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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

QUIZ 33



Q1
It was created in the 1880s by Lunsford Richardson, a Selma, North Carolina pharmacist, as a salve for treating colds and pneumonia. Richardson later moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and began marketing it in the honor of his brother-in-law, Dr. Joshua Vick, a Selma physician. What are we talking about?

Q2
He is a Turkish software engineer. Originally from the Turkish Konya, he obtained a B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering and Information Science from Bilkent University in Ankara, and earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University. His research at Stanford focused on Web search and efficient PDA. He developed his namesake service as an independent project in January 2004. Who?

Q3
Connect: Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, David Beckham, Sir Cliff Richard, Tony Blair, Robbie Williams, Sir Richard Branson (N.B. Besides the fact that they are all Britons) (***GENIUS POINT***)

Q4
It was named by Alexandre Brongniart for the extensive marine limestone exposures of the Jura Mountains, in the region where Germany, France and Switzerland meet. What?

Q5
Joseph Marie François Spoturno began selling essences derived from flowers in Grasse, and then peddled his scents to the barbers of Paris. His genius, however, was in marketing and in recognizing that the bottle made the perfume. He had bottles designed by the great ceramist René Lalique. His first great successes were his Rose Jacqueminot scent, in a bottle by Baccarat, in 1904 and L'Origan in 1905. How Do we know him better as?

Q6 Identify the animal shown in the picture above. (Haven't seen one of those of late.)

ANSWERS

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

QUIZ 32



Q1
In 1964, he failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were sub-par. However, in early 1966, the tests were revised and he was reclassified as 1A. This classification meant he was now eligible for the draft and induction into the U.S. Army. This was especially important because the United States was engaged in the Vietnam War. When notified of this status, he declared that he would refuse to serve in the United States Army and publicly considered himself a conscientious objector. he stated that "War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers." he also famously said in 1966: "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ... They never called me nigger. Identify the person.

Q2
Because of Beijing's air pollution levels, he decided to withdraw from
the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He won the 2008 Berlin
Marathon breaking his own world record (2:03:59). Name him.

Q3
In 1844, 23-year-old Henry , the son of a cattle merchant, emigrated to the United States from Rimpar, Bavaria. He settled in Montgomery, Alabama, where he opened a dry-goods store. In 1847, following the arrival of Emanuel, the firm added "Brothers" to its name. With the arrival of their youngest brother, Mayer, in 1850, the firm changed its name again and the more popular name was established. Its legacy ended on September 15, 2008. Identify the firm.

Q4
The Scottish biologist and pharmacologist noticed a halo of inhibition
of bacterial growth around a contaminant blue-green mold
Staphylococcus plate culture. He concluded that the mold was releasing
a substance that was inhibiting bacterial growth and lysing the
bacteria. He grew a pure culture of the mold and created history. Which
discovery are we talking about?

Q5
Cavi Electrici Affini Torino was founded in Italy by Virginio Bruni Tedeschi. The company's was then taken over by RPG Enterprises in the year 1982. It has an annual turnover of Rs 1,952 crores (US$ 434 million). It exports to over 110 countries across the world. Which company?

Q6
Identify the building shown in the above image. (Hint: It's hard to Believe)

The Early Bird: No Correct Entries

ANSWERS

Monday, September 29, 2008

QUIZ 31



Q1
Little is publicly known of the man's identity or that of the commander of the lead tank. Shortly after the incident, British tabloid the Sunday Express named the man as Wang Weilin, a 19-year-old student; however, the veracity of this claim is dubious. The People's Republic of China government made few statements about the incident or the people involved. In a 1990 interview with Barbara Walters, then-CCP General Secretary Jiang Zemin was asked what became of the man. Jiang replied in English, "I think never killed." Who?

Q2
"Could I forget that the event [Ali Ağca's assassination attempt] in St. Peter’s Square took place on the day and at the hour when the first appearance of the Mother of Christ to the poor little peasants has been remembered for over sixty years at Fátima, Portugal? For in everything that happened to me on that very day, I felt that extraordinary motherly protection and care, which turned out to be stronger than the deadly bullet." Who said this?

Q3
Some of the inventions he theorized included: wall of light, anti-gravity airships, teleportation, time travel, thought photography, Flying Machine (without the use of an airplane engine, wings, ailerons, propellers, or an onboard fuel source). After his death, the FBI was contacted by the War Department, and his papers were declared to be top secret and eventually confiscated. Who?

