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{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Conrad Moffat Black , Baron Black of Crossharbour , ( born 25 August 1944 ) is a Canadian-born British former newspaper publisher and author . He is a non-affiliated life peer . \n \n Black controlled Hollinger International , once the world 's third-largest English-language newspaper empire , which published The Daily Telegraph ( UK ) , Chicago Sun-Times ( U.S. ) , The Jerusalem Post ( Israel ) , National Post ( Canada ) , and hundreds of community newspapers in North America , before he was fired by the board of Hollinger in 2004 . \n \n In 2004 , a shareholder-initiated prosecution of Black began in the United States . Over $ 80 million in assets were alleged to have been improperly taken and/or spent by Black . [ http : //www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20070712/black_verdict_070713/ `` Black guilty on 4 charges , including obstruction '' ] , CTV , 13 July 2007 . He was convicted of three counts of fraud and one count of obstruction of justice in a U.S. court in 2007 and sentenced to six and a half years ' imprisonment . In 2011 , two of the charges were overturned on appeal and he was re-sentenced to 42 months in prison on one count of mail fraud and one count of obstruction of justice.BBC News [ http : //www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13912405 `` Conrad Black ordered back to prison '' ] , bbc.co.uk , 24 June 2011 . Black was released on 4 May 2012 , after serving a total of 37 months in prison . \n \n Early life and family \n \n Black was born in Montreal , Quebec , Canada , to a wealthy family originally from Winnipeg , Manitoba . His father , George Montegu Black , Jr. , C.A. , was the president of Canadian Breweries Limited , an international brewing conglomerate that had earlier absorbed Winnipeg Breweries ( founded by George Black Sr. ) . Conrad Black 's mother was the former Jean Elizabeth Riley , a daughter of Conrad Stephenson Riley , whose father founded the Great-West Life Assurance Company , and a great-granddaughter of an early co-owner of The Daily Telegraph . \n \n Biographer George Toombs said of Black 's motivations : `` He was born into a very large family of athletic , handsome people . He was n't particularly athletic or handsome like they were , so he developed a different skill – wordplay , which he practiced a lot with his father . '' Black has written that his father was `` cultured [ and ] humorous '' and that his mother was a `` natural , convivial , and altogether virtuous person . `` Black , C. ( 1993 ) . A Life in Progress . Key Porter Books ; ISBN 1-55013-520-1 . Of his older brother George Montegu Black III ( Monte ) , Black has written that he was `` one of the greatest natural athletes I have known , '' and that though `` generally more sociable than I was , he was never a cad or even inconstant , or ever an ungenerous friend or less than a gentleman . `` [ http : //fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/22/conrad-black-remembering-my-older-brother-monte/ # more-54903 `` Remembering my older brother Mario Monte '' ] , National Post , 22 October 2011 . \n \n Education \n \n Black was first educated at Upper Canada College ( UCC ) , during which time , at age eight , he invested his life savings of $ 60 in one share of General Motors . Six years later , according to Tom Bower 's biography Dancing on the Edge , he was expelled from UCC for selling stolen exam papers . He then attended Trinity College School where he lasted less than a year , being expelled for insubordinate behaviour . Black eventually graduated from a small , now defunct , private school in Toronto called Thornton Hall , continuing on to post-secondary education at Carleton University ( History , 1965 ) . He attended Toronto 's Osgoode Hall Law School of York University , but his studies ended after he failed his first year exams . He completed a law degree at Université Laval ( Law , 1970 ) , and in 1973 completed a Master of Arts degree in History at McGill University . \n \n Black 's thesis , later published as a biography , was on Quebec premier Maurice Duplessis . Black had been granted access to Duplessis ' papers , housed in Duplessis ' former residence in Trois-Rivières , Newman , P. ( 1983 ) . The Establishment Man . Seal Books ; ISBN 0-7704-1839-2. which included `` figures from the famous Union Nationale Caisse Electorale ( the party war chest ) , a copy of the Leader", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 199, "text": "hollinger internation" } ], "id": "sfq_9893--Conrad_Black.txt", "qid": "sfq_9893", "question": "Ownership of which worldwide publishing concern gave Conrad Black control of the Daily Telegraph?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Insects ( from Latin ' , a calque of Greek [ ' ] , `` cut into sections '' ) are a class of invertebrates within the arthropod phylum that have a chitinous exoskeleton , a three-part body ( head , thorax and abdomen ) , three pairs of jointed legs , compound eyes and one pair of antennae . They are the most diverse group of animals on the planet , including more than a million described species and representing more than half of all known living organisms . The number of extant species is estimated at between six and ten million , and potentially represent over 90 % of the differing animal life forms on Earth . Insects may be found in nearly all environments , although only a small number of species reside in the oceans , a habitat dominated by another arthropod group , crustaceans . \n \n The life cycles of insects vary but most hatch from eggs . Insect growth is constrained by the inelastic exoskeleton and development involves a series of molts . The immature stages can differ from the adults in structure , habit and habitat , and can include a passive pupal stage in those groups that undergo 4-stage metamorphosis ( see holometabolism ) . Insects that undergo 3-stage metamorphosis lack a pupal stage and adults develop through a series of nymphal stages . The higher level relationship of the Hexapoda is unclear . Fossilized insects of enormous size have been found from the Paleozoic Era , including giant dragonflies with wingspans of 55 to 70 cm ( 22–28 in ) . The most diverse insect groups appear to have coevolved with flowering plants . \n \n Adult insects typically move about by walking , flying or sometimes swimming ( see below , Locomotion ) . As it allows for rapid yet stable movement , many insects adopt a tripedal gait in which they walk with their legs touching the ground in alternating triangles . Insects are the only invertebrates to have evolved flight . Many insects spend at least part of their lives under water , with larval adaptations that include gills , and some adult insects are aquatic and have adaptations for swimming . Some species , such as water striders , are capable of walking on the surface of water . Insects are mostly solitary , but some , such as certain bees , ants and termites , are social and live in large , well-organized colonies . Some insects , such as earwigs , show maternal care , guarding their eggs and young . Insects can communicate with each other in a variety of ways . Male moths can sense the pheromones of female moths over great distances . Other species communicate with sounds : crickets stridulate , or rub their wings together , to attract a mate and repel other males . Lampyridae in the beetle order Coleoptera communicate with light . \n \n Humans regard certain insects as pests , and attempt to control them using insecticides and a host of other techniques . Some insects damage crops by feeding on sap , leaves or fruits . A few parasitic species are pathogenic . Some insects perform complex ecological roles ; blow-flies , for example , help consume carrion but also spread diseases . Insect pollinators are essential to the life-cycle of many flowering plant species on which most organisms , including humans , are at least partly dependent ; without them , the terrestrial portion of the biosphere ( including humans ) would be devastated . Many other insects are considered ecologically beneficial as predators and a few provide direct economic benefit . Silkworms and bees have been used extensively by humans for the production of silk and honey , respectively . In some cultures , people eat the larvae or adults of certain insects . \n \n Etymology \n \n The word `` insect '' comes from the Latin word ' , meaning `` with a notched or divided body '' , or literally `` cut into '' , from the neuter singular perfect passive participle of , `` to cut into , to cut up '' , from in- `` into '' and secare `` to cut '' ; because insects appear `` cut into '' three sections . Pliny the Elder introduced the Latin designation as a loan-translation of the Greek word ( éntomos ) or `` insect '' ( as in entomology ) , which was Aristotle 's term for this class of life , also in reference to their `` notched '' bodies . `` Insect '' first appears documented in English in 1601 in Holland 's translation of Pliny . Translations of Aristotle 's term also form the", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 146, "text": "chitinous" } ], "id": "bb_3599--Insect.txt", "qid": "bb_3599", "question": "What is the extremely strong natural glucose-derived polymer of fungi cell walls, crustacean/insect exoskeletons, etc., also used in pharmacy and industry?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Adeline Virginia Woolf ( née Stephen ; 25 January 1882 – 28 March 1941 ) , known professionally as Virginia Woolf , was an English writer and one of the foremost modernists of the twentieth century . \n \n During the interwar period , Woolf was a significant figure in London literary society and a central figure in the influential Bloomsbury Group of intellectuals . Her most famous works include the novels Mrs Dalloway ( 1925 ) , To the Lighthouse ( 1927 ) and Orlando ( 1928 ) , and the book-length essay A Room of One 's Own ( 1929 ) , with its famous dictum , `` A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction . '' \n \n Woolf suffered from severe bouts of mental illness throughout her life , thought to have been what is now termed bipolar disorder , and committed suicide by drowning in 1941 at the age of 59 . \n \n Early life \n \n Virginia Woolf was born Adeline Virginia Stephen at 22 Hyde Park Gate in Kensington , London . Her parents were Sir Leslie Stephen ( 1832–1904 ) and Julia Prinsep Duckworth Stephen ( née Jackson , 1846–1895 ) . Leslie Stephen was a notable historian , author , critic and mountaineer . He was a founding editor of the Dictionary of National Biography , a work that would influence Woolf 's later experimental biographies . Julia Stephen was born in British India to Dr. John and Maria Pattle Jackson . She was the niece of the photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and first cousin of the temperance leader Lady Henry Somerset . Julia moved to England with her mother , where she served as a model for Pre-Raphaelite painters such as Edward Burne-Jones . Julia named her daughter after the Pattle family : Adeline after Lady Henry 's sister , Adeline Marie Russell , Duchess of Bedford ; and Virginia , the name of yet another sister ( who died young ) but also of their mother , Julia 's aunt . \n \n Woolf was educated by her parents in their literate and well-connected household . Her parents had each been married previously and been widowed , and , consequently , the household contained the children of three marriages . Julia had three children by her first husband , Herbert Duckworth : George , Stella , and Gerald Duckworth . Leslie had first married Harriet Marian ( Minny ) Thackeray ( 1840–1875 ) , the daughter of William Thackeray , and they had one daughter : Laura Makepeace Stephen , who was declared mentally disabled and lived with the family until she was institutionalised in 1891 . Leslie and Julia had four children together : Vanessa Stephen ( later known as Vanessa Bell ) ( 1879 ) , Thoby Stephen ( 1880 ) , Virginia ( 1882 ) , and Adrian Stephen ( 1883 ) . \n \n Sir Leslie Stephen 's eminence as an editor , critic , and biographer , and his connection to William Thackeray , meant that his children were raised in an environment filled with the influences of Victorian literary society . Henry James , George Henry Lewes , and Virginia 's honorary godfather , James Russell Lowell , were among the visitors to the house . Julia Stephen was equally well connected . She came from a family of beauties who left their mark on Victorian society as models for Pre-Raphaelite artists and early photographers , including her aunt Julia Margaret Cameron who was also a visitor to the Stephen household . Supplementing these influences was the immense library at the Stephens ' house , from which Virginia and Vanessa were taught the classics and English literature . Unlike the girls , their brothers Adrian and Julian ( Thoby ) were formally educated and sent to Cambridge , a difference that Virginia would resent . The sisters did , however , benefit indirectly from their brothers ' Cambridge contacts , as the boys brought their new intellectual friends home to the Stephens ' drawing room . \n \n According to Woolf 's memoirs , her most vivid childhood memories were not of London but of St Ives , Cornwall , where the family spent every summer until 1895 . The Stephens ' summer home , Talland House , looked out over Porthminster Bay , and is still standing , though somewhat altered . Memories of these family holidays and impressions of the landscape , especially the Godrevy Lighthouse , informed the fiction Woolf wrote in later years , most notably To the Lighthouse . \n \n The sudden death of her mother in 1895 , when Virginia was 13 , and that", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 0, "text": "adeline virginia woolf" } ], "id": "odql_10224--Virginia_Woolf.txt", "qid": "odql_10224", "question": "Born Adeline Stephen in 1882, which writer lived at Monks House in Sussex until her death in 1941?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The `` '' ( English : `` Song of Germany '' , ; also known as `` '' or `` The Song of the Germans '' ) , or part of it , has been the national anthem of Germany since 1922 , except in East Germany , whose anthem was `` Auferstanden aus Ruinen '' ( `` Risen from Ruins '' ) from 1949 to 1990 . \n \n Since World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany , only the third stanza has been used as the national anthem . The stanza 's beginning , `` '' ( `` Unity and Justice and Freedom '' ) is considered the unofficial national motto of Germany , [ https : //books.google.com/books ? idY85XAAAAYAAJ & q \n einigkeit+und+recht+und+freiheit+motto+federal+republic & dqeinigkeit+und+recht+und+freiheit+motto+federal+republic & hl \n de & saX & ei \n tHSeUt_UCMXbswan34HwCA & ved=0CEQQ6AEwAg The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems , James Minahan , Google Books ] and is inscribed on modern German Army belt buckles and the rims of some German coins . \n \n The music was written by Austrian composer Joseph Haydn in 1797 as an anthem for the birthday of Francis II , Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and later of Austria . In 1841 , the German linguist and poet August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben wrote the lyrics of `` '' to Haydn 's melody , lyrics that were considered revolutionary at the time . \n \n The song is also well known by the beginning and refrain of the first stanza , `` '' ( `` Germany , Germany above all else '' ) , but this has never been its title . The line `` Germany , Germany above all else '' meant that the most important goal of 19th-century German liberal revolutionaries should be a unified Germany which would overcome loyalties to the local kingdoms , principalities , duchies , and palatines ( Kleinstaaterei ) of then-fragmented Germany . Along with the flag of Germany , it was one of the symbols of the March Revolution of 1848 . \n \n In order to endorse its republican and liberal tradition , the song was chosen as the national anthem of Germany in 1922 , during the Weimar Republic . West Germany adopted the `` '' as its official national anthem in 1952 for similar reasons , with only the third stanza sung on official occasions . Upon German reunification in 1990 , only the third stanza was confirmed as the national anthem . \n \n Melody \n \n The melody of the `` '' was originally written by Joseph Haydn in 1797 to provide music to the poem `` Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser '' ( `` God save Franz the Emperor '' ) by Lorenz Leopold Haschka . The song was a birthday anthem honouring Francis II ( 1768–1835 ) , Habsburg emperor , and was intended as a parallel to the British `` God Save the King '' . \n \n It has been conjectured that Haydn took the first four measures of the melody from a Croatian folk song . Supporters of this theory note that a similar melody appears in a composition by Telemann . This hypothesis has never achieved unanimous agreement ; the alternative theory is that Haydn 's original tune was adapted from a folk song of different origin . \n \n The same melody was later used by Haydn as the basis for the second movement ( poco adagio cantabile ) of his Opus 76 No . 3 , a string quartet , often called the `` Emperor '' or `` Kaiser '' quartet . The melody in this movement is also termed the `` Emperor 's Hymn . '' \n \n Historical background \n \n The Holy Roman Empire , stemming from the Middle Ages , was already disintegrating when the French Revolution and the ensuing Napoleonic Wars altered the political map of Central Europe . However , hopes for the Enlightenment , human rights and republican government after Napoleon I 's defeat in 1815 were dashed when the Congress of Vienna reinstated many small German principalities . In addition , with the Carlsbad Decrees of 1819 , Austrian Chancellor Klemens von Metternich and his secret police enforced censorship , mainly in universities , to keep a watch on the activities of teachers and students , whom he held responsible for the spread of radical liberalist ideas . Since reactionaries among the monarchs were the main adversaries , demands for freedom of the press and other liberal rights were most often uttered in connection with the demand for a united Germany , even though many revolutionaries-to-be had different opinions about whether a republic or a constitutional monarchy would be the best solution for", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 994, "text": "joseph haydn" } ], "id": "sfq_23063--Deutschlandlied.txt", "qid": "sfq_23063", "question": "The German national anthem Der Deutschlandlied with words by Hoffman, has a tune by which composer?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Nathaniel `` Natty '' Bumppo is the protagonist of James Fenimore Cooper 's pentalogy of novels known as the Leatherstocking Tales . \n Fictional biography \n \n Natty Bumppo , the child of white parents , grew up among Delaware Indians and was educated by Moravian Christians . In adulthood , he is a near-fearless warrior skilled in many weapons ; chiefly the long rifle . He is most often shown alongside his Mohican foster-brother Chingachgook . \n \n Novels \n \n Bumppo is featured in a series of novels by James Fenimore Cooper collectively called the Leatherstocking Tales . The novels in the collection are as follows : \n \n The tales recount significant events in Natty Bumppo 's life from 1740 to 1806 . \n \n Aliases \n \n Before his appearance in The Deerslayer , Bumppo went by the aliases of `` Straight-Tongue , '' `` The Pigeon , '' and the `` Lap-Ear . '' After buying his first rifle , he gained the name of `` Deerslayer . '' He is subsequently known as `` Hawkeye '' and `` La Longue Carabine '' in The Last of the Mohicans , `` Pathfinder '' in The Pathfinder , `` Leatherstocking '' in The Pioneers , from which the collective title for all the novels is drawn , and `` the trapper '' in The Prairie . \n \n Portrayal \n \n Bumppo has been portrayed most often in adaptions of The Last of the Mohicans . He was portrayed by Harry Lorraine in the 1920 film version , by Harry Carey in the 1932 film serial version , by Randolph Scott in the 1936 film version , by Kenneth Ives in the 1971 BBC serial , by Steve Forrest in the 1977 TV movie and by Daniel Day-Lewis in the 1992 film version . Day-Lewis received a BAFTA Film Award nomination for Best Actor in 1993 , won an Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor in 1993 , and won an ALFS Award for British Actor of the Year in 1993 for his interepretation of the character . In the 1992 film however the character 's name is changed from Natty Bumppo to Nathaniel Poe . \n \n Adaptions of The Deerslayer have seen Bumppo played by Emil Mamelok in the 1920 film The Deerslayer and Chingachgook , by Bruce Kellogg in the 1943 film , by Lex Barker in the 1957 film , and by Steve Forrest in the 1978 TV movie . \n \n Adaptions of The Pathfinder have seen Bumppo played by Paul Massie in the 1973 5-part BBC mini-series and Kevin Dillon in the 1996 TV movie . \n \n Additionally he was portrayed by George Montgomery in the 1950 movie The Iroquois Trail , by John Hart in the 1957 TV series Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans , by Hellmut Lange in the 1969 German TV series Die Lederstrumpferzählungen , by Cliff DeYoung in the 1984 PBS mini-series The Leatherstocking Tales ( which compressed The Deerslayer , The Last of the Mohicans and The Pathfinder into four episodes ) , and by Lee Horsley in the 1994 TV series Hawkeye . \n \n In popular culture \n \n * Bumppo appears as a character in John Myers Myers ' 1949 novel Silverlock . \n * Thomas King 's 1993 novel Green Grass , Running Water satirizes the character of Natty Bumppo by renaming him Nasty Bumppo and having him shoot himself ( while he attempts to shoot his friend , Chingachgook ) . \n * Natty Bumppo is also the name of the author of The Columbus Book Of Euchre and House Of Evil . \n * The character of Hawkeye Pierce from M * A * S * H takes his nickname from the Native American name given to Natty Bumppo . In both TV series and the original novel on which it is based , it is stated that The Last of the Mohicans is the only book Pierce 's father had ever read . \n * Bumppo is known as Dan ' l `` Hawkeye '' Bonner in Sara Donati 's series , meant as a sequel to The Last of the Mohicans books , beginning with Into The Wilderness . The series centers around Hawkeye and Cora 's son , Nathaniel Bonner . \n * Bumppo is featured in the comic book series Jack of Fables , both in name and as `` Hawkeye '' , along with Slue-Foot Sue ( Pecos Bill 's first wife ) . \n * Bumppo is referred to in the graphic novel series The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as being part of the 18th century incarnation of the league . \n * Near the end of Mississippi", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 57, "text": "fenimore cooper" } ], "id": "qg_2017--Natty_Bumppo.txt", "qid": "qg_2017", "question": "What 19th century author wrote the pentalogy of Leatherstocking Tales novels featuring the protagonist Natty Bumppo?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The River Severn ( Welsh : Afon Hafren , Latin : Sabrina ) is the longest river in the United Kingdom , at about 220 mi . It rises at an altitude of 2001 ft on Plynlimon , close to the Ceredigion/Powys border near Llanidloes , in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales . It then flows through Shropshire , Worcestershire and Gloucestershire , with the county towns of Shrewsbury , Worcester and Gloucester on its banks . With an average discharge of 107 m³/s at Apperley , Gloucestershire , the Severn is the greatest river in terms of water flow in England and Wales . \n \n The river is usually considered to become the Severn Estuary after the Second Severn Crossing between Severn Beach , South Gloucestershire and Sudbrook , Monmouthshire . The river then discharges into the Bristol Channel which in turn discharges into the Celtic Sea and the wider Atlantic Ocean . The Severn 's drainage basin area is 4409 sqmi , excluding the River Wye and Bristol Avon which flow into the Severn Estuary . The major tributaries to the Severn are the Vyrnwy , Clywedog , Teme , Warwickshire Avon and Stour . \n \n Etymology and mythology \n \n The name Severn is thought to derive from a Celtic original name * sabrinn-â , of uncertain meaning . That name then developed in different languages to become Sabrina to the Romans , Hafren in Welsh , and Severn in English . A folk etymology later developed , deriving the name from a mythical story of a nymph , Sabrina , who drowned in the river . Sabrina is also the goddess of the River Severn in Brythonic mythology . The story of Sabrina is featured in Milton 's Comus . There is a statue of 'Sabrina ' in the Dingle Gardens at the Quarry , Shrewsbury , as well as a metal sculpture erected in 2013 also in the town . As the Severn becomes tidal the associated deity changed to Nodens , who was represented mounted on a seahorse , riding on the crest of the Severn bore . \n \n Tributary rivers \n \n The River Stour rises in the north of Worcestershire in the Clent Hills , near St Kenelm 's Church at Romsley . It flows north into the adjacent West Midlands at Halesowen . It then flows westwards through Cradley Heath and Stourbridge where it leaves the Black Country . It is joined by the Smestow Brook at Prestwood before it winds around southwards to Kinver , and then flows back into Worcestershire . It then passes through Wolverley , Kidderminster and Wilden to its confluence with the Severn at Stourport-on-Severn . \n \n The River Vyrnwy , which begins at Lake Vyrnwy , flows eastwards through Powys before forming part of the border between England and Wales , joining the Severn near Melverley , Shropshire . The Rea Brook flows north from its source in the Stiperstones and joins the Severn at Shrewsbury . The River Tern , after flowing south from Market Drayton and being joined by the River Meese and the River Roden , meets the Severn at Attingham Park . \n \n The River Worfe joins the Severn , just above Bridgnorth . The River Stour rising on the Clent Hills and flowing through Halesowen , Stourbridge , and Kidderminster , joins the Severn at Stourport . On the opposite bank , the tributaries are only brooks , Borle Brook , Dowles Brook draining the Wyre Forest , Dick Brook and Shrawley Brook . \n \n The River Teme flows eastwards from its source in Mid Wales , straddling the border between Shropshire and Herefordshire , it is joined by the River Onny , River Corve and River Rea before it finally joins the Severn slightly downstream of Worcester . Shit Brook near Much Wenlock was culverted to flow into the Severn . \n \n One of the several rivers named Avon , in this case the Warwickshire Avon , flows west through Rugby , Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon . It is then joined by its tributary the River Arrow , before finally joining the Severn at Tewkesbury , Gloucestershire . \n \n The port of Bristol is on the Severn Estuary , where another River Avon flows into it through the Avon Gorge . \n \n The River Wye , from its source in Plynlimon , Wales ( 2 mi from the source of the Severn ) , flows generally south east through the Welsh towns of Rhayader and Builth Wells . It enters Herefordshire , flows through Hereford , and is shortly afterwards joined by the River Lugg , before flowing through Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth , and then southwards where it forms part", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 10, "text": "severn" } ], "id": "odql_1670--River_Severn.txt", "qid": "odql_1670", "question": "Which river flows through Worcester and Gloucester?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Charles John Huffam Dickens ( ; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870 ) was an English writer and social critic . He created some of the world 's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era .. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime , and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius . His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity . \n \n Born in Portsmouth , Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors ' prison . Despite his lack of formal education , he edited a weekly journal for 20 years , wrote 15 novels , five novellas , hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles , lectured and performed extensively , was an indefatigable letter writer , and campaigned vigorously for children 's rights , education , and other social reforms . \n \n Dickens 's literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers . Within a few years he had become an international literary celebrity , famous for his humour , satire , and keen observation of character and society . His novels , most published in monthly or weekly instalments , pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction , which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication . The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience 's reaction , and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback . For example , when his wife 's chiropodist expressed distress at the way Miss Mowcher in David Copperfield seemed to reflect her disabilities , Dickens improved the character with positive features . His plots were carefully constructed , and he often wove elements from topical events into his narratives . Masses of the illiterate poor chipped in ha'pennies to have each new monthly episode read to them , opening up and inspiring a new class of readers . \n \n Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age . His 1843 novella , A Christmas Carol , remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre . Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted , and , like many of his novels , evoke images of early Victorian London . His 1859 novel , A Tale of Two Cities , set in London and Paris , is his best-known work of historical fiction . Dickens 's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism , comedy , prose style , unique characterisations , and social criticism . On the other hand , Oscar Wilde , Henry James , and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth , loose writing , and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism . The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings , such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters . \n \n Early years \n \n Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on 7 February 1812 , at 1 Mile End Terrace ( now 393 Commercial Road ) , Landport in Portsea Island ( Portsmouth ) , the second of eight children of John Dickens ( 1785–1851 ) and Elizabeth Dickens ( née Barrow ; 1789–1863 ) . His father was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office and was temporarily stationed in the district . He asked Christopher Huffam , rigger to His Majesty 's Navy , gentleman , and head of an established firm , to act as godfather to Charles . Huffam is thought to be the inspiration for Paul Dombey , the owner of a shipping company in Dickens 's eponymous Dombey and Son ( 1848 ) . \n \n In January 1815 John Dickens was called back to London , and the family moved to Norfolk Street , Fitzrovia . When Charles was four , they relocated to Sheerness , and thence to Chatham , Kent , where he spent his formative years until the age of 11 . His early life seems to have been idyllic , though he thought himself a `` very small and not-over-particularly-taken-care-of boy '' . \n \n Charles spent time outdoors but also read voraciously , including the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett and Henry Fielding , as well as Robinson Crusoe and Gil Blas . He read and reread The Arabian Nights and the Collected Farces of Elizabeth Inchbald . He retained poignant memories of childhood , helped by an excellent memory of people and events , which he used in his writing . His father 's brief work as a clerk in the Navy Pay", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 2150, "text": "great expectations" } ], "id": "odql_4259--Charles_Dickens.txt", "qid": "odql_4259", "question": "In which Charles Dickens novel does the character 'Bentley Drummle' appear?