Big Quiz of the Year: 2012

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Questions: 100

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Questions

  1. At 2012 what is the most viewed non-commercial/non-professional Youtube video ever?
  2. What country experienced the world's biggest electricity power-cut in July 2012?
  3. The 21st century's second and last solar transit (across the Sun) of what planet happened in 2012?
  4. What organization won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize?
  5. What Sesame Street character featured in anti-Romney advertising in the 2012 US election?
  6. What successful football club announced in Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium an Adidas-sponsored yellow and navy-blue shirt for 2012-13 named 'Efsane Çubuklu Forma' ('Legendary Barred Kit')?
  7. Among Time magazine's 2012 100 Most Influential Persons in the World, Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller was elected leader for the second time of what Caribbean island?
  8. Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, granddaughter to King Carl XVI Gustaf, became 2nd in line to what nation's throne when born in 2012?
  9. A project led by broadcaster NHK and Tobu Railway Co, which city's 'Skytree' opened as the world's tallest self-supporting tower and 2nd largest building in 2012?
  10. Which bank was fined a record $1.9bn by US authorities for money-laundering in Dec 2012?
  11. Name the ex-construction worker who died in 2012, whose video-taped beating by Los Angeles police and their initial subsequent acquittals sparked the 1992 Los Angeles Riots?
  12. In 2012 'The Orphan of Zhao' became the first play of which country to be produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company?
  13. Lady Gaga cancelled her 2012 tour to which country after threats of chaos from protestors?
  14. Name the French president who began his term in 2012?
  15. What is the year 2012 in Roman numerals?
  16. Which famous hairdresser who died in 2012 created the wedge-bob?
  17. How many Sundays are in 2012?
  18. Who in 2012 made the first submarine solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the lowest point of the oceans (subsequently to release a 3D film of the dive)?
  19. Andy William's (1927-2012) TV Show featured what animal who liked cookies: Gorilla; Bear; Dog; or Racoon?
  20. A Judy Garland dress which sold for $302,000 in 2012 was worn in which movie?
  21. 2012 is the 50th anniversary of what short exclusively land-based war between two vast nations?
  22. Who began his speech, "Where is Dave?
  23. What Italian cruise ship tragically ran aground at Giglio Island, Italy, in Jan 2012?
  24. What event in the 2012 Olympics saw eight competitors disqualified for "not using best efforts"?
  25. Who won his seventh French Open Tennis Championship in 2012?
  26. Who became the oldest actor to win an Oscar in 2012?
  27. Name the retired software pioneer and 2012 fugitive from a murder inquiry who fled Belize and surfaced in Guatemala?
  28. What nationality is Carlos Slim, the richest person in the world according to Forbes 2012?
  29. Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, the world famous performance artist who died in 2012, is better known by what name?
  30. British actor Brian Cobby (1929-2012) provided the first male voice for what British announcements: Speaking Clock; British Rail; Harrods elevators; or Shipping (weather) forecasts?
  31. Davy Jones (1945-2012) fronted what popular 1960s pop group?
  32. Name the NASA Mars Science Laboratory rover which landed on Mars in 2012?
  33. Name the ancient 3,000-unit indoor market and city location of the motorbike chase in the 2012 film Skyfall (two answers required)?
  34. Name the RBS banker stripped of his knighthood in Jan 2012?
  35. Justin Welby was appointed to what famous old position in 2012?
  36. Jermaine Jackson filed a petition in 2012 to change which letter of his surname to what new letter?
  37. In which 2012 sporting event was the Chinese Ren Cancan defeated by its first ever female Olympic Gold medal winner?
  38. 2012 was the 300th anniversary of the world's first industrial steam-powered machine, which was a: Mill engine; Water pump; Locomotive; or Paddle-steamboat?
  39. What city hosted the richest (biggest prize) horse race in 2012?
  40. The 2012 global top-ten ranking website QQ.com, owned by Tencent corporation, is what nation's largest internet portal?
  41. In 2012 fossils of 1.9m years-old Homo rudolfensis were discovered in: Kenya; Australia; USA; or Iceland?
  42. Who famously accused Tony Abbott of sexism and misogyny in 2012?
  43. Which nation defied international warnings when launching a rocket in Dec 2012?
  44. The American Football Super Bowl final in 2012 is branded by what Roman numerals?
  45. Sir Patrick Moore, world-leading expert on astronomy for six decades who died in 2012, was technically qualified at what academic level: Professor; Doctor; or Amateur?
