journey to aah: Quizzes and trivia

Showing posts with label Quizzes and trivia. Show all posts

Saturday, 5 November 2016

Netherlandish Proverbs painting -- INTERACTIVE version -- point and view each proverb

Here's the ♥ link to an interesting interactive version of
Netherlandish Proverbs, the famous painting by
Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

♥ http://bruegel.analog.is/

When you click on the link, you'll see
a large white X -- X -- on the upper right-hand corner.
Click on that.
You'll get the interactive picture.

Use your mouse to place your pointer (mouse cursor)
on each small yellow ring in the interactive painting.

You will then be able to read the relevant proverb/idiom.

♥ Try to guess the proverb/idiom before
you put your pointer on each yellow ring!

♥ After you've read them all, try to remember each one.
That's a good way to test and train your memory.

On the upper left-hand corner is a small white box
with a plus and minus sign -- click them to make the
picture larger or smaller.

O By the way, if you can't see the small yellow rings,
look at the upper right-hand corner of the picture.

You'll see a small white box with something that
looks like a stack of three papers.
Put your pointer (mouse cursor) on that white box.
The word "Proverbs" will appear,
with a tiny box in front of the word.

Is the tiny box checked -- does it have a tick mark?
If not, click the word "Proverbs" -- to make a tick appear
in that tiny box.
You should then be able to see the small yellow
rings in the interactive painting.

Of all the proverbs/idioms, which one resonates the most with you?

Is there a similar saying in your own language
or in another language that you have learnt?

Share this interactive picture with your friends
and see how many they can guess correctly. ♥

Monday, 31 October 2016

A classic painting full of good advice -- Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

A fun and very educational work of art.

Even though it was done in the 16th century,
it still has a lot of relevance in the world of today.

The title of the painting: Netherlandish Proverbs

Painted in 1559 by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, it is well-known for its illustration of proverbs and idioms.

As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words".

Well, Netherlandish Proverbs is a picture which is worth at least a hundred proverbs and idioms that can be identified in the scene it depicts.

Here's the painting.

(Click on the painting to enlarge it).

Take a good look at the picture, examine it carefully, and try to spot as many proverbs as you can.

For instance, here's a detail from the left part of the painting, under one of the wooden shutters of the window:

The above part of the picture depicts the expression

"it depends on the fall of the cards"

meaning

"it is up to chance".

Here are some other details from the painting.

Try your luck and see whether you can guess the proverb/idiom each is meant to illustrate.

To get the answers to the above pictorial puzzles,
and for a detailed article on the Netherlandish Proverbs painting,
including all the pictures shown in this post,
here is the Wikipedia link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlandish_Proverbs

Sunday, 7 February 2016

Jane Austen: the meaning of the name of the famous classic novelist

Jane Austen: the writer of the classic Pride and Prejudice
and several other famous novels.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning
of her first name and surname?

Let's start with her given name.

"Jane" means "Yahweh is gracious".

Here's how it originated:

Yehochanan (a Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is gracious/merciful")

--> Yochanan (a short form of the name Yehochanan)

--> Ioannes (a Greek name derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan)

--> Iohannes (the Latin form of the Greek name Ioannes)

--> Jehanne (feminine form (from Old French) of the Latin name Iohannes)

--> Jane (English form of the Old French Jehanne)

Information links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_(given_name)
http://www.behindthename.com/name/jane
http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/jane

Audio pronunciation of Yochanan:

http://forvo.com/word/%D7%99%D7%95%D6%B9%D7%97%D6%B8%D7%A0%D6%B8%D7%9F_(yochanan)/

http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Yochanan

As for Jane's family name -- Austen --
here's its origin.

First, let's go back to Roman history.
The Roman emperors.

Who was the first Roman emperor?
Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian).
He was the adopted son and heir of Julius Caesar.
In 27 BC, Octavianus was officially renamed
"Augustus".

What is the meaning of "Augustus"?
In Latin, "Augustus" means "the great",
"majestic", "venerable", "the increaser".

Augustus was the name and title given
by the Roman Senate, on 16 January, 27 BC,
to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus,
the first Roman emperor.

Thereafter, "Augustus" became a title
given to Roman emperors.

Sunday, 31 January 2016

The ending (last sentence) of Jane Austen books: quiz

Here's a short, 6-question quiz
regarding the books of
Jane Austen.

Each question is about the ending
of a Jane Austen novel.

Here are the 6 novels:

1) Sense and Sensibility
2) Pride and Prejudice
3) Mansfield Park
4) Emma
5) Persuasion
6) Northanger Abbey

The last sentence of each book
will be given, and you will be requested
to fill in a blank,
or answer a question.

