MEGAWHATS 2017SEMI FINALS 1

Research By

Mitesh Agarwal, Vivek Karthikeyan and Venkatesh Srinivasan

1. Forecasting Couch – Bengaluru

2. Hammer and Tongs – Kolkata

3. Ingit Bergman – Mumbai

4. QED – Chennai

5. Sheikh Yerboutis – Dubai

6. SJC Quizzers – Bengaluru

7. Swami and Friends – Hyderabad

8. We Are Like This (W)only – Bengaluru

▪ 8 questions

▪ +10 on Infinite Bounce

▪ +10/-5 on Infinite Pounce in writing

▪ Blank lengths NOT indicative in any question

MEGAWHATS 2017

Which festival, celebrated on January 30th every year, and

bearing a name meaning ‘The Feast of the First Morning’, is

indelibly associated with a particular flashpoint in a 20th

century confrontation?

1

MEGAWHATS 2017

Tet Offensive

The name of the offensive comes from the Tết holiday, the Vietnamese

New Year, when the first major attacks took place.

It was the largest military campaign of the Vietnam War.

MEGAWHATS 2017

Identify the artist and the

title of the work.

Brad is also mentioned in a

1963 work of the same

artist. In that work, the

elements of water were

inspired by which classic

1830s work?

2

MEGAWHATS 2017

Masterpiece by Roy Lichtenstein

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa

Inspired the waves in Drowning Girl

MEGAWHATS 2017

It is believed that his body—buried in a churchyard near St. James’s Park—was exhumed by the authorities for confirmation. A known trickster, it was suspected he might have faked his death to avoid

paying his debts. The height of his audacity was in 1671.

Who is this? His epitaph reads:

Here lies the man who boldly hath run through

More villainies than England ever knew;

And ne'er to any friend he had was true.

Here let him then by all unpitied lie,

And let's rejoice his time was come to die.

3

MEGAWHATS 2017

Col Thomas Blood

who attempted to steal the Crown Jewels

MEGAWHATS 2017

Elie Aghnides, a Greek-born, U.S.-based engineer had an invention

in the 1950s – a four-wheel, five-tonne driving machine that was

designed to work in the vast open spaces of Alaska and Canada,

without succumbing to the region’s varied terrain.

On road it could reach 70 kmph; in the water, its hollow wheels

allowed the bulldozer-like vehicle to float on the water’s surface,

while a rear water jet enabled it to move at six km/hour. However,

the primary customer it was intended for, never bought it.

Given its size, what name from the world of fauna did it have?

What was it intended to replace?

4

MEGAWHATS 2017

MEGAWHATS 2017

MEGAWHATS 2017

Rhino

It was named for its massive bulk and its penchant for mud

An alternative to the tank

MEGAWHATS 2017

Operation Hope Not was conceived in 1953. The detailed plan

was put in place in 1958 by a committee led by the Duke of

Norfolk. However, it was another five years, before it was

actually implemented. It was the first such event for a civilian in

the 20th century. However, several changes, especially in the

personnel involved, had to be made from the original 1958

plan.

What was the Operation all about? What necessitated the

changes?

5

MEGAWHATS 2017

Winston Churchill’s funeral

Churchill outlived many of his designated

pall-bearers

MEGAWHATS 2017

From a PG Wodehouse interview, when he was asked

if he was very fond of ____:

I don’t know why _____ went out! The actual name was _______ - _______, and you fastened them over your ankles, you see, to prevent the _______ ____ing

you… I’ve written articles… about how I used to go about London. I would borrow my brother’s frock coat and my uncle’s hat, but my ____ were always new and

impeccable. The butler would open the door and take in my old topcoat and hat and sniff as if to say, “Hardly the sort of thing we are accustomed to.” And then

he would look down at the _____ and everything would be all right.

What is he talking about, an item that is on

prominent display on occasions like Republic Day?

6

MEGAWHATS 2017

Spatterdashes, shortened to spats

MEGAWHATS 2017

This was Dennis Miller’s debut stand-up comedy CD. He named

the album as a parody and tribute to another great work.

What name did he choose?

