Last week in the comments, someone dared raise the ancient philosophical conundrum: when we say “the first line of a play”, do we mean the first words spoken by a character, or do the stage directions count? The Thursday quiz condemns such quibbling, hair splitting and dramaturgical pedantry – unless of course it’s the quiz making a fuss. Still, the show must go on regardless, so limber up for another 15 questions of topical nonsense and dubious – though entirely correct – general knowledge. Let us know how you get on in the comments. Allons-y!
The Thursday news quiz, No 224
- 1.Which Radio 2 DJ just ran 135 miles in five days carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack from Kielder Forest to Leeds to raise money for Children in Need?
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- 2.Westminster Abbey (some window fragment pictured) refused admission to someone wearing a T-shirt that depicted what?
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- 3.The disgraced former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales (not pictured) had what flung at him – allegedly by his uncle – in Madrid?
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- 4.This is Willow, the official dog of the Guardian Thursday quiz. She was worried about a baby otter that was rescued off the coast of California, but thankfully it was reunited with its mummy. What was its name?
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- 5.Sky Sports has been forced to ditch its TikTok channel targeting girls and young women three days after its launch, over criticism that it was patronising and ‘unbelievably sexist’. What was the ill-fated venture called?
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- 6.A Texas state trooper caused a stir when he bumped into some players from South Carolina (not pictured) at some university match-up or other, the Thursday quiz wasn’t paying attention. But its eye was caught by the name of the South Carolina university football team involved. What is it?
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- 7.Which country has sparked bafflement by attempting to set a 6km/h speed limit for cyclists, skaters and other pavements users?
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- 8.This week’s guest canine is Mia, whom the Thursday quiz met in Watford. She wants to know which player became a national hero by scoring five goals in two matches and propelling Ireland to what had seemed an unlikely looking playoff berth for the 2026 men’s Fifa World Cup?
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- 9.Ocean boffins (the correct technical term) have identified the first ever live sighting of which species of whale (not pictured)?
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- 10.Authorities in Singapore have stuck someone in the slammer after they jumped a barrier and rushed to embrace which member of the cast (not pictured) of Wicked: For Good?
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- 11.Here is Karl-Heinz with his opening lines, which almost rhymes. This week the Thursday quiz imagines the German soccer ace would like to know which song begins: ‘Well, they blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night.’
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- 12.It is Bo Derek’s birthday today. Happy birthday, Bo! Which of these numbers is she most closely associated with?
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- 13.An Argentinian judge has been fired after causing a mistrial in a case related to Diego Maradona (pictured, cheating). Why?
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- 14.It’s time for on this day with Brian May! And his badger! 20 November is the anniversary of the release of Microsoft Windows 1.0. The Thursday quiz imagines Queen’s legendary guitarist wants you to tell him – and his badger – in which year was the release.
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- 15.Two long-lost organ pieces by which composer have been performed for the first time in 300 years?
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If you really do think there has been an egregious error in one of the questions or answers – and can show your working and are absolutely 100% positive you aren’t attempting to factcheck a joke – you can complain about it in the comments below. Why not watch Mangetout by Wet Leg instead?
Mangetout by Wet Leg
