The Post Apocalypse Survival Quiz

Answer: Water

Although water purification tablets, water filters and water storage containers are regularly mentioned, water itself is not. There seems to be an assumption that water will remain freely available.

Canned goods are considered important as they are considered impervious to contamination. The torch and battery operated radio will be handy when the lights go out.

Just remember - stock up on those batteries and make sure to grab a can opener before leaving home!

Answer: Amanita phalloides

The Amanita phalloides or Death Cap is considered to be the deadliest of mushrooms and, as its common name suggests, can kill. The genus Amanita contains two more deadly varieties of mushroom. Oh and the Death Cap is commonly mistaken for an edible variety! Great.

The Russula emetica or Sickener causes vomiting. Apt name.

The Paxillus involutus or Brown Roll Rim can cause damage to red blood cells with long term consumption. Another one to avoid.

The Entomola sinuatum or Pink Gills causes gastrointestinal upset but is not generally considered to be fatal. Not this one either.

Better avoid mushrooms then.

Answer: 23

Similar radio systems exist worldwide - Europe, Canada and Australia all have such systems.

CB or Citizens Band radio has appeared in many movies including 'The Dukes of Hazard', 'Transformers', 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'Convoy'.

Betty Ford, former First Lady of the USA, used CB radio with the handle 'First Mama'.

Told you you'd need that cool handle.

Answer: Yes

It will take a bit of work and you'll need to get up early. You will also need a stick about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60cm), four big rocks and some smaller ones. Also some flat ground and sunlight are needed, so if it's raining, you might want to postpone your road trip.

Once you've gathered your stick and rocks place the stick into the ground to a depth of about 6". The upright stick should cast a shadow - mark the tip of this shadow with one of the smaller rocks. Now you wait.

In the afternoon, when the shadow is about the same length but facing in the opposite direction, use another small rock to mark the tip.

Now put your right foot on the second rock and your left foot on the first. You should now be facing north! Well done you. You can complete your compass by placing the four large rocks at about a foot from the stick - but hey, you're pointing North, which is where you want to go!

Or you could wait for sunrise, note which direction is east and go from there.

Answer: From the tail towards the gills

The vast majority of freshwater fish are edible. Any toxic effects are usually due to water pollution or parasitic contamination, the latter of which can mostly be offset by properly cooking it.

Luckily your fish was swimming along in very clean water and you did an excellent job of cooking it. So on you go.

Answer: 'The Stand' by Stephen King

Dreams really are important. It has been shown that a lack of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, during which dreaming occurs, leads to difficulty concentrating, irritability, and even memory loss.

In REM sleep, brain activity is remarkably similar to waking brain activity. Activity has been mapped in areas of the brain that control sight, smell, hearing and touch, and even body movement. Several theories have been put forward on the function of REM sleep, but it is not well understood.

Psychologically, dreams are also considered important - Freud theorises that all dreams are a 'wish fulfillment', that is, they are a means of expressing unconscious desires.

That explains the ice-cream dream but not that other one...

Answer: 'Mad Max 2'

'Mad Max 2' ('The Road Warrior' in the US) involves post apocalyptic battles for food and fuel, and stars Mel Gibson.

Answer: 2.25 billion seeds

You don't necessarily need to go that far north. The Svarlbard Global Seed Vault is actually more of an insurance policy. The seed samples there are essentially backups that have been supplied from other similar seed repositories all over the world.

The Vault is located inside a mountain called 'Plataberget' or 'plateau mountain' and the majority of the seeds stored there will last for a millennium or even longer.

Of course to get there, you may need to fight Polar bears - you've been warned!

Answer: 'Signs' & 'The War of the Worlds'

SPOILER ALERT!
In 'Signs' the invading species find that water doesn't agree with them. Hmmm... they didn't do their planet research very well. In 'War of the Worlds' it is pesky germs that get to those nasty aliens.

Still...best not to attempt the water pistol or sneeze as deadly weapon until you're sure.

Answer: Geothermal

In addition to heat trapped in the core of the planet from its original formation, the radioactive decay of minerals and the solar energy constantly being absorbed by the planet is what forms the basis for geothermal energy.

Ancient Romans used geothermal energy for space heating and heating baths where natural hot springs occurred, such as in Bath in England.

Where such natural springs did not occur, similar principles were used to mimic the effects - fires in basements heated water which was then conducted through a buildings structure to provide radiant heat - very like modern under-floor heating.

Now where are those movies?