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 third week of June.
One: From the distinctive visual style, work out who's facing the camera for a change? Also, identify the peaking brand advertised.
Two: Connect the clues to arrive at a name making daily headlines.
a) the man who gave the name
b) the old identity
c) The whistleblower
Three: What real-life glass ceiling will the woman on the left shatter later this year, achieved on-screen (by the other) almost three decades ago?
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: Name the unlikely e-sport award being flaunted by the champion below.
Answer: Microsoft Excel World Championship
The Microsoft Excel World Championship is a competitive esports event organized by the Financial Modeling World Cup. It features qualification rounds, online playoffs, and a live final in Las Vegas. At the 2024 finals, 12 contestants competed for a $5,000 prize, a wrestling-style championship belt, and the title of world’s best spreadsheeter. The challenge was modeled on ‘World of Warcraft’, and players had to use Excel formulas to track 20 avatars and their vital stats, guided by a seven-page instruction manual. Toronto’s Michael Jarman (image in question) emerged as the 2024 champion. If you are looking for a man in finance, check out the livestream here.
Two: Piece together these clues to arrive at a literary bestseller.
a) Pulled from a vintage Swiss watch ad
b) Head of state without his famous headgear
c) OG sniper
Answer: The Day of the Jackal
Frederick Forsyth, author and former MI6 agent, died at 86 on June 9. A master of the political thriller, he drew on real-life experience reporting from France in 1961, when tensions were high over President Charles de Gaulle’s offer of independence to Algeria. Inspired by whispers of an assassination plot and armed with insider knowledge from De Gaulle’s bodyguards, Forsyth imagined a killer, and that idea became ‘The Day of the Jackal’ (1971), an international bestseller.
Forsyth even appeared in 1980s Rolex ads, where his watch was described as “tough, accurate and very stylish.” Edward Fox (third image) delivered a chilling, minimalist performance as the Jackal in the 1973 Fred Zinnemann adaptation, which defined the character for a generation. This was almost 50 years ago, before you saw Eddie Redmayne, paying homage to the classic.
Three: What creation of this artist has become a new luxury phenomenon?
Answer: Labubu
Labubu, the wildly popular plush toy, was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, who credits his childhood love of reading for inspiring his creativity. He ensured Labubu and its “family” of characters had unique names by searching online first. Lung is also the author of The Monsters Trilogy, which introduces the personalities behind the toys. Originally a cult favourite in art circles, Labubu went mainstream after Blackpink’s Lisa was spotted with it, sending shares of distributor Pop Mart soaring. Last month, the Labubu toys were pulled from all 16 UK stores after fights broke out among customers. Fans reacted with anger online, and experts warn the pause could only increase demand. Here’s what it looks like:
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the third week of June. Congratulations!
