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Dear Athena...
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The goddess of wisdom has started an advice column from her office on Mount Olympus. Can you guess the identities of her mythical correspondents? Good Luck!
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Greek Myth
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Nov 07 04
13899 plays
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The Renaissance Madrigal
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The madrigal was one of the most diverse forms in Renaissance music, employing a wide range of emotions and musical effects. This quiz covers madrigals from all over Europe. Good Luck!
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Classical Music
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Tough
25 Q
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jouen58
May 30 03
825 plays
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Viva la Pasta!
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The first thirteen questions concern various shapes and cuts of pasta; the next twelve concern various cooking methods and sauces with which pastas are traditionally served. Buon Appetito!
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Italian Foods
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Tough
25 Q
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jouen58
Jun 09 03
7659 plays
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Operatic Madness
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Some have called opera itself a "demented" art form. Certainly, the subject of madness is a recurrent theme in many operas, particularly the ones featured here. Good Luck!
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Opera
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Aug 29 04
882 plays
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Trees of Literature, Legend, and Song
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Trees have inspired authors, poets, and composers from ancient times to the present day. These are some memorable literary, legendary, and musical uses of this timeless symbol. Enjoy!
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Thematic 25 Questions
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Tough
25 Q
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jouen58
Jul 10 03
4644 plays
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Verdi's "La Forza del Destino"
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This 1862 work features one of Verdi's most richly melodic scores and a fascinating and varied cast of characters. Good Luck!
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Verdi, Giuseppe
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
Jun 19 04
279 plays
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Perennial Borders
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A quiz about some of the flowering plants used to create a perennial border, some common, others not so common. Good Luck!
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Homes & Gardens
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Tough
15 Q
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jouen58
Apr 27 03
4128 plays
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Eponymous Literary Characters
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Are you Pickwickian or Pecksniffian? This quiz features certain characters from classic literature and drama whose names have found their way into the English language. Enjoy!
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Eponyms (Words from Names)
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Feb 14 04
6297 plays
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Great Choral Music
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This quiz deals with the greatest works of both sacred and secular choral music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Good luck and enjoy!
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Classical Music
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Tough
25 Q
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jouen58
Jul 22 03
2139 plays
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St. Nicholas (The Original Santa Claus)
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A quiz about the fascinating evolution of the saintly 4th century bishop into the contemporary Christmas icon. For my nephew Patrick William (Nicholas) Moran. Good luck!.
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Christian People / Saints
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Nov 22 03
3408 plays
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Murder for Christmas
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A.k.a. “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” and “Holiday for Murder”. There’s no holiday from murder for Hercule Poirot, who must solve the brutal murder of wealthy old Simeon Lee on Christmas Eve. WARNING!-Solution revealed. Good Luck.
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Hercule Poirot
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Tough
15 Q
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jouen58
Nov 24 03
1728 plays
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Vermeer: Portraits of Women
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"No Dutch painter ever honoured women as he (Vermeer) did." So wrote Dr. A.B. de Vries, and the paintings bear out his assessment. See if you can identify the portraits from the descriptions.
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Vermeer
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Apr 24 03
1176 plays
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Eponymous Locales
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Certain words in the English language are derived from the names of countries, cities, and places, some of which are no longer extant. See how much you know about them. Good Luck!
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Eponyms (Words from Names)
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Jan 23 04
7521 plays
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Shakespeare's Garden
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A quiz about the many herbs, flowers, trees, and plants mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and poems. Enjoy & Good Luck!
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Shakespeare
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Feb 14 04
1296 plays
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More Songs from Shakespeare's Plays
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An addendum to my previous quiz on Shakespearean songs. You must guess which play each song comes from (except for question 14). Good Luck & Enjoy!
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Name the Play
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Jun 30 03
2286 plays
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Paintings of Rembrandt
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The name of this giant among Dutch painters has become almost synonymous with "great painter". This quiz covers some of his finest works. Good Luck!
