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Questions
2016–17 Season
Week

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Specialist Rounds
General Knowledge

2016–17 Season: Week 17 – 14 March 2017

Specialist Rounds

Round 1: Geography

1 What is the state capital of Kentucky?
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2 What is the highest dam in the USA? It was in the news last month when 130,000 people were evacuated over fears that it would collapse.
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3 What is the longest river flowing entirely within one country?
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4 Which country was the world's largest copper producer in 2016?
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5 After Great Britain and Ireland, what is the largest island in the British Isles? Comments on the question
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6 What is the world's largest landlocked country by area?
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7 The Trans–Siberian Railway has connected Moscow with which Pacific port since 1916?
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8 How many of Canada's Provinces or Territories have a border with any of the Great Lakes?
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Supplementaries

S1 What is the name of the rail tunnel through the Alps in Switzerland which opened in 2016? It is the world's longest and deepest traffic tunnel.
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S2 What is the capital of the Scilly Isles?
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Round 2: Arts and Entertainment

'It's all black or white'. Either the question or the answer will contain the word 'black' or white'. As an answer, 'black' or 'white' may be part of a longer word.

1 Which jazz dance gained popularity around 1907 with African Americans in the south of the USA, becoming a national craze through the 1920's?
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2 Marvel Comics' Natasha Romanova is better known as which superhero?
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3 In the BBC sitcom Chef, which aired from 1993 to 1996, what was the name of the lead character, a tyrranical chef played by Lenny Henry?
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4 White Linen perfume is produced by which cosmetics manufacturer?
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5 Who was the first woman to win the Turner Prize?
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6 Which novel by Zadie Smith, published in 2000, focuses on the lives of two wartime friends, Archie Jones and the Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal?
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7 What is the title of Susan Hill's gothic-style novella of 1983, which was adapted successfully for stage and screen?
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8 Which act released the single Ride a White Swan in 1970?
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Supplementaries

S1 Another Way to Die is the theme tune to Quantum of Solace. Who collaborated with Alicia Keys on what was the first Bond music duet?
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S2 Which current US drama series is set in Litchfield Penitentiary, New York?
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Round 3: Sport

1 Chimene Mary Alcott (Chemmy Alcott) was five–times Senior British National Champion in what sport?
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2 The first English manager to lead a team to a FIFA World Cup final was George Raynor in 1958. Which country's team did he manage?
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3 In the 1970s, the World Snooker Championship was twice held in a country outside the UK. Which country? Click for more information
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4 Name the largest sports stadium in Europe. More about the answer
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5 Which team won the men's Rugby Union Champions Cup in 2016, beating the French team Racing 92?
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6 What is the location of the last Greyhound Racing track in London?
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7 Where will the next Winter Olympics be held (in February 2018)? Comments on the question
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8 Which is the host country for this year's Women's Euro Football tournament?
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Supplementaries

S1 In which school was the game of squash invented?
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S2 Jade Clarke of England has recently won a record 130th cap in which sport?
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Round 4: Science

1 The rich, brown pigment sepia is obtained from the ink sac of which sea creature?
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2 For what essential activity does an insect use its spiracles?
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3 Which part of the human body is known as the calcaneus (cal–KAIN–e–us)?
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4 What is the SI base unit for temperature?
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5 Which astronomer discovered four of the moons of Jupiter in 1610?
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6 Which noble gas element gets its name from a Greek word meaning stranger?
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7 What do humans have 52 of in a lifetime? Comments on the question
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8 Name the element common to all acids.
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Supplementaries

S1 What structures of the human body, consisting of three muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus) are responsible for bending the knee? Click for more information
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S2 What is the brightest star in the northern hemisphere? Click for more information
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Round 5: History

1 What was the nickname of WW2 German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel?
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2 The Jacobites raised a toast to "the little gentleman in the black velvet waistcoat". But who or what was he, who caused William the Third's fall from horse and his subsequent death? Click for more information
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3 Founded in 1411, which is the UK's third oldest university (after Oxford and Cambridge)?
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4 Starting in York, the Pilgrimage of Grace was a popular uprising against the religious policies and actions of which English king?
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5 Still remembered in the well–known song, John Brown's Body, John Brown was a political agitator in what cause?
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6 Dating to around 400 to 250 BC and probably the oldest Iron Age gold work ever found in Britain, the discovery of three neck rings and a bracelet near Leek was publicly announced last month. The treasure is now known as the Leekfrith what?
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7 In what year did the Roman Empire finally withdraw from Britain, when Roman Law ceased to apply? Click for more information
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8 Give the surname of the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). He held the post from 1949 to 1963 and his first name was Konrad.
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Supplementaries

