Friday 18 December 2009

'Something for the Weekend, Sir?' Happy Christmas.

Who was it who sang the lines 'Almost there, we're almost there'. And another artist who sang ''You're almost here'. The latter evidently a popular choice of ringtone. To get my readers in the festive mood I offer (again) the quiz I created for a teaching group some considerable time ago. It might amuse some when the food has been devoured and movement is out of the question. I suggest half marks would be an excellent score for someone working on their own. Let's make it Britain versus over the pond. ( In fairness our friends overseas are at a disadvantage with some questions.) No cheating! Answers on Monday.

A Seasonal Quiz by Ken Stevens

Nature and Christmas

1 ‘A Christmas tree’ is traditionally what species?
2 What is another name for a ‘Christmas Rose’?
3 A traditional Yule log should be what sort of wood?
4 What traditionally sprang from the ground where Christ first stood?
5 What ‘plant is also known as ‘Heal-all’?

Five miscellaneous questions

6 What did my true love send to me on the 9th day of Christmas?
7 Who is credited with introducing the Christmas tree to England?
8 What was the nickname of the little silver three-penny bit often put inside Christmas puddings?
9 On which day was Charlemagne crowned Emperor?
10 Who is credited with introducing ‘Christmas crackers’ to England?

Christmas is after all a religious festival

11 Where from: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given’?
12 Again: ‘And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus’?
13 ‘The rising of the sun and the running of the deer’ Next line, please.
(last line of The Holly and the Ivy)
14 Similarly ‘Bless all the children in thy tender care’?
(Away in a manger)

Ten mixed questions

15 Which ocean is Christmas Isle in?
16 Why was it so called?
17 George R Sims used to recite a monologue about ‘Christmas Day in the ………?
18 Similarly Stanley Holloway used to sing about ‘Old Sam’s Christmas …….’?
19 1½lb raisins 1½lb currants. ¾lb breadcrumbs. ½lbmixed peel ¾lb suet. 8 eggs 1 wineglassful of brandy
Numbers 19, 20 and 21 . A ‘receipe for what? Whose receipe? What was its cost
22 What is Boxing Day probably named after?
23 Bohemian nobleman, 10th century, murdered , aged 26, by his mother and brother?
24 When does the Greek/Russian Orthodox Church celebrate the birth of Christ?
(the old date for Christmas)

For those musically inclined

25 ‘White Christmas’ was first sang in which 1942 movie?
26 Who, in 1953, ‘saw mommy kissing Santa Claus’?
27 Who, in 1963, sang ‘All I want for Christmas is a Beatle’?
28 Who sang, ‘I believe in Father Christmas’ in the 1970’s? (his only solo UK hit)
29 Who sang ‘Father Christmas is coming to town’ in 1985?
30 Who wrote ‘White Christmas’?
31 Who scored with ‘Happy Christmas, war is over’?

Christmas/seasonal literature

‘It was so dreadfully cold! It was snowing, and the evening was beginning to darken.’
32 Which famous story? 33 The author?
‘ Jo was the first to wake in the grey dawn of Christmas’
34 The authoress? 35 Which famous story?
‘I think it must be the field-mice’ replied the ….. with a touch of pride in his manner. ’They go
round carol singing regularly at this time of the year.’
36 The novel? 37 The author?
‘Sat 25th Dec. Got up at 7.30. Had a wash and shave, cleaned teeth, squeezed spots then went upstairs.’
38 The book? 39 The writer?

A Mixed Selection

40 Who is Black Peter? ( a clue-Holland)
41 Who painted ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ in 1624?
42 Who is the saint associated with the Christmas tree?
43 The worlds largest’ what’ is at great Witchington, Norfolk?
44 Who tells us he was late for Communion. 25th December, 1662?
45 Only one Christian Church (building) uses mistletoe in decorations. Which?
Finally, name five of Santa’s reindeer. There are eight possibilities.
Nos 46, 47, 48,49,50.

13 comments:

Bernard said...

Too many questions...too little time.
But I have a joke for you...

A father and his eighteen year old son were in the barbers getting their hair cut.
When they were done the barber asked if they would like anything “for the weekend“.
The son asked for two packs of three.
“That’s rather excessive, isn’t it?” asked the father. “Why do you want as many as six?”
“Quite easy, Dad. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”
“Well, in that case, can I please have four packs?” the father asked the barber.
“Steady, Dad. Aren’t you overdoing it now, why do you need twelve?”
“January, February, March, April ……….” replied the father.

Merry Christmas Ken..Cheers Bernard

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Dickie
Brilliant. How true!
I worked in a barbers at sixteen.
First week this little chap came into the side bit away from the cutting area and whispered out of the side of his mouth 'A packet of Durex please.'
I couldn't find them (under the counter) so I opened the door and shouted' Where are the Durex, John?'
A dozen heads swizzled in our direction as the little man cringed with embarrassment.
I was later lectured on discretion. My first working lesson.

the fly in the web said...

Thank you for the quiz...I'm meeting american friends for Christmas, so we'll all have a go.
At the quix, that is.

Robert said...

I'm going to get a really low score. I just know it! And I have to wait until Monday for the answers...it's not fair!

Some years ago, the owner of the local barber's told me that after he employed a pretty teenage girl, he got lots more haircuts to do, but his sales of Durex plummeted. How times have changed!

gayle said...

Wish I had this a week early while I was still working( at school)..all my teacher friends could have helped me with it!!

Von said...

Nice quiz, enjoyed the concept, always loved that line about the carol singers and of course the recipe but while say nought.
Happy Christmas All.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, fun!!! I'm going to copy these questions and have some fun over Christmas dinner with them...Have a fantastic Christmas, my new friend! Cheers! Janine

The bike shed said...

Thanks Ken - have a good Christmas and don't forget to drop by at my blog sometime.

Cheers

Mark

Grumpy Old Ken said...

fly in the web
I bet you and your friends are more traditional than we are!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Robert
Hi
Loved the Durex story. Once had one brought back. Claimed it was faulty and his girlfriend was pregnant and what were we going to do about it!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

gayle
Hi
I'm sure you will score high without help!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

GooseBreeder
Hi
I'm sure you will score highly on behalf of all you cultured Aussies!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Mark
Hi
Will do, visited very recently, very clever thinking, well beyond my limited brain but still enjoyable.