• QFTCICR25 Game 1, Rounds 9-10: astronomy, prison challenge

    From msb@msb@vex.net (Mark Brader) to rec.games.trivia on Fri Mar 20 06:35:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    These questions were written to be asked in Toronto on 2025-09-15,
    and should be interpreted accordingly.

    On each question you may give up to two answers, but if you give
    both a right answer and a wrong answer, there is a small penalty.
    Please post all your answers in a single followup to the newsgroup,
    based only on your own knowledge. (In your answer posting, quote
    the questions and place your answer below each one.) I will reveal
    the correct answers in about 3 days.

    All questions were written by members of the Cellar Rats, and are
    used here by permission, but have been reformatted and may have
    been retyped and/or edited by me. The posting and tabulation of
    current-events questions is independent of the concurrent posting
    of other rounds. For further information please see my recent
    companion posting on "Questions from the Canadian Inquisition
    (QFTCI*)".


    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    3. What term is used to describe the boundary surrounding a black
    hole where anything that crosses it from outside can never
    return?

    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    6. With what astronomical event would you associate "Baily's beads"
    and the "diamond ring effect"?

    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?


    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons

    * A. Literature: Novels with Prison Settings

    In each case, name them.

    A1. In this 1846 novel the protagonist Edmond Dant*s is falsely
    accused of treason, arrested and imprisoned without trial
    in the Chrteau d'If, a grim island fortress off Marseille.

    A2. This 1977 John Cheever novel tells the story of Ezekiel
    Farragut, a university professor and drug addict who is
    serving time in a state prison for the murder of his brother.
    What is the title?


    * B. Entertainment: Movies with Prison Settings

    In each case, give the title.

    B1. This 1962 movie is a largely fictional biography about the
    life of Robert Stroud, a notorious prisoner who was sentenced
    to solitary confinement after having killed a prison guard.

    B2. This 2023 drama centers on a group of incarcerated men
    involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through
    the "Rehabilitation Through the Arts" program. It received
    Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay,
    and Best Song.


    * C. History: Famous Prisons

    C1. The Marshalsea was a notorious prison in Southwark, London,
    just south of the Thames. Although it housed a variety of
    prisoners, it became known for its incarceration of people
    for one particular crime until legal reform changed the
    law in 1869. What crime?

    C2. This prison operated in London for over 700 years from
    1188 until it was demolished in 1902. It was known for
    its particularly harsh conditions and later as a place
    of execution. It is a setting in many novels by Charles
    Dickens, including "Oliver Twist". Name the prison.


    * D. Geography: Prison Locations

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    D2. In which *French territory* was the notorious penal colony
    best known as Devil's Island?


    * E. Miscellaneous Prison Facts

    E1. Before becoming the location of a prison, Alcatraz Island
    was the first West Coast location of a certain kind of
    structure, first built in 1852. What structure?

    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?


    * F. Sports: Athletes Behind Bars

    F1. Former NFL player Michael Vick served 21 months in prison
    for his involvement in a crime ring. What was their crmie?

    F2. Former MLB baseball player Daryl Strawberry served 11 months
    in prison for what crime?
    --
    Mark Brader "Succeed, and you'll be remembered for a very long time. Toronto Fail, and you'll be remembered even longer."
    msb@vex.net -- Hel Faczel (John Barnes: ...the Martian King)

    My text in this article is in the public domain.
    --- Synchronet 3.21e-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From tool@tool@panix.com (Dan Blum) to rec.games.trivia on Fri Mar 20 21:05:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    Mark Brader <msb@vex.net> wrote:

    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    zenith

    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    creation of the "dwarf planet" category and putting Pluto in it

    3. What term is used to describe the boundary surrounding a black
    hole where anything that crosses it from outside can never
    return?

    event horizon

    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    December

    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    hydrogen and helium

    6. With what astronomical event would you associate "Baily's beads"
    and the "diamond ring effect"?

    solar eclipse

    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    Saturn

    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    Crab Nebula

    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    Andromeda

    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?

    84

    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons

    A1. In this 1846 novel the protagonist Edmond Dant?s is falsely
    accused of treason, arrested and imprisoned without trial
    in the Ch?teau d'If, a grim island fortress off Marseille.

