Set on Fire Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fire Break

A fire-break is an open space in a forest that is used to prevent the spread or slow down the movement of a bushfire.

In the case of the Vulcan family they are using it as the name of their annual holiday/get together.

This question was set alight by Phoenix Rising's resident arsonist, pollucci19.

Answer: Fire Wall

A firewall can mean a barrier to stop the spread of fire. In computing terms, a firewall serves to block unauthorised access to a computer system while still allowing communication to go outwards. A firewall is also used to refer to a Chinese wall, which is a barrier that cannot be breached, especially with regards to the flow of information.

In this question, Lava and Magma loosely use the word to mean an obstruction to prevent the wildlife from getting at their food.

This question was fortified by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing.

Answer: Fire Arms

Weapons that fire due to propellant combustion (rather than gas compression) are classed as fire-arms. They were first developed about 800 years ago as a kind of primitive hand cannon, developed in turn from ancient Chinese-designed gunpowder-filled fire lances.
Fire-arms have since evolved extensively since then to include handguns, long guns, rifles and shotguns, carbines and machine-and sub-machine guns. Some of these are manual, while others are automatic.

In our storyline Cousin Bernie is simply using the term to describe the arms on his body. Rather an apt name for a blacksmith's arms, don't you think?

This question was hammered out by Phoenix Rising team member VegemiteKid.

Answer: Fire Sale

A fire sale is a term used to, technically, describe the sale of goods that have been damaged or affected by smoke or fire. For this reason, they are generally sold at a much reduced price. That term has since been extended to cover the quick or forced sale of goods or assets of individuals or businesses that have slipped into financial difficulty. Once again, these are disposed of at a very low price.

In the above story-line the Vulcans are extending that term to cover what is, effectively, a garage sale in which they are selling unwanted goods and possessions. These are also sold off at a low price.

This question has been sold to you by Phoenix Rising team member pollucci19.

Answer: Fire Ball

A genuine fireball is, quite literally, a ball of flame or fire. The sun or, even, a bright meteor have often been described as fireballs. Historically, a fireball was seen as a container filled with explosives or combustible material that was hurled at enemies, their ships or their fortifications. Colloquially, a fire ball, is a name that is given to a person who is either full of energy or enthusiasm or, alternatively, one with a very short fuse or temper.

In our story-line it is the name that the Vulcans give to an ordinary ball used as play-thing that the kids were using for a game of catch. It has no fire at all and we can advise that no children were singed, charred or burnt during the activity.

This question was thrown together by Phoenix Rising team member pollucci19.

Answer: Fire Place

The word "Place" has many meanings but the main one is to identify a geographical location. Used in this context, the word "place" has some sentimental connections in Australia. It has a meaning similar to home: "Our place" is a term of endearment for one's home and it means our little place in the world.

Fireplace is not a common sight in Australia except for the cooler southern parts. Whilst the good folk in temperate climes see the fireplace as a central place for the family to congregate, its absence in the Australian home means the social centre of the home is likely to be the kitchen table or the outdoor table on the veranda.

This question was fired up by team member 1nn1

Answer: Fire Irons

Fire Irons are metal tools or instruments that are used to tend to small fires. Generally these are the indoor variety fires found in fire-places or combustion stoves. The most common or best known of these tools include the poker and shovel.

Cousin Flak's tools, the tongs and metal fork, however, are not fire tending implements but used to turn meat and vegetables on barbecue plates and grills. Being an Australian, where we love our barbecues, it wouldn't be uncommon to also hear me refer to these items as "fighting irons".

This question was cooked up by Phoenix Rising's would-be chef pollucci19.

Answer: Fire Flies

A fire-fly is a winged insect in the beetle family. The fire-fly produces bio-luminescence at dusk to attract mates or prey. A chemical reaction in the lower abdomen generates the light and the colour that is emitted may be yellow, green or pale red, depending on the species.

The Musca domestica is better known as your common house fly and, whilst it doesn't possess fire it is certainly an irritant to the Vulcans.

This question was illuminated by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing.

Answer: Fire Water

The term 'fire-water', in the USA at least, is a loan word from an Algonquian language from the early 1800s. It is used in relation to strong spirits such as whiskey, brandy and other beverages with a high percentage of alcohol. The Spanish term for this is 'aguardiente' ('agua' is water and 'ardiente' is burning/fiery). In this instance the Vulcan family is using the term as it is generally applied. Please note that the children did not consume any alcohol at all.

This question was distilled by Phoenix Rising team member VegemiteKid.

Answer: Fire Works

Works is a curious word: Usually by adding an "s" to a word makes a singular noun plural but in this case "works" as a noun has a different meaning to "work". The noun "works" means a collective, all, a mass or a quantity, (usually entire in nature). It has the same meaning as idiomatic phrases such as across the board, lock stock and barrel and the whole nine yards. In this instance the collective is the series of murals (art-works) that Grandma Vulcan has produced.

Fireworks were invented in the ninth century in China to ward off evil spirits. They comprise low power pyrotechnic displays producing four primary effects: noise, light, smoke, and floaters for entertainment purposes.

This question was fired off by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1.