2015: A year of tragedies, tumbles and political insults
How well can you remember the big news events of 2015? Test your knowledge in our special history quiz
Today in History
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How well can you remember the big news events of 2015?
Test your knowledge in our special history quiz...
1 In a slip of the tongue, then defence minister Kevin Andrews said that Tony Abbott and who would be “the best leadership team for the Liberal Party”?
2 A new type of bar in England sells “breathable booze” by using a humidifier to pump a vapour of what into an enclosed space (a) beer (b) champagne (c) gin and tonic?
3 A funeral was held for which English king, five centuries after his death on a battlefield?
4 Who did Tony Abbott describe as the “Dr Goebbels of economic policy”?
5 At the age of 72, which ex-Beatle became the oldest person to top the Australian singles chart?
6 Which religious leader said that Catholics should not have to breed “like rabbits”?
7 In which country did Andrew Chan of Australia marry his fiancee a few days before his execution by a firing squad for drug offences?
8 A prisoner on remand in Melbourne cut off his ears in an action made infamous by which “celebrity criminal”?
9 Which federal minister lodged a complaint against Kyle Sandilands over an interview in which he was called “a fool”, “a wanker”, “a loser” and “a ponce”?
10 Kim Sears, the girlfriend (now wife) of which tennis star, sent Twitter into meltdown after being caught on camera appearing to be hurling expletives at Tomas Berdych during the Australian Open?
11 Which state has a female premier and deputy premier?
12 Scientists discovered a reservoir of partly molten rock, big enough to fill the Grand Canyon 11 times over, under a supervolcano in which US national park?
13 What did Tony Abbott describe as a “near death experience”?
14 Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that which late boss declined his transplant offer of part of his liver?
15 “The Supernerd” is Issa Schultz’s character on which TV quiz show?
16 Which 81-year-old US serial killer’s reported engagement to a woman 28 years his junior was broken after a revelation that she planned to put his corpse on display in a glass case in Los Angeles?
17 A pilot intentionally crashed an A320 plane belonging to which airline into the French Alps?
18 An 11-year-old English boy was banned from participating in his school’s World Book Day after dressing up as a character from which EL James novel?
19 Which country voted to become the first to permit “three-parent” in vitro fertilisation, a technique for preventing inherited diseases?
20 Which billionaire tumbled off the presentation stage at the A-League grand final?
21 Which luxury car brand announced it will build a 4WD likely to have a price tag of about $1 million?
22 Burnt down in Julia Creek, Queensland, was Gannon’s Hotel that featured in which 1956 movie based on a Nevil Shute novel?
23 Which Queensland federal MP apologised for urging Tony Abbott to “commit suicide”?
24 Guests attending a 200th anniversary service at St Paul’s Cathedral in England of the victory in which battle were told not to act in a “triumphalist” way to avoid upsetting the French?
25 Ex-US marine Ray Routh was convicted of the murder of Chris Kyle, the author of an autobiography that inspired which six-time Oscar-nominated movie?
26 Matthew Gardiner, the former ALP president in which state/territory, left his wife and three young children to fight against ISIS in Syria?
27 Which famous Australian clothing brand celebrated its 100th anniversary?
28 Which US computer giant was ordered to pay more than $500 million to Smartflash for patent infringement?
29 Which photographic item was banned from several Australian and US art galleries and museums for safety reasons?
30 Etihad Stadium said that it would review hosting major events in which sport after a crowd riot (a) billiards (b) croquet (c) darts?
31 “It would be boring without gossip,” said which world leader in refusing to explain his 10-day absence from the public eye?
32 The tomb of which Iraqi president was virtually levelled during a fight between ISIS militants and Iraqi forces for control of the city of Tikrit?
33 In which country did three women in lingerie promising an orgy strip and drug prison guards before letting 28 inmates break free (a) Australia (b) Brazil (c) Ireland?
34 British Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised for eating what with a knife and fork?
35 A royal commission was told that which cardinal (then bishop) attempted to bribe the nephew of a paedophile to remain silent?
36 “Red Heads Rule!” was a placard displayed during a public welcome to which member of the royal family in Canberra?
37 The mayor of Blacktown (NSW) objected to which SBS documentary by leading a protest by garbage trucks outside SBS studios?
38 David Thodey quit as CEO of which Australian telecommunications giant?
39 Which Sydney advertising and media chief was fined $550 for a public display of drunkenness, including threatening a friend of 40 years, Fairfax director Jack Cowin, with a broken wine glass?
40 Four Corners exposed widespread animal cruelty in which sport?
41 Adam Giles refused to resign as chief minister of which territory after being sacked by his party?
42 Which Australian competed in the Eurovision Song Contest?
43 A US book claimed that the AIDS epidemic began when a chimp was killed and butchered by a hunter in a southeastern Cameroon forest in (a) 1908 (b) 1958 (c) 1978?
44 In which sea did about 800 people die when a people-smuggler ship capsized?
45 Thinking Out Loud was a hit for which English pop star?
46 “I wrote the budget and Joe Hockey read it,” quipped which leading electronics retailer?
47 Discovered in Queensland was the sparklemuffin, a species of (a) bird (b) lizard (c) spider?
48 Which country legislated to fine parents up to about $2000 for allowing children under 18 to use electronic devices “for a period that is not reasonable” (a) Canada (b) Samoa
(c) Taiwan?
49 Name Paul Gauguin’s painting which sold for over $300 million.
50 What was the popular term for the scandal in which claims were made that the New England Patriots lowered the air pressure in match balls to gain an unfair advantage?
ANSWERS:
1. Julia Gillard.
2. (c) gin and tonic.
3. King Richard III.
4. Bill Shorten.
5. Paul McCartney (FourFiveSeconds — collaboration with Rihanna and Kanye West).
6. Pope Francis.
7. Indonesia.
8. Mark “Chopper” Read.
9. Barnaby Joyce.
10. Andy Murray.
11. Queensland (Annastacia Palaszczuk, Jackie Trad).
12. Yellowstone National Park.
13. The failed leadership spill for party leadership in February.
14. Steve Jobs.
15. The Chase Australia.
16. Charles Manson.
17. Germanwings.
18. Fifty Shades of Grey.
19. Britain.
20. Frank Lowy.
21. Rolls-Royce.
22. A Town Like Alice.
23. Clive Palmer. 24. Battle of Waterloo.
25. American Sniper.
26. Northern Territory.
27. Bonds.
28. Apple.
29. Selfie-stick.
30. (c) darts.
31. Vladimir Putin.
32. Saddam Hussein.
33. (b) Brazil.
34. Hot dog.
35. Cardinal George Pell.
36. Prince Harry.
37. Struggle Street.
38. Telstra.
39. John Singleton.
40. Greyhound racing.
41. Northern Territory.
42. Guy Sebastian.
43. (a) 1908.
44. Mediterranean Sea.
45. Ed Sheeran.
46. Gerry Harvey.
47. (c) spider.
48. (c) Taiwan.
49. When Will You Marry?
50. Deflategate.
Originally published as 2015: A year of tragedies, tumbles and political insults
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