An Understatement of Truth Trivia Quiz

Answer: David Baldacci

Nicholas Creel is the world's largest defence contractor and he is looking to become even more powerful. He employs the services of a "perception manager" who is assigned the task of engineering a second Cold War, this time between Russia and China. A disgraced journalist (Katie James) and a very shady secret operative (A. Shaw) set out to frustrate these plans. Baldacci is a prominent American thriller writer whose first novel "Absolute Power", published in 1996, became an immediate bestseller.

Answer: No Aphrodisiac

Released in 1998 "No Aphrodisiac" was the single that took The Whitlams beyond their cult following into the laps of a mainstream audience. Written by Tim Freedman in partnership with Pinky Beecroft and Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab it was voted in as that year's #1 song by listeners on Triple J's Hottest 100 chart, won the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) award for "Song of the Year" and lost out to Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" for "Single of the Year".

The song is an introspective piece that chronicles the strains of a long distance relationship and its movement toward a breakdown.

Answer: Bullfighting

A bullfight is traditionally broken up into three acts, each heralded by the sounding of a trumpet. The first act features the entrance of the bull where the creature is then tested and his reactions assessed by the toreros. The bull will go through another testing in the second act though this time it will be by the matador's banderillas.

The matador will look on during this phase. In the final act, the muleta, it is the matadors turn to showcase his skills. This will culminate in the "moment of truth", which is the slaying of the creature.

Answer: What is Truth

Pilate had previously questioned Jesus as to whether he was a king and received the reply "you say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into this world is to testify to the truth". It is at this point that Pilate responds with "What is truth" and proclaims to the assembled masses that he saw "no basis for charges against Christ".

There remains debate amongst scholars as to whether or not Pilate was being philosophical at this point or did he simply have his tongue firmly planted in his cheek to indicate that Jesus' trial was naught but a mockery.

As a consequence this passage is sometimes referred to as "Pilate's Jest".

Answer: Superman

Jerry Siegel (the writer) and Joe Shuster (the artist) created Superman in 1933 but it wasn't until April 1938 that he appeared in print in Action Comics #1. Since then he has appeared in just about every known medium available. As a hero for the people Superman's initial appearance could not have produced better timing.

The going was tough for citizens, work was difficult to come by, the country was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression, crime, in particular the mob, was gaining a foothold in so many areas of society and a World War was looming on the horizon.

The people needed a hero and Siegel and Shuster provided one of the most endearing and enduring. (Footnote) Action Comics #775 published in March, 2001 carried the story "What's so Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way".

Answer: Awful

Born Bruce Wallace Bibby, Ted took his name from a character in "The Valley of the Dolls" (1967). As a writer he'd worked for the "Premiere" magazine for eight years before starting on "The Awful Truth", which styled itself as "Hollywood's Filthiest Gossip", in 1996. The programme ran for 16 years and closed down in 2012.

Answer: True

Boasting a population of a little more than 6,000 people (figures compiled in 2012) Truth or Consequences in Sierra County, New Mexico, was once called Hot Springs. In 1950 Ralph Edwards announced that he would broadcast an episode of his programme from the first town that changed its name to coincide with the show and Hot Springs won the challenge (or should that be consequence).

The town now boasts a festival in honour of the day during the first weekend in May called the "Fiesta". Rather appropriately Ralph Edwards continued to visit the event every year for the next fifty years.

Answer: Cats & Dogs

Abby (Janeane Garofalo) is a veterinarian who hosts a radio show called "The Truth About Cats and Dogs". Brian (Ben Chaplin) is a listener who is captivated by Abby's voice and decides to visit her in the studio. Here he meets Noelle (Uma Thurman), Abby's friend and neighbour, and mistakes her for Abby.

In what becomes another take on the "Cyrano de Bergerac" play Abby, who has some self esteem issues, allows the misconception to play out longer with humorous results.

Answer: Madonna

Diversifying her operation to make good use of her image and powerful public presence Madonna founded Truth or Dare by Madonna in 2011. The organisation markets lines of handbags, accessories, footwear and, of course, fragrances. The first venture into scents was based on a perfume that her mother often wore and was very close to Madonna's heart.

Answer: Country

The phrase has been quoted so often and linked to so many people nowadays, most notably Willie Nelson, that it's easy to forget that it was initially formulated by Harlan Howard. Born in Detroit in 1927 and raised on a Kentucky farm, Harlan served as a paratrooper in the US Army for a period before moving to New York in an effort to peddle his music. A prolific writer he soon struck gold with "Heartaches By the Number" in 1960 and followed this up in 1961, with his most recognised song, " I Fall to Pieces", which was a hit for Patsy Cline.