7

MEGAWHATS 2017

The Off-White Album

in tribute to The White Album

MEGAWHATS 2017

MS Selandia was “the world’s first large ocean-going diesel-powered ship”, and also termed a “phantom ship”, since

her presence could not be immediately detected, in the absence of a key marker. The ship generated tremendous

curiosity in London; seeing it for the first time, people thought she had suffered damage and was in need of assistance. Britain

was in the midst of coal strike, and the fact that she was not dependent on coal to run was one more reason why the vessel

gained so much attention, including a visit by Churchill.

What was the unique feature of Selandia

that made it so famous?

8

MEGAWHATS 2017

Nobody had ever seen a large ship without a

smokestack before. Selandia did not have a funnel;

instead exhaust from her engines escaped through

exhaust ports in the aft mast.

S C O R E S

▪ Three questions in writing

▪ +8 for a correct answer; +4 for each part

▪ No negative marking

▪ Stake +4/-4 only if you know both parts

MEGAWHATS 2017

In his book, “How We Got to Now”, Steven Johnson writes about how modern innovations have progressively evolved from innovations

before them; for e.g. how Gutenberg’s printing press sparked a demand for spectacles, leading to optic technology that helped build

the microscope, further leading us to more scientific discoveries.

In this book, Johnson terms all such complex chains of influences the “__________ Effect” in which the flower and the ____ both have

very different needs and aptitudes but the pollen in the flower altered the very physiology and anatomy of the ____, as a result of

which ____ became one of the most efficient in its class.

What effect?

W1

MEGAWHATS 2017

Two cartoons by the delightful Rohan Chakravarty,

from his series on A Courtship Guide by Wild Animals.

ID both the birds for full points.

W2

MEGAWHATS 2017W2

MEGAWHATS 2017W2

MEGAWHATS 2017

Marmaduke Tunstall was an English ornithologist who authored

Ornithologica Britannica (1771), probably the first British work

to use binomial nomenclature. He discovered a bird species

that gets its name from the behavior of the birds.

Which species that has been a

symbol of aerial speed and power?

What does the first word in its name mean in Latin?

W3

Exchange Sheets please…

MEGAWHATS 2017

In his book, “How We Got to Now”, Steven Johnson writes about how modern innovations have progressively evolved from innovations

before them; for e.g. how Gutenberg’s printing press sparked a demand for spectacles, leading to optic technology that helped build

the microscope, further leading us to more scientific discoveries.

In this book, Johnson terms all such complex chains of influences the “__________ Effect” in which the flower and the ____ both have

very different needs and aptitudes but the pollen in the flower altered the very physiology and anatomy of the ____, as a result of

which ____ became one of the most efficient in its class.

What effect?

W1

MEGAWHATS 2017

Hummingbird

MEGAWHATS 2017

Two cartoons by the delightful Rohan Chakravarty,

from his series on A Courtship Guide by Wild Animals.

ID both the birds for full points.

W2

MEGAWHATS 2017

Sarus Crane

Frigate Bird

MEGAWHATS 2017

Marmaduke Tunstall was an English ornithologist who authored

Ornithologica Britannica (1771), probably the first British work

to use binomial nomenclature. He discovered a bird species

that gets its name from the behavior of the birds.

Which species that has been a

symbol of aerial speed and power?

What does the first word in its name mean in Latin?

W3

MEGAWHATS 2017

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine / Peregrinus mean

foreigner/traveler/pilgrim/“from another land”

S C O R E S

▪ 8 questions

▪ +10 on Infinite Bounce

▪ +10/-5 on Infinite Pounce in writing

▪ Blank lengths NOT indicative in any question

MEGAWHATS 2017

Seen here is a cross-section of a Boeing aircraft. Such a

representation is known by a specific name because it

resembles something that kids play with. What name, a royal

example of which has appeared in quizzes a few times?

9

MEGAWHATS 2017

Dollhouse

MEGAWHATS 2017

This is a 1971 Bengali movie, Chhadmabeshi,

directed by Agradoot.

Agradoot made movies between 1947-1975.

What was so special about Agradoot?

Also what was the super-hit 1975 Hindi remake of this movie?

10

MEGAWHATS 2017

Agradoot, is a collective name for a group of

filmmakers led by Bibhuti Laha directing/making

a film together.