To do the quiz, click on the link below:

http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/1118330-ending-last-sentence-of-jane-austen-books-quiz

Enjoy!

♥

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: Harper 2006 edition: The Rebecca Epilogue quiz

The famous, thought-provoking novel, "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier has been published in various editions.

The Harper 2006 edition includes the Author's Note; The House of Secrets; and The Rebecca Epilogue.

For an intriguing 3-question quiz (with answers)
on The Rebecca Epilogue
(with regard to the novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier),
take a look here:

http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/1118150-rebecca-by-daphne-du-maurier-harper-2006-edition-the-rebecca-epilogue

♥

"Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier -- Harper 2006 edition

The Harper 2006 edition of "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier contains (at the back of the book):

-- an Author's Note

-- The House of Secrets -- du Maurier reveals how she first came across Menabilly, a mysterious, intriguing house in Cornwall, England. Manderley in "Rebecca" is based on du Maurier's beloved Menabilly.

-- The Rebecca Epilogue -- the original epilogue which contains a lot of interesting information.

For example, in Chapter 4 of the book, the second-Mrs de Winter-to-be tells Maxim:

' "My father was a lovely and unusual person." '

For a question (the answer is provided too) regarding
the occupation of the father of the second Mrs de Winter,
why not take a moment and visit here:

https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/show/266532-re-rebecca-by-daphne-du-maurier-w

The secret meaning of B612 in “The Little Prince”? (“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

In "The Little Prince", the famous book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, the asteroid -- the home "planet" -- on which the little prince lives is called B612.

Have you ever wondered what B612 may stand for?

I think it's very probable that Antoine de Saint-Exupery did not randomly choose "B612".

It must have had a meaning for him.

So, what could be the secret meaning of B612 in "The Little Prince"?

For a positive view, take a moment and visit here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/719764-the-secret-meaning-of-b612-in-the-little-prince?comment=146465096#comment_146465096

♥

Monday, 21 December 2015

British Food A to Z -- a fun Kindle e-book by Grace Mathew

British Food A to Z

by Grace Mathew

an Amazon Kindle e-book

http://www.amazon.com/British-Food-A-Grace-Mathew-ebook/dp/B00GWPVGXW

Click on the link above -- it will take you to the Amazon Kindle site
where you'll be able to see the e-book in more detail.
To read a free sample, click on the book cover there.

♥ Cost: aah, a lovely surprise!! ♥

Angels on horseback, Bara Brith, Iced Gems, Kedgeree,
Queen of Puddings, Scouse, Tipsy Laird, Xness, and Zhmm --
ooh, whatever could they be??!!

Plus many other scrumptious dishes from the United Kingdom.

Unusual and delicious.

A short and sweet little e-book.

So, take a chance, try your luck,
and set off on an adventure with
British Food A to Z.

Enjoy! ♥

Here's the Kindle link again:

http://www.amazon.com/British-Food-A-Grace-Mathew-ebook/dp/B00GWPVGXW

Further, to give a rating and/or a review of
British Food A to Z
on the Goodreads site,
please click on the link
given below:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18967441-british-food-a-to-z

♥

World Food A to Z -- fun quiz in a Kindle e-book

World Food A to Z

by Grace Mathew

Amazon Kindle e-book

http://www.amazon.com/World-Food-A-Grace-Mathew-ebook/dp/B00GMXQ0AI

Click on the link above
to go to the Amazon Kindle e-book site
where you'll be able to read a part of the book
by clicking on the book cover there.

♥ Cost: you'll be pleasantly surprised!! ♥

Bobotie, Char Siu, Dosa, Injera, Laksa, Mohinga,
Okroshka, Scotch Egg, Tabbouleh, Ugali,
Waterzooi, Xacuti, Yakisoba,
and many other delicious dishes from
every corner of the world...

Go on an adventure all around the globe
by trying your luck with World Food from A to Z.

It's a fun quiz of 26 questions --
from Antipasti to Zabaglione --
all in a nice little Kindle e-book!

Multiple-choice questions
with answers provided.

So, make yourself a nice cup of
whatever you fancy, relax, and
enjoy this interesting quiz e-book.

Take a chance and guess the answers!

Afterwards, go on another adventure --
try one of these unique, yummy dishes
at a restaurant...

You could also look online for a recipe
for one of the dishes, and try cooking it
at home in your own kitchen...

Enjoy! ♥

Here's the Kindle link again:

http://www.amazon.com/World-Food-A-Grace-Mathew-ebook/dp/B00GMXQ0AI

Plus, to rate and/or review
the World Food A to Z e-book
on Goodreads, click on the link below:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18804836-world-food-a-to-z

♥

Sunday, 20 December 2015

Interesting quotes from Pride and Prejudice -- an Amazon Kindle e-book by Grace Mathew

Interesting quotes from Pride and Prejudice

by Grace Mathew

A Kindle e-book

Here's another short little Kindle e-book --
it has fun fill-in-the-blank quotations
from Pride and Prejudice --
the beloved classic novel by Jane Austen.