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z. Artists N-Z
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Jul 07 03
1320 plays
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Humperdinck's "Hansel und Gretel"
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A quiz on Humperdinck's beloved fairy-tale opera based on the story by the Brothers Grimm. Along with Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" ballet, this work has become a Yuletide tradition. Enjoy!
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Opera
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Dec 03 04
522 plays
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Verdi's "Falstaff"
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Verdi's autumnal comic masterpiece ranks as one of the supreme joys of the operatic stage. Some knowledge of music, as well as Shakespeare, will help in playing this quiz. Good Luck!
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Verdi, Giuseppe
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Average
20 Q
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jouen58
Apr 25 04
105 plays
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The Bridge of San Luis Rey
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Thornton Wilder's 1925 novel, about an act of fate that claims the lives of five people, was one of the most celebrated literary works of the early 20th century and won the Pulitzer prize.
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Wilder, Thornton
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Tough
10 Q
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jouen58
Aug 21 05
102 plays
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Opera all' Inferno
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A number of illustrious denizens of Dante's classic "Inferno" have been the subject of an opera (or two). Test your knowledge of both opera and Dante. Good Luck!
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Opera
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Very Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Jan 23 06
153 plays
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Hedda Gabler
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Ibsen's immortal anti-heroine is one of the most fascinating theatrical creations of all time, and has been called "The female Hamlet". This quiz uses the Gosse-Archer translation. Enjoy!
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Ibsen, Henrik
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Average
20 Q
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jouen58
Mar 11 09
87 plays
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Puccini's "Turandot"
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Puccini's last and most ambitious opera, which includes the famous tenor aria "Nessun Dorma", was left unfinished at his death in 1924. How well do you know this fascinating work? Good Luck!
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Puccini, Giacomo
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
Feb 20 04
378 plays
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Sleepless at the Opera
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Some of the greatest moments in opera occur when some person or persons are unable to sleep. Here are some notable examples. This quiz is dedicated to the late, great Luciano Pavarotti. Enjoy!
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Opera
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Sep 24 07
336 plays
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Eponymous Clergymen
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The names of these various and diverse men of the cloth have found their way into the vernacular, often in unexpected and unusual ways. Enjoy!
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Eponyms (Words from Names)
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
May 16 09
432 plays
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St. Therese of Lisieux
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Therese, the "little flower", is one of the most popular saints, but her life and character are far more complex and fascinating than many people suspect. For my niece, Colleen Erin Theresa.
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Christian People / Saints
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Tough
15 Q
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jouen58
Sep 30 07
405 plays
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The Biblical Garden
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This quiz explores some of the many flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruits, and trees mentioned in the Old and New Testament. Biblical quotations are from the King James Bible. Enjoy!
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Bible Plants and Animals
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Tough
15 Q
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jouen58
Apr 06 09
507 plays
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The Murder of Emmett Till
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The brutal 1955 murder of 14 year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi after allegedly flirting with a white woman shocked the world and galvanized the American civil rights movement. How much do you know about this American tragedy?
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African-American
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Aug 12 04
2127 plays
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Chivalry is Deadly
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Chivalry, alas, is dead, and this quiz may help explain why. More than a few people throughout history have found it hazardous to their health. Enjoy!
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Death Becomes Them
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
May 09 09
414 plays
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Paintings of Caravaggio
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One of the most distinctive artists of the 16th century, Caravaggio is best known for his "darker" paintings, but his art is more varied and complex than many realize.
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z. Artists A-M
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Tough
10 Q
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jouen58
Sep 04 07
375 plays
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A Date With the Devil
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The Prince of Darkness makes a personal appearance in quite a number of operas, and is even the title character of a few. I hope you will enjoy this devil of a quiz; Good Luck!
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Opera
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Tough
10 Q
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jouen58
Oct 23 04
222 plays
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For "Moonstruck" Mavens
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Is there anyone who grew up in an Italian-American family who doesn't know practically every line in this film by heart? If you're a "Moonstruck" maven, let's see how you do!
