Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Trees

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Subject: TREES
(e.g., What kind of tree is associated with Canada? Answer: Maple tree.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. What kind of tree is associated with Sir Isaac Newton?
Answer________

2. What kind of tree is associated with George Washington?
Answer________

3. What kind of tree is associated with Lebanon?
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. This tree was in the middle of the Garden of Eden.
Answer________

5. What kind of tree is America's "General Sherman tree"?
Answer________

6. This huge, 14-story artificial tree is the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. These humanoid trees lived in the fantasy world of Middle-earth.
Answer________

8. What kind of tree is associated with Buddha?
Answer________

9. In Hinduism, this tree is considered sacred and is called "Ashwath Vriksha."
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Apple tree.
2. Cherry tree.
3. Cedar tree.
4. Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Tree of Conscience).
5. (Giant) Sequoia.
6. The Tree of Life.
7. Ents.
8. Bodhi (Bo) tree.
9. Banyan tree.

Final Films

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Monday, October 19, 2009

Subject: FINAL FILMS
Which actor made a final appearance in the film? Initials are provided. (e.g., "The Harder They Fall": H.B. Answer: Humphrey Bogart.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. "The Misfits": C.G. and/or M.M.
Answer________

2. "Giant": J.D.
Answer________

3. "On Golden Pond": H.F.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. "The Shootist": J.W.
Answer________

5. "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus": H.L.
Answer________

6. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner": S.T.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. "Brainstorm": N.W.
Answer________

8. "Plan 9 From Outer Space": B.L.
Answer________

9. "Enter the Dragon": B.L.
Answer________

ANSWERS: 1. Clark Gable and/or Marilyn Monroe.
2. James Dean.
3. Henry Fonda.
4. John Wayne.
5. Heath Ledger.
6. Spencer Tracy.
7. Natalie Wood.
8. Bela Lugosi.
9. Bruce Lee.

Names of Nations

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Saturday, October 17, 2009

Subject: NAMES OF NATIONS
(e.g., The first country alphabetically. Answer: Afghanistan.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. The largest country with a name that both starts and ends with an "a."
Answer________

2. Two countries with the same name except for the last letter.
Answer________

3. Two countries with names that begin with "Chi."
Answer________

4. A four-letter country name that begins with "C."
Answer________

5. Insert "al" into Austria to get this name.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

6. Two countries with names that both start with "Al" and end with "ia."
Answer________

7. A country with the name of a continent as part of its name.
Answer________

8. Two country names that both begin with "M" and end with "o."
Answer________

9. The names of two countries that begin with "Be."
Answer________

10. Two country names that both begin with "Slov" and end with "ia."
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

11. A country name that ends with "name."
Answer________

12. The shortest country name that starts with "T."
Answer________

13. Two country names that both begin with "Lib."
Answer________

14. The only country name that begins with "Y."
Answer________

15. The last country alphabetically.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Australia.
2. Iran, Iraq.
3. China, Chile.
4. Cuba, Chad.
5. Australia.
6. Algeria, Albania.
7. South Africa, United States of America.
8. Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Montenegro.
9. Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin. 10. Slovakia, Slovenia.
11. Suriname.
12. Togo.
13. Liberia, Libya.
14. Yemen.
15. Zimbabwe.

"Roots" Quiz

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Friday, October 16, 2009

Subject: "ROOTS" QUIZ
(e.g., A word meaning "involving the common people." Answer: Grass roots.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Who was the author of "Roots: The Saga of an American Family"?
Answer________

2. What Hires beverage is one of America's oldest soft drinks?
Answer________

3. In the Bible, what is stated to be "the root of all evil"?
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. What kind of root would be the concern of an endodontist?
Answer________

5. What two numbers are the square root of 100?
Answer________

6. What animal is featured on the logo of clothing retailer Roots Canada?
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. What plant's name is derived from the Chinese words for "man root"?
Answer________

8. What prize did American Elihu Root receive in 1912?
Answer________

9. What U.K. firm once produced Humber Singer and Sunbeam cars?
Answer________

ANSWERS: 1. Alex Haley.
2. Hires Root Beer.
3. The love of money.
4. Root canal.
5. 10 and -10.
6. Beaver.
7. Ginseng.
8. Nobel Peace Prize.
9. Rootes.

