December is a busy month for most people so this round has been cut down to MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS
There will still be five questions every alternate day, and as usual, PM yout answers to the appropriate Quizmaster of the day!
This is the quiz rota

Quote:

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Mondays - Santana and Elftwinkle
Wednesday - Helen295 and Me (JaneMarple)
Fridays - Gatsby and Engadine
Sundays - SpanishLiz and Exit10

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So, when are the quizzes supposed to start? I was expecting one for yesterday, seeing that it was Wednesday, December 1. Maybe I'm confused? (a completely likely possibility)

Can we get one minor point straightened up here? Her screen name is 'Engadine', not 'Engaline' . The latter sounds like the name of a mouthwash. Just wanted to make sure my Fridays buddy gets spelled right .

Corrected Gatsby!

I am going to post Round 3 a little early (I have stuff to do tomorrow in the day) [And I'm calling it Round 3 because it fits the date. Otherwise I will get massively confused. I guess it is really Round 2]. But the results will still come on Sunday!

Round 3 (Nary A Theme Behind It!)

1. (Seek And Ye Shall Find It) Find a four letter verb using the letters in the word Optimal. [Letters may only be used once...]

2. (Illogic Redefined It) The movie "The Poseidon Adventure", released in 1972, was really quite something to watch at the time. After the boat flipped over only 6 characters made it to the top/bottom and got rescued. Name one of those characters (NOT the actor who played the part)!

3. (Always Wined And Dined It) Name a wealthy person (or family) in France who is worth over 2.5 billion dollars.

4. (Who's The One Who Signed It?) Name one of the top 10 rarest signatures on paper, thus the most valuable. My source is old, but I don't think the autographs have changed much!

5. (Wartime Redesigned It) Name a gun type that is/was named after a real person. Not too many of those - unless you think the BB gun was named after B.B. King [which it certainly wasn't!].

Have fun, all!

Edited, once again, for spelling!

I was expecting to see Round 1 yesterday too. Any chance of a late entry?

I say go for it Julia! (Just my opinion, of course.)

I say go for it too Julia!

OK, Here's a delayed round 1

I know we’re all pretty busy this month, so hopefully these won’t require too much looking-up time.

1. A shade of green (for example, if I had asked for a shade of blue answers could include sky blue or navy blue)
2. A Green vegetable
3. A type of evergreen tree
4. Because of the ink with which the bills are printed, U.S. paper money is sometimes referred to as greenbacks. Name a denomination of U.S. currency (i.e. the amount on one bill).
5. Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote for the musical theatre and movies in the 1940s and 50s. Name a song that they composed.

Thanks Julia!
I just wanted to apologise for not posting a round on Wednesday. Our modem hasn't been working properly and I haven't been able to get onto the internet for nearly a week.

Here are Sunday's questions. I'm going to use the date, too, so it'll be Round 5.

Quote:

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ROUND 5 (Sunday 5th Dec)

Please name:
1 A member of the England team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003

2 A Gilbert and Sullivan operetta

3 In 'EastEnders', any member of the Fowler/Beale clan, past or present

4 A ghost from Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'

5 A recipient of the Victoria Cross whose surname begins with the letter Y or the letter Z

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Round 3 will be closing up shortly. A couple of hours, I think. Anyone want to give it a try do so soon, OK?

Round Three is up now! 7 players joined in...

1. A 4-Letter Verb Using The Letters In The Word 'Optimal'.

For 10 points:

Palm, Molt, Toil

For 5 points:

Plot, Mail (both 2 each)

I found 11 - and I figure there are more. How about Omit, Limp, Plan, Tamp, Tail & Alit? Those all fit .

2. A Survivor In "The Poseidon Adventure"

I really liked this question. Caught the movie on one of the cable channels recently and it jogged my memory...

For 10 points:

Robin Shelby (the little smart boy who essentially figured the whole thing out - he was played by Eric Shea), James Martin (at first I thought he was a horny older man but he got to the rescue ; he was played by Red Buttons), Susan Shelby (acted by Pamela Sue Martin in her youthful pre-"Dynasty" days. She played Robin's big sister and had that crush on The Reverand), Lieutenant Mike Rogo (played by Ernest Borgnine - probably the one we hoped would go South and take a swim but finally got a grip), Nonnie Parry (the "sweet girl" and also the one responsible for lip syncing that song "The Morning Afer". Carol Lynley played her).

No double answers on this one. I had to oust two answers. Belle Rosen had a heart attack after a unrealistic swim (she played by Shelley Winters) and Reverand Scott took a dive into a fiery pit of water to save the others (Was Gene Hackman bucking for an Oscar or what?)