Chupke Chupke

starring Amitabh, Dharmendra & Sharmila Tagore with

Om Prakash in perhaps his best ever role

MEGAWHATS 2017

While some say that they were invented by Richard II, others

claim that wealthy Greeks carried them around as early as 500

B.C. They get their common name from a French term for a

head covering. We are however looking for a specific item

associated with men’s fashion, the use of which increased in

the Jazz Age.

What two-word term is used for these items, also called

‘Cooper’, ‘Cagney’, ‘Astaire’ and so on depending on the

look of the elegant folding techniques used?

11

MEGAWHATS 2017

Pocket Square

The term kerchief is from the French ‘ceuverchef’

MEGAWHATS 2017

It is a Low German noun that means swallow; it has been

documented in its High German meaning since before the 18th

century – German spelling requires that the term be capitalized.

The English usage is derived from the German, and can refer to any

strong alcoholic drink, but particularly those containing at least 32%

ABV (64 proof). The American usage refers to liqueurs.

What’s the good word?

12

MEGAWHATS 2017

Schnaps/Schnapps

MEGAWHATS 2017

Social media trolls have re-used the image shown, to parody the usage of a new piece

of equipment by an Australian in 2016. It was inspired after John Ward had done

something similar, earlier in the year.

The equipment is made out of hard translucent fibre-plastic, and the officials

involved had to issue a clarification in cases where there would be impact.

What are we talking about?

What was the clarification?

13

MEGAWHATS 2017

Bruce Oxenford’s Arm Shield

If the ball deflected off the shield and was then caught

by a fielder, the batsman would be given out.

MEGAWHATS 2017

This is a painting depicting how a real-life 1605 incident was

thwarted, primarily due to the efforts of the man in the

breastplate – Thomas Knyvet.

Name the incident or the antagonist seen here.

Knyvet was a Baron who lived in a large townhouse in the city –

the first known house at a well-known location –

what was the address of this house?

14

MEGAWHATS 2017

Gunpowder Plot / Guy Fawkes

Knyvet occupied as his London townhouse the first house

known on the site of 10 Downing Street

MEGAWHATS 2017

Baseball legend and Hall of Fame pitcher, Randy Johnson has

been working as a professional photographer, re-kindling the

passion that he developed while majoring in photo-journalism

in college. It’s not just his photography that people are talking

about though — his strange logo is bringing him quite a bit of

attention.

While featuring a dead bird in a business logo probably isn’t the

best idea for most photographers, it has been quite successful

in marketing Johnson’s photography talents.

Why did Johnson choose this logo?

15

MEGAWHATS 2017

MEGAWHATS 2017

Most baseball fans pick up on the inside joke right away:

it pays homage to

the bird Johnson whacked with a 99mph fastball back

in 2001

MEGAWHATS 2017

This best-selling German rapper and songwriter seen in the

video, was born to a a Kannadiga banker and a Malayali nurse,

and was twice winner of Germany's national prize for best

female artist. Name her.

She was constantly in the news for a period in the early 2000s,

when she was involved with a famous countryman of hers.

Who?

16

MEGAWHATS 2017

Sabrina Setlur / Schwester S.

Boris Becker

S C O R E S

▪ Three questions in writing

▪ +8 for a correct answer; +4 for each part

▪ No negative marking

▪ Stake +4/-4 only if you know both parts

MEGAWHATS 2017

In November 1984, he wrote his last poem, titled,

Ek November 1984.

Perhaps this is the only one he wrote,

which had an English title!

Who? What was the inspiration for the title of the poem?

W1

MEGAWHATS 2017

This Indian is dubbed “first runner-up” by the scientific

community considering he was passed over twice (1979 and

2005) by the Nobel Committee for his pioneering work. The

first snub involved a Pakistani and the 2005 one involved Roy J

Glauber, who won the Nobel for Physics, although he

acknowledged his efforts as a joint one with the Indian!

Name this Indian who must have had “a heart check-up”

both in 1979 and 2005. Also name the Pakistani.

W2

MEGAWHATS 2017

Mehr Chand Mahajan

_________________

Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad

Khwaja Shamsuddin

Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq

These were the Prime Ministers until 1965.

