Reading About Reading Trivia Quiz

Answer: East Of Eden

The festival began way back in 1961 when it was a jazz festival and between then and 1971 was held at several venues including Windsor, Plumpton and Richmond, before settling in Reading. 1963 was the first year of non jazz acts, when the Rolling Stones and Long John Baldry both played Sunday afternoon sets and by 1965, this had turned full circle with the bill being mainly rock acts and jazz acts limited to afternoon sets before the genre disappeared from the bill completely in 1969. Fat Mattress had played the 1970 festival, fourth on a bill topped by Family and although Genesis and Medicine Head both played the 1971 event, neither were headliners, Genesis being almost bottom of the Saturday line up and Medicine Head having mid billing on Sunday, a day headlined by Rory Gallagher and Colosseum. East of Eden were a prog rock band, largely forgotten but perhaps remembered by festival attendees or people that bought their only UK hit, "Jig-a-Jig" (1970).

Answer: River Kennet

The River Kennet rises near Silbury Hill in Wiltshire and meanders for about 45 miles (72 km) before meeting the Thames. It was a very important river in days gone by, when it was used to power the many mills that stood on its banks, as well as being used in the brewing industry in the 18th century.

Answer: Oscar Wilde

Wilde was imprisoned for homosexual offences at Reading Gaol at the same time that Wooldridge was held there for the murder of his wife. When found guilty, Wooldridge was hanged, becoming the first person executed at Reading for 18 years and easily the most famous thanks to Wilde's work, "The Ballad of Reading Gaol".

Answer: Elm Park

Reading Football Club were formed in 1871 and prior to their settling in at Elm Park had several homes including Reading Recreation Ground, Reading Cricket Ground, Coley Park and Caversham Cricket Ground. Elm Park saw many of the club's heroes grace its turf, such as Shaka Hislop, Jimmy Quinn, Robin Friday and the great goalkeeper Steve Death who played almost 500 games for the club between 1969 and 1982, and until it was broken in 2009, held the record for the longest time in English football without letting a goal in - an impressive 1,074 minutes.

Of the other possible answers, Victoria Ground was the home of Stoke City, Maine Road used to home to Manchester City and Roker Park was where Sunderland were based before they moved to the Stadium of Light.

Answer: Ayrton Senna

Senna was F1 world champion three times, in 1988, 1990 and 1991 before his tragic death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. In memory of his link with the town, a children's play park is named after him as is Ayrton Senna Road, a road which ironically has speed humps to slow drivers down.

Answer: Beer, Bulbs and Biscuits

Sadly, the three companies that gave Reading its nickname are no longer active in the town. Simond's Brewery provided the beer from 1785 until 2010, when as part of Wells and Young's Brewery it was closed down, Suttons Seeds had been providing vegetable seeds and flower bulbs to UK gardeners since 1806 and although still active, moved from Reading to Torquay in Devon in 1976 while Huntley & Palmers biscuit makers opened in Reading in 1822 but relocated to the county of Suffolk in 2006.

Answer: Ricky Gervais

Gervais has gone from success to success since his debut with 2001 hit TV show "The Office" in which he played David Brent. TV shows "Extras" (2005-2007), "An Idiot Abroad" (2010-2012), "Derek" (2012-2014) and "After Life" (2019) have all played to huge audiences and he has also had Hollywood success with "Ghost Town" (2008), "The Invention of Lying" (2009) as well as appearing in the "Night at the Museum" franchise.

Answer: Afghanistan

The Battle of Maiwand was one of the main battles of the Second Anglo-Afghan War between 1878 and 1880, where the Afghans defeated the combined British and Indian forces, who lost 969 soldiers, with about 258 of those coming from the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot.

The Maiwand Lion is on the club crest of Reading football club and on medals given to competitors who complete the annual Reading half marathon.

Answer: English Language

Morley studied at the Kings College London Ladies Department and the Oxford Honour School of English and English Literature and upon graduation was awarded a degree which was equivalent to a standard Oxford degree as women were not allowed to matriculate at the time.

Her speciality was English literature and she held her post at University College, which became the University of Reading, until 1940.

Answer: Reading, Pennsylvania

Reading is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and gave its name to the Reading Railroad, made famous by the Monopoly board. While one of Reading, Pennsylvania's most famous daughters is musician Taylor Swift, Reading UK can boast of Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes and Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron.

As Reading UK is the county town of Berkshire, Reading, Pennsylvania is the county seat of Berks County.