Welsh People Trivia

1. Which beautiful Welsh actress played the main female part in 'The Mask of Zorro'?

From Quiz Welsh People

Answer: Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones was born and brought up in the Welsh town of Swansea, and since she was a little girl she wanted to be an actress and singer. After appearing as a child in such musicals as 'Annie' and 'Bugsy Malone' she got her first big break when she starred in '42nd Street' in London's West End. Since then she has been in many movies but many British people like to remember her in 'The Darling Buds of May' on British TV.

From Quiz Some of My Compatriots

Answer: Tom Jones

After a string of fairly raw and rocky Top 40 hits in the 1960s and 1970s, Tom Jones evolved into a more mature crooner. He spent most of the next 20 years singing in various well known American night clubs, before enjoying a commercial revival in the 1990s. One of his best known early hits (1965) was the theme tune to the James Bond film, "Thunderball". Urban legend has it that on hitting the final high note, Jones passed out - but the take was so good, it was used in the final cut. Jones has always denied this.

From Quiz Welsh Historical Figures

Answer: The Red Lady of Paviland

The skeleton was originally believed to be that of a woman, hence the misnomer. Along with the body, a number of grave goods were found including shells, ivory and mammoth bones. The 'Red' element comes from the fact that the skeleton was found packed with red ochre.

From Quiz Welsh Wonders

Answer: The "equals" symbol

Robert Recorde was born in Tenby in 1510 and was the first to write mathematical textbooks in English, thereby introducing algebra to English speakers.

From Quiz Who Hails From Wales?

Answer: Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was brought up in Cardiff, South Wales. His book 'Boy' is autobiographical and tells of his years in Wales. His grand-daughter is Sophie Dahl, the supermodel, for whom the book 'The BFG' was written.

From Quiz Welsh Heroes

Answer: Jimmy Wilde

Jimmy Wilde's weight never rose above 8 stones (112 lbs), but he was tough and wiry having developed his strength working underground in the pits of the Rhondda valley, and his skill as a boxer at fairground boxing booths. Cornel Wilde was an actor, Marty Wilde a singer, and Oscar Wilde an Irish writer.

From Quiz Welsh People

Answer: Harry Secombe

Harry Secombe was the Goon with the beautiful voice. He played Neddy Seagoon in the 'Goon Show', as well as many other parts. In 1981 he was knighted and referred to himself referred to himself as Sir Cumference, in reference to his rounded figure. In summer Sir Harry used to arrange celebrity cricket teams to play local teams and raise money for charity.

From Quiz Wales is a Beautiful Country

Answer: Taekwondo

Jade Jones, from Denbighshire, was nicknamed 'The Headhunter' because of her preferred way of gaining points by kicks to opponents' heads. In the women's 57kg category final at the London 2012 Olympics she beat Hou Yuzhuo to win GB's first taekwondo gold. Taekwondo was developed in Korea in the years following Japanese occupation. It was first made a demonstration event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, becoming a full Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney games.

From Quiz Some of My Compatriots

Answer: Catherine Zeta Jones

Catherine Zeta Jones first rose to prominence alongside David Jason in the UK drama series, "The Darling Buds of May". In 2000, she maried Michael Douglas (son of Kirk Douglas, who played the title role in "Spartacus"), and won an Oscar as best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2002 film, "Chicago".

From Quiz Welsh Historical Figures

Answer: Celtic

Nobody seems able to agree whether the name 'Celtic' should refer to the people or the culture. It is safe to say that the culture was Celtic and the Welsh language is certainly a Celtic language. Anglo-Saxon refers to the upstarts who moved in next door several centuries later, Gallic refers to Gaul, which is now France, and Cymric is a slightly romanticised alternative for 'Welsh'.

From Quiz Welsh Wonders

Answer: Achieved the first heavier than air powered flight

Born in Saundersfoot, he applied for a patent in 1894 and within a year had built and flown his "flying machine". It stayed in the air for 10 seconds before hitting a tree. This was years before the Wright brothers achieved their flight.

