FUNDAMENTALS
Morocco ranks among the top choices in every travelers itinerary. Explore the sights and sound of this ancient country in this Sunday’s quiz.
Write with your suggestions, questions ( with answers) to senjam@ gmail. com.
MOROCCO
1. Which city in Morocco sometimes called the Mecca of the West and Athens of Africa is home to the world’s largest contiguous car- free urban area?
2. Casablanca was made famous by that famous Humphrey Bogart movie. Simple question, which scene of Casablanca was shot in Morocco?
3. The Hassan Tower in Rabat along with the mosque was intended to be the largest minaret and mosque in the Muslim world. Today it lies in an unfinished state because the Sultan who commissioned it died before it was completed. The tower is unique because it has ramps instead of stairs. Why?
4. Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech billed as the biggest and busiest square in Africa is a magical place that changes its colours, sight and smell as the day progresses. What does Djemaa el Fna literally mean?
5. Most Moroccan cities have modern section and old quarters. The old quarters are typically walled areas with many narrow and maze like streets. What name is given to the old city?
6. The Majorelle Garden in Marrakech was once owned by a French couturier who was so enamoured by the city that he bought a villa there. Name the couturier?
7. Rabat the capital city of Morocco has a sister city known for its grand mosque, markets and the harbour. Name the city?
8. ‘ Marrakesh Express’ the popular song was inspired by a trip taken on a train called ‘ Marrakesh Express’ from Casablanca in 1966. The lyrics are filled with the sights, sounds and vibes observed during this trip. Which group sang this song?
9. Which city on the foothills of the Atlas Mountains is known as Red City or Al Hamra because all buildings are ochre or red in colour?
10. Casablanca is the Spanish name for this Moroccan city. The Arabic name is Dar el Beida. The name of the city both in Arabic and Spanish means the same. What?
ANYTHING GOES
1. What term is given to words with silent alphabet( s) such as Honest, Island, Psychology etc ?( Sahasra, Secunderabad)
2. The FISM ( Federation Internationale des Societes Magiques) was founded in 1948 and has 97 members as of 2018. It conducts World Championships every 3 years. The event was conducted in South Korea in 2018. What is the event related to ?( U. N. Murthy, Secunderabad)
3. The first ever political party that claimed to represent the Dravidian community was called South indian Liberal Federation. How is this party better known as? ( S Chandra shekh ar, Chennai)
4. This word derives from the name of a French finance minister who, in 1759, was forced by France’s credit crisis during the Seven Years War to impose severe economic demands upon the French people, particularly the wealthy. Because of his austere economies, his name became synonymous with anything done or made with not much grandeur and so gave his name to these outline portraits, which is now an art form in itself ?( Dee Sure nd ran a th, Hyderabad)
5. Which group of science fiction readers describe themselves as ‘ Dickheads’ ( Avik Das, Mumbai)
6. While the North Eastern states are well known for producing good footballers , this sportsman is the only cricketer from Nagaland to play first class cricket . Who are we talking about? ( BK Harinath, Mysuru)
7. The British called it the French disease, the French called it the Italian disease, the Italians called it the Spanish disease and the Japanese called Manka bassam — the Portuguese disease. What is being referred to?( Partha Sarkar, Kolkata)
8. Article 3E of the Indian Constitution is the only article to have provisions to change what with regards to the states of India? ( Rajeev Lochan, Kolkata)