Prelims - Pearl General Quiz 2017

PEARL 2017
THE GENERAL QUIZ
PRELIMS

Pearl 2017
QuBITS – The BPHC Quiz Fest
The General Quiz
Prelims

Content and Presentation
Sameer Dharur

 34 questions.
 Questions 27 to 34 carry two points each, and will resolve ties.
 42 points in all.
 No negatives. Feel free to take guesses for every question.
 Malpractice is too much effort. Don’t bother trying.
 Good luck!
The Deal

1.
Actis Tech is a Mumbai based company that has pioneered the use of
innovative audio-visual, presentation and meeting technologies since 1971
for various corporate, education, government and residential applications.
About 4 years ago, it was approached to create a comprehensive acoustics
solution for its most expensive project costing in excess of ₹200 crore and
among the largest of its kind in India – working around a double-layered
false ceiling to improve the reach of the sound transmitted.
What structure were they working on, whose progress was regularly
monitored by one of India’s top industrialists?

The auditorium at BITS Pilani
Hyderabad Campus.

2.
A recent piece in The Huffington Post looks at the changing fortunes of
The Daily Show, once helmed to perfection by Jon Stewart.
It describes the dip in ratings following his exit in 2015 and the
subsequent rise – which culminated in the steady popularity it enjoys
today.
What was this piece appropriately titled, mythologically punning on the
current host and his coming-of-age at the show?

3.
The following sequence in Casino Royale involves the breathless pursuit
of one of the criminals in the plot by James Bond, with the help of some
technology that turns out to be timely and useful.
In one of the well documented stories of the technology world, this clip
was viewed by a certain Canadian immigrant dwelling in San Francisco
around the time of the film’s release which made him change profession
for the better.
What resulted from his watching this portion of the film?

4.
The Peterloo Massacre of 1815 occurred in Manchester when a cavalry
charged into a peacefully protesting crowd that demanded a reform of
parliamentary representation – resulting in 15 deaths and over 100 injuries.
Predictably, this sent shock waves among the liberal class of the country,
with calls to protect the culture of dissent and the freedom to protest
wrongdoing without having to toe the line of the establishment, or be
fearful of the consequences.
What aptly titled organization, that continues to operate on these ideals
even today, was formed in the aftermath of the massacre?

5.
Horizon Zero Dawn is a recently released action game that revolves
around a hunter and an archer fighting on against robots – set in a post
apocalyptic world.
The game opens off with a sequence of the young protagonist being
brought into the world being carried on the back of her mentor. The act
that follows is intended to be a hat-tip to another character from over a
couple of decades ago, with parallels drawn between the two life stories.
What is the following sequence a tribute to?

6.
Following much criticism over the last few years, Mozilla finally decided to
rebrand its main logo to a well received alternative in January this year.
Through the logo, Mozilla intended to convey a public understanding of
what the company does and also indicate the many other products it is
responsible for, each meant to promote web literacy and online security.
How exactly were the company’s expansive internet roots referenced in
the logo, through something whose inventor from over a couple of
decades ago now considers a redundancy?

7.
Andrew Scott Waugh was a British Army officer and the former Surveyor
General of India during the 19th century.
On one of his official missions in 1856 to the Eastern parts of the country,
he broke the tradition of giving local names to features surveyed – since
he found that this already had multiple versions in various neighbouring
places, including one that translated to ‘Goddess Mother of the World’ in
Tibet.
What was the eventual name given, in honour of his Welsh predecessor?

8.
Kevin Pietersen, back in the day when he wasn’t grappling through an
identity crisis, was best known for his innovative stroke-making that put
opposition bowlers out of their rhythm.
Apart from the switch-hit, the following shot of his was hailed for its
improbable zone of execution and the constrained use of his limbs in
accomplishing it.
As a result, what creature from the natural world was this shot
appropriately named after?

The flamingo shot, named for his ability to stand
on one leg and direct the ball accordingly.

9.
The following clip is an excerpt from a short-film released last year that
earned much online traction – with its plot featuring a crime scene and a
subsequent chase by the police.
What iconic piece from popular culture served as the inspiration for this film?

10.
The Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland last year was faced with a
peculiar case of employer ill-treatment that made news all over the country
(and the world) bringing to light the little known pressures of a seemingly
fashionable profession.
The employees were paid a paltry $5 per hour, often made to put up their
own expenses of travel and on their preparation – and regularly fined for even
the slightest errors in using their props. The issue was also reported by several
other employees all over the country, including by school and college
students for whom it continues to be a part-time source of revenue.
What popular profession is this, that began in the USA but quickly made its
way to various countries around the world in the last decade or so?

