Windy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tornadoes in Film

The well-known American author, Michael Crichton, penned many a work of fiction that later became adapted for the silver screen; perhaps most famous amongst them are 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World'.

Crichton also made his mark on the world of film through the creation of original screenplays, one of which gave rise to the 1996 box-office hit, 'Twister'. The film features Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, amongst an ensemble cast, as storm-chasers and explores themes such as the raw power of nature, scientific curiosity and yes, the thrill of the chase!

Answer: Tornadoes in Film

It would be something of an oversight to not include the charming and enduring 1939 classic, 'The Wizard of Oz', in a quiz that deals with tornadoes in film. Judy Garland plays the iconic Dorothy who gets transported from Kansas to the curious, magical realm of Oz by way of a tornado that swept menacingly through the central US state.

Mix in Dorothy's canine companion, a scarecrow, a man made from tin, a lion in search of a spine, witches as representatives of good and evil and a wizard who may not quite be what he originally seems and the outcome is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time.

Answer: Tornadoes in Film

The strapline for the 2013 so-bad-it's-good film 'Sharknado', directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, was "Enough Said!". I am going to honour that sentiment and say nothing more than a tornado causes a shark problem in Los Angeles. Oh, there are sequels by the way...

Answer: The Wind in the Willows

Kenneth Grahame cleverly makes use of Mole's emergence above ground from the safety and darkness of his underground existence as a metaphor for discovery, friendship and belonging. Without leaving his subterranean chambers, Mole would never have befriended Ratty and co; this is a charming literary exploration of the balancing act between risk taking and security.

Answer: The Wind in the Willows

'The Wind in the Willows' author Kenneth Grahame uses the character of Rat (or Ratty) to explore a theme that many of us wrestle with at some point in our life, the internal tug-of-war between rootedness and wanderlust.

Can Ratty find contentment at home on the riverbank or must he explore pastures new to truly discover himself?

Answer: The Wind in the Willows

Wayfarer - also known as Sea Rat - is a minor character in Grahame's 'The Wind in the Willows', appearing in the ninth chapter, 'Wayfarers All'. This chapter describes the interaction between Wayfarer, a sea-going rat, and the more established character, Rat (or Ratty).

Ratty becomes so enchanted by Wayfarer's tales of life on the high seas that he prepares to leave behind his provincial riverbank existence. Later in the chapter, Mole talks Ratty down and the latter eventually chooses to affirm his rooted life.

Answer: Flying Pokémon

Charizard (#006 in the Pokédex) is one of the most famous of the first generation (Gen I) of Pokémon given its frequent occurrence throughout the hugely successful early years of the 'Pokémon' television anime series in the late 1990s and for its prominence in the Nintendo Game Boy games 'Pokémon Red' and 'Pokémon Blue', both of which were originally released in 1996.

Charizard - the second evolution of the charming Charmander (#004) and direct evolution of Charmeleon (#005) - is a dual type Pokémon that can not only effortlessly exploit fire but also harness the power of the wind to generate flying-based attacks.

Answer: Flying Pokémon

In 'Pokémon Red', 'Pokémon Blue' and 'Pokémon Yellow' - as well as later entries in the Nintendo canon - Pidgeotto (#017 in the Pokédex) is a dual type species that exploits normal, ground-based attacks such as Tackle and Quick Attack alongside specialised aerial moves that include Wing Attack, Fly and Sky Attack.

Pidgeotto takes on a fierce raptor-like appearance which is in stark contrast to its cuddlier-looking lesser evolved form, Pidgey (#016), whose behaviour is described in 'Pokémon FireRed' as "Does not like to fight. It [Pidgey] hides in tall grass and so on, foraging for food such as small bugs."

Pidgeotto evolves into the majestic Pidgeot (#017).

Answer: Flying Pokémon

Articuno, alongside Zapdos and Moltres, is one of the three legendary birds from the first generation (Gen I) of Pokémon; the names for each of these three flying Pokémon were arrived at by combining their elemental nature and the Spanish translations for the numbers one to three.

The name of the elegant ice-type Articuno (#144 in the Pokédex) alludes to the frigidity of the Arctic as well as containing the Spanish for one, 'uno'. The name of Zapdos (#145) contains a playful reference to electricity, 'zap', alongside 'dos', the Spanish for two. The fire-type Moltres (#146) has a name that conjures up imagery of volcanic eruptions ('molt' for 'molten') and contains the Spanish for the number three, 'tres'.

Answer: Flying 'Marvel' Superhero

Captain Marvel is the superhero identity that has been assumed by a number of alter egos since the character was first introduced in 'Marvel Super-Heroes #12' back in 1962. The original Captain Marvel was Mar-Vell or Walter Lawson, who donned the iconic blue and red suit that really brought out the best in his enviable blonde barnet.

The original Captain Marvel could not only fly but possessed superhuman strength as well as other attributes such as speed and agility. Additionally, Captain Marvel had the capability of harnessing the power of regenerative healing.

Answer: Flying 'Marvel' Superhero

First appearing in a 1963 edition of the Marvel Comics publication 'Tales to Astonish', Wasp (alter ego of Janet van Dyne) is visually everything you would expect: winged, strikingly black and yellow with feet converging pointedly to represent the feared sting.

Affiliated with the Avengers, amongst other groups, Wasp has a number of superpowers in addition to flight; these include size minimisation and weaponisation of 'bioelectric energy'. Tell Wasp to buzz off at your peril!

Answer: Flying 'Marvel' Superhero

Cannonball, the alter ego of Samuel Zachary Guthrie, made his debut in 'Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants'. This 1982 publication introduces Cannonball as a mutant who kidnaps Professor X (he of 'X-Men' fame); Cannonball finds himself on the wrong side in this particular story arc and, upon defeat, he joins the New Mutants (Mirage, Karma, Sunspot and Wolfsbane).

Cannonball's ability doesn't take much imagination to deduce - he can fly through the air at pace whilst protected by a force field!