Conducted by Quiz Club NITW on 21st March 2023. Themed on fun facts and amazing fundas on general topics. The set above consists of questions from both the Prelims and Finals conducted for team qualified in branch qualifiers rounds.
Special Thanks to Aabhaas Dasgupta for his value contributions in making the set !
3. Rules
● 15 questions
● +1 point per question. Part points everywhere. No negatives
● Every question has the hints- with subtle hints in framing. Focus on the bold
parts carefully
● Numbers are helpful in certain questions
● Most questions are well known stuff!
● Blanks are indicative everywhere
● Think logically, but don’t overthink
6. Question 1
Vyakarnam Anjenaya ______ is a 1964 batch alum who was one of the
co-founders of Infosys and later on created many startups too, showing his
entrepreneurial bend of mind.
How is he immortalised in his alma mater?
7. Question 2
This was a documentary film about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, and the impact these bombings had on the people. The film told the
story of both locations.
What is the name of this movie, which is same as that of one the most popular
English works of literature from the 19th century?
8. Question 3
A few years back, Russian Gas Giant Gazprom wanted to set up a Business in
Nigeria. However, the name of this joint venture faced severe backlash due to the
obvious connotations, and they finally reversed the way in which they formed the
name.
What was the original name they came up with- which is even more offensive in
the post-George Floyd world?
9. Question 4
This is a Twitter joke about arguably the most famous/infamous hashtag of
recent times- and given the actual results, a hashtag that eventually failed.
#_______-_______ is not possible. The former played for England in 1970s while
the latter played for India in 2000s”
Which hashtag- with a ‘shameless’ connect- is being talked about/Who are these
two cricketers mentioned?
10. Question 5
Very aptly given the theme, the opening credits of a recent Indian show has -
among a lot of colours and patterns- imagery of Mangalyaan, Sanchi Stupa, and a
very prominent Indian.
All this had a very real connection to the show, irrespective of what the show
might appear to be.
Which show is this?
11. Question 6
What is the XKCD comic in the next slide about, something all of us have to
annoyingly face often?
12. Question 7
In the medieval times, the concept of a rainbow only had the colours - red, yellow,
green, blue and violet.
Sir Isaac Newton took inspiration from a favourite pastime of his - very common
even today - and added the two colours indigo and orange to the rainbow . This
contribute was ‘instrumental’ in how we know the rainbow today.
What about that passtime inspired Newton to add these colours?
13. Question 8
The new headquarters of defence of a
certain country has buildings catering to
the various departments - four on one side
and four on other.
What is the name of this building,
analogous to a much more famous
structure?
14. Question 9
Air pollution from extreme dust, smoking, and other related activities has been a
known cause of birth of underweight babies.
As an extension to this, a research report at Journal of the American Medical
Association tracked a group of women in a neighbourhood who had become
pregnant sometime in the beginning of the century. They found that the study
holds even for this kind of air pollution.
What was the cause of this air pollution?
15. Question 10
Born in 1868 in Winningen,Germany, August Horch is a pioneer in his field. In 1899
he founded the company A.Horch and Co, but was forced out of his company by
the board of directors.
He then created another company in the same field, and named it for a very apt
reason. In a twist of fate, the company later bought Horch, thus adding a nice ring
to the story.
What did he name his new company?
16. Question 11
Shown here is the flat structure of a chemical molecule,
synthesised in the late 1960s, and named after the structure’s
look, and a famous event happening in the world and beyond.
Another very apt connection is the specific number of carbon on
which the -OH group is present.
What is the molecule named after/What is the event? Very aptly,
which numbered carbon atom is the -OH present on?
17. Question 12
These are the symptoms of this medical phenomenon
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedalio______(last 6 letters blanked)
Reading avoidance,Sweating,Dry mouth,Fainting,Anxiousness,Nausea,Lack of
control,Shortness of breath,Dizziness
Very aptly, what is this 35-worded phenomenon all about?
18. Question 13
An article in a magazine discussed how show business and bollywood have a
nexus with the narcotics industry. It focused on how stars travel through the
maze of drugs network, and how it finally leads to a horrible experience.
