It's Silly Enough to Be True Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

The Canary Islands were known as the 'Fortunate Islands' because of their temperate and near perfect climate, which was excellent for growing fruit. Roman scholar, Pliny the Elder (23-79), was said to have first called these islands, the 'Fortunate Islands'.

They are located in the Atlantic and are approximately sixty miles off the Northwest coast of Africa. They don't really have a winter as they are blessed with about 350 days of sunshine, each year.

Answer: True

Jeremy Beadle is noted for his practical jokes in the television programme, 'Beadle's About', and for his funny selection of video clips in 'You've Been Framed'. Poland's syndrome gave him a withered right hand which he concealed very well on television, as most people weren't aware of his disability.

He was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2005, and was a prominent fundraiser for children with leukaemia. He raised thousands of pounds for this cause and received the MBE for his charity work. Alas, he died aged 59, with pneumonia.

Answer: False

It is the immovable arm, called the gnomon, that transmits the shadow on a sundial. So what is a hammerfor, one might ask. For knocking in nails! (ouch). Sorry it's an old joke that really needs knocking on the head.

Answer: True

Bob Hope (Leslie Townes Hope) was born on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, London, England. He partnered Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour in the 'Road to' comedies: 'Road to Singapore' (1940), 'Road to Zanzibar'(1941), 'Road to Morocco' (1942), 'Road to Utopia' (1945), 'Road to Rio' (1947), 'Road to Bali' (1952) and finally 'Road to Hong Kong' (1962). Bob has hosted the Academy Awards, a record 19 times, from 1939 to 1977. On one of these glorious occasions, he described the Academy Awards, otherwise known in his house, as Passover.

It comes as no surprise that he once described the Oscar award as a bookend with a sneer. The man was a comic genius. He described old age as: "You know when you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake" His ability to make people laugh could well have contributed for him reaching the grand age of 100 years old, when he passed away with pneumonia, on 27 July, 2003, at Toluca Lake, California, USA.

Answer: False

Bo Derek (Mary Cathleen Collins) is credited with this quotation. She was born on 20 November, 1956, at Long Beach, California, USA. Bo Derek was the fourth wife of American actor/director John Derek, who died after heart surgery. Bo will be remembered in the movie '10' (1979) when she played Jenny Miles, who was constantly pursued by George Webber, played by the sex thimble, Dudley Moore.

The movie was set in Acapulco, in Mexico, and who could blame Dudley for going 'Loco in Acapulco', by the Four Tops, and finally getting his dream girl, to the beautiful music of "Bolero", by Maurice Ravel.

Answer: True

Leo Baxendale initially created these characters whilst looking from the works window of DC Thomson and Co Ltd, onto the school play area of the High School of Dundee. All these characters first appeared in a comic strip called 'When the Bell Rings' before being renamed, 'The Bash Street Kids', in 1956. Cuthbert Cringeworthy was the school swot and was, by far, the brightest in the class. Danny was the leader, who sported a jumper with a picture of a skull and crossbones, on its front. Wilfrid always seemed to look introvert and tortoise-like, as he wore a green jumper that went right up to his nose. Plug was the repulsive, ugly, character whose name was derived from the phrase, plug-ugly.

The teacher donned a traditional mortarboard and gown and was called Mr Teacher, although in later issues it was revealed that his name was actually, Algernon.

His domineering wife was comically called Mrs Teacher. The comic strip was so successful as people can relate to these stereotype characters, so come on girls, which of this motley crew did you finally marry!

Answer: True

Catweazle was a wizard played by Geoffrey Bayldon. This was a British television programme shown on ITV (1970-71). Catweazle had a pet toad called Touchwood and both originally lived during the 11th-century, but were transferred into the modern world.

The television programme played on the fact that Catweazle couldn't comprehend such modern inventions. He called a light bulb, the sun in a bottle, and the telephone was known, by him, as the telling bone. My personal favourite was what he called electricity, electrickery of course!

Answer: True

John Boynton Priestley (1894-1984) was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on September 13, 1894. He was an English playwright and novelist. He wrote 'The Good Companions' (1929) and 'An Inspector Calls' (1945), both of which were made into movies, in 1933 (remade in 1956), and 1954, respectfully. On describing tea, the complete quotation is as follows: "Our trouble is that we drink too much tea. I see in this the slow revenge of the Orient, which has diverted the Yellow River down our throats"

Answer: False

There are three women depicted on this famous tapestry. Firstly, there was Edith, the first wife of Edward the Confessor, who was the son of Ethelred (the Unready). Secondly, there was a curious lady called Aelfgyva, which was a common Saxon name at the time.

