2014 landmark juniors quiz chennai prelims
TRANSCRIPT
CHENNAI
WELCOME TO THE PRELIMS
• Teams of three - For children in classes 10 and below.
• 30 questions
• Star-marked (*) questions used to resolve ties, followed by
Sudden Death from Q1
• One point per answer; Part points at QM discretion
• No negatives; take guesses
• Write legibly in capital letters
• 8 teams in the finals
• All the best!
The Rules
The tallest flagstaff in India, it flies at a 46-metre height
and was built by the East India Company when it
occupied a location first in 1639.
Where in Chennai would you find this flag?
1
1
Published in 1880, The Steam House: The Demon of Cawnpore is a
Jules Verne novel about a group of Britishers travelling through India
on a steam-powered elephant shaped vehicle.
The book is set right after the 1857 Indian Mutiny and features the
surprise appearance of a real-life historical Deccani Brahmin, who
disappeared after the capture of Kanpur but is shown as having
married Rani Laxmibai in the novel.
Who is the real-life figure who makes an appearance in the novel?
2
The Chinese word for city is cheng, which comes from
their word for _______, that were made of rammed
earth to protect ancient Stone Age cities along the
Yellow River.
It is also not a coincidence that if you visited China as a
tourist, locals will ask you to go see ChangCheng.
Apart from city, what does cheng mean in Chinese?
3
This special kind of mathematical tree is constructed
using a very simple procedure: On the top side of a
square, an isosceles right angle triangle is attached,
then two more squares are attached to the free sides of
the triangle and the process continues.
What are such fractal trees called, in reference to the
famous person/concept they reference?
4
4
Installed in Berlin, this untitled sculpture by Isaac
Cordal was informally dubbed “Politicians discussing
______ _____” by social media.
Fill in the blanks with a problem that is likely to get
worse unless countries cooperate to take steps.
5*
5*
The city of Florence, Italy, was famous for minting gold
coins in 1252, which were then used as currency in
some parts of Europe.
Which present day European country uses the forint,
named after Florence, for its currency?
6
Which Shakespeare play is represented in the form of
this cartoon summary?
7
In 1998, the Justice Mukherjee Commission was instituted to
answer the following questions:
– Whether X is dead or alive?
– If he is dead, whether he died in the crash as alleged?
– Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are his?
– Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and, if so, when and how?
– If he is alive, in respect of his whereabouts.
Name X.
8
In Greek mythology, he was a partner to the god Apollo and
died in Apollo’s arms when a flying discus struck him.
A forlorn Apollo is said to have immortalized him by using
his blood to create a flower; Apollo’s tears are said to be the
stains on the flower.
What flower took its name from this Greek mythological
character?
9
9
While the exact origins of this phrase are disputed, the most
popular story goes back to British naval hero Horatio Nelson,
whose ships faced a large Danish-Norwegian fleet.
When a superior raised his flag to withdraw, Nelson supposedly
brought his telescope to his damaged eye and said, “I really do
not see the signal.” – before going on to win the battle.
What phrase, meaning to ignore an obvious sign, possibly came
from this incident?
10*
They were originally bred to guard stagecoaches. Because
they were very comfortable around horses, and the
contrasting colours on their coats made them highly visible,
they were made to run in front of horse-drawn fire engines,
barking and clearing the path of onlookers.
Which specific animal breed, that is used as the official
mascot of firehouses even today?
11
Thanks to it, from the late 1940s onwards it became
possible to pack all the components of a radio into a small
portable unit, as opposed to the typically huge wooden
boxes in use till then. It made such an impact that, for
many subsequent years, small radios were called
“__________ - radios” after the invention.
What invention that fetched three men the Physics
Nobel in 1956?
12
The Pope’s ring is called the “Ring of the Fisherman”. This
is because the Pope – the leader of the Catholic Church –
is considered the successor of _____ _____ who used to
be a fisherman before he became Christ's disciple, and
depicts that person fishing on a boat.
What name, that is also associated with the world’s
largest church, will fill the blanks?
13
Back in the old days, cutting marks into wooden tally
sticks was a way of keeping count. The word for cutting
the notches was derived from a Norse word scora.
It led to an English expression that originally meant ‘to
pay one’s bill’ but in later years acquired another sense –
that of taking revenge on somebody.
What is the English expression?
14
This 6’9” 140-kg giant’s gold medal at the Glasgow
Commonwealth Games was only India’s second athletics
gold ever at the CG. It ended a 56-year old drought.
The man who won the gold in 1958 at the Cardiff Games
is more known for his efforts at another event two years
later. He won 77 out of 80 career races.
Name both people.
15*
15*
The word comes from the Spanish/Portuguese for coast
or shore, and is used to define a dock with moorings for
yachts and small boats. It differs from a port in that it
does not handle large passenger ships or freighters.
What word, that is also used with a popular Chennai
hangout?
16
Identify the male voice – an award-winning personality
who lives in San Antonio, Texas.
17
Located in Table Bay near Cape Town, the name of this
place means ‘seal island’ in Dutch. This UNESCO World
Heritage site has seen several shipwrecks nearby over the
years. The place, however, is more (in)famous because
someone was forced to spend about 27 years here.