Cheerleaders at sporting events.

11.
In early February 2003, when diplomatic officials from the USA were
lobbying at the UN pressing the case for war against Iraq, the tapestry in
the media briefing room had to be obscured before any press briefings
owing to a painting it contained – which was considered to be
inappropriate imagery at a time when war was being considered.
What painting was this, from nearly seven decades before the time, that
remains iconic for its dystopian depictions of wartime horrors?

12.
First appearing in the 16th century, most notably in William Shakespeare’s
The Tempest, this word was derived from the Latin verbs for the sprinkling
of rain – or figuratively – blessings. It began to be widely used in the
context of religious ceremonies to refer to the scattering of holy water.
However, English speakers were soon uncomfortable with this holy
connotation since they noticed the water would often contain soil and
stain.
What word, now widely used in a negative light, owes its origins to these
events?

13.
Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the stiffening and pain of
the joints whose symptoms could become constant over a long time.
An innovative method of treatment was devised a few years ago by
doctors at a university in Israel – called intermittent balneotherapy, where
the patients were treated with sulfur and mineral-rich mud compresses at
regular intervals of time that significantly reduced the pain among those
with a long history of suffering.
Which place, where the said substances are abundantly present, were
these patients taken to for treatment?

14.
As part of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launch last month, NASA sent along a
special module to help track multiple parameters of interest in space.
It contains visible, infrared and lidar sensors to help track approaching
spacecraft whose data would be relayed back home to build a machine
vision system capable of guiding a spacecraft to rendezvous with another.
Owing to its multipronged ways to keep track of its surroundings, what
famous and enigmatic fictional character does it take inspiration from?

The three eyed raven from GoT.

15.
The 2006 Commonwealth Games saw a respectable showing by the
Indian contingent, winning a total of 49 medals. The star of the group was
shooter Samaresh Jung who finished with 7 medals – 5 gold, 1 silver and 1
bronze – in his name.
Not to be left behind, his wife Anuja Jung joined the podium to win a
gold of her own in the women’s three-position rifle event. Sports
historians were quick to draw parallels with a similar occurrence of familial
glory at a major sporting event from the mid-20th century encompassing
4 illustrious golds and a bronze, which included a unique world record.
Whom were they compared to?

Emil and Dana Zatopek at the 1952
Helsinki Olympic Games.

16.
Developers at the Game Innovation Lab at the University of Southern
California recently made a trip to the East Coast to help with the
creation of their new game, set in a location designated as a National
Historic Landmark in 1962 for its cultural significance.
It is an unusual game that intends to have stillness at its core and,
ironically, intends to leave its players wanting to take a ‘walk in the real
world’.
What is this game inspired from – a famous literary pitch for austerity
over material pleasure?

Walden by Henry David Thoreau.

17.
The paucity of accessible doctors to the lower-income groups of 17th
century societies in countries like Germany and France prompted people
of a certain other profession to take to it, with great success.
Offering consultation at significantly lower cost, they combined their
knowledge of human anatomy with the need to revive their social
standing and were of enormous help to a large chunk of the population
for different kinds of physical ailments – which eventually earned them the
recognition of the high-ranking individuals and a formal legalization of
their medical practice.
Who exactly were these people?

18.
In a famous and long-lasting case of public interest, the London
Metropolitan Police in 1996 decided to sue the BBC over an alleged
copyright infringement that was misleading its viewers.
The case invited a lot of criticism to the police for overreacting –
especially around 30 years late and spending exorbitant amount of tax
payers’ money in the legal battle. Despite help from the Ministry of
Defense, the police lost the case and incurred a fine of £850 after 6 years
of conflict in court.
What was this alleged copyright infringement all about, that the BBC
justified with the intention of depicting as mundane an object as possible?

The use of TARDIS in Doctor Who, inspired
from London’s police boxes.

19.
Sergei Piontkovski is a Ukrainian biologist whose work has often put him on
the radar of the Russian Navy especially during the Cold War when the
subject(s) of his study attracted the attention of both the USA and the USSR.
Facing military conflict, the US Navy had plans to transport ships, tanks,
men to Europe across the Atlantic potentially crossing well hidden Soviet
submarines. Detecting them along the way was of top priority and was
helped along accidentally by something that inspired further research on
the matter from marine scientists on both sides.
What was this helpful factor, which often aided the Navy in stealth warfare?