Mythical Beasts

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Thursday, October 15, 2009

Subject: MYTHICAL BEASTS
Which creatures are mingled? (e.g., Cockatrice. Answer: Rooster + serpent (dragon).)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Mermaid
Answer________

2. Centaur
Answer________

3. Minotaur
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Sphinx
Answer________

5. Griffin
Answer________

6. Harpy
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Faun
Answer________

8. Chimera
Answer________

9. Manticore
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Woman + fish.
2. Human + horse.
3. Human + bull.
4. Human + lion.
5. Eagle + lion.
6. Woman + bird.
7. Human + goat.
8. Lion + goat + serpent (dragon).
9. Human + lion + scorpion (dragon).

Four

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Subject: FOUR
Provide the fourth member of the quartet. (e.g., North, south, east, ___. Answer: West.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Hearts, diamonds, spades, ___.
Answer________

2. Matthew, Mark, Luke, ___.
Answer________

3. String, percussion, woodwind, ___.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Earth, air, water, ___.
Answer________

5. Egg, larva, pupa, ___.
Answer________

6. Carats, clarity, color, ___.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Coins, wands, cups, ___.
Answer________

8. Short Line, B&O, Pennsylvania, ___.
Answer________

9. Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, ___.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Clubs (cards).
2. John (Gospels).
3. Brass (orchestra).
4. Fire (elements).
5. Adult (life cycle).
6. Cut (diamonds).
7. Swords (Tarot).
8. Reading (Monopoly).
9. Utah (four corners).

U.S. City Events

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Subject: U.S. CITY EVENTS
Each question asks: "In what U.S. city?" (e.g., The 1996 Summer Olympics were held. Answer: Atlanta.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Lincoln delivered his "Four score and seven years ago" speech.
Answer________

2. The auto race known as "The 500" is held.
Answer________

3. The annual Rose Parade is held.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Elvis Presley died.
Answer________

5. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I have a dream" speech.
Answer________

6. John Dillinger was shot and killed.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat.
Answer________

8. The Hindenburg airship exploded.
Answer________

9. Joseph Smith was shot and killed.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Gettysburg, Pa.
2. Indianapolis.
3. Pasadena, Calif.
4. Memphis, Tenn.
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Chicago.
7. Montgomery, Ala.
8. Lakehurst, N.J.
9. Carthage, Ill.

Potpourri

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Monday, October 12, 2009

Subject: POTPOURRI
(e.g., What capital city is located at the junction of the White and Blue Niles? Answer: Khartoum, Sudan.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. What TV family lived at Southfork Ranch?
Answer________

2. What is the term for a female donkey?
Answer________

3. What novel's first chapter is titled "Marley's Ghost"?
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. What pugilist was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1942?
Answer________

5. What famous novel's subtitle is "The Modern Prometheus"?
Answer________

6. What is fed to a young bee in order for it to develop into a queen?
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. What is the only U.S. state with a two-letter postal abbreviation of two vowels?
Answer________

8. In 2005, Bhutan became the first country to completely ban what substance?
Answer________

9. What is the nickname of the literary pickpocket Jack Dawkins?
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. The Ewings ("Dallas").
2. Jenny.
3. "A Christmas Carol."
4. Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali).
5. "Frankenstein."
6. Royal jelly.
7. Iowa (IA).
8. Tobacco.
9. "The Artful Dodger."

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Star Quiz

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Saturday, October 10, 2009

Subject: STAR QUIZ
Each answer contains "star." (e.g., What nursery rhyme begins with "twinkle"? Answer: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.")