S1 What is the UK's oldest distillery? Comments on the question
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S2 Richard the Second was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1400. In 1776, a Westminster School pupil stole what part of his body from his tomb? Click for more information
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Round 6: Rambling On

1 Ordnance Survey triangulation pillars (trig points) are found on UK mountains and hills. In which decade were the first ones installed?
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2 One end of the Pennine Way is at Edale. Where is the other?
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3 Cheryl Strayed was the first woman to walk the Pacific Crest Trail (Mexico to Canada) alone. Which well–known US actress was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for playing her in the 2014 film Wild?
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4 A 2010 film describes the ordeal of Aron Ralston whose arm was trapped by a boulder when he was hiking and canyoneering in Utah. What was the film called?
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5 Which iconic 26 mile mountain trail, walked by thousands of visitors each year, finishes at the Sun Gate?
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6 Name one of the three hills which are climbed during the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge?
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7 The average walking speed is 3 mph. To the nearest whole number of miles per hour, what was the average speed of the winner of the 50 km long–distance walking Gold Medal in the 2016 Olympics?
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8 On current plans, when will the full England Coastal Path be completed?
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Supplementaries

S1 Which UK brand of hiking boots and shoes is named after a 1956 Olympic Gold Medal winner?
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S2 In simple terms, what distinguishes walking from running?
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Round 7: Let's Be Frank About This ...

All questions or answers relate to the name Frank or similar.

1 Who was the frontman of the US band featured in the hit Broadway and West End musical Jersey Boys, who became famous in his own right?
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2 Singer Francesca 'Frankie' Bridge, born in 1989, made it to the Strictly Come Dancing final in 2014. Of which girl band was she a member?
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3 What was the name of Frank and Betty Spencer's daughter in the 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em?
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4 Which English radio and television personality, born in 1920, had a long–standing partnership with Denis Norden, and frequently sported a crisply knotted pink bow–tie?
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5 Which Canadian–born architect's best–known works include the titanium–clad Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles?
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6 Which Irish–American teacher and writer won a Pulitzer Prize for his book Angela's Ashes, a memoir of the misery and squalor of his childhood? A further memoir called 'Tis followed. Click for more information
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7 Which American film director, famous for his dark, gothic, eccentric and quirky fantasy films, directed Frankenweenie in 2012?
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8 Which retired sportsman and children's author, reported by Mensa in 2009 to have an unusually high IQ score, is married to the television presenter Christine Bleakley?
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Supplementaries

S1 What was the second single released by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, in May 1984, following the massive success of Relax?
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S2 Which character's famous words "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" were in response to the question "Where shall I go?"?
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Round 8: Food and Drink (fact and fiction)

1 Who is Sweeney Todd's partner in crime who bakes the flesh of his victims into her pies?
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2 Which distinctly flavoured food ingredient has its own annual festival on the Isle of Wight?
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3 What is the name of the sweet and salty Chinese sauce consisting of soy beans, chillies, garlic, vinegar, five spice and sugar?
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4 Which fictional character subsists on the foul–tasting snozzcumber?
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5 What is Homer Simpson's favourite beer?
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6 In Enid Blyton's Famous Five books, what is their favourite drink? Comments on the question
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7 In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which irresistable treat does the Snow Queen tempt Edmund to eat, thus enslaving him to her?
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8 Which cocktail consists of rye whisky, sweet vermouth and angostura bitters?
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Supplementaries

S1 Which English cheese was invented by Alan & Jenny Gray? Comments on the question
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S2 Napa is a variety of which vegetable?
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General Knowledge

