Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

The War of 1812 was also known as Mr. Madison's War.

Today's Question:



A gladiator known as a "retiarius" used what object(s) as a weapon?


I do not know the answer to this but will guess that "object(s)" may be a clue. Instead of assuming the intent is to withold how many weapons he used, I will speculate he used one weapon that sounds plural, a bow and arrow.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 31, 2011; http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812; www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamesmadison; https://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/tag/james-madison; http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/gladiators.html)

Compiled by Otto Ladensack for Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


In Christian art a cockleshell is used to represent pilgrimage.

Today's Question:



Which war was known as "Mr. Madison's war?"


--Don't know this one but I know Madison was an early president so my guess would be the War of 1812.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 30, 2011; http://rectaratio.blogspot.com/2007_07_22_archive.html; http://www.request.org.uk/main/dowhat/pilgrimage/places/places01.htm; http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamesmadison)

Compiled by Otto Ladensack for Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Wynton Marsalis was the first jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.

Today's Question:


What does a cockleshell symbolize in Christian art?


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 29, 2011; http://www.wyntonmarsalis.org/; http://www.pulitzer.org/; nickleshi.blogspot.com; http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cockleshell)

Compiled by Otto Ladensack for Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


The three accomplishments that Thomas Jefferson selected to be carved on his tombstone were: authoring the Declaration of Independence, authoring the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Fathering the University of Virginia.


Today's Question:



Who was the first jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music?


I wouldn't know because as Bruce McCulloch said, "I hate jazz." (Actually, "hate" is a bit strong but I don't care for it.)





(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 28, 2011; http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson; http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/; http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003/vsrf.htm; http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003/vsrf.htm; http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Music; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVBYhDTK0zo)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack for Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

So far, the only movie that has been made in Esperanto is “Incubus.” (Interestingly it starred William Shatner and was made in 1966.)

Today's Question:


Of his many accomplishments, which three did Thomas Jefferson select to be carved on his tombstone?


I would imagine that drafting most of the Declaration of Independence is on there but I am not even real familiar with his whole body of work.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 27, 2011; http://www.esperanto.ca/kurso/; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059311/; http://www.williamshatner.com/; http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson; http://flamingnose.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-birthday-william-shatner.html)

Compiled by Otto Ladensack for Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Benjamin Britten wrote the only opera about a Herman Melville character. The opera’s title is “Billy Budd.”

Today's Question:


So far, only one movie has been made in Esperanto. What is its title?


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 26, 2011; http://opera.stanford.edu/Britten/bio.html; http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/billybudd/; http://www.online-literature.com/melville/; http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2010/5/21/1274460439281/Billy-Budd-Glyndebourne-006.jpg; http://www.esperanto.ca/kurso/home.htm)

Compiled by Otto ladensack for Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

The first Battle of Bull Run was fought in Virginia and it was a Confederate victory.


Today's Question:
Concerning the only opera about a Herman Melville character, who wrote it and what is its name?

I'm not an opera aficionado; I haven't a clue.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 25, 2011, http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/bullrun.html; http://portal.virginia.gov/; http://www.moc.org/site/PageServer; http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/melv.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


A score is a group of twenty.


Today's Question:


Indicate whether this Civil War battle was a victory for the Union or the Confederacy, and the state where the battle took place: First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas).

By the way, yesterday was the 150th anniversary of the battle.

I did not know the state by the name of the battle but know from my trips back and forth from North Carolina to New York that Manassas is in Virginia. I believe the battle was a Confederate victory (as a guess) because there were two battles there and I am pretty sure it took the North a while to "win" that state.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 24, 2011; http://www.thefreedictionary.com/score; http://www.civilwar.com/; http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/126080758.html; http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/bullrun.html; https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHhq8wgGFpevhfOtoGD2gPBR-5_1KfvRccAFDNtCl3DFrJPATgAzkgmuaeCrdoZEm8OHlQyHJzF1zkuAckFby8mQuN3FFiq8ajHh_rjsveows4H026R7-g5LaIlzjmtZX-RwNr1-3awn0/s1600/bullrun.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

The Mexican-American War was popularly known as "Mr. Polk's War."

