The Very Black Book Of Blackness Quiz

Answer: Blue Oyster Cult

Blue Oyster Cult were formed in 1972 in Long Island (New York), and are still active as a live band, though they have been without a recording deal for almost 15 years. "The Red and the Black" was featured on their excellent second album, "Tyranny and Mutation" (1973). Though they are mostly known for their 1976 hit "Don't Fear the Reaper", through the years BOC (as they are known among their fans) have released a lot of truly outstanding music that is really worth checking out.

Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Uriah Heep are all famous hard rock bands formed in England in the late Sixties. Deep Purple and Uriah Heep are still very much active, while Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980 after the sudden death of drummer John Bonham.

Answer: Moria

Located beneath the Misty Mountains, Moria was the grandest of the mansions built by the Dwarves. Originally named Khazad-dûm, it acquired its sinister name and reputation when the Dwarves - in their quest for the precious metal "mithril", delved too deep under the mountains and unleashed a dormant monster - a fire demon called Balrog. In "The Fellowship of the Ring", the Nine Walkers are forced to travel through Moria in order to cross the mountains - with tragic consequences.

Mordor, Morgul and Morannon are all Elvish names of places in Tolkien's great novel: Mordor is the land where the Dark Lord Sauron dwells, Morgul is the abode of the Ringwraiths, and Morannon is the Black Gate at the entrance of Mordor.

Answer: James McNeill Whistler

Though born in Lowell (Massachusetts) in 1834, James McNeill Whistler spent most of his adult life in Europe, making London his home. He died there in 1903, after a long and successful career. "Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1", his most famous painting, also known as "Whistler's Mother", is displayed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

The other three choices are also important 19th-century artists. American John Singer Sargent was one of the leading portrait painters of his time, while William Holman Hunt and Edward Burne-Jones were both associated with the English Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Answer: Brazil

The Rio Negro is the largest left tributary of the Amazon. Its name stems from the dark hue of its waters (caused by the presence of tannins), which look black from a distance. Rising in Colombia, it flows through the Amazon rainforest until it joins the Amazon south of the Brazilian city of Manaus.

"Negro" means "black" both in Spanish and Portuguese. There are other rivers named Rio Negro in South and Central America, but none of them are in Mexico, Peru or Spain.

Answer: Edward

Edward of Woodstock, the eldest son of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault, became known in later times as the Black Prince. The most common theory for the origin of the name was that it stemmed from his black armour or shield, though there is no historical evidence that he ever wore either.

The other, and most likely, explanation is the prince's reputation for brutality in his many military campaigns, especially those against the French. The Black Prince died in 1376 at the age of 46, one year before his father, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.

Answer: coffee liqueur and vodka

Created in 1949, Black Russian owes its name to its combination of vodka (the Russian spirit by definition) and coffee liqueur. If cream or milk are added, then the cocktail becomes a White Russian. A mix of Guinness stout and vodka is called Black Irishman (what else?), while vodka and coke is a variation on the popular rum and coke drink.

As to vodka and chocolate, just Google it, and you'll find plenty of recipes!

Answer: blackcurrant

The blackcurrant plant is native to northern Europe and Asia, where is widely cultivated, both in gardens and for commercial purposes. Blackcurrants are rich in Vitamin C, and are used to make liqueurs such as Crème de Cassis, juices, syrups, jams and teas.

The blackberry and the black cap (also known as black raspberry) belong to the Rubus genus, and produce highly prized, dark purple berries. The blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) is also a woody shrub, native of northeastern North America, whose blue-black fruits are mostly used in traditional medicine to treat gynaecological conditions.

Answer: Kenya

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is actually olive-brown in colour, and the "black" part of its name refers to the interior of its mouth. Large, fast and aggressive, it possesses a powerful venom. It is found in the eastern part of sub-Saharan Africa, where it is greatly feared because of its speed, unpredictable nature and powerful neurotoxic venom. Black mamba bites are nearly 100% fatal if left untreated.

Though situated in other continents than Africa, India, Brazil and Australia have their fair share of highly venomous snakes - in the case of Australia, all relatives of the mamba (Elapids).

Answer: Both

The much-venerated Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, and the protagonist of the "Bhagavad Gita". The fearsome goddess Kali is an aspect of Parvati (Durga), the consort of Shiva, representing time, change, power and destruction. Both of these deities' Sanskrit names can be translated as "black" or "dark-coloured", and they are often depicted with black (or, in Krishna's case, blue) skin.

Answer: ostracise

The word "blacklist", referring to the ban against people deemed undesirable, dates back from the early 17th century, but its use became more widespread in the second half of the 19th century to denote workers ostracised by employers for belonging to labour unions.

In the 20th century the word was often applied to Senator Joseph McCarthy's campaign against alleged Communist supporters. "Approve" is obviously an antonym of "blacklist".