Relatively Common Bond Trivia Quiz

Answer: marlin

In the novel, the old man Santiago finally hooks the big fish after a long run of bad luck. His relationship with a young boy he befriends, and his epic battle with this particular marlin, are key elements of the story. The marlin is a game fish popular with many ocean fishermen who consider its pursuit the ultimate challenge.

There are at least ten species of marlin, the best known being the Atlantic blue marlin. These are majestically impressive fish. They can grow up to five meters long and to more than 800 kilograms in weight. Like their relatives the swordfish, they have long, supple bodies and distinctive spears protruding in front of their heads, extensions of their upper mouths.

They can also flash through the water at speeds up to 80 k/hr.

Answer: Horsehead

The Horsehead Nebula is located just below Alnitak, the farthest right star in Orion's belt. It is approximately 1500 light years from earth. Also called Barnard 33, this nebula was first recorded by a Scottish astronomer in 1888 on a photographic plate.

The area is known as a "stellar nursery" because it contains the multiple elements necessary for new star formation, which is occurring. Different telescopic photos available in the 21st century give amazingly detailed views of the scene, usually infused with a reddish pink glow caused by reflection off of hydrogen gas behind the nebula.

Answer: Diane

Shelley Long plays Diane, adding the perfect spice to "the place where everyone knows your name," a Boston bar called "Cheers." Ted Danson plays Sam, a retired baseball player who owns the bar, which was modeled after a real Boston pub named "The Bull and Finch." The real-life bar opened in 1969 and it's still a big tourist draw to this day, long after the show went off the air in 1993.

The on again/off again relationship between the two main characters, and the obvious sexual tension between them, keeps things interesting on the show and allows the supporting cast an endless source of material to riff on and make wisecracks about.

Shelley Long left the show after five seasons and was replaced by Kirstie Alley, who played a different character named Rebecca.

Answer: Keaton

Buster Keaton was an early giant of the cinema who produced, directed and starred in a series of silent comedy films in the 1920s, operating with unparalleled creative independence. His best known work and masterpiece was "The General" from 1926. His trademark shtick was a physical, slap-stick style and a deadpan 'can you believe this?' look when caught in absurd situations.

He did all his own stunts, many with a high degree of danger. He struggled through depression and alcoholism in the next few decades and chafed under studio control, even while continuing to make successful comedic feature films and shorts.

He made a comeback in his personal life and had achieved iconic status by the end of his career. In 1960 he received an honorary Academy Award for "unique talents which brought immortal comedies to the screen." Two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bear his name, one for movies and one for television. Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton died in 1966.

Answer: cannoli

These desserts of Sicilian origin generally consist of a sweet, creamy filling wrapped in a tube of fried dough. A key ingredient is ricotta cheese, although the Americanized versions now ubiquitous in bakeries can have just about any custard-type filling.

There is speculation that Arabs introduced and popularized the treat when they occupied Sicily in the period of 800-1000 C.E. Eclairs are similar, but are of French origin.

Answer: Mafia

You could make a case for hit/baseball, capo/music, and wiseguy/detective, but all the terms have Mafia associations. The planned killing of an enemy is a 'hit'; a 'capo' is a captain or head of a crime organization; 'wiseguys' are so-called "made men" or people who have been taken into the family; 'Omerta' is the code of silence adhered to by Mafia members, where the most unforgivable sin is to be a 'rat'.

Answer: Francis

Francis the Talking Mule was the brainchild of former U.S. Army Captain David Stern III (1909-2003). Because of his civilian upbringing as a newspaperman's son, he landed a position editing an Army newspaper during WWII. Upon discharge from the Army, he parlayed that experience into a successful career as a writer and a screenwriter.

His 1947 novel "Francis" characterized a soldier who talks about his adventures in the army to a mule who talks back so that only he can hear it. The novel was parlayed into a series of seven films in the 1950s starring Donald O'Connor, each one featuring the popular loquacious equine.

The idea was also spun off into the American television series titled "Mr. Ed," which ran from 1958 through 1966 on CBS.

Answer: Ford

Henry Ford, the tycoon who lent his name to the famous American company, was the brains behind the Model T, the first mass produced automobile. Although Ford invented neither the car nor the assembly line, it is no exaggeration to say his use of industrial innovation to make relatively inexpensive cars available to the common man changed the American way of life and the world's view on transportation.

Answer: cupola

The word comes from Italian by way of the lower Latin word 'cupula' meaning 'small cup.' Cupolas are often found on top of the domes of churches or mosques, not only as decoration but also to provide ventilation or light for the main structure, or to serve as a belfry. An elevated viewpoint and/or increased air access also explains the box-shaped upside down cups seen on barns and cabooses.

Answer: The Godfather

Answers suggest people and events from "The Godfather" movie

Question 1 "marlin" - Marlon Brando (played Vito Corleone)
Question 2 "Horsehead Nebula" - the severed horse head (left in the bed)
Question 3 "Diane" + question 4 "Keaton" - Diane Keaton (played Michael's wife)
Question 5 "Mafia" - organized crime syndicate explored in the film
Question 6 "cannoli" - "Leave the gun. Take the cannolis." (movie line spoken by Clemenza)*
Question 7 "Francis" + question 8 "Ford" + Question 9 "cupola" - Francis Ford Coppola (film director)

*note - Clemenza actually says "cannolis" as do most people, although the word "cannoli" is technically already a plural for one cannolo.