First released in 1999 in Japan, American soul singer Macy Gray co-wrote and performed the award-winning song "I Try". It was the second single released from her debut album "On How Life Is" (1999). It is one of her most successful singles. Gray has also developed an acting career, appearing on both TV and in film.
2. Infra
Answer: Red
Sitting between visible light and microwave radiation, infrared is an electromagnetic radiation that people normally feel as heat. It is not visible to the human eye. Around half the energy received from the Sun is in the form of infrared radiation. One form of night vision equipment converts the heat (i.e. infrared radiation) emitted by objects into visible light. This has uses in fire fighting, medicine, powerline troubleshooting as well as in the military, amongst others.
3. "Moby-Dick"
Answer: White
"Moby-Dick: or, The Whale" is a 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. Moby Dick was a white sperm whale, its colour being the answer to this clue. At the time of Melville's death in 1891, the book was a commercial failure. The first British edition suffered from publisher censorship with areas affected including the sacrilegious (some 1,200 words), sexual matters (although some indirect references were missed) and those belittling royalty (chapter 25 was removed). The revival of the book's fortunes started 70 years after first publication.
4. Plague
Answer: Black
This is a reference to Black Death, a pandemic affecting Eurasia and North Africa in the 14th century during which around 50% of Europe's population died. It was caused by bubonic plague. There are three types of plague caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria: pneumonic, bubonic and septicemic plagues. These affect different parts of the body. Vaccines for the plague have been available since the 20th century.
5. Heart medal
Answer: Purple
This is a reference to the Purple Heart award containing the profile of George Washington. It is issued by the US military to those killed or wounded while serving since 5 April 1917, the day before the US entered the First World War. Its forerunner was the Badge of Military Merit established by George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1782.
6. "...sleeves"
Answer: Green
Dating as early as 1580, "Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song. It gets three mentions (the best known being by the character Falstaff) in Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" which was first published in 1602. It later appeared in the Ralph Vaughan Williams 1935 opera "Sir John In Love", Sir John being the Shakespearean character Falstaff. There are many other contemporary uses of the melody. It is also the name of a British record label.
7. Fox
Answer: Silver
The silver fox is a colour variation of the red fox (Vulpes fulva). This variation is sometimes also referred to as the black fox or blue fox. The colouring is a mutation caused by an excess of melanin. The fur from such animals was prized historically. It is also the term for an attractive person, usually an older man, with grey or white hair. In contrast, the Marvel Comics character with that name is a female supervillain.
8. Stanley Kubrick
Answer: Orange
Of the various films Kubrick made, only "A Clockwork Orange" (1971) has a colour in its title. He was a highly influential film director with such films as "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "The Shining" to his name. The dystopian crime film "A Clockwork Orange" was based on Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name.
The film was banned in several countries although it also received four Oscar nominations.
9. Saffron rice
Answer: Yellow
Of the colours listed, the most strongly associated with saffron-spiced rice is yellow. Saffron is a spice made from the crimson stigma and style of the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). The crocin pigment gives a rich golden yellow colour to foods such as rice. It is commonly named the world's most expensive spice by weight. Most of the world's production comes from Iran.
10. Honda's Wing
Answer: Gold
The Honda Gold Wing is a series of touring motorbikes that has been made by Honda since 1974. More than 640,000 have been produced with most sold in the US. It was assembled in the US for 30 years from 1980 before the operation was shifted back to Japan. It still provides a top-end motorcycle touring experience.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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