The third lady can be seen escaping from a blazing building, at Hastings. The initial Bayeux Tapestry was said be be over 70 metres in length and featured 626 human figures, including horses, dogs, buildings, trees and even ships. Three prominent Kings of England featured, Edward the Confessor, who ruled England, (1042-1066), Harold (January until October in 1066) and William of Normandy, the King of England (1066-1087).

Answer: False

The quotation is attributed to Paris Hilton. She is the great-granddaughter of renowned hotelier Conrad Hilton, who expanded his father's general store when his father died. Paris Whitney Hilton was born 17 February, 1981, and was determined to make a name for herself.

She became an American model, businesswoman and actress. She appeared in 'House Of Wax' (2005), which was a ferocious slasher-type of movie, based on the 'Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933). She also took to writing which brought us this humorous quotation.

Answer: True

A portmanteau word tries to amalgamate two words together, to give it one meaning. Common examples of these type of word are smog (smoke and fog), brunch (breakfast and lunch), and motel (motor and hotel). More unusual examples are slithy (slimy and lithe), chortle (chuckle and snort) and mimsy (miserable and flimsy). Slithy, chortle and mimsy appear in the nonsense poem, "Jabberwocky", by Lewis Carroll.

Answer: True

Tombstoning is the latest craze by people who are thrill seekers, or are just plain irresponsible. It involves jumping from high points, such as cliffs, harbour walls and piers, into the water below. Tombstoning is an extremely dangerous pursuit by people who like an adrenalin rush, or are dared into doing this puerile activity, by their so-called friends. Unknown factors to this activity could be the depth and temperature of the water below.

A sudden cold temperature can give the body a severe shock. Who knows what is exactly below the surface of the water, or if strong currents are prevalent? All these factors do appeal to the thrill seekers among us, but I'll pass on this one, myself. Hundreds of serious injuries and several fatalities give tombstoning an apt name, as it can lead to an early grave.

Answer: False

Ramsbottom was the name of the snake, who had a broad northern accent, in 'The Sooty Show'. In 1948, Harry Corbett bought a bear glove-puppet from Blackpool's North Pier to merely entertain his children. His purchase, cost him 7 shillings and 6 pennies, equivalent to 38 pence today. Sooty was originally called Teddy and he assisted Harry Corbett in a magic act. Chimney soot was applied to the glove puppet's nose and ears, to give him a bit of character. Teddy was soon renamed Sooty.

A dog named Sweep was include in the show.

He was slow on the uptake and had an unhealthy obsession with sausages. Sweep never talked, but continually squeaked. Sooty apparently appears in the Guinness Book of Records, as the star of the longest television show, who has yet to utter a single word. With all that housework to do, a female panda named Soo, appeared on the show.

In 1975, Harry suffered a heart attack, his son, Matthew, took over the show. As Harry would say to end the show, often wet through and covered in slime, "bye bye, everybody, bye, bye".

Answer: True

Harry Carpenter is one of the icons of presenting British sport. He has presented sport for the BBC for over forty years. In this time, he has been involved in presenting Wimbledon, the Boat Race, golf, the Olympics and of course, boxing, a sport with which he is well associated.

He bonded a friendship with former boxing heavyweight, Frank Bruno, whose famous catchphrase is "Know what I mean, Arry?". Carpenter was deservedly awarded the OBE, for his life-time service to broadcasting.

Answer: True

Sir Robert Helpmann (1909-1986) was born in Mount Gambier, in South Australia. He became famous as an Australian dancer, actor and choreographer, having appeared as the principal dancer, at the newly formed Sadlers Wells ballet (1933-1950). In the movie, 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' (1968), Robert plays the part of the evil child catcher, who entices Jeremy and Jemima with his immortal dialogue of "lollipops, ice-creams, all free today" until they are finally captured by him.

This movie was based on the novel by James Bond creator, Ian Fleming. Dick Van Dyke played inventor Caractacus Potts, and Sally Ann Howes was delightfully cast as Truly Scrumptious. Robert Murray Helpman was knighted in 1968, and the Sir Robert Helpman.

Theatre is named after him, in his hometown of Mount Gambier.

He changed his name from Helpman to Helpmann as it appeared more "classy" and continental. Hope you enjoyed the challenge.