Index
Valentine's Day Quiz 2011 (February 14, 2011)
Sir John A. Macdonald Quiz (January 11, 2011)
Latin Quiz (January 25, 2011)
Oscars Quiz 2011 (February 25, 2011)
Archie Comics Quiz (May 11, 2011)
Father's Day Quiz (June 19, 2011)
U.S, Presidents and First Ladies Quiz #1 (July 11, 2011)
The Great Christmas Song Quiz (December 8, 2011)
U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Quiz #2 (January 20, 2012)
Oscars Quiz 2012 (February 25, 2012)
Summer Quiz (June 21, 2012)
The Great Olympics Quiz 2012 (August 11, 2012)
Baseball and World Series Quiz (October 1, 2012)
Summer Song Quiz (June 21, 2013)
Canada Day Quiz (July 1, 2013)
Oscars Quiz 2014 (February 26, 2014)
2014 World Series Quiz (October 6, 2014)
Oscars Quiz 2015 (February 17, 2015)
Oscars Quiz 2016 (February 25, 2016)
U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Quiz #3 (November 6, 2016)
Animal Quiz (December 15, 2016)
Oscars Quiz 2017 (February 21, 2017)
Oscars Quiz 2018 (February 13, 2018)
2018 World Series Quiz (October 9, 2018)
Oscars Quiz 2019 (February 9, 2019)
Vocabulary Quiz #1 (March 24, 2019)
Vocabulary Quiz #2 (August 19, 2019)
Vocabulary Quiz #3 (September 5, 2019) - Ten words beginning with the letter "A"
Vocabulary Quiz #4 (September 23, 2019) - Ten Phobias
Vocabulary Quiz #5 (October 31, 2019) - Ten words beginning with the letter "S"
Vocabulary Quiz #6 (January 24, 2020) - Ten words related to birds
Oscars Quiz 2020 (February 7, 2020)
Vocabulary Quiz #7 (April 27, 2020) - Ten words beginning with the letter "Q"
Christmas Songs Quiz (December 18, 2020)
Oscars Quiz 2021 (April 19, 2021)
Vocabulary Quiz #8 (July 17, 2021) - Eleven words ending in "ology" (meaning fields of study)
VALENTINE'S DAY QUIZ 2011
(Originally posted February 14, 2011)
1. Who sang the disco song "Love is in the Air" in the late 1970s?
A. Tony Orlando
B. John Paul Young
C. Andy Kim
D. Barry Manilow
E. John Davis and the Monster Orchestra
2. What does the Latin phrase, “Omnia vincit Amor” mean?
A. Love is everything.
B. Love is all there is.
C. Love is strength.
D. It is great to be in love.
E. Love conquers all things.
3. Which poet wrote “O, my love is like a red, red rose”?
A. John Keats
B. William Shakespeare
C. Elizabeth Barrett Browning
D. Robert Burns
E. Percy Bysshe Shelley
4. Which Beatles song did Frank Sinatra describe as “one of the best love songs, I believe, to be written in fifty or a hundred years.”
A. Something
B. Yesterday
C. Michelle
D. And I Love Her
E. All You Need is Love
5. Which of the following famous comedians was born Valentine`s Day?
A. Bob Hope
B. Lucille Ball
C. Jack Benny
D. Danny Thomas
E. Joan Rivers
6. Who sang the 1973 hit song I`ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song?
A. James Taylor
B. Cat Stevens
C. Paul Simon
D. Jim Croce
E. Don McLean
7. St. Valentine was a Christian martyr in what city?
A. Venice
B. Rome
C. Constantinople
D. Florence
E. Athens
8. The name “Valentine” is derived from “valens” meaning
A. noble
B. loving
C. beautiful and attractive
D. emotional
E. worthy and strong
9. The song What I Did for Love is from which Broadway musical? Remember Kiss today goodbye / The sweetness and the sorrow. / Wish me luck, the same to you. / But I can’t regret what I did for love . . .
A. Guys and Dolls
B. A Chorus Line
C. The Music Man
D. 42nd Street
E. Oklahoma
10. When asked if he were “in love”, who replied, “Yes . . . whatever that may mean?”
A. John Steinbeck
B. Ernest Hemingway
C. Prince Charles
D. Prince Harry of Wales
E. Eminem
ANSWERS
1. B. John Paul Young
To watch a video of the Australian pop singer, John Paul Young, singing Love is in the Air, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNC0kIzM1Fo
2. E Love conquers all things.
The Latin phrase “Omnia vincit Amor” means “Love conquers all things.” The Roman poet, Virgil, wrote “Omnia vincit Armor: et nos cedamus Amori.” Translantion: Love conquers all things: let us too surrender to Love.”
3. D. Robert Burns
The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote “O, my love is like a red, red rose / That’s newly sprung in June”
To watch a video montage of a musical version of the poem, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBCQMWMbeMU
4. A. Something
To watch a video of Frank Sinatra singing George Harrison’s Something, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J9FvFifcoA
5. C. Jack Benny.
Jack Benny was born on February 14, 1894.
6. D. Jim Croce
To watch a video of Jim Croce singing I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RabAcvizwKY
7. B. Rome
St. Valentine was a Christian martyr in ancient Rome.
8. E. worthy and strong
The name “Valentine” is “Valentinus” in Latin and is derived from “valens” meaning worthy and strong.
9. B. A Chorus Line
To watch a A Chorus Line photo montage of What I Did for Love, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXW480B4ENs
10. C. Prince Charles
The Prince of Wales made the remark after the announcement of his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer on February 24, 1981.
SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD QUIZ
(Originally posted Jan. 11, 2011)
Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, was born in Scotland, on January 11, 1815. Although January 10 is the date recorded in the General Register Office in Edinburgh, January 11th is the day that Macdonald and those who remember him have celebrated his birthday.
SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD QUIZ
1. What does the “A” in Macdonald’s middle name stand for?
A. Albert
B. Alexander
C. Andrew
D. Anthony
E. Aloysius
2. Where was Sir John A. born?
A. St. Andrews, Scotland
B. Edinburgh, Scotland
C. Glasgow, Scotland
D. Dundee, Scotland
E. Aberdeen Scotland
3. Sir John A.’s son, Hugh John Macdonald, was premier of which province for a brief period in the year 1900?
A. Manitoba
B. Ontario
C. Alberta
D. Nova Scotia
E. British Columbia
4. What was Sir John A.’s occupation in Kingston, Ontario?
A. Journalist
B. Librarian
C. Professor
D. Lawyer
E. Newspaper publisher
5. Sir John A.’s nickname was
A. Kingston Johnny
B. Old Tomorrow
C. Johnny Canuck
D. Canada’s Father
E. Mr. Confederation
6. Sir John’s A.’s daughter, Mary Margaret (born 1869), had an affliction. What was it?
A. Polio
B. Blindness
C. Kidney disease
D. Heart condition
E. Hydrocephaly
7. How many majority governments did Macdonald win during his political career?
A. Six
B. None. He only had minority governments.
C. Four
D. Three
E. One
8. Sir John A. had a weakness for
A. Women
B. Bad jokes
C. Alcohol
D. Cocaine
E. Gambling
9. Macdonald’s first wife Isabella
A. Drowned in 1855
B. Was an invalid and died in 1856
C. Was run over by a horse and carriage and died
D. Died in childbirth in 1856
E. Died of tuberculosis
10. What was the name given to Sir John A’s economic program in which he called for an increase in immigration to Western Canada, the building of a railway to the West and high tariffs on imported manufactured goods to protect Canadian industry? (This is a bonus question. Give yourself an extra point if you get the correct answer.)
A. The Canada First Policy
B. The National Policy
C. The Macdonald Program
D. The Canadian Economic Policy
E. The Canadian Settlement Program
ANSWERS
1. B. Alexander
2. C. Glasgow, Scotland
3. A. Manitoba
4. D. Lawyer (Sir John A. became a lawyer in 1836. He remained in the practice of law with a series of partners in Kingston until 1874 and then in Toronto. His firm was involved mainly in commercial law and his clients were businessmen or corporations.)
5. B. Old Tomorrow (Sir John A. was affectionately dubbed "Old Tomorrow" due to his habit of procrastinating.)
6. E. Hydrocephaly (A condition characterized by an abnormal amount of fluid in the cranium, especially in young children, causing enlargement of the head and deterioration of the brain. It leads to both mental and physical disabilities) Note: Mary, who died in 1933, was the only child of Sir John A. and his second wife, Susan Agnes Bernard, known as Agnes. Macdonald and his first wife, Isabella, had two children: a son, John, who died suddenly at 13 months and a second son, Hugh John (born 1850, died 1929 at the age of 79.
7. A. Six
8. C. Alcohol
9. B. Isabella was an invalid and died in 1856. Sir John A. remarried in 1867, the year of Confederation.
10. B. The National Policy
LATIN QUIZ
(Originally published January 25, 2011)
How’s your Latin? Here are ten Latin phrases. Can you translate them into English?
1. Carpe diem
2. Pax vobiscum
3. Ad astra per aspera
4. Semper fidelis
5. A mari usque ad mare
6. Aurora borealis
7. Tempus fugit
8. Amor vincit omnia
9. Facta non verba
10. Vox populi
11. Fiat lux!
ANSWERS
1. Carpe diem – Seize the day
2. Pax vobiscum – Peace be with you
3. Ad astra per aspera – To the stars through adversity (motto of the state of Kansas)
4. Semper fidelis – Always faithful (motto of the United State Marine Corps.)
5. A mari usque ad mare – From sea to sea (motto of Canada)
6. Auora borealis – Northern lights
7. Tempus fugit – Time flees or Time flies
8. Amora vincit omnia – Love conquers all
9. Facta non verba – Deeds, not words (Actions speak louder than words)
10. Vox populi – Voice of the people
11. Fiat luz! - Let there be light!
OSCARS QUIZ 2011
(Originally published February 25, 2011)
On Sunday, the Academy Awards will be given out in Hollywood. To mark the occasion, Number 16 proudly presents its first annual Academy Awards quiz. Get ready and test your knowledge by answering 10 questions about the Oscars. Good luck.
1. Despite a long and distinguished acting career, Humphrey Bogart only won one Academy Award. What was the name of the film that earned Bogie his only Oscar?
A. Casablanca
B. Key Largo
C. The African Queen
D. The Maltese Falcon
E. The Big Sleep
2. How many Canadian-born women have won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role?
A. 3
B. 1
C. None
D. 2
E. 4
3. What year was the first Academy Awards ceremony held?
A. 1932
B. 1928
C. 1930
D. 1929
E. 1931
4. Who was the youngest person ever to win an Oscar?
A. Tatum O’Neal
B. Shirley Temple
C. Margaret O’Brien
D. Anna Paquin
E. Judy Garland
5. Paul Newman won only won one Academy Award during his stellar career. For which movie did Newman win an Oscar?
A. Cool Hand Luke
B. The Hustler
C. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
D. The Color of Money
E. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
6. How many Oscars did Alfred Hitchcock, the great director and “Master of Suspense” win?
A. 1
B. None
C. 2
D. 4
E. 3
7. Elizabeth Taylor was born on February 27, 1932. She turns 79 years old on the day of the day of the Oscars. For which film did she win the first of her two Academy Awards.
A. Giant
B. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
C. Butterfield 8
D. A Place in the Sun
E. Cleopatra
8. For which of these films did Shelley Winters win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role?
A. The Poseidon Adventure
B. A Place in the Sun
C. The Night of the Hunter
D. A Double Life
E. A Patch of Blue
9. Shelley Winters received one other Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Name the film that won her that Oscar (This is your bonus question, so give yourself an extra point if you answer it correctly).
A. The Great Gatsby
B. The Diary of Anne Frank
C. Lolita
D. Alfie
E. Executive Suite
10. Who was the first black to win an Oscar for a performance in a leading role?
A. Hattie McDaniel
B. Denzel Washington
C. Halle Berry
D. Sidney Poitier
E. James Earl Jones
ANSWERS:
1 C. The African Queen
In 1951, Humphrey Bogart won the Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The African Queen.
2. A. 3
Three Canadian-born women have won Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role and they won them in three consecutive years. They are Mary Pickford for Coquette in 1929, Norma Shearer for The Divorcee in 1930 and Marie Dressler for Min and Bill in 1931. Mary Pickford was born in Toronto, Norma Shearer in Montreal and Marie Dressler in Cobourg, Ontario.
3. D. 1929
The first Academy Awards ceremony took place at a private dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California on May 16, 1929.
4. A. Tatum O’Neal
In 1973, Tatum O’Neal was only 10 years old when she won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Paper Moon.
5. D. The Color of Money
In 1986, Paul Newman won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Color of Money.
6. B. None
Although he received five nominations, famed director Alfred Hitchcock never won an Oscar. He received the Irving Thalberg memorial award at the 1967 Academy Awards.
7. C. Butterfield 8
Elizabeth Taylor won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Butterfield 8 in 1961. In 1967, she won a second Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
8. E. A Patch of Blue
In 1965, Shelley Winters won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in A Patch is Blue.
9. B. The Diary of Anne Frank
In 1959, Shelley Winters won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting role for performance in The Diary of Anne Frank.
10. D. Sidney Poitier
In 1963, Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Lilies of the Field.
ARCHIE COMICS QUIZ.
(originally posted May 11, 2011)
Calling all fans of Archie Comics! Number 16 has a treat for you today. You are challenged to answer a ten-question quiz on Archie and his friends. First, here’s a little background on your favourite comic book character and his creator.
Red-haired Archie Andrews and his bevy of teenage friends first appeared in Pep Comics in December of 1941. Archie was created by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana. Bob Montana attended high school in Haverhill Massachusetts from 1936 to 1939. His sketchbook of life in Haverhill was the real genesis of the Archie Comics. For example, Pop Tate’s Chocklit Shoppe (the Archie gang’s favourite hangout) was based on real-life locations frequented by teenagers in the 1930s in Montana’s hometown.
Bob Montana launched the Archie newspaper comic strip in 1946 after his return from World II military service. He drew the strip until his passing in 1975.
ARCHIE COMICS QUIZ
1. What is the real name of Jughead Jones?
A. Jeffrey J. Jones, Jr.
B. Rudolph William Jones III
C. Forsythe Pendleton Jones III
D. James Randolf Jones
E. Randolph Pennington Jones, Jr.
2. How old is Archie Andrews?
A. 15
B. 16
C. 18
D. 17
E. His exact age has never been given.
3. Archie Andrews wears the letter “R” on his sweater, for Riverdale High. What letter traditionally appears on Jughead’s turtlenecks?
A. “R”
B. “S”
C. “P”
D. “W”
E. “Y”
4. Who are Polly and Chick Cooper?
A. Betty’s cousins
B. Betty’s pets
C. Betty’s parents
D. Betty’s grandparents
E. Betty’s siblings
5. Veronica’s father, Mr. Hiram Lodge, is a wealthy business tycoon. What is the name of his butler?
A. Gregory
B. Bernard
C. Smythe
D. Smithers
E. Stuart
6. Archie really likes cars. What did he call his old red jalopy?
A. Ol’ Betsy
B. Jenny Jalopy
C. Red Rita
D. Ol’ Bessie
E. Ol’ Jean
7. Who or what is Hot Dog?
A. A diner where Archie and the gang hang out
B. Jughead’s dog
C. A disco where Archie and his friends go to dance
D. A poor area in Riverdale
E. A clothing store for Riverdale’s teenagers
8. What subject or subjects does Miss Grundy teach?
A. Science
B. History and/or Geography
C. English and/or Math
D. Music
E. Social Science and/or Economics
9. What is the occupation of Reggie Mantle’s dad? (This is your bonus question. If you answer it correctly, give yourself an extra mark.)
A. Lawyer
B. Head of a newspaper printing company
C. Owner of an upscale restaurant
D. Psychiatrist
E. Real estate agent
10. What is wrong with Riverdale High’s star athlete, Moose Mason?
A. He has poor hearing.
B. He has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
C. He has a speech impediment.
D. He has dyslexia.
E. He has a mild form of autism.
ANSWERS
1. C
Jughead’s real name is Forsythe Pendleton Jones III. In the earliest Archie comic strips, however, he was identified as Forsythe Van Jones II.
2. D
After all these years, Archie remains 17 years old.
3. B.
The letter “S” traditionally appears on Jughead’s turtlenecks. Are you wondering what the "S" stands for? Well, according to Peg Bertholet, the widow of Archie creator Bob Montana, it is dervived from Jughead's old school, Squirrel Hill Intstitute of Technology. According to Peg, there was a place in Montana's hometown of Haverhill called Skunk Hill "which Bob turned into Squirrel Hill." Peg said that "Bob's elementary school near Haverhill called its athletic teams the Tigers.. So Jughead's "S" meant 'Squirrel Hill Independent Tigers,' and you couldn't abbreviate it any other way."
4. E.
Polly and Chick Cooper are Betty Cooper’s siblings. Polly is Betty’s older sister and Chick is her older brother.
5. D.
The name of the Lodge family's bald, portly butler is Hubert Smithers.
6. A
Archie called his jalopy “Ol Betsy.” It was destroyed in a 1983 issue of Life with Archie. In the newer comics, he drives a 1960s Ford Mustang.
7. B
Hot Dog is Jughead’s dog. He is a shaggy mutt and resembles a sheepdog.
8. C.
Miss Grundy teaches English and/or Math. In Life with Archie, a magazine set in an alternate universe than the monthly comics (it follows the grown-up Archie and his friends), Miss Grundy died of cancer. Before her death, she married Riverdale High principal, Mr. Weatherbee. Geraldine Grundy continues to torment her students in the regular Archie series.
9. B
Reggie’s father, Reginald “Ricky” Mantle Jr., is the head of a newspaper printing company.
10. D
Big Moose, whose real name is Marmaduke Mason, has dyslexia. When he copied some instructions from the board incorrectly, a frustrated Miss Grundy removed him from his sports teams. An angry Moose had his eyes examined and was informed that his vision is good, but his brain receives the signals improperly.
FATHER'S DAY QUIZ 2011
(Originally posted June 19, 2011)
In honour of fathers, Number 16 presents the 2011 Father's Day Quiz. See how many of the questions you can answer correctly.
1. In the Book of Genesis, who is told that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky?
A. Moses
B. Abraham
C. Jacob
D. Isaac
E. Adam
2. George Washington is often referred to as the father of his country. Did Washington have any biological children?
A. No, he did not have any biological children.
B. Yes, he and his wife, Martha, had two sons.
C. Yes, he had twin daughters, Margaret and Beatrice Washington.
D. Yes, George Washington was the biological father of four childrren.
E. Yes, he had one child, a daughter named Florence.
3. Superman's adoptive father on Earth was Jonathan Kent. What was the name of Superman's biological father on the planet Krypton?
A. Kal-El
B. Je-El
C. Kortak
D. Jor-El
E. Kaytak
4. Angelina Jolie's father is also a film star. Who is her father?
A. George Kennedy
B. Peter Fonda
C. John Voight
D. Martin Landau
E. Christopher Plummer
5. England's Henry VIII had only one legitimate son who survived. His third wife, Jane Seymour, died soon after giving birth to their son in 1537. What was the name of Henry's male heir?
A, James
B. Edward
C. George
D. Charles
E. William
6. What did country singer Loretta Lynn's father do for a living?
A. He was a country doctor.
B. He worked in a factory.
C. He was a fisherman.
D. He was a truck driver.
E. He was a coal miner and farmer.
7. Who is known as the "Father of New France."
A. Jacques Cartier
B. George Etienne Cartier
C. Samuel de Champlain
D. Louis Papineau
E. Henri Mercir
8. Before George W. Bush and his father, did any other father and son both serve as U.S. president?
A. Yes, John Adams and John Quincy Adams
B. No
C. Yes, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison
D. Yes, John Tyler and James Tyler.
E. Yes, Grover Cleveland and Stephen Grover Cleveland
9. What was the name of Alexander the Great's father?
A. Stephen the Great
B. King Milos III of Macedonia
C. King Andreas II of Macedonia
D. King Philip II of Macedonia
E. Costos III of Macedonia
10. Who is the father of English rock drummer Zak Starkey?
A. Mick Jagger
B. Hugh Grant
C. Ringo Starr
D. Roger Daltry
E. Rod Stewart
ANSWERS:
1. B
In Genesis 26:4, God tells Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky.
2. A
George Washington did not have any biological children. He was, however, a stepfather. His wife, Martha, was a widow with two children when she married him.
3. D
Superman's biological father was Jor-El, a respected scientist on the planet Krypton. Jor-El foresaw the destruction of Kryton and tried to warn others. Although Jor-El was unable to save himself, he managed to save his infant son, Kal-El, by sending him to Earth in a rocket ship. Kal-El was discovered by Jonathan and Martha Kent who raised him as their son and named him Clark Kent.
4. C
Angelina Jolie's father is Academy Award winner John Voight. Voight won his Oscar for his performance in the film Coming Home.
5. B
Edward ascended to the throne when he was only nine years old. He was crowned Edward VI but his reign was not long. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 15.
6. E
Loretta Lynn's father, Melvin "Ted" Webb was a coal miner and farmer in Kentucky. That is why Loretta titled her best-selling autobiography Coal Miner's Daughter.
7. C
Samuel de Champlain, known as the "Father of New France" was a navigator, explorer, soldier and diplomat. He founded Quebec City on July 3, 1608.
8, A
John Adams was the second President of the United States. His son, John Quincy Adams, was the sixth President of the U.S. William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison both served as president but they were grandfather and grandson.
9. D
Alexander the Great's father was King Philip II of Macedonia. Philip conquered Greece and died in 336 B.C.
10. C
Zak Starkey (born September 13, 1965) is the son of former Beatle Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen.
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #1
(Originally posted July 11, 2011)
Today Number 16 presents its first quiz on U..S. Presidents and First Ladies. There will be more quizzes on this topic in the future. If you think you think you know your presidential trivia, give it a try. Good luck and enjoy!
1. Which U.S. President served as President of Princeton University from 1902 until 1910?
A. Franklin Roosevelt
B. Theodore Roosevelt
C. Woodrow Wilson
D. Warren G. Harding
E. Calvin Coolidge
2. Which President never married?
A. James Buchanan
B. Franklin Pierce
C. Millard Fillmore
D. Zachary Taylor
E. James Knox Polk
3. Which President declared that "the business of America is business?"
A. William Howard Taft
B. Ronald Reagan
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Calvin Coolidge
E. Chester A. Arthur
4. Who was the youngest First Lady?
A. Dolly Madison
B. Frances Folsom Cleveland
C. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
D. Florence Harding
E. Louisa Johnson Adams
5. Who was the first sitting President to attend a World Series game?
A. Franklin D. Roosevelt
B. Herbert Hoover
C. Warren G. Harding
D. Theodore Roosevelt
E. Woodrow Wilson
6. Which First Lady learned to speak Mandarin Chinese?
A. Eleanor Roosevelt
B. Louise Henry Hoover
C. Hillary Rodham Clinton
D. Patricia Nixon
E. Grace Coolidge
7. At 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm.), Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson are the tallest U.S. Presidents to date. Who is the shortest U.S. President to date?
A. James Madison
B. James Monroe
C. Martin Van Buren
D. John Quincy Adams
E. James Knox Polk
8. Which President had a dog named Fala?
A. Richard Nixon
B. Harry Truman
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. Herbert Hoover
E. Calvin Coolidge
9. What was Mamie Eisenhower's real name?
A. Martha Ann
B. Mary Geneva
C. Marian Grove
D. Mary Margaret
E. Madeleine Margaret
10. Which President only served one month in office, the shortest term of any President in American history?
A. James Knox Polk
B. Zachary Taylor
C. Millard Fillmore
D. John Tyler
E. William Henry Harrison
ANSWERS
1. C
Woodrow Wilson was President of Princeton University from 1902 until 1910. In 1910, Wilson was elected Governor of New Jersey.
2. A.
James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States, never married. During his time in office, Buchanan's niece, Harriet Lane, fulfilled the duties of a First Lady and served as White House hostess. There has been much speculation about whether or not Buchanan was a homosexual.
3. D
Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, said that "the business of American is business."
4. B
Frances Folsom Cleveland remains the youngest First Lady in American history. She was only 21 years old when she wed President Grover Cleveland. They married on June 2, 1886 in the Blue Room of the White House. To date, Frances is the only bride of a U.S. President to marry and give birth in the White House. Prior to Cleveland's marriage, his sister, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, had served as White House hostess.
5. E
Woodrow Wilson became the first sitting President to attend a World Series game. Wilson was an avid baseball fan and attended 11 major league games while in office. He never once used his Presidential Pass, opting to pay for every game he attended. On October 9, 1915, Wilson attended Game 2 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies at Baker Bowl in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He threw out the first pitch and Boston won the game by a score of 2-1. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series 4 game to 1. By the way, the first sitting president to throw a ceremonial pitch at a baseball game was William Howard Taft. He began the tradition at the Washington Senators' opening day game in 1910.
6. D.
Louise Henry Hoover spoke Mandarin Chinese. She was also the first female to graduate from Stanford University with geology degree. Her husband, Herbert lived in China as a young mining engineer. After their wedding on February 10, 1899, the newlyweds sailed to China so that Herbert could take up his new post as head of China's mine program. Lou, as she was know, had a natural proficiency for languages and became quite proficient in Mandarin. His job required travel to remote and primitive areas. The Hoovers were forced to leave China in August of 1900 due to the Boxer Rebellion, a Chinese nationalist uprising against foreigners and colonialism.
Herbert and Lou Hoover were able to converse with each other in Mandarin and would sometimes do so at the White House to thwart eavesdroppers. Lou eventually created her own English-Mandarin dictionary. It is among her papers at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa.
7. A
James Madison, 4th President of the United States, stood 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm.).
8. C.
Franklin D. Roosevelt had a dog named Fala. Fala was a Scottish Terrier.
9. B.
Mamie Eisenhower was born Mary Geneva Doud on November 14, 1896 in Boone, Iowa. She died on November 1, 1979 at the age of 82.
10. E
William Henry Harrison took the oath of office on March 4, 1841. It was a cold and rainy on his inauguration day. Harrison did not wear a hat or overcoat and he delivered the longest inaugural address in American history. On March 26, he became ill with a cold. Due to his busy schedule, he had little time to rest and his condition worsened. It quickly developed into pneumonia and pleurisy. On April 4, 1841, he passed away after serving only 30 days as President. It was thought at the time that his pneumonia was a direct result of the inclement weather during his inauguration ceremony. His illness, however, did not occur until more than three weeks later.
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SONG QUIZ
(Originally published December 8, 2011
How much do you know about Christmas music? Try this Yuletide quiz and find out.
NUMBER 16 CHRISTMAS SONG QUIZ
1. Where did the hymn "Silent Night" originate?
A. England
B. France
C. Austria
D. Germany
E. United States
2. Name the first film in which Bing Crosby sang "White Christmas."
A. The Country Girl
B. High Society
C. White Christmas
D. Holiday Inn
E. Going My Way
3. In The Twelve Days of Christmas, what do the lords do?
A. They laugh.
B. They lift.
C. They leap.
D. They leave.
E. They lilt.
4. The Beach Boys had a hit Christmas song. What was it called?
A. Little Saint Nick
B. California Christmas
C. I Want a Surfboard for Christmas
D. Surfin' Santa
E. Under the Mistletoe
5. In the song "Little Drummer Boy," which two animals "kept time" with the drum music?
A, The donkey and lamb
B. The cow and lamb
C. The ox and camel
D. The ox and lamb
E. The cow and camel
6. Who had a hit song with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?"
A. Leslie Gore
B. Brenda Lee
C. Annette Funicello
D. Sandra Dee
E. Connie Francis
7. They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
This is the second verse of which Christmas carol?
A, Hark the Harald Angels Sing
B. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
C. Angels from the Realms of Glory
D. While Shepherd's Watch
E. The First Noel
8. In the song "We wish you a Merry Christmas," what kind of pudding is requested.
A. Plum pudding
B. Toffee pudding
C. Figgy pudding
D. Bread and butter pudding
E. Yorkshire pudding
9. Who first recorded the Christmas novelty song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus?
A. A 13-year-old American boy
B. An 11-year-old English girl
C. A 10-year-old Canadian girl
D. A 12-year-old Canadian boy
E. A 7-year-old American girl
10. Bruce Springsteen recorded a version of this popular Christmas song.
A. Jingle Bell Rock
B. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
C. Jingle Bells
D. Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland
E. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
11. In the popular Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas," when does the king gives alms to a poor peasant?
A. On Christmas Eve
B. On the Feast of Stephen
C. On Christmas morn
D. On the 10th day of Christmas
E. On Christmas Day at noon
ANSWERS
1. C Austria
The original words to "Silent Night" come from a poem written in German by a priest named Father Joseph Mohr. Father Mohr was the assistant pastor at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. Mohr asked his friend, schoolmaster Franz Xaver Gruber, to write some music for his poem "Stille Nacht" Gruber, the choirmaster and organist at St. Nicholas, composed the melody for "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve in 1818.
2. D Holiday Inn
Bing Crosby sang "White Christmas" in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn in which he starred with Fred Astaire. The film White Christmas was released 12 years later, in 1954. To watch a clip of Bingo singing White Christmas in a duet with Marjorie Reynolds in Holiday Inn, click on the link below. By the way, Marjorie Reynolds' voice was dubbed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXcNfA4qebQ
3. C. leaping
In the "Twelve Day of Christmas," the lords are a-leaping.
4. A. Little Saint Nick
"Little Saint Nick," originally performed by The Beach Boys, was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. It was first released as a single in December of 1963. Christmas celebrations were rather subdued that year due to the recent assassination of President John F. Kennedy. "Little Saint Nick," however, reacher Number 3 on the Billboard Christmas charts.
5. D The ox and lamb
It comes from the following line in "Little Drummer Boy."
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
6. B Brenda Lee
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marx. It was recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. I did not become a hit until 1960 when Brenda Lee's popularity had increased.
To listen to Brenda Lee singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xNuUEnh2g
7. E. It is the second verse of "The First Noel."
8. C Figgy pudding
In the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," figgy pudding is requested. Figgy pudding is a traditional English pudding with a history going back to the 16th century. It is a custard-like dish made with figs or raisins, often at Christmas and can be steamed in the oven, baked, boiled or fried.
9. A A 13-year-old American boy named Jimmy Boyd first recorded "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." The song was composed by British songwriter Tommie Connor and reached the top of the charts in 1952. Jimmy Boyd, who died of cancer in 1970, married Yvonne Craig of Batgirl fame in 1960. The couple divorced in 1962.
10. E. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
To watch a video of Bruce Springsteen performing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ZOK7H8VGQ
11. B On the Feast of Stephen
The song begins with the words "Good King Wencelas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen." The Feast of Stephen or St. Stephen's Day is celebrated on December 26th, the second day of Christmas, in the Western Church and on December 27th in the Eastern Church. It commemorates St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #2
(Originally posted January 20, 2012)
Number 16 presents its second U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Quiz (the first one was posted on July 11, 2011 and you can find it by pressing the QUIZ tab above). Are you ready to test your knowledge? Then, let's go!
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #2
1. What is the name of the only film that Ronald and Nancy Reagan appeared in together during their acting careers?
A. Bedtime for Bonzo
B. Storm Warning
C. Hellcats of the Navy
D. The Girl from Jones Beach
E. This is the Army
2. Who was the first American First Lady to vote in a presidential election?
A. Florence Harding
B. Edith Wilson
C. Grace Coolidge
D. Lou Hoover
E. Helen Taft
3. Which U.S. President was an accidental bigamist?
A. William Henry Harrison
B. James Monroe
C. Grover Cleveland
D. Andrew Jackson
E. John Tyler
4. Who was the last president to own slaves.?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. Franklin Pierce
C. Zachary Taylor
D. James Buchanan
E. Millard Fillmore
5. Mary Todd Lincoln had an accident in 1863. What kind of accident did she have?
A. She slipped on some ice on a cold day in Washington, D.C.
B. She suffered some burns when a lamp fell over.
C. She fell down some stairs at the White House and hit her head.
D. She was thrown from her carriage and knocked unconscious.
E. Her hands were caught in a drawer and she broke some bones.
6. Was Theodore Roosevelt related to Eleanor Roosevelt.
A. Yes, he was Eleanor's grandfather.
B. Yes, he was Eleanor's uncle.
C. No, they were not related.
D. Yes, he was her older half-brother.
E. Yes, he was Eleanor's cousin.
7. Which U.S. President had the reputation of being a man of few words?
A, Abraham Lincoln
B. James Knox Polk
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. William Howard Taft
E. Calvin Coolidge
8. What was President Franklin Roosevelt's hobby?
A. Stamp collecting
B. Photography
C. Building model ships and airplanes
D. Numismatics (collecting coins and paper money)
E. Playing bridge
9. Which statement is true about Dolley Madison, wife of James Madison, the 4th President of the United States?
A. Dolley Madison was born in Virginia.
B. Dolley Madison was raised in the Quaker faith.
C. Dolley Madison was a renowned pastry maker.
D. Dolley Madison was known for her beautiful singing voice.
E. Dolley Madison was 20 years old when she married James Madison.
10. Which First Lady was declared insane and sent to a sanitarium?
A. Elizabeth Monroe
B. Louisa Adams
C. Sarah Polk
D. Letitia Christian Tyler
E. Mary Todd Lincoln
ANSWERS
1. C
Ronald and Nancy Reagan appeared in Hellcats of the Navy, a 1957 World War II submarine film. It was released in 1957 and Reagan's wife billed as Nancy Davis, her professional name.
2. A
In 1920, Florence Harding, wife of Warren G. Harding, became the first American First Lady to cast a vote for President of the United States. The 19th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guaranteed American women the vote, was ratified on August 18, 1920,
3. D
Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, unwittingly became a bigamist. In 1791, many years before his election to the presidency, Jackson married a young woman named Rachel Robards. They lived together as husband and wife for two years before discovering that Rachel's first husband, Lewis Robards, had never actually completed their divorce. This meant that Rachel's marriage to Andrew Jackson was invalid and that she was still technically married to Lewis Robards. Robards finally obtained a divorce in 1793 and Andrew and Rachel wed in Nashville in 1794.
4. C
Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States (1849-1850), was the last president to own slaves. Nevertheless, many Southerners were upset with Taylor's moderate position on the expansion of slavery and his opposition to Southern sectionalism.
5. D
On July 2, 1863, Mary Todd Lincoln was injured in a carriage accident just outside of Washington, D.C. She was thrown to the ground and her head hit a rock.
6. B
Theodore Roosevelt was Eleanor Roosevelt's uncle. He was the older brother of Eleanor's father, Elliott Roosevelt. Eleanor's maiden name was the same as her married name because she and her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, were distant cousins. When Eleanor married Franklin, on March 17, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt gave her away in place of her deceased father.
7. E
Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, was a man of few words and his nickname was Silent Cal. There is a story that columnist Dorothy Parker once approached then-Vice President Coolidge at a dinner party. She told him that she had bet against someone who said it was impossible to get more than two words out of the Vice President. Coolidge is said to have famously replied, "You lose."
8. A
FDR was an avid stamp collector and he had an extensive collection.
9. B
Dolley Madison was born into the Quaker faith. She was expelled after marrying James Madison because he was an Episcopalian. She attended Episcopalian services with her husband and was confirmed in the faith on July 15, 1845 at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C.
10. E
On May 20, 1875, a decade after her husband's assassination, Mary Todd Lincoln was committed by trial (on the petition of her son, Robert) to Bellevue Place, a psychiatric hospital in Batavia, Illinois. Mrs. Lincoln was eventually released into the custody of her sister, Elizabeth Edwards.
OSCARS QUIZ 2012
(Originally posted February 25, 2012)
Are you ready for the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony tomorrow? Before the big show, why don't you sit down and test your Oscar knowledge by completing Number 16's ten-question quiz.
1. Comedian Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars this year. Counting this year, how many times has Crystal hosted the Academy Awards show?
A. 8 times
B. 7 times
C. 10 times
D. 9 times
E. 6 times
2. The only person who has hosted more Oscar ceremonies than Billy Crystal is legendary comedian Bob Hope. How many Academy Awards broadcasts did Bob Hope host? (This is your bonus question. If you answer it correctly, give yourself an extra point)
A. 18 times
B. 16 times
C. 20 times
D. 17 times
E. 15 times
3. Christopher Plummer and Max von Sydow are both nominated this year in the Best Supporting Actor category. Canadian-born Plummer is nominated for his role in Beginnings and Sweden's Von Sydow for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Both men are 82 years old and if either one wins, he will become Oscar's oldest winning actor. Who is currently Oscar's oldest winning male actor?
A. Art Carney
B. Hal Holbrook
C. George Burns
D. Peter Finch
E. Jack Palance
4. Who made the longest acceptance speech at the Academy Awards?
A. Elizabeth Taylor
B. Katharine Hepburn
C. Jane Fonda
D. Shelley Winters
E. Greer Garson
5. Acceptance speeches at the Academy Award now have a time limit. What is that time limit?
A. 45 seconds
B. one minute
C. 50 seconds
D. 70 seconds
E. 40 seconds
6. At the 1979 Academy Awards ceremony, Annie Hall won four major Oscars: Best Actress for Diane Keaton, Best Picture, Best Original Screen Play and Best Director for Woody Allen. Woody Allen did not attend the event. Where was he?
A. Woody was ill with the flu.
B. Woody was playing the clarinet at a jazz club.
C. Woody was filming a movie on location in New York City.
D, Woody was mourning the recent death of his mother.
E. Woody did not attend in protest of American foreign policy.
7. Bing Crosby won only one Oscar during his lengthy career. For which movie did Bing win?
A. The Bells of Saint Mary's
B. The Country Girl
C. Going My Way
D. Holiday Inn
E. Man on Fire
8. Tom Hanks won the Best Actor award in two consecutive years. He won for Philadelphia in 1993 and Forrest Gump in 1994. Only one other actor has accomplished that feat. Name him.
A. Clark Gable
B. Dustin Hoffman
C. Humphrey Bogart
D. Spencer Tracy
E. Al Pacino
9. Sally Field made a memorable acceptance speech at at Academy Awards in 1985. She said, "I haven't had an orthodox career, and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it (when she won in 1980), but this time I feel it, and I can't deny that you like me, right now, you like me!" Most people remember that speech, but they don't remember what movie Sally Field won the Academy Award for in 1985. What was the film that earned her her second Best Actress Oscar?
A. Places in the Heart
B. Forrest Gump
C. Norma Rae
D. Steel Magnolias
E. Mrs. Doubtfire
One of the shortest acceptance speeches by a Best Actress winner consisted of these words: "There's a great deal to say, and I'm not going to say it tonight. I would just like to to really thank you very much." Who made that concise speech?
A. Audrey Hepburn
B. Katharine Hepburn
C. Gwyneth Paltrow
D. Joan Fontaine
E. Jane Fonda
ANSWERS
1. D
Billy Crystal will host the Oscars for the ninth time this year. Crystal has previously hosted the Academy Awards broadcast in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2004.
2. A
Bob Hope hosted the Academy Awards broadcast 18 times during his lifetime. The first time he hosted the show was way back in 1940. The last time he hosted the broadcast was in 1978.
3. C
George Burns currently holds the distinction of being Oscar's oldest winning actor. Burns was 80 years old when he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in The Sunshine Boys at the 48th Academy Awards in 1976. It should be noted that Hal Holbrook was 82 when he became Oscar's oldest male actor nominee in 2007. The oldest person to win an Oscar remains Jessica Tandy. Tandy was 80 years and 252 days old when she won the lead actress Oscar for her performance in Driving Miss Daisy. It is very likely that her record will be broken by Christopher Plummer or Max von Sydow.
To watch a video clip of George Burns accepting his Academy Award from Linda Blair and Ben Johnson, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WUBZsCYc1w
4. E
Greer Garson gave the longest acceptance speech in Oscar history while accepting the Best Actress award for Mrs. Miniver in 1943. It was after 1 a.m. when she gave the speech and it was one of the last speeches of the evening. According to Patrick Stockstill, a historian at the Academy of Arts and Motion Pictures, the speech lasted seven minutes. Garson began her speech with the words, "I'm practically unprepared."
5. A
Since 2010, acceptance speeches onstage at the Academy Awards have been limited to a pithy 45 seconds. Winners, however, can make a second speech of unrestricted length backstage and post the video online.
6.
Rather than attend the Academy Awards ceremony, Woody Allen chose to play the clarinet at Michael's Pub in New York City, his usual activity on Monday nights (Note: The Oscar presentations were then held on Monday nights). Interestingly, Allen has attended the Oscars on only one occasion. Following 9/11 terrorist attacks, he presented a tribute to his beloved New York City.
7. C
Bing Crosby won the 1944 Academy Award for Best Actor in 1944 for his performance as a priest named Father Chuck O'Malley in Going My Way. Crosby was nominated for The Bells of St. Mary's in 1945, but lost out to Ray Malland in The Lost Weekend. He was nominated again in 1954 for The Country Girl, but Marlon Brando won for On the Waterfront.
8. D
Spencer Tracy won for Best Actor in two consecutive years. He won for Captain Courageous in 1937 and for Boys Town in 1938.
9. C
Sally Field won the Best Actress award in 1985 for Norma Rae. It was her second Best Actress award. She won in 1980 for Places in the Heart. To watch a video clip of Sally's 1985 "You like me!" speech, click on the link below.
http://www.spike.com/video-clips/nmhmna/sally-fields-1985-oscar-acceptance-speech
10. E
Jane Fonda made that very succinct speech in accepting the Best Actress award for her performance in Klute in 1972. To watch a video clip of Jane receiving her Academy Award for Klute from Walter Matthau, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlxvt8eJEDE
SUMMER QUIZ
(Originally published June 21, 2012)
For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, summer has officially arrived. Yesterday,June 20, we reached the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. To celebrate, Number 16 presents a ten-question quiz all about summer. Sit back, relax and test your knowledge. It's summertime and the livin' is easy!
SUMMER QUIZ
1. What year was the Summer of Love?
A. 1968
B. 1967
C. 1969
D. 1966
E. 1970
2. Back in 1966, The Lovin' Spoonful had a big hit with a song titled "Summer in the City." What is the first line of the song?
A. Hot dogs, summer in the city
B. Hot days, summer in the city
C. Hot town, summer in the city
D. Hot times, summer in the city
E. Hot sun, summer in the city
3. Who wrote the beautiful poem Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?
A. William Wordsworth
B. John Donne
C. Alfred. Lord Tennyson
D. William Shakespeare
E. John Keats
4. What is known as "The Year Without a Summer?"
A. "The Year Without a Summer" refers to 1816 in which there were extreme summer climate abnormalities and global temperatures decreased considerably.
B. The Year Without a Summer is the title of a novel by Sinclair Lewis.
C. "The Year Without a Summer" is a 1956 song that was sung by Patti Page.
D. The Year Without a Summer is the title of a film directed by Howard Hawks.
E. "The Year Without a Summer" refers to 1994, the year of a major league baseball strike which culminated in the cancellation of the World Series.
5. Who sang the following lyrics?
In the summertime when the weather is hot
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
A. Eric Burden and the Animals
B. The Hollies
C. Bertie Higgins
D. Mungo Jerry
E. The Kinks
6. What is the name of the 1955 film in which Katharine Hepburn plays a lonely American woman who finds romance with an Italian man during her summer vacation in Venice?
A. One Summer in Venice
B. Summertime
C. Italian Vacation
D. Sweet Summer
E. Summer of Romance
7. Fill in the blank to complete this quote:
The way to ensure summer in _________ is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.
A. Russia
B. Newfoundland
C. Greenland
D. Alaska
E. England
8. Who had a hit song with "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" in 1963?
A. Perry Como
B. Frank Sinatra
C. Sam Cooke
D. Nat "King" Cole
E. Andy Williams
9. In the Bryan Adams song, "Summer of '69," what did the singer buy at the five-and-dime?
A. He bought his first real six-string guitar.
B. He bought ice cream for his friends.
C. He didn't have any money to buy anything.
D. He bought his first baseball glove
E. He bought some cool shades.
10. What is the title of a book written by Bette Greene about a 12-year-old American Jewish girl who befriends an escaped German POW during World War II?
A. Summer Friends
B. Summer POW
C. Summer of My German Soldier
D. A Summer Tale
E. My Summer Ally
ANSWERS
1. B
The "Summer of Love" refers to the summer of 1967 when thousands of flower children from around the world flocked to the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.
2. C
The first line of "Summer in the City" is "Hot town, summer in the city." The song was co-written by Lovin' Spoonful lead vocalist John Sebastian, his younger brother Mark Sebastian, and Lovin' Spoonful guitarist Steve Boone. It appeared on the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1966.
The lyrics to Summer in the City come from a poem that Mark Sebastian submitted to a literary magazine when he attended Blair Academy, a private secondary boarding school in Warren County, New Jersey.
3. D
Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day is Sonnet 18 of William Shakespeare's 154 sonnets. In this sonnet, the speaker compares his beloved to the summer season and reaches the conclusion that his beloved is superior in beauty and loveliness.
4. A
The year 1816 is known to historians and scientists as the "Year Without a Summer" or "Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death." In many parts of the world, there was snow in summer. Crops were destroyed due to a lack of sunlight and there was disease and starvation across the Northern Hemisphere. Global temperatures fell by about 0.4 - 0.7 degrees C (0.7 - 1.3 F). In New England, there was snow in early June. Low temperatures and an abundance of rain resulted in crop failures in Britain.
Thees climatic anomalies were caused by two major factors: a historic low in solar activity and an explosive type of volcanic eruption. On April 10, 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia (then known as the Dutch East Indies) erupted. This volcanic disaster killed thousands of people and spewing prodigious amounts of ash into the atmosphere. The dust in the atmosphere blocked sunlight from passing through, creating unseasonably cold temperatures.
5. D
The British rock band Mungo Jerry had a huge hit with "In the Summertime." It was their first single and it was released in May of 1970. The song topped the U.K. Singles Chart for seven weeks and reached number one in over 26 countries worldwide. Singer-songwriter and guitarist Ray Dorset founded the group.
6. B
The film Summertime, Katharine Hepburn played the role of Jane Hudson, an elementary school teacher from Akron, Ohio. Jane saves enough money to fulfill her dream of spending her summer vacation in Venice. During her trip overseas, she meets Renato de Rossi, the owner of an antiques store. Jane and Renato, played by Italian actor Rossano Brazzi, have a bittersweet romance.
7. E
In a letter to Rev. William Cole, May 28, 1774, the English writer and statesman, Horace Walpole (1717-1797), wrote: "The way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room."
8. D
Nat "King" had a hit with "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" in 1963. It reached number 6 on the Billboard charts that year. Here are the lyrics to the first verse.
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy day of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer
To list to Nat "KIng" Cole singing "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer," click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLogdbVS3U
9. A
Here is the first verse of "Summer of '69."
I got my first real six-string guitar
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it till my fingers bled
Was the summer of '69
Canadian rocker Brian Adams recorded "Summer of '69" on his fourth studio album, Reckless, which was released in 1984. Adams and his former songwriting partner, fellow British Columbian Jim Vallance, wrote the song.
10. C
Bette Greene's novel, Summer of My German Soldier, was first published in 1973. It tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Patty Bergen, who lives in Arkansas during World War II. Patty befriends an escaped German prisoner of war named Anton.
In 1978, "Summer of My German Solder" was turned into a television movie starring Kristy McNichol in the role of Patty and Bruce Dawson as Anton.
THE GREAT OLYMPICS QUIZ 2012
(Originally posted August 11, 2012)
© Bobbie Jean Peachey
http://www.clipartmountain.com
THE GREAT OLYMPICS QUIZ 2012
While you enjoy the London Olympics, you might want to take a break and try Number 16's 2012 Olympics Quiz. There are 12 questions. If you answer 14 to 15 questions correctly, award yourself a gold medal. For 12 to 13 correct answers, you win a silver medal. For 10 to 11, you receive a bronze. Less than 10, you don't make the podium. Are you ready to go for the gold?
