Michael Penrice
Over 15 appearances on 15-to-1
and series champion of Mastermind.
Oxford grad and all rounder.
GAME 10
Said Khan Blockbusters champ with nine TV
quiz appearances under his belt. Softly spoken but
hard as nails
06
1:06:830:00:00
33
Just click the stars (******) to reveal
the answer to the questions
R01
- General Knowledge
It starts off well-balanced.
Said whispers his answers. Michael trumpets his
out. Nothing too taxing:
'Arrangement in Grey and Black No 1' features
the mother of which painter? *****
*******
What is the capital of Chile? ********
Which singer's hits of the 60s included 'This is My Song' and 'Don't Sleep in the Subway'?
****** ******
Michael takes five seconds to answer correctly.
An age at this level of competition. But then
on the return, Said is floored by:
White-toothed and Pigmy are types of which British
mammal? *****
Which Christian festival is held on the seventh
Sunday after Easter? *********
Passing, he looses 13 seconds. Michael streaks
into the lead. On the comeback, Said stumbles
over these hurdles:
Bungey and Aero-tow are launch methods used in
which activity? *******
In Greek mythology who killed Achilles with an
arrow to the heel? *****
Said is unable to make the recovery. Michael
wins the round with 19.03 on the clock. Said is
not pleased.
R02 - Numbers
Michael should have the advantage
here, says the form book, but Said mounts a strong
challenge, working up a six second advantage within
the space of a few questions:
What is 45% of 300? ***
What does y equal in this equation: 8y - 13 =
51? *
Multiply the number of sides of a fifty pence
piece by the value of the black ball in snooker.
**
But as toughie after toughie issues forth from
The Questionner’s mouth, Said lead slips
until it’s Michael, cool as a cucumber,
who shaves the win with just 8.67 time banked.
R03 - Keyword
A tactical mess. It was all
going swimmingly. The keyword was“great”.
Both contestants were faring well. Michael was
pushing ahead slightly. But then a fracas erupted
over this unassuming question:
In fishmongery, which number is meant by a great
hundred? ***
Said switched to Michael. Michael switched back.
Said switched again. Michael switched back again.
Said passed. 20 seconds consumed.
Said never really recovered. Michael goes into
the half-way break with another 20.95 seconds.
It’s not looking good.
R04 - Contemporary Knowledge
Said must pull some time
back this round to stay in this contest. Statistically,
on his previous performance, he did better than
Michael. But then Michael could have been hitting
the books.
Neither of them are perturbed by the first few
questions :
Which airport uses the three-letter code LGW?
*******
In which city would you find the 88-storey Petronas
Towers? *****
******
In mobile phone terminology what does SMS stand
for? *****
******* *******
But then a couple of pop culture questions any
twelve year old could answer floors Michael.
Which author's bestsellers include 'Hogfather'
and 'Mort'? *****
*********
Which snooker player is nicknamed 'The Rocket'?
******
*********
Said is in the lead! But frustratingly, both
for him and us, at home, biting our nails down
the wrists, he is unable to capitalise on the
situation. A few big misses later and Michael
is celebrating another 13.58 on his clock. He’s
got over a minute now to take to the final round.
R05
- Words & Letters
Another disastrous
round for Said. He repeatedly fails to exploit his
advantage. Then, towards the end, his opponent cunningly
switches him out of the round.
Some highlights:
In Scrabble, how many 'X' tiles are available?
*
Which British political leader is an anagram of
NECK HARDLY SEEN? ******* *******
Which movie actor is an anagram of NO! HAM ISN'T
DUFF? ****** *******
R06
- Final Combination Round
Said not looking hopeful. Understandable really.
Michael has 1.36.83 seconds versus Said’s
30.00. Suffice to say, it’s not a long
round.
And the winner is? Michael.
He goes into the semi’s to meet the
winner of next week’s clash.
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