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Nickname for Texas.
Answer________

2. An epic 1977 film by George Lucas.
Answer________

3. What "star" is recognized as a symbol of Jewish identity?
Answer________

4. William Shatner starred as Captain Kirk on this TV series.
Answer________

5. The right side of a ship.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

6. Romeo and Juliet are the classic example of this type of lovers.
Answer________

7. What is a pentagram?
Answer________

8. The TV partner of Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson.
Answer________

9. A notorious American female outlaw.
Answer________

10. Colloquial name for Sirius.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

11. What is the claim to fame of actress Florence Lawrence?
Answer________

12. The alter ego of rocker Paul Stanley of the band Kiss.
Answer________

13. The U.S. has 50, and Brazil has 27. What are they?
Answer________

14. The young first mate of the Pequod.
Answer________

15. Title of a famous Vincent van Gogh painting.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. The Lone Star State.
2. "Star Wars."
3. Star of David.
4. "Star Trek."
5. Starboard.
6. Star-crossed lovers.
7. A five-pointed star.
8. David Starsky.
9. Belle Starr.
10. Dog Star.
11. First movie star.
12. "Starchild."
13. Stars on the national flag.
14. Starbuck.
15. "The Starry Night."

More "Moores"

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Friday, October 9, 2009

Subject: MORE "MOORES"
Each answer is the name of a person named Moore. (e.g., He captained England's 1966 World Cup winning team. Answer: Bobby Moore.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. He starred in the film "10" with Bo Derek.
Answer________

2. English actor who portrayed James Bond in films.
Answer________

3. She appeared nude and pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. She starred on her own TV series as Mary Richards.
Answer________

5. His films include "Bowling for Columbine" and "Sicko."
Answer________

6. Her films include "Magnolia," "Far From Heaven" and "The Hours."
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. He is best known for his abstract monumental bronze sculptures.
Answer________

8. Two of her films — "American Dreamz" and "Saved!" — were satires.
Answer________

9. He co-founded Intel Corp. and is the author of "Moore's Law."
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Dudley Moore.
2. Roger Moore.
3. Demi Moore.
4. Mary Tyler Moore.
5. Michael Moore.
6. Julianne Moore.
7. Henry Moore.
8. Mandy Moore.
9. Gordon Moore.

Film Villains

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Thursday, October 8, 2009

Subject: FILM VILLAINS
In what movie did the villain first appear? (e.g., The Wicked Witch of the West. Answer: "The Wizard of Oz.")

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Answer________

2. Norman Bates
Answer________

3. HAL 9000
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Joan Crawford
Answer________

5. Alex Forrest
Answer________

6. Nurse Ratched
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Henry F. Potter
Answer________

8. Annie Wilkes
Answer________

9. Mrs. Danvers
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. "The Silence of the Lambs."
2. "Psycho."
3. "2001: A Space Odyssey."
4. "Mommie Dearest."
5. "Fatal Attraction."
6. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
7. "It's a Wonderful Life."
8. "Misery."
9. "Rebecca."

Pets On TV

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Subject: PETS ON TV
(e.g., Name Drew Carey's pet dog on his TV sitcom. Answer: Speedy.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. What was the name of the Flintstones' pet dinosaur that barked like a dog?
Answer________

2. What kind of animal was Baretta's pet named Fred?
Answer________

3. Characters named Jeff Miller and Timmy Martin both had this dog as a pet.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Name the Clampetts' bloodhound on "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Answer________

5. Name Martin Crane's pet terrier on "Frasier."
Answer________

6. On this show, Ray accidentally kills Ally's pet hamster Pumpernickel.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. What kind of animal was the pet named Spot on "The Munsters"?
Answer________

8. Neighbors on "Green Acres" adopted Arnold. What kind of animal was he?
Answer________

9. On what show did the Buchmans own a pet dog named Murray?
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Dino.
2. Cockatoo (bird).
3. Lassie.
4. Duke.
5. Eddie.
6. "Everybody Loves Raymond."
7. Dragon (fire-breathing).
8. Pig.
9. "Mad About You."