  46. In 2012 which vast multinational supermarket corporation recorded its first fall in profits since 1994?
  47. Which entertainer's gravestone was removed from a Scarborough UK cemetery in 2012?
  48. In which nation's London embassy did Wikileaks founder Julian Assange seek diplomatic asylum in 2012?
  49. Which 2002-founded UK budget airline ceased to operate in 2012?
  50. Name the famous moonwalking astronaut who died in 2012?
  51. In 2012 who became the first black person to feature on South African banknotes?
  52. Name the devastating mid/N American hurricane of Oct 2012?
  53. Which American singer, actress and model, said by Guinness World Records to be the most awarded ever, died in Los Angeles in 2012?
  54. Which English football manager was acquitted of tax evasion charges Jan 2012?
  55. Who was appointed US Republican Party nominee for Vice President of the United States Jan 2012?
  56. In 2012 who offered $5m to charity in return for Barack Obama's college and passport application records?
  57. The town of Schmallenberg in Germany gave its name informally to a virus discovered there which afflicted what across Europe in 2012: Cattle/Sheep/Goats; Trees; People; or Birds?
  58. Light a Penny Candle and Circle of Friends are books by which hugely popular Irish writer who died in 2012?
  59. What popular cartoon TV series celebrated 500 editions in 2012?
  60. Bradley Wiggins, British winner of the 2012 Tour de France is noted for his 'trademark': Sideburns; Goaty; Moustache; or Shaved head?
  61. In which city did the Rolling Stones play a 2012 surprise gig at Le Trabendo club to 350 fans for £12 each: Tokyo; Paris; London; or New York?
  62. What nationality is Felix Baumgartner, who skydived through the sound barrier in 2012?
  63. What public service opened in Cardiff prison, Wales, in 2012, staffed by inmates: Restaurant; Gym; Library; or Garden centre/center?
  64. Who played the part of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony?
  65. In 2012 British MP Nadine Dorries controversially appeared on what reality TV show: Big Brother; Survivor; I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here; or American Idol?
  66. 2012 was the 100th anniversary of the introduction of what Summer Olympics disciplines: Art and Music; Cooking and Patisserie; Flying and Gliding; or Puppetry and Ventriloquism?
  67. Which Eastern European nation saw protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Jan 2012?
  68. In 2012 which former Liberian president was found guilty of crimes against humanity?
  69. A pastel version of what artwork sold at a New York auction for a record $120m?
  70. What type of creature was Lonesome George, who in 2012 was the last of his subspecies to die?
  71. Whose first personal Twitter posting, in Dec 2012 from @pontifex, ended: "I bless you from my heart"?
  72. Kenyon Produce was the original name of what famous brand bought by Germany's Intersnack corporation in 2012?
  73. Chile experienced large and violent protests by whom in 2012, invoking comparisons with similar 2006 action called (after the protestors' uniforms) The Penguins' Revolution or The March of the Penguins: Public servants; Students; Waiters; or Nuns?
  74. The British warship HMS Dauntless was controversially deployed where in Jan 2012?
  75. The lease for which famous state building was sold in 2012 for a luxury hotel development: Admiralty Arch, London; Brandenburg Gate, Berlin; Arc de Triomphe, Paris; or Victory Arch of Constantine, Rome?
  76. The effective discovery of what particle was announced by CERN at the Large Hadron Collider in 2012?
  77. What two countries jointly hosted the 2012 EUFA European Football Championship; and who won and who came 2nd (four answers required)?
  78. Name the TV/movie actor who died in 2012 and starred in 1960s fantasy sitcom I Dream of Jeannie?
  79. Which famous person formally nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden as the Democratic Party candidates in the US 2012 general election?
  80. Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson are better known as what 2012 record-breaking unit?
  81. Which famous character from computing tweeted 'This is for everyone' in the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony?
  82. Pope Benedict XVI's 2012 book was his third in a three-volume series about: Religious Architecture; Jesus; The Vatican; or Catholic Cooking?
  83. Who wrote the 2012 Man Booker prizewinning novel Bring Up the Bodies?
  84. In 2012 what laconically-branded sport increased engine capacity from 800 cc to 1,000 cc?
  85. In 2012 Price Nayef became the second crown prince, after Prince Sultan, to die before ascending to the throne in which country?
  86. In 2012 what nation is the world's second-largest economy, the largest exporter and second-largest importer?
  87. Xi Jinping achieved the top-ranked position in China in 2012 in what field: Squash; Buddhism; Chess; Political leadership; or Computer games?
