Season 237

Born in the brothels of the Río de la Plata, this dance is defined by intense passion and scandalous intimacy. Known for its dramatic pauses and the figure-eight ochos traced on the floor, it was initially shunned by high society before conquering the world.
Driven by the distinctive sound of the bandoneón—and often satirized in film by a rose between the teeth—what is this seductive Argentine export?

Which historic region in central Romania, once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is known for its medieval towns, forested mountains, and fortified churches, and has gained lasting fame through its association with a certain nocturnal literary legend?
Its real history includes Saxon settlements, shifting borders, and a striking mix of Central and Eastern European cultures.

Which entertainer, known for her decades-spanning career, won an Oscar for playing a widowed Italian-American in Moonstruck, topped charts with hits like “Believe,” and first rose to fame in a 1960s musical duo with her then-husband?
She’s widely recognized for her distinctive contralto voice, bold fashion, and singular status as a pop culture icon.

Which psychological phenomenon describes the moment when consumers lose track of their original intentions due to a deliberately disorienting retail environment, increasing the likelihood of impulse purchases?
First identified in mid-century mall design by the architect who helped pioneer the modern shopping center, it steers behavior through spatial manipulation.

Which physical phenomenon causes large-scale moving objects, such as air masses or ocean currents, to appear to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere due to Earth’s rotation?
It explains the spiral structure of cyclones and plays a key role in global weather patterns.

Which resistance group, based at the University of Munich during 1942–43, was led by a brother–sister student pair and their philosophy professor, and became known for distributing anti-Nazi leaflets titled Flugblätter der Widerstandsbewegung in Deutschland?
Members were arrested after scattering pamphlets from a university atrium staircase and were later executed by guillotine at Stadelheim Prison.

In standard chess, there are 6 different piece types. Name every piece type capable of moving exactly one or two squares, but never further.

Which Rummy-style card game, created in Uruguay in the 1940s and played with fixed partners using two decks and jokers, awards special points for red threes drawn during play?
Its name comes from the Spanish word for “basket” and it is known for its emphasis on large melds and defensive discards.

Which American artist, associated with New York’s 1980s street art scene, became known for bold lines, bright colours, and recurring figures like radiant babies and barking dogs, often drawn in subways and public spaces?
His work combined pop imagery with activism, addressing themes such as AIDS, apartheid, and LGBTQ+ identity.

Which social phenomenon involves a group of people suddenly assembling in a public place to perform a coordinated act—such as dancing or freezing in place—before dispersing as quickly as they appeared?
Famous examples include a mass performance to The Sound of Music in Antwerp Station and the "Frozen Grand Central" event staged by Improv Everywhere in New York.

Which animated children’s series follows the everyday life of a playful Australian puppy, her younger sister Bingo, and their parents Bandit and Chilli, using imaginative games to explore emotional growth, family dynamics, and problem-solving?
Produced in Australia, it has been praised internationally for its humour, depth, and appeal to both children and adults.

Which graphical style portrays three-dimensional objects in two dimensions so that distant items remain the same size as close ones, rather than shrinking into the distance?
Named from Greek roots meaning “equal measure,” it became a standard for engineering blueprints and classic video games like SimCity and Diablo by ignoring perspective and keeping parallel lines parallel.

Which piece of furniture, traditionally designed to seat two people closely side by side, originated in the 19th century to accommodate wide skirts but later took on more romantic connotations?
Though often mistaken for a small sofa, it developed a distinct name reflecting the intimacy of its design.

Which ancient writing material, made by treating and stretching animal skins, replaced earlier plant-based surfaces in many parts of the world and became the standard medium for religious texts, charters, and illuminated manuscripts?
Its durability made it the go-to for scribes and scholars from antiquity through the Middle Ages.