rd
3
IISc general quiz
This is powered by an Intel Pentium processor and
was specially modified by Intel engineers. It has
specialized software written by a company called
Words Plus inc., called "Equalizer". It is also
equipped with a speech synthesizer and a wireless
remote control that works on televisions as well as
doors. What is it?
This is powered by an Intel Pentium processor and
was specially modified by Intel engineers. It has
specialized software written by a company called
Words Plus inc., called "Equalizer". It is also
equipped with a speech synthesizer and a wireless
remote control that works on televisions as well as
doors. What is it?
Answer: Actually the software-hardware combo
which drives Stephen Hawking’s wheelchair as well
as helps in his communication.
This city was founded in 1536 by Spanish settlers (and later
abandoned, and refounded in 1580). Among the versions of
its full name is 'Ciudad de la Santisima Trinidad y Puerto de
Nuestra Senora la Virgen Maria de los __ __ , meaning 'City
of the Most Holy Trinity and Port of Our Lady the Virgin
Mary of Good Winds'. The name was chosen because the
city was founded on Trinity Sunday and because the Virgin
Mary was the patron saint of sailors who needed favourable
winds for their ships. Which city?
This city was founded in 1536 by Spanish settlers (and later
abandoned, and refounded in 1580). Among the versions of
its full name is 'Ciudad de la Santisima Trinidad y Puerto de
Nuestra Senora la Virgen Maria de los __ __ , meaning 'City
of the Most Holy Trinity and Port of Our Lady the Virgin
Mary of Good Winds'. The name was chosen because the
city was founded on Trinity Sunday and because the Virgin
Mary was the patron saint of sailors who needed favourable
winds for their ships. Which city?
Buenos Aires. Current official name: Ciudad Autónoma de
Buenos Aires (Autonomous City of Buenos Aires).
The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of
Buckingham Palace at 11.30 a.m. daily in summer and every other
day in winter. The New Guard marches to the Palace with a
Guards band, the Old Guard hands over the Palace keys in a
ceremony during which the sentries are changed, and then the
Old Guard returns to the barracks. When was the first ever time
that the US national anthem was played during the Changing of
the Guard ceremony ?
The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of
Buckingham Palace at 11.30 a.m. daily in summer and every other
day in winter. The New Guard marches to the Palace with a
Guards band, the Old Guard hands over the Palace keys in a
ceremony during which the sentries are changed, and then the
Old Guard returns to the barracks. When was the first ever time
that the US national anthem was played during the Changing of
the Guard ceremony ?
On September 13, 2001 as a mark of solidarity with Americans.
Interesting aside - also on 14th March 2004, they marched to the
Spanish National Anthem ‘Marcha Real’ as a proof of solidarity
with the Madrid bombing survivors and the Spaniards.
On what occasion did the
following image appear on
the internet?
On what occasion did the
following image appear on
the internet?
Answer: Charles Darwin's Birthday February 12, 2009
Here's one for all the students of Tolkien-lore - Bilbo Baggins'
first adventure ends with the Battle of the Five Armies.
Name all the five armies. Zero points for four armies.
Here's one for all the students of Tolkien-lore - Bilbo Baggins'
first adventure ends with the Battle of the Five Armies.
Name all the five armies. Zero points for four armies.
"So began a battle that none had expected; and it was called
the Battle of Five Armies, and it was very terrible. Upon one
side were the Goblins and the wild Wolves, and upon the
other were Elves and Men and Dwarves.”
The Hobbit 17; The Clouds Burst
Until the invention of this device in 1727, printing type had
to be reset if a second printing was to be made. It was not
economic to keep the type standing for prolonged periods of
time. William Ged, a goldsmith in Edinburgh, took a plaster
mould of the type and then cast the whole page in metal.
What was this device called?
The same word has another meaning in modern English.
Stereotype, cliché (both acceptable)
The word stereotype is of Greek origin literally meaning
"solid-kind“- (stereos) "solid, firm" + (tupos) "blow,
impression, engraved mark“ hence "solid impression".
Both cliché and stereotype were both originally printers'
words, and in their literal printers' meanings, they were
synonymous.