!. The 1940 Summer Olympics were cancelled due to World War II. Where were they originally scheduled to be held?
A. Tokyo, Japan
B. Rome, Italy
C. New York City, U.S.A.
D. Helsinki, Finland
E. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Including the London Games of 2012, how many times have the Olympics been held in London, England?
A. The Olympics have been held in London four times.
B. They have been held in the British capital two times.
C. They have been held in London three times.
D. The 2012 Olympics mark the first time the Olympics have been held in London.
E. London has hosted the Olympics five times.
3. Which famous boxer won a gold medal for the United States at the 1960 Olympics in Rome?
A. Floyd Patterson
B. Sonny Liston
C. George Foreman
D. Muhammad Ali
E. Joe Frazier
4. How old was Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci when she scored a perfect ten in a gymnastic event at the Montreal Olympics in 1976?
A. 15 years old
B. 14 years old
C. 16 years old
D. 18 years old
E. 17 years old
5. The colours of the five rings on the Olympic flag are blue, black, green, red and yellow? Why were those colours chosen?
A, A poll was taken among the athletes at the 1920 Summer Olympics and they chose those colours.
B. These colours were chosen because they include primary colours and bright colours. The colours were meant to be emphatic and to stand out. Thus, pastel colours were avoided.
C. They were the favourite colours of the flag's designer.
D. A French psychologist,, Dr. Marcel Rousseau, was consulted and he advised that those colours would have the most impact and be the most inspiring.
E, Those colours were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country.
6. Why is a long distance race called a marathon?
A. It was named after a town in Greece.
B, The first winner of the Olympic long distance race was Demetrius Marathon.
C. It is derived from a Greek word meaning "long race."
D. It was named after Marathon, a Greek god known for endurance and strength.
E. It was named to honour an ancient Greek politician, Adelphos Marathon, who was instrumental in promoting long distance running.
7. Switzerland boycotted the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Why?
A. The Swiss were upset with the Australians over a diplomatic incident.
B. They were angry about the disqualification of a Swiss athlete at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.
C. The Swiss boycotted the 1956 Games to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary.
D. They boycotted the 1956 Olympics in response to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal on July July 26, 1956.
E. The Swiss boycotted the Melbourne Olympics in support of Taiwan.. They were the People's Republic of China decided to boycott the event because of Taiwan had been allowed to compete under the name "Formosa."
8. When and where were the first Winter Olympics held?
A. The first Winter Olympics were held in Oslo, Norway in 1920.
B. Davos, Switzerland played host to the first Winter Olympics in 1928.
C. They were held in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1924.
D. They were held in Chamonix, France in 1924.
E. They took place in St. Tropez, France in 1920.
9. The great American athlete Jim Thorpe was stripped of the gold medals he had won in the decathlon and the pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. Why?
A. It was discovered that his U.S. passport was not valid.
B. It was learned that he had played professional minor league baseball.
C. Three days after the Olympics, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and disturbing the public.
D. He was charged with theft.
E. It was revealed that he had gambled money that he would win both the decathlon and the pentathlon.
10. No women were allowed to compete in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896. At the time, who said that the inclusion of women would be "impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic and incorrect."
A. Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics.
B. Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany.
C. Grover Cleveland, President of the United States in 1896
D. Queen Victoria
E. William Milligan Stone, the American educator and historian who escorted the U.S. Olympic team to the 1896 Olympics.
11. Which of these statements about the first Winter Olympic is not true.
A. In hockey, the Canadian team scored 85 times over three games without allowing a goal. Canada won the tournament by scoring 122 goals on their opponents. Only three goals were scored against the Canadians.
B. An American, Charles Jewtraw, became the first champion of the Winter Olympics by winning the first event, 500m speed skating.
C. Clas Thunberg of Finland earned five medals, including two golds, in the five speed skating events.
D. The first Winter Olympic were originally known as Winter Sports Week. It wasn't until 1926, during the 25th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Lisbon, Portugal, that they were recognized as the first Winter Olympic Games.
E. All of the above statements are true.
12. Who was Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera?
A. He was the first athlete from Belgium to win an Olympic medal.
B. He was the French flag bearer at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. He won two medals in swimming.
C. He was the President of the International Olympic Committee from 1950 until 1958.
D. He was the first athlete to win a medal in diving at the Olympics.
E. He was the first black athlete to compete in the Olympics.
ANSWERS
1 A.
The 1940 Summer Olympics were originally awarded to Tokyo, Japan. They were officially known as the Games of the XII Olympiad and were scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital from September 21 to October 6, 1940. Due to the outbreak of war between Imperial Japan and China, the Japanese renounced the International Olympic Committee's Cairo Conference of 1938. As a result, the IOC denied Japan its host status..
In July of 1940, the Japanese government withdrew its support for the Games. The Games were then awarded to Helsinki, Finland, the second place finisher in the original bidding. Following the outbreak of World War II, however, the Games were suspended. They did not resume until post-war London hosted them in 1948.
2. C
The Olympics have been held in London three times - 1908, 1948 and 2012. They were first held in the British capital in 1908. Rome, Italy was originally awarded the 1908 Games but had to bow out due to the huge volcano eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906. As a result, the '08 Olympics were relocated to London.
In 1948, London hosted the first post-World War II Olympics. The 2012 Summer Games give London the distinction of being the only city in the world to have hosted the Olympic three times.
3. D
In the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) won the gold medal for the U.S. in the boxing light heavyweight division. There is an apocryphal Upon returning home to Louisville, Kentucky, the 18-year-old was refused service at a diner due to his race. According to the story, his response was to throw Olympic medal in the Ohio.River. The truth is that the gold medal was simply lost or misplaced.
At the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, Ali was presented with a replacement medal by the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, then President of the International Olympic Committee. At the Opening Ceremony of those Atlanta Olympics, Ali, trembling from Parkinson's Disease, lit the cauldron to open the game.
To watch a video of Muhammad Ali receiving his replacement gold medal, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9OlmPyjsNU
4. B
Nadia Comaneci was 14 years old when she won three gold medals and scored a perfect 10 at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Nadia is the first female gymnast to be awarded a perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. She also won two gold medals at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Born November 12, 1961, Nadia is now 50 years old.
5. E
Those colours were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country. The Olympic flag was created in 1914 by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games. It was first flown during the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.
6. A.
Marathon is the name of a town in Greece. According to legend, more than 2,000 years ago a Greek soldier named Pheidippides ran from Athens to Marathon, a distance of about 40.2 km. or 25 miles. He arrived in Athens tired and bleeding with the news of Greek victory in a battle with the invading Persians. After informing the townspeople of the Greek success, he collapsed and fell to the ground dead. In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, a race was held of approximately the same length as Pheidippides' run.
7. B
Switzerland and two other countries (Spain and Netherlands) boycotted the 1956 Summer Games in response to the Soviet Union's crushing of the Hungarian Revolution. The 1956 Olympics were affected by
other boycotts too. Egypt, Iran and Lebanon withdrew from the Games to protest Israel's involvement in the Suez conflict. Less than two weeks before the November 22nd opening ceremony, The People's Republic of China boycotted the games over the inclusion of a team from Taiwan (Formosa0.
8. D
The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France from January 25,1924 until
February 5, 1924. The event turned out to be very successful and it attracted 10,004 paying spectators.
9. B.
Jim Thorpe was stripped of the gold medals that he won in the 1912 Olympics when it was discovered that he had played professional minor league baseball three years earlier. Thorpe, one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, was born on May 28, 1888 on Native American territory in what would later become the state of Oklahoma. He was of mixed ancestry, aboriginal and European. He had some French and Irish blood but he was mostly of aboriginal heritage, that of of Sac and Fox Nation.
About six months after winning his gold medals, Thorpe admitted that he had been paid to play baseball in North Carolina. Not long after, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), declared him to be a professional and requested that he return his medals. His name was deleted from the record books. In solidarity with Thorpe, decathlon silver medalist Hugo Wieslander
of Sweden, rejected the gold medal when it was offered to him. Jim Thorpe died at the age of 64 on March 28, 1953. In January of 1983, three decades after his death, the IOC returned Thorpe's gold medals to his children.
10. A
Pierre de Coubertin, the French historian and pedagogue who founded the modern Olympics, was opposed to female participation in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
11. C.
Clas Thunberg of Finland earned five medals, including three golds, not two, in the five speed skating events at the first winter Olympics in Chamonix, France in 1924.
12. E
Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera, who competed for France at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, was the first known black athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. He was a Haitian-born French rugby union footballer. He was also the first black Olympic gold medalist as he was a member of the French team that won the Olympic title at the first Rugby Olympic Tournament. In addition., Henriquez de Zubiera won a silver medal in tug-of-war at the 1900 Olympics.
BASEBALL AND WORLD SERIES QUIZ
(Originally posted October 1, 2011)
The 2012 baseball season is drawing to a close and post-season play is about to begin. As we head toward the World Series, Number 16 presents a challenging baseball quiz. How well do you know trivia about the Grand Old Game? Find out by completing the quiz below.
BASEBALL AND WORLD SERIES QUIZ
1. How many Cy Young Awards has Roger Clemens won?
A. Five
B. Seven
C. Four
D. Six
E. Eight
2. Clemens is one of five pitchers to have won the Cy Young Award in both the American League and the National League to date. Who are the others?
A. Greg Maddux, Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson
B. David Cone, Steve Carlton,.Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez
C. Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay
D. Steve Carlton, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay
E. Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay
3. The Texas Rangers have been based in Arlington Texas since 1972. Where was the team located before moving to the Lone Star State.?
A. Kansas City, Missouri
B. Minneapolis, Minnesota
C. St. Paul, Minnesota
D. Washington, D.C.
E. San Jose, California
4. The first World Series was played in 1903. What team won the first World Series?
A. The Boston Americans
B. The New York Americans
C. The Boston Braves
D. The New York Giants
E. The Chicago White Sox
5. The World Series was cancelled in 1994 due to a Major League Baseball strike. The only other time the Series was cancelled was 1904. Why was it cancelled in 1904?
A. It was cancelled due to a serious virus that had spread among the players.
B. There was a railway strike and the trains were not running to New York.
C. No agreement could be reached on the format of the Series.
D. The American League champion New York Highlanders refused to play the National League champion Pittsburgh Pirates.
E. The National League champion New York Giants refused to play the American League champion Boston Americans.
6. This pitcher started his Major League career as a 17-year-old in 1936. He spent his entire career with the Cleveland Indians. In 1946, he struck out 348 batters. In 1948, he won his first World Series. Name him.
A. Stan Koveleski
B. Mel Harder
C. Bob Feller
D. Addie Joss
E. Bob Lemon
7. Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers is about to win Major League Baseball's Triple Crown in batting. Who was the last player to earn the Triple Crown (highest batting average, the most home runs and the most runs batted in (RBI)) in the American League or the National League?
A, Carl Yastrzemski in 1967
B. Mickey Mantle in 1962
C. Frank Robinson in 1966
D. Ted Williams in 1947
E. Willie Mays in 1954
8. Did the Brooklyn Dodgers, known as "dem bums," ever win a World Series?
A. No, they never won a World Series.
B. They won the World Series in 1954.
C. They won in 1955.
D. They won in 1953.
E. They won in 1952.
9. Nolan Ryan is currently the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven no-hitters in his illustrious career. Against which team did he throw his seventh no-hitter?
A. The Oakland Athletics
B. The Toronto Blue Jays
C. The New York Yankees
D. The Boston Red Sox
E. The Detroit Tigers
10. In which baseball stadium did The Beatles perform their last commercial concert?
A. Shea Stadium, New York
B. Candlestick Park, San Francisco
C. Yankee Stadium, New York
D. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
E. Wrigley Field, Chicago
11. Name the last major league team for which Babe Ruth played.
A. The New York Yankees
B. The Boston Red Sox
C. The New York Giants
D. The Brooklyn Dodgers
E. Tbe Boston Braves
12. Who is sometimes referred to as the "father of modern baseball?" Hint: He is thought to be the first person to draw a diagram of a diamond-shaped baseball field.
A. Abner Doubleday
B. Joseph Strutt
C. Albert Spalding
D. Alexander Cartwright
E. John Montgomery Ward
13. What is the official name of the trophy awarded to the winners of the World Series championship?
A. The Commissioner's Trophy
B. The World Series Trophy
C. The Kenesaw Landis Trrophy
D. The A. Bartlett Giamatti Memorial Award
E. The Bowie Kuhn Trophy
ANSWERS
1. B.
Roger Clemens has won seven Cy Young Awards. He won the Cy in 1986, 1988 and 1990 with the Boston Red Sox; 1997 and 1998 with the Toronto Blue Jays ; 2001 with the New York Yankees and 2004 with the Houston Astros.
2. C
Along with Roger Clemens, Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez Randy Johnson and Roy Halliday have all won Cy Young Awards in both the American and National Leagues. After 6 American League Cys, Roger won a National League Cy in 2004 with the Houston Astros. Gaylord Perry won the American League Cy Young Award in 1972 with the Cleveland Indians and the National League Cy in 1978 with the San Diego Padres. Pedro Martinez won the National League Cy in 1997 with the Montreal Expos and the American League Cy in 1999 and 2000 with the Boston Red Sox. Roy Halliday won the American League Cy in 2003 with the Toronto Blue Jays and the National League Cy with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010.
3. D
The Texas Rangers were originally based in Washington, D.C. from 1961 until 1971. In 1961, the franchise was established as the Washington Senators, an expansion club, after the previous Washington Senators (1901-1960) had become the Minnesota Twins. At the end of the 1971 season, the new Washington Senators relocated to Arlington, Texas.
4. A
The Boston Americans of the American League won the first World Series in 1903. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in eight games. Note: The best-of-seven format has been used in all World Series except 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921. In those years, the winner was decided by a best-of-nine playoff.
5. E.
The 1904 World Series was cancelled because the National League champion New York Giants declined to play the American League champion Boston Americans. At the time, there was no governing body for the World Series and no requirement that a Series had to take place. The owner of the New York Giants, John T. Brush, refused to allow his team to participate because of the "inferiority" of the American League. John McGraw, the manager of the Giants, concurred with Brush. According to McGraw, the Giants were the champions of "the only real major league."
6. C.
Pitching great Bob Feller, known as Rapid Robert, started his career in the majors at 17. He played 18 seasons, from 1936 to 1956 (did not play due to military service n 1942, 1943 and 1944) with the Cleveland Indians. Feller won a World Series with Cleveland in 1948. He died on December 15, 2010 at the age of 92.
7. A
Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown in 1967 with the Boston Red Sox. Yaz hit 44 home runs, 121 RBI and his batting average was .326. (EDITOR'S NOTE: On October 3, 2012, Mguel Cabrera became the first player to win the Triple Crown in 45 years with 44 home runs, 139 RBI and a batting average of 330.
8. C.
Yes, the Brooklyn Dodgers finally won a World Series in 1955. They defeated the New York Yankees in seven games. Sadly, for Brooklyn fans, it would be their first and only championship. The team relocated to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.
9. B
Nolan Ryan threw his seventh no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 1, 1991 as a member of the Texas Rangers. The game took place at Arlington Stadium in Texas before a crowd of 33, 439. The Rangers defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 3-0. Bobby Valentine was the manager of the Texas Rangers and Cito Gaston was Toronto's manager. Lefty Jimmy Key was the losing pitcher for the Jays against the right-hander Ryan.
Nolan Ryan's first four no-hitters occurred on May 15, 1973, July 15, 1973, September 28, 1974 and June 1, 1975 when he was a member of the California Angels and on. His fifth no-hitter occurred on September 26, 1981 when he was a member of the Houston Astros. He threw his sixth no-hitter on June 11, 1990 as a Texas Ranger.
10. B
The Beatles performed their last public concert in San Francisco's Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966.
11. E
Babe Ruth's last Major :League team was the Boston Braves of the National League. He signed as a free agent with the Braves on February 26, 1935 in the hope of eventually becoming manager of the team. Ruth played for the Braves during a miserable 1935 season.and he was only a shadow of his former self. The Babe's final game was May 30, 1935 in Philadelphia at the Baker Bowl. He injured his knee in the first inning and left the game. His Braves lost 11-6 to the Phillies. Two days later, he called reporters to his locker and announced his retirement. Babe Ruth never realized his dream of becoming a manager.
12. D
Alexander Cartwright is referred to as the "father of modern baseball." Cartwright was the founding member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York City, baseball's first organized team. The rules of the modern game are founded on the Knickerbocker Rules set out by Cartwright and a committee from the Knickerbocker club. Alexander Cartwright was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1938. On June 3, 1953, the United States Congress officially declared him to be the inventor of the modern game of baseball.
13. A
A trophy was first presented to the World Series champions in 1967 and it was named the Commissioner's Trophy in 1985. A new Commissioner's Trophy is created each year. The trophy was redesigned in 1999 for the 2000 World Series by Tiffany & Co. It stands 61 cm (24 inches), excluding the base,.and weighs about 14 kg. (30 pounds), It is made of sterling silver and features a gold-plated flag for each team in Major League Baseball.
SUMMER SONG QUIZ
(Originally posted June 21. 2013)
Today, as we celebrate the summer solstice, Number 16 presents an 11-question quiz on summer music and summer songs. Why don't you test your knowledge. Good luck!
SUMMER SONG QUIZ
1. The song "Summer Nights" comes from which musical?
A West Side Story
B. The Music Man
C. South Pacific
D. Grease
E. Guys and Dolls
2. Who had a hit in 1962 with a song called "Sealed with a Kiss?" The song has these lyrics:
Though we've got to say
Goodbye for the summer
Baby, I promise you this
I'll send you all my love
Every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
A. Frankie Avalon
B. Brian Hyland
C. The Beach Boys
D. Bobby Rydell
E. Jan and Dean
3. Name the song that begins with the following words:
See the curtains hangin' in the window
In the evening on a Friday night
A little light-a-shinin' through the window
Lets me know everything's all right
A. Summer Breeze
B. Summer Moon
C. Summer Light
D. Sweet Summer
E. Summer Shines Through
4. Remember the song "Summertime Blues?" Here is the first verse:
I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby, and try to get a date
My boss says, "No dice son, you gotta work late"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
When was "Summertime Blues" originally released?
A. July of 1956
B. June of 1960
C. August of 1958
D. August of 1955
E. July of 1957
5. Which of these artists recorded the original and most well-known version of "Summertime Blues?"
A. Eddie Cochran
B. Chuck Berry
C. Carl Perkins
D. Elvis Presley
E. Buddy Holly
6. What is the name of the 1991 summer rap song recorded by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
A. Summertime
B. Summer Song
C. Summer Days
D. Summer Heat
E. Summer People
7. Do you remember these lyrics?
Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets
They're dancin' in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City . . .
"Dancing in the Street:" was a big hit for Martha and the Vandellas back in 1964. It is one of Motown's
most well known songs. Who composed "Dancing in the Street?"
A. Holland-Dozier-Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland)
B. Marvin Gaye and William "Mickey" Stevenson
C. Lionel Richie
D. Diana Ross
E. Martha Reeves
8. Who recorded the classic summer song "Hot Fun in the Summertime?"
A. Mungo Jerry
B. The Beach Boys
C. Sly and the Family Stone
D. The Mamas and the Papas
E. The Lovin' Spoonful
9. Which summer song was written as the theme for a 1958 film starring Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue?
A. Theme from Summer Love
B. Theme from A Summer Dream
C. Theme from A Summer to Remember
D. Theme from Summer Hearts
E. Theme from A Summer Place
10. Who recorded the most popular version of "Theme from a Summer Place?"
A. Andy Williams
B. Henry Mancini
C. Perry Como
D. Percy Faith
E. Nelson Riddle
11. Who wrote and recorded the song "Summer Fling?" (This is your bonus question so give yourself an extra point if you answer it correctly)
A. Joni Mitchell
B. Linda Ronstadt
C. Bette Midler
D. Barbra Streisand
E. k.d. lang
ANSWERS
1. D
The song "Summer Nights" comes from the 1971 musical Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. In the 1978 film version of Grease, it was sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
2. B
Brian Hyland had a hit with "Sealed with a Kiss" in 1962. The song was written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld and it was originally recorded as a single in 1960 by The Four Voices. Gary Lewis and the Playboys released a cover of "Sealed with a Kiss" in 1968 and in 1972, Bobby Vinton released yet another version. The Bobby Vinton recording was featured in the trailer and end credits of the 2006 American horror film All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.
Brian Hyland, who will turn 70 years old in November, still tours with his son Bodi.
3. A
The song "Summer Breeze" begins with those words. It was a hit for a pair of Texans named Seals and Crofts when it was released in August of 1972. Here is the chorus of the song:
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind
4. C
"Summertime Blues" was first released in August of 1958. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958.
5. A
"Summertime Blues" was co-written in the late 1950s by American rockabilly singer Eddie Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Cochran recorded the song and released it as a single in 1958. It is interesting to note that among the many artists who have done cover versions of "Summertime Blues" are Alan Jackson, The Who and Blue Cheer.
6. A
"Summertime" is the name of the 1991 rap song recorded former by former hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. DJ Jazzy Jeff's real name is Jeffrey Allen Townes and The French Prince is now better known as actor Will Smith. The pair, from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were introduced to each other in 1985 and their first album, Rock the House, was released in 1986.
To watch a video of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince performing "Summertime," click on the link below.
The song "Dancing in the Street" was composed by R&B vocalist Marvin Gaye and Motown record producer William "Mickey" Stevenson. It was originally intended for singer Kim Weston, Stevenson's then-wife. When she passed on the song, Martha and the Vandellas recorded it instead. Stevenson and Gaye agreed to lead singer Martha Reeves' request to arrange her own vocals to suit the song and they also called in Motown songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter to assist with the recording.
Marvin Gaye died tragically on April 1, 1984 at the age of 44 after being shot to death by his own father following an argument over lost business documents. Mickey Stevenson, who produced "Dancing in the Streeet," left Motown Records over a dispute in January of 1967. Stevenson's last big hit for Motown was "It Takes Two," a 1966 duet between Gaye and Kim Weston.
8. C
Sly and the Family Stone, an influential band from Vallejo, California, recorded "Hot Fun in the Summetime." It was released as a single in 1969 after the band's celebrated performance at the Woodstock Music Festival in August of that year. Some have interpreted the song as a satire of the summertime race riots of '69 rather than a happy summer tune.
The music of Sly and the Family Stone reflected a mixture of the soul, rock, funk and psychedelic sounds of the 1960s. The group was founded by Sylvester Stewart, now 70, who changed his name to Sly Stone while a radio disc jockey.
9. E
Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue starred the as the star-crossed lovers, Molly Jorgenson and Johnny Hunter, in the 1958 romantic drama A Summer Place. Hugo Winterhalter recorded the theme for the film and it was originally known as the "Molly and Johnny Theme."
10. D
The most popular version of "Theme from A Summer Place" was recorded by Percy Faith. His instrumental version was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles for nine consecutive weeks in early 1960. He won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1961 for his recording.
Faith, a Canadian bandleader, conductor and composer, died of cancer on February 9, 1976 at the age of 67. He was known for his beautiful arrangements of pop and Christmas standards.
Billy Vaughn also recorded an instrumental cover version of "Theme from a Summer Place" as the title track for his hit 1960 album. Vocal cover versions of the song were recorded by Andy Williams in his 1962 album Moon River, Cliff Richard in his 1965 album Love is Forever and The Lettermen in 1965.
11. E
"Summerfling" was written by k.d. lang and Dave Piltch for k.d.'s album Invincible Summer, which was released by Warner Brothers Records in 2000.
CANADA DAY QUIZ
(Originally posted July 1, 2015)
On the 146th birthday of our great country, Canada, Number 16 presents a 14-question Canada Day quiz. See how much you know about the True North Strong and Free. Ready! Set! Go!
CANADA DAY QUIZ
1. Where is the most easterly point in Canada?
A, Land's End, Newfoundland
B. Cape Spear, Newfoundland
C. Rock Point, Newfoundland
D. Signal Hill, Newfoundland
E. Clifton Point, Newfoundland
2. What team won the first Stanley Cup?
A. The University of Toronto
B. The Ottawa Generals
C. Montreal AAA
D. McGill University
E. The Toronto Arenas
3. Which Canadian Prime Minister was born in the same city (Windsor, Ontario) as Shania Twain and also shares her birthday - August 28th?
A. Lester B. Pearson
B. Arthur Meighen
C. William Lyon Mackenzie King
D. Sir Robert Borden
E. Paul Martin
4. Where was actor Michael J. Fox born?
A. Vancouver, British Columbia
B. Calgary, Alberta
C. Winnipeg, Manitoba
D. Edmonton, Alberta
E. Toronto, Ontario
5. Who was the Premier of Quebec during the "Quiet Revolution?"
A. Maurice Duplessis
B. Robert Bourassa
C. Jean Lesage
D. Daniel Johnson
E. Claude Ryan
6. What year did Nunavut officially become a territory of Canada?
A. 1995
B. 1989
C. 1997
D. 1999
E. 2000
7. Who was Emily Murphy?
A. First female medical doctor in Canada
B. First female mayor of a major Canadian city
C. First Canadian woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics
D. First woman appointed to the Canadian Senate
E. First female magistrate in Canada and the British Empire
8. Who was the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada?
A. Vincent Massey
B. Georges Vanier
C. Roland Michener
D. Jules Leger
E. John Buchan
9. Who said "I don't even know what street Canada is on.?"
A. Stephen Colbert
B. Al Capone
C. Joseph Stalin
D. Groucho Marx
E. Mae West
10. What is the capital city of the province of New Brunswick?
A. Saint John, New Brunswick
B. St. John's, New Brunswick
C. Fredericton, New Brunswick
D. Edmundston, New Brunswick
E. Moncton, New Brunswick
11. Who was the first Canadian prime minister born in Western Canada?
A. Joe Clark
B. John Diefenbaker
C. Stephen Harper
D. Kim Campbell
E. R.B. Bennett
12. Who founded Quebec City?
A. Jacques Cartier
B. Jean Talon
C. Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
D. Samuel de Champlain
E. Bishop Francois de Montmorency-Laval
13. Which Canadian city was originally named Pile of Bones?
A. Winnipeg, Manitoba
B. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
C. Regina, Saskatchewan
D. Victoria, British Columbia
E. Medicine Hat, Alberta
14. Which of the following was not born in Winnipeg, Manitoba?
A, Burton Cummings, singer, songwriter and musician
B. Joni Mitchell, singer songwriter and musician
C. David Steinberg, comedian
D. Deanna Durban, recently-deceased Hollywood film actress and singer of the 1930s and 1940s
E. Anna Paquin, actress
15. In 1944, Tommy Douglas led the first democratic socialist government in North America when he became Premier of which province?
A. Manitoba
B. Saskatchewan
C. Alberta
D. British Columbia
E. Nova Scotia
ANSWERS
1. B
The most easterly point in Canada is Cape Spear, Newfoundland. It is located on the Avalon Peninsula near St. John's.
2. C
The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association won the first Stanley Cup after finishing first in the standings of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (AHA) at the end of the 1892-92 season. The Ottawa Generals finished second. According to the rules of Lord Stanley of Preston, any Canadian team had the right to challenge the Montreal AAA for the silver trophy but none did.
3. E
Paul Martin, 21st Prime Minister of Canada, was born on August 28, 1938 in Windsor, Ontario. Shania Twain was born on August 28, 1965 in Windsor, Ontario.
4. D
Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 9, 1961.
5. C
Jean Lesage, known as the Father of the Quiet Revolution, was Premier of Quebec from June 22, 1960 until August 16, 1966. The Quiet Revolution was a period of intense change in Quebec society. The welfare state came into prominence and the power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church was considerably lessened. It was a time of rapid secularization in the province as the provincial government seized control of health care and education from the Church.
6. D
Nunavut officially became a territory of Canada on April 1, 1999 as a subdivision of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories. It includes the traditional lands of the Inuit, the indigenous people of Arctic Canada. The name "Nunavut" comes from Inukitut, the dialect of the Eastern Arctic Inuit and it means "Our Land."
The territory was established by the Nunavut Act of 1993 but did not exist constitutionally until 1999 and its creation marked the first change to the map of Canada since Newfoundland entered Confederation in 1949.
7. E
Emily Murphy was the first female magistrate in Canada and in the British Empire. Born in Cookstown, Ontario in 1868, she and her husband Arthur and their two daughters moved west, first to Swan River Manitoba and then to Edmonton, Alberta. In 1916, Emily was appointed police magistrate for Edmonton and later for the province of Alberta.
Emily Murphy was a strong advocate for the rights of women and a prominent suffragette. She campaigned vigorously to have women recognized as "persons" in the eyes of the law. Along with four other women (Nellie McClung, Louis McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards), she helped bring about a ruling in 1929 by the Privy Council in Britain that recognized women as persons under the BNA Act. Murphy and her colleagues are known as the "Famous Five" and due to their efforts in the "persons case," Canadian women became eligible to hold an appointed office such as Senator.
8. A
In 1952, Vincent Massey, born in Toronto, Ontario, became the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada. Until then, Canada's Governor Generals had been British born peers.
9. B
American mobster Al Capone said "I don't even know what street Canada is on." in 1931.
10. C
Fredericton is the capital of the province of New Brunswick.
11. A
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, 16th Prime Minister of Canada, was the first PM to have been born in Western Canada. Clark, now 74 years old, was born in High River, Alberta on June 5, 1939. Clark was took the oath of office on June 4, 1979, one day short of his 40th birthday. He remains the youngest person to have held the office of Canadian Prime Miniser.
12. D
Samuel de Champlain, French explorer, navigator and diplomat, founded Quebec City in 1608.
13. C
Regina, Saskatchewan was originally named Pile of Bones from the Cree word "Wascana." In 1882, it was renamed Regina in honour of Queen Victoria by Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise. Louise was the wife of the Marquess of Lorne who was then the Governor General of Canada. In 1905, Regina was designated the capital of the province of Saskatchewan.
14. B.
Joni Mithell was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alberta on November 7, 1943. The others were all born in Winnipeg:: Anna Paquin on July 24, 1982; Deanna Durbin, who died this past April in France at the age of 91, on December 4, 1991, David Steinberg on August 9, 1942 and Burton Cummings of Guess Who fame on December 31, 1947.
15. B
In 1944, Tommy Douglas, preacher-turned-politician, led the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (forerunner to the New Democratic Party) to power in Saskatchewan. As premier, Douglas introduced universal healthcare to the province.
OSCARS QUIZ 2014
(Originally published February 26, 2014)
The 86th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2014 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's fourth annual Oscars quiz. There are ten questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2014
1. Marlon Brando received eight Academy Award nominations during his illustrious career and won twice, both times for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He received his second Academy Award for his performance as Vito Corleone in the 1972 film The Godfather. For which film did he win his first Oscar.?
A. A Street Car Named Desire
B. On the Waterfront
C. Julius Caesar
D. The Wild One
E. Reflections in a Golden Eye
2. Who was the only actor to win an Academy Award in a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock?
A. Grace Kelly
B. James Stewart
C. Cary Grant
D. Joan Fontaine
E. Raymond Burr
3. Did Richard Burton ever win an Academy Award?
A. No, he never won an Oscar.
B. Yes, he won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the 1953 film The Robe.
C. Yes, Richard Burton won two Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role - one for The Robe (1953) and the other for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
D. Yes, Burton won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the 1952 film My Cousin Rachel.
E. Yes, he won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of King Henry VIII in Anne of the Thousand Days (1969).
4. Who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a 1965 film? Here are the nominees.
A. Elizabeth Hartman for A Patch of Blue
B. Simone Signoret for Ship of Fools
C. Julie Christie for Darling
D. Julie Andrews for The Sound of Music
E. Samantha Eggar for The Collector
5. Jane Fonda is a two-time Academy Award winner. She won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role her performance as Sally Hyde in Coming Home (1978) and her co-star, John Voight won for Best Actor. For what other film did Jane earn an Oscar?
A. The China Syndrome (1979)
B. On Golden Pond (1981)
C. They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
D. Julia (1977)
E. Klute (1971)
6. How tall is an Oscar statuette?
A.. 12 1/2 inches (31.75 cemtimetres)
B. 11 inches (27.94 centimetres)
C. 13 1/2 inches (34.29 centimetres)
D. 14 inches (35.56 centimetres)
E. 10 1/2 inxhes (26.67 centimetres)
7. Who was the first performer to win an Oscar in for a leading role in a foreign language film.
A. Sophia Loren
B. Ingrid Bergman
C. Roberto Benigni
D. Catherine Deneuve
E. Gérard Depardieu
8. Which actor, at the age of 73, performed one-handed push-ups on stage while accepting his Academy Award.?
A. James Coburn
B. Jack Palance
C. David Niven
D. Christopher Plummer
E. Art Carney
9. Marisa Tomei won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for which movie?
A. Only You
B. Chaplin
C, Slums of Beverly Hills
D. The Wrestler
E. My Cousin Vinny
10. On February 22, 2009, Australian-born Heath Ledger became the second performer to be awarded a posthumous acting Oscar. Ledger, who won the Oscar for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight, died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on January 22, 2008. He was only 28 years old at the time of his passing.
ANSWERS
1. B
Marlon Brando won his first Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Terry Malloy in the 1954 film On the Waterfront. Brando was nominated for A Street Car Named Desire (1951) but Humphrey Bogart received the award for African Queen. He was also nominated for Julius Caesar (1953) but William Holden got the nod for Stalag 17.
In addition, Brando earned Oscar nominations for Viva Zapa! (1952), Sayonara (1957) and Last Tango in Paris (1973). His final Academy Award nomination was for Best Supporting Actor in A Dry White Season (1989). A Dry White Season deals with the subject of apartheid in South Africa and Brando plays a human rights attorney named Ian McKenzie in the film.
All of Brando's Academy Award nominations were for Best Actor in a Leading Role except for A Dry White Season. He famously declined his Oscar for The Godfather at the 1973 Academy Awards ceremony due to ""poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry."
2. D
In 1942, Joan Fontaine won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Alfred Hitchcock's film Suspicion (1941). She was chosen over her sister, Olivia de Havilland, who was nominated for Hold Back the Dawn.
3. A
No, Richard Burton never won an Academy Award even though he was nominated seven times. His nominations include Best Actor in Supporting Role for My Cousin Rachel (1952) and Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Robe (1953), Beclet (1964), The Spy Who Came in from from the Cold (1965), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966), Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) and Equus (1977). Burton passed away in 1984.
4. C
Julie Christie was awarded the Oscar for her role as Diana Scott in the 1965 British film Darling. Darling was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. It won three;: Christie for her Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design.
5. E
Jane Fonda won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Bree Daniel, a New York prostitute, in the 1971 film, Klute.
6. C
According to the website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. an Oscar statuette "stands 13½ inches tall (34.29 centimetres) and weighs in at a robust 8½ pounds.(3.85 kilograms)."
7. A
Sophia Loren was the first artist to win an Oscar for a foreign language performance. In 1962, she was awarded an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Vittorio De Sica's Two Women. The Italian film tells the story of a widow, played by Loren, who tries to shield her daughter from the horrors of World War II. (Trivia Note: Sophia was unable to accept her Academy Award in person and Oscar winner Greer Garson accepted it on her behalf).
8. B
On March 30, 1992, 73-year-old Jack Palance won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as cowboy Curly Washburn in the 1991 film City Slickers. After accepting his Oscar from Whoopi Goldberg, he poked fun at his City Slickers co-star, Billy Crystal (who hosted the ceremony that year) and then demonstrated his ability to do push-ups. (It's interesting to note that Jack Palance was a professional heavyweight boxer during the 1940s and that he boxed under the name Jack Brazzo).
Palance told the audience that the producer of his first film in 1949 told him that he would someday win an Academy Award. "43 years later he was right," the veteran actor quipped. To watch a video of Palance's 1992 Academy Awards acceptance speech, click on the link below.
2014 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
(Originally posted October 6, 2014)
It's that time again, baseball fans. It's October and the World Series is just around the corner. To put you in the mood for the Fall Classic, Number 16 presents a 2014 World Series Quiz. Are you up to the challenge. Put on your baseball cap and find out by answer the following questions. Get ready to play ball!
2014 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
1. Which of the following statements is not true about the 1964 World Series between the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals?
A. The 1964 World Series marked the last Series appearance for both Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.
B. The St. Louis Cardinals won in six games.
C. Yankee manager Yogi Berra was fired after the Series ended and replaced by the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.
D. The New York Yankees did not play in another World Series until 1976.
E, All of the above.
2. Name the youngest man ever to broadcast a World Series game.
A, Vin Scully
B. Ernie Harwell
C. Red Barber
D. Bob Costas
E. Mel Allen
3. What was the nickname of the 1982 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals?
A. "The Beer Fest"
B. "The Brew War"
C. "The Big Brewsky"
D. "The Suds Series"
E. "The Battle of the Brews"
4. When was the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series?
A. 1912
B. 1907
C. 1908
D. 1913
E. 1924
5. Reggie Jackson, known as "Mr. October," played in 27 World Series games during his career. How many home runs did he hit in those 27 games?
A. seven
B. ten
C. twelve
D. nine
E. eight
6. Have any of the various versions of the Washington Senators ever won the World Series?
A. No team named the Washington Senators has ever won the World Series.
B. Yes, the Washington Senators won the 1922 World Series.
C. No team named the Washington Senators has ever even played in the World Series.
D. Yes, the Washington Senators won the 1931 World Series.
E. Yes, the Washington Senators won the 1924 World Series.
7. Which baseball manager has won the most World Series rings?
A. Connie Mack
B. Joe Torre
C. A tie between Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel
D. A tie between Sparky Anderson and Tony La Russa
E. Miller Huggins
8. Did Ty Cobb ever play on a World Series championship team?
A. No, Cobb never won a World Series ring during his baseball career.
B. No, he never even played in the World Series.
C. Ty Cobb won a World Series with the Detroit Tigers.
D. Cobb won a World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics.
E, Cobb won two World Series rings with Detroit.
9. Which of these statements in false about the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 1993.
A. 1992 marked the first time a World Series game was played outside the United States.
B. The Blue Jays' manager, Cito Gaston, became the first black manager to win the World Series.
C. The Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian-based team to win the World Series.
D. The Blue Jays became the first Canadian-based team to participate in major league post-season play.
E, All of the above.
10. When the New York Mets (dubbed the "Miracle Mets" or the "Amazing Mets") won the 1969 World Series, which American League team did they defeat?
A. Detroit Tigers
B. Baltimore Orioles
C. Kansas City Royals
D. Chicago White Sox
E. Cleveland Indians
11, What team defeated the Chicago White Sox in the infamous 1919 World Series?
A. New York Giants
B. Philadelphia Phillies
C. St. Louis Cardinals
D. Boston Braves
E. Cincinnati Reds
12. To date, the New York Yankees have won 27 World Series championships, the most of any team in Major League history. Which team has recorded the second-most World Series victories?
A. St. Louis Cardinals
B. Pittsburgh Pirates
C. Boston Red Sox
D. New York/San Francisco Giants
E. Detroit Tigers
13. On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series. To date, Larsen's perfect game is the only perfect game in the history of the Fall Classic. Until 2010, it remained the only no-hitter of any kind in post-season play. Which pitcher threw a no-hitter in the National League Division Series that year?
A. Pedro Martinez
B. Cliff Lee
C. Roy Halladay
D. Cole Hamels
E. Roy Oswalt
ANSWERS
1. B
The St. Louis won the 1964 World Series in seven games. They won the seventh game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis by a score of 7-5. Yogi Berra was fired and replaced by Johnny Keane, who had resigned from the Cardinals after the series. It was the last World Series appearance for both Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle. Mantle played his final major league game in 1968 and announced his retirement on March 1, 1969. Ford played his final major league game in 1967. Their New York Yankees did not appear in another Word Series until 1976 when they were swept by the Cincinnati Reds in four games straight.
2. A
Vin Scully was only 25 years old when he broadcast the 1953 World Series, a rematch between the four-time defending champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He replaced Red Barber who was involved in a salary dispute. In so doing, Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game, a record that still stands today. At the age of 86, he is still the voice of Dodger baseball, but in Los Angeles.
By the way, the Yankees won that 1953 Series in six games for their fifth straight title - another mark that has yet to be equalled.
3. D.
The 1982 World Series was dubbed the "Suds Series." St. Louis and Milwaukee had never met in a Series before, but the two cities were beer market rivals with St. Louis being the home of Anheuser-Busch and Milwaukee the home of Miller Brewing. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee brewers in seven games.
4. C
The last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series was 1908 - that's 106 years ago! The Cubbies have only won two Series in their storied history - back to back wins in 1907 and 1908. Both times, they defeated the Detroit Tigers.
5. B
Reggie Jackson slammed ten home runs in his 27 World Series games, batting .354 with 24 RBIs. The Hall of Famer played on five World Series championship teams. He won three times with the Oakland Athletics and twice with the New York Yankees. On October 18, 1977, Reggie slugged three home runs in Game 6 of the World Series, leading the Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Los Angels Dodgers and a victory in the Series four games to two.
6. E
The Washington Senators did indeed win the World Series - in 1924. They defeated the New York Giants in seven games. In the above photo, Washington manager Bucky Harris presents U.S. President Calvin Coolidge with the baseball used to open the 1924 World Series at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D,C. The Senators lost the first game of the Series by a score of 4-3 (in 12 innings).
Pitching great Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators made his first World Series appearance in 1924. He was 36 years old.
7. C
Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel hold the MLB record with seven World Series rings each. McCarthy earned his rings while managing the New York Yankees in 1932, 1936-1939, 1941 and 1943. Stengel's victories were with the Yankees from 1949 to 1953 (five straight championships), and in 1956 and 1958. Stengel won a total of 37 World Series games, while McCarthy won 30.
Connie Mack is in second place with five rings. Joe Torre won four World Series and Sparky Anderson, Tony La Russa and Miller Huggins each notched three.
8. A
No, Ty Cobb never won a World Series. However, he did play in three straight World Series for the Detroit Tigers in 1907, 1908 and 1909. The Tigers lost all three. They lost to the Chicago Cubs in 1907 and 1908 and to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1909.
9. D
The Toronto Blue Jays had been in post-season play prior to 1992, but they were not the first Canadian-based team to participate in the post-season That distinction belongs to the Montreal Expos. In 1981, the Expos made it to post-season play for the first and only time as a Montreal franchise. However, they lost the best-of-five National League Championship when Rick Monday of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit a ninth-inning home run in Game 5 at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. In 2005, the Expos moved to Washington D.C. to become the Washington Nationals.
Cito Gaston, who spent his entire managerial career with the Toronto Blue Jays, became the first African-American manager to win a World Series in Major League history when the Blue Jays won the championship in 1992.
10. B
In 1969, the New York Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in World Series history. The Mets won the Series in five games, becoming the first expansion team to win a division title, a pennant, and the World Series. Under manager Gil Hodges, the Mets captured the championship in what was only the eighth year of their existence. They overcame a fine Baltimore Orioles club, managed by Earl Weaver.
11. E
In 1919, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the heavily-favoured Chicago White Sox five games to three in the best--of-nine World Series. A scandal followed (dubbed the "Black Sox" in which it was revealed that several members of the White Sox had conspired with gamblers to intentionally lose the 1919 championship.
12. A
To date, the St. Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, the second-most Series victories. The Boston Red Sox have won eight times, having appeared in 12 October Classics. The New York/San Francisco Giants have combined for seven World Series titles - five in New York and two in San Francisco. The Pittsburgh PIrates have compiled five championships, while the Detroit Tigers have prevailed four times - 1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984.
13, B
On October 6, 2010, Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their 2010 National League Division series against the Cincinnati Reds. It was Halladay's second no-hitter in 2010 and the first postseason appearance of his career.
OSCARS QUIZ 2015
(Originally published February 17, 2015
The 87th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's fifth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2015
1. This year, 84-year-old Robert Duvall was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Judge Joseph Palmer in The Judge. How many Oscars has the veteran actor won in his lengthy career?
A. Robert Duvall's nomination for The Judge is his seventh nomination, but has never won an Oscar.
B. To date, he has won three Academy Awards.
C. To date, he has won one Academy Award.
D. To date, Duvall has won two Oscars.
E, To date, he has taken home four Oscars.
2. Dustin Hoffman has received seven Academy Award nominations, all for Best Actor. How many Academy Awards has he won, and for which films?
A. Hoffman has won three Best Actor Academy Awards for his performances in The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy and Kramer Vs. Kramer.
B. Hoffman has won two Best Actor Academy Awards - for Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man.
C, He has won one Academy Award and it was for Kramer vs.Kramer.
D, He has won four Academy Awards for his performances in Kramer vs, Kramer, Tootsie, Rain Man and All the President's Men.
E, He has won two Academy Awards - for Midnight Cowboy and Rain Man.
3. What is the longest film to have ever won the Oscar for Best Picture?
A. Ben-Hur
B. Titanic
C. Gone with the Wind
D. Mrs. Miniver
E. Lawrence of Arabia
4. What year were the Oscars first televised?
A. 1953
B. 1951
C, 1949
D, 1950
E. 1952
5. Who are the only brother and sister to even win Oscars for acting.
A. Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty
B. Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda
C. Julia Roberts and Eric Roberts
D. Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore
E. No sister and brother combination has ever won Academy Awards for acting.
6. Who was the first actor to refuse an Academy Award for Best Actor?
A. Marlon Brando
B. Woody Allen
C. John
D. Peter Fonda
E. George C. Scott
7. Who is the only Oscar winner whose parents were also Academy Award winner?
A. John Barrymore
B. Haley Mills
C. Liza Minnelli
D. Vanessa Redgrave
E. Alan Ladd
8. Did Robin Williams, who passed away on August 11, 2014, ever win an Oscar during his career?
A. Yes, he won an Oscar for Best Support Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting.
B. Yes, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role in Dead Poets Society.
C. Yes, he won for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Good Morning, Vietnam.
D. Yes, he actually won two Oscars - for Fisher King and Good Will Hunting.
E. No, Robin Williams never won an Oscar
9. Five British actors have been nominated for acting Oscars in 2015. Who was the first British actor to win an Academy Award?
A, Charlie Chaplin
B. Charles Laughton
C. Vivien Leigh
D, George Arliss
E. Laurence Olivier
10. True or false: To date, three actors have won Oscars for roles in which they didn't utter a single word?
A. False. Four actors have won Academy Awards for portraying characters that did not speak.
B. False. No actor has won an Oscar for a role for which they did not speak.
C. False. Only one actor has won an Academy Award for such a role.
D. False Two actors have won for non-speaking roles.
E. True. Three actors have won Oscars for roles in which they didn't utter a single word?
ANSWERS
1. C
Robert Duvall's Oscar nomination for The Judge is his seventh. He has won once, at the 56th Academy Awards in 1984. Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone presented him with the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Mac Sledge, an alcoholic country singer, in Tender Mercies (1983).
Duvall other Oscar nominations include Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Civil Action (1998), Apocalypse Now (1979) and The Godfather (1972). He was also nominated for Best Actor in Leading Role for The Apostle (1997) and The Great Santini (1979).
2. B
Dustin Hoffman has won two Oscars for Best Actor - for Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980 and Rain Man in 1989. He was nominated for The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy, Lenny, Tootsie and Wag the Dog but did not win.
3. C
To date, Gone with the Wind (1939) is the longest film to have ever won an Oscar for Best Picture. Gone with the Wind clocks in at a whopping 234 minutes. (three hours and 54 minutes) - almost four hours.