1 Who wrote The History of Mr Polly and The Shape of Things to Come?
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2 What prestigious UK Prize was won in 2016 by Damien Hirst's Newport Street Gallery in London?
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3 Which region of south–west France gives its name to the country's second generic brandy?
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4 Which of Canada's provinces and territories is the largest by land area?
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5 The early 19th Century emigration of Boers from Cape Colony in protest against British policies was known as 'The Great ...' what?
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6 Mr Cellophane and We Both Reached for the Gun are songs from which successful musical, that later became a film?
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7 What is the oldest comic strip in a British newspaper? It first appeared in 1920.
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8 Hinkley Point C, the UK nuclear reactor given the construction go–ahead in 2016, is in which county?
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9 King Camp were the first names of which innovator who developed a best–selling safety razor?
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10 Who succeeded Donald Trump as host of The Apprentice USA? He has subsequently resigned.
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11 In 1923, Austrian author Felix Salten wrote a book subtitled A Life in the Woods. It was adapted into which famous, animated, feature–length film?
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12 Professor Alexis Jay is the current chairperson of which major, long–running Government enquiry that has faced many difficulties?
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13 Give the name of the coarse sacking fabric made from jute or hemp fibre.
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14 Which territory in mainland South America is part of the European Union?
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15 Who is the current, highly controversial President of The Philippines? He supported the killing of hundreds of drug dealers and criminals without trial.
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16 Taboo the musical is based on the songs of which musician?
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17 In legend, St. Patrick is said to have banished which creatures from Ireland?
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18 What is the name of the pigment that determines skin and eye colour in humans?
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19 Which UK bookmaker sponsors the Sports Book of the Year Award?
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20 What was the most popular car, in terms of quantity, bought new in the UK in 2016? Click for more information
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21 Name one of the three current presenters of Blue Peter.
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22 What is the pomegranate juice syrup that is commonly used as a mixer in cocktails?
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23 The Volga, the longest river in Europe, flows into which sea?
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24 What is the capital and chief port of the Bahamas?
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25 Eugene Poubelle introduced la poubelle to Paris in 1884. What is a poubelle?
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26 In the popular 1960s song Little Boxes by Pete Seeger, what were the boxes?
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27 In the Christian calendar, which special day falls on 25th March? It is also a Quarter Day.
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28 The medical term 'myoclonic jerk' can describe what common, repetitive affliction? Click for more information
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29 For sponsorship purposes, what is the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff now called?
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30 In a criminal trial under Scottish Law, 'guilty' and 'not guilty' are possible verdicts by a jury. What is the third?
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31 The 'droogs' – Alex, Dim, Georgie and Pete – are characters in which famous novel, subsequently filmed? (Note to QM: spell 'droogs')
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32 Who scored the winning goal at the 2016 Men's Euro Football tournament?
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33 Dorset dumplings are made from suet and which fruit? Click for more information
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34 A vaporetto is a form of transport found in which Italian city?
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35 Cecil Chubb donated which site to the UK nation in 1918? Click for more information
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36 Which British composer and conductor, who died in 2016, wrote Farewell to Stromness? He was Master of the Queen's Music from 2004 to 2010. Click for more information
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37 The Ten Commandments are in which book of the Bible? More about the answer
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38 What is the scientific name for the hard upper shell of a crab, turtle or tortoise?
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39 In the acronym WADA, relating to an organisation and cited regularly in the news in recent months, what does the D stand for?
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40 Donald Trump has had three wives. The first was Czech and the third Slovenian. What nationality was his second wife? Click for more information
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41 What is the UK's smallest bat? Click for more information
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42 Before Donald Trump, who was the only US President to have been divorced?
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43 Singing hinnies are cakes, named after the hissing sound made by the dough when dropped onto a hot griddle. With which English county are they associated?
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44 What name is given to the vast areas of unforested plains in Siberia? Comments on the question
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45 On which Hawaiian island does the Pearl Harbor naval base lie?
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46 Which famous guitarist recently brought out his memoir, entitled Set the Boy Free?
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47 In the theology of Hinduism, who is the ruler of the gods whose domain is the heavens?
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48 Where on the human body are the Dimples of Venus? Comments on the question
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49 Which racecourse is home to the Saint Leger?
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50 What is is the UK's oldest registered trademark? It was the first trademark to be registered under the Trademark Registration Act 1875. Click for more information
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51 Amazon Prime's petrol–head programme, starring Clarkson, Hammond and May (a rival to BBC's Top Gear) is called what?
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52 Which UK politician wrote the recent memoir Politics – Between the Extremes?