Specifically, cliché was a French word for the printing surface
for a stereotype.
Arithmetic operations are sometimes written after the
numbers.
Examples:
2
3
or
4
5
+
*
This notation is actually referred to the by the inventor’s
nationality. Give the name of the inventor (and not his
nationality)
Arithmetic operations are sometimes written after the
numbers.
Examples:
2
3
or
4
5
+
*
This notation is actually referred to the by the inventor’s
nationality. Give the name of the inventor (and not his
nationality)
Answer: Jan Lukasiewicz
The name that's not worth points is Reverse Polish Notation
(or Polish Notation, with the operation at the beginning,
which is what Lukasiewicz actually invented).
In 1901, he became the first Black American to dine at the
White House with Teddy Roosevelt. One of the foremost
Black educators, he founded the Tuskegee Institute. On April
7, 1940, he became the first Black American to be depicted
on a United States postage stamp. His autobiography is titled
‘Up From Slavery’.
Name him.
In 1901, he became the first Black American to dine at the
White House with Teddy Roosevelt. One of the foremost
Black educators, he founded the Tuskegee Institute. On April
7, 1940, he became the first Black American to be depicted
on a United States postage stamp. His autobiography is titled
‘Up From Slavery’.
Name him.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Connect
– a variety of rose
– a Grateful Dead album
– an Oscar-winning movie
Connect
– a variety of rose
– a Grateful Dead album
– an Oscar-winning movie
Answer: American Beauty
The name “Subaru”, and the company's logo, mean
what?
The name “Subaru”, and the company's logo, mean what?
Answer: the star cluster Pleiades.
Subaru can be translated as "to govern", "unite," or "gather
together" (as well as Pleiades). The large star in the logo
represents Fuji Heavy Industries, and the five smaller stars
represent the current five companies that are united under
the FHI group.
Her father calls her ‘a rare gem’. Her classmate refers to her
as ‘Sir’. Who are we talking about?
Her father calls her ‘a rare gem’. Her classmate refers to her
as ‘Sir’. Who are we talking about?
Answer: Peppermint Patty
This drug derives its name from a Greek God. In Greek
mythology, he is the son or half brother of the God of Sleep,
Hypnos. Hypnos was the twin of the God of Death,
Thanatos. Name the God and the drug named after him.
This drug derives its name from a Greek God. In Greek
mythology, he is the son or half brother of the God of Sleep,
Hypnos. Hypnos was the twin of the God of Death,
Thanatos. Name the God and the drug named after him.
Morpheus (God of Dreams) and hence Morphine—though
morphine is named because it causes sleep, not
hallucination.
What does the unique triangular shape of Toblerone
chocolates symbolize?
What does the unique triangular shape of Toblerone chocolates
symbolize?
The Matterhorn, which is also the company’s logo.
or
“As the red-and-beige clad dance troupe formed a human pyramid at the
close of their number, his mind's eye suddenly glimpsed a triangular
chocolate shape.”
The image of a bear hidden in the Matterhorn mountain symbolizes the
town of its origin, Berne.
Identify.
Apparently bug was engineering jargon before it was used in the context of
computers
When presented the 1964 Best Actor Oscar, Rex Harrison
looked at Audrey Hepburn onstage (who gave away the
award) and Julie Andrews in the audience and said, "Deep
love to, uh, well, two fair ladies". What did he mean by “two
fair ladies”?
When presented the 1964 Best Actor Oscar, Rex Harrison
looked at Audrey Hepburn onstage (who gave away the
award) and Julie Andrews in the audience and said, "Deep
love to, uh, well, two fair ladies". What did he mean by “two
fair ladies”?
Both ladies starred as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady”
adapted from G.B. Shaw's “Pygmalion” - Julie Andrews in
the Broadway version and Audrey Hepburn in the film
version.
What does he say?
The Greeks used a particular word, meaning "Dog's Tail,’’ to
describe the constellation of the Little Dipper or Ursa Minor.
At the end of this tail is Polaris, the North Star, which served
as a guide for navigators. A particular English word owes its
origins to the above-mentioned Greek name. Give the
English word.
