Which brand?
This day last year: Q.151Feb 29, 2012
Q.517
Feb 28, 2012
Feb 27, 2012
Q.515
Image: Wikipedia
This is a partial view of an emblem created via a 2011 competition for children. A children's TV show "Blue Peter" ran this contest which was won by 10-year old Katherine Dewar. On previous occasions, such an emblem was created by professional designers.
For what 2012 event was this design made?
Feb 26, 2012
Q.514
Our last question in this Oscar series:
Several things made this multi-Oscar nominated film's production different from its peers. One such aspect was that instead of shooting at the now traditional rate of 24 frames per second, the film was shot at a slightly slower rate, at 22 frames second. This deliberate choice was made to evoke the period the film is set in.
Which film?
A cameo
If you are a movie fan, here's something for you. Harsh Nene, a good friend of IZ (and guest contributor) along with Kedar Vaidya, has created a beautiful visualization of recent Hollywood films. While you're waiting for the Oscars, give it a spin and if you have feedback, let him know!
Feb 25, 2012
Q.513
This alread much-feted film is widely tipped to win at least one Academy Award; it has been nominated in two major categories. The film's full title is "Jodái-e Náder az Simin".
What is the English title given to this film? (which should be easily translatable by those of us who can speak Hindustani.)
Feb 24, 2012
Q.512
With respect to this year's Oscars, what is common to these three people?
Images: Wikipedia
This day last year: Q.147Feb 23, 2012
Q.511
This composer is nominated twice this year for Best Original Score, raising his career Oscar nominations to an astonishing forty-seven, the second highest in history. His long and productive association with Steven Spielberg is reflected in this year's tally as well, with both these 2012 nominated films being the Spielberg films "War Horse" and "The Adventures of Tintin".
Who?
This day last year: Q.146Feb 22, 2012
Q.510
Like last year, the first in a set of 5 questions about this year's Academy Awards in the run up to the ceremony:
The "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences" is the body that awards the Academy Awards (a.k.a. the Oscars). It also has a "Motion Picture and Television Fund" involved in helping needy people involved in the entertainment industry.
Jean Hersholt was its President once, and for him is named the "Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award", an honorary Oscar. This year's prize has gone to a former Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress, someone with her own rags-to-riches story, for her charitable work.
Who?
Feb 21, 2012
Q.509
After Operation Blue Star in Punjab, the final examinations were postponed. [I] led a group of students demanding a month’s notice as preparation. We made banners saying, "____ ____". and went about raising this slogan.”Who, and which song?
Feb 20, 2012
Q.508
This map is marking the terminal route of something that its owners hoped would bring the message of peace and harmony among European countries (and instead, led to lots of anguish within Italy). What?
Image: The BBC
Feb 19, 2012
Q.507
What appropriate "swift as an arrow" name from the world of athletics has this been given?
This day last year: Q.142Feb 18, 2012
Q.506
This person is getting a rousing welcome by friends and well-wishers in Manali, in December 2011 after a remarkable achievement in Nagano earlier that month. Who, and what achievement?
Image: The News Himachal
Feb 17, 2012
Q.505
This is the trailer for director-writer Sriram Raghavan's "Agent Vinod" starring Saif Ali Khan. At 0:43 seconds in the video, Saif Ali Khan claims his name is "Mahender Sandhu". Why is that a fitting name for Agent Vinod to assume?
Feb 16, 2012
IZ 121 - II
Set 2: Books, Entertainment & Media, Language & Etymology
Download Set II here or view here:
Feb 15, 2012
Q.503
What is this place called?
Feb 14, 2012
Q.502
The word is in the centre of an unseemly (and unnecessary, as is the case in these cases) controversy of late, for having 'offended' the sentiments of a religious forum. What word?
Feb 13, 2012
IZ 121
This blog hit 500 days (now 600!) of up-time yesterday, for which we thank the internet, all our readers, Wikipedia, and the electricity distribution network around the world. Not to mention the Mayans for keeping the world alive so far.
