Not Even A Genius Can Get Over 50% On This Pub Quiz. Wanna Try?
- by Clayton Leir
- – on
- in Lifestyle
I have to say that I think pub quizzes are always a bit of fun. I have spent many a trivia night out at my local watering hole, trying to answer some rather bizarre questions about the world and all the things both in it, and beyond it. And it seems that every week I'd spend at a trivia night, the questions were so incredibly diverse that it was really hard to nail anything down when playing alone. It was always best to have a team so that there were focused pools of knowledge.
I think it might be best for people to do the same when taking on this quiz. Some people here might think that they are geniuses, and some of the people here may actually be, but not even a genius is like to get a 50% score on this quiz without at least a little bit of help. That being said, everyone should feel a bit better about this quiz because I have focused most of the questions towards pop culture. Not every question...but most of them. So, what is everyone waiting for? Tackle this quiz solo and see who can break a 50% score...or just give in, team up, and discover just how helpful teamwork can really be!
How does one put out wildfire from Game of Thrones?
I am sure that there are at least some people here, taking this quiz, who have not yet watched or read any of the GoT series. I'll be totally honest when I say that I have not yet watched my way through the series. I've read the entirety of A Song of Ice and Fire, so far, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book, but I have not yet watched all of the HBO series. That being said, only a basic knowledge of the series is needed to understand just what it takes to put out a blaze of wildfire.
What is the name of the very first Harry Potter book?
Well, this is actually a very interesting question, I think. One might think that it is pretty easy to give the title of the very first Harry Potter book but there is something special about the very first book that might make it more difficult. It just so happens that when the book first released across the pond, it was released under one name, but when it was released in the US not long after, it was given a different title for reasons I will never quite understand. Anyhow, it is all up to the quiz-taker now to choose the correct title of the first Harry Potter book.
Who is Iron Man?
What do people think I mean by this question? Do people think I mean who plays the role of Iron Man? As in, who is the actor? Or do people think I simply mean, what is the identity of the superhero Iron Man? For those who are actually reading this description, I am talking about the latter. I want to know the identity of this Iron Man character. I am sure that this will be a trivially easy question for many people here. And it should be because this guy is basically the better Marvel version of Batman.
Who wrote the majority of the Scream films?
So, let us just focus in on that question and set something straight here. We are not talking about the Scream series on Netflix. We are talking about the Scream film series. There are four such films and while there are several writers credited with work on these screenplays, there is one writer who takes the cake when it comes to having created the story and having written the majority of the films. This is probably one of my favorite spooky film franchises ever and I have to say that this writer is also well-known for other works out there.
What is the seventh planet from the Sun?
Here is a random space question because why not? Everyone has got to know the names of most of the planets in our galaxy, right? Some might think of Pluto as a planet still, but that depends on how it is that people feel about that little ball of ice. Some people still think about it as a planet but some definitely do not consider it anymore. I guess it just matters where one is up to date on the science. Anyway, what is the seventh planet from the Sun?
What band does Adam Levine sing for?
This guy, I'm sure, everyone must know as a judge on the hit TV talent show 'The Voice'. Sometimes he performs on the show but he is not a contestant by any means. It is interesting watching him work with certain talent who make it on the show and it is even more interesting to get his insights into the music business. Before he ever made it on The Voice as a judge, though, he was a big star with his band. The band still plays but it is not nearly as popular as it used to be. What is the name of the band?
What word fits before vest, quartet and beans?
This might seem like a pretty weird question, and that sort of is because it is a weird question, I guess. But if people here really do think clearly enough about the question, it is pretty simple to get correct. Of course, that is not up to me. It is up to the way in which everyone here reads the question. Some people may totally make sense of a wrong answer somehow. And that's fine, that's just one step further away from getting over a 50% score on the quiz overall. And no one wants to end up with a score lower than 50%.
Who hosted River Monsters?
Does anyone here remember the fairly epic show River Monsters? I cannot say that I really enjoy the idea of watching some guy going out of his way to pull up a big fish from the depths just to shove a camera in its face, only to put back in the water, hoping that it lives on. However, I cannot help but be pulled in by the crazy creatures that this guy does manage to pull in, even if some of the folklore and local stories of the areas he fishes in are a bit ridiculous.
Which star couple split in September of 2016?
Everyone here should know that it is pretty well almost par for the course that superstar couples out in Hollywood are going to split up at one point or another. Even if they get back together after some time apart. It's just going to happen. It is a rocky road out there for the stars. I'm sure everyone will be able to guess just which big name couple split back in September of 2016. I mean, it was a pretty big deal in the National Enquirer when it happened.
