Quiz from June 18th

1) X probably looks more like a space console than what it actually is used for. Those interested in using it in the traditional way can continue to do so, and ignore all the other features. There is a prominent red button that you can use that will stop all the other features if you get stuck with them. There are buttons that allow you to adjust the the exact pressure, angle, location and pulsation of the output. You can also preheat X before using it, which makes it very convenient during winters, considering that houses are typically not centrally heated where X comes from. Finally, X can position its output differently for males and females. What is X?

2) In an interview, X blamed the poor critical reaction to Y as follows:
"Perhaps there is a certain element of the lumpen literati that is so dogmatically atheist and materialist and Earth-bound that it finds the grandeur of space and the myriad mysteries of cosmic intelligence anathema." In another interview, he talks of Y in the following words: "I don't have the slightest doubt that to tell a story like this, you couldn't do it with words. There are certain areas of feeling and reality—or unreality or innermost yearning, whatever you want to call it—which are notably inaccessible to words... There's a side to the human personality that somehow senses that wherever the cosmic truth may lie, it doesn't lie in A, B, C, D. It lies somewhere in the mysterious, unknowable aspects of thought and life and experience." Identify X and Y.

3) Connect the following:
"I borrowed document no. LA4312"
"This one was no harder to open than the other one - Wise Guy"
"When the combinations are all the same, one is no harder to open than another - Same Guy"

4) X is a prank and internet meme. In this meme, a person provides a Web link they claim is relevant to the topic at hand, but the link actually takes the user to a 1987 song called Y, performed by Z, after whom X is named. In prominent examples of X, fans voted for Y, when asked to choose for the 8th inning sing-along at the Shea Stadium (New York Mets). In another example, the front page of youtube on 1st April, 2008 linked to a video of Y. The phenomenon of X has appeared 3 times in xkcd comics. In one of them, Y himself is a victim to X. In another, a musical score is shown in the comic, to evoke music being played at a store. The notes are the opening notes to Y. Identify X, Y or Z.

5) Link the following pictures.






6) The following names are all part of the official list, which has 50 names in all: Bubble Gum, Cappuccino, Coconut, Green Apple, Jalapeno, Pina Colada, Strawberry cheesecake, toasted marshmellow and tutti frutti. Occasionally, prototypes or rookies are added to this list. Examples are buttered toast, baked bean, pomegeranate and dark chocolate (not exhaustive). What list? (hint: Think of a particular test match held in England last year)

7) X originated in southeast Asia, specifically around the intersection of latitude 29°N and longitude 98°E, the point of confluence of the lands of northeast India, north Burma, southwest China and Tibet. It has spread to more than 52 countries, from this 'centre of origin'. The Chinese character for X is pronounced differently in different dialects. Most names for X in different languages have been derived from two of these different pronounciations. The Min Chinese version is used in most western European languages including English, and in the languages of south India, among others. The Mandarin or Cantonese version is used in many Asian languages including the languages of north India. As recently as 20 years ago, the name for X in Hindi found its way into American usage, to specifically mean the Indian version of X. What is X?

8) The original set was lost by John of England in 1216. The replacement set was stolen from Westminister Abbey in 1303, though most of the set was recovered a few days later, after which they were placed in the tower of London, where they remain to this day except for a brief period during WW2, when they were placed in a secret location. Oliver Cromwell destroyed most of the set after the establishment of the commonwealth in 1649, but they were replaced in 1660. Colonel Thomas Blood attempted to steal them in 1671, after which they were placed under armed guard. What?

9) X is a festival celebrated in USA and Canada on February 2nd. In a lore related to the weather, if this creature (after whom the festival is named) emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If it sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow and winter will continue for 6 more weeks. This tradition is followed in many cities. One of the more famous "predictions" is made by Punxsutawney Phil, in Punxsutawney, PA. He was also the subject of a 1993 movie starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Name X.

10) Characters 1,2 and 3 identify the world manufacturer code (which includes the country code where the manufacturer is located). The next 6 characters are the descriptor section, and each manufacturer has its own unique system for using this field. The 9th character is a check digit, and is compulsary in the United States, and is used as such even in other places. Character 10 encodes the year of manufacture, character 11 encodes the factory of manufacture. Characters 12 through 17 provide information in addition to the descriptor section. The letters I, O and Q are never used, and the letters U and Z and the digit 0 are not used to encode the year information. What is being described?

11) Connect the following: John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Brett Lee, The Penguin from Batman comics, discovery of the DNA

12) The X series, written by Y, is a humorous and often satirical sequence of stories set in the colourful fantasy world of X. The series contains various 'story arcs' (or 'sub-series'), and a number of free-standing stories. All are set in an abundance of locations in the same detailed and unified world, such as the Unseen University and 'The Mended Drum' pub in the twin city Ankh-Morpork, or places in the various continents, regions and countries on X. X itself is described as resting on the backs of four giant elephants, all supported by the giant turtle Great A'Tuin as it swims its way through space. X typically parodies real-world subjects such as film-making, rock and roll music, religion, Australia and Ingmar Bergman films. Related books are the X Companion, written along with Stephen Briggs, and the science of X, written with Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen, both of Warwick University, and honarary wizards of the Unseen University. Identify X and Y.

13) This temple was built originally as a state temple and capital city. Its construction features a unique combination of temple mountain (the standard design of the empire's state temples), concentric galleries, and influences from Orissa and the Chola kingdom. The temple itself is a representation of Mount Meru. The temple's current name means City Temple, while in earlier times, it was known Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder. Today, the temple remains a national symbol, and appears on the national flag as well. Identify the temple.

14) The island of Rapi Nui, or Isla de Pascua, is famous for its moai, created by the Rapinui people. The island's first recorded European visitor, Jacob Roggeveen, discovered the island when searching for David's Island. One hypothesis claims that the original name of the island means "navel of the world" due to its isolation. How do we better know it?

15) Next in the list (not exhaustive, but in order): Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, _______

16) This annual festival began in 2002 in Louisville, KY and has since been held in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago. A gathering whose fans rival those of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" for line memorization and creative attire. The Festival's main event each year is a night of unlimited bowling with various contests including Costume, Trivia, Hardest and Farthest Travelled contests. Celebrities to have attended the festival include Jeff Bridges. Identify the festival.
hint: The British version of this festival is called "The dude abides" and is held in Londo