Prelims

1

In the late 1700s, the French zoologist Georges Cuvier coined a term from Greek roots meaning ‘thick-skinned’ for the order of animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses. What English word, primarily used for the first of these creatures, derives from this term?

1

In the late 1700s, the French zoologist Georges Cuvier coined a term from Greek roots meaning ‘thick-skinned’ for the order of animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses. What English word, primarily used for the first of these creatures, derives from this term?

Pachyderm

2

The name of which town in West Bengal, headquarters of the state’s northernmost district, comes from a local word for the thunderbolt sceptre of the Hindu deity Indra, combined with a suffix meaning ‘place’ or ‘land’, thus giving the place a full name translating to ‘land of thunder’?

2

The name of which town in West Bengal, headquarters of the state’s northernmost district, comes from a local word for the thunderbolt sceptre of the Hindu deity Indra, combined with a suffix meaning ‘place’ or ‘land’, thus giving the place a full name translating to ‘land of thunder’?

Darjeeling

3

Balbir Singh, generally called Balbir Senior to distinguish him from later players with the same name, is one of India’s most successful hockey players. Three Olympic gold medals (1948, 1952 and 1956), independent India’s first flag-bearer at the Olympics, an astonishing goal-count and today at 93 India’s oldest living Olympian. He shares his surname with a Punjabi actor and singer who made a dramatic debut in a controversial Bollywood movie in June this year. What is that surname?

3

Balbir Singh, generally called Balbir Senior to distinguish him from later players with the same name, is one of India’s most successful hockey players. Three Olympic gold medals (1948, 1952 and 1956), independent India’s first flag-bearer at the Olympics, an astonishing goal-count and today at 93 India’s oldest living Olympian. He shares his surname with a Punjabi actor and singer who made a dramatic debut in a controversial Bollywood movie in June this year. What is that surname?

Dosanj

4

The first 100,000-seller song in Greece was the one you’re about to hear, composed and sung by Stellios Kazantzidis after he saw a Hindi film that starred an actress who was at the time hugely popular in Greece. Listen to the song and name the actress.

4

The first 100,000-seller song in Greece was the one you’re about to hear, composed and sung by Stellios Kazantzidis after he saw a Hindi film that starred an actress who was at the time hugely popular in Greece. Listen to the song and name the actress.

Madhubala

5

In the UK, ‘blue book’ is a term often referring to an almanac, buyer’s guide or other compilation of statistics and information. The term dates back to the 15th century, when large blue velvet-covered books were used for record-keeping by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The term for a less extensive policy document, one that puts the spotlight on one specific issue only, also comes from the colour of its cover or front page. This type of publication, to put it in the words of one political analyst, attempts “to perform the dual role of presenting firm government policies while at the same time inviting opinions upon them”. A document known as the Churchill _____ _____ of 1922 is often pointed to as the earliest well-known example of the use of this term. What’s the two-word term?

5

In the UK, ‘blue book’ is a term often referring to an almanac, buyer’s guide or other compilation of statistics and information. The term dates back to the 15th century, when large blue velvet-covered books were used for record-keeping by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The term for a less extensive policy document, one that puts the spotlight on one specific issue only, also comes from the colour of its cover or front page. This type of publication, to put it in the words of one political analyst, attempts “to perform the dual role of presenting firm government policies while at the same time inviting opinions upon them”. A document known as the Churchill _____ _____ of 1922 is often pointed to as the earliest well-known example of the use of this term. What’s the two-word term?

White paper

6

Which much-quoted ‘Internet celebrity’ – and source of many people’s inspirational or insightful email signatures – is currently the best-selling poet in the US?

6

Which much-quoted ‘Internet celebrity’ – and source of many people’s inspirational or insightful email signatures – is currently the best-selling poet in the US?

Rumi

7

This 2006 documentary was the final film made by renowned Hollywood director Sydney Pollack before his death in 2008. Whose works did it explore?

7

This 2006 documentary was the final film made by renowned Hollywood director Sydney Pollack before his death in 2008. Whose works did it explore?

8

The University whose logo is shown here is more commonly known by a name that it shares with a then-revolutionary product launched by Texas Instruments in 1967. What’s the name?

8

The University whose logo is shown here is more commonly known by a name that it shares with a then-revolutionary product launched by Texas Instruments in 1967. What’s the name?

Cal-Tech

9

Which English city’s coat of arms is this?

9

Which English city’s coat of arms is this?

Oxford

10

What term used nowadays in many sports (including quizzing), originated from the idea of laying out a tournament in the same manner a garden would be planted, such that the bigger plants are kept equidistant from each other and do not crowd each other out once they grow?

10

What term used nowadays in many sports (including quizzing), originated from the idea of laying out a tournament in the same manner a garden would be planted, such that the bigger plants are kept equidistant from each other and do not crowd each other out once they grow?

Seeding

11

Everyday, between 75,000-1,00,000 people visit the Chilkur Balaji Temple in Hyderabad to seek divine assistance in their quest to obtain a certain item . This has led to the temple being popularly called the _______ Balaji Temple. Fill in the blank.

