Prelims

1. Where would you find this inscription (in Persian): “Jesus, Son of Mary (on whom be peace) said: 'The world is a Bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it. He who hopes for a day, may hope for eternity; but the World endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer for the rest is unseen.”

2. This Indian city, founded in 1727, was based on the principles of Vastu Shastra. For the time, architecture of the town was very advanced and certainly the best in Indian subcontinent. A certain practice which earned the city its famous nickname started in 1853, when Edward VII, the Prince of Wales visited this city. Identify the city and its nickname.

3. It is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. It stretches over 2,600 kilometers over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers and can be seen from outer space. What?

4. This statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, who had been fascinated by a ballet about a fairytale and asked the primaballerina, Ellen Price, to model for the statue. The sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. The statue’s head was modelled after Price, but as the ballerina did not agree to model in the nude, the sculptor’s wife Eline Eriksen was used for the body. Which statue?

5. Which famous Malayali wrote the travelogues “Arabian sketchukal” and “Doha diary”?

**6. During training they would be known as Knowledge boys. To continue in the profession, they need to pass an examination known as “The Knowledge”. The test was initiated in 1865, and has changed little since. It is the world's most demanding training course for such a profession, and applicants will usually need at least twelve 'appearances' (attempts at the final test), after preparation averaging 34 months, to pass the examination. What profession?

7. On July 7, 1891, Marcellus F. Berry, an employee of the American Express Company, was issued four copyrights for this. The first one was issued to William Fargo, son of James C. Fargo, president of the American Express Company. What?

8.

**9. In 1775, the Spaniard Juan Manuel de Ayala visited this island and named it “La Isla de los ____________,” which translates as “The Island of the Pelicans”. In 1972, it became a national recreation area and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986. Which island?

**10. Some 50 to 60 million years ago, during the Paleogene period, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled rapidly, contraction occurred. While contraction in the vertical direction reduced the flow thickness (without fracturing), horizontal contraction could only be accommodated by cracking throughout the flow. What natural wonder resulted?

11.

12. Which popular tourist destination derives its name from the fact that it is located at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers?

13.

14. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, this world heritage site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a sonnet by John William Burgon. What?

15.

**16. This gentlemen's club, situated on the south side of Pall Mall in central London was founded in 1836 by Edward Ellice. Originally for men only, it has admitted women since 1981. In 1977 its subscription fees were among the highest in London. Its notable members include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Winston Churchill, E. M. Forster, William Makepeace Thackeray etc. Name this club.

17. What record is held by Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Basque Spanish explorer?

18. This shopping mall in Sheikh Zayed Road,Dubai, constructed by the Nakheel Properties group, is split into six main courts: China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia. Either name this mall or explain the funda behind this division.

**19. The X-Y road was an ancient trade route connecting China and Tibet. X is a product which originated in China, of which Tibetans were the biggest consumers. And the Chinese needed Y from Tibet to battle against fierce nomadic tribes from the north, antecedents of Genghis Khan's hordes. Porters, both men and women, regularly carried loads weighing 150 to 200 pounds on a 20-day trek. Name this ancient trade route.

20. This annual fair attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, with its highlights being competitions such as the “matka phod”, “longest moustache”, and “bridal competition”. In recent years the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local club and a team of random foreign tourists. It is celebrated for five days from the Kartik ekadashi to Kartik Poornima. Where is this fair held?

21. According to Hindu mythology, what derives it name from the fact that was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma after which it manifested on Earth?

22. This retired United States Air Force pilot’s nickname originated in childhood: the younger of his two elder sisters mispronounced "brother" as "buzzer", and a shortened form became his nickname. He made it his legal first name in the 1980s. Who?

23. India has 28 world heritage sites. China has 40 and Spain, 42. Which country tops the list with 45?

24. Founded in London by Anna Maria Grosholtz, it is currently owned by Merlin Entertainments Group. It has branches in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Berlin, Washington D.C., New York City, and Hollywood. What?

25.

And the answers…

1. Where would you find this inscription (in Persian): “Jesus, Son of Mary (on whom be peace) said: 'The world is a Bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it. He who hopes for a day, may hope for eternity; but the World endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer for the rest is unseen.”

