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Bizarre News Stories Trivia Quiz

At the end of TV news bulletins, there's often a silly story (about a squirrel that can windsurf or something like that) to cheer us up after all the grim headlines. Can you tell which of these are real (true), and which I made up (false)?

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

Author
Islingtonian

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
100,747

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
936

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Two British builders have invented a new and fast-growing extreme sport - Freestyle Wheelbarrow. This involves completing courses and overcoming obstacles accompanied by a wheelbarrow with extra-bouncy wheels.

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. A British Member of Parliament has changed his name to Haddock to encourage people to eat more fish.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. A nun from Southwark surprisingly came first in the 2002 South London all-comers meatball eating contest. Sister Mary Saunders, a 5 foot 4 member of the Order of Poor Clares, consumed 65 Swedish meatballs in a one minute period, beating several much bulkier contestants. She later commented "People were surprised to see me entering the contest, but I think I've proved that a nun can be fun."

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. A Swiss scientist has theorised that the whole universe could "collapse into jelly" at any time.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. The University of North London is offering a new degree course - the "BSc in Big Bird". Students learn of the artistic significance of the "Sesame Street" character, and the impact of the show on Western cultural heritage. Professor Phil Stamp, who originated the course, plans to expand study to other characters in coming years - he commented "To many young people today, Jelly Monster is the new Shakespeare".

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Christians have flocked to see Nashville's latest holy miracle - a cinnamon bun which includes an image of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Residents of Prague have come up with a surprise choice in a local poll to discover the world's sexiest man. Beating more predictable candidates such as Leonardo DiCaprio (number 7) and George Clooney (number 3), the shock winner was John Ratzenberger (best known as Cliff, from "Cheers"). Mr Ratzenberger was unavailable for comment.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. A scientist has won an award for carrying out a comprehensive survey of belly button lint.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. A drunken teenager from Cornwall broke into the lion enclosure at Newquay Zoo, and force fed the beasts with ice cream.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. A new survey has revealed that Belgium is the country most international travellers would like to visit. On hearing the news, Jean-Francois Rideau, head of the Belgian Tourist Board, commented "Are you sure?"

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: True

Astonishingly, this is true - they've actually invented a hobby that's sadder than "Dungeons and Dragons".

2. A British Member of Parliament has changed his name to Haddock to encourage people to eat more fish.

Answer: True

Again, surprisingly true - Austin Mitchell, the MP for Grimsby, changed his name to Austin Haddock in honour of National Seafood Week.

Answer: False

No, it wasn't very likely, was it?

4. A Swiss scientist has theorised that the whole universe could "collapse into jelly" at any time.

Answer: True

There was a scientific explanation of why this might happen, but unfortunately I fell asleep reading it. It has something to do with quarks, and the theory of .... zzzzzzz.

Answer: False

It's false. However, such a course will be on offer at the "University of Islingtonian", as soon as the charter comes through.

6. Christians have flocked to see Nashville's latest holy miracle - a cinnamon bun which includes an image of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

Answer: True

I believe in religious tolerance, I really do, but every now and then your patience can be tested. Another similar example occurred more recently in Port Germein, Australia, when a miraculous image of Jesus Christ was seen in a fence at a caravan park.

Answer: False

Of course it's not true - Prague is in the Czech Republic, not on Mars.

8. A scientist has won an award for carrying out a comprehensive survey of belly button lint.

Answer: True

It's true. The award was one of a number of "IgNobel Awards" presented by the magazine "Annals of Improbable Research", which recognise ridiculous (but genuine) research projects. Other awards were given for (a) proving that ostriches have an amorous interest in humans (b) inventing a new method for estimating the surface area of elephants (c) translating dog barks into Japanese (d) inventing a cat and dog washing machine and (e) modelling scientifically the decay of beer froth.

9. A drunken teenager from Cornwall broke into the lion enclosure at Newquay Zoo, and force fed the beasts with ice cream.

Answer: True

It's true - Scott Donlan, 19 was convicted by Bodmin magistrates, after the police found several melted Cornettos in the cage.

Answer: False

It's not true. Sorry Belgium.

Source: Author Islingtonian

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