Q4
Connect: The Mirror Escape, The Milk Can, The Chinese Water Torture Cell, Suspended straitjacket escape, Erik Weisz

Q5
It has since been claimed that acoustic analysis of the recording reveals the presence of the missing "a". A digital audio analysis conducted by Peter Shann Ford, an Australia-based computer programmer, claims that X did, in fact, say "a man", but the "a" was inaudible due to the limitations of communications technology of the time. X has expressed his preference that written quotations include the "a" in parentheses. Identify X.

Q6
Identify the person shown in the above image. (Hint: If he were alive, he would be the owner of NBC.)

The Early Bird: Nikhil Dasgupta, Mumbai

ANSWERS

Friday, September 26, 2008

QUIZ 30



Q1
The idea came to Swiss engineer, George de Mestral one day after returning from a hunting trip with his dog in the Alps. He took a close look at the burrs (seeds) of burdock that kept sticking to his clothes and his dog's fur. He examined them under a microscope, and noted their hundreds of "hooks" that caught on anything with a loop, such as clothing, animal fur, or hair. What did this lead to?

Q2
The first was sent in the United Kingdom on 3 December 1992, from Neil Papworth of Sema Group (now Airwide Solutions) using a personal computer to Richard Jarvis. The contents were two words, "Merry Christmas". What was it?

Q3
Many believe he's the only head of state to use the Internet daily as
a means of communicating with his subjects as well as people outside
the country. The royal site also details royal activities - state
visits, aid to the poor - and some of the East Asian country's modern
history. Name him.

Q4
It was founded in 1248 by William II, Count of Holland, who was
supposed to become Holy Roman Emperor. He started the construction of
a castle in a forest near the sea in Holland, where he intended to
live after his coronation. He died in battle before he could be
crowned. It is now the seat of government, but, somewhat anomalously,
not the capital of the country. What are we talking about?

Q5
In 16th century Europe when peasant homes were commonly thatched, the home was constructed in such a manner that animals could crawl into the thatch and find shelter from the elements, and would fall out during heavy rain. Which phrase did this lead to?

Q6
Leonardo da Vinci is frequently credited with introducing the general principle of _____ _______ in his 1508 Codex of the eye, Manual D, where he described a method of directly altering corneal power by submerging the eye in a bowl of water. FITB.

Q7
She married him in November of 1582 while pregnant with his child. She
was 26 years old when she married, whereas he was only 18. This age
difference and her pregnancy have been used by some historians as
evidence that this was a "shotgun wedding" forced on a reluctant
husband by her family. They also infer that his persistent traveling
suggested an unloving marriage. Three children were born by her:
Susanna in 1583 and Twins Hamnet and Judith in 1585. Who are
we talking about?

Q8
Who is the Greek god of wine?

Q9
It is a medieval book on magic originally attributed to a King. It is sometimes used as a grimoire. It is divided into two books. Book I contains conjurations, invocations and curses to summon and constrain spirits of the dead and demons, forcing them to do the operator's will. It also describes how to find stolen items, become invisible, gain favour and love, and so on. Book II describes various purifications which the operator (termed "exorcist") should undergo, how they should clothe themselves, how the magical implements used in their operations should be constructed, and what animal sacrifices should be made to the spirits. Which book?

Q10
It has been a Eurasian practice at least since Neolithic times. Ötzi the Iceman, dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BC, was found in the Ötz valley in the Alps and had approximately 57 carbon 'ones' consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle. Other mummies bearing them and dating from the end of the second millennium BC have been discovered at Pazyryk on the Ukok Plateau. What are we talking about?

Q11
Identify the person shown in the above image. (Hint: A famous movie has been made and named after her.)

The Early Bird: Vivek, Baroda

ANSWERS

Thursday, September 25, 2008

QUIZ 29



Q1
It was developed in 1946 by Earl Silas (1907-1983) in the USA. He developed plastic containers used in households to contain food and keep it airtight. In 2008, it was ranked #2 on Fortune Magazine’s coveted ‘Most Admired Household Products’ list. Which company/brand?

