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1. Nom de plume
The American short story writer William Sydney Porter is better known by his pseudonym. What was it?
2. Napoleon’s last sit
In which ocean is the island of St. Helena, site of Napoleon’s final imprisonment?
3. A few brief words...
Which of the following is not a valid English word?
4. Where in the world?
You are watching giant teak logs as they float down the Ayeyarwaddy River. What country are you in?
5. What might fardels be?
In the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet , the depressed Hamlet asks himself, “Who would fardels bear?” What are fardels?
6. What does it mean?
What is the meaning of the word Excalibur, the name of King Arthur’s sword?
7. Thirty minus six
The ancient Greek poet Tryphiodorus is famed for having written an epic poem of 24 books, in which each book:
8. Why “draconian”?
A “draconian” law is one for which the penalty is excessively severe. The word “draconian” comes from:
9. Consul extraordinary
In ancient Rome there were at any time two consuls, or chief magistrates. These very important officials were elected annually. The consul Incitatus, who served under the emperor Caligula, was unusual in that he was:
10. Celebrating a pioneer
In 1932, Carlton Cole Magee of the United States invented what was to become a familiar emblem of modern civilization. What was it?
