Last week, having progressed from school, we had university challenge! Now, let's see who's graduating at the top of the class:
"We must leave exactly on time - From now on, everything must function to perfection." Whose words were these, spoken to a station-master and quoted in 1939, part of the mythology that the trains always ran on time under Fascist dictatorships? MUSSOLINI
Which village near Vienna is the site of the hunting lodge where the Habsburg crown prince Rudolf and his paramour Mary Vetsera commited suicide in mysterious circumstances in 1889? MAYERLING
What name is that of an Arian Christian Germanic people who maintained a North African kingdom in the 5th and 6th centuries and who, under their king Gaiseric, sacked Rome in 455? VANDAL
In cytogenetics, what term describes the entire chromosomal complement of a cell which may be observed during mitotic metaphase? KARYOTYPE
'In the darkening twilight I saw a lone star hover gem-like above the bay.' This was the last diary entry of which explorer, written on January 5th 1922 at Grytviken in South Georgia? ERNEST SHACKLETON
Sao Vincente, Boa Vista and Santiago are among the islands of which republic? It gained its independence from Portugal in 1975, has a population of around half a million, and is situated around 600 kilometres from the coast of West Africa. CAPE VERDE
'The Strangest Man' by Graham Farmelo is a 2009 biography of which scientist, who applied Einstein's Theory of Relativity to quantum mechanics in order to describe the spin of an electron? In 1933 he shared the Nobel Prize for physics with Erwin Schrödinger? PAUL DIRAC
Often featuring in photographic illusions caused by forced perspective, which structure was begun in 1173 as the third and final structure of its city's cathedral complex? Designed to be 56 metres high, improvements to the foundations since 1990 have diminished its distinctive aberration. THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA
How did you do? Don't forget to share your results!
For a change this week, we thought we'd leave the drudgery of school and education behind. This week we're going big and bold - this week we're going to the carnival!
The city of _______ in Brazil hosts one of the most popular carnivals of the world today. São Leopoldo, São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro?
The city of _______ in Italy is famous for its carnival. Rome, Milan or Venice?
The city of _______ in France is famous for its carnival. Cannes, Paris or Nice?
The hat of the 'Gilles' of the Carnival of Binche in Belgium is covered by _______ feathers. Ostrich, eagle or Ibis?
Mardi Gras in America came from the city of _______. Mosses, Mobile or Midfield?
_______ cake is a New Orleans speciality exclusive to Mardi Gras season. Royal, King or Queen?
In scenic Galaxidi, Greece, Carnival festivities take place a bit later, according to the Greek Orthodox church calendar. Celebrations culminate in a peculiar 200-year-old tradition that sees revellers engage in a “war” using what kitchen staple as “ammunition”? Flour, sugar or eggs?
Battles involving foodstuffs are a popular Carnival theme. At Carnival time in Ivrea, Italy, you may want to wear a helmet and goggles to protect yourself from all the flying… Grapes, apples or oranges?
Blending Christian customs with those of indigenous cultures and African slaves, the Carnival celebrations in which Colombian city can claim to be the second-largest in the world? Bogotá, Cartagena or Barranquilla?