These are the preliminary questions for the 2017 KQA May Open Quiz held Ujjivan Financial Services, Kormangala. Eighteen teams wrote the prelims and eight advanced to the finals beating the cut-off score of 16 points. The quiz was set by Jayadev Bhaskaran, Debanjan Bose and Sidharth Pai.

1. The May Open
PRELIMS
Research: JB, Debanjan and Pai

2. La Regle du jeu
• 30 questions.
• 1 point for each part.
• No negative marking.
• Stars are multiples of five.

3. 1
The gentleman in the picture was appointed CEO of
an Indian entity, but this has been held up due to
SEBI’s concerns about his role within another body in
the near term.
The entity has assured SEBI that his additional
responsibilities would not interfere with his main
role, and that he would recuse himself if given an
extension.
What is the entity?
Who is the gentleman/what additional role has he
been performing over the last few months?

5. 2
The largest in its state, the name is merely a
reference to its size.
Any reference to the political leader from a
neighbouring state, originally named EV Ramasamy,
is purely a coincidence.
What?

6. 3
The parent company describes themselves as a
“camera company”, and their first and only product
which actually takes photos is shown below.
Which is the parent company?
What highly imaginative name was given to this?

7. 4
What item would one
consume using such a pair
of tongs and a fork?

8. 5
Starring Alfonso Dosal, Christian Vasquez and
German Valdez, the main character’s name in this
upcoming film (shot in Spanish) is Pancho.
The key dialogue in the movie is “Todo esta bien”, a
constant refrain spouted by the main character
throughout the story.
How would we in India know “Todo esta bien”
better?

9. 6
In the past, bonds used
to be issued with
detachable items that
could be exchanged for
payment, as shown in
the image.
What common six-letter
word is thus used to
refer to periodic
payments received by
a bondholder?

10. 7
Known for her
“contributions” to
cancer research.
Who is this?

11. 8
The flag of this Asian nation has a patterned
region near the border, a reference to one
of its major industries.
Which nation?
What industry?

12. 9
What in the human body gets its name because of
a resemblance to this sort of military formation,
popularly used in Ancient Greek warfare?

13. 10
Whose partnership
forms the subject of
Michael Lewis’ latest book?

14. 11
This is the logo of an Indian body called the
Society for the Preservation of ________ ___ Archives.
Fill in the blanks.

15. 12
1. X (11777)
2. Y (11777)
3. Tutendo, Colombia (11770)
4. Cropp River, New Zealand (11516)
5. San Antonio de Ureca, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (10450)
6. Debundscha, Cameroon (10299)
7. Big Bog, Maui, Hawaii (10272)
8. Mt Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii ( 9763)
9. Kukui, Maui, Hawaii (9293)
10. Emei Shan, Sichuan Province (8169)
This is the top-10 list of something.
X and Y are located about 80 kms from each other.
Name both places.

16. 13
Before it underwent the change, the motif was of
the person on a porcelain plate.
In 1990, the face was modernised
using 11 single/contour lines.
The idea was to make the image more
commercially consistent.
What is it?

18. 14
This 1859 book was written for the working class
reader and preaches being thrifty, based on the
author’s belief that unplanned and irresponsible
habits cause poverty.
It also emphasised the importance of
character and perseverance.
What gets its name from this book?

20. 15
Before moving to Jaipur, the Rajasthan cricket team
(then known as Rajputana) played games at a venue
set against the Aravalli Hills.
Set up in the late 19th century, the venue is part of a
larger sports facility now, which includes golf,
squash, shooting, etc.
What is the name of this venue, which shares its
initials with an iconic stadium?

22. 16
Which eight-letter word in English comes
from this coin of low value?

23. 17
In the 17th century, Dutch jurist Hugo Grotius came up
with something called the ______-____ rule for territorial
sovereignty of sea waters, taking its name from a
method used to determine the distance.
While the said factor on which he based the rule could
vary, settlement was reached at 3 nautical miles.
What was the name of the rule?
Alternatively, write down what determined
the distance.

24. 18
This is an Edouard Manet painting called The Old
Musician, 1862. By what three-word name do we know
the person with the hat?