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Geneva ( , , , , , ) is the second most populous city in Switzerland ( after Zürich ) and is the most populous city of Romandy , the French-speaking part of Switzerland . Situated where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva , it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva . \n \n The municipality ( ville de Genève ) has a population ( ) of , and the canton ( which is essentially the city and its inner-ring suburbs ) has residents . In 2014 , the compact agglomération du Grand Genève had 946,000 inhabitants in 212 communities in both Switzerland and France ( [ http : //www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/02/03/blank/data/gemeindedaten.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office-Land Use Statistics ] 2009 data accessed 25 March 2010 \n \n Of the built up area , industrial buildings made up 3.4 % of the area while housing and buildings made up 46.2 % and transportation infrastructure 25.8 % , while parks , green belts and sports fields made up 15.7 % . All the forested land area is covered with heavy forests . Of the agricultural land , 0.3 % is used for growing crops . Of the water in the municipality , 0.2 % is in lakes and 2.9 % is in rivers and streams . \n \n The altitude of Geneva is , and corresponds to the altitude of the largest of the Pierres du Niton , two large rocks emerging from the lake which date from the last ice age . This rock was chosen by General Guillaume Henri Dufour as the reference point for surveying in Switzerland . \n The second main river of Geneva is the Arve which flows into the Rhône just west of the city centre . Mont Blanc can be seen from Geneva and is an hour 's drive from the city centre . \n \n Climate \n \n The climate of Geneva is temperate , oceanic ( Köppen : Cfb ) . Winters are cool , usually with light frosts at night and thawing conditions during the day . Summers are pleasantly warm . Precipitation is adequate and is relatively well-distributed throughout the year , although autumn is slightly wetter than the other seasons . Ice storms near Lac Léman are quite normal in the winter . In the summer many people enjoy swimming in the lake , and frequently patronise public beaches such as Genève Plage and the Bains des Pâquis . Geneva , in certain years , receives snow in the colder months of the year . The nearby mountains are subject to substantial snowfall and are suitable for skiing . Many world-renowned ski resorts such as Verbier and Crans-Montana are just over two hours away by car . Mont Salève ( 1400 m ) , just across the border in France , dominates the southerly view from the city centre . The famous Mont Blanc is visible from most of the city , enclosed in the mountain alp range surrounding nearby Chamonix , which is one of the closest French skiing destinations to Geneva . There are a number of other Northern Alps ski resorts that are easily accessible from Geneva Airport including those of the Grand Massif such as Samoens , Morillon and Flaine as well as Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz . \n \n During the years 2000–2009 , the mean yearly temperature was 11 °C and the mean number of sunshine-hours per year was 2003 . \n \n The highest temperature recorded in Genève–Cointrin was in July 2015 , and the lowest temperature recorded was −20.0 °C ( −4.0 °F ) in February 1956 . \n \n Politics \n \n Administrative divisions \n \n The city is divided into eight quartiers , or districts , sometimes composed of several neighborhoods . On the Left Bank are ( 1 ) Jonction , ( 2 ) Centre . Plainpalais , and Acacias , ( 3 ) Eaux-Vives , and ( 4 ) Champel , while the Right Bank includes ( 1 ) Saint-Jean and Charmilles , ( 2 ) Servette and Petit-Saconnex , ( 3 ) Grottes and Saint-Gervais , and ( 4 ) Paquis and Nations . \n \n Government \n \n The City Council ( Conseil administratif ) constitutes the executive government of the City of Geneva and operates as a collegiate authority . It is composed of five councilors ( ) , each presiding over a department . The president of the executive department acts as mayor ( maire ) . In the governmental year 2015/2016 the City Council is presided by Madame la maire de Genève Esther Alder . Departmental tasks , coordination measures and implementation of laws decreed by the City Parliament are carried by the City Council . The election of the", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 0, "text": "geneva" } ], "id": "bb_7093--Geneva.txt", "qid": "bb_7093", "question": "The World Trade Organization was founded in 1995 in which European city?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Kenya ( ; ) , officially the Republic of Kenya , is a country in Africa and a founding member of the East African Community ( EAC ) . Its capital and largest city is Nairobi . Kenya 's territory lies on the equator and overlies the East African Rift covering a diverse and expansive terrain that extends roughly from Lake Victoria to Lake Turkana ( formerly called Lake Rudolf ) and further south-east to the Indian Ocean . It is bordered by Tanzania to the south , Uganda to the west , South Sudan to the north-west , Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the north-east . Kenya covers , and had a population of approximately 45 million people in July 2014 . \n \n Kenya has a warm and humid tropical climate on its Indian Ocean coastline . The climate is cooler in the savannah grasslands around the capital city , Nairobi , and especially closer to Mount Kenya , which has snow permanently on its peaks . Further inland , in the Nyanza region , there is a hot and dry climate which becomes humid around Lake Victoria , the largest tropical fresh-water lake in the world . This gives way to temperate and forested hilly areas in the neighbouring western region . The north-eastern regions along the border with Somalia and Ethiopia are arid and semi-arid areas with near-desert landscapes . Kenya is known for its safaris , diverse climate and geography , and expansive wildlife reserves and national parks such as the East and West Tsavo National Park , the Maasai Mara , Lake Nakuru National Park , and Aberdares National Park . Kenya has several world heritage sites such as Lamu and numerous beaches , including in Diani , Bamburi and Kilifi , where international yachting competitions are held every year . \n \n The African Great Lakes region , which Kenya is a part of , has been inhabited by humans since the Lower Paleolithic period . By the first millennium AD , the Bantu expansion had reached the area from West-Central Africa . The borders of the modern state consequently comprise the crossroads of the Niger-Congo , Nilo-Saharan and Afroasiatic areas of the continent , representing most major ethnolinguistic groups found in Africa . Bantu and Nilotic populations together constitute around 97 % of the nation 's residents . European and Arab presence in coastal Mombasa dates to the Early Modern period ; European exploration of the interior began in the 19th century . The British Empire established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895 , which starting in 1920 gave way to the Kenya Colony . Kenya obtained independence in December 1963 . Following a referendum in August 2010 and adoption of a new constitution , Kenya is now divided into 47 semi-autonomous counties , governed by elected governors . \n \n The capital , Nairobi , is a regional commercial hub . The economy of Kenya is the largest by GDP in East and Central Africa . Agriculture is a major employer ; the country traditionally exports tea and coffee and has more recently begun to export fresh flowers to Europe . The service industry is also a major economic driver . Additionally , Kenya is a member of the East African Community trading bloc . \n \n Etymology \n \n The Republic of Kenya is named after Mount Kenya . The origin of the name Kenya is not clear , but perhaps linked to the Kikuyu , Embu and Kamba words Kirinyaga , Kirenyaa , and Kiinyaa which mean `` God 's resting place '' in all three languages . If so , then the British may not so much have mispronounced it ( 'Keenya ' ) , as misspelled it . Prehistoric volcanic eruptions of Mount Kenya ( now extinct ) may have resulted in its association with divinity and creation among the indigenous Bantu ethnic groups , who are the native inhabitants of the agricultural land surrounding Mount Kenya . \n \n In the 19th century , the German explorer Johann Ludwig Krapf was staying with the Bantu Kamba people when he first spotted the mountain . On asking for the name of the mountain , he was told `` Kĩ-Nyaa '' or `` Kĩĩma- Kĩĩnyaa '' probably because the pattern of black rock and white snow on its peaks reminded them of the feathers of the cock ostrich . The Agikuyu , who inhabit the slopes of Mt . Kenya , call it Kĩrĩma Kĩrĩnyaga in Kikuyu , which is quite similar to the Kamba name . \n \n Ludwig Krapf recorded the name as both Kenia and Kegnia believed by most to be a corruption of the Kamba version . Others say that this was—on", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 545, "text": "somalia" } ], "id": "wh_3859--Kenya.txt", "qid": "wh_3859", "question": "Kenya shares the vast majority of it’s East border with which country ?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . The Steelers compete in the National Football League ( NFL ) , as a member club of the league 's American Football Conference ( AFC ) North division . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC . \n \n In contrast with their status as perennial also-rans in the pre-merger NFL , where they were the oldest team to never win a league championship , the Steelers of the post-merger ( modern ) era are one of the most successful NFL franchises . Pittsburgh has won more Super Bowl titles ( 6 ) , and hosted more ( 11 ) conference championship games than any other NFL team . The Steelers share the record for most AFC championships with the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos ( 8 ) , and the record for most conference championship games played in with the San Francisco 49ers ( 15 ) . The Steelers share the record for most Super Bowl appearances with the Patriots , Broncos , and Dallas Cowboys ( 8 ) . The Steelers lost their most recent championship appearance , Super Bowl XLV , on February 6 , 2011 . \n \n The Steelers were founded as the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 8 , 1933 , by Art Rooney , taking its original name from the baseball team of the same name , as was common practice for NFL teams at the time . To distinguish them from the baseball team , local media took to calling the football team the Rooneymen , an unofficial nickname which persisted for decades after the team adopted its current nickname . The ownership of the Steelers has remained within the Rooney family since its founding . The current owner is Art 's son , Dan Rooney , who has given much control of the franchise to his son Art Rooney II . Long one of the NFL 's flagship teams , the Steelers enjoy a large , widespread fanbase nicknamed Steeler Nation . The Steelers currently play their home games at Heinz Field on Pittsburgh 's North Side in the North Shore neighborhood , which also hosts the University of Pittsburgh Panthers . Built in 2001 , the stadium replaced Three Rivers Stadium which hosted the Steelers for 31 seasons . Prior to Three Rivers , the Steelers had played their games in Pitt Stadium and Forbes Field . \n \n Franchise history \n \n The Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL first took to the field as the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 20 , 1933 , losing 23–2 to the New York Giants . [ http : //www.profootballhof.com/history/team.jsp ? franchise_id=25 Team – Pro Football Hall of Fame ] Through the 1930s , the Pirates never finished higher than second place in their division , or with a record better than .500 ( ) . Pittsburgh did make history in by signing Byron White , a future Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court , to what was at the time the biggest contract in NFL history , but he played only one year with the Pirates before signing with the Detroit Lions . Prior to the 1940 season , the Pirates renamed themselves the Steelers . \n \n During World War II , the Steelers experienced player shortages . They twice merged with other NFL franchises to field a team . During the 1943 season , they merged with the Philadelphia Eagles forming the `` Phil-Pitt Eagles '' and were known as the `` Steagles '' . This team went 5–4–1 . In 1944 , they merged with the Chicago Cardinals and were known as Card-Pitt ( or , mockingly , as the `` Carpets '' ) . This team finished 0–10 , marking the only winless team in franchise history . [ http : //www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_150100.html World War II Steagles to be honored at tonight 's game – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ] \n \n The Steelers made the playoffs for the first time in , tying for first place in the division at 8–4 with the Philadelphia Eagles . This forced a tie-breaking playoff game at Forbes Field , which the Steelers lost 21–0 . [ http : //www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pitindex.htm Pittsburgh Steelers Team Encyclopedia – Pro-Football-Reference.com ] That would be Pittsburgh 's only playoff game for the next 25 years ; they did qualify for a `` Playoff Bowl '' in 1962 as the second-best team in their conference , but this was not considered an official playoff . [ http : //www.mmbolding.com/BSR/The_Playoff_Bowl.htm The Playoff Bowl ( Bert Bell Benefit Bowl ) ] \n \n In , the year they moved into Three Rivers Stadium and the year of the AFL-NFL merger , the", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 2915, "text": "40" } ], "id": "qg_393--Pittsburgh_Steelers.txt", "qid": "qg_393", "question": "In what Super Bowl did the Seahawks face the Steelers?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Solomon ( ; ISO 259-3 Šlomo ; Shlemun ; ' , also colloquially : ' or ' ; Solomōn ; ) , also called Jedidiah ( Hebrew ) , was , according to the Bible ( Book of Kings : 1 Kings 1–11 ; Book of Chronicles : 1 Chronicles 28–29 , 2 Chronicles 1–9 ) , Qur'an , and Hidden Words a fabulously wealthy and wise king of Israel and a son of David , the previous king of Israel . The conventional dates of Solomon 's reign are circa 970 to 931 BC , normally given in alignment with the dates of David 's reign . He is described as the third king of the United Monarchy , which would break apart into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah shortly after his death . Following the split , his patrilineal descendants ruled over Judah alone . \n \n According to the Talmud , Solomon is one of the 48 prophets . In the Qur'an , he is considered a major prophet , and Muslims generally refer to him by the Arabic variant Sulayman , son of David . Solomon ( Arabic سليمان Sulaymān ) was , according to the Qur'an , a king of ancient Israel as well as the son of David . The Qur'an recognizes Solomon as a prophet and a divinely-appointed monarch . Islamic tradition generally holds that Solomon was the third king of Israel and was a just and wise ruler for the nation . \n \n The Hebrew Bible credits him as the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem . It portrays him as great in wisdom , wealth , and power beyond any of the previous kings of the country , but ultimately as a human king who sinned . His sins included idolatry and turning away from Yahweh , and led to the kingdom 's being torn in two during the reign of his son Rehoboam . Solomon is the subject of many other later references and legends , most notably in the 1st-century apocryphal work known as the Testament of Solomon . In later years , in mostly non-biblical circles , Solomon also came to be known as a magician and an exorcist , with numerous amulets and medallion seals dating from the Hellenistic period invoking his name . \n \n Biblical account \n \n Childhood \n \n Solomon was born in Jerusalem , the second born child to David and his wife Bathsheba , widow of Uriah the Hittite . The first child ( unnamed in that account ) , a son conceived adulterously during Uriah 's lifetime , had died before Solomon was conceived as a punishment by Yahweh on account of the death of Uriah by David 's order . Solomon had three named full brothers through Bathsheba , Nathan , Shammua , and Shobab , besides six known older half-brothers through as many mothers . \n \n Succession and administration \n \n According to the First Book of Kings , when David was old , `` he could not get warm . '' `` So they sought a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel , and found Abishag the Shunammite , and brought her to the king . The young woman was very beautiful , and she was of service to the king and attended to him , but the king knew her not . '' \n \n While David was in this state , court factions were maneuvering for power . David 's heir apparent , Adonijah , acted to have himself declared king , but was outmaneuvered by Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan , who convinced David to proclaim Solomon king according to his earlier promise , despite Solomon being younger than his brothers . \n \n Solomon , as instructed by David , began his reign with an extensive purge , including his father 's chief general , Joab , among others , and further consolidated his position by appointing friends throughout the administration , including in religious positions as well as in civic and military posts . \n \n Solomon greatly expanded his military strength , especially the cavalry and chariot arms . He founded numerous colonies , some of which doubled as trading posts and military outposts . \n \n Trade relationships were a focus of his administration . In particular he continued his father 's very profitable relationship with the Phoenician king Hiram of Tyre ( see 'wealth ' below ) ; they sent out joint expeditions to the lands of Tarshish and Ophir to engage in the trade of luxury products , importing gold , silver , sandalwood , pearls , ivory , apes and peacocks . Solomon is considered", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 2127, "text": "bathsheba" } ], "id": "sfq_13945--Solomon.txt", "qid": "sfq_13945", "question": "In the Bible, who was the mother of Solomon?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "A musical ensemble , also known as a music group , is a group of people who perform instrumental and/or vocal music , with the ensemble typically known by a distinct name . Some music ensembles consist solely of instruments , such as the jazz quartet or the orchestra . Some music ensembles consist solely of singers , such as choirs and doo wop groups . In both popular music and classical music , there are ensembles in which both instrumentalists and singers perform , such as the rock band or the Baroque chamber group for basso continuo ( harpsichord and cello ) and one or more singers . In classical music , trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families ( such as piano , strings , and wind instruments ) or group together instruments from the same instrument family , such as string ensembles ( e.g. , string quartet ) or wind ensembles ( e.g. , wind quintet ) . Some ensembles blend the sounds of a variety of instrument families , such as the orchestra , which uses a string section , brass instruments , woodwinds and percussion instruments , or the concert band , which uses brass , woodwinds and percussion . \n \n In jazz ensembles , the instruments typically include wind instruments ( one or more saxophones , trumpets , etc . ) , one or two chordal `` comping '' instruments ( electric guitar , piano , or Hammond organ ) , a bass instrument ( bass guitar or double bass ) , and a drummer or percussionist . Jazz ensembles may be solely instrumental , or they may consist of a group of instruments accompanying one or more singers . In rock and pop ensembles , usually called rock bands or pop bands , there are usually guitars and keyboards ( piano , electric piano , Hammond organ , synthesizer , etc . ) , one or more singers , and a rhythm section made up of a bass guitar and drum kit . \n \n Music ensembles typically have a leader . In jazz bands , rock and pop groups and similar ensembles , this is the band leader . In classical music , orchestras , concert bands and choirs are led by a conductor . In orchestra , the concertmaster ( principal first violin player ) is the instrumentalist leader of the orchestra . In orchestras , the individual sections also have leaders , typically called the `` principal '' of the section ( e.g. , the leader of the viola section is called the `` principal viola '' ) . Conductors are also used in jazz big bands and in some very large rock or pop ensembles ( e.g. , a rock concert that includes a string section , a horn section and a choir which are accompanying a rock band 's performance ) . \n \n Classical chamber music \n \n In Western classical music , smaller ensembles are called chamber music ensembles . The terms duet , trio , quartet , quintet , sextet , septet , octet , nonet and dectet describe groups of two up to ten musicians , respectively . A group of eleven musicians , such as found in The Carnival of the Animals , is called either a hendectet or an undectet ( see Latin numerical prefixes ) . A soloist playing unaccompanied ( e.g. , a solo piano piece of a cellist playing a Bach suite for unaccompanied cello ) is not an ensemble because it only contains one musician . \n \n Four parts \n \n Strings \n \n A string quartet consists of two violins , a viola and a cello . There is a vast body of music written for string quartets , as it is seen as an important genre in classical music . \n \n Wind \n \n A woodwind quartet usually features a flute , an oboe , a clarinet and a bassoon . A brass quartet features two trumpets , a trombone and a tuba . A saxophone quartet consists of a soprano saxophone , an alto saxophone , a tenor saxophone , and a baritone saxophone . \n \n Five parts \n \n The string quintet is a common type of group . It is similar to the string quartet , but with an additional viola , cello , or more rarely , the addition of a double bass . Terms such as `` piano quintet '' or `` clarinet quintet '' frequently refer to a string quartet plus a fifth instrument . Mozart 's Clarinet Quintet is similarly a piece written for an ensemble consisting of two violins , a viola , a cello and a clarinet , the", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qw_6407--Musical_ensemble.txt", "qid": "qw_6407", "question": "\"Which band had a hit record in 1980 with \"\"Smells Like Teen Spirit\"\"?\"" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Yeardley Smith ( ; born Martha Maria Yeardley Smith ; July 3 , 1964 ) is an American actress , voice actress , writer , author , comedian , and painter . She is best known for her long-running role as Lisa Simpson on the animated television series The Simpsons . \n \n She was born in Paris and moved with her family to Washington , DC , in 1966 . As a child , Smith was often teased because of her voice . She became a professional actress in 1982 after graduating from drama school and moved to New York City in 1984 , where she appeared in the Broadway production of Tom Stoppard 's The Real Thing . She made her film debut in 1985 's Heaven Help Us , followed by roles in The Legend of Billie Jean and Maximum Overdrive . She moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and received a recurring role in the television series Brothers . In 1987 , she auditioned for a role in a series of animated shorts about the Simpson family on The Tracey Ullman Show . Smith intended to audition for the role of Bart Simpson , but the casting director felt her voice was too high , so she was assigned the role of Lisa , instead . She voiced Lisa for three seasons on The Tracey Ullman Show , and in 1989 , the shorts were spun off into their own half-hour show , The Simpsons . For her work as the character , Smith received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992 . \n \n Alongside The Simpsons , Smith appeared in the sitcom Herman 's Head as Louise , and had recurring appearances as Marlene on Dharma & Greg and Penny in two episodes of Dead Like Me . She has appeared in several films , including City Slickers , Just Write , Toys and As Good as It Gets . In 2004 , Smith performed her own off-Broadway one-woman show entitled More at the Union Square Theatre in New York City . Aside from The Simpsons , Smith has recorded few voice-over parts , only commercials and the film We 're Back ! A Dinosaur 's Story . Smith starred in and served as executive producer for the independent romantic comedy Waiting For Ophelia , which had its world premiere at the Phoenix Film Festival in April 2009 . \n \n Smith was married to actor Christopher Grove from 1990 to 1992 and Daniel Erickson from 2002 to 2008 . She enjoys writing and painting . During the first season of Herman 's Head , Smith taught herself to paint by copying other artists . She released a children 's book titled I , Lorelei in 2009 and her story `` The Race '' was included in the book Just Humor Me . \n \n Early life \n \n Smith was born Martha Maria Yeardley Smith on July 3 , 1964 , in Paris . Her father , Joseph Smith , worked for United Press International in Paris and moved to Washington , DC , in 1966 , where he became The Washington Post 's first official obituary editor . Her mother , Martha Mayor , was a paper conservator for the Freer and Sackler Galleries at the Smithsonian Institution . Smith 's parents later divorced . Smith labeled her family `` upper crust and reserved '' . As a child , Smith was often teased because of her unusual voice . Smith has stated : `` I 've sounded pretty much the same way since I was six . Maybe [ my voice is ] a little deeper now . '' She made her acting debut in a sixth-grade play . \n \n Career \n \n Early career \n \n Smith became a professional actress in 1982 after graduating from drama school . After appearances in a number of school plays , she joined the local Arena Stage theater group on an apprenticeship , featuring in their production of Peter Pan . She went on to star in several other plays in Washington . She moved to New York City in 1984 and appeared in the Broadway production of Tom Stoppard 's play The Real Thing alongside Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close . \n \n Smith 's first film role came in Heaven Help Us ( 1985 ) . She then played Putter in The Legend of Billie Jean ( also 1985 ) . The film was a box office bomb and critically panned , although Smith `` thought it would be the movie that launched my career . And then it was out at the box office about 10 days before it died . '' When filming was over", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 252, "text": "simpsons" } ], "id": "qw_9960--Yeardley_Smith.txt", "qid": "qw_9960", "question": "Which cartoon series relies on the voices of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria & Harry Shearer?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Solar panel refers to a panel designed to absorb the sun 's rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating . \n \n A photovoltaic ( in short PV ) module is a packaged , connected assembly of typically 6×10 solar cells . Solar Photovoltaic panels constitute the solar array of a photovoltaic system that generates and supplies solar electricity in commercial and residential applications . Each module is rated by its DC output power under standard test conditions , and typically ranges from 100 to 365 watts . The efficiency of a module determines the area of a module given the same rated output an 8 % efficient 230 watt module will have twice the area of a 16 % efficient 230 watt module . There are a few commercially available solar panels available that exceed 22 % efficiency and reportedly also exceeding 24 % . [ University of New South Wales . `` Milestone in solar cell efficiency achieved : New record for unfocused sunlight edges closer to theoretic limits . '' ScienceDaily . ScienceDaily , 17 May 2016 . ] A single solar module can produce only a limited amount of power ; most installations contain multiple modules . A photovoltaic system typically includes a panel or an array of solar modules , a solar inverter , and sometimes a battery and/or solar tracker and interconnection wiring . \n \n The price of solar power , together with batteries for storage , has continued to fall so that in many countries it is cheaper than ordinary fossil fuel electricity from the grid ( there is `` grid parity '' ) . \n \n Theory and construction \n \n Solar modules use light energy ( photons ) from the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect . The majority of modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or silicon . The structural ( load carrying ) member of a module can either be the top layer or the back layer . Cells must also be protected from mechanical damage and moisture . Most solar modules are rigid , but semi-flexible ones are available , based on thin-film cells . \n \n Electrical connections are made in series to achieve a desired output voltage and/or in parallel to provide a desired current capability . The conducting wires that take the current off the modules may contain silver , copper or other non-magnetic conductive [ transition metals ] . The cells must be connected electrically to one another and to the rest of the system . Externally , popular terrestrial usage photovoltaic modules use MC3 ( older ) or MC4 connectors to facilitate easy weatherproof connections to the rest of the system . \n \n Bypass diodes may be incorporated or used externally , in case of partial module shading , to maximize the output of module sections still illuminated . \n \n Some recent solar module designs include concentrators in which light is focused by lenses or mirrors onto an array of smaller cells . This enables the use of cells with a high cost per unit area ( such as gallium arsenide ) in a cost-effective way . \n \n Efficiencies \n \n Depending on construction , photovoltaic modules can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light , but usually can not cover the entire solar range ( specifically , ultraviolet , infrared and low or diffused light ) . Hence , much of the incident sunlight energy is wasted by solar modules , and they can give far higher efficiencies if illuminated with monochromatic light . Therefore , another design concept is to split the light into different wavelength ranges and direct the beams onto different cells tuned to those ranges . This has been projected to be capable of raising efficiency by 50 % . Scientists from Spectrolab , a subsidiary of Boeing , have reported development of multi-junction solar cells with an efficiency of more than 40 % , a new world record for solar photovoltaic cells . The Spectrolab scientists also predict that concentrator solar cells could achieve efficiencies of more than 45 % or even 50 % in the future , with theoretical efficiencies being about 58 % in cells with more than three junctions . \n \n Currently the best achieved sunlight conversion rate ( solar module efficiency ) is around 21.5 % in new commercial products typically lower than the efficiencies of their cells in isolation . The most efficient mass-produced solar modules have power density values of up to 175 W/m2 ( 16.22 W/ft2 ) . Research by Imperial College , London has shown that the efficiency of a solar panel can be improved by studding the light-receiving", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 242, "text": "photovoltaic panel" } ], "id": "bb_1882--Solar_panel.txt", "qid": "bb_1882", "question": "A photovoltaic module is more commonly known as what?