The Answer's 50 - Now What's The Question? Quiz

Answer: Tin

The atomic numbers of the others are: titanium, 22; gold, 79; and silver, 47.
Tin is a versatile metal that can be used in alloy with many others. Its resistance to corrosion makes tin an ideal container for food when plated onto steel.
The title of this quiz has been adapted from the advertising slogan used many years ago by an English motor parts supplier. The slogan was "The answer's yes, now what's the question?" - based on its claim it could supply any part for any car.

Answer: Peter Segal

Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore and Rob Schneider led the cast in the 2004 production. Sandler played Henry Roth, a veterinarian living in Hawaii, who met and fell for Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore) and she seemed to like him, too. Sadly, she had short-term memory loss as a result of a car crash and forgot him the next day.

He then had to make arrangements to meet her every day so she would fall in love with him all over again.

Answer: Manitoba

The Manitoba Act of 1870 created Manitoba out of Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory. Under the Act, the province had artificial boundaries; the 50 degrees 30 minutes line of latitude to the north; the 49th parallel (line of latitude)to the south; the 96 degrees line of longitude to the east and 99th to the west.

The Province was subsequently expanded in area, and now reaches north to the 60th parallel. Manitoba is about as central as you can get in Canada. It is the easternmost of the three 'prairie provinces' and is known for its extreme climates.

The capital is Winnipeg. Agriculture was important to the development of the modern province, but nowadays it is also an important centre for a diverse range of manufacturing and financial service industries.

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant

The US Capitol appears on the reverse side. Andrew Jackson appears on the $20 bill (White House on reverse); Benjamin Franklin on the $100 (Independence Hall on reverse); and Abraham Lincoln on the $5 (Lincoln Memorial on reverse). Ulysses S. Grant, (April 27, 1822 - July 23, 1885), was the 18th President of the United States. Like about one-third of the first 40 US Presidents, he came from Irish stock (his ancestral home is preserved in Co Tyrone).

As a general in the Union Army, he led his troops to several important victories.

The influential British military strategist J. F. C. Fuller called Grant: "the greatest general of his age and one of the greatest strategists of any age." In 1868 he was elected President, and was re-elected for a second term. Traditionally, some commentators were dismissive of Grant's attributes as President; accusing him of tolerating corruption.

However, he was also noted as a champion of Civil Rights for African Americans. Out of office, he was left virtually destitute in his final days (through poor investments) and died of throat cancer.

Answer: Genesis

These are, of course the first four Old Testament books. Exodus has 40 chapters; Leviticus 27; and Numbers 36. Genesis is one of the most familiar Biblical books in both the Christian and Jewish faiths. It covers many familiar stories, including the creation of the world; Adam and Eve; and the lives of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

Answer: Skiing

In 1999, Warren Miller directed the movie about extreme skiers and snowboarders. Miller was, arguably, the most influential director of extreme snowsports movies. 'Fifty' was, appropriately, his 50th in the genre.

Answer: Fifty Dead Men Walking

Martin McGartland was born in Belfast and joined the Irish Republican Army. He became an informer for the Royal Ulster Constabulary's Special Branch because, he claimed, he was sickened by the IRA's atrocities towards not only its enemies, but its own community.

In 1991, his cover was blown and he narrowly escaped with his life. He was given a new identity in England and survived a murder bid in 1999. The title of his book was based on his claim that his information had saved the lives of 50 members of the security forces.

Answer: PJ Harvey

"Hey I'm one big queen
No one can stop me
Red light red green
Sat back and watching
I'm your new one
Second to no one
No sweat I'm clean
Nothing can touch me"
Polly Jean Harvey was born in Somerset in the south west of England in October 1969. Her first album, as part of a trio, was released in 1992. The group broke up and Harvey continued as a solo artiste. "50FT Queenie" appeared on the 1993 album '4-Track Demos'. Melody Maker magazine described it as "viciously aggressive music with no numbing narcotic qualities".

Answer: Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer (real name John Graham Mellor) was born in Ankara, Turkey, on August 21st 1952 and died in Somerset, England, on December 22nd 2002 of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. He was co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead singer of the punk rock band The Clash.

Many of the band's songs were openly political. Their "London Calling" was voted best album of the 1980s by Rolling Stone magazine. The Clash lasted 12 years, 1976-1986. After several years in dispute with the band's record company, during which Strummer worked as a radio DJ, he formed The Mescaleros in 1999.

Answer: Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali (birth name Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He came to prominence as an amateur boxer who won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He turned professional and was regarded by many as the best heavyweight of his generation. He was a three-times World Heavyweight Champion. Ali was the subject of some controversy in 1964 when he refused to answer the draft into the US Army fighting in Vietnam. In 1983, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
The others also had something to say about 50th birthdays:
Henry Ford said: "You take all of the experience and judgment of men over 50 out of the world and there wouldn't be enough left to run it."
George Orwell: "At age 50, everyone has the face he deserves."
Joan Rivers: "Looking 50 is great - if you're 60."