  88. Enrique Pena Nieto became president of which country in 2012?
  89. Which BBC Director General was appointed and resigned in 2012?
  90. 2012 is the 200th anniversary of the what European capital city's status, moved from Turku by Czar Alexander I of Russia?
  91. In the 2012 Olympics logo, what number contained the word 'London': The first 2; 0; 1; or The second 2?
  92. What did Chelmsford, Perth and St Asaph, UK, win in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 2012 Diamond Jubilee?
  93. Who wrote the 200 year-old letter auctioned for 150,000 euros in 2012, expressing a wish to destroy the Kremlin?
  94. Which international sportsman successfully switched to boxing, defeating US heavyweight Richard Dawson in 2012?
  95. Who became the youngest F1 triple champion (to date) in Nov 2012?
  96. What cartoon character featured on a $100,000 auctioned poster in Texas, Nov 2012?
  97. Name the tragic genius 'father of computing', and inventor of the eponymous seminal computer machine, whose 100th birthday would have been 23 Jun 2012?
  98. What top-selling UK newspaper was produced on Sundays for the first time in 2012?
  99. Who coached/managed both the England and Russia football teams during 2012?
  100. Name the best-selling educational author of the 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' who died in Idaho in 2012?

Questions & Answers

Interactive Quiz

  1. At 2012 what is the most viewed non-commercial/non-professional Youtube video ever?
    Charlie bit my finger 
  2. What country experienced the world's biggest electricity power-cut in July 2012?
    India
  3. The 21st century's second and last solar transit (across the Sun) of what planet happened in 2012?
    Venus
  4. What organization won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize?
    The European Union
  5. What Sesame Street character featured in anti-Romney advertising in the 2012 US election?
    Big Bird
  6. What successful football club announced in Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium an Adidas-sponsored yellow and navy-blue shirt for 2012-13 named 'Efsane Çubuklu Forma' ('Legendary Barred Kit')?
    Fenerbahçe SK 
  7. Among Time magazine's 2012 100 Most Influential Persons in the World, Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller was elected leader for the second time of what Caribbean island?
    Jamaica
  8. Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, granddaughter to King Carl XVI Gustaf, became 2nd in line to what nation's throne when born in 2012?
    Sweden
  9. A project led by broadcaster NHK and Tobu Railway Co, which city's 'Skytree' opened as the world's tallest self-supporting tower and 2nd largest building in 2012?
    Tokyo 
  10. Which bank was fined a record $1.9bn by US authorities for money-laundering in Dec 2012?
    HSBC
  11. Name the ex-construction worker who died in 2012, whose video-taped beating by Los Angeles police and their initial subsequent acquittals sparked the 1992 Los Angeles Riots?
    Rodney King
  12. In 2012 'The Orphan of Zhao' became the first play of which country to be produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company?
    China
  13. Lady Gaga cancelled her 2012 tour to which country after threats of chaos from protestors?
    Indonesia
  14. Name the French president who began his term in 2012?
    Francois Hollande
  15. What is the year 2012 in Roman numerals?
    MMXII
  16. Which famous hairdresser who died in 2012 created the wedge-bob?
    Vidal Sassoon
  17. How many Sundays are in 2012?
    53
  18. Who in 2012 made the first submarine solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the lowest point of the oceans (subsequently to release a 3D film of the dive)?
    James Cameron
  19. Andy William's (1927-2012) TV Show featured what animal who liked cookies: Gorilla; Bear; Dog; or Racoon?
    Bear
  20. A Judy Garland dress which sold for $302,000 in 2012 was worn in which movie?
    The Wizard of Oz
  21. 2012 is the 50th anniversary of what short exclusively land-based war between two vast nations?
    Sino-Indian War 
  22. Who began his speech, "Where is Dave?
    .." at the 2012 UK Conservative Party Conference? Boris Johnson
  23. What Italian cruise ship tragically ran aground at Giglio Island, Italy, in Jan 2012?
    Costa Concordia
  24. What event in the 2012 Olympics saw eight competitors disqualified for "not using best efforts"?
    Badminton 
  25. Who won his seventh French Open Tennis Championship in 2012?
    Rafael Nadal
  26. Who became the oldest actor to win an Oscar in 2012?
    Christopher Plummer
  27. Name the retired software pioneer and 2012 fugitive from a murder inquiry who fled Belize and surfaced in Guatemala?
    John McAfee
  28. What nationality is Carlos Slim, the richest person in the world according to Forbes 2012?
    Mexican
  29. Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, the world famous performance artist who died in 2012, is better known by what name?
