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That's News to Me (1) Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz on the news in the British media in July 2003. How well do you remember the main news stories?

A multiple-choice quiz by rialto88. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
rialto88

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
142,439

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
1131

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. At the beginning of July 2003 the British Government unveiled plans for what the media called "the biggest change in employment law for a generation". What was the Government planning to do? Hint

outlaw age discrimination

control employers in their use of overtime

introduce a minimum wage

reduce the school-leaving age

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. In July 2003 what did the United States of America offer for the capture of Saddam Hussein? Hint

25 million dollars

30 million dollars

25 million pounds sterling

10 million pounds sterling

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Question 3 of 15

3. In the 2003 Wimbledon Men's Singles Tennis Championship, in which round did Tim Henman get beaten in 2003? Hint

the semi-final

the quarter- final

the second round

the final

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Question 4 of 15

4. Who won the Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Tennis Championship in July 2003? Hint

Serena Williams

Sarah Williams

Venus Williams

Pluto Williams

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Question 5 of 15

5. In July 2003 the Government scraped through the House of Commons with a bill that gained the lowest majority since the Government came to power in 1997 (amendment defeated by 286 votes to 251 votes). What was the purpose of this bill? Hint

to continue activity in Iraq

to reduce M.P.s salaries

student top up fees

the creation of foundation hospitals

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Question 6 of 15

6. During July 2003 the U.K. interest rate was cut by the Bank of England to what level? Hint

3.5 %

4 %

3.25%

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Question 7 of 15

7. Which leading charity in July 2003 said that it would have to freeze its funds due to a legal dispute with an American company? Hint

The Royal Society for the Protection of Animals

OXFAM

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

The Diana Fund

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Question 8 of 15

8. In July 2003 which Labour M.P. was heavily reported for saying that Tony Blair should quit? Hint

All three of them!

Dennis Skinner M.P.

Gordon Brown M.P.

Clare Short M.P.

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Question 9 of 15

9. Which ex-football (soccer) legend returned to drinking for a period in July 2003 and thus won wide media attention? Hint

George Best

Jimmy Greaves

George Worst

Jimmy Shreeves

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Question 10 of 15

10. In July 2003 which Company was reported as paying 1.6 billion dollars for Overture in a massive technology stock take over? Hint

FunRivia

Yaboo

Yahoo!

FunTrivia

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Question 11 of 15

11. In July 2003 the British Government unveiled a new consultation paper for a new institution. What was it? Hint

Supreme Court

Parliamentary Building

Ministry for European Union Affairs

Poll Tax

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Question 12 of 15

12. In July 2003 the Prime Minister revealed how much taxpayers' money was paid in 2002/3 to the 74 Government Special Advisers (called spin-doctors by the media). How much was it? Hint

�1.4 million

�14.9 million

�500,000

�5.4 million

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Question 13 of 15

13. Which Airline's staff caused massive disruption at airports in July 2003 by going on strike for a period?

Answer: (Two seven letter words separated by one space capital letter)

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Question 14 of 15

14. Which well known peer of the realm was released from prison in July 2003? Hint

Lord Fletcher

Lord Ambridge

Lord Archer

Lord Parcher

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Question 15 of 15

15. Near the end of July 2003 whose resignation was expected by the media, but denied by No.10 Downing Street? Hint

Alastair Campbell

Cherie Blair

Tony Blair

Gordon Brown

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Oct 14 2024 : Guest 92: 8/15
Sep 09 2024 : Joey7675: 3/15

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. At the beginning of July 2003 the British Government unveiled plans for what the media called "the biggest change in employment law for a generation". What was the Government planning to do?

Answer: outlaw age discrimination

In response to an European Union directive plans were unveiled to enable people to work to the age of 70. Advertising to restrict older jop applicants and to restrict their training opportunities would be outlawed.

2. In July 2003 what did the United States of America offer for the capture of Saddam Hussein?

Answer: 25 million dollars

Information leading to the capture of Saddam Hussein was highly prized, but certainly there was no immediate response.