25. 19
It’s apt that this food item has confusing origins.
Some says the Parsis/Iranis came up with it and
then it found its way to the cafes of Bombay.
There’s another theory that it was created from
leftover portions.
However, Urvaksh Hoyvoy, owner of Parsi da
Dhaba, has a rather amusing tale to share. He
believes once the chef added eggs to the fatty
meat mince he realised that it was a happy mistake
and exclaimed “Arre, yeh toh _______ ho gaya”.
What iconic Mumbai dish is this?

26. 19

27. 20
Fancy Lane is an otherwise non-descript street
located in the heart of the city near the
Raj Bhavan in Calcutta.
It’s now part of the CBD.
The lane gets its name from a public display
in the “days of the Raj”.
What’s the story behind its name?

28. 21
The infamous Dodd-Frank Act under section
117 provides that large bank holding companies
that participated in the government’s Troubled
Asset Relief Program during the financial crisis are
subject to greater regulation, companies shall
continue to be treated as if they had been
designated, even after they cease to be bank
holding companies.
What was this banking regulation
informally called?

29. 21
The infamous Dodd-Frank Act under section
117 provides that large bank holding companies
that participated in the government’s Troubled
Asset Relief Program during the financial crisis are
subject to greater regulation, companies shall
continue to be treated as if they had been
designated, even after they cease to be bank
holding companies.
What was this banking regulation
informally called?

30. 22
Shown here is a bad case of
traction alopecia, a form of
gradual hair loss, on Naomi
Campbell. The clinical
marker of this disease is a
fringe sign found on the
head upon physical
examination. Its more
prevalent amongst women,
especially African American
and even amongst ballerina.
Identify the cause.

31. 23
“The color does not have any significance. The
thickness of the rubber and whether it has the
dimples (called "pips") facing outwards or inward
does have some significance though in terms of the
surface playing more offensive (imparting more
topspin - pips out) or defensive (pips in). The height
of the pips plays a role also.”
Explanation for which sporting convention?

32. 24
Twitter bot created in May 2017 chronicling what?

33. 25
Shown here is Kek, the
Egyptian deification of
primordial darkness.
Why did he begin to rise in
popularity from mid 2016
onwards?

34. 26
Abbreviated to HVZ, identify this game popular
amongst US Colleges till 2007.
Why did most colleges ban it post 2007

35. 26

36. 27
The following picture is that of Poliwag, a generation
one Pokemon of anuran origin.
Inspired by real life tadpoles, what does the prominent
spiral whirl on it’s underbelly represent?

37. 28
These sediment deposits
near rivers are known by
a two word name – one
of which denotes the
loose soil that is left
behind by flowing rivers
and another which
describes the shape in
which it spans out.
What name?

38. 29
Traditionally, this word has its origins in a form of
forced emphasis, to enunciate the gravity of their
demand.
Some say that it came about from one of the early
adherents who stammered as he took the pledge.
One theory states that it came about as a way to remind
the adherents of a more favorable alternative to what
they pledged against.
Others opine that it was how the names of those who
took the pledge were marked by this letter and thus
gave the pledge takers their name.
Whicht word?

39. 30
What item of pop culture and derision was derived
from this C&H strip, which caused Watterson to
exclaim that he underestimated how popular this
would be when paired with the Ford logo?

40. ANSWERS
PRELIMS
Research: JB, Pai and Debanjan

41. 1
The gentleman in the picture was appointed CEO of
an Indian entity, but this has been held up due to
SEBI’s concerns about his role within another body in
the near term.
The entity has assured SEBI that his additional
responsibilities would not interfere with his main
role, and that he would recuse himself if given an
extension.
What is the entity?
Who is the gentleman/what additional role has he
been performing over the last few months?
(Image on next slide)

43. ANSWER
National Stock Exchange (NSE)
Vikram Limaye, Member of the 4 member interim BCCI
Panel (led by Vinod Rai)

44. 2
The largest in its state, the name is merely a
reference to its size.
Any reference to the political leader from a
neighbouring state, originally named EV Ramasamy,
is purely a coincidence.
What?

45. ANSWER
The Periyar River in Kerala
“Periyar” means big river

46. 3
The parent company describes themselves as a
“camera company”, and their first and only product
which actually takes photos is this.
What highly imaginative name was given to this
product? Which is the parent company?

