"Back" to Basics Trivia Quiz

Answer: backgammon

In backgammon, players compete to get all their checkers off the board first, by moving them according to their dice throws. Rules govern which pieces can move where; for instance, a player can only move their piece to a space if it's empty, already has at least one of their own checkers on it, or is occupied by no more than one of the opponent's checkers.

Many variations of backgammon exist and its origins can be traced back a few thousand years, even into BC times.

Answer: backspace

Most of the time, the BACKSPACE key won't actually have the word 'backspace' written on it. You'll just find an arrow pointing to the left on a key that's probably the same size as two regular keys. Backspace deletes one character at a time to the left of the cursor. In contrast, the DELETE key will delete one character at a time to the right of the cursor.

Answer: backlash

If someone were to do something that doesn't quite go down well with those around them or those affected by it, chances are there'd be a bit of backlash. Synonymous with backfire, something which causes backlash isn't exactly going to be very popular, such as a political change or, perhaps more mundanely, a sudden change in social plans at the very last minute.

Answer: backward

Something or someone described as being backward could be a little bit behind the times, with outmoded views, practices, or uses. Additionally, a backward person could be described as being shy or timorous.

Answer: backbench

Generally, a parliament would consist of frontbenchers and backbenchers. Higher-ranking ministers (such as Secretaries of State in the UK) will be on the frontbench while lower-ranking or junior ministers (like MPs without an office position) are on the backbenches (the rows behind the frontbench).

Answer: background

Background can have a variety of meanings, not least in terms of art. Subjects of paintings, for example, would be in the foreground (though not always) while things like scenery and landscape would be in the background. Similarly, on a computer, applications and processes run either in the foreground or background. For instance, you're reading this on your web browser, which would be in the foreground, while your antivirus software, say, would be running in the background, keeping an eye on things and protecting your computer from harm.

Answer: backstreet

Formed in 1993, the Backstreet Boys have seen significant success over the years as an archetypal boy band. Amongst their biggest hits are "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (1997), "As Long As You Love Me" (1997) and "Shape of My Heart" (2000).

Answer: backbone

Animals classed as vertebrates have backbones; those without are known as invertebrates. Unsurprisingly, the blue whale has the largest backbone in nature. Some species of frog are regarded as having the smallest backbones. Invertebrates outnumber vertebrates by a huge amount, mainly due to the sheer number of insect species on the planet.

Answer: backhand

A backhand shot in tennis is one which is made with your dominant hand facing backward (hence the name). For instance, if you held the racket in your right hand, a backhand shot would be where you bring it across your body with the racket more or less on the left of your body and back of your right hand facing your opponent.

Answer: backdate

Suppose, perhaps, that you've just been given a pay rise that became effective two months ago. You would therefore receive pay backdated to that time to make up for the shortfall in wages up until now. Conversely, something postdated is issued with a date in the future. Though not commonly accepted by many institutions, postdated cheques can be issued for a date in the future when funds will be in the payer's bank account.