A holiday list of puzzling questions: A bumper edition
A special editor’s note: Get ready to answer this eight-question bumper quiz from our quiz master Shantanu Sharma—which includes a bumper prize, as well: A Rs 1,500 Amazon gift card—so you can treat yourself for being a super-smart quiz nerd. The correct answers will be published in the new year—on Thursday, January 2. As always, when there are multiple correct answers, we’ll decide the winner using a lucky draw.
The answers: to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom—as are the winners for the second week of December.
About Shantanu: He 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 January 1, 12 pm to send in your answers to talktous@splainer.in or via DMs on Insta or Twitter.
One: This map shows the habitat distribution of the only two living species of this animal family—which differ mainly in size. Identify the rarer species whose member became a ‘bouncy’ sensation.
Two: Which manufacturer custom-designed this bag—marking the end of an era? Also, what does the pictogram preceding the number “5” signify? (5+5)
Three: From wrinkles to sagging, the differences between the two sides of this face are the after-effects of a wildly popular Danish innovation—and not for the better.
Four: Epitomizing peak narcissism and hubris, whose failed ventures are these?
a) A former airlines
b) A vodka brand
c) A school for real-estate gyaan
Five: According to legend, a storage unit like this inspired the title of a beloved children’s work that spawned many sequels. How does a 2024 adaptation pay similar homage to the author of the classic? (5+5)
Six: This billionaire chairman of a business group took over the reins from his father in the late 1980s. However, he is not the most recognizable member of his family; that title belongs to his fabulous partner. Who is she?
Seven: Connect these striking, absurd, or thought-provoking works of art to identify the artist who made headlines for an entirely different piece that debuted in 2019.
Eight: Among the country’s first generation of video artists, she allowed her daughter to borrow and rework the title of one of her 2016 works for a different medium. Now, it’s the toast of the town, nation, and. Name the mother (pictured) and the title used by the daughter. (5+5)
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: The woman sitting next to Javed saheb is a Hindi film industry pioneer who broke barriers and paved the way for women to take on specific professional roles in films. Identify the woman and her occupation. (5+5)
Answer: Stuntwomen
Reshma Pathan, Bollywood’s first woman stunt artist, revolutionized action in Indian cinema over a four-decade career, performing dangerous stunts in nearly 400 films. Her journey began in 1968 with a stunt for actress Laxmi Chaya in ‘Ek Khiladi Bawab Patte’. Reshma later worked with icons like Meena Kumari, Rekha, and Hema Malini. She earned fame after a risky tonga chase in Sholay, where she was seriously injured but cemented her legacy. Her fearless spirit and groundbreaking work were honored in the biopic ‘The Sholay Girl’.
Two: As the year draws to a close, work out the lexical connection among the following elements (non-exhaustive list).
Answer: 2024 Words of the Year
The three words in question are: brat, brain rot, and demure. "Brat," named Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year, reflects a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude, inspired by Charli XCX’s album and the "brat summer" aesthetic. Meanwhile, OUP’s choice, "brain rot," captures the mental toll of excessive consumption of trivial online content, and saw a 230% increase in usage, highlighting concerns over social media's impact. "Demure," Dictionary.com's Word of the Year, largely driven by TikTok influencer Jools Lebron’s satirical use of the phrase “very demure, very mindful,” reflecting a poised yet playful attitude that resonated widely.
Three: These are some of the works shown at a 2024 exhibition celebrating the anniversary of a pivotal moment in modern art history. Can you name the exhibition and where it took place? (5+5)
Answer: ‘Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism’ at the Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay’s Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism exhibition marks the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition, which opened in Paris on April 15, 1874. Featuring works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, and Cézanne, this exhibition celebrates their break from tradition and the birth of Impressionism with 130 works from the 31 artists involved in the original show. They painted scenes of everyday life—parks, cafes, and the Parisian countryside—using bright colors and visible brushstrokes to capture the changing effects of light.
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the second week of December. Congratulations!