Bioluminescent planktons, which illuminated
hidden submarines and made them vulnerable.

20.
The War of 1812 fought against the UK brought long lasting damage of
property to some the USA’s biggest cities, most notably Washington
where several places of prominence were set ablaze.
Restoration work followed for a few years after the war which involved
efforts to mask the visible damage suffered by the buildings, made
possible with appropriate choice of paints and other essential
construction material.
What is the lasting legacy of this renovation effort carried out around the
city, lending itself to nomenclature that prevails to this day?

The White House, named for the colour of the paint
used to hide the damages suffered by the building.

21.
In his top-selling book Leading, Sir Alex Ferguson describes various
hitherto unknown stories of his leadership tactics at Manchester United
that ensured several successful years for the club.
In one such anecdote, he reveals that he used an apt portrait in the
locker rooms to help convey the idea of team spirit and balance – which
are indispensable to the success of the team as a unit – with each player
recognizing the need to stick to one another under all circumstances
failing which they would all fall together.
What iconic imagery from the 20th century, considered the symbol of a
changing city, was used to denote this need for unity and poise?

22.
Gareth Johnson is a British MP of the Conservative Party who introduced
a bill in the Parliament last year that drew widespread, bipartisan support.
Called the Awards for Valour (Protection) Bill, it sought to penalize
ordinary citizens found guilty of wearing unauthorized medals with prison
terms and fines of £5,000 – with the problem becoming widespread
enough for the bill to have the approval of most military families in the
country.
What common name was given to these offenders, inspired from an
iconic 20th century work of fiction with multiple on-screen adaptations?

23.
Dadwan is a village present in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab that houses
several families crying out for justice from the government over many
years.
The only ray of hope for the families was in 2005 when the state’s Public
Works Department Minister Pratap Singh Bajwa promised two lakhs each
to the families – which has never reached them to date, despite efforts in
the judicial process – as much needed damages for the physical and
psychological scars the families carry to this day as part of the occupation.
What exactly were these people employed to do, which received a spike
around the late 1990s?

Spying for the RAW across the Indo-Pak border.

24.
The Italian port of Bari was a strategically important position for the Allies
during WW II where they had stored much of their chemical weapons. Soon
enough, it was discovered and heavily bombed by the Germans resulting in
over 2,000 casualties from several hundreds of kgs of mustard gas.
Lt. Steven Francis Alexander performed the autopsies and discovered that
the victims all had very low levels of a certain type of blood cells, along with
suppressed myeloid cell lines. This information, when relayed back to
medical researchers back home in the US, paved the way for a revolutionary
introduction in the world of medicine that persists to this day.
What groundbreaking medical practice resulted from this discovery?

Chemotherapy, where nitrogen mustard gas was
institutionalized to decrease growth of specific cells.

25.
The administrative regime in Ethiopia has been a fractured one in the
recent past – being an unhealthy example of occasional democracy
overshadowed by covert dictatorship.
One such event of a seemingly genuine exercise in competitive elections
was championed in 2005 by the incumbent government – which changed
its tracks upon learning of the early results that indicated defeat, and sent
in the Army to the Oromia region to brutally crackdown on and arrest
dissenters, resulting in over 200 deaths and 20,000 unlawful detentions.
How did the world come to know of these events over a decade after they
transpired, thanks to the actions of a local from the targeted region?

Feyisa Lilesa’s protest gesture after winning the
marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

26.
John Jairo Velasquez Vasquez, aka Popeye, was one of Pablo Escobar’s
top men – in charge of communications with the high and mighty leaders
of the region to help rig the system for his trade.
In a revelation made about a couple of years ago, Popeye claims to have
taken the help of someone to write letters to the Castros for the smooth
passage of drugs through the area. He adds that this person was
reluctant to come on board initially given his popularity all over the
country and even in the USA, but was eventually coerced into it by the
gang for his skills of communication.
Who was this celebrity, later spied on by the FBI from the 1960s to the
1980s despite his iconic stature?

27.
Erskine Crum was an American diplomat who received a significant posting in
Asia around the mid-20th century.
Talking about a head-of-state in the region, he reveals that a secretive bilateral
deal was offered with the idea of finding a fair ending to long conflict in one of
multiple places. However, having investments in mills worth over ₹2 crore and
being strongly attracted to the city’s culture made him decline the offer, in the
fear of losing and in the hope of pursuing alternative ways to meet his end.
Who was the subject of this offer, whose country has since then called for more
of the same in other regions? What event did these failed negotiations finally
culminate in?