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Moonstruck
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Average
20 Q
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jouen58
Mar 28 03
2847 plays
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Down the Garden Path With Christie
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Gardens and the plants that grow in them are frequently used as plot devices in Christie's novels and short stories. Here are a few notable examples. (CAUTION- contains spoilers galore!)
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Christie, Agatha
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Sep 20 05
636 plays
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The Twelve
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This quiz explores the lives and characters of the twelve men chosen by Christ as his apostles. Biblical quotations are from the Confraternity text.
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Twelve Apostles
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Average
15 Q
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jouen58
Apr 07 06
3144 plays
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Surprising Facts Behind Popular Classics
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Are you a classical music "dummy" who has occasionally wondered about the various classical pieces which turn up in movies, on TV, at weddings, etc? This quiz is for you. Good luck!
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Classical Music
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Average
25 Q
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jouen58
Aug 11 03
2577 plays
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Elmer Gantry
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Sinclair Lewis’ chilling portrayal of the rise of an utterly unscrupulous and egocentric “man of God” in early 20th century America exposed the hypocrisy of much of the country’s religious mania.
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Lewis, Sinclair
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Average
20 Q
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jouen58
Jun 18 04
168 plays
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Sad Cypress
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One of Christie’s more unusual mysteries, this one features a tragic love triangle and a young woman on trial for her life. CAUTION: the solution is revealed in the quiz. Good Luck!
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Hercule Poirot
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Average
15 Q
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jouen58
Jul 31 04
513 plays
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Guilding the Stone: July
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The Quiz Makers Guild monthly birthstones series reaches July; according to the American Gem Society the ruby, whose red fire reflects the heat of summer. This quiz concerns real and fictional rubies, as well as a few human ones. Enjoy!
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Gems and Birthstones
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Jul 01 09
279 plays
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The Mayerling Tragedy
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The murder-suicide of Archduke Rudolf of Austria and his teenage mistress Mary Vetsera in January 1889 scandalized 19th century Europe and altered the course of its history.
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Central European Royals
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
Jun 21 04
534 plays
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King Richard III
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Despite the controversy over its historical accuracy, this study of the brief, violent reign of the last Plantagenet monarch remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring histories. Enjoy!
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King Richard III
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
Mar 04 04
708 plays
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"Moonstruck" at the Opera
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The moon plays an important part in many operas, both symbolically and as a plot device; here are some notable examples. (NOTE- this quiz is not about the 1987 film "Moonstruck", though it is mentioned here). Enjoy!
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Opera
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Very Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Aug 20 04
237 plays
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The "Ring" According to Russell
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A quiz on British comedienne Anna Russell's hilarious "analysis" of Wagner's "Ring der Nibelungen" ("I'm not making this up, you know!"). Enjoy & Good Luck!
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Wagner, Richard
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Apr 18 04
246 plays
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The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side
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This 1962 novel featuring Miss Marple concerns a beautiful, but emotionally fragile film star seemingly stalked by tragedy. The solution is revealed in the quiz. Good Luck!
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Miss Marple
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Average
15 Q
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jouen58
Apr 19 04
690 plays
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A Fatal Fraud: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
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This infamous literary forgery served as the pretext for much of the anti-Semitic violence of the twentieth century, including the Holocaust. Sadly, it is still very much with us.
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Frauds & Hoaxes
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Jun 18 04
783 plays
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Lady Catherine's Visit
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The stormy interview between Elizabeth Bennet and the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh is one of the most memorable chapters of Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Enjoy the quiz!
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Pride and Prejudice
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Apr 02 08
969 plays
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Paintings of van Eyck
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Jan van Eyck was once believed have invented the art of oil-painting. True or not, his mastery of the technique is unsurpassed and set the standard for subsequent artists throughout the Renaissance. Enjoy!
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z. Artists N-Z
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Tough
10 Q
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jouen58
Aug 09 04
279 plays
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Saints of Ireland
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A quiz about some of the many fascinating men and women who have evangelized Ireland or maintained their Catholic faith, often in trying times and difficult circumstances. Good Luck!
