I Did It All with a Pencil! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eminem

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an iconic American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded by many as one of the greatest and most influential artists in the history of hip-hop, Eminem gained mainstream recognition in the late 1990s with his alter ego, Slim Shady. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Eminem's raw and lyrically complex style often addresses his personal struggles, experiences, and controversial themes.

His 1999 debut album, "The Slim Shady LP", won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, marking the beginning of his unprecedented success. Eminem's alter egos, including Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers, have allowed him to explore various facets of his identity in his music. With albums like "The Marshall Mathers LP" (2000) and "The Eminem Show" (2002), he solidified his status as a rap legend. Eminem has consistently pushed boundaries in the genre and remains a highly influential figure in the music industry.

Answer: Pencil skirt

A pencil skirt is a classic and versatile piece of women's clothing that has endured in fashion for its timeless elegance and flattering silhouette. Typically tailored to follow the natural contours of the body, the pencil skirt is characterized by its slim, straight cut that extends from the waist to just below the knee. It often features a narrow hem, creating a streamlined and polished appearance.

The pencil skirt is intended to look professional and sophisticated making it a good choice for a workplace setting, however, it is also stylish and chic which makes it more versatile for use as formal attire. The term first appeared post World War II and was popularized by the French fashion designer Christian Dior. The name 'pencil' skirt is derived from the skirt's slim, straight, and narrow shape, somewhat resembling a pencil.

Answer: Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Kathleen Pompeo is an American actress with Italian heritage who has had the main role on the hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" since 2005. Before her breakthrough role on that show, however, Pompeo appeared in various television shows and films, including "Law & Order" and "Old School". Nevertheless, her success on the medical drama has made her one of the highest-paid actresses on television and a regular name of the "Forbes" highest paid lists.

Ellen Pompeo has received accolades for her portrayal of a complex and resilient character, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the entertainment industry. Outside of acting, Pompeo has been an advocate for equal pay and has been vocal about addressing gender disparities in the entertainment industry. She has also ventured into producing and directing, further establishing herself as a multifaceted figure in the world of television.

Answer: Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves, born in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised in Toronto, Ontario, is a Canadian actor renowned for his captivating performances and cinematic versatility. His breakout role as Theodore "Ted" Logan in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" propelled him to international stardom in 1989. In 1994, he had another blockbuster with "Speed" and the pinnacle of his career in terms of recognition came in "The Matrix" trilogy from 1999 to 2003.

Reeves' ability to seamlessly transition between genres, from action to drama, has earned him acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Beyond his acting prowess, Keanu is recognized for his humility, genuine personality, and philanthropic efforts. Despite his fame, he has maintained a low-key lifestyle, contributing to his appeal as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.

In recent years, Reeves has continued to captivate audiences with the eponymous role in the film series "John Wick" which started in 2014.

Answer: Hong Kong

"Pencil towers" is a term often used to describe tall, thin, and modern skyscrapers that dominate the skyline of urban areas. The ratio of height to base is often greater than 10:1. The phenomenon started when steel began to be used for the construction of a building's frame, making it possible to build higher without the risk of collapse. With land value at a premium in some cities, the only direction to build was upwards, and the pencil tower was born.

Several cities in the world use these towers to maximize the land usage. The leaders around the world in pencil towers are New York City, Singapore, and, at number one, Hong Kong. Many of these are of mixed use, combining residential space with commercial space. This means that one might never have to leave their own tower in one day when going to work, shopping, and then returning home.

Hong Kong is known for its densely populated urban landscape, and the city has a high concentration of tall buildings. Pencil towers contribute to this vertical density, emphasizing the limited available land and the need for efficient use of space. The design of these towers often involves innovative and sleek architectural styles. The emphasis is on maximizing height while maintaining a narrow footprint, creating a distinctive and modern look.

Answer: Latin

The English language evolved from many sources, but most prominently were the Germanic languages. Original English-speakers were the Angles and the Saxon tribes, and those were purely Germanic in their language origin. However, many years of war against the Roman Empire meant that many Latin words started seeping into the English language. Over the years, the proximity to France also helped - French is derived mainly from Latin as well so when French words began mixing into the English language, many of them had Latin roots.

The word for 'pencil' came from the French word 'pincel' meaning an artist's brush. This, in turn, came from the Latin word 'peniculus' which was taken to refer to a little brush, a diminutive of the Latin word 'penis' which means 'tail'. So, when writing with a pencil, it originated from the act of drawing fine lines with a little brush.

Answer: Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse, the iconic and beloved character created by Walt Disney, made his debut in the animated short film "Steamboat Willie" in 1928. With his uncharacteristically high-pitched voice and positive personality, Mickey quickly became the mascot of The Walt Disney Company. Known for his trademark red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves, Mickey has evolved over the years from the pencil sketch that he started out as. In fact, in some of the intros to Disney movies, there is an animated portrayal of that beginning as a steamboat captain.

Mickey Mouse has become synonymous with enjoyment and fun. Along with his friends, similarly iconic characters like Goofy, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Pluto, his dog, Mickey has faced countless adventures and always come out on top. In doing so, he brings light and smiles to both children and adults.

Answer: Margaret Mitchell

"Gone with the Wind" was an epic movie that was released on December 15, 1939. The film, directed by Victor Fleming, is an historical romance based on the 1936 novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell. Starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, the movie went on to become one of the most iconic and successful films in cinematic history. It won numerous Academy Awards and earned a lasting place in popular culture.

Clark Gable, who played the role of Rhett Butler, sported a distinctive facial hair style known as a "pencil mustache." The pencil mustache is a narrow, well-groomed mustache that is often characterized by its thin, straight appearance. It closely resembles the shape of a pencil line, hence the name. Clark Gable's pencil mustache in the film contributed to the suave and debonair image of his character. The pencil mustache was a popular facial hair style during the early to mid-20th century, and Gable's portrayal of Rhett Butler, along with his charming and charismatic personality on and off screen, made the look particularly iconic.

Answer: Pablo Picasso

According to his mother, Pablo Picasso's first word as a baby was "piz", short for "lápiz" which is Spanish for 'pencil'. Before the young lad could walk well, he was already being taught by his father, the artist José Ruiz Blasco, all about drawing. Hence, pencils became one of Picasso's preferred art mediums. He soon became one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century.

Picasso's early works, notably the "Blue Period" and "Rose Period", reflected themes of poverty, melancholy, and sensuality. Picasso's groundbreaking collaboration with Georges Braque led to the development of Cubism, a style of fragmented forms and multiple perspectives. His 1907 masterpiece, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", is considered a watershed moment in the history of art.

Picasso's ability to reinvent himself and his unparalleled artistic output earned him widespread acclaim and recognition. All the while, even towards the end of his life as he was exploring Surrealism, Picasso kept using pencil sketches and drawings as one of his most popular forms of art leading to a collection of pencil art that is vast and diverse.

Answer: William Faulkner

William Faulkner, born in New Albany, Mississippi, was a prominent American writer and Nobel Prize laureate in literature. Renowned for his intricate narrative techniques and exploration of the Southern United States, Faulkner is considered one of the greatest modernist novelists. His literary contributions include classic novels such as "The Sound and the Fury", "As I Lay Dying", and "Light in August".

Faulkner's works often delve into the complexities of Southern history, race, and the impact of the past on the present. His distinctive stream-of-consciousness writing style, use of multiple perspectives, and incorporation of Southern Gothic elements set him apart as a literary pioneer. Faulkner received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 for his powerful and artistically unique contributions to American literature. His legacy endures as his works continue to be studied, celebrated, and appreciated for their profound exploration of the human condition.