Today's Question:


How many is a score?


This is an easier one than most. A score means twenty. When Lincoln spoke of "Four score and seven years ago...," he was saying 87 years ago.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 23, 2011; www.historyguy.com/Mexican-American_War.html2011; www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamespolk; http://www.historyguy.com/siege_of_veracruz.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

"Much Ado About Nothing" is the Shakespearean play that features the lesser-known characters: Leonato, Don John, Dogberry.

Today's Question:


Which war was known as "Mr. Polk's War"?

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 22, 2011; http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/muchado; http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/shakespearepa-449x600-2.jpg; http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamespolk; http://www.sitemason.com/files/eYJ9du/polk.gif)


Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


The two-word phrase that was coined by economist Thorstein Veblen to describe the ostentatious display of wealth made by the nouveau riche is conspicuous consumption.

I nailed it for a change.


Today's Question:


Name Shakespeare's play that features the following lesser-known characters: Leonato, Don John, Dogberry.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 21, 2011; http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Veblen.html; http://www.quotesby.co.uk/celeb_images/full/T/thorstein_veblen.jpg; http://image10.webshots.com/11/6/58/68/179265868OVnSWq_ph.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question...

Yesterday's Answer:

Katherine Dunham is called the "Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance."

Today's Question:


What is the two-word phrase coined by economist Thorstein Veblen to describe the ostentatious display of wealth made by the nouveau riche?


My guess would be "conspicuous consumption."


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 20, 2011; http://www.pbs.org/wnet/freetodance/biographies/dunham.html; http://www.helloiamadancer.com/.a/6a0147e0f97857970b014e86287426970d-800wi; http://www.pbs.org/wnet/freetodance/behind/behind_blackdance.html; http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/bios/22.html)


Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

In Christian art, a palm symbolizes victory.

Today's Question:



Who is called the "Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance"?


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 19, 2011; http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1760/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1760-6292.jpg; www.lordsart.com; http://www.pbs.org/wnet/freetodance/behind/behind_blackdance.html)

Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




The battle at Vicksburg took place in the state of Missouri and it was a Union victory.

Today's Question:


What does a palm symbolize in Christian art?

 

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 18, 2011; http://web.vicksburg.org/vicksburg/default.aspx; http://www.50states.com/missouri.htm; http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/missouri/map.GIF)

Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer:

“Rapa Nui”, ("The Navel of the World") is the native population's name for Easter Island.


Today's Question:


Indicate whether this Civil War battle was a victory for the Union or the Confederacy, and the state where the battle took place: Vicksburg.

Not sure if this is a guess or memory but I'm pretty sure Vicksburg is in Virginia and my feeling is that it was a union victory.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 17, 2011; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nQPLO6eAAg; http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/ChileRapaNui.htm; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Battle_of_Vicksburg,_Kurz_and_Allison.png)

Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Moai are the name of the giant statues on Easter Island called.

Today's Question:


What is the native population's name for Easter Island?


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 16, 2011; http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/easter/civilization/giants.html; http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/easterisland.jpg)

Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




Akira Kurosawa has adapted King Lear, Macbeth and Hamlet for the Japanese cinema, under these names Ran, Throne of Blood, and The Bad Sleep Well, respectively.




Today's Question:




What are the giant statues on Easter Island called? (This link deserves a spoiler alert.)

I can't remember this one so I will leave you with a "Third Rock..." reference; the Big Giant Head




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 15, 2011; http://www.akirakurosawa.com/; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089881/; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050613/; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054460/; http://www.glogster.com/media/4/36/86/16/36861654.jpg; http://www.tvland.com/shows/3rd-rock-from-the-sun)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

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Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:
Although Antonin Dvorak wrote 10 operas, only "Rusalka" was successful.

Today's Question:

Which three Shakespeare plays has Akira Kurosawa adapted for the Japanese cinema, and what are the names of the films?

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 14, 2011; http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2002/great-directors/kurosawa/; http://bohemia.tripod.com/Dvorak.htm; http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=80; http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2002/great-directors/kurosawa/; http://www.midnighteye.com/)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


An astronomical unit is the distance between the Earth and Sun, 93 million miles.