Who is Darth Vader?
This should be a clear giveaway for anyone who knows even the slightest of things about the Star Wars franchise. I mean, come on. This is a trivially easy question that I pretty well am only giving away simply because some people will need some freebies in order to get anywhere close to 50% on this quiz. So, those who have only seen the original trilogy from the Star Wars franchise may not actually know Vader's true name. And those who have unfortunately seen the prequels will know the name all too well.
What superhero/vigilante did Anne Hathaway play?
When I first saw Anne Hathaway, it was in The Princess Diaries. She did a good job going from geek to gorgeous but it's not like that movie was meant to contain amazing acting. However, she has done some pretty awesome work since and has ended up playing one of the most famous superheroes in the world. Well, superhero/vigilante. I mean, she is not always looked at as a hero. I suppose it depends on how one looks at her, though.
What company did Elon Musk create?
I do not really care what people think here, I have to say that Elon Musk is a genius. He might not be the greatest guy on Earth. However, there is something about the way in which this guy thinks about the world and how he envisions it that I think more people need to get onboard with. He definitely has helped inspire a new sort of world, and a positive future for us all to one day live in.
Who bears the nickname "Scream Queen"?
I guess I should be a bit fair here. I mean, I'm sure that there have been a number of people who have been granted the title of Scream Queen. Well, in this instance, I am talking about someone who has been a star in so many spooky films that she has been given the epic title of Scream Queen because of how wonderfully she has built up her spooky life in the cinema. And there is only one woman who fits that bill. She even stars in the show Scream Queens too!
How many years apart are Homer and Peter in terms of their first episodes?
It should be no surprise to anyone here that Homer Simpson has been around longer than Peter Griffin. And I think most of us should know which of the cartoons is superior as well. But I'll leave that one up to interpretation rather than just giving away that answer also. Now, what I want to know here is just how many years people think there are between Homer's debut with The Simpsons, and Peter's debut with Family Guy. Obviously, The Simpsons have had more time, but just how much more time?
Who does Cate Blanchett play in The Lord of the Rings?
Alright, I have to be honest here and say that Cate Blanchett probably plays one of my very favorite characters in the entirety of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is just something about the way her character smiles that just really warms my heart and I have never been able to get over it since the very first time I saw it. What a smile. Anyway, I think anyone who knows these films even slightly should be able to quickly name the character that Blanchett plays. Those who have only read the books will obviously have a bit more trouble.
What is the name of the doctor Hugh Laurie plays?
A lot of people know all about the hit tv series House MD. And there is every reason why people should know about this show. I mean, who does not love Hugh Laurie? If anyone raised their hand just then...I am really not interested in those opinions. I think Hugh Laurie is an awesome actor and fantastic musician on top of that and he gets to show both of those off in his role in House MD. Now, of course everyone knows him as Dr. House. That's not a spoiler at all. But I want to know his full name here.
Where would one find the Sea of Tranquility?
Here is an interesting question for everyone. I mean, how many seas are there anyway? And when I say sea...do I also mean ocean to be included in there? Am I talking about a dry ocean bed or a filled up, wet and wild oceanic adventure? I mean, there are many possibilities here for this Sea of Tranquility. I think the only thing that can really be pulled from the name of this sea at all is the fact that it must be pretty silent and peaceful, wherever it may be. So, where does everyone think that might just be?
Name a book by Stephen Hawking!
For those quiz-takers who, for whatever ridiculous reason, do not know who Stephen Hawking is, I suggest getting one of his books. He is something of a genius. Or I should say he was. He passed not all that long ago. A very sad day that was. We pretty well lost one of the most intelligent people on our lowly little planet that day. And when one considers that Hawking had to deal with ALS and could not move at all from a very young age up until his passing, the fact that he still managed to out-genius the majority of the planet is incredible.
Who is The Hulk?
I'm not asking who plays the Hulk here. I just want to know the true identity of this giant character. Sure, we all know that the guy who ends up turning into the Hulk is a doctor of some sort. And he's a genius. However, in spite of the fact that he's a genius he still ended up getting himself hit by a bit too much gamma radiation and that really does not work well with some people, apparently. Unlike Spider-Man who ended up with some pretty positive powers, this guy turns into the Hulk and just goes nutty on everything.
What is required to travel through time with this car (besides the flux capacitor)?
If anyone here does not know about the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future...I just do not rightly know what to say. That's just silly, I think. At any rate, this car has been made famous by the classic 90s trilogy. People can still get replicas. It's not an actual DMC DeLorean because they went out of business some long time ago, but that's not the point. Now, those who know the film series will know that the flux capacitor is necessary for time travel, but there is also another very important piece to the puzzle when it comes to making the thing work.
