Season 2 - Week 3

Question 1

Which American rapper performed a virtual concert within the world of Fortnite in April 2020? Around 27 million fans tuned in to watch the event spread over five shows. It could be argued that virtual concerts are the safest way to experience this rapper’s shows, given his history with crowd endangerment.

Answer 1

Travis Scott

Question 2

English actress Jennifer Kendal spent much of her childhood in India, where her parents and sister ran a travelling theatre company that performed the Bard’s plays in towns in post-colonial India. Their story was adapted into WHICH 1965 MOVIE, which shares its name with a
sobriquet for her father Geoffrey Kendal?

Answer 2

Shakespeare Wallah

Question 3

Maharaj Krishan Kaushik was a member of the Indian hockey team that won gold at the 1980 Olympics. After retiring, what new role did he take up that led to success in 2002, and came to wider prominence in 2007?

Answer 3

Coach of the women’s national hockey team

Question 4

Which satellite of Jupiter (Jupiter III) is the largest and most massive of the Solar System’s moons? Possessing a metallic core, it is the only moon known to have a magnetic field. Discovered by Galileo, its name was suggested by astronomer Simon Marius, after a Trojan prince desired by Zeus, who carried him off to be the cupbearer of the gods.

Answer 4

Ganymede

Question 5

This uncooked sauce is used both as an ingredient in cooking and as a dip for grilled meat in Argentinian and Uruguayan cuisines. Typically made of finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano and red wine vinegar - it comes either red or green in colour. Which sauce, that probably derives its name from the Basque word for hodgepodge?

Answer 5

Chimichurri

Question 6

In diplomatic history, the Eastern Question was the issue of the political and economic instability in which empire from the late 18th to early 20th centuries? This period was a time of great strategic competition and political considerations between the European great powers and led to many changes in the makeup of Europe.

Answer 6

Ottoman Empire

Question 7

Which former Russian professional Mixed Martial Artist, nicknamed “The Eagle”, competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the
longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion? With 29 wins and no losses, he retired with an undefeated record in 2021 and spends his time as a cornernman now.

Answer 7

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Question 8

In the yeehaw TikTok challenge, a user stands in front of the camera for the song’s first few banjo plucks, and—after taking a swig of liquid labeled yeehaw juice—is suddenly dressed into head to toe cowboy apparel when the beat drops. This challenge rose which song’s popularity to dizzying heights, leading to a famed remix collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus?

Answer 8

Old Town Road

[Lil Nas X’ number; you may prompt and say we need the song]

Question 9

Which country was formed after a successful war of independence by revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829? A city, at the time ruined and uninhabited, was then made capital of this newly independent country in 1834, with the
romantic notion of reviving the country’s ancient glory.

Answer 9

Greece

Question 10

Considered to be the biggest pay-per-view (PPV) draw in Mixed Martial Arts history, this Irishborn fighter has headlined five out of the six highest-selling UFC pay-per-view events. He also made his professional boxing debut a few years ago where he was defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. Who is this fighter whose billionaire strut has been imitated by many sportspeople around the world?

Answer 10

Conor McGregor

Question 11

In the world of law, what Latin phrase indicates that an item or a service has been traded in return for something of value? In general parlance, it is used to refer to an exchange in which one transaction is contingent on the other, a sort of you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.

Answer 11

Quid Pro Quo

[Prompt on What for what/tit for tat, informing that we need the Latin phrase]

Question 12

Which leaf-shaped flap in the throat prevents food and water from entering the windpipe and the lungs? It stays open during breathing, allowing air into the larynx. During swallowing, it closes to prevent aspiration of food into the lungs, forcing the food to go along the esophagus toward the stomach.

Answer 12

Epiglottis

Question 13

Two former Indian players from the 1980 Olympic hockey team provided the inspiration for the storyline of the 2007 film Chak De India. Maharaj Krishan Kaushik, later coach of 2002 Commonwealth medal-winning women’s team was one of them. Who was the other? He was a former India goalkeeper who was accused of throwing a game at the 1982 Asian Games finals, and returned as a goalkeeping coach for the men’s team at the 1998 Asian Games and the women’s team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games - both winning gold.