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Bavaria ( ; ; ) is a federal state of Germany . In the southeast of the country with an area of 70,548 square kilometres ( 27,200 sq mi ) , it is the largest state , making up almost a fifth of the total land area of Germany , and , with 12.6 million inhabitants , Germany 's second most populous state . Munich , Bavaria 's capital and largest city , is the third largest city in Germany . \n \n The history of Bavaria stretches from its earliest settlement and formation as a duchy in the 6th century CE ( AD ) through the Holy Roman Empire to becoming an independent kingdom and finally a state of the Federal Republic of Germany . \n \n The Duchy of Bavaria dates back to the year 555 . In the 17th century CE ( AD ) , the Duke of Bavaria became a Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire . The Kingdom of Bavaria existed from 1806 to 1918 , when Bavaria became a republic . In 1946 , the Free State of Bavaria re-organised itself on democratic lines . \n \n Bavaria has a unique culture , largely because of the state 's Catholic majority ( 52 % ) and conservative traditions . Bavarians have traditionally been proud of their culture , which includes festivals such as Oktoberfest and elements of Alpine symbolism . The state also has the largest economy of any of the German states , giving it a status as a rather wealthy German region . \n \n Modern Bavaria also includes parts of the historical regions of Franconia , Upper Palatinate and Swabia . \n \n History \n \n The Bavarians emerged in a region north of the Alps , previously inhabited by Celts , which had been part of the Roman provinces of Raetia and Noricum . The Bavarians spoke Old High German but , unlike other Germanic groups , probably did not migrate from elsewhere . Rather , they seem to have coalesced out of other groups left behind by Roman withdrawal late in the 5th century . These peoples may have included the Celtic Boii , some remaining Romans , Marcomanni , Allemanni , Quadi , Thuringians , Goths , Scirians , Rugians , Heruli . The name `` Bavarian '' ( `` Baiuvarii '' ) means `` Men of Baia '' which may indicate Bohemia , the homeland of the Celtic Boii and later of the Marcomanni . They first appear in written sources circa 520 . According to Czech chronicler David Solomon Ganz ( 1541–1613 ) , who quotes historian Cyriacus Spangenberg , Bavaria ( German : Bayern ) takes its name from an ancient king named Boiia , the founder of Prague.Tzemach Dovid , David Solomon Ganz , Warsaw , 1878 , p. 71 ( [ http : //www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx ? req21930 & st \n & pgnum72 & hilite \n p. 72 ] in pdf ) . ( Translated from the Hebrew ) : `` [ 2 ] 455 ( anno mundi ) . Boiia reigned over Ashkenaz during the days of king Ashketāris , around the year [ 2 ] 455 [ anno mundi ] , and was a strong and valiant king , and a man of war , and he conquered and built a good and large land , calling it after his own name , Bayern ( Bavaria ) . He also built a large city on the Inn river , and called it Boioduron . It is the city whose name was changed afterwards to Passau , unto this very day . King Boiia also conquered that fat and broad land , and called it Boihaem ( Bohemia ) , after his own name , to this very day . Also in the very midst of the country Boihaem he built a large city and called it after his name , Boiinhaem , which is the city whose name was afterwards changed to Prague . Thus did write Spangenberg , etc . '' He gave his name to the city that lay around the place where Prague now stands , calling it Boiinhaem . Saint Boniface completed the people 's conversion to Christianity in the early-8th century . Bavaria was , for the most part , unaffected by the Protestant Reformation that happened centuries later . \n \n From about 554 to 788 , the house of Agilolfing ruled the Duchy of Bavaria , ending with Tassilo III who was deposed by Charlemagne . \n \n Three early dukes are named in Frankish sources : Garibald I may have been appointed to the office by the Merovingian kings and married the Lombard princess Walderada when the church forbade her to King Chlothar I in", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 2343, "text": "bayern" } ], "id": "bb_1250--Bavaria.txt", "qid": "bb_1250", "question": "Bayern is the German name for which region of Germany?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the head of Her Majesty 's Government in the United Kingdom . The prime minister ( informal abbreviation : PM ) and Cabinet ( consisting of all the most senior ministers , most of whom are government department heads ) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Monarch , to Parliament , to their political party and ultimately to the electorate . The , Theresa May , leader of the Conservative Party , was appointed by the Queen on 13 July 2016 . \n \n The office is not established by any constitution or law but exists only by long-established convention , which stipulates that the monarch must appoint as prime minister the person most likely to command the confidence of the House of Commons ; this individual is typically the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that holds the largest number of seats in that chamber . The position of Prime Minister was not created ; it evolved slowly and erratically over three hundred years due to numerous acts of Parliament , political developments , and accidents of history . The office is therefore best understood from a historical perspective . The origins of the position are found in constitutional changes that occurred during the Revolutionary Settlement ( 1688–1720 ) and the resulting shift of political power from the Sovereign to Parliament . Although the Sovereign was not stripped of the ancient prerogative powers and legally remained the head of government , politically it gradually became necessary for him or her to govern through a Prime Minister who could command a majority in Parliament . \n \n By the 1830s the Westminster system of government ( or cabinet government ) had emerged ; the Prime Minister had become primus inter pares or the first among equals in the Cabinet and the head of government in the United Kingdom . The political position of Prime Minister was enhanced by the development of modern political parties , the introduction of mass communication ( inexpensive newspapers , radio , television and the internet ) , and photography . By the start of the 20th century the modern premiership had emerged ; the office had become the pre-eminent position in the constitutional hierarchy vis-à-vis the Sovereign , Parliament and Cabinet . \n \n Prior to 1902 , the prime minister sometimes came from the House of Lords , provided that his government could form a majority in the Commons . However as the power of the aristocracy waned during the 19th century the convention developed that the Prime Minister should always sit in the lower house . As leader of the House of Commons , the Prime Minister 's authority was further enhanced by the Parliament Act of 1911 which marginalised the influence of the House of Lords in the law-making process . \n \n The Prime Minister is ex officio also First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service . Certain privileges , such as residency of 10 Downing Street , are accorded to Prime Ministers by virtue of their position as First Lord of the Treasury . \n \n Authority \n \n As the `` Head of Her Majesty 's Government '' the modern Prime Minister leads the Cabinet ( the Executive ) . In addition the Prime Minister leads a major political party and generally commands a majority in the House of Commons ( the lower house of the legislature ) . As such the incumbent wields both legislative and executive powers . Under the British system there is a unity of powers rather than separation . In the House of Commons , the Prime Minister guides the law-making process with the goal of enacting the legislative agenda of their political party . In an executive capacity the Prime Minister appoints ( and may dismiss ) all other cabinet members and ministers , and co-ordinates the policies and activities of all government departments , and the staff of the Civil Service . The Prime Minister also acts as the public `` face '' and `` voice '' of Her Majesty 's Government , both at home and abroad . Solely upon the advice of the Prime Minister , the Sovereign exercises many statutory and prerogative powers , including high judicial , political , official and Church of England ecclesiastical appointments ; the conferral of peerages , knighthoods , decorations and other honours . Although they may sometimes appear to be heavily under the influence of their aides , in reality the Prime Minister is in control . \n \n Constitutional background \n \n The British system of government is based on an uncodified constitution , meaning that", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "wh_3533--Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom.txt", "qid": "wh_3533", "question": "When Lord Salisbury left office as Prime Minister in 1902, he was succeeded by his nephew. Who was that ?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Dallas is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2 , 1978 , to May 3 , 1991 . The series revolves around a wealthy and feuding Texan family , the Ewings , who own the independent oil company Ewing Oil and the cattle-ranching land of Southfork . The series originally focused on the marriage of Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes , whose families were sworn enemies with each other . As the series progressed , oil tycoon J. R. Ewing grew to be the show 's main character , whose schemes and dirty business became the show 's trademark . When the show ended in May 1991 , J.R. was the only character to have appeared in every episode . \n \n The show was famous for its cliffhangers , including the `` Who shot J.R. ? '' mystery . The 1980 episode `` Who Done It '' remains the second highest rated prime-time telecast ever . The show also featured a `` Dream Season '' , in which the entirety of the ninth season was revealed to have been a dream of Pam Ewing . After 14 seasons , the series finale `` Conundrum '' aired in 1991 . \n \n The show had a relatively ensemble cast . Larry Hagman stars as greedy , scheming oil tycoon J.R. Ewing , stage/screen actress Barbara Bel Geddes as family matriarch Miss Ellie and movie Western actor Jim Davis as Ewing patriarch Jock , his last role before his death in 1981 . The series won four Emmy Awards , including a 1980 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series win for Bel Geddes . \n \n With its 357 episodes , Dallas remains one of the longest lasting full-hour primetime dramas in American TV history , behind Law & Order : Special Victims Unit ( 366+ episodes ) , Bonanza ( 430 episodes ) , Law & Order ( 456 episodes ) , and Gunsmoke ( 635 episodes ) . In 2007 Dallas was included in TIME magazine 's list of `` 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME '' . \n \n Dallas also spawned the spin-off series Knots Landing in 1979 which also lasted 14 seasons . In 2010 , TNT announced it had ordered a new , updated continuation of Dallas . The revival series , continuing the story of the Ewing family , premiered on TNT on June 13 , 2012 , and ran for three seasons , ending its run on September 22 , 2014 . \n \n Original premise \n \n Dallas debuted on April 2 , 1978 , as a five-part miniseries on the CBS network . Producers initially had no plans for expansion ; however , due to the show 's popularity , it was subsequently turned into a regular series and broadcast for 13 full seasons , from September 23 , 1978 , to May 3 , 1991 . The first five episodes , originally considered a miniseries , are now referred to as season one—making fourteen seasons in total . \n \n The show is known for its portrayal of wealth , sex , intrigue , and power struggles . Throughout the series , the main premise is the longtime rivalry between the Ewings and the Barneses which came to head when the Barneses ' daughter Pamela ( Victoria Principal ) eloped with a Ewing son , Bobby ( Patrick Duffy ) , in the first episode . \n \n The back story was that , in the 1930s , wildcatter John Ross `` Jock '' Ewing , Sr. ( Jim Davis ) had allegedly cheated his one-time partner , Willard `` Digger '' Barnes ( David Wayne and later Keenan Wynn ) , out of his share of their company Ewing Oil , and married Digger 's only love , Eleanor `` Miss Ellie '' Southworth ( Barbara Bel Geddes ) . Ellie 's family were—in contrast to Jock—ranchers , with great love for the land and the cattle . Following the marriage of Ellie and Jock , the Southworth family ranch , Southfork , became the Ewings ' home , where Jock and Miss Ellie raised three sons : J.R. ( Larry Hagman ) , Gary ( Ted Shackelford ) and Bobby . \n \n J.R. , the eldest Ewing son , unscrupulous and unhappily married to a former Miss Texas , Sue Ellen Shepard ( Linda Gray ) , was frequently at odds with his youngest brother , Bobby , who had the morals and integrity that J.R. lacked . Middle son Gary was Ellie 's favorite as he displayed Southworth traits ; however , Gary had been in conflict with both Jock and J.R. since childhood and was dismissed as", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qb_2790--Dallas_(1978_TV_series).txt", "qid": "qb_2790", "question": "Who played Jenna Wade in the US tv series ‘Dallas’?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Louis Armstrong ( August 4 , 1901 – July 6 , 1971 ) , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops , was an American trumpeter , composer , singer and occasional actor who was one of the most influential figures in jazz . His career spanned five decades , from the 1920s to the 1960s , and different eras in jazz . \n \n Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an `` inventive '' trumpet and cornet player , Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz , shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance . With his instantly recognizable gravelly voice , Armstrong was also an influential singer , demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser , bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes . He was also skilled at scat singing . \n \n Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing , Armstrong 's influence extends well beyond jazz music , and by the end of his career in the 1960s , he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general . Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to `` cross over '' , whose skin color was secondary to his music in an America that was extremely racially divided . He rarely publicly politicized his race , often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans , but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation in the Little Rock Crisis . His artistry and personality allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society which were highly restricted for black men of his era . \n \n Early life \n \n Armstrong often stated that he was born on July 4 , 1900 , a date that has been noted in many biographies . Although he died in 1971 , it was not until the mid-1980s that his true birth date of August 4 , 1901 was discovered by researcher Tad Jones through the examination of baptismal records . \n \n Armstrong was born into a poor family in New Orleans , Louisiana , and was the grandson of slaves . He spent his youth in poverty , in a rough neighborhood known as `` the Battlefield '' , which was part of the Storyville legal prostitution district . His father , William Armstrong ( 1881–1922 ) , abandoned the family when Louis was an infant and took up with another woman . His mother , Mary `` Mayann '' Albert ( 1886–1927 ) , then left Louis and his younger sister , Beatrice Armstrong Collins ( 1903–1987 ) , in the care of his grandmother , Josephine Armstrong , and at times , his Uncle Isaac . At five , he moved back to live with his mother and her relatives , and only saw his father in parades . \n \n He attended the Fisk School for Boys , where he most likely had early exposure to music . He brought in some money as a paperboy and also by finding discarded food and selling it to restaurants , but it was not enough to keep his mother from prostitution . He hung out in dance halls close to home , where he observed everything from licentious dancing to the quadrille . For extra money he also hauled coal to Storyville , and listened to the bands playing in the brothels and dance halls , especially Pete Lala 's , where Joe `` King '' Oliver performed as well as other famous musicians who would drop in to jam . \n \n After dropping out of the Fisk School at age eleven , Armstrong joined a quartet of boys who sang in the streets for money . He also started to get into trouble . Cornet player Bunk Johnson said he taught Armstrong ( then 11 ) to play by ear at Dago Tony 's Tonk in New Orleans , although in his later years Armstrong gave the credit to Oliver . Armstrong hardly looked back at his youth as the worst of times but drew inspiration from it instead : `` Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine—I look right in the heart of good old New Orleans ... It has given me something to live for . '' \n \n He also worked for a Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant family , the Karnofskys , who had a junk hauling business and gave him odd jobs . They took him in and treated him like family ; knowing he lived without a father , they fed and nurtured him . He later wrote a memoir of his relationship with the Karnofskys titled , Louis Armstrong + the Jewish Family in", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 0, "text": "louis armstrong" } ], "id": "qf_2730--Louis_Armstrong.txt", "qid": "qf_2730", "question": "Which musician was known as 'Satchmo'?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Legal tender is a medium of payment recognized by a legal system to be valid for meeting a financial obligation . Paper currency and coins are common forms of legal tender in many countries . Legal tender is variously defined in different jurisdictions . Formally , it is anything which when offered in payment extinguishes the debt . Thus , personal cheques , credit cards , and similar non-cash methods of payment are not usually legal tender . The law does not relieve the debt obligation until payment is tendered . Coins and banknotes are usually defined as legal tender . Some jurisdictions may forbid or restrict payment made other than by legal tender . For example , such a law might outlaw the use of foreign coins and bank notes or require a license to perform financial transactions in a foreign currency . \n \n In some jurisdictions legal tender can be refused as payment if no debt exists prior to the time of payment ( where the obligation to pay may arise at the same time as the offer of payment ) . For example , vending machines and transport staff do not have to accept the largest denomination of banknote . Shopkeepers may reject large banknotes : this is covered by the legal concept known as invitation to treat . However , restaurants that do not collect payment until after a meal is served must accept any legal tender for the debt incurred in purchasing the meal . \n \n The right , in many jurisdictions , of a trader to refuse to do business with any person , means a purchaser may not insist on making a purchase and so declaring a legal tender in law , as anything other than an offered payment for debts already incurred would not be effective . \n \n Etymology \n \n The term `` legal tender '' is from Middle English tendren , French tendre ( verb form ) , meaning to offer . The Latin root is tendere ( to stretch out ) , and the sense of tender as an offer is related to the etymology of the English word `` extend '' ( to hold outward ) . \n \n Demonetisation \n \n Coins and banknotes may cease to be legal tender if new notes of the same currency substitute them or if a new currency is introduced replacing the former one . Examples of this are : \n \n * The United Kingdom , adopting decimal currency in place of pounds , shillings , and pence in 1971 . Banknotes remained unchanged ( except for the replacement of the 10 shilling note by the 50 pence coin ) . In 1968 and 1969 decimal coins which had precise equivalent values in the old currency ( 5p , 10p , 50p - 1 , 2 , and 10 shillings respectively ) were introduced , while decimal coins with no precise equivalent ( ½p , 1p , 2p equal to 1.2d ( old pence ) , 2.4d , 4.8d respectively ) were introduced on 15 February 1971 . The smallest and largest non-decimal circulating coins , the half penny and half crown , were withdrawn in 1969 , and the other non-decimal coins with no precise equivalent in the new currency ( 1d , 3d ) were withdrawn later in 1971 . Non-decimal coins with precise decimal equivalents ( 6d ( = 2½p ) , 1 and 2 shillings ) remained legal tender either until the coins no longer circulated ( 1980 in the case of the 6d ) , or the equivalent decimal coins were reduced in size in the early 1990s . The 6d coin was permitted to remain in large circulation throughout the United Kingdom due to the London Underground committee 's large investment in coin-operated ticketing machines that used it . Old coins returned to the Royal Mint through the UK banking system will be redeemed for legal tender without time limits , but coins issued before 1947 have a higher value for their silver content than for their monetary value . \n * The successor states of the Soviet Union replacing the Soviet ruble in the 1990s . \n * Currencies used in the Eurozone before being replaced by the euro are not legal tender , but all banknotes are redeemable for euros for a minimum of 10 years ( for certain notes , there is no time limit ) . However , in Italy Mario Monti declared Italian Lira banknotes unredeemable for euros some months before the regular expiration of the 10-year term , and this is also true when the banknotes were lost before and then are found after the expiry of the term ; all this became law even", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qw_14279--Legal_tender.txt", "qid": "qw_14279", "question": "December 31 1960 was the last day for which coin, first minted in England in the 13th century, to be legal tender in the United Kingdom?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The British Empire comprised the dominions , colonies , protectorates , mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom . It originated with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries . At its height , it was the largest empire in history and , for over a century , was the foremost global power . By 1922 the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people , one-fifth of the world 's population at the time , and covered more than 13000000 sqmi , almost a quarter of the Earth 's total land area . As a result , its political , legal , linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread . At the peak of its power , the phrase `` the empire on which the sun never sets '' was often used to describe the British Empire , because its expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories . \n \n During the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries , Portugal and Spain pioneered European exploration of the globe , and in the process established large overseas empires . Envious of the great wealth these empires generated , England , France , and the Netherlands began to establish colonies and trade networks of their own in the Americas and Asia . A series of wars in the 17th and 18th centuries with the Netherlands and France left England ( and then , following union between England and Scotland in 1707 , Great Britain ) the dominant colonial power in North America and India . \n \n The independence of the Thirteen Colonies in North America in 1783 after the American War of Independence caused Britain to lose some of its oldest and most populous colonies . British attention soon turned towards Asia , Africa , and the Pacific . After the defeat of France in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars ( 1792–1815 ) , Britain emerged as the principal naval and imperial power of the 19th century ( with London the largest city in the world from about 1830 ) . Unchallenged at sea , British dominance was later described as Pax Britannica ( `` British Peace '' ) , a period of relative peace in Europe and the world ( 1815–1914 ) during which the British Empire became the global hegemon and adopted the role of global policeman . In the early 19th century , the Industrial Revolution began to transform Britain ; by the time of the Great Exhibition in 1851 the country was described as the `` workshop of the world '' . The British Empire expanded to include India , large parts of Africa and many other territories throughout the world . Alongside the formal control it exerted over its own colonies , British dominance of much of world trade meant that it effectively controlled the economies of many regions , such as Asia and Latin America . Domestically , political attitudes favoured free trade and laissez-faire policies and a gradual widening of the voting franchise . During this century , the population increased at a dramatic rate , accompanied by rapid urbanisation , causing significant social and economic stresses . To seek new markets and sources of raw materials , the Conservative Party under Benjamin Disraeli launched a period of imperialist expansion in Egypt , South Africa , and elsewhere . Canada , Australia , and New Zealand became self-governing dominions . \n \n By the start of the 20th century , Germany and the United States challenged Britain 's economic lead . Subsequent military and economic tensions between Britain and Germany were major causes of the First World War , during which Britain relied heavily upon its empire . The conflict placed enormous strain on the military , financial and manpower resources of Britain . Although the British Empire achieved its largest territorial extent immediately after World War I , Britain was no longer the world 's pre-eminent industrial or military power . In the Second World War , Britain 's colonies in South-East Asia were occupied by Imperial Japan . Despite the final victory of Britain and its allies , the damage to British prestige helped to accelerate the decline of the empire . India , Britain 's most valuable and populous possession , achieved independence as part of a larger decolonisation movement in which Britain granted independence to most territories of the empire . The transfer of Hong Kong to China in 1997 marked for many the end of the British Empire . Fourteen overseas territories remain under British sovereignty . After independence , many former British colonies joined the Commonwealth of Nations ,", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1613, "text": "american war of ind" } ], "id": "qb_9898--British_Empire.txt", "qid": "qb_9898", "question": "General Benedict Arnold switched allegiance to the British side during which war?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "In the sport of cricket , batting is the act or skill of hitting the cricket ball with a cricket bat to score runs or prevent the loss of one 's wicket . A player who is currently batting is denoted as a batsman , while the act of hitting the ball is called a shot or stroke . The term specialist batsman is also used generically to describe players who specialise in batting ( as opposed to e.g . bowlers who specialise in bowling ) , and the term bowler is also used in this context . The latter term can , however , refer to any player during their turn at bat . In women 's cricket , the term batswoman is sometimes encountered , as is batter , but the `` male '' form is widely used in both men 's and women 's cricket . \n \n During an innings two members of the batting side are on the pitch at any time : the one facing the current delivery from the bowler is denoted the striker , while the other is the non-striker . When a batsman is out , he is replaced by a teammate . This continues until the end of the innings or until 10 of the team members are out , whereupon the other team gets a turn to bat . \n \n Batting tactics and strategy vary depending on the type of match being played as well as the current state of play . The main concerns for the batsmen are not to lose their wicket and to score as many runs as quickly as possible . These objectives generally conflict – to score quickly , risky shots must be played , increasing the chance that the batsman will be dismissed , while the batsman 's safest choice with a careful wicket-guarding stroke may be not to attempt any runs at all . Depending on the situation , batsmen may forgo attempts at run-scoring in an effort to preserve their wicket , or may attempt to score runs as quickly as possible with scant concern for the possibility of being dismissed . \n \n As with all other cricket statistics , batting statistics and records are given much attention and provide a measure of a player 's effectiveness . The main statistic for batting is a player 's batting average . This is calculated by dividing the number of runs he has scored , not by the innings he has played , but by the number of times he has been dismissed . In limited overs cricket an additional important statistic is the strike rate , the rate at which a batsman scores his runs ( number of runs scored divided by number of balls faced ) . \n \n Sir Donald Bradman set many batting records , some as far back as the 1930s and still unbeaten , and he is widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time . \n \n Orthodox technique and strokeplay \n \n Over time a standard batting technique has been developed which is used by most batsmen . Technique refers to the batsman 's stance before the ball is bowled as well as the movement of the hands , feet , head and body in the execution of a cricket stroke . Good technique is characterised by quickly getting into the correct position to play the shot , especially getting one 's head and body in line with the ball , one 's feet placed next to where the ball would bounce and then swinging the bat at the ball to make contact at the precise moment required for the particular stroke being played . \n \n The movement of the batsman for a particular delivery depends on the shot being attempted . Front-foot shots are played with the weight on the front foot ( left foot for a right-hander ) and are usually played when the ball is pitched up to the batsman , while back-foot shots are played putting the weight onto the back foot , usually to bowling that is pitched short . Shots may also be described as vertical bat shots , in which the bat is swung vertically at the ball ( e.g . when playing a drive or leg glance ) , or horizontal or cross-bat shots , in which the bat is swung horizontally at the ball ( e.g . when playing the pull or cut shot ) . \n \n While a batsman is not limited in where or how he may hit the ball , the development of good technique has gone hand in hand with the development of standard or orthodox cricket shots played to specific types of deliveries . These ``", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1033, "text": "10" } ], "id": "qw_4404--Batting_(cricket).txt", "qid": "qw_4404", "question": "How many ways can a batsman be dismissed in cricket?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Opera ( ; English plural : operas ; Italian plural : opere ) is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text ( libretto ) and musical score , usually in a theatrical setting . In traditional opera , singers do two types of singing : recitative , a speech-inflected style and arias , a more melodic style . Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre , such as acting , scenery , and costumes and sometimes includes dance . The performance is typically given in an opera house , accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble , which since the early 19th century has been led by a conductor . \n \n Opera is part of the Western classical music tradition . It started in Italy at the end of the 16th century ( with Jacopo Peri 's lost Dafne , produced in Florence in 1598 ) and soon spread through the rest of Europe : Schütz in Germany , Lully in France , and Purcell in England all helped to establish their national traditions in the 17th century . In the 18th century , Italian opera continued to dominate most of Europe ( except France ) , attracting foreign composers such as Handel . Opera seria was the most prestigious form of Italian opera , until Gluck reacted against its artificiality with his `` reform '' operas in the 1760s . In the 2000s , the most renowned figure of late 18th-century opera is Mozart , who began with opera seria but is most famous for his Italian comic operas , especially The Marriage of Figaro ( Le Nozze Di Figaro ) , Don Giovanni , and Così fan tutte , as well as The Magic Flute ( Die Zauberflöte ) , a landmark in the German tradition . \n \n The first third of the 19th century saw the high point of the bel canto style , with Rossini , Donizetti and Bellini all creating works that are still performed in the 2000s It also saw the advent of Grand Opera typified by the works of Auber and Meyerbeer . The mid-to-late 19th century was a `` golden age '' of opera , led and dominated by Wagner in Germany and Verdi in Italy . The popularity of opera continued through the verismo era in Italy and contemporary French opera through to Puccini and Strauss in the early 20th century . During the 19th century , parallel operatic traditions emerged in central and eastern Europe , particularly in Russia and Bohemia . The 20th century saw many experiments with modern styles , such as atonality and serialism ( Schoenberg and Berg ) , Neoclassicism ( Stravinsky ) , and Minimalism ( Philip Glass and John Adams ) . With the rise of recording technology , singers such as Enrico Caruso and Maria Callas became known to much wider audiences that went beyond the circle of opera fans . Since the invention of radio and television , operas were also performed on ( and written for ) these mediums . Beginning in 2006 , a number of major opera houses began to present live high-definition video transmissions of their performances in cinemas around the world . In 2009 , an opera company offered an online download of a complete performance . \n \n Operatic terminology \n \n The words of an opera are known as the libretto ( literally `` small book '' ) . Some composers , notably Richard Wagner , have written their own libretti ; others have worked in close collaboration with their librettists , e.g . Mozart with Lorenzo Da Ponte . Traditional opera , often referred to as `` number opera '' , consists of two modes of singing : recitative , the plot-driving passages sung in a style designed to imitate and emphasize the inflections of speech , and aria ( an `` air '' or formal song ) in which the characters express their emotions in a more structured melodic style . Vocal duets , trios and other ensembles often occur , and choruses are used to comment on the action . In some forms of opera , such as singspiel , opéra comique , operetta , and semi-opera , the recitative is mostly replaced by spoken dialogue . Melodic or semi-melodic passages occurring in the midst of , or instead of , recitative , are also referred to as arioso . The terminology of the various kinds of operatic voices is described in detail below . During both the Baroque and Classical periods , recitative could appear in two basic forms , each of which was accompanied by a different instrumental ensemble : secco ( dry ) recitative , sung with", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "wh_251--Opera.txt", "qid": "wh_251", "question": "\"Who wrote the opera \"\"The Bartered Bride\"\"?\"" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Three Men in a Boat ( To Say Nothing of the Dog ) , The Penguin edition punctuates the title differently : Three Men in a Boat : To Say Nothing of the Dog ! published in 1889 , is a humorous account by English writer Jerome K. Jerome of a two-week boating holiday on the Thames from Kingston upon Thames to Oxford and back to Kingston . The book was initially intended to be a serious travel guide , Jeremy Lewis ' introduction to the Penguin edition . with accounts of local history along the route , but the humorous elements took over to the point where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages seem a distraction to the comic novel . One of the most praised things about Three Men in a Boat is how undated it appears to modern readers – the jokes seem fresh and witty even today . \n \n The three men are based on Jerome himself ( the narrator Jerome K. Jerome ) and two real-life friends , George Wingrave ( who would become a senior manager at Barclays Bank ) and Carl Hentschel ( the founder of a London printing business , called Harris in the book ) , with whom Jerome often took boating trips . The dog , Montmorency , is entirely fictional but , `` as Jerome admits , developed out of that area of inner consciousness which , in all Englishmen , contains an element of the dog . `` Geoffrey Harvey ( 1998 ) . `` Introduction '' , Oxford World 's Classics edition of Three Men in a Boat ; Three Men on the Bummel . The trip is a typical boating holiday of the time in a Thames camping skiff.The boat is called a double sculling skiff in the book – that is , a boat propelled by two people , each using a pair of one-handed oars ( sculls ) . A camping skiff is a boat with an easily-erected canvas cover . This effectively turns the boat into a floating tent for overnight use . This was just after commercial boat traffic on the Upper Thames had died out , replaced by the 1880s craze for boating as a leisure activity . \n \n Following the overwhelming success of Three Men in a Boat , Jerome later published a sequel , about a cycling tour in Germany , titled Three Men on the Bummel ( also known as Three Men on Wheels , 1900 ) . \n \n Summary \n \n The story begins by introducing George , Harris , Jerome ( always referred to as `` J . `` ) , and Jerome 's dog , a fox terrier called Montmorency . The men are spending an evening in J . 's room , smoking and discussing illnesses from which they fancy they suffer . They conclude that they are all suffering from `` overwork '' and need a holiday . A stay in the country and a sea trip are both considered . The country stay is rejected because Harris claims that it would be dull , the sea-trip after J. describes bad experiences of his brother-in-law and a friend on sea trips . The three eventually decide on a boating holiday up the River Thames , from Kingston upon Thames to Oxford , during which they will camp , notwithstanding more of J . 's anecdotes about previous mishaps with tents and camping stoves . \n \n They set off the following Saturday . George must go to work that day , so J. and Harris make their way to Kingston by train . They can not find the right train at Waterloo Station ( the station 's confusing layout was a well-known theme of Victorian comedy ) so they bribe a train driver to take his train to Kingston , where they collect the hired boat and start the journey . They meet George further up river at Weybridge . \n \n The remainder of the story describes their river journey and the incidents that occur . The book 's original purpose as a guidebook is apparent as J. , the narrator , describes passing landmarks and villages such as Hampton Court Palace , Hampton Church , Magna Carta Island and Monkey Island , and muses on historical associations of these places . However , he frequently digresses into humorous anecdotes that range from the unreliability of barometers for weather forecasting to the difficulties encountered when learning to play the Scottish bagpipes . The most frequent topics of J . 's anecdotes are river pastimes such as fishing and boating and the difficulties they present to the inexperienced and unwary and to the three men on previous boating trips .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1118, "text": "montmorency" } ], "id": "dpql_824--Three_Men_in_a_Boat.txt", "qid": "dpql_824", "question": "What was the name of the dog who accompanied the Three Men In A Boat?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Norman Conquests is a trilogy of plays written in 1973 by Alan Ayckbourn . The plays were first performed in Scarborough , before runs in London and on Broadway . A television version was first broadcast in the UK during October 1977 . \n \n Outline \n \n The small scale of the drama is typical of Ayckbourn . There are only six characters , namely Norman , his wife Ruth , her brother Reg and his wife Sarah , Ruth 's sister Annie , and Tom , Annie 's next-door-neighbour . The plays are at times wildly comic , and at times poignant , in their portrayals of the relationships among the six characters . \n \n Each of the plays depicts the same six characters over the same weekend in a different part of a house . Table Manners is set in the dining room , Living Together in the living room , and Round and Round the Garden in the garden . Each play is self-contained , and they may be watched in any order , some of the scenes overlap , and on several occasions a character 's exit from one play corresponds with an entrance in another . The plays were not written to be performed simultaneously , although Ayckbourn did achieve that some twenty-five years later in House & Garden . \n \n Production history \n \n The plays were first performed in Scarborough , before a season in London , with a cast that included Tom Courtenay as Norman , Penelope Keith as Sarah , Felicity Kendal as Annie , Michael Gambon as Tom , Bridget Turner as Ruth , and Mark Kingston as Reg . \n \n The plays originally premiered on Broadway in 1975 for 69 performances at the Morosco Theatre , directed by Eric Thompson and featuring Richard Benjamin , Ken Howard , Barry Nelson , Estelle Parsons , Paula Prentiss , and Carole Shelley . \n \n The first major London revival of The Norman Conquests was presented at The Old Vic Theatre in 2008 with Matthew Warchus directing a cast including Stephen Mangan as Norman , Jessica Hynes as Annie , Ben Miles as Tom , Amanda Root as Sarah , Paul Ritter as Reg and Amelia Bullmore as Ruth . The Old Vic auditorium was transformed to a theatre in the round , known as the CQS Space , especially for this production . \n \n The 2008 Old Vic production opened on Broadway with the London cast at the Circle in the Square Theatre on 7 April 2009 , official opening 23 April , and scheduled closing on 25 July 2009 . \n \n Television adaptation \n \n In 1977 the plays were adapted for television by Thames Television . Penelope Keith reprised her role as Sarah . The rest of the cast featured Tom Conti as Norman , Penelope Wilton ( who had played Ruth in the original 1974 London stage production ) as Annie , Richard Briers as Reg , David Troughton as Tom and Fiona Walker as Ruth . The three plays were directed by Herbert Wise and produced by Verity Lambert and David Susskind . Keith won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress for her performance . \n \n Awards and nominations \n \n ; 2009 Tony Awards \n \n * Best Revival of a Play ( winner ) \n * Best Direction of a Play- Matthew Warchus ( nominated ) \n * Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play – Stephen Mangan and Paul Ritter ( nominated ) \n * Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play – Jessica Hynes and Amanda Root ( nominated ) \n * Best Scenic Design of a Play – Rob Howell ( nominated ) \n ; 2009 Drama Desk Awards \n \n * Outstanding Ensemble Performance ( winner ) \n * Outstanding Revival of a Play ( winner ) \n * Outstanding Director of a Play – Matthew Warchus ( winner ) \n * Outstanding Music in a Play – Gary Yershon ( nominated ) \n * Outstanding Set Design of a Play – Rob Howell ( nominated ) \n * Outstanding Costume Design – Rob Howell ( nominated ) \n \n ; New York Drama Critics ' Circle \n * Special citation , Matthew Warchus and the cast of The Norman Conquests \n \n ; Outer Critics Circle Awards \n * Outstanding Revival of a Play ( winner ) \n * Outstanding Director of a Play ( winner ) \n * Outstanding Ensemble Performance ( winner )", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 62, "text": "alan ayckbourn" } ], "id": "qb_7521--The_Norman_Conquests.txt", "qid": "qb_7521", "question": "Who wrote the trilogy of plays ‘The Norman Conquests’?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Thor is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . The character , based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name , is the Asgardian god of thunder and possesses the enchanted hammer Mjolnir , which grants him the ability of flight and weather manipulation amongst his other superhuman attributes . \n \n Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books , the character first appeared in Journey into Mystery # 83 ( Aug. 1962 ) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee , scripter Larry Lieber , and penciller-plotter Jack Kirby . He has starred in several ongoing series and limited series , and is a founding member of the superhero team the Avengers , appearing in each volume of that series . The character has also appeared in associated Marvel merchandise including animated television series , clothing , toys , trading cards , video games , and movies . \n \n Chris Hemsworth portrays Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor , The Avengers , Thor : The Dark World and Avengers : Age of Ultron and will reprise his role in Thor : Ragnarok and both parts of Avengers : Infinity War . Thor placed 14th on IGN 's list of `` Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time '' in 2011 , and first in their list of `` The Top 50 Avengers '' in 2012 . \n \n Publication history \n \n The Marvel Comics superhero Thor debuted in the science fiction/fantasy anthology title Journey into Mystery # 83 ( cover-date Aug. 1962 ) , and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee , scripter Larry Lieber , and penciller-plotter Jack Kirby . A different version of the mythological Thor had appeared previously in Venus # 12-13 ( Feb.-April 1951 ) . Lee in 2002 described Thor 's genesis early in the Marvel pantheon , following the creation of the Hulk : \n \n In a 1984 interview Kirby said `` I did a version of Thor for D.C. in the Fifties before I did him for Marvel . I created Thor at Marvel because I was forever enamored of legends , which is why I knew about Balder , Heimdall , and Odin . I tried to update Thor and put him into a superhero costume , but he was still Thor . '' And in a 1992 interview , Kirby said `` [ I ] knew the Thor legends very well , but I wanted to modernize them . I felt that might be a new thing for comics , taking the old legends and modernizing them . '' \n \n Subsequent stories of the 13-page feature `` The Mighty Thor '' continued to be plotted by Lee , and were variously scripted by Lieber or by Robert Bernstein , working under the pseudonym `` R. Berns '' . Various artists penciled the feature , including Jack Kirby , Joe Sinnott , Don Heck , and Al Hartley . With Journey into Mystery # 101 ( Feb. 1964 ) , the series began a long and definitive run by writer and co-plotter Lee and penciler and co-plotter Kirby that lasted until the by-then-retitled Thor # 179 ( Aug. 1970 ) . \n \n Lee and Kirby included Thor in The Avengers # 1 ( Sept. 1963 ) as a founding member of the superhero team . The character has since appeared in every subsequent volume of the series . \n \n The five-page featurette `` Tales of Asgard '' was added in Journey into Mystery # 97 ( Oct. 1963 ) , followed by `` The Mighty Thor '' becoming the dominant cover logo with issue # 104 ( May 1964 ) . The feature itself expanded to 18 pages in # 105 , which eliminated the remaining anthological story from each issue ; it was reduced to 16 pages five issues later . Comics historian Les Daniels noted that `` the adventures of Thor were gradually transformed from stories about a strange-looking superhero into a spectacular saga . '' Artist Chic Stone , who inked several early Thor stories , observed that `` Kirby could just lead you through all these different worlds . The readers would follow him anywhere . '' \n \n Journey into Mystery was retitled Thor ( per the indicia , or The Mighty Thor per most covers ) with issue # 126 ( March 1966 ) . `` Tales of Asgard '' was replaced by a five-page featurette starring the Inhumans from # 146–152 ( Nov. 1967 – May 1968 ) , after which featurettes were dropped and the Thor stories expanded to Marvel 's then-standard 20-page length . Marvel filed for a trademark for `` The Mighty Thor", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 226, "text": "hammer" } ], "id": "jp_1754--Thor_(Marvel_Comics).txt", "qid": "jp_1754", "question": "What type of weapon is carried by Thor?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Perdita ( ) is an inner satellite of Uranus . Perdita 's discovery was complicated . The first photographs of Perdita were taken by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1986 , but it was not recognized from the photographs for more than a decade . In 1999 , the moon was noticed by Erich Karkoschka and reported . But because no further pictures could be taken to confirm its existence , it was officially demoted in 2001 . However , in 2003 , pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope managed to pick up an object where Perdita was supposed to be , finally confirming its existence . \n \n Following its discovery in 1999 , it was given the temporary designation of S/1986 U 10 . It was named Perdita ( Latin for 'lost ' ) after the daughter of Leontes and Hermione in William Shakespeare 's play The Winter 's Tale . The moon is also designated Uranus XXV . \n \n The moon orbits between Belinda and Puck . The above-mentioned Hubble measurements prove that Perdita does not follow a direct Keplerian motion around Uranus . Instead , it is clearly caught in a 43:44 orbital resonance with the nearby moon Belinda . It is also close to an 8:7 resonance with Rosalind . \n \n Perdita belongs to the Portia group of satellites , which also includes Bianca , Cressida , Desdemona , Portia , Juliet , Cupid , Rosalind and Belinda . These satellites have similar orbits and photometric properties . Little is known about Perdita apart from its orbit , radius of 15 km and geometric albedo of 0.08 .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 37, "text": "uranus" } ], "id": "bt_3147--Perdita_(moon).txt", "qid": "bt_3147", "question": "Perdita is a moon of which planet in the Solar System" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Azerbaijan ( ; ) , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan ( ) , is a country in the Transcaucasian region , situated at the crossroads of Southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe . It is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east , Russia to the north , Georgia to the northwest , Armenia to the west and Iran to the south . The exclave of Nakhchivan is bounded by Armenia to the north and east , Iran to the south and west , while having a short border with Turkey in the north west . \n \n The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its independence in 1918 . The country was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920 as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic . The modern Republic of Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991 , prior to the official dissolution of the USSRin December 1991 . In September 1991 , the disputed Armenian-majority Nagorno-Karabakh region re-affirmed its willingness to create a separate state as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic . The region and seven adjacent districts outside it became de facto independent with the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994 . These regions are internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan pending a solution to the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh , found through negotiations facilitated by the OSCE . \n \n Azerbaijan is a unitary semi-presidential republic . The country is a member state of the Council of Europe , the OSCE and the NATO Partnership for Peace ( PfP ) program . It is one of six independent Turkic states , an active member of the Turkic Council and the TÜRKSOY community . Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations . It is one of the founding members of GUAM , the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons . A member of the United Nations since 1992 , Azerbaijan was elected to membership in the newly established Human Rights Council by the United Nations General Assembly on 9 May 2006 . Its term of office began on 19 June 2006 . Azerbaijan is also a member state of the Non-Aligned Movement , holds observer status in World Trade Organization and is a correspondent at the International Telecommunication Union . \n \n The Constitution of Azerbaijan does not declare an official religion , and all major political forces in the country are secularist , but the most people and some opposition movements adhere to Shia Islam . Azerbaijan has a high level of human development which ranks on par with most Eastern European countries . It has a high rate of economic development and literacy , as well as a low rate of unemployment . \n \n However , corruption in Azerbaijan is widespread , especially in the public service . The ruling party , the New Azerbaijan Party , has been accused of authoritarianism and human rights abuses . \n \n Etymology \n \n According to a modern etymology , the name of Azerbaijan derives from that of Atropates , a Persian satrap under the Achaemenid Empire , who was later reinstated as the satrap of Media under Alexander the Great . The original etymology of this name is thought to have its roots in the once-dominant Zoroastrian religion . In the Avesta , Frawardin Yasht ( `` Hymn to the Guardian Angels '' ) , there is a mention of âterepâtahe ashaonô fravashîm ýazamaide , which literally translates from Avestan as `` we worship the Fravashi of the holy Atropatene . '' \n \n Atropates ruled over the region of Atropatene ( present Iranian Azerbaijan ) . The name `` Atropates '' itself is the Greek transliteration of an Old Iranian , probably Median , compounded name with the meaning `` Protected by the ( Holy ) Fire '' or `` The Land of the ( Holy ) Fire '' . The Greek name was mentioned by Diodorus Siculus and Strabo . Over the span of millennia the name evolved to Āturpātākān ( Middle Iranian ) then to Ādharbādhagān , Ādharbāyagān , Āzarbāydjān ( New Persian ) and present-day Azerbaijan . In Armenia , the country is called Adrbejan , yet another archaic form . Ultimately , the name Azerbaijan comes from Azar-Payegan . This word is translatable as Guardian of Fire , `` The Treasury '' and `` The Treasurer '' of fire or `` The Land of Fire '' in Modern Persian . \n : In dictionaries \n F. Steingass : \n * [ http : //dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl ? c.0:1:1321.steingass āẕar-bād-gān ] \n * [ http : //dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl ? c.0:1:1315.steingass āẕar-abād-gūn ] \n * [ http : //dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl ? c.0:1:1312.steingass āẕar , āẕur ] \n * [ http :", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_5864--Azerbaijan.txt", "qid": "sfq_5864", "question": "What is the capital city of Azerbaijan?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Nicholas Matthew OBE ( born 25 July 1980 in Sheffield ) is an English professional squash player who has won the two most prestigious tournaments in the professional game , the British Open and the World Open , three times each . He reached a career-high world ranking of World No . 1 in June 2010 . His home club is Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club in Sheffield which has named 'The Nick Matthew Showcourt ' . \n \n He married Esme Taylor , a sports physiologist who has worked with British Cycling , in 2013 and the couple celebrated the birth of their first child Charlotte Rose on 9 September 2014 . \n \n Career overview \n \n Nick Matthew , who attended High Storrs School , first came to the squash world 's attention as an outstanding junior player . He was the 1999 British Junior Open under-19 champion , a semi-finalist at the 1998 World Junior Championships , and a member of the England team which won the 1998 world junior team title . He made his first appearance on the professional tour in 1998 . \n \n In 2006 , Matthew became the first English player to win the British Open men 's title since 1939 . In the final , against Thierry Lincou of France , he came back from 0–4 down in the fifth game to win 11–8 , 5–11 , 11–4 , 9–11 , 11–6 . In 2007 , Matthew won the US Open title , beating James Willstrop in the final 11–7 , 11–4 , 11–7 . \n \n Matthew won the British National Championship title in 2006 and 2009 . In 2006 , Matthew played Lee Beachill in a tight final , which he won 11–9 , 6–11 , 11–9 , 10–12 , 12–10 . In 2009 , he defeated Adrian Grant in the final 11–4 , 11–3 , 11–9 . Matthew was a member of the England team which won the World Team Squash Championships in 2005 and 2007 . \n \n 2009 saw Matthew soar up in rankings to world No . 4 in December . His best achievement of the year is by winning the Qatar Classic Open title in November . In the Saudi International Open , Matthew 's fine run was halted by Ramy Ashour who beat him in the final that decided the next world No . 1 . Matthew lost in 110 minutes in a gruelling 5-game match . \n \n June 2010 , Matthew topped the world rankings for the first time . \n \n In the men 's singles final of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi , Matthew defeated compatriot James Willstrop 11–6 , 11–7 , 11–7 in 66 minutes to win the gold medal . \n \n December 2010 Matthew won the World Open Squash Men 's Title , becoming the first Englishman in the premier event 's 35-year history to win the PSA World Championship \n \n Matthew won the PSA 2010 World Open , defeating James Willstrop of England in the final by 3 games to 1 in 74 minutes at The Sunset Beach Resort in Saudi Arabia on Friday 10 December 2010 . \n \n Matthew won the PSA 2011 World Open , defeating Gregory Gaultier of France in the final by 3 games to 1 in 92 minutes at the Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam , The Netherlands on Sunday 6 November 2011 . \n After struggling with an injury in late 2011 , Matthew entered the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions , beating then world number 1 James Willstrop . He has since regained his position as world number 1 . \n \n He won his 3rd British Open title on 20 May 2012 , becoming the first Englishman to win the title three times in the professional era . \n \n Matthew won his third PSA 2013 World Open , defeating Gregory Gaultier of France in the final by 3 games to 2 in 111 minutes in the Central arena Manchester , England on Sunday 3 November 2013 . The 33-year-old world number one from Sheffield joined a select and distinguished group of players – Australian Geoff Hunt ; Pakistanis Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan ; and Egyptian Amr Shabana – who have three world titles to their name . \n \n In February 2014 , Matthew won a record sixth British National title with victory over fellow Englishman James Willstrop in the final before getting the better of Willstrop once more in the final of the Canary Wharf Classic to win his fourth title at the London event . \n \n 2014 saw more 2014 Commonwealth Games success for Matthew despite a knee injury , sustained in training , which overshadowed his preparations .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 83, "text": "squash" } ], "id": "sfq_22723--Nick_Matthew.txt", "qid": "sfq_22723", "question": "Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro are current British World champions in which sport?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "An atom is the smallest constituent unit of ordinary matter that has the properties of a chemical element . Every solid , liquid , gas , and plasma is composed of neutral or ionized atoms . Atoms are very small ; typical sizes are around 100 pm ( a ten-billionth of a meter , in the short scale ) . However , atoms do not have well-defined boundaries , and there are different ways to define their size that give different but close values . \n \n Atoms are small enough that attempting to predict their behavior using classical physics - as if they were billiard balls , for example - gives noticeably incorrect predictions due to quantum effects . Through the development of physics , atomic models have incorporated quantum principles to better explain and predict the behavior . \n \n Every atom is composed of a nucleus and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus . The nucleus is made of one or more protons and typically a similar number of neutrons . Protons and neutrons are called nucleons . More than 99.94 % of an atom 's mass is in the nucleus . The protons have a positive electric charge , the electrons have a negative electric charge , and the neutrons have no electric charge . If the number of protons and electrons are equal , that atom is electrically neutral . If an atom has more or fewer electrons than protons , then it has an overall negative or positive charge , respectively , and it is called an ion . \n \n The electrons of an atom are attracted to the protons in an atomic nucleus by this electromagnetic force . The protons and neutrons in the nucleus are attracted to each other by a different force , the nuclear force , which is usually stronger than the electromagnetic force repelling the positively charged protons from one another . Under certain circumstances the repelling electromagnetic force becomes stronger than the nuclear force , and nucleons can be ejected from the nucleus , leaving behind a different element : nuclear decay resulting in nuclear transmutation . \n \n The number of protons in the nucleus defines to what chemical element the atom belongs : for example , all copper atoms contain 29 protons . The number of neutrons defines the isotope of the element . The number of electrons influences the magnetic properties of an atom . Atoms can attach to one or more other atoms by chemical bonds to form chemical compounds such as molecules . The ability of atoms to associate and dissociate is responsible for most of the physical changes observed in nature , and is the subject of the discipline of chemistry . \n \n History of atomic theory \n \n Atoms in philosophy \n \n The idea that matter is made up of discrete units is a very old idea , appearing in many ancient cultures such as Greece and India . The word `` atom '' was coined by ancient Greek philosophers . However , these ideas were founded in philosophical and theological reasoning rather than evidence and experimentation . As a result , their views on what atoms look like and how they behave were incorrect . They also could not convince everybody , so atomism was but one of a number of competing theories on the nature of matter . It was not until the 19th century that the idea was embraced and refined by scientists , when the blossoming science of chemistry produced discoveries that only the concept of atoms could explain . \n \n First evidence-based theory \n \n In the early 1800s , John Dalton used the concept of atoms to explain why elements always react in ratios of small whole numbers ( the law of multiple proportions ) . For instance , there are two types of tin oxide : one is 88.1 % tin and 11.9 % oxygen and the other is 78.7 % tin and 21.3 % oxygen ( tin ( II ) oxide and tin dioxide respectively ) . This means that 100g of tin will combine either with 13.5g or 27g of oxygen . 