Double Trouble: Gemini, the Twins Quiz

Answer: Roberto Firmino

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, born on 2nd October 1991, is a Libra. As for the other three, Coutinho was born on 12th June, Gerrard on 30th May, and Salah on 15th June. Other Geminis associated with Liverpool include manager Jürgen Klopp (16th June), and defender Jordan Henderson (17th June).

Other Gemini footballers include Paul Gascoigne (27th May), George Best (22nd May), Frank Lampard (20th June), and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (18th June).

Answer: Pollux and Castor

In Greek myth, Pollux and Castor were the sons of the god Zeus and the human woman Leda. Castor was killed by Idas, a former Argonaut, and Pollux was given the choice of living with the gods on Mount Olympus or sharing his immortality with Castor. He chose the latter, and the two divided their time between Olympus and the Underworld. The 'Hunger Games' series, in which the citizens of the decadent Capitol have Greco-Roman names, feature a pair of twins called Pollux and Castor; like their mythical counterparts, Castor is killed and Pollux, who is a mute, survives.

Castor is the brighter of the two stars; it is also known as Alpha Geminorum, while Pollux is Beta Geminorum. Antares is part of Scorpio, while Betelgeuse is part of Orion.

Answer: Monkey

Monkeys are often represented as clever, quick-witted, fast-moving animals, and it's no surprise that they're one of the beasts associated with Gemini, one of the 'human' signs. Geminis are also associated with small birds, parrots (well, they are rather chatty) and butterflies.

The crab is the animal that represents Cancer, albatross is associated with Aquarius (due to being a seabird, since Aquarius is an air sign but is represented by a water carrier), and cats - the domestic kind - are associated with Virgo, as are other small furry pets.

Answer: Loquacious

'Loquacious' means 'talkative'. Other synonyms would be 'chatty', 'garrulous', 'verbose', 'motor-mouthed' (since Geminis talk and think fast) or 'voluble'. 'Taciturn' is the opposite of a typical Gemini, as is 'reticent', and they certainly aren't 'lugubrious' - that's more of a Capricorn personality trait!

Answer: Nuts

Nuts are one of the foods associated with Gemini, probably because they're small and easy to pick at while you're on the go. Likewise, when it comes to greenery, nut trees are associated with Gemini. Other foods associated with Gemini include grapes and aboveground vegetables, except cabbage (which is more of a Cancer veggie).

Spicy foods are associated with both Aries and Scorpio (since they have Mars in common, Scorpio being Mars' original ruler). Potatoes and other starchy vegetables are associated with Capricorn, and dairy products with Cancer - perhaps because Cancer is the sign of maternity (mother's milk!)

Answer: Alexandrite

You'll notice I said "a" birthstone and not "the" birthstone, and that's because there's more than one birthstone for June - there's also moonstone and pearl, both of which are associated with Cancer (as Cancer's ruler is the Moon). Alexandrite is a kind of chrysoberyl which comes in various colours. It is thought to have been named for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, as alexandrite is found in the Ural mountains.

As for the others, ruby is associated with Leo, and is the birthstone for July; Topaz, associated with Sagittarius, is the birthstone for November; and diamond, associated with Aries, is the April birthstone.

Answer: Brian Wilson

Beach Boys singer, pianist, songwriter and all-round genius Brian Wilson was born on 20th June 1942. Incidentally, another musician who he saw as a rival, Paul McCartney, is also a Gemini, born two days earlier than Wilson on 18th June 1942. Other Gemini musicians include Kylie Minogue (28th May), Noel Gallagher (29th May), and Kanyé West (8th June). As for the others, Stevie Wonder, like me, is a Taurus (13th May); John Lennon was a Libra (9th October); and Jimi Hendrix was a Sagittarius (27th November).

('Wouldn't It Be Nice' is a song off the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds', and a personal favourite of mine as it was played at my parents' wedding.)

Answer: Salesperson

Obviously, this doesn't mean Geminis can't work as chefs, network admins or farmers if they so desire, but the ideal job for your average Gemini is one that requires flexibility, independence, and mental challenges - and, of course, the chance to get to talk to lots of people. Shoving them into an office to do a 9-5 job is not ideal, and they're much happier working in areas such as sales and marketing, sports commentary, the media, journalism or politics.

They're also good at languages, so translation and interpreting work, or work abroad, is a good choice.

Answer: London

How can a place have a star sign? It's all to do with when it was founded, apparently. Other Gemini cities include Cardiff, Plymouth, Melbourne, Tripoli, San Francisco and Versailles. Gemini countries include Wales, Belgium, Ecuador and Iceland.

Answer: A book of puzzles

The typical Gemini likes challenges and keeping their minds busy, and a book of puzzles would be perfect, especially word puzzles such as crosswords, or brain teasers such as logic problems. Mills & Boon might be better for a typical Cancerian, while your Leo or Capricorn might prefer a book on etiquette, being keen on manners and high society.

(Of course, this is a huge generalisation.)