Answer 13

Mir Ranjan Negi

Question 14

The 1965 movie Shakespeare Wallah featured almost the entire Kendal family playing fictionalized versions of themselves. In the story, the daughter in the family (played by Felicity Kendal, sister of Jennifer Kendal) falls in love with the movie’s protagonist, Sanju. WHO
PLAYED SANJU, thus romancing Felicity on screen and Jennifer off screen?

Answer 14

Sashi Kapoor

[Prompt on Kapoor, need the full name]

Question 15

Which repetitively named British New Wave band has an avatar presence on the online 3D virtual reality world Second Life since 2006? The band members “live” on a fantasy, luxury island within the world, and hold virtual concerts and media appearances in addition to those held in real life.

Answer 15

Duran Duran

Question 16

Under treaties negotiated during the 18th century, France was the guardian of Roman Catholics in the Ottoman Empire, while Russia was the protector of Orthodox Christians. During the early
1850s, the two sides made demands which the Ottoman Sultan could not possibly satisfy simultaneously. These tensions lead to which war in 1853? The poem Charge of the light brigade is inspired from a battle during this war.

Answer 16

Crimean War

Question 17

Which is the largest moon of Saturn and the second-largest natural satellite in the Solar System? Named after a race of immortals in Greek mythology, it is the only known object in space other than Earth on which clear evidence of stable bodies of surface liquid has been found.

Answer 17

Titan

Question 18

The hockey finals of the 1980 Olympics saw India go up against which team? India had previously lost to them in the group stage of the tournament, but won 4-3 in the finals. Indian goals were scored by Surinder Singh Sodhi (2), MK Kaushik, and Mhd Sahid, while the opposing goals were all scored by Juan Amat.

Answer 18

Spain

Question 19

Which historical region inhabited by the [BLANK] people of the Middle East is currently part of Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran? While there have been self-determination movements in each of
the 4 states, they have mostly been crushed by military interventions and the only state where they have been partially successful is Iraq.

Answer 19

Kurdistan / Kurds

Question 20

Never stopped nor outscored during his career, which American Mixed Martial Artist’s only professional loss came in a controversial disqualification against Matt Hammill? The youngest UFC champion at the age of 23, his career has been marred with controversies as he has lost his title three times as a result of disciplinary action.

Answer 20

Jon Jones

Question 21

The 2022 Grammy Award for the Best Musical Theater Album went to Barlow and Bear for a concept album that began with the question- “What if [Blank] was a musical?”. The blank is a trending Netflix series, the cast of which saw Barlow and Bear’s TikTok videos and gave them the
signal to create an official album. Which show set in the Regency Era of England?

Answer 21

Bridgerton

Question 22

Which religion/philosophy, inspired by the protagonist of a 1998 film, attempts to promote a modern form of Chinese Taoism, blended with concepts of Greek philosopher Epicurus, presented in a style as personified by the protagonist. Due to its use of comedic film references and occasional criticism of traditional religion, it is sometimes mistakenly regarded as a mock religion.

Answer 22

Dude-ism

Question 23

The plot of WHICH 1902 NOVEL may have been inspired from the legend of Squire Richard Cabell of Brook Hall, Devon? Cabell was described as a monstrously evil man, and when he died
in 1677 a large group of [BLANKs] appeared around his tomb. Legend said that he continued leading the [BLANKs] on anniversaries of his death.

Answer 23

Hound of the Baskervilles

Question 24

The merger of the UK’s two largest pharmaceutical firms in 2000 led to what is currently the 6th largest pharmaceutical firm in the world. Which pharmaceutical company is this which was also in the news recently for making the world’s first approved Malaria vaccine?

Answer 24

Glaxosmithkline

[Prompt on GSK]

Question 25

Which British Overseas Territory is located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, and is also the subject of a territorial claim by Spain? Reclamation of the territory has been Spanish policy since the regime of Francisco Franco.
Inhabitants of this territory however have asserted their right to self determination multiple times.