The only one not mentioned was Manny Rosen [Jack Albertson].

3. Wealthy People Or Families In France Worth Over 2.5 Billion Dollars

For 10 points:

Serge Dussault & family, Paul Louis Halley & family, Bernard Arnault

For 5 points:

Francois Pinault and Liliane Bettencourt (<---she the richest of them all!)

4. Rarest/Most Valuable Signatures
I, too, cracked open a book that was well dog-eared on this one - "The Book Of Lists". I think it came out in the 1970s. The list of autographs only changed a couple of times, though. Thank heavens!

For 10 points:

Button Gwinnett (for a letter sent to be his inclusion on The Declaration Of Independence), James Dean (a very short life, but his signature has become quite valuable), Joan of Arc (I wasn't sure she could weild a pen/pencil!), Richard Nixon [his letter of resignation from the Presidency]

For 5 points:

William Shakespeare (2)

One I had to say 'no' to. John Hancock, while quite famous for his signature, didn't hit any list that I could find. Bested by the Beatles? I'm sure he is spinning around in his grave .

Guns Named After A Person Everyone was right on this one [only two repeated answers] (and I had to do my share of research to make sure) Good job!

For 10 points:

Browning Hi-Power Automatic Loading Pistol (named after John Moses Browning), The Owen machine carbine (named after Evelyn Owen - and he really was a man ), AK - 47 (A bit of a stretch there but it is generally assigned to Kalashnikov - therefore the 'K'.), Colt Peacemaker (Samuel Colt made a lot of guns, or at least got them rolling!), Galil Assault Rifle.

No one selected The Derringer, The Tommy Gun or The Winchester? Oh, and for five points:

The Gatling Gun, named after Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling (who never once practiced medicine in his whole life, I must add)

RESULTS!

I don't think I've ever come up with one of these where a player scores a perfect 50. On this one someone did. Merry Christmas to me and a GREAT job to the winner!

1. spanishliz - 50 points! (awesome!)

2. beaker411
ozz2002 - 40 points

4. cinnamOn
Julia103 - 35 points

6. BbSean
Elf Twinkle - both 30 points

You all dazzle me with your skills. Thanks.

Well done, spanishliz! You get a point this time.

Round One is now closed. Results in about two hours.

Helen, I'm glad to hear that you're OK.

Round One Results

10 people played this round.

1. Shade of green (for example, if I had asked for a shade of blue answers could include sky blue or navy blue)
10 points: Seafoam green, Peacock green, Spring green
5 points: Emerald green (3), Olive (2), Pea green (2)

2. A Green vegetable
10 points: Cucumber, Pepper, Romaine Lettuce, Zucchini, Artichoke, Peas, Broccoli, Bok choi
5 points: Celery (2)
One person said she would have said Spinach but wasn’t sure whether I would have considered it a vegetable and gave a different vegetable as her official answer. I would have accepted Spinach. (This would have changed points, but would not have affected the winner)
No one mentioned Asparagus, Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans or Lima Beans.

3. A type of evergreen tree
10 points: Illawarra plum (podocarpus elatus), White pine, Balsam Fir, Deodar cedar, Eucalyptus, Knotty Pine, Nordic spruce, Norfolk Island Pine
5 points: Spruce
I decided to give 5 points for “spruce” (even though only one person gave this answer) as being the same answer as Nordic Spruce, but to give ten points for “Nordic Spruce” because a different variety of spruce would have been a different answer. Please contact me if you disagree.
Not allowed: Siberian Larch. This is a deciduous tree whose leaves turn yellow and drop off in autumn, not an evergreen. Pictures of the Siberian Larch with green leaves and with yellow leaves can be found here .
The answers were very educational – I hadn’t realized that Australia would have different evergreen trees than the U.S.

4. Because of the ink with which the bills are printed, U.S. paper money is sometimes referred to as greenbacks. Name a denomination of U.S. currency (i.e. the amount on one bill)
10 points: $50, $2
5 points: $100 (2), $10 (3), $1 (3)
According to U.S. Treasury - FAQs The present denominations of our [U.S.] currency in production are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Although the $2 bill is rarely seen, it has not officially been removed from circulation. The last printing of $2 bills was in 1996. $500,$1000,$5000, and $10,000 bills were discontinued in 1969.
No one mentioned $5 or $20.

Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote for the musical theatre and movies in the 1940s and 50s. Name a song that they composed.
10 points: Never-Never Land (from Peter Pan, 1954), Carried Away (from On the Town, 1944), If You Hadn’t, But You Did (from Two on the Aisle, 1951), The Party’s Over (from Bells are Ringing, 1956), The Fiddler and the Fighter (from The Fiddler and the Fighter, 1964)
5 points: New York, New York (2)(from On the Town, 1944), Just in Time (3)(from Bells are Ringing, 1956)
Comden and Green wrote the lyrics to over a hundred songs so I won't go through what wasn't mentioned. A complete list of their musicals (and songs in each) can be found at Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

Beaker411 50
Engadine 45
Gatsby 45
JaneMarple 40
Justanobody 40
Cinnam0n 35
Ozzz2002 35
ElfTwinkle 35
Exit10 30
Spanishliz 30

Thanks for playing!

This was on my list of things 'to do' on returning from my week away, but somehow time ran away with me and I'm a few hours late posting, however here is ROUND 6 - Monday 6th December. This is a seasonal and not too taxing round, so hopefully some of you will find time in busy schedules to play

Please give me:

1) The name of one of Santa's Reindeer
2) Something you would find on or under a christmas tree
3) A popular Christmas Carol/Song
4) A Norman Rockwell Christmas-themed painting
5) An element of a traditional Christmas dinner, including dessert.

Closing Round 5 in about an hour. Results will follow shortly after that.

Round 5 is definitely closed now. Am experiencing some minor computer problems, but hope to have the results posted quite soon. Sorry for the delay.

ROUND 5 RESULTS

Eight people played this round. Thank you all.

1. A member of the England team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003

Worth 10 points:
Mike Catt, Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey, Steve Thompson, Jonny Wilkinson

Worth 5 points:
Neil Back (2)

Not accepted: Jonathan Wilkes, who seems to be appearing as Danny in a production of ‘Grease’. (You probably were thinking of Wilkinson, but I didn’t want to penalise the person who did say Wilkinson by making that assumption.)

Not mentioned: Jason Robinson, Will Greenwood, Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Matt Dawson, Richard Hill, Ben Kay, Martin Johnson, Phil Vickery, Trevor Woodman and several listed as replacements.

2. A Gilbert and Sullivan operetta

Worth 10 points:
The Mikado, Ruddigore

Worth 5 points:
HMS Pinafore (2), Iolanthe (2), The Pirates of Penzance (2)

Not mentioned, amongst others: The Yeomen of the Guard, The Gondoliers

3. In ‘EastEnders’ any member of the Fowler/Beale clan, past or present

Worth 10 points:
Elizabeth Beale, Pete Beale, Pauline Fowler (nee Beale, Pete’s twin sister), Louise Fowler (Mark’s adopted daughter)

Worth 5 points:
Ian Beale (2), Sonia Jackson Fowler (2)

Not mentioned, amongst others: Arthur Fowler, Mark, Martin and Michelle Fowler, Michelle’s kids, Vicki and Mark; Lou Beale (the matriarch), Kenny Beale (who went to New Zealand, Elizabeth’s father), all of Ian’s children (and ex-wives)….

4. A ghost from Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’

Reading a bit more on this I see that I should have specified ‘ghost or spirit’, but that omission has not made a difference to the results.

Worth 10 points:
None

Worth 5 points:
Marley’s ghost (3), the Ghost (or Spirit) of Christmas Present (3), the Ghost (or Spirit) of Christmas Past (2)

Nobody mentioned the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Apparently the Spirits had substance, whereas the Ghosts (Marley and Yet to Come) were only shadows.

5. A recipient of the Victoria Cross whose surname begins with the letter Y or the letter Z

Worth 10 points:
John Youll (T/2nd Lt., 1st Bn. The Northumberland Fusiliers, Italy, 1918), Thomas Young (Private, 9th Bn The Durham Light Infantry (real name Morrell), France 1918)

Worth 5 points:
Thomas James Young (Lieut., RN (Naval Brigade) India 1857) (2), David Younger (Captain, 1st Bn The Gordon Highlanders, South Africa 1900) (2), Raphael Zengel (Sergeant, 5th Bn Saskatchewan Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force, France 1918)(2)

Not mentioned:
Major C.A.L. Yate (1914), T/2nd Lt. Frederick Youens (1917), Sergeant-Major Alexander Young (1901-killed in action on the Somme in 1916), 2nd Lt. Frank Young (1918), Pte John Young (1918), Pte William Young (1915). I would also have accepted Naik (Corporal) Yeshwant Ghadge of the Indian Army (1944), who is generally listed under ‘Y’ in alphabetical lists.

