Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: What’s the name of the Wicked Witch of the West in the musical “Wicked”?

Jessa
Elphaba
Idina
Rachel

Correct Answer: Elphaba

So why is this answer correct? : Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel of the same name, the hit Broadway musical “Wicked” has captivated audiences since its opening night in 2003. The show reimagines what happened in the magical land of Oz before Dorothy arrived, and centers on Glinda, the blonde and bubbly “good” witch, and Elphaba, the green-skinned “wicked” witch. Idina Menzel, who later voiced Elsa in Disney’s “Frozen,” originated the role of Elphaba in the show’s Broadway debut, and won a Tony for her performance.

Trivia: How did Samantha Stevens cast spells on “Bewitched”?

Rhyming couplets
Stomping her foot
Wiggling her nose
Waving a wand

Correct Answer: Wiggling her nose

So why is this answer correct? : It’s one of the most iconic sounds in TV history — a high-pitched twinkling noise that signified Samantha Stevens (Elizabeth Montgomery) was up to some witchy hijinks. The 1964 classic “Bewitched” followed Samantha, the suburban-housewife-slash-witch, who cast spells with a wiggle of her nose, often getting herself and her human husband, Darrin (Dick York), into sticky situations.

Trivia: What witch cast a sleeping spell on Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty”?

Flora
Ursula
Maleficent
Jafar

Correct Answer: Maleficent

So why is this answer correct? : Maleficent wasn’t just a witch — she was also a fairy, meant to be the evil counterpart to the trio of good fairies that kept baby Aurora safe. Her tale didn’t originate with the 1959 animated Disney film, though. In fact, the story of “Sleeping Beauty” dates way back to a French romance tale from the 1300s. However, Disney’s movie is responsible for the current horned depiction of Maleficent made even more famous by two live-action films (in 2014 and 2019) starring Angelina Jolie. The 1959 original also gave Maleficent the ability to turn into a dragon and breathe fire.

Trivia: What color is the Wicked Witch of the West’s face?

Blue
Green
Yellow
Red

Correct Answer: Green

So why is this answer correct? : The Wicked Witch of the West is the protagonist of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” The character is played by Margaret Hamilton, who also portrays nasty neighbor Miss Gulch at the beginning of the movie. Hamilton’s face was painted green for the witch, and her face stayed green for weeks after shooting because of the copper-based ingredients in the paint.

What Robert Stone book involving drug trafficking during the Vietnam War was made into the film “Who’ll Stop The Rain”?

Dog Soldiers
A Flag Before Sunrise
A Hall of Mirrors
Night Passage
Outerbridge Reach

Correct Answer: Dog Soldiers

Which of the following books does NOT take place during World War II?

Band of Brothers
A Bridge Too Far
The Longest Day
The Red Badge of Courage
Soldiers of ’44

Correct Answer: The Red Badge of Courage

Which World War I British solider wrote the acclaimed war memoir “Farewell to All That”?

George Herbert Clarke
Robert Graves
Rudyard Kipling
Winifred Owen
W.B. Yeats

Correct Answer: Robert Graves

Trivia: Ra, the Egyptian sun god, had the head of what animal?

Lion
Jackal
Falcon
Ox

Correct Answer: Falcon

So why is this answer correct? : While many Egyptian gods were portrayed with various animal heads, the sun god Ra was almost always portrayed as a falcon. To the ancient Egyptians, falcons could fly to great heights, putting them closer to the sun than any other beast.

Trivia: What was typically displayed on an Egyptian cartouche?

Birth announcement
Pharaoh’s name and title
Mythological tales
Self-portraits

Correct Answer: Pharaoh’s name and title

So why is this answer correct? : Cartouches were oval-shaped stones that displayed a royal family member’s name and title. Cartouches were important because of “ba” and “ka,” the two parts of the soul. After death, the ba gets to have fun, while the ka takes care of loved ones. Each night, the two parts come back together to rest with the body. Cartouches were necessary because if the ba and ka couldn’t find the body, they would disappear forever.

Trivia: What cosmetic procedure was often performed on Egyptians after death?

Nose job
Braces
Eye color change
Hair extensions

Correct Answer: Braces

So why is this answer correct? : The Egyptians thought a lot about life after death. So much so that they devised primitive braces that were placed on the teeth after someone had died — the idea being the braces would help the deceased keep a “lifelike smile” long after they were gone.