BRAINtest

The theme this week is “Alphabet Soup”.

1. What “A” was the name of the pact signed by Nazi Germany and Japan on November 25 1936 which aligned the two countries against the rise of communism and which was a precursor to the Axis?

2. What “B” is a household item for which the chemical formula is NaHCO3?

3. What “C” is a word that completes the expression (that means by any means necessary) “by hook or by…”?

4. What “D” is traditionally the mid-point of the Comrades Marathon and the location of the 11:30 cut-off?

5. What “F” is a TV show from the ’90s starring Kelsey Grammar as a psychologist and talk-show host?

6. What “G” is a famous book that has as its narrator Nick Carraway?

7. What “H” is a Shakira song with the lyrics “I never really knew that she could dance like this; She makes a man want to speak Spanish ...”?

8. What “I” is used to distinguish all real numbers that can be written without a fraction or decimal component (examples being, -5, 0, +3)?

9. What “J” is the capital of Indonesia?

10. What “K” is a musician who was the lead singer with The Waves?

11. What “L” was an international organisation established in Geneva in 1920 to solve international disputes? It was a predecessor of the United Nations.

12. What “M” is a German city that is home to the Oktoberfest (pictured), the world’s largest Volksfest (featuring a beer festival and a travelling carnival), attended by 6-million people annually?

13. What “N” is a mythical land that links the novels “Prince Caspian”, “The Magician’s Nephew” and “The Silver Chair”?

14. What “P” is the currency name used in Philippines, Argentina and Cuba?

15. What “R” is a pseudoscientific healing therapy, the name of which comes from the Japanese words meaning “universal life energy”? It involves a practitioner using touch or long-distance methods to channel healing energy to the recipient.

16. What “S” is an actress common to these films: “Dead Man Walking”, “Thelma and Louise” and “The Client”?

17. What “T” was the name of the 1985 Spielberg film based on an Alice Walker novel in which Oprah Winfrey appeared?

18. What “T” in the Bible is one of the 12 Apostles who was also known as Didymus?

19. What “V” is a term for a musician of exceptional ability?

20. What “W” is an English Premiership side that play their home games at Upton Park? Answers on this page.