Celebrity Moms

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Subject: CELEBRITY MOMS
Name the star's celebrity mother. (e.g., Ivanka Trump. Answer: Ivana Trump.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Kate Hudson
Answer________

2. Carrie Fisher
Answer________

3. Jamie Lee Curtis
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Liza Minnelli
Answer________

5. Larry Hagman
Answer________

6. Ashley Judd
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Mia Farrow
Answer________

8. Melanie Griffith
Answer________

9. Ben Stiller
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Goldie Hawn.
2. Debbie Reynolds.
3. Janet Leigh.
4. Judy Garland.
5. Mary Martin.
6. Naomi Judd.
7. Maureen O'Sullivan.
8. Tippi Hedren.
9. Anne Meara.

Commercial Logos

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Monday, October 5, 2009

Subject: COMMERCIAL LOGOS
(e.g., What animal is featured on the NBC TV logo? Answer: Peacock.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. What geographical site is featured on the Prudential Financial logo?
Answer________

2. What color is the "e" in the eBay logo?
Answer________

3. What letters are within the circle on the Volkswagen logo?
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. There are three of these inside the circle of the Buick logo.
Answer________

5. Whose logo features "golden arches"?
Answer________

6. Whose logo is a character called "Poppin' Fresh"?
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. What is the hidden symbol in the FedEx logo?
Answer________

8. On what artifact are the letters for the UPS logo placed?
Answer________

9. What government agency's insignia is referred to as the "meatball logo"?
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. The Rock of Gibraltar.
2. Red.
3. V and W.
4. Shields.
5. McDonald's.
6. Pillsbury (Doughboy).
7. Arrow (white).
8. Shield.
9. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

War Films

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Saturday, October 3, 2009

Subject: WAR FILMS
During what war/conflict is the film set? (e.g., "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992). Answer: French and Indian War.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. "Casablanca" (1942)
Answer________

2. "Apocalypse Now" (1979)
Answer________

3. "MASH" (1970)
Answer________

4. "Legends of the Fall" (1994)
Answer________

5. "Three Kings" (1999)
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

6. "The Deer Hunter" (1978)
Answer________

7. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966)
Answer________

8. "Doctor Zhivago" (1965)
Answer________

9. "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1968)
Answer________

10. "From Here to Eternity" (1953)
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

11. "Home of the Brave" (2006)
Answer________

12. "Cromwell" (1970)
Answer________

13. "The Patriot" (2000)
Answer________

14. "Master and Commander" (2003)
Answer________

15. "Viva Zapata!" (1952)
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. World War II.
2. Vietnam War.
3. Korean War.
4. World War I.
5. Persian Gulf War.
6. Vietnam War.
7. American Civil War.
8. Russian Revolution (and Civil War).
9. Crimean War.
10. World War II.
11. Iraq War.
12. English Civil War.
13. American Revolutionary War.
14. Napoleonic Wars.
15. Mexican Revolution.

Casey and Trac(e)y

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Friday, October 2, 2009

Subject: CASEY AND TRAC(E)Y
Each answer contains Casey or Trac(e)y. (e.g., Rapper, actor and author known as Ice-T. Answer: Tracy Marrow.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Popular comic-strip detective.
Answer________

2. This poem begins, "The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville Nine ..."
Answer________

3. This railroad engineer "died at the throttle, with the whistle in his hand."
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Provide the first line of the song "The Band Played On."
Answer________

5. He starred in nine feature films with Katharine Hepburn.
Answer________

6. Vince Edwards starred in this medical TV series from 1961 to 1966.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. American who became the world's No. 1 women's professional tennis player.
Answer________

8. Diana Rigg's character in the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
Answer________

9. She had her own TV show from 1987 to 1990 and has appeared in many films.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Dick Tracy.
2. "Casey at the Bat."
3. Casey Jones.
4. "Casey would waltz with a strawberry blonde."
5. Spencer Tracy.
6. "Ben Casey."
7. Tracy Austin.
8. Tracy Bond (born Teresa "Tracy" Draco).
9. Tracey Ullman.

