Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The "off-the-planet" introduction to "Gridlock" features aliens who are researching Earth for a 3-minute slot in a TV comedy program. What is the name of their native planet? Answer: (Think...)

2. Geoffrey Peason was determined that his disease should not be used to define his whole self, and that he should be able to say "spastic" without it seeming like an insult. Therefore he unofficially changed his surname to...? Spaz Spastic Spasmo Spazzo

3. According to "Gridlock", there is a certain sticker that can be found on computers which will guarantee that the person owning the computer is "dull, dependable and sane as a pair of corduroy trousers". What does this sticker say? You don't have to be mad to work here but it helps Work is so bad they even have to pay you to do it Working hard or hardly working? Hang in there!

4. Geoffrey invented a kind of engine which ran cheaply on what element? Einsteinium Lithium Helium Hydrogen

5. In 1977, Geoffrey went to a concert for a classic punk band in his spasmobile. Which band? The Sex Pistols Rat Cat The Ramones The Clash

6. Sam Turk, fuelled by greed, murdered his accomplice and friend, Bruce Tungsten. This was because he and Bruce disagreed about how to exploit the miracle engine plans. True or false? True False

7. After the press discover that Transport Minister Digby Parkhurst is a gay transvestite, he commits suicide. How does he do it? Drinks poison Slits his wrists Gasses himself to death in his car Deliberately crashes his car

8. What kind of car cost Deborah the use of her legs? A Global Crappee A Global Moritz (Mark III) A Panther Chief Executive (Kevin Class) A Ford Pinto

9. Fill in the blank: Deborah's friend and lodger is a young black traffic warden whose name is Harold Wilson ----. Answer: (Four letters - T...)

10. "Mr Automobile" Bruce Tungsten, owner of Global Motors, was sent a little mocking doll by the Japanese car company Hirohato. What did it do when he clapped his hands and said "Global Motors"? It made a rude gesture It did an insulting dance It sung a little song It laughed

11. Sam Turk orders several hitmen to dispose of Geoffrey. How many of them does Geoffrey manage to kill? All four, and then Turk himself comes for him. None, but he causes several grievous injuries. The first three. The last one gets him. The first two. The second two get the better of him.

12. Geoffrey is a "disabled gentleman". What is wrong with him? He has cerebal palsy He suffers from epilepsy He has Motor Neurone Disease He is a paraplegic

13. When Sam Turk sends out the hitmen to kill Geoffrey, their code word for him is "hamster". True or false? True False

14. When Deborah confronts Sam in his office, what is the first of Geoffrey's weapons that she uses against him? A flat iron to the head A sharpened bolt into the thigh A flamethrower to the shins An electric shock through the hands

15. At the end of the book, who makes the speech announcing the radical new road development plans? Ingmar Bresslaw The Queen The Prime Minister Transport Minister "Corker" McCorkadale