Mark Mason has narrated this article for you to listen to.
‘What’s the capital of Albania?’ The correct answer is, of course: ‘Who cares?’ If you’re at a quiz and this is one of the questions, find another quiz. Either you know it’s Tirana or you don’t, and in neither case is there any satisfaction. A really good quiz question is one you can work out. For instance: ‘Which major UK retailer has the same name as Odysseus’s dog in Greek mythology?’ Even if you don’t know your Classics, you can take a mental trip up and down the high street until you arrive at Argos. Or, in the case of one team I encountered, FatFace.
A good quizmaster should also avoid themed rounds. Saying ‘and now – geography’ will produce a groan from at least a quarter of the crowd. The best quizzes (like the one we’re running for readers in The Spectator’s garden on 29 May) rely on nothing more than intriguing questions, such as: ‘Who is the only person ever to serve as a minister under four Labour prime ministers?’ Or: ‘Which world-famous landmark is located on the southern slope of Mount Lee?’ They both pass the ‘even if you don’t get them, you’ll kick yourself when you hear the answer’ test.
Richard Osman, king of the TV quiz show, says that the only two acceptable responses on hearing an answer are ‘I knew that’ and ‘Oh, I never knew that’. A great quiz can teach you things – such as the fact that Lawrence Dallaglio was one of the backing singers on ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ by Tina Turner – but it can also make you feel clever.
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