What does "Valar Dohaeris" mean?
Surely everyone who is at least slightly a fan of the Game of Thrones series will know what "Valar Morghulis" means. I mean, that is a pretty straightforward motto for the very dark and interesting group of people that Arya Stark finds herself a part of for a time. And there are theories that she is actually no longer Arya and someone is simply wearing her face to go and rule over Winterfell. I think that's wrong, but it's still a theory that's out there. Anyway, who here can say, with accuracy, just what "Valar Dohaeris" means?
Who wrote and directed the original and final films of the Elm St. franchise?
Now, some people will likely think to themselves here "Hey, the last Elm St. movie was a total remake and had nothing to do with this guy in terms of writing or direction." Well, that is only for people who even accept the most recent and only Elm St. remake as an actual part of the franchise. I simply refuse to accept that film as part of the series or franchise. And that's it. The last Elm St. film was the seventh of the series and brought everything home to the very first film. Both of these movies were written and directed by whom?
Who plays the role of Hawkeye?
Now, when I ask who plays the role of Hawkeye, I don't mean to ask just what the name of the person who wears the Hawkeye costume is. Real comic book fans will all know that the person who dons the Hawkeye outfit is Clint Barton. I am actually wondering who the actor is who portrays this character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I think this is actually a pretty easy question, to be totally honest. That could be because I'm the one who put the question here, but I also already knew the answer, and this guy is in plenty of other shows and films.
Which of these cartoons is the longest running?
There are some pretty awesome cartoons out on the market right now when it comes to comedic, sometimes kid-friendly viewing. I mean, for the most part, Family Guy and South Park are not really aimed directly at children. The Simpsons is more geared that way but still intended for an adult audience in order to fully grasp the humor. Then there are cartoons like Big Mouth and Bojack Horseman that have been around for a bit and also should be included here in the adult cartoon genre. Of all of these cartoons though, which is the oldest and longest running?
Who is the oldest of the Kardashian Sisters?
Oh, I have to be totally honest right here and right now. I really know virtually nothing about the Kardashians and I am totally fine with that. I am not a huge fan at all. I'm sure there are entertaining reasons for some people to tune into their shows and see what they're up to but I'm not very interested at all. However, this is a pop culture quiz and I thought that they would fit pretty comfortably in the pop culture mix. And what better way than to cause some more family drama than to ask just which of the K sisters is the oldest?
Who below has not collaborated with Charlie Puth?
Charlie Puth is a musician that I think a lot of people really did not know much about until his hit song 'Attention' hit the radio waves. and I have to be totally honest here, I thought that was his debut track. Little did I know that he had released quite a bit of music before that and also was writing for some pretty famous for even longer than he had been recording his own music. He has got some wicked skills considering he produces everything from the comfort of his own home. Anyway, what I'm interested in knowing is who he has not done a tune with.
Which of these is NOT a Bieber song?
Justin Bieber has been around for an incredible amount of time, I have to say. There are not many child star singers who manage to grow up into the music life and stay relevant. But I have to give credit where credit is due. Justin Bieber is clearly one of those people who is able to adapt and evolve with the time and within his own life experience. I mean, I never thought that this kid from Stratford would be so huge and then continue on after all of his ridiculous antics. But here he is, all grown up and still singing.
What is the latest Bruno Mars album called?
Bruno Mars has been a constant hit since he first made the music scene with his instant classic, sitting at the piano, doing nothing but singing and somehow being rolled into and out of a cassette tape. He always did have a love for things nostalgic. I used to play the one hit for gigs when I played the bar scene in Ottawa. Anyway, every time this guy puts out a new album, there is always at least one track that people can really dig into. Grenade, Uptown Funk...and now with his latest album, virtually every song is a hit.
Who originally sang the "I'm lovin' it" jingle for McDonald's?
This is a very interesting question, I think. I mean I really had absolutely no idea that this person, of all people ended up being the one who originally recorded this ridiculous jingle that gets stuck in everyone's head after hearing it on tv or in a YouTube ad. And it sticks on one's head even if one does not ever want to have any of this food in one's mouth. At any rate, the person who recorded this song will likely surprise pretty well everyone here. I don't think there is any way around that. I wonder if anyone here knows who it is.
What is Paul McCartney's middle name?
Oh, this is a very interesting one that I think most people would simply not expect at all. In fact, I have to put my cards all out on the table right here and say that I actually had no idea that this was his middle name until just before I started putting together this quiz. I love it when there is trivia that would stump me when I'm building a quiz. It allows me to share in the experience that everyone else is having. So, that being said, who here can actually tell me just what Paul McCartney's middle name is?
