Latest questions: 17 March 2020

This week's questions are from those used in Week 17 of the 2019–20 season in Macclesfield Quiz League, set by the Nags Head and the Brewers Arms.

What name was given (in English) to the collection of States of the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by the Spanish branch of the Habsburg family from 1556 to 1714 – comprising most of the modern states of Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as parts of northern France, southern Netherlands, and western Germany?		The Spanish Netherlands
What name is now preferred (in the pinyin system) for the Chinese city that was previously known in English as Canton?		Guangzhou
What name did Google give to the mobile phone operating system that it introduced in 2008?		Android
In chemistry, what name is given to a natural or synthetic substance whose very large molecules are multiples of simpler chemical units?		A polymer
Which American scientist and author has been quoted as saying "Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do"?		Isaac Asimov
Who is reliably alleged to have said to Bessie Braddock MP, when she accused him of being "drunk, and what's more ... disgustingly drunk", "Bessie, my dear, you are ugly, and what's more, you are disgustingly ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be disgustingly ugly."		Winston Churchill
Which recently–deceased actor and broadcaster was the straight man to the comedian Arthur Haynes on TV in the 1950s and 60s?		Nicholas Parsons
What's the name of the 376–foot (114.5 m)–tall "sculpture and observation tower" in London's Olympic Park – designed by sculptor Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond, and partly named after its sponsor, Luxembourg–based steel company ArcelorMittal?		Orbit
Bumpy Dog, Mr. and Mrs. Tubby Bear, Tessie Bear, and the mischievous goblins Sly and Gobbo, are friends or associates of which much–loved children's character?		Noddy
Which Brazilian music style – a blend of samba and jazz – was popularised in the 1950s and 60s by singer/songwriter/guitarist João Gilberto, composer Tom Jobim and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes?		Bossa Nova
Name the US rock band, led by Tom Scholz, whose 1976 single More than a Feeling is perhaps the archetypal Adult Oriented Rock (AOR) anthem – although it wasn't a big hit on its initial release		Boston
Which Cuban high jumper has held the men's world record since 1988? His third world record jump of 2.45 metres (8 ft 0.5 in), was set in 1993, and he's still the only man to clear eight feet		Javier Sotomayor
Which cricketer kept wicket for England in 95 Test matches between 1967 and 1981, scoring 4,389 runs and taking 250 catches?		Alan Knott
Who holds the record for the most goals in the English Premier League, with 260 (including 58 penalties)?		Alan Shearer
Which French fashion designer is known for his stiletto shoes with shiny, red–lacquered leather soles?		Christian Louboutin
In which English city would you find the Alexander Stadium – home to Birchfield Harriers athletics club, and the headquarters of UK Athletics?		Birmingham
In the 1990s, Barry Killerby put on a ridiculous rubber costume to become which character?		Mr. Blobby
Which university in the north of England – England's third oldest, and Britain's seventh oldest – is made up of sixteen colleges, including Collingwood, John Snow and Ustinov?		Durham
Which English football club was founded in 1893 as New Brompton FC, changing to its current name in 1912?		Gillingham
In World War II, what was the code name for the German invasion of Crete, which took place in 1941?		Operation Mercury
In architecture, what name is given to a large open space within a building, often featuring a glass roof?		An atrium
Which former US President collaborated with the thriller writer James Patterson on the 2018 novel The President is Missing?		Bill Clinton
Whose advice to his three children – Lucy, Robert and Tim – included the words "Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet"?		Stephen Hawking
Which French actress first achieved international recognition for her lead role in the 2001 film Amélie?		Audrey Tautou
What name is given to a wedge (or a pair of wedges) of sturdy material, placed closely against the wheels of a vehicle (especially an aeroplane) to prevent accidental movement?		Chock(s)
Which genus of dinosaurs has a name that means 'swift robbers'?		Velociraptor(s)
Which Northern Irish rider has been World Superbike Champion a record five times (and in consecutive years), between 2015 and 2019?		Jonathan Rea
Which dating website and app is described by its founder, Whitney Wolfe Herde, as a "feminist dating app", because in hetero–sexual matches, only female users can make the first contact with matched male users?		Bumble
What is ANPR technology used for?
To recognise vehicle number plates (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)
Which English county claims to have more castles than any other – including Alnwick, Bamburgh, Berwick, Dunstanburgh (both now ruined), Chillingworth, Warkworth and Langley (now a hotel)?		Northumberland
Who was the only player to feature in all four of Liverpool's European Cup triumphs (1977, 1978, 1981 and 1984)?		Phil Neal
After five series with guest presenters, who presented Series 28 of the irreverent BBC pop music quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks, in 2014 – the last series before it was axed?		Rhod Gilbert
Whose 2014 autorbiography was entitled Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored?		John Lydon

© Haydn Thompson 2020