    The Count of Monte Cristo

    B1. This 1962 movie is a largely fictional biography about the
    life of Robert Stroud, a notorious prisoner who was sentenced
    to solitary confinement after having killed a prison guard.

    The Birdman of Alcatraz

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    Cape Town, South Africa

    D2. In which *French territory* was the notorious penal colony
    best known as Devil's Island?

    French Guiana

    E1. Before becoming the location of a prison, Alcatraz Island
    was the first West Coast location of a certain kind of
    structure, first built in 1852. What structure?

    lighthouse

    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?

    USA

    F1. Former NFL player Michael Vick served 21 months in prison
    for his involvement in a crime ring. What was their crmie?

    dog fighting
    --
    _______________________________________________________________________
    Dan Blum tool@panix.com
    "I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't just made it up."
    --- Synchronet 3.21e-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Dan Tilque@dtilque@frontier.com to rec.games.trivia on Fri Mar 20 21:18:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    On 3/19/26 23:35, Mark Brader wrote:


    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    zenith


    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet


    3. What term is used to describe the boundary surrounding a black
    hole where anything that crosses it from outside can never
    return?

    event horizon


    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    January


    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    hydrogen and helium


    6. With what astronomical event would you associate "Baily's beads"
    and the "diamond ring effect"?

    solar eclipse


    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    Saturn


    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    Crab Nebula


    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    Andromeda Galaxy


    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?

    88



    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons

    * A. Literature: Novels with Prison Settings

    In each case, name them.

    A1. In this 1846 novel the protagonist Edmond Dant|?s is falsely
    accused of treason, arrested and imprisoned without trial
    in the Ch|oteau d'If, a grim island fortress off Marseille.

    Count of Monte Cristo


    A2. This 1977 John Cheever novel tells the story of Ezekiel
    Farragut, a university professor and drug addict who is
    serving time in a state prison for the murder of his brother.
    What is the title?


    * B. Entertainment: Movies with Prison Settings

    In each case, give the title.

    B1. This 1962 movie is a largely fictional biography about the
    life of Robert Stroud, a notorious prisoner who was sentenced
    to solitary confinement after having killed a prison guard.

    Birdman of Alcatraz


    B2. This 2023 drama centers on a group of incarcerated men
    involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through
    the "Rehabilitation Through the Arts" program. It received
    Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay,
    and Best Song.


    * C. History: Famous Prisons

    C1. The Marshalsea was a notorious prison in Southwark, London,
    just south of the Thames. Although it housed a variety of
    prisoners, it became known for its incarceration of people
    for one particular crime until legal reform changed the
    law in 1869. What crime?

    heresy


    C2. This prison operated in London for over 700 years from
    1188 until it was demolished in 1902. It was known for
    its particularly harsh conditions and later as a place
    of execution. It is a setting in many novels by Charles
    Dickens, including "Oliver Twist". Name the prison.

    The Clink



    * D. Geography: Prison Locations

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    D2. In which *French territory* was the notorious penal colony
    best known as Devil's Island?

    French Guiana



    * E. Miscellaneous Prison Facts

    E1. Before becoming the location of a prison, Alcatraz Island
    was the first West Coast location of a certain kind of
    structure, first built in 1852. What structure?

    fortress


    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?

    United States



    * F. Sports: Athletes Behind Bars

    F1. Former NFL player Michael Vick served 21 months in prison
    for his involvement in a crime ring. What was their crmie?

    promotion of dog fighting


    F2. Former MLB baseball player Daryl Strawberry served 11 months
    in prison for what crime?

    possession of a controlled substance
    --
    Dan Tilque
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joshua Kreitzer@gromit82@hotmail.com to rec.games.trivia on Sat Mar 21 00:28:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    On 3/20/2026 1:35 AM, Mark Brader wrote:

    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    zenith

    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    Pluto was disqualified from being a planet

    3. What term is used to describe the boundary surrounding a black
    hole where anything that crosses it from outside can never
    return?

    event horizon

    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    March; September

    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    hydrogen, helium

    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    Saturn

    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    Horsehead Nebula; Crab Nebula

    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    Andromeda

    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?

    89

    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons

    * A. Literature: Novels with Prison Settings

    In each case, name them.

    A1. In this 1846 novel the protagonist Edmond Dant|?s is falsely
    accused of treason, arrested and imprisoned without trial
    in the Ch|oteau d'If, a grim island fortress off Marseille.

    "The Count of Monte Cristo"; "The Man in the Iron Mask"

    * B. Entertainment: Movies with Prison Settings

    In each case, give the title.

    B1. This 1962 movie is a largely fictional biography about the
    life of Robert Stroud, a notorious prisoner who was sentenced
    to solitary confinement after having killed a prison guard.

    "Birdman of Alcatraz"

    B2. This 2023 drama centers on a group of incarcerated men
    involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through
    the "Rehabilitation Through the Arts" program. It received
    Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay,
    and Best Song.

    "Sing Sing"

    * C. History: Famous Prisons

    C1. The Marshalsea was a notorious prison in Southwark, London,
    just south of the Thames. Although it housed a variety of
    prisoners, it became known for its incarceration of people
    for one particular crime until legal reform changed the
    law in 1869. What crime?

    debt

    * D. Geography: Prison Locations

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    Cape Town, South Africa

    D2. In which *French territory* was the notorious penal colony
    best known as Devil's Island?

    French Guiana

    * E. Miscellaneous Prison Facts

    E1. Before becoming the location of a prison, Alcatraz Island
    was the first West Coast location of a certain kind of
    structure, first built in 1852. What structure?

    lighthouse

    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?

    China; USA

    --
    Joshua Kreitzer
    gromit82@hotmail.com
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Erland Sommarskog@esquel@sommarskog.se to rec.games.trivia on Sat Mar 21 10:50:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    Mark Brader (msb@vex.net) writes:
    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    zenit

    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    Pluto no longer counts as a planet


    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    July

    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    Hydrogen and helium

    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    Jupiter

    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    Crab nebula

    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    Anedromeda

    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?

    44

    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons

    C1. The Marshalsea was a notorious prison in Southwark, London,
    just south of the Thames. Although it housed a variety of
    prisoners, it became known for its incarceration of people
    for one particular crime until legal reform changed the
    law in 1869. What crime?

    Heresy

    * D. Geography: Prison Locations

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    Cape Town, South Africa

    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?

    China

    * F. Sports: Athletes Behind Bars

    F1. Former NFL player Michael Vick served 21 months in prison
    for his involvement in a crime ring. What was their crmie?

    Drug smuggling

    F2. Former MLB baseball player Daryl Strawberry served 11 months
    in prison for what crime?

    Drug smuggling

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From msb@msb@vex.net (Mark Brader) to rec.games.trivia on Mon Mar 23 10:42:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    Mark Brader:
    These questions were written to be asked in Toronto on 2025-09-15,
    and should be interpreted accordingly... For further information
    please see my recent companion posting on "Questions from the
    Canadian Inquisition (QFTCI*)".

    Game 1 is over and JOSHUA KREITZER has a big win. Congratulations!,
    he said heartily.


    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    Zenith. 4 for everyone -- Dan Blum, Dan Tilque, Joshua, and Erland.

    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    Creation of the category "dwarf planet", to which Pluto was demoted.
    4 for everyone.

    3. What term is used to describe the boundary surrounding a black
    hole where anything that crosses it from outside can never
    return?

    Event horizon. 4 for Dan Blum, Dan Tilque, and Joshua.

    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    January. 4 for Dan Tilque.

    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    Hydrogen, helium. 4 for everyone.

    6. With what astronomical event would you associate "Baily's beads"
    and the "diamond ring effect"?

    Solar eclipse. 4 for Dan Blum and Dan Tilque.

    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    Saturn. 4 for Dan Blum, Dan Tilque, and Joshua.

    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    Crab Nebula. 4 for Dan Blum, Dan Tilque, and Erland. 2 for Joshua.

    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    Andromeda galaxy. 4 for everyone.

    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?

    88 (accepting 87-89). 4 for Dan Tilque and Joshua.


    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons


    This was the easiest round in the original game.

    * A. Literature: Novels with Prison Settings

    In each case, name them.