In what film does Vader say "No, I am your father"?
I find this one always interesting to test people on. I mean, there are only so many Star Wars movies out there and only so many of them feature Darth Vader, and even on top of that, there are only so many that feature both Darth Vader and Luke in the same place at the same time. Given that, one might think that it would be perfectly easy to trace just which film it is that this iconic line comes from. But don't let the seeming simplicity of this question confuse anything. Really think hard about where this line fits in.
Who wrote the "I'm lovin' it" jingle for McDonald's?
Now, do not get this one confused with the person who performed this jingle. The writer and the performer are both very different people, for sure. In fact, there difference between the two is large enough that I had no idea just who the person was who wrote this jingle. I actually still don't really know much of anything about this person. However, the one who performed the jingle is a music superstar right now and that is not like to change any time soon. Either way, I still have to ask each and every quiz-taker here just who they think wrote this jingle.
What is another word for "Lexicon"?
Well, is not this an interesting little question? One might think that the answer jumps right out at them right away just by asking what another word for a specific words might be. Make sure to read the question and the possible answers carefully though. Surely everyone here wants to try and make at least 50% on this quiz all on their own and giving up a simple question like this might hurt the chances of that result. Either way, it is pretty true to say that lexicon is not nearly as popular a word these days, but what is a pub quiz without some very random questions?
What other occupation does Kiefer Sutherland hold aside from actor?
Not a lot of people will probably know what else Kiefer Sutherland does in terms of occupation. Well, that is not much of a surprise since he is such a bright and shining star when it comes to his acting. That being said, there have been plenty of years where Sutherland was hardly doing any acting at all, and what do people suppose he was up to? I mean, I would want a break from some of that crazy life he must live too, but he focused that time into something pretty awesome in terms of an occupation. Just another skill he happens to have.
What is the name of Joe Rogan's podcast?
I don't know about anyone else here, but I am a huge fan of Joe Rogan's work. Now, that is not to say that I agree with every single one of his thoughts and opinions. I don't think there is anyone like that out there, but I do respect his interest in getting to the bottom of certain subjects and his ability to remain open to argument and reason. And I love that he is not afraid, at all, to call people out on their ridiculous claims. I love his show on Netflix, and his standup comedy is pretty great as well.
Who is this actor from the hit 90s series The X-Files?
There have got to be some pretty nerdy people kicking around here taking this quiz who know, right away just who it is that I'm asking about here. I mean, there are really only two people anyone really needs to know when it comes to The X-Files. Now, the character name is Dana Scully. Surely people already at least knew the "Scully" part but who here can put a name to this actor? There must be someone here who can.
Who does Bruce Lee fight toward the end of G.O.D.?
G.O.D. is probably one of the most iconic Bruce Lee films out there. And there is good reason. I mean, there are not many films that happen to feature Bruce Lee's yellow jumpsuit and there are not too many films out there that feature a climb up a pagoda in quite the same way as this epic film. Now, there is a very important fight in terms of iconic film moments in this movie and it has to do with a basketball All-Star of all people. And this All-Star, while he doesn't really seem to know how to fight very well, happens to be a Kung-Fu demon.
Who was the very first person to play James Bond on screen?
Who here does not know at least a very little bit about the James Bond series? Does anyone here know who originally created the character in the first place? Not that it matters for this question but the creator of the character is one Ian Fleming. His books have sparked all manner of inspiration for film versions of the James Bond character. There are plenty of movies that are not actually based directly on the books but there is one thing in common. James Bond himself. Now, what I want to know is...who was the first person to make a screen appearance as 007?
Was "Elementary, my dear Watson" ever said in the Sherlock books?
Everyone knows that most iconic turns of phrase put out there by the greatest of all literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes. I'm sure there are many people here who, at one point or another have said, "Elementary, my dear Watson". I know that I have certainly said it. My brother was a huge fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works when it came to the Sherlock Holmes series and I bet he would find this question very interesting indeed. And I bet he would also be able to give the correct answer. Now, I realize there are probably not many people who still read his books, but these books have all made the screen in one way or another.
Who was not at all involved in Ed Sheeran's song 'Perfect'?
Now, look...when I say "involved" in the song 'Perfect', I mean someone who has recorded the song either with Ed Sheeran himself or has done a cover of the song. Sure, there are probably hundreds of thousands of people who have covered this song. I have covered this song for my gigs, and people love hearing it. but that's not the point. The main thing here is I want to know which of the people who are listed below have not ever worked on Ed Sheeran's hit song 'Perfect'. Now, be careful here. There are some people who have worked on this song who may not be expected.