From Quiz Welsh Heroes

Answer: Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley's floral prints and feminine designs were hugely popular in the 1970s and her move to mid Wales where she established the hub of her fashion and home textile empire at Carno gave her more inspiration. Sadly, at the pinnacle of her success, she died following a fall downstairs during a visit to her daughter.

From Quiz Welsh People

Answer: Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones wrote 'Gavin and Stacey' with writing partner James Corden. She played the part of Stacey's friend Nessa, and James played Gavin's friend Smithy. Ruth has played many other parts since the end of the series and notably portrayed the late great Hattie Jacques in a biopic of her life.

From Quiz Wales is a Beautiful Country

Answer: Hanging, drawing and quartering

The Chartists' demands were considered extreme and dangerous to the British establishment - things like: giving the vote to all men over the age of 21; secret ballots for elections; and allowing Members of Parliament to sit without any hurdle of property ownership. They had huge public meetings and submitted a petition signed by over one and a quarter million that was ignored by the House of Commons. Following this rebuff, violence and arrests ensued. In 1839 a band of several thousand Chartists, led by John Frost, marched on Newport, to take the town - by force, if necessary, although Frost maintained he was trying to keep the peace. They were met by soldiers at the Westgate Hotel. Shots were fired by both sides, and the Chartists were beaten back, with 20 of them dead and several injured. Frost, William Jones and Zephaniah Williams were sentenced to being hanged, drawn and quartered. I won't go into the detail of this brutal punishment, whose origin was in the Middle Ages. It's hard to believe this was still on the statute book in Britain in 1840, and that it was not to be abolished as a sentence for high treason until 1870. There was a massive outcry over this decision, and the sentence on the three men was commuted to transportation to Australia. Frost eventually returned to the UK in 1856, having been given an unconditional pardon, and died in Bristol, still actively advocating reform to the end, at the age of 93 in 1877. He is now the most famous and revered of Newport's sons, with a square in the city dedicated to his memory.

From Quiz Welsh Historical Figures

Answer: Caradog/Caractacus

Although not strictly speaking Welsh himself (he belonged to the Catuvellauni tribe, whose territory was based in Essex) he did lead the Silurian tribe whose territory covered much of South-east Wales. He died in Rome c. 54 CE. Asterics/Astérix, the indomitabe Gaul, and Arthur need no introduction. Some say Astérix was the Sebastien Chabal of his time. Macsen Wledig/Magnus Maximus was a Roman nobleman. He married a Welsh girl following a prophetic dream and did much to strengthen links between Wales and Rome and is credited with uniting much of Wales.

From Quiz Welsh Wonders

Answer: Teddy bear

In 1954, Welsh toy maker Wendy Boston produced the first truly washable teddy bear. She also made the first screwlock plastic eyes.

From Quiz Welsh Heroes

Answer: Physics

In the research for which Professor Josephson achieved his award he discovered how an electrical current could flow between two superconductors even when an insulator was placed between them. This became known as the "Josephson effect".

From Quiz Welsh People

Answer: Dylan Thomas

The Welsh writer and poet Dylan Thomas was very popular in his lifetime and remained so after his early death at the age of 39. He also wrote the very well known poem 'Do not go gentle into that good night'.

From Quiz Wales is a Beautiful Country

Answer: George Everest

Colonel Sir George Everest, born in Crickhowell in 1790, was the Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843. He was responsible for a large amount of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India that was carried out by the British Empire. After he retired, his successor, Andrew Scott Waugh, identified a peak as possibly the highest in the world. Waugh proposed to the Royal Geographical Society that, rather than attempt to choose between the many alternative local names, it would be an appropriate honour to name the mountain after Everest. Everest was adamant that this was wrong - it was always the practice to use local names. Additionally, his name could neither be written in Hindi nor easily pronounced by the local people. However Waugh's view prevailed. Interestingly, Everest pronounced his name Eve-rest, but that has gone by the wayside.

From Quiz A Wales of a Tale

Answer: T.E. Lawrence

Thomas Edward Lawrence, nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia, was a British Army officer, probably best known for his involvement in the Arab Revolt (1916 - 1918). In addition to his military service, he traveled extensively through the Middle East, wrote prolifically and vividly about his adventures, and was given the Distinguished Service Order, the French Légion d'Honneur, and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He did, however, turn down the honor of becoming a Knight Commander of the British Empire.