    A1. In this 1846 novel the protagonist Edmond Dant*s is falsely
    accused of treason, arrested and imprisoned without trial
    in the Chrteau d'If, a grim island fortress off Marseille.

    "The Count of Monte Cristo" (by Alexandre Dumas p*re). 4 for Dan Blum
    and Dan Tilque. 3 for Joshua.

    A2. This 1977 John Cheever novel tells the story of Ezekiel
    Farragut, a university professor and drug addict who is
    serving time in a state prison for the murder of his brother.
    What is the title?

    "Falconer" (it's the name of the prison).


    * B. Entertainment: Movies with Prison Settings

    In each case, give the title.

    B1. This 1962 movie is a largely fictional biography about the
    life of Robert Stroud, a notorious prisoner who was sentenced
    to solitary confinement after having killed a prison guard.

    "The Birdman of Alcatraz". 4 for Dan Blum, Dan Tilque, and Joshua.

    B2. This 2023 drama centers on a group of incarcerated men
    involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through
    the "Rehabilitation Through the Arts" program. It received
    Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay,
    and Best Song.

    "Sing Sing". 4 for Joshua.


    * C. History: Famous Prisons

    C1. The Marshalsea was a notorious prison in Southwark, London,
    just south of the Thames. Although it housed a variety of
    prisoners, it became known for its incarceration of people
    for one particular crime until legal reform changed the
    law in 1869. What crime?

    Debt. 4 for Joshua.

    C2. This prison operated in London for over 700 years from
    1188 until it was demolished in 1902. It was known for
    its particularly harsh conditions and later as a place
    of execution. It is a setting in many novels by Charles
    Dickens, including "Oliver Twist". Name the prison.

    Newgate.


    * D. Geography: Prison Locations

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    Cape Town, South Africa. 4 for Dan Blum, Joshua, and Erland.

    D2. In which *French territory* was the notorious penal colony
    best known as Devil's Island?

    French Guiana. 4 for Dan Blum, Dan Tilque, and Joshua.


    * E. Miscellaneous Prison Facts

    E1. Before becoming the location of a prison, Alcatraz Island
    was the first West Coast location of a certain kind of
    structure, first built in 1852. What structure?

    Lighthouse. 4 for Dan Blum and Joshua.

    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?

    USA. 4 for Dan Blum and Dan Tilque. 2 for Joshua.


    * F. Sports: Athletes Behind Bars

    F1. Former NFL player Michael Vick served 21 months in prison
    for his involvement in a crime ring. What was their crmie?

    Dogfighting. 4 for Dan Blum and Dan Tilque.

    F2. Former MLB baseball player Daryl Strawberry served 11 months
    in prison for what crime?

    Probation violations related to a drug (cocaine) possession charge
    (either part was sufficient, bnt not smuggling). 4 for Dan Tilque.


    Scores, if there are no errors:

    GAME 1 ROUNDS-> 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 BEST
    TOPICS-> Lit Geo Aud Mis Ent Spo Sci Cha SIX
    Joshua Kreitzer 36 8 15 20 36 19 30 29 170
    Dan Tilque 20 16 12 16 0 19 40 24 135
    Dan Blum 16 16 4 12 24 16 32 28 132
    Pete Gayde 8 7 21 16 20 16 -- -- 88
    Erland Sommarskog 4 4 7 0 4 0 20 4 43
    --
    Mark Brader, Toronto | "Jargon leakage is getting to be a real problem; msb@vex.net | sb should do sth about it." --R.H. Draney

    My text in this article is in the public domain.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Pete Gayde@pete.gayde@gmail.com to rec.games.trivia on Mon Mar 23 09:15:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    Mark Brader wrote:
    These questions were written to be asked in Toronto on 2025-09-15,
    and should be interpreted accordingly.

    On each question you may give up to two answers, but if you give
    both a right answer and a wrong answer, there is a small penalty.
    Please post all your answers in a single followup to the newsgroup,
    based only on your own knowledge. (In your answer posting, quote
    the questions and place your answer below each one.) I will reveal
    the correct answers in about 3 days.

    All questions were written by members of the Cellar Rats, and are
    used here by permission, but have been reformatted and may have
    been retyped and/or edited by me. The posting and tabulation of current-events questions is independent of the concurrent posting
    of other rounds. For further information please see my recent
    companion posting on "Questions from the Canadian Inquisition
    (QFTCI*)".


