Sundry Acts Trivia Quiz

Answer: Act 1

Obvious - provided the play, musical, or opera has been written to be performed in more than one continuous session. A one-act play doesn't have an "Act 1", it's simply "the play". An interval frequently follows Act 1 and precedes Act 2.

Answer: Actinometer

Sunlight consists of different kinds of rays; ultra violet, visible light, and infra red. Some of these rays have the property of producing chemical changes, as in photography. An instrument that measures this type of ray is called an Actinometer.

Answer: Acton

A jacket, tunic or vest that is padded or quilted is called an "acton". In medieval times it was used under a coat of mail to reduce bruising. It can also be called a "gambeson".

Answer: Actuary

Statisticians employed by insurance companies and governments are called "actuaries". They are generally employed to calculate risks and uncertainties. In Britain the "Institute and Faculty of Actuaries" regulates the competence of actuaries.

Answer: Actiniaria

The genus of animals that includes sea-anemones is called "Actiniaria". There are over 40 different families of this colourful animal.

Answer: Action

To bring an action in law is to ask for redress or compensation for some wrong, injury or deprivation. It may also be used for the protection of a right, or to prevent a wrong.

Answer: Act of Uniformity

Published in 1549 in England, The Book of Common Prayer was written for Protestant clergy to use in church services. A law was passed in 1662 making this compulsory. Any cleric refusing to do this would be deprived of his "living". Objections to The Act of Uniformity led to Nonconformism in England.

Answer: Act of Parliament

A change to British Law starts as a Bill, and when it has been passed by both Houses of Parliament (Commons and Lords) and received royal assent, it then becomes an Act.

Answer: Acts of the Apostles

What happened to the disciples of Jesus after the crucifixion, and the origin of the early Christian Church, is described in the fifth book of the New Testament. "Acts" for short comes after the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The author of this history is said to be same man who wrote the Gospel of St Luke.

Answer: Actaeon

The gruesome story of Actaeon in Greek myth makes you wonder about those Gods and Goddesses.
Actaeon was a a great hunter, using his team of dogs to hunt stags.
One day in the woods he came across the goddess Artemis bathing, and would you believe it, looked at her! For this impertinence she turned him into a stag, whereupon of course his dogs turned on him and tore him to pieces.