13.5 and 27 form a ratio of 1:2 , a ratio of small whole numbers . This common pattern in chemistry suggested to Dalton that elements react in whole number multiples of discrete units—in other words , atoms . In the case of tin oxides , one tin atom will combine with either one or two oxygen atoms . \n \n Dalton also believed atomic theory could explain why water absorbs different gases in different proportions . For example , he found that water absorbs carbon dioxide far better than it absorbs nitrogen.Dalton ,", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qw_650--Atom.txt", "qid": "qw_650", "question": "What does the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom relate directly to?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Michael Kitchen ( born 31 October 1948 ) is an English actor and television producer , best known for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle in the ITV drama series Foyle 's War since 2002 . He also played the role of Bill Tanner in two James Bond films and John Farrow in the critically acclaimed comedy series , Brian Pern , on BBC Two . \n \n Early life \n \n Kitchen was born in Leicester , Leicestershire . As a young boy ( circa 1960 ) he was head chorister in the Church of the Martyrs choir , where he was a regular soloist . He attended the City of Leicester Boys ' Grammar School , where he appeared on stage in a production of Cymbeline . [ http : //www.nothing-fancy.com/michaelkitchen/interviews/hostage.htm Michael Kitchen interview in The Leicester Mercury ] 13 August 1992 . Retrieved 2015-03-19 . He worked with the National Youth Theatre and the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art . In 1969 , while still at RADA , he won the `` Emile Littler Award '' for 'outstanding talent and aptitude for the professional theatre ' . \n \n Career \n \n Television and film \n \n Kitchen was discovered at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art ( RADA ) by talent agent Peter Froggatt of Plant & Froggatt Ltd . \n In the early 1970s , Kitchen appeared in small roles in films such as Unman , Wittering and Zigo ( 1971 ) and the Hammer film Dracula A.D. 1972 ( 1972 ) before becoming a fixture of British television . His early TV appearances include roles in Play for Today ( Hell 's Angels by David Agnew , 1971 ) , Thriller , Tales of the Unexpected and Beasts . He then played the role of Martin in the original 1976 production of Dennis Potter 's Brimstone and Treacle , Peter in Stephen Poliakoff 's Caught on a Train , Edmund in the BBC Television Shakespeare production of King Lear , the Antipholi in the same series ' production of The Comedy of Errors , Private Bamforth in the 1979 BBC television play of The Long and the Short and the Tall , Larner in the film Breaking Glass ( 1980 ) , Rochus Misch in The Bunker ( 1981 ) , Berkeley Cole in the film Out of Africa ( 1985 ) , the King of the United Kingdom in To Play the King ( 1993 ) , an English land agent during the Irish Famine in The Hanging Gale ( 1995 ) , and a recurring role as Bill Tanner in the Pierce Brosnan Bond films GoldenEye ( 1995 ) and The World Is Not Enough ( 1999 ) . His later films include The Russia House ( 1990 ) , Fools of Fortune ( 1990 ) , Enchanted April ( 1992 ) , The Trial ( 1993 ) , Fatherland ( 1994 ) , Doomsday Gun ( 1994 ) , The Hanging Gale ( 1995 ) , Kidnapped ( 1995 ) , Mrs Dalloway ( 1997 ) , The Railway Children ( 2000 ) , Proof of Life ( 2000 ) , Lorna Doone ( 2001 ) and My Week with Marilyn ( 2011 ) . \n \n From 2002 to 2015 , Kitchen starred in the ITV mystery-drama Foyle 's War as the lead character , DCS Christopher Foyle . He was also a producer for the show . \n \n Other noted appearances include The Buccaneers as Sir Helmsley Thwaite ( 1995 ) , Dandelion Dead ( 1994 ) , A Royal Scandal ( 1996 ) , The Last Contract ( Sista Kontraktet,1998 ) a Swedish film about the assassination of Prime Minister Olof Palme , Paul Abbott 's Alibi in 2003 , Andrew Davies ' dramatisation of Falling in 2005 , ITV 's three-part drama series Mobile ( 2007 ) and Channel 4 's phone hacking comedy Hacks ( 2012 ) . He has guest-starred in roles in other popular British television shows such as The Professionals , Minder , Chancer , Inspector Morse , A Touch of Frost , Between the Lines , Pie in the Sky and Dalziel and Pascoe . \n \n Kitchen played Richard Crane in Reckless and John Farrow in the mockumentary The Life of Rock with Brian Pern . \n \n Theatre \n \n Kitchen is also a noted actor in British theatre . His roles have ranged from Ptolemy in Caesar and Cleopatra at the Belgrade Theatre in 1966 to Will in Howard Brenton 's Magnificence at the Royal Court in 1973 to William Hogarth in Nick Dear 's The Art of Success in 1986–87 . \n \n He played Mercutio in Romeo", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1362, "text": "zigo" } ], "id": "qw_867--Michael_Kitchen.txt", "qid": "qw_867", "question": "\"A film released in 1971, starring David Hemmings and Michael Kitchen, based on a 1958 radio play by Giles Cooper, was called \"\"Unman, Wittering and \"\" who?\"" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "In modern politics and history , a parliament is a legislative , elected body of government . Generally a modern parliament has three functions : representing the electorate , making laws , and overseeing the government ( i.e. , hearings , inquiries ) . \n \n Although some restrict the use of the word parliament to parliamentary systems , it is also commonly used to describe the legislature in presidential systems ( i.e . the French parliament ) , even where it is not in the official name . \n \n Historically , parliaments included various kinds of deliberative , consultative , and judicial assemblies ( i.e . the mediaeval parlements ) . \n \n Etymology \n \n The term is derived from Anglo-Norman , from the verb parler 'talk ' . The meaning evolved over time : originally any discussion , conversation , or negotiation ( attested around 1100 ) , through various kinds of deliberative or judicial groups , often summoned by the monarch . By 1400 , it had come to mean in Britain specifically the British supreme legislature . \n \n Origins \n \n Various parliaments are claimed to be the oldest in the world , under varying definitions : \n \n * Cortes of León : Kingdom of León ( Spain ) in 1188 . Alfonso IX of León created a parliament ( Cortes ) including representatives of the nobles , the church and the populace . According to the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme , it is the oldest documentary manifestation of the European parliamentary system . \n * The Sicilian Parliament , whose first assembly was convened in 1097 . \n * The Icelandic Althing , year 930 , but only including the main chiefs . \n * The Faroese Løgting . \n \n Proto-parliamentarian institutions \n \n Since ancient times , when societies were tribal , there were councils or a headman whose decisions were assessed by village elders . This is called tribalism . Some scholars suggest that in ancient Mesopotamia there was a primitive democratic government where the kings were assessed by council . The same has been said about ancient India , where some form of deliberative assemblies existed , and therefore there was some form of democracy . However , these claims are not accepted by most scholars , who see these forms of government as oligarchies . \n \n Ancient Athens was the cradle of democracy . The Athenian assembly ( , ekklesia ) was the most important institution , and every citizen could take part in the discussions . However , Athenian democracy was not representative , but rather direct , and therefore the ekklesia was different from the parliamentary system . \n \n The Roman Republic had legislative assemblies , who had the final say regarding the election of magistrates , the enactment of new statutes , the carrying out of capital punishment , the declaration of war and peace , and the creation ( or dissolution ) of alliances . The Roman Senate controlled money , administration , and the details of foreign policy . \n \n Some Muslim scholars argue that the Islamic shura ( a method of taking decisions in Islamic societies ) is analogous to the parliament . However , others highlight what they consider fundamental differences between the shura system and the parliamentary system . \n \n England \n \n Early forms of assembly \n \n England has long had a tradition of a body of men who would assist and advise the king on important matters . Under the Anglo-Saxon kings , there was an advisory council , the Witenagemot . The name derives from the Old English ƿitena ȝemōt , or witena gemōt , for `` meeting of wise men '' . The first recorded act of a witenagemot was the law code issued by King Æthelberht of Kent ca . 600 , the earliest document which survives in sustained Old English prose ; however , the witan was certainly in existence long before this time . The Witan , along with the folkmoots ( local assemblies ) , is an important ancestor of the modern English parliament . \n \n As part of the Norman Conquest of England , the new king , William I , did away with the Witenagemot , replacing it with a Curia Regis ( `` King 's Council '' ) . Membership of the Curia was largely restricted to the tenants in chief , the few nobles who `` rented '' great estates directly from the king , along with certain senior ecclesiastics . William brought to England the feudal system of his native Normandy , and sought the advice of the curia regis before making laws . This is the", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_26142--Parliament.txt", "qid": "sfq_26142", "question": "Which country's parliament is called the Folketing?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Andrew Barron `` Andy '' Murray , OBE ( born 15 May 1987 ) is a Scottish professional tennis player currently ranked world No . 2 in singles . Murray represents Great Britain in his sporting activities and is a three-time Grand Slam tournament winner , Olympic champion and Davis Cup champion . His elder brother is former world No . 1 doubles player Jamie Murray . \n \n He was first ranked as British No . 1 on 27 February 2006 . He achieved a top-10 ranking by the ATP for the first time on 16 April 2007 , and reached a career peak of world No . 2 on 17 August 2009 . \n \n At the 2012 US Open , Murray became the first British player since 1977 , and the first British man since 1936 , to win a Grand Slam singles tournament , when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final in five sets . This title made him the only British male to become a Grand Slam singles champion during the Open Era . On 7 July 2013 , Murray won the 2013 Wimbledon Championships , becoming the first British player to win a Wimbledon senior singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977 , and the first British man to win the Men 's Singles Championship since Fred Perry , 77 years previously . \n \n Murray is the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist , having defeated Roger Federer to become the first British singles champion in over 100 years . He won a silver medal in the 2012 mixed doubles with Laura Robson . \n \n He is the only male player to date to have won Olympic Gold and the US Open in the same calendar year , as well as the third man to hold the Gold Medal and two majors on different surfaces ( after Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal ) . Subsequent to his success at the Olympics and Wimbledon , Murray was voted the 2013 BBC Sports Personality of the Year . In the 2016 Gentlemen 's Singles , Murray won his second Wimbledon title , beating Canadian Milos Raonic to become the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon singles titles since Fred Perry in 1935 . \n \n After reaching the final of the 2016 French Open , Murray became the tenth player in the Open Era to reach the final of all four Grand Slam events and is joint ninth on the list for finals reached . He is only the second British player ( after Fred Perry ) of either sex to have reached the final of all four majors . \n \n Murray has been the runner-up in eight other singles Grand Slam finals : the 2008 US Open , the 2010 , 2011 , 2013 , 2015 and 2016 Australian Opens , the 2012 Wimbledon Championships , and the 2016 French Open losing three to Roger Federer and five to Novak Djokovic . He is the first man in the Open Era to achieve five runner-up finishes at the Australian Open , after losing to Djokovic in the final of the 2016 Australian Open . In 2011 , Murray became only the seventh player in the Open Era to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in one year . \n \n He featured in Great Britain 's Davis Cup winning team in 2015 , winning 11 matches ( 8 singles and 3 doubles ) as they secured their first Davis Cup title since 1936 . Murray was voted the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year , while the Davis Cup team won the 2015 BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year Award . \n \n Early and personal life \n \n Murray was born in Glasgow , Scotland , the son of Judith `` Judy '' Murray ( née Erskine ) and William Murray . His maternal grandfather , Roy Erskine , was a professional footballer in the late 1950s . Murray is an avid supporter of Hibernian Football Club , the team his grandfather represented . Murray 's elder brother , Jamie , is also a professional tennis player , playing on the doubles circuit . Murray was born with a bipartite patella , where the kneecap remains as two separate bones instead of fusing together in early childhood , but was not diagnosed until the age of 16 . He is seen to hold his knee due to the pain caused by the condition and has pulled out of events because of it . Murray began playing tennis at the age of three when his mother Judy took him to play on the local courts . He played in his first competitive tournament at age five and", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1360, "text": "laura robson" } ], "id": "sfq_22401--Andy_Murray.txt", "qid": "sfq_22401", "question": "Who partnered Andy Murray to win the 2012 Olympic tennis mixed doubles silver medal?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up , Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys , interacting with fairies , pirates , mermaids , Native Americans , and occasionally ordinary children from the world outside Neverland . In addition to two distinct works by Barrie , the character has been featured in a variety of media and merchandise , both adapting and expanding on Barrie 's works . These include a 1953 animated film , a 2003 dramatic/live-action film , a TV series and many other works . \n \n Origin \n \n J. M. Barrie first used Peter Pan as a character in a section of The Little White Bird ( 1902 ) , an adult novel where he appears as a seven-day-old baby in the chapter entitled Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens . Following the success of the 1904 play , Barrie 's publishers , Hodder and Stoughton , extracted chapters 13–18 of The Little White Bird and republished them in 1906 under the title Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens , with the addition of illustrations by Arthur Rackham . \n \n He returned to the character of Peter Pan as the centre of his stage play entitled Peter Pan , or The Boy Who Would n't Grow Up , which premiered on 27 December 1904 in London . Barrie later adapted and expanded the play 's story line as a novel , published in 1911 as Peter and Wendy . \n \n Physical appearance \n \n Barrie never described Peter 's appearance in detail , even in his novel , leaving it to the imagination of the reader and the interpretation of anyone adapting the character . In the play , Peter 's outfit is made of autumn leaves and cobwebs . His name and playing the flute or pipes suggest the mythological character Pan . Barrie mentions in Peter and Wendy that Peter Pan still had all his `` first teeth '' . He describes him as a beautiful boy with a beautiful smile , `` clad in skeleton leaves and the juices that flow from trees '' . \n \n Traditionally , the character has been played on stage by a petite adult woman . In the original productions in the UK , Peter Pan 's costume was a reddish tunic and dark green tights , such as that worn by Nina Boucicault in 1904 . This costume is exhibited in Barrie 's Birthplace . The similar costume worn by Pauline Chase ( who played the role from 1906 to 1913 ) is displayed in the Museum of London . Early editions of adaptations of the story also depict a red costume but a green costume ( whether or not made of leaves ) becomes more usual from the 1920s , and more so later after the release of Disney 's animated movie . \n \n In the Disney films , Peter wears an outfit that consists of a short-sleeved green tunic and tights apparently made of cloth , and a cap with a red feather in it . He has pointed elf-like ears , brown eyes and his hair is red . In Hook ( 1991 ) , the character is played as an adult by Robin Williams , with blue eyes and dark brown hair ; in flashbacks to him in his youth , his hair is light brown . In this film his ears appear pointed only when he is Peter Pan , not as Peter Banning . His Pan attire resembles the Disney outfit ( minus the cap ) . In the live-action 2003 Peter Pan film , he is portrayed by Jeremy Sumpter , who has blond hair and green eyes . His outfit is made of leaves and vines . \n \n In the novel Peter Pan in Scarlet ( 2006 ) , Geraldine McCaughrean describes him as having blue eyes and light hair ( or at least any colour lighter than black ) . In this novel , Never Land has moved on to autumn , so Peter wears a tunic of jay feathers and maple leaves . In the Starcatcher stories written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson , Peter is described with carrot-orange hair and bright blue eyes . \n \n In the 2011 TV miniseries Neverland , released by Sky Movies in the UK and SyFy network in the US , Peter ( played by Charlie Rowe ) is portrayed with dark brown hair and eyes . He plays a flute instead of pan pipes . \n \n Age \n \n J.M .", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qz_4090--Peter_Pan.txt", "qid": "qz_4090", "question": "Which author gave the copyright of the Peter Pan works to Great Ormond Street Hospital?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews . The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls , forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows pilots-in-training to safely advance their real-time piloting , navigation and warfighting skills without the danger of overextending their abilities alone in a fully featured aircraft . \n \n Civilian pilots are normally trained in a light aircraft , with two or more seats to allow for a student and instructor . The aircraft may be modified to withstand the flight conditions imposed by training flights . \n \n Tandem and side by side \n \n The two seating configurations for trainer aircraft are : pilot and instructor side by side , or in tandem , usually with the pilot in front and the instructor behind . The side-by-side seating configuration has the advantage that pilot and instructor can see each other 's actions , allowing the pilot to learn from the instructor and the instructor to correct the student pilot . The tandem configuration has the advantage of being closer to the normal working environment that a fast jet pilot is likely to encounter . \n \n It is now the norm for pilots to begin their flight training in an aircraft with side by side seating and to progress to aircraft with tandem seating . This , however , has not always been the case . For example , it was usual to find tandem seating in biplane basic trainers such as the Tiger Moth and the Jungmann , and the British used side by side seating in the operational conversion of some of its fast jets such as the English Electric Lightning . \n \n Phases \n \n Given the expense of military pilot training , air forces typically conduct training in phases to elininate unsuitable candidates . The cost to those air forces that do not follow a graduated training regimen is not just monetary but also in lives . For example , for many years the Indian Air Force operated without a suitable advanced training aircraft , leading to a high casualty rate as pilots moved to high performance MiG 21 aircraft without suitable assessment of their aptitude for supersonic flight . \n \n There are two main areas for instruction , flight training and operational training . In flight training a candidate seeks to develop their flying skills . In operational training the candidate learns to use his or her flying skills through simulated combat , attack and fighter techniques . \n \n Ab initio \n \n Typically , contemporary military pilots learn initial flying skills in a light aircraft not too dissimilar from civilian training aircraft . In this phase pilot candidates are screened for mental and physical attributes . Aircraft used for this purpose include the Slingsby Firefly , as at one time used by the United States Air Force Academy , and the Scottish Aviation Bulldogs of the RAF . The U.S. replaced the Firefly and the Enhanced Flight Screen Program ( EFSP ) with the Diamond DA20 and the Initial Flight Screening ( IFS ) program . At the end of this stage , pilot trainees are assessed as to where their attributes lie , as fast jet , multi-engine or rotary wing pilots . Those who are judged unsuitable for a pilot commission , but show other attributes , may be offered the chance to qualify as navigators and weapons officers . \n \n Smaller and more financially restricted air forces may use ultra-light aircraft , gliders and motor gliders for this role . \n \n Basic training \n \n After the ab-inito phase a candidate may progress to basic , or primary , trainers . These are usually turboprop trainers , like the Pilatus PC-9 and Embraer Tucano . Modern turbo-prop trainers can replicate the handling characteristics of jet aircraft as well as having sufficient performance to assess a candidate 's technical ability at an aircraft 's controls , reaction speed and the ability to anticipate events . Prior to the availability of high performance turboprops , basic training was conducted with jet aircraft such as the BAC Jet Provost , T-37 Tweet , and Fouga Magister . Those candidates who are not suitable to continue training as fast jet pilots may be offered flying commissions and be trained to fly multi-engined aircraft . \n \n Advanced training \n \n Those that progress to training for fast jet flying will then progress to an advanced trainer , typically capable of high subsonic speeds , high-energy manoeuvers , and equipped with systems that simulate modern weapons and surveillance . Examples of such jet trainer aircraft include the supersonic", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "odql_3199--Trainer_(aircraft).txt", "qid": "odql_3199", "question": "Which aeronautics company built the advanced trainer the 'Gnat', for the RAF in 1968?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Aerosol spray is a type of dispensing system which creates an aerosol mist of liquid particles . This is used with a can or bottle that contains a payload and propellant under pressure . When the container 's valve is opened , the payload is forced out of a small hole and emerges as an aerosol or mist . As propellant expands to drive out the payload , only some propellant evaporates inside the can to maintain a constant pressure . Outside the can , the droplets of propellant evaporate rapidly , leaving the payload suspended as very fine particles or droplets . Typical payload liquids dispensed in this way are insecticides , deodorants and paints . \n \n An atomizer is a similar device that is pressurised by a hand-operated pump rather than by stored propellant . \n \n History \n \n The concepts of aerosol probably go as far back as 1790.Bellis , Mary \n [ http : //inventors.about.com/od/astartinventions/a/aerosol.htm The History of Aerosol Spray Cans ] The first aerosol spray can patent was granted in Oslo in 1927 to Erik Rotheim , a Norwegian chemical engineer , and a United States patent was granted for the invention in 1931 . The patent rights were sold to a United States company for 100,000 Norwegian kroner . The Norwegian Postal Service , Posten Norge , celebrated the invention by issuing a stamp in 1998 . \n \n In 1939 , American Julian S. Kahn received a patent for a disposable spray can , but the product remained largely undeveloped . Kahn 's idea was to mix cream and a propellant from two sources to make whipped cream at home — not a true aerosol in that sense . Moreover , in 1949 , he disclaimed his first four claims , which were the foundation of his following patent claims . It was not until 1941 that the aerosol spray can was first put to good use by Americans Lyle Goodhue and William Sullivan , who are credited as the inventors of the modern spray can . Their design of a refillable spray can dubbed the `` bug bomb '' , is the ancestor of many popular commercial spray products . Pressurized by liquefied gas , which gave it propellant qualities , the small , portable can enabled soldiers to defend against malaria-carrying mosquitoes by spraying inside tents and airplanes in the Pacific during World War II . Goodhue and Sullivan received the first Erik Rotheim Gold Medal from the Federation of European Aerosol Associations on August 28 , 1970 in Oslo , Norway in recognition of their early patents and subsequent pioneering work with aerosols . In 1948 , three companies were granted licenses by the United States government to manufacture aerosols . Two of the three companies , Chase Products Company and Claire Manufacturing , still manufacture aerosols to this day . The `` crimp-on valve '' , used to control the spray in low-pressure aerosols was developed in 1949 by Bronx machine shop proprietor Robert H. Abplanalp . \n \n In 1974 , Drs . Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario J. Molina proposed that chlorofluorocarbons , used as propellants in aerosol sprays , contributed to the depletion of Earth 's ozone layer . In response to this theory , the U.S. Congress passed amendments to the Clean Air Act in 1977 authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the presence of CFCs in the atmosphere . The United Nations Environment Programme called for ozone layer research that same year , and , in 1981 , authorized a global framework convention on ozone layer protection . In 1985 , Joe Farman , Brian G. Gardiner , and Jon Shanklin published the first scientific paper detailing the hole in the ozone layer . That same year , the Vienna Convention was signed in response to the UN 's authorization . Two years later , the Montreal Protocol , which regulated the production of CFCs was formally signed . It came into effect in 1989 . The U.S. formally phased out CFCs in 1995 . \n \n Aerosol propellants \n \n If aerosol cans were simply filled with compressed gas , it would either need to be at a dangerously high pressure and require special pressure vessel design ( like in gas cylinders ) , or the amount of payload in the can would be small , and rapidly deplete . \n Usually the gas is the vapor of a liquid with boiling point slightly lower than room temperature . This means that inside the pressurized can , the vapor can exist in equilibrium with its bulk liquid at a pressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure ( and able to expel the payload ) , but not dangerously high .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 617, "text": "insecticides" } ], "id": "qg_2859--Aerosol_spray.txt", "qid": "qg_2859", "question": "During World War II, U.S. soldiers used the first commercial aerosol cans to hold what?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Malcolm Timothy Gladwell , CM ( born September 3 , 1963 ) is an English-born Canadian journalist , bestselling author , and speaker . He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996 . He has written five books , The Tipping Point : How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference ( 2000 ) , Blink : The Power of Thinking Without Thinking ( 2005 ) , Outliers : The Story of Success ( 2008 ) , What the Dog Saw : And Other Adventures ( 2009 ) , a collection of his journalism , and David and Goliath : Underdogs , Misfits , and the Art of Battling Giants ( 2013 ) . All five books were on The New York Times Best Seller list . \n \n Gladwell 's books and articles often deal with the unexpected implications of research in the social sciences and make frequent and extended use of academic work , particularly in the areas of sociology , psychology , and social psychology . Gladwell was appointed to the Order of Canada on June 30 , 2011 . \n \n Early life \n \n Gladwell was born in Fareham , Hampshire , England . His mother is Joyce ( née Nation ) Gladwell , a Jamaican-born psychotherapist . His father , Graham Gladwell , is a mathematics professor from Kent , England . \n \n Gladwell has said that his mother is his role model as a writer . When he was six his family moved from Southampton to Elmira , Ontario , Canada . \n \n Gladwell 's father noted that Malcolm was an unusually single-minded and ambitious boy.Preston , John . [ http : //www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/6416229/Malcolm-Gladwell-interview.html Malcolm Gladwell Interview ] . The Telegraph . October 26 , 2009 . When Malcolm was 11 , his father , who was a Professor of Mathematics and Engineering at the University of Waterloo , allowed him to wander around the offices at his university , which stoked the boy 's interest in reading and libraries.Grossman , Lev . [ http : //www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858880,00.html `` Outliers : Malcolm Gladwell 's Success Story '' ] , Time.com , November 18 , 2008 . During his high school years , Gladwell was a middle-distance runner and won the 14 year old boys 1,500 meter title at the 1978 Ontario High School Championships in Kingston , Ontario , with a time of 4:05.2 seconds . In the spring of 1982 , Gladwell interned with the National Journalism Center in Washington , D.C . He graduated with a degree in History from University of Toronto , Trinity College , Toronto in 1984 . \n \n Career \n \n Gladwell 's grades were not good enough for graduate school ( as Gladwell puts it , `` college was not an ... intellectually fruitful time for me '' ) , so he decided to go into advertising . After being rejected by every advertising agency he applied to , he accepted a journalism position at The American Spectator and moved to Indiana.Sample , Ian . [ http : //www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/oct/17/what-the-dog-saw-gladwell-review What The Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell Review ] . Guardian . October 17 , 2009 . He subsequently wrote for Insight on the News , a conservative magazine owned by the Rev . Sun Myung Moon 's Unification Church . In 1987 , Gladwell began covering business and science for The Washington Post , where he worked until 1996 . [ http : //cooper.edu/news-events/news/malcolm-gladwell-will-be-the-cooper-union-s-152nd-commencement-speaker/ Malcolm Gladwell will be The Cooper Union 's 152nd Commencement Speaker ] . The Cooper Union . March 22 , 2011 . In a personal elucidation of the 10,000 hour rule he popularized in Outliers , Gladwell notes , `` I was a basket case at the beginning , and I felt like an expert at the end . It took 10 years—exactly that long . '' \n \n When Gladwell started at The New Yorker in 1996 he wanted to `` mine current academic research for insights , theories , direction , or inspiration . '' His first assignment was to write a piece about fashion . Instead of writing about high-class fashion , Gladwell opted to write a piece about a man who manufactured T-shirts , saying `` it was much more interesting to write a piece about someone who made a T-shirt for $ 8 than it was to write about a dress that costs $ 100,000 . I mean , you or I could make a dress for $ 100,000 , but to make a T-shirt for $ 8 – that 's much tougher . '' \n \n Gladwell gained popularity with two New Yorker articles , both written in 1996 : `` The Tipping Point '' and `` The Coolhunt '' McNett", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1512, "text": "malcolm gladwell" } ], "id": "bb_7167--Malcolm_Gladwell.txt", "qid": "bb_7167", "question": "Who wrote the best selling book The Tipping Point?