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Quiz about Why Did I Want That
Quiz about Why Did I Want That

Why Did I Want That? Trivia Quiz


A look at some of the mistakes that have been made when desire comes before rationality.

A multiple-choice quiz by 480154st. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
480154st
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
394,830
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
368
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. In 2014, in which country was someone doubtless asking "Why did I want that?", when it was discovered that the 2000 new trains ordered, were too wide for over 1300 regional platforms? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which actor must have asked "Why did I want that?" when he turned down the role of Andy Dufresne in "The Shawshank Redemption"(1995) to concentrate on his epic, "Waterworld"(1995)? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. When the Hindenburg was engulfed in flames in 1937, the Nazi Minister of Public Propaganda who was responsible for the giant zeppelin must have asked "why did I want hydrogen and not helium". Which man held this position? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Which great military leader must have asked himself why he wanted to force Russia to cease trading with Great Britain in 1812, when his army was soundly beaten by a policy of scorched earth? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. "Why did I want that?" may well have been the last thoughts of Jimi Heselden in 2010 as he fell to his death whilst on his own product. Which product did the company he bought in 2010 produce? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Jamie Richardson from Leeds got a tattoo reading "England 2018 World Cup Winners". This proved to be a slightly premature, "why did I want that?" decision as France won the tournament. Where did England finish? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. CEO Roberto Goizueta wanted the company's best selling product to have a new taste, which was introduced in April 1985. However public backlash forced the reinstatement of the old taste just three months later. Which company was this? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. President John F. Kennedy decided to visit Dallas, Texas as part of his campaign for re-election and a campaign manager, in a "why did I want that?" moment decided he should have the top down on his motorcade. On which date was JFK assassinated? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In 1935, in an effort to control the spread of the native cane beetle, what did Reginald Mungomery of the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations introduce to Australia with devastating ecological effects? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. In 1997, third division football club Swansea Town were bought by technology company, Ninth Floor, for the bargain price of just £100. Four years later though in 2001, Ninth Floor sold the club for how much? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In 2014, in which country was someone doubtless asking "Why did I want that?", when it was discovered that the 2000 new trains ordered, were too wide for over 1300 regional platforms?

Answer: France

The new trains were only a few centimetres too wide for the platforms, but the large number of platforms affected meant that this blunder cost the French taxpayer in excess of 50 million euros ($68.4m; £40.6m). To make matters worse, Jacques Rapoport, the president of RFF, the rail operator blamed for the oversight, played down the error, saying "50 million euros is a drop in the ocean." At least weekly newspaper "Le Canard Enchaîne" saw the funny side when they published a cartoon with the caption, "The Paris-Brest train is entering the station. Please pull in your stomachs."
2. Which actor must have asked "Why did I want that?" when he turned down the role of Andy Dufresne in "The Shawshank Redemption"(1995) to concentrate on his epic, "Waterworld"(1995)?

Answer: Kevin Costner

"The Shawshank Redemption", starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, was shot on a $25 million budget and although not a box office hit initially, was re released on the back of its seven Oscar nominations enabling it to gross $58.3 million, as well as becoming one of the top rented VHS films of the year. "Waterworld", on the other hand, was at the time, the most expensive movie ever made at an estimated $235 million and grossed just $264 million worldwide.

It was nominated for one Oscar, that of "Best Sound" and review site "Rotten Tomatoes", who give the movie a 42% rating, compared to "Shawshank's" 91%, describe it as "an ambitious misfire: an extravagant sci-fi flick with some decent moments and a lot of silly ones."
3. When the Hindenburg was engulfed in flames in 1937, the Nazi Minister of Public Propaganda who was responsible for the giant zeppelin must have asked "why did I want hydrogen and not helium". Which man held this position?

Answer: Joseph Goebbels

In fairness, Goebbels probably didn't have a lot of choice in his decision as at that time, the US government controlled the only significant supplies of helium, and refused to supply it to the Nazi government. The Hindenburg burst into flames while docking at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, from where it was contracted by American Airlines to shuttle passengers to Newark airport for plane flights.

In just 37 seconds the Hindenburg was destroyed and 36 of the 97 people aboard died when static electricity in the air was earthed by the mooring ropes and caused sparks.

There is a school of thought that speculates the reason for the fire was not the hydrogen but instead the cellulose acetate used to waterproof the cotton fabric as the airship burned with a red flame, not the almost invisible blue flame one would expect from hydrogen.
4. Which great military leader must have asked himself why he wanted to force Russia to cease trading with Great Britain in 1812, when his army was soundly beaten by a policy of scorched earth?

