Riddles With Answers

Robert Redford, who died this week at 89, founded what famous film festival?

Cannes
Tribeca
Sundance
Toronto

Fact: After rising to stardom in the 1960s, Robert Redford became one of the defining actors of the 1970s, starring in classics such as The Candidate, The Way We Were, and All the President’s Men. He capped the decade with an Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People, which also won Best Picture. In 1978, Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival, named after his “Sundance Kid” role, to champion independent filmmaking. Under his guidance, Sundance grew into the world’s premier showcase for emerging voices in cinema. Redford passed away this week at his home. He was 89.

Correct Answer: Sundance

Due to the lack of available tiles, which of the following words cannot be played in Scrabble?

Exotoxic
Quizzify
Pizzazz
Counterclockwise

Fact: Scrabble is played with a fixed set of 100 tiles, but only two of them are the coveted and high-scoring Zs. This limitation makes certain words impossible to form, no matter how skilled or resourceful the player many be. For example, the flashy word “pizzazz” requires four Zs, but the tile set simply doesn’t provide enough to spell it out. By contrast, exotoxic can be made using both X tiles, quizzify is playable with the game’s two Zs, and counterclockwise, though impressively long, still fits comfortably within the 15-letter limit of the Scrabble board.

Correct Answer: Pizzazz

What is the primary reason Oktoberfest was originally held in 1810?

A To celebrate a royal wedding.
B To mark the harvest season.
C To honour the city’s founding.

Fact: Oktoberfest was initially organised to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, thus the festival got its start as a royal wedding celebration.

Correct Answer: To celebrate a royal wedding.

What strict guideline do all beers served at Oktoberfest adhere to?

A The Reinheitsgebot.
B The Munich Beer Code.
C The German Quality Assurance Law.

Fact: The Reinheitsgebot, or German Beer Purity Law, mandates that beer must be made with only water, barley, and hops, ensuring quality and tradition in the brewing process at Oktoberfest.

Correct Answer: The Reinheitsgebot.

What type of food is commonly consumed at Oktoberfest alongside beer?

A Pasta and pizza.
B Pretzels and sausages.
C Fish and chips.

Fact: Oktoberfest is famous for its food offerings, particularly the large pretzels and various sausages, which complement the extensive beer selection enjoyed by millions of attendees.

Correct Answer: Pretzels and sausages.

In the classic television sitcom “Mister Ed,” Ed is what kind of talking animal?

Pig
Dog
Horse
Chimpanzee

Fact: Mister Ed was a popular sitcom that aired from 1961 to 1966, centered around a lovable talking palomino horse named Ed. Known for his witty one-liners and sarcastic personality, Mister Ed could only speak to his owner, Wilbur Post, creating countless comedic situations. The show became quickly famous for its quirky premise, and the talking horse remains one of television’s most iconic animal characters. Legendary comedian George Burns personally financed the original pilot for Mister Ed, which was shot at his studio in Hollywood.

Correct Answer: Horse

Who performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969?

Carlos Santana
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Pete Townshend

Fact: Jimi Hendrix’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969 has become one of the most iconic moments in rock history. Playing on the final morning of the festival, Hendrix reimagined the U.S. national anthem with wailing distortion, feedback, and sustain. His improvisation shocked some, inspired many, and came to symbolize both the counterculture spirit of Woodstock and the broader cultural upheaval of the era. The performance remains one of the defining moments of Hendrix’s career and of the festival itself.

Correct Answer: Jimi Hendrix

Which legendary musician was celebrated on September 16, 2025, marking 100 years since their birth?

A Elvis Presley
B B.B. King
C Chuck Berry

Fact: September 16, 2025, marked the 100th birth anniversary of B.B. King, the iconic blues guitarist and singer, widely regarded as the “King of Blues” for his influence on modern music.

Correct Answer: B.B. King

Which U.S. tech innovation made headlines for helping restore vision using a tooth implant in September 2025?

A Smart contact lens
B AI-powered lens
C Tooth-implanted eye prosthesis

Fact: Recently, doctors successfully restored vision to a patient using a tooth-implanted eye prosthesis, a breakthrough in medical technology.

Correct Answer: Tooth-implanted eye prosthesis

Which U.S. sports-related positive story gained attention recently?

A Grandmother runs Boston Marathon
B Teen wins NBA dunk contest
C 66-year-old joins LSU marching band

Fact: A 66-year-old man fulfilled his lifelong dream by joining the LSU marching band, inspiring fans nationwide.

Correct Answer: 66-year-old joins LSU marching band