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The James Bond series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming , who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections . Since Fleming 's death in 1964 , eight other authors have written authorised Bond novels or novelizations : Kingsley Amis , Christopher Wood , John Gardner , Raymond Benson , Sebastian Faulks , Jeffery Deaver , William Boyd and Anthony Horowitz . The latest novel is Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horowitz , published in September 2015 . Additionally Charlie Higson wrote a series on a young James Bond , and Kate Westbrook wrote three novels based on the diaries of a recurring series character , Moneypenny . \n \n The character has also been adapted for television , radio , comic strip , video games and film . The films are the longest continually running and the third-highest-grossing film series to date , which started in 1962 with Dr. No , starring Sean Connery as Bond . As of , there have been twenty-four films in the Eon Productions series . The most recent Bond film , Spectre ( 2015 ) , stars Daniel Craig in his fourth portrayal of Bond ; he is the sixth actor to play Bond in the Eon series . There have also been two independent productions of Bond films : Casino Royale ( a 1967 spoof ) and Never Say Never Again ( a 1983 remake of an earlier Eon-produced film , Thunderball ) . \n \n The Bond films are renowned for a number of features , including the musical accompaniment , with the theme songs having received Academy Award nominations on several occasions , and two wins . Other important elements which run through most of the films include Bond 's cars , his guns , and the gadgets with which he is supplied by Q Branch . The films are also noted for Bond 's relationships with various women , who are sometimes referred to as `` Bond girls '' . \n \n Publication history \n \n Creation and inspiration \n \n As the central figure for his works , Ian Fleming created the fictional character of James Bond , an intelligence officer in the Secret Intelligence Service , commonly known as MI6 . Bond was also known by his code number , 007 , and was a Royal Naval Reserve Commander . \n \n Fleming based his fictional creation on a number of individuals he came across during his time in the Naval Intelligence Division during World War II , admitting that Bond `` was a compound of all the secret agents and commando types I met during the war '' . Among those types were his brother , Peter , who had been involved in behind-the-lines operations in Norway and Greece during the war . Aside from Fleming 's brother , a number of others also provided some aspects of Bond 's make up , including Conrad O'Brien-ffrench , Patrick Dalzel-Job and Bill `` Biffy '' Dunderdale . \n \n The name James Bond came from that of the American ornithologist James Bond , a Caribbean bird expert and author of the definitive field guide Birds of the West Indies . Fleming , a keen birdwatcher himself , had a copy of Bond 's guide and he later explained to the ornithologist 's wife that `` It struck me that this brief , unromantic , Anglo-Saxon and yet very masculine name was just what I needed , and so a second James Bond was born '' . He further explained that : \n \n On another occasion , Fleming said : `` I wanted the simplest , dullest , plainest-sounding name I could find , 'James Bond ' was much better than something more interesting , like 'Peregrine Carruthers ' . Exotic things would happen to and around him , but he would be a neutral figure—an anonymous , blunt instrument wielded by a government department . '' \n \n Fleming decided that Bond should resemble both American singer Hoagy Carmichael and himself and in Casino Royale , Vesper Lynd remarks , `` Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael , but there is something cold and ruthless . '' Likewise , in Moonraker , Special Branch Officer Gala Brand thinks that Bond is `` certainly good-looking ... Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way . That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow . Much the same bones . But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth , and the eyes were cold . '' \n \n Fleming also endowed Bond with many of his own traits , including sharing the same golf handicap , the taste for scrambled eggs and using the same", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "bt_778--James_Bond.txt", "qid": "bt_778", "question": "Who recorded Nobody Does It Better for one of the Bond films" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Dave Dee , Dozy , Beaky , Mick & Tich were a British pop/rock group of the 1960s . Two of their single releases sold in excess of one million copies each , and they reached number one in the UK Singles Chart with the second of them , `` The Legend of Xanadu '' . \n \n Biography \n \n Five friends from Wiltshire , David John Harman ( Dave Dee ) , Trevor Leonard Ward-Davies ( Dozy ) , John Dymond ( Beaky ) , Michael Wilson ( Mick ) and Ian Frederick Stephen Amey ( Tich ) , formed a group in 1961 , originally called Dave Dee and the Bostons . They soon gave up their jobs ( e.g . Dave Dee was a policeman ) to make their living from music . Apart from performing in the UK , they also occasionally played in Hamburg ( Star-Club , Top Ten Club ) and in Cologne ( Storyville ) . Ward-Davies had acquired his nickname when he unwrapped a chocolate bar before absent-mindedly discarding the bar and attempting to eat the wrapper . \n \n Vocalist Dee , the ex-policeman , was at the scene of the motoring accident that took the life of the American rock and roller Eddie Cochran and injured Gene Vincent in April 1960 . \n \n In summer 1964 , the British songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley became interested in recording them . The band was set up in the studio to make recordings with Joe Meek . These recording sessions failed to get off the ground as an interview with Dee stated that Meek `` had very strange recording techniques . He wanted us to play the song at half speed and then he would speed it up and put all these little tricks on it . We said we could n't do it that way . He exploded , threw coffee all over the studio and stormed up to his room . His assistant [ Patrick Pink ] came in and said , 'Mr Meek will not be doing any more recording today . ' That was it . We lugged all our gear out and went back home '' . While these recording sessions proved unsuccessful they eventually gained a recording contract with Fontana Records . \n \n Ken Howard said that : `` We changed their name to Dave Dee , Dozy , Beaky , Mick and Tich , because they were their actual nicknames and because we wanted to stress their very distinct personalities in a climate which regarded bands as collectives . '' The distinctive name , coupled with well produced and catchy songs by Howard and Blaikley , quickly caught the UK public 's imagination and their records started to sell in abundance . Indeed , between 1965 and 1969 , the group spent more weeks in the UK Singles Chart than the Beatles and made the odd tour 'down under ' to Australia and New Zealand , where they had also experienced some marked chart success during this period . \n \n They also scored a Number One hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1968 with `` The Legend of Xanadu '' . The combined sales figures were in excess of one million copies . Their other top 10 UK hits included `` Hideaway '' , `` Hold Tight ! `` , `` Bend It ! `` , `` Save Me ! `` , `` Touch Me , Touch Me '' , `` Okay ! `` , `` Zabadak ! '' and `` Last Night in Soho '' . \n \n `` Bend It ! '' was a big hit in Europe , including a Number One in Germany . To obtain a bouzouki sound on the recording , an electrified mandolin was used . The combined UK and European sales were over one million . However , in October 1966 , the British music magazine NME commented that dozens of US radio stations had banned the record , because the lyrics were considered too suggestive . The group responded by recording a new version in London with a different set of words , which was rush-released in the US , as the original single was withdrawn from sale . \n \n The band were big sellers elsewhere in the world , particularly in British Commonwealth countries . In New Zealand , the group had three number one hits , and 7 other songs reached the top 10 . In Australia , they reached the top 10 with `` Hold Tight ! `` , `` Bend It ! `` , `` Zabadak ! '' and `` The Legend of Xanadu '' . In Canada , the band scored two top 10", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 241, "text": "legend of xanadu" } ], "id": "sfq_10501--Dave_Dee,_Dozy,_Beaky,_Mick_&_Tich.txt", "qid": "sfq_10501", "question": "What was the only number 1 record for Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Prime Minister of Turkey ( Turkish : Başbakan ) is the head of government of Turkey . The prime minister is the leader of a political coalition in the Turkish parliament ( Meclis ) and the leader of the cabinet . The current holder of the position is Binali Yıldırım of the Justice and Development Party ( AKP ) , who took office on 24 May 2016 . \n \n History \n \n In the Ottoman Empire , the prime minister of the Ottoman sultan was called Grand Vizier . After the Tanzimat period in the 19th century , the grand viziers came to assume a role more like that of the prime ministers of contemporary Western European monarchies . Later , with the Ottoman constitution of 1876 , a parliament was established to oversee the prime minister , and with the amendments to the constitution during the Second Constitutional Era , the prime minister was made answerable to the parliament rather than the sultan . Finally , with the declaration of republic in 1923 , the appointer of the prime minister became the president , instead of the sultan . \n \n List of Prime Ministers \n \n Living former Prime Ministers \n \n Longest track records \n \n Timeline \n \n ImageSize = width:800 height : auto barincrement:12 \n PlotArea = top:10 bottom:50 right:130 left:20 \n AlignBars = late \n \n DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy \n Period = from:01/01/1920 till:26/05/2016 \n TimeAxis = orientation : horizontal \n ScaleMajor = unit : year increment:10 start:1920 \n \n Colors = \n id : ind value : rgb ( 0.8,0.8,0.8 ) \n \n BarData = \n barset : PM \n \n PlotData= \n width:5 align : left fontsize : S shift : ( 5 , -4 ) anchor : till \n barset : PM \n \n from : 03/05/1920 till : 24/01/1921 color : red text : '' Atatürk '' fontsize:10 \n from : 24/01/1921 till : 09/06/1922 color : red text : '' Çakmak '' fontsize:10 \n from : 12/06/1922 till : 04/08/1923 color : red text : '' Orbay '' fontsize:10 \n from : 14/08/1923 till : 27/10/1923 color : red text : '' Okyar '' fontsize:10 \n from : 01/11/1923 till : 21/11/1924 color : red text : '' İnönü '' fontsize:10 \n from : 21/11/1924 till : 06/03/1925 color : red text : '' Okyar '' fontsize:10 \n from : 06/03/1925 till : 27/09/1937 color : red text : '' İnönü '' fontsize:10 \n from : 27/09/1937 till : 25/01/1939 color : red text : '' Bayar '' fontsize:10 \n from : 25/01/1939 till : 09/07/1942 color : red text : '' Saydam '' fontsize:10 \n from : 09/07/1942 till : 07/08/1946 color : red text : '' Saracoğlu '' fontsize:10 \n from : 07/08/1946 till : 09/09/1947 color : red text : '' Peker '' fontsize:10 \n from : 10/09/1947 till : 16/01/1949 color : red text : '' Saka '' fontsize:10 \n from : 16/01/1949 till : 22/05/1950 color : red text : '' Günaltay '' fontsize:10 \n from : 22/05/1950 till : 27/05/1960 color : blue text : '' Menderes '' fontsize:10 \n from : 28/05/1960 till : 05/01/1961 color : ind text : '' Gürsel '' fontsize:10 \n from : 20/11/1961 till : 20/02/1965 color : red text : '' İnönü '' fontsize:10 \n from : 20/02/1965 till : 27/10/1965 color : ind text : '' Ürgüplü '' fontsize:10 \n from : 27/10/1965 till : 26/03/1971 color : green text : '' Demirel '' fontsize:10 \n from : 26/03/1971 till : 17/04/1972 color : ind text : '' Erim '' fontsize:10 \n from : 17/04/1972 till : 15/04/1973 color : yellow text : '' Melen '' fontsize:10 \n from : 15/04/1973 till : 25/01/1974 color : ind text : '' Talu '' fontsize:10 \n from : 25/01/1974 till : 17/11/1974 color : ind text : '' Ecevit '' fontsize:10 \n from : 17/11/1974 till : 31/03/1975 color : ind text : '' Irmak '' fontsize:10 \n from : 31/03/1975 till : 21/06/1977 color : green text : '' Demirel '' fontsize:10 \n from : 21/06/1977 till : 21/07/1977 color : red text : '' Ecevit '' fontsize:10 \n from : 21/07/1977 till : 05/01/1978 color : green text : '' Demirel '' fontsize:10 \n from : 05/01/1978 till : 12/11/1979 color : red text : '' Ecevit '' fontsize:10 \n from : 12/11/1979 till : 20/09/1980 color : green text : '' Demirel '' fontsize:10 \n from : 12/09/1980 till : 12/09/1980 color : orange text : `` Feyzioğlu '' fontsize:10 \n from : 20/09/1980 till : 13/12/1983 color : ind text : '' Ulusu '' fontsize:10 \n from : 13/12/1983 till : 31/10/1989 color : yellow text : '' Özal '' fontsize:10", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 22, "text": "turkey" } ], "id": "qb_5587--Prime_Minister_of_Turkey.txt", "qid": "qb_5587", "question": "Bulent Ecevit was Prime Minister of which country from 1999 to 2002?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "René Descartes ( ; ; Latinized : Renatus Cartesius ; adjectival form : `` Cartesian '' ; 31 March 1596 - 11 February 1650 ) was a French philosopher , mathematician , and scientist . Dubbed the father of modern western philosophy , much of subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings , which are studied closely to this day . He spent about 20 years of his life in the Dutch Republic . \n \n Descartes 's Meditations on First Philosophy continues to be a standard text at most university philosophy departments . Descartes 's influence in mathematics is equally apparent ; the Cartesian coordinate system—allowing reference to a point in space as a set of numbers , and allowing algebraic equations to be expressed as geometric shapes in a two- or three-dimensional coordinate system ( and conversely , shapes to be described as equations ) —was named after him . He is credited as the father of analytical geometry , the bridge between algebra and geometry , used in the discovery of infinitesimal calculus and analysis . Descartes was also one of the key figures in the scientific revolution . \n \n Descartes refused to accept the authority of previous philosophers , and refused to trust his own senses . He frequently set his views apart from those of his predecessors . In the opening section of the Passions of the Soul , a treatise on the early modern version of what are now commonly called emotions , Descartes goes so far as to assert that he will write on this topic `` as if no one had written on these matters before '' . Many elements of his philosophy have precedents in late Aristotelianism , the revived Stoicism of the 16th century , or in earlier philosophers like Augustine . In his natural philosophy , he differs from the schools on two major points : First , he rejects the splitting of corporeal substance into matter and form ; second , he rejects any appeal to final ends—divine or natural—in explaining natural phenomena . In his theology , he insists on the absolute freedom of God 's act of creation . \n \n Descartes laid the foundation for 17th-century continental rationalism , later advocated by Baruch Spinoza and Gottfried Leibniz , and opposed by the empiricist school of thought consisting of Hobbes , Locke , Berkeley , and Hume . Leibniz , Spinoza and Descartes were all well-versed in mathematics as well as philosophy , and Descartes and Leibniz contributed greatly to science as well . \n \n His best known philosophical statement is `` Cogito ergo sum '' ( ; I think , therefore I am ) , found in part IV of Discourse on the Method ( 1637 ; written in French but with inclusion of `` Cogito ergo sum '' ) and §7 of part I of Principles of Philosophy ( 1644 ; written in Latin ) . \n \n Life \n \n Early life \n \n Descartes was born in La Haye en Touraine ( now Descartes , Indre-et-Loire ) , France , on 31 March 1596 . When he was one year old , his mother Jeanne Brochard died after trying to give birth to another child who also died . His father Joachim was a member of the Parlement of Brittany at Rennes . René lived with his grandmother and with his great-uncle . Although the Descartes family was Roman Catholic , the Poitou region was controlled by the Protestant Huguenots . In 1607 , late because of his fragile health , he entered the Jesuit Collège Royal Henry-Le-Grand at La Flèche where he was introduced to mathematics and physics , including Galileo 's work . After graduation in 1614 , he studied two years ( 1615–16 ) at the University of Poitiers , earning a Baccalauréat and Licence in Canon and Civil Law , in accordance with his father 's wishes that he should become a lawyer . From there he moved to Paris . \n \n In his book Discourse on the Method , Descartes recalls , \n I entirely abandoned the study of letters . Resolving to seek no knowledge other than that of which could be found in myself or else in the great book of the world , I spent the rest of my youth traveling , visiting courts and armies , mixing with people of diverse temperaments and ranks , gathering various experiences , testing myself in the situations which fortune offered me , and at all times reflecting upon whatever came my way so as to derive some profit from it . \n \n Given his ambition to become a professional military officer , in 1618 , Descartes joined the Dutch States", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 2488, "text": "cogito" } ], "id": "bb_1129--René_Descartes.txt", "qid": "bb_1129", "question": "What does the well known Latin phrase 'cogito, ergo sum', commonly attributed to René Descartes, translate as in English?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by placing tiles , each bearing a single letter , onto a gameboard which is divided into a 15×15 grid of squares . The tiles must form words which , in crossword fashion , flow left to right in rows or downwards in columns . The words must be defined in a standard dictionary , or present in specified reference works ( e.g. , the Official Tournament and Club Word List , the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary ) , which provide a list of officially permissible words . \n \n The name Scrabble is a trademark of Hasbro , Inc. in the United States and Canada and has been sold by Hasbro 's Parker Brothers division since 1999 . Prior to 1999 , it was sold as a Milton Bradley game . Outside the United States and Canada , Scrabble is a trademark of Mattel . The game is sold in 121 countries and is available in 29 languages ; approximately 150 million sets have been sold worldwide and roughly one-third of American and half of British homes have a Scrabble set . There are around 4,000 Scrabble clubs around the world . \n \n Game details \n \n The game is played by two to four players on a square board with a 15×15 grid of cells ( individually known as `` squares '' ) , each of which accommodates a single letter tile . \n In official club and tournament games , play is between two players or , occasionally , between two teams each of which collaborates on a single rack . \n \n The board is marked with `` premium '' squares , which multiply the number of points awarded : eight dark red `` triple-word '' squares , 17 pink `` double-word '' squares , of which one , the center square ( H8 ) , is marked with a star or other symbol ; 12 dark blue `` triple-letter '' squares , and 24 light blue `` double-letter '' squares . In 2008 , Hasbro changed the colors of the premium squares to orange for TW , red for DW , blue for DL , and green for TL . Despite this , the original premium square color scheme is still the preferred scheme for Scrabble boards used in tournaments . \n \n In an English-language set , the game contains 100 tiles , 98 of which are marked with a letter and a point value ranging from 1 to 10 . The number of points of each lettered tile is based on the letter 's frequency in standard English writing ; commonly used letters such as vowels are worth one point , while less common letters score higher , with Q and Z each worth 10 points . The game also has two blank tiles that are unmarked and carry no point value . The blank tiles can be used as substitutes for any letter ; once laid on the board , however , the choice is fixed . Other language sets use different letter set distributions with different point values . \n \n Tiles are usually made of wood or plastic and are 19 x square and 4 mm thick , making them slightly smaller than the squares on the board . Only the rosewood tiles of the deluxe edition varies the width up to 2 mm for different letters . Travelling versions of the game often have smaller tiles ( e.g . 13 x ) ; sometimes they are magnetic to keep them in place . The capital letter is printed in black at the centre of the tile face and the letter 's point value printed in a smaller font at the bottom right corner . \n \n S is the most valuable letter in English-language Scrabble because it easily goes on the ends of words ; Alfred Butts included only four instances to avoid a game that was `` too easy '' . Q is considered the most problematic letter , as most words with it also contain U ; a similar problem occurs in other languages like French , Dutch , Italian and German . J is also difficult to play due to its low frequency and a scarcity of words having it at the end . C and V may be troublesome in the endgame , since no two-letter words with them exist , save for CH in SOWPODS . \n \n History \n \n In 1938 , American architect Alfred Mosher Butts created the game as a variation on an earlier word game he invented called Lexiko . The two games had the same set of letter tiles , whose distributions and point", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1655, "text": "8" } ], "id": "qb_245--Scrabble.txt", "qid": "qb_245", "question": "How many points is the ‘J’ tile worth in the game of Scrabble?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Sixteen Men of Tain is the tenth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth , released in March 2000 through Gnarly Geezer Records ( United States ) , Polydor Records ( Japan ) and JMS–Cream Records ( Europe ) ; a remastered edition was reissued in 2003 through Globe Music Media Arts . The album 's title is a reference to the Glenmorangie distillery in Scotland . This was the last recording to be made at Holdsworth 's personal recording studio The Brewery . \n \n Critical reception \n \n All About Jazz described The Sixteen Men of Tain as a `` very comfortable listen '' and recommended it highly , whilst noting that the album is less rock-orientated than past Holdsworth releases . David R. Adler at AllMusic gave it 4.5 stars out of five , calling it `` startlingly superb '' and `` full of fresh ideas and unadulterated improvisational brilliance '' . Both reviews also highlighted Holdsworth 's more restrained use of the SynthAxe , an instrument featured prominently on all of his albums since Atavachron ( 1986 ) . \n \n Track listing \n \n Personnel \n \n * Allan Holdsworth – guitar , SynthAxe , engineering , mixing , production \n * Gary Novak – drums ( except track 6 ) \n * Chad Wackerman – drums ( track 6 ) \n * Dave Carpenter – bass \n * Walt Fowler – trumpet \n * Duncan Aldrich – engineering \n * Chris Bellman – mastering", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 332, "text": "glenmorangie" } ], "id": "sfq_5439--The_Sixteen_Men_of_Tain.txt", "qid": "sfq_5439", "question": "Which Scottish malt whisky is produced by 'the sixteen men of Tain'?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The International System of Units ( , SI ) is the modern form of the metric system , and is the most widely used system of measurement . It comprises a coherent system of units of measurement built on seven base units . It defines twenty-two named units , and includes many more unnamed coherent derived units . The system also establishes a set of twenty prefixes to the unit names and unit symbols that may be used when specifying multiples and fractions of the units . \n \n The system was published in 1960 as the result of an initiative that began in 1948 . It is based on the metre-kilogram-second system of units ( MKS ) rather than any variant of the centimetre-gram-second system ( CGS ) . SI is intended to be an evolving system , so prefixes and units are created and unit definitions are modified through international agreement as the technology of measurement progresses and the precision of measurements improves . The 24th and 25th General Conferences on Weights and Measures ( CGPM ) in 2011 and 2014 , for example , discussed a proposal to change the definition of the kilogram , linking it to an invariant of nature rather than to the mass of a material artefact , thereby ensuring long-term stability . \n \n The motivation for the development of the SI was the diversity of units that had sprung up within the CGS systems and the lack of coordination between the various disciplines that used them . The CGPM , which was established by the Metre Convention of 1875 , brought together many international organisations to not only agree on the definitions and standards of the new system but also agree on the rules for writing and presenting measurements in a standardised manner around the world . \n \n The International System of Units has been adopted by most developed countries ; however , the adoption has not been universal in all English-speaking countries . While metrication in the United States is consistent in science , medicine , government , and various fields of technology and engineering , common measurements are mostly performed in United States customary units , although these have officially been defined in terms of SI units . The United Kingdom has officially adopted a policy of partial metrication . Canada has adopted the SI for most governmental , medical and scientific purposes and for such varied uses as grocery weights , weather reports , traffic signs and gasoline sales , but imperial units are still legally permitted and remain in common use throughout many sectors of Canadian society , particularly in the building trade and the railway sector . \n \n History \n \n The metric system was first implemented during the French Revolution ( 1790s ) with just the metre and kilogram as standards of length and massThe differences between `` weight '' and `` mass '' were only formally qualified in 1901. respectively . In the 1830s Carl Friedrich Gauss laid the foundations for a coherent system based on length , mass , and time . In the 1860s a group working under the auspices of the British Association for the Advancement of Science formulated the requirement for a coherent system of units with base units and derived units . The inclusion of electrical units into the system was hampered by the customary use of more than one set of units , until 1900 when Giovanni Giorgi identified the need to define one single electrical quantity as a fourth base quantity alongside the original three base quantities . \n \n Meanwhile , in 1875 , the Treaty of the Metre passed responsibility for verification of the kilogram and metre against agreed prototypes from French to international control . In 1921 , the Treaty was extended to include all physical quantities including electrical units originally defined in 1893 . \n \n In 1948 , an overhaul of the metric system was set in motion which resulted in the development of the `` Practical system of units '' which , on its publication in 1960 , was given the name `` The International System of Units '' . In 1954 , the 10th General Conference on Weights and Measures ( CGPM ) identified electric current as the fourth base quantity in the practical system of units and added two more base quantities—temperature and luminous intensity—making six base quantities in all . The units associated with these quantities were the metre , kilogram , second , ampere , kelvin and candela . In 1971 , a seventh base quantity , amount of substance represented by the mole , was added to the definition of SI . \n \n Early development \n \n The metric system was developed from", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "wh_1917--International_System_of_Units.txt", "qid": "wh_1917", "question": "What is the S.I. Unit of radioactivity ?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Italy ( ) , officially the Italian Republic ( ) , is a unitary parliamentary republic in Europe.The Italian peninsula is geographically located in Southern Europe , while North Italy can be placed partly or totally in Central Europe . Due to cultural , political and historical reasons , Italy is a Western European country . Italy covers an area of 301338 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate or Mediterranean climate ; due to its shape , it is often referred to in Italy as lo Stivale ( the Boot ) . With 61 million inhabitants , it is the third most populous EU member state . Located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea , Italy shares open land borders with France , Switzerland , Austria , Slovenia , San Marino and Vatican City . \n \n Since classical times , ancient Phoenicians and Greeks , Etruscans , and Celts have inhabited the south , centre and north of the Italian Peninsula respectively , with various Italic peoples dispersed throughout Italy alongside other ancient Italian tribes and Greek , Carthaginian , and Phoenician colonies . The Italic tribe known as the Latins formed the Roman Kingdom , which eventually spread throughout Italy , assimilating and conquering other nearby civilizations and forming the Roman Republic . Rome ultimately emerged as the dominant power , conquering much of the ancient world and becoming the leading cultural , political , and religious centre of Western civilisation . The legacy of the Roman Empire is widespread and can be observed in the global distribution of civilian law , republican governments , Christianity and the Latin script . \n \n During the Middle Ages , Italy suffered sociopolitical collapse amid calamitous barbarian invasions , but by the 11th century , numerous rival city-states and maritime republics rose to great prosperity through shipping , commerce , and banking , and even laid the groundwork for capitalism . These independent city-states and regional republics , acting as Europe 's main port of entry for Asian and Near Eastern imported goods , often enjoyed a greater degree of democracy in comparison to the monarchies and feudal states found throughout Europe at the time , though much of central Italy remained under the control of the theocratic Papal States , while Southern Italy remained largely feudal , partially as a result of a succession of Byzantine , Arab , Norman , Spanish , and Bourbon conquests of the region . \n \n The Renaissance began in Italy and spread to the rest of Europe , bringing a renewed interest in humanism , science , exploration , and art with the start of the modern era . Italian culture flourished at this time , producing famous scholars , artists , and polymaths such as Leonardo da Vinci , Galileo , Michelangelo , and Machiavelli . Explorers from Italy such as Marco Polo , Christopher Columbus , Amerigo Vespucci , and Giovanni da Verrazzano discovered new routes to the Far East and the New World , helping to usher in the European Age of Discovery . Nevertheless , Italy 's importance as a hub of commercial and political power significantly waned with the opening of trade routes from the New World , as New World imports and trade routes became more influential in Europe and bypassed the East Asian and Mediterranean trade routes that the Italian city-states had dominated . Furthermore , the Italian city-states constantly engaged one another in bloody warfare , with this tension and violent rivalry culminating in the Italian Wars of the 15th and 16th centuries , a series of wars and foreign invasions that left the Italian states vulnerable to annexation by neighboring European powers . Italy would remain politically fragmented and fall prey to conquest , occupation , and general foreign domination by European powers such as France , Spain , and Austria , subsequently entering a long period of decline . \n \n By the mid-19th century , a rising movement in support of Italian nationalism and Italian independence from foreign control lead to a period of revolutionary political upheaval known as the Risorgimento , which sought to bring about a rebirth of Italian cultural and economic prominence by liberating and consolidating the Italian peninsula and insular Italy into an independent and unified nation-state . After various unsuccessful attempts , the Italian Wars of Independence , the Expedition of the Thousand and the capture of Rome resulted in the eventual unification of the country , now a great power after centuries of foreign domination and political division . From the late 19th century to the early 20th century , the new Kingdom of Italy rapidly industrialized , especially in the so-called Industrial Triangle of Milan , Turin and Genoa in the", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "bb_288--Italy.txt", "qid": "bb_288", "question": "In cycling, what colour jersey is worn by the leader of the Tour of Italy?