A Quiz for the Holiday

PROSPECT FOR PIERS THE PLOWMAN
but from where?

AS last year, I thought we might wind down for a few days, and by way of a contribution to passing the time, here's a little quiz to try.

Literary landscapes

1) From what hills does the narrator look out on a Summers day in William Langland's 'Piers the Plowman' ?

2) In what seaside town is the harbour wall called the Cobb, featured in Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' and the film of John Fowles' 'The French Liuetenent's Woman'?

3) Along what county's north coast are the marshes in Charles Dickens 'Great Expectations'?

4) Under what name was the Cheshire town of Knutsford immortalised by Mrs.Elizabeth Gaskell?

5) What county was the birthplace of Thomas Hardy and the background for most of his novels?

Who dunnit?

Which authors were the creators of these fictional detectives?

1) Hercule Poirot
2) Philip Marlow
3) Lord Peter Wimsey
4) Inspector Maigret
5) Inspector Wexford

Who said it?

1) A Conservative government is an organised hypocrisy.

2) I am not a pillar of the church, but a buttress - I support it from the outside.

3)Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles.

4) Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.

5) Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that happen to a man.

Mind your language!

1) What European Union member has a Semitic language?

2) What is the official and historic language of Andorra?

3) What are the two official languages of Biro -Bizhan?

4) In what country is Guarani, spoken by about three million people, the majority language?

5) Where could you meet people speaking Marollien or Bargoensch?

Clue, it has a seasonal culinary connection.

...And Talking of Food:

In which countries might you sample these foods and dishes?

1) Colcannon
2) Stargazey Pie
3) Fabada
4) Knedliky
5 ) Nasi Goreng

...And Something to Drink.

Where would you be most likely to be offered these drinks?

1) Guinness Punch
2) Calvados
3) Maotei
4) Palinka
5) Mate

On which note, it's time I had a drop myself.
Cheers!

Eid Mubarak, Merry Xmas, a late Happy Chanukah,
and a healthy and progressive New Year to all!