♥ Cost: a very pleasant surprise!! ♥

You can view a free sample
by going to the Amazon Kindle link given below
and clicking on the book cover there:

http://www.amazon.com/Interesting-quotes-Pride-Prejudice-Mathew-ebook/dp/B00JBFSGNS

or simply:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JBFSGNS

Further, here is the goodreads link,
where you can rate and review it too:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21950849-interesting-quotes-from-pride-and-prejudice
♥

To Darcy -- Kindle e-book by Grace Mathew -- re. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

To Darcy

by Grace Mathew

An Amazon Kindle e-book.

A nice little book re. Mr. Darcy
from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

♥ Price: a wonderful surprise!! ♥

The following link will take you to Amazon
where you can read a free sample of the e-book
by clicking on the book cover there:

http://www.amazon.com/To-Darcy-Grace-Mathew-ebook/dp/B00GFE295Y

And here's a link to Goodreads
-- you can rate and/or review the above book
at the Goodreads site:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18798781-to-darcy

Darcy and Elizabeth -- a Kindle e-book by Grace Mathew -- re. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A book you may like to take a look at:

Darcy and Elizabeth

by Grace Mathew

A short and fun Kindle e-book
about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet
from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

♥ Cost: you'll be very pleasantly surprised!! ♥

A nice little gift for yourself or a friend.

Please click on the link below to go to the book's page on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KI5HAS

or you could try clicking on this link too:

http://www.amazon.com/Darcy-and-Elizabeth-ebook/dp/B007KI5HAS

Plus, here's the Goodreads link
where you can rate the book
or write a review of it:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16039967-darcy-and-elizabeth

♥

Monday, 12 October 2015

A knightly painting by John William Waterhouse

Here is a painting by John William Waterhouse.

What is the name of the painting?

a) Lancelot and Guinevere
b) La belle dame sans merci
c) Mélisande
d) Tristan and Iseult

NB. The answer to the above trivia question can be found here:

click here -- it will take you to a Wikipedia site for the answer

and here's some information regarding the artist:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Waterhouse

Plus, take a look at this art blog:

http://gather-ye-rosebuds-while-ye-may.blogspot.sg

and here's a poem by John Keats
with regard to the above painting:

http://www.bartleby.com/126/55.html

Do you know the cats in this video?

Here's a lovely video about cats.

Some of the cats are famous -- very well known indeed.

Plus, the video contains a short quiz about these cats.

The answers to the trivia quiz questions are shown at the end of the video.

Here's the link to the above video on youtube, just in case!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40XfBHsTfSg

♥

Trivia question re. a cat in a poem

There's an ancient Irish poem written by a monk about his cat.

What is the name of the cat?

a) Donndubhán
b) Dúbhshláine
c) Pangur Bán
d) Corraidhín

NB. The answer to the above cat and poetry trivia question can be found here:

click here - it will take you to a Wikipedia site which has the answer

The Wikipedia site also has links which will show you the translated poem.

It's a lovely, heartfelt poem which you should definitely read.

Scroll down the Wikipedia site until you come to
"External links", and then click on the word " translation".

There's a translation by Robin Flower,
and another one by W. H. Auden.
Why not read both?

And as for the meaning of the ancient Irish names in the answers above,
here's the link:

http://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/ancient-irish

Food trivia question re. Sally Lunn

What is a "Sally Lunn"?

a) a type of pudding
b) a kind of bun
c) a meat pie named after a London cook
d) a vegetarian luncheon dish

NB. The answer to the above food trivia question can be found here:

http://visitbath.co.uk/eating-and-drinking/sally-lunns-historic-eating-house-and-museum-p29431

and here:

http://www.sallylunns.co.uk

Trivia question re. the book Villette

Who wrote "Villette"?

a) Charles Dickens
b) Jane Austen
c) Guy de Maupassant
d) Charlotte Bronte

NB. The answer to the above book trivia question can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villette_(novel)

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

How strong is your vocabulary? Merriam-Webster dictionary word quiz

How many English words do you know?

How wide is your vocabulary?

For example, what's the meaning of "infrangible"?

If you'd like to test or expand the list of words that you know,
and at the same time enjoy a quick brain/memory workout,
try "How strong is your vocabulary?"

It's a quiz on the Merriam-Webster dictionary site.

It won't take long -- just 10 multiple-choice questions
in each quiz, and there are a lot of quizzes to try.

Here's the link:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/quiz/index.htm

journey to aah