The article was aptly titled ___ ____(3,4).
What is the name of the article- a phrase(or its acronym) commonly used by
youth whenever they feel something ‘not so good’ has happened?
19. Question 14
He was beautiful. He was the point of difference. He has always been the point of
difference. Unparalleled, and maybe today, there will, of course, be those who
argue. Always be those who debate and the debate can rage on if you like. But as
he falls in love with the object in the world that his heart most desired, it is hard
to escape the supposition that he has rendered himself today - the ________ __ ___
____
These were the words heard by millions around the globe in December last year.
What was the occasion for these lines to be heard? What four worded term(more
famous as a zoological acronym) fills the blank?
20. Question 15
Recently, Indian car owners of a certain car brand in the city of Edison, New
Jersey - to celebrate a global victory for their country, went about flashing their
lights in a synchronized fashion to something.
Which car brand(ironic due to the geography) was this? What entity- with a local
connect and all over the news- did they sync their lights too/ What were they
celebrating?
22. Question 1
Vyakarnam Anjenaya ______ is a 1964 batch alum who was one of the
co-founders of Infosys and later on created many startups too, showing his
entrepreneurial bend of mind.
How is he immortalised in his alma mater?
24. Question 2
This was a documentary film about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, and the impact these bombings had on the people. The film told the
story of both locations.
What is the name of this movie, which is same as that of one the most popular
English works of literature from the 19th century?
25.
26. Question 3
A few years back, Russian Gas Giant Gazprom wanted to set up a Business in
Nigeria. However, the name of this joint venture faced severe backlash due to the
obvious connotations, and they finally reversed the way in which they formed the
name.
What was the original name they came up with- which is even more offensive in
the post-George Floyd world?
28. Question 4
This is a Twitter joke about arguably the most famous/infamous hashtag of
recent times- and given the actual results, a hashtag that eventually failed.
#_______-_______ is not possible. The former played for England in 1970s while
the latter played for India in 2000s”
Which hashtag- with a ‘shameless’ connect- is being talked about/Who are these
two cricketers mentioned?
30. Question 5
Very aptly given the theme, the opening credits of a recent Indian show has -
among a lot of colours and patterns- imagery of Mangalyaan, Sanchi Stupa, and a
very prominent Indian.
All this had a very real connection to the show, irrespective of what the show
might appear to be.
Which show is this?
31.
32. The credits of Farzi shows the process of making currency notes!
The Indian of course is Gandhi
33. Question 6
What is the XKCD comic in the next slide about, something all of us have to
annoyingly face often?
35. Question 7
In the medieval times, the concept of a rainbow only had the colours - red, yellow,
green, blue and violet.
Sir Isaac Newton took inspiration from a favourite pastime of his - very common
even today - and added the two colours indigo and orange to the rainbow . This
contribute was ‘instrumental’ in how we know the rainbow today.
What about that passtime inspired Newton to add these colours?
38. Question 8
The new headquarters of defence of a
certain country has buildings catering to
the various departments - four on one side
and four on other.
What is the name of this building,
analogous to a much more famous
structure?
39.
40. Question 9
Air pollution from extreme dust, smoking, and other related activities has been a
known cause of birth of underweight babies.
As an extension to this, a research report at Journal of the American Medical
Association tracked a group of women in a neighbourhood who had become
pregnant sometime in the beginning of the century. They found that the study
holds even for this kind of air pollution.
What was the cause of this air pollution?
41.
42. Question 10
Born in 1868 in Winningen,Germany, August Horch is a pioneer in his field. In 1899
he founded the company A.Horch and Co, but was forced out of his company by
the board of directors.
He then created another company in the same field, and named it for a very apt
reason. In a twist of fate, the company later bought Horch, thus adding a nice ring
to the story.
What did he name his new company?
43.
44.
45. Question 11
Shown here is the flat structure of a chemical molecule,
synthesised in the late 1960s, and named after the structure’s
look, and a famous event happening in the world and beyond.
Another very apt connection is the specific number of carbon on
which the -OH group is present.
What is the molecule named after/What is the event? Very aptly,
which numbered carbon atom is the -OH present on?