Q2
It is derived from the long-necked lutes of western Asia. It became a youth phenomenon in western countries in the 60s after Beatle George Harrison took lessons from an Indian and played it in songs including "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," "The Inner Light," "Love You To," and "Within You Without You". Much later, it was also used by heavy metal band Metallica for the intro to "Wherever I May Roam". Which instrument?

Q3
It is the oldest stock exchange in Asia. It was established in 1875. It is also the biggest stock exchange in the world in terms of listed companies. Which stock exchange?

Q4
In 1894 Dr. John Harvey was superintendent of a famous hospital and health spa in Battle Creek, Michigan. His younger brother, Will Keith, was the business manager. The brothers invented many foods that were made from grains which they forced through rollers and rolled into long sheets of dough. One day, after cooking some wheat, the men were called away. When they finally returned, the wheat had become stale. They decided to force the tempered grain through the rollers anyway. Surprisingly, the grain did not come out in long sheets of dough. Instead each wheat berry was flattened and came out as a thin flake. What did they invent?

Q5
He was born to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. His second given name was chosen after then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan, who was his father's favourite actor at the time. He started playing competitive football from the age of 8. His childhood nickname was Kluivert (from Patrick Kluivert). Who?

Q6
ASDA was founded as Associated Dairies & Farm Stores Ltd in 1949 in Leeds. It was bought by a company and now operates as the overseas (UK) version of the company's chain. Which company?

Q7
Although the author writes under a famous pen name, the first book was penned, without the middle initial. Bloomsbury feared that the target audience might be reluctant to buy books written by the opposite sex. It requested that the author use two initials, rather than reveal the first name. As the author had no middle name, the author chose a middle initial, from a paternal relative. Who?

Q8
When it was initially released in 1975, over 67 million Americans went
to see that movie, making it the first-ever summer "blockbuster". It
became the first movie to reach the coveted $100 million mark. Which
movie?

Q9
Name this famous fashion designer cum businessman who knew the art of
publicity to his best. His 1980 ad featuring Brooks Shield (then 15
year old, was paid a staggering $500,000) as the model for his
product, increased sale manyfold. When his daughter was kidnapped,
people thought it was another publicity stunt. Who?

Q10
"I could not continue the same life, the same useless life which I had
for fourteen years." she said in March 1967. In late 1966 she walked
into the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, India, and announced to Ambassador
Chester Bowles her desire to defect to the West. Name her.

Q11
Identify the person shown in the above image.

The Early Bird: No Correct Entries

ANSWERS

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

QUIZ 28



Q1
The game was played widely in ancient India by the name of Moksha Patamu, the earliest known Jain version Gyanbazi dating back to 16th century. The game was called "Leela" - and reflected the Hinduism consciousness around everyday life. Impressed by the ideals behind the game, a newer version was introduced in Victorian England in 1892, possibly by John Jacques of Jacques of London. This game made its way to England, and was eventually introduced in the United States of America by game- pioneer Milton Bradley in 1943. Which game?

Q2
The earliest etymological explanation can be attributed to Geoffrey of Monmouth in Historia Regum Britanniae. The name is described as originating from King Lud, who had allegedly taken over the city and named it Kaerlud. This was slurred into Kaerludein and finally....what?

Q3
Born and raised in Henryville, Indiana, Sanders passed through several professions in his lifetime. Sanders first served his finger-lickin cuisine in 1930 in the midst of the Great Depression at a gas station he owned in North Corbin, Kentucky. The dining area was named "Sanders Court & Café" and was so successful that in 1936 Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon granted Sanders the title of honorary Kentucky Colonel, in recognition of his contribution to the state's cuisine. He later went on to open which chain of restaurants?

Q4
Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born and raised in Pinner, Middlesex in a council house of his maternal grandparents, with whom his newlywed parents (Sheila Eileen (Harris) and Stanley Dwight) were living. When he began to seriously consider a career in music, his father tried to steer him toward a more conventional career such as banking. But, he continued pursuing his career in music and has won five Grammy awards and one Academy Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #49 on their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Who?

Q5
It is a patented predictive technology, developed by Tegic Communications, recently acquired by Nuance Communications. It was used by Texas Instruments PDA Avigo during the late 90s. Its main competitors are iTap, created by Motorola, Zi's eZiText, and SureType, created by RIM. Which technology?

