Quizzes & Puzzles 30

Some new problems with which to exercise the brain. But first a look at answers and solutions to Quizzes & Puzzles 29. New problems below the image (cartoon).

Answer to Quiz 29:1

There are many fans of horror at this platform; let's ask about two real horror classics. Most people are familiar with the names Frankenstein and Dracula.

Who (or what) were they? (Think carefully before you answer, because here lies a trap.)

Who wrote the original story about Frankenstein?

And who wrote the original story about Dracula?

The story of Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley; and Bram Stoker wrote about Dracula. @jstjylrd_ knew this.

Dracula is a vampire, indeed a pioneer vampire, as @Danika expressed it. As well @Danika as @jstjylrd_ provided the right answer.

But who or what was Frankenstein? A monster, even a created monster? No, Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein, was the scientist who created the monster – not the monster itself. This was the trap I mentioned in the question.

I you want to read more about Dracula, read my article The Ultimate Vampire.

I have also written an analysis of Frankenstein: Frankenstein, Religion & Creativity. It deals with a deep problem, namely (I quote from my article):

“To what extent is Victor Frankenstein responsible for his monster's misdeeds? More generally; to what extent is a creator responsible for the consequences of his creation? Or has he (the creator) obligations to his creation?”

Answer to Quiz 29:2

In many great cities, there is a large museum of art, well-known by its mere name. So let me give you the name of three museums, and you tell me in which cities they are.

• Prado?

• The Louvre?

• The Hermitage?

Prado is in Madrid (Spain); The Louvre is in Paris (France), and The Hermitage is in St. Petersburg (Russia). @jstjylrd_ gave us the right cities.

Answer to Quiz 29:3

In ancient times, one star was sometimes believed to be a “second sun”, adding to the sun's heat if it were in conjunction with it. Which star was that?

It was Sirius, the “Dog Star”.

In The Dog Star & The Dog Days, I wrote:

“Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, so ancient peoples thought it added to the sun's heat when it was in conjunction with the sun. This most evidently was the case with the Romans. Also the Egyptians considered Sirius as a second sun.“

If you are interested in this subject, you can read about The Dog Star & the Dog Days - Sirius & the Egyptian Calendar.

Answer to Quiz 29:4

A well-known fruit cultivar is named after Maria Ann Smith. Which fruit are we talking about? (Only one is right.)

• A grape?

• An apple?

• A pear?

• A plum?

• A tomato?

The cultivar named after Maria Ann Smith is the well-known apple Granny Smith, a green, hard, and sour apple sort, originally created in Australia.

@jstjylrd_ answered correctly, “a green apple”.

Answer to Quiz 29:5

Normally cats, big and small, are solitaires. That is to say, they live their lives alone, except when mating or for females having babies. One of the big cats, however, is genuinely social – which one?

Lions are the only social cats. @Aimure and @Danika provided this answer.

Answer to Quiz 29:6

From what comes the red in the eyes of an albino? What causes the red colour?

The eyes of an albino contain no pigments; the red colour is simply the colour of blood. All eyes have it, but normally pigment colour hides it.

The champion of “Quizzes & Puzzles 29” is @jstjylrd_, who provided several right answers.

And now some new exercises for brain & memory...

Quiz 30:1

If, in directions to music (sheet music), you find the abbreviation “sfz”, what does it mean​?

Quiz 30:2

In Norse mythology, the chief god, Odin, has two ravens. Every morning they gather news for their master. What are the ravens' names? (Incidentally, the names mean “thought” and “memory”.)

Quiz 30:3

A small country in the Caribbean has two times in history declared itself an Empire. None of these in reality insignificant two empires survived its first megalomaniac emperor. Which country was that? (It still exists today.)

Quiz 30:4

A certain flower symbolised secrecy for the old Romans. Hanging over a table, it meant that the conversation there was to remain confidential. There is an expression based on that custom which is sometimes used (quoted in Latin) even today.

What flower, and what expression?

Quiz 30:5

Who was created first, Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse?

Quiz 30:6

Were birds the first vertebrates to develop powered flight? I not, what did it before them?

You'll find answers and solutions in the next “Quizzes & Puzzles”.

Quizzes & Puzzles has its own label in my Index, where all issues of the series can be found.

In my INDEX, you can find all my writings on Read.Cash, sorted by topic.

Copyright © 2022 Meleonymica/Mictorrani. All Rights Reserved

(Cartoon by Christian Dorn/Pixabay, CC0/Public Domain.)