The Zodiac Connection Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chrysler

The Dodge Aries was a mid-size car produced by Chrysler Corporation from 1981 to 1989. It was part of Chrysler's 'K-cars', which were front-wheel-drive vehicles designed to be economical and practical during a time when the company was struggling financially. It was available in three body styles: a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, and a four-door station wagon.

The Dodge Aries played a critical role in helping Chrysler avoid bankruptcy by appealing to American consumers looking for affordable, efficient cars. It underwent minor updates over its production run before being succeeded by the Dodge Spirit in 1989. The Aries and its siblings sold over two million units, marking a significant success for Chrysler in the 1980s.

Answer: Turkey

The Taurus Mountains are a major mountain range located in southern Turkey. They stretch approximately 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) from the Aegean region in the west to the Armenian Highlands in the east, running parallel to the Mediterranean coast. They separate the Mediterranean coastal region from the central Anatolian Plateau.

Some of the best places to view the Taurus Mountains are ancient historical sites and towns. The Selge Ancient City, located near Manavgat in Antalya Province, is one of the top spots, as it has remarkable ruins and dramatic views. The site is accessible and includes amenities such as a free parking lot, making it a popular choice for locals and tourists seeking spectacular mountain scenery.

Answer: Testing spaceflight techniques for future moon missions

Project Gemini was a vital NASA initiative in the 1960s that was a bridge between the earlier Mercury project and the Apollo lunar missions. It consisted of a series of ten manned missions designed to test essential spaceflight techniques such as orbital manoeuvres, rendezvous and docking, and spacewalks (extravehicular activities - EVAs).

This project was vital for developing the technology and skills needed for the Apollo moon landings. The Gemini spacecraft was a two-man capsule capable of supporting longer missions, up to two weeks in duration. Key accomplishments of the program included the first American spacewalk during Gemini 4, the first successful docking with an unmanned target vehicle on Gemini 8, and extensive data collection on human endurance in space.

Answer: Hera

Carcinus the Crab was sent by the goddess Hera to hinder Hercules (Heracles) during his second labour, to slay the Lernaean Hydra. Hera, who was hostile to Hercules, sent the giant crab to distract him in hopes that it would impede him. Hercules eventually crushed Carcinus under his foot and continued to defeat the Hydra. Hera later immortalised Carcinus by placing him in the stars as the constellation Cancer.

The Lernaean Hydra was a serpentine water monster in Greek mythology. It had multiple heads, usually said to be nine, and possessed venomous breath and blood. The most notable feature was its regenerative ability: when one head was cut off, two more would grow in its place. It lived in the swampy region of Lerna, near Argos, and was considered nearly impossible to defeat. The middle head was immortal, making it even more dangerous.

It was eventually slain by Hercules with the help of his nephew Iolaus, who cauterised the neck stumps with fire to prevent the heads from regrowing. Hercules buried the immortal head under a heavy rock and used the Hydra's poisonous blood for his arrows, which became lethally venomous. The Hydra was the offspring of the monsters Typhon and Echidna.

Answer: Panthera leo

Panthera leo, commonly known as the lion, is a large cat species native to sub-Saharan Africa and India. Males have a distinctive mane and are much larger. Lions are social animals living in groups called prides, consisting of related females, their offspring, and a few adult males.

Their habitat includes savannas, grasslands, shrublands, and semi-arid deserts. Lions are apex predators, primarily hunting medium to large ungulates. Females typically do the hunting and cub raising, while males defend the territory.

There are two major subspecies: Panthera leo leo, which includes lions in West and Central Africa and India (including the Asiatic lion population in Gir National Park, India). The subspecies which represents the majority of Africa's lion population today is the Panthera leo melanochaita (Southern lion). It's found in Southern Africa and East Africa, in countries like South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Lions are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of around 20,000 to 25,000 individuals left in the wild.

Answer: Ghost Town DJ's

Virgo Williams, aka Madison Bleu, is an American R&B singer known as the lead vocalist of the hip-hop/Miami bass group Ghost Town DJs. She gained prominence for her vocal performance on their 1996 hit single 'My Boo', which became popular again in 2016 through the viral Running Man Challenge. She was the first artist signed to Un-D-Nyable Entertainment.