Answer 25

Gibraltar

Question 26

Coined by Danny Miller in his 1990 book of the same name, this paradox refers to the phenomenon of businesses failing abruptly after a period of apparent success, where this failure is brought about by the very elements that led to their initial success. Which figure from Greek mythology names this paradox, very aptly?

Answer 26

Icarus Paradox

Question 27

Which social movement/relgion originated in opposition to the teaching of intelligent design in public schools, as an alternative to evolution in public school science classes? According to adherents, the religion (whose name is a portmanteau of a food dish and an existing religious movement) is a “real, legitimate religion, as much as any other”.

Answer 27

Pastafarianism

[Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Question 28

When quarantine came about in 2020, this song became a TikTok anthem especially after the dance challenge was noticed by the singer who reposted it with #quarantineandchill. Which song where in the lead artist talks about being sassy, bougie, and a ratchet became viral on
TikTok, which led Beyonce to do a popular remix?

Answer 28

Savage

[Megan Thee Stallion is the artist; you may prompt and say we need the song]

Question 29

Which retired UFC fighter was the first American female to earn an Olympic medal in Judo by winning bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics? She was part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first ever female fight at UFC 157, holding the record for most UFC title defenses (6) by a female. She is now signed to WWE.

Answer 29

Ronda Rousey

Question 30

And it’s not just gaming sites which are being used for online gigs. In August 2020, which artist took to the virtual stage on TikTok to give a special live performance, where he appeared as a digital avatar and performed tracks from his album After Hours, whilst interactive messages
from fans played on screens?

Answer 30

The Weeknd

Question 31

The 1965 movie Shakespeare Wallah had a musical score written by which celebrated Indian? He is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and is celebrated for works such as The Music Room (1958) and The Big City (1963).

Answer 31

Satyajit Ray

Question 32

A political cartoon from 1900 satirizes which famous paradox in the context of the US government choosing between Panama and Nicaragua for building the canal? Named after both the French philosopher who formed it and the animal involved, the paradox essentially talks
about how a rational decision between two equally distant and plausible solutions will lead to a lack of choice and hence, failure.

Answer 32

Buridan’s Ass

[Prompt on just Buridan; Also prompt on donkey instead of ass]

Question 33

Which Levantine dip is made of mashed cooked eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, various seasonings, and sometimes tahini? The eggplant is traditionally baked or broiled over an open flame before peeling. The dip is often served as a side to a main meal and as a dip for pita bread.

Answer 33

Baba Ganoush

Question 34

Which tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs inside the lungs move oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules into and out of your bloodstream through their thin walls? Of the entire respiratory system, these are the tiniest structures.

Answer 34

Alveoli

[accept pulmonary elveolus]

Question 35

Which English singer songwriter performed a virtual concert on the online platform Pokemon Go in November 2021, with a setlist that included songs like “Perfect”, “Bad Habits”, and “Overpass Graffiti”?

Answer 35

Ed Sheeran

Question 36

Created by Oscar Reutersvärd in 1937, the optical illusion or paradox seen in the movie Inception was named after the father-son duo who popularised it, the latter of whom was a 2021 Nobel Laureate. What is this illusion called - an impossible object since such loops are
not possible in the three-dimensional Euclidean geometry?

Answer 36

Penrose Stairs

Question 37

The indigenous inhabitants of which sparsely populated desert territory have fought for their independence against Morocco since the 1970s? Known as the Saharawis, their organization, the Polisario Front, has waged an armed insurgency but also been part of negotiations. In 1991, both parties agreed to a peace proposal under the UN.

Answer 37

Western Sahara

Question 38

What commonly used Latin term is typically described in common law as that which denotes the mental and moral states of honesty and conviction regarding either the truth or the falsity of a proposition? The phrase has now become synonymous with credentials and identity in the English language, especially in the world of official
documentation.

Answer 38

Bona fide

[Prompt on in good faith]

Question 39

Our Lady of Perpetual [Blank] was a legally recognized church in the US, established by comedian and satirist John Oliver. Its purpose was to ridicule televangelists such as Robert Tilton
and Creflo Dollar who preach the “prosperity gospel” as a way to defraud believers of their money, and to draw attention to them taking advantage of lax government regulations. Fill in the blank.