From Quiz Some of My Compatriots

Answer: Sir Henry Morgan

What a character Sir Henry Morgan was! Living in the 17th century, he was brought up in South Wales before being sent to work for the Crown in the West Indies. This was under the auspices of his uncle, Edward Morgan, who was Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica. Whether he was just a very effective policeman of the seas, keeping control of wayward sailors for His Majesty's interests, or whether he was one of the biggest rogues the Caribbean has ever seen is still a topic of debate. What we do now is that he has been immortalized in film, in literature, in song, in video games and on the label of rum bottles. We're still not sure in Wales whether to be proud of him or not, mind!

From Quiz Welsh Wonders

Answer: Telephone

In 1881, William Henry Preece, born in Caernarvon, Chief Engineer of the Post Office, was the first person to introduce the Bell telephone to the U.K.

From Quiz Welsh People

Answer: Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey began her professional career in the mid 1950s, and is well known for her beautiful and strong contralto voice and her glamourous dresses. She sang the theme songs to James Bond movies 'Diamonds Are Forever', 'Moonraker' and 'Goldfinger'.

From Quiz Wales is a Beautiful Country

Answer: Michael Sheen

With highlights including a 05:30 start on Aberavon Sands on Good Friday 2011, a last supper of beer and sandwiches while The Manic Street Preachers performed, and a crucifixion scene on a roundabout, this extraordinary and moving event involved and inspired the whole town. Sheen was born in Newport and moved to Port Talbot at the age of eight. Anthony Hopkins was born in Port Talbot, and Rob Brydon in nearby Baglan. There must be something in the air - from the sea or the steelworks, perhaps?

From Quiz Some of My Compatriots

Answer: Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones won the Best (female) Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards in 2007 for her appearances in 'Fat Friends' and playing Ness in 'Gavin and Stacy'. We've also enjoyed her talents as Linda in the BBC's 'Nighty Night', in Saxondale as 'Magz' with Steve Coogan (aka Alan Partridge), and mainly as 'Myfanwy' the bar maid in Llandewi Breffi - friend to Daffyd Thomas (played by Matt Lucas), 'the only gay in the village' in Little Britain. Rob Brydon was a couple of years her senior at school in Porthcawl, and is said to have been a constant source of encouragement to her throughout her acting career.

From Quiz Welsh Wonders

Answer: Leighton Rees

Leighton Rees from Pontypridd won the inaugural title beating John Lowe in the final.

From Quiz Welsh People

Answer: Terry Griffiths

Terry won the world championship in 1979 and reached the final in 1988. He also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982. This made him one of the few players to win the snooker triple crown. He went on to work as a coach and a snooker pundit on television.

From Quiz Wales is a Beautiful Country

Answer: His sister, Gwen

Augustus John, born in Tenby in 1878, was a prominent portraitist who produced vivid depictions of the likes of T.E. Lawrence, Dylan Thomas and W. B. Yeats. He was appointed to the Order of Merit in 1942. His elder sister, Gwen, born in 1876 in Haverfordwest, was also an artist. Her work was more low key, usually with unknown female subjects. She had nothing like her brother's success and fame. She was a model and lover of Rodin, who called her 'God's little Artist'. Augustus recognised her talent, saying: 'In 50 years' time I will be known as the brother of Gwen John.' He was probably harsh on himself, but critical opinion has certainly moved in that direction. Augustus John's other relatives that were mentioned were as follows. His daughter, from his second marriage, Vivien, was also an artist. She emerged from the shadow of her father and aunt to make a fine career. His first wife, Ida Nettleship, was another artist, who died of puerpal fever in 1907. Augustus and Ida's son, Sir Caspar John, had a different career - he was the British First Sea Lord in the 1960s.

From Quiz Welsh Wonders

Answer: Snooker

Ray was born in Tredegar in 1932 and was World Professional Snooker champion six times between 1970 and 1978.

From Quiz Who Hails From Wales?

Answer: Kelly Jones

The original line up of the Stereophonics was: Kelly Jones, Richard Jones (no relation) and Stuart Cable.

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