# I need hard science fiction and fantasy trivia quesstions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762 "2020-02-11T03:32:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/1 "2020-02-11T03:32:17Z")
I’ve been given the task of preparing 30 HARD trivia questions from the fandom world. Television Film Comics Literature So can you all help? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/2 "2020-02-11T03:38:27Z")
Just testing the waters - are these too hard, too easy or just right? 1. (Lit) In the 1980’s two SF authors independently wrote novels about space elevators in the same year. Who were they and what were the novels? 2. (TV) Which Babylon 5 character name references a Star Trek injoke ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/3 "2020-02-11T03:49:28Z")
1. Here’s the pseudonym - give me the real name a) Paul French b) Lyle Monroe c) Don A. Stuart d) William Tenn ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/4 "2020-02-11T03:53:37Z")
1. This major flop was the reason that Hollywood avoided big-budget science fiction films for twenty years. Name the film. 2. What science fiction television show had the greatest number of individual episodes? (And, no, it’s not _Doctor Who_) ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/5 "2020-02-11T03:55:00Z")
Probably way too easy, but: 1. Comics. What manga dealt with the adventures of orbital debris collectors? _Planetes_ 2. Books) What novel gave the phrase, “Think of it as evolution in action.” to the science fiction community? _Oath of Fealty_. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/6 "2020-02-11T03:59:22Z")
Here are a few off the top of my head 1.) The submarine _Nautilus_ featured in two of Jules Verne’s novels – _20,000 Leagues Under the Sea_ and _The Mysterious Island_. What is the third Verne novel that had a submarine in it? 2.) Verne made Captain Nemo an Indian prince (as portrayed in _The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen_, but that was at the urging of his publisher. What was Nemo’s original nationality to have been? 3.) Which two iconic science fiction series got their start in the August 1928 issue of _Amazing Stories_? 4.) Aliens arrive on earth in Flying Saucers in the movies _The Thing (from Another World)_, \* The Day the Earth Stood Still\*, and _This Island Earth_, but what _else_ do the spaceships in these three films have in common? 5.) Before they appeared in _Star Trek_, James Doohan and William Shatner both appeared as regular cast member in what other TV show? 6.) This film featured a giant creature invading a city and being attacking in turn by biplanes, years BEFORE _King Kong_. What was the film? 7.) Robert Heinlein was given a plot by John W. Campbell for a story, which he wrote into a full novel and Campbell published, After his death, Campbell’s own story using that plot was published. Name both stories. 8.) Jules Verne wrote a sequel to this story by Edgar Allan Poe 9.) Who was Austin Carter? 10.) Who was Geoffrey Avalon? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/7 "2020-02-11T04:04:56Z")
The delicate balance here will be coming up with questions that are significant trivia, so to speak. Asking what’s the first word on page 30 of the first edition of Return of the King is difficult but not especially interesting. Here are a couple that may be too easy, but definitely deal with interesting bits of SF lore: Who is the only person to win the Hugo award for best novel three years in a row? (NK Jemisin; ask for the author’s first name, Nora, to make it harder) In whose likeness was the World Fantasy Award trophy made until 2015? (HP Lovecraft; to make it harder, ask in what year the trophy was changed). Who wrote “A True Story,” a second century Greek novel whose protagonist traveled to the moon? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/8 "2020-02-11T04:17:50Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > The delicate balance here will be coming up with questions that are significant trivia, so to speak. Asking what’s the first word on page 30 of the first edition of Return of the King is difficult but not especially interesting. So you’re saying “what have I got in my pocket?” is unfair to ask? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/9 "2020-02-11T04:27:02Z")
What was the name of the short story that became a cult SciFi movie, starring a Canadian wrestler? How do you get a stubborn bomb to return to the bomb bay? In the book _A Clockwork Orange_, how old was Alex deLarge in the beginning? Eight O’Clock in the Morning by Ray Faraday Nelson. The movie was They Live. Teach it Phenomenology. 15 ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/10 "2020-02-11T04:52:37Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Here are a few off the top of my head > > 10.) Who was Geoffrey Avalon? Sure that one is SF? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/11 "2020-02-11T04:58:03Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Who wrote “A True Story,” a second century Greek novel whose protagonist traveled to the moon? Something stirring in the dusty cobwebs of my teenage memory tells me it was Lucian of Samos. Correct? Which 16th/17th-century astronomer \*also \*wrote a novel about a trip to the Moon? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/12 "2020-02-11T05:01:50Z")
In the novel _ **A Clockwork Orange** _, what is the derivation of the word _Nadsat_? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/13 "2020-02-11T05:22:06Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > 5.) Before they appeared in _Star Trek_, James Doohan and William Shatner both appeared as regular cast member in what other TV show? _ **Slattery’s People** _? :dubious: 😕 Which two TV series had leading characters with the first names Harriman and Heywood? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/14 "2020-02-11T05:30:02Z")
The star of the syndicated Canadian show _ **Police Surgeon** _ also had a featured role on a network SF series. Name the actor, the character, and the series. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/15 "2020-02-11T05:57:32Z")
What TV series had a robot called Rhoda, and how was she (it) controlled? _ **BONUS POINTS:** _ Name the series original stars. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/16 "2020-02-11T07:07:20Z")
How many novels did Martin Caidin write starring his bionic Steve Austin character? Four - _Cyborg, Operation Nuke, High Crystal_ and _Cyborg IV_ ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/17 "2020-02-11T07:40:38Z")
In what Warner Bros. cartoon was \*\*\*Buck Rogers in the 25th Century \*\*\*parodied?: What SF parody featured a character named Dr Flexi Jerkoff? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/18 "2020-02-11T07:50:49Z")
Asking the meaning of acronyms could be useful–the meaning of KITT, KARR, ALF, VICI, CHOMPS, etc. (Knight Industries Two Thousand, Knight Automated Roving Robot, Alien Live Form, Voice Input Child Identicant, Canine HOMe Protection System.) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/19 "2020-02-11T07:52:05Z")
In _ **Dark Star** _, what did the astronauts’ portable life support units consist of? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762/20 "2020-02-11T07:55:29Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Alien Live Form Nitpick: Life, not live. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-hard-science-fiction-and-fantasy-trivia-quesstions/847762.md?page=2)