The winners are:

cinnam0n and ElfTwinkle with 40 points each.

35 points: gatsby722, ozzz2002
30 points: beaker411, JaneMarple, Julia103
20 points: BbSean

Congratulations to cinnam0n and ElfTwinkle, and thanks again everyone for playing!

Round 8! Hope it won't be too difficult!

Today’s questions are on Disney songs! They deal with the original Disney films, and not any remakes or sequels

Q1 – Name a song in Disney’s “The Jungle Book”
Q2 – Name a song from “Mary Poppins”
Q3 – Name a song from “The Lady and the Tramp”
Q4 – Name a song from “Beauty and the Beast”
Q5 – Name a song from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

Good Luck all!

ROUND 6 CLOSED

Results in a couple of hours.

This is Round 10! I know this is early, but I may not get to it tomorrow, sorry if it causes any confusion!

And, as this is the silly season, I've decided to do a Silly Season Quiz, with an Aussie Theme - what else!

1. In 1960, Rolf Harris, thinking it crazy to sing Christmas songs about snow and ice in Australia, wrote an Australian Christmas song. Answer one of the following questions about this song;
a) When Santa unharnessed all the reindeer what did he reharness to the sleigh?
b) When Santa began to feel the heat and took his boots off, who 'popped' into one?
c) The sleigh 'flashed past' which town?
d) In which Australian city was Rolf when he wrote this song?
e) What was the approximate temperature when Rolf wrote this song?

2. In Australia we have a confectionery called White Christmas. Name one of the main ingredients.

3. There are two 'accepted' versions of the 'Australian Twelve Days of Christmas'. Name two of the creatures mentioned in either version.

4. The first official Christmas 'Down Under' was celebrated on 25 December 1788. Name one of the following:
a) Where was the celebration held?
b) Who was the Reverend who performed the service?
c) Who was the then Australian Governor?
d) What was the only 'goodwill' displayed toward the convicts?

5. Another song question - regarding the Aussie version of 'Jingle Bells'. Name one of the following:
a) What type of vehicle is mentioned in the song?
b) What is in the boot of the vehicle?
c) Name the type of dog mentioned.
d) The person in the song is wearing what sort of attire?
e) In the afternoon, several things take place before the washing up is done. Name one.

Good luck everyone!

ROUND 6 RESULTS

11 people played this time, thank you all.

1) The name of one of Santa's Reindeer

10 Pts: Prancer, Donner, Comet, Vixen, Blitzen and Olive
5 Pts: Rudolph (2), Cupid (3)

In the interests of keeping with the seasonal good spirits I accepted Olive (the one who's misspelled in the line of the song ~ "All of the other reindeer" I'm sure you'll all agree with me that this is an acceptable answer. Besides the alternative answer supplied (Dasher) would also have earned this player 10 points.

2) Something you would find on or under a christmas tree

Plenty of scope for being inventive with this topic, and you all did well.

10 Pts: Toy Train Set, Pine Needles, Tinsel, Bows, Tree Skirt, Candy Canes, Star, The Floor, The family Cat

5 Pts: Angel (2)

Note: I can personally vouch that my own family cat spends a great deal of the christmas season curled up under our tree, that is, when he's not busy 'hunting' the glittery bits and swatting at the tinsel.

3) A popular Christmas Carol/Song

10 Pts: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Good King Wenceslas, O Holy Night, I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, Carol of the Bells, Deck the Halls, The First Noël, The Little Drummer Boy

5 Pts: Hark the Herald (2)

4) A Norman Rockwell Christmas-themed painting

10 Pts: "Christmas", Deadman's Hill, Home for Christmas/Christmas Homecoming, Merrie Christmas, Santa Reading Mail, Christmas Trio, Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas

5 Pts: The Discovery/Bottom Drawer, Santa at the Map

5) An element of a traditional Christmas dinner, including dessert

10 Pts: Threepence or Fivepence in the pudding, Gravy, Mince Pies, Mashed Potatoes, Scalloped potatoes, Plum Pudding, Goose, Gravy, Ham, Turkey, Christmas Crackers

Nobody mentioned any alcohol - how strange!

THE SCORES

50 Points: ElfTwinkle, Julia103, Engadine, ozzz2002
45 Points: JaneMarple, BbSean
40 Points: Gatsby, beaker411, ClaraSue, Cinnam0n
35 Points: Exit10

Well done everybody, and a point each to our 4 winners

Very clever about "Olive" the other reindeer!