Welcome to the Small Thin Quiz of the year, as we reminisce over the merry adventures that has been 2018. 30 questions will take you through the flaps, riots and the lighter side of the year. And only one question is connected to Brexit, and none relating to Trump! You’re welcome!
Feel free to share with friends & family – all I ask is credit and a hot chocolate for each share 😁
Disclaimer: While all efforts have been made in researching and checking the questions, the accuracy of this should not be relied on. Remember this quiz is just for fun! All pictures are used to help the quiz and copyrights remain with their original owners, no infringement is intended.
And without further ado, here we go…!
January
1. What happened for the first time in English football during Brighton’s FA Cup third-round win over Crystal Palace?
2. Why did a text message in Hawaii cause much chaos and confusion?
3. “Riots” spread around French supermarkets this month over which popular food item?
February
4. Why did KFC get into a flap this month?
5. A huge cold spell hit Europe in February, with temperatures around the continent as low as -30C. The storm was nicknamed “The Beast from the East” in the UK but naturally had different names around Europe. Which of these was not one of the other nicknames?
a) The Snow Cannon
b) Ice Cloud’s Shadow
c) The Siberian Bear
March
6. Professor Stephen Hawking passed away on the 14th March. Which of the following TV shows did he not guest star:
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Little Britain
- Stargate Atlantis
- Futurama
7. Toys R Us announced it was closing all of it’s UK stores this month. What was the name of the giraffe in the Toys R Us logo?
April
8. Dale Winton died this month at the age of 62. Apart from Supermarket Sweep, can you name 3 other game shows he’s presented? (max 3 points)
9. Arsène Wenger announced he was leaving Arsenal football club this month. How many years had he been at the helm?
10. Which bank was “on it’s knees”, according to it’s own CEO?
11. Why did a footstep over this line attract worldwide attention?
May
12. Which TV presenter cut off an interview with a politician by saying:
“Right, you’re not going to answer, are you? OK. All right, interview terminated because you won’t answer the question. It would be helpful if you answered a straight question with a straight answer.”
June
13. A trailer for a new film caused excitement by attempting the most ambitious team-up of all time – not Avengers: Infinity War, but all the Disney Princesses appearing in one film for the first time! What is the name of the film?
14. Why were Canadians even more relaxed than normal this month?
15. Coca Cola was forced to pause production at some of its factories this month due to a shortage of what?
July
16. Name every team England won against in their World Cup journey (not including the qualifying stages). (1 point each, 3 max).
17. Two historic milestones were reached this month, so what anniversary was it this year of:
(1 point for each).
a. the formation of the Royal Air Force?
b. The NHS?
18. What did Brooms Barn, near Bury St Edmunds in Norfolk, go 48 days without, the longest in the country?
August
19. Which high street chain did Mike Ashby rescue this month, promising to turn it into the “Harrods of the High Street”?
September
20. What reason was given by the two Russians this month accused by the UK for the poisoning of a Russian ex-Spy for their visit to Salisbury?
October
21. Geoffrey Hayes of Rainbow fame passed away this month. Can you name the three characters (pictured below) he appeared in Rainbow with? (1 point).
22. Why did a man pretending to be a woman win a prize this month on Channel 4?
23. What happened at a Sotheby’s auction this month that caused worldwide attention?
24. One of the most powerful hurricanes in US history hit the eastern coast in October. What was the name of the storm?
November
25. Peter Jackson released a special film this month, a documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of the end of the war. What was this film called?
26. The annual Take That question. Where did Take That meet Meghan Markle this month?
27. What is this photo of and why did it make the news this month?
December
28. What did Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle do to cause uproar in the House of Commons, and earn himself a day’s suspension?
29. Why was Gatwick brought to a standstill this month?
And finally…
30. A sport’s question!
Jose Mourinho was sacked from Manchester United this month. What was his last game in charge, and how much did Manchester United lose by?
Total score: ?? / 36
Answers!
January
1. What happened for the first time in English football during Brighton’s FA Cup third-round win over Crystal Palace?
The use of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42604127
2. Why did a text message in Hawaii cause much chaos and confusion?
It was an automated message falsely warning of an incoming missile. The correcting message wasn’t sent until nearly 40 minutes later.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42677604
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/us/hawaii-missile.html
3. “Riots” spread around French supermarkets this month over which popular food item?
Nutella. A 70% price reduction in some supermarkets led to fights and the police being called.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42826028
February
4. Why did KFC get into a flap this month?
750 of their stores run out of chicken, due to a change of delivery contract.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43110910
5. A huge cold spell hit Europe in February, with temperatures around the continent as low as -30c. The storm was nicknamed “The Beast from the East” in the UK but naturally had different names around Europe. Which of these was not one of the other nicknames?
a) The Snow Cannon
b) Ice Cloud’s Shadow
c) The Siberian Bear
Ice Cloud’s Shadow. We made that up.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43218229
March
6. Professor Stephen Hawking passed away on the 14th March. Which of the following TV shows did he not guest star:
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Little Britain
- Stargate Atlantis
- Futurama
Stargate Atlantis. “Stephen Hawking” appeared as part of a science convention, but was played by an actor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking_in_popular_culture#Appeared_as_himself
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43401674
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43398899
7. Toys R Us announced it was closing all of it’s UK stores this month. What was the name of the giraffe in the Toys R Us logo?
