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.
Shantanu sez: I’m delighted to announce that this marks the 50th edition of our weekly quiz! It has been an absolute pleasure curating these questions for the wonderful Splainer community. My heartfelt thanks go out to the editorial team and our dedicated readers for making this journey such a success.
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.
Here’s to keeping the quizzing spirit alive and kicking in all of us!
The answers: to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom—as are the winners for the first week of October.
One: Back in 2007, a two-time Oscar winner played the role of this legendary American singer-songwriter. ID the actor and the film. (5+5)
Two: Connect these festive treats with an annual celebration, the largest of its kind.
Three: What major announcement has these reporters on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting for the big reveal? How does the answer tie in with the first question? (5+5)
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: Which annual event stirs peaceful waters in South India for an adrenaline-pumping spectacle for this prized possession? Also, name the arena/venue for the event. (5+5)
Answer: Nehru Trophy Boat Race and Punnamada Lake
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, named after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, is held annually on Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, typically on the second Saturday of August. It commemorates Nehru's visit to Alappuzha, where he travelled by boat through Kuttanad. In 2024, the race was rescheduled to September 28 due to landslides in Wayanad. Karichal Chundan of Pallathuruthy Boat Club won the 2024 final by microseconds, marking its 16th victory and fifth consecutive win.
Two: Connect the lateral hints to work out the name of this organisation—founded in the heat of the Freedom Movement—celebrating its centenary year.
a) Bharat Ratna scholar and educational reformer
b) Herb with a cooling effect
c) Multinational Indian conglomerate
Answer: Hindustan Times
In 1924, four years after the Non-Cooperation Movement had sparked India's desire for self-rule, the Akalis launched the Hindustan Times, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. Within six months, Madan Mohan Malaviya bought it, and by 1927, it became a joint stock company with Ghanshyam Das Birla as a major shareholder. By the 1930s, GD Birla had taken full control. His son, Krishna Kumar Birla (Aditya Birla Group), later became chairman of HT Media. The business journal Mint, a sister publication of the Hindustan Times, debuted on February 1, 2007, in partnership with the Wall Street Journal. Last month, Hindustan Times celebrated a century of journalism, its headquarters lighting up in tribute to 100 years of shaping India's story.
Three: Listen carefully and figure out the common name of this tactic, also the title of the latest release of a literary sensation.
Answer: Intermezzo
Sally Rooney’s fourth novel—‘Intermezzo’—is an extension of the writing that catapulted her to worldwide fame, with some calling it her most moving novel yet. The title ties to chess, where an intermezzo is an unexpected move that forces an immediate response. Commonly known as ‘zwischenzug’ in German, and "in-between move" in English, intermezzo typically occurs in the middle of exchanges, which is how it gets its name. Here’s the full video for the chess lovers:
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the first week of October. Congratulations!