    ** Game 1, Round 9 - Science - Astronomy

    1. On a celestial sphere, what do we call the point directly
    opposite the nadir?

    2. In 2006 the IAU (International Astronomical Union) held
    its 4-year conference in Prague, Czech Republic. What major
    decision was made at this conference in terms of classification
    of astronomical objects?

    Pluto is no longer considered a planet


    3. What term is used to describe the boundary surrounding a black
    hole where anything that crosses it from outside can never
    return?

    Event Horizon


    4. In which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

    June


    5. The vast majority of stars, including the Sun, consist largely
    of two elements. Which elements?

    6. With what astronomical event would you associate "Baily's beads"
    and the "diamond ring effect"?

    Solar eclipse


    7. What planet did the space probe Cassini orbit for a number
    of years?

    Jupiter


    8. What is the name of the nebula that is the remains of a supernova
    observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054. It is also the first
    object listed in Messier's catalog.

    Crab nebula


    9. Not counting the satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. What is
    the closest galaxy to the Milky way?

    Andromeda


    10. What is the current officially defined number of constellations,
    within 1?


    ** Game 1, Round 10 - Challenge Round - Prisons

    * A. Literature: Novels with Prison Settings

    In each case, name them.

    A1. In this 1846 novel the protagonist Edmond Dant|?s is falsely
    accused of treason, arrested and imprisoned without trial
    in the Ch|oteau d'If, a grim island fortress off Marseille.

    Monte Cristo


    A2. This 1977 John Cheever novel tells the story of Ezekiel
    Farragut, a university professor and drug addict who is
    serving time in a state prison for the murder of his brother.
    What is the title?


    * B. Entertainment: Movies with Prison Settings

    In each case, give the title.

    B1. This 1962 movie is a largely fictional biography about the
    life of Robert Stroud, a notorious prisoner who was sentenced
    to solitary confinement after having killed a prison guard.

    Birdman of Alcatraz


    B2. This 2023 drama centers on a group of incarcerated men
    involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through
    the "Rehabilitation Through the Arts" program. It received
    Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay,
    and Best Song.


    * C. History: Famous Prisons

    C1. The Marshalsea was a notorious prison in Southwark, London,
    just south of the Thames. Although it housed a variety of
    prisoners, it became known for its incarceration of people
    for one particular crime until legal reform changed the
    law in 1869. What crime?

    C2. This prison operated in London for over 700 years from
    1188 until it was demolished in 1902. It was known for
    its particularly harsh conditions and later as a place
    of execution. It is a setting in many novels by Charles
    Dickens, including "Oliver Twist". Name the prison.


    * D. Geography: Prison Locations

    D1. In which *city and country* would you find the former prison
    Robben Island?

    Cape Town, South Africa


    D2. In which *French territory* was the notorious penal colony
    best known as Devil's Island?

    French Guiana



    * E. Miscellaneous Prison Facts

    E1. Before becoming the location of a prison, Alcatraz Island
    was the first West Coast location of a certain kind of
    structure, first built in 1852. What structure?

    Water tower


    E2. According to the World Prison Brief 2024, what country
    had the highest incarceration rate in the world in 2024,
    with 1,808,100 prisoners?

    United States



    * F. Sports: Athletes Behind Bars

    F1. Former NFL player Michael Vick served 21 months in prison
    for his involvement in a crime ring. What was their crime?

    Illegal dog fights


    F2. Former MLB baseball player Daryl Strawberry served 11 months
    in prison for what crime?


    Pete Gayde
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  • From msb@msb@vex.net (Mark Brader) to rec.games.trivia on Mon Mar 23 19:06:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.trivia

    If Pete Gayde had posted his answeres on time, he would have scored
    20 points on Round 9 and 23 on Round 10, for a final score of 131,
    or not quite enough to move up to 3rd place.
    --
    Mark Brader | It's practically impossible to keep two separate databases Toronto | in step for any length of time. That's true even when one msb@vex.net | of the "databases" is reality itself. -- Andrew Koenig

    My text in this article is in the public domain.
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