46. Apolloane, named after its resemblance to a rocket and the Apollo
moon landings
The -OH is placed on carbon 11, to get apolloane-11-ol, referring to Apollo 11.
Also, this is question no 11.
47. Question 12
These are the symptoms of this medical phenomenon
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedalio______(last 6 letters blanked)
Reading avoidance,Sweating,Dry mouth,Fainting,Anxiousness,Nausea,Lack of
control,Shortness of breath,Dizziness
Very aptly, what is this 35-worded phenomenon all about?
48.
49. Question 13
An article in a magazine discussed how show business and bollywood have a
nexus with the narcotics industry. It focused on how stars travel through the
maze of drugs network, and how it finally leads to a horrible experience.
The article was aptly titled ___ ____.
What is the name of the article- a phrase(or its acronym) commonly used by
youth whenever they feel something ‘not so good’ has happened?
50.
51.
52.
53. Question 14
He was beautiful. He was the point of difference. He has always been the point of
difference. Unparalleled, and maybe today, there will, of course, be those who
argue. Always be those who debate and the debate can rage on if you like. But as
he falls in love with the object in the world that his heart most desired, it is hard
to escape the supposition that he has rendered himself today - the ________ __ ___
____
These were the words heard by millions around the globe in December last year.
What was the occasion for these lines to be heard? What four worded term(more
famous as a zoological acronym) fills the blank?
54.
55. Question 15
Recently, Indian car owners of a certain car brand in the city of Edison, New
Jersey - to celebrate a global victory for their country, went about flashing their
lights in a synchronized fashion to something.
Which car brand(ironic due to the geography) was this? What entity- with a local
connect and all over the news- did they sync their lights too/ What were they
celebrating?
60. Rules
● 16 questions in dries - 8 each in clockwise and 8 anti-clockwise
● A written round of 4 questions in between
● +10/-5 for pounce. +10/0 on bounce
● Normal pounce rules apply
● There is a subtle theme in the questions of the first round
62. Question 1
William Williams is a radio personality who died in 1996. A famous radio
broadcaster for around 4 decades, the reason he is featuring here is nothing to do
with radios or entertainment, but because of a chant he used in the beginning of
his show "Make Believe Ballroom".
This chant is probably better known to us from an excerpt from a 1974 book- the
first book arguably on a subject. And the rest, as they say, is history.
What is this specific chant, that all of us have come across at some point of life?
63.
64.
65. Question 2
A certain chemical reaction was the hydrolysis of ergoline alkaloids. This fact
gives the name to the first word of a famous acronym.
Which word am I talking about/What is this all about?
68. Question 3
GATTACA is a 1997 American dystopian science fiction film which presents a
biopunk vision of a future society driven by eugenics where potential children are
conceived through genetic selection to ensure they possess the best hereditary
traits of their parents.
How is the name of the movie very apt considering the theme?
69.
70. The name GATTACA contains only the letters A,T,G,C
which are the four nucleobases of DNA
71. Question 4
In the 19th century, a lot of discoveries were taking place in a certain discipline of
science.
The researchers wanted to use the Latin language to pay tribute to the source of
discovery/where they were derived from. The tradition still remains in this field
even till this date.
What specifically is the tradition being talked about here, which is something all
of us have come across in our school/college days?
72.
73. Adding ‘ium’ at the end of names of metals
Eg. Helium- Derived from sun, Sodium- Derived from soda etc.
74. Question 5
In 1910, Ohio, an ad for a job came up as follows- " Plain sewing wanted".
This lady, a seamstress applied for the job, thinking it to be a routine work. Later
she realised that there was a slight miscommunication in the ad, and the job in
hand was actually complicated. However, she performed admirably, and is now
known as the first female worker in her industry - much to the delight of her
famous employers.
What was the confusion about? Who were her employers?
75.
76.
77. Question 6
In cardiovascular dynamics, pressure differences in the form of cardiac output
and vessel compliance create blood flow. Thus these quantities share a
proportional relationship, and greater pressure difference helps in overcoming
the hindrance provided by the blood vessels.
What is this relationship called - due to being analogous to something from
Physics?
78.
79.
