Putting The Fun Back Into Learning Quiz

Answer: Irwin Shaw (American)

Irwin Shaw (1913-1984) was a novelist, dramatist and short story writer. He was born in the Bronx, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Russia and given the name Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff. His 1970 novel was made into a successful television mini-series. His other works include 'Bury the Dead'(1936), 'The Young Lions'(1948) and 'Tip on a Dead Jockey'(1957).

Answer: Paul Plum

All the first names are anagrams of the surnames except Paul Plum. Other examples could include Merlin Milner and Brian Brain.

Answer: Anna Liszt

I work as an 'analyst' for the American chemical company 'Huntsman', so the name Anna Liszt (analyst) amused me. Hungarian Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was a virtuoso pianist and composer who was born in Raiding, Hungary on 22 October, 1811. His father, Adam Liszt was an amateur pianist who died when Franz was only 15 years old.

His mother, Anna Liszt, was born Marie Anna Lager (I'll drink to that) in Krems, Austria on May 9th, 1788.

Answer: Cannon and Ball

Thomas Derbyshire and Robert Harper were the real names of comedians 'Cannon and Ball' who should have been fired years ago - only joking. Tommy Cannon aged 67 and Bobby Ball aged 61 (as of January, 2006) have known each other for over 40 years and had their own comedy show on British television in the 1980's.

They recently replaced former Eastender's star Elaine Lordan on the British version of 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'. Other celebrities included 'Bargain Hunt' David Dickinson, former 'Emmerdale' soap star Sheree Murphy affectionately known as Smurf, Jimmy Osmond and eventual winner Carol Thatcher, the daughter of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Answer: Michael

Amstrad means (A)Alan (M) Michael (S) Sugar (Trad) Trading. English businessman Sir Alan Michael Sugar was born in Hackney, London on 24th March, 1947 and today has an estimated wealth of 760 million pounds. After leaving school he worked briefly as a civil service statistician before testing his business skills at selling intercoms, television aerials and cigarette lighters.

In 1968 Amstrad was formed, and by 1970 he undercut rival companies by using injection moulding plastics rather than the more expensive vacuum forming process to produce hi-fi turntable covers. By 1980, Amstrad had joined the London Stock Exchange but the 1990's proved a difficult trading time so the company divided into Betacom and Viglen in 1997. Due to his contributions to business, Alan Sugar was knighted in the year 2000 and led the dolce vita, the sweet life. (sugar being a white crystalline, sweet carbohydrate - ouch!)

Answer: Volvo

The Volvo is a good sturdy car and built like a tank which is not surprising as the company manufactured military vehicles. Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielsson founded Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden on April 14th, 1927, when vehicles first 'rolled' off the factory thus establishing the name Volvo, Latin for 'I roll'.

Answer: tomato

au(TOMATO)n. A tomato is a red, fleshy, edible fruit which is often eaten in salads. An automaton is another word for a robot.

Answer: Mousehole

Mousehole is largely unspoilt and represents a typical village from bygone days and is located near Penzance. In olden days its harbour was crowded with fishing boats and locally caught pilchards were packed into barrels. The pretty coastal village of Cornwall really comes alive during the middle of December until early January when its famous Christmas illuminations are switched on.

Answer: The Colosseum Amphitheatre in Rome

The Colosseum's floor consisted of wooden planks covered in sand to soak up blood and this was the arena gladiators fought on. The word 'are' from arena, means sand. Due to people's lust for blood and so-called entertainment, crocodiles were introduced to the flooded arena.

This led to Roman politician Cicero being disgusted with this carnage. He said "What pleasure can it give a person when a feeble human being is torn to pieces by strong wild animals"?

Answer: Donald McGill

Donald McGill lost a foot in a school rugby accident. He drew a 'get well' card for a sick nephew and an in-law encouraged him to make it a full time occupation as he already had graphic designer skills. In Edwardian times, putting on weight was regarded as a sign of rosy good health.

He exploited his social observations and the use of caricatures of fat old ladies, young attractive women, lecherous males, drunks, honeymoon couples and vicars to use in his double entombs to full effect. These were the days when political correctness hadn't yet raised its ugly head and he graded his vulgarity as mild, medium and strong, the latter of course being the best seller. During the years (1904-1962) it is estimated he produced 12,000 designs and had about 200 million copies printed. Today his work can be still seen in seaside holiday resort shops and is very collectable.

He died in 1962, but his humour lives on. Hope you found the quiz informative.