The Greeks used a particular word, meaning "Dog's Tail,’’ to
describe the constellation of the Little Dipper or Ursa Minor.
At the end of this tail is Polaris, the North Star, which served
as a guide for navigators. A particular English word owes its
origins to the above-mentioned Greek name. Give the
English word.
Answer: 'Cynosure' meaning "Centre of Attraction". The
original Greek word was ‘Kunosoura’ or ‘Kynosoura’.
What is different about the McDonalds found on the Avenue
des Champs Elysees in Paris ?
What is different about the McDonalds found on the Avenue
des Champs Elysees in Paris ?
It is the only one in the world to have the big ‘M’ white
rather than yellow.
This one is about a man and an object he owned. There is a
statue of this man in Vienna with 4 arms, each holding this
object. He died penniless in a hospital.
Legend has it that officials in Holland took this object apart
to see if there was a magnet inside it and the Japanese
decided he used super-glue on this object.
Name the man and the object.
This one is about a man and an object he owned. There is a
statue of this man in Vienna with 4 arms, each holding this
object. He died penniless in a hospital.
Legend has it that officials in Holland took this object apart
to see if there was a magnet inside it and the Japanese
decided he used super-glue on this object.
Name the man and the object.
Dhyan Chand and his hockey stick
The four elements: Which place has four elements of the
periodic table named after it? (Five points for the place, five
points for all 4 elements)
The four elements: Which place has four elements of the
periodic table named after it? (Five points for the place, five
points for all 4 elements)
Answer: Ytterby, a village in Sweden
The elements are: Yttrium, Terbium, Ytterbium, Erbium
Elements indirectly related: Gadolinium, Holmium and
Thulium
Connect:
1. The Vatican city
2. San Marino
3. Lesotho
Answer: all three countries are enclaves, entirely
surrounded by one other country—Italy in the first
two cases and South Africa in the third.
Vatican City
Lesotho
San Marino
Who was Walt Disney referring to when he said that this
fictional person was 'a combination of all the people I ever
disliked' ?
Who was Walt Disney referring to when he said that this
fictional person was 'a combination of all the people I ever
disliked' ?
Donald Fauntleroy Duck
Name the company whose logo has been
displayed and the reason why it is so-called.
The logo is a stylized form of the Golden Gate
Bridge near San Francisco, where CISCO was
founded. CISCO is short for San Francisco.
– Book 1 was published in 1813, with many movie adaptations, including
one BBC TV miniseries in 1995
– Book 2 was published in 1996, with a movie adaptation in 2001
Book 2 was clearly a tribute to Book 1, with a plot having a very similar
skeleton.
In book 2, the female protagonist refers to the 1995 miniseries,
claiming the actor playing a male love interest is hot. That same actor
played a male love interest in the 2001 movie of book 2, and those
two characters had the same last name.
The book 2 female protagonist works at a publishing company with the
same name as the book 1 male love interest’s estate.
Name both books—5 points each.
– Book 1 was published in 1813, with many movie adaptations, including
one BBC TV miniseries in 1995
– Book 2 was published in 1996, with a movie adaptation in 2001
Book 2 was clearly a tribute to Book 1, with a plot having a very similar
skeleton.
In book 2, the female protagonist refers to the 1995 miniseries,
claiming the actor playing a male love interest is hot. That same actor
played a male love interest in the 2001 movie of book 2, and those
two characters had the same last name.
The book 2 female protagonist works at a publishing company with the
same name as the book 1 male love interest’s estate.
Name both books—5 points each.
Answer: Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones’ Diary
Incidentally: Actor, Colin Firth. Last name, Darcy. The sequel to Bridget
Jones is based on Persuasion.
On what occasion did the
following image appear on
the internet?
On what occasion did the
following image appear on
the internet?
Leap Year - February 29, 2008
This word having military origins is derived from an old
Germanic word, and literally meant, "Shelter for an Army".
By the 14th century, it was adopted to indicate "Someone
sent in advance to secure lodgings for an army or royal
entourage.”
This word having military origins is derived from an old
Germanic word, and literally meant, "Shelter for an Army".
By the 14th century, it was adopted to indicate "Someone
sent in advance to secure lodgings for an army or royal
entourage.”
Answer: The word is 'Harbinger' derived from 'Heriberga’
c.1471, herbengar "one sent ahead to arrange lodgings"
derived from heriberga "army shelter," from heri "army" +
berga "shelter".
Sense of "forerunner" is 1550.
This is the cover of the last album the Beatles recorded,
Abbey Road. The licence plate number of the white
Volkswagon Beetle on the left in this image (many Beatles
fans agree) is ----
This is the cover of the last album the Beatles recorded,
Abbey Road. The licence plate number of the white
Volkswagon Beetle on the left in this image (many Beatles
fans agree) is ----
Answer: LMW 281F (full points for 28IF)
____ and ____ are a pair who
1. Ran against each other for U.S. Presidency
2. Own a book called “How to cook for forty humans”
3. Have claimed to be Quantum Presbytarians, although
one later claimed to be Jewish.
One said: “We have reached the limit of what rectal probing
can teach us”.
One said: “Your superior intellect is no match for our puny
weapons"
Name both. 5 points each
____ and ____ are a pair who
1. Ran against each other for U.S. Presidency
2. Own a book called “How to cook for forty humans”
3. Have claimed to be Quantum Presbytarians, although
one later claimed to be Jewish.
One said: “We have reached the limit of what rectal probing
can teach us”.
One said: “Your superior intellect is no match for our puny
weapons"
Name both. 5 points each
Answer: Kang and Kodos, the aliens on the Simpsons
.
.
.
Insult the stallion in his stall,
And, scorning barriers of class,
Infiltrate you and me! Like tall
And painless guillotines, they fall
Down through our heads into the grass.
At night, they enter Nepal
And pierce the lover and his lass
From underneath the bed—you call
It wonderful; I call it crass.
Who wrote the
poem, and what is
he talking about?
.
.
.
Who wrote the
poem, and what is
he talking about?
Insult the stallion in his stall,
And, scorning barriers of class,
Infiltrate you and me! Like tall
And painless guillotines, they fall
Down through our heads into the grass.
At night, they enter Nepal
And pierce the lover and his lass
From underneath the bed—you call
It wonderful; I call it crass.
John Updike, talking
about neutrinos
The poem is “Cosmic
Gall”
The term for such a test was coined by Luis von Ahn,
Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper (all of Carnegie Mellon
University), and John Langford (then of IBM). (they
invented the test).
What is the term?
The term for such a test was coined by Luis von Ahn,
Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper (all of Carnegie Mellon
University), and John Langford (then of IBM). (they
invented the test).
What is the term?
Answer: CAPTCHA
(Stands for: Completely Automated Public Turing test to
tell Computers and Humans Apart)
The Dharwad Taluk Garg Khetriya Seva Sangh in the Garag
Village of Karnataka is unique for what?
The Dharwad Taluk Garg Khetriya Seva Sangh in the Garag
Village of Karnataka is unique for what?
The National Flag. Only flags made from here can be used for
official purposes according to the National Flag Act.
Connect
– Escalator Squash
– Electromagnetic Golf
– Obstacle Golf.
Connect
– Escalator Squash
– Electromagnetic Golf
– Obstacle Golf.
Answer: They are all games created by Aldous Huxley in his
book "Brave new world".
Connect:
Led Zeppelin
Cream
The Jeff Beck Group
Connect:
Led Zeppelin
Cream
The Jeff Beck Group
Answer: All are bands that had lead guitarists that
were once in The Yardbirds (another band)
Led Zeppelin – Jimmy Page
Cream – Eric Clapton
The Jeff Beck Group – Jeff Beck
Explain: “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo
Buffalo buffalo”.
Explain: “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo
buffalo”.
Buffalo--a city in New York State
buffalo--a large mammal
to buffalo--to intimidate
So, New York mammals that New York mammals intimidate tend
to intimidate New York mammals. (Continuing along these
lines you can make much longer sentences.)