Mark Labbett University Challenge quarter-finalist and pub quiz champion.
GAME 3
Clive Spate Countdown, 15-to-1, The Weakest Link winner.
05
0.00.001.06.08
33
Just click the stars (******) to reveal the answer to the questions
R01 - General Knowledge
The size difference between these two quiz heavyweights would be funny if this wasn't the most important battle of their lives.
They open as they mean to continue - swatting the questions aside like flies.
What nationality is puzzle creator Erno Rubik? ********
Which capital city was known until 1924 as Kristiania? ****
Clive edges out in front. But a sudden string of toughies brings him within grasping distance of Mark. ('Who directed and starred in the film 'Chimes At Midnight'?' ***** ******. 'Which Archbishop of Canterbury crowned Queen Elizabeth II?' ****** ******).
They're neck and neck until Mark is wrong-footed by this:
'Which pantomime contains the character 'Widow Twanky'? Cinderella he says. Oh no it's not. It's ******.
Clive wins, a scrape with just 5.79 seconds on his clock.
R02 - Numbers
Unbelievable. Hairs rise on the back of the neck as both contestants answer the toughest of tough number questions with supernatural speed.
What is 11 + 22 - 24 + 9? **
What is 159 divided by 4? **
How is 85 expressed in Roman numerals? *****
What is the square root of 361? **
Milliseconds divide the two. But then disaster! Mark's quick reflexes get the better of him. Asked how many square feet there are in 7 square yards? He answers too quickly with 49! (answer * ** **)
The slip-up gives Clive a much needed surge. He clinches the round with 5.81 seconds to spare. Both contestants looked shocked. As are we all. That was close.
R03 - Contemporary Knowledge
The round that separates the wheat from the chaff. In this case, it's Mark who gets filtered out. Question after question bewilders him.
Norah Jones is the biological daughter of which famous sitar player? **** ******
In which city are the 2004 Olympics set to take place? *****
Which British author wrote the novel 'How To Be Good'? **** *****
Deflated and resigned after six wrong answers, Mark start to pass on every question. 12 come at him. Only 2 he answers correctly. His time drains away.
By the end, Clive has a dominating 45.73 in the bank. Mark's face says it all.
R04 - Words & Letters
Tight. Despite his growing defeatism, Mark does well against Clive's extraordinary word wizardry.
Of which 'D' is 'cynophobia' a morbid fear? ****
In the English alphabet, which letter comes 14 before Z? *
Which card game is hidden in this phrase: NOW HISTORY IS BEING MADE? *****
Clive eventually wins, but only with 13.14 on the dial. It doesn't matter. He's got 1.10.47 to take into the final round. Mark has nothing - and he knows it.
R05 - Combination Round
With nothing to lose, Mark goes hell for leather, blasting and shouting out his answers.
In April 2003, which actor married Danielle Spencer in Australia? ***** ****.
Which British sculptor created 'King And Queen' and 'Reclining Figure'?
**** *****.
Clive stumbles and trips over a few. In 1994, the fragments of which comet collided with Jupiter? ****** ****. Meaning 'beautiful handwriting' what is the opposite of cacography? ********.
Mark fights to the bitter end and goes out with style, nearly shrieking the answer to this with 0.1 seconds on the clock: Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp at which Lincolnshire resort? *******.
Clive is the winner. The sweating contestants shake hands. Glad it's over. That was tough.
If you're an unsung triv wiz, put your brain to the test and win cash prizes in our exclusive Grand Slam Text Quiz.
3