4. A
The first televised Academy Awards show was broadcast on March 19, 1953. It was held simultaneously at the RKO Pannteges Theatre in Hollywood California and the NBC International Theatre in New York City. Bob Hope hosted the main ceremony in Hollywood, while actor Conrad Nagel presided over the smaller ceremony in New York City so performers working on Broadway could take part.
5. D
To date, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore are the only brother and sister to ever win Oscars for acting. Lionel Barrymore won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Free Soul (1931), while Ethel Barrymore won for Best Supporting Actress in None But the Lonely Heart (1944). She received her Academy Award in 1945.
Note: Both Shirley MacLaine and Wareen Beatty have won Academy Awards. Howver, Beatty's Oscar win was in the Best Director category. He received an Academy Award in 1982 for directing the film Reds.
6. E
In 1971, the late George C. Scott became the first actor to refuse a Best Actor Oscar when he turned down the award for his role as General George S. Patton in the film Patton. Scott wrote a letter to the Motion Picture Academy in which he stated that he didn't feel comfortable being in competition with other actors. He was famously quoted as describing the Oscars as a "meat parade." In 1972, Marlon Brando refused his Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather as a protest against Hollywood's treatment of native Americans.
The first person to refuse any Oscar was American screenwriter Dudley Nichols. In 1935, Nichols turned down an Academy Award for his screenplay of The Informer because the Screen Writers Guild of America was on strike against the movie studios at the time. He served as president of the organization in 1937 and 1938
7. C
To date, Liza Minnelli is the only Oscar winner whose parents (Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli) also both won Academy Awards. Liza won a Best Actress Academy Award in 1973 for her performance as Sally Bowles in the film Cabaret.
In 1940, Mickey Rooney presented Liza's mother, the great Judy Garland, with an Academy Juvenile Award for her work in 1939 in The Wizard of Oz and Babes in Arms. Judy was nominated in the Best Actress category for her performances in A Star is Born (1954) and as Best Supporting Actress for Judgement at Nuremberg (1961) but did not win.
Judy was unable to attend the Academy Awards in 1955 when she was up for an Oscar for A Star is Born. She was in hospital, having given birth to her only son, Joey Luft. As it turned out, however, Grace Kelly won the Best Actress Award that year for The Country Girl. In 1962, Rita Moreno received the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in West Side Story over Judy's in Judgement at Nuremberg.
In 1959, Liza'a father, film director Vincente Minnelli won an Academy Award for directing the movie Gigi.
8. A
Robin Williams won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the 70th Academy Awards in 1998. He won for his portrayal of Dr, Sean Maquire, the psychology teacher who helps Matt Damon's character in the film Good Will Hunting (1997).
Williams also received Oscar nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performances in The Fisher King (1991), Dead Poets Society (1989) and Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).
9. D
George Arliss was the first British actor to win an Academy Award. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the 1930 film The Green Goddess. Arliss was born in London in 1868 and was also the earliest-born actor to win an Academy Award.
By the way, here is a list of the five British actors up for Oscars in 2015:
The nominees for Best Actor in a Leading role include Eddie Redmayne as Steven Hawking in The Theory of Everything and Benedict Cumberbatch for his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. The nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role include Rosamund Pike as Amy Elliott-Dunne in Gone Girl and Felicy Jones as Jane Wilde Hawking in The Theory of Everything. In addition, Keira Knightley has been nominated in the Best Supporting actress category for her performance as Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game.
10. E
It is true that three three actors have won Oscars for roles in which they didn't utter a single word. They are Jane Wyman, Johnny Belinda (1948); Sir John Mills, Ryan’s Daughter (1970); Holly Hunter, The Piano (1993). In Johnny Belinda, Jane Wyman plays a deaf/mute woman who is raped. In Ryan's Daughter, Sir John Mills plays Michael, a mentally impaired man, the so-called "village idiot." In The Piano, Holly Hunter plays Ada McGrath, a woman who has not spoken since she was six years old, and no one knows why.
OSCARS QUIZ 2016
(Originally posted February 25, 2016)
The 88th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's sixth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2016
1. Sylvester Stallone's highly successful 1976 boxing film, Rocky, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards. How many did Oscars did the original Rocky win?
A. Rocky swept the 1977 Oscars, winning all 10 of the Academy Awards for which it was nominated.
B. It won five Oscars.
C. I won seven Oscars.
D. It won three Oscars.
E. It failed to win any of the ten Academy Awards for which it was nominated.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio has received six Academy Award nominations, but has never won an Oscar. This year, he is nominated in the Best Actor category for his role in The Revenant. For which movie did Leo win his first Oscar nomination?
A. The Aviator
B. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
C. Blood Diamond
D. Titanic
E. Romeo and Juliet
3, The late Audrey Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role five times. She won once. For which film did Audrey Hepburn win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role?
A. Roman Holiday (1953)
B. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
C, The Nun's Story (1959)
D. Sabrina (1954)
E. Wait Until Dark (1968)
4. Marilyn Monroe never won an Academy Award, but did she ever receive an Oscar nomination?
A. Yes, Marilyn was nominated for her performance in Bus Stop (1956).
B. Yes, she was nominated for Niagara (1953) .
C. Yes, she was nominated for The Prince and the Showgirl. (1957)
D. Yes, she was nominated for Some Like it Hot (1959).
E. No, she never received an Oscar nomination.
5. What was the first colour film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?
A. The Wizard of Oz
B. Ben-Hur
C. Gone with the Wind
D. Rebecca
E. The Grapes of Wrath
6. Which of these nominated films won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941?
A. How Green Was My Valley
B. Citizen Kane
C. The Maltese Falcon
D. Here Comes Mr. Jordan
E. Suspicion
7. Has any foreign language film won the Academy Award for Best Picture?
A. Yes, Italian actor, director and screenwriter Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful (1997) won the Best Picture Oscar at the 1999 ceremony.
B. Yes, the 1938 French language film Grand Illusion won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
C. Yes, the 1960 Italian film Two Women, starring Sophia Loren, won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1961.
D. Yes, the 1987 Danish film, Babette's Feast, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
E. No. To date, no foreign language film has won Best Picture.
8. Who won the Oscar for Best Actor at the 12th Academy Awards, held on February 29, 1940?
A, James Stewart for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
B. Robert Donat for Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)
C. Clark Gable for Gone with the Wind (1939)
D. Laurence Olivier for Wuthering Heights (1939)
E. Mickey Rooney for Babes in Arms (1939)
9. Has Warren Beatty has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role four times. Has he ever won?
A. Yes, he won the Best Actor Award for the movie Reds.
B. Yes, he won for Bonnie and Clyde.
C. Yes, he won for Heaven Can Wait.
D. Yes, he won for Bugsy.
E. No, Warren Beatty has never won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
10. Who was the first woman to host the Oscars?
A. Celeste Holme
B. Shirley MacLaine
C. Claudette Colbert
D. Liza Minnelli
E. Whoopi Goldberg
ANSWERS
1. D
The original Rocky won three Oscars in 1977. It won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director and Editing. Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but did not win. Peter Finch was awarded the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar posthumously for his performance in Network.
2. B
Leonardo DiCaprio received his first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. DiCaprio played Arnie Grape, a boy with developmental handicap, alongside Johnny Depp, who portrayed Arnie's brother, Gilbert Grape.
3, A
In 1954, Audrey Hepburn received the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. She won for her portrayal of a bored and overprotected princess who runs off to Rome and falls in love with an American journalist (Gregory Peck).
Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress in Leading Role for Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Nun's Story, Sabrina and Wait Until Dark, but did not win. At the Oscar ceremony on March 29, 1993, she was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award posthumously (she died in January, 1993). The award was accepted by her son, Sean H. Ferrer,
4. E
Marilyn Monroe never received an Oscar nomination. In 1957, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress-Comedy/Musical for Bus Stop, but did not win. She did, however, win a Golden Globe in 1960 for Best Motion Picture Actress-Comedy/Musical for her performance in Some Like it Hot. Marilyn was also nominated for two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards - Best Foreign Actress for The Seven Year Itch in 1956 and Best Foreign Actress for Best Foreign Actress for The Prince and the Showgirl in 1958.
5. C
Gone with the Wind (1939) was the first colour film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
6, A
How Green Was My Valley won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941. Although Orson Welles' classic Citizen Kane was nominated for Best Picture, it was not selected in that category. Surprisingly, Citizen Kane only received one Oscar, for Best Original Screenplay.
7. E.
No. To date, no foreign language film has won Best Picture. Life is Beautiful, Grand Illusion, and Babette's Feast were chosen as Best Foreign Language Film, but not Best Picture. Two Women was not even nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. However, Sophia Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1961 for her performance in the film. She was the first person to win the Best Actress Award for a foreign language film. Roberto Benigni was the second to win for a non-English speaking role (and the first male). He received an Oscar for Best Actor in Leading Role for Life is Beautiful in 1999.
8, B
British actor Robert Donat received the 1939 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Donat, who did not attend the ceremony, was awarded the Oscar over Clark Gable's portrayal of Rhett Butler in the hugely successful Gone with the Wind. With the exception of Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, Gone with the Wind swept all the major Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel) and Best Screenplay (Sidney Howard).
9. E.
No. Warren Beatty has never won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role for his performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Heaven Can Wait (1978), Reds (1981) and Bugsy (1991), but did not win. However, received an Academy Award in the category of Best Director for Reds. In addition, Beatty was honoured with the Irving C. Thalberg M Thalberg Memorial Award at the Oscars in the year 2000.
10. C
Actress Claudette Colbert was the first woman to host the Oscars. She hosted the 28th Academy Awards in 1956 with co-hosts. Shirley MacLaine co-hosted the 47th Academy Awards in 1975. Celeste Holm co-hosted the 29th Academy Awards in 1957. Liza Minnelli co-hosted the 55th Academy Awards in 1983. Whoopi Goldberg has hosted the Oscars four times (1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002), more than any other woman.. She also has the distinction of being the first woman and the first African-American to host the Oscars solo.
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #3
(Originally published November 6, 2016)
With the Americans going to the polls on November 8th to elect a new president, Number 16 proudly presents its third quiz on U..S. Presidents and First Ladies. If you think you think you know your presidential trivia, give it a try. Good luck and enjoy! By the way, if you are interested in the first two quizzes, you can find them by clicking the "QUIZ PAGE" tab at the top of the webpage.
U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Quiz #3
1. What two American presidents share the same birthday - November 2?
A. Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy
B. Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter
C. Calvin Coolidge and George W. Bush
D. James Knox Polk and Warren G. Harding
E. John Adams and William Howard Taft
2. Which U.S. president was licenced as a bartender?
A. William Howard Taft
B. Abraham Lincoln
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. John Quincy Adams
E. Martin Van Buren
3. Which of these 20th century U.S. president did not have a college degree?
A. Harry S. Truman
B. Lyndon B. Johnson
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Warren G. Harrding
E. William Howard Taft
4. Which of the following living Presidents of the United States is NOT left handed?
A. George H.W. Bush (term in office: 1989 to 1993)
B. Bill Clinton (term in office: 1993 to 2001)
C. George W. Bush (term in office 2001 to 2009)
D. Barack Obama (2009 - present).
E. All of the above are left handed.
5. Which American president held approximately 200 slaves, although he opposed the institution and supported legislation to free slaves? Many historians believe that he fathered multiple children with his biracial slave.
A. John Adams
B. James Knox Polk
C. William Henry Harrison
D. Andrew Jackson
E. Thomas Jefferson
6. Who was the most recent American president to have facial hair while in office?
A. Grover Cleveland
B. William Howard Taft
C. James Garfield
D. Abraham Lincoln
E. Benjamin Harrison
7. Where was Woodrow Wilson born?
A. Princeton, New Jersey
B. Springfield, Illinois
C. Erie, Pennsylvania
D. Staunton, Virginia
E. West Branch, Iowa
8. Which U.S. president was the youngest to die?
A. John F. Kennedy
B. James Garfield
C. James Knox Polk
D. William McKinley
E. William Henry Harrison
9. Who was the first First Lady of the United States to have been both a wife and a mother to a U.S. president?
A. Dolly Madison
B. Barbara Bush
C. Anna Harrison
D. Letitia Tyler
E. Abigail Adams
10. Who was the first U.S. president to have been born in a hospital?
A. John F. Kennedy
B. Jimmy Carter
C. Richard Nixon
D. Gerald Ford
E. Bill Clinton
11, Who was the first President of the United States to die of cancer?
A. James Monroe
B. Rutherford B. Hayes
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. Ulysses S. Grant
E. Calvin Coolidge
12. What American president's name at birth was Leslie King, Jr.
A. Bill Clinton
B. Herbert Hoover
C. Gerald Ford
D. Calvin Coolidge
E. Warren G. Harding
13. Who was the first First Lady to hold the Bible for her husband's presidential oath of office?
A. Jacqueline Kennedy
B. Lady Bird Johnson
C. Eleanor Roosevelt
D. Laura Bush
E. Bess Truman
ANSWERS
1. D
James Knox Polk and Warren G. Harding share the same birthday. James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States was born in a log cabin on November 2, 1795 in what is now Pineville, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County, near Charlotte. Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, was born on November 2, 1865 on a farm in the tiny Ohio community of Corsica (present-day Blooming Grove).
2. B
Before he entered politics, Abraham Lincoln was co-owner, along with his friend, William F. Berry, of a general store/drinking establishment in New Salem, Illinois called the Berry-Lincoln Store. Berry and Lincoln purchased the store in January of 1833. In March of 1833, they were issued a tavern or liquor licence. The two men were very different as Lincoln preferred not to drink, while Berry was apparently an alcoholic. According to the website of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the business failed, leaving Lincoln heavily in debt. In 1834, he gave up bartending to run for state
legislator.
3. A
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, did not have a university degree. Truman graduated from high school in Independence, Missouri and found employment as a bank clerk in Kansas City. He then moved to the family farm near Grandview, Missouri and managed the farm after his father's death in 1914. In 1917, when the United States entered World War I, Truman served overseas. When he returned to the U.S. in 1919, he married Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace. He also opened a haberdashery with an army friend, but the business venture failed. Truman began his political career in 1922 when he ran successfully for county judge.
Truman actually spent a semester at a business college in Kansas City. He dropped out to find a job, although he later attended some night classes at the University of Missouri's law school. Three other U.S. presidents enrolled in college but did not complete a degree. They are James Monroe, William Henry Harrison and William McKinley. McKinley, who was assassinated in Buffalo in 1901, attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvaia for a year. He also studied at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. He did not graduate from either university. Beginning in 1866, Mckinley attended Albany Law School in New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 in Warren, Ohio without having earned a degree.
4. C.
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, is right-handed. His father, George H.W. Bush is left-handed as are Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Note: The next American president will be right-handed as both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are right handed.
5. E
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the American Declaration of Independence was a slave owner. Many historians believe that he had children with his biracial slave Sally Hemings, the half-sister of his wife, Martha Wales Skelton Jefferson. It is thought that Hennings, Martha's half-sister, became Jefferson's concubine after Martha's death in 1782.
6. B
William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States (1909-1913), is the most recent president to have facial hair. Taft wore a moustache. The last president to wear a full beard in office was Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States (1889-1893). Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1861-1865) was the first bearded American president. However, Lincoln's beard was not a full beard. It was a "chinstrap" because he shaved his upper lip. Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States (1869-1877) was the first U.S. president to have a full beard.
7. D
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, was born in Staunton, Virginia on December 28, 1856. He spent his early years in Augusta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Although Wilson later became President of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey, he was born a Southerner. His father, Joseph Ruggles Wilson, was a Presbyterian minister who defended slavery.
Virginia is known as the "Birthplace of Presidents." Four of the first five presidents were born in that state. To date, eight U.S. presidents have been born in Virginia, the most recent of whom is Wilson. The other seven Virginia-born American presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Zachary Taylor.
8. A
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States was the youngest to die. Kennedy was 46 years old when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States,was the second youngest president to die. He was 49 years old when he was assassinated at a railroad station in Washington, D.C. in 1881. The youngest president to die of natural causes was James Knox Polk, 11th President of the United States. Polk died of cholera at the age of 53 on June 15, 1849. His death came just three months after he had left the office.of the presidency.
9. E
Abigail Adams was the first First Lady to be both a wife and a mother to an American president. Her husband was John Adams, 2nd President of the United States and her son was John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States. In 2001, Barbara Bush, wife of George H.W. Bush, became the second First Lady to be both spouse and mother to a U.S. President when her son, George W. Bush, became president.
10. B
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, 39th President of the United States, was the first American president to be born in a hospital. Carter, now 92 years old, was born on October 24, 1924 at the Wise Sanitarium, a small hospital in Plains, Georgia. His mother, Lillian, was a registered nurse there. Jiimmy Carter's birthplace is currently a nursing care facility called the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Center.
11. D
Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States was the first president to die of cancer. Grant, a heavy cigar smoker, died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885. He was 63 years old.
12. C
Gerald Rudoph Ford, Jr., 38th President of the United States, was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska on July 14, 1913. His mother, Dorothy, claimed that her husband was physically abusive and moved to the home of her parents in Grand Rapids, Michigan She divorced Leslie King and then married Gerald Rudolff in 1916. The three-year-old future president took on his stepfather's name but did not change his name legally until 1935.
13, B
Lady Bird Johnson became the first First Lady to hold the Bible at her husband Lyndon B. Johnson's inauguration.ceremony on January 20, 1965. She did this at LBJ's request. Until then, the Bible had always been held by the executive secretary of the Joint Congressional Inaugural Committee. LBJ and his wife began a tradition that has continued to the present.
ANIMAL QUIZ
(Originally published December 15, 2016)
Okay, animal lovers. This quiz is for you. How much do you know about all kinds of pets and wild animals? How much do you know about both land and sea creatures, fish and fowl? Test your knowledge with Number 16's Animal Quiz.
Number 16 Animal Quiz
1. What is the collective name for a group of hedgehogs?
A. A troop of hedgehogs
B. An array of hedgehogs
C. A pack of hedgehogs
D. A bevy of hedgehogs
E, A colony of hedgehogs
2. Which of the following is a key difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
A. Alligators have large teeth that protrude when their mouths are closed.
B. Alligators and crocodiles are slightly different in colour. Alligators tend to have an olive brown hue, while crocodiles have a darker, almost black appearance.
C. Alligators are better able to tolerate salt water than crocodiles.
D. Crocodiles have long, narrow, V-shaped snouts. Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts.
E. Alligators can be found in parts of North, Central and South America, and also in areas of Africa, Australia, and the southeast part of Asia. Crocodiles live in eastern China and the southern United States, especially in states along the Gulf Coast.
3. What do you call a baby rabbit?
A. A bunny
B. A cub
C. A kitten
D. A cygnet
E. A joey
4. What kind of dog is shown in the photo below?
A. German Pinscher
B. Affenpinscher
C. Austrian Pinscher
D. Doberman Pinscher
E. Danish Swedish Farm Dog
5. What is another name for the two-humped camel?
A. Arabian camel
B. Dromedary
C. Bactrian
D. Cama
E. None of the above
6. What is the name for mammals, such as kangaroos and koala bears, who carry their young in a pouch?
A. ungulates
B. pachyderms
C. quadrupeds
D. omnivores
E. marsupials
7. "Blind as a bat" is a very common expression. Is it true, though? Are bats really blind?
A. No, bats are not blind.
B. Yes, bats have no sight whatsoever.
C. Only young bats are blind. They gradually develop sight and they can eventually see quite well.
D. Only female bats are blind.
E Bats are not completely blind, but they are close to it. They have extremely poor vision.
8. With proper care, what is the average lifespan of a pet goldfish?
A. Approximately six moths
B About one to two years
C. About two to three years
D About four years
E. About five to ten years
9. Elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal. How long is the gestation period of an elephant?
A Almost 17 months
B. Almost 22 months
C. Almost 24 months
D. Almost 26 months
E. Almost 27 months
10. The scientific name for the study of birds is
A. entomology
B. phytology
C. herpetology
D. ichthyology
E. ornithology
11. Which of the following statements about cats is false.
A. A female cat is called a molly or a queen.
B. A group of cats is called a clowder.
C. Cats are born with brown eyes.
D. During the Middle Ages, cats were assocated with witchcraft.
E. A cat's hearing is bether than a dog's.
10. Which of these statements about giant panda bears is false?
A. Panda bears hibernate.
B. Panda bears are more closely related to racoons than bears.
C. Although panda bears eat meat, they primarily live on plants, espeially shoots and leaves of bamboo.
D. Panda bears are in danger of going extinct.
E. None of the above.
ANSWERS
1. B
The collective name for a group of hedgehogs is an array of hedgehogs.
2. D
- Crocodiles have long, narrow, V-shaped noses. Alligators have wider, U-shaped noses.
- Crocodiles have large teeth that protrude when their mouths are closed. The fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip.
- Alligators are dark, almost black in colour, while crocodiles tend to be olive green.
- Crocodiles can better tolerate salt water than alligators. They have specialized glands for filtering out salt.
A baby rabbit is called a kitten. By the way, a cygnet is a baby swan.
4. A
Pictured above is a German Pinscher. A German Pinscher is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Germany. It weighs between 11-20 kilograms (25-45 pounds). Colors for this dog include black and rust, red, fawn, blue and tan.
5. C
A two-humped camel is called a bactrian. Bactrians are native to the grasslands of Central Asia.
One-humped camels are called Arabian camels or dromedaries. A cama is a hybrid. It is a cross between a male dromedary camel and a female llama,
6. E
Mammals, such as kangaroos, who carry their young in a pouch, are called marsupials. Other marsupials include wallabies, koalas, possums, opossums, wombats and Tasmanian devils. Marsupials are endemic to Australasia and the Americas.
Ungulates are a diverse group of hoofed mammals such as horses, camels, giraffes, cattle, pigs and rhinoceroses. Pachyderms are very large mammals with thick skin such as the elephant, the rhinoceros and the hippopotamus. A quadroped is an animal that has four feet, especially an ungulate. An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and other animals.
7. A
Bats are not blind. However, many bats hunt insects at night and they cannot see in complete darkness. Therefore, they hunt in the dark by means of echolocation. The echoes from sounds they produce from their mouths help them locate their prey. The sounds bounce off nearby insects such as moths.
There are more than 1,300 species of bats and not all eat insects. Some feed off flowers and three Latin American bats feed off blood. Fruit bats drink nectar. They do not use echolocation and their vision is sharp.
8. D
Although pet goldfish have a reputation for not living long, they can survive an average of five to 10 years or more - provided they are taken care of properly. In the wild, they can live even longer.
9. B
According to National Geographic, "elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal - almost 22 months." African elepants are the largest land mammals on the planet (Pictured above is an African Bush Elephant).
10. E
The scientific study of birds is called ornithology.
Entomology is the study of insects. Phytology or botany is the study of plants. Herpetology is the study of reptiles. Ichthyology is the study of fish.
11. C
12. A
Giant pandas do not hibernate.
OSCARS QUIZ 2017
(Originally posted February 21, 2017)
The 89th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's seventh annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2017
1. The film La La Land received 14 Oscar nominations this year, tying a record set by two other films. What two other films were nominated for 14 Academy Awards?
A. Gone with the Wind and The Sound of Music
B. The Wizard of Oz and Avatar
C. Ben-Hur and My Fair Lady
D. All About Eve and Titanic
E. The Best Years of Our Lives and Coming Home
2. Ryan Gosling, a nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role for La La Land, was born in London, Ontario. How many Canadian-born actors have won in this category?
A. Only one Canadian-born actor has won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Christopher Plummer
B. Two have won - Harold Russell and Christopher Plummer.
C. Three have won - Harold Russell, Christopher Plummer and Raymond Massey
D. Four have won - Harold Russell, Christopher Plummer, Raymond Massey and Glenn Ford.
E. None. If Gosling wins, he will be the first.
3. Four-time Oscar winner Woody Allen is notorious for not attending the ceremonies. Has he ever attended?
A. Yes, he attended in 2012 when he won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Midnight in Paris.
B. Yes, he attended in 2002 following 9/11 when he thanked Hollywood for its support of his hometown of New York.
C. Yes, he attended in 1988 when he won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Hannah and Her Sisters.
D. Yes, he attended in 1978 when he won for Best Director for Annie Hall.
E. No, Woody Allen has never attended the Oscars.
4. How many Oscars did the 1997 film Titanic win?
A. 14
B. 12
C. 11
D. 9
E. 8
5. In what year did Bob Hope first host the Oscars?
A. 1940
B. 1935
C. 1950
D. 1943
E. 1946
6. Has Tom Cruise ever won an Academy Award?
A. Yes, Tom Cruise won the Best Actor award for Born on the Fourth of July.
B. Yes, he won the Best Actor award for Jerry Maguire.
C. Yes, he won Best Supporting Actor award for Magnolia.
D. Yes, he won the Best Supporting Actor award for The Color of Money.
E. No, Tom Cruise has never won an Oscar.
7. A tune from the musical Mary Poppins won the Oscar for Best Original Song. What is the name of the song.
A. "A Spoon Full of Sugar"
B. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
C. "Chim Chim Cher-Ee"
D. "Feed the Birds"
E. "Jolly Holiday"
8. When Meryl Streep was nominated for an Academy Award this year for her performance in Florence Foster Jenkins, she broke the record for most Oscar nominations. How many Academy Award nominations does the great actress have now?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 15
D. 19
E. 24
9. What was the first colour film to win the Oscar for Best Picture?
A. The Adventures of Robin Hood
B. Gone with the Wind
C. The Wizard of Oz
D. Rebecca
E. How Green Was My Valley
10. Who was the oldest actor ever to be nominated for an Academy Award?
A. Jessica Tandy
B. Lillian Gish
C. Christopher Plummer
D. Gloria Stewart
E. Henry Fonda
ANSWERS
1. D
All About Eve, a 1950 drama starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and Geroge Sanders, was nominated for 14 Academy Awards, as was Titanic, a 1997 film staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
2, E
No Canadian-born actor has won an Oscar in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role. If he wins, Ryan Gosling will become the first. However, Christopher Plummer, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, received the 2011 Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the 2010 film Beginners. Harold Russell, born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the 1946 film The Best Years our Our Lives.
3. B
Woody Allen has only attended the Academy Awards once, in 2002. following the September 11th terriorist attack on New York City. He thanked Hollywood for its support of his hometown.
4. C
Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, won a whopping 11 Academy Awards. It received 14 Oscar nominations. By the way, All About Eve won six Oscars after receiving 14 nomination.
5. A
Bob Hope first hosted the Academy Awards in 1940. He went on to host the Oscars 18 more times, for a grand total of 19 times, more than anyone else. The last time Hope hosted Hollywood's Big Show was 1978.
6. E
No, Tom Cruise has never received an Oscar, although he's been nominated three times. In 1990, he was nominated for Best Actor, for Born on the Fourth of July. He lost to Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot. In 1997, he was nominated for Best Actor for Jerry Maguire. He lost to Geoffrey Rush, Shine. In 2000, Cruise was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Magnolia. He lost to Michael Caine, The Cider House Rules.
7. C
"Chim Chim Cher-Ee" from Mary Poppins, music and lyrics by brothers Robert and Richard Sherman, won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1964.
8. A
Meryl Streep has received 20 Academy Award nominations, more nominations than any other actor. Despite all her nominations, she has only won three Oscars - Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Best Actress for Sophie's Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011). If she should win for Florence Foster Jenkins, she will win her fourth Oscar.
9, B
Gone with the Wind (1939) was the first colour film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), starring Errol Flynn, was the first Warner Brothers.film shot in the three-strip Technicolor process. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, but lost out to Frank Capra's You Can't Take It With You. In the Wizard of Oz 1939), the Emerald City sequences were filmed in colour. However, The Wizard of Oz lost to Gone with the Wind. Rebecca (1940) and How Green Was My Valley (1941) both won the Oscar for Best Picture, but they were released after Gone with the Wind.
10. D
Gloria Stuart was 87 years old when she received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role as the older Rose in the 1997 film, Titantic. Jesssica Tandy was 80 years old when she won the Best Actress Award for her role in the 1989 film Driving Miss Daisy. She became the oldest actress to win the Oscar in that category. Gloria died on September 26, 2010 at the age of 100.
Christopher Plummer became the oldest person to win an Academy Award. Plummer was 82 in 2012 when he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Beginners.
The oldest actor to receive an Oscar for Best Actor was Henry Fonda. He was 76 when he won for On Golden Pond in 1982.
OSCARS QUIZ 2018
(Originally posted February 13, 2018)
The 90th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. In preparation for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's eighth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2018
1. The Shape of Water received 13 Oscar nominations this year. However, that is not the record. What is the record for most Academy Award nominations for a film?
A. Gone with the Wind (1939), Titanic (1997) and La La Land (2016) all received 14 nominations.
B. Gone with the Wind received 15 nominations.
C. All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land all received 14 nominations.
D. The Sound of Music (1965) received 14 nominations.
E. The Wizard of Oz (1939) , All About Eve and Titanic all received 14 novminations.
2. Who was the first Black male to be nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role?
A. Morgan Freeman
B. Paul Winfield
C. Dexter Gordon
D. Sydney Poitier
E. James Earl Jones
3. Who was the second Black male to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role?
A, Morgan Freeman
B. Denzel Washington
C. Laurence Fishburne
D. Will Smith
E. Jamie Foxx
4. Did Cary Grant win an Oscar for any of his roles?
A. No, Cary Grant never won an Oscar.
B.. Yes, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for North By Northwest (1959).
C. Yes, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in The Philadelphia Story (1940).
D. Yes, he won for Best Actor for his role in Penny Serenade (1941).
E. Yes, he won the Best Actor Oscar for None but the Lonely Heart (1944).
5. Sally Hawkins has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as a mute woman in the film The Shape of Water. Thus, she did not speak a single word in the entire move. If she wins, she will be the fourth person and the third woman to win an Academy Award for portraying a mute. Who was the first person to win an Academy Award for playing a mute?
A. Katharine Hepburn
B. Shirley Jones
C. Audrey Hepburn
D. Joan Fontaine
E. Jane Wyman
6. Julie Andrews has been nominated three times for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She has one win to her credit. For which film did she receive her Oscar?
A. Mary Poppins
B. Victor/Victoria
C. The Sound of Music
D. Hawaii
E. Star!
7. Meryl Streep has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham in The Post. She has won three Oscars, but how many times has she been nominated?
A. 15 times
B. 27 times
C. 21 times
D. 18 times
E. 13 times
8. If Meryl Streep wins for The Post, she will tie the record for the most acting awards, with four Oscars. Whose record will she tie?
A. Sally Field
B. Bette Davis
C. Tom Hanks
D. Spencer Tracy
E. Katharrine Hepburn
9. When Katharine Hepburn won her Oscar for The Lion in Winter, she tied with another actress. Who shared the win with Katharine Hepburn?
A. Julie Christie
B. Barbra Streisand
C. Jane Fonda
D. Faye Dunaway
E. Vanessa Redgrave
10. Who has won the most Academy Awards for directing.
A. William Wyler
B. Frank Capra
C. Steven Spielberg
D. John Ford
E. Francis Ford Coppola
ANSWERS
1. C
All about Eve, Titanic and La La Land all received 14 Oscar nominations.
2. D.
In 1958, Sydney Poitier was the first African-American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Noah Cullen in The Defiant Ones. In 1963, Poitier became the first Black male to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Homer Smith in Lilies of the Field.
James Earl Jones received a Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar nomination in 1970 for his role as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope. In 1972, Paul Winfield was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Nathan Lee Morgan in Sounder. In 1986, Dexter Gordon was nominated for his role as Dale Turner for his role in Round Midnight.
With his win for Lilies of Field, Sydney Poiter became only the second African-American to win an Academy Award. The first Black to win an Oscar was Hattie McDaniel. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1939 for her performance in Gone with the Wind.
3. B.
Demzel Washington was the second Black male to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He won an Oscar in 2001 for his performance in Training Day.
Laurence Fishbourne was nominated for What's Love Got to Do with It in 1993. Morgan Freeman was nominated for Driving Miss Daisy in 1994. Will Smith was nominated for Ali in 2001 and Jamie Fox won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Ray in 2004.
4. A
Although he will always be remembered for his wit and charm, Cary Grant never won an Oscar. However, he was nominated twice for Best Actor, for Penny Serenade and None but the Lonely Heart. After he retired, he received an Academy Honorary Award in 1969.
5. E
At the 1949 Oscars, Jane Wyman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Belinda McDonald, a deaf/mute rape victim in Johnny Belinda (1948). Wyman, the first wife of President Ronald Reagan, died in 2007. She is also known for her portrayal of a wealthy winery owner on the TV series Falcon Crest.
Jane Wyman and Ronald Reagan divorced in 1949, the same year Wyman received her Oscar. for Best Actress in Leading Role for Johnny Belinda. Reagan reportedly quipped to a friend, "Maybe I should name "Johnny Belinda" as a co-respondent."
Sir John Mill won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as the "village idiot" in Ryan's Daughter (1970) and Holly Hunter won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as the mute Ada McGrath in The Piano (1993).
6. A.
7. C
Meryl Streep has received a record 21 Academy Award nominations for her acting performances. She has won three times. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). She won for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Sophie's Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011).
8. E
The great Katharine Hepburn won four Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performances in Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981).
9. B
At the 1969 Academy Awards ceremony, Katharine Hepburn, 61, shared the Best Actress Oscar with Barbra Streisand. Streisand won for her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (1968). Hepburn and Streisand both received 3,030 votes. It was the first exact tie in a principal Oscar category. It was also the first and only (so far) tie for Best Actress or any female acting category.
The 26-year-old Streisand, clad in a sequined bell-bottomed pant suit cooed "Hello, gorgeous!" upon receiving her golden statuette.
10. D
John Ford won four Best Director Oscars - for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940). How Green Was My Valley (1941) and the The Quiet Man (1052). Ford also received an Oscar nomination for Stagecoach (1939). Frank Capra and William Wyler both won three Best Director Oscars, Capra for It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can't Take it With You (1938) and Wyler for Mrs. Miniver (1942), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Ben-Hur (1959). Francis Ford Coppola received the Best Director Oscar for The Godfather Part II (1974). Steven Spielberg has two Best Director Academy Awards to his credit - for Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998).
2018 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
(Originally posted October 9, 2018)
Major League Baseball's postseason has begun and we are on our way to the October Classic. Here is a quiz to test your knowledge of the World Series.
2018 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
1. Which player has won the most World Series rings?
A. Mickey Mantle
B. Joe DiMaggio
C. Yogi Berra
D. Babe Ruth
E. Lou Gehrig
2. How many has Tommy Lasorda managed the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory in a World Series?
A. Twice
B. Never
C. Once
D. Three times
E. Four times
3. What Los Angeles Dodger pitcher recorded 29 strikeouts in the 1965 World Series between the Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins.
A. Wally Bunker
B. Don Drysdale
C. Claude Osteen
D. Sandy Koufax
E. Mudcat Grant
4. To date the New York Yankees have won the most World Series with 27 victories. Which team has won the second most World Series?
A. Boston Red Sox
B. San Francisco Giants (previously the New York Giants)
C. St. Louis Cardinals
D. Los Angeles Dodgers (previously the Brooklyn Dodgers)
E. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Which of these teams has never won a World Series?
A. Seattle Mariners
B. San Diego Padres
C. Washington Nationals
D. Milwaukee Brewers
E. All of the Above
6, Which pitcher has thrown the only perfect game in World Series history?
A. Whitey Ford
B. Don Larsen
C. Roy Halladay
D. Cy Young
E. Tom Seaver
7. Who hit the first pinch-hit home run in a World Series?
A. Joe DiMaggio
B. Mickey Mantle
C. Yogi Berra
D. Stan Musial
E. Bobby Thomson
8. When the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1979, what was their theme song?
A. We Will Rock You (Queen)
B. We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
C. Get Down Tonight (K.C. & The Sunshine Band)
D/ Takin' Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
E. Celebration (Kool & The Gang)
9. In 1990, the Oakland Athletics were heavily favoured to win the World Series. The defending champion A;s won 103 games to finish atop the American League West division. Yet, they were defeated soundly in a four-game sweep. What team defeated Oakland in the 1990 World Series?
A. Cincinnati Reds
B. New York Mets
C. St. Louis Cardinals
D. Montreal Expos
E. Philadelphia Phillies
10. Who is the first Black manager to lead his team to a World Series victory?
A. Dusty Baker
B. Frank Robinson
C. Ron Washingon
D. Cito Gaston
E. Hal McRae
11. Which manager(s) has led his team to a World Series championship the most times? (Note: the ones with the slash between them have won the same number of times).
A. Sparky Anderson/Miller Huggins
B. Joe Torre/Walter Alston
C. Connie Mack
D. Tony La Russa/John McGraw/Bruce Boschy
E. Joe McCarthy/Casey Stengel
ANSWERS
1. C
Yogi Berra won 10 World Series rings during his years with the New York Yankees from 1946 to 1963. Joltin' Joe DiMaggio earned 9 World Series rings. Catcher Bill Dickey was on the roster of 8 World Series victors, as was Phil Rizzuto, Frankie Crosetti and Lou Gehrig. Mickey Mantle played on 7 championship teams, as did Babe Ruth.
2. A
Tommy Lasorda managed the Los Angeles Dodgers to two World Series championships. Under Lasorda's stewardship, the Dodgers won the World Series in 1981, defeating the New York Yankees four games to two. They won again in 1988, defeating the Oakland Athletics four games to one.
3. D
Left-handed pitcher Sandy Koufax recorded 29 strikeouts in the 1965 World Series. Koufax, who is Jewish, did not pitch in Game One of the Series because it fell on Yom Kippur. After losing Game Two, he pitched a four-hitter in Game Five and a three-hitter in Game Seven. He finished with a remarkable 0.38 ERA.and was chosen World Series MVP that year.
4. C
To date, the St. Louis Cardinals have won the second most World Series with 11 victories. The Boston Red Sox have won 8 championships - 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007 and 2013, The New York Giants have won five World Series, and the San Francisco Giants have won three times since the team began playing in California at the beginning of the 1958 season. That's a combined total of 8 World Series wins. The Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series once(1955). Since playing their first season in L.A. in 1958, the Dodgers have won five World Series - 1959, 1963, 1965 1981 and 1988. That's a total of six World Series championships. The Pittsburgh Pirates have also won five World Series - 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979.
5. E
All of the above. None of the teams listed have ever won the World Series. Milwaukee Brewers franchise began in 1969, as did the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals. The Seattle Mariners franchise in 1977.
6. B
On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees in Game Five of the World Series. Larsen needed just 97 pitches to complete the game and the Yanks won the game by a score of 2-0 and went on to win the World Series over the Brooklyn Dodgers four games to three. Larsen's perfect game was the only no-hitter of any kind ever pitched in postseason play until Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies on October 6, 2010 in Game One of the National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds. (Halladay's only flaw was a fifth inning full-count walk. Larsen's perfect game remains the only perfect game in World Series history.
7. C
Yogi Berra became the first player to hit a pinch-hit home run in the World Series in Game Three of the 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Yogi hit the home run off Dodgers' pitcher Ralph Branca. It is interesting to note that in a 1951 National League playoff, Branca allowed a walk-off home run to Bobby Thomson of the New York Giants. That home run was nicknamed the "Shot Heard 'Rond the World" and the Giants won the NL pennant. They were defeated by the New York Yankees in the 1951 World Series.
8. B
When the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1979, the team's theme song was We Are Family by Sister Sledge. That year, the Pirates defeated their American League opponents, the Baltimore Orioles four games to three.
9. A
The Cincinnati Reds of the National League upset the heavily-favoured Oakland A' in the 1990 World Series.
10. D
Cito Gaston managed the Toronto Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series championships in 1993 and 1994. Gaston is the first Black to manage a World Series winner. To date, he is the only one who has accomplished this. Venezuela native Ozzie Guillen is the only other minority manager and the only Lation-American skipper to won a World Series (Chicago White Sox in 2015). If the Boston Red Sox or the Los Angeles Dodgers should win the Fall Classic this year, another minority manager will be added to the list. Alex Cora of the Red Sox.was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Dave Rogers of the Dodgers was born in Japan to an Asian mother and a Black father.
Cito Gaston's Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves in 1992 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. The 1992 World Series marked the first time the October Classic was played outside of the United States and the fist time it was won by a team not based in the U.S.
11. E
It's a tie between Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel. Both managed seven World Series championship teams. Connie Mack managed five winners. Joe Torre and Walter Alston managed four. Sparky Anderson, Miller Huggins, Bruece Bochy, Tony La Russa and John McGraw managed three.
OSCARS QUIZ 2019
(Originally posted February 9, 2019)
The 91st Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February, 24, 2019 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. In preparation for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's ninth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2019
A. She won for her performances in Dangerous in 1936 and Jezebel in 1939.
B. She won for Dark Victory in 1940 and for Now, Voyager in 1943.
C. She won for The Letter in 1941 and for The Star in 1953.
D. She won for The Little Foxes in 1942 and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? in 1963.
E. She won for Mr.Skeffington in 1945 and All About Eve in 1951.
2. Which famous filmmaker purchased Bette Davis' Oscar statuettes at auctions?
A. Martin Scorsese
B. Woody Allen
C. Francis Ford Coppola
D. James Cameron
E. Steven Spielberg
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) received nine Oscar nominations. How many Academy Awards did it win?
A. Life is Beautiful (Italy) - won Best Foreign Language Film in 1998
B. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan) - won best Foreign Language Film in 2000
C. A Man and a Woman (France) - won best Foreign Language Film in 1966
D. War and Peace (Soviet Union) i- won best Foreign Language Film in 1968
E. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (Italy) - won best Foreign Language film in 1970
5. Which country has won the Best Foreign Language film the most times.?
A. France
B. Spain
C. Japan
D. Italy
E. Sweden
6. Mary Poppins Returns (2018), starring Emily Blunt as the no-nonsense English nanny, has been nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("The Place Where Lost Things Go"), Best Production Design. How many Oscar nominations did the original 1964 film starring Julie Andrews earn?
A. 12
B. 11
C. 13
D. 10
E. Eight
7. Only one male performer has won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role three times. Who is he?
A. Daniel Day-Lewis
B. Jack Nicholson
C. Al Pacino
D. Gregory Peck
E. Woody Allen
8. Which male performer has more Oscar nominations than any other.
A. Marlon Brando
B. Jack Nicholson
C. Robert Redford
D. Carey Grant
E. Spencer Tracy
9. Oscar nominations for female directors have been few and far between. As we approach the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, how many women have been nominated for a Best Director Oscar during the course of nine decades.
A. One
B. Six
C. Four
D. Three
E. Five
10. During her illustrious career, Meryl Streep has received 21 Academy Award nominations, more than any other actor. For which movie did she earn her first Oscar nomination?
A. Kramer vs. Kramer
B. The French Lieutenant's Woman
C. Silkwood
D. The Deer Hunter
E. Sophie's Choice
ANSWERS
1. A
Bette Davis received Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performances in Dangerous and Jezebel. She was nominated for Dark Victory, Now, Voyager, The Letter, The Star, The Little Foxes, Mr. Skeffington and All About Eve, but did not win. She also received a write-in nomination in 1935 for her role in Of Human Bondage.
2. E.
In 2001, Steven Spielberg anonymously purchased Bette Davis' Oscar for Jezebel at a Christie's auction in New York. In 2002, he anonymously purchased Davis' Oscar for Dangerous at a Sotheby's auction in New York, Spielberg donated both statuettes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
3. C
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest won five Oscars at the 1976 Academy Award:
Best Picture (Michael Douglas, Saul Zaentz, producers)
Best Director (Milos Forman)
Best Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Best Actress (Louise Fletcher)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Laurence Hauben, Bo Goldman)
4. B
Crouching Tigar, Hidden Dragon received ten Academy Award nominations. It won a total of four Oscars.
5. D
Italy has won the most Best Foreign Language Film Academy Awards. It has won 14 times, including two special awards for Shoe-Shine (1946) and an Honorary Award shared with France for The Walls of Malapaga (1949). France has won 12, including a Special Award for Monsieur Vincent (1947) and two honorary awards for Forbidden Games (1952) and The Walls of Malapaga (1949). Japan has won four wins and three of them are Honorary Awards. Spain also has four wins. Sweden and Denmark have three.each.
6. C
The original Mary Poppins, received 13 Oscar nominations and went on to win five Oscars at the 1965 Academy Awards Ceremony: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julie Andrews), Best Music, Original Score, Best Music, Original Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee"), Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects.
7. A
Daniel Day-Lewis is the only male performer who has won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role three times. Day-Lewis received his first Best Actor in Leading Role Oscar in 1990 for his performance in the film My Left Foot. He won again in 2008 for his role in There Will Be Blood and in 2013 for Lincoln.
8. B
Jack Nicholson has garnered more Oscar nominations than any other male performer in the history of the Academy Awards, He has received 12 nominations. His most recent nomination was for About Schmidt in 2003. Nicholson has won three times. In 1976, he received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. In 1984, he took home an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Terms of Endearment. In 1998, he won for Best Actor in a Leading Role for As Good as it Gets.
9. E
Only five women have received Oscar nominations in the category of Best Director. They are Lina Wertmuller for Seven Beauties in 1976, Jane Campion for The Piano in 1993, Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation in 2003, Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2003 and Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird in 2018. Of the five female nominees, only one has won the Academy Award - Katheryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker.
10. D
In 1979, Meryl Streep received the first of her 21 Oscar nominations when she was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Deer Hunter. The following year, in 1980, she won the first of her three Academy Awards, for her performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Best Actress in a Supporting Role). In 1983, Streep won her second Oscar for Sophie's Choice (Best Actress in a Leading Role). In 2012, she won her third Oscar for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (Best Actress in a Leading Role). Note: Jack Nicholson and Katharine Hepburn have earned the second most Oscar nominations with 12 each.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #1
(Originally posted March 24, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. spurious (adjective)
A. natural
B. not being what it purports to be, false or fake
C. suspicious in nature
D. unusual, an anomaly
E. that which is rejected
2. promulgate (verb)
A. to put down by authority or force: SUBDUE
B. to reveal only to a chosen group
C. to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people by open declaration: PROCLAIM
D. to demand money or another benefit from (someone) in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them: BLACKMAIL
E. to self-publish a book
3. sojourn (noun)
A. a secret journey at night
B. an unplanned vacation
C. a morning journey
D. a day trip
E. a temporary stay
4. respite (noun)
A. a constitutional right
B. a long hospital stay
C. a period of temporary delay, an interval of rest or relief
D. an act of forgiveness
E. an act of repentance
5. ornithology (noun)
A. a branch of zoology dealing with birds
B. a branch of zoology dealing with insects
C. a branch of zoology dealing with horses
D. a branch of zoology dealing with rabbits
E. a branch of zoology dealing with fish
6. festoon (verb)
A. joke, act comically
B. make fun of, ridicule
C. ignore the obvious
D. laugh uncontrollably
E. decorate, adorn
7. inscrutable (adjective)
A. easy to understand or interpret
B. impossible to understand or interpret
C. distant, uncommunicative
D. docile, obedient
E. stubborn, hard-headed
8. languid (adjective)
A. (of a person, manner or gesture) displaying open hostility or anger toward others
B. clear and transparent, not hidden, open and honest
C. (of a person, manner or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort, slow and relaxed
D. tearful, sad, despondent
E. painfully shy or timid, lacking confidence
9. nephrology (noun)
A. a branch of medicine concerned with the liver
B. a branch of medicine concerned with the intestines
C. a branch of medicine concerned with bones
D. a branch of medicine concerned with the kidney
E. a branch of medicine concerned with the lungs
10. arachnophobia (noun)
A. pathological fear or loathing of snakes
B. pathological fear or loathing of spiders
C. pathological fear or loathing of frogs
D. pathological fear or loathing of ants
E. pathological fear or loathing of octopuses
.
