The Persistence of Memory Trivia Quiz

Answer: Don't Stop Believin'

It started with 'Just a small town girl livin' in a lonely world', but the bit that sticks in people's heads includes the title: 'Don't stop believin', hold on to the feelin''. The track was included on Journey's 1981 album, 'Escape', and while it didn't top the charts at the time, its use in film and on TV led to an increase in the song's popularity.

It was used in the series finale of 'The Sopranos' and in the 2012 film 'Rock of Ages', among other things. In 2009, the track became synonymous with the American TV program 'Glee'.

The version performed by the cast of the show shot to the top of the charts and became a sensation of its own.

Answer: The Lord's Prayer

The origins of the Lord's Prayer can be found in two Gospel passages: Matthew 6.9-13 and Luke 11.1-4. The prayer is used across the Christian world and spans thousands of denominations (it's used in pretty much every act of worship in the Church of England).

In English, there are different versions that use slightly different language. Some churches, for example, use a traditional version with 'thy' and 'thine' instead of 'your' and 'yours'.

Answer: Remembrance Day

The section of 'For the Fallen' that is often read out on Remembrance Day is:
'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.'

Remembrance day, or Armistice Day, occurs on 11th November in Britain and many other countries that commemorate the end of the First World War. The poem was originally written in memory of soldiers who had died in the War, but now it's used to remember all soldiers who have given their lives in service.

Answer: be with you

'May the Force be with you' has become so well-known that it led to the creation of 'Star Wars' day: May the fourth (closely followed by May 5th, also known as 'Revenge of the Fifth'). The phrase was used as an expression of good luck across a number of films, video games, and books in the franchise.

Answer: Scouts and Guides

In 1907, Robert Baden-Powell set up a camp to teach boys military and life skills. The camp developed into the Scout movement, and Girl Guides followed in 1909. Almost since its beginning, boys and girls had to make a promise in order to become a member. The Promise involves committing to doing their best, helping others, and serving their country.

Answer: Islam

Shahada is one of the Five Pillars of Islam: in order to be a Muslim, an individual must believe in the profession of faith. Most Muslims can recite the sentence by heart. Saudi Arabia contains many important Islamic sites, so the nation's flag has the Shahada written on it in Arabic.

Answer: The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was officially recognised by the American goverment in 1942, though it had been around for decades before that. In 1954, the wording was slightly altered so that the full sentence read:
'I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'

It is often recited in schools and at government meetings (I learned it from a summer working at a Salvation Army camp), though no one can be required to say the Pledge, as ruled by the United States Supreme Court in 1943.

Answer: You do not have to say anything.

In England and Wales, anyone who is arrested on suspicion of a crime must be read the police caution. The passage explains that during questioning, anything they say could be used as evidence. A suspect does not have to answer any questions that the police put to them; in fact, they don't have to say anything at all.

The caution does, however, warn suspects that keeping important information to themselves may negatively impact their defence in court.

Answer: New Zealand

New Zealand's rugby team, the All Blacks, usually performed a haka before the first whistle of an international game. There have been a few different hakas over the years, but one of the most famous was 'Ka Mate'. It was composed by the tribal leader Te Rauparaha in the 19th century and was chanted in Maori. It began with the words, 'Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!', which can be translated to 'I die! I die! I live! I live!'.

A few other Pacific island countries also have ceremonial dances that they perform at the beginning of rugby matches. They are an amazing spectacle to watch!

Answer: A national anthem

National anthems are songs expressing patriotic sentiment. In 1825, 'God Save the Queen' was officially described as Britain's national anthem, making it the oldest in the world (according to Encyclopędia Britannica). Most national anthems have lyrics to accompany the music, but not all of them do.

For example, Spain's national anthem used to have lyrics, but they were dropped soon after the death of the dictator General Francisco Franco.