80. Question 7
Putzmeister is a German manufacturer of concrete pumps and other equipment
for pumping, distributing and placing concrete, mortar and other similar solids.
In the first decade of the 21st century, they were asked for a new, large, super
high-pressure trailer concrete pump in Asia. However, the concrete used was
facing another problem(due to the natural conditions of the area), leading to a
‘jugaad’ solution- which was economically feasible, and pretty common in this
part of the world.
This wasn’t their first tryst with challenges- their involvement in the 1980s in
Europe for pumping out 300,000 m³ of concrete was a world record.
What was the ‘jugaad’ solution to the problem? What is the 1980s context?
81.
82. The concrete for construction of Burj Khalifa was poured during
night!
The high temperatures of the Gulf during the day
were causing the issue
84. Question 8
Engineers at the Institute for Basic Science in Seoul, South Korea, have come up
with a way to make lightweight, flexible fuel cells that could one day be used in
wearable and roll-up devices.
The new fuel cells,have a flexible 3D structure that enables them to be easily
folded and bent, with the potential to reduce the volume by 50 per cent.
What specific activity/passtime- more associated with a neighbouring country -
inspired all this activity in Seoul?
90. Written Round
● Four questions on Indians winning global awards/trophies/competitions
● +10 for each correct
● No negatives
91. Question 1
After Naatu Naatu’s historic win at the Oscars, RRR came up with this tweet
Many on Twitter replied on this that this is probably a wrong tweet due to events
from 2008-09. However, the assertion in this tweet is technically correct.
What is this technicality about(Need a proper noun and a logic)?
92. Question 2
Ei Monihar Aamaye, naa hi shaaje
(This pearl necklace, does not suit me)
The above is the lyrics and translation of a famous Bangla song composed in
1912-1913, where the composer/lyricist is being humble about a then event.
What is the even that is being talked about?(Need a proper noun and the event)
93. Question 3
Following is the Biography from the Magsaysay Award website for a 2006 winner
On his first day with the _______ _______ _______, he had a heart-to-heart talk
with his boss. “In the first few years of your service, you should make sufficient
money for yourself so that you can appear to be honest for the rest of your life”
the young man was advised.
Whose biography is this? Which specific ‘service’ - a dream of many - fills the
blanks?
94. Question 4
In 2007, scientists in India were researching on tree frogs and found that the pads
on their feet have a sticky coating. Among the application of the coating is one
that could revolutionise a certain field, by making certain products for a subset of
professionals, which could help them in reducing errors in their jobs (caused due
to improper equipment). In a way, the equipment has a visual relation to frog feet.
It's probably not a coincidence that all this was happening when a famous
individual in this field had got into a leadership position in India, making the
country proud with his achievements for the nation. Further success came four
years later too.
What are the specific objects being talked about?Who is this person?
96. Question 1
After Naatu Naatu’s historic win at the Oscars, RRR came up with this tweet
Many on Twitter replied on this that this is probably a wrong tweet due to events
from 2008-09. However, the assertion in this tweet is technically correct.
What is this technicality about(Need a proper noun and a logic)?
97. Slumdog Millionaire was a British production!
Hence, AR Rahman’s Oscar win for Jai Ho is technically not India’s Oscar
98. Question 2
Ei Monihar Aamaye, naa hi shaaje
(This pearl necklace, does not suit me)
The above is the lyrics and translation of a famous Bangla song composed in
1912-1913, where the composer/lyricist is being humble about a then event.
What is the even that is being talked about?(Need a proper noun and the event)
100. Question 3
Following is the Biography from the Magsaysay Award website for a 2006 winner
On his first day with the _______ _______ _______, he had a heart-to-heart talk
with his boss. “In the first few years of your service, you should make sufficient
money for yourself so that you can appear to be honest for the rest of your life”
the young man was advised.
Whose biography is this? Which specific ‘service’ - a dream of many - fills the
blanks?
102. Question 4
In 2007, scientists in India were researching on tree frogs and found that the pads
on their feet have a sticky coating. Among the application of the coating is one
that could revolutionise a certain field, by making certain products for a subset of
professionals, which could help them in reducing errors in their jobs (caused due
to improper equipment). In a way, the equipment has a visual relation to frog feet.