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Year 49 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar . At the time , it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lentulus and Marcellus ( or , less frequently , year 705 Ab urbe condita ) . The denomination 49 BC for this year has been used since the early medieval period , when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years . \n \n Events \n \n By place \n \n Roman Republic \n \n * Consuls : Lucius Cornelius Lentulus Crus , Gaius Claudius Marcellus Maior . \n * The Great Roman Civil War commences : \n * * January 1 – The Roman Senate receives a proposal from Julius Caesar that he and Pompey should lay down their commands simultaneously . The Senate responds that Caesar must immediately surrender his command . \n * * January 10 – Julius Caesar leads his army across the Rubicon , which separates his jurisdiction ( Cisalpine Gaul ) from that of the Senate ( Italy ) , and thus initiates a civil war . In response , the Roman senate invokes the senatus consultum ultimum . \n * * February – Pompey 's flight to Epirus ( in Western Greece ) with most of the Senate . \n * * March 9 – Caesar advances against Pompeian forces in Spain . \n * * April 19 – Siege of Massilia : Caesar commences a siege at Massilia against the Pompeian Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus . He leaves the newly raised legions XVII , XVIII and XIX to conduct the siege . Decimus Brutus — victor over the Veneti ( see 56 BC ) — is in charge of the fleet to blockade the harbor . \n * * June – Caesar arrives in Spain ; seizes the Pyrenees passes against the Pompeians L. Afranius and Marcus Petreius . \n * * June 7 – Cicero slips out of Italy and goes to Salonika . \n * * July 30 – Caesar surrounds Afranius and Petreius 's army in Ilerda . \n * * August 2 – Pompeians in Ilerda surrender to Caesar and are granted pardon . \n * * August 24 – Caesar 's general Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in North Africa by the Pompeians under Attius Varus and King Juba I of Numidia ( whom he defeated earlier in the Battle of Utica ) , in the Battle of the Bagradas River , and commits suicide . \n * * September – Brutus defeats the combined Pompeian-Massilian naval forces in the naval Battle of Massilia , while the Caesarian fleet in the Adriatic is defeated near Curicta ( Krk ) . \n * * September 6 – Massilia surrendered to Caesar , coming back from Spain . \n * * October – Caesar appointed Dictator in Rome . \n \n Births \n \n * \n \n Deaths \n \n * Gaius Scribonius Curio ( suicide ) ( b . 90 BC ) \n * Xuan , emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty ( b . 91 BC ) \n * Zheng Ji , general during the Han Dynasty", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 604, "text": "caesar" } ], "id": "qg_605--49_BC.txt", "qid": "qg_605", "question": "Crossing the Rubicon, meaning passing the point of no return, was coined when who marched his army across the river on his way to Rome in 49BC?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "William Shakespeare ( ; 26 April 1564 ( baptised ) – 23 April 1616 ) was an English : poet , : playwright , and actor , widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world 's pre-eminent dramatist . ; ; . He is often called England 's national poet , and the `` Bard of Avon '' . His extant works , including collaborations , consist of approximately 38 plays , 154 sonnets , two long narrative poems , and a few other verses , some of uncertain authorship . His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright . \n \n Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon , Warwickshire . At the age of 18 , he married Anne Hathaway , with whom he had three children : Susanna , and twins Hamnet and Judith . Sometime between 1585 and 1592 , he began a successful career in London as an actor , writer , and part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain 's Men , later known as the King 's Men . He appears to have retired to Stratford around 1613 , at age 49 , where he died three years later . Few records of Shakespeare 's private life survive , which has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance , sexuality , and religious beliefs , and whether the works attributed to him were written by others . \n \n Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613 . His early plays were primarily comedies and histories , and these are regarded as some of the best work ever produced in these genres . He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608 , including Hamlet , Othello , King Lear , and Macbeth , considered some of the finest works in the English language . In his last phase , he wrote tragicomedies , also known as romances , and collaborated with other playwrights . \n \n Many of his plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime . In 1623 , however , John Heminges and Henry Condell , two friends and fellow actors of Shakespeare , published a more definitive text known as the First Folio , a posthumous collected edition of his dramatic works that included all but two of the plays now recognised as Shakespeare 's . It was prefaced with a poem by Ben Jonson , in which Shakespeare is hailed , presciently , as `` not of an age , but for all time '' .The Norton Anthology of English Literature : Sixteenth/Early Seventeenth Century , Volume B , 2012 , pg . 1168 \n \n In the 20th and 21st centuries , his works have been repeatedly adapted and rediscovered by new movements in scholarship and performance . His plays remain highly popular , and are constantly studied , performed , and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world . \n \n Life \n \n Early life \n \n William Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare , an alderman and a successful glover originally from Snitterfield , and Mary Arden , the daughter of an affluent landowning farmer . He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and baptised there on 26 April 1564 . His actual date of birth remains unknown , but is traditionally observed on 23 April , Saint George 's Day . This date , which can be traced back to an 18th-century scholar 's mistake , has proved appealing to biographers , because Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616 . He was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son . \n \n Although no attendance records for the period survive , most biographers agree that Shakespeare was probably educated at the King 's New School in Stratford , a free school chartered in 1553 , about a quarter-mile ( 400 m ) from his home . Grammar schools varied in quality during the Elizabethan era , but grammar school curricula were largely similar : the basic Latin text was standardised by royal decree , and the school would have provided an intensive education in grammar based upon Latin classical authors . \n \n At the age of 18 , Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway . The consistory court of the Diocese of Worcester issued a marriage licence on 27 November 1582 . The next day , two of Hathaway 's neighbours posted bonds guaranteeing that no lawful claims impeded the marriage . The ceremony may have been arranged in some haste , since the Worcester chancellor allowed the marriage banns to be read once instead of", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1666, "text": "macbeth" } ], "id": "qw_15121--William_Shakespeare.txt", "qid": "qw_15121", "question": "Which Shakespearean play is the basis for films directed by Orson Welles in 1948, Roman Polanski (1971), Geoffrey Wright (2006), Akira Kurosawa (1958), Billy Morrissette (2001), and Vishal Bharadwaj (2004)?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Twenty-fourth Amendment ( Amendment XXIV ) of the United States Constitution prohibits both Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax . The amendment was proposed by Congress to the states on August 27 , 1962 , and was ratified by the states on January 23 , 1964 . \n \n Southern states of the former Confederate States of America adopted poll taxes in laws of the late 19th century and new constitutions from 1890 to 1908 , after the Democratic Party had generally regained control of state legislatures decades after the end of Reconstruction , as a measure to prevent African Americans and often poor whites from voting . Use of the poll taxes by states was held to be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States in the 1937 decision Breedlove v. Suttles . \n \n When the 24th Amendment was ratified in 1964 , five states still retained a poll tax : Virginia , Alabama , Texas , Arkansas , and Mississippi . The amendment prohibited requiring a poll tax for voters in federal elections . But it was not until 1966 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections that poll taxes for any level of elections were unconstitutional . It said these violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment . Subsequent litigation related to potential discriminatory effects of voter registration requirements has generally been based on application of this clause . \n \n Text \n \n : Section 1 . The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President , for electors for President or Vice President , or for Senator or Representative in Congress , shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax . \n \n : Section 2 . The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation . \n \n Background \n \n Southern states adopted the poll tax as a requirement for voting as part of a series of laws intended to marginalize black Americans from politics so far as practicable without violating the Fifteenth Amendment . This required that voting not be limited by `` race , color , or previous condition of servitude . '' All voters were required to pay the poll tax , but in practice it most affected the poor . Notably this impacted both African Americans and poor white voters , some of whom had voted with Populist and Fusionist candidates in the late 19th century , temporarily disturbing Democratic rule . Proponents of the poll tax downplayed this aspect and assured white voters they would not be affected . Passage of poll taxes began in earnest in the 1890s , as Democrats wanted to prevent another Populist-Republican coalition . Despite election violence and fraud , African Americans were still winning numerous local seats . By 1902 , all eleven states of the former Confederacy had enacted a poll tax , many within new constitutions that contained other provisions to reduce voter lists , such as literacy or comprehension tests . The poll tax was used together with grandfather clauses and the `` white primary '' , and threats of violence . For example , potential voters had to be `` assessed '' in Arkansas , and blacks were utterly ignored in the assessment . \n \n From 1900–1937 , such use of the poll tax was nearly ignored by the federal government . Some state-level initiatives repealed it . The poll tax survived a legal challenge in the 1937 Supreme Court case Breedlove v. Suttles , which ruled that `` [ The ] privilege of voting is not derived from the United States , but is conferred by the state and , save as restrained by the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments and other provisions of the Federal Constitution , the state may condition suffrage as it deems appropriate . '' \n \n The issue remained prominent , as most African Americans in the South were disenfranchised . President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke out against the tax . He publicly called it `` a remnant of the Revolutionary period '' that the country had moved past . However , Roosevelt 's favored liberal Democrats lost in the 1938 primaries to the reigning conservative Southern Democrats , and he backed off the issue . He felt that he needed Southern Democratic votes to pass New Deal programs and did not want to further antagonize them . Still , efforts at the Congressional level to abolish the poll", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 427, "text": "poll taxes" } ], "id": "qg_3363--Twenty-fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution.txt", "qid": "qg_3363", "question": "The 24th Amendment to the US constitution makes what illegal?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Monaco ( ; ) , officially the Principality of Monaco ( ) , is a sovereign city-state and microstate , located on the French Riviera in Western Europe . France borders the country on three sides while the other side borders the Mediterranean Sea . Monaco has an area of and a population of about 37,800 ; it is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world . Monaco has a land border of , a coastline of , and a width that varies between 1700 and . The highest point in the country is a narrow pathway named Chemin des Révoires on the slopes of Mont Agel , in the Les Révoires Ward , which is 161 m above sea level . Monaco 's most populous Quartier is Monte Carlo and the most populous Ward is Larvotto/Bas Moulins . Through land reclamation , Monaco 's land mass has expanded by twenty percent . Although small , Monaco is very old and quite well known , especially because of its status as a playground for the rich and famous , who are a spectacle for tourists and an economic engine in the Mediterranean . In 2014 , it was noted about 30 % of the population was made up of millionaires , similar to Zürich or Geneva . \n \n Monaco is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy , with Prince Albert II as head of state . Although Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch , he wields immense political power . The House of Grimaldi have ruled Monaco , with brief interruptions , since 1297 . The official language is French , but Monégasque , Italian , and English are widely spoken and understood . The state 's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861 , with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993 . Despite Monaco 's independence and separate foreign policy , its defense is the responsibility of France . However , Monaco does maintain two small military units . \n \n Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with the opening of the country 's first casino , Monte Carlo , and a railway connection to Paris . Since then , Monaco 's mild climate , splendid scenery , and upscale gambling facilities have contributed to the principality 's status as a premier tourist destination and recreation center for the rich and famous . In more recent years , Monaco has become a major banking center and has successfully sought to diversify its economy into services and small , high-value-added , non-polluting industries . The state has no income tax , low business taxes , and is well known for being a tax haven . It is also the host of the annual street circuit motor race Monaco Grand Prix , one of the original Grands Prix of Formula One . \n \n Monaco is not formally a part of the European Union ( EU ) , but it participates in certain EU policies , including customs and border controls . Through its relationship with France , Monaco uses the euro as its sole currency ( prior to this it used the Monégasque franc ) . Monaco joined the Council of Europe in 2004 . It is a member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie ( OIF ) . \n \n History \n \n Monaco 's name comes from the 6th-century BC nearby Phocaean Greek colony . Referred to by the Ligurians as Monoikos , from the Greek `` μόνοικος '' , `` single house '' , from `` μόνος '' ( monos ) `` alone , single '' + `` οἶκος '' ( oikos ) `` house '' , which bears the sense of a people either settled in a `` single habitation '' or of `` living apart '' from others . According to an ancient myth , Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods . As a result , a temple was constructed there , the temple of Hercules Monoikos . Because the only temple of this area was the `` House '' of Hercules , the city was called Monoikos . It ended up in the hands of the Holy Roman Empire , which gave it to the Genoese . An ousted branch of Genoese family , the Grimaldi , contested it for a hundred years before actually gaining control . Though the Republic of Genoa would last until the 19th century , they allowed the Grimaldi family to keep Monaco , and , likewise , both France and Spain left it alone for hundreds of years . France did not annex it until the French Revolution , but after", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "tc_2696--Monaco.txt", "qid": "tc_2696", "question": "Who was the film star who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "David Daniel Kaminsky ( January 18 , 1911 – March 3 , 1987 ) , better known by his screen name Danny Kaye , was an American actor , singer , dancer , comedian , and musician . His performances featured physical comedy , idiosyncratic pantomimes , and rapid-fire novelty songs . \n \n Kaye starred in 17 movies , notably Wonder Man ( 1945 ) , The Kid from Brooklyn ( 1946 ) , The Secret Life of Walter Mitty ( 1947 ) , The Inspector General ( 1949 ) , Hans Christian Andersen ( 1952 ) , White Christmas ( 1954 ) , and The Court Jester ( 1956 ) . His films were popular , especially his bravura performances of patter songs and favorites such as `` Inchworm '' and `` The Ugly Duckling '' . He was the first ambassador-at-large of UNICEF in 1954 and received the French Legion of Honour in 1986 for his years of work with the organization . \n \n Early years \n \n David Daniel Kaminsky was born to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn on January 18 , 1911 ( though he would later say 1913 ) . Kaye was the youngest of three sons born to Jacob and Clara Nemerovsky Kaminsky . Jacob and Clara and their two sons , Larry and Mac , left Dnipropetrovsk two years before his birth ; he was the only son born in the United States . \n \n He attended Public School 149 in East New York , Brooklyn—which eventually was renamed to honor him—where he began entertaining his classmates with songs and jokes , — before moving to Thomas Jefferson High School , though he never graduated . \n \n His mother died when he was in his early teens . Not long after his mother 's death , Kaye and his friend Louis ran away to Florida . Kaye sang while Louis played the guitar ; the pair eked out a living for a while . When Kaye returned to New York , his father did not pressure him to return to school or work , giving his son the chance to mature and discover his own abilities . Kaye said that as a young boy he had wanted to be a surgeon , but the family could not afford a medical school education . \n \n He held a succession of jobs after leaving school , as a soda jerk , insurance investigator , and office clerk . Most ended with his being fired . He lost the insurance job when he made an error that cost the insurance company $ 40,000 . The dentist who hired him to look after his office at lunch hour did the same when he found Kaye using his drill on the office woodwork . He learned his trade in his teenage years in the Catskills as a tummler in the Borscht Belt . \n \n Kaye 's first break came in 1933 when he joined the `` Three Terpsichoreans '' , a vaudeville dance act . They opened in Utica , New York , where he used the name Danny Kaye for the first time . The act toured the United States , then performed in Asia with the show La Vie Paree . The troupe left for a six-month tour of the Far East on February 8 , 1934 . While they were in Osaka , Japan , a typhoon hit the city . The hotel where Kaye and his colleagues stayed suffered heavy damage . The strong wind hurled a piece of the hotel 's cornice into Kaye 's room ; had he been hit , he might well have been killed . By performance time that evening , the city was in the grip of the storm . There was no power , and the audience was restless and nervous . To calm them , Kaye went on stage , holding a flashlight to illuminate his face , and sang every song he could recall as loudly as he was able . The experience of trying to entertain audiences who did not speak English inspired him to the pantomime , gestures , songs , and facial expressions that eventually made his reputation . Sometimes he found pantomime necessary when ordering a meal . Kaye 's daughter , Dena , tells a story her father related about being in a restaurant in China and trying to order chicken . Kaye flapped his arms and clucked , giving the waiter an imitation of a chicken . The waiter nodded in understanding , bringing Kaye two eggs . His interest in cooking began on the tour . \n \n When Kaye returned to the United States , jobs were in short supply and", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 3174, "text": "audi" } ], "id": "qb_2972--Danny_Kaye.txt", "qid": "qb_2972", "question": "The song ‘Ugly Duckling’ by Danny Kaye features in which car manufacturers television advert?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Brinsley Forde MBE ( born 16 October 1953 , Islington , North London ) is best known as the founder member of the reggae band Aswad and as a child actor in the children 's television series Here Come the Double Deckers ( 1970–71 ) . \n \n Forde appeared as Herman in two episodes of the sitcom Please Sir ! . He appeared as Wesley in the feature film of the same name in 1971 . He appeared in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever and the television programme The Georgian House . In 1980 he starred in Babylon ( directed by Franco Rosso ) , as Blue , a disenfranchised youth who becomes a deejay on a South London reggae soundsystem . \n \n Forde presented VH1 Soul Vibrations , BBC 's Ebony & Ebony on the road , and was one of the radio presenters to open the BBC 's first digital station 6 Music with his radio show Lively Up Yourself and Dub Bashment . Forde can be heard presenting the radio documentaries Behind The Smile : The Real Life of Bob Marley and Island Rock to mark the 40th anniversary of Jamaican independence . \n \n A two-time Grammy Award nominee with Aswad , Forde scored a British number one chart hit with `` Do n't Turn Around '' in 1988 , followed by another top 20 chart hit , `` Give A Little Love '' . The band continued to feature in the top 20 on the British charts with the album Distant Thunder , and the tracks `` On and On '' , `` Next to You '' & `` Shine '' . \n \n In September 2009 , Forde appeared with Dizzee Rascal performing `` We ca n't tek no more of that '' from Dizzee 's album Tongue n ' Cheek on the BBC2 show Later ... with Jools Holland . He followed this up with a repeat performance as part of the BBC Electric Proms in October 2009 . \n \n Forde was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire ( MBE ) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the arts . \n \n Footnotes", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 204, "text": "double deckers" } ], "id": "qz_3220--Brinsley_Forde.txt", "qid": "qz_3220", "question": "Brinsley Forde who went on to become the lead singer of Aswad starred in which children's TV series of the 1970s?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "An orchestra ( or ; ) is a large instrumental ensemble , often used in classical music , that contains sections of string ( violin , viola , cello and double bass ) , brass , woodwind , and percussion instruments . Other instruments such as the piano and celesta may sometimes be grouped into a fifth section such as a keyboard section or may stand alone , as may the concert harp and , for 20th and 21st century compositions , electric and electronic instruments . The term orchestra derives from the Greek ὀρχήστρα ( orchestra ) , the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus . The orchestra grew by accretion throughout the 18th and 19th centuries , but changed very little in composition during the course of the 20th century . \n \n A smaller-sized orchestra for this time period ( of about fifty musicians or fewer ) is called a chamber orchestra . A full-size orchestra ( about 70-100 musicians ) may sometimes be called a symphony orchestra or philharmonic orchestra ; these modifiers do not necessarily indicate any strict difference in either the instrumental constitution or role of the orchestra , but can be useful to distinguish different ensembles based in the same city ( for instance , the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra ) . A symphony orchestra will usually have over eighty musicians on its roster , in some cases over a hundred , but the actual number of musicians employed in a particular performance may vary according to the work being played and the size of the venue . A leading chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty musicians ; some are much smaller than that . The term concert orchestra may sometimes be used ( e.g. , BBC Concert Orchestra ; RTÉ Concert Orchestra ) —no distinction is made on size of orchestra by use of this term , although their use is generally distinguished as for live concert . As such they are commonly chamber orchestras . There are several types of amateur orchestras , including school orchestras , youth orchestras and community orchestras . \n \n Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance by way of visible gestures . The conductor unifies the orchestra , sets the tempo and shapes the sound of the ensemble . Orchestras play a wide range of repertoire , including symphonies , overtures , concertos , and music for operas and ballets . \n \n Instrumentation \n \n The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of related musical instruments called the woodwinds , brass , percussion , and strings ( violin , viola , cello and double bass ) . Other instruments such as the piano and celesta may sometimes be grouped into a fifth section such as a keyboard section or may stand alone , as may the concert harp and electric and electronic instruments . The orchestra , depending on the size , contains almost all of the standard instruments in each group . In the history of the orchestra , its instrumentation has been expanded over time , often agreed to have been standardized by the classical period and Ludwig van Beethoven 's influence on the classical model . In the 20th century , new repertory demands expanded the instrumentation of the orchestra , resulting in a flexible use of the classical-model instruments in various combinations . \n \n Beethoven 's influence \n \n The so-called `` standard complement '' of double winds and brass in the orchestra from the first half of the 19th century is generally attributed to the forces called for by Beethoven . The exceptions to this are his Symphony No . 4 , Violin Concerto , and Piano Concerto No . 4 , which each specify a single flute . The composer 's instrumentation almost always included paired flutes , oboes , clarinets , bassoons , horns and trumpets . Beethoven carefully calculated the expansion of this particular timbral `` palette '' in Symphonies 3 , 5 , 6 , and 9 for an innovative effect . The third horn in the `` Eroica '' Symphony arrives to provide not only some harmonic flexibility , but also the effect of `` choral '' brass in the Trio . Piccolo , contrabassoon , and trombones add to the triumphal finale of his Symphony No . 5 . A piccolo and a pair of trombones help deliver storm and sunshine in the Sixth . The Ninth asks for a second pair of horns , for reasons similar to the `` Eroica '' ( four horns has since become standard ) ; Beethoven 's use of piccolo , contrabassoon , trombones", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 133, "text": "viola" } ], "id": "qw_154--Orchestra.txt", "qid": "qw_154", "question": "What orchestral string instrument has a deeper tone than a violin, and higher than a cello?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Crete ( , ' ; Ancient Greek : , Krḗtē ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands , and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea , after Sicily , Sardinia , Cyprus , and Corsica . Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete ( ) , one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece . The capital and the largest city is Heraklion . , the region had a population of 623,065 . \n \n Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece , while retaining its own local cultural traits ( such as its own poetry and music ) . It was once the centre of the Minoan civilization ( ) , which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe . \n \n Name \n \n The island is first referred to as Kaptara in texts from the Syrian city of Mari dating from the 18th century BC , repeated later in Neo-Assyrian records and the Bible ( Caphtor ) . It was also known in ancient Egyptian as Keftiu , strongly suggesting a similar Minoan name for the island . \n \n The current name of Crete is thought to be first attested in Mycenaean Greek texts written in Linear B , through the words , ke-re-te ( * Krētes ; later Greek : , plural of ) , and , ke-re-si-jo ( * Krēsijos ; later Greek : ) , `` Cretan '' . In Ancient Greek , the name Crete ( ) first appears in Homer 's Odyssey . Its etymology is unknown . One proposal derives it from a hypothetical Luvian word * kursatta ( cf . kursawar `` island '' , kursattar `` cutting , sliver '' ) . In Latin , it became Creta . \n \n The original Arabic name of Crete was Iqrīṭiš ( 2001 Census \n * Chania ( Haniá ) ( 53,373 inhabitants ) \n * Rethymno ( 27,868 inhabitants ) \n * Ierapetra ( 23,707 inhabitants ) \n * Agios Nikolaos ( 19,462 inhabitants ) \n * Sitia ( 14,338 inhabitants ) \n \n Economy \n \n Further information : Economy of Greece \n \n The economy of Crete is predominantly based on services and tourism . However , agriculture also plays an important role and Crete is one of the few Greek islands that can support itself independently without a tourism industry . The economy began to change visibly during the 1970s as tourism gained in importance . Although an emphasis remains on agriculture and stock breeding , because of the climate and terrain of the island , there has been a drop in manufacturing , and an observable expansion in its service industries ( mainly tourism-related ) . All three sectors of the Cretan economy ( agriculture/farming , processing-packaging , services ) , are directly connected and interdependent . The island has a per capita income much higher than the Greek average , whereas unemployment is at approximately 4 % , one-sixth of that of the country overall . \n \n As in many regions of Greece , viticulture and olive groves are significant ; oranges and citrons are also cultivated . Until recently there were restrictions on the import of bananas to Greece , therefore bananas were grown on the island , predominantly in greenhouses . Dairy products are important to the local economy and there are a number of speciality cheeses such as mizithra , anthotyros , and kefalotyri . \n \n Transport infrastructure \n \n The island has three significant airports , Nikos Kazantzakis at Heraklion , the Daskalogiannis airport at Chania and a smaller one in Sitia . The first two serve international routes , acting as the main gateways to the island for travellers . There is a long-standing plan to replace Heraklion airport with a completely new airport at Kastelli , where there is presently an air force base . \n \n The island is well served by ferries , mostly from Athens , by ferry companies such as Minoan Lines and ANEK Lines . \n \n Although the road network leads almost everywhere , there is a lack of modern highways , although this is gradually changing with the completion of the northern coastal spine highway . \n \n Also , during the 1930s there was a narrow-gauge industrial railway in Heraklion , from Giofyros in the west side of the city to the port . There are now no railway lines on Crete . The government is planning the construction of a line from Chania to Heraklion via Rethymno \n \n Development \n \n Newspapers have reported that the Ministry of Mercantile Marine is ready to support", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 339, "text": "greece" } ], "id": "qw_11819--Crete.txt", "qid": "qw_11819", "question": "Which country governs the islands called Crete, Lesbos, Rhodes, Corfu, Lemnos, Andros, Naxos and Kos?