Quiz: Second in line

On this day in 1913, Canberra became the second capital city of Australia, after the seat of government was moved from Melbourne. This quiz, in keeping with that theme, will be all about ‘seconds’.

1 The second line of which well-loved book is “He was one of the most noticeable members of the Reform Club, though he seemed always to avoid attracting attention; an enigmatical personage, about whom little was known, except that he was a polished man of the world”?

2 From which specific activity does the term ‘second string’ for a backup originate?

3 If Mesopotamian Arabic is the most widely spoken language in Iraq, which language is in second place, spoken by approximately 15-20 per cent of the population?

4 One of the more common themes in Premier League football is the ‘Second Season Syndrome’. What exactly is this used to explain?

5 The architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar, had suggested a second capital for effective governance. Which city did he suggest as India’s second capital?

6 Another second line: identify the classic novel. “Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him.”

7 In 1995 Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy teamed up for the memorable romantic comedy Before Sunrise. What was the name of the sequel, their next film together, which was an even bigger hit?

8 Cary Grant was offered a role in a film series by his close friend, the producer Albert Broccoli. Talks finally broke off when the veteran actor committed to only one film. Name the second choice for the role: he stepped in and made a huge impact in the first film of the series.

9 What was Svetlana Savitskaya the second person to accomplish, almost 19 years after the first time it was done?

10 Andrew Sandham is the first test cricketer to score a test triple century, getting 325 against the West Indies, in Sabina Park, Kingston. Who was the second?

Answers

1. Around The World In 80 Days by Jules Verne

2. Archery. Archers would always carry a second string for their bow in case the first one broke

3. Kurdish, which has over 20-30 million native speakers across seven Asian countries

4. Teams promoted into the Premiership tend to have a strong first season, but normally slump badly and struggle to avoid relegation in their second year. There is also a similar ‘sophomore curse’ in US sport, where athletes struggle after a strong firs- year performance

5. Hyderabad, functioning as a southern capital to balance Delhi in the north

6. 1984, the first line being the memorable “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

7. The 2004 film Before Sunset

8. Sean Connery

9. She was the second woman in space, on Soyuz T-7 in 1982. The first was Valentina Tereshkova on Vostok 6 in 1963

10. Sir Donald Bradman: he scored 334 against England at the Oval

Joy

_{Joy Bhattacharjya is a quizmaster and Project Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup}

_{Follow Joy on Twitter @joybhattacharj}

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