Preliminary Round Bmc Quiz...

BANGALORE MEDICAL COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE COBALT SKIES ‘09 29th October 2009

GENERAL QUIZ PRELIMS Quiz-master: Vinay N. Bhushan [email protected] Names of the participants along with the names of their institutions:

Contact Number(s):

Team Name:

RULES & REGULATIONS • • • • •

Write all the answers neatly in the space provided below every question. Anything written elsewhere will not be considered. No negative markings, so attempt all 25 questions. Some of the questions are marked with **. They will be used to resolve ties, if any. Malpractice of any kind will lead to disqualification. Decisions of the Quiz-master regarding all matters will be final and binding. Happy Quizzing! 

1) He may have lived during the first half of the 16th century. Some references in his works indicate that his real name was Puspadatta. X appears to have been his pseudonym. He is famous for his pithy three-lined poems called tripadis, a form of Vachanas. Identify X.

2) Which state was referred to as ‘Utkala’ by Rabindranath Tagore in our National Anthem?

3) Which coin operated machine, then known as the ‘nickel-in-the-slot’ was installed for the first time in the Palais Royal Saloon, San Francisco, USA on 23rd Nov. 1889 by an entrepreneur named Louis Glass and his associate, William S. Arnold?

4) ** When in Britain, Asterix brews a substitute potion with a mysterious herb after the barrel containing the magic potion is lost. What was the herb used?

5) According to a law passed by the British Parliament in 1930, what term/phrase is used for anything that existed since 1189 A.D. and still exists today?

6) A Chemical Engineer by profession, he gave up his lucrative career as an Environmental Consultant in Atlanta, USA. He studied acting at the Warehouse Actor's Theatre in Atlanta, and in 1994 co-produced and directed a short film, "One Culture at a Time". He won the audience awards at ‘The Peachtree International Film Festival’ and the ‘Rhode Island International Film Festival’ for best film. Who?

7) Whose epitaph reads thus: “A tomb now suffices for him for whom the world was not enough”?

8) ** How is “a roasted rice wafer thin pancake with spiced potatoes, onions and chilies usually served with ground coconut sauce” better known as?

9) In the 18th century, it was confused with other inflammable gases such as carbon monoxide etc. However in 1776, an English Chemist showed that this “inflammable air” was different from

other combustible gases by measuring its density. The initial use of this was to fill balloons in 1783. Which gas?

10) Which spiritual leader has served as the Guest Editor of the French magazine ‘Vogue’ and is referred by titles such as ‘Ocean of Wisdom’, ‘Holder of the White Lotus’ and ‘Protector of the Land of the Snow’?

11) ** The slang term X refers to the feeling of waking up after a one-night stand, and discovering that your arm is underneath someone who is so physically repulsive that you would gladly gnaw (bite persistently) it off without waking the person just so you can get away without being discovered. Coyotes are known to gnaw off limbs if they are stuck in a trap in order to facilitate escape. What is X?

12) Cyrix Corporation was a company manufacturing microprocessors chips and a bitter rival of X. In the lobby of their headquarters in Texas, USA there resided a tomb on which the famous slogan of X was inscribed. Y was the slogan. Identify both X and Y.

13) A synonym of ‘essence’, it refers to edible parts of a nut or the seed of a fruit. In mathematics, it is the set of elements that a given function from one set to a second set maps into the identity of the second set. What is this word that every UNIX user would be familiar with?

14) Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, is a three time Academy Award nominated, multiple Grammy award winner. He was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist of the rock band The Police with Andy Summers (guitar, vocals) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion, vocals) his mates in this band. How is he better known as on stage?

15) X is played between 2 teams on a large field, composed of a dirt infield which contains the diamond and running areas, and a grass outfield. There are 4 bases on the infield; the bases are arranged in a square and are typically 45 to 65 feet apart. Near the center of this square is the pitcher's circle, and within the circle is the "rubber", a small flat rectangular area. The object of the game is to score more runs (points) than the other team by batting (hitting) a ball into play and running around the bases, touching each one in succession. The ball is a sphere of light material, covered with leather or synthetic. It is 10 to 12 inches (or rarely, 16 inches) (28 to 30.5 centimeters) in circumference. What is X?

16) The first automobile X, built in 1902, was designed so the driver sat outside under a covered compartment. This word X is derived from the name of a French region because the covered compartment physically resembled the cloak hood worn by the shepherds there. An alternate etymology has the chauffeur wearing a X-style cloak in the open driver's compartment, for protection from the weather. The first “stretch X” was created in Fort Smith, Arkansas around 1928 by a coach company named Armbruster. These cars were primarily used to transport famous “big band” leaders, such as Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman and their bands and equipment. These early stretch X were often called “big band buses”. Identify X.

17) The study of X is called ‘pogonology’. The Assyrians, Babylonians, Medians and ancient Persians devoted great care to oiling and dressing their X, using tongs and curling irons to create elaborate ringlets and tiered patterns. In India growing it was a symbol of dignity and wisdom. The ancient Greeks regarded it as a badge or sign of virility which it was a disgrace to be without. The Spartans punished cowards by shaving off a portion of their X. What is X?

18) Born in West Punjab in June 1946, he spent the better half of his childhood in New York. He graduated with honors from Harvard University in Philosophy and Politics. He worked for Procter & Gamble for many years before retiring to become a full time writer. His latest book is "Difficulty of Being Good-On the Subtle Art of Dharma". In this book, which is an exposition of the dilemmas and ambiguities inherent in the Mahabharata, he shows us how we can come to terms with the uncertain ethics of the world today, a world uncannily similar to that of the great epic. Who?

19) A curved missile used for hunting and warfare, it is so shaped that when thrown to a target at a distance, it returns to the thrower if the target is missed. It varies in form – ranging from deep, even curved to one whose arms are at 90 degrees with the ends twisted in opposite direction. What?

20) ** This pair of strategically important islands is politically administered by Myanmar but is geographically part of the Andaman Islands archipelago. A penal colony was established there by the Burmese Government thus earning it the nickname ‘Devil’s Island’. These islands have become a source of irritant for India with reports of China having set up its bases there. Name the Islands.

GENERAL QUIZ PRELIMS ANSWERS 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Sarvajna Orissa Juke Box Tea Since time immemorial (all three words must be there in that order for point to be awarded) 6) Nagesh Kukunoor 7) Alexander the Great 8) Masala Dosa (usually served with Chutney) (Masala Dosa is the only answer required for which credits will be awarded) 9) Hydrogen 10) Dalai Lama 11) Coyote Ugly 12) X – Intel Corporation Y – “Intel Inside” (half point for each right answer) 13) Kernel 14) Sting 15) Softball 16) Limousines 17) Beard 18) Gurcharan Das 19) Boomerang 20) Coco Islands

Happy Quizzing!  Quiz-master: Vinay N. Bhushan

PROFILE

Vinay N. Bhushan Has been quizzing for the past 10 years. • Was a member of the Mangalore Quizzing Foundation (MQF) for two years from 2002-04. • Was the second runner-up at the 2005 The Hindu-Young World Quiz for Bangalore region. • Have conducted quizzes for two consecutive years at Satvam, the annual fest of the Kumaran’s Pre-University College. •