It's probably not a coincidence that all this was happening when a famous
individual in this field had got into a leadership position in India, making the
country proud with his achievements for the nation. Further success came four
years later too.
What are the specific objects being talked about?Who is this person?
105. Question 9
The genesis of this industry in a certain Indian town is supposed to be as follows.
A caravan of certain Persian artisans, it is said, on its way to the Mughal court
was waylaid and injured by dacoits on the Grand Trunk Road. They were rescued
and given shelter by local villagers. The master weaver of the group decided to
settle down here and share his skills with his benefactors.
The connection between this town and this industry was solidified by the choice
of a character’s name in q famous pop-culture context.
Which industry am I talking about? What is this nominal choice?
106.
107.
108.
109. Question 10
In mid 2017, a hashtag-#”A ____ ______(4,6)” became viral all across the globe,
especially in a certain famous urban area of England, in wake of a ghastly
incident there. The hashtag meant to show how people were together in these
troubled times in that place.
A great example of this was seen when a certain entity based posted it in honour
of their biggest rival. Incidentally, the hashtag beautifully captures the name of
the rivals. Both these rivals have millions of people across the world cheering for
them, especially on weekends.
Fill in the blanks with the names of these two rivals.
110.
111.
112. Question 11
The Institut du Monde Arabe is a Parisian museum. Inspired by Islamic
architecture, it is most well known for a certain biomimicry from the animal
kingdom.
This is the reason why people looking at the building at different times of the
same day see slight variations in the structure.
What is the reasons for these variations/What from the animal kingdom is it
inspired by? Image follows.
113.
114.
115.
116. Question 12
In French, the word for a “little flower” is fleurette. This led to the expression
“conter fleurette” which meant "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower
petals”.
The French word got shortened to reach its current form to denote a similar
action of playful romance, although nowadays flowers aren't really used now.
What very common word/action derives its name from ‘fleurette’?
117.
118. Explanation- Fleurette got shortened to flirt,and the context of romance exists
Flirt(shortening of fleurette)
119. Question 13
This is Bert McCracken of the band “The Used” talking about the inspiration for
one of their works.
“I’ve always been a bit obsessed with ________ ____,” McCracken says. “I really
dug deep into the ____ and its author, ____ ______. A lot of people thought he was
the devil back then. He had a huge problem with the show of opulence from the
Church. His ____ is about the failed revolution against the Church of England,
which is Satan’s failed revolution on earth. And what’s more incredible or exciting
than a failed revolution?”
Which literary work from around 350 years ago is this based on?
120.
121.
122. Question 14
The model code of conduct imposed by the Election Commission of India before
the election process commences and continues until completion provides that
campaigning shall stop 48 hours prior to commencement of polling. It further
restricts canvassing within 100 meters of polling station.
In a weird complain, an advocate argues that a certain famous political party
violates this in a very obvious way by humans in every polling booth across the
nation, and therefore their symbol should be banned.
What is this specific case of violation- which is nonsensical but technically makes
sense- is being talked about here?
123.
124. Since there would always be human hands present in every
polling booth!
125. Question 15
The amount of paradox in this character’s name is too high. Her first name is
derived from an old Scottish word meaning pain or suffering. Her middle name is
Jane- which has a sweeter meaning- due to which the middle-name of a lead
character was changed to Jean.
However, we mostly know her through her surname, and it comes from a Latin
word meaning shadow/shade and later developed to suspicion. This etymology is
suitable since she is always suspicious of people around her. An extremely
common man-made object shares the etymological root with this word.
Who is this (in)famous character from the world of literature and movies?
128. Question 16
While he was an amateur photographer, he bought a very advanced camera. His
teacher , being unimpressed,took away the camera and returned with a smaller
device that only took blurry photos with a certain limitation. The teacher believed
that this restriction would enable him to take better photos.
A few years later in 2010 when he ventured into his biggest claim to fame, he
decided to use the same limitation in it. The restriction still exists, however there
are certain workarounds available for the user.
What is his claim to fame? What is the restriction being talked about?