Ultimate Quiz Book Guide

Joe Varley

Description

Are you a quizmaster or planning to become one? Have you been charged with running an event at your local pub for the first time? Or are you an experienced quizmaster looking for new material? Whatever your motivation for buying this book The Ultimate Quiz Book Guide will provide you with fresh ideas and tell you everything you need to know about running a successful quiz. With advice and tips from experienced quizmaster, Joe Varley, this book explains how to organise a quiz from beginning to end. There are sections on preparation, tools and location; the business end, writing and researching the questions; on the day; dealing with hecklers; dos and don'ts; different quiz formats and how to organise picture rounds as well as 36 readymade quizzes compiled by the author. Whether you are a seasoned quizmaster or completely new to running quizzes The Ultimate Quiz Book Guide contains everything you need to run an enjoyable and memorable quiz that will leave the participants eagerly anticipating your next event.

Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 28 septembre 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781911476146
• Langue: English

Extrait

The Ultimate Quiz Book Guide
Containing Questions and Advice on How to Become a Quizmaster
Compiled by
Joe Varley
Foreword by
Kyle Hamilton



Publisher Information
First published as an eBook in 2016 by
Apex Publishing Ltd
12A St. John’s Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex
CO15 4BP, United Kingdom
www.apexpublishing.co.uk
Digital edition converted and distributed by
Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
Please email any queries to
[e-mail] .uk
Copyright © 2016 Joe Varley
The author has asserted his moral rights
Cover design: Hannah Blamires
All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that no part of this book is to be reproduced, in any shape or form. Or by way of trade, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser, without prior permission of the copyright holder.
The views and opinions expressed herein belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Apex Publishing or Andrews UK Limited



Foreword
What makes a terrific quiz? In short, an entertaining but professional quizmaster, testing his audience with diverse and interesting questions.
This is where Joe comes in, as he’s written a plethora of questions and hosted quizzes throughout the Leeds area for many years. The Ultimate Quiz Book Guide isn’t just another quiz book; it’s a manual to becoming a bona fide quizmaster, a result of Joe’s talent and passion. Think of this book as your Sherpa, guiding you in the wonderful world of ‘quizmastery’.
As Joe will elude to, a quizmaster must not take himself too seriously. Many TV quiz hosts enjoy banter with contestants, which increases the show’s popularity. A quizmaster - be it at the Royal Albert Hall or a shady back-street boozer - should also enjoy his work. I know Joe certainly does.
Joe has painstakingly written some of his favourite questions for this book, setting any amateur quizmaster on their way to ‘quizzing gold’. A quizmaster will amass facts some people describe as ‘useless’. Is there such a thing as a ‘useless’ fact? I don’t think so. If knowing something wins you money or beer then you’ll be the most popular member of your quiz team. So if you’re the only person in the pub who knows what country produces the most amount of cork, your ‘useless’ fact will be anything but. (It’s Portugal, in case you were wondering.)
Joe, I salute you.
Kyle Hamilton, Quizmaster
The Wheatley Arms
Ben Rhydding
West Yorkshire