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Grand Slam tournaments , also called majors , are the four most important annual tennis events . They offer the most ranking points , prize money , public and media attention , the greatest strength and size of field , and greater number of `` best of '' sets for men . The Grand Slam itinerary consists of the Australian Open in mid January , the French Open in May and June , Wimbledon in June and July , and the US Open in August and September . Each tournament is played over a period of two weeks . The Australian and United States tournaments are played on hard courts , the French on clay , and Wimbledon on grass . Wimbledon is the oldest , founded in 1877 , followed by the US in 1881 , the French in 1891 , and the Australian in 1905 . However , of these four , only Wimbledon was a major before 1924/25 , the time when all four became designated Grand Slam tournaments . \n \n The term Grand Slam also , and originally , refers to the achievement of winning all four major championships in a single calendar year within one of the five events : men 's and women 's singles ; men 's , women 's , and mixed doubles . In doubles , one team may accomplish a Grand Slam playing together or one player may achieve it with different partners . The term `` Grand Slam '' without qualification refers to winning the four majors in a single calendar year . \n \n Winning the four majors in consecutive tournaments but not in the same year is known as a Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam , while winning all four majors at any point during the course of a career is known as a Career Grand Slam . Winning the gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in addition to the four majors in a one calendar year is known as a `` Golden Grand Slam '' or more commonly the `` Golden Slam '' . Also , winning the Year-End Championship ( known as ATP World Tour Finals for men 's singles and doubles disciplines , and WTA Tour Championships for both women 's disciplines ) in the same period is known as a `` Super Slam '' . Together , all four Majors in all three disciplines ( singles , doubles , and mixed doubles ) are called a `` boxed set '' of Grand Slam titles . No male or female player has won all twelve events in one calendar year , although a `` career boxed set '' has been achieved by three female players . \n \n Origin of the term `` Grand Slam '' \n \n The term slam for winning all of the tricks in the whist family card games ( see also whist terms ) is attested from early in the 17th century . Grand slam for all of the tricks , in contrast to small slam or little slam for all but one , dates from early in the 19th century . This use was inherited by contract bridge , a modern development of whist defined in 1925 that became very popular in Britain and America by 1930 . \n \n Grand slam has been used in golf since 1930 , when Bobby Jones won the four major championships , two British and two American . Although John F. Kieran is widely credited with first applying the term `` grand slam '' to tennis , to describe the winning of all four major tennis tournaments in a calendar year , sports columnist Alan Gould had used the term in that connection almost two months before Kieran . \n \n History \n \n The possibility of being the reigning champion of all the current four Majors did not exist until 1924/25 , when the International Lawn Tennis Federation designated the Australasian , French ( before 1925 only open to members of French tennis clubs ) , British and American championship tournaments as the four Majors . Before that time only three events : Wimbledon , the World Hard Court Championships ( held in Paris & once in Brussels ) and the World Covered Court Championships ( held in various locations ) were considered the premier international tennis events by the ILTF . Tony Wilding of New Zealand won all three of those earlier majors in one year – 1913 . It has been possible to complete a Grand Slam in most years and most disciplines since 1925 . It was not possible from 1940 to 1945 because of interruptions at Wimbledon , the Australian and French opens due to the Second World War , the years from 1970", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_8086--Grand_Slam_(tennis).txt", "qid": "sfq_8086", "question": "When Roger Federer achieved a career grand slam in 2009, he was the first man to do so since who in 1999?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The International Ice Hockey Federation ( IIHF ; French : ) is a worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey . It is based in Zurich , Switzerland , and has 74 members . It manages international ice hockey tournaments and maintains the IIHF World Ranking . \n \n Although the IIHF governs international competitions , the IIHF has no authority and very little influence on hockey in North America , where the rules of modern hockey were developed and where the National Hockey League ( NHL ) is the most influential hockey organization . The Hockey Canada and USA Hockey federations have their own rulebooks , while non-North American federations usually follow the IIHF rules . \n \n Decisions of the IIHF can be appealed through the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne , Switzerland . \n \n The IIHF museum was located within the International Hockey Hall of Fame Museum located in Kingston , Ontario from 1992 to 1997 . After terminating the partnership with the International Hockey Hall of Fame , the IIHF signed an agreement with the NHL to house their museum within the Hockey Hall of Fame . In 1998 , the IIHF museum relocated to Toronto , Ontario , occupying over 3500 sqft within the Hockey Hall of Fame . \n \n As part of the centennial celebrations of the IIHF 's founding , the 2008 IIHF World Championship was held in Canada . This was the first time the championships were hosted in Canada . Russia won the 2008 Championship , with Canada as the runner-up . \n \n Presidents \n \n Functions \n \n The main functions of the IIHF are to govern , develop and organize ice hockey throughout the world . Another duty is to promote friendly relations among the member national associations and to operate in an organized manner for the good order of the sport . \n The federation may take the necessary measures in order to conduct itself and its affairs in accordance with its statutes , bylaws and regulations as well as in holding a clear jurisdiction with regards to ice hockey and in-line hockey at the international level . The IIHF is the body responsible with arranging the sponsorships , license rights , advertising and merchandising in connection with all IIHF competitions . \n \n Another purpose of the federation is to provide aid in the young players ' development and in the development of coaches and game officials . On the other hand , all the events of IIHF are organized by the federation along with establishing and maintaining contact with any other sport federations or sport groups . The IIHF is responsible for processing the international players ' transfers . It is also the body that presides over ice hockey in the Olympic Games as well as over all levels of the IIHF World Championships . The federation works in collaboration with local committees when organizing its 25 World Championships , at five different categories . \n \n Even though the IIHF runs the world championships , it is also responsible for the organization of several European club competitions such as the Champions Hockey League or the Continental Cup . With its 100 anniversary , the federation launched a new annual club competition in 2008 , the Victoria Cup , named after the Montreal Victoria Skating Rink , the site of the first organized indoor ice hockey match . \n The federation is governed by the legislative body of the IIHF which is the General Congress along with the executive body , which is the Council . The Congress is entitled to make decisions with regard of the game 's rules , the statutes and bylaws in the name of the federation . It is also the body that elects the president and the council or otherwise known as board . \n The president of the IIHF is basically the representative of the federation . He represents the federation 's interests in all external matters and he is also responsible that the decisions are made according to the federation 's statutes and regulations . The president is assisted by the General Secretary who is also the highest ranked employee of the IIHF . \n \n History \n \n 1908–1913 \n \n The International Ice Hockey Federation was founded on May 15 , 1908 at 34 Rue de Provence in Paris , France , as Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace ( LIHG ) . The founders of the federation were representatives from Belgium , France , Great Britain , Switzerland and Bohemia ( now Czech Republic ) . Louis Magnus , the French representative , was the fifth member to sign the founding document and also the first president of", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 141, "text": "zuri" } ], "id": "qb_4421--International_Ice_Hockey_Federation.txt", "qid": "qb_4421", "question": "The headquarters of the International Ice Hockey Federation is in which European city?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The canton of Uri ( German : Kanton ) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation . It is located in Central Switzerland . The canton 's territory covers the valley of the Reuss between the St. Gotthard Pass and Lake Lucerne . The official language of Uri is ( the Swiss variety of Standard ) German , but the main spoken language is the Alemannic Swiss German dialect called Urner German . Uri was the only canton where the children in school had to learn Italian as their first foreign language . But in the school year of 2005/2006 this was changed to English as in most other cantons . The population is about 35,000 of which 3,046 ( or 8.7 % ) are foreigners . The legendary William Tell is said to have hailed from Uri . The historical landmark Rütli lies within the canton of Uri . \n \n Name \n \n The name of the valley is first mentioned in the 8th or 9th century , in the Latinized form of Uronia . \n In the medieval period , the name referred not to the entire Reuss valley but just to Altdorf and the surrounding settlements and estates . The extension of the name to a larger territory is the result of the territorial expansion of the canton in the 15th century . However , usage of Uri as referring to Altdorf remained current . \n From the 13th century onward , the German form of the name is recorded as Ure ( n ) . The modern form Uri dates to the 16th century . \n \n The name has been derived from either Latin ora `` brim , edge , margin '' ( reflected as Rumantsch ur ) , or from a pre-Roman hydronym containing the PIE root u̯er `` water '' , in either case extended by a suffix in -n- . Both etymologies would refer to the Reuss and/or the shore of Lake Lucerne . The -n- suffix was reduced to an ending in -n in Middle High German , and the ending -n in the German toponym was lost only in early modern German ( remaining visible in the demonym Urner ) . \n \n There is a long-standing popular etymology associating the name with ûr , the German name of the aurochs . This tradition may date as far back as the Middle High German period , reflected in the introduction of the cantonal seal showing a bull 's head in the 13th century . Beginning in the 17th century , the bull of Uri ( Uristier ) came to be associated with the name of the Taurisci in learned speculation . \n \n History \n \n Early history \n \n There are traces of settlement dating to the Bronze and Iron Age , with suggestions of trans-alpine trade with Quinto in Ticino and the alpine Rhine valley . \n During the Roman era , Uri remained mostly isolated from the Roman Empire . An analysis of the place names along the shores of Lake Lucerne show a Gallo-Roman influence , while in the mountain valleys Raetian names are more common . When the Roman Empire withdrew from the Alps , the lake side villages looked north to the towns along the lake for support , while the alpine villages in the Urseren valley banded together . \n \n Alemannic settlement begins in the 7th century . Uri is first mentioned in 732 as the place of banishment of Eto , the abbot of Reichenau , by the duke of Alamannia . \n In 853 , Uri is granted to the Fraumünster abbey in Zürich by Louis the German . \n Parts of the Urseren were settled by Disentis Abbey and were part of the Diocese of Chur . By the 10th century , there were settlements of Romansh speakers from Disentis in the high valleys . \n Uri briefly passed under Habsburg rule in 1218 , with the extinction of the Zähringer , . \n The Gotthard Pass was opened in 1230 , and Uri was granted imperial immediacy by Henry VII in the following year . Trade across the Gotthard brought ever increasing wealth to Uri , and the towns and villages along the Gotthard route became increasing independent . As early as 1243 Uri had a district seal , and in 1274 , Rudolph of Habsburg , who was now the Holy Roman Emperor , confirmed its privileges . \n Meanwhile , Urseren passed from Rapperswil to the Habsburgs in 1283 . \n \n Since at least the 10th century , the people of Uri signed treaties as a collective , as nos inhabitantes Uroniam ( 955 )", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 107, "text": "swiss" } ], "id": "qw_2816--Canton_of_Uri.txt", "qid": "qw_2816", "question": "The origins of which country can be traced to the forming of a defensive league by Uri, Schwyz and Lower Unterwalden in 1521?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Berlin Wall ( ) was a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989 . Constructed by the German Democratic Republic ( GDR , East Germany ) , starting on 13 August 1961 , the Wall completely cut off ( by land ) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin until government officials opened it in November 1989 . Its demolition officially began on 13 June 1990 and was completed in 1992 . The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls , which circumscribed a wide area ( later known as the `` death strip '' ) that contained anti-vehicle trenches , `` fakir beds '' and other defenses . The Eastern Bloc claimed that the Wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the `` will of the people '' in building a socialist state in East Germany . In practice , the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that had marked East Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period . \n \n The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the `` Anti-Fascist Protective Wall '' ( ) by GDR authorities , implying that the NATO countries and West Germany in particular were considered equal to `` fascists '' by GDR propaganda . The West Berlin city government sometimes referred to it as the `` Wall of Shame '' —a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt—while condemning the Wall 's restriction on freedom of movement . Along with the separate and much longer Inner German border ( IGB ) , which demarcated the border between East and West Germany , it came to symbolize a physical marker of the `` Iron Curtain '' that separated Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War . \n \n Before the Wall 's erection , 3.5 million East Germans circumvented Eastern Bloc emigration restrictions and defected from the GDR , many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin ; from which they could then travel to West Germany and other Western European countries . Between 1961 and 1989 , the Wall prevented almost all such emigration . During this period , around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the Wall , with an estimated death toll ranging from 136 to more than 200 in and around Berlin . \n \n In 1989 , a series of radical political changes occurred in the Eastern Bloc , associated with the liberalization of the Eastern Bloc 's authoritarian systems and the erosion of political power in the pro-Soviet governments in nearby Poland and Hungary . After several weeks of civil unrest , the East German government announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin . Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the Wall , joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere . Over the next few weeks , euphoric people and souvenir hunters chipped away parts of the Wall ; the governments later used industrial equipment to remove most of what was left . Contrary to popular belief the Wall 's actual demolition did not begin until the summer of 1990 and was not completed until 1992 . The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification , which was formally concluded on 3 October 1990 . \n \n Background \n \n Post-war Germany \n \n After the end of World War II in Europe , what remained of pre-war Germany west of the Oder-Neisse line was divided into four occupation zones ( as per the Potsdam Agreement ) , each one controlled by one of the four occupying Allied powers : the United States , the United Kingdom , France and the Soviet Union . The capital of Berlin , as the seat of the Allied Control Council , was similarly subdivided into four sectors despite the city 's location , which was fully within the Soviet zone . \n \n Within two years , political divisions increased between the Soviets and the other occupying powers . These included the Soviets ' refusal to agree to reconstruction plans making post-war Germany self-sufficient and to a detailed accounting of the industrial plants , goods and infrastructure already removed by the Soviets . Britain , France , the United States and the Benelux countries later met to combine the non-Soviet zones of the country into one zone for reconstruction and to approve the extension of the Marshall Plan . \n \n Eastern Bloc and the Berlin airlift \n \n Following World War II , Soviet leader Joseph Stalin headed a union of nations on his Western border , the Eastern Bloc ,", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 59, "text": "1961" } ], "id": "sfq_21689--Berlin_Wall.txt", "qid": "sfq_21689", "question": "In what year was the Berlin Wall erected?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Australia national cricket team represents the country of Australia in international cricket . It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket history , having played in the first ever Test match in 1877 . The team also plays One Day International cricket and Twenty20 International , participating in both the first ODI , against England in the 1970–71 season and the first Twenty20 International , against New Zealand in the 2004–05 season , winning both games . The team draws its players from teams playing in the Australian domestic competitions – the Sheffield Shield , the Australian domestic limited-overs cricket tournament and the Big Bash League . \n \n The national team has played 788 Test matches , winning 372 , losing 208 , drawing 206 and tying 2 . Australia is ranked the number-one team overall in Test cricket in terms of overall wins , win-loss ratio and wins percentage . As of 28 February 2016 , Australia is ranked first in the ICC Test Championship on 112 rating points . \n \n The Australian Cricket team has played 871 ODI matches , winning 539 , losing 292 , tying 9 and with 31 ending in no-result . They currently lead the ICC ODI Championship , having done so for 130 of 161 months since its introduction in 2002 . Australia have made a record seven World Cup final appearances ( 1975 , 1987 , 1996 , 1999 , 2003 , 2007 and 2015 ) and have won the World Cup a record five times in total ; 1987 , 1999 , 2003 , 2007 and 2015 . Australia is the first team to appear in four consecutive World Cup finals ( 1996 , 1999 , 2003 and 2007 ) , surpassing the old record of three consecutive World Cup appearances by West Indies ( 1975 , 1979 and 1983 ) and the first team to win 3 consecutive world cups ( 1999 , 2003 and 2007 ) . It is also the second team to win a World Cup ( 2015 ) on home soil , after India ( 2011 ) . \n \n The team was undefeated in 34 consecutive World Cup matches until 19 March at the 2011 Cricket World Cup where Pakistan beat them by 4 wickets . Australia have also won the ICC Champions Trophy twice – in 2006 and in 2009 – making them the first and the only team to become back to back winners in the Champions Trophy tournaments . The team has also played 88 Twenty20 Internationals , winning 44 , losing 41 , tying 2 and with 1 ending in no-result making the final of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 , which they eventually lost to England . \n \n As of 24 February 2016 , the Australian cricket team is ranked first in Tests , first in ODIs and eighth in T20Is by the ICC . \n \n History \n \n Early history \n \n The Australian cricket team participated in the first Test match at the MCG in 1877 , defeating an English team by 45 runs , with Charles Bannerman making the first Test century , a score of 165 retired hurt . Test cricket , which only occurred between Australia and England at the time , was limited by the long distance between the two countries , which would take several months by sea . Despite Australia 's much smaller population , the team was very competitive in early games , producing stars such as Jack Blackham , Billy Murdoch , Fred `` The Demon '' Spofforth , George Bonnor , Percy McDonnell , George Giffen and Charles `` The Terror '' Turner . Most cricketers at the time were either from New South Wales or Victoria , with the notable exception of George Giffen , the star South Australian all-rounder . \n \n A highlight of Australia 's early history was the 1882 Test match against England at The Oval . In this match Fred Spofforth took 7/44 in the game 's fourth innings to save the match by preventing England from making their 85-run target . After this match The Sporting Times , a major newspaper in London at the time , printed a mock obituary in which the death of English cricket was proclaimed and the announcement made that `` the body was cremated and the ashes taken to Australia . '' This was the start of the famous Ashes series in which Australia and England play a Test match series to decide the holder of the Ashes . To this day , the contest is one of the fiercest rivalries in sport . \n \n Golden Age \n \n The so-called 'Golden Age ' of Australian test cricket occurred", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "bt_1618--Australia_national_cricket_team.txt", "qid": "bt_1618", "question": "Which Australian city has a cricket ground called The Oval" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The macaroni penguin ( Eudyptes chrysolophus ) is a species of penguin found from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula . One of six species of crested penguin , it is very closely related to the royal penguin , and some authorities consider the two to be a single species . It bears a distinctive yellow crest , and the face and upperparts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts . Adults weigh on average and are 70 cm in length . The male and female are similar in appearance , although the male is slightly larger and stronger with a relatively larger bill . Like all penguins , it is flightless , with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine lifestyle . They also have red eyes . \n \n Its diet consists of a variety of crustaceans , mainly krill , as well as small fish and cephalopods ; the species consumes more marine life annually than any other species of seabird . These birds moult once a year , spending about three to four weeks ashore , before returning to the sea . Numbering up to 100,000 individuals , the breeding colonies of the macaroni penguin are among the largest and densest of all penguin species . After spending the summer breeding , penguins disperse into the oceans for six months ; a 2009 study found that macaroni penguins from Kerguelen travelled over 10000 km in the central Indian Ocean . With about 18 million individuals , the macaroni penguin is the most numerous penguin species . However , widespread declines in populations have been recorded since the mid-1970s . Their conservation status is being reclassified as vulnerable . \n \n Taxonomy \n \n The macaroni penguin was described from the Falkland Islands in 1837 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich von Brandt.Williams ( 1995 ) p. 211 It is one of six or so species in the genus Eudyptes , collectively known as crested penguins . The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek words eu `` good '' , and dyptes `` diver '' . The specific epithet chrysolophus is derived from the Greek words chryse `` golden '' , and lophos `` crest '' . \n \n The common name was recorded from the early 19th century in the Falkland Islands . English sailors apparently named the species for its conspicuous yellow crest ; Maccaronism was a term for a particular style in 18th-century England marked by flamboyant or excessive ornamentation . A person who adopted this fashion was labelled a `` maccaroni '' or `` macaroni '' , as in the song `` Yankee Doodle '' . \n \n Molecular clock evidence using DNA suggests the macaroni penguin split from its closest relative , the royal penguin ( Eudyptes schlegeli ) , around 1.5 million years ago . Although the two have generally been considered separate species , the close similarities of their DNA sequences has led some , such as the Australian ornithologists Les Christidis and Walter Boles , to treat the royal as a subspecies of the macaroni . The two species are very similar in appearance , although the royal penguin has a white face instead of the usually black face of the macaroni.Williams ( 1995 ) p. 214 Interbreeding with the Indo-Pacific subspecies of the southern rockhopper penguin ( E. chrysocome filholi ) has been reported at Heard and Marion Islands , with three hybrids recorded there by a 1987–88 Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition . \n \n Description \n \n The macaroni penguin is a large , crested penguin , similar in appearance to other members of the genus Eudyptes . An adult bird has an average length of around 70 cm ; the weight varies markedly depending on time of year and sex . Males average from after incubating , or after moult to before moult , while females average after to before moult.Williams ( 1995 ) p. 213 Among standard measurements , the thick bill ( from the gape ) measures 7 to , the culmen being around a centimetre less . The wing , from the shoulder to the tip , is around and the tail is 9 - long . The head , chin , throat , and upper parts are black and sharply demarcated against the white under parts . The black plumage has a bluish sheen when new and brownish when old . The most striking feature is the yellow crest that arises from a patch on the centre of the forehead , and extends horizontally backwards to the nape . The flippers are blue-black on the upper surface with a white trailing edge , and mainly white underneath with a black tip and", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 597, "text": "penguins" } ], "id": "qb_8373--Macaroni_penguin.txt", "qid": "qb_8373", "question": "Chinstrap, Macaroni, Humboldt and Gentoo are all species of which creature?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Marnie is a 1964 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock . The screenplay by Jay Presson Allen was based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Winston Graham . The film stars Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery . \n \n The music was composed by Bernard Herrmann , his last of seven critically acclaimed film scores for Hitchcock . Marnie also marked the end of Hitchcock 's collaborations with cinematographer Robert Burks ( his twelfth film for Hitchcock ) and editor George Tomasini ( who died later in the year ) . \n \n Plot \n \n Margaret `` Marnie '' Edgar ( Tippi Hedren ) steals $ 10,000 from her employer 's company safe and flees . She had used her charms on Sidney Strutt ( Martin Gabel ) , a tax consultant , to get a clerical job without references . After changing her appearance and identity , she makes a quick trip to a horse stable in Virginia , where she keeps a horse named Forio , and then to Baltimore for a surprise visit to her mother , Bernice ( Louise Latham ) . Though Bernice seems to care more for a young neighbor named Jessie than she ever did her own daughter , Marnie shows her love for her and gives her money . \n \n When Mark Rutland ( Sean Connery ) , a wealthy widower who owns a publishing company in Philadelphia , sees Strutt on business , he learns of the robbery . He recalls Marnie from a previous visit . Unaware of this , Marnie applies for a job at Mark 's company ; intrigued , he hires her as a typist , and they see each other socially . When Marnie has a panic attack during a thunderstorm , he hugs her and quietly kisses her . Marnie also has bad dreams and a phobia of the color red . \n \n Marnie repeats her crime at Mark ’ s company , stealing a large sum of money and fleeing . Mark tracks her down at the horse stable where she keeps Forio . Shockingly , he blackmails her into marrying him . \n \n They marry , much to the chagrin of Mark 's former sister-in-law , Lil ( Diane Baker ) , who has had an eye on him ever since her sister 's death . Lil learns that he is spending extravagantly on Marnie and becomes suspicious . On her honeymoon cruise , Marnie admits to Mark that she can not stand to be touched by a man . Mark starts to respect her wishes , but then rapes her . The next morning , she tries to drown herself in the ship 's pool , but Mark gets there in time to save her . \n \n Upon their return home , Mark discovers that Marnie 's mother is still alive ; he hires a private investigator to find out all he can about the woman . Meanwhile , Lil overhears that Mark has `` paid off Strutt '' on Marnie 's behalf , so she mischievously invites Strutt to a party at Mark 's house . There , a furious Strutt recognizes Marnie , but does not expose her after Mark threatens to take his business elsewhere . When Marnie later admits to additional robberies , Mark offers to pay back all her victims to keep the police away . \n \n Invited to ride in a fox hunt , Marnie enjoys herself , but becomes perturbed when the hounds corner the fox and begin to pull it from its den . When another rider wearing a traditional scarlet coat comes into view , her phobia kicks in and she bolts on her horse