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. B
spurious (adjective): Not being what it purports to be, false or fake
2. C
promulgate (verb): to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people by open declaration: PROCLAIM
3. E
sojourn (noun): a temporary stay
4. C
respite (noun): a period of temporary delay, an interval of rest or relief
5. A
ornithology (noun): a branch of zoology dealing with birds
6. E
festoon (verb): decorate, adorn
7. B
inscrutable (adjective): impossible to understand or interpret
8. C.
languid (adjective): (of a person, manner or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort, slow and relaxed
9. D.
nephrology (noun) a branch of medicine concerned with the kidneys
10. B.
arachnophobia (noun): pathological fear or loathing of spiders
VOCABULARY QUIZ #2
(Originally posted August 19, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #2
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. umbrage (noun)
A. A large mound of garbage or refuse
B. Leftover residue from a fire, such as ashes and burnt items
C. Offense or annoyance, a feeling of pique or resentment at some fancied slight or insult
D. A secret or hidden room in a mansion
E. A leafy vegetable, most commonly found in tropical and Caribbean countries
2. countermand (verb)
A. To attack unexpectedly in battle
B. To revoke a command by contrary order
C. To spy on an other country as a double agent
D. To unlawfully seize private property
E. To withdraw support from a candidate during an election
3. piscatory (adjective)
A. of, related to a blood vessels
B. of, related to, or dependent on pigs or pig farming
C. of, related to animals that have fur
D. of, related to, or dependent on fish or fishing
E. of, related to swimming or swimming pools
4. incontrovertible (adjective)
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
umbrage (noun): Offense or annoyance, a feeling of pique or resentment at some fancied slight or insult as in I took umbrage at the speaker's remarks
2. B
countermand (verb): To revoke a command by contrary order: OVERRIDE, OVERRULE, VETO
3. D
piscatory (adjective): Of, related to, or dependent on fish or fishing
4. A
incontrovertible (adjective): Not open to question: INDISPUTABLE as in incontrovertible facts
5. B
distended (adjective): Enlarged, expanded, or stretched out (as from internal pressure)
6. E
inculcate (verb): To teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions as to inculcate in him high moral standards
7. C
renal (adjective): Of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the kidneys: NEPHRIC, as renal disease
8. A
obfuscate (verb): To make obscure, as to obfuscate the issue; to confuse, as to obfuscate the reader
9. D
scurrilous (adjective): Containing obscenities, abuse, or slander as in scurrilous accusations
10. E
autophobia (noun): Morbid fear of solitude, as in the fear of being alone
VOCABULARY QUIZ #3
(Originally posted September 5, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #3
Ten words beginning with the Letter "A"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. angling (verb)
A. Teasing
B. Struggling, having difficulty
C. The action or sport of fishing with hook and line
D. Marching in a parade
E. Munching on food
2. abstruse (adjective)
A. illegal, criminal
B. Poverty-stricken, down and out
C. A description for a kind of triangle
D. Sharp, biting, acerbic
E. Difficult to comprehend
3. avuncular (adjective)
A. Round, circular
B. Suggestive of an uncle, especially in kindness or geniality
C. Heavy, a burden, difficult to transport
D. Uninformed, lacking knowledge
E. Happy-go-lucky, jovial, personable, easy to get along with
4. apostasy (noun)
A. An act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
B. An act of abandoning a ship or crew, mutiny
C. Paganism
D. The act of betraying one's country by accepting bribery for personal and financial gain
E. Voting in an election under false pretenses.
5. ascertain (verb)
A. To ignore the truth or that which is certain
B. To conceal the truth
C. To find out or learn with certainty
D. To accidentally discover
E. To argue that something is absolutely certain or true
6. abstemious (adjective)
A. Fasting often and for long periods
B. Completely abstaining from drinking alcohol, as of a teetotaller
C. Consuming a great deal of food and alcohol
D. Marked by restraint, especially in the eating of food or the drinking of alcohol
E. As of a person who has quit drinking due to alcoholism
7. adherent (noun)
A. A particular glue or sticky substance
B. A follower of a leader, party or profession; a believer in a particular idea or church
C. A frequent churchgoer
D. A political protester
E. One has always lived in the same city
8. affront (verb)
A. To insult especially to the face by behaviour or language, to cause offence to
B. To shun someone by avoiding them or not responding to their phone calls or messages
C. To become involved in a cause or a project
D. To face someone after an awkward or embarrassing incident
E. To imitate someone
9. apocalyptic (adjective)
A. Relating to an unpleasant time in one's life
B. In sports, relating to a great contest, game or competition
C. The performance of magic to prevent a disaster
D. Foreboding imminent disaster or final doom
E. The fulfilling of a great prophecy
10. apoplexy (noun)
A. A state of fearfulness and extreme anxiety
B. A state of deep depression
C. A state of intense and almost uncontrollable anger
D. Severe acne
E. A state of being very energetic
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
angling (verb): The action or sport of fishing with hook and line
2. E
abstruse (adjective): Difficult to comprehend, as in "an abstruse theory or idea."
3. B
avuncular (adjective): Suggestive of an uncle, especially in kindness or geniality
4. A.
apostasy: An act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
5. C
ascertain (verb): To find out or learn with certainty, as in "ascertain the truth."
6. D
abstemious (adjective): Marked by restraint, especially in the eating of food or the drinking of alcohol
as in "an abstemious drinker" or "an abstemious diet."
7. B
adherent (noun): A follower of a leader, party or profession; a believer in a particular idea or church, as in "adherents of Sigmund Freud," "adherents of conservatism," "adherents of Christianity."
8. A
affront (verb):
To insult especially to the face by behaviour or language as in He was affronted by her rudeness. To cause offence to, as in "laws that affront society"
9. D
apocalyptic (adjective): Foreboding imminent disaster or final doom, as in "apocalyptic warnings," PROPHETIC
10. C
apoplexy (noun): A state of intense and almost uncontrollable anger, as in The politician's speech caused apoplexy among the members of the audience.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #4
(Originally posted September 23, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #4
Ten Phobias
PHOBIA (noun): an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation
The word "phobia" comes from the Greek word phobos, meaning fear or horror
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz on phobias. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. technophobia (noun)
A. Fear or dislike of the internet and social media
B. Fear or dislike of computer nerds and information technicians
C. Fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices and especially computers
D. Fear or dislike of computer viruses
E. Fear or dislike of excessive email
2. hydrophobia (noun)
A. A morbid dread of being electrocuted
B. A morbid fear of thunder and lightning
C. A morbid fear of hydro poles
D. A morbid dread of water
E. A morbid fear of freezing
3. triskaidekaphobia (noun)
A. Fear of the number three
B. Fear of the number 13
C. Fear of the number 30
D, Fear of the "Three of Spades"
E. Fear of Thursday
4. panophobia (noun)
A. A condition of vague, nonspecific anxiety: generalized fear
B. A fear of forests and trees
C. A fear of darkness
D. A morbid fear of being lost or abandoned
E. A fear of loud voices
5. nomophobia (noun)
A. Fear of famous people
B. Fear of public speaking
C. Fear of being without access to a working cell phone
D. Fear of security guards and police officers
E. Fear of very tall people
6. pyrophobia (noun)
A. Morbid dread of pirates
B. Morbid dread of funerals
C. Morbid dread of torches
D, Morbid dread of swords
E. Morbid dread of fire
7. photophobia (noun)
A. Intolerance to light
B. Fear of cameras
C. Aversion to having one's picture taken
D. Fear of selfies
E. Fear of darkness
8. ophidiophobia (noun)
A. Abnormal fear of birds
B. Abnormal fear of bees and wasps
C. Abnormal fear of snails
D. Abnormal fear of snakes
E. Abnormal fear of jelly fish
9. amathophobia (noun)
A. Fear of foreign languages
B. Fear of mold and mildew
C. Fear of mathematics
D. Fear of dirty laundry
E. Fear of dust
10. cynophobia (noun)
A. Pathological fear or loathing of drums and drumming
B. Pathological fear or loathing of dogs
C. Pathological fear or loathing of the colour red
D. Pathological fear or loathing of cymbals
E. Pathological fear or loathing of chipmunks
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
techophobia (noun): Fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices and especially computers
2. D
hyrophobia (noun): A morbid dread of water, also known as "aquaphobia"
3. B
triskaidekaphopia (noun): fear of the number 13
4. A
panophobia (noun): A condition of vague, nonspecific anxiety: generalized fear - the fear of everything or that something terrible will happen
5. C
nomophobia (noun): Fear of being without access to a working cell phone
6. E
pyrophobia (noun): Morbid dread of fire
7. A
photophobia (noun): Intolerance to light, especially pain sensitiveness to strong light
8. D
ophidiophobia (noun): Abnormal fear of snakes as in "The fear of snakes, called ophidiophobia, is a common phobia."
9. E
amathophobia (noun): Fear of dust, derived from the Greek word amathos meaning sand
10. B
cynophobia (noun): Pathological fear or loathing of dogs as in "If a person were bitten by a dog, the experience could lead to cynophobia."
VOCABULARY QUIZ #5
(Originally posted October 31, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #5
Ten words beginning with the letter "S"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. scintilla (noun)
'
A. A spicy Mexican dish
B. A Spanish coin
C. Dust
D. Spark, trace
E. A South American cocktail
2. septuagenarian (noun)
'
A. A person who was born in July, the seventh month of the year
B. A person whose age is in the seventies
C. A person who believes the number seven is lucky
D. A person who dies at 70 to 79 years of age
E. The seventh child born into a family
3. soporific (adjective)
'
A. Causing or tending to cause sleep; tending to dull alertness or lethargy
B. Causing or tending to prevent sleep, such as drinking caffeine at night
C. Not professional, amateurish
D. Quiet and soft-spoken
E. Very talkative and garrulous
4. solipsism (noun)
'
A. A witty remark; a quip
B. A theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing; extreme egocentrism
C. A kind of poem with an unusual rhyming scheme
D. A deep scar
E. A word that is commonly mispronounced
5. serpentine (adjective)
A. Fast-moving and nimble
B. Of or resembling an insect (as in form or movement)
C. Of or resembling a serpent (as in form or movement)
D. Magical and mysterious
E. Thin and gaunt
6. sycophant (noun)
'
A. One who is cunning and devious
B. A fruit merchant
C. A devoted friend
D. One who is poverty-striken
E. A servile self--seeking flatterer
7. supplicate (verb)
A. To replace one employee with another
B. To delegate responsibility
C. To delay intentionally in order to prevent something from occurring
D. To make a humble entreaty: especially to pray to God
E. To actively hide the truth
8. serendipity (noun)
A. The quality of having a wild or creative imagination
B. The feeling of having a beautiful thought
C. The faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for
D. A loud and disturbing sound
E. The feeling of triumph after overcoming a difficulty
9. supine (adjective)
A. Having an arrogant and dismissive manner
B. Something that is delightful and pleasing to the senses
C. Supple, not stiff; easy to bend
D. Standing in an upright manner
E. Lying on the back with the face upward
10. sashay (verb)
A. To strut or move about in an ostentatious or conspicuous manner
B. To do needlework
C. To run back and forth
D. To deliberately attempt to attract the attention of a celebrity or a dignitary
E. To leave a room quickly and quietly
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. D
scintilla (noun): Spark, trace, as in not a scintilla of doubt.
2. B.
septuagenarian (noun): A person whose age is in the seventies, as in The septuagenarian is fit and healthy.
3. A
soporific (adjective): Causing or tending to cause sleep; tending to dull alertness or lethargy as in This medication is soporific, so do not drive after taking it.
4. B
solipsism (noun): A theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing; extreme egocentrism
5. C
serpentine (adjective): Of or resembling a serpent (as in form or movement). as in The restaurant had a large sepentine-shaped bar.
6. E
sycophant (noun): A servile self--seeking flatterer, as in The sycophant paid his manager compliment after compliment, trying to win his favour and gain access to his social circle.
7. D.
supplicate (verb): To make a humble entreaty: especially to pray to God; to ask humbly and earnestly of, as in The homeless man was not too proud to supplicate for change to buy food. The ill woman uses her nightly prayer to supplicate for strength.
8. C.
serendipity (noun): The faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for, as in We have all experienced the serendipity of relevant information arriving just when we were least expecting it.
9. E
supine (adjective):
Lying on the back with the face upward, as in Not all abdominal exercises need to be performed in the supine position.
10. A
sashay (verb): To strut or move about in an ostentatious or conspicuous manner, as in She sashayed around the room as if she were a queen.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #6
(Originally posted January 24, 2020)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #6
Ten words related to birds
1. What is the correct term for someone who studies birds?
'
A. An orthologist
B. An ornithologist
C. A paralogist
D. A homologist
E. An ophiologist
2. What is an aviary?
'
A. A collection of birds' nests
B. A place for healing injured birds; a kind of hospital for birds
C. A gathering of bird watchers
D. A place for keeping birds confined
E. A special school for those who study birds
3. What is an avifauna?
'
A. The birds who can fly
B. The birds who cannot fly
C. The birds or the kinds of birds of a region, period, environment
D. Birds who do not build nests
E. A bird of prey
4. What is a talon?
'
A. The claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey
B. The bill or beak of a bird
C. A baby bird about to leave the nest
D. An old bird
E. A female bird
5. What is oology?
'
A. The study of birds' feathers
B. The study of birds' sounds
C. The collection and study of birds' eggs especially in relation to their shape and coloration
D. The collection and study of birds' nests especially in relation to their shape and size
E. The study of the migration of birds
6. What is a gizzard?
'
A. A bird's throat
B. Where the reproductive and urinary ducts of a bird open
C. Area between eye and bill of a bird
D. Extension of the foregut of a bird, used to store food
E. Part of a bird's stomach, grinds food
7. What is a wattle?
'
A. A large, colourful bird feather
B. Fleshy protuberance, usually at the bill of a bird
C. A kind of bird walk
D. A baby bird
E. A group of migrating birds
8. What is a crest?
'
A. The loudest sound that a bird makes
B. Where the nest of a bird is located
C. A distinctive marking on some birds
D. Long feathers atop the head of a bird
E. The highest a bird can fly
9. What does "to fledge" mean?
'
A. To leave the nest after acquiring the ability to fly
B. To spread wings
C. To fly without the rest of the flock
D. To search for food
E. To abandon nest and build another one elsewhere.
10. What does "to molt" mean?
'
A. To return after migration
B. To lose feathers due to aging
C. To attack another bird
D. The process by which the colour of a bird's feathers fade
E. To replace old feather
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. B
ornithologist (noun): One who is involved with a branch of zoology dealing with birds
2. D
aviary (noun): A place for keeping birds confined, as in "The zoo has a new outdoor aviary."
3. C
avifauna (noun): The birds or he kinds of birds of a region, period, environment
4. A
talon (noun): The claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey, as in "The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons."
5. C
oology (noun): The collection and study of birds' eggs especially in relation to their shape and coloration. The first known use of the term "oology" was in 1830.
6. E
gizzard (noun): The muscular enlargement of the digest tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food
7. B
wattle (noun): A fleshy pendulous process usually about the head or neck (as of a bird), such as the flap of bumpy red skin hanging off a male turkey's face
8. D
crest (noun): A showy tuft or process on the head of an animal and especially a bird
9. A
fledge (verb): Of a young bird: to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity also: to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers
10. E
molt (verb): To shed hair, feathers, shell, horn, or an outer layer periodically, as in "Birds molt once or twice a year."
OSCARS QUIZ 2020
(Originally posted February 7, 2020)
The 92nd Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's tenth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
1. Robert De Niro was snubbed at this year's Academy Awards. He did not receive an Oscar nomination for Martin Scorsese's gangster epic The Irishman (Joe Pesci and Al Pacino were nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for their performances in the film). De Niro is the past winner of two Oscars. For which films did Niro win his Oscars?
A. The Deer Hunter and Raging Bull
B. Taxi Driver and The Godfather Part II
C. Raging Bull and The Godfather Part II
D, The King of Comedy, The Deer Hunter
E. Once Upon a Time in America, Raging Bull
2. Who is the only actor to be nominated twice for a Best Actor Oscar.
A, Montgomery Clift
B. James Dean
C. Peter Finch
D. Jean Harlow
E/ Sal Mineo
3. How many times have the Academy Awards been postponed?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. Four times
E. Never
4. What year were the Oscars first broadcast in colour?
A. 1967
B. 1965
C. 1964
D. 1966
E. 1968
5. How much does an Oscar statuette weigh?
A, 7 1/2 pounds (3.4 kilograms)
B. 8 1/2 pounds (3.85 kilograms)
C. 6 1/2 pounds (2.94 kilograms)
D. 5 1/2 pounds (2.49 kilograms)
E. 7 pounds (3.17 kilograms)
6. Brad Pitt has been nominated this year for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In 2012, he received an Oscar for producing the Best Picture - 12 Years a Slave. Has he ever won an Oscar for an acting role?
A. No.
B. Yes, he won a Best Actor in a Leading Role Award for his performance in Moneyball.
C. Yes, he won a Best Actor in a Leading Role Award for his performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
D. Yes, he won a Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in 12 Monkeys.
E. Yes, he has won two Oscars - Best Actor in a Lead Role for Moneyball and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for 12 Monkeys.
7. Kirk Douglas died on February 5, 2020 at the age of 103. Did he ever receive an Oscar?
A No, he never received an Oscar.
B. Yes, he received an Oscar for Lust for Life.
C. Yes, he received an Oscar for The Bad and the Beautiful.
D. Yes, he received an Oscar for Champion.
E. Yes, he received an Academy Honorary Award.
8. Marilyn Monroe never won an Oscar. Was she ever nominated for one.
A. Yes, for her role in Some Like it Hot
B. Yes, for Niagara
C. Yes, for The Prince and the Showgirl
D. No, she was never nominated.
E. Yes, for Bus Stop
9. Renée Zellweger has been nominated this year for her performance as Judy Garland in the film Judy. If she wins, she will garner her second Oscar. For which film did she win an Oscar?
A. Bridget Jones's Diary
B. Cold Mountain
C. Chicago
D. Nurse Betty
E. Jerry Maguire
10. Sydney Poitier will turn 93 years old on February 20, 2020. He is the first black to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. For which film did he win his Oscar?
A. Lilies of the Field
B. A Patch of Blue
C. Blackboard Jungle
D. A Raisin in the Sun
E. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
ANSWERS
1. C.
Raging Bull and The Godfather Part II
Robert De Niro won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Godfather Part II. He also received the 1981 Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Raging Bull.
2 B.
James Dean
James Dean was won two Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscars posthumously. He won for his performances in the 1955 film East of Eden and the 1956 film Giant.
On September 30, 1955, James Dean.was killed in a highway crash while driving his Porsche to Salinas, California to compete in an auto race. East of Eden was released a few weeks before his death. He died before Giant was edited. It was released about a year after his passing.
3. C.
Three times
The Academy Awards were delayed for a week in 1938 due to a flooding in Los Angeles. In 1968, the Oscars were postponed for two days because of Martin Luther King's funeral. In 1981, they were pushed back for one day because of an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.
4. D
1966
The Academy Awards were first broadcast in colour on April 18, 1966. That was 13 years after the Oscars were first televised across the United States and Canada, on March 19, 1953.
5. B
8 1/2 pounds (3.85 kilograms)
6. A
No
Brad Pitt has never received an Academy Award for an acting role. He had been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and for Moneyball. He has also been nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for 12 Monkeys. If he wins for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he will take home his first acting Oscar.
7. E
Yes
In 1996, Kirk Douglas received an Academy Honorary Award. Although he was nominated for three acting performances, he failed to win all three times. In 1950, Douglas was nominated for Best Actor for Champion. In 1953, he was nominated for Best Actor for The Bad and the Beautiful. In 1957, he was nominated for Best Actor for Lust for Life.
8. D
No.
Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Academy Award.
9. B
Cold Mountain
In 2004, Renée Zellweger won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Cold Mountain. In 2003, received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role in Chicago, but did not win. In 2002, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Bridget Joness's Diary, but did not win.
10. A
Lilies of the Field
In 1964, Sydney Poitier won a Best Actor Oscar for his role as a handyman who helps a group of German-speaking nuns build a chapel in Lilies of the Field. He was the only black man to win that award until Denzil Washington won it 38 years later for Training Day. Coincidentally, Denzil Washington won his Oscar on the same night in 2002 that Sydney Poitier received an Honorary Oscar from the Academy in recognition for "his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being."
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #7
Ten words beginning with the letter "Q"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define and they all begin with the letter "Q." Ready, set, go!
1. quixotic (adjective)
'
A. Silly and immature
B. Lacking in intelligence
C. Foolishly impractical especially in pursuit of ideals.
D. Having a pleasant and personable manner
E. Stubborn and uncompromising
2. quell (verb)
'
A. To thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity; to quiet or pacify
B. To shake with terror; to be extremely fearful
C. To ask someone many questions
D. To hibernate or hide for a long time, to isolate oneself
E. To warm up after feeling chilled
3. quotidian (adjective)
'
A. More than necessary, surplus
B. Everyday, ordinary, commonplace
C. Relating to the middle ages, medieval.
D. Wordy, verbose, talkative
E. Careful and cautious
4. quota (noun)
'
A. An overdrawn bank account
B. The amount necessary to break even financially
C. A proportional part or share; the number or amount constituting a proportional share
D. A retirement savings fund, especially for small business owners
E. The number of soldiers in an army battalion
5. quorum (noun)
'
A. In real estate, the difference in price between two homes of the same size but in different locations.
B. The name for a group of Muslims on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca.
C. The number of votes necessary to pass legislation in the British House of Commons.
D. A certain kind of Egyptian pyramid
E. A select group. The number of (such as a majority) of officers of a body that when duly assembled is legally competent to conduct business,
6. quisling (noun)
'
A. A baby goose
B. A mysterious stranger
C. A beginner or novice tennis player
D. A traitor, a collaborator
E. A miniature puppet
7. quintessential (adjective)
'
A. Very necessary
B. Perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing
C. Unrecognized and unappreciated
D. Ancient
E. Noticeable in an unwelcome way, obtrusive in manner
8. quinoa (noun)
'
A. A 16th fortress used to protect Spanish cities from attack
B. A type of dog breed originating in South America
C. An annual herb of the goosefoot family
D. A type of Spanish ship
E. A kind of Mexican bread eaten on special occasions
9. quiescent (adjective)
'
A. A description for one who doesn't speak much
B. Having very little light
C. Marked by extreme weariness
D. Marked by inactivity or repose
E. One who chooses words very carefully as not to offend
10. quagmire (noun)
'
A. Quicksand or unsteady ground
B. A very difficult crossword puzzle
C. A riddle that is very difficult to solve
D. A mysterious dream
E. A difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
quixotic (adjective): Foolishly impractical in pursuit of ideals especially: marked by rash lofty romantic ideals or extravagantly chivalrous action
The word "quixotic" is derived from the name "Don Quixote," the idealistic hero of the 17th century Spanish novel El Ingenioso Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Quixote tilted at windmills, imagining himself to be a shining knight on a gallant steed.
2. A
quell (verb): To thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity as in quell a riot; to quiet or pacify as in quell fears
3. B
quotidian (adjective): Everyday, ordinary, commonplace; examples - Not content with the quotidian quarrels that other couples had, they had arguments that shook the entire neighbourhood. He was plagued by a quotidian coughing fit, the result of years of smoking.
4. C
quota (noun): A proportional part or share; the number or amount constituting a proportional share, especially the share of proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body
Examples: The agency imposes strict fishing quotas.
The company has imposed quotas as on hiring.
5. E.
quorum (noun): A select group; the number of (such as a majority) of officers of a body that when duly assembled is legally competent to conduct business.
Example: We need five people to make a quorum.
6. D
quisling (noun): A traitor, a collaborator
Vidkun Quisling was a Norwegian army officer and founder of Norway's fascist party. In 1933, he met with Adolf Hitler and encouraged him to occupy Norway. His name became used in English to refer to any traitor.
7. B
quintessential (adjective): Perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing
Example: He's your quintessential streetwise New Yorker.
8. C
quinoa (noun): An annual herb of the goosefoot family that is native to the South American Andean highlands and is cultivated for its starchy seeds which are used as food and ground into flour.
9. D
quiescent (adjective): Marked by inactivity or repose; tranquility at rest (as in a group of quiescent loungers recovering from the Thanksgiving feast); causing no trouble or symptoms (as in quiescent gallstones)
10. E
quagmire (noun): A difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape; a dilemma, a Catch-22, a predicament
Example: The job seeker was facing the usual quagmire of not having full time experience and the inability to gain full time experience without being hired.
CHRISTMAS SONGS QUIZ
The correct lyric for "The Twelve Days of Christmas." is "three French hens."
The 93rd Academy Awards will be held on April 25, 2021. They will be forever known as the COVID Oscars. The live show will start at 8 p.m. on ABC and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It will also be live-streamed on the ABC app. For the first time. part of the show will be held at L.A.'s. Union Station. Due to pandemic restrictions, only nominees, their guests and presenters are permitted to attend.
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
enigmatology (noun): The investigation or analysis of enigmas, i.e. something hard to understand or explain; an inscrutable or mysterious person
It's that time of year again and Number 16 presents a 2021 Christmas quiz. If you think you know your facts about Christmas, put your knowledge to the test. in this 10 question challenge. Get ready and go! Good luck!
PHOTO: David Dixon
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Copyright Joanne Madden
Christmas Quiz 2021 (December 3, 2021)
Oscars Quiz (2022) (March 21, 2022)
Oscars Quiz (2023) (February 27, 2023)
Vocabulary Quiz #9: Ten words beginning with the letter "Z" (April 30, 2023)
Oscars Quiz (2024) (February 24, 2024)
VALENTINE'S DAY QUIZ 2011
(Originally posted February 14, 2011)
1. Who sang the disco song "Love is in the Air" in the late 1970s?
A. Tony Orlando
B. John Paul Young
C. Andy Kim
D. Barry Manilow
E. John Davis and the Monster Orchestra
2. What does the Latin phrase, “Omnia vincit Amor” mean?
A. Love is everything.
B. Love is all there is.
C. Love is strength.
D. It is great to be in love.
E. Love conquers all things.
3. Which poet wrote “O, my love is like a red, red rose”?
A. John Keats
B. William Shakespeare
C. Elizabeth Barrett Browning
D. Robert Burns
E. Percy Bysshe Shelley
4. Which Beatles song did Frank Sinatra describe as “one of the best love songs, I believe, to be written in fifty or a hundred years.”
A. Something
B. Yesterday
C. Michelle
D. And I Love Her
E. All You Need is Love
5. Which of the following famous comedians was born Valentine`s Day?
A. Bob Hope
B. Lucille Ball
C. Jack Benny
D. Danny Thomas
E. Joan Rivers
6. Who sang the 1973 hit song I`ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song?
A. James Taylor
B. Cat Stevens
C. Paul Simon
D. Jim Croce
E. Don McLean
7. St. Valentine was a Christian martyr in what city?
A. Venice
B. Rome
C. Constantinople
D. Florence
E. Athens
8. The name “Valentine” is derived from “valens” meaning
A. noble
B. loving
C. beautiful and attractive
D. emotional
E. worthy and strong
9. The song What I Did for Love is from which Broadway musical? Remember Kiss today goodbye / The sweetness and the sorrow. / Wish me luck, the same to you. / But I can’t regret what I did for love . . .
A. Guys and Dolls
B. A Chorus Line
C. The Music Man
D. 42nd Street
E. Oklahoma
10. When asked if he were “in love”, who replied, “Yes . . . whatever that may mean?”
A. John Steinbeck
B. Ernest Hemingway
C. Prince Charles
D. Prince Harry of Wales
E. Eminem
ANSWERS
1. B. John Paul Young
To watch a video of the Australian pop singer, John Paul Young, singing Love is in the Air, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNC0kIzM1Fo
2. E Love conquers all things.
The Latin phrase “Omnia vincit Amor” means “Love conquers all things.” The Roman poet, Virgil, wrote “Omnia vincit Armor: et nos cedamus Amori.” Translantion: Love conquers all things: let us too surrender to Love.”
3. D. Robert Burns
The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote “O, my love is like a red, red rose / That’s newly sprung in June”
To watch a video montage of a musical version of the poem, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBCQMWMbeMU
4. A. Something
To watch a video of Frank Sinatra singing George Harrison’s Something, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J9FvFifcoA
5. C. Jack Benny.
Jack Benny was born on February 14, 1894.
6. D. Jim Croce
To watch a video of Jim Croce singing I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RabAcvizwKY
7. B. Rome
St. Valentine was a Christian martyr in ancient Rome.
8. E. worthy and strong
The name “Valentine” is “Valentinus” in Latin and is derived from “valens” meaning worthy and strong.
9. B. A Chorus Line
To watch a A Chorus Line photo montage of What I Did for Love, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXW480B4ENs
10. C. Prince Charles
The Prince of Wales made the remark after the announcement of his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer on February 24, 1981.
SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD QUIZ
(Originally posted Jan. 11, 2011)
Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, was born in Scotland, on January 11, 1815. Although January 10 is the date recorded in the General Register Office in Edinburgh, January 11th is the day that Macdonald and those who remember him have celebrated his birthday.
SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD QUIZ
1. What does the “A” in Macdonald’s middle name stand for?
A. Albert
B. Alexander
C. Andrew
D. Anthony
E. Aloysius
2. Where was Sir John A. born?
A. St. Andrews, Scotland
B. Edinburgh, Scotland
C. Glasgow, Scotland
D. Dundee, Scotland
E. Aberdeen Scotland
3. Sir John A.’s son, Hugh John Macdonald, was premier of which province for a brief period in the year 1900?
A. Manitoba
B. Ontario
C. Alberta
D. Nova Scotia
E. British Columbia
4. What was Sir John A.’s occupation in Kingston, Ontario?
A. Journalist
B. Librarian
C. Professor
D. Lawyer
E. Newspaper publisher
5. Sir John A.’s nickname was
A. Kingston Johnny
B. Old Tomorrow
C. Johnny Canuck
D. Canada’s Father
E. Mr. Confederation
6. Sir John’s A.’s daughter, Mary Margaret (born 1869), had an affliction. What was it?
A. Polio
B. Blindness
C. Kidney disease
D. Heart condition
E. Hydrocephaly
7. How many majority governments did Macdonald win during his political career?
A. Six
B. None. He only had minority governments.
C. Four
D. Three
E. One
8. Sir John A. had a weakness for
A. Women
B. Bad jokes
C. Alcohol
D. Cocaine
E. Gambling
9. Macdonald’s first wife Isabella
A. Drowned in 1855
B. Was an invalid and died in 1856
C. Was run over by a horse and carriage and died
D. Died in childbirth in 1856
E. Died of tuberculosis
10. What was the name given to Sir John A’s economic program in which he called for an increase in immigration to Western Canada, the building of a railway to the West and high tariffs on imported manufactured goods to protect Canadian industry? (This is a bonus question. Give yourself an extra point if you get the correct answer.)
A. The Canada First Policy
B. The National Policy
C. The Macdonald Program
D. The Canadian Economic Policy
E. The Canadian Settlement Program
ANSWERS
1. B. Alexander
2. C. Glasgow, Scotland
3. A. Manitoba
4. D. Lawyer (Sir John A. became a lawyer in 1836. He remained in the practice of law with a series of partners in Kingston until 1874 and then in Toronto. His firm was involved mainly in commercial law and his clients were businessmen or corporations.)
5. B. Old Tomorrow (Sir John A. was affectionately dubbed "Old Tomorrow" due to his habit of procrastinating.)
6. E. Hydrocephaly (A condition characterized by an abnormal amount of fluid in the cranium, especially in young children, causing enlargement of the head and deterioration of the brain. It leads to both mental and physical disabilities) Note: Mary, who died in 1933, was the only child of Sir John A. and his second wife, Susan Agnes Bernard, known as Agnes. Macdonald and his first wife, Isabella, had two children: a son, John, who died suddenly at 13 months and a second son, Hugh John (born 1850, died 1929 at the age of 79.
7. A. Six
8. C. Alcohol
9. B. Isabella was an invalid and died in 1856. Sir John A. remarried in 1867, the year of Confederation.
10. B. The National Policy
LATIN QUIZ
(Originally published January 25, 2011)
How’s your Latin? Here are ten Latin phrases. Can you translate them into English?
1. Carpe diem
2. Pax vobiscum
3. Ad astra per aspera
4. Semper fidelis
5. A mari usque ad mare
6. Aurora borealis
7. Tempus fugit
8. Amor vincit omnia
9. Facta non verba
10. Vox populi
11. Fiat lux!
ANSWERS
1. Carpe diem – Seize the day
2. Pax vobiscum – Peace be with you
3. Ad astra per aspera – To the stars through adversity (motto of the state of Kansas)
4. Semper fidelis – Always faithful (motto of the United State Marine Corps.)
5. A mari usque ad mare – From sea to sea (motto of Canada)
6. Auora borealis – Northern lights
7. Tempus fugit – Time flees or Time flies
8. Amora vincit omnia – Love conquers all
9. Facta non verba – Deeds, not words (Actions speak louder than words)
10. Vox populi – Voice of the people
11. Fiat luz! - Let there be light!
OSCARS QUIZ 2011
(Originally published February 25, 2011)
On Sunday, the Academy Awards will be given out in Hollywood. To mark the occasion, Number 16 proudly presents its first annual Academy Awards quiz. Get ready and test your knowledge by answering 10 questions about the Oscars. Good luck.
1. Despite a long and distinguished acting career, Humphrey Bogart only won one Academy Award. What was the name of the film that earned Bogie his only Oscar?
A. Casablanca
B. Key Largo
C. The African Queen
D. The Maltese Falcon
E. The Big Sleep
2. How many Canadian-born women have won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role?
A. 3
B. 1
C. None
D. 2
E. 4
3. What year was the first Academy Awards ceremony held?
A. 1932
B. 1928
C. 1930
D. 1929
E. 1931
4. Who was the youngest person ever to win an Oscar?
A. Tatum O’Neal
B. Shirley Temple
C. Margaret O’Brien
D. Anna Paquin
E. Judy Garland
5. Paul Newman won only won one Academy Award during his stellar career. For which movie did Newman win an Oscar?
A. Cool Hand Luke
B. The Hustler
C. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
D. The Color of Money
E. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
6. How many Oscars did Alfred Hitchcock, the great director and “Master of Suspense” win?
A. 1
B. None
C. 2
D. 4
E. 3
7. Elizabeth Taylor was born on February 27, 1932. She turns 79 years old on the day of the day of the Oscars. For which film did she win the first of her two Academy Awards.
A. Giant
B. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
C. Butterfield 8
D. A Place in the Sun
E. Cleopatra
8. For which of these films did Shelley Winters win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role?
A. The Poseidon Adventure
B. A Place in the Sun
C. The Night of the Hunter
D. A Double Life
E. A Patch of Blue
9. Shelley Winters received one other Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Name the film that won her that Oscar (This is your bonus question, so give yourself an extra point if you answer it correctly).
A. The Great Gatsby
B. The Diary of Anne Frank
C. Lolita
D. Alfie
E. Executive Suite
10. Who was the first black to win an Oscar for a performance in a leading role?
A. Hattie McDaniel
B. Denzel Washington
C. Halle Berry
D. Sidney Poitier
E. James Earl Jones
ANSWERS:
1 C. The African Queen
In 1951, Humphrey Bogart won the Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The African Queen.
2. A. 3
Three Canadian-born women have won Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role and they won them in three consecutive years. They are Mary Pickford for Coquette in 1929, Norma Shearer for The Divorcee in 1930 and Marie Dressler for Min and Bill in 1931. Mary Pickford was born in Toronto, Norma Shearer in Montreal and Marie Dressler in Cobourg, Ontario.
3. D. 1929
The first Academy Awards ceremony took place at a private dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California on May 16, 1929.
4. A. Tatum O’Neal
In 1973, Tatum O’Neal was only 10 years old when she won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Paper Moon.
5. D. The Color of Money
In 1986, Paul Newman won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Color of Money.
6. B. None
Although he received five nominations, famed director Alfred Hitchcock never won an Oscar. He received the Irving Thalberg memorial award at the 1967 Academy Awards.
7. C. Butterfield 8
Elizabeth Taylor won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Butterfield 8 in 1961. In 1967, she won a second Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
8. E. A Patch of Blue
In 1965, Shelley Winters won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in A Patch is Blue.
9. B. The Diary of Anne Frank
In 1959, Shelley Winters won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting role for performance in The Diary of Anne Frank.
10. D. Sidney Poitier
In 1963, Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Lilies of the Field.
ARCHIE COMICS QUIZ.
(originally posted May 11, 2011)
Calling all fans of Archie Comics! Number 16 has a treat for you today. You are challenged to answer a ten-question quiz on Archie and his friends. First, here’s a little background on your favourite comic book character and his creator.
Red-haired Archie Andrews and his bevy of teenage friends first appeared in Pep Comics in December of 1941. Archie was created by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana. Bob Montana attended high school in Haverhill Massachusetts from 1936 to 1939. His sketchbook of life in Haverhill was the real genesis of the Archie Comics. For example, Pop Tate’s Chocklit Shoppe (the Archie gang’s favourite hangout) was based on real-life locations frequented by teenagers in the 1930s in Montana’s hometown.
Bob Montana launched the Archie newspaper comic strip in 1946 after his return from World II military service. He drew the strip until his passing in 1975.
ARCHIE COMICS QUIZ
1. What is the real name of Jughead Jones?
A. Jeffrey J. Jones, Jr.
B. Rudolph William Jones III
C. Forsythe Pendleton Jones III
D. James Randolf Jones
E. Randolph Pennington Jones, Jr.
2. How old is Archie Andrews?
A. 15
B. 16
C. 18
D. 17
E. His exact age has never been given.
3. Archie Andrews wears the letter “R” on his sweater, for Riverdale High. What letter traditionally appears on Jughead’s turtlenecks?
A. “R”
B. “S”
C. “P”
D. “W”
E. “Y”
4. Who are Polly and Chick Cooper?
A. Betty’s cousins
B. Betty’s pets
C. Betty’s parents
D. Betty’s grandparents
E. Betty’s siblings
5. Veronica’s father, Mr. Hiram Lodge, is a wealthy business tycoon. What is the name of his butler?
A. Gregory
B. Bernard
C. Smythe
D. Smithers
E. Stuart
6. Archie really likes cars. What did he call his old red jalopy?
A. Ol’ Betsy
B. Jenny Jalopy
C. Red Rita
D. Ol’ Bessie
E. Ol’ Jean
7. Who or what is Hot Dog?
A. A diner where Archie and the gang hang out
B. Jughead’s dog
C. A disco where Archie and his friends go to dance
D. A poor area in Riverdale
E. A clothing store for Riverdale’s teenagers
8. What subject or subjects does Miss Grundy teach?
A. Science
B. History and/or Geography
C. English and/or Math
D. Music
E. Social Science and/or Economics
9. What is the occupation of Reggie Mantle’s dad? (This is your bonus question. If you answer it correctly, give yourself an extra mark.)
A. Lawyer
B. Head of a newspaper printing company
C. Owner of an upscale restaurant
D. Psychiatrist
E. Real estate agent
10. What is wrong with Riverdale High’s star athlete, Moose Mason?
A. He has poor hearing.
B. He has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
C. He has a speech impediment.
D. He has dyslexia.
E. He has a mild form of autism.
ANSWERS
1. C
Jughead’s real name is Forsythe Pendleton Jones III. In the earliest Archie comic strips, however, he was identified as Forsythe Van Jones II.
2. D
After all these years, Archie remains 17 years old.
3. B.
The letter “S” traditionally appears on Jughead’s turtlenecks. Are you wondering what the "S" stands for? Well, according to Peg Bertholet, the widow of Archie creator Bob Montana, it is dervived from Jughead's old school, Squirrel Hill Intstitute of Technology. According to Peg, there was a place in Montana's hometown of Haverhill called Skunk Hill "which Bob turned into Squirrel Hill." Peg said that "Bob's elementary school near Haverhill called its athletic teams the Tigers.. So Jughead's "S" meant 'Squirrel Hill Independent Tigers,' and you couldn't abbreviate it any other way."
4. E.
Polly and Chick Cooper are Betty Cooper’s siblings. Polly is Betty’s older sister and Chick is her older brother.
5. D.
The name of the Lodge family's bald, portly butler is Hubert Smithers.
6. A
Archie called his jalopy “Ol Betsy.” It was destroyed in a 1983 issue of Life with Archie. In the newer comics, he drives a 1960s Ford Mustang.
7. B
Hot Dog is Jughead’s dog. He is a shaggy mutt and resembles a sheepdog.
8. C.
Miss Grundy teaches English and/or Math. In Life with Archie, a magazine set in an alternate universe than the monthly comics (it follows the grown-up Archie and his friends), Miss Grundy died of cancer. Before her death, she married Riverdale High principal, Mr. Weatherbee. Geraldine Grundy continues to torment her students in the regular Archie series.
9. B
Reggie’s father, Reginald “Ricky” Mantle Jr., is the head of a newspaper printing company.
10. D
Big Moose, whose real name is Marmaduke Mason, has dyslexia. When he copied some instructions from the board incorrectly, a frustrated Miss Grundy removed him from his sports teams. An angry Moose had his eyes examined and was informed that his vision is good, but his brain receives the signals improperly.
FATHER'S DAY QUIZ 2011
(Originally posted June 19, 2011)
In honour of fathers, Number 16 presents the 2011 Father's Day Quiz. See how many of the questions you can answer correctly.
1. In the Book of Genesis, who is told that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky?
A. Moses
B. Abraham
C. Jacob
D. Isaac
E. Adam
2. George Washington is often referred to as the father of his country. Did Washington have any biological children?
A. No, he did not have any biological children.
B. Yes, he and his wife, Martha, had two sons.
C. Yes, he had twin daughters, Margaret and Beatrice Washington.
D. Yes, George Washington was the biological father of four childrren.
E. Yes, he had one child, a daughter named Florence.
3. Superman's adoptive father on Earth was Jonathan Kent. What was the name of Superman's biological father on the planet Krypton?
A. Kal-El
B. Je-El
C. Kortak
D. Jor-El
E. Kaytak
4. Angelina Jolie's father is also a film star. Who is her father?
A. George Kennedy
B. Peter Fonda
C. John Voight
D. Martin Landau
E. Christopher Plummer
5. England's Henry VIII had only one legitimate son who survived. His third wife, Jane Seymour, died soon after giving birth to their son in 1537. What was the name of Henry's male heir?
A, James
B. Edward
C. George
D. Charles
E. William
6. What did country singer Loretta Lynn's father do for a living?
A. He was a country doctor.
B. He worked in a factory.
C. He was a fisherman.
D. He was a truck driver.
E. He was a coal miner and farmer.
7. Who is known as the "Father of New France."
A. Jacques Cartier
B. George Etienne Cartier
C. Samuel de Champlain
D. Louis Papineau
E. Henri Mercir
8. Before George W. Bush and his father, did any other father and son both serve as U.S. president?
A. Yes, John Adams and John Quincy Adams
B. No
C. Yes, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison
D. Yes, John Tyler and James Tyler.
E. Yes, Grover Cleveland and Stephen Grover Cleveland
9. What was the name of Alexander the Great's father?
A. Stephen the Great
B. King Milos III of Macedonia
C. King Andreas II of Macedonia
D. King Philip II of Macedonia
E. Costos III of Macedonia
10. Who is the father of English rock drummer Zak Starkey?
A. Mick Jagger
B. Hugh Grant
C. Ringo Starr
D. Roger Daltry
E. Rod Stewart
ANSWERS:
1. B
In Genesis 26:4, God tells Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky.
2. A
George Washington did not have any biological children. He was, however, a stepfather. His wife, Martha, was a widow with two children when she married him.
3. D
Superman's biological father was Jor-El, a respected scientist on the planet Krypton. Jor-El foresaw the destruction of Kryton and tried to warn others. Although Jor-El was unable to save himself, he managed to save his infant son, Kal-El, by sending him to Earth in a rocket ship. Kal-El was discovered by Jonathan and Martha Kent who raised him as their son and named him Clark Kent.
4. C
Angelina Jolie's father is Academy Award winner John Voight. Voight won his Oscar for his performance in the film Coming Home.
5. B
Edward ascended to the throne when he was only nine years old. He was crowned Edward VI but his reign was not long. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 15.
 |
| Edward VI |
6. E
Loretta Lynn's father, Melvin "Ted" Webb was a coal miner and farmer in Kentucky. That is why Loretta titled her best-selling autobiography Coal Miner's Daughter.
7. C
Samuel de Champlain, known as the "Father of New France" was a navigator, explorer, soldier and diplomat. He founded Quebec City on July 3, 1608.
8, A
John Adams was the second President of the United States. His son, John Quincy Adams, was the sixth President of the U.S. William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison both served as president but they were grandfather and grandson.
9. D
Alexander the Great's father was King Philip II of Macedonia. Philip conquered Greece and died in 336 B.C.
 |
| Philip II of Macedonia |
10. C
Zak Starkey (born September 13, 1965) is the son of former Beatle Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen.
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #1
(Originally posted July 11, 2011)
Today Number 16 presents its first quiz on U..S. Presidents and First Ladies. There will be more quizzes on this topic in the future. If you think you think you know your presidential trivia, give it a try. Good luck and enjoy!
1. Which U.S. President served as President of Princeton University from 1902 until 1910?
A. Franklin Roosevelt
B. Theodore Roosevelt
C. Woodrow Wilson
D. Warren G. Harding
E. Calvin Coolidge
2. Which President never married?
A. James Buchanan
B. Franklin Pierce
C. Millard Fillmore
D. Zachary Taylor
E. James Knox Polk
3. Which President declared that "the business of America is business?"
A. William Howard Taft
B. Ronald Reagan
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Calvin Coolidge
E. Chester A. Arthur
4. Who was the youngest First Lady?
A. Dolly Madison
B. Frances Folsom Cleveland
C. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
D. Florence Harding
E. Louisa Johnson Adams
5. Who was the first sitting President to attend a World Series game?
A. Franklin D. Roosevelt
B. Herbert Hoover
C. Warren G. Harding
D. Theodore Roosevelt
E. Woodrow Wilson
6. Which First Lady learned to speak Mandarin Chinese?
A. Eleanor Roosevelt
B. Louise Henry Hoover
C. Hillary Rodham Clinton
D. Patricia Nixon
E. Grace Coolidge
7. At 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm.), Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson are the tallest U.S. Presidents to date. Who is the shortest U.S. President to date?
A. James Madison
B. James Monroe
C. Martin Van Buren
D. John Quincy Adams
E. James Knox Polk
8. Which President had a dog named Fala?
A. Richard Nixon
B. Harry Truman
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. Herbert Hoover
E. Calvin Coolidge
9. What was Mamie Eisenhower's real name?
 |
| Mamie in 1954 |
A. Martha Ann
B. Mary Geneva
C. Marian Grove
D. Mary Margaret
E. Madeleine Margaret
10. Which President only served one month in office, the shortest term of any President in American history?
A. James Knox Polk
B. Zachary Taylor
C. Millard Fillmore
D. John Tyler
E. William Henry Harrison
ANSWERS
1. C
Woodrow Wilson was President of Princeton University from 1902 until 1910. In 1910, Wilson was elected Governor of New Jersey.
2. A.
James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States, never married. During his time in office, Buchanan's niece, Harriet Lane, fulfilled the duties of a First Lady and served as White House hostess. There has been much speculation about whether or not Buchanan was a homosexual.
 |
| James Buchanan |
3. D
Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, said that "the business of American is business."
