Riddles With Answers

The Glass Menagerie is a play written by which American playwright?

Neil Simon
Tennessee Williams
Arthur Miller
Eugene O’Neill

Fact: The Glass Menagerie debuted in 1944 and was Tennessee Williams’ first major success, launching him into prominence as one of America’s greatest playwrights. The play, a semi-autobiographical “memory play,” draws heavily from Williams’ own life, portraying themes of family conflict, fragile dreams, and the tension between reality and illusion. Its success paved the way for Williams’ later masterpieces like A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955). The play remains a cornerstone of 20th-century American theater for its lyrical dialogue, innovative structure, and emotional depth.

Correct Answer: Tennessee Williams

Which U.S. state’s capital city shares its name with the fourth President of the United States?

Wisconsin
Mississippi
Nebraska
Missouri

Fact: Wisconsin’s capital is Madison, named in 1836 to honor James Madison, the fourth U.S. President. The choice reflected settlers’ and lawmakers’ deep respect for Madison’s legacy as a Founding Father and came just a decade after his death. Revered as the “Father of the Constitution” and a chief architect of the Bill of Rights, Madison embodied the democratic ideals the young territory sought to embrace. Naming the new capital after him not only paid tribute to his contributions but also lent prestige and legitimacy to the brand-new city.

Correct Answer: Wisconsin

Which high school film is loosely based on Jane Austen’s novel “Emma”?

Clueless
Mean Girls
She’s All That
10 Things I Hate About You

Fact: Amy Heckerling’s 1995 teen comedy Clueless cleverly reimagines Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma within the world of a modern Beverly Hills high school. Alicia Silverstone stars as Cher Horowitz, a seemingly superficial yet well-meaning teenager who, much like Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, takes it upon herself to play matchmaker among her friends—with often comic results. Both characters share striking similarities, from their privileged upbringings and social influence to the absence of their mothers, even though they exist in vastly different eras.

Correct Answer: Clueless

The tune of “Happy Birthday to You” originated from which 19th-century song?

Home, Sweet Home
The Candle Song
Good Morning to All
The Bluebells of Scotland

Fact: The familiar tune of “Happy Birthday to You” originated with the 1893 song “Good Morning to All”, written by Kentucky schoolteachers and sisters Patty and Mildred J. Hill. The sisters wrote the song as a simple, uplifting classroom greeting that the children could easily sing at the start of the day. Its bright, repetitive melody made it especially easy to remember, which helped it spread beyond the classroom. By the early 20th century, people began substituting “Happy Birthday” lyrics to the tune, transforming it into a universal anthem of celebration.

Correct Answer: Good Morning to All

Which famous painter lived in a mental asylum when he created The Starry Night?

Claude Monet
Edvard Munch
Vincent van Gogh
Paul Gauguin

Fact: Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889 while staying at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in France. Following a series of mental health crises, including the infamous incident in which he cut off part of his ear, van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to the institution. During his year-long stay, he produced some of his most celebrated works, capturing the surrounding landscapes with bold colors and swirling brushstrokes. The Starry Night reflects both his inner turmoil and his extraordinary ability to transform emotion into art.

Correct Answer: Vincent van Gogh

The Ramones took their band name as a reference to which famous group?

The Rolling Stones
The Kinks
Fleetwood Mac
The Beatles

Fact: The Ramones, pioneers of American punk rock, adopted their name as a playful nod to The Beatles. Paul McCartney, early in his career, often checked into hotels under the pseudonym “Paul Ramon” to keep a low profile while on tour. Drawing inspiration from this alias, the band members adopted “Ramone” as a shared surname, despite not being biologically related. Douglas Colvin was the first, rechristening himself Dee Dee Ramone, soon followed by Jeffrey Hyman as Joey Ramone, Thomas Erdelyi as Tommy Ramone, and John Cummings as Johnny Ramone.

Correct Answer: The Beatles

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” was the only No. 1 hit for what group?

Steve Miller Band
Jefferson Airplane
The Mamas & the Papas
Peter, Paul and Mary

Fact: Although Peter, Paul and Mary were among the most successful folk groups of the 1960s, scoring hits like If I Had a Hammer and Puff, the Magic Dragon, their only single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 was Leaving on a Jet Plane in 1969. Written by a young John Denver, the song became a bittersweet anthem of parting and remains one of the group’s most enduring recordings. Interestingly, Denver’s own version of the song would gain wider fame later in his career, but it was Peter, Paul and Mary who turned it into a chart-topping success.

Correct Answer: Peter, Paul and Mary

What does “elbow grease” refer to?

Fact: Fact: “Elbow grease” is a term used to describe the physical effort and energy required to complete a task. It implies hard work and determination, often involving manual labor or tasks that require significant exertion. The phrase suggests that just as machines need oil to function smoothly, humans need effort to accomplish their goals. The origin of the term “elbow grease” is somewhat metaphorical. It draws a parallel between the lubrication needed for machines and the effort needed for physical tasks. Historically, the phrase has been linked to the idea of working late into the night by the light of an oil lamp, symbolizing dedication and perseverance. The elbow, being a joint that moves frequently during manual tasks, represents the physical aspect of this effort. In essence, “elbow grease” is about putting in the necessary work to achieve results, emphasizing the importance of diligence and persistence. It’s a reminder that success often requires more than just skill or talent; it demands a willingness to put in the hard work and energy needed to see a task through to completion.

Correct Answer: An effort to do a job

What color are Dorothy’s magical slippers in the original “Wizard of Oz” book?

Ruby
Gold
Emerald
Silver

Fact: Most people associate Dorothy’s slippers with ruby red, thanks to the 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz. However, in Frank Baum’s original novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the slippers were silver. When the book was adapted into the film, the color was changed to ruby to take advantage of the new Technicolor process, which made the red shoes stand out vividly against the yellow brick road. This creative decision helped cement the ruby slippers as one of the most iconic images in movie history, even though the book’s original detail was different.

Correct Answer: Silver

What is the preferred environment of the Eurasian red squirrel?

A Urban area
B Forest
C Grassland

Fact: The Eurasian red squirrel primarily prefers forests as its habitat, where it can find shelter and food easily. While it can adapt to gardens and parks, its natural inclination is toward quiet wooded places.

Correct Answer: Forest