Who sang 'Little Drummer Boy' with David Bowie?
I think one of my favorite Christmas treats is sitting back and watching the old school video that features David Bowie and this other very famous singer who meet on a simple set and sit by a piano in order to sing 'Little Drummer Boy' with a bit of a twist. I have to do it every year. It's like sitting back and watching Thriller every Halloween season. There is just something so iconic and uplifting about it. And this version of 'Little Drummer Boy' is actually just gorgeous. I think Bowie makes it, but this other guy is needed.
Who played Dr. James Wilson in House MD?
This is actually one of my very favorite actors out there and I have to be honest when I say that this is only based on three different examples of work. I was first introduced to this actor when I watched a wonderfully poetic film that happened to star Robin Williams. After that, I was reintroduced to this guy through the film version of the Shakespeare play 'Much Ado About Nothing'. This was the Kenneth Branagh version, that I'm talking about. Then, I was sure he was one of my favorites after I saw him once again in the hit show House MD. Who is he?
Who premiered the TV series 'Cosmos' as a host?
I think everyone has probably heard of the hit series 'Cosmos' by now. I mean, it's been all over TV in the past few years. And that is by no means the first time that it has aired on TV. It is actually a much older show than people might think. It is awesome though that the series has been brought back in order to keep up with the times and the new discoveries that have been made in the fields that space sciences dig into in one way or another. So, the question is, who premiered this TV series as the host?
Who did Chris Stapleton sing 'Say Something' with?
Alright, some people did not really know who Chris Stapleton was until this song 'Say Something' came out. And I have to be totally honest here when I say that I really did not know anything about him either until I saw the video and heard the song. I have to say I'm a huge fan of his ability and the quality of his voice as well now. It's worth noting that this song was not a specific track for a Stapleton album. It actually belongs to a recent album from the other half of this duet.
What is the name of Cenk Uygur's online news network?
I have to be honest here, I did not know much about this guy when I was first told about the online news network that this guy created. When I first started paying attention to what they posted, I was pretty interested in wanting to know what he and his team thought. After a few unpleasant interactions with people who I find more credible, though, I lost my taste for this guy and his network but that does not change the fact that they are one of the most popular news networks online, and I think they are also the oldest. What's the network?
What is Bill Burr's hit cartoon series called?
I have to say, straight up that I think Bill Burr has become one of my favorite comics. He's just so direct and straight up about how he feels and there is really no guard up when it comes to the way he digs into his own thoughts and feelings. I love it. His stand-up is just wonderful. And he's very much just like a normal guy who loves baking and working on cars and hanging out watching the game. Anyway, in the past couple of years, Burr has created his own animated series that is just hilarious. What's it called?
Which of these pop stars was born in 1989?
There are all sorts of pop stars out there who have yet to make the big number 30. That should not be surprising. There are not all that many pop stars who stick around well into their 30s. They sort of start to dwindle after a time. Unless they're The Backstreet Boys or Justin Timberlake. But that is certainly not the point. Below are four pop stars and I want to know which of them was born in 1989. The reason why I ask is because I happen to have been born in 1989 as well, and I find it interesting to know famous people my age.
What is Bill Nye's latest show called?
Alright, here it is. This guy was one of the very best parts of my childhood. I watched Bill Nye The Science Guy every day after school when I was a kid and I loved it. I even rewatched the series not too many years ago as well. And now that I'm an adult, Bill Nye has put out a new series that draws me right back in. Sure, he still sticks a bit to the kid-friendly area of things but not in the same way that his Disney show did. This new show is great for all ages, I think.
What is the biggest freshwater lake in the world?
Here is a random question that drifts away from the whole pop culture focus of this quiz. I have to throw in a few questions that are pretty random. Otherwise, it would be nothing like a real pub quiz. And I really do hope that some people here are taking this quiz while at a pub. Now, getting to the question at hand, I happen to love canoeing and I love paddling lakes. Does anyone know what the largest freshwater lake in the world is though?
What was Bieber's big billboard hit in 2016?
Everyone knows that Justin Bieber is a superstar. And what's more? He's been a superstar since he was just a little kid after he way picked up by some guy who saw a video of him on YouTube busking in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario. There is something a little strange about how that all sounds, but there it is. Anyway, in 2016, there was a specific song that Bieber put out that really got people going and so many people have covered this song now that I sort of never want to hear it again but once people see the answer here...it'll be stuck in their heads.