4. B
Frances Folsom Cleveland remains the youngest First Lady in American history. She was only 21 years old when she wed President Grover Cleveland. They married on June 2, 1886 in the Blue Room of the White House. To date, Frances is the only bride of a U.S. President to marry and give birth in the White House. Prior to Cleveland's marriage, his sister, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, had served as White House hostess.
 |
| Wedding of Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom |
 |
| Frances Folsom Cleveland |
5. E
Woodrow Wilson became the first sitting President to attend a World Series game. Wilson was an avid baseball fan and attended 11 major league games while in office. He never once used his Presidential Pass, opting to pay for every game he attended. On October 9, 1915, Wilson attended Game 2 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies at Baker Bowl in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He threw out the first pitch and Boston won the game by a score of 2-1. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series 4 game to 1. By the way, the first sitting president to throw a ceremonial pitch at a baseball game was William Howard Taft. He began the tradition at the Washington Senators' opening day game in 1910.
 |
| Wilsn throwing ceremonial pitch at ball game |
6. D.
Louise Henry Hoover spoke Mandarin Chinese. She was also the first female to graduate from Stanford University with geology degree. Her husband, Herbert lived in China as a young mining engineer. After their wedding on February 10, 1899, the newlyweds sailed to China so that Herbert could take up his new post as head of China's mine program. Lou, as she was know, had a natural proficiency for languages and became quite proficient in Mandarin. His job required travel to remote and primitive areas. The Hoovers were forced to leave China in August of 1900 due to the Boxer Rebellion, a Chinese nationalist uprising against foreigners and colonialism.
Herbert and Lou Hoover were able to converse with each other in Mandarin and would sometimes do so at the White House to thwart eavesdroppers. Lou eventually created her own English-Mandarin dictionary. It is among her papers at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa.
 |
| Lou Henry Hoover |
7. A
James Madison, 4th President of the United States, stood 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm.).
8. C.
Franklin D. Roosevelt had a dog named Fala. Fala was a Scottish Terrier.
9. B.
Mamie Eisenhower was born Mary Geneva Doud on November 14, 1896 in Boone, Iowa. She died on November 1, 1979 at the age of 82.
10. E
William Henry Harrison took the oath of office on March 4, 1841. It was a cold and rainy on his inauguration day. Harrison did not wear a hat or overcoat and he delivered the longest inaugural address in American history. On March 26, he became ill with a cold. Due to his busy schedule, he had little time to rest and his condition worsened. It quickly developed into pneumonia and pleurisy. On April 4, 1841, he passed away after serving only 30 days as President. It was thought at the time that his pneumonia was a direct result of the inclement weather during his inauguration ceremony. His illness, however, did not occur until more than three weeks later.
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SONG QUIZ
(Originally published December 8, 2011
How much do you know about Christmas music? Try this Yuletide quiz and find out.
NUMBER 16 CHRISTMAS SONG QUIZ
1. Where did the hymn "Silent Night" originate?
A. England
B. France
C. Austria
D. Germany
E. United States
2. Name the first film in which Bing Crosby sang "White Christmas."
A. The Country Girl
B. High Society
C. White Christmas
D. Holiday Inn
E. Going My Way
3. In The Twelve Days of Christmas, what do the lords do?
A. They laugh.
B. They lift.
C. They leap.
D. They leave.
E. They lilt.
4. The Beach Boys had a hit Christmas song. What was it called?
A. Little Saint Nick
B. California Christmas
C. I Want a Surfboard for Christmas
D. Surfin' Santa
E. Under the Mistletoe
5. In the song "Little Drummer Boy," which two animals "kept time" with the drum music?
A, The donkey and lamb
B. The cow and lamb
C. The ox and camel
D. The ox and lamb
E. The cow and camel
6. Who had a hit song with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?"
A. Leslie Gore
B. Brenda Lee
C. Annette Funicello
D. Sandra Dee
E. Connie Francis
7. They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
This is the second verse of which Christmas carol?
A, Hark the Harald Angels Sing
B. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
C. Angels from the Realms of Glory
D. While Shepherd's Watch
E. The First Noel
8. In the song "We wish you a Merry Christmas," what kind of pudding is requested.
A. Plum pudding
B. Toffee pudding
C. Figgy pudding
D. Bread and butter pudding
E. Yorkshire pudding
9. Who first recorded the Christmas novelty song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus?
A. A 13-year-old American boy
B. An 11-year-old English girl
C. A 10-year-old Canadian girl
D. A 12-year-old Canadian boy
E. A 7-year-old American girl
10. Bruce Springsteen recorded a version of this popular Christmas song.
A. Jingle Bell Rock
B. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
C. Jingle Bells
D. Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland
E. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
11. In the popular Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas," when does the king gives alms to a poor peasant?
A. On Christmas Eve
B. On the Feast of Stephen
C. On Christmas morn
D. On the 10th day of Christmas
E. On Christmas Day at noon
ANSWERS
1. C Austria
The original words to "Silent Night" come from a poem written in German by a priest named Father Joseph Mohr. Father Mohr was the assistant pastor at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. Mohr asked his friend, schoolmaster Franz Xaver Gruber, to write some music for his poem "Stille Nacht" Gruber, the choirmaster and organist at St. Nicholas, composed the melody for "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve in 1818.
 |
| Fr. Joseph Mohr |
2. D Holiday Inn
Bing Crosby sang "White Christmas" in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn in which he starred with Fred Astaire. The film White Christmas was released 12 years later, in 1954. To watch a clip of Bingo singing White Christmas in a duet with Marjorie Reynolds in Holiday Inn, click on the link below. By the way, Marjorie Reynolds' voice was dubbed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXcNfA4qebQ
3. C. leaping
In the "Twelve Day of Christmas," the lords are a-leaping.
4. A. Little Saint Nick
"Little Saint Nick," originally performed by The Beach Boys, was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. It was first released as a single in December of 1963. Christmas celebrations were rather subdued that year due to the recent assassination of President John F. Kennedy. "Little Saint Nick," however, reacher Number 3 on the Billboard Christmas charts.
5. D The ox and lamb
It comes from the following line in "Little Drummer Boy."
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
6. B Brenda Lee
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marx. It was recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. I did not become a hit until 1960 when Brenda Lee's popularity had increased.
To listen to Brenda Lee singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xNuUEnh2g
7. E. It is the second verse of "The First Noel."
8. C Figgy pudding
In the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," figgy pudding is requested. Figgy pudding is a traditional English pudding with a history going back to the 16th century. It is a custard-like dish made with figs or raisins, often at Christmas and can be steamed in the oven, baked, boiled or fried.
9. A A 13-year-old American boy named Jimmy Boyd first recorded "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." The song was composed by British songwriter Tommie Connor and reached the top of the charts in 1952. Jimmy Boyd, who died of cancer in 1970, married Yvonne Craig of Batgirl fame in 1960. The couple divorced in 1962.
 |
| A young Jimmy Boyd |
10. E. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
To watch a video of Bruce Springsteen performing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ZOK7H8VGQ
11. B On the Feast of Stephen
The song begins with the words "Good King Wencelas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen." The Feast of Stephen or St. Stephen's Day is celebrated on December 26th, the second day of Christmas, in the Western Church and on December 27th in the Eastern Church. It commemorates St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
 |
| Good King Wencelas biscuit tin |
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #2
(Originally posted January 20, 2012)
Number 16 presents its second U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Quiz (the first one was posted on July 11, 2011 and you can find it by pressing the QUIZ tab above). Are you ready to test your knowledge? Then, let's go!
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #2
1. What is the name of the only film that Ronald and Nancy Reagan appeared in together during their acting careers?
A. Bedtime for Bonzo
B. Storm Warning
C. Hellcats of the Navy
D. The Girl from Jones Beach
E. This is the Army
2. Who was the first American First Lady to vote in a presidential election?
A. Florence Harding
B. Edith Wilson
C. Grace Coolidge
D. Lou Hoover
E. Helen Taft
3. Which U.S. President was an accidental bigamist?
A. William Henry Harrison
B. James Monroe
C. Grover Cleveland
D. Andrew Jackson
E. John Tyler
4. Who was the last president to own slaves.?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. Franklin Pierce
C. Zachary Taylor
D. James Buchanan
E. Millard Fillmore
5. Mary Todd Lincoln had an accident in 1863. What kind of accident did she have?
A. She slipped on some ice on a cold day in Washington, D.C.
B. She suffered some burns when a lamp fell over.
C. She fell down some stairs at the White House and hit her head.
D. She was thrown from her carriage and knocked unconscious.
E. Her hands were caught in a drawer and she broke some bones.
6. Was Theodore Roosevelt related to Eleanor Roosevelt.
A. Yes, he was Eleanor's grandfather.
B. Yes, he was Eleanor's uncle.
C. No, they were not related.
D. Yes, he was her older half-brother.
E. Yes, he was Eleanor's cousin.
7. Which U.S. President had the reputation of being a man of few words?
A, Abraham Lincoln
B. James Knox Polk
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. William Howard Taft
E. Calvin Coolidge
8. What was President Franklin Roosevelt's hobby?
A. Stamp collecting
B. Photography
C. Building model ships and airplanes
D. Numismatics (collecting coins and paper money)
E. Playing bridge
9. Which statement is true about Dolley Madison, wife of James Madison, the 4th President of the United States?
A. Dolley Madison was born in Virginia.
B. Dolley Madison was raised in the Quaker faith.
C. Dolley Madison was a renowned pastry maker.
D. Dolley Madison was known for her beautiful singing voice.
E. Dolley Madison was 20 years old when she married James Madison.
10. Which First Lady was declared insane and sent to a sanitarium?
A. Elizabeth Monroe
B. Louisa Adams
C. Sarah Polk
D. Letitia Christian Tyler
E. Mary Todd Lincoln
ANSWERS
1. C
Ronald and Nancy Reagan appeared in Hellcats of the Navy, a 1957 World War II submarine film. It was released in 1957 and Reagan's wife billed as Nancy Davis, her professional name.
2. A
In 1920, Florence Harding, wife of Warren G. Harding, became the first American First Lady to cast a vote for President of the United States. The 19th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guaranteed American women the vote, was ratified on August 18, 1920,
 |
| Florence Harding |
3. D
Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, unwittingly became a bigamist. In 1791, many years before his election to the presidency, Jackson married a young woman named Rachel Robards. They lived together as husband and wife for two years before discovering that Rachel's first husband, Lewis Robards, had never actually completed their divorce. This meant that Rachel's marriage to Andrew Jackson was invalid and that she was still technically married to Lewis Robards. Robards finally obtained a divorce in 1793 and Andrew and Rachel wed in Nashville in 1794.
 |
| Andrew Jackson |
 |
| Rachel Jackson |
4. C
Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States (1849-1850), was the last president to own slaves. Nevertheless, many Southerners were upset with Taylor's moderate position on the expansion of slavery and his opposition to Southern sectionalism.
5. D
On July 2, 1863, Mary Todd Lincoln was injured in a carriage accident just outside of Washington, D.C. She was thrown to the ground and her head hit a rock.
6. B
Theodore Roosevelt was Eleanor Roosevelt's uncle. He was the older brother of Eleanor's father, Elliott Roosevelt. Eleanor's maiden name was the same as her married name because she and her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, were distant cousins. When Eleanor married Franklin, on March 17, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt gave her away in place of her deceased father.
7. E
Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, was a man of few words and his nickname was Silent Cal. There is a story that columnist Dorothy Parker once approached then-Vice President Coolidge at a dinner party. She told him that she had bet against someone who said it was impossible to get more than two words out of the Vice President. Coolidge is said to have famously replied, "You lose."
8. A
FDR was an avid stamp collector and he had an extensive collection.
9. B
Dolley Madison was born into the Quaker faith. She was expelled after marrying James Madison because he was an Episcopalian. She attended Episcopalian services with her husband and was confirmed in the faith on July 15, 1845 at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C.
10. E
On May 20, 1875, a decade after her husband's assassination, Mary Todd Lincoln was committed by trial (on the petition of her son, Robert) to Bellevue Place, a psychiatric hospital in Batavia, Illinois. Mrs. Lincoln was eventually released into the custody of her sister, Elizabeth Edwards.
OSCARS QUIZ 2012
(Originally posted February 25, 2012)
Are you ready for the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony tomorrow? Before the big show, why don't you sit down and test your Oscar knowledge by completing Number 16's ten-question quiz.
1. Comedian Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars this year. Counting this year, how many times has Crystal hosted the Academy Awards show?
A. 8 times
B. 7 times
C. 10 times
D. 9 times
E. 6 times
2. The only person who has hosted more Oscar ceremonies than Billy Crystal is legendary comedian Bob Hope. How many Academy Awards broadcasts did Bob Hope host? (This is your bonus question. If you answer it correctly, give yourself an extra point)
A. 18 times
B. 16 times
C. 20 times
D. 17 times
E. 15 times
3. Christopher Plummer and Max von Sydow are both nominated this year in the Best Supporting Actor category. Canadian-born Plummer is nominated for his role in Beginnings and Sweden's Von Sydow for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Both men are 82 years old and if either one wins, he will become Oscar's oldest winning actor. Who is currently Oscar's oldest winning male actor?
A. Art Carney
B. Hal Holbrook
C. George Burns
D. Peter Finch
E. Jack Palance
4. Who made the longest acceptance speech at the Academy Awards?
A. Elizabeth Taylor
B. Katharine Hepburn
C. Jane Fonda
D. Shelley Winters
E. Greer Garson
5. Acceptance speeches at the Academy Award now have a time limit. What is that time limit?
A. 45 seconds
B. one minute
C. 50 seconds
D. 70 seconds
E. 40 seconds
6. At the 1979 Academy Awards ceremony, Annie Hall won four major Oscars: Best Actress for Diane Keaton, Best Picture, Best Original Screen Play and Best Director for Woody Allen. Woody Allen did not attend the event. Where was he?
A. Woody was ill with the flu.
B. Woody was playing the clarinet at a jazz club.
C. Woody was filming a movie on location in New York City.
D, Woody was mourning the recent death of his mother.
E. Woody did not attend in protest of American foreign policy.
7. Bing Crosby won only one Oscar during his lengthy career. For which movie did Bing win?
A. The Bells of Saint Mary's
B. The Country Girl
C. Going My Way
D. Holiday Inn
E. Man on Fire
8. Tom Hanks won the Best Actor award in two consecutive years. He won for Philadelphia in 1993 and Forrest Gump in 1994. Only one other actor has accomplished that feat. Name him.
A. Clark Gable
B. Dustin Hoffman
C. Humphrey Bogart
D. Spencer Tracy
E. Al Pacino
9. Sally Field made a memorable acceptance speech at at Academy Awards in 1985. She said, "I haven't had an orthodox career, and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it (when she won in 1980), but this time I feel it, and I can't deny that you like me, right now, you like me!" Most people remember that speech, but they don't remember what movie Sally Field won the Academy Award for in 1985. What was the film that earned her her second Best Actress Oscar?
A. Places in the Heart
B. Forrest Gump
C. Norma Rae
D. Steel Magnolias
E. Mrs. Doubtfire
One of the shortest acceptance speeches by a Best Actress winner consisted of these words: "There's a great deal to say, and I'm not going to say it tonight. I would just like to to really thank you very much." Who made that concise speech?
A. Audrey Hepburn
B. Katharine Hepburn
C. Gwyneth Paltrow
D. Joan Fontaine
E. Jane Fonda
ANSWERS
1. D
Billy Crystal will host the Oscars for the ninth time this year. Crystal has previously hosted the Academy Awards broadcast in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2004.
2. A
Bob Hope hosted the Academy Awards broadcast 18 times during his lifetime. The first time he hosted the show was way back in 1940. The last time he hosted the broadcast was in 1978.
 |
| Bob Hope at the 1940 Oscars |
3. C
George Burns currently holds the distinction of being Oscar's oldest winning actor. Burns was 80 years old when he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in The Sunshine Boys at the 48th Academy Awards in 1976. It should be noted that Hal Holbrook was 82 when he became Oscar's oldest male actor nominee in 2007. The oldest person to win an Oscar remains Jessica Tandy. Tandy was 80 years and 252 days old when she won the lead actress Oscar for her performance in Driving Miss Daisy. It is very likely that her record will be broken by Christopher Plummer or Max von Sydow.
To watch a video clip of George Burns accepting his Academy Award from Linda Blair and Ben Johnson, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WUBZsCYc1w
4. E
Greer Garson gave the longest acceptance speech in Oscar history while accepting the Best Actress award for Mrs. Miniver in 1943. It was after 1 a.m. when she gave the speech and it was one of the last speeches of the evening. According to Patrick Stockstill, a historian at the Academy of Arts and Motion Pictures, the speech lasted seven minutes. Garson began her speech with the words, "I'm practically unprepared."
5. A
Since 2010, acceptance speeches onstage at the Academy Awards have been limited to a pithy 45 seconds. Winners, however, can make a second speech of unrestricted length backstage and post the video online.
6.
Rather than attend the Academy Awards ceremony, Woody Allen chose to play the clarinet at Michael's Pub in New York City, his usual activity on Monday nights (Note: The Oscar presentations were then held on Monday nights). Interestingly, Allen has attended the Oscars on only one occasion. Following 9/11 terrorist attacks, he presented a tribute to his beloved New York City.
7. C
Bing Crosby won the 1944 Academy Award for Best Actor in 1944 for his performance as a priest named Father Chuck O'Malley in Going My Way. Crosby was nominated for The Bells of St. Mary's in 1945, but lost out to Ray Malland in The Lost Weekend. He was nominated again in 1954 for The Country Girl, but Marlon Brando won for On the Waterfront.
8. D
Spencer Tracy won for Best Actor in two consecutive years. He won for Captain Courageous in 1937 and for Boys Town in 1938.
9. C
Sally Field won the Best Actress award in 1985 for Norma Rae. It was her second Best Actress award. She won in 1980 for Places in the Heart. To watch a video clip of Sally's 1985 "You like me!" speech, click on the link below.
http://www.spike.com/video-clips/nmhmna/sally-fields-1985-oscar-acceptance-speech
10. E
Jane Fonda made that very succinct speech in accepting the Best Actress award for her performance in Klute in 1972. To watch a video clip of Jane receiving her Academy Award for Klute from Walter Matthau, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlxvt8eJEDE
SUMMER QUIZ
(Originally published June 21, 2012)
For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, summer has officially arrived. Yesterday,June 20, we reached the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. To celebrate, Number 16 presents a ten-question quiz all about summer. Sit back, relax and test your knowledge. It's summertime and the livin' is easy!
SUMMER QUIZ
1. What year was the Summer of Love?
A. 1968
B. 1967
C. 1969
D. 1966
E. 1970
2. Back in 1966, The Lovin' Spoonful had a big hit with a song titled "Summer in the City." What is the first line of the song?
A. Hot dogs, summer in the city
B. Hot days, summer in the city
C. Hot town, summer in the city
D. Hot times, summer in the city
E. Hot sun, summer in the city
3. Who wrote the beautiful poem Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?
A. William Wordsworth
B. John Donne
C. Alfred. Lord Tennyson
D. William Shakespeare
E. John Keats
4. What is known as "The Year Without a Summer?"
A. "The Year Without a Summer" refers to 1816 in which there were extreme summer climate abnormalities and global temperatures decreased considerably.
B. The Year Without a Summer is the title of a novel by Sinclair Lewis.
C. "The Year Without a Summer" is a 1956 song that was sung by Patti Page.
D. The Year Without a Summer is the title of a film directed by Howard Hawks.
E. "The Year Without a Summer" refers to 1994, the year of a major league baseball strike which culminated in the cancellation of the World Series.
5. Who sang the following lyrics?
In the summertime when the weather is hot
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
A. Eric Burden and the Animals
B. The Hollies
C. Bertie Higgins
D. Mungo Jerry
E. The Kinks
6. What is the name of the 1955 film in which Katharine Hepburn plays a lonely American woman who finds romance with an Italian man during her summer vacation in Venice?
A. One Summer in Venice
B. Summertime
C. Italian Vacation
D. Sweet Summer
E. Summer of Romance
7. Fill in the blank to complete this quote:
The way to ensure summer in _________ is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.
A. Russia
B. Newfoundland
C. Greenland
D. Alaska
E. England
8. Who had a hit song with "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" in 1963?
A. Perry Como
B. Frank Sinatra
C. Sam Cooke
D. Nat "King" Cole
E. Andy Williams
9. In the Bryan Adams song, "Summer of '69," what did the singer buy at the five-and-dime?
A. He bought his first real six-string guitar.
B. He bought ice cream for his friends.
C. He didn't have any money to buy anything.
D. He bought his first baseball glove
E. He bought some cool shades.
10. What is the title of a book written by Bette Greene about a 12-year-old American Jewish girl who befriends an escaped German POW during World War II?
A. Summer Friends
B. Summer POW
C. Summer of My German Soldier
D. A Summer Tale
E. My Summer Ally
ANSWERS
1. B
The "Summer of Love" refers to the summer of 1967 when thousands of flower children from around the world flocked to the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.
2. C
The first line of "Summer in the City" is "Hot town, summer in the city." The song was co-written by Lovin' Spoonful lead vocalist John Sebastian, his younger brother Mark Sebastian, and Lovin' Spoonful guitarist Steve Boone. It appeared on the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1966.
The lyrics to Summer in the City come from a poem that Mark Sebastian submitted to a literary magazine when he attended Blair Academy, a private secondary boarding school in Warren County, New Jersey.
3. D
Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day is Sonnet 18 of William Shakespeare's 154 sonnets. In this sonnet, the speaker compares his beloved to the summer season and reaches the conclusion that his beloved is superior in beauty and loveliness.
4. A
The year 1816 is known to historians and scientists as the "Year Without a Summer" or "Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death." In many parts of the world, there was snow in summer. Crops were destroyed due to a lack of sunlight and there was disease and starvation across the Northern Hemisphere. Global temperatures fell by about 0.4 - 0.7 degrees C (0.7 - 1.3 F). In New England, there was snow in early June. Low temperatures and an abundance of rain resulted in crop failures in Britain.
Thees climatic anomalies were caused by two major factors: a historic low in solar activity and an explosive type of volcanic eruption. On April 10, 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia (then known as the Dutch East Indies) erupted. This volcanic disaster killed thousands of people and spewing prodigious amounts of ash into the atmosphere. The dust in the atmosphere blocked sunlight from passing through, creating unseasonably cold temperatures.
5. D
The British rock band Mungo Jerry had a huge hit with "In the Summertime." It was their first single and it was released in May of 1970. The song topped the U.K. Singles Chart for seven weeks and reached number one in over 26 countries worldwide. Singer-songwriter and guitarist Ray Dorset founded the group.
6. B
 |
| Hepburn and Brazzi in Summertime |
The film Summertime, Katharine Hepburn played the role of Jane Hudson, an elementary school teacher from Akron, Ohio. Jane saves enough money to fulfill her dream of spending her summer vacation in Venice. During her trip overseas, she meets Renato de Rossi, the owner of an antiques store. Jane and Renato, played by Italian actor Rossano Brazzi, have a bittersweet romance.
7. E
 |
| Horace Walpole |
In a letter to Rev. William Cole, May 28, 1774, the English writer and statesman, Horace Walpole (1717-1797), wrote: "The way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room."
8. D
Nat "King" had a hit with "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" in 1963. It reached number 6 on the Billboard charts that year. Here are the lyrics to the first verse.
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy day of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer
To list to Nat "KIng" Cole singing "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer," click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLogdbVS3U
9. A
Here is the first verse of "Summer of '69."
I got my first real six-string guitar
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it till my fingers bled
Was the summer of '69
Canadian rocker Brian Adams recorded "Summer of '69" on his fourth studio album, Reckless, which was released in 1984. Adams and his former songwriting partner, fellow British Columbian Jim Vallance, wrote the song.
10. C
Bette Greene's novel, Summer of My German Soldier, was first published in 1973. It tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Patty Bergen, who lives in Arkansas during World War II. Patty befriends an escaped German prisoner of war named Anton.
In 1978, "Summer of My German Solder" was turned into a television movie starring Kristy McNichol in the role of Patty and Bruce Dawson as Anton.
THE GREAT OLYMPICS QUIZ 2012
(Originally posted August 11, 2012)
http://www.clipartmountain.com
THE GREAT OLYMPICS QUIZ 2012
While you enjoy the London Olympics, you might want to take a break and try Number 16's 2012 Olympics Quiz. There are 12 questions. If you answer 14 to 15 questions correctly, award yourself a gold medal. For 12 to 13 correct answers, you win a silver medal. For 10 to 11, you receive a bronze. Less than 10, you don't make the podium. Are you ready to go for the gold?
!. The 1940 Summer Olympics were cancelled due to World War II. Where were they originally scheduled to be held?
A. Tokyo, Japan
B. Rome, Italy
C. New York City, U.S.A.
D. Helsinki, Finland
E. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Including the London Games of 2012, how many times have the Olympics been held in London, England?
A. The Olympics have been held in London four times.
B. They have been held in the British capital two times.
C. They have been held in London three times.
D. The 2012 Olympics mark the first time the Olympics have been held in London.
E. London has hosted the Olympics five times.
3. Which famous boxer won a gold medal for the United States at the 1960 Olympics in Rome?
A. Floyd Patterson
B. Sonny Liston
C. George Foreman
D. Muhammad Ali
E. Joe Frazier
4. How old was Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci when she scored a perfect ten in a gymnastic event at the Montreal Olympics in 1976?
A. 15 years old
B. 14 years old
C. 16 years old
D. 18 years old
E. 17 years old
5. The colours of the five rings on the Olympic flag are blue, black, green, red and yellow? Why were those colours chosen?
A, A poll was taken among the athletes at the 1920 Summer Olympics and they chose those colours.
B. These colours were chosen because they include primary colours and bright colours. The colours were meant to be emphatic and to stand out. Thus, pastel colours were avoided.
C. They were the favourite colours of the flag's designer.
D. A French psychologist,, Dr. Marcel Rousseau, was consulted and he advised that those colours would have the most impact and be the most inspiring.
E, Those colours were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country.
6. Why is a long distance race called a marathon?
A. It was named after a town in Greece.
B, The first winner of the Olympic long distance race was Demetrius Marathon.
C. It is derived from a Greek word meaning "long race."
D. It was named after Marathon, a Greek god known for endurance and strength.
E. It was named to honour an ancient Greek politician, Adelphos Marathon, who was instrumental in promoting long distance running.
7. Switzerland boycotted the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Why?
A. The Swiss were upset with the Australians over a diplomatic incident.
B. They were angry about the disqualification of a Swiss athlete at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.
C. The Swiss boycotted the 1956 Games to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary.
D. They boycotted the 1956 Olympics in response to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal on July July 26, 1956.
E. The Swiss boycotted the Melbourne Olympics in support of Taiwan.. They were the People's Republic of China decided to boycott the event because of Taiwan had been allowed to compete under the name "Formosa."
8. When and where were the first Winter Olympics held?
A. The first Winter Olympics were held in Oslo, Norway in 1920.
B. Davos, Switzerland played host to the first Winter Olympics in 1928.
C. They were held in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1924.
D. They were held in Chamonix, France in 1924.
E. They took place in St. Tropez, France in 1920.
9. The great American athlete Jim Thorpe was stripped of the gold medals he had won in the decathlon and the pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. Why?
 |
| Thorpe in Stockholm in 1912 |
A. It was discovered that his U.S. passport was not valid.
B. It was learned that he had played professional minor league baseball.
C. Three days after the Olympics, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and disturbing the public.
D. He was charged with theft.
E. It was revealed that he had gambled money that he would win both the decathlon and the pentathlon.
10. No women were allowed to compete in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896. At the time, who said that the inclusion of women would be "impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic and incorrect."
A. Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics.
B. Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany.
C. Grover Cleveland, President of the United States in 1896
D. Queen Victoria
E. William Milligan Stone, the American educator and historian who escorted the U.S. Olympic team to the 1896 Olympics.
11. Which of these statements about the first Winter Olympic is not true.
A. In hockey, the Canadian team scored 85 times over three games without allowing a goal. Canada won the tournament by scoring 122 goals on their opponents. Only three goals were scored against the Canadians.
B. An American, Charles Jewtraw, became the first champion of the Winter Olympics by winning the first event, 500m speed skating.
C. Clas Thunberg of Finland earned five medals, including two golds, in the five speed skating events.
D. The first Winter Olympic were originally known as Winter Sports Week. It wasn't until 1926, during the 25th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Lisbon, Portugal, that they were recognized as the first Winter Olympic Games.
E. All of the above statements are true.
12. Who was Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera?
A. He was the first athlete from Belgium to win an Olympic medal.
B. He was the French flag bearer at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. He won two medals in swimming.
C. He was the President of the International Olympic Committee from 1950 until 1958.
D. He was the first athlete to win a medal in diving at the Olympics.
E. He was the first black athlete to compete in the Olympics.
ANSWERS
1 A.
The 1940 Summer Olympics were originally awarded to Tokyo, Japan. They were officially known as the Games of the XII Olympiad and were scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital from September 21 to October 6, 1940. Due to the outbreak of war between Imperial Japan and China, the Japanese renounced the International Olympic Committee's Cairo Conference of 1938. As a result, the IOC denied Japan its host status..
In July of 1940, the Japanese government withdrew its support for the Games. The Games were then awarded to Helsinki, Finland, the second place finisher in the original bidding. Following the outbreak of World War II, however, the Games were suspended. They did not resume until post-war London hosted them in 1948.
2. C
The Olympics have been held in London three times - 1908, 1948 and 2012. They were first held in the British capital in 1908. Rome, Italy was originally awarded the 1908 Games but had to bow out due to the huge volcano eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906. As a result, the '08 Olympics were relocated to London.
In 1948, London hosted the first post-World War II Olympics. The 2012 Summer Games give London the distinction of being the only city in the world to have hosted the Olympic three times.
3. D
 |
| Ali in Rome in 1960 |
In the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) won the gold medal for the U.S. in the boxing light heavyweight division. There is an apocryphal Upon returning home to Louisville, Kentucky, the 18-year-old was refused service at a diner due to his race. According to the story, his response was to throw Olympic medal in the Ohio.River. The truth is that the gold medal was simply lost or misplaced.
At the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, Ali was presented with a replacement medal by the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, then President of the International Olympic Committee. At the Opening Ceremony of those Atlanta Olympics, Ali, trembling from Parkinson's Disease, lit the cauldron to open the game.
To watch a video of Muhammad Ali receiving his replacement gold medal, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9OlmPyjsNU
4. B
Nadia Comaneci was 14 years old when she won three gold medals and scored a perfect 10 at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Nadia is the first female gymnast to be awarded a perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. She also won two gold medals at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Born November 12, 1961, Nadia is now 50 years old.
5. E
Those colours were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country. The Olympic flag was created in 1914 by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games. It was first flown during the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.
6. A.
Marathon is the name of a town in Greece. According to legend, more than 2,000 years ago a Greek soldier named Pheidippides ran from Athens to Marathon, a distance of about 40.2 km. or 25 miles. He arrived in Athens tired and bleeding with the news of Greek victory in a battle with the invading Persians. After informing the townspeople of the Greek success, he collapsed and fell to the ground dead. In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, a race was held of approximately the same length as Pheidippides' run.
 |
| Statue of Pheidippides alongside the Marathon Road |
7. B
Switzerland and two other countries (Spain and Netherlands) boycotted the 1956 Summer Games in response to the Soviet Union's crushing of the Hungarian Revolution. The 1956 Olympics were affected by
other boycotts too. Egypt, Iran and Lebanon withdrew from the Games to protest Israel's involvement in the Suez conflict. Less than two weeks before the November 22nd opening ceremony, The People's Republic of China boycotted the games over the inclusion of a team from Taiwan (Formosa0.
8. D
The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France from January 25,1924 until
February 5, 1924. The event turned out to be very successful and it attracted 10,004 paying spectators.
9. B.
Jim Thorpe was stripped of the gold medals that he won in the 1912 Olympics when it was discovered that he had played professional minor league baseball three years earlier. Thorpe, one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, was born on May 28, 1888 on Native American territory in what would later become the state of Oklahoma. He was of mixed ancestry, aboriginal and European. He had some French and Irish blood but he was mostly of aboriginal heritage, that of of Sac and Fox Nation.
About six months after winning his gold medals, Thorpe admitted that he had been paid to play baseball in North Carolina. Not long after, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), declared him to be a professional and requested that he return his medals. His name was deleted from the record books. In solidarity with Thorpe, decathlon silver medalist Hugo Wieslander
of Sweden, rejected the gold medal when it was offered to him. Jim Thorpe died at the age of 64 on March 28, 1953. In January of 1983, three decades after his death, the IOC returned Thorpe's gold medals to his children.
10. A
Pierre de Coubertin, the French historian and pedagogue who founded the modern Olympics, was opposed to female participation in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
11. C.
Clas Thunberg of Finland earned five medals, including three golds, not two, in the five speed skating events at the first winter Olympics in Chamonix, France in 1924.
12. E
Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera, who competed for France at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, was the first known black athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. He was a Haitian-born French rugby union footballer. He was also the first black Olympic gold medalist as he was a member of the French team that won the Olympic title at the first Rugby Olympic Tournament. In addition., Henriquez de Zubiera won a silver medal in tug-of-war at the 1900 Olympics.
BASEBALL AND WORLD SERIES QUIZ
(Originally posted October 1, 2011)
The 2012 baseball season is drawing to a close and post-season play is about to begin. As we head toward the World Series, Number 16 presents a challenging baseball quiz. How well do you know trivia about the Grand Old Game? Find out by completing the quiz below.
BASEBALL AND WORLD SERIES QUIZ
1. How many Cy Young Awards has Roger Clemens won?
A. Five
B. Seven
C. Four
D. Six
E. Eight
2. Clemens is one of five pitchers to have won the Cy Young Award in both the American League and the National League to date. Who are the others?
A. Greg Maddux, Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson
B. David Cone, Steve Carlton,.Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez
C. Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay
D. Steve Carlton, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay
E. Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay
3. The Texas Rangers have been based in Arlington Texas since 1972. Where was the team located before moving to the Lone Star State.?
A. Kansas City, Missouri
B. Minneapolis, Minnesota
C. St. Paul, Minnesota
D. Washington, D.C.
E. San Jose, California
4. The first World Series was played in 1903. What team won the first World Series?
A. The Boston Americans
B. The New York Americans
C. The Boston Braves
D. The New York Giants
E. The Chicago White Sox
5. The World Series was cancelled in 1994 due to a Major League Baseball strike. The only other time the Series was cancelled was 1904. Why was it cancelled in 1904?
A. It was cancelled due to a serious virus that had spread among the players.
B. There was a railway strike and the trains were not running to New York.
C. No agreement could be reached on the format of the Series.
D. The American League champion New York Highlanders refused to play the National League champion Pittsburgh Pirates.
E. The National League champion New York Giants refused to play the American League champion Boston Americans.
6. This pitcher started his Major League career as a 17-year-old in 1936. He spent his entire career with the Cleveland Indians. In 1946, he struck out 348 batters. In 1948, he won his first World Series. Name him.
A. Stan Koveleski
B. Mel Harder
C. Bob Feller
D. Addie Joss
E. Bob Lemon
7. Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers is about to win Major League Baseball's Triple Crown in batting. Who was the last player to earn the Triple Crown (highest batting average, the most home runs and the most runs batted in (RBI)) in the American League or the National League?
A, Carl Yastrzemski in 1967
B. Mickey Mantle in 1962
C. Frank Robinson in 1966
D. Ted Williams in 1947
E. Willie Mays in 1954
8. Did the Brooklyn Dodgers, known as "dem bums," ever win a World Series?
A. No, they never won a World Series.
B. They won the World Series in 1954.
C. They won in 1955.
D. They won in 1953.
E. They won in 1952.
9. Nolan Ryan is currently the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven no-hitters in his illustrious career. Against which team did he throw his seventh no-hitter?
A. The Oakland Athletics
B. The Toronto Blue Jays
C. The New York Yankees
D. The Boston Red Sox
E. The Detroit Tigers
10. In which baseball stadium did The Beatles perform their last commercial concert?
A. Shea Stadium, New York
B. Candlestick Park, San Francisco
C. Yankee Stadium, New York
D. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
E. Wrigley Field, Chicago
11. Name the last major league team for which Babe Ruth played.
A. The New York Yankees
B. The Boston Red Sox
C. The New York Giants
D. The Brooklyn Dodgers
E. Tbe Boston Braves
12. Who is sometimes referred to as the "father of modern baseball?" Hint: He is thought to be the first person to draw a diagram of a diamond-shaped baseball field.
A. Abner Doubleday
B. Joseph Strutt
C. Albert Spalding
D. Alexander Cartwright
E. John Montgomery Ward
13. What is the official name of the trophy awarded to the winners of the World Series championship?
A. The Commissioner's Trophy
B. The World Series Trophy
C. The Kenesaw Landis Trrophy
D. The A. Bartlett Giamatti Memorial Award
E. The Bowie Kuhn Trophy
ANSWERS
1. B.
Roger Clemens has won seven Cy Young Awards. He won the Cy in 1986, 1988 and 1990 with the Boston Red Sox; 1997 and 1998 with the Toronto Blue Jays ; 2001 with the New York Yankees and 2004 with the Houston Astros.
2. C
Along with Roger Clemens, Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez Randy Johnson and Roy Halliday have all won Cy Young Awards in both the American and National Leagues. After 6 American League Cys, Roger won a National League Cy in 2004 with the Houston Astros. Gaylord Perry won the American League Cy Young Award in 1972 with the Cleveland Indians and the National League Cy in 1978 with the San Diego Padres. Pedro Martinez won the National League Cy in 1997 with the Montreal Expos and the American League Cy in 1999 and 2000 with the Boston Red Sox. Roy Halliday won the American League Cy in 2003 with the Toronto Blue Jays and the National League Cy with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010.
3. D
The Texas Rangers were originally based in Washington, D.C. from 1961 until 1971. In 1961, the franchise was established as the Washington Senators, an expansion club, after the previous Washington Senators (1901-1960) had become the Minnesota Twins. At the end of the 1971 season, the new Washington Senators relocated to Arlington, Texas.
4. A
 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans - First World Series (October 1903) |
The Boston Americans of the American League won the first World Series in 1903. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in eight games. Note: The best-of-seven format has been used in all World Series except 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921. In those years, the winner was decided by a best-of-nine playoff.
5. E.
The 1904 World Series was cancelled because the National League champion New York Giants declined to play the American League champion Boston Americans. At the time, there was no governing body for the World Series and no requirement that a Series had to take place. The owner of the New York Giants, John T. Brush, refused to allow his team to participate because of the "inferiority" of the American League. John McGraw, the manager of the Giants, concurred with Brush. According to McGraw, the Giants were the champions of "the only real major league."
6. C.
Pitching great Bob Feller, known as Rapid Robert, started his career in the majors at 17. He played 18 seasons, from 1936 to 1956 (did not play due to military service n 1942, 1943 and 1944) with the Cleveland Indians. Feller won a World Series with Cleveland in 1948. He died on December 15, 2010 at the age of 92.
7. A
 |
| Carl Yastrzemski |
Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown in 1967 with the Boston Red Sox. Yaz hit 44 home runs, 121 RBI and his batting average was .326. (EDITOR'S NOTE: On October 3, 2012, Mguel Cabrera became the first player to win the Triple Crown in 45 years with 44 home runs, 139 RBI and a batting average of 330.
8. C.
Yes, the Brooklyn Dodgers finally won a World Series in 1955. They defeated the New York Yankees in seven games. Sadly, for Brooklyn fans, it would be their first and only championship. The team relocated to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.
9. B
Nolan Ryan threw his seventh no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 1, 1991 as a member of the Texas Rangers. The game took place at Arlington Stadium in Texas before a crowd of 33, 439. The Rangers defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 3-0. Bobby Valentine was the manager of the Texas Rangers and Cito Gaston was Toronto's manager. Lefty Jimmy Key was the losing pitcher for the Jays against the right-hander Ryan.
Nolan Ryan's first four no-hitters occurred on May 15, 1973, July 15, 1973, September 28, 1974 and June 1, 1975 when he was a member of the California Angels and on. His fifth no-hitter occurred on September 26, 1981 when he was a member of the Houston Astros. He threw his sixth no-hitter on June 11, 1990 as a Texas Ranger.
10. B
The Beatles performed their last public concert in San Francisco's Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966.
11. E
Babe Ruth's last Major :League team was the Boston Braves of the National League. He signed as a free agent with the Braves on February 26, 1935 in the hope of eventually becoming manager of the team. Ruth played for the Braves during a miserable 1935 season.and he was only a shadow of his former self. The Babe's final game was May 30, 1935 in Philadelphia at the Baker Bowl. He injured his knee in the first inning and left the game. His Braves lost 11-6 to the Phillies. Two days later, he called reporters to his locker and announced his retirement. Babe Ruth never realized his dream of becoming a manager.
12. D
 |
| Alexander Cartwright |
Alexander Cartwright is referred to as the "father of modern baseball." Cartwright was the founding member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York City, baseball's first organized team. The rules of the modern game are founded on the Knickerbocker Rules set out by Cartwright and a committee from the Knickerbocker club. Alexander Cartwright was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1938. On June 3, 1953, the United States Congress officially declared him to be the inventor of the modern game of baseball.
13. A
 |
| Commissioner's Trophy 2004 |
A trophy was first presented to the World Series champions in 1967 and it was named the Commissioner's Trophy in 1985. A new Commissioner's Trophy is created each year. The trophy was redesigned in 1999 for the 2000 World Series by Tiffany & Co. It stands 61 cm (24 inches), excluding the base,.and weighs about 14 kg. (30 pounds), It is made of sterling silver and features a gold-plated flag for each team in Major League Baseball.
SUMMER SONG QUIZ
(Originally posted June 21. 2013)
Today, as we celebrate the summer solstice, Number 16 presents an 11-question quiz on summer music and summer songs. Why don't you test your knowledge. Good luck!
SUMMER SONG QUIZ
1. The song "Summer Nights" comes from which musical?
A West Side Story
B. The Music Man
C. South Pacific
D. Grease
E. Guys and Dolls
2. Who had a hit in 1962 with a song called "Sealed with a Kiss?" The song has these lyrics:
Though we've got to say
Goodbye for the summer
Baby, I promise you this
I'll send you all my love
Every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
A. Frankie Avalon
B. Brian Hyland
C. The Beach Boys
D. Bobby Rydell
E. Jan and Dean
3. Name the song that begins with the following words:
See the curtains hangin' in the window
In the evening on a Friday night
A little light-a-shinin' through the window
Lets me know everything's all right
A. Summer Breeze
B. Summer Moon
C. Summer Light
D. Sweet Summer
E. Summer Shines Through
4. Remember the song "Summertime Blues?" Here is the first verse:
I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby, and try to get a date
My boss says, "No dice son, you gotta work late"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
When was "Summertime Blues" originally released?
A. July of 1956
B. June of 1960
C. August of 1958
D. August of 1955
E. July of 1957
5. Which of these artists recorded the original and most well-known version of "Summertime Blues?"
A. Eddie Cochran
B. Chuck Berry
C. Carl Perkins
D. Elvis Presley
E. Buddy Holly
6. What is the name of the 1991 summer rap song recorded by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
A. Summertime
B. Summer Song
C. Summer Days
D. Summer Heat
E. Summer People
7. Do you remember these lyrics?
Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets
They're dancin' in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City . . .
"Dancing in the Street:" was a big hit for Martha and the Vandellas back in 1964. It is one of Motown's
most well known songs. Who composed "Dancing in the Street?"
A. Holland-Dozier-Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland)
B. Marvin Gaye and William "Mickey" Stevenson
C. Lionel Richie
D. Diana Ross
E. Martha Reeves
8. Who recorded the classic summer song "Hot Fun in the Summertime?"
A. Mungo Jerry
B. The Beach Boys
C. Sly and the Family Stone
D. The Mamas and the Papas
E. The Lovin' Spoonful
9. Which summer song was written as the theme for a 1958 film starring Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue?
 |
| Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue |
A. Theme from Summer Love
B. Theme from A Summer Dream
C. Theme from A Summer to Remember
D. Theme from Summer Hearts
E. Theme from A Summer Place
10. Who recorded the most popular version of "Theme from a Summer Place?"
A. Andy Williams
B. Henry Mancini
C. Perry Como
D. Percy Faith
E. Nelson Riddle
11. Who wrote and recorded the song "Summer Fling?" (This is your bonus question so give yourself an extra point if you answer it correctly)
A. Joni Mitchell
B. Linda Ronstadt
C. Bette Midler
D. Barbra Streisand
E. k.d. lang
ANSWERS
1. D
The song "Summer Nights" comes from the 1971 musical Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. In the 1978 film version of Grease, it was sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
2. B
 |
| Brian Hyland |
Brian Hyland had a hit with "Sealed with a Kiss" in 1962. The song was written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld and it was originally recorded as a single in 1960 by The Four Voices. Gary Lewis and the Playboys released a cover of "Sealed with a Kiss" in 1968 and in 1972, Bobby Vinton released yet another version. The Bobby Vinton recording was featured in the trailer and end credits of the 2006 American horror film All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.
Brian Hyland, who will turn 70 years old in November, still tours with his son Bodi.
3. A
 |
| Jim Seals (right) and Dash Crofts in 1975 photo |
The song "Summer Breeze" begins with those words. It was a hit for a pair of Texans named Seals and Crofts when it was released in August of 1972. Here is the chorus of the song:
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind
4. C
"Summertime Blues" was first released in August of 1958. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958.
5. A
 |
| Eddie Cochran |
"Summertime Blues" was co-written in the late 1950s by American rockabilly singer Eddie Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Cochran recorded the song and released it as a single in 1958. It is interesting to note that among the many artists who have done cover versions of "Summertime Blues" are Alan Jackson, The Who and Blue Cheer.
6. A
"Summertime" is the name of the 1991 rap song recorded former by former hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. DJ Jazzy Jeff's real name is Jeffrey Allen Townes and The French Prince is now better known as actor Will Smith. The pair, from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were introduced to each other in 1985 and their first album, Rock the House, was released in 1986.
To watch a video of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince performing "Summertime," click on the link below.
7. B
 |
| William "Mickey" Stevenson |
The song "Dancing in the Street" was composed by R&B vocalist Marvin Gaye and Motown record producer William "Mickey" Stevenson. It was originally intended for singer Kim Weston, Stevenson's then-wife. When she passed on the song, Martha and the Vandellas recorded it instead. Stevenson and Gaye agreed to lead singer Martha Reeves' request to arrange her own vocals to suit the song and they also called in Motown songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter to assist with the recording.
Marvin Gaye died tragically on April 1, 1984 at the age of 44 after being shot to death by his own father following an argument over lost business documents. Mickey Stevenson, who produced "Dancing in the Streeet," left Motown Records over a dispute in January of 1967. Stevenson's last big hit for Motown was "It Takes Two," a 1966 duet between Gaye and Kim Weston.
8. C
 |
| Sly and the Family Stone in 1969 |
Sly and the Family Stone, an influential band from Vallejo, California, recorded "Hot Fun in the Summetime." It was released as a single in 1969 after the band's celebrated performance at the Woodstock Music Festival in August of that year. Some have interpreted the song as a satire of the summertime race riots of '69 rather than a happy summer tune.
The music of Sly and the Family Stone reflected a mixture of the soul, rock, funk and psychedelic sounds of the 1960s. The group was founded by Sylvester Stewart, now 70, who changed his name to Sly Stone while a radio disc jockey.
9. E
Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue starred the as the star-crossed lovers, Molly Jorgenson and Johnny Hunter, in the 1958 romantic drama A Summer Place. Hugo Winterhalter recorded the theme for the film and it was originally known as the "Molly and Johnny Theme."
