TIMES OF INDIA FUNDAMENTAL QUIZ PRELIMS. 2005, 2006 & 2007

Times of India Fundamental Quiz 2005
Date: 12th August 2005
Venue: Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi
Conducted by: Derek O' Brien & Associates

Preliminary Rounds: 25 dry question, 3 visuals, 2 audio clips. Cut-off
was 23, with 6 teams qualifying for the finals.

1. The 'Compton-Miller Medal' is awarded to the Man of the Series in
the test series played by which two countries?
Ans. England-Australia (The Ashes)

2. What was Jawaharlal Nehru by profession?
Ans. Lawyer

3. What is India's internet country domain code?
Ans. .in

4. Over 90% of the dry weight of which part of our body is made up of
proteins called 'keratins'? : Skin, Hair, or Bones
Ans. Skin

5. Which Sikh Guru was known as 'Bhai Jetha'?
Ans. Guru Ramdas

6. By whom was the symphony Ode to Joy written, later used at the
Olympic ceremonies?
Ans. Ludwig van Beethoven

7. What is the official language of the Vatican City state? : English,
Latin or Italian
Ans. Latin

8. In Tintin comics, who invented a pill from medical plants that could
cure alcoholism?
Ans. Professor Calculus

9. In which recent movie has Toby Stephens played the role of Captain
William Gordon?
Ans. The Rising – Mangal Pandey

10. Which Indian state produces nearly 1% of the world's total
production of rice?
Ans. Punjab

11. Visual – Identify the bird.
Ans. Albatross

12. Visual – Identify him.
Ans. Sachin Pilot

13. Visual – Identify the flowers.
Ans. Tulips

14. Which UNESCO World Heritage Site serves as the headquarters of
the Central Railways?
Ans. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (also HQ of Western
Railways)

15. Which is the oldest dance form of India?
Ans. Bharatnatyam

16. In medieval times, which of these was considered as a common
symbol of indomitable pride and purity? : Phoenix, Unicorn, or
Centaur
Ans. Unicorn

17. Which Indian festival is celebrated 20 days after Dusshera?
Ans. Diwali

18. Which of these actor's mother is not an MP? : Saif Ali Khan,
Abhishek Bachchan, or Esha Deol
Ans. Esha Deol

19. With which Nobel Laurete would you associate the poems Gunga
Din and If?
Ans. Rudyard Kipling

20. According to the Bhagvata Purana, which deity appeared (was
born) from the forehead of Lord Brahma?
Ans. Lord Shiva

21. If a batsman hits a shot and takes 5 runs prior to the ball reaching
the boundary, how many runs does he get? : 4, 5, or 9 runs
Ans. 5 runs (controversial answer)

22. Which was the first city to host the Olympic Games twice? :
London, Rome, Paris or Athens
Ans. Paris

23. Which animal, is second to insects in the animal population of the
world?
Ans. Fish

24. Which Indian woman freedom fighter formed the 'Vanar Sena', a
children's brigade to help freedom fighters during the 1930
movement?
Ans. Indira Gandhi

25. Which Indian state was known as 'Lushai Hills District', under the
British?
Ans. Mizoram

26. If we write the official languages listed in our constitution in
alphabetical order, which one would come first?
Ans. Assamese

27. Which bird is depicted on the national flag of Egypt?
Ans. Eagle

28. Which Roman Emperor invaded Britain in 54 BC by defeating the
chief of the Britons, Cassivellaunus, in a battle near modern London
and crossed the Thames?
Ans. Julius Caesar

29. Audio Clip – Identify the voice.
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi

30. Song – 'Just Chill' – Which film?
Ans. Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiyan

Final Rounds: Based on 'Freedom Format' (no rounds). Finals proceeded in knock-out fashion.
Stage 1 (6 teams)

1. The largest state of Brazil is named after which river?
Ans. Amazon (state – Amazonas)

2. Audio Clip – 'Mangala Mangala' – Identify the singer.
Ans. Kailash Kher

3. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1948, the year Mahatma Gandhi
was nominated for the 5th time?
Ans. Nobody

