m race? 

A Mixed Bag #20 - Getting around!

1. Which British comedian, the son of a football scout, rose to fame with his Chatty Man talk-show?

2. Which 1975 UK hit contained the lyrics “They took all the trees and put ‘em in a tree museum, then they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see ‘em”? 

3. What was the title of film-star David Niven’s first volume of his autobiography? 

4. Jack Nicholson’s first big break in acting was in which 1969 cult film? 

5. Which Queen hit single, a double “A” side wIth “Fat bottomed girls” was released in November 1978, reaching No.11 in the UK? 

6. Which Hollies 1966 No.5 UK hit record shares its title with Marilyn Monroe’s first film, released 10 years earlier in 1956? 

7. Which star of the sitcom Friends played the part of the lawyer Robert Kardashian in the 2016 TV drama about OJ Simpson? 

8. How is the singer George Morrison better known? 

9. Who starred as Bertie Wooster in the 1990s TV comedy-drama series “Jeeves and Wooster”?

10. Produced by ELO’s Jeff Lynne, which song surprisingly reached No.5 in the UK charts in August 1975?

A Mixed Bag #21 - What's new?

The word "New" features in each question

1. What was Rik Mayall’s character’s name in the comedy series “The New Statesman”?

2. Name the six US states that make up “New England”? 

3. What was the name of the armed force that was raised by the Parliamentarians in 1645 and disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration?

4. What disaster occurred on May 6th 1937 at Lakehurst, New Jersey?

5. Which film trilogy was filmed in New Zealand?

6. Before it was renamed by the English in 1664, what was New York called?

7. The seven colours in a prism are based on which famous scientist’s mystical belief in the number seven? 

8. Which town in SW Cornwall, England’s largest fishing port, is the southern-most town on the British mainland and was famous in the late 1800s for its art colony?

9. Which king of England was supposedly accidentally killed in a hunting accident in the New Forest in 1100? 

10. Which BBC TV series, aired from 1962 to 1978, was set in the fictional Newtown which was based on Kirkby in Lancashire?

A Mixed Bag #22 - Name the bird

 Each answer contains a bird's name

1. Who plays the outlaw Ben Wade in the 2007 remake of the film 3.10 to Yuma? 

2. Which quiz presenter is nicknamed “Queen of mean”? 

3. Who co-ordinates all the experts’ work in The Repair Shop? 

4. Which South African film star received an Academy Award in 2004 for her role in the 2003 film "Monster"?

5. What was the name of the lawyer played by Gregory Peck in the film “To kill a mocking-bird”?

6. Which 1950s singer/actress shared her surname with her present-day super-star actor nephew? 

7. Buried in one of his creations, which famous 17th century Englishman’s tomb bears the  inscription “Reader, if you seek a monument, look around you”?

8. Equally famous as Miss Brahms, for which other TV character was the actress Wendy Richard most well-known? 

9. In the book “Gulliver’s travels”, what was his Christian name? 

10. Having written and directed it, who starred as the character Andy Stone in the TV hit “The Detectorists”? 

A  Mixed Bag #23 - "Stan and Oli"

Each answer alternately contains "stan" or "oli",  with "stan" in Question 1

1. In the famous novel, what was Lady Chatterley’s first name? 

2. Which word means to formally put an end to a system or practice? 

3. What model car did Steve McQueen drive in the chase scene in “Bullitt”? 

4. Both the world’s largest frog and insect share what name?

5. Which machine was developed to multiply the force used by seamen when pulling ropes?

6. In “Only fools and horses”, what is Trigger’s real name? 

7. Tashkent is the capital of which country?

8. Which of Italy’s four active volcanoes is situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily? 

9. Which name applies specifically to a Latin American cattle ranch? 

10. If you lack good sense or judgement, which word would describe you?

A Mixed Bag #24 - Second to last

The second letter in the answer is the same as the last letter

1. In the mid-1970s, who starred as Sergeant Suzanne “Pepper” Anderson in the US TV series “Police Woman”? 

2. Which rhythm and blues singer had a number of hits in the 1960s with his band “The Blue Flames” before disbanding in October 1966 to pursue a solo career?

3. On January 14th 1954, which legendary US baseball player married an equally legendary film star, only to be divorced by her less than a year later?

4. Which British actress starred as a variety of characters in TV shows such as The Royle Family, Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, Gavin and Stacey and Benidorm?

5. Which Californian Congressman, once half of a famous ‘60s singing duo, died in a skiing accident at Lake Tahoe on January 5th 1998?

6. In April 1967, which US female singer recorded a duet which still remains the only Father/Daughter duet to reach No.1 in the USA? 

7. Who played the professional thief Neil McCauley in the 1995 crime thriller “Heat”?

8. What is the stage name of the singer born Marie McDonald McLachlan Lawrie in November 1948?

9. From December 1964 to April 1965, which later famous singer in his own right stood in for Brian Wilson as bass player and backing singer with The Beach Boys?

10. Which member of a US acting dynasty, because of her political views, was given the nickname “Hanoi”?

A Mixed Bag #25 - What comes next? 

What is next in the sequence?

1. Hilton, Wilding, Todd, Fisher

2. Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson

3. Denise Welch, Julian Clary, Rylan Clark, Charlotte Crosby

4. Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew

5. Pearl, Coral, Ruby, Sapphire 

6. Gimme!Gimme!Gimme!, As good as new, I have a dream

7. Richard III, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI

8. Quarter, half, one, three, six, twelve 

9. Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan

10. Dr. No, From Russia with love, Goldfinger, Thunderball

A Mixed Bag #26 - Second to last - Part 2 

1. Which word describes being in great need for urgent help?

2. Vinegar is a solution of water and 4% of which acid? 

3. At just 12.2 miles in length, the M55 motorway provides direct access to which UK holiday resort? 

4. Which popular edible item was once called a “love apple”? 

5. Which hormone is produced by the pancreas?

6. Who, in a press conference in 2004 stated “Please don’t call me arrogant but I’m European Champion and I think I’m a special one”? 

7. The name of the capital of which Central American country is the same as that of the country? 

8. What is the River Thames called as it flows through Oxford?

9. Which word originally described a retailer or wholesaler in cloth originally for clothing?

10. Because of its altitude above sea-level, the capital of which US state is nicknamed the “Mile-high city”?

A Mixed Bag #27

1. Which bottled water company used the slogan “L’eau and behold”?

2. Who coined the phrase “the Iron Curtain” to describe the division between Eastern and Western Europe?

3. The first paper hankies, Celluwipes, were given which new name by manufacturer Kimberley-Clark?

4. Which substitute spreadable product was invented in France in 1869 during the Franco-Prussian war to feed the troops and lower classes? 

5. Which two airlines merged to become British Airways?

6. Which famous chain was founded by Richard Block and David Quayle? 

7. An atomic-bomb testing site gave its name to which article of clothing?

8. What is the most enduring and coveted creation of MGM art director Cedric Gibbons? 

9. What links a massive man-made barrier, a 20th century crime-fighter and a household appliance?

10. Which food item is named after an Italian soldier?