Answer 39

Exemption

Question 40

Which republic in southwestern Russia is situated on the northern flank of the Greater Caucasus range? The people there have a history of secessionist movement from Russia, and in 1991 under the leadership of Dzhokhar Dudayev, managed to overthrow the government and declare independence from Russia. However, Russia has since managed to wrest back control of this state.

Answer 40

Chechenya

Question 41

In 2020, after his debut with the single “Young Shahrukh”, this Canadian artist released another single called Yummy [Blank] in 2021. One verse went viral on both TikTok and Instagram that caught the attention of Jason Derulo who collaborated with this artist to recreate the song dropping the word yummy from the title. Which viral hit, that is incidentally not talking about a food item?

Answer 41

Jalebi Baby

[Tesher is the artist; you may prompt and say we need the song]

Question 42

The 233-foot tall statue of Buddha in China’s Sichuan province is the largest (and tallest) stone statue of Buddha in the world, featuring frequently in Chinese poetry. In which Chinese city (lending its name to the statue) would you find this statue, overlooking the UNESCO World
Heritage Mount Emei?

Answer 42

Leshan Giant Buddha

Question 43

An emulsion or suspension of small globules of oil and oil-soluble compounds in water, which sauce from the regions between Italy and Spain is made primarily from garlic and oil? In some
places, egg yolk is also added as an emulsifier, although this is often deemed to be incorrect by purists. Its name literally is the Catalan/ Provencal word for its two main ingredients.

Answer 43

Aioli

Question 44

This political reform movement in the early 20th century favored the replacement of the Ottoman Empire’s absolute monarchy with a constitutional government. What is the name of this movement that is now commonly used to signify an insurgent person trying to take control of a situation or organization by force or political maneuver. Various groups in different countries have been named so because of their rebellious or revolutionary nature.

Answer 44

Young Turks

Question 45

Which 1890 novel has seen different editions be published with slightly varying titles? Specifically, the second “the” in the title is often dropped. The actual text in the novel nearly always uses the five-word form to describe the symbol in the story and the group of people forming the pact alluded to.

Answer 45

The Sign of the Four

[The words ‘Sign’ and ‘Four’ are enough, don’t be mean]

Question 46

Big oil got even bigger in 1999, when these two companies signed an $81 billion agreement to merge and form the largest oil company in the world - reunion of the two largest companies of the Standard Oil trust. The merger was so big that the FTC required a massive restructuring of many of their gas stations, to avoid outright monopolization. Which combined company?

Answer 46

Exxon Mobil

[Prompt on only one; but give wrong if one part is given wrongly]

Question 47

In 49 BC, Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon river in Northern Italy to kickstart a long civil war against Pompey and the Optimates, leading to the birth of the idiom Crossing The Rubicon that refers to a point of no return. What Latin phrase did Caesar apparently utter at the time, also meaning the same? English translation works.

Answer 47

Die is Cast

[Alea iacta est]

Question 48

This major muscle of respiration, located below the lungs, is a large dome-shaped muscle that contracts rhythmically and continually, and most of the time, involuntarily. Upon inhalation, it contracts and flattens while during exhalation it expands. Which muscle?

Answer 48

Diaphragm

Question 49

In 1998, Daimler Benz merged with which other automobile company for $37 billion in an attempt to create a Trans-Atlantic car-making powerhouse that would dominate the markets. But, the merger proved to be a failure with Daimler Benz selling this company for a mere $7 billion in 2007.

Answer 49

Chrysler

Question 50

Which 1915 novel has several similarities to the plot and structure of 1887’s Study in Scarlett? Similarities include the two-part structure and moving the action to America. It also features the chronological first appearance of Professor Moriarty.

Answer 50

Valley of Fear

Question 51

Found peeking out from the trunk of a Bodhi tree, a statue of Buddha in Wat Mahathat has now been reduced to just its head as the tree has grown around rest of the sandstone structure . In the ruins of WHICH kingdom, that existed from from 1351 to 1767, would you find this?