Who was the second and what are we talking about?

W3

Exchange Sheets please…

MEGAWHATS 2017

In November 1984, he wrote his last poem, titled,

Ek November 1984.

Perhaps this is the only one he wrote,

which had an English title!

Who? What was the inspiration for the title of the poem?

W1

MEGAWHATS 2017

Harivansh Rai Bachchan

In November 1984, he wrote his last poem Ek November

1984 on Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

MEGAWHATS 2017

This Indian is dubbed “first runner-up” by the scientific

community considering he was passed over twice (1979 and

2005) by the Nobel Committee for his pioneering work. The

first snub involved a Pakistani and the 2005 one involved Roy J

Glauber, who won the Nobel for Physics, although he

acknowledged his efforts as a joint one with the Indian!

Name this Indian who must have had “a heart check-up”

both in 1979 and 2005. Also name the Pakistani.

W2

MEGAWHATS 2017

E.C.G Sudarshan

Abdus Salam

MEGAWHATS 2017

Mehr Chand Mahajan

_________________

Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad

Khwaja Shamsuddin

Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq

These were the Prime Ministers until 1965.

Who was the second and what are we talking about?

W3

MEGAWHATS 2017

Sheikh Abdullah

Prime Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir

before they abolished the designation and moved to CM

S C O R E S

▪ 8 questions

▪ +10 on Infinite Bounce

▪ +10/-5 on Infinite Pounce in writing

▪ Blank lengths NOT indicative in any question

MEGAWHATS 2017

What element of pop culture will complete the set, and why?

17

MEGAWHATS 2017

Graffiti

These are the four elements of hip-hop

B-boying/Break dancing

Emceeing/Rapping

Deejaying

MEGAWHATS 2017

Between 1890 and 1892, Jean-Léon Gérôme created painted

and sculpted variations on the theme of Pygmalion and

Galatea, the tale recounted in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. All

depict the moment when the sculpture of Galatea was brought

to life by the goddess Venus, in fulfilment of Pygmalion’s wish

for a wife as beautiful as the sculpture he created.

Since the manner in which viewers will take in a sculpture and

a painting is different, what did Gérôme do in his (series of)

paintings to equate the two viewing experiences?

18

MEGAWHATS 2017

In each of the paintings, the sculpture appears

at a different angle, as though it was being

viewed in the round.

MEGAWHATS 2017

The word started being used towards the end of the Middle Ages as a term specific to astrology—an ethereal fluid given off by the stars,

that was supposed to affect humans.

It was only in the sixteenth century that the modern meaning, a “power to produce effects”, began to gain favour.

An echo of the astrological sense is the old Cockney and Australian phrase “to put the ______ on somebody”, meaning to force a

person into compliance by mental powers.

What word that is used more in its

contracted form these days?

19

MEGAWHATS 2017

Influenza (Flu)

from the Latin for Influentia

MEGAWHATS 2017

Rows of trees such as this were used in medieval Europe to mark

the edge of an estate. Historically, these have also served as

windbreaks to improve conditions for adjacent crops. Many in

Europe are estimated to have been around for several centuries.

In a certain European language, the word for this translates to

‘the Count’s Wood’. The third-largest city in that country

also gets its name from the same etymology.

Which city, although the modern name is a shortened version?

20

MEGAWHATS 2017

Den Haag or The Hague

The complete name is 's-gravenhage

MEGAWHATS 2017

One of the people in the painting on the left gave his name to

something related to the character on the right.

Identify and explain.

21

21

21

MEGAWHATS 2017

Diogenes the cynic gives his name to the

Diogenes Club that Mycroft Holmes frequents

MEGAWHATS 2017

Ravana did great penance and obtained the Atmalinga – which would make him invincible – from Lord Shiva, with a stipulation that he had to carry the Atmalinga from Kailash to Lanka, and not set it down even once. Tricked by Ganesha, he ended up setting it down

at a location in South India, after which it would not budge.

Overcome by anger, he struck Ganesha.

Ravana had exerted such force while carrying the Atmalinga, that it had changed shape, and started resembling the anatomical part of

an animal – this gave the place its name.

Which place?

How is the appearance of the Ganesha shrine here different?