Geoffrey.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toys_%22R%22_Us#Geoffrey_the_Giraffe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43401674
April
8. Dale Winton died this month at the age of 62. Apart from Supermarket Sweep, can you name 3 other game shows he’s presented? (max 3 points)
- Pets Win Prizes
- The National Lottery – In It to Win It
- Touch the Truck
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (guest presenter)
- Hole in the Wall
- Dales’s Great Getaway
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43818226
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0936072/
9. Arsène Wenger announced he was leaving Arsenal football club this month. How many years had he been at the helm?
22
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43834283
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars%C3%A8ne_Wenger
10. Which bank was “on it’s knees”, according to it’s own CEO?
TSB, after computer issues.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43904267
11. Why did a footstep over this line attract worldwide attention?
This is the border between North & South Korea, and this month Kim Jung-Un became the first North Korea leader since the Korean War to step over the border for peace talks.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-43916858/kim-jong-un-crosses-korean-border-for-summit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43921385
May
12. Which TV presenter cut off an interview with a politician by saying: “Right, you’re not going to answer, are you? OK. All right, interview terminated because you won’t answer the question. It would be helpful if you answered a straight question with a straight answer.”
Richard Madley, who cut off Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson for refusing to answer questions of using “Trump-esque” language when he said Russia should “Shut up and go away.”
June
13. A trailer for a new film caused excitement by attempting the most ambitious team-up of all time – not Avengers: Infinity War, but all the Disney Princesses appearing in one film for the first time! What is the name of the film?
Ralph Breaks the Internet (aka Wreck It Ralph 2).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHpH11hiWf
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44369011
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenniferabidor/heres-what-the-disney-princesses-look-like-in-2d-vs-3d
14. Why were Canadians even more relaxed than normal this month?
Canada legalises recreational cannabis use.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44543286
15. Coca Cola was forced to pause production at some of its factories this month due to a shortage of what?
Carbon Dioxide. The shortage also caused the makers of Heineken’s John Smith’s Extra Smooth and Amstel to be hit. Deliveries of frozen foods were also affected, which are kept cool by dry ice, which is made by compressing CO₂.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44606777
July
16. Name every team England won against in their World Cup journey (not including the qualifying stages). (1 point each, 4 max).
Tunisia (2-1)
Nb. Belgium (0-1) doesn’t count as we lost, but don’t penalise anyone who includes or doesn’t include Belgium.
Columbia (1-1 (4-3))
Sweden (2-0)
Nb. Semi final match we lost to Croatia 1-2, then third place playoff lost to Belgium 0-2. Neither need to be mentioned.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Russia_2018
17. Two historic milestones were reached this month, so what anniversary was it this year of:
(1 point for each).
a. the formation of the Royal Air Force?
100 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44775939
b. The NHS?
70 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-44613043
18. What did Brooms Barn, near Bury St Edmunds in Norfolk, go 48 days without, the longest in the country?
Rainfall, as the ongoing heatwave continued to impact the country. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44924406
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44933429
August
19. Which high street chain did Mike Ashby rescue this month, promising to turn it into the “Harrods of the High Street”?
House of Fraser https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45140874
September
20. What reason was given by the two Russians this month accused by the UK for the poisoning of a Russian ex-Spy for their visit to Salisbury?
They were “just tourists”.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45509697
October
21. Geoffrey Hayes of Rainbow fame passed away this month. Can you name the three characters (pictured below) he appeared in Rainbow with? (1 point).
Zippy, George & Bungle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_(TV_series)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45706667
22. Why did a man pretending to be a woman win a prize this month on Channel 4?
Alex won Channel 4’s new reality TV show called The Circle. The contestants were living in separate flats and could only communicate via a social network called The Circle. Alex pretended to be a girl called Kate, “catfishing” the other contestants and winning their trust.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-45794553
23. What happened at a Sotheby’s auction this month that caused worldwide attention?
A Banksy artwork that was being auctioned off was shredded just after being sold for £1.042m.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-45770028
24. One of the most powerful hurricanes in US history hit the eastern coast in October. What was the name of the storm?
Hurricane Michael.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45806599
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45861688
November
25. Peter Jackson released a special film this month, a documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of the end of the war. What was this film called?
“They Shall Not Grow Old”.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7905466/
26. The annual Take That question. Where did Take That meet Meghan Markle this month?
The Royal Variety Performance.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46268895
27. What is this photo of and why did it make the news this month?
This was the first photo from the InSight probe, confirming it had landed on Mars successfully.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/26/world/nasa-insight-mars-landing-today/index.html
December
28. What did Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle do to cause uproar in the House of Commons, and earn himself a day’s suspension?
Pick up the ceremonial mace. The mace in Parliament is the symbol of royal authority and without it neither House can meet or pass laws.
https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/mace/
29. Why was Gatwick brought to a standstill this month?
Drones were being flown the airport.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-46623754
And finally…
30. A sport’s question!
Jose Mourinho was sacked from Manchester United this month. What was his last game in charge, and how much did Manchester United lose by?
Liverpool, who beat them 3-1.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46497598
Quiz © Michael Hardy, 2018.
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