10. D
The most popular version of "Theme from A Summer Place" was recorded by Percy Faith. His instrumental version was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles for nine consecutive weeks in early 1960. He won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1961 for his recording.
Faith, a Canadian bandleader, conductor and composer, died of cancer on February 9, 1976 at the age of 67. He was known for his beautiful arrangements of pop and Christmas standards.
Billy Vaughn also recorded an instrumental cover version of "Theme from a Summer Place" as the title track for his hit 1960 album. Vocal cover versions of the song were recorded by Andy Williams in his 1962 album Moon River, Cliff Richard in his 1965 album Love is Forever and The Lettermen in 1965.
11. E
"Summerfling" was written by k.d. lang and Dave Piltch for k.d.'s album Invincible Summer, which was released by Warner Brothers Records in 2000.
CANADA DAY QUIZ
(Originally posted July 1, 2015)
On the 146th birthday of our great country, Canada, Number 16 presents a 14-question Canada Day quiz. See how much you know about the True North Strong and Free. Ready! Set! Go!
CANADA DAY QUIZ
1. Where is the most easterly point in Canada?
A, Land's End, Newfoundland
B. Cape Spear, Newfoundland
C. Rock Point, Newfoundland
D. Signal Hill, Newfoundland
E. Clifton Point, Newfoundland
2. What team won the first Stanley Cup?
A. The University of Toronto
B. The Ottawa Generals
C. Montreal AAA
D. McGill University
E. The Toronto Arenas
3. Which Canadian Prime Minister was born in the same city (Windsor, Ontario) as Shania Twain and also shares her birthday - August 28th?
A. Lester B. Pearson
B. Arthur Meighen
C. William Lyon Mackenzie King
D. Sir Robert Borden
E. Paul Martin
4. Where was actor Michael J. Fox born?
A. Vancouver, British Columbia
B. Calgary, Alberta
C. Winnipeg, Manitoba
D. Edmonton, Alberta
E. Toronto, Ontario
5. Who was the Premier of Quebec during the "Quiet Revolution?"
A. Maurice Duplessis
B. Robert Bourassa
C. Jean Lesage
D. Daniel Johnson
E. Claude Ryan
6. What year did Nunavut officially become a territory of Canada?
 |
| Flag of Nunavutg |
B. 1989
C. 1997
D. 1999
E. 2000
7. Who was Emily Murphy?
 |
| Emily Murphy |
A. First female medical doctor in Canada
B. First female mayor of a major Canadian city
C. First Canadian woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics
D. First woman appointed to the Canadian Senate
E. First female magistrate in Canada and the British Empire
8. Who was the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada?
A. Vincent Massey
B. Georges Vanier
C. Roland Michener
D. Jules Leger
E. John Buchan
9. Who said "I don't even know what street Canada is on.?"
A. Stephen Colbert
B. Al Capone
C. Joseph Stalin
D. Groucho Marx
E. Mae West
10. What is the capital city of the province of New Brunswick?
A. Saint John, New Brunswick
B. St. John's, New Brunswick
C. Fredericton, New Brunswick
D. Edmundston, New Brunswick
E. Moncton, New Brunswick
11. Who was the first Canadian prime minister born in Western Canada?
A. Joe Clark
B. John Diefenbaker
C. Stephen Harper
D. Kim Campbell
E. R.B. Bennett
12. Who founded Quebec City?
A. Jacques Cartier
B. Jean Talon
C. Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
D. Samuel de Champlain
E. Bishop Francois de Montmorency-Laval
13. Which Canadian city was originally named Pile of Bones?
A. Winnipeg, Manitoba
B. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
C. Regina, Saskatchewan
D. Victoria, British Columbia
E. Medicine Hat, Alberta
14. Which of the following was not born in Winnipeg, Manitoba?
A, Burton Cummings, singer, songwriter and musician
B. Joni Mitchell, singer songwriter and musician
C. David Steinberg, comedian
D. Deanna Durban, recently-deceased Hollywood film actress and singer of the 1930s and 1940s
E. Anna Paquin, actress
15. In 1944, Tommy Douglas led the first democratic socialist government in North America when he became Premier of which province?
A. Manitoba
B. Saskatchewan
C. Alberta
D. British Columbia
E. Nova Scotia
ANSWERS
1. B
The most easterly point in Canada is Cape Spear, Newfoundland. It is located on the Avalon Peninsula near St. John's.
2. C
 |
| The Montreal AAA 1802-1893 Stanley Cup champions |
The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association won the first Stanley Cup after finishing first in the standings of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (AHA) at the end of the 1892-92 season. The Ottawa Generals finished second. According to the rules of Lord Stanley of Preston, any Canadian team had the right to challenge the Montreal AAA for the silver trophy but none did.
3. E
Paul Martin, 21st Prime Minister of Canada, was born on August 28, 1938 in Windsor, Ontario. Shania Twain was born on August 28, 1965 in Windsor, Ontario.
4. D
Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 9, 1961.
5. C
 |
| Jean Lesage |
Jean Lesage, known as the Father of the Quiet Revolution, was Premier of Quebec from June 22, 1960 until August 16, 1966. The Quiet Revolution was a period of intense change in Quebec society. The welfare state came into prominence and the power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church was considerably lessened. It was a time of rapid secularization in the province as the provincial government seized control of health care and education from the Church.
6. D
Nunavut officially became a territory of Canada on April 1, 1999 as a subdivision of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories. It includes the traditional lands of the Inuit, the indigenous people of Arctic Canada. The name "Nunavut" comes from Inukitut, the dialect of the Eastern Arctic Inuit and it means "Our Land."
The territory was established by the Nunavut Act of 1993 but did not exist constitutionally until 1999 and its creation marked the first change to the map of Canada since Newfoundland entered Confederation in 1949.
7. E
Emily Murphy was the first female magistrate in Canada and in the British Empire. Born in Cookstown, Ontario in 1868, she and her husband Arthur and their two daughters moved west, first to Swan River Manitoba and then to Edmonton, Alberta. In 1916, Emily was appointed police magistrate for Edmonton and later for the province of Alberta.
Emily Murphy was a strong advocate for the rights of women and a prominent suffragette. She campaigned vigorously to have women recognized as "persons" in the eyes of the law. Along with four other women (Nellie McClung, Louis McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards), she helped bring about a ruling in 1929 by the Privy Council in Britain that recognized women as persons under the BNA Act. Murphy and her colleagues are known as the "Famous Five" and due to their efforts in the "persons case," Canadian women became eligible to hold an appointed office such as Senator.
8. A
In 1952, Vincent Massey, born in Toronto, Ontario, became the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada. Until then, Canada's Governor Generals had been British born peers.
9. B
American mobster Al Capone said "I don't even know what street Canada is on." in 1931.
10. C
Fredericton is the capital of the province of New Brunswick.
11. A
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, 16th Prime Minister of Canada, was the first PM to have been born in Western Canada. Clark, now 74 years old, was born in High River, Alberta on June 5, 1939. Clark was took the oath of office on June 4, 1979, one day short of his 40th birthday. He remains the youngest person to have held the office of Canadian Prime Miniser.
12. D
 |
| Champlain |
Samuel de Champlain, French explorer, navigator and diplomat, founded Quebec City in 1608.
13. C
Regina, Saskatchewan was originally named Pile of Bones from the Cree word "Wascana." In 1882, it was renamed Regina in honour of Queen Victoria by Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise. Louise was the wife of the Marquess of Lorne who was then the Governor General of Canada. In 1905, Regina was designated the capital of the province of Saskatchewan.
14. B.
Joni Mithell was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alberta on November 7, 1943. The others were all born in Winnipeg:: Anna Paquin on July 24, 1982; Deanna Durbin, who died this past April in France at the age of 91, on December 4, 1991, David Steinberg on August 9, 1942 and Burton Cummings of Guess Who fame on December 31, 1947.
15. B
In 1944, Tommy Douglas, preacher-turned-politician, led the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (forerunner to the New Democratic Party) to power in Saskatchewan. As premier, Douglas introduced universal healthcare to the province.
OSCARS QUIZ 2014
(Originally published February 26, 2014)
The 86th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2014 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's fourth annual Oscars quiz. There are ten questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2014
1. Marlon Brando received eight Academy Award nominations during his illustrious career and won twice, both times for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He received his second Academy Award for his performance as Vito Corleone in the 1972 film The Godfather. For which film did he win his first Oscar.?
A. A Street Car Named Desire
B. On the Waterfront
C. Julius Caesar
D. The Wild One
E. Reflections in a Golden Eye
2. Who was the only actor to win an Academy Award in a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock?
A. Grace Kelly
B. James Stewart
C. Cary Grant
D. Joan Fontaine
E. Raymond Burr
3. Did Richard Burton ever win an Academy Award?
A. No, he never won an Oscar.
B. Yes, he won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the 1953 film The Robe.
C. Yes, Richard Burton won two Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role - one for The Robe (1953) and the other for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
D. Yes, Burton won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the 1952 film My Cousin Rachel.
E. Yes, he won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of King Henry VIII in Anne of the Thousand Days (1969).
4. Who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a 1965 film? Here are the nominees.
A. Elizabeth Hartman for A Patch of Blue
B. Simone Signoret for Ship of Fools
C. Julie Christie for Darling
D. Julie Andrews for The Sound of Music
E. Samantha Eggar for The Collector
5. Jane Fonda is a two-time Academy Award winner. She won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role her performance as Sally Hyde in Coming Home (1978) and her co-star, John Voight won for Best Actor. For what other film did Jane earn an Oscar?
 |
| Jane Fonda |
A. The China Syndrome (1979)
B. On Golden Pond (1981)
C. They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
D. Julia (1977)
E. Klute (1971)
6. How tall is an Oscar statuette?
A.. 12 1/2 inches (31.75 cemtimetres)
B. 11 inches (27.94 centimetres)
C. 13 1/2 inches (34.29 centimetres)
D. 14 inches (35.56 centimetres)
E. 10 1/2 inxhes (26.67 centimetres)
7. Who was the first performer to win an Oscar in for a leading role in a foreign language film.
A. Sophia Loren
B. Ingrid Bergman
C. Roberto Benigni
D. Catherine Deneuve
E. Gérard Depardieu
8. Which actor, at the age of 73, performed one-handed push-ups on stage while accepting his Academy Award.?
A. James Coburn
B. Jack Palance
C. David Niven
D. Christopher Plummer
E. Art Carney
9. Marisa Tomei won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for which movie?
 |
| Tomei with Oscar |
A. Only You
B. Chaplin
C, Slums of Beverly Hills
D. The Wrestler
E. My Cousin Vinny
10. On February 22, 2009, Australian-born Heath Ledger became the second performer to be awarded a posthumous acting Oscar. Ledger, who won the Oscar for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight, died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on January 22, 2008. He was only 28 years old at the time of his passing.
Who was the first performer to be awarded a posthumous acting Oscar?
A. John Wayne
B. Jessica Tandy
C. James Dean
D. Peter Finch
E. Montgomery Clift
1. B
Marlon Brando won his first Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Terry Malloy in the 1954 film On the Waterfront. Brando was nominated for A Street Car Named Desire (1951) but Humphrey Bogart received the award for African Queen. He was also nominated for Julius Caesar (1953) but William Holden got the nod for Stalag 17.
In addition, Brando earned Oscar nominations for Viva Zapa! (1952), Sayonara (1957) and Last Tango in Paris (1973). His final Academy Award nomination was for Best Supporting Actor in A Dry White Season (1989). A Dry White Season deals with the subject of apartheid in South Africa and Brando plays a human rights attorney named Ian McKenzie in the film.
All of Brando's Academy Award nominations were for Best Actor in a Leading Role except for A Dry White Season. He famously declined his Oscar for The Godfather at the 1973 Academy Awards ceremony due to ""poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry."
2. D
In 1942, Joan Fontaine won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Alfred Hitchcock's film Suspicion (1941). She was chosen over her sister, Olivia de Havilland, who was nominated for Hold Back the Dawn.
3. A
No, Richard Burton never won an Academy Award even though he was nominated seven times. His nominations include Best Actor in Supporting Role for My Cousin Rachel (1952) and Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Robe (1953), Beclet (1964), The Spy Who Came in from from the Cold (1965), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966), Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) and Equus (1977). Burton passed away in 1984.
4. C
Julie Christie was awarded the Oscar for her role as Diana Scott in the 1965 British film Darling. Darling was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. It won three;: Christie for her Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design.
5. E
Jane Fonda won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Bree Daniel, a New York prostitute, in the 1971 film, Klute.
6. C
According to the website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. an Oscar statuette "stands 13½ inches tall (34.29 centimetres) and weighs in at a robust 8½ pounds.(3.85 kilograms)."
7. A
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| Sophia Loren and Eleonora Brown in Two Sisters |
Sophia Loren was the first artist to win an Oscar for a foreign language performance. In 1962, she was awarded an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Vittorio De Sica's Two Women. The Italian film tells the story of a widow, played by Loren, who tries to shield her daughter from the horrors of World War II. (Trivia Note: Sophia was unable to accept her Academy Award in person and Oscar winner Greer Garson accepted it on her behalf).
8. B
On March 30, 1992, 73-year-old Jack Palance won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as cowboy Curly Washburn in the 1991 film City Slickers. After accepting his Oscar from Whoopi Goldberg, he poked fun at his City Slickers co-star, Billy Crystal (who hosted the ceremony that year) and then demonstrated his ability to do push-ups. (It's interesting to note that Jack Palance was a professional heavyweight boxer during the 1940s and that he boxed under the name Jack Brazzo).
Palance told the audience that the producer of his first film in 1949 told him that he would someday win an Academy Award. "43 years later he was right," the veteran actor quipped. To watch a video of Palance's 1992 Academy Awards acceptance speech, click on the link below.
9. E
On February 17, 1993, Marisa Tomei received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as Mona Lisa Vito in the 1992 film My Cousin Vinny. Her performance was chosen over those of such acclaimed actresses as Judy Davis for Husbands and Wives, Joan Plowright for Enchanted April, Vanessa Redgrave for Howard's End and Miranda Richardson for Damage.
Tomei was also nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Cassidy in The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke (Rourke was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role). Tomei lost to Penelope Cruz, who won the Oscar for Vicky Cristia Barcelona. Sean Penn took home the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in Milk.
10. D
The first performer to win a posthumous acting Oscar was Peter Finch who won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of television news anchor Howard Beale in the satirical 1976 film Network. Finch received the award two months after his death of a heart attack on January 14, 1977 at the age of 60.
Newwork was written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet. It won four Academy Awards and its cast includes Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty and Beatrice Straight. Dunaway received the Best Actress award and Straight was selected Best Supporting Actress. Chayefsky was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
+and+William+Holden.jpg) |
| Peter Finch (left and William Holden in Network |
The first performer to win a posthumous acting Oscar was Peter Finch who won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of television news anchor Howard Beale in the satirical 1976 film Network. Finch received the award two months after his death of a heart attack on January 14, 1977 at the age of 60.
Newwork was written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet. It won four Academy Awards and its cast includes Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty and Beatrice Straight. Dunaway received the Best Actress award and Straight was selected Best Supporting Actress. Chayefsky was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
2014 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
(Originally posted October 6, 2014)
It's that time again, baseball fans. It's October and the World Series is just around the corner. To put you in the mood for the Fall Classic, Number 16 presents a 2014 World Series Quiz. Are you up to the challenge. Put on your baseball cap and find out by answer the following questions. Get ready to play ball!
2014 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
1. Which of the following statements is not true about the 1964 World Series between the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals?
A. The 1964 World Series marked the last Series appearance for both Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.
B. The St. Louis Cardinals won in six games.
C. Yankee manager Yogi Berra was fired after the Series ended and replaced by the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.
D. The New York Yankees did not play in another World Series until 1976.
E, All of the above.
2. Name the youngest man ever to broadcast a World Series game.
A, Vin Scully
B. Ernie Harwell
C. Red Barber
D. Bob Costas
E. Mel Allen
3. What was the nickname of the 1982 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals?
A. "The Beer Fest"
B. "The Brew War"
C. "The Big Brewsky"
D. "The Suds Series"
E. "The Battle of the Brews"
4. When was the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series?
A. 1912
B. 1907
C. 1908
D. 1913
E. 1924
5. Reggie Jackson, known as "Mr. October," played in 27 World Series games during his career. How many home runs did he hit in those 27 games?
A. seven
B. ten
C. twelve
D. nine
E. eight
6. Have any of the various versions of the Washington Senators ever won the World Series?
A. No team named the Washington Senators has ever won the World Series.
B. Yes, the Washington Senators won the 1922 World Series.
C. No team named the Washington Senators has ever even played in the World Series.
D. Yes, the Washington Senators won the 1931 World Series.
E. Yes, the Washington Senators won the 1924 World Series.
7. Which baseball manager has won the most World Series rings?
A. Connie Mack
B. Joe Torre
C. A tie between Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel
D. A tie between Sparky Anderson and Tony La Russa
E. Miller Huggins
8. Did Ty Cobb ever play on a World Series championship team?
A. No, Cobb never won a World Series ring during his baseball career.
B. No, he never even played in the World Series.
C. Ty Cobb won a World Series with the Detroit Tigers.
D. Cobb won a World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics.
E, Cobb won two World Series rings with Detroit.
9. Which of these statements in false about the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 1993.
A. 1992 marked the first time a World Series game was played outside the United States.
B. The Blue Jays' manager, Cito Gaston, became the first black manager to win the World Series.
C. The Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian-based team to win the World Series.
D. The Blue Jays became the first Canadian-based team to participate in major league post-season play.
E, All of the above.
10. When the New York Mets (dubbed the "Miracle Mets" or the "Amazing Mets") won the 1969 World Series, which American League team did they defeat?
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| The Mets celebrating their 1969 World Series win |
A. Detroit Tigers
B. Baltimore Orioles
C. Kansas City Royals
D. Chicago White Sox
E. Cleveland Indians
11, What team defeated the Chicago White Sox in the infamous 1919 World Series?
B. Philadelphia Phillies
C. St. Louis Cardinals
D. Boston Braves
E. Cincinnati Reds
12. To date, the New York Yankees have won 27 World Series championships, the most of any team in Major League history. Which team has recorded the second-most World Series victories?
A. St. Louis Cardinals
B. Pittsburgh Pirates
C. Boston Red Sox
D. New York/San Francisco Giants
E. Detroit Tigers
13. On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series. To date, Larsen's perfect game is the only perfect game in the history of the Fall Classic. Until 2010, it remained the only no-hitter of any kind in post-season play. Which pitcher threw a no-hitter in the National League Division Series that year?
 |
| Don Larson after his perfect game |
A. Pedro Martinez
B. Cliff Lee
C. Roy Halladay
D. Cole Hamels
E. Roy Oswalt
ANSWERS
1. B
The St. Louis won the 1964 World Series in seven games. They won the seventh game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis by a score of 7-5. Yogi Berra was fired and replaced by Johnny Keane, who had resigned from the Cardinals after the series. It was the last World Series appearance for both Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle. Mantle played his final major league game in 1968 and announced his retirement on March 1, 1969. Ford played his final major league game in 1967. Their New York Yankees did not appear in another Word Series until 1976 when they were swept by the Cincinnati Reds in four games straight.
2. A
Vin Scully was only 25 years old when he broadcast the 1953 World Series, a rematch between the four-time defending champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He replaced Red Barber who was involved in a salary dispute. In so doing, Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game, a record that still stands today. At the age of 86, he is still the voice of Dodger baseball, but in Los Angeles.
By the way, the Yankees won that 1953 Series in six games for their fifth straight title - another mark that has yet to be equalled.
3. D.
The 1982 World Series was dubbed the "Suds Series." St. Louis and Milwaukee had never met in a Series before, but the two cities were beer market rivals with St. Louis being the home of Anheuser-Busch and Milwaukee the home of Miller Brewing. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee brewers in seven games.
4. C
The last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series was 1908 - that's 106 years ago! The Cubbies have only won two Series in their storied history - back to back wins in 1907 and 1908. Both times, they defeated the Detroit Tigers.
5. B
Reggie Jackson slammed ten home runs in his 27 World Series games, batting .354 with 24 RBIs. The Hall of Famer played on five World Series championship teams. He won three times with the Oakland Athletics and twice with the New York Yankees. On October 18, 1977, Reggie slugged three home runs in Game 6 of the World Series, leading the Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Los Angels Dodgers and a victory in the Series four games to two.
6. E
The Washington Senators did indeed win the World Series - in 1924. They defeated the New York Giants in seven games. In the above photo, Washington manager Bucky Harris presents U.S. President Calvin Coolidge with the baseball used to open the 1924 World Series at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D,C. The Senators lost the first game of the Series by a score of 4-3 (in 12 innings).
Pitching great Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators made his first World Series appearance in 1924. He was 36 years old.
7. C
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| Joe McCarthy |
 |
| Casey Stengel |
Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel hold the MLB record with seven World Series rings each. McCarthy earned his rings while managing the New York Yankees in 1932, 1936-1939, 1941 and 1943. Stengel's victories were with the Yankees from 1949 to 1953 (five straight championships), and in 1956 and 1958. Stengel won a total of 37 World Series games, while McCarthy won 30.
Connie Mack is in second place with five rings. Joe Torre won four World Series and Sparky Anderson, Tony La Russa and Miller Huggins each notched three.
8. A
No, Ty Cobb never won a World Series. However, he did play in three straight World Series for the Detroit Tigers in 1907, 1908 and 1909. The Tigers lost all three. They lost to the Chicago Cubs in 1907 and 1908 and to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1909.
9. D
The Toronto Blue Jays had been in post-season play prior to 1992, but they were not the first Canadian-based team to participate in the post-season That distinction belongs to the Montreal Expos. In 1981, the Expos made it to post-season play for the first and only time as a Montreal franchise. However, they lost the best-of-five National League Championship when Rick Monday of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit a ninth-inning home run in Game 5 at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. In 2005, the Expos moved to Washington D.C. to become the Washington Nationals.
Cito Gaston, who spent his entire managerial career with the Toronto Blue Jays, became the first African-American manager to win a World Series in Major League history when the Blue Jays won the championship in 1992.
 |
| Cito Gaston |
10. B
In 1969, the New York Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in World Series history. The Mets won the Series in five games, becoming the first expansion team to win a division title, a pennant, and the World Series. Under manager Gil Hodges, the Mets captured the championship in what was only the eighth year of their existence. They overcame a fine Baltimore Orioles club, managed by Earl Weaver.
11. E
In 1919, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the heavily-favoured Chicago White Sox five games to three in the best--of-nine World Series. A scandal followed (dubbed the "Black Sox" in which it was revealed that several members of the White Sox had conspired with gamblers to intentionally lose the 1919 championship.
12. A
To date, the St. Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, the second-most Series victories. The Boston Red Sox have won eight times, having appeared in 12 October Classics. The New York/San Francisco Giants have combined for seven World Series titles - five in New York and two in San Francisco. The Pittsburgh PIrates have compiled five championships, while the Detroit Tigers have prevailed four times - 1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984.
13, B
On October 6, 2010, Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their 2010 National League Division series against the Cincinnati Reds. It was Halladay's second no-hitter in 2010 and the first postseason appearance of his career.
OSCARS QUIZ 2015
(Originally published February 17, 2015
The 87th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's fifth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2015
1. This year, 84-year-old Robert Duvall was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Judge Joseph Palmer in The Judge. How many Oscars has the veteran actor won in his lengthy career?
A. Robert Duvall's nomination for The Judge is his seventh nomination, but has never won an Oscar.
B. To date, he has won three Academy Awards.
C. To date, he has won one Academy Award.
D. To date, Duvall has won two Oscars.
E, To date, he has taken home four Oscars.
2. Dustin Hoffman has received seven Academy Award nominations, all for Best Actor. How many Academy Awards has he won, and for which films?
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| Hoffman |
A. Hoffman has won three Best Actor Academy Awards for his performances in The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy and Kramer Vs. Kramer.
B. Hoffman has won two Best Actor Academy Awards - for Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man.
C, He has won one Academy Award and it was for Kramer vs.Kramer.
D, He has won four Academy Awards for his performances in Kramer vs, Kramer, Tootsie, Rain Man and All the President's Men.
E, He has won two Academy Awards - for Midnight Cowboy and Rain Man.
3. What is the longest film to have ever won the Oscar for Best Picture?
A. Ben-Hur
B. Titanic
C. Gone with the Wind
D. Mrs. Miniver
E. Lawrence of Arabia
4. What year were the Oscars first televised?
A. 1953
B. 1951
C, 1949
D, 1950
E. 1952
5. Who are the only brother and sister to even win Oscars for acting.
A. Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty
B. Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda
C. Julia Roberts and Eric Roberts
D. Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore
E. No sister and brother combination has ever won Academy Awards for acting.
6. Who was the first actor to refuse an Academy Award for Best Actor?
A. Marlon Brando
B. Woody Allen
C. John
D. Peter Fonda
E. George C. Scott
7. Who is the only Oscar winner whose parents were also Academy Award winner?
A. John Barrymore
B. Haley Mills
C. Liza Minnelli
D. Vanessa Redgrave
E. Alan Ladd
8. Did Robin Williams, who passed away on August 11, 2014, ever win an Oscar during his career?
A. Yes, he won an Oscar for Best Support Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting.
B. Yes, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role in Dead Poets Society.
D. Yes, he actually won two Oscars - for Fisher King and Good Will Hunting.
E. No, Robin Williams never won an Oscar
9. Five British actors have been nominated for acting Oscars in 2015. Who was the first British actor to win an Academy Award?
B. Charles Laughton
C. Vivien Leigh
D, George Arliss
E. Laurence Olivier
10. True or false: To date, three actors have won Oscars for roles in which they didn't utter a single word?
A. False. Four actors have won Academy Awards for portraying characters that did not speak.
B. False. No actor has won an Oscar for a role for which they did not speak.
C. False. Only one actor has won an Academy Award for such a role.
D. False Two actors have won for non-speaking roles.
E. True. Three actors have won Oscars for roles in which they didn't utter a single word?
ANSWERS
1. C
Robert Duvall's Oscar nomination for The Judge is his seventh. He has won once, at the 56th Academy Awards in 1984. Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone presented him with the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Mac Sledge, an alcoholic country singer, in Tender Mercies (1983).
Duvall other Oscar nominations include Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Civil Action (1998), Apocalypse Now (1979) and The Godfather (1972). He was also nominated for Best Actor in Leading Role for The Apostle (1997) and The Great Santini (1979).
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| Duvall in his Oscar-winning role in Teder Mercies |
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| Duvall's Oscar win in 1984. |
2. B
Dustin Hoffman has won two Oscars for Best Actor - for Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980 and Rain Man in 1989. He was nominated for The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy, Lenny, Tootsie and Wag the Dog but did not win.
3. C
To date, Gone with the Wind (1939) is the longest film to have ever won an Oscar for Best Picture. Gone with the Wind clocks in at a whopping 234 minutes. (three hours and 54 minutes) - almost four hours.
4. A
The first televised Academy Awards show was broadcast on March 19, 1953. It was held simultaneously at the RKO Pannteges Theatre in Hollywood California and the NBC International Theatre in New York City. Bob Hope hosted the main ceremony in Hollywood, while actor Conrad Nagel presided over the smaller ceremony in New York City so performers working on Broadway could take part.
5. D
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| Ethel Barrymore's Oscar win 1945 |
 |
| Marie Dressler and Lionel Barrymore after winning Oscars in 1931 |
To date, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore are the only brother and sister to ever win Oscars for acting. Lionel Barrymore won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Free Soul (1931), while Ethel Barrymore won for Best Supporting Actress in None But the Lonely Heart (1944). She received her Academy Award in 1945.
Note: Both Shirley MacLaine and Wareen Beatty have won Academy Awards. Howver, Beatty's Oscar win was in the Best Director category. He received an Academy Award in 1982 for directing the film Reds.
6. E
 |
| George C. Scott as Patton |
In 1971, the late George C. Scott became the first actor to refuse a Best Actor Oscar when he turned down the award for his role as General George S. Patton in the film Patton. Scott wrote a letter to the Motion Picture Academy in which he stated that he didn't feel comfortable being in competition with other actors. He was famously quoted as describing the Oscars as a "meat parade." In 1972, Marlon Brando refused his Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather as a protest against Hollywood's treatment of native Americans.
The first person to refuse any Oscar was American screenwriter Dudley Nichols. In 1935, Nichols turned down an Academy Award for his screenplay of The Informer because the Screen Writers Guild of America was on strike against the movie studios at the time. He served as president of the organization in 1937 and 1938
 |
| Dudley Nichols |
To date, Liza Minnelli is the only Oscar winner whose parents (Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli) also both won Academy Awards. Liza won a Best Actress Academy Award in 1973 for her performance as Sally Bowles in the film Cabaret.
In 1940, Mickey Rooney presented Liza's mother, the great Judy Garland, with an Academy Juvenile Award for her work in 1939 in The Wizard of Oz and Babes in Arms. Judy was nominated in the Best Actress category for her performances in A Star is Born (1954) and as Best Supporting Actress for Judgement at Nuremberg (1961) but did not win.
Judy was unable to attend the Academy Awards in 1955 when she was up for an Oscar for A Star is Born. She was in hospital, having given birth to her only son, Joey Luft. As it turned out, however, Grace Kelly won the Best Actress Award that year for The Country Girl. In 1962, Rita Moreno received the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in West Side Story over Judy's in Judgement at Nuremberg.
In 1959, Liza'a father, film director Vincente Minnelli won an Academy Award for directing the movie Gigi.
 |
| Liza celebrating her Oscar win |
 |
| Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in 1940 |
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| Vincente Minelli receiving Oscar from Millie Perkins |
8. A
 |
| Robin Williams with Oscar for Good Will Hunting in 1998 |
Robin Williams won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the 70th Academy Awards in 1998. He won for his portrayal of Dr, Sean Maquire, the psychology teacher who helps Matt Damon's character in the film Good Will Hunting (1997).
Williams also received Oscar nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performances in The Fisher King (1991), Dead Poets Society (1989) and Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).
9. D
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| George Arliss |
George Arliss was the first British actor to win an Academy Award. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the 1930 film The Green Goddess. Arliss was born in London in 1868 and was also the earliest-born actor to win an Academy Award.
By the way, here is a list of the five British actors up for Oscars in 2015:
The nominees for Best Actor in a Leading role include Eddie Redmayne as Steven Hawking in The Theory of Everything and Benedict Cumberbatch for his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. The nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role include Rosamund Pike as Amy Elliott-Dunne in Gone Girl and Felicy Jones as Jane Wilde Hawking in The Theory of Everything. In addition, Keira Knightley has been nominated in the Best Supporting actress category for her performance as Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game.
10. E
It is true that three three actors have won Oscars for roles in which they didn't utter a single word. They are Jane Wyman, Johnny Belinda (1948); Sir John Mills, Ryan’s Daughter (1970); Holly Hunter, The Piano (1993). In Johnny Belinda, Jane Wyman plays a deaf/mute woman who is raped. In Ryan's Daughter, Sir John Mills plays Michael, a mentally impaired man, the so-called "village idiot." In The Piano, Holly Hunter plays Ada McGrath, a woman who has not spoken since she was six years old, and no one knows why.
 |
| Jane Wyman in Johnny Belinda |
 |
| John Mills in Ryan's Daughter |
 |
| Holly Hunter in The Piano |
OSCARS QUIZ 2016
(Originally posted February 25, 2016)
The 88th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's sixth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2016
1. Sylvester Stallone's highly successful 1976 boxing film, Rocky, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards. How many did Oscars did the original Rocky win?
 |
| Stallone as Rocky |
A. Rocky swept the 1977 Oscars, winning all 10 of the Academy Awards for which it was nominated.
B. It won five Oscars.
C. I won seven Oscars.
D. It won three Oscars.
E. It failed to win any of the ten Academy Awards for which it was nominated.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio has received six Academy Award nominations, but has never won an Oscar. This year, he is nominated in the Best Actor category for his role in The Revenant. For which movie did Leo win his first Oscar nomination?
A. The Aviator
B. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
C. Blood Diamond
D. Titanic
E. Romeo and Juliet
3, The late Audrey Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role five times. She won once. For which film did Audrey Hepburn win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role?
A. Roman Holiday (1953)
B. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
C, The Nun's Story (1959)
D. Sabrina (1954)
E. Wait Until Dark (1968)
4. Marilyn Monroe never won an Academy Award, but did she ever receive an Oscar nomination?
A. Yes, Marilyn was nominated for her performance in Bus Stop (1956).
B. Yes, she was nominated for Niagara (1953) .
C. Yes, she was nominated for The Prince and the Showgirl. (1957)
D. Yes, she was nominated for Some Like it Hot (1959).
E. No, she never received an Oscar nomination.
5. What was the first colour film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?
A. The Wizard of Oz
B. Ben-Hur
C. Gone with the Wind
D. Rebecca
E. The Grapes of Wrath
6. Which of these nominated films won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941?
A. How Green Was My Valley
B. Citizen Kane
C. The Maltese Falcon
D. Here Comes Mr. Jordan
E. Suspicion
7. Has any foreign language film won the Academy Award for Best Picture?
A. Yes, Italian actor, director and screenwriter Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful (1997) won the Best Picture Oscar at the 1999 ceremony.
B. Yes, the 1938 French language film Grand Illusion won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
C. Yes, the 1960 Italian film Two Women, starring Sophia Loren, won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1961.
D. Yes, the 1987 Danish film, Babette's Feast, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
E. No. To date, no foreign language film has won Best Picture.
8. Who won the Oscar for Best Actor at the 12th Academy Awards, held on February 29, 1940?
A, James Stewart for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
B. Robert Donat for Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)
C. Clark Gable for Gone with the Wind (1939)
D. Laurence Olivier for Wuthering Heights (1939)
E. Mickey Rooney for Babes in Arms (1939)
9. Has Warren Beatty has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role four times. Has he ever won?
A. Yes, he won the Best Actor Award for the movie Reds.
B. Yes, he won for Bonnie and Clyde.
C. Yes, he won for Heaven Can Wait.
D. Yes, he won for Bugsy.
E. No, Warren Beatty has never won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
10. Who was the first woman to host the Oscars?
A. Celeste Holme
B. Shirley MacLaine
C. Claudette Colbert
D. Liza Minnelli
E. Whoopi Goldberg
ANSWERS
1. D
The original Rocky won three Oscars in 1977. It won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director and Editing. Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but did not win. Peter Finch was awarded the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar posthumously for his performance in Network.
2. B
Leonardo DiCaprio received his first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. DiCaprio played Arnie Grape, a boy with developmental handicap, alongside Johnny Depp, who portrayed Arnie's brother, Gilbert Grape.
3, A
 |
| Hepburn and Peck in Roman Holiday |
 |
| Audrey Hepburn with Oscar for Roman Holiday |
In 1954, Audrey Hepburn received the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. She won for her portrayal of a bored and overprotected princess who runs off to Rome and falls in love with an American journalist (Gregory Peck).
Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress in Leading Role for Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Nun's Story, Sabrina and Wait Until Dark, but did not win. At the Oscar ceremony on March 29, 1993, she was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award posthumously (she died in January, 1993). The award was accepted by her son, Sean H. Ferrer,
4. E
Marilyn Monroe never received an Oscar nomination. In 1957, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress-Comedy/Musical for Bus Stop, but did not win. She did, however, win a Golden Globe in 1960 for Best Motion Picture Actress-Comedy/Musical for her performance in Some Like it Hot. Marilyn was also nominated for two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards - Best Foreign Actress for The Seven Year Itch in 1956 and Best Foreign Actress for Best Foreign Actress for The Prince and the Showgirl in 1958.
5. C
Gone with the Wind (1939) was the first colour film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
6, A
How Green Was My Valley won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941. Although Orson Welles' classic Citizen Kane was nominated for Best Picture, it was not selected in that category. Surprisingly, Citizen Kane only received one Oscar, for Best Original Screenplay.
7. E.
No. To date, no foreign language film has won Best Picture. Life is Beautiful, Grand Illusion, and Babette's Feast were chosen as Best Foreign Language Film, but not Best Picture. Two Women was not even nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. However, Sophia Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1961 for her performance in the film. She was the first person to win the Best Actress Award for a foreign language film. Roberto Benigni was the second to win for a non-English speaking role (and the first male). He received an Oscar for Best Actor in Leading Role for Life is Beautiful in 1999.
8, B
 |
| Robert Donat |
British actor Robert Donat received the 1939 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Donat, who did not attend the ceremony, was awarded the Oscar over Clark Gable's portrayal of Rhett Butler in the hugely successful Gone with the Wind. With the exception of Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, Gone with the Wind swept all the major Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel) and Best Screenplay (Sidney Howard).
9. E.
No. Warren Beatty has never won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role for his performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Heaven Can Wait (1978), Reds (1981) and Bugsy (1991), but did not win. However, received an Academy Award in the category of Best Director for Reds. In addition, Beatty was honoured with the Irving C. Thalberg M Thalberg Memorial Award at the Oscars in the year 2000.
10. C
 |
| Claudette Colbert and Paddy Chayefsky at the Oscars in 1956 |
Actress Claudette Colbert was the first woman to host the Oscars. She hosted the 28th Academy Awards in 1956 with co-hosts. Shirley MacLaine co-hosted the 47th Academy Awards in 1975. Celeste Holm co-hosted the 29th Academy Awards in 1957. Liza Minnelli co-hosted the 55th Academy Awards in 1983. Whoopi Goldberg has hosted the Oscars four times (1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002), more than any other woman.. She also has the distinction of being the first woman and the first African-American to host the Oscars solo.
U.S. PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES QUIZ #3
(Originally published November 6, 2016)
With the Americans going to the polls on November 8th to elect a new president, Number 16 proudly presents its third quiz on U..S. Presidents and First Ladies. If you think you think you know your presidential trivia, give it a try. Good luck and enjoy! By the way, if you are interested in the first two quizzes, you can find them by clicking the "QUIZ PAGE" tab at the top of the webpage.
U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Quiz #3
1. What two American presidents share the same birthday - November 2?
A. Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy
B. Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter
C. Calvin Coolidge and George W. Bush
D. James Knox Polk and Warren G. Harding
E. John Adams and William Howard Taft
2. Which U.S. president was licenced as a bartender?
A. William Howard Taft
B. Abraham Lincoln
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. John Quincy Adams
E. Martin Van Buren
3. Which of these 20th century U.S. president did not have a college degree?
B. Lyndon B. Johnson
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Warren G. Harrding
E. William Howard Taft
4. Which of the following living Presidents of the United States is NOT left handed?
A. George H.W. Bush (term in office: 1989 to 1993)
B. Bill Clinton (term in office: 1993 to 2001)
C. George W. Bush (term in office 2001 to 2009)
D. Barack Obama (2009 - present).
E. All of the above are left handed.
5. Which American president held approximately 200 slaves, although he opposed the institution and supported legislation to free slaves? Many historians believe that he fathered multiple children with his biracial slave.
A. John Adams
B. James Knox Polk
C. William Henry Harrison
D. Andrew Jackson
E. Thomas Jefferson
6. Who was the most recent American president to have facial hair while in office?
A. Grover Cleveland
B. William Howard Taft
C. James Garfield
D. Abraham Lincoln
E. Benjamin Harrison
7. Where was Woodrow Wilson born?
 |
| Woodrow Wilson |
A. Princeton, New Jersey
B. Springfield, Illinois
C. Erie, Pennsylvania
D. Staunton, Virginia
E. West Branch, Iowa
8. Which U.S. president was the youngest to die?
A. John F. Kennedy
B. James Garfield
C. James Knox Polk
D. William McKinley
E. William Henry Harrison
9. Who was the first First Lady of the United States to have been both a wife and a mother to a U.S. president?
A. Dolly Madison
B. Barbara Bush
C. Anna Harrison
D. Letitia Tyler
E. Abigail Adams
10. Who was the first U.S. president to have been born in a hospital?
A. John F. Kennedy
B. Jimmy Carter
C. Richard Nixon
D. Gerald Ford
E. Bill Clinton
11, Who was the first President of the United States to die of cancer?
A. James Monroe
B. Rutherford B. Hayes
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. Ulysses S. Grant
12. What American president's name at birth was Leslie King, Jr.
A. Bill Clinton
B. Herbert Hoover
C. Gerald Ford
D. Calvin Coolidge
E. Warren G. Harding
13. Who was the first First Lady to hold the Bible for her husband's presidential oath of office?
A. Jacqueline Kennedy
B. Lady Bird Johnson
C. Eleanor Roosevelt
D. Laura Bush
E. Bess Truman
ANSWERS
1. D
 |
| James Knox Polk |
 |
| Warren G. Harding |
James Knox Polk and Warren G. Harding share the same birthday. James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States was born in a log cabin on November 2, 1795 in what is now Pineville, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County, near Charlotte. Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, was born on November 2, 1865 on a farm in the tiny Ohio community of Corsica (present-day Blooming Grove).
2. B
 |
| Lincoln |
legislator.
3. A
 |
| Truman |
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, did not have a university degree. Truman graduated from high school in Independence, Missouri and found employment as a bank clerk in Kansas City. He then moved to the family farm near Grandview, Missouri and managed the farm after his father's death in 1914. In 1917, when the United States entered World War I, Truman served overseas. When he returned to the U.S. in 1919, he married Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace. He also opened a haberdashery with an army friend, but the business venture failed. Truman began his political career in 1922 when he ran successfully for county judge.
Truman actually spent a semester at a business college in Kansas City. He dropped out to find a job, although he later attended some night classes at the University of Missouri's law school. Three other U.S. presidents enrolled in college but did not complete a degree. They are James Monroe, William Henry Harrison and William McKinley. McKinley, who was assassinated in Buffalo in 1901, attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvaia for a year. He also studied at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. He did not graduate from either university. Beginning in 1866, Mckinley attended Albany Law School in New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 in Warren, Ohio without having earned a degree.
4. C.
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, is right-handed. His father, George H.W. Bush is left-handed as are Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Note: The next American president will be right-handed as both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are right handed.
5. E
 |
| Jefferson |
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the American Declaration of Independence was a slave owner. Many historians believe that he had children with his biracial slave Sally Hemings, the half-sister of his wife, Martha Wales Skelton Jefferson. It is thought that Hennings, Martha's half-sister, became Jefferson's concubine after Martha's death in 1782.
6. B
 |
| William Howard Taft - moustache |
 |
| Ulysses S. Grant - full beard |
William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States (1909-1913), is the most recent president to have facial hair. Taft wore a moustache. The last president to wear a full beard in office was Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States (1889-1893). Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1861-1865) was the first bearded American president. However, Lincoln's beard was not a full beard. It was a "chinstrap" because he shaved his upper lip. Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States (1869-1877) was the first U.S. president to have a full beard.
7. D
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, was born in Staunton, Virginia on December 28, 1856. He spent his early years in Augusta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Although Wilson later became President of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey, he was born a Southerner. His father, Joseph Ruggles Wilson, was a Presbyterian minister who defended slavery.
Virginia is known as the "Birthplace of Presidents." Four of the first five presidents were born in that state. To date, eight U.S. presidents have been born in Virginia, the most recent of whom is Wilson. The other seven Virginia-born American presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Zachary Taylor.
8. A
 |
| John F. Kennedy |
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States was the youngest to die. Kennedy was 46 years old when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States,was the second youngest president to die. He was 49 years old when he was assassinated at a railroad station in Washington, D.C. in 1881. The youngest president to die of natural causes was James Knox Polk, 11th President of the United States. Polk died of cholera at the age of 53 on June 15, 1849. His death came just three months after he had left the office.of the presidency.
9. E
 |
| Abigail Adams |
Abigail Adams was the first First Lady to be both a wife and a mother to an American president. Her husband was John Adams, 2nd President of the United States and her son was John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States. In 2001, Barbara Bush, wife of George H.W. Bush, became the second First Lady to be both spouse and mother to a U.S. President when her son, George W. Bush, became president.
10. B
 |
| Birthplace of Jimmy Carter, now the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Home |
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, 39th President of the United States, was the first American president to be born in a hospital. Carter, now 92 years old, was born on October 24, 1924 at the Wise Sanitarium, a small hospital in Plains, Georgia. His mother, Lillian, was a registered nurse there. Jiimmy Carter's birthplace is currently a nursing care facility called the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Center.
11. D
 |
| Grant and his cigar |
Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States was the first president to die of cancer. Grant, a heavy cigar smoker, died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885. He was 63 years old.
12. C
 |
| Gerald Ford |
Gerald Rudoph Ford, Jr., 38th President of the United States, was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska on July 14, 1913. His mother, Dorothy, claimed that her husband was physically abusive and moved to the home of her parents in Grand Rapids, Michigan She divorced Leslie King and then married Gerald Rudolff in 1916. The three-year-old future president took on his stepfather's name but did not change his name legally until 1935.
13, B
Lady Bird Johnson became the first First Lady to hold the Bible at her husband Lyndon B. Johnson's inauguration.ceremony on January 20, 1965. She did this at LBJ's request. Until then, the Bible had always been held by the executive secretary of the Joint Congressional Inaugural Committee. LBJ and his wife began a tradition that has continued to the present.
ANIMAL QUIZ
(Originally published December 15, 2016)
Okay, animal lovers. This quiz is for you. How much do you know about all kinds of pets and wild animals? How much do you know about both land and sea creatures, fish and fowl? Test your knowledge with Number 16's Animal Quiz.
Number 16 Animal Quiz
1. What is the collective name for a group of hedgehogs?
A. A troop of hedgehogs
B. An array of hedgehogs
C. A pack of hedgehogs
D. A bevy of hedgehogs
E, A colony of hedgehogs
2. Which of the following is a key difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
A. Alligators have large teeth that protrude when their mouths are closed.
B. Alligators and crocodiles are slightly different in colour. Alligators tend to have an olive brown hue, while crocodiles have a darker, almost black appearance.
C. Alligators are better able to tolerate salt water than crocodiles.
D. Crocodiles have long, narrow, V-shaped snouts. Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts.
E. Alligators can be found in parts of North, Central and South America, and also in areas of Africa, Australia, and the southeast part of Asia. Crocodiles live in eastern China and the southern United States, especially in states along the Gulf Coast.
3. What do you call a baby rabbit?
A. A bunny
B. A cub
C. A kitten
D. A cygnet
E. A joey
4. What kind of dog is shown in the photo below?
A. German Pinscher
B. Affenpinscher
C. Austrian Pinscher
D. Doberman Pinscher
E. Danish Swedish Farm Dog
5. What is another name for the two-humped camel?
A. Arabian camel
B. Dromedary
C. Bactrian
D. Cama
E. None of the above
6. What is the name for mammals, such as kangaroos and koala bears, who carry their young in a pouch?
A. ungulates
B. pachyderms
C. quadrupeds
D. omnivores
E. marsupials
7. "Blind as a bat" is a very common expression. Is it true, though? Are bats really blind?
A. No, bats are not blind.
B. Yes, bats have no sight whatsoever.
C. Only young bats are blind. They gradually develop sight and they can eventually see quite well.
D. Only female bats are blind.
E Bats are not completely blind, but they are close to it. They have extremely poor vision.
8. With proper care, what is the average lifespan of a pet goldfish?
A. Approximately six moths
B About one to two years
C. About two to three years
D About four years
E. About five to ten years
9. Elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal. How long is the gestation period of an elephant?
A Almost 17 months
B. Almost 22 months
C. Almost 24 months
D. Almost 26 months
E. Almost 27 months
10. The scientific name for the study of birds is
A. entomology
B. phytology
C. herpetology
D. ichthyology
E. ornithology
11. Which of the following statements about cats is false.
A. A female cat is called a molly or a queen.
B. A group of cats is called a clowder.
C. Cats are born with brown eyes.
D. During the Middle Ages, cats were assocated with witchcraft.
E. A cat's hearing is bether than a dog's.
10. Which of these statements about giant panda bears is false?
A. Panda bears hibernate.
B. Panda bears are more closely related to racoons than bears.
C. Although panda bears eat meat, they primarily live on plants, espeially shoots and leaves of bamboo.
D. Panda bears are in danger of going extinct.
E. None of the above.
ANSWERS
1. B
The collective name for a group of hedgehogs is an array of hedgehogs.