Originally a background vocalist, she became the lead singer for the song when Akema, another intended lead vocalist, found it was too low for her. Virgo has a choral and church singing background and was working on becoming a solo artist when 'My Boo' was recorded. She has contributed to other projects such as the JD Bass Allstars compilations.

Answer: Britvic

Aqua Libra infused sparkling water is manufactured by Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd., a well-known beverage company based in the UK. Britvic acquired Aqua Libra's associated company, Aqua Libra Co (formerly The Boiling Tap Company), in 2020, which designs and manufactures hydration technology.

Aqua Libra Co.'s smart tap systems are used in offices, hospitality venues, and public spaces, providing chilled, sparkling, and boiling water on demand, reducing reliance on single-use plastics. The brand's focus on aluminium packaging supports circular economy principles, with cans that are recyclable and lighter to transport than glass.

Answer: Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher came to guest on 'Scorpio Rising' by Death in Vegas as part of the band's approach for their third album, which featured multiple guest vocalists including Paul Weller, Hope Sandoval, and Nicola Kuperus. The album was recorded in early 2002, and he was invited to provide vocals for the title track. There is a studio video showing him working with the band on the song, indicating a direct collaboration.

The collaboration seems to have been part of Death in Vegas's creative process to bring various distinctive voices into their album, and Liam's participation showed their mutual respect. The single 'Scorpio Rising' was released on 16 December 2002 and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Secretary Bird

The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is recognisable by its eagle-like body on long crane-like legs, standing about 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall with a wingspan of over 2 meters (over 7 feet). Its plumage is mostly grey, with black flight feathers and thighs, a featherless red-orange face, and a distinctive crest of black feathers on the back of its head.

It inhabits open grasslands, savannahs, and lightly wooded areas where it hunts on foot, preying on a broad range of animals including insects, small mammals, birds, amphibians, and snakes. Secretary Birds are renowned for their ability to hunt and kill venomous snakes, using strong, scaled legs to stomp and deliver powerful kicks to their prey.

They are also one of only two living bird species that hunt primarily on foot, along with the roadrunner.

Answer: Queensland

The Capricorn Caves in Queensland are a network of ancient caverns formed from coral reefs that once thrived in the area millions of years ago. They contain towering chambers, narrow passageways, and dramatic formations shaped by time and water. Visitors can explore them through guided tours that range from gentle walks to spelunking, while learning about the region's natural history and biodiversity.

One of the most captivating features is the Cathedral Cave, famous for its acoustics and often used for weddings and musical performances. Candlelit tours heighten the atmosphere, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls, creating a sense of mystery. The site also emphasises eco-tourism, with native wildlife and educational programmes.

Answer: Hair

The song 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In' features in The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical 'Hair' which debuted off-Broadway in 1967 and moved to Broadway in 1968. Created by Gerome Ragni, James Rado, and Galt MacDermot, it broke theatrical conventions with its Rock score and free-form structure.

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, 'Hair' follows a group of young hippies in New York City exploring identity, sexuality, pacifism, and rebellion. It became a cultural touchstone of the 1960s counterculture, known for its celebration of peace, love, and anti-establishment ideals. The song 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In' in 'Hair' is about the dawning of a new astrological age, the Age of Aquarius, symbolising peace, love, harmony, and a shift in human consciousness.

It was recorded by The 5th Dimension, an American vocal group. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and became one of the most popular singles of the year. It also peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Jennifer Neal

'My Pisces Heart' by Jennifer Neal is an intimate memoir that explores the journey of a Black, queer woman searching for security and acceptance across four continents. The book intertwines her deeply personal stories of immigration with historical and political analysis of the countries she inhabits, including the United States, Japan, Australia, and Germany.

It traces her upbringing in a family that moved frequently for survival, shaped by the legacy of the Great Migration. As an adult, she continues this constant search for belonging, navigating life as an expatriate and confronting the myths and realities of race and history in each country she lives in. It's a critical examination of the foundations of racism in modern immigration and a tribute to the resilience of immigrants globally.