Either name the place OR the famous person.
18
18
His first ‘victim’ was PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal. For
that he got a seven match ban. The second ‘victim’ was
Branislav Ivanovic, for which he received a ten-match
suspension.
Who has been the target of many jokes, such as being
asked to play with a ‘silence of the lambs’ style mask,
after his latest attempt on Giorgio Chiellini?
19
First appearing in the early 1900s, around the time of the
Mexican-American war, there are many stories on how this
food item got its name.
A popular tale is about a man Juan Mendez, from Chihuahua,
Mexico, who had a donkey-led food cart. He would wrap food
up in a big homemade flour tortilla to keep it warm.
What dish means “little donkey” in Spanish and supposedly
got its name because it was sold off a donkey cart?
20*
Give one word to connect the following:
a) A dynasty whose kings ruled France and Spain from
the 16th-19th century
b) A brand of chocolate sandwich biscuit – two biscuits
with a chocolate filling
c) A type of coffee
21
This is Maria Irudayam – a World Champion and the
only Arjuna Awardee from his sport. Which sport does
he play?
22
Identify the film
23
What is the Chennai connection
between these people?
24
There is only one country in North/Central
America that has the letter ‘z’ in its name.
Identify this country from its flag below.
25*
Name this Indian classical dance form that gets
its name from a form taken by Lord Vishnu to
protect Lord Shiva against Bhasmasura.
26
If you want to lie down like this and read a book, you will have to go to the ______ Sea.
Fill in the blank.
27
What are these ads promoting?
(10-letter word fills in the blank)
28
The Tata Group, which also owns the Landmark book
stores, is launching an airline in India branded Vistara
under a Joint Venture called Tata-SIA.
Which international airline is their partner in this
venture?
29
Identify this animal, which can supposedly navigate and
orient itself using the stars in the Milky Way.
30*
Hand in your sheetsAnswers Follow
The tallest flagstaff in India, it flies at a 46-metre height
and was built by the East India Company when it
occupied a location first in 1639.
Where in Chennai would you find this flag?
1
1
THE ANSWER IS…
1
Fort St. George
Published in 1880, The Steam House: The Demon of Cawnpore is a
Jules Verne novel about a group of Britishers travelling through India
on a steam-powered elephant shaped vehicle.
The book is set right after the 1857 Indian Mutiny and features the
surprise appearance of a real-life historical Deccani Brahmin, who
disappeared after the capture of Kanpur but is shown as having
married Rani Laxmibai in the novel.
Who is the real-life figure who makes an appearance in the novel?
2
THE ANSWER IS…
2
Nana Sahib the Peshwa
The Chinese word for city is cheng, which comes from
their word for _______, that were made of rammed
earth to protect ancient Stone Age cities along the
Yellow River.
It is also not a coincidence that if you visited China as a
tourist, locals will ask you to go see ChangCheng.
Apart from city, what does cheng mean in Chinese?
3
THE ANSWER IS…
3
Wall
This special kind of mathematical tree is constructed
using a very simple procedure: On the top side of a
square, an isosceles right angle triangle is attached,
then two more squares are attached to the free sides of
the triangle and the process continues.
What are such fractal trees called, in reference to the
famous person/concept they reference?
4
4
THE ANSWER IS…
4
Pythagoras Tree / Pythagorean Tree
Installed in Berlin, this untitled sculpture by Isaac
Cordal was informally dubbed “Politicians discussing
______ _____” by social media.
Fill in the blanks with a problem that is likely to get
worse unless countries cooperate to take steps.
5*
5*
THE ANSWER IS…
5*
Global Warming / Climate Change
The city of Florence, Italy, was famous for minting gold
coins in 1252, which were then used as currency in
some parts of Europe.
Which present day European country uses the forint,
named after Florence, for its currency?
6
THE ANSWER IS…
6
Hungary
Which Shakespeare play is represented in the form of
this cartoon summary?
7
THE ANSWER IS…
7
Hamlet
In 1998, the Justice Mukherjee Commission was instituted to
answer the following questions:
– Whether X is dead or alive?
– If he is dead, whether he died in the crash as alleged?
– Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are his?
– Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and, if so, when and how?
– If he is alive, in respect of his whereabouts.
Name X.
8
THE ANSWER IS…
8
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
In Greek mythology, he was a partner to the god Apollo and
died in Apollo’s arms when a flying discus struck him.
A forlorn Apollo is said to have immortalized him by using
his blood to create a flower; Apollo’s tears are said to be the
stains on the flower.
What flower took its name from this Greek mythological
character?
9
9
THE ANSWER IS…
9
Hyacinth from Hyacinthus
While the exact origins of this phrase are disputed, the most
popular story goes back to British naval hero Horatio Nelson,
whose ships faced a large Danish-Norwegian fleet.
When a superior raised his flag to withdraw, Nelson supposedly
brought his telescope to his damaged eye and said, “I really do
not see the signal.” – before going on to win the battle.
What phrase, meaning to ignore an obvious sign, possibly came
from this incident?