3. In the 2003 Wimbledon Men's Singles Tennis Championship, in which round did Tim Henman get beaten in 2003?

Answer: the quarter- final

Tim Henman was beaten by Sebastien Grosjean in four sets.

4. Who won the Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Tennis Championship in July 2003?

Answer: Serena Williams

Serena Williams beat her sister Venus in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-2). A below key final, as Venus was suffering from abdominal pains and neither player performed to their best on the day.

Answer: the creation of foundation hospitals

A rebel amendment opposed what they saw as a two-tier health service. 62 Labour M.P.s voted against their own party. The Government claimed that they wanted to give top performing National Health Service hospitals more financial freedom.

6. During July 2003 the U.K. interest rate was cut by the Bank of England to what level?

Answer: 3.5 %

This 0.25% cut produced the lowest rate since January 1955. Perhaps they will shortly be paying us to take the money from them!

7. Which leading charity in July 2003 said that it would have to freeze its funds due to a legal dispute with an American company?

Answer: The Diana Fund

The Diana Fund was sued for more than �15 million by the Franklin Mint who it had tried to stop selling Diana Princess of Wales memorabilia. The American company were alleging a malicious case against them. The Diana Fund was freezing its assets as a consequence and thus depriving the many other charities that depended on it. Later in July 2003 the American company said that there was no need for these assets to be frozen and that the other charities could still take their contributions from the Diana Fund.

8. In July 2003 which Labour M.P. was heavily reported for saying that Tony Blair should quit?

Answer: Clare Short M.P.

Clare Short, the ex-cabinet Minister who eventually resigned over the Iraq War, said that Tony Blair should quit "before things get even nastier". Her criticisms of him included his hospital reforms, student top up fees, the Iraq War and the Euro - and his whole style of government.

9. Which ex-football (soccer) legend returned to drinking for a period in July 2003 and thus won wide media attention?

Answer: George Best

Apparently much to the upset of his wife, the former Northern Ireland and Manchester United star returned to his old ways. This was despite doctors warning that following his liver operation the drink might kill him. The tabloid press in particular enjoyed the story while it lasted. George Best died in November 2005 from multiple organ failure connected to treatment for his alcoholism.

10. In July 2003 which Company was reported as paying 1.6 billion dollars for Overture in a massive technology stock take over?

Answer: Yahoo!

In one of the biggest surprises since the share crash Yahoo! bought out the stocks of Overture who provide market services via search engines.

11. In July 2003 the British Government unveiled a new consultation paper for a new institution. What was it?

Answer: Supreme Court

The Government unveiled its plans for a new Supreme Court and for a massive change in the way judges are appointed following the abolition of the post of Lord Chancellor.

12. In July 2003 the Prime Minister revealed how much taxpayers' money was paid in 2002/3 to the 74 Government Special Advisers (called spin-doctors by the media). How much was it?

Answer: �5.4 million

Two of the staff at No.10 Downing Street received �94,326 and �131,008 and these were thought to be Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell. These are unusual Government posts in that Government staff are normally ultra-careful to appear politically neutral.

13. Which Airline's staff caused massive disruption at airports in July 2003 by going on strike for a period?

Answer: British Airways

The television news in July was covered in pictures of passengers stranded at airports due to a staff walk out. There was talk of chaos for the summer ahead, but negotiations were being pushed along to solve the dispute.

14. Which well known peer of the realm was released from prison in July 2003?

Answer: Lord Archer

Jeffrey Archer was freed two years after being imprisoned for perjury.

15. Near the end of July 2003 whose resignation was expected by the media, but denied by No.10 Downing Street?

Answer: Alastair Campbell

The media had picked up an alleged leak that Alastair Campbell (Tony Blair's top spin doctor) was about to resign. No.10 Downing Street denied the fact in traditional fashion. Only time will tell what the truth of the matter is and what will happen. The apparent and unhappy suicide of the Government's biological weapons expert, Dr. David Kelly, did not help Mr Campbell. Dr. Kelly was named as the source of a leak to the media about the government allegedly spinning anti-Iraq weapons information. Mr Campbell was therefore coming heavily under the media spotlight.

Source: Author rialto88

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