Today's Question:


Although this composer wrote 10 operas, only "Rusalka" was successful. Name him.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 13, 2011; http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/glossary/au.html; https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuhUg5BY4ehhskixkUxibrhyxTLJ9B7PidibdE0ZuqTn_m8E6MXq94ygnjxctFuZv8WAr-74UHa302SxTshIsj_kgBCS6ytPOuNWEumd_15SzWp3oa1UDEOI_I1KBFehYKuzc4EMpMcY/s400/planetsAUs.png)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, given for outstanding achievement in architecture.

Today's Question:


How long is an astronomical unit?



(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 12, 2011; http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/zaha-hadid; http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/h/zaha_hadid/index.html)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Oculus is the name of the round hole at the center of the Pantheon's dome called.

Today's Question:


Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, given for outstanding achievement in what profession?
(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 11, 2011; http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/romanurbs/pantheon.html; http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/448894025_839c6c7f29_o.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Antoine-Louis Barye is most famous for depicting animal subjects.

Today's Question:


What is the round hole at the center of the Pantheon's dome called.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 10, 2011; http://www.rehs.com/Antoine-Louis_Barye_Bio.html; http://americanart.si.edu/images/1983/1983.90.203_1a.jpg; http://cdn.optmd.com/V2/85105/213900/index.html?g=Af////8=&r=ancient-rome.tripod.com/pantheon/pantheon.htm)

Compiled Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Tomorrow's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Zia, the sun symbol is depicted on the state flag of New Mexico.

Tomorrow's Question:


Sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye is most famous for depicting what subjects?

I don't know this one.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 9, 2011; http://articles.cnn.com/1999-09-14/us/9909_14_new.mexico.flag_1_indian-tribes-symbol-zia-pueblo?_s=PM:US; http://www.drgwrr.com/images/zia.gif; http://www.newmexico.gov/)

Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


A vitamin A deficiency is the cause of the illness, night blindness.


(Hey Professor, thanks for the info.)


Today's Question:


Name Shakespeare's play that features the following lesser-known characters: Maria, Feste, Sebastian.

I'm not going to just keep guessing Midsummer Night's Dream everytime I don't know which Shakespearean piece is being looked at so this time I will guess: The Taming of the Shrew.


(Sources American Mensa, email transmission, July 6, 2011; http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/night_blindness/hic_night_blindness.aspx; http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamina/; http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/; http://shakespeare.mit.edu/midsummer/full.html; http://www.shakespeare-literature.com/The_Taming_of_the_Shrew/index.html; http://www.glogster.com/media/2/5/5/28/5052881.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

The two poets, most famously associated, with the phrase "Dulce et decorum est…" , are Horace and Wilfrid Owen.

Today's Question:


A deficiency of what vitamin or mineral causes the illness night blindness?



Not certain but according to Gilligan's Island the vitamin is "carotene" or Vitamin A.

Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 5, 2011; http://www.quotationsofwisdom.com/portraits/Horace_013.jpg; http://www.glogster.com/media/5/16/68/63/16686317.jpg; http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dulce-et-decorum-est/; http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/331;http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owena.htm)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Today Answer, Tomorrow's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

The rest of the phrase, "Dulce et decorum est…", is, "…pro patria mori."

Today's Question:


With which two poets is the phrase "Dulce et decorum est…" most famously associated?


(Sources: American Mensa, email.transmission, July 4, 2011; http://www.laphamsquarterly.org/voices-in-time/dulce-et-decorum-est.php; http://electricka.com/etaf/muses/literature/literary_forms/poetry/the_poetry_corner/poems/dulce_et_decorum_est/battle_weary_soldiers.jpg)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

In Christian art a lamb is used to symbolize Jesus Christ.

Today's Question:


Complete the phrase: "Dulce et decorum est…"


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, July 3, 2011; http://www.fisheaters.com/symbols.html; http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/; http://www.vnumc.net/bible_study/images/lamb.gif)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack