The HAN Words Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is situated on the western bank of the Red River, before it empties into the South China Sea. Its origins trace back to 1010 AD when Emperor Ly Thai To established it as the capital of the Dai Viet Kingdom. Throughout its history, Hanoi has endured multiple invasions, occupations, and imperial rule. It served as the political and cultural center of Vietnam during the feudal dynasties, including the Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen, the last Vietnamese dynasty.
In the 19th century, Hanoi became the capital of French Indochina after Vietnam fell under French colonial rule. The city played a significant role in the struggle for independence, hosting pivotal events such as the August Revolution in 1945, which led to the proclamation of Vietnamese independence by Ho Chi Minh. It was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War (1965-1975).
Since then, Hanoi has evolved into a bustling metropolis while preserving its historical charm, with its ancient temples, colonial architecture, and vibrant street life serving as a testament to its enduring legacy.

Answer: Hansie Cronje

Hansie Cronje was a South African cricket player whose career was marked by both remarkable achievements and a significant fall from grace. Born on September 25, 1969, Cronje rose to prominence as the captain of the South African national cricket team during the 1990s and early 2000s.

He was admired for his leadership skills, all-round cricketing abilities, and strategic prowess on the field. Under his captaincy, South Africa experienced notable success in international cricket. However, Cronje's career took a dark turn in 2000 when he admitted to involvement in match-fixing and accepting bribes from bookmakers, tarnishing his reputation and leading to a lifetime ban from cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Tragically, he passed away in a plane crash on June 1, 2002, leaving behind a controversial legacy in the world of cricket.

Answer: Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, have fascinated imaginations for centuries with their grandeur and mystery. Believed to have been built in the ancient city of Babylon, located near present-day Baghdad, Iraq, these lush terraced gardens were an extraordinary feat of engineering and design towering at 300 ft above the plains and filled with exotic flowers and trees. Created by King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BCE, the gardens were said to have been constructed to please his queen, Amytis of Media, (Media being an area in Iran) who longed for the green hills and valleys of her homeland. Towering tiers of greenery cascaded from massive stone structures, irrigated by a complex system of waterways from the nearby Euphrates River. Even though they are mentioned by several writers their exact location and appearance remain a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon continue to capture the imagination as a testament to the ingenuity and splendor of ancient civilizations.

Answer: Haniwa

Haniwa figurines are clay sculptures that hold profound significance in ancient Japanese culture, particularly during the Kofun period (3rd to 6th centuries AD). These distinctive terracotta figures were often crafted in the likeness of humans, animals, and houses, serving as burial offerings placed around tombs and mounds. The word "haniwa" translates to "circle of clay," reflecting their cylindrical and simplistic forms.

These figurines not only adorned burial sites but also played a crucial role in funerary rituals, symbolizing protection, guardianship, and companionship for the deceased in the afterlife. Each haniwa figure offers insights into the artistic techniques, social structures, and spiritual beliefs of ancient Japan, providing invaluable archaeological evidence of the era's customs and traditions.

Answer: Hanuman

Hanuman, revered in Hindu mythology, is depicted as a monkey-faced god, symbolizing bravery and devotion. Hanuman's tale is prominently featured in the Indian epic "Ramayana", where he plays a pivotal role in aiding Lord Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, in his quest to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana, the evil king of Lanka. Hanuman's extraordinary feats, including his leap across the ocean to Lanka and his carrying of the entire mountain to retrieve a medicinal herb, exemplify his unmatched prowess and commitment. Hanuman remains a beloved figure in Hinduism, revered for his devotion to duty and his embodiment of the ideal devotee.

Answer: Hansard

Hansard refers to the official verbatim report of debates and proceedings in the Westminster system parliaments, primarily the Parliament of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and it is named after Thomas Curson Hansard (1776-1833), an early printer and publisher of parliamentary debates.

The Hansard provides a detailed record of speeches, questions, and answers exchanged by Members of Parliament or legislators during sessions. Additionally, Hansard often includes supplementary materials such as written answers to questions, motions, and other parliamentary business.

It serves as a vital resource for transparency, accountability, and historical documentation, allowing citizens, researchers, and policymakers to access a comprehensive record of parliamentary discussions and decisions.

Answer: Hannah and her Sisters

"Hannah and her Sisters" is a 1986 movie by director Woody Allen with himself, Michael Caine, Mia Farrow, Dianne Weist and Barbara Hershey in the leading roles. The story evolves around three Thanksgiving gatherings of the three sisters, their companions and their parents at the house of Hannah (Mia Farrow) and her husband Elliott (Michael Caine).

There are three narratives that involve the sisters, Elliott's affair with Hannah's sister Lee (Barbara Hershey), Hannah's ex-husband, Mickey (Woody Allen) who remains in the family circle and Holly (Dianne Weist), the third sister, a former cocaine-addict who grapples with her failed relationships and aspirations as an actress, a caterer and finally, a writer.

As the narrative unfolds over two years, the characters navigate themes of love, infidelity, existential crises, and familial bonds, while exploring the complexities of human relationships and the search for fulfillment.

The movie won three Oscars - for best screenplay (Woody Allen), best supporting actor (Michael Caine) and best supporting actress (Dianne Wiest).

Answer: Hansel and Gretel

"Hansel and Gretel" is a classic fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. It most probably belongs to a subject familiar in German, Polish and Baltic fairytales of children and forest creatures. The plot revolves around two siblings, Hansel and Gretel, who live with their impoverished woodcutter father and stepmother. During a time of famine, the stepmother persuades the father to abandon the children in the forest, as the family can no longer afford to feed them.
The children stumble upon a house made of bread, cakes and confections, unaware that it belongs to a wicked witch. The witch lures them inside with promises of food and shelter, intending to fatten them up and eat them. Hansel and Gretel cleverly outwit the witch, managing to push her into her own oven, securing their escape.
Returning home with treasures from the witch's house, they find their father overjoyed to see them, as their stepmother has died in their absence. The family, now reunited and enriched, lives happily ever after.

Answer: Hand of God

"The Hand of God" refers to a controversial goal scored by the Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England. The match took place on June 22, 1986, in Mexico City.
During the game, Maradona used his hand to punch the ball into the net past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Despite protests from the English players, the goal was allowed by the referee and stood as valid. Maradona later famously described the goal as being scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God," hence the name "The Hand of God."
The incident has remained one of the most controversial moments in soccer history, sparking debates about fair play, sportsmanship, and the role of referees in high-stakes matches. However, Maradona's skill and talent were also evident in the same match, as he went on to score another goal, often regarded as one of the greatest solo goals in the history of the sport, just minutes after the "Hand of God" goal. Argentina won the match 2-1 and eventually went on to win the 1986 FIFA World Cup, with Maradona playing a pivotal role in their success.

Answer: Hanif Kureishi

Hanif Kureishi is a prolific British author and playwright known for his bold and insightful exploration of themes such as identity, race, sexuality, and cultural displacement. Born in London to a Pakistani father and an English mother, Kureishi's mixed heritage deeply influences his work, allowing him to offer a unique perspective on the complexities of modern society.

His breakthrough novel "The Buddha of Suburbia" earned him widespread acclaim, capturing the essence of multicultural Britain in the 1970s.

In 1985 he wrote the screenplay "My Beautiful Laundrette" about a gay Pakistani boy growing up in London which became Daniel Day-Lewis' breakthrough movie and it was directed by Stephen Frears. In 2022 Kureishi suffered a terrible accident in Rome which left him paralysed and unable to use his arms and legs.

He has been documenting the changes in his life in the social media and blogposts and is using the material for a book called "Shattered".