2. D
- Crocodiles have long, narrow, V-shaped noses. Alligators have wider, U-shaped noses.
- Crocodiles have large teeth that protrude when their mouths are closed. The fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip.
- Alligators are dark, almost black in colour, while crocodiles tend to be olive green.
- Crocodiles can better tolerate salt water than alligators. They have specialized glands for filtering out salt.
- Both crocodiles and alligators live in tropical or subtropical regions. Crocodiles can be found in parts of North, Central and South America, and also in areas of Africa, Australia, and the southeast part of Asia. Alligators live in eastern China and the southern United States, especially in states along the Gulf Coast.
3. C
3. C
A baby rabbit is called a kitten. By the way, a cygnet is a baby swan.
4. A
Pictured above is a German Pinscher. A German Pinscher is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Germany. It weighs between 11-20 kilograms (25-45 pounds). Colors for this dog include black and rust, red, fawn, blue and tan.
5. C
 |
| Bactrian camel Photo Attribution: J. Patrick Fischer |
A two-humped camel is called a bactrian. Bactrians are native to the grasslands of Central Asia.
One-humped camels are called Arabian camels or dromedaries. A cama is a hybrid. It is a cross between a male dromedary camel and a female llama,
6. E
 |
| Opossum Photo Attibution: Wikipedia:User:Cody.pope |
Mammals, such as kangaroos, who carry their young in a pouch, are called marsupials. Other marsupials include wallabies, koalas, possums, opossums, wombats and Tasmanian devils. Marsupials are endemic to Australasia and the Americas.
Ungulates are a diverse group of hoofed mammals such as horses, camels, giraffes, cattle, pigs and rhinoceroses. Pachyderms are very large mammals with thick skin such as the elephant, the rhinoceros and the hippopotamus. A quadroped is an animal that has four feet, especially an ungulate. An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and other animals.
7. A
Bats are not blind. However, many bats hunt insects at night and they cannot see in complete darkness. Therefore, they hunt in the dark by means of echolocation. The echoes from sounds they produce from their mouths help them locate their prey. The sounds bounce off nearby insects such as moths.
There are more than 1,300 species of bats and not all eat insects. Some feed off flowers and three Latin American bats feed off blood. Fruit bats drink nectar. They do not use echolocation and their vision is sharp.
8. D
Although pet goldfish have a reputation for not living long, they can survive an average of five to 10 years or more - provided they are taken care of properly. In the wild, they can live even longer.
9. B
 |
| Photo atrribution: Muhammad Mahdi Karim Facebook |
According to National Geographic, "elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal - almost 22 months." African elepants are the largest land mammals on the planet (Pictured above is an African Bush Elephant).
10. E
The scientific study of birds is called ornithology.
Entomology is the study of insects. Phytology or botany is the study of plants. Herpetology is the study of reptiles. Ichthyology is the study of fish.
11. C
Cats are NOT born with brown eyes. All newborn kittens are born with blue eyes. In most cases, this will change as the newborn ages. Therefore, most blue-eyed kittens will not become blue-eyed adult cats. Although Siamese cats are naturally blue-eyed, the majority of other breeds have green, brown, yellow or even orange eyes.
12. A
Giant pandas do not hibernate.
OSCARS QUIZ 2017
(Originally posted February 21, 2017)
The 89th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's seventh annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2017
1. The film La La Land received 14 Oscar nominations this year, tying a record set by two other films. What two other films were nominated for 14 Academy Awards?
A. Gone with the Wind and The Sound of Music
B. The Wizard of Oz and Avatar
C. Ben-Hur and My Fair Lady
D. All About Eve and Titanic
E. The Best Years of Our Lives and Coming Home
2. Ryan Gosling, a nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role for La La Land, was born in London, Ontario. How many Canadian-born actors have won in this category?
 |
| Ryan Gosling |
A. Only one Canadian-born actor has won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Christopher Plummer
B. Two have won - Harold Russell and Christopher Plummer.
C. Three have won - Harold Russell, Christopher Plummer and Raymond Massey
D. Four have won - Harold Russell, Christopher Plummer, Raymond Massey and Glenn Ford.
E. None. If Gosling wins, he will be the first.
3. Four-time Oscar winner Woody Allen is notorious for not attending the ceremonies. Has he ever attended?
A. Yes, he attended in 2012 when he won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Midnight in Paris.
B. Yes, he attended in 2002 following 9/11 when he thanked Hollywood for its support of his hometown of New York.
C. Yes, he attended in 1988 when he won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Hannah and Her Sisters.
D. Yes, he attended in 1978 when he won for Best Director for Annie Hall.
E. No, Woody Allen has never attended the Oscars.
4. How many Oscars did the 1997 film Titanic win?
A. 14
B. 12
C. 11
D. 9
E. 8
5. In what year did Bob Hope first host the Oscars?
A. 1940
B. 1935
C. 1950
D. 1943
E. 1946
6. Has Tom Cruise ever won an Academy Award?
A. Yes, Tom Cruise won the Best Actor award for Born on the Fourth of July.
B. Yes, he won the Best Actor award for Jerry Maguire.
C. Yes, he won Best Supporting Actor award for Magnolia.
D. Yes, he won the Best Supporting Actor award for The Color of Money.
E. No, Tom Cruise has never won an Oscar.
7. A tune from the musical Mary Poppins won the Oscar for Best Original Song. What is the name of the song.
A. "A Spoon Full of Sugar"
B. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
C. "Chim Chim Cher-Ee"
D. "Feed the Birds"
E. "Jolly Holiday"
8. When Meryl Streep was nominated for an Academy Award this year for her performance in Florence Foster Jenkins, she broke the record for most Oscar nominations. How many Academy Award nominations does the great actress have now?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 15
D. 19
E. 24
9. What was the first colour film to win the Oscar for Best Picture?
A. The Adventures of Robin Hood
B. Gone with the Wind
C. The Wizard of Oz
D. Rebecca
E. How Green Was My Valley
10. Who was the oldest actor ever to be nominated for an Academy Award?
A. Jessica Tandy
B. Lillian Gish
C. Christopher Plummer
D. Gloria Stewart
E. Henry Fonda
ANSWERS
1. D
All About Eve, a 1950 drama starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and Geroge Sanders, was nominated for 14 Academy Awards, as was Titanic, a 1997 film staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
2, E
No Canadian-born actor has won an Oscar in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role. If he wins, Ryan Gosling will become the first. However, Christopher Plummer, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, received the 2011 Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the 2010 film Beginners. Harold Russell, born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the 1946 film The Best Years our Our Lives.
3. B
Woody Allen has only attended the Academy Awards once, in 2002. following the September 11th terriorist attack on New York City. He thanked Hollywood for its support of his hometown.
 |
| Woody Allen at the 2002 Academy Awards |
4. C
Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, won a whopping 11 Academy Awards. It received 14 Oscar nominations. By the way, All About Eve won six Oscars after receiving 14 nomination.
5. A
 |
| Bob Hope hosting the Oscars for the first time in 1940 |
Bob Hope first hosted the Academy Awards in 1940. He went on to host the Oscars 18 more times, for a grand total of 19 times, more than anyone else. The last time Hope hosted Hollywood's Big Show was 1978.
6. E
No, Tom Cruise has never received an Oscar, although he's been nominated three times. In 1990, he was nominated for Best Actor, for Born on the Fourth of July. He lost to Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot. In 1997, he was nominated for Best Actor for Jerry Maguire. He lost to Geoffrey Rush, Shine. In 2000, Cruise was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Magnolia. He lost to Michael Caine, The Cider House Rules.
7. C
8. A
Meryl Streep has received 20 Academy Award nominations, more nominations than any other actor. Despite all her nominations, she has only won three Oscars - Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Best Actress for Sophie's Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011). If she should win for Florence Foster Jenkins, she will win her fourth Oscar.
9, B
Gone with the Wind (1939) was the first colour film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), starring Errol Flynn, was the first Warner Brothers.film shot in the three-strip Technicolor process. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, but lost out to Frank Capra's You Can't Take It With You. In the Wizard of Oz 1939), the Emerald City sequences were filmed in colour. However, The Wizard of Oz lost to Gone with the Wind. Rebecca (1940) and How Green Was My Valley (1941) both won the Oscar for Best Picture, but they were released after Gone with the Wind.
10. D
 |
| Gloria Stuart |
Christopher Plummer became the oldest person to win an Academy Award. Plummer was 82 in 2012 when he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Beginners.
The oldest actor to receive an Oscar for Best Actor was Henry Fonda. He was 76 when he won for On Golden Pond in 1982.
OSCARS QUIZ 2018
(Originally posted February 13, 2018)
The 90th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. In preparation for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's eighth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2018
1. The Shape of Water received 13 Oscar nominations this year. However, that is not the record. What is the record for most Academy Award nominations for a film?
A. Gone with the Wind (1939), Titanic (1997) and La La Land (2016) all received 14 nominations.
B. Gone with the Wind received 15 nominations.
C. All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land all received 14 nominations.
D. The Sound of Music (1965) received 14 nominations.
E. The Wizard of Oz (1939) , All About Eve and Titanic all received 14 novminations.
2. Who was the first Black male to be nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role?
A. Morgan Freeman
B. Paul Winfield
C. Dexter Gordon
D. Sydney Poitier
E. James Earl Jones
3. Who was the second Black male to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role?
A, Morgan Freeman
B. Denzel Washington
C. Laurence Fishburne
D. Will Smith
E. Jamie Foxx
4. Did Cary Grant win an Oscar for any of his roles?
A. No, Cary Grant never won an Oscar.
B.. Yes, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for North By Northwest (1959).
C. Yes, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in The Philadelphia Story (1940).
D. Yes, he won for Best Actor for his role in Penny Serenade (1941).
E. Yes, he won the Best Actor Oscar for None but the Lonely Heart (1944).
5. Sally Hawkins has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as a mute woman in the film The Shape of Water. Thus, she did not speak a single word in the entire move. If she wins, she will be the fourth person and the third woman to win an Academy Award for portraying a mute. Who was the first person to win an Academy Award for playing a mute?
A. Katharine Hepburn
B. Shirley Jones
C. Audrey Hepburn
D. Joan Fontaine
E. Jane Wyman
6. Julie Andrews has been nominated three times for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She has one win to her credit. For which film did she receive her Oscar?
A. Mary Poppins
B. Victor/Victoria
C. The Sound of Music
D. Hawaii
E. Star!
7. Meryl Streep has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham in The Post. She has won three Oscars, but how many times has she been nominated?
A. 15 times
B. 27 times
C. 21 times
D. 18 times
E. 13 times
8. If Meryl Streep wins for The Post, she will tie the record for the most acting awards, with four Oscars. Whose record will she tie?
A. Sally Field
B. Bette Davis
C. Tom Hanks
D. Spencer Tracy
E. Katharrine Hepburn
9. When Katharine Hepburn won her Oscar for The Lion in Winter, she tied with another actress. Who shared the win with Katharine Hepburn?
A. Julie Christie
B. Barbra Streisand
C. Jane Fonda
D. Faye Dunaway
E. Vanessa Redgrave
10. Who has won the most Academy Awards for directing.
A. William Wyler
B. Frank Capra
C. Steven Spielberg
D. John Ford
E. Francis Ford Coppola
ANSWERS
1. C
All about Eve, Titanic and La La Land all received 14 Oscar nominations.
2. D.
 |
| Sydney Poitier in The Defiant Ones |
In 1958, Sydney Poitier was the first African-American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Noah Cullen in The Defiant Ones. In 1963, Poitier became the first Black male to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Homer Smith in Lilies of the Field.
James Earl Jones received a Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar nomination in 1970 for his role as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope. In 1972, Paul Winfield was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Nathan Lee Morgan in Sounder. In 1986, Dexter Gordon was nominated for his role as Dale Turner for his role in Round Midnight.
With his win for Lilies of Field, Sydney Poiter became only the second African-American to win an Academy Award. The first Black to win an Oscar was Hattie McDaniel. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1939 for her performance in Gone with the Wind.
3. B.
 |
| Denzel Washington in Training Day |
Demzel Washington was the second Black male to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He won an Oscar in 2001 for his performance in Training Day.
Laurence Fishbourne was nominated for What's Love Got to Do with It in 1993. Morgan Freeman was nominated for Driving Miss Daisy in 1994. Will Smith was nominated for Ali in 2001 and Jamie Fox won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Ray in 2004.
4. A
Although he will always be remembered for his wit and charm, Cary Grant never won an Oscar. However, he was nominated twice for Best Actor, for Penny Serenade and None but the Lonely Heart. After he retired, he received an Academy Honorary Award in 1969.
5. E
At the 1949 Oscars, Jane Wyman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Belinda McDonald, a deaf/mute rape victim in Johnny Belinda (1948). Wyman, the first wife of President Ronald Reagan, died in 2007. She is also known for her portrayal of a wealthy winery owner on the TV series Falcon Crest.
 |
| Jane Wyman in Johnny Belinda |
Sir John Mill won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as the "village idiot" in Ryan's Daughter (1970) and Holly Hunter won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as the mute Ada McGrath in The Piano (1993).
6. A.
 |
| Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins |
In 1965, Julie Andrews received the Academy Award for Best Actress in Leading Role for her performance in the 1964 Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins. Andrews was again nominated in 1966 for her role in 1965's The Sound of Music. However, Julie Christie won for her performance in the film Darling. In 1983, Julie Andrews was nominated for her role in the 1982 film Victor/Victoria, but the Oscar went to Meryl Streep for Sophie's Choice.
7. C
Meryl Streep has received a record 21 Academy Award nominations for her acting performances. She has won three times. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). She won for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Sophie's Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011).
8. E
The great Katharine Hepburn won four Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performances in Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981).
9. B
 |
| Streisand with Oscar for Funny Girl in 1969 |
At the 1969 Academy Awards ceremony, Katharine Hepburn, 61, shared the Best Actress Oscar with Barbra Streisand. Streisand won for her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (1968). Hepburn and Streisand both received 3,030 votes. It was the first exact tie in a principal Oscar category. It was also the first and only (so far) tie for Best Actress or any female acting category.
The 26-year-old Streisand, clad in a sequined bell-bottomed pant suit cooed "Hello, gorgeous!" upon receiving her golden statuette.
10. D
 |
| John Ford |
John Ford won four Best Director Oscars - for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940). How Green Was My Valley (1941) and the The Quiet Man (1052). Ford also received an Oscar nomination for Stagecoach (1939). Frank Capra and William Wyler both won three Best Director Oscars, Capra for It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can't Take it With You (1938) and Wyler for Mrs. Miniver (1942), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Ben-Hur (1959). Francis Ford Coppola received the Best Director Oscar for The Godfather Part II (1974). Steven Spielberg has two Best Director Academy Awards to his credit - for Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998).
2018 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
(Originally posted October 9, 2018)
Major League Baseball's postseason has begun and we are on our way to the October Classic. Here is a quiz to test your knowledge of the World Series.
2018 WORLD SERIES QUIZ
1. Which player has won the most World Series rings?
A. Mickey Mantle
B. Joe DiMaggio
C. Yogi Berra
D. Babe Ruth
E. Lou Gehrig
2. How many has Tommy Lasorda managed the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory in a World Series?
 |
| Tommy Lasorda |
B. Never
C. Once
D. Three times
E. Four times
3. What Los Angeles Dodger pitcher recorded 29 strikeouts in the 1965 World Series between the Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins.
A. Wally Bunker
B. Don Drysdale
C. Claude Osteen
D. Sandy Koufax
E. Mudcat Grant
4. To date the New York Yankees have won the most World Series with 27 victories. Which team has won the second most World Series?
A. Boston Red Sox
B. San Francisco Giants (previously the New York Giants)
C. St. Louis Cardinals
D. Los Angeles Dodgers (previously the Brooklyn Dodgers)
E. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Which of these teams has never won a World Series?
A. Seattle Mariners
B. San Diego Padres
C. Washington Nationals
D. Milwaukee Brewers
E. All of the Above
6, Which pitcher has thrown the only perfect game in World Series history?
A. Whitey Ford
B. Don Larsen
C. Roy Halladay
D. Cy Young
E. Tom Seaver
7. Who hit the first pinch-hit home run in a World Series?
A. Joe DiMaggio
B. Mickey Mantle
C. Yogi Berra
D. Stan Musial
E. Bobby Thomson
8. When the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1979, what was their theme song?
A. We Will Rock You (Queen)
B. We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
C. Get Down Tonight (K.C. & The Sunshine Band)
D/ Takin' Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
E. Celebration (Kool & The Gang)
9. In 1990, the Oakland Athletics were heavily favoured to win the World Series. The defending champion A;s won 103 games to finish atop the American League West division. Yet, they were defeated soundly in a four-game sweep. What team defeated Oakland in the 1990 World Series?
A. Cincinnati Reds
B. New York Mets
C. St. Louis Cardinals
D. Montreal Expos
E. Philadelphia Phillies
10. Who is the first Black manager to lead his team to a World Series victory?
A. Dusty Baker
B. Frank Robinson
C. Ron Washingon
D. Cito Gaston
E. Hal McRae
11. Which manager(s) has led his team to a World Series championship the most times? (Note: the ones with the slash between them have won the same number of times).
A. Sparky Anderson/Miller Huggins
B. Joe Torre/Walter Alston
C. Connie Mack
D. Tony La Russa/John McGraw/Bruce Boschy
E. Joe McCarthy/Casey Stengel
ANSWERS
1. C
 |
| Yogi Berra |
2. A
Tommy Lasorda managed the Los Angeles Dodgers to two World Series championships. Under Lasorda's stewardship, the Dodgers won the World Series in 1981, defeating the New York Yankees four games to two. They won again in 1988, defeating the Oakland Athletics four games to one.
3. D
 |
| Sandy Koufax |
4. C
To date, the St. Louis Cardinals have won the second most World Series with 11 victories. The Boston Red Sox have won 8 championships - 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007 and 2013, The New York Giants have won five World Series, and the San Francisco Giants have won three times since the team began playing in California at the beginning of the 1958 season. That's a combined total of 8 World Series wins. The Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series once(1955). Since playing their first season in L.A. in 1958, the Dodgers have won five World Series - 1959, 1963, 1965 1981 and 1988. That's a total of six World Series championships. The Pittsburgh Pirates have also won five World Series - 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979.
5. E
All of the above. None of the teams listed have ever won the World Series. Milwaukee Brewers franchise began in 1969, as did the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals. The Seattle Mariners franchise in 1977.
6. B
 |
| Larsen |
On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees in Game Five of the World Series. Larsen needed just 97 pitches to complete the game and the Yanks won the game by a score of 2-0 and went on to win the World Series over the Brooklyn Dodgers four games to three. Larsen's perfect game was the only no-hitter of any kind ever pitched in postseason play until Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies on October 6, 2010 in Game One of the National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds. (Halladay's only flaw was a fifth inning full-count walk. Larsen's perfect game remains the only perfect game in World Series history.
7. C
 |
| Yogi |
8. B
 |
| Sister Sledge |
When the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1979, the team's theme song was We Are Family by Sister Sledge. That year, the Pirates defeated their American League opponents, the Baltimore Orioles four games to three.
9. A
The Cincinnati Reds of the National League upset the heavily-favoured Oakland A' in the 1990 World Series.
10. D
 |
| Cito Gaston |
Cito Gaston's Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves in 1992 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. The 1992 World Series marked the first time the October Classic was played outside of the United States and the fist time it was won by a team not based in the U.S.
11. E
 |
| Casey Stengel |
It's a tie between Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel. Both managed seven World Series championship teams. Connie Mack managed five winners. Joe Torre and Walter Alston managed four. Sparky Anderson, Miller Huggins, Bruece Bochy, Tony La Russa and John McGraw managed three.
OSCARS QUIZ 2019
(Originally posted February 9, 2019)
The 91st Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February, 24, 2019 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. In preparation for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's ninth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2019
1. Bette Davis won two Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Name the movies which earned her two Oscars.
 |
| From Dark Victory |
A. She won for her performances in Dangerous in 1936 and Jezebel in 1939.
B. She won for Dark Victory in 1940 and for Now, Voyager in 1943.
C. She won for The Letter in 1941 and for The Star in 1953.
D. She won for The Little Foxes in 1942 and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? in 1963.
E. She won for Mr.Skeffington in 1945 and All About Eve in 1951.
2. Which famous filmmaker purchased Bette Davis' Oscar statuettes at auctions?
A. Martin Scorsese
B. Woody Allen
C. Francis Ford Coppola
D. James Cameron
E. Steven Spielberg
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) received nine Oscar nominations. How many Academy Awards did it win?
A. None
B. Six
C. Five
D. Four
E. Nine
4. No foreign language film has ever received an Academy Award for Best Picture, although eight foreign language films have been nominated for the award. This year, Roma, Alfonso Cuaron's Netflix's drama about a young housekeeper in 1970s Mexico, has been nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film. Roma tied another film for the highest number of Oscar nominations for foreign language film. What is the name of the other foreign language film that has received ten Academy Award nominations?
4. No foreign language film has ever received an Academy Award for Best Picture, although eight foreign language films have been nominated for the award. This year, Roma, Alfonso Cuaron's Netflix's drama about a young housekeeper in 1970s Mexico, has been nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film. Roma tied another film for the highest number of Oscar nominations for foreign language film. What is the name of the other foreign language film that has received ten Academy Award nominations?
A. Life is Beautiful (Italy) - won Best Foreign Language Film in 1998
B. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan) - won best Foreign Language Film in 2000
C. A Man and a Woman (France) - won best Foreign Language Film in 1966
D. War and Peace (Soviet Union) i- won best Foreign Language Film in 1968
E. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (Italy) - won best Foreign Language film in 1970
5. Which country has won the Best Foreign Language film the most times.?
A. France
B. Spain
C. Japan
D. Italy
E. Sweden
6. Mary Poppins Returns (2018), starring Emily Blunt as the no-nonsense English nanny, has been nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("The Place Where Lost Things Go"), Best Production Design. How many Oscar nominations did the original 1964 film starring Julie Andrews earn?
A. 12
B. 11
C. 13
D. 10
E. Eight
7. Only one male performer has won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role three times. Who is he?
A. Daniel Day-Lewis
B. Jack Nicholson
C. Al Pacino
D. Gregory Peck
E. Woody Allen
8. Which male performer has more Oscar nominations than any other.
A. Marlon Brando
B. Jack Nicholson
C. Robert Redford
D. Carey Grant
E. Spencer Tracy
9. Oscar nominations for female directors have been few and far between. As we approach the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, how many women have been nominated for a Best Director Oscar during the course of nine decades.
A. One
B. Six
C. Four
D. Three
E. Five
10. During her illustrious career, Meryl Streep has received 21 Academy Award nominations, more than any other actor. For which movie did she earn her first Oscar nomination?
 |
| Meryl Streep |
A. Kramer vs. Kramer
B. The French Lieutenant's Woman
C. Silkwood
D. The Deer Hunter
E. Sophie's Choice
ANSWERS
1. A
Bette Davis received Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performances in Dangerous and Jezebel. She was nominated for Dark Victory, Now, Voyager, The Letter, The Star, The Little Foxes, Mr. Skeffington and All About Eve, but did not win. She also received a write-in nomination in 1935 for her role in Of Human Bondage.
2. E.
 |
| Spielberg in 2012 Photo Attribution: Romain DUBOIS |
3. C
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest won five Oscars at the 1976 Academy Award:
Best Picture (Michael Douglas, Saul Zaentz, producers)
Best Director (Milos Forman)
Best Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Best Actress (Louise Fletcher)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Laurence Hauben, Bo Goldman)
4. B
Crouching Tigar, Hidden Dragon received ten Academy Award nominations. It won a total of four Oscars.
5. D
Italy has won the most Best Foreign Language Film Academy Awards. It has won 14 times, including two special awards for Shoe-Shine (1946) and an Honorary Award shared with France for The Walls of Malapaga (1949). France has won 12, including a Special Award for Monsieur Vincent (1947) and two honorary awards for Forbidden Games (1952) and The Walls of Malapaga (1949). Japan has won four wins and three of them are Honorary Awards. Spain also has four wins. Sweden and Denmark have three.each.
6. C
 |
| Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins |
The original Mary Poppins, received 13 Oscar nominations and went on to win five Oscars at the 1965 Academy Awards Ceremony: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julie Andrews), Best Music, Original Score, Best Music, Original Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee"), Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects.
7. A
 |
| Daniel Day-Lewis |
Daniel Day-Lewis is the only male performer who has won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role three times. Day-Lewis received his first Best Actor in Leading Role Oscar in 1990 for his performance in the film My Left Foot. He won again in 2008 for his role in There Will Be Blood and in 2013 for Lincoln.
8. B
 |
| Jack Niccholson |
Jack Nicholson has garnered more Oscar nominations than any other male performer in the history of the Academy Awards, He has received 12 nominations. His most recent nomination was for About Schmidt in 2003. Nicholson has won three times. In 1976, he received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. In 1984, he took home an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Terms of Endearment. In 1998, he won for Best Actor in a Leading Role for As Good as it Gets.
9. E
 |
| Kathryn Bigelow at the 2010 Oscars |
Only five women have received Oscar nominations in the category of Best Director. They are Lina Wertmuller for Seven Beauties in 1976, Jane Campion for The Piano in 1993, Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation in 2003, Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2003 and Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird in 2018. Of the five female nominees, only one has won the Academy Award - Katheryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker.
10. D
In 1979, Meryl Streep received the first of her 21 Oscar nominations when she was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Deer Hunter. The following year, in 1980, she won the first of her three Academy Awards, for her performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Best Actress in a Supporting Role). In 1983, Streep won her second Oscar for Sophie's Choice (Best Actress in a Leading Role). In 2012, she won her third Oscar for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (Best Actress in a Leading Role). Note: Jack Nicholson and Katharine Hepburn have earned the second most Oscar nominations with 12 each.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #1
(Originally posted March 24, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. spurious (adjective)
A. natural
B. not being what it purports to be, false or fake
C. suspicious in nature
D. unusual, an anomaly
E. that which is rejected
2. promulgate (verb)
A. to put down by authority or force: SUBDUE
B. to reveal only to a chosen group
C. to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people by open declaration: PROCLAIM
D. to demand money or another benefit from (someone) in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them: BLACKMAIL
E. to self-publish a book
3. sojourn (noun)
A. a secret journey at night
B. an unplanned vacation
C. a morning journey
D. a day trip
E. a temporary stay
4. respite (noun)
A. a constitutional right
B. a long hospital stay
C. a period of temporary delay, an interval of rest or relief
D. an act of forgiveness
E. an act of repentance
5. ornithology (noun)
A. a branch of zoology dealing with birds
B. a branch of zoology dealing with insects
C. a branch of zoology dealing with horses
D. a branch of zoology dealing with rabbits
E. a branch of zoology dealing with fish
6. festoon (verb)
A. joke, act comically
B. make fun of, ridicule
C. ignore the obvious
D. laugh uncontrollably
E. decorate, adorn
7. inscrutable (adjective)
A. easy to understand or interpret
B. impossible to understand or interpret
C. distant, uncommunicative
D. docile, obedient
E. stubborn, hard-headed
8. languid (adjective)
A. (of a person, manner or gesture) displaying open hostility or anger toward others
B. clear and transparent, not hidden, open and honest
C. (of a person, manner or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort, slow and relaxed
D. tearful, sad, despondent
E. painfully shy or timid, lacking confidence
9. nephrology (noun)
A. a branch of medicine concerned with the liver
B. a branch of medicine concerned with the intestines
C. a branch of medicine concerned with bones
D. a branch of medicine concerned with the kidney
E. a branch of medicine concerned with the lungs
10. arachnophobia (noun)
A. pathological fear or loathing of snakes
B. pathological fear or loathing of spiders
C. pathological fear or loathing of frogs
D. pathological fear or loathing of ants
E. pathological fear or loathing of octopuses
.
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. B
spurious (adjective): Not being what it purports to be, false or fake
2. C
promulgate (verb): to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people by open declaration: PROCLAIM
3. E
sojourn (noun): a temporary stay
4. C
respite (noun): a period of temporary delay, an interval of rest or relief
5. A
ornithology (noun): a branch of zoology dealing with birds
6. E
festoon (verb): decorate, adorn
7. B
inscrutable (adjective): impossible to understand or interpret
8. C.
languid (adjective): (of a person, manner or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort, slow and relaxed
9. D.
nephrology (noun) a branch of medicine concerned with the kidneys
10. B.
arachnophobia (noun): pathological fear or loathing of spiders
VOCABULARY QUIZ #2
(Originally posted August 19, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #2
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. umbrage (noun)
A. A large mound of garbage or refuse
B. Leftover residue from a fire, such as ashes and burnt items
C. Offense or annoyance, a feeling of pique or resentment at some fancied slight or insult
D. A secret or hidden room in a mansion
E. A leafy vegetable, most commonly found in tropical and Caribbean countries
2. countermand (verb)
A. To attack unexpectedly in battle
B. To revoke a command by contrary order
C. To spy on an other country as a double agent
D. To unlawfully seize private property
E. To withdraw support from a candidate during an election
3. piscatory (adjective)
B. of, related to, or dependent on pigs or pig farming
C. of, related to animals that have fur
D. of, related to, or dependent on fish or fishing
E. of, related to swimming or swimming pools
4. incontrovertible (adjective)
A. not open to question: INDISPUTABLE
B. that which is impossible to forget UNFORGETTABLE
C. that which can be changed easily
D. that which is not portable and can not be carried around
E. of cars, relating to sedans, not convertibles
5. distended (adjective)
A. postponed, delayed (as a decision)
B. enlarged, expanded, or stretched out (as from internal pressure)
C. shortened in length
D. chopped up into smaller parts
E. alone and abandoned
6. inculcate (verb)
A. to trespass on someone's property
B. to invade
C. to plunder and rob
D. to teach by example
E. to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
7. renal (adjective)
A. relating to the lower body
B. of relating to, involving, or located in the region of the liver
C. of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the kidneys: NEPHRIC
D. of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the intestines or the intestines
E. of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the pancreas
8. obfuscate (verb)
A. to make obscure, to confuse
B. to be obedient
C. to protest loudly
D. to be controlling
E. to demand strongly
9. scurrilous (adjective)
A. unreasonable, not logical
B. not accurate
C. very aggressive or violent
D. containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
E. ridiculous
10. autophobia (noun)
A. morbid fear of automobiles
B. morbid fear of robots
C. morbid fear of movable objects
D. morbid fear of being lost
E. morbid fear of solitude
B. that which is impossible to forget UNFORGETTABLE
C. that which can be changed easily
D. that which is not portable and can not be carried around
E. of cars, relating to sedans, not convertibles
5. distended (adjective)
A. postponed, delayed (as a decision)
B. enlarged, expanded, or stretched out (as from internal pressure)
C. shortened in length
D. chopped up into smaller parts
E. alone and abandoned
6. inculcate (verb)
A. to trespass on someone's property
B. to invade
C. to plunder and rob
D. to teach by example
E. to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
7. renal (adjective)
A. relating to the lower body
B. of relating to, involving, or located in the region of the liver
C. of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the kidneys: NEPHRIC
D. of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the intestines or the intestines
E. of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the pancreas
8. obfuscate (verb)
A. to make obscure, to confuse
B. to be obedient
C. to protest loudly
D. to be controlling
E. to demand strongly
9. scurrilous (adjective)
A. unreasonable, not logical
B. not accurate
C. very aggressive or violent
D. containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
E. ridiculous
10. autophobia (noun)
A. morbid fear of automobiles
B. morbid fear of robots
C. morbid fear of movable objects
D. morbid fear of being lost
E. morbid fear of solitude
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
umbrage (noun): Offense or annoyance, a feeling of pique or resentment at some fancied slight or insult as in I took umbrage at the speaker's remarks
2. B
countermand (verb): To revoke a command by contrary order: OVERRIDE, OVERRULE, VETO
3. D
piscatory (adjective): Of, related to, or dependent on fish or fishing
4. A
incontrovertible (adjective): Not open to question: INDISPUTABLE as in incontrovertible facts
5. B
distended (adjective): Enlarged, expanded, or stretched out (as from internal pressure)
6. E
inculcate (verb): To teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions as to inculcate in him high moral standards
7. C
renal (adjective): Of, relating to, involving, or located in the region of the kidneys: NEPHRIC, as renal disease
8. A
obfuscate (verb): To make obscure, as to obfuscate the issue; to confuse, as to obfuscate the reader
9. D
scurrilous (adjective): Containing obscenities, abuse, or slander as in scurrilous accusations
10. E
autophobia (noun): Morbid fear of solitude, as in the fear of being alone
VOCABULARY QUIZ #3
(Originally posted September 5, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #3
Ten words beginning with the Letter "A"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. angling (verb)
A. Teasing
B. Struggling, having difficulty
C. The action or sport of fishing with hook and line
D. Marching in a parade
E. Munching on food
2. abstruse (adjective)
A. illegal, criminal
B. Poverty-stricken, down and out
C. A description for a kind of triangle
D. Sharp, biting, acerbic
E. Difficult to comprehend
3. avuncular (adjective)
A. Round, circular
B. Suggestive of an uncle, especially in kindness or geniality
C. Heavy, a burden, difficult to transport
D. Uninformed, lacking knowledge
E. Happy-go-lucky, jovial, personable, easy to get along with
4. apostasy (noun)
A. An act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
B. An act of abandoning a ship or crew, mutiny
C. Paganism
D. The act of betraying one's country by accepting bribery for personal and financial gain
E. Voting in an election under false pretenses.
5. ascertain (verb)
A. To ignore the truth or that which is certain
B. To conceal the truth
C. To find out or learn with certainty
D. To accidentally discover
E. To argue that something is absolutely certain or true
6. abstemious (adjective)
A. Fasting often and for long periods
B. Completely abstaining from drinking alcohol, as of a teetotaller
C. Consuming a great deal of food and alcohol
D. Marked by restraint, especially in the eating of food or the drinking of alcohol
E. As of a person who has quit drinking due to alcoholism
7. adherent (noun)
A. A particular glue or sticky substance
B. A follower of a leader, party or profession; a believer in a particular idea or church
C. A frequent churchgoer
D. A political protester
E. One has always lived in the same city
8. affront (verb)
A. To insult especially to the face by behaviour or language, to cause offence to
B. To shun someone by avoiding them or not responding to their phone calls or messages
C. To become involved in a cause or a project
D. To face someone after an awkward or embarrassing incident
E. To imitate someone
9. apocalyptic (adjective)
A. Relating to an unpleasant time in one's life
B. In sports, relating to a great contest, game or competition
C. The performance of magic to prevent a disaster
D. Foreboding imminent disaster or final doom
E. The fulfilling of a great prophecy
10. apoplexy (noun)
A. A state of fearfulness and extreme anxiety
B. A state of deep depression
C. A state of intense and almost uncontrollable anger
D. Severe acne
E. A state of being very energetic
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
angling (verb): The action or sport of fishing with hook and line
2. E
abstruse (adjective): Difficult to comprehend, as in "an abstruse theory or idea."
3. B
avuncular (adjective): Suggestive of an uncle, especially in kindness or geniality
4. A.
apostasy: An act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
5. C
ascertain (verb): To find out or learn with certainty, as in "ascertain the truth."
6. D
abstemious (adjective): Marked by restraint, especially in the eating of food or the drinking of alcohol
as in "an abstemious drinker" or "an abstemious diet."
7. B
adherent (noun): A follower of a leader, party or profession; a believer in a particular idea or church, as in "adherents of Sigmund Freud," "adherents of conservatism," "adherents of Christianity."
8. A
affront (verb):
To insult especially to the face by behaviour or language as in He was affronted by her rudeness. To cause offence to, as in "laws that affront society"
9. D
apocalyptic (adjective): Foreboding imminent disaster or final doom, as in "apocalyptic warnings," PROPHETIC
10. C
apoplexy (noun): A state of intense and almost uncontrollable anger, as in The politician's speech caused apoplexy among the members of the audience.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #4
(Originally posted September 23, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #4
Ten Phobias
PHOBIA (noun): an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation
The word "phobia" comes from the Greek word phobos, meaning fear or horror
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz on phobias. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. technophobia (noun)
A. Fear or dislike of the internet and social media
B. Fear or dislike of computer nerds and information technicians
C. Fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices and especially computers
D. Fear or dislike of computer viruses
E. Fear or dislike of excessive email
2. hydrophobia (noun)
A. A morbid dread of being electrocuted
B. A morbid fear of thunder and lightning
C. A morbid fear of hydro poles
D. A morbid dread of water
E. A morbid fear of freezing
3. triskaidekaphobia (noun)
A. Fear of the number three
B. Fear of the number 13
C. Fear of the number 30
D, Fear of the "Three of Spades"
E. Fear of Thursday
4. panophobia (noun)
A. A condition of vague, nonspecific anxiety: generalized fear
B. A fear of forests and trees
C. A fear of darkness
D. A morbid fear of being lost or abandoned
E. A fear of loud voices
5. nomophobia (noun)
A. Fear of famous people
B. Fear of public speaking
C. Fear of being without access to a working cell phone
D. Fear of security guards and police officers
E. Fear of very tall people
6. pyrophobia (noun)
A. Morbid dread of pirates
B. Morbid dread of funerals
C. Morbid dread of torches
D, Morbid dread of swords
E. Morbid dread of fire
7. photophobia (noun)
A. Intolerance to light
B. Fear of cameras
C. Aversion to having one's picture taken
D. Fear of selfies
E. Fear of darkness
8. ophidiophobia (noun)
A. Abnormal fear of birds
B. Abnormal fear of bees and wasps
C. Abnormal fear of snails
D. Abnormal fear of snakes
E. Abnormal fear of jelly fish
9. amathophobia (noun)
A. Fear of foreign languages
B. Fear of mold and mildew
C. Fear of mathematics
D. Fear of dirty laundry
E. Fear of dust
10. cynophobia (noun)
A. Pathological fear or loathing of drums and drumming
B. Pathological fear or loathing of dogs
C. Pathological fear or loathing of the colour red
D. Pathological fear or loathing of cymbals
E. Pathological fear or loathing of chipmunks
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
techophobia (noun): Fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices and especially computers
2. D
hyrophobia (noun): A morbid dread of water, also known as "aquaphobia"
3. B
triskaidekaphopia (noun): fear of the number 13
4. A
panophobia (noun): A condition of vague, nonspecific anxiety: generalized fear - the fear of everything or that something terrible will happen
5. C
nomophobia (noun): Fear of being without access to a working cell phone
6. E
pyrophobia (noun): Morbid dread of fire
7. A
photophobia (noun): Intolerance to light, especially pain sensitiveness to strong light
8. D
ophidiophobia (noun): Abnormal fear of snakes as in "The fear of snakes, called ophidiophobia, is a common phobia."
9. E
amathophobia (noun): Fear of dust, derived from the Greek word amathos meaning sand
10. B
cynophobia (noun): Pathological fear or loathing of dogs as in "If a person were bitten by a dog, the experience could lead to cynophobia."
VOCABULARY QUIZ #5
(Originally posted October 31, 2019)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #5
Ten words beginning with the letter "S"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define. Ready, set, go!
1. scintilla (noun)
'
A. A spicy Mexican dish
B. A Spanish coin
C. Dust
D. Spark, trace
E. A South American cocktail
2. septuagenarian (noun)
'
A. A person who was born in July, the seventh month of the year
B. A person whose age is in the seventies
C. A person who believes the number seven is lucky
D. A person who dies at 70 to 79 years of age
E. The seventh child born into a family
3. soporific (adjective)
'
A. Causing or tending to cause sleep; tending to dull alertness or lethargy
B. Causing or tending to prevent sleep, such as drinking caffeine at night
C. Not professional, amateurish
D. Quiet and soft-spoken
E. Very talkative and garrulous
4. solipsism (noun)
'
A. A witty remark; a quip
B. A theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing; extreme egocentrism
C. A kind of poem with an unusual rhyming scheme
D. A deep scar
E. A word that is commonly mispronounced
5. serpentine (adjective)
A. Fast-moving and nimble
B. Of or resembling an insect (as in form or movement)
C. Of or resembling a serpent (as in form or movement)
D. Magical and mysterious
E. Thin and gaunt
6. sycophant (noun)
'
A. One who is cunning and devious
B. A fruit merchant
C. A devoted friend
D. One who is poverty-striken
E. A servile self--seeking flatterer
7. supplicate (verb)
A. To replace one employee with another
B. To delegate responsibility
C. To delay intentionally in order to prevent something from occurring
D. To make a humble entreaty: especially to pray to God
E. To actively hide the truth
8. serendipity (noun)
A. The quality of having a wild or creative imagination
B. The feeling of having a beautiful thought
C. The faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for
D. A loud and disturbing sound
E. The feeling of triumph after overcoming a difficulty
9. supine (adjective)
A. Having an arrogant and dismissive manner
B. Something that is delightful and pleasing to the senses
C. Supple, not stiff; easy to bend
D. Standing in an upright manner
E. Lying on the back with the face upward
10. sashay (verb)
A. To strut or move about in an ostentatious or conspicuous manner
B. To do needlework
C. To run back and forth
D. To deliberately attempt to attract the attention of a celebrity or a dignitary
E. To leave a room quickly and quietly
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. D
scintilla (noun): Spark, trace, as in not a scintilla of doubt.
2. B.
septuagenarian (noun): A person whose age is in the seventies, as in The septuagenarian is fit and healthy.
3. A
soporific (adjective): Causing or tending to cause sleep; tending to dull alertness or lethargy as in This medication is soporific, so do not drive after taking it.
4. B
solipsism (noun): A theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing; extreme egocentrism
5. C
serpentine (adjective): Of or resembling a serpent (as in form or movement). as in The restaurant had a large sepentine-shaped bar.
6. E
sycophant (noun): A servile self--seeking flatterer, as in The sycophant paid his manager compliment after compliment, trying to win his favour and gain access to his social circle.
7. D.
supplicate (verb): To make a humble entreaty: especially to pray to God; to ask humbly and earnestly of, as in The homeless man was not too proud to supplicate for change to buy food. The ill woman uses her nightly prayer to supplicate for strength.
8. C.
serendipity (noun): The faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for, as in We have all experienced the serendipity of relevant information arriving just when we were least expecting it.
9. E
supine (adjective):
Lying on the back with the face upward, as in Not all abdominal exercises need to be performed in the supine position.
10. A
sashay (verb): To strut or move about in an ostentatious or conspicuous manner, as in She sashayed around the room as if she were a queen.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #6
(Originally posted January 24, 2020)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #6
Ten words related to birds
1. What is the correct term for someone who studies birds?
'
A. An orthologist
B. An ornithologist
C. A paralogist
D. A homologist
E. An ophiologist
2. What is an aviary?
'
A. A collection of birds' nests
B. A place for healing injured birds; a kind of hospital for birds
C. A gathering of bird watchers
D. A place for keeping birds confined
E. A special school for those who study birds
3. What is an avifauna?
'
A. The birds who can fly
B. The birds who cannot fly
C. The birds or the kinds of birds of a region, period, environment
D. Birds who do not build nests
E. A bird of prey
4. What is a talon?
'
A. The claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey
B. The bill or beak of a bird
C. A baby bird about to leave the nest
D. An old bird
E. A female bird
5. What is oology?
'
A. The study of birds' feathers
B. The study of birds' sounds
C. The collection and study of birds' eggs especially in relation to their shape and coloration
D. The collection and study of birds' nests especially in relation to their shape and size
E. The study of the migration of birds
6. What is a gizzard?
'
A. A bird's throat
B. Where the reproductive and urinary ducts of a bird open
C. Area between eye and bill of a bird
D. Extension of the foregut of a bird, used to store food
E. Part of a bird's stomach, grinds food
7. What is a wattle?
'
A. A large, colourful bird feather
B. Fleshy protuberance, usually at the bill of a bird
C. A kind of bird walk
D. A baby bird
E. A group of migrating birds
8. What is a crest?
'
A. The loudest sound that a bird makes
B. Where the nest of a bird is located
C. A distinctive marking on some birds
D. Long feathers atop the head of a bird
E. The highest a bird can fly
9. What does "to fledge" mean?
'
A. To leave the nest after acquiring the ability to fly
B. To spread wings
C. To fly without the rest of the flock
D. To search for food
E. To abandon nest and build another one elsewhere.
10. What does "to molt" mean?
'
A. To return after migration
B. To lose feathers due to aging
C. To attack another bird
D. The process by which the colour of a bird's feathers fade
E. To replace old feather
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. B
ornithologist (noun): One who is involved with a branch of zoology dealing with birds
2. D
aviary (noun): A place for keeping birds confined, as in "The zoo has a new outdoor aviary."
3. C
avifauna (noun): The birds or he kinds of birds of a region, period, environment
4. A
talon (noun): The claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey, as in "The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons."
5. C
oology (noun): The collection and study of birds' eggs especially in relation to their shape and coloration. The first known use of the term "oology" was in 1830.
6. E
gizzard (noun): The muscular enlargement of the digest tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food
7. B
wattle (noun): A fleshy pendulous process usually about the head or neck (as of a bird), such as the flap of bumpy red skin hanging off a male turkey's face
8. D
crest (noun): A showy tuft or process on the head of an animal and especially a bird
 |
| Blue Jay with crest (long feathers on head) |
9. A
fledge (verb): Of a young bird: to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity also: to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers
10. E
molt (verb): To shed hair, feathers, shell, horn, or an outer layer periodically, as in "Birds molt once or twice a year."
OSCARS QUIZ 2020
(Originally posted February 7, 2020)
The 92nd Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's tenth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
1. Robert De Niro was snubbed at this year's Academy Awards. He did not receive an Oscar nomination for Martin Scorsese's gangster epic The Irishman (Joe Pesci and Al Pacino were nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for their performances in the film). De Niro is the past winner of two Oscars. For which films did Niro win his Oscars?
 |
| De NIro |
B. Taxi Driver and The Godfather Part II
C. Raging Bull and The Godfather Part II
D, The King of Comedy, The Deer Hunter
E. Once Upon a Time in America, Raging Bull
2. Who is the only actor to be nominated twice for a Best Actor Oscar.
A, Montgomery Clift
B. James Dean
C. Peter Finch
D. Jean Harlow
E/ Sal Mineo
3. How many times have the Academy Awards been postponed?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. Four times
E. Never
4. What year were the Oscars first broadcast in colour?
A. 1967
B. 1965
C. 1964
D. 1966
E. 1968
5. How much does an Oscar statuette weigh?
A, 7 1/2 pounds (3.4 kilograms)
B. 8 1/2 pounds (3.85 kilograms)
C. 6 1/2 pounds (2.94 kilograms)
D. 5 1/2 pounds (2.49 kilograms)
E. 7 pounds (3.17 kilograms)
6. Brad Pitt has been nominated this year for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In 2012, he received an Oscar for producing the Best Picture - 12 Years a Slave. Has he ever won an Oscar for an acting role?
A. No.
B. Yes, he won a Best Actor in a Leading Role Award for his performance in Moneyball.
C. Yes, he won a Best Actor in a Leading Role Award for his performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
D. Yes, he won a Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in 12 Monkeys.
E. Yes, he has won two Oscars - Best Actor in a Lead Role for Moneyball and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for 12 Monkeys.
7. Kirk Douglas died on February 5, 2020 at the age of 103. Did he ever receive an Oscar?
A No, he never received an Oscar.
