Here are the answers to our January Quiz

  1. What is the world’s largest living rodent?

The Capybara

The capybara or greater capybara is a giant cavy rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent and a member of the genus Hydrochoerus. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara. They can weigh up to 66 kilos and apparently make good pets! But you will need a big hutch.

2. Who wrote the novels Kane and Able and The Prodigal Daughter?

Jeffrey Archer

At the last count, Jeffrey Archer had published 42 works, which have been translated into 33 languages, with combined sales of more than 275 million copies. He has led a colourful life from being an MP to bankruptcy and from Conservative Party Deputy Chairman to spending time in jail. He is now Baron Archer of Weston-Super-Mare. He started writing to get out of bankruptcy and his first novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was published in 1974. But Kane & Abel is considered his most successful work, published in 1979 and with estimated sales of 34 million copies.

3. Which jockey won his first Epsom derby on Never Say Die?

Lester Piggott

Lester Piggott won his first Epsom Derby in 1954 on Never Say Die when still a teenager. He went on to win the race a further eight times. His other Derby wins were riding Crepello (1957), St Paddy (1966), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel  (1977) and Teenoso (1983).

4.Which breakfast cereal did the Honey Monster advertise?

Sugar Puffs

Made from sugar coated wheat, Sugar Puffs were first launched in 1957, with Jeremy the Bear. They were invented by William Halliday Davies, production manager at the Quaker Oats mills in Southall. But with all the adverse publicity about the sugar content in children’s food, the manufacturers reduced the sugar content by 20% and changed the cereal’s name to Honey Monster Puffs in 2014.

5. On Countdown, how many letters are selected in each round?

Nine

Countdown is a British TV Game Show that was first shown in 1982 and is still going strong. It was hosted by Richard Whiteley until his death in 2006. Carol Vorderman was co-host from 1982 to 2008.

6. What lubricant was finally perfected in 1953 after 39 unsuccessful attempts?

WD 40 (Water Displacement 40th attempt)

In 1953 the Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego developed rust prevention solvent and degreaser for the aerospace industry. It took them 40 attempts to get in right – hence the name. Although it was initially a specialised commercial product for the aerospace industry it was noticed that some technicians were smuggling out cans of the product for their own use. This led to the introduction of the aerosol spray cans most of us have in our toolbox to help undo those difficult bolts!

7. Who is the only British politician to have been granted honorary US citizenship?

Sir Winston Churchill

President John F Kennedy bestowed honorary US citizenship on Sir Winston Churchill in 1963. This was the first time  such an award was made and since then only eight individuals have received this honour, six of which were awarded posthumously. The only other living recipient was Mother Theresa.

8. What is the world’s most expensive spice?

Saffron

Saffron is used as a food colouring and dye. It comes from the large red stigmas of the saffron crocus, native to the warmer regions of Eurasia. Enormous numbers of flowers are required to produce a small quantity of the spice. It is the most expensive spice in the world because it is difficult to harvest, and a large quantity of flowers are necessary for just a small amount of Saffron. Most is harvested in Iran but the Saffron Crocus is now also farmed in the USA and a few other countries.

9. Who is the only person to have been awarded two individual, unshared Nobel Prizes?

Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling was a US Chemist and Human Rights activist. His scientific discoveries were widespread, leading to important contributions in a diverse array of areas including the fields of quantum mechanics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, protein structure, molecular biology, and medicine. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.

10. In which TV sitcom did two sisters, Sharon and Tracey share a house in a posh London suburb?

Birds of a Feather

A TV Sitcom thar ran from 1989 to 1998 on BBC1 starring Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson as two sisters, Sharon and Tracey and Lesley Joseph, as their next-door neighbour, Dorien.. Two sisters, Sharon and Tracey were brought together after both their husbands were sent to jail. Sharon who lived in an Edmonton council flat, moves into her sister’s upmarket home in Chigwell, Essex. Dorien was the next-door neighbour. It returned in 2014 to ITV for a further two series.