The Advice of Polonius

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Thursday, October 1, 2009

Subject: THE ADVICE OF POLONIUS
Complete the advice of Polonius to his son in Shakespeare's "Hamlet." (e.g., Give thy thoughts no ___. Answer: Tongue.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. To thine own self be ___.
Answer________

2. Neither a borrower nor a ___ be.
Answer________

3. Give every man thy ear, but few thy ___.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Beware of entrance to a ___.
Answer________

5. Take each man's censure but reserve thy ___.
Answer________

6. The apparel oft proclaims the ___.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Costly thy habit as thy purse can ___.
Answer________

8. Be thou familiar, but by no means ___.
Answer________

9. Loan oft loses both itself and ___.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. True.
2. Lender.
3. Voice.
4. Quarrel.
5. Judgment.
6. Man.
7. Buy.
8. Vulgar.
9. Friend.

Song Titles

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Subject: SONG TITLES
The artist and the first word of the two-word title is given. Complete the title. (e.g., Rod Stewart: "Maggie ___." Answer: May.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. Roy Orbison: "Pretty ___."
Answer________

2. Queen: "Bohemian ___."
Answer________

3. Rolling Stones: "Brown ___."
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Neil Sedaka: "Calendar ___."
Answer________

5. Elvis Presley: "Hound ___."
Answer________

6. Jefferson Airplane: "White ___."
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Robbie Williams: "Come ___."
Answer________

8. U2: "Wild ___."
Answer________

9. Peter Gabriel: "Solsbury ___."
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Woman.
2. Rhapsody.
3. Sugar.
4. Girl.
5. Dog.
6. Rabbit.
7. Undone.
8. Honey.
9. Hill.

It's a "Bor"

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Subject: IT'S A "BOR"
Each answer is a word that begins with "bor." (e.g., A wine from a district of southwest France. Answer: Bordeaux.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. To get something on loan.
Answer________

2. A boundary between two countries.
Answer________

3. A person who is wearingly dull.
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Term for a brothel.
Answer________

5. The world's third-largest island.
Answer________

6. A Russian soup.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. A tall, fast-moving breed of dog.
Answer________

8. Toward or located in the north.
Answer________

9. One of the administrative divisions of a large city.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Borrow.
2. Border.
3. Bore.
4. Bordello.
5. Borneo.
6. Borscht (borsch).
7. Borzoi.
8. Boreal.
9. Borough.

People In The News

Isaac Asimov's Super Quiz

Published Monday, September 28, 2009

Subject: PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
(e.g., Director of "Slumdog Millionaire." Answer: Danny Boyle.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. She was John McCain's vice-
presidential candidate in 2008.
Answer________

2. Oscar-winning star of "Mystic River" and "Milk."
Answer________

3. She gained celebrity status on "Britain's Got Talent."
Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. Secretary of the Treasury who had not paid $35,000 in taxes.
Answer________

5. The Wall Street money manager who swindled $50 billion.
Answer________

6. Governor of Illinois who was removed from office in 2009.
Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL

7. Author of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them."
Answer________

8. Police sergeant who is suspected of killing his third and fourth wives.
Answer________

9. Pilot who landed flight 1549 in the Hudson River.
Answer________

ANSWERS:
1. Sarah Palin.
2. Sean Penn.
3. Susan Boyle.
4. Timothy Geithner.
5. Bernard Madoff.
6. Rod Blagojevich.
7. Al Franken.
8. Drew Peterson.
9. Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III.