Q6
After completing an apprenticeship to a confectioner in 1876, Milton Snavely founded a candy shop in Philadelphia, which failed six years later. After trying unsuccessfully to manufacture candy in New York, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he founded the Lancaster Caramel Company, whose use of fresh milk in caramels proved successful. In 1900, he sold his caramel company for $1,000,000 and began to concentrate on chocolate manufacturing. In 1903, he began construction of a chocolate plant in his hometown, Derry Church, Pennsylvania, which later came to be known as _________, Pennsylvania. FITB

Q7
An estimated quarter of a million people watch the race live from the banks of the river, around seven to nine million people on TV in the UK, and an overseas audience estimated of around 120 million. The first race was in 1829 and it has been held annually since 1856, with the exception of the two world wars. Members of both teams are traditionally known as blues and each boat as a "Blue Boat". Which race?

Q8
It was the first video game to achieve widespread popularity in both the arcade and home console markets, and it is credited with launching the initial boom in the video game industry. It was a revised version of Magnavox Odyssey's tennis game. Which game?

Q9
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, from a book written by Davy de la Pailleterie, are better known as?

Q10
It is an error in speech or deliberate play on words in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched. It is named after the Reverend William Archibald (1844–1930), Warden of New College, Oxford, who was notoriously prone to this tendency. Eg. Three cheers for our queer old dean.

Q11
Identify the Academy-award and Tony-award winning author, shown in the above image.

The Early Bird: No Correct Entries

ANSWERS

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

QUIZ 27



Q1
It is an English legal charter, originally issued in the year 1215. It was written in Latin. It required the King to proclaim certain rights, respect certain legal procedures and accept that his will could be bound by the law. It explicitly protected certain rights of the King's subjects, whether free or fettered — most notably the writ of habeas corpus, allowing appeal against unlawful imprisonment. It was the most significant early influence on the extensive historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today. What?

Q2
An an early form of the sport was played in ancient Greece. The game was called "Poona" in India during the 18th century, and British Army officers stationed there took a competitive Indian version back to England in the 1860s, where it was played at country houses as an upper class amusement. Which game?

Q3
Leonhard Rauwolf described it as: 'A beverage as black as ink, useful against numerous illnesses, particularly those of the stomach. Its consumers take it in the morning, quite frankly, in a porcelain cup that is passed around and from which each one drinks a cupful. It is composed of water and the fruit from a bush called bunnu.' It became more widely accepted after it was deemed a Christian beverage by Pope Clement VIII in 1600, despite appeals to ban the "Muslim drink". What?

Q4
White Chardonnay, or the black Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier are requirements in order to make......what?

Q5
Name the famous uncle of Morty and Ferdie, who made his first appearance in Plane Crazy (May 15, 1928).

Q6
Rania Al-Yassin was born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents from
Tulkarm. When she was 17, she and her family fled during the Gulf War
to Egypt, where she attended primary and secondary school at New
English School in Kuwait, then earned a degree in Business
Administration from the American University in Cairo. After her
graduation in 1991, she worked at Citibank and Apple Computer in
Cairo, Egypt. How do we better know her as?

Q7
It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also known as The Mother. It is an "experimental" township in Viluppuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India near Puducherry in South India. Paper and coin currency is not used. Residents PT account numbers to connect to their central account. Visitors, however, are requested to get a temporary account. Which township?

Q8
Jacques-Theodule was a French jeweller who ran the London branch. He
was the brother of Louis and Pierre. Louis popularized the wristwatch
whilst Pierre was a one-time owner of the Hope Diamond. What is the
surname of these three brothers?

Q9
Born to Stefano and Paola Maino in Lusiana, a little village 20 km from Vicenza, Italy, she spent her adolescence in Orbassano, a town near Turin being raised in a Roman Catholic family and attending a Catholic school. Her father, a building contractor, and former Fascist soldier, died in 1983. In 1964, she went to study English at The Bell Educational Trust's language school in the city of Cambridge. While enrolled in this certificate course she met her future husband, who was enrolled at the time in Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. She is a devout Roman Catholic. Who?

Q10
The pattern on the butterfly's back in the movie posters is not the natural pattern of the Death's-Head Hawk Moth. It is, in fact, Salvador Dalí's "In Voluptas Mors", a picture of seven naked women made to look like a human skull. Which movie?

Q11
Identify the car brand, whose logo is shown in the above image.

The Early Bird: Murli, Thiruvananthapuram

ANSWERS