The first trivia night we hosted was on November 17th, 2021. Here’s a list of the categories and questions. Scroll down for answers! (And, as necessary, sources.)

Category 1: Famous First Sentences

Every question in this round has the same ask.

What famous novel begins with this opening sentence—and who is the author?

In this round, you get one point for the name of the book and another for the author, for a possible total of ten points.

1. It was a pleasure to burn. 
2. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife
3. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.. 
4. In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.
5. 124 was spiteful.

Answers at the bottom!

Category #2: National Parks

Test your knowledge of the National Parks of the United States of America. One point per question, unless otherwise noted.

1. Yellowstone National Park is in 3 states. Name the 3 states. (Possible total of 3 points on this question, one per state.)
2. Three of the 10 highest waterfalls in the world are located in what national park?
3. What is the name of the National Park in which you can find the Grand Canyon?
4. What former federal prison is located in a National Recreation Area?
5. A bear has never killed a single person in Olympic National Park since the park opened, but an animal did kill someone in 2010 in the park. What kind of animal did the killing?

Scroll down to see the answers!

Category #3: Serial Killers

Do you fancy yourself a serial killer buff? One point for each of the questions below!

1. David Berkowitz killed 6 people in New York City in the 1970s. He may or may not have claimed to have received instruction from a neighbor’s dog to do the killings. What nickname is Berkowitz more commonly known by?
2. Charles Manson wrote the song “Cease to Exist”, which was later recorded as “Never Learn Not to Love” by what American band?
3. The Zodiac Killer killed at least 5 known victims and claimed to kill as many as 37 in 1960s California. What is the name of the 1971 Clint Eastwood film in which a character based on the Zodiac Killer features as the antagonist?
4. Countess Elizabeth Bathory is thought to have murdered hundreds of young women. In what centuries was she alive?
5. H.H. Holmes was the alias of one of America’s first serial killers. He would lure victims into his elaborate ‘Murder Castle.’ In what city was the Murder Castle?

How do you think you did? Scroll down for answers.

The Answers

Category 1: Famous First Sentences

What famous novel begins with this opening sentence—and who is the author? Answers in bold.

1. It was a pleasure to burn. Fahrenheit 451 by George Orwell
2. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.
3. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
4. In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
5. 124 was spiteful. Beloved by Toni Morrison.

Category #2: National Parks

Test your knowledge of the National Parks of the United States of America. One point per question, unless otherwise noted.

1. Yellowstone National Park is in 3 states. Name the 3 states. Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
2. Three of the 10 highest waterfalls in the world are located in what national park? Yosemite.
3. What is the name of the National Park in which you can find the Grand Canyon? Grand Canyon National Park.
4. What former federal prison is located in a National Recreation Area? Alcatraz.
5. A bear has never killed a single person in Olympic National Park since the park opened, but an animal did kill someone in 2010 in the park. What kind of animal did the killing? A mountain goat.

Scroll down to see the answers!

Category #3: Serial Killers

Do you fancy yourself a serial killer buff? One point for each of the questions below!

1. David Berkowitz killed 6 people in New York City in the 1970s. He may or may not have claimed to have received instruction from a neighbor’s dog to do the killings. What nickname is Berkowitz more commonly known by? Son of Sam.
2. Charles Manson wrote the song “Cease to Exist”, which was later recorded as “Never Learn Not to Love” by what American band? The Beach Boys.
3. The Zodiac Killer killed at least 5 known victims and claimed to kill as many as 37 in 1960s California. What is the name of the 1971 Clint Eastwood film in which a character based on the Zodiac Killer features as the antagonist? Dirty Harry.
4. Countess Elizabeth Bathory is thought to have murdered hundreds of young women. In what centuries was she alive? The 16th and 17th centuries. (1560–1614)
5. H.H. Holmes was the alias of one of America’s first serial killers. He would lure victims into his elaborate ‘Murder Castle.’ In what city was the Murder Castle? Chicago.

Thanks for playing! How’d you do?