4. In 2005, after which Indian was a tulip named?
Ans. Aishwarya Rai

5. Video Clip – Identify the animal.
Ans. Tapir

6. Which word game derives its name from the Greek for 'running
back again'?
Ans. Palindrome

7. Why is a bullfrog called a 'bullfrog'?
Ans. Because of the sound it makes

8. John Farrington is the coach of which tennis player?
Ans. Sania Mirza

9. Still Photo – Identify the musical instrument.
Ans. Mandolin

10. Video Clip – Name of the music band.
Ans. Strings
11. Which popular folk dance of India is accompanied with songs
which are small couplets called 'bolis'?
Ans. Bhangra

12. Audio Clip – Song from the movie Paheli – Identify the singers.
Ans. Sukhvinder Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan

13. Still Photo – Identify him.
Ans. King Fahd (of Saudi Arabia)

14. Which Indian author was a script writer for the BBC during the
Second World War?
Ans. Mulk Raj Anand

15. In the human body, if 'dentin' is the inner layer, then what is the
outer layer?
Ans. Enamel (referring to teeth)

16. Which two countries fought the 'Six-Day War' in 1967?
Ans. Israel and Egypt

17. Which sports item formed the basis of design for 'Space Ship One'?
Ans. Shuttlecock (Badminton)

18. Video Clip – Identify the person.
Ans. Antonio Banderas

19. Still Photo – Identify her.
Ans. Kim Sharma

20. The smallest National Park in India is the Guindy National Park.
Where is it located?
Ans. Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

21. Audio Clip – Identify the singer.
Ans. Kelly Clarkson

22. Which scientist became the head of the Radiological Service of the
Ans. Red Cross during the First World War?
Ans. Marie Curie

23. Video Clip – Identify the cricketer.
Ans. Ian Bell
24. Which Indian Union Territory has the most number of districts?
Ans. Pondicherry (4 districts – Pondicherry, Mahe, Yanam, Karaikal)

25. Still Photo – Identify the creature.
Ans. Blackbuck

26. Audio Clip - Identify the band.
Ans. Asma

27. Which Indian scientist translated Albert Einstien's Theory of
Relativity from German to English?
Ans. Satyendra Nath Bose

28. (Tie Breaker) Independence Day (15th August) is also the birthday
of a famous Indian philosopher. Who?
Ans. Sri Aurobindo

Stage 2 (4 teams)

1. What is the 'Institute for Religious Works' at Vatican City?
Ans. A bank

2. How do we better know the 'Rashtriya Panchanga'?
Ans. The Hindu Calendar

3. Still Photo – Identify the cricketer.
Ans. Scott Styris

4. Video Clip – Breaking of the Berlin Wall – Which year did it take
place?
Ans. 1989

5. In whose memory did India rename its first weather satellite?
Ans. Kalpana Chawla

6. Who was the first woman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Ans. Indira Gandhi

7. Identity and Violence : The Illusion of Destiny is the the title of an
upcoming book by which Indian?
Ans. Amartya Sen

8. Which are the only two ICSE affiliated schools in Delhi?
Ans. Sri Ram School and Frank Anthony Public School

9. According to a recent research, which ancient ruler died after falling
off his chariot?
Ans. Tutenkhamen

10. Whom did George Harrison refer to as the 'Godfather of World
Music'?
Ans. Pandit Ravi Shankar

11. Which actor was honoured by a postage stamp in his name by
both England and USA in 1985 and 1994 respectively?
Ans. Charlie Chaplin

12. Still Photo – Identify the monument?
Ans. Victory Tower (Chittorgarh)

13. Audio clip – 'Mohabbatein Lutaunga' – Identify the singer?.
Ans. Abhijeet Sawant

14. Video Clip – Identify the movie.
Ans. Raincoat

15. 'The Base', as it's called, runs terror in the hearts of all the law
enforcement agencies across the world. What do we better know it?
Ans. Al-Qaeda