Operation Polo, which was inevitable after
Hyderabad was offered for a referendum and
eventually declined owing to his fear of losing it.

28.
The wireless communications division at Qualcomm Inc has seen a sharp
rise in investment over the last year or so, in view of a rapidly emerging
market. A large chunk of resources from the wireless team at its HQ is likely
to be deployed for this effort, with sales of over 2.2 million across
companies throughout the world last year.
The process was an attempt to overcome regulations from the US Federal
Aviation Administration put in place for the purpose of public safety. The
company’s operations were appropriately based in the Miramar Marine
Corps Air Station in San Diego to help prove the effectiveness of its service.
What exactly are the subjects of these experiments? How did this place
become popular to the world around 3 decades ago?

Wireless communication on drones, working
around the existing mandatory visibility rule.

29.
Among the greatest public fundraising efforts in the USA occurred in late
1937 when several bags of mail arrived at the White House in large
numbers from various parts of the country, following an annual event in
which the President had made a recent appearance.
The money was intended to tackle a nation-wide problem prevalent
around that time, that seemingly generated more awareness owing the
event. The volume of money received necessitated the creation of an
organization, majority of whose funds were used up for researching a
solution to the problem – which bore fruition nearly 15 years later.
Why was there a huge influx in the funding? Whom was the money
eventually directed to, who dedicated his solution to the people in a
historic event in Michigan?

To cure Franklin D Roosevelt’s polio.

Much of the money was redirected to Jonas Salk’s
project which eventually created the vaccine for it.

30.
In the aftermath of the Russian revolution, the government under Lenin was
looking for ways to boost industrial productivity and efficiency.
In this endeavor – they ironically took a liking to Frederick Taylor’s
rudimentary principles of management and intended to apply them, not to
exploit the workers for the profits of greedy capitalists, but to ensure the
results of increased production would be equally distributed among workers.
In this, they also enlisted the help of another revolutionary consultant whose
representation of work related resources had transformed management
practices back then and survives to this day.
What eventually unsuccessful governmental strategy (image follows), later
adopted by India, did this inspire? What representations are these, that also
found their way into scientific study?

Gantt charts, used to display the
efficient use of resources.

31.
The fight for raising the minimum wage in the USA is often marked by the
citing of a case roughly a century ago in Highland Park, where over 52,000 men
were offered a job at $5 per hour – in stark contrast with the $2.25 that was the
norm of the day.
However, labour activists have often debunked any goodwill in this story
pointing out that the increased costs were intended to cut the training time and
turnover of the work-force, while extracting physically strenuous work that
helped the owner exert rigid control upon employees.
Who was this pioneer, revolutionizing his field at the time? What concept did he
introduce, the norm in the industry till today, that necessitated this wage raise?

32.
The Oklahoma Capitol Building recently took strong objection to the illegal
projection of an artwork onto its façade that paid tribute to a certain local
icon from the 20th century and featured his most famous object.
It was considered to be appropriate symbolism for the times and sought
to protest the changing events in the country using a depiction of this
symbol that shot to worldwide popularity in the 1940s owing to a
spontaneous inscription upon it by the owner following a politically
themed exhibition.
Which famous personality in a certain field featured on this artwork? What
four word phrase was famously inscribed on his original object, intended
to make a telling political statement in the current times?

33.
Lunar Orbit Rendezvous was a concept studied extensively at the Langley
Research Center in the 1960s to optimize the weight of a spacecraft
necessary to undertake a mission to the moon. The advantage of this
approach was to have a lighter, residual version of the craft taking
advantage of the moon’s gravity to help reduce the fuel used in the journey.
After much debate, a decision in favour of this approach was taken and
carried out in early 1970 – whose accuracy was proven to anxious fans in
the months to come, although not in the intended manner.
Why was the scientific community convinced about this being the best
approach since then? How did this make a revival in a similar setting a few
years ago?

The rescue of the Apollo 13 mission, made possible
by the conservation of fuel through this approach.

The rescue plan in The Martian, intended by Ridley
Scott to be a hat tip to Apollo 13.

34.
Kaavalkaaran is a Tamil spy thriller film from the 1960s starring Jayalalithaa
and MGR, revolving around a typical love story stacked against
overwhelming odds.
In the following video of a song from the film, the director intended to
draw an apt analogy with a famous historical pair, referenced in the
costumes of the actors and the setting.
Whom are MGR and Jayalalithaa being compared to?

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