    Ravi Shankar 
  30. British actor Brian Cobby (1929-2012) provided the first male voice for what British announcements: Speaking Clock; British Rail; Harrods elevators; or Shipping (weather) forecasts?
    Speaking Clock
  31. Davy Jones (1945-2012) fronted what popular 1960s pop group?
    The Monkees
  32. Name the NASA Mars Science Laboratory rover which landed on Mars in 2012?
    Curiosity
  33. Name the ancient 3,000-unit indoor market and city location of the motorbike chase in the 2012 film Skyfall (two answers required)?
    Grand Bazaar, Instanbul
  34. Name the RBS banker stripped of his knighthood in Jan 2012?
    Fred Goodwin
  35. Justin Welby was appointed to what famous old position in 2012?
    Archbishop of Canterbury
  36. Jermaine Jackson filed a petition in 2012 to change which letter of his surname to what new letter?
    O to U 
  37. In which 2012 sporting event was the Chinese Ren Cancan defeated by its first ever female Olympic Gold medal winner?
    Womens Boxing 
  38. 2012 was the 300th anniversary of the world's first industrial steam-powered machine, which was a: Mill engine; Water pump; Locomotive; or Paddle-steamboat?
    Water pump
  39. What city hosted the richest (biggest prize) horse race in 2012?
    Dubai 
  40. The 2012 global top-ten ranking website QQ.com, owned by Tencent corporation, is what nation's largest internet portal?
    China
  41. In 2012 fossils of 1.9m years-old Homo rudolfensis were discovered in: Kenya; Australia; USA; or Iceland?
    Kenya
  42. Who famously accused Tony Abbott of sexism and misogyny in 2012?
    Julia Gillard
  43. Which nation defied international warnings when launching a rocket in Dec 2012?
    North Korea
  44. The American Football Super Bowl final in 2012 is branded by what Roman numerals?
    XLVI 
  45. Sir Patrick Moore, world-leading expert on astronomy for six decades who died in 2012, was technically qualified at what academic level: Professor; Doctor; or Amateur?
    Amateur
  46. In 2012 which vast multinational supermarket corporation recorded its first fall in profits since 1994?
    Tesco
  47. Which entertainer's gravestone was removed from a Scarborough UK cemetery in 2012?
    Jimmy Savile
  48. In which nation's London embassy did Wikileaks founder Julian Assange seek diplomatic asylum in 2012?
    Ecuador
  49. Which 2002-founded UK budget airline ceased to operate in 2012?
    Bmibaby
  50. Name the famous moonwalking astronaut who died in 2012?
    Neil Armstrong
  51. In 2012 who became the first black person to feature on South African banknotes?
    Nelson Mandela
  52. Name the devastating mid/N American hurricane of Oct 2012?
    Sandy
  53. Which American singer, actress and model, said by Guinness World Records to be the most awarded ever, died in Los Angeles in 2012?
    Whitney Houston
  54. Which English football manager was acquitted of tax evasion charges Jan 2012?
    Harry Redknapp
  55. Who was appointed US Republican Party nominee for Vice President of the United States Jan 2012?
    Paul Ryan
  56. In 2012 who offered $5m to charity in return for Barack Obama's college and passport application records?
    Donald Trump
  57. The town of Schmallenberg in Germany gave its name informally to a virus discovered there which afflicted what across Europe in 2012: Cattle/Sheep/Goats; Trees; People; or Birds?
    Cattle/Sheep/Goats
  58. Light a Penny Candle and Circle of Friends are books by which hugely popular Irish writer who died in 2012?
    Maeve Binchy
  59. What popular cartoon TV series celebrated 500 editions in 2012?
    The Simpsons
  60. Bradley Wiggins, British winner of the 2012 Tour de France is noted for his 'trademark': Sideburns; Goaty; Moustache; or Shaved head?
    Sideburns
  61. In which city did the Rolling Stones play a 2012 surprise gig at Le Trabendo club to 350 fans for £12 each: Tokyo; Paris; London; or New York?
    Paris
  62. What nationality is Felix Baumgartner, who skydived through the sound barrier in 2012?
    Austrian
  63. What public service opened in Cardiff prison, Wales, in 2012, staffed by inmates: Restaurant; Gym; Library; or Garden centre/center?
    Restaurant
  64. Who played the part of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony?
    Kenneth Branagh
  65. In 2012 British MP Nadine Dorries controversially appeared on what reality TV show: Big Brother; Survivor; I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here; or American Idol?