To mark this 500+ milestone, here is "IZ 121", a collection of questions from the last 1.5 years, over the course of this week. Hope you will like them.
As usual, write in to us if you have any suggestions. If you relished what you see on this blog, consider making a one-time million euro payment to me (hurry! this may be your last chance before the euro goes defunct). If not, I will settle for meagre social media cop-outs like retweets, 'likes', or laudatory emails.
In Fun, Zen, Idiots to you all,
Ramanand
Set 1: India, Sports, SciTech
Set 2: Books, Entertainment & Media, Language & Etymology
Set 3: VIZuals, Connections, Awards, & Obits
Set 4: Business and Economics, Social Sciences, Culture)
Feb 12, 2012
Q.500
This flag was adopted by a country as its national ensign in 1951 when it became an independent kingdom under King Idris. He was overthrown in 1969 in a coup d'etat, so this flag was replaced, and was followed by two other designs.
In 1977, the country's flag was simplified to the point that anyone could easily paint it.
Finally, after another regime change in 2011, the 1951 flag was restored. Which country's flag history are we discussing here?
Image: Wikipedia
Feb 11, 2012
Q.499
In 2005, he also changed his last name to something unusual, but very appropriate. What's his last name now?
Feb 10, 2012
Q.498
In what capacity?
Also asked at the Nihilanth 2012 Sports Quiz
Feb 9, 2012
Q.497
The group has been in the news in 2011 after being accused of being involved in various violent things and after a poet's daughter planned to sue it.
Which poet and why is she suing the group?
Feb 8, 2012
Q.496
Most Indian food eaters would have heard their name at the neighbouring "Chinese" food stall. Which people, or what's the name of the restaurant?
Feb 7, 2012
Q.495
This is perfectly in keeping with the ideals this country espouses (or wants to). Which country?
Feb 6, 2012
Q.494
The latest recipient is Lt. Navdeep Singh. What?
Feb 5, 2012
Now the Featured Blog on Quizblogs.com
Which is why we are happy to announce that "Infinite Zounds" is now a Featured Blog on Quizblogs.com (on the left sidebar here). And it comes with some kind words too.
Just the kind of fillip we needed as we head towards the 500 posts mark. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog, and especially to those who regularly send us feedback. Got anything to tell us? Do write in at infinitezounds[at]gmail[dot]com. And if you're looking for lots more quizzing, you know where to head to.
Q.493
Lytro and companies like it are selling "plenoptic cameras" also known as "light field cameras". What photography basic do these cameras eliminate the need for when you take a picture?
Feb 4, 2012
Q.492
Unlike other tournaments of its kind, this is held every two years. Since it was held in even-numbered years, it would invariably clash with the sport's World Cup, making life difficult for sportsmen and administrators.
After much thought, the organisers have decided to switch to an odd-year cycle, beginning from 2013. However, the 2012 tournament will be held as scheduled. So, there will be consecutive tournaments in Jan 2012 and Jan 2013.
Which tournament?
Image: Wikipedia
Feb 3, 2012
Q.491
A sequel is in the works. In addition to these musclemen, a sportsman will make a cameo appearance (playing himself). He has been known for his acting prowess, though not yet on screen.
Who?
Feb 2, 2012
Q.490
He burst into prominence after creating a Facebook page in memory of Khaled Said, a victim of a police crime in Alexandria. This page and its offshoots soon became the unlikely rallying points for an entire revolution.
He's now come out with a book on his experiences. Who?
Image: The Telegraph
This day last year: Q.125Feb 1, 2012
Q.489
Uniquely, the winning word-concept was deemed so influential, spawning several associated words in 2011, that the Society even created a special category named after this word. This category was won by "99%" while the Word of the Year 2011 was humbled into taking 2nd spot. In a category named after it. Complicated?
What's the good word?