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53 Who is the male presenter of the recent BBC Saturday evening boy–band talent show, Let It Shine, organised by Gary Barlow? Click for more information
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54 What is the British name for the Greek island which the Greeks themselves call Thira or Thera? Click for more information
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55 Winston Churchill was born in which stately home?
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56 Name either the song or the band that made the UK Christmas number 1 single in 2016.
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57 What is the Roman equivalent of Eos, the Greek goddess of the dawn?
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58 Lathyrus is the Latin name for which common garden flower?
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59 In American Football, which NFL team has won the most Super Bowls with six championships?
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60 American Ray Tomlinson, who died in 2016, invented what now–common form of communication?
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61 Which English novelist, who died last year, wrote Shardik and The Plague Dogs, as well as a famous book about bunnies?
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62 Relating to costume, historically (especially in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries) what was a peruke? (Note to QM: spell peruke)
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63 Used to remove dry skin from feet, what is the only rock that floats on water?
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64 What enduring type of clock did Dutchman Christiaan Huygens invent in 1657?
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65 Which sea lies between Italy and Croatia?
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66 Who is the current Prime Minister of Japan?
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67 The iconic Yucca brevifolia, particularly associated with the Mojave Desert in the USA, is more commonly known by what name?
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68 In the long–running Radio 4 serial The Archers, at which farm do central characters David and Ruth Archer live?
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69 What UK eco–botanical endeavour was the brainchild of Tim Smit? More about the answer
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70 Which 1977 film was based on the Allies' unsuccessful Operation Market Garden, which was supposed to end World War Two by Christmas 1944?
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71 All the members of the UK's Supreme Court sat recently to decide a major Brexit case. How many judges are there in total? Comments on the question
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72 Which Shipping Forecast area lies immediately to the north of Thames?
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73 Which well–known celebrity once declared, when still an unknown, "I want to be as famous as Persil Automatic"?
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74 The name of which popular 1990s ITV television series is found in William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
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75 Tony Hadley and Gary Kemp were members of which New Romantic group?
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76 Digitalis, used in the treatment of heart conditions since 1775, is extracted from the dried leaves of which common UK plant?
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77 Which well–known, 18th Century novel features the savage, primitive creatures called Yahoos, who are obsessed with the 'pretty stones' that they find by digging in mud?
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78 Who directed La La Land, the film musical success of 2017?
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79 What name did Mediaeval alchemists give to the substance that they imagined could turn base metal into gold?
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80 Which gas, also known as 'firedamp', was a particular hazard in coal mines?
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81 Gallipoli, the scene of a major World War One battle, is in which modern–day country?
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82 In Western Australian Aboriginal language, what object is referred to as a 'kylie'?
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83 Isca Dumnoniorum is the Roman name for which city?
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84 The leaves of the Andean plant, family Erythroxylaceae, chewed as a stimulant or made into tea are known as what?
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85 In upper northern latitudes, 'taiga' is what type of feature? (QM: spell taiga)
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86 Who was the first, and is so far the only snooker player to have won BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
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87 Which Finn will race along with Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes in the 2017 Formula 1 season?
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88 In Greek mythology, who was Mother Earth?
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89  Which prestigious, annual, UK music awards were founded in 1996 by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell?
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90 What does the letter Q stand for in the abbreviation 'IQ'?
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91 Which Samsung smartphone was recalled in 2016, at a cost of over US$ 17 billion, after many caught fire or exploded?
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92 Which girl actor won an Oscar at the age of ten, for playing a con artist in the 1973 film Paper Moon?
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93 Which serious disease, spread by lice, fleas and ticks, was once known as gaol fever? (QM: spell gaol)
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94 Why did Super Victor, the name of the mascot for the 2016 Euro football tournament, cause some amusement and/or embarrassment?
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95 Fashion designers Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren were both born in which city?
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96 What is the national symbol on the Coat of Arms of Ireland?
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Supplementaries

S1 In legend, the Lambton Worm was a dragon–like monster eventually killed by Sir John Lambton. It is associated with which English city?
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S2 How was Josip Broz better known? (Questionmaster: spell the name)
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S3 Which small, fireproof dish was originally made to bake a cheese and egg mixture of the same name?
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S4 Ricky Gervais, in character as David Brent of The Office, went on a concert tour recently with a backing band named what?
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S5 What name is given to the small Spanish breads or pastries, similar to samosas, stuffed with a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables or fruits?
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S6 In the 1800s, captured officers gave their word of honour that they would commit no further acts of war if freed. What was the name for this promise? Comments on the question
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