22

MEGAWHATS 2017

Gokarna – from cow’s ear

The Ganesha shrine has a dent on its forehead

MEGAWHATS 2017

The apparatus built by geologist John Mitchell:a six-foot wooden rod suspended by a metal fiber, with two-inch-

diameter lead spheres mounted on each end of the rod. These were attracted to 350-pound lead spheres brought close to the

enclosure housing the rod. X used this apparatus and published the result of his experiment in 1798.

His work was done with such care that this value was not improved upon for over a century. His extraordinary attention to detail led many to

describe this as the first modern physics experiment.

Which experiment by who?

23

23

MEGAWHATS 2017

The Torsion Bar Experiment by

Henry Cavendish

The experiment was popularly known as weighing the Earth

because it allowed the first measurement of earth’s density,

therefore its mass. The experiment also allowed the first

calculation of the Universal gravitational constant G.

MEGAWHATS 2017

Compton Mackenzie is a Scottish

nationalist and writer, famous for writing

two farce novels set in Scotland.

The first novel was called Whisky Galore.

The second novel (pub. 1941) was set in

the Scottish Highlands and had the same

title as that of an 1851 work, and was also

the basis for a BBC TV series in 2000.

Name the novel.

Who was the creator of the 1851 work?

24

MEGAWHATS 2017

Monarch of the Glen

Edwin Landseer

S C O R E S

▪ Three questions in writing

▪ +8 for a correct answer; +4 for each part

▪ No negative marking

▪ Stake +4/-4 only if you know both parts

MEGAWHATS 2017

It is the long tradition in medicine that merely putting a name to a disorder, for example a set of symptoms, goes a long way

toward controlling the problem, because it gives our minds power over it. No one wants to be a diagnostic enigma — we

feel better when we have a name to call our malady, even if we can’t do anything about it.

It is a little like the tale in which the character conceals his name from another character. She is in his power until she

happens to learn it, after which she is on top of the situation.

What story is this?

W1

MEGAWHATS 2017

This rhyme was published in the 18th century but the meaning/characters lead back to the 16th c. The king is often

thought to be Henry VII as he gained a reputation as a miser in the later years of his reign. The culinary practice it sings about was used

for the surprise and entertainment that such a dish provided.

It has also been suggested that the characters are representations of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. In this

interpretation the dish is explained as the disaffected monks who had been affected by the dissolution of the monasteries.

Which rhyme?

W2

MEGAWHATS 2017W3

Identify the person talking about the first time he made it big.

Also identify the work(s) that made him famous.

Exchange Sheets please…

MEGAWHATS 2017

It is the long tradition in medicine that merely putting a name to a disorder, for example, a set of symptoms, goes a long way towards controlling the problem, because it gives our minds power over it. No one wants to be a diagnostic enigma — we

feel better when we have a name to call our malady, even if we can’t do anything about it.

It is a little like the tale in which the character conceals his name from another character. She is in his power until she

happens to learn it, after which she is on top of the situation.

What story is this?

W1

MEGAWHATS 2017

Rumpelstiltskin

MEGAWHATS 2017

This rhyme was published in the 18th century but the meaning/characters lead back to the 16th c. The king is often

thought to be Henry VII as he gained a reputation as a miser in the later years of his reign. The culinary practice it sings about was used

for the surprise and entertainment that such a dish provided.

It has also been suggested that the characters are representations of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. In this

interpretation the dish is explained as the disaffected monks who had been affected by the dissolution of the monasteries.

Which rhyme?

W2

MEGAWHATS 2017

Sing a song of sixpence a pocket full of rye,

Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,

Oh wasn't that a dainty dish to set before the king?

The king was in his counting house counting out his money,

The queen was in the parlour eating bread and honey

The maid was in the garden hanging out the clothes,

When down came a blackbird and pecked off her nose.

MEGAWHATS 2017W3

Identify the person talking about the first time he made it big.

Also identify the work(s) that made him famous.

MEGAWHATS 2017

Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

S C O R E S

▪ Final 8 questions

▪ +10 on Infinite Bounce

▪ +10/-5 on Infinite Pounce in writing

▪ Blank lengths NOT indicative in any question

MEGAWHATS 2017

False Greatness is a poem by Isaac Watts, and English hymn writer.