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon predicted that his "Grande Armee", numbering over 600,000 men would take control of Russia within 20 days and after entering Russia on 24 June 1812, and a few minor skirmishes, engaged with the Russian army at Smolensk. The Russians retreated, using scorched earth tactics that left Napoleon unable to provide for his troops. On September 7th, the French found the Russians dug in at the town of Borodino, and although the French won this battle, it was not decisive as the Russians once again retreated, destroying anything of use. Napoleon's army entered Moscow a week later, to find it abandoned and burned.

After recuperating for a month in Moscow and a further inconclusive battle at Maloyaroslavets, Napoleon retreated towards the Polish border, only to find progress slowed by the Russian winter, which also caused widespread hypothermia.

A lack of food for both men and horses, along with constant attacks by Cossacks meant that by the time Napoleon crossed the Berezina River to head into Poland, the "Grande Armee" numbered only 27,000 men and the war had lasted almost six months.
5. "Why did I want that?" may well have been the last thoughts of Jimi Heselden in 2010 as he fell to his death whilst on his own product. Which product did the company he bought in 2010 produce?

Answer: Segway

Heselden is believed to have reversed on his Segway to allow a dog walker room to pass on the cliff top near Thorp Arch, West Yorkshire and fell 42 feet (13 metres) to his death, dying from blunt force trauma sustained in his descent. Segway was founded in 1999 by the inventor Dean Kamen.
6. Jamie Richardson from Leeds got a tattoo reading "England 2018 World Cup Winners". This proved to be a slightly premature, "why did I want that?" decision as France won the tournament. Where did England finish?

Answer: Fourth

England got off to a great start in the 2018 World Cup, beating Tunisia 2-1 and thrashing Panama 6-1, prompting Richardson to get his tattoo. The team then lost 1-0 to Belgium, but were still able to advance from the group stages and face Colombia who they beat on penalties.

In the quarter finals, Sweden were dispatched 2-0, setting up a semi final match against Croatia. Unfortunately for English fans, and Richardson in particular, England lost by a score of 2-1. leaving Croatia to go on to the final, while England played Belgium for third place, a match which Belgium won 2-0. Richardson, displaying great character, denied having any regrets, saying, "It is better to have believed and lost than not to have believed at all."
7. CEO Roberto Goizueta wanted the company's best selling product to have a new taste, which was introduced in April 1985. However public backlash forced the reinstatement of the old taste just three months later. Which company was this?

Answer: Coca-Cola

Coke II or New Coke as it became known was produced in response to blind taste tests that showed consumers preferred the sweeter taste of rival Pepsi Cola. Although the change was initially well received, problems arose in the southern United States which was Coke's homeland.

The company's hotline, which previously averaged 400 calls per day was now receiving in excess of 1500 calls and the company received over 40,000 letters from consumers expressing their displeasure at the change. Old style coke, or Coca-Cola Classic, was quickly reintroduced to production plants and Coke II was phased out completely in 2002.
8. President John F. Kennedy decided to visit Dallas, Texas as part of his campaign for re-election and a campaign manager, in a "why did I want that?" moment decided he should have the top down on his motorcade. On which date was JFK assassinated?

Answer: November 22nd 1963

Having the top down would allow JFK and wife Jackie to be seen by the maximum number of people, but it also allowed assassin, former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald, a clear shot. Kennedy was travelling in the vehicle with Texas governor John Connally who was also injured in the shooting but went on to make a full recovery. Oswald was shot and killed on live TV in the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.
9. In 1935, in an effort to control the spread of the native cane beetle, what did Reginald Mungomery of the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations introduce to Australia with devastating ecological effects?

Answer: Cane Toad

A reluctance to use pesticides for fear of damaging harmless insect species was behind the decision to bring cane toads in from Hawaii. What the Bureau didn't foresee was how quickly the toad would adapt and the threats it would pose. 102 toads were released into the wild in 1935 and by 2016, their numbers are in excess of 200 million, causing a huge decline in the number of skinks, monitor lizards and snakes as their habitats are taken over.

The toad is also responsible for the spread of diseases to other animals as well as causing death in predators such as freshwater crocodiles and dingoes due to poison-producing glands on the back of the toad's head.
10. In 1997, third division football club Swansea Town were bought by technology company, Ninth Floor, for the bargain price of just £100. Four years later though in 2001, Ninth Floor sold the club for how much?

Answer: £1

Ninth Floor may have only paid £100 for the Welsh team, but they also had to pay off debts valued at £500,000. The club won promotion to the second division but didn't have the players or the depth of squad to stay there and were relegated after just one season. Ninth Floor made a loss each of the four seasons that they were owners, in particular a loss of £567,000 in 2000, prompting the decision to sell to club managing director Mike Lewis for £1 and doubtless prompting the question, "Why did I want that?"
Source: Author 480154st

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