47. ANSWER
Spectacles
Snap Inc.

48. 4
What item would one consume using such a pair of
tongs and a fork?

49. ANSWER
Snails

50. 5
Starring Alfonso Dosal, Christian Vasquez and
German Valdez, the main character’s name in this
upcoming film (shot in Spanish) is Pancho.
The key dialogue in the movie is “Todo esta bien”, a
constant refrain spouted by the main character
throughout the story.
How would we in India know “Todo esta bien”
better?

51. ANSWER

52. 6
In the past, bonds used to be issued with detachable
items that could be exchanged for payment, as shown
in the image.
What common 6 letter word is thus used to refer to the
periodic payments received by a bondholder?

53. ANSWER
Coupon

54. 7
Known for her “contributions” to cancer research,
who?

55. ANSWER
Henrietta Lacks
The HeLa immortalized cell line was derived from her
cells

56. 8
The flag of this Asian nation has a patterned region
near the border, a reference to one of its major
industries.
Which nation? What industry?

57. ANSWER
Turkmenistan
Carpet weaving

58. 9
What in the human body gets its name because of
a resemblance to this sort of military formation,
popularly used in Ancient Greek warfare?

59. ANSWER
Phalanges (from phalanx)

60. 10
Whose partnership forms the subject of Michael
Lewis’ latest book?

61. ANSWER
Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky

62. 11
This is the logo of an Indian body called the
Society for the Preservation of ________ ___ Archives.
Fill in the blanks.

63. ANSWER
Satyajit Ray

64. 12
1. X (11777)
2. Y (11777)
3. Tutendo, Colombia, South America (11770)
4. Cropp River, New Zealand (11516)
5. San Antonio de Ureca, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (10450)
6. Debundscha, Cameroon (10299)
7. Big Bog, Maui, Hawaii (10272)
8. Mt Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii ( 9763)
9. Kukui, Maui, Hawaii (9293)
10. Emei Shan, Sichuan Province, China (8169)
This is the top-10 list of something.
X and Y are located about 80 kms from each other.
Name both places.

65. ANSWER
Mawsynram and Cherrapunji
These are the wettest places on earth.

66. 13
Before it underwent change, the image showed this
person on a porcelain plate.
In 1990, it was modernised to a minimalist design
with contours. The name of a city was also added.
The idea was to make the image more
commercially consistent.
What is it?
What subtle element did the designer(s) include in
the contours?

68. ANSWER
Ajax club emblem.
11 countour lines represent
11 players in a team

69. 14
This 1859 book was written for the working class
reader and preaches being thrifty, based on the
author’s belief that unplanned and irresponsible
habits cause poverty.
It also emphasised the importance of
character and perseverance.
It was a best-seller, with a quarter million copies
being by 1904, when the author passed away.
What gets its name from this book?

71. ANSWER
Self-Help books

72. 15
Before moving to Jaipur, the Rajasthan cricket team
(then known as Rajputana) played games at a venue
set against the Aravalli Hills.
Set up in the late 19th century, the venue is part of a
larger sports facility, including golf, squash and
shooting.
What is the name of this venue, which shares its
initials with an iconic stadium?

74. ANSWER
Mayo College Ground, Ajmer

75. 16
Which eight-letter word in English comes
from this coin?

76. ANSWER
Tuppence
from two pence

77. 17
In the 17th century, Dutch jurist Hugo Grotius came up
with something called the ______-____ rule for territorial
sovereignty of sea waters, taking its name from a
method used to determine the distance.
While the said factor on which he based the rule could
vary, settlement was reached at 3 nautical miles.
What was the name of the rule?
Alternatively, write down what determined
the distance.

78. ANSWER
Cannon-Shot

79. 18
This is an Edouard Manet painting called The Old
Musician, 1862. By what three-word name do we know
the person with the hat?

