Filmmaker Ridley Scott who was nominated for an Oscar for Gladiator. , Photo Credit: Getty Images
Why: Samuel Clemens, born November 30, 1835, was a novelist responsible for some of America’s greatest literary works. Trained as a printer, he is considered the first novelist to write using a typewriter. Who is this author whose surname means ’12 feet of water’?
A: Mark Twain
Why: Born on this day in 1858, this polymath was a pioneer in the study of microwave optics. He also studied the response of plants to stimuli and wrote Bengali science fiction. Who is this scientist in whose name there is a crater on the moon and a research institute is built?
A: -Jagadish Chandra Bose
Why: On this day in 1874, this British military officer still owes ₹13 to the Bangalore Club for the whiskey he drank in 1896. He became Prime Minister of Britain twice. Who was the politician whose actions had a global impact?
A: Winston Churchill
Why: William H. Gates, Sr., born November 30, 1925, was an American lawyer who specialized in corporate and technology disputes. He was the chairman of the World Justice Project, which aimed to strengthen the rule of law for all communities. What is the name of his son who started running a technology company?
A: Bill Gates
Why: Joan Ganz Cooney, born November 30, 1929, was a journalist working with an educational TV station in New York. During a dinner party with his boss, he mentioned the potential of using TV to educate children. This led to the creation of which show that uses puppets to showcase American culture?
A: Sesame Street
Why: Ridley Scott, born on this day in 1937, is an English director known for his epic films with a distinctive visual style. Although he was nominated for Oscar awards for Gladiator and The Martian, another of his films was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. This was one of his early films. Which movie tells the story of a starship crew being attacked by a strange creature?
A: Foreigner
Why: Born on this day in 1945, Roger Glover is a Welsh bassist responsible for the title of one of the most famous songs in rock history. They based it on an incident the band witnessed, where a fan opened fire during a Frank Zappa concert on the shore of Lake Geneva. Which song is this and which band is it?
A: ‘Smoke on the Water’ by Deep Purple
Why: Kevin Conroy, born on this day in 1955, was an American TV actor. In the 90s, he began voicing an iconic comic book character and soon became a fan favorite. His deep, gravelly voice suited the caped crusader perfectly. Which character did he voice for over 30 years?
A: batman
Why: Steve Aoki, born November 30, 1977, is an American DJ who is one of the highest-earning EDM artists of the last decade. As part of his set, a signature move involves him throwing something into the audience. Since 2013’s Lollapalooza, what has he been throwing at his fans that will remind you of a typical birthday stunt?
A: Cake
Why: Born on 30 November 1990, this Norwegian is one of the youngest players to achieve super-stardom in his sport. When he’s not engaging in mental battles on a board, he likes to play DOTA or fantasy football. Who is this prodigy who recently lost to two Indians younger than him?
A: magnus carlsen
A molecular biologist from Madurai, our quizmaster enjoys trivia and music, and is working on a rock song called ‘Coffee is a drink, Kaapi is a feeling’. @bertyashley
published – November 27, 2025 02:26 PM IST