After Winston, before Churchill

What were the middle names of British statesman Winston Churchill?

A) James Quincey
B) Kenneth Russell
C) Leonard Spencer
D) Marcus Trevelyan

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Lambent

What is the meaning of the adjective lambent?

A) Beautifully warm
B) Radiantly beautiful
C) Softly radiant
D) Warmly soft

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New from Fibonacci

The great medieval mathematician known as Fibonacci produced a series of important works in the early 13th century. One important innovation in his writings was…

A) Failing to include a specifically religious preface
B) Using Arabic numeric notation instead of Roman
C) Using his native Italian instead of Latin or Greek
D) Using specially trained scribes to ensure accuracy

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Board meeting

The “Lewis Chessmen”…

A) Is a famous brain-teaser involving three knights and a bishop
B) Is an organization that supports chess in poor communities
C) Were a popular British concert band of the 1950s
D) Were discovered on the Isle of Lewis in 1831

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Night game

Each July, an athletic contest takes place in northern Pakistan between rival teams representing the Chitral and Gilgit districts. The game is held under the full moon on a field high atop the Shandur Pass, 3,500 m (11,500 ft.) above sea level. What sport do they play?

A) Cricket
B) Football (soccer)
C) Polo
D) Tug of war

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Difference of detail

In what sphere of activity is it important to distinguish a red nun from a green can?

A) Rock-climbing
B) Seamanship
C) Stock-car racing
D) Wine-growing

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Lot’s boys

One of the best-known knights of King Arthur’s court was King Lot’s son Sir Gawain, whose three brothers were also knights. Which of these was not Gawain’s brother?

A) Agravain
B) Gaheris
C) Gareth
D) Gingalin

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Whale of an inscription

In 1851, Herman Melville published what some have called the greatest American novel, Moby Dick. To which well-known author of his acquaintance did Melville dedicate the work?

A) Ralph Waldo Emerson
B) Nathaniel Hawthorne
C) Henry Longfellow
D) Henry Thoreau

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Bumper and pouncer

If your work involves, among other activities, bumping, pouncing, carroting and gigging, what is it that you do?

A) Edit magazine articles
B) Make felt hats
C) Perform on the flying trapeze
D) Play in a rock-and-roll band

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High places

What is the tallest mountain in Western Europe?

A) Mt. Blanc
B) Mt. Elbrus
C) The Matterhorn
D) Mt. Olympus

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