MASTERMINDS
1. In the House of Commons who is the current ‘Father of the House’?
2. Which stately home, by convention, is placed at the disposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
3. American Airlines has apologised to two basketball players who were kicked off a flight after being wrongly accused of stealing what?
4. Which Church of England bishop has criticised American religious leaders who support Donald Trump? 5. What type of animal is a caiman? 6. To what part of the world is the capybara native?
7. The parliamentary procedure which allows one or more MPs to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a proposal, by extending a debate is known as what?
8. How long does Prime Minister’s Question Time last?
9. In a parliamentary election what minimum percentage of the vote must a candidate achieve to avoid losing their deposit? 10. Which is the largest type of penguin? 11. What is the largest bird native to Australia?
12. What did South Yorkshire Police use to trick wanted criminals into handing themselves in?
13. The fossa is a cat-like mammal related to the mongoose and is found only in which country?
14. Which common British bird is a colourful mix of blue, yellow, white and green and weighs about the same as a one pound coin?
15. Whose circus started its first tour of the United States in 1835?
16. Who was the suffragette who was killed when she ran out in front of King George V’s horse, Anmer, at the Epsom Derby?
17. Which British Secretary of State for War resigned following a sex scandal in 1963?
18. 1649 was the year in which the King of England was executed. Who was he?
19. The Menai Suspension Bridge which connects Anglesey to the mainland was built by which Scottish Civil Engineer?
20. Sir Winston Churchill died and was buried in January of which year?
21. In 1856 Queen Victoria established the Victoria Cross to recognize acts of bravery during which war?
22. The first Holy Roman Emperor died in 814. What was his name?
23. In 1547, nine-year-old Edward VI became king following the death of his father. Who was his father?
24. What did James W. Marshall find at Sutter’s Mill near Sacramento in 1848?
25. What was the name on the Bronze Age civilisation which grew up on and around the island of Crete in the Mediterranean? 26. In what year did the Romans, led by Julius Caesar, first invade Britain? 27. In 1492 Columbus set sail on a voyage during which he discovered Hispaniola and Cuba. What was the name of his ship? 28. In 1819 at St Peter’s Field Manchester, cavalry was ordered to charge at a packed crowd of demonstrators. What did this tragedy become known as? 29. Henry Ford is credited with bringing affordable transportation to the mass market with which vehicle? 30. How old was Joan of Arc when she was burnt at the stake? a) 19 b) 23 c) 27