Buland Darwaza

2. This Indian city, founded in 1727, was based on the principles of Vastu Shastra. For the time, architecture of the town was very advanced and certainly the best in Indian subcontinent. A certain practice which earned the city its famous nickname started in 1853, when Edward VII, the Prince of Wales visited this city. Identify the city and its nickname.

Jaipur, The pink city

3. It is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. It stretches over 2,600 kilometers over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers and can be seen from outer space. What?

The Great Barrier Reef

4. This statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, who had been fascinated by a ballet about a fairytale and asked the primaballerina, Ellen Price, to model for the statue. The sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. The statue’s head was modelled after Price, but as the ballerina did not agree to model in the nude, the sculptor’s wife Eline Eriksen was used for the body. Which statue?

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen

5. Which famous Malayali wrote the travelogues “Arabian sketchukal” and “Doha diary”?

E K Nayanar

**6. During training they would be known as Knowledge boys. To continue in the profession, they need to pass an examination known as “The Knowledge”. The test was initiated in 1865, and has changed little since. It is the world's most demanding training course for such a profession, and applicants will usually need at least twelve 'appearances' (attempts at the final test), after preparation averaging 34 months, to pass the examination. What profession?

London cab drivers

7. On July 7, 1891, Marcellus F. Berry, an employee of the American Express Company, was issued four copyrights for this. The first one was issued to William Fargo, son of James C. Fargo, president of the American Express Company. What?

Traveller’s cheques

8.

Lonely Planet

**9. In 1775, the Spaniard Juan Manuel de Ayala visited this island and named it “La Isla de los ____________,” which translates as “The Island of the Pelicans”. In 1972, it became a national recreation area and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986. Which island?

Alcatraz

**10. Some 50 to 60 million years ago, during the Paleogene period, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled rapidly, contraction occurred. While contraction in the vertical direction reduced the flow thickness (without fracturing), horizontal contraction could only be accommodated by cracking throughout the flow. What natural wonder resulted?

Giant’s Causeway

11.

12. Which popular tourist destination derives its name from the fact that it is located at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers?

Munnar

13.

14. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, this world heritage site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a sonnet by John William Burgon. What?

Petra, Jordan

15.

Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial in Jerusalem

**16. This gentlemen's club, situated on the south side of Pall Mall in central London was founded in 1836 by Edward Ellice. Originally for men only, it has admitted women since 1981. In 1977 its subscription fees were among the highest in London. Its notable members include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Winston Churchill, E. M. Forster, William Makepeace Thackeray etc. Name this club.

Reform Club

17. What record is held by Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Basque Spanish explorer?

He was the explorer who completed the first circumnavigation of the world. As Ferdinand Magellan’s second in command, he took over after

Magellan's death in the Philippines.

18. This shopping mall in Sheikh Zayed Road,Dubai, constructed by the Nakheel Properties group, is split into six main courts: China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia. Either name this mall or explain the funda behind this division.

Ibn Battuta Mall(The courts represent the countries and regions to

which Ibn Battuta travelled)

**19. The X-Y road was an ancient trade route connecting China and Tibet. X is a product which originated in China, of which Tibetans were the biggest consumers. And the Chinese needed Y from Tibet to battle against fierce nomadic tribes from the north, antecedents of Genghis Khan's hordes. Porters, both men and women, regularly carried loads weighing 150 to 200 pounds on a 20-day trek. Name this ancient trade route.

Tea – Horse road

20. This annual fair attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, with its highlights being competitions such as the “matka phod”, “longest moustache”, and “bridal competition”. In recent years the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local club and a team of random foreign tourists. It is celebrated for five days from the Kartik ekadashi to Kartik Poornima. Where is this fair held?

Pushkar

21. According to Hindu mythology, what derives it name from the fact that was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma after which it manifested on Earth?

Lake Manasarovar

22. This retired United States Air Force pilot’s nickname originated in childhood: the younger of his two elder sisters mispronounced "brother" as "buzzer", and a shortened form became his nickname. He made it his legal first name in the 1980s. Who?

Edwin Aldrin / Buzz Aldrin

23. India has 28 world heritage sites. China has 40 and Spain, 42. Which country tops the list with 45?

Italy

24. Founded in London by Anna Maria Grosholtz, it is currently owned by Merlin Entertainments Group. It has branches in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Berlin, Washington D.C., New York City, and Hollywood. What?

Madame Tussauds

25.