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Quiz about Potpourri of Potentially Useful Trivia

Potpourri of Potentially Useful Trivia Quiz

Some of the bizarre information I've collected, a little from Column A, a little from Column B. It's all useless, but remember, knowledge is never useless - it's all potentially useful. Enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by gnomesintomes. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
gnomesintomes

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
40,997

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 15

Plays
3288

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What is a quidnunc? Hint

fish

busybody

rude or arrogant person

insect

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Question 2 of 15

2. Who created the game of 'Scrabble'? Hint

George Abbot

Alfred Mosher Butts

John G. Parker

Milton Bradley

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Question 3 of 15

3. What is the collective noun for jellyfish? Hint

smuck

flight

shuck

convoy

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Question 4 of 15

4. Which astronomer suffered from 'Americanitis' and spent time in a sanitorium talking to a 'sympathetic green elf'? Hint

Edwin Powell Hubble

Edward Emerson Barnard

George Ellery Hale

Edmond Halley

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Question 5 of 15

5. What was the first vegetable grown in space? Hint

potato

carrot

lettuce

pea

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Question 6 of 15

6. What did Keanu Reeves do before 'acting'? Hint

surfing instructor

managed a pasta shop

telephone salesman

florist

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Question 7 of 15

7. Which singer was 'American Pie' by Don McLean about and dedicated to? Hint

Richie Valens

Janis Joplin

The Big Bopper

Buddy Holly

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Question 8 of 15

8. What degree did the youngest university graduate of the 20th century receive at the age of 10? Hint

Bachelor of Law

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Biochemistry

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Question 9 of 15

9. 'Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do.' Which song is this line from?

Answer: (Two Words, it could be considered 'strange')

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Question 10 of 15

10. What is the smallest book in the Library of Congress? Hint

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

The Bible

Old King Cole

Mother Goose

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which song is played when there is a disaster in the circus to warn the performers? Hint

March Waltz

Happy Birthday

Stars and Stripes Forever

Jingle Bells

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which literary prize was first awarded in 1917? Hint

The Nobel

The Pulitzer

The Newbery

The Miles Franklin

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Question 13 of 15

13. Who is Vince Furnier better known as? Hint

Cary Grant

Dan Goodman

Alice Cooper

Al Pacino

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Question 14 of 15

14. In 2001, what language was spoken by more people than any other? Hint

English

Mandarin

Spanish

Hindustani

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Question 15 of 15

15. By 2001, there were five people who had won 'The Big Five': an Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe. Which person below had NOT won them all by 2001? Hint

Shirley MacLaine

Barbra Streisand

Audrey Hepburn

Rita Moreno

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is a quidnunc?

Answer: busybody

An old English word, not used quite so much anymore. :)

2. Who created the game of 'Scrabble'?

Answer: Alfred Mosher Butts

Yes, Mr Butts. He was an architect who created the game in the 1930s.

3. What is the collective noun for jellyfish?

Answer: smuck

Also known as a 'brood of jellyfish', I just think smuck is a wonderful word - try using it in a sentence.

4. Which astronomer suffered from 'Americanitis' and spent time in a sanitorium talking to a 'sympathetic green elf'?

Answer: George Ellery Hale

Strange but true. Hale founded several observatories and made important discoveries.

5. What was the first vegetable grown in space?

Answer: potato

Obviously, the astronauts were keen for french fries.

6. What did Keanu Reeves do before 'acting'?

Answer: managed a pasta shop

The pasta shop was in Toronto, Canada.

7. Which singer was 'American Pie' by Don McLean about and dedicated to?

Answer: Buddy Holly

One of the greatest songs ever.

8. What degree did the youngest university graduate of the 20th century receive at the age of 10?

Answer: Bachelor of Biochemistry

I didn't even know what an essay was at the age of 10.

9. 'Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do.' Which song is this line from?

Answer: Space Oddity

David Bowie's song was released just days after the moon walk, rocketing him to stardom.

10. What is the smallest book in the Library of Congress?

Answer: Old King Cole

The book is no bigger than a thumbnail.

11. Which song is played when there is a disaster in the circus to warn the performers?

Answer: Stars and Stripes Forever

This was started by P.T. Barnum, the great circus showman.

12. Which literary prize was first awarded in 1917?

Answer: The Pulitzer

The Pulitzer was named after the magazine publisher.

13. Who is Vince Furnier better known as?

Answer: Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper named himself after a persecuted witch whom he believes he is the reincarnation {of;} he is also the son of a preacher.

14. In 2001, what language was spoken by more people than any other?

Answer: Mandarin

In order, it's Mandarin, English, Hindustani and Spanish.

15. By 2001, there were five people who had won 'The Big Five': an Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe. Which person below had NOT won them all by 2001?

Answer: Shirley MacLaine

Ms. MacLaine has won many awards, including an Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe, but not all so far. The other two 'Big Fivers' are John Gielgud and Marvin Hamlisch.

Source: Author gnomesintomes

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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