10*
THE ANSWER IS…
10*
Turn a blind eye
They were originally bred to guard stagecoaches. Because
they were very comfortable around horses, and the
contrasting colours on their coats made them highly visible,
they were made to run in front of horse-drawn fire engines,
barking and clearing the path of onlookers.
Which specific animal breed, that is used as the official
mascot of firehouses even today?
11
THE ANSWER IS…
11
Dalmatians
Thanks to it, from the late 1940s onwards it became
possible to pack all the components of a radio into a small
portable unit, as opposed to the typically huge wooden
boxes in use till then. It made such an impact that, for
many subsequent years, small radios were called
“__________ - radios” after the invention.
What invention that fetched three men the Physics
Nobel in 1956?
12
THE ANSWER IS…
12
Transistor
The Pope’s ring is called the “Ring of the Fisherman”. This
is because the Pope – the leader of the Catholic Church –
is considered the successor of _____ _____ who used to
be a fisherman before he became Christ's disciple, and
depicts that person fishing on a boat.
What name, that is also associated with the world’s
largest church, will fill the blanks?
13
THE ANSWER IS…
13
Saint Peter
Back in the old days, cutting marks into wooden tally
sticks was a way of keeping count. The word for cutting
the notches was derived from a Norse word scora.
It led to an English expression that originally meant ‘to
pay one’s bill’ but in later years acquired another sense –
that of taking revenge on somebody.
What is the English expression?
14
THE ANSWER IS…
14
Settling Scores / Settle a Score
This 6’9” 140-kg giant’s gold medal at the Glasgow
Commonwealth Games was only India’s second athletics
gold ever at the CG. It ended a 56-year old drought.
The man who won the gold in 1958 at the Cardiff Games
is more known for his efforts at another event two years
later. He won 77 out of 80 career races.
Name both people.
15*
15*
THE ANSWER IS…
15
Vikas Gowda and Milkha Singh
The word comes from the Spanish/Portuguese for coast
or shore, and is used to define a dock with moorings for
yachts and small boats. It differs from a port in that it
does not handle large passenger ships or freighters.
What word, that is also used with a popular Chennai
hangout?
16
THE ANSWER IS…
16
Marina
Identify the male voice – an award-winning personality
who lives in San Antonio, Texas.
17
THE ANSWER IS…
17
Rick Riordan
Located in Table Bay near Cape Town, the name of this
place means ‘seal island’ in Dutch. This UNESCO World
Heritage site has seen several shipwrecks nearby over the
years. The place, however, is more (in)famous because
someone was forced to spend about 27 years here.
Either name the place OR the famous person.
18
18
THE ANSWER IS…
18
Robben Island / Nelson Mandela
His first ‘victim’ was PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal. For
that he got a seven match ban. The second ‘victim’ was
Branislav Ivanovic, for which he received a ten-match
suspension.
Who has been the target of many jokes, such as being
asked to play with a ‘silence of the lambs’ style mask,
after his latest attempt on Giorgio Chiellini?
19
THE ANSWER IS…
19
Luiz Suarez
First appearing in the early 1900s, around the time of the
Mexican-American war, there are many stories on how this
food item got its name.
A popular tale is about a man Juan Mendez, from Chihuahua,
Mexico, who had a donkey-led food cart. He would wrap food
up in a big homemade flour tortilla to keep it warm.
What dish means “little donkey” in Spanish and supposedly
got its name because it was sold off a donkey cart?
20*
THE ANSWER IS…
20*
Burrito
Give one word to connect the following:
a) A dynasty whose kings ruled France and Spain from
the 16th-19th century
b) A brand of chocolate sandwich biscuit – two biscuits
with a chocolate filling
c) A type of coffee
21
THE ANSWER IS…
Bourbon
21
This is Maria Irudayam – a World Champion and the
only Arjuna Awardee from his sport. Which sport does
he play?
22
THE ANSWER IS…
Carrom
22
Identify the film
23
THE ANSWER IS…
23
Maleficent
What is the Chennai connection
between these people?
24
THE ANSWER IS…
24
International Stadiums named after them
• MA Chidambaram • Jawaharlal Nehru
• (Mayor) M Radhakrishna
There is only one country in North/Central
America that has the letter ‘z’ in its name.
Identify this country from its flag below.
25*
THE ANSWER IS…
25*
Belize
Name this Indian classical dance form that gets
its name from a form taken by Lord Vishnu to
protect Lord Shiva against Bhasmasura.
26
THE ANSWER IS…
26
Mohiniyattam
If you want to lie down like this and read a book, you will have to go to the ______ Sea.
Fill in the blank.
27
THE ANSWER IS…
27
Dead Sea
What are these ads promoting?
(10-letter word fills in the blank)
28
THE ANSWER IS…
28
Vegetarian(ism)
The Tata Group, which also owns the Landmark book
stores, is launching an airline in India branded Vistara,
under a Joint Venture called Tata-SIA.
Which international airline is their partner in this
venture?
29
THE ANSWER IS…
29
Singapore Airlines
Identify this animal, which can supposedly navigate and
orient itself using the stars in the Milky Way.
30*
THE ANSWER IS…
30*
Dung Beetle
Prelims Results in Progress. Finals will begin at 12:15 PM