This quiz is a general quiz — a ‘pot pourri’ of questions on diverse topics. Any idea of the origin of this commonly used phrase — pot pourri? Today we associate it with a decorative bowl of dried flowers and plant materials that emanate a pleasant scent in homes. The word, as you might recognise, is French in origin. In one form it was the French name for a Spanish stew in which a wide variety of ingredients were thrown in... with hopefully edible results. The word was taken and copied by the French military during the Napoleonic occupation of Burgos in Spain in 1808.
While the word ‘pot’ means the same in English as in French or Spanish, the word ‘pourri’ actually means ‘putrid’ or ‘rotten’!
Making a pot pourri in 11th century France was an affair that took several months. Spring flowers and herbs were gathered into bowls. Very soon they became limp, at which point salt was added.
This process went on throughout summer even as the ageing mixture would ferment and become mouldy. Come autumn, and fresh spices would be added to this unattractive grey mix until a pleasant fragrance was achieved. The finished potpourri was placed in special pots with perforated lids to perfume rooms. Modern pot pourries however are thankfully of the ‘non-mouldy’ variety and can be easily purchased in boutique stores.
You don’t need a sense of smell to enjoy this non-mouldy pleasant pot pourri of quiz questions!
Questions
01. The Indian flag flew here for the first time in 1981. Subsequently a second settlement was created 90 km away in 1988-89 since the original location got buried. The third location called Bharati will start functioning in 2013. Where?
02. This city in the African country of Mali started as a small settlement circa 12th century. It reached its golden age as a trade centre of gold, ivory, slaves and textiles. It was a noted centre of Islamic learning. However, the accounts of travellers about this city made Europeans believe it to be a mysterious and outlandish place, some even calling it the ‘African El Dorado’. A 2006 survey showed that 66 per cent British school students thought this to be a mythical place. Which city?
03. Which film with `189 crore earnings is presently Bollywood’s biggest box office hit?
04. What words prefix Hindustani classical music ragas created by Tansen?
05. What course did Steve Jobs take at Portland Reed University that, according to him, influenced the beautiful design of the lettering and the fonts on the first Apple Mac computer?
06. If Indians celebrate Dr Radhakrishnan’s birthday as Teacher’s day, whose birthday is Teacher’s Day in China?
07. Which is the only F1 track that has a figure of eight format?
08. Which competition recognising ‘original and different works’ that seek international recognition is part of the Cannes Film Festival and runs parallel to the Palme d’Or?
09. If hundred paise make one rupee, hundred what make one ruble?
10. What term in F1 racing describes the man who holds the team’s pit sign, helping the driver identify his pit stall?
11. Which incident from the Ramayana is said to have taken place at the Kothanda Rama Temple in Hampi?
12. At 360 km in length, the wall surrounding this fort in India is second only to the Great Wall of China. Name this fort on the Aravalli range, 82 km from Udaipur, that was built to protect the Mewar region.
13. In 1954, Life magazine published an article called Why Johnny Can’t Read. It blamed the problem on boring children’s primers usually featuring Dick, Jane, and their dog Spot. The magazine called these stories ‘antiseptic’ and ‘unnaturally clean’. Publisher McCLintock sent one of his clients a list of 250 words that he thought children should know and asked him to write a story using these words. What famous work resulted from this stipulation that made the author famous?
14. Moore’s Law states that the number of transistors in a given integrated circuit doubles every 18 to 24 months. The law relies on the process optimisation of the production of semiconductor devices. Another law that relies on this is Haitz’s Law. If Moore’s Law refers to computers, what does Haitz’s Law refer to?
15. Before each event the centrepiece of this sport is weighed because as per regulations, it must weigh no less than 460kg. The centrepiece must not undergo any modifications to its accessories and should have an eye test. What are we
talking about?
The Answers
1. Antarctica
2. Timbuktu
3. 3 Idiots
4. Miyan Ki …
5. Calligraphy
6. Confucius
7. Suzuka, Japan
8. Un Certain Regard (A Certain Glance or A Particular Outlook)
9. Kopeks
10. Lollipop Man
11. This is where Rama crowned Sugriva as the King of the Vanaras after he defeated Vali.
12. Kumbalgarh Fort. It was the birthplace of Rana Pratap
13. The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss
14. LED lights. Haitz’s Law states that every decade, the cost per lumen (unit of useful light emitted) falls by a factor of 10, the amount of light generated per LED package increases by a factor of 20, for a given wavelength (colour) of light. Haitz’s Law is named after Dr Roland Haitz, a now-retired scientist at Agilent Technologies. It was first presented to the larger public at Strategies in Light 2000.
15. The bull in Spanish bull-fighting. The bull should weigh not less than 460 kg. Its horns must not undergo any structural modifications; it should be colour blind to ensure that it is unable to identify the
colour red.