For The Gullible Trivia Quiz

Answer: 9

17-9 = 8. Oh wait. All BUT nine die! That means nine are still alive, right? If you guessed eight-- arithmetic isn't always the way to get the right answer!

Answer: Three

Misspelling the word in the question seemed a little too sadistic, even for a quiz on the subject of gullibility! Actually, that's not true, I just thought the editors would get after me. Incidentally, the etymology of "gullible" is not known. My dictionary connects it with "gull," but how one gets from the bird to naiveté I know not, especially since gulls are some of the smartest birds I know!

Answer: No

They used to be. The Catholic University of Leuven existed as one university from its founding on 9 December 1425 until 1971, when relations between the French and the Flemish soured to such a degree that the French "Université catholique de Louvain" completely relocated to another town, Louvain-la-Neuve. Now they exist as two separate universities.

Incidentally, the "Katholieke Universiteit Leuven" was the site of the world's largest pillow fight. 4,000 people participated! This may also have been the world's most charitable pillow fight, because it raised $12,867 for charity!

Answer: It's complicated

According to the Mpemba effect, it could be the hot water. Too much depends, though, on what is meant, for instance, by "freezing", and other variables, for this to be an easily answered question.

Answer: In a common practical joke, the prankster tells the intended victim that what word is written on the ceiling?

Who knows-- the word "gullible" might really be written on the ceiling! And then, oh darn, your answer has problems! "In such-and-such movie, do we ever see the word "gullible" written on the ceiling?" can only have one correct answer, but it's still a bad question. Nobody was paying attention, and nobody cares! "What's a funny prank to play on people who are really, really gullible idiots?" is a bit insulting to the people who actually fell for the joke. "In a common practical joke, the prankster tells the intended victim that what word is written on the ceiling?" gets the point of the joke across clearly.

Answer: Six Day War

The Six Day War lasted exactly 6 days, from June 5, 1967 to June 10, 1967. It was Israel versus Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, with Israel the victor. Israel captured the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights. The Seven Years' War is quite a puzzle to me. Apparently it happened in 1754 and 1756-1763.

The War of 1812 actually lasted until 1814 or 1815, depending on whether you go by the peace treaty or the ceasing of hostilities. The Hundred Years' War lasted from 1337 to 1453, for a grand total of 116 years. Maybe they rounded.

Answer: Jacques Clouseau

"The Pink Panther Strikes Again" must contain the bumbling Clouseau scene par excellence-- a number of highly trained assassins are sent to kill Clouseau, but he survives through sheer luck and clumsiness! Nothing like tripping and falling right as someone is trying to shoot you. You know, watching Clouseau, I see myself. I can't tell you how many times I've done that routine where you don't open the stiff door far enough, so when you're walking through the doorway the door slams you against the doorframe...

Answer: Stealing her wooden leg

Yes, Manley Pointer (what a name!) steals her wooden leg and leaves her stranded in the loft of a distant barn. Hulga-- actually, her mother named her Joy, but Joy legally changed her name to Hulga-- the philosopher, the jaded, the sophisticated, is as gullible as any of the people she so hates. It's a good story-- you ought to read it!

Answer: Zeus

Even in ancient times, opinion was divided about why Zeus was stupid enough to do this. One was that he really was stupid enough to do this. Another was that he really knew (he was omniscient, wasn't he?) but he wanted to get back at Prometheus for "tricking" him.

Another was that the Greeks just made up the story to explain why everyone always sacrifices the nasty and inedible parts of the animal to the gods. Pick your explanation!

Answer: Consumer Reports

The Consumers' Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, has been around, amazingly, since 1936. They research, buy, and test products, and are privately funded. They are one of the only magazines I know of that does not sell ad space! It's a great resource, of course, but my favorite part is "Selling It." In a recent issue, we had ads for a lawyer practicing "Martial Family Law," and an ad about insomnia-- "Have you had trouble staying asleep for at least one month?" Good stuff!