A list of puzzling questions
Editor’s note: Every week, we feature three questions from our quiz master Shantanu Sharma—who is a researcher-writer, and has a side hustle as a professional quiz guru. He’d love to hear from you—so send your feedback/suggestions or just say ‘hi’ over at sharmashantanu312@gmail.com or @shantorasbox on Twitter.
How this works: Every correct answer is worth 10 points. If a question has multiple parts, each is worth 5 points. You have until Friday 12 pm to send in your answers to talktous@splainer.in or via DMs on Insta or Twitter. The correct answers will be published every Monday. The grand prize for the winner at the end of the month: a quarterly subscription for anyone of your choice—including the option of adding three months to your sub. That’s Rs 499 in value—so it’s pretty darn good:)
Rule to note: We will pick winners each month using a lucky draw.
The answers: to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom—as are the winners for the month of July.
One: At the Olympics this year, where specifically can you see (or not see) a glimpse of this colourful poster shown below?
Two: Connect the elements below that hint at the lesser-known talents of a multifaceted maestro.
(a) India’s premier literary institution
(b) A Tagore-inspired cover of a poetry volume
(c) A popular publishing house
Three: In the picture below, an author is celebrating an award received for comic brilliance. Name the author in the photo, and the literary great after whom the award is appropriately named. (5 + 5)
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: Named after its colour, which accolade acknowledges three weeks of gruelling persistence? Name the sporting event, and what achievement this accolade honours (no need to identify the man in pic)? (5+5)
Answer: Last place finisher at Tour de France
Lanterne Rouge, meaning "red lantern" in French, takes its name from the red lights at the end of a train's last car. Introduced in the 1903 Tour de France, it honours the last rider in the general classification who completes the race. While many abandon if they can't finish in the top positions, it rewards the motivation to finish, despite the odds. While the Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar became 2024’s overall winner, the British sprinting great Mark Cavendish likely ended his Tour de France career with the Lanterne Rouge.
Two: Think laterally and work out a historic achievement that may become a reality this year. Each image offers a clue to a fictional work that depicts this event. (the list is non-exhaustive).
(a) Careful, don’t let it fall
(b) A character from an ongoing sitcom
(c) Ignore the warning and gaze skywards.
Answer: A woman serving as President of the United States.
The three elements are ‘House of Cards’ (2013-18), Lisa Simpson, and ‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021).
Although many women have sought the presidency of the United States, none have achieved it yet. In fiction, though, ‘House of Cards’ had Claire Hale Underwood (portrayed by Robin Wright) who is an American politician and the 47th President of the United States. In the ‘Bart to the Future’ episode of ‘The Simpsons’ (March 19, 2000), Lisa Simpson is shown as the President of the US in 2030. In the satirical comedy ‘Don't Look Up’, Meryl Streep played US President Janie Orlean. So far, Hillary Clinton has represented the Democratic Party in 2016, and Kamala Harris is their 2024 nominee.
Three: For decades, the item in the top image was associated with an annual presentation. What item disrupted the tradition in 2019? This too was replaced in later years by the digital device at the bottom. Hint: Even though the symbols have changed, the announcements continue evoking the same bitter-sweet emotions—more bitter than sweet.
Answer: Bahi Khata or ledger for carrying the annual budget.
The word budget originates from the French “bougette,” meaning small leather bag/pouch. In 1860, Chancellor William Ewart Gladstone commissioned the first budget box, a wooden case. The UK since then has stuck to the red Gladstone box. Indian finance ministers have carried briefcases in various colours, including red, black, and tan. The briefcase tradition ended in 2019 when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chose a ‘Bahi Khata’ for her first Union Budget, a nod to Indian households and small businesses. In 2021, she switched to a digital tablet, which has continued to this year as well.
And the super quizzers for July are…
How we picked winners: This month, we continue our new system which involves a lucky draw among those with the most correct answers. You can see the lucky draw below:
Here is the leaderboard at the end of July. Congratulations to the lucky three for acing the splainer quiz! We will be emailing you soon with details of your prize—a quarterly splainer sub!