B. Yes, he received an Oscar for Lust for Life.
C. Yes, he received an Oscar for The Bad and the Beautiful.
D. Yes, he received an Oscar for Champion.
E. Yes, he received an Academy Honorary Award.
8. Marilyn Monroe never won an Oscar. Was she ever nominated for one.
A. Yes, for her role in Some Like it Hot
B. Yes, for Niagara
C. Yes, for The Prince and the Showgirl
D. No, she was never nominated.
E. Yes, for Bus Stop
9. Renée Zellweger has been nominated this year for her performance as Judy Garland in the film Judy. If she wins, she will garner her second Oscar. For which film did she win an Oscar?
 |
| Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland |
A. Bridget Jones's Diary
B. Cold Mountain
C. Chicago
D. Nurse Betty
E. Jerry Maguire
10. Sydney Poitier will turn 93 years old on February 20, 2020. He is the first black to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. For which film did he win his Oscar?
 |
| Sydney Poitier in 1968 |
A. Lilies of the Field
B. A Patch of Blue
C. Blackboard Jungle
D. A Raisin in the Sun
E. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
ANSWERS
1. C.
Raging Bull and The Godfather Part II
Robert De Niro won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Godfather Part II. He also received the 1981 Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Raging Bull.
2 B.
James Dean
James Dean was won two Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscars posthumously. He won for his performances in the 1955 film East of Eden and the 1956 film Giant.
On September 30, 1955, James Dean.was killed in a highway crash while driving his Porsche to Salinas, California to compete in an auto race. East of Eden was released a few weeks before his death. He died before Giant was edited. It was released about a year after his passing.
3. C.
Three times
The Academy Awards were delayed for a week in 1938 due to a flooding in Los Angeles. In 1968, the Oscars were postponed for two days because of Martin Luther King's funeral. In 1981, they were pushed back for one day because of an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.
4. D
1966
The Academy Awards were first broadcast in colour on April 18, 1966. That was 13 years after the Oscars were first televised across the United States and Canada, on March 19, 1953.
5. B
8 1/2 pounds (3.85 kilograms)
6. A
No
7. E
Yes
In 1996, Kirk Douglas received an Academy Honorary Award. Although he was nominated for three acting performances, he failed to win all three times. In 1950, Douglas was nominated for Best Actor for Champion. In 1953, he was nominated for Best Actor for The Bad and the Beautiful. In 1957, he was nominated for Best Actor for Lust for Life.
8. D
No.
Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Academy Award.
9. B
Cold Mountain
 |
| Zellweger |
In 2004, Renée Zellweger won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Cold Mountain. In 2003, received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role in Chicago, but did not win. In 2002, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Bridget Joness's Diary, but did not win.
10. A
Lilies of the Field
 |
| Poitier in Lilies of the Field |
 |
| Poitier with Oscar in 1964 |
In 1964, Sydney Poitier won a Best Actor Oscar for his role as a handyman who helps a group of German-speaking nuns build a chapel in Lilies of the Field. He was the only black man to win that award until Denzil Washington won it 38 years later for Training Day. Coincidentally, Denzil Washington won his Oscar on the same night in 2002 that Sydney Poitier received an Honorary Oscar from the Academy in recognition for "his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being."
VOCABULARY QUIZ #7
(Originally posted April 27, 2020)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #7
Ten words beginning with the letter "Q"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words for you to define and they all begin with the letter "Q." Ready, set, go!
1. quixotic (adjective)
'
A. Silly and immature
B. Lacking in intelligence
C. Foolishly impractical especially in pursuit of ideals.
D. Having a pleasant and personable manner
E. Stubborn and uncompromising
2. quell (verb)
'
A. To thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity; to quiet or pacify
B. To shake with terror; to be extremely fearful
C. To ask someone many questions
D. To hibernate or hide for a long time, to isolate oneself
E. To warm up after feeling chilled
3. quotidian (adjective)
'
A. More than necessary, surplus
B. Everyday, ordinary, commonplace
C. Relating to the middle ages, medieval.
D. Wordy, verbose, talkative
E. Careful and cautious
4. quota (noun)
'
A. An overdrawn bank account
B. The amount necessary to break even financially
C. A proportional part or share; the number or amount constituting a proportional share
D. A retirement savings fund, especially for small business owners
E. The number of soldiers in an army battalion
5. quorum (noun)
'
A. In real estate, the difference in price between two homes of the same size but in different locations.
B. The name for a group of Muslims on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca.
C. The number of votes necessary to pass legislation in the British House of Commons.
D. A certain kind of Egyptian pyramid
E. A select group. The number of (such as a majority) of officers of a body that when duly assembled is legally competent to conduct business,
6. quisling (noun)
'
A. A baby goose
B. A mysterious stranger
C. A beginner or novice tennis player
D. A traitor, a collaborator
E. A miniature puppet
7. quintessential (adjective)
'
A. Very necessary
B. Perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing
C. Unrecognized and unappreciated
D. Ancient
E. Noticeable in an unwelcome way, obtrusive in manner
8. quinoa (noun)
'
A. A 16th fortress used to protect Spanish cities from attack
B. A type of dog breed originating in South America
C. An annual herb of the goosefoot family
D. A type of Spanish ship
E. A kind of Mexican bread eaten on special occasions
9. quiescent (adjective)
'
A. A description for one who doesn't speak much
B. Having very little light
C. Marked by extreme weariness
D. Marked by inactivity or repose
E. One who chooses words very carefully as not to offend
10. quagmire (noun)
'
A. Quicksand or unsteady ground
B. A very difficult crossword puzzle
C. A riddle that is very difficult to solve
D. A mysterious dream
E. A difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation
ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
quixotic (adjective): Foolishly impractical in pursuit of ideals especially: marked by rash lofty romantic ideals or extravagantly chivalrous action
The word "quixotic" is derived from the name "Don Quixote," the idealistic hero of the 17th century Spanish novel El Ingenioso Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Quixote tilted at windmills, imagining himself to be a shining knight on a gallant steed.
2. A
quell (verb): To thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity as in quell a riot; to quiet or pacify as in quell fears
3. B
quotidian (adjective): Everyday, ordinary, commonplace; examples - Not content with the quotidian quarrels that other couples had, they had arguments that shook the entire neighbourhood. He was plagued by a quotidian coughing fit, the result of years of smoking.
4. C
quota (noun): A proportional part or share; the number or amount constituting a proportional share, especially the share of proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body
Examples: The agency imposes strict fishing quotas.
The company has imposed quotas as on hiring.
5. E.
quorum (noun): A select group; the number of (such as a majority) of officers of a body that when duly assembled is legally competent to conduct business.
Example: We need five people to make a quorum.
6. D
quisling (noun): A traitor, a collaborator
Vidkun Quisling was a Norwegian army officer and founder of Norway's fascist party. In 1933, he met with Adolf Hitler and encouraged him to occupy Norway. His name became used in English to refer to any traitor.
7. B
quintessential (adjective): Perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing
Example: He's your quintessential streetwise New Yorker.
8. C
quinoa (noun): An annual herb of the goosefoot family that is native to the South American Andean highlands and is cultivated for its starchy seeds which are used as food and ground into flour.
9. D
quiescent (adjective): Marked by inactivity or repose; tranquility at rest (as in a group of quiescent loungers recovering from the Thanksgiving feast); causing no trouble or symptoms (as in quiescent gallstones)
10. E
quagmire (noun): A difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape; a dilemma, a Catch-22, a predicament
Example: The job seeker was facing the usual quagmire of not having full time experience and the inability to gain full time experience without being hired.
CHRISTMAS SONGS QUIZ
(Originally posted December 18, 2020)
So, you think you know your Christmas music. Well then, why not test your knowledge and try Number 16's Songs of Christmas Quiz.
SONGS OF CHRISTMAS QUIZ
1. Complete this lyric from "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
"On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me . . ."
A. three calling birds
B. three French hens
C. three golden rings
D. three geese a-laying
E. three ladies dancing
2. What Christmas song did Judy Garland sing in the film Meet Me in St. Louis?
A. "The Christmas Song"
B. "Silver Bells"
C. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
D. "I'll Be Home for Christmas"
E. "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays"
3. What is the name of the Beach Boys' Christmas song?
A. "California Christmas"
B. ""Sufin' Santa Claus"
C. "Under the Mistletoe"
D. " Little Saint Nick"
E. "Christmas USA"
4. Which well-known Christmas hymn has the following line?
"Radiant beams from they holy face / With the dawn of redeeming grace."
A. "Silent Night"
B. "The First Noel"
C. "Hark! The Harold, Angels Sing"
D. "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"
E. "O Holy Night"
5. What was the first film in which Bing Crosby sang "White Christmas?"
A. White Christmas
B. The Bells of Saint Mary
C. Holiday Inn
D. Going My Way
E. Blue Skies
6. Which Christmas song has the following lyric?
"Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams."
A. "White Christmas"
B. "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
C. "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"
D. "The Christmas Song"
E. "l'll Be Home for Christmas"
7. In which country did the song "O Christmas Tree" originate?
A. England
B. Germany
C. Wales
D. Austria
E. France
8. In what year did Brenda Lee record "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?"
A. 1956
B. 1960
C. 1956
D. 1958
E. 1961
9. The song "A Holly Jolly Christmas" is from which classic television Christmas special?
A. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
B. Frosty the Snowman
C. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
D. A Charlie Brown Christmas
E. None of the above
10. Name the Christmas song which contains the following words:
"In the air there's a feeling of Christmas / Children laughing people passing / Meeting smile after smile"
A. "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
B. "The Christmas Song"
C. "Silver Bells"
D. "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
E. "Christmas in Kilarney"
11. What year was the calypso Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child" recorded?
A. 1960
B. 1952
C. 1956
D. 1925
E. 1935
12. Who first released "Jingle Bell Rock??"
A. Elvis Presley
B. Buddy Holly
C. Billy Haley and His Comets
D. Chuck Berry
E. Bobby Helms
ANSWERS
1. B.
The correct lyric for "The Twelve Days of Christmas." is "three French hens."
2. C
 |
| Judy singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" |
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" was originally sung by Judy Garland in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis.
3. D
The Beach Boys "Little Saint Nick." is a Christmas-themed hot rod song about Santa and his sleigh. It It was composed by Brian Wilson and Mike Love and was released as a single on December 9, 1963. In 1964, it was the opening track on The Beach Boys' Christmas Album.
4. A.
Those lines come from the Christmas hymn "Silent Night." The words to "Silent Night" were originally written in German by an Austrian Roman Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve 1818, , Father Mohr needed a carol for Midnight Masst. He took his poem, "Stille Nacht," to his friend Franz Xaver Gruber. Within hours, Gruber composed the melody to "Stille Nacht."
5. C
Below is a photo of Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds singing "White Christmas" in the 1942 film Holiday Inn.
 |
Bing Crosby first recorded "White Christmas" in October of 1942. It was played often during the 1942 wartime Christmas season, on the Armed Forces Network and on commercial radio. Crosby introduced the song to the public on The Kraft Music Hall radio show on December 25, 1941. The first movie in which Bing sang "White Christmas" was the 1942 musical Holiday Inn. The film also starred Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale. Composer Irving Berlin wrote 12 songs specifically for Holiday Inn.
Bing Crosby's other Christmas-themed movies were released after Holiday Inn. Going My Way, starring Bing and Barry Fitzgerald was released in 1944. The Bell's of St. Mary, starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman was released in 1945. The film White Christmas, starring Bing, Danny Kaye Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen was released in 1954. White Christmas was not a sequel to Holiday Inn, but it too featured songs by Irving Berlin. Bing also sang "White Christmas" as part of a medley in the 1946 comedy Blue Skies, another Irving Berlin musical in which he co-starred with Fred Astaire and Joan Caulfield.
According to Guinness World Records, "White Christmas," as performed by Bing Crosby, is the best-selling single worldwide.
6. E
The lyric "Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams." comes from the song "l'll Be Home for Christmas." "I'll Be Home for Christmas" was originally released in 1943 by Bing Crosby with John Scott Trapper and His Orchestra on Decca Records. The song was written by lyricist Kim Gannon to honour World War II overseas soldiers who yearned to be home for Christmas.
7. B
"O Christmas Tree" is a Christmas carol based on a traditional German folk song called "O Tannenbaum." A "tannenbaum" is a fir tree.
8. D
Brenda Lee recorded "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" in 1958, when she was only 13 years old. (She was born December 11, 1944). The song was written by Johnny Marks. the man who also wrote Rudoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas." "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" did not catch on until it was re-leased after Brenda's 1960 hit "I'm Sorry." After that, it became a Christmas standard. It was featured in the 1990 film Home Alone.
9. A
Burl Ives provided the voice for the song "A Holly Jolly Christmas" in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the 1964 Christmas special.
10. C
"Silver Bells" is the song that contains those words
"In the air there's a feeling of Christmas / Children laughing people passing / Meeting smile after smile"
"Silver Bells" was composed by the songwriting duo of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. It was written for the 1951 film The Lemon Drop Kid, starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell.
11. C
 |
| Jester Hairston |
"Mary's Boy Child," is a 1956 Christmas song written by American composer songwriter Jester Hairston. It is often performed as a Christmas carol. Hairston composed "Mary's Boy Child" after a friend asked him to write a song for a birthday party. He wrote it with a calypso rhythm because the people at the party would be mainly West Indians. Singer Harry Belafonte heard the song performed by Schumann's Hollywood Choir and recorded it in 1956.
12. E
 |
| Bobby Helms |
Bobby Helms first released "Jingle Bell Rock" in 1957. Helm's version is the best known. The song's title, of course, comes from the old Christmas standard "Jingle Bells." "Jingle Bell Rock" also includes 1950s references to "Rock Around the Clock" and "Jingle hop."
OSCARS QUIZ 2021
(Originally posted April 19, 2021)
As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's tenth annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
1. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the Oscars had to be delayed until April 25th. For which of the following reasons was the show cancelled in the past?
A, Flooding in Los Angeles in 1938.
B. The assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan in 1981.
C. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above.
2. Were the Oscars ever cancelled?
A. Yes, they were cancelled in 1941 due to World War II.
B. They were cancelled in 1942 due to World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
C. They were cancelled in 1942 and 943 due to World War II.
D. They wee cancelled from 1942 to 1945 due to World War II.
E. The Academy Awards have never been fully cancelled in their history.
3. Chloé Zhao is nominated for Best Director this year for her work on the film Nomadland. What is so significant about her nomination?
 |
A. She is the first female filmmaker to be nominated for a Best Director Academy Award.
B. She is the first Asian to be nominated for Best Director.
C. She is the first woman of colour to be be nominated for Best Director.
D, She is the first Chinese-born person to be nominated for an Oscar.
E. All of the above.
4. Gary Cooper won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice. For which two movies did he win an Oscar?
 |
| Gsry Cooper |
A. Sergeant York (1941) and High Noon (1952)
B. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
C. The Pride of the Yankess (1942) and Friendly Persuasion (1956)
D. Design For Living (1933) and Meet John Doe (1941)
E. Beau Geste (1939) and Ball of Fire (1941)
5. How long did the first Oscars ceremony last?
A. One hour
B. 15 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 90 minutes
E. Two hours
6. How many Oscars did Greta Garbo win for Best Actress?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
E. None
7. Did songwriter Irving Belin ever win a Oscar for Best Music (Original Song)?
A. Yes, he won for "There's No Business Like Show Business.
B. Yes, he won for "Cheek to Cheek"
C, Yes, he won for "White Christmas"
D. Yes, he won for "God Bless America"
E, No, he never won an Oscar for Best Music (Original Song)
8. Two films received the most Oscar nominations without winning a single Academy Award. Can you names the two film..
A. The Turning Point and The Color Purple
B. Terms of Endearment and The Shawshank Redemption
C. The Notebook and The Devil Wears Prada
D. Urban Cowboy and Pulp Fiction
E. Raging Bull and The Natural
9. Who filed for divorce in 1948, right before winning an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role?
A. Ingrid Bergman
B. Elizabeth Taylor
C. Barbara Stanwyk
D, Jane Wyman
E. Vivien Leigh
10. Which was the first winner in the Academy Award's Best Animated Film category?
A. Frozen
B. Toy Story
C. Nemo
D. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
E. Shrek (2001)
ANSWERS
1. D
All of the above. 2021 marks the fourth time that the Academy Awards ceremony has been delayed, The Oscars were were delayed in due to flooding in Los Angeles in February-March of 1938, one of the largest floods in the history of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverdale Counties of southern California; the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968 in Memphis Tennessee and the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981 in Washington, D.C.
2. E
No, the Academy Awards have never been fully cancelled in their history.
3. C
Chloé Zhao is the first woman of colour to be be nominated for Best Director for her film Nomadland. Zhao was born in Beijing, China on March 31, 1982. She is known primarily for her work in American independent films.
4. A
Gary Cooper won two Best Actor Oscars - for his performances in Sergeant York (1941) and High Noon (1952). He also received the Academy Honorary Award for his career achievements in 1961. Cooper was nominated for Best Actor for his work in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, The Pride of the Yankees and For Whom the Bell Tolls, but did not win.
5. B
The first Oscars ceremony lasted only 15 minutes. It was presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and honoured the best films of 1927 and 1928. The ceremony took place on May 16, 1929 in the Blossom Room of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California. 270 people attended the event.
6. E
 |
| Greta Garbo |
Swedish-American actress Greta Garbo never won an Oscar for Best Actress. She was nominated four times - for Romance (1930), Anna Christie (1930), Camille (1936), and Ninotcka (1939). In 1955, however, she was awarded an honorary Oscar for "her luminous and unforgettable screen performances." The reclusive Garbo was not present at the ceremony and actress Nancy Kelly accepted the award for her.
7. C
 |
| Irving Berlin |
Yes, Irving Berlin won an Academy Award for "White Christmas." The great composer died on September 22, 1989 at the age of 101.
8. A
The Turning Point (1977), starring Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft and The Color Purple (1985), staring Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey, received 11 Academy Award nominations. Both films were nominated for Best Picture and both failed to win a single Oscar.
9. D
 |
| Jane Wyman |
Jane Wyman was Ronald Reagan's first wife. They met while filming the movie Brother Rat (1938) and married on January 26, 1940. Wyman filed for divorce from the future U.S. President in 1948. The divorce became final on July 18, 1949, soon after Jane won the Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as a deaf mute rape victim in the film Johnny Belinda. She also garnered an Academy Award nomination for The Yearling (1946).
Wyman, who died on September 10, 2007 at the age of 90, went on to star as villainous matriarch Angela Channing in the primetime soap Falcon Crest (1981-1990).
10, E
 |
| Shrek |
Shrek (2001) was the first winner in the Best Animated Feature Film category. The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature wasn't established until 2002 for films made in 2001. Shek, about a green ogre, was the first winner of the award. Toy Story 3 won for the year 2010 and Toy Story 4 won for the year 2019. Frozen received the Oscar for the year 2013. The Disney film Snow White was released in 1937.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #8
(Originally posted July 17. 2021)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #8
Eleven words ending in "olgy" (meaning fields of study)
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are 11 words that define a field of study.
1. (noun) enigmatology
'
A. The study of detective work
B. The study of detective novels
C. The study of mysteries
D. The study of reclusive people
E. The study of speech and sound
2. (noun) entomology
'
A. The study of fish
B. The study of reptiles
C. The study of tadpoles
A. The study of fish
B. The study of reptiles
C. The study of tadpoles
D. The study of insects
E. The study of amphibians
3. (noun) lepidopterology
A. The study of butterflies and moths
B. The study of leopards
B. The study of leopards
C. The study of wild animals
D. The study of animal habitats
E. The study of bats
4. (noun) nasology
'
A. The study of breathing
B. The study of the nose
'
A. The study of breathing
B. The study of the nose
C. The study of sneezing
D. The study of smell and odours
E. The study of sinuses
5. (noun) meteorolgy
'
A. The study of planetary forms
B. The study meteors and asteroids
'
A. The study of planetary forms
B. The study meteors and asteroids
C. A branch of astronomy concerned with the movements of planets
D. The branch of science concerned with the atmosphere, especially as a means of weather forecasting
E. The study of craters
6. (noun) glottology
'
A. The study of gluttons, gluttony and overeating
B. The study of global warming
'
A. The study of gluttons, gluttony and overeating
B. The study of global warming
C. A scientific study of goats
D. A branch of zoology concerned with geese and ducks
E. The study of languages
7. (noun) graphology
'
A. The study of charts and graphs
B. The analysis of handwriting characteristics purporting to identify the writer
'
A. The study of charts and graphs
B. The analysis of handwriting characteristics purporting to identify the writer
C. The study of comics and cartoons
D. The study of keyboarding and typewriting
E. The branch of geography dealing with topographical maps
8. (noun) enology or oenology (Br. spelling)
'
A. The study of eels
B. The branch of botany concerned with roses
'
A. The study of eels
B. The branch of botany concerned with roses
C. The study of wines
D. The study of the letter "n"
E. The branch of zoology that studies elephants
9. (noun) chirology
A. The study of hands; palmistry
B. The study of church bells
C. The study of animal sounds
D. The study of feet
E. The study of facial lines
10. (noun) kinesiology
'
A. The study of telescopes
B. The study green, leafy vegetables
'
A. The study of telescopes
B. The study green, leafy vegetables
C. The study of recycling methods
D. The scientific study of human body movement
E. The study of glassware
11. (noun) virology
'
A. The study of blood vessels
B. The study of viruses
'
A. The study of blood vessels
B. The study of viruses
C. The study of virtue and virtuous behaviour
D. The study of different styles of vests
E. The study of pain and pain killers
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
The study of mysteries
enigmatology (noun): The investigation or analysis of enigmas, i.e. something hard to understand or explain; an inscrutable or mysterious person
2. D
The study of insects
entomology:(noun):: The branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects.
3. A
The study of butterflies and moths
lepidopterology (noun): A branch of entomology concerned with lepidopterans i.e. butterflies and moths and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings, usually covered with minute overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae are caterpillars
4. B
The study of the nose
nasology (noun): A scientific study of noses
5. D.
The branch of science concerned with the atmosphere, especially as a means of weather forecasting
meteorology (noun): A science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena and especially with weather and weather forecasting
6. E
The study of languages
glottology (noun): linguistics
7. B
The analysis of handwriting characteristics in order to identify the writer
graphology (noun): The study of handwriting especially for the purpose of character analysis
8. C.
The study of wines
enology (noun): A science that deals with wine and wine making
9. A
The study of hands; palmistry
chirology (noun): The study of hands, palmistry
chirology (noun): The study of the hand (medical definition); palm reading
10. D
The study of human body movement
kinesiology (noun): the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement
11. B
The study of viruses
virology (noun): A branch of science that deals with viruses and viral diseases
CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2021
Originally posted December 3, 2021
NUMBER 16 CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2021
1, According to the Bible, how many Wise Men or Magi from the East visited Jesus in Bethlehem?
A, There were two Wise Men from the East.
B. There were three Wise Men from the East.
C. There were four Wise Men from the East/
D The Bible doesn't specify how many Wise Men there were.
E. There were five Wise Men from the East.
2. In the 1946 Christmas film It's A Wonderful Life, what happens every time a bell rings?
A. George Bailey (James Stewart) awakes from his dreaming.
B. It's a signal that George Bailey (James Stewart) has done the right thing.
C. An angel gets his wings.
D. It's a reminder to George Bailey (James Stewart) that he owes money to the bank.
E None of the above.
3. In A Christmas Carol, how many ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge?
A, One
B. Three
C. Four
D. Two
E. None
4. Which country has a tradition of a witch dropping children's gifts through the chimney at Christmas?
A. France
B. Italy
C. The Netherlands
D. Germany
E. Hungary
5. In the 1964 animated Christmas TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, featuring the voice of Burl Ives, who was Rudolph's father?
A. Donner
B. Blitzen
C. Comet
D. Cupid
E. Dasher
6, According to the Book of Luke in the New Testament, why did Joseph and Mary travel to the town of Bethlehem in Judea?
A. They fled Nazareth to get away from King Herod.
B. They went to visit Mary's cousin, Elizabeth.
C. Joseph was promised work in Bethlehem.
D. An angel told Joseph to go Bethlehem in a dream.
E. There was a census and Joseph was from the house and lineage of David. Since Bethlehem is "the city of David," he was required to go there.
7. Where does Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spend the Christmas season?
A. Buckingham Palace in London
B, Sandringham House in Norfolk
C. Balmoral Castle in Scotland
D. Windsor Castle at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire
E. Kensington Palace in London
8. Name the Christmas song that has the following lyric:.
"Everyone dancing merrily in the good old-fashioned way."
A. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
B. Jingle Bell Rock
C. A Holly Jolly Christmas
D. Happy Holidays
E. Silver Bells
9. Feliz Navidad means Merry Christmas in which language?
A. Portuguese
B. Romanian
C. German
D. Spanish
E. Dutch
10. Which singer had a hit song called "Feliz Navidad?
A. Ritchie Valens
B. Engelbert Humperdinck
C. Julio Iglesias
D. Jorge Palma
E. Jose Feliciano
ANSWERS
1. D
Although Three Wise Men are always pictured, he Bible does not actually specify how many Wise Men came from the East. (The story of the Wise Men only appears in the Book of Matthew). According to tradition, there were three Wise Men, even though the Biblical narrative does not mention a number. Matthew only mentions "the Magi" or "Wise Men." They were astrologers who saw a star that signified the prophecy of a Jewish king. Matthew says that they brought three gifts to Bethlehem - gold, frankincense and myrrh, but never that there was a trio of men.
2. C
In the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life, an angel gets his wings every time a bell rings.
3. C
In A Christmas Carol, four ghosts visit Scrooge: The ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, the ghost of Christmas present, the ghost of Christmas past and the ghost of Christmas yet to come.
4. B
Italy has a tradition of a witch on a broomstick dropping gifts for children through the chimney on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5th). The witch is called "Befana" and is portrayed as a crooked old hag. If a child is naughty, he or she receivers a stick instead of coal in some poorer parts of the country.
5. A
Donner was Rudolph's father in the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special. Trivia Note; In the 1823 poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas (Commonly known as The Night Before Christmas), Donner was originally called "Dunder."
6. E
According the Book of Luke, there was a census. Luke 2 begins with the words "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered." Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register.
7. B
 |
| Sandringham House |
The Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House, the Queen's country estate in Norfolk, England.
8. A
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" contains the lyric ""Everyone dancing merrily in the good old-fashioned way." The song was written by Johnny Marx, who also wrote "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "A Holly Jolly Christmasr." It was recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958 and became a huge hit.
9. D
Feliz Navidad means Merry Christmas in Spanish.
10. E
Jose Feliciano, a Puerto Rican musician, had a Christmas hit with the song with "Feliz Navidad."
OSCARS QUIZ 2022
(Originally posted March 21, 2022)
The 94th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022. The live show will start at 8 p.m. on ABC and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It will also be live-streamed on the ABC app. This year's Oscars will be hosted by three women: Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's 11th annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
1. Penelope Cruz and her husband, Javier Bardem, have both been nominated for Academy Awards this year. Cruz is nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Parallel Mothers, while Bardem is nominated for his role as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos. Other married couples have been nominated in the same year, but which couple was the first one to have that distinction.
 |
| Cruz and Bardem |
A. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
B. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
C. Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne
D. Vivien Leigh and Lawrence Olivier
E. Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison
2. Who was the first person named "Oscar" to win an Oscar?
A. Oscar Isaac
B. Oscar Hammerstein II
C. Oscar Nunez
D. Oscar Peterson
E. Oscar de la Renta
3. Who won back-to back Best Actor Oscars for Captain Courageous (1937) and Boys Town (1938)
A. Spencer Tracy
B. Bing Crosby
C. Fred Astaire
D. Clark Gable
E. Frederic March
4. What was the first colour film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture?
A. The Wizard of Oz
B. Stagecoach
C. It Happened One Night
D. Gone with the Wind
E. A Star is Born
5. Who was the first actor to present himself/herself with an Oscar?
A. Katharine Hepburn
B. Norma Shearer
C. Cary Grant
D. Bette Davis
E. William Holden
6, Which foreign language film received the largest total of Oscar nominations and wins?
A. Roma
B. Life is Beautiful
C. Fanny and Alexander
D. Parasite
E. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
7. What is the only film to win Best Picture winner and receive only one one nomination?
A. Argo (2012)
B. Cavalcade (1932/1933)
C. Grand Hotel (1931/1932)
D. Green Book (2018)
E. The Broadway Melody (1928/1929)
8. How many times was Mickey Rooney nominated for an Academy Award?
 |
| Mickey Rooney |
A. 4 tunes
B. 2 times
C. 3 times
D. Once
E. Never
9. Who has received the most Academy Award nominations?
A. Katharine Hepburn
B. Meryl Streep
C. Tom Hanks
D. Walt Disney
E. Martin Scorsese
10. Who was the tallest actor to ever win an Academy Award?
A. John Wayne
B. Tim Robbins
C. Ben Affleck
D. Sacha Baron Cohen
E, Donald Sutherland
ANSWERS
In 1940, Gone with the Wind became the first colour film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
1. C Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne
 |
| Lunt and Fontanne |
Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne made Academy Award history when they were both nominated for Oscars in 1932. They appeared together in The Guardsman.
In 1969, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were nominated for Best Actor for their work in the film Rachel, Rachel. Woodward was nominated for Best Actress, while Newman was nominated as a producer for Best Picture. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were nominated in 1967 for their starring roles in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?. Taylor won the Oscar for Best Actress but Burton did not win for Best Actor. In 1940, Vivien Leigh won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. Olivier was nominated for his performance as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. The pair divorced in 1960. Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison were both nominated for Academy Awards in 1964, Roberts was nominated for This Sporting Life and Harrison was nominated for Cleopatra.
2. B Oscar Hammerstein II
 |
| Hammerstein |
In 1942, Oscar Hammerstein shared a Best Music, Original Song Oscar with Jerome Kern for the song, "The Last Time I Saw Paris." from the 1941 movie Lady Be Good. In 1946, he won another Best Music, Original Song Oscar, along with Richard Rodgers, for the song "It Might as Well Be Spring from the 1945 film State Fair.
3. A Spencer Tracey
 |
| Tracy with Oscar for Boys Town |
Spencer Tracy won back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for his performances in Captain Courageous and Boys Town. Consecutive Oscar winners are rare. Tom Hanks won Best Actor for Philadelphia in 1994 and Forrest Gump in 1995. Louise Rainer won Best Actress for The Great Ziegfeld in 1937 and The Good Earth in 1938.
4. D Gone with the Wind
5. B Norma Shearer
In 1933, Canadian-born Norma Shearer (1902-1982) was the presenter for the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards. She was nominated for two Oscars in the Best Actress category that year. She won for her performance in The Divorcee and had to announce, somewhat awkwardly, that she had won the award. Since then, no nominated actor har presented an Oscar for his or her own category.
6. E Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a 2000 Hong Kong film. The Chinese swordplay film, garnered 10 nominations and 4 wins in 2001. Roma, a 2018 Mexican drama, collected 10 nominations and 3 wins. Life is Beautiful, a 1997 Italian comedy-drama. directed by Roberto Benigni, received 7 nominations and had 3 wins. In 2020, Parasite received 6 nominations and celebrated 4 wins, including Best Picture. The South Korean film became he first foreign language film to win Best Picture. Fanny and Alexander, a 1982 Swedish film, earned 6 nominations and 3 wins.
7. C Grand Hotel
 |
| Greta Garbo and John Barrymore |
Grand Hotel is the only film to win Best Picture and receive only one one nomination. The 1932 MGM drama stars Greta Garbo and John Barrymore.
8, A. 4 times
 |
| Rooney in 1983 |
Mickey Rooney received four competitive Oscar nominations during his lifetime. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for Babes in Arms in 1940, Best Actor for The Human Comedy in 1944, Best Supporting Actor in The Bold and the Brave in 1957 and Best Supporting Actor for The Back Stallion in 1980.
Rooney received two special Oscars. He received a Juvenile Academy Award in 1939 and an Honorary Academy Award in 1983.
9, D Walt Disney
 |
| Disney in 1946 |
Walt Disney, who died in 1966, holds the record for the most Academy Awards in history, with 26 Oscars. He won 22 competitive Academy Awards from a total of 59 nominations.
Disney won four honorary Academy Awards. The first was in 1932 for the creation of Mickey Mouse. His last honorary Oscar was presented posthumously. It was the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, chosen by the Academy's Board of Governors and given to "creative producers whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production."
10. B Tm Robbins
Tim Robbins was the tallest actor to ever win an Academy Award. Robbins is 6 ft, 5 inches (1.96 metres) tall. In 2004, he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in Mystic River, a 2003 drama in which he starred with Sean Penn, Laurence Fishburne and Kevin Bacon.
OSCARS QUIZ 2023
(Originally posted February 27, 2023)
The 95hh Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The live show will start at 8 p.m. on ABC and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It will also be live-streamed on the ABC app. This year's Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's 11th annual Oscars quiz. There are 10 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
1. Brad Pitt did not receive an Oscar nomination this year for his performance in the film Babylon. Has he ever been awarded an Academy Award. If so, how many Oscars has Brad Pitt won?
A. Three
B. One
C. Two
D. Four
E. None
2. Jimmy Kimmel will host the Academy Awards this year. He has hosted the Oscars twice before. When was the last time he hosted the ceremonies?
 |
| Jimmy Kimmel |
A. 2017
B. 2018
C. 2016
D. 2021
E. 2015
3. What was the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Makeup?
A. The Wizard of Oz
B. Planet of the Apes
C. Amadeus
D. An American Werewolf in London
E. The Fly
4. Who took a tumble on her way up the stairs at the Academy Awards in 2013?
A. Jennifer Lawrence
B. Anne Hathaway
C. Jennifer Aniston
D. Tina Fey
E. Natalie Portman
5. For which film was Lauren Bacall nominated for an Oscar?
A. Key Largo
B. To Have and Have Not
C. The Mirror Has Two Faces
D. How to Marry a Millionaire
E. The Big Sleep
6. Who received the longest standing ovation at the Academy Awards?
A. Sidney Poitier
B. Judy Garland
C. Shirley Temple
D. Alfred Hitchcock
E. Charlie Chaplin
7. What is the name of of the 1944 film for which Bing Crosby won the Best Actor Oscar?
 |
| Bing with Oscar |
A. Holiday Inn
B. Gong My Way
C. White Christmas
D. The Bells of St. Mary's
E. High Society
8. Which was the first film version of a Shakespeare play to win an Academy Award for Best Picture?
A. Julius Caesar
B. Romeo and Juliet
C. Macbeth
D. Hamlet
E. Antony and Cleopatra
9 Which film had a production budget estimated to be about $280 million. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards. It won three.
A. Avatar
B. Titanic
C. Spider-Man 3
D. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
E. Avengers: Age of Ultron
10. In 2010, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Director. What is the name of the film that earned her an Academy Award?
 |
| Bigelow with Oscar 2010 |
A. Lyndon
B. Nomadland
C The Hurt Locker
D The Matrix
E. Selma.
ANSWERS
1. C
Two
 |
| Brad Pitt with 2020 Oscar |
Brad Pitt has won two Oscars. In 2014, he won a shared Best Picture Oscar as one of the producers of 12 Years a Slave. In 2020, he received another Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as stuntman Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
2. B
2018
On March 12th Jimmy Kimmel will host the Academy Awards for the third time. He has previously hosted the Oscars in 2017 and 2018. The first time he hosted, the awards featured the famous Best Picture mix-up. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway accidentally announced that La La Land had win the Oscar for Best Picture, when the the actual winner was Moonlight.
3. D
An American Werewolf in London
Special Achievement Oscars were awarded twice to makeup artists for 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) and Plant of the Apes (1968). However, the Academy Award for Best Makeup was first given out in 1981, thanks to the film Elephant Man. There were complaints when the makeup achievements of Elephant Man were unacknowledged the year before.
Beginning in 1993, the name of the award was changed to Best Makeup and Hairstyling. It was to be shared with hairstylists if hair effects "contribute greatly to the appearance and effect of the characters."
4. A
Jennifer Lawrence
There was an awkward moment at the 2013 Academy Awards when Jennifer Lawrence took a slight tumble on the steps on her way up to receive her award for Best Actress. The moment went viral and Jennifer, of course, just laughed it off.
5. C
The Mirror Has Two Faces
 |
| Bacall in The Mirror . . . |
In 1997, Lauren Bacall received her first Oscar nomination at the age of 72. She was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her role as Hannah, the vain, overbearing mother of Barbra Streisand's character in The Mirror Has Two Faces. Bacall was widely expected to win, but the Best Supporting Actress went to Juliette Binoche for her performance in The English Patient. The English Patient, a tragic World War II-era romance, dominated the awards that year, winning nine out of 12 nominations, including Best Picture.
In 2010, Lauren Bacall received an Academy Honorary Award. She died in 2014 at the age of 89.
6. E
Charlie Champlin
 |
| Charlie Chaplin with Oscar |
Charlie Chaplin received a 12-minute standing ovation at the Oscars in 1972 when he was given the honourary award.
7. B
Going My Way
 |
| Crosby (Left) and Fitzgerald}in Going My Way |
In 1945, Bing Crosby received an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the 1944 film Going My Way. Crosby won for his portrayal of Father Chuck O'Malley, a young priest who is assigned to a church in New York. The paster, played by Barry Fitzgerald, takes a dislike to O'Malley's casual style, and the younger priest tries to win him over.
In 1946, Crosby was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the 1945 film The Bells of St. Mary's. He once again portrayed Father O'Malley, becoming the firs actor to be twice nominated for an Oscar for portraying the same character. However, the winner that year was Ray Milland for his performance in The Lost Weekend.
In 1955, Bing Crosby was nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role for his performance opposite Grace Kelly and William Holden in the 1954 film The Country Girl. Marlon Brando won the Oscar for On The Waterfront.
8. D
Hamlet
 |
| Olivier as Hamlet |
The 1948 British film adaptation of Hamlet, directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Olivier won for Best Actor. Olivier was not present at the 1949 awards ceremony and Robert Montgomery accepted the award on his behalf. Hamlet was the first British film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
9, A
Avatar
 |
| Scene from Avatar |
Avatar, a 2009 science fiction epic was officially budgeted at $237 million, due to its groundbreaking, dazzling special effects. Oher estimates, however, put the cost of the James Cameron film at between $280 million and $310 million, and at $150 million for promotion. Although Avatar did not win an Oscar for Best Picture or for Best Director, it did receive Academy Awards for Art Direction, Cinematography and Visual Effects.
10. C
The Hurt Locker
Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director in 2010 for her Iraqi war thriller, The Hurt Locker. She was only the fourth woman to receive a Best Director nomination - the others being Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation (2004), Jane Campion for The Piano (1994) and Lina Wertmüller for Pasqualino Settebellezze "Seven Beauties" (1977)
Kathryn Bigelow beat out her ex-husband, James Cameron who was also nominated that year Best Director for his 3-D epic, Avatar. The Hurt Locker won six Oscars, including Best Picture, out of a total of nine nominations. However, it did not do as well at the box office, It is estimated to have earned $21 million at the box office, less than two per cent of what Avatar earned in tick sales in the same year.
VOCABULARY QUIZ #9
(Originally posted April 30, 2023)
Number 16 Vocabulary Quiz #9
Ten words beginning with the letter "Z"
Number 16 presents a multiple choice vocabulary quiz. Choose the correct definition of each word listed. There are ten words that begin with the letter "z."
1. (noun) zither
'
A. A magic spell
B. A type of dress worn in Nigeria
C. A musical instrument
D. A dog breed
E. A type of poetry with 10 lines
2. (adjective) zealous
A, Description of an eccentric person
B. Characterized by fervent devotion to a person, a cause or an ideal
C. Having an extremely jealous nature
D. Having a cruel and vindictive personality
E. None of the above
3. (noun) zircon
A. A kind of spaceship
B. A sweet tasting liqueur
C. A geometric figure
D. A mineral sometimes used as a gem
E. A kind of cheese
4. (noun) zygote
A. A bird found in Africa
B. Someone who lives in a remote village
C. A fertilized egg
D. A single-celled organism
E. A rare gene
5. (noun) zymurgy
A, A branch of applied chemistry that is concerned with fermentation processes (as in brewing or wine making)
B. A dark blue mineral, similar to sapphire
C. The process by which diamonds are mined.
D. A branch of mathematics that involves geometric shapes
E. In entomology, a scientific designation of a particular species of insects
6. (noun) zucchini
A, A kind of pasta
B. An Italian soup
C. A type of Italian sausage
D. A cheese
E. A dark green summer squash
7. (noun) zwieback
A, A kind of sandwich popular in Sweden
B. A crisp, sweetened bread,
C. A type of potato
D. A tropical cocktail
E. None of the above
8. (noun) zenith
A. A paradise or heaven
B. A breed of cat
C. The highest point or stage
D. A witch in disguise
E. The eruption of a volcano
9. (noun) zebu
A. A domesticated ox
B. A kind of rifle
C. A small clutch purse
D. A newborn zebra
E. A mountain goat
10. (adjective) zany
A, Having a dry sense of humour
B. Undisciplined
C. Loudmouthed
D. Amusingly absurd or eccentric
E. Quick witted
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ANSWERS
(Note: The definitions for the correct answers have been taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus)
1. C
zither (noun): A musical instrument consisting of a flat wooden box with numerous strings across it, placed horizontally and played with fingers and a plectrum (pick used for plucking strings of instrument}. It is used especially in central European folk music.
2. B
zealous (adjective); Marked by fervent partisanship for a person, a cause, or an ideal. Filled with or characterized by zeal. Example: zealous missionaries
3. D
zircon (noun): A tetragonal mineral consisting of a silicate of zirconium and occurring usually in brown or greyish square prisons or sometimes in transparent forms which are used as gems. Example: He analyzed the small amounts of uranium contained in the mineral zircon.
4. C
zygote (noun): A fertilized egg; a cell formed by the union of two gametes (reproductive cells),; Broadly speaking, the developing individual produced from such a cell.
5. A
zymurgy (noun): A branchy of applied chemistry that deals with fermentation processes (as in wine making or brewing)
6. E
zucchini (noun): Botanically speaking, fruit; a smooth usually cylindrical dark green summer squash: also a plant that bears zucchini
7. B
zwieback (noun): A usually sweetened bread enriched with eggs that is baked and then sliced and toasted until dry and crisp
8. C
zenith (noun): The highest point or pinnacle Example: She is at the zenith of her career.
9. A
zebu (noun): Any of various breeds of domestic oxen developed in India, characterized by a large fleshy hump over the shoulders
10. D.
zany (adjective): Very eccentric, or absurd, often in an amusing way, Example :A zany comedy
OSCARS QUIZ 2024
(Originally posted February 24, 2024)
The 96hh Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The live show will start at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. on ABC and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It will also be live-streamed on the ABC app, which requires a cable subscription. Streaming services such as Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling TV and DirectTV Stream will also provide access to the event through ABC on their platforms. This year's Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's 12th annual Oscars quiz. There are 11 questions. Good luck!
NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ
1. A new category will be added to the Academy Awards beginning in 2026. What is the category?
A. Best Box Office Success
B. Best Musical
C. Achievement in Casting
D. Best Historical Documentary Film
E. None of the Above
2. Which film earned Steven Spielberg his first Academy Award for best director?
 |
| Steven Spielberg |
A, Schindler's List
B. E.T: the Extra-Terrestrial
C. Saving Private Ryan
D Jaws
E. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
3. Steven Spielberg was one of the producers of film that was nominated for Best Picture in 2024. Name that film.
A. The Fabelman's
B. Maestro
C. The Holdovers
D. Anatomy of a Fall
E. Oppenheimer
4. In which year were the Academy Awards first broadcast internationally?
A. 1966
B. 1959
C. 1965
D. 1969
E. 1970
5. How many Academy Awards has Clint Eastwood won?
 |
| Clint Eastwood |
A. 3
B. 4
C. 2
D. 1
E. None
6. Paul Giomatti has been nominated in 2024 for a Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The Holdovers. Has Giomatti ever won a Oscar?\
 |
| Paul Giomatti |
A. Yes, he won an Oscar on 2006 for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Cinderella Man.
B. Yes, he won an Oscar in 2005 for Best Leading Actor in Sideways.
C. Yes, he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Illusionist in 2007.
D. Yes, he won a Best Leading Actor Oscar for Best Leading Actor for American Splendor in 2004.
E. No, Paul Giomatti has never won an Osccar.
7. In 2024, Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ken in the film Barbie. Where was Ryan Gosling born?
 |
| Ryan Gosling |
A. Chicago, Illinois, USA
B. Los Angeles, California, USA.
C. London, England, UK
D. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
E. London, Ontario, Canada
8. Did Hollywood star Ginger Rogers ever win an Academy Award?
 |
| Ginger Rogers |
A.
B.
C. Yes, she won an Oscar for Best Actress for the leading role the 1940 film Kitty Foyle.
D.
E. No, she never won an Oscar.
9. Who was the first woman to host the Oscars solo?
A. Jane Fonda
B. Whoopi Goldberg
C. Liza Minnelli
D. Goldie Hawn
E. Shirley MacLaine
10. For what film did Whoopi Goldberg win an Academy Award?
A. The Color Purple
B. Sister Act
C. Ghost
D. None of the Above
E. She has never won an Oscar.
11. How many Spanish-born actors have won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading or Supporting Role.
A. None
B. 3
C. 2
D. 1
E. 4
ANSWERS
1. C
Achievement in Casting is the new category. It will begin in 2026, for films released in 2025. This is the first new category created by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science since 2002 for Best Animated Feature Film, which was won by Shrek.
With this new category, casting directors will finally get the recognition they deserve. The Casting Directors Branch, formed in 2013, has almost 160 members.
2. A
Steven Spielberg has received eight Academy Award nominations for Best Director, including two wins. He won his first Oscar in 1994 as director for the 1993 film Schindler's List. In 1999, he won his second Academy Award for Best Director for the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg received Best Director nominations for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, West Side Story, Lincoln, and Munich.
3. B
Spielberg was one of the producers of the film Maestro, which is based on the life of conductor Leonard Bernstein. Spielberg was originally set to direct Maestro, but he decided to let Bradley Cooper, who plays
4. D
The Academy Awards were first broadcast internationally in 1969.
5. B
Clint Eastwood has won four Oscars. He has received Academy Awards for Best Director for Unforgiven in 1993, Best Picture for Unforgiven in 1993., Best Director for Million Dollar Baby in 2005 and Best Picture for Million Dollar Baby in 2005.
6, E
No, Paul Giomatti has never won an Oscar. His nomination for the Holdovers is his second nomination. In 2006, Giomatti was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Cinderella Man.
7. E
Ryan Gosling was born in London, Ontario, Canada on November 12, 1980. His nomination for Barbie is his third Oscar nomination. He was previously nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Half Nelson in 2007 and La La Land in 2017.
8. C
 |
| Ginger and James Stewart with Oscars in 1941 |
Ginger Roges won an Oscar for Best Actress in 1941 for her performance in the 1940 film Kitty Foyle.
9. B
 |
| Whoopi hosting the Oscars in 1994. |
Whoopi Goldberg was the first woman to host the Oscars solo in 1994. Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn, Shirley MacLean and Liza Minnelli all served as co-hosts. Goldberg hosted again in 1996, 1999 and 2002.
10. C
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in the 1990 film Ghost. In 1986, She was nominated for a Best Actress in a Leading Role for the 1985 film The Color Purple, but did not win.
11. D
 |
| Javier Bardem |
Only one Spanish-born actor has one the Best Actor in a Leading Role. In 2008, Javier Bardem, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, won the Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar for his performance for the film No Country for Old Men (2007).
All quizzes by Joanne Madden