THE 31st QUIZ

Another one:

1. What is the name of Iraq's largest Sunni party that withdrew from the Iraqi government in August 2007?
2. Islas de los Ladrones meaning "Islands of Thieves" is an alternative name for which archipelago?
3. Walid Eido, who was killed in an explosion in June 2007, was an MP in which country?
4. Which fish of the genus Istiophorus can reach speeds of 68.5mph, making it the fastest fish in the ocean?
5. According to Greek mythology, who was the Phoenician prince who founded the city of Thebes and became its first king?
6. In which English city was the first of the twelve Eleanor Crosses built in 1291?
7. Which European capital city was known to the Romans as Olisipo?
8. In which African country would you find the Great Bitter Lakes?
9. Which Roman Emperor, the son of Marcus Aurelius, believed himself to be the reincarnation of Hercules and had a passion for gladiatorial combat?
10. In which European country were the Ottoman Empire victorious at the Battle of Savra in 1385?
11. Who is the first Mongolian sumo wrestler to reach the rank of Yokozuna, who also became, in August 2007, the first Yokozuna to be suspended after he was recorded playing football with the Japanese international midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata while supposedly injured?
12. At 2925 metres Mount Rila is the highest point in which European country?
13. Which tennis player did Boris Becker defeat in the final to win his first Wimbledon title in 1985?
14. Built in 1814, what was the name of George Stephenson's first locomotive?
15. Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings led military coups in which African country in 1979 and 1981?
16. Who was the ancient Greek legislator who in the 7th Century BC laid down the first written constitution of Athens?
17. Which 19th Century ornithologist and painter illustrated the books 'The Birds of America' and 'Ornithological Biographies'?
18. How many of the United Kingdom's 66 cities are in Wales?
19. In 2005, which Elvis Presley song became the 1000th UK number 1 single?
20. Who was the German physicist and engineer who invented the first vacuum pump in 1650?
21. In August 2007, 'The Dandy' comic underwent a major image overhaul when it added which word to its original title?
22. What was the name of the late 19th and early 20th Century Austrian symbolist painter whose best known works include 'The Friends' and 'The Virgins'?
23. Native to New Guinea, what is the name of the world's largest butterfly?
24. Who became Asia's first female President when she replaced Ferdinand Marcos as the President of the Philippines in 1986?
25. Ashurbanipal, who died in 627BC, was the last great King of which ancient nation?
26. In 1990, a painting by Vincent van Gogh was sold for a then world-record $82.5 million at Christie’s, New York. What is the name of the painting?
27. The Brocken the highest peak in which German mountain range?
28. The chance to play which character in a 1972 film was reportedly turned down by Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Ryan O'Neal and Dustin Hoffman?
29. Which American novelist has used the pseudonyms Cameron Kay, Edgar Box and Katherine Everard?
30. Which American power pop band, formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1986 are best known for their singles 'Golden Blunders', 'Dream All Day' and 'Flavor of the Month'?
31. In August 2007, Mexican archaeologists announced the discovery of what is believed to be the tomb of which Aztec emperor?
32. Grodno, Gomel and Mogilev are major cities in which European country?
33. In 1973, which British yachtswoman and author became the first female to sail solo across the Atlantic?
34. Of what is alektorophobia the fear?
35. Who was the daughter of Priam in Greek mythology who defied Apollo and was thus condemned to accurately predict the future but never to be believed?
36. Which public park in northwest England was the world's first publicly-funded park?
37. The 1994 film 'Quiz Show'tells the true story of the 1950s scandal surrounding which American gameshow?
38. Puerto del Rosario is the capital of which of the Canary Islands?
39. Ralph Vaughan Williams' song cycle 'On Wenlock Edge' is a musical setting for the works of which English poet?
40. Which 1993 film stars John Goodman as the William Castle-inspired filmmaker Lawrence Woolsey?
41. In August 2007, which baseballer, a third baseman for the New York Yankees, became the youngest player ever to hit 500 home runs?
42. Lake Neusiedl straddles the border between Austria and which other country?
43. Who was the German scientist who discovered nuclear fission and was awarded the 1944 Nobel Prize for Chemistry?
44. Who, in 1675, was appointed the first Astronomer Royal?
45. Sometimes known as the 'pillar saints', what was the name given to ascetics of early Christian times that spent much of their days and nights perched on top of pillars?
46. Which Berkshire born actor played Marcus in the 2002 film 'About a Boy' and is currently starring as Tony in the E4 "dramedy" 'Skins'?
47. In which city are the headquarters of the World Meteorological Organisation?
48. Regarded as the father and creator of all, who is the chief god worshipped by the Zuni Indians of New Mexico?
49. What is the name of Dennis the Menace's pet spider?
50. What connects Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison and Jean-Paul Marat?


And the answers:


1. IRAQI ACCORD FRONT
2. MARIANA ISLANDS
3. LEBANON
4. SAILFISH
5. CADMUS
6. LINCOLN
7. LISBON
8. EGYPT
9. COMMODUS
10. ALBANIA
11. ASASHORYU AKINORI
12. BULGARIA
13. KEVIN CURREN
14. BLÜCHER
15. GHANA
16. DRACO
17. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON
18. 5 (BANGOR, CARDIFF, NEWPORT, ST DAVID'S & SWANSEA)
19. ONE NIGHT
20. OTTO VON GUERICKE
21. XTREME
22. GUSTAV KLIMT
23. QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S BIRDWING
24. CORAZON AQUINO
25. ASSYRIA
26. PORTRAIT OF DR GACHET
27. HARZ MOUNTAIN
28. MICHAEL CORLEONE (in THE GODFATHER)
29. GORE VIDAL
30. THE POSIES
31. AHUITZOTL
32. BELARUS
33. CLARE FRANCIS
34. CHICKENS
35. CASSANDRA
36. BIRKENHEAD PARK
37. TWENTY ONE
38. FUERTEVENTURA
39. AE HOUSMAN
40. MATINEE
41. ALEX RODRIGUEZ
42. HUNGARY
43. OTTO HAHN
44. JOHN FLAMSTEED
45. STYLITES
46. NICHOLAS HOULT
47. GENEVA
48. AWONAWILONA
49. DASHER
50. THEY ALL DIED IN THE BATHROOM