16. Movie Clip – Identify the old man.
Ans. Pablo Picasso

17. Which mammal makes up for 25% of the mammal population of
the world?
Ans. Bats

Stage 3 (2 teams): Buzzer round

1. What constitutes 75% of the weight of a banana?
Ans. Water

2. According to the flag code of India, if the Indian flag is displayed
vertically (officially), what colour should come at the right most?
Ans. Saffron
3. With which comic strip character would you associate the term
'Jungle Patrol'?
Ans. Phantom

4. What was made the official language of France by King Francis I in
AD 1539?
Ans. French

5. Which was the first wing of the Armed Forces of India to induct
women into combat duty?
Ans. Indian Air Force

6. Which foreigner,who came to India in AD 637, was called 'Moksha
Deva' by the Indians?
Ans. Hiuen Tsang

7. Which country's national anthem is called the 'Rashtriya Gaan'?
Ans. Nepal


Times of India Fundamental Quiz 2006 Prelims

Prelims: 30 Questions (5 Visuals and 3 Audio Clips)
Conducted by Bhavna Khosla from Derek O' Brien and Associates

1. Which was the last movie in which Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol
appeared together?
Ans. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

2. Which town on the Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh border shares
its name with a type of sari?
•Chanderi
•Patola
•Jhansi
Ans. Chanderi

3. White-backed, long-billed and slender-billed are varieties of which
bird?
•Albatross
•Pigeon
•Vulture
Ans. Vulture

4. Which part of the human body is enclosed by a double-layered sac
called 'pleura'?
Ans. Lungs

5. Which of these Mughal Emperor’s tomb is not in India?
•Shah Jahan
•Jahangir
•Humayun
•Akbar
Ans. Jahangir

6. Which Indian's book inspired the 'India: 2020' plan of the
Government?
Ans. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

7. Which spice has the scientific name 'Curcuma longa'?
•Garlic
•Turmeric
•Saffron
•Ginger
Ans. Turmeric

8. Who was the first person to climb all 14 peaks above 26000 feet?
Ans. Reinhold Messner

9. Which of these movies by Vishal Bharadwaj is not based on a
Shakespearean play?
•Omkara
•Makdee
•Maqbool
Ans. Makdee

10. Which form of public transport system terminated in Bombay in
1964?
•Tram
•Catamaran
•Taxi
•Rickshaw
Ans. Tram

11. The three teams which played the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy
this year were – India ______, India ______ and India ______. Fill in
the blanks with colours.
Ans. Red, Blue and Green

12. What is the fuel made up of a mixture of ethanol and petrol
called? (Hint: A 7-Letter word)
Ans. Biofuel

13. Which among these has not won the Nobel Prize for Literature?
•Rudyard Kipling
•VS Naipaul
•Somerset Maugham
•Harold Pinter
Ans. Somerset Maugham

14. Which institution's motto is 'Valour and Wisdom'?
Ans. Indian Military Academy (Dehradun)

15. Which is the nearest Union Territory off the west coast of Kerala?
Ans. Lakshadweep

16. Visual – Panditt Jasraj (Identify the classical Indian musician)

17. Visual – Jyotiraditya Scindia (Identify this politician)

18. Visual – Marcos Baghdatis (Identify the tennis player)

19. Visual – Kangana Ranaut (Name the actress)

20. Visual – Frodo Baggins (Whose character has he played – Elijah
Woods is in the picture)

21. Among all land vertebrates, which bird has the largest eye?
Ans. Ostrich

22. What food item is being described here – 'A baked pie of
Neapolitan origin consisting of a shallow bread-like crust covered
with seasoned tomato sauce, cheese, and often other toppings,
such as sausage or olives'?
Ans. Pizza

23. Who was the last Indian batsman on the top of the ICC ODI
Batsmen List?
Ans. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