Introduction
Many summers ago, drunk at Ilkley Cricket Club, my friends and I argued over an obscure sporting fact. The details were hazy but the outcome was the same: no one agreed on the correct answer. Heads were scratched, faces pulled, and obscenities muttered. Of course, a quick look on a ubiquitous iPhone may have revealed the answer, but the alcohol had rendered basic bodily functions useless and the argument lasted well into the night (Red Stripe can number 12 at the last count). The answer was never resolved, but I still think I was right.
The sporting fact had done its job: it provided a distraction and a talking point. That is the function of a quiz, or even just one carefully conceived question. A quiz can captivate, amuse and educate. It can spark furious debate and humble the most arrogant ego. A quiz can enlighten the most knowledgeable egghead. Winning a quiz can even increase esteem (and beer tokens). Above all, taking part should be fun.
Halfway through that cricket season, Matthew, my local pub landlord, asked me if I knew anyone who’d host a weekly quiz. Who’d be brave enough to research and write 30 questions, sit down with a microphone and keep the attention of a room full of inebriated quizzers baying for your blood - and repeat that every week. Though I knew most of the locals, I couldn’t do it. The idea was unbearable. It was a recipe for embarrassment and I told Matthew in no uncertain terms. He was miffed, and a little hurt. But when I finished my lager a new pint swiftly appeared on the bar (why didn’t Matthew dispense lager this quickly all the time?). His bribe prompted me to consider the proposal.
“Well, I don’t think anyone would...”
“So you’ll do it, then? Top man!”
“Matthew, you’re not listening. I really don’t think...”
“How does £30 a quiz sound?”
“But I really haven’t...”
“And four pints on the house.”
“Okay, you’re on.”
Matthew whooped with delight. “Next Thursday it is, then. I’ll let everyone know.” He thrust a flat palm on the bar. “And that’ll be £3.50 for the pint.”
I’m a man of rudimentary needs. Free beer and £30 coaxed me to commit five hours a week to become a quizmaster. The fee just about surpassed minimum wage. So why did I agree to it?
The obscure sporting fact argued over several cans of lager got me thinking. If one nugget of information could maintain a decent level of debate amongst a group of adults, then surely a whole quiz would work over the course of an evening? Obviously, quizzes have been around for years, but my local pub hadn’t run one before. It was new territory. Though I’m no Peter Ustinov, the idea of speaking to a crowd didn’t faze me. I could cope with that. No, my real fear - my genuine concern - was that the quizzers would think my quiz was, well, naff. My quiz. The questions I had researched and written. My fear was failure.
So I asked myself again: why did I agree to it? The money was useful, even if it wouldn’t send my bank manager into spontaneous cartwheels. I wasn’t bored. In fact, due to full-time work and my cricket obligations, I barely had enough time. The reason I became a quizmaster was really very simple: I thought I’d enjoy writing quizzes. And I liked the idea of free beer.
And so it proved. I wrote my first 30 questions, printed copies of a picture round and answer sheets, and mooched into my local like I knew what I was doing. It was a success. The microphone worked...sort of. I wasn’t contradicted. The pub got some unexpected trade. There were no fights. At the end I was even applauded.
Forward-wind several years and I’ve written nearly 7,500 quiz questions - some of which are in this book. The role of a quizmaster is not for the faint-hearted. It requires dedication and commitment. A quizmaster should be well-prepared and confident. A quizmaster should be entertaining, yet composed and modest. Above all, a quizmaster should enjoy his or her role. Otherwise, why become one?
I hope you enjoy this book, and your role.
A Note on the Quiz Format
The general format per quiz is 30 general knowledge questions (no.25 is a multiple-answer question, with half a point for each correct answer). The final five questions make up an ‘anagram round’ - that is, the first letter of all five correct answers can be rearranged to form a word (with a clue given). An extra point is awarded to any team that identifies the anagram word. Answers to all questions are given at the end of the book. All questions are worth one point, unless stated, and there is a tie-break question at the end of each quiz.
Interspersed between quizzes are insights and advice on becoming a quizmaster. For the inexperienced (but willing) quizmaster, I hope these brief chapters prove invaluable.



About the Author
Joe Varley is a quiz writer, quizmaster and freelance proofreader. He was born in 1977 in Keighley, West Yorkshire. He has a BSc Hons degree in Zoology from The University of Wales, Aberystwyth. His specialist subject is venomous snakes.
After spending a year working in New Zealand at the age of 23, Joe worked in Leeds in the Data Protection department of Education Leeds, and as the editor and writer of the trade magazine for the fish and chip industry, The Fish Friers Review . He has written for websites and small publications, including contributing bar reviews for the Leeds edition of The Itchy Guide .
When he has the time, Joe is working on a novel. He spends most of his summer weekends playing for Ilkley Cricket Club 1 st XI (numerous years as wicketkeeper). His batting average has improved to just under double figures. He can be contacted at: [e-mail]



Acknowledgments
Writing The Ultimate Quiz Book Guide took a great deal of persistence, so I’d like to pat myself on the back for showing tireless motivation in providing, what I hope is, insightful information and constructive advice.
My fellow players and associates at Ilkley Cricket Club need a mention for their friendship and drinking prowess. Thank you to: Cleggy, Cocky, Guppy, Roey, Fred, Bails, Daws, Hus, Kroon Dog, Wheels, Henners, Spuggy, Wiz, Boom, TP, Penn (‘Five-time’), Red Stripe, Chappie, Benny Boy, Cal, Simmo, Jibbers, Boris, Santi Lad, Santi Dad, Rob Wheels, Lukey, Rarks, JP, Dickie, Mr & Mrs Dickie, Brian & Kate, Big Si, Luffy, Scally, Dave ‘Tinie’ Temperton, Walshy, Nic, Hitch, Fish, Euro, The Rhodes family (Rhodsey Lad, Richie Rich (aka ‘The Sniper’, Steve and Nettie), Carcus, Woody Lad, George, Geordie Lad, Dribble, Liz, Quaff & Jo, Jim, Lionel, Jane & John, Bob & Anne, Andy & June, Mick & Gaynor, Mike & Tina, Mike & Jane and ‘The Girls’ (amongst them Yes Duckers, Ah The Ange, Jo, Mandy, Nat, Fran, Shauna and Liz).
I’d like to salute the staff and regulars at The Wheatley Arms in Ben Rhydding, namely: Michelle, Steve, Kyle, Emma, Andrew, Jennie (Jesus), Jonty, Fran, Tomas, Kirsty, Kat, Chris, Sal, David, Sean & Pam, Carol & David and Stag Man. I r