Matters of Fact Trivia Quiz

Answer: Zanzibar

This war, believe it or not, only lasted thirty-eight minutes. The cause of the war was the death of the pro-British sultan of Zanzibar. His successor didn't suit British interests, and in accordance with a treaty signed between the two countries ten years earlier, any new sultan had to pass British approval.

The British sent an ultimatum demanding the new sultan leave the palace immediately, but he didn't take kindly to this, gathered his soldiers, slaves and supporters about him and barricaded himself into the palace.

The British promptly arrived with three cruisers, two gunships, 150 marines and sailors and 900 pro-British Zanzibaris. The sultan had 2,800 Zanzibaris, and assorted artillery pieces and machine guns. The bombardment of the palace by the British commenced at 9:02 on 27th August 1896. By 9:40 the sultan had fled, leaving his slaves and supporters to deal with the British, the palace was on fire and his harem had been blown to pieces.

Answer: Building where train engines are serviced

These buildings are large and round and usually incorporated a turntable in their design. This was a section on which steam engines could be driven so that they could be easily turned around to face another direction. Early steam engines could only travel forward at first, though eventually their design was altered to enable them to reverse.

Answer: St Bona

Bona of Pisa lived from 1156 to 1207. Pope John XXIII canonised her as the patron saint of flight attendants in 1962. She began having visions at an early age and, by the time she was ten years old, she had become a lay member of the religious order of the Augustinians. Over the rest of her life, she made a number of journeys and pilgrimages, leading large numbers of believers to religious sites.

In between times, she regularly fasted, consuming only bread and water on several days each week. Following her death in 1207, her body was preserved and kept in the church in San Martino, and has been there ever since.

Answer: Because beggars do this to attract attention

There are an astonishing number of rules relating to the use of chopsticks in Asian countries, including -- they should not be left standing vertically in a bowl because this resembles incense sticks used at funerals; it is considered impolite for resting chopsticks to point towards other diners at a table; holding chopsticks incorrectly is a poor reflection on one's parents; the oldest members of families should always pick up their chopsticks first; chopsticks should not be crossed as this is considered bad luck - and so on.

In China alone, 45 million pairs of disposable chopsticks are used annually, with 25 million trees being sacrificed for the purpose. The government has attempted to stop this waste by placing a tax on chopsticks, but with little success so far.

Answer: drinking party for men

This was a forum for men to get together to plan any event, to brag about successes, to discuss current issues or simply just to drink and socialise with each other. They were held in the men's quarters of a household and women were forbidden to attend, apart from slaves, prostitutes and entertainers.

The following is a description from a written work of the day describing such an event: "For sensible men I prepare only three kraters (large jars of wine): one for health (which they drink first), the second for love and pleasure, and the third for sleep.

After the third one is drained, wise men go home. The fourth krater is not mine any more - it belongs to bad behaviour; the fifth is for shouting; the sixth is for rudeness and insults; the seventh is for fights; the eighth is for breaking the furniture; the ninth is for depression; the tenth is for madness and unconsciousness".

Answer: 197 foot Venezuelan freighter

Winds as high as 90 kilometres or fifty knots, and swells up to twenty feet tall (approximately 6 metres) were reported during the height of the cyclone. Such was its strength that its effects were even experienced as far away as Melbourne in Australia.

The cyclone lasted for three days and finally fizzled out on 26th November, after destroying large areas of the coast, a new pier under construction at St Augustine, and dragging the freighter through a seawall and dumping it in the back yard of the indignant socialite, where it remained for several months.

When it was finally removed and taken back out to sea, the authorities sank it and it eventually became a coral reef.

Answer: Dick Van Dyke

Films most associated with his name are "Mary Poppins" (1964) and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (1968). He has also been successful in a number of television shows, namely the "Dick Van Dyke Show" which ran from 1961 to 1966, and, displaying his dramatic abilities, in the classy show "Diagnosis Murder" which ran from 1993 to 2001. Dick Van Dyke has four children and seven grandchildren, and many of these show up regularly on the latter show, and others, in either regular or recurring roles.

He revealed his adventure with the porpoises during an interview in 2010.

Answer: Jaguar

Throughout the Aztec, Zapotec and Mayan civilisations, butterflies were often associated with fire and warfare because they were thought to be the souls of reincarnated warriors.

Answer: In a standing position

Pork was the meat of choice in ancient Rome. Every part of the animal was consumed, with the breasts and uterus of the sows considered a treat. Pig's ears in particular were a delicacy. The dish Porcus Troianus was named as a reference to the Trojan Horse. This was because when the pig was cut, the sausages spilled out of it like entrails.

Answer: Leading up to the wedding of a bride

Every day for a month leading up to her wedding, and once a week afterwards, a young bride to be purchases a bag of acacia wood from the market. Then, oiled with sweet smelling perfumes, she places the wood in a pot in the ground and lights it with smouldering charcoal. Over this is placed a seat with a hole cut out for her bottom etc.

Then, completely naked, but encased in a large black bag, with room only for her head to emerge, and surrounded by burning sandalwood sticks, she lifts up the bag and settles it and herself down upon the stool for several hours.

The fragrant perfumes are subsequently absorbed into her entire body, so that she will smell delightful and be suitably sensual for her husband to be. The bridegroom, on the other hand, can smell like a hippotamus if he wants to.

He doesn't have to sit on anything in preparation for the wedding.