24. What is the name of the street in Chandni Chowk famous for its
paranthas?
Ans. Paranthewali Gali

25. Which key is generally used for the 'Help' feature in softwares?
•F1
•F2
•F3
•F4
Ans. F1

26. Which plant is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and
spearmint?
Ans. Peppermint

27. Which of these cartoons has a Dollamatian dog?
•Tintin
•Ritchie Rich
•Popeye
Ans. Ritchie Rich

28. Audio Clip – Michael Learns To Rock (Identify the band)

29. Audio Clip – Tony Blair (Identify the voice)

30. Audio Clip – Mika (Identify the pop singer)


Times of India Fundamental Quiz 2007 Prelims

Date: 30 October, 2007
Venue: Siri Fort Auditorium

Highest: 28

1. Through which gate would you enter the Jami Masjid at
Fathepur Sikri?
Ans: The Buland Darwaza

2. Who has been the Oldest President of India?
Ans: VV Giri

3. Which Indian author was knighted by the Queen of England
in 2007?
Ans: Salman Rushdie

4. Which country hosted the 4th World Military Games?
Ans: India

5. According to the RBI, what is the highest denomination till
which coins made in India?
• Rs 10
• Rs 100
• Rs 1000
Ans: Rs 1000

6. The erector pili muscles are responsible for causing what in
the human body?
• Frown
• Goose Pimples
• Dimples
Ans: Goose Pimples

7. On whose birthday is the International Day of Non-Violence
observed?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi

8. With which comic character would you associate the Bandra
pygmies?
Ans: Phantom

9. 75% of the world’s fresh water reserves are in what form?
• Glaciers
• Ice Caps
• Underground Reservoirs
Ans: Glaciers

10. The dictionary meaning of which of these is – a large, deep
pot or dish used for cooking food slowly in an oven?
• Wok
• Tumbler
• Casserole
Ans: Casserole

11. This is a dance form of which country?
Ans: Thailand

12. Identify this actor.
Ans: Neil Nitin Mukesh

13. Simply name him.
Ans: Mir Ranjan Negi (Inspiration for the movie Chak De!
India)

14. Name this monument.
Ans: Christ the Redeemer (Statue of Jesus Christ in Rio
De Janeiro, Brazil)
15. Wheatley Deep is the deepest point of which sea?
Ans: Arabian Sea

16. In 1944, which German-born scientist sold his hand-written
theory in an auction for six million dollars, which he
donated to the effort to win World War II?
Ans: Albert Einstein

17. Which Indian nawab wrote poetry under the pen name
“Qaisar”?
Ans: Wajid Ali Shah

18.Which of these Indian dances has influences from both
Hindu and Muslim cultures?
• Kathakali
• Bharatanatyam
• Kathak
• Kuchipudi
Ans: Kathak

19. In 1934 Benito Mussolini ordered the injection of 90 tons of
cement in which tower to straighten its tilt?
Ans: The Leaning Tower of Pisa

20. Which is the second largest state of India?
Ans: Madhya Pradesh

21. In which present day state is Vaishali, believed to be the
birthplace of Mahavira?
Ans: Bihar

22. On which country’s national flag will you find a depiction of
a religious place of worship?
Ans: Cambodia (The Angkor Vat)

23. Who was the last Indian wicketkeeper before MS Dhoni to
captain India in One-day cricket?
Ans: Rahul Dravid

24. Which Nobel laureate son of the chief of the Xhosa-speaking
Tembu people renounced his claim to the chieftainship to
become a lawyer?
Ans: Nelson Mandela

25. What subject did Charity Burbage teach at Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
Ans: Muggle Studies

26. Connect a Zodiac sign to a disease which literally means
“creeping ulcer”.
Ans: Cancer

27. Which bird drinks and bathe by splashing into water while
flying?
• Swift
• Sparrow
• Pigeon
Ans: Swift

28. Which gas forms almost 95% of the Martian atmosphere?
Ans: Carbon Dioxide

29. Audio Clip – Dard-e-Disco. Name the music director duo of
the movie.
Ans: Vishal & Shekhar

30. Audio Clip - Big girls don't cry– Identify the singer.
Ans: Fergie Fergusson