80. ANSWER
The Absinthe Drinker

81. 19
It’s apt that this food item has confusing origins.
Some says the Parsis/Iranis came up with it and
then it found its way to the cafes of Bombay.
There’s another theory that it was created from
leftover portions.
However, Urvaksh Hoyvoy, owner of Parsi da
Dhaba, has a rather amusing tale to share. He
believes once the chef added eggs to the fatty
meat mince he realised that it was a happy mistake
and exclaimed “Arre, yeh toh _______ ho gaya”.
What iconic Mumbai dish is this?

82. 9

83. ANSWER
Kheema Ghotala
(confusion | mistake)

84. 20
Fancy Lane is an otherwise non-descript street
located in the heart of the city near the Raj Bhavan
in Calcutta.
Being in the CBD, it’s now has rows of traders,
small eateries and offices.
The lane gets its name from a series of public
display in the “days of the Raj”.
What’s the story behind its name?

85. ANSWER
Hanging
It was a site for
public executions

86. 21
The infamous Dodd-Frank Act under section
117 provides that large bank holding companies
that participated in the government’s Troubled
Asset Relief Program during the financial crisis are
subject to greater regulation, companies shall
continue to be treated as if they had been
designated, even after they cease to be bank
holding companies.
What was this banking regulation
informally called?

87. ANSWER
Hotel California

88. 21
The infamous Dodd-Frank Act under section
117 provides that large bank holding companies
that participated in the government’s Troubled
Asset Relief Program during the financial crisis are
subject to greater regulation, companies shall
continue to be treated as if they had been
designated, even after they cease to be bank
holding companies.
What was this banking regulation
informally called?

89. 21
The infamous Dodd-Frank Act under section
117 provides that large bank holding companies
that participated in the government’s Troubled
Asset Relief Program during the financial crisis are
subject to greater regulation, companies shall
continue to be treated as if they had been
designated, even after they cease to be bank
holding companies.
What was this banking regulation
informally called?

90. 22
Shown here is a bad case of
traction alopecia, a form of
gradual hair loss, on Naomi
Campbell. The clinical
marker of this disease is a
fringe sign found on the
head upon physical
examination. Its more
prevalent amongst women,
especially African American
and even amongst ballerina.
Identify the cause.

91. ANSWER
Caused from wearing an
excessively tight ponytail,
pigtails, braids of cornrows

92. 23
“The color does not have any significance. The
thickness of the rubber and whether it has the
dimples (called "pips") facing outwards or inward
does have some significance though in terms of the
surface playing more offensive (imparting more
topspin - pips out) or defensive (pips in). The height
of the pips plays a role also.”
Explanation for which sporting convention?

93. ANSWER
Why TT racquets have different
coloured sides

94. 24
Twitter bot created in May 2017 chronicling what?

95. ANSWER
Wannacry

96. 25
Shown here is Kek, the
Egyptian deification of
primordial darkness.
Why did he begin to rise in
popularity from mid 2016
onwards?

97. ANSWER
Pepe the Frog

98. 26
Abbreviated to HVZ, identify this game popular
amongst US Colleges till 2007.
Why did most colleges ban it post 2007

99. ANSWER
Humans vs Zombies
The 2007 school shootings at
Virginia Tech caused a
clampdown on the game as it
purportedly promoted violence

100. 27
The following picture is that of Poliwag, a generation
one Pokemon of anuran origin.
Inspired by real life tadpoles, what does the prominent
spiral whirl on it’s underbelly represent?

101. ANSWER
Guts of the tadpole

102. 28
These sediment deposits
near rivers are known by
a two word name – one
of which denotes the
loose soil that is left
behind by flowing rivers
and another which
describes the shape in
which it spans out.
What name?

103. ANSWER
Alluvial Fans

104. 29
Traditionally, this word has its origins in a form of
forced emphasis, to enunciate the gravity of their
demand.
Some say that it came about from one of the early
adherents who stammered as he took the pledge.
One theory states that it came about as a way to remind
the adherents of a more favorable alternative to what
they pledged against.
Others opine that it was how the names of those who
took the pledge were marked by this letter and thus
gave the pledge takers their name.
Whicht word?

105. ANSWER
Teetoaller

106. 30
What item of pop culture and derision was derived
from this C&H strip, which caused Watterson to
exclaim that he underestimated how popular this
would be when paired with the Ford logo?

107. ANSWER
Calvin peeing on various items