Are you ready to put your general knowledge to the ultimate test? This week's Saturday quiz presents a fascinating array of questions spanning art, astronomy, history, and pop culture, designed to challenge even the most seasoned trivia enthusiasts.
From Dutch Masters to Planetary Moons
The quiz begins by probing your knowledge of art history, asking which famous portrait is claimed to be of Magdalena van Ruijven from Delft. The answer, of course, is the enigmatic Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Moving from terrestrial art to celestial bodies, it then questions which body in our solar system is orbited by the satellites Charon, Styx and Nix. These are, in fact, moons of the dwarf planet Pluto.
Historical and political knowledge is also put under the spotlight. The quiz asks about the type of passport that was abolished in 1996, which was the British visitor’s passport. It also delves into Commonwealth history, querying which capital was built by the Knights of St John. The magnificent fortified city of Valletta, Malta holds that distinction.
Modern Influencers and Victorian Bestsellers
The quiz seamlessly bridges the gap between past and present. It taps into contemporary digital culture by asking which African-born influencer is the most followed person on TikTok. That title belongs to the universally relatable Khaby Lame. Contrasting this modern fame, it recalls a Victorian bestseller, Isabella Beeton’s Book of Household Management, a seminal work that guided domestic life for generations.
Sports and geography feature with a question about the southernmost racecourse in Britain, which is located in Newton Abbot, Devon. Music fans are tested on their knowledge of Prince’s iconic backing band, The Revolution, which included talented members like Wendy & Lisa, Dr Fink and Bobby Z.
Connecting the Clues
A key segment of the quiz involves finding the links between seemingly disparate items. For instance, the rivers Derwent, Dove, Etherow, Goyt, and Wye are all located in the Peak District. Football clubs Luton Town, Oldham Athletic, Preston North End, and QPR are historically linked as teams that used to have plastic pitches.
Historical events including the Crucifixion, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the signing of the Belfast agreement all share the connection of having occurred on a Good Friday. In the world of cinema, the names Ani Mikheeva, Bella Baxter, Evelyn Quan Wang, and Tammy Faye Bakker were all characters portrayed by recent best actress Oscar winners.
Scientific principles are also covered, with lift, drag, thrust, and weight being identified as the four fundamental forces of flight. One of the more playful links connects singer Marc Almond, comedian Thomas Derbyshire, and chemist John Farrow, who all famously partnered with someone named Ball in their respective careers.
Finally, the quiz explores etymology, revealing that the golden eagle in English, stone eagle in German, and royal eagle in French and Spanish, all refer to the same majestic bird, highlighting the fascinating variations in name derivations across languages.
