Plenty of Fish in the Sea Trivia Quiz

Answer: baseball player

Mike Trout, born 7 August 1991 in Vineland, New Jersey, is a centre fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Trout was drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft and made his debut on 8 July 2011. He quickly established himself as one of baseball's top talents, known for his exceptional hitting, fielding and base running skills.

His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including multiple American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, multiple Silver Slugger awards and frequent All-Star selections. His impressive statistics and consistent performance have led to comparisons with some of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Off the field, he is praised for his humility, work ethic and sportsmanship, making him a respected figure in the baseball community.

Answer: actress

Laura Haddock, born 21 August 1985 in Enfield, London, is a British actress known for her diverse roles in film and television. She trained at the Arts Educational School in Chiswick and began her career in 2007 with a guest role in the television series "My Family". Haddock gained considerable recognition for her role as Lucrezia Donati in the historical fantasy series "Da Vinci's Demons" (2013-2015).

She is also known for her roles in popular films such as "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) and its sequel, where she played Meredith Quill, the mother of Chris Pratt's character, Peter Quill. Haddock has also appeared in the Transformers franchise, playing Vivian Wembley in "Transformers: The Last Knight" (2017). Outside of her acting career, Haddock has been involved in various charitable activities and is recognised for her contributions to the arts. She was married to actor Sam Claflin, with whom she has two children, although they announced their separation in 2019.

Answer: singer and actor

Lance Bass, born James Lance Bass on 4 May 1979 in Laurel, Mississippi, is an American singer, dancer, actor and producer, best known as a member of the boy band *NSYNC. Recruited by Justin Timberlake in 1995, *NSYNC became a major pop sensation with hits such as "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me".

Outside of music, Bass has acted in films like "On the Line" and appeared on TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars". He founded Lance Bass Productions to produce film and television projects. In 2006, Bass came out publicly as gay and has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, supporting various charities.

He also trained as a cosmonaut for a space tourism mission with the Russian space programme, although the mission was cancelled due to financial problems. Despite this, his many contributions to entertainment and advocacy have made him a significant figure in popular culture.

Answer: painter

Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter and a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Born on 28 January 1912 in Cody, Wyoming, Pollock's innovative techniques revolutionised the art world. He is best known for his unique style of drip painting, in which he poured or splashed paint onto a canvas placed on the floor, creating intricate webs of colour and texture.

His approach to painting emphasised the act of creation itself, often referred to as "action painting". This method allowed him to become physically involved in his work, moving around the canvas and using his whole body to apply paint. His technique broke away from traditional methods and introduced a new form of spontaneous, dynamic art that captured the post-war zeitgeist.

One of his most famous works is "No. 5, 1948", which exemplifies his drip painting technique. Throughout his career, Pollock struggled with alcoholism and his life was marked by turbulent personal relationships. Despite these challenges, his work was widely acclaimed and he was celebrated for his contributions to modern art. His life was tragically cut short when he died in a car accident on 11 August 1956 at the age of 44.

Answer: tennis player

Mardy Fish, born 9 December 1981 in Edina, Minnesota, is a retired American professional tennis player. Known for his powerful serve and strong baseline game, Fish reached a career-high singles ranking of world number 7 in August 2011. He turned professional in 2000 and had a successful career on the ATP Tour, winning six singles titles and eight doubles titles.

His most notable achievements include reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open (2007) and Wimbledon (2011), and the finals of the Cincinnati Masters (2003) and Indian Wells Masters (2008). He also represented the United States in the Davis Cup and at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he won a silver medal in the men's singles. Since retiring in 2015, he has been open about his struggles with anxiety and mental health, and has advocated for greater awareness and support for athletes facing similar challenges.

Answer: architect and educator

Christine Salmon (1916-2000) was an influential American architect and educator. She made significant contributions to the field of architecture, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. She was known for her expertise in educational and residential architecture, as well as her commitment to architectural education.

She taught at the University of Washington, where she influenced many students with her practical and innovative approach to design. Her work in educational architecture included projects that emphasised the integration of natural light and the environment into school buildings, promoting better learning environments. She was also involved in various professional organisations, promoting the role of women in architecture and contributing to the development of architectural standards and practices. Her approach to design and education remains a reference point for architects interested in sustainable and human-centred architecture.

Answer: explorer

Zebulon Pike, born on 5 January 1779 in Lamberton, New Jersey, was an American brigadier general and explorer best known for his expeditions in the early 19th century. His expeditions aimed to explore and map the southern part of the Louisiana Territory, which the United States had acquired from France in 1803.

In 1805-1806, he led an expedition to find the source of the Mississippi River. Although he failed to locate the true source, his journey provided valuable information about the northern reaches of the territory. More famously, in 1806-1807, he led a second expedition to the southwestern part of the Louisiana Territory. During this journey, Pike attempted to climb a peak in present-day Colorado, which was later named Pike's Peak in his honour, although he never reached the summit. His military career played a role in the War of 1812. He was promoted to brigadier general, but was tragically killed at the Battle of York (now Toronto) in Canada on 27 April 1813.

Answer: singer and songwriter

Samantha Fish is an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. Born on 30 January 1989 in Kansas City, Missouri, Fish grew up in a musical family and began playing drums before switching to guitar at the age of 15. She quickly developed a passion for blues music, inspired by artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt.

She released her debut album "Runaway" in 2011, which won the Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. Her music blends elements of blues, rock and soul, showcasing her powerful voice and exceptional guitar skills. Over the years, she has released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Black Wind Howlin'" (2013), "Wild Heart" (2015) and "Kill or Be Kind" (2019).

Answer: jazz saxophonist

Vincent Herring, born on 19 November 1964 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is a prominent American jazz saxophonist. He is known for his skills on the alto and soprano saxophones. Herring's career began in the 1980s in New York City, where he gained recognition playing with Lionel Hampton's big band and Nat Adderley's quintet.

He has worked with jazz icons such as Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie and Cedar Walton, earning him a place in the jazz world. His virtuosic technique and soulful expression have made him an outstanding performer. As a bandleader, his albums include "Folklore: Live at the Village Vanguard" and "Night and Day". In addition to performing, Herring is a dedicated educator, conducting workshops and teaching.

Answer: U.S. Secretary of State

Hamilton Fish (1808-1893) was a prominent American statesman who served as the 26th U.S. Secretary of State under President Ulysses S. Grant from 1869 to 1877. Born into a distinguished family in New York City, Fish was a Harvard graduate who began his career in law and politics. His political career included terms as a New York State Assemblyman, U.S. Representative, Governor of New York, and U.S. Senator.

As Secretary of State, he is best remembered for his efforts to settle the Alabama Claims with Great Britain over British-built ships used by the Confederacy during the Civil War. This was successfully concluded with the Treaty of Washington in 1871, setting a precedent for international arbitration. He also managed relations with Spain and Cuba and oversaw the completion of the purchase of Alaska, initially negotiated by his predecessor William H. Seward.