Malevolent Trivia Quiz

Answer: DOUBLE

Apart from transmitting valuable information, a double agent can also be utilised to spread disinformation. Not to be confused with defectors, who are not considered to be true agents. Perhaps the most famous of double agents was Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer who was executed by the French as a German spy.

Answer: BOULE

There were numerous boules in ancient times though very little is known of them. Most of the knowledge on boules is derived from those of ancient Athens, where better records were maintained. Boules were generally made up of archons, meaning rulers, which included the likes of magistrates.

Answer: BLUE

"Rawhide" is television western series that first aired in 1959 and ran for eight seasons. "The Blue Spy" was the tenth episode of season four and deals with an actress who wanders into the men's camp. One of the men recognizes her as a former Union spy who'd been responsible for his court-martial.

Answer: BEL

Asimov's "Foundation" series was eventually published as a collection between 1951 and 1953. Bel Riose was a member of the Galactic Empire and served under Cleon II. He learned of the Foundation's wizardry (science) and sought to defeat them and use their knowledge to revitalize his dying Empire. He was eventually executed for treason.

The Bel (unit) is named after Alexander Graham Bell.

Answer: EL

"Superman" was born Kal-El, into the House of El, on the planet Krypton. His father's name is Jor-El. With their planet doomed, Jor-El sends his son to Earth where the yellow sun infuses him with super powers. He is later joined by Kon-El. Kon-El is a clone who will later become Superboy. Superman will also be joined on Earth by his cousin, Kara Zor-El, who becomes Supergirl.

Answer: L

"Death Note" was created by Tsugumi Ohba, and the original run of the series began in December 2003. L, true name Lawliet, has taken on board the challenge to track down the serial killer known as Kira, whom he is convinced is Light Yagami, the main protagonist of the series. L is a secretive character who only communicates with the world through a medium and never reveals his face in public.

Answer: IL

So, why isn't IL the Roman numeral for 49? After all, you can write IX to make 9.

In order, there are seven symbols that represent Roman numerals: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. If you place smaller symbols after larger symbols, you add them together. Hence, LVI equals 50 + 5 + 1, which is 56. It is also correct that when you place a smaller symbol behind a larger symbol that you subtract, however, there is a limitation. You are only able to place a smaller symbol behind its two nearest symbols. Under this ruling I can only be placed behind V and X, not L, C, D or M.

Answer: ALI

Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib was also a cousin and companion to Muhammad. He then ruled as the fourth rightly guided caliph for five years from 656 until he was killed by the Kharijite, ibn Muljam. Muhammad Ali, nicknamed "The Greatest", was one of the most significant boxers of the twentieth century, winning the world heavyweight boxing championship on three separate occasions.

There is another infamous Ali, Ali Mohamed, who worked as a double agent for the CIA in the United States and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad simultaneously. He would also use knowledge he'd gained whilst in the US military to train al-Qaeda militants.

Answer: SAIL

In most Commonwealth nations, this area is known as the fin. Early submarines would use this area to house the periscope and the conning tower and some communication equipment. The majority of these have been moved to the hull in modern day submarines. The sail provides an entry point into the submarine and a view deck once the unit has surfaced.

Answer: ALIAS

An alias is a false identity or an assumed name. Alas, our devious provocateur remains incognito. "Alias" was also a television series created by J. J. Abrams and it first aired in 2001. The series starred Jennifer Garner who played Sydney Bristow, the ultimate in double agents.