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That's News to Me (5) Trivia Quiz

World events from November 2003 as viewed from Britain. A quiz that is not just for those who live in Britain.

A multiple-choice quiz by rialto88. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
rialto88

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
158,570

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
1181

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. In November 2003 what did Ian Duncan Smith M.P. tell the media that he planned to do after leaving office as the Conservative Party Leader? Hint

write novels

retire

move abroad

find a proper job

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Question 2 of 15

2. How did Sir Ranulph Fiennes make news in November 2003? Hint

He walked a marathon underwater in a diving suit.

He swam the Atlantic.

He ran seven marathons in a week.

He ran from Lands End to John O'Groats in a week.

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Question 3 of 15

3. In November 2003 what new idea did the Ministry of Health come up with as a possible way to create extra waiting areas for the Accident and Emergency Departments of hospitals? Hint

libraries

church halls

tents

disused railway carriages

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Question 4 of 15

4. In November 2003 why did Spain close its border while the Southampton based ship Aurora docked at Gibraltar? Hint

It was an anti-terrorist measure.

It was a public holiday.

It concerned a trade dispute.

People on the ship were ill.

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Question 5 of 15

5. In November 2003 a man was imprisoned in Britain for eight years for infecting two women with HIV.

True

False

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Question 6 of 15

6. What strike ended in November 2003 in Britain with a massive backlog of work? Hint

postal strike

dock strike

police strike

doctors' strike

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Question 7 of 15

7. Who famously described his experiences to the media as "a near death experience" during November 2003? Hint

Ian Duncan Smith M.P.

Tony Blair

Saddam Hussein

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

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Question 8 of 15

8. Which of the following Members of Parliament announced in November 2003 their intention to stand down from Parliament at the next General Election? Hint

Michael Portillo

Michael Howard

Tony Blair

Charles Kennedy

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who made a rare visit to Britain amid massive security operations and public protest in November 2003? Hint

Michael Jackson

Prime Minister Tony Blair

U.S. President George Bush

Saddam Hussein

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Question 10 of 15

10. Who made a secret visit to Iraq for the American Thanksgiving holiday in November 2003? Hint

Saddam Hussein

U.S. President George Bush

Michael Jackson

The Queen

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which of the following was highlighted by scientists at the University of Queensland in November 2003 as a possible cause of injury to the back and spine? Hint

watching television

jogging

being a member of Parliament

mobile phones

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Question 12 of 15

12. Who won the Rugby World Cup in Australia in November 2003? Hint

Australia

France

U.S.A.

England

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Question 13 of 15

13. In November 2003 Eduard Shevardnadze resigned as president of what country following massive protests over disputed election results? Hint

Argentina

Georgia

Croatia

Estonia

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Question 14 of 15

14. Whose speech opened the new Parliamentary session at Westminster in November 2003? Hint

The Prime Minister

The Queen

Black Rod

Gordon Brown

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Question 15 of 15

15. What 40th anniversary was commemorated on 22nd November 2003? Hint

the death of John F. Kennedy

the first man on the moon

the first man in space

the first Concorde

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In November 2003 what did Ian Duncan Smith M.P. tell the media that he planned to do after leaving office as the Conservative Party Leader?

Answer: write novels

Well, he will not be the first Member of Parliament to follow that vocation. It's amazing how much time M.Ps have to spare for other activities.

2. How did Sir Ranulph Fiennes make news in November 2003?

Answer: He ran seven marathons in a week.

This 59 year old man ran more than 183 miles following a heart attack and a double heart bypass operation. He did each marathon on a separate continent. He had a doctor with him during the runs and was raising money for a heart charity. The last marathon was in New York and completed in 5 hours and 25 minutes.

3. In November 2003 what new idea did the Ministry of Health come up with as a possible way to create extra waiting areas for the Accident and Emergency Departments of hospitals?

Answer: tents

These tents will be located close to the hospitals, but have not been needed yet. Apparently this original idea will help to free-up ambulances where patients may currently have to wait. Some people may feel that it's a pity that this government did not make its true intentions known before they were elected.

4. In November 2003 why did Spain close its border while the Southampton based ship Aurora docked at Gibraltar?

Answer: People on the ship were ill.

A large number of passengers had Norwalk Virus which seems to have been a temporary sickness accompanied by diarrhoea. There were allegations that the Spanish authorities over-reacted.

5. In November 2003 a man was imprisoned in Britain for eight years for infecting two women with HIV.

Answer: true

Mohammed Dica was imprisoned for 8 years for "biological grievous bodily harm" by the Inner London Crown Court.

6. What strike ended in November 2003 in Britain with a massive backlog of work?

Answer: postal strike

The postal workers returned to work expecting to spend two or three weeks trying to catch up with undelivered mail.

7. Who famously described his experiences to the media as "a near death experience" during November 2003?

Answer: Ian Duncan Smith M.P.

The deposed Conservative Leader described the final days of his leadership as having an "unreal quality equivalent to a near death experience". Lucky for him he didn't become prime minister as I dread to think how he might have found that experience!

8. Which of the following Members of Parliament announced in November 2003 their intention to stand down from Parliament at the next General Election?

Answer: Michael Portillo

A contender in the past for the leadership of the Conservative Party, he has apparently lost his taste for battle.

9. Who made a rare visit to Britain amid massive security operations and public protest in November 2003?

Answer: U.S. President George Bush

With the police apparently stretched beyond their limit the American President was accommodated by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The massive security operation to protect him appears to have triumphed and he returned home safely.

10. Who made a secret visit to Iraq for the American Thanksgiving holiday in November 2003?

Answer: U.S. President George Bush

With nobody knowing (including his wife) George Bush slipped into Iraq
with a few surprised journalists.

11. Which of the following was highlighted by scientists at the University of Queensland in November 2003 as a possible cause of injury to the back and spine?

Answer: mobile phones

Apparently if you use the phones while walking it upsets your breathing pattern and this affects the spine. Since December 2003 it is illegal to drive and hold a mobile phone, perhaps a similar law will be brought in for those just walking the streets to protect our medical services from overload?

12. Who won the Rugby World Cup in Australia in November 2003?

Answer: England

England won 20v17 against Australia with a drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson in the last minute of extra time. Sorry to the Australian members of Fun Trivia for recalling this event, but it makes a change for England to beat Australia at anything these days!

13. In November 2003 Eduard Shevardnadze resigned as president of what country following massive protests over disputed election results?

Answer: Georgia

Shevardnadze ruled Georgia for 11 years, since 1992.

14. Whose speech opened the new Parliamentary session at Westminster in November 2003?

Answer: The Queen

By tradition the Queen drives in state to Westminster and amid great pomp eventually reads out what her government will do during the next year. As the speech is written for her by the prime minister one wonders why he does not announce his plans himself?

15. What 40th anniversary was commemorated on 22nd November 2003?

Answer: the death of John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the USA, was assassinated on 22nd November 1963.

Source: Author rialto88

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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