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Nursery Crimes Division Trivia Quiz

Humpty Dumpty has died - but did he fall or was he pushed? Jasper Fforde answers this perennial dilemma in his novel, 'The Big Over Easy'. The quiz is based on the introductions to each chapter.

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

Author
rosc

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
217,449

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
336

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1814, 'The London Illustrated Mole' reported on the escape of Prometheus from his eternal punishment. What had been his crime? Hint

He opened Pandora's box

He murdered Humpty Dumpty

He offered a false sacrifice to Zeus

He gave fire to mankind

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these is listed in Humpty Dumpty's 'Who's What?' entry, under Hobbies? Hint

zoology

oology

otology

noology

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1980, 'The Gadfly' reported the tragic murder of Cock Robin. Whom did DS Spratt want to interview? Hint

A fly who was believed to witness the event

Mrs Robin

An archer who has mislaid his bow and arrow recently

All 356,000 of Reading's sparrows

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Solomon Grundy, director of Winsum and Loosum, had an eventful life. On which day will he depart for his walking holiday? Hint

Saturday

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which fairy tale characters are suing publishers for defamation? Hint

The Ugly Sisters

Georgy Porgy

The Wicked Stepmother

The Big Bad Wolf

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Question 6 of 10

6. In 2001, 'The Gadfly' ran a story with the headline 'Piggy in Roast Beef Shock'. What was the response of DEFRA to the incident? Hint

to withdraw all pork-related foodstuffs and cull everything in sight

to issue strict guidelines for the animal feed industry

to reassure all pork eaters there was nothing to worry about

to cry 'wee, wee, wee' all the way home

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In 1998, 'The Gadfly' reported the announcement of a wedding. Between whom? Hint

Cinderella and Prince Charming

The Owl and The Pussycat

Polly Pocket and Georgy Porgy

Humpty Dumpty and Lucy Muffet

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. How did the technicians at QuangTech manage to transmogrify a pumpkin into a coach, or indeed, any other object? Hint

by bombarding it with gamma radiation then applying a magnetic matrix of the new shape

by laser treatment applied through a holographic lens

by a little bit of fairy dust

by DNA manipulation achieved with electromagnetic fields

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What was so shocking about the murder of Lord Pilchard? Hint

The identical twins were not involved

The butler did do it

The red herrings all turned out to be relevant

The murderer forgot to lock the library door

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which dangerous homicidal maniac did DI Chymes claim to have captured almost single-handedly? Hint

Giorgio Porgia

Jack the Giantkiller

Mr Wolff (aka Big Bad)

The Gingerbread Man

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1814, 'The London Illustrated Mole' reported on the escape of Prometheus from his eternal punishment. What had been his crime?

Answer: He gave fire to mankind

Prometheus did offer Zeus a false sacrifice, but this was not the reason he was chained for all eternity to a rock in the Caucasus, destined to have his liver picked out by birds each day and grow back each night. When Prometheus escaped, he sought asylum in England and ended up in the same lodgings as Humpty, but was never a suspect in the murder investigation. Later, he falls in love with Jack's daughter who happens to be called Pandora, and together they plan to return all the evils of the world to Pandora's box. Good luck to them!

2. Which of these is listed in Humpty Dumpty's 'Who's What?' entry, under Hobbies?

Answer: oology

The study of eggs, of course! He also lists 'reading'. His full name is listed as 'van Dumpty. Humperdinck (Humpty) Jehoshaphat Aloysius Stuyvesant'.

3. In 1980, 'The Gadfly' reported the tragic murder of Cock Robin. Whom did DS Spratt want to interview?

Answer: All 356,000 of Reading's sparrows

'NCD officers are eager to interview an unidentified sparrow.' However, the fly gave them a good description and DS Spratt was confident that interviewing all the sparrows would lead to a conviction. Some hope.

4. Solomon Grundy, director of Winsum and Loosum, had an eventful life. On which day will he depart for his walking holiday?

Answer: Tuesday

He will marry on Thursday, play a charity polo match on Wednesday, be dead tired on Saturday, buried in work on Sunday...

5. Which fairy tale characters are suing publishers for defamation?

Answer: The Ugly Sisters

Snow White's stepmother achieved a landmark payout, alarming publishers of children's books everywhere. The Ugly Sisters have jumped on the bandwagon, claiming that they are 'fed up of being constantly portrayed as physically repellant obnoxious harpies'. It's only a matter of time...

6. In 2001, 'The Gadfly' ran a story with the headline 'Piggy in Roast Beef Shock'. What was the response of DEFRA to the incident?

Answer: to withdraw all pork-related foodstuffs and cull everything in sight

Fortunately, one of the piggies stayed at home, another refused the beef and one was at market. It is still unclear how the beef entered the animal food chain.

7. In 1998, 'The Gadfly' reported the announcement of a wedding. Between whom?

Answer: The Owl and The Pussycat

The response of fans to the announcement was, 'This is like, so cool.' The wedding feast was mostly mince and slices of quince, served up with a runcible spoon.
Humpty and Miss Muffet were, of course, married in 1962 until her sad death in 1970.

8. How did the technicians at QuangTech manage to transmogrify a pumpkin into a coach, or indeed, any other object?

Answer: by bombarding it with gamma radiation then applying a magnetic matrix of the new shape

Unfortunately they have not yet achieved permanent transmogrification and the coach reverted to a pumpkin around midnight.

9. What was so shocking about the murder of Lord Pilchard?

Answer: The butler did do it

'You could have knocked me down with a feather' said Inspector Dogleash. Miss Maple unravelled the mystery then carried on with her knitting.

10. Which dangerous homicidal maniac did DI Chymes claim to have captured almost single-handedly?

Answer: The Gingerbread Man

In fact, Jack Spratt captured 'the flour, butter, ginger and sugar psychopath'. Unfortunately, his career was hampered by his tendency to kill very tall people, only one of whom was technically a giant.

Source: Author rosc

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