    I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here
  66. 2012 was the 100th anniversary of the introduction of what Summer Olympics disciplines: Art and Music; Cooking and Patisserie; Flying and Gliding; or Puppetry and Ventriloquism?
    Art/Music 
  67. Which Eastern European nation saw protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Jan 2012?
    Hungary
  68. In 2012 which former Liberian president was found guilty of crimes against humanity?
    Charles Taylor
  69. A pastel version of what artwork sold at a New York auction for a record $120m?
    The Scream
  70. What type of creature was Lonesome George, who in 2012 was the last of his subspecies to die?
    Tortoise 
  71. Whose first personal Twitter posting, in Dec 2012 from @pontifex, ended: "I bless you from my heart"?
    The Pope 
  72. Kenyon Produce was the original name of what famous brand bought by Germany's Intersnack corporation in 2012?
    KP 
  73. Chile experienced large and violent protests by whom in 2012, invoking comparisons with similar 2006 action called (after the protestors' uniforms) The Penguins' Revolution or The March of the Penguins: Public servants; Students; Waiters; or Nuns?
    Students
  74. The British warship HMS Dauntless was controversially deployed where in Jan 2012?
    The Falklands/Islas Malvinas
  75. The lease for which famous state building was sold in 2012 for a luxury hotel development: Admiralty Arch, London; Brandenburg Gate, Berlin; Arc de Triomphe, Paris; or Victory Arch of Constantine, Rome?
    Admiralty Arch, London
  76. The effective discovery of what particle was announced by CERN at the Large Hadron Collider in 2012?
    Higgs boson
  77. What two countries jointly hosted the 2012 EUFA European Football Championship; and who won and who came 2nd (four answers required)?
    Poland and Ukraine hosted - Spain beat Italy 
  78. Name the TV/movie actor who died in 2012 and starred in 1960s fantasy sitcom I Dream of Jeannie?
    Larry Hagman
  79. Which famous person formally nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden as the Democratic Party candidates in the US 2012 general election?
    Bill Clinton
  80. Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson are better known as what 2012 record-breaking unit?
    One Direction 
  81. Which famous character from computing tweeted 'This is for everyone' in the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony?
    Tim Berners-Lee
  82. Pope Benedict XVI's 2012 book was his third in a three-volume series about: Religious Architecture; Jesus; The Vatican; or Catholic Cooking?
    Jesus
  83. Who wrote the 2012 Man Booker prizewinning novel Bring Up the Bodies?
    Hilary Mantel
  84. In 2012 what laconically-branded sport increased engine capacity from 800 cc to 1,000 cc?
    MotoGP 
  85. In 2012 Price Nayef became the second crown prince, after Prince Sultan, to die before ascending to the throne in which country?
    Saudi Arabia
  86. In 2012 what nation is the world's second-largest economy, the largest exporter and second-largest importer?
    China
  87. Xi Jinping achieved the top-ranked position in China in 2012 in what field: Squash; Buddhism; Chess; Political leadership; or Computer games?
    Political leadership
  88. Enrique Pena Nieto became president of which country in 2012?
    Mexico
  89. Which BBC Director General was appointed and resigned in 2012?
    George Entwhistle
  90. 2012 is the 200th anniversary of the what European capital city's status, moved from Turku by Czar Alexander I of Russia?
    Helsinki 
  91. In the 2012 Olympics logo, what number contained the word 'London': The first 2; 0; 1; or The second 2?
    The first 2
  92. What did Chelmsford, Perth and St Asaph, UK, win in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 2012 Diamond Jubilee?
    City status
  93. Who wrote the 200 year-old letter auctioned for 150,000 euros in 2012, expressing a wish to destroy the Kremlin?
    Napoleon Bonaparte
  94. Which international sportsman successfully switched to boxing, defeating US heavyweight Richard Dawson in 2012?
    Andrew Flintoff 
  95. Who became the youngest F1 triple champion (to date) in Nov 2012?
    Sebastian Vettel
  96. What cartoon character featured on a $100,000 auctioned poster in Texas, Nov 2012?
    Mickey Mouse
  97. Name the tragic genius 'father of computing', and inventor of the eponymous seminal computer machine, whose 100th birthday would have been 23 Jun 2012?
    Alan Turing
  98. What top-selling UK newspaper was produced on Sundays for the first time in 2012?
    The Sun
  99. Who coached/managed both the England and Russia football teams during 2012?
    Fabio Capello
  100. Name the best-selling educational author of the 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' who died in Idaho in 2012?
    Stephen Covey 
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