Triple Whammy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Potato

A potato or spud is a starchy tuber which was first grown in South America, from where it was introduced to the rest of the world by the Spanish who had conquered and settled this new southern continent of the Americas. This vegetable is full of goodness, and calories of course (but who cares) and is delicious prepared in a number of different ways.

It is said to be responsible for an increase of 25% in the European population following its introduction there. I like it boiled, then mashed with a generous dash of salt, a pinch of pepper, and oodles of rich butter. Hang the expense and the hips!

Answer: Dishwasher

A dishwasher is an electrical device, which, when packed with dirty dishes, pots, pans and cutlery, does the washing up chore for busy cooks following a meal. A top of the range model will do a superb job and leave your dishes sparkling clean (smiles artificially at the camera), but a not so efficient brand leaves bits of food decorating everything. Let's hope the dishwasher in our house never gets traded in. I'm it.

Answer: Grasshopper

Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects. In other words, the horrible things chomp great big holes in all the plants in your garden once they find their way there. Not only that, they're extremely ugly looking insects as well and have horrible legs that attach to one's fingers when you try to pick them up.

They're quite hideous in fact. Astonishingly so, these creatures are eaten in some country for their protein value. They've got to be kidding! In Mexico in particular this gruesome insect is looked upon with delight and is eaten either boiled, raw (can you imagine the crunch?), in soups, or fried with onions, chili and garlic. Mexico is now off my list of places to visit.

Answer: Formation

Formation is the act of putting together any set of individual pieces to form one coherent whole. The word is also applied, for example, when organising groups of people, such as soldiers, into organised disciplined rows or positions.

Answer: Watermelon

Yum, there's nothing nicer than a slice of freshly cut, juicy, sweet watermelon on a hot summer's afternoon. Watermelons originated in the southern parts of the African continent and spread to the rest of the world from there. They are large delicious fruits which grow on vines along the ground. Normally they come with seeds in the centre (tiny black pips ideal for blowing from the mouth at targets such as brothers), but today seedless (and rather tasteless) varieties are also produced.

They're a good source of Vitamin C, but don't particularly contain any other food value, because they're more than 90% water. Today in some countries, watermelon is eaten cooked or pickled or manufactured into wine.

Answer: Buffalo

Also known as a bison, these large beasts were once found in enormous numbers of the plains and grasslands of that mighty nation. With the arrival of Europeans, however, they were killed in such large numbers that they almost became extinct. What a dreadful tragedy that would have been. Today, thanks to the work of dedicated people, their numbers are slowly on the rise again.

Answer: Basketball

Basketball is a game played on a hard inner or outer court between two teams each of five players. The aim of the game is to get past the opposing team by either bouncing or passing the ball to a fellow team member, and then throw it skilfully enough so that it lands through a hoop high up on a wall of the opposing team's side.

It's an engrossing sport to either watch or participate, and requires a great deal of speed, adroitness and accuracy. It was first created in the North American continent in the United States by the Canadian American James Naismith, in 1891, when he was trying to find a way to keep his gym class students amused on a particularly rainy day. Sadly so, to a degree today, the game is being suffocated by way too many rules and regulations.

Answer: Caterpillar

Caterpillars are the early forms, or larvae, of moths or dainty and exquisite butterflies. The metamorphosis, from that early form of a little grub with multiple legs and a hearty appetite, into those beautiful floating poems, is one's of nature's most astonishing and miraculous transformations. Caterpillars of course can also be considered pests in that they do eat plants and food produce, but they also serve a valuable purpose in the endless food chain cycle of nature. As evidenced in many African countries, where, not only do birds prey on one particular caterpillar known as the Mopane worm, these are also eagerly consumed by humans as well. That's Africa off my list as well, folks.

Just to whet your appetite, the harvesting description from Wikipedia reads as follows: "When the caterpillar has been picked, it is pinched at the tail end to rupture the innards. The picker then squeezes it like a tube of toothpaste or lengthwise like a concertina, and whips it to expel the slimy, green contents of the gut." Mmmm, yummy.

Answer: Macaroni

Macaroni is a pasta dish of largish, hollow noodles, usually made from wheat, and commonly covered in a cheese flavoured sauce. It is said to have been introduced into Italy from China by Marco Polo, that legendary international traveller of the 13th century.

In its early days, this dish was associated with funerals and remembering those who had died. Hardly the thing to stir one's appetite, but many people love this gunky, gluey food.

Answer: Consideration

If something is being considered, all facts and figures relating to same have to be discussed, pondered over and looked at from all aspects before a reasonable decision can be made. A forthcoming diet could be an example of this. Depending on the amount of weight required to be lost, and the time frame in which this is to occur, then the fare to be provided and the numbers of daily calories allowed for same has to be considered. Always bearing in mind, of course, that some of those meals could include delicious treats such as fried grasshopper, gooey caterpillars or gunky macaroni.