11

Everyday, between 75,000-1,00,000 people visit the Chilkur Balaji Temple in Hyderabad to seek divine assistance in their quest to obtain a certain item . This has led to the temple being popularly called the _______ Balaji Temple. Fill in the blank.

Visa

12

Launched in March this year, Tata Motors’ hatchback Tiago was initially christened what, before global events prompted a hasty rethink on the name?

12

Launched in March this year, Tata Motors’ hatchback Tiago was initially christened what, before global events prompted a hasty rethink on the name?

Zica

13

The land that this city was established on once served as a nobleman’s hunting grounds, and was surrounded by a tall hegde. Hence it was referred to by a name in the local language that meant “the Count’s hegde”, and later simply as “the hedge”. Which city?

13

The land that this city was established on once served as a nobleman’s hunting grounds, and was surrounded by a tall hegde. Hence it was referred to by a name in the local language that meant “the Count’s hegde”, and later simply as “the hedge”. Which city?

The Hague

14

The Caribs are an indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles from whom the geographic area known as the Caribbean gets its name. The Spanish name for the Caribs gives rise to what English word, owing to a peculiar practice exhibited by many tribes in different parts of the world, but first seen by Western eyes in the Lesser Antilles?

14

The Caribs are an indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles from whom the geographic area known as the Caribbean gets its name. The Spanish name for the Caribs gives rise to what English word, owing to a peculiar practice exhibited by many tribes in different parts of the world, but first seen by Western eyes in the Lesser Antilles?

Cannibalism

15

Call it fate, destiny or serendipity, but the family name of which two pioneering brothers born two years apart in the 1860’s means ‘light’?

15

Call it fate, destiny or serendipity, but the family name of which two pioneering brothers born two years apart in the 1860’s means ‘light’?

Lumiere

16

In 1973 a TV commercial aired in some parts of the US showed a double-edged razor-blade being flexed between two fingers to show how flexible and supple it was. A child in Dallas tried to do the same thing and promptly cut his fingers. A case was filed before the Bureau of Product Safety and the company involved had to pay a substantial sum as damages. What phrase was first coined as a result of this?

16

In 1973 a TV commercial aired in some parts of the US showed a double-edged razor-blade being flexed between two fingers to show how flexible and supple it was. A child in Dallas tried to do the same thing and promptly cut his fingers. A case was filed before the Bureau of Product Safety and the company involved had to pay a substantial sum as damages. What phrase was first coined as a result of this?

Don’t Try This At Home

17

This geosocial networking app launched in 2009 by Nearby Buddy Finder LLC has a large user base, especially among certain kind of people. Name it.

17

This geosocial networking app launched in 2009 by Nearby Buddy Finder LLC has a large user base, especially among certain kind of people. Name it.

18

When this then-modern amenity began to be fitted around houses in the UK in the late 19th century, it was usually fitted in a wardrobe, such a space being most easily adaptable to its new function. This is why a certain part of a typical home these days is called what?

18

When this then-modern amenity began to be fitted around houses in the UK in the late 19th century, it was usually fitted in a wardrobe, such a space being most easily adaptable to its new function. This is why a certain part of a typical home these days is called what?

Water Closet

19

This is a cocktail that consists of 1 part butterscotch schnapps and 1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream, blended and served in a shot glass and topped with whipped cream. More adventurous bars dispense with the shot glass and serve the cocktail in a rubber penis, the drink being sprayed into the mouth of the drinker through a hole at the tip. What is this cocktail called?

19

This is a cocktail that consists of 1 part butterscotch schnapps and 1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream, blended and served in a shot glass and topped with whipped cream. More adventurous bars dispense with the shot glass and serve the cocktail in a rubber penis, the drink being sprayed into the mouth of the drinker through a hole at the tip. What is this cocktail called?

Cumshaw

20

This spectacular room at the Castello Sammezzano in Tuscany, Italy is called the __________ Room, after the creature it draws its inspiration from. Just fill in the blank.

20

This spectacular room at the Castello Sammezzano in Tuscany, Italy is called the __________ Room, after the creature it draws its inspiration from. Just fill in the blank.

Peacock

21

This person makes frequent appearances on television every few years due to a role he plays in addition to his regular job. Give his title and his name.

21

This person makes frequent appearances on television every few years due to a role he plays in addition to his regular job. Give his title and his name.

Chief Election Officer of Goa Narayan Navti

22

This person is best known for a role in a 1997 Hindi movie. Name the movie and this person’s more famous father.

22

This person is best known for a role in a 1997 Hindi movie. Name the movie and this person’s more famous father.

Pardes Udit Narayan

23

Name this car. Where was it made?

San Storm Verna Industrial Estate

24

This is a graphic you would find on the website of the national federation of a certain country of a certain sport. What country and what sport?

UK Futsal

25

Who tweeted this? Whose name has been blanked out?

25

Who tweeted this? Whose name has been blanked out?