Answer 51

Ayuthayya

Question 52

A business merger in 2015 between Kraft and this American company created the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world. Which company is this, with the slogan 57 varieties, that is known to most of us mainly for its manufacture of ketchup?

Answer 52

Heinz

Question 53

Which moon is the second-largest of Saturn and the ninth-largest moon in the Solar System? It is named after the “mother of the gods” and wife of Kronos, the Greek counterpart of the god Saturn. The name might be known to Indians from an unfortunate death and its subsequent fall out fairly recently.

Answer 53

Rhea

Question 54

Built during the 9th century rule of Sailendra dynasty, which Buddhist temple - the largest in the world - is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues? A site of pilgrimage for Indonesians especially during Vesak day, the temple is built in a stacked form comprising nine layers.

Answer 54

Borobodur

Question 55

This chilli sauce or dip is typically made from a mixture of a variety of chilli peppers with secondary ingredients such as shrimp paste, garlic, ginger, shallot, scallion, palm sugar, and lime juice. Which dip, that originated from the culinary traditions of Indonesia, and is also an integral part of the cuisines of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brunei and Singapore?

Answer 55

Sambal

Question 56

Mohammaed Shahid, a member of India’s gold-winning team at the 1980 Olympics hockey, was known for his half push-half hit stroke wherein he hit the ball using the same grip used to dribble. This stroke, ideal for an early pass, was adapted by which successor of his who is now a Member of Parliament for the Aam Aadmi Party?

Answer 56

Dhanraj Pillay

Question 57

What Latin phrase is used to refer to plot devices that resolve a seemingly unsolvable problem, often in a lazy or abrupt way? The phrase’ origin lies in Greek tragedies wherein actors playing Gods such as Zeus would come through trapdoors or mechanical cranes.

Answer 57

Deus Ex Machina

[Prompt on God From The Machine and say we need the Latin Phrase]

Question 58

*The Missionary Church of _____-ism is a new age religion or congregation of file sharers who believe that sharing information is a sacred virtue. The Church, based in Sweden, was officially recognized in January 2012. Fill in the blank with a word that is a fundamental part of sharing information online.

Answer 58

Copy / Kopi

Question 59

When asked about his depiction of the organization as being steeped in kidnapping, murder and enslavement, Conan Doyle said that his research was historical and that he would not withdraw
it, although he did admit that it was depicted “more luridly” than needed. Years after Conan Doyle’s death, Levi Edgar Young, a descendant of Brigham Young, claimed that Conan Doyle had privately apologised to WHICH ORGANIZATION?

Answer 59

Lattery-Day Saints / Mormons

Question 60

The 1965 movie Shakespeare Wallah was produced by WHICH FILM COMPANY, named after its Indian and American founders? The founders were life and business partners from 1961 until the death of the Indian half in 2005. During their time together, they made 44 films.

Answer 60

Merchant Ivory

Question 61

Coined by Joseph Heller in his namesake 1961 novel, what is the term given to a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations? These paradoxes are essentially situations where in you can have something you
need only if you don’t need it.

Answer 61

Catch-22

Question 62

Which artery - meaning related to the lungs - carries systemic venous blood returning to the right side of the heart through to the microcirculation of the lungs? Unlike in other organs where arteries supply oxygenated blood, the blood carried by this artery is deoxygenated, as it is venous blood returning to the heart.

Answer 62

Pulmonary Artery

Question 63

Which moon - with an incredibly smooth surface - is the smallest of the four Galilean moons orbiting Jupiter? Named after the Phoenician mother of King Minos of Crete and lover of Zeus,
its name also is shared by a large geographic entity.

Answer 63

Europa

Question 64

Often called the 80-feet statue, this Great Buddha statue was the largest (about to be toppled) when it was inagurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1989. In WHICH of the four revered site of Buddhist pilgrimage, on the banks of the Phalgu river, will you find this art work that was under threat during a bomb blast in 2013?

Answer 64

Bodh Gaya