This week, we have a mixed bag, with topics ranging from the Oscars to etymology and detective fiction. Have a blast!

Mixed bag

1 Which film, released in 2004, was the first ever instance of an actor winning an Oscar for portraying a real-life Oscar winner? And who were the two actors in question?

2 With over 102 million inhabitants, which is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second-most populous nation on the African continent?

3 Cynisca of Sparta was the first woman to win a medal in the ancient Olympics. What did she win it for?

4 Which pair of 19th-century celebrity brothers did sisters Sarah Ann and Adelaide Yates marry in 1843?

5 Fiction. Whose father is Jonny Rokeby, a renowned rock star who had an affair with model and “super groupie” Leda, which led to her having his baby?

6 We all know that Rotary and Round Table all come from the concept of a table, notably King Arthur’s Legendary Round Table. But which other organisation, which has over 1,34,000 members worldwide, derives its name from the Latin name for table, and included Isaac Asimov and Buckminster Fuller as members?

7 This actor got his major break when his fellow assistant in a highly regarded 2012 film decided to cast him because his original choice, Rajkummar Rao, backed out. Name the actor and the film.

8 Johannes “Reginald” Bohm (1760-1834) was a farmer who emigrated from Germany and settled in Kentucky. He started producing his most well-known product in a facility called The Old Tub, and, other than a brief break in the 20th century, the family has continued to make the product. Name the product.

9 Which is the first and, so far, the only Indian city to have a Geographical Indicator tag for the perfume it produces?

10 Which two players contested the shortest Grand Slam final in the history of tennis? The record is unlikely to be equalled.

Answers

1 Cate Blanchett for portraying Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator

2 Ethiopia

3 Chariot racing; women did not race, but the award was given to the owner of the chariot, not the driver, and Cynisca owned one

4 Chang and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese twins. They managed to father 21 children as well

5 Cormoran Strike, in the detective series written by JK Rowling using the pseudonym Robert Galbraith

6 Mensa

7 Vicky Kaushal, Masaan . Director Neeraj Ghaywan was a fellow assistant director for Gangs Of Wasseypur

8 Jim Beam, an Americanisation of his name

9 Kannauj, famous for its attar

10 Steffi Graf beat Natasha Zvereva 6-0 6-0 in the 1988 French Open finals in just 34 minutes

BLINKJOY
 

 

Joy Bhattacharjya is a quizmaster;

Twitter: @joybhattacharj

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