Interview, Inquest, Date or Data? Quiz

Answer: Course of Life

Imagine the course of your entire life summed up on a sheet or two of paper. That's your CV. And don't worry about bringing it with you on your date...the person joining you for dinner and a movie has probably already Googled you.

(Data: "CV" is also the USA's hull designation for an aircraft carrier, from "Cruiser, (A)Viation". In case you were wondering.)

Answer: Canada

A web search discovers paeans of praise for this long-running dramatic series from Canada's CBC. The story lines are often inspired by real-life people and incidents in and around Vancouver.

Data: Learn more at www.davincisinquest.com/about

Answer: Date

Friend, absolutely: "Phoenix dactylifera" is the botanic name for the true date palm, without which no oasis or quiz would be complete.

At www.palms.org, the International Palm Society has been interviewing date palm experts and enthusiasts since 1989.

Answer: Brent Spiner

As "Actor, dancer, singer, poet, violinist, oboist, comedian, ventriloquist" (and that's just a FEW of the episodes...) Brent Spiner brought the challenging role of Data the android to "life".

For more information, see www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/specials/article/7660.html
(Where this quizmaker has never gone before. Really.)

Answer: Anne Rice

The 1994 movie also starred Brad Pitt and featured a young Kirsten Dunst. In an interview of her own, "Vampire Chronicles" author and screenwriter Anne Rice disagreed with the casting of Tom Cruise as the immortal Lestat, but millions of moviegoers couldn't take their eyes off his undead face on the screen.

Answer: Coroner

The position of Coroner developed in England in the tenth century. Coroners acted in the king's name and had both investigative and judicial powers. The election of coroners was part of the Magna Carta and thus of English Common Law ever since. In jurisdictions where the law is based on this common law (most of the former British Empire, and all of the United States except Louisiana), coroners are empowered to convene an inquest, usually before a jury, to determine cause of death in cases where it cannot satisfactorily be explained.

A comptroller is "An officer who audits accounts and supervises the financial affairs of a corporation or of a governmental body".
A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by a court to serve the interest of one particular party (usually but not always a child) in a suit or court action.
An epidemiologist is "a medical scientist who studies the transmission and control of epidemic diseases".
(Definitions from dictionary.com)

Answer: Some Day My Prince Will Come

Okay, if you couldn't believe these titles, don't feel bad. Neither could I, except the one I made up. The subtitles help, though.

"Never Kiss a Frog: A Girl's Guide to Creatures from the Dating Swamp" by Marilyn Anderson
"Red Flags: What Every Girl Should Look Out For" by Yolanda Nave
"Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man" by Steve Nakamoto

and
"Some Day My Prince Will Come: If I Could Only Stop Reading All These Ridiculous Books" (because today's incorrect answer choice could well be tomorrow's best seller....)

Answer: Data

"Data" is actually the plural form of "datum", but in common practice "data" is used for both. The same Latin root also means "gift", since that is something given as well.

(Enjoying the data? That's a given!)

Answer: Valencia

Valencia is one of the most common varieties of juice orange.

If you were ever wondering which country leads the world in date production, the answer is: Egypt.

Answer: You're pretty sure you've got what it takes to be on "American Idol"; today is your interview and audition

From dictionary.com: "Cattle call: An audition in which a large number of often inexperienced actors or performers try out." Really though, you probably sing very well. Not like those other people at the cattle call.

Bovine methane production is thought to be a contributor to global warming. On the plus side, a couple of dairies are or are considering using it to generate electricity.
(I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengin/g01881.htm)

Henry II did indeed try to straighten out a few medieval messes in 1170 by presiding over the Inquest of Sheriffs.
(http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/isheriffs.html)

Speed dating is a phenomenon not unlike the game of Musical Chairs you played as a child, except that now you're more or less looking for a life partner instead of a door prize. You'll "date" (have an awkward conversation with) ten or even twenty people in one session. I'm told it worked for Heather and Brian from Atlanta.

Well, that's all the trivia...errr, data. I hope you've enjoyed it!