1.    This year has been a crisis year for the Euro, but which nation became the 17^th to adopt the currency on January 1^st 2011? – Estonia.

2.    The newspaper, “The News of the World” published its last edition on 7^th July 2011 following the phone-hacking scandal, when was it first published? - 1^st October 1843.

3.    Who won the following sporting events in 2011, [a] The FA Cup, [b] The Heineken Cup, [c] The Boat Race, [d] The US Open Golf Championship and [e] The Grand National?- [a] Manchester City, [b]Leinster, [c]Oxford, [d] Rory McIlroy and [e]Ballabriggs ridden by jockey Jason Maguire.

4.    What celebrated its 20^th birthday on 6^th August 2011? – The World-Wide Web [The first website “info.cern.ch” was published in 1991].

5.    Who played the role of Princess Fiona when “Shrek-The Musical” opened in London’s West End on June 14^th 2011? – Amanda Holden.

6.    After a series of sex scandals and growing fiscal problems Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi finally resigned on 16^th November 2011, who replaced him in the role?- Mario Monti.

7.    Which country was widely reported as banning Marmite in May this year? – Denmark [Technically the product was not banned but fell foul of rules outlawing the sale of products containing added vitamins].

8.    The Formula 1 season was dominated by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel, which was the only Grand Prix to be won by Ferrari and who was the driver?- The British Grand Prix was won by Fernando Alonso.

9.    On May 2^nd of this year Osama Bin Laden was killed by US troops, in which Pakistan town was he found?- Abbottabad.

10.  ITV’s “X Factor” had more than its fair share of controversy this year with new judges falling out and then phoning in sick, accusations of bullying and finally the expulsion of Frankie Cocozza due to drug allegations, but who was Frankie’s mentor?- Gary Barlow.

11.  Roger Hargreaves published the first Mr Men book 40 years ago in 1971, which was the first Mr Man book to be published?- Mr Tickle [The first Little Miss was Little Miss Bossy published 10 years later in 1981].

12.  Who did the following marry in 2011, [a]Justine Thornton, [b] Abby Clancy, [c]Jamie Hince, [d]Mike Tindall and [e]Rachel Weisz?- [a]Ed Milliband,[b]Peter Crouch,[c]Kate Moss,[d]Zara Phillips and [e]Daniel Craig.

13.  Still on the subject of weddings, who were the bridesmaids at the wedding of William and Catherine in April this year? - Lady Louise Windsor, Margharita Armstrong-Jones, Grace van Cutsem, Eliza Lopes with little sister Pippa as Maid of honour.

14.  Newcastle United’s ground has been known as St. James’ Park since 1892, by what name will it now be known by? - Sports Direct Stadium.

15.  What was the name of the controversial travellers’ site in Crays Hill, Essex that was cleared in October 2011? - Dale Farm.

16.  Who won the Mercury music prize for the second time in 2011? - P J Harvey for her album “Let England Shake”, she won before in 2001 for the album “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea”.

17.  Since the Republic of Southern Sudan gained it’s independence in July this year, which country has replaced Sudan as the largest country in Africa? –Algeria.

18.  According to the Forbes list published in July who were the highest paid actor and actresses of 2010? - Leonardo DiCaprio [$77m] and Angelina Jolie & Sarah Jessica Parker [each earning $30m].

19.  In December scientists at the Kepler space telescope discovered an earth-like planet a mere 600 light years away from us, what “catchy” name did they give the planet ?- Kepler-22b.

20.  Who will take over presenting Channel 4’s “Countdown” from January next year? - Nick Hewer from “The Apprentice”.