general knowledge I
Give any year in the reign of Henry III, the longest-reigning English king from the House of Plantagenet.
1216-1272
Which man, a former Downing Street Director of Communications, was expelled from the Labour Party recently, having admitted to voting Lib Dem in the European elections?
Alistair Campbell
What word completes the title of anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski's 1922 book about the Trobriand Islanders: [....] of the Western Pacific? The answer is also a band of heroes from Greek mythology.
Argonauts
Who is the protagonist controlled by the player in the much-hyped and acclaimed 2018 video game Red Dead Redemption 2? Like John Marston from the original game, he is a member of the Van der Linde gang
Arthur Morgan
Which mammal in the swine family, native to Indonesia, is notable for the prominent upper canine tusks of the males, which grow up through the flesh of the snout and curve back towards the forehead?
Babirusa (accept deer-pig)
Which boxer, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist for Northern Ireland, won the WBA world featherweight title in 1985, and was nicknamed 'the Clones Cyclone'?
Barry McGuigan
Which major orchestra originated in an 1882 argument over train fares, and was originally called 'Former Bilse's Band'? Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan and Simon Rattle have all been principal conductor of this orchestra.
Berlin Philharmonic
Which former Yugoslav republic has one of the world's shortest coastlines - a 12-mile stretch around the resort town of Neum?
Bosnia and Herzegovina
What was the surname of the notable French composer sisters Lili (1893-1918) and Nadia (1887-1979)?
Boulanger
Which of the 32 London boroughs is the largest by area, more than 30% bigger than the second largest (Hillingdon)? It also contains London's highest point, Westerham Heights.
Bromley
Sounding like part of a fridge or a type of oven pan, which six-letter acronym is the name of a gene-editing technique, supposedly used in 2018 in China in an attempt to create HIV immunity in one or both of twin embryos?
CRISPR
Which Scottish DJ enjoyed two UK number 1 singles in 2018: One Kiss (with Dua Lipa), and Promises (with Sam Smith)?
Calvin Harris (aka Adam Wiles)
In an 1864 novel, Professor Otto Lidenbrock leads an expedition from Snæfellsjökull to Stromboli, via which title location?
Centre of the Earth
A well-weathered statue of which king, on the throne when it was first laid out, still stands in the centre of London's Soho Square (originally called King Square)?
Charles II
What forename and surname are shared by a TV Egghead, a 2017 Love Island contestant, and a co-founder of Facebook?
Christopher Hughes
Not to be confused with a Guillotine or Programme Motion, what single word describes a UK Parliamentary motion that a debate should immediately be concluded and decided? There must be a majority and at least 100 votes in favour for it to pass.
Closure
Which English actor memorably played Mr Banks in Mary Poppins and Professor Emelius Browne in Bedknobs and Broomsticks?
David Tomlinson
Established on Wigmore Street in 1778, which group of department stores went into administration in April, with over 20 stores set to close?
Debenhams
In art, what 10-letter word is traditionally used to title paintings of the body of Christ being taken down from the cross? Notable examples are by Fra Angelico, Rogier van der Weyden, Pontormo and Rubens.
Deposition
Which major European river runs through western Ukraine and the eastern part of the Republic of Moldova, and gives its name to a breakaway region of the latter officially recognised by only a handful of other breakaway states?
Dniester
Oneiromancy is a means of attempting to divine the future through the interpretation of ... what?
Dreams
Which search engine, created by Gabriel Weinberg in 2008, emphasises protecting its users' privacy, and returns the same search results for any user? Its name references a US children's game.
DuckDuckGo
Active during their country's so-called Golden Age, what nationality were artists Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt?
Dutch
In the abbreviation for an organelle that comes in rough and smooth varieties, what does ER stand for?
Endoplasmic Reticulum
In which Book of the Bible can you read about Moses and the burning bush, the ten plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the golden calf?
Exodus
The Crimes of Grindelwald is the subtitle of the second film in which series that began in 2016?
Fantastic Beasts
Also a verb meaning to rummage around in search of something, what name is given to the domesticated form of the European polecat?
Ferret
With which of its neighbours, which it almost completely encircles, was Senegal joined in a confederation for much of the 1980s?
Gambia
Discovered by French physicist Paul Villard in 1900, which form of electromagnetic radiation has the shortest wavelength?
Gamma rays
Which major general is best remembered for leading the futile and bloody Confederate offensive on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, known as [his] charge?
George Pickett
Racing for Team Sky, which Welsh cyclist became in 2018 the third Brit (but first born in the UK) to win the Tour de France?
Geraint Thomas
Premiering in 1829, William Tell was the last complete opera by which Italian composer, best known for his numerous operas?
Gioachino Rossini
Premiering in 1893, Falstaff was the last opera by which Italian composer, best known for his many operas?
Giuseppe Verdi
In April 2019, which prestigious horse race was won by Tiger Roll for the second year in succession?
Grand National
One of only two British men to reach a tennis Grand Slam singles final between WWII and 2008, who lost the 1997 US Open final to Pat Rafter?
Greg Rusedski
Footballer Matt Le Tissier, tennis star Heather Watson, and squash player Lisa Opie, were all born on which island?
Guernsey
Nitric acid, formerly known as aqua fortis or spirit of nitre, has what chemical formula?
HNO3
Lester Piggott's first and last wins as a jockey in Britain, at the ages of 12 and 58 respectively, were both achieved at which racecourse, located midway between Liverpool and Manchester?
Haydock Park
What did the H stand for in the name of the 41st president of the USA, the late George H.W. Bush?
Herbert
Established in Glasgow in 1849, which group of department stores was last year bought by Sports Direct shortly after going into administration?
House of Fraser
Deborah Kerr in 1956 and Paul McGann in 1987 depicted characters described by what single letter in the titles of films?
I (The king and I, Withnail and I)
Re-elected this year, Joko Widodo has been president of which Southeast Asian nation since 2014?
Indonesia
Which major world religion's calendar, in which it is currently the year 1440, includes the months of Muharram and Ramadan?
Islam
Which British actor has come to prominence in the last few years with his starring roles in such television series as McMafia, Grantchester, War and Peace, and Happy Valley?
James Norton
The works of which 18th century philosopher include The Social Contract, in which he declares "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains"?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The works of which 20th century philosopher include Existentialism is a Humanism, in which he declares humans are "condemned to be free"?
Jean-Paul Sartre
Which major world religion's calendar, in which it is it currently the year 5779, features the holidays of Purim and Yom Kippur?
Judaism
TV personality Scott Disick, rapper Kanye West, and basketball player Tristan Thompson are the respective fathers of the children of three sisters. What is the surname of these sisters - it starts with the same letter as their three forenames?
Kardashian
Which 2018 BBC America crime thriller, created by Phoebe WallerBridge, was adapted from Luke Jennings' e-book novella series Codename Villanelle?
Killing Eve
It's not in Spain or the UK. Which city takes its name from Juana Maria de los Dolores de Léon? During the Peninsular War she married a young British officer, who later became a baronet and governor of Cape Colony.
Ladysmith
According to Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism, a little of what is a dangerous thing?
Learning (also knowledge accepted)
What two words follow 'Three Men and a ...' to complete the title of the 1990 sequel to the 1987 American comedy film Three Men and a Baby?
Little Lady
Singer-songwriter Ralph McTell had his biggest hit in 1974, reaching Number Two in the UK, singing about the streets of which British city?
London
Which island nation, and EU Member State, has its capital at Valetta?
Malta
The forename and surname of which Italian striker, who won four Serie A titles with AC Milan in the 1990s, is also the name of the Italian golf club that will host the 2022 Ryder Cup? Please give both names.
Marco Simone (Golf and Country Club)
The lead singers of '80s bands Then Jerico, Talk Talk, Level 42 and Dire Straits all had what forename?
Mark [Shaw, Hollis, King, Knopfler]
Designed to study the interior for the first time, NASA's Insight lander successfully landed on which planet in November 2018?
Mars
Known for his frequent collaborations with Robert De Niro, which director's films include Mean Streets and Casino?
Martin Scorcese
Sold directly to customers via the internet, Casper, Emma, Eve, Leesa and Simba are brands of which type of product? Seeing their ubiquitous advertising in recent years, you might almost forget that every home contained at least one of these things for decades before these brands came along.
Mattress
Which actress played the lead role, a sexual health worker and whistleblower, in the award-winning 2017 BBC miniseries Three Girls?
Maxine Peake
What term describes elements, such as boron and silicon, with properties between those of metals and non-metals?
Metalloids
Which Tory politician, the current environment secretary, admitted to taking cocaine at several events in the 1990s, May 2019?
Michael Gove
What is the title of Anna Burns' 2018 Booker Prize winning novel, set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland?
Milkman
Noted for its roundabouts and concrete cows, which English new town has a two-word name, combining (by chance) the respective fore- and surnames of two important 20th century economists?
Milton Keynes
Sharing its name with an American desert, what is the name of Apple's current Mac operating system, released in 2018?
Mojave
The Yuan Dynasty and Ilkhanate were among the successor states to which large empire, when it broke up in the 13th century CE?
Mongol Empire
Re-elected this year, Muhammadu Buhari has been president of which West African nation since 2015?
Nigeria
What Russian word for 'newcomer' is also the name of the type of nerve agent used in the March 2018 Salisbury attack?
Novichok
In chess, what single word describes an established sequence of initial moves of which there are over 1,000 named examples, including Ruy Lopez, Queen's Gambit and Sicilian Defence?
Opening
The name of which type of ape comes from the Malay words meaning "man (or person) of the forest"?
Orangutan
The Menin Road and The Messerschmidt in Windsor Great Park are paintings by which official war artist of both World Wars?
Paul Nash
Which was (and is) the only one of the original 13 states of the USA not to have any coastline on the Atlantic Ocean or its bays and inlets?
Pennsylvania
Meaning 'weight' in Spanish, what is the unit of currency in a number of Latin American countries, including Argentina and Chile?
Peso
While he has produced work in numerous other media, what type of artwork is most closely associated with the transvestite artist Grayson Perry, as seen in his Turner Prize-winning exhibition?
Pottery / Ceramics
Mike Brown, whose shooting by police sparked the 2014 riots in Ferguson, Missouri, was referenced in songs on the final studio albums by an American singer-songwriter who died in 2016, and a French pop singer who died in 2017. The albums were, respectively, HITnRUN Phase Two and De l'amour. Name either performer
Prince or Johnny Hallyday
Established by feudal charter in 1278, which European country's 120 mile perimeter is believed to be the world's oldest existing international border?
Principality of the Valleys of Andorra
What two-word alliterative term can describe Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well, Measure for Measure and Troilus & Cressida, reflecting the fact they can't easily be categorised as tragedies or comedies?
Problem plays
What single word constitutes both halves of the binomial name of the goldcrest? It is also the brightest star in the constellation Leo, and an impure metal formed during smelting.
Regulus
Which actor played the lead role, a TV comedian accused of rape, in the award-winning 2016 Channel 4 miniseries National Treasure?
Robbie Coltrane
The Gallic and Palmyrene Empires were short-lived entities which broke away from which larger empire in the 3rd century CE?
Roman Empire
Michael I (1613-54) was the first, and Nicholas II (1894-1917) was the last Tsar of Russia from which dynasty?
Romanov
Which Tory politician, the current international development secretary, last month admitted to smoking opium at a wedding in Iran?
Rory Stewart
Derived from the Sanskrit for 'wrought silver', what is the unit of currency in a number of South Asian countries, including India and Nepal?
Rupee
Which comedian toured her LadsLadsLads show throughout 2018, amid regular panel show appearances? One of her TV acting roles was as brand consultant Coco Lomax in Twenty Twelve and W1A.
Sara Pascoe
In 1993, which South London stadium saw the Premier League's lowest ever attendance - fewer than 4,000 watching Wimbledon play Everton?
Selhurst Park
Located on its namesake gulf, Piran is the main resort town on which former Yugoslav republic's 28-mile coastline - one of the world's shortest?
Slovenia
The WSPU was formed in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and others to campaign for female suffrage. The W stood for Women's and the U for Union. What did the letters S and P stand for in the organisation's name?
Social and Political
It's not a bull or a bear. In stock market slang, what animal refers to a speculator who attempts to profit from short-term market movements by quickly moving in and out of positions?
Stag
The 4 th -5 th century ascetic, St. Simeon, famously lived for 37 years on a small platform atop a pillar. He thereby acquired what surname or epithet, derived from the Greek for 'pillar', and shared with his several imitators?
Stylites / the Stylite
Which US federal holiday, celebrated in November, was established on a permanent by basis by Abraham Lincoln, following a campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale, author of Mary Had a Little Lamb?
Thanksgiving
Which action film franchise, which began in 2010, features Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham as former SAS soldier Lee Christmas?
The Expendables
Which comedy is the only Shakespeare play with a (non-human) animal in its title?
The Taming of the Shrew
Known for his frequent collaborations with Johnny Depp, which director's films include Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow?
Tim Burton
Three countries of the world have four letters in their common English name and also four letters in the name of their capital city. Name any one of those countries?
Togo, Peru or Fiji
The 1962 single Dancin' Party was the only one of Chubby Checker's five Top 20 hits not to mention which dance craze in its title? (The lyrics, naturally, show no such restraint.)
Twist
Which of Ireland's provinces lends its name to a coat, popular in Victorian times and often seen in Sherlock Holmes adaptations?
Ulster
In football, the Premier League attendance record was set in 2018 when over 83,000 watched the North London derby at which stadium?
Wembley
The game's so-called 'bible', the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has had what colour cover since 1938?
Yellow
The Mexican dish quesadilla consists of a tortilla filled with what foodstuff, which is then grilled?
cheese
Danish chemist Soren Sorensen is credited with the introduction of which scale for measuring acidity and alkalinity, on which 7 is neutral?
pH