In the late 19th century, another person took it, altered a few lines

to suit his sense of self-dignity, and often used to quote from it.

'Tis true my form is something odd / But blaming me is blaming God

Could I create myself anew / I would not fail in pleasing you.

If I could reach from pole to pole / Or grasp the ocean with my span

I would be measured by the soul / The mind's the standard of the man.

Who, brought to screen in 1980?

25

MEGAWHATS 2017

Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man

MEGAWHATS 2017

The largest of the glassy variety, this creature is named because

of its resemblance with another creature. That

creature, in turn, gets its name from the Malay language—found in Australia, eastern

Indonesia, and neighbouring islands, it was so named

because it looked like another domestic bird.

What is it called? 2-word name.

26

MEGAWHATS 2017

Cockatoo squid

MEGAWHATS 2017

The Mold in Dr. Florey's Coat: The Story of the _________ Miracle, by Eric Lax has a curious title. It refers to the way in which

Dr. Florey and Dr. Chain, working in Oxford during WW II, planned in the event of

invasion to destroy all their work to prevent it from falling into enemy hands, yet rubbed their jackets with _________ spores to carry the secret with them if

they fled.

What were they trying to protect?

27

MEGAWHATS 2017

Penicillin

MEGAWHATS 2017

Theodosius I, also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman Emperor from AD 379 to AD 395. He was the last emperor to rule

over both the eastern and the western halves of the Roman Empire. For much of his reign he followed the book—he batted for

Christianity, fought wars, decried paganism and so on.

Since his ‘Code’ does not provide any references that he was against physical well-being, it is likely that the decline of X was due to the

prohibition of pagan rituals, including use of areas of worship.

What is X?

28

MEGAWHATS 2017

The Olympics

It is said that the fall of paganism led to its decline,

and Theodosius did not ban it as it is otherwise thought.

MEGAWHATS 2017

It was edited by Merriam-Webster based on research conducted by a committee and the first edition was officially announced in 1998. It underwent revisions, and the fourth edition went online in 2016.

The biggest change happened in 2006.

Scraping over 1.5 million tournament games covering the years 1973 to 2017 from cross-tables.com, shows that in 2006, the average score grew by about 10 points per player per game overnight. (The average score in the data set is about 374.)

What are we talking about?What was the 2006 change that improved scores?

29

MEGAWHATS 2017

Scrabble

In 2006, QI and ZA, along with FE, KI, OI and an

additional 11,000-odd longer words were added

MEGAWHATS 2017

On April 4, 2005, it was announced in London that a planned

event on April 8, was being pushed out by a day.

This was because all the dignitaries who were planning to

attend had to be in another European country on that date, for

a solemn occasion; this latter event would go on to became the

widest congregation of world leaders at such an occasion.

Identify the two events.

30

MEGAWHATS 2017

Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales,

and Camilla Parker Bowles

Pope John Paul II’s funeral

MEGAWHATS 2017

"Degrees Lovibond" or "°L" scale is a measure of the color of a

substance. The determination of the degrees Lovibond takes

place by comparing the color of the substance to a series of

amber to brown glass slides, usually by a colorimeter. The scale

was devised by Joseph Williams Lovibond.

What is the most common product that we use °L for?

31

MEGAWHATS 2017

Beer

(Reluctantly accept Whisky)

Last question coming up…

MEGAWHATS 2017

Richard Norris Williams II was born in Geneva in 1891, to American parents. When he was 21, following an incident in which Williams witnessed his dad

die, doctors wanted to amputate his legs. Williams declined despite the potential risk to his life. Instead, he simply did his best to get the blood

flowing again, hobbling around as best he could.

Ultimately as the strength in his legs returned, he ramped up his physical activities every day and soon went on to big wins, including the US singles in 1914 and 1916, doubles at Wimbledon in 1920, and an Olympic Gold in

1924 in mixed doubles.

Why was Williams’ backstory significant?

He was part of a list of 706 (exhausted) people.

32

MEGAWHATS 2017

Williams survived the Titanic,

one among 706 who did

Hope you survived this quiz as well☺

F I N A LS C O R E S