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Saints by Region
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Tough
15 Q
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jouen58
Mar 08 04
1218 plays
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The Murder at the Vicarage
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Adultery, theft, a mysterious, beautiful woman, and finally murder (in the vicar's study!) Enter Miss Jane Marple, the unlikeliest criminal investigator in the history of crime fiction.
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Miss Marple
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Average
20 Q
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jouen58
Mar 23 03
873 plays
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Whatdunit?
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Agatha Christie never seemed to be at a loss to find creative, sometimes bizarre ways of dispatching her victims. Here are some of her more memorable M.O.s- see if you can match them up with the victims.
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Christie, Agatha
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Tough
10 Q
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jouen58
Mar 05 03
1686 plays
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Harlots, Bawds, and Concubines (Oh My!)
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A shameless attempt to attract players, you say? Well, so it is, but it may interest you to know what some practitioners of the World's Oldest Profession achieved outside the bedroom. Play on!
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Famous Women
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Sep 19 04
1584 plays
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15 Real Life Muses
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The nine Muses of Greek mythology inspired artists, musicians, poets, and writers. These 15 real-life women provided similar inspiration to the men in their lives. Enjoy!
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Famous Women
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Average
15 Q
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jouen58
Jul 30 03
1212 plays
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The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
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A fairly comprehensive quiz on one of the summit achievements of Renaissance art. NOTE! All questions are about the ceiling only, not the Last Judgement. Good Luck!
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Michelangelo
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Tough
25 Q
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jouen58
Mar 17 03
801 plays
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Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"
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A quiz about Rossini's eternally popular comic masterpiece, based on the play by Beaumarchais. Good Luck!
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Opera
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
May 17 03
309 plays
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Puccini's "Madama Butterfly"
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Surprisingly, there were no quizzes about this opera, whose popularity remains undimmed even in our more politically correct age. Here is my quiz on one of Puccini's three most popular operas.
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Puccini, Giacomo
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
May 02 03
486 plays
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Losing It in Shakespeare's Plays
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I simply don't understand people who find Shakespeare dull and boring. When a character in Shakespeare goes over the edge, he/she REALLY goes over the edge. Submitted for your approval...
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Name the Play
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Average
10 Q
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jouen58
Aug 27 03
4635 plays
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The Body in the Library
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When the body of a young blonde turns up in the library at Gossington Hall, Miss Marple must solve the crime before other lives, and reputations, are destroyed. (Contains spoilers!)
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Miss Marple
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Average
15 Q
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jouen58
Oct 16 04
471 plays
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Verdi's "Otello"
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Verdi's masterpiece, based on Shakespeare's play, is quite possibly the greatest "opera seria" ever written. This quiz requires some knowledge of both play and opera. Good Luck!
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Verdi, Giuseppe
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
Nov 12 03
261 plays
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Paintings of Giotto
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Giotto was regarded by his illustrious contemporary Dante as the foremost artist of his day. History recognizes him as a pivotal figure who changed the course of Western art.
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z. Artists A-M
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Difficult
10 Q
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jouen58
Jun 17 06
267 plays
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Saints and their Symbols I
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Since most saints lived before the advent of photography, they are usually identified in art by one or more symbols. See if you can match the symbol(s) to the saint.
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Saints by Symbol
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Difficult
15 Q
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jouen58
Mar 12 03
1815 plays
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"The Mysterious Affair at Styles"
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Here's where it all began; Agatha Christie's debut as a mystery writer and the birth of Hercule Poirot. Be warned- the solution is revealed! Good Luck!
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Hercule Poirot
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Tough
20 Q
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jouen58
Mar 31 03
714 plays
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Paintings of Goya
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Few artist's works have so vividly reflected the soul of their country as vividly as those of Goya, who lived during one of the most dramatic and tragic periods in Spanish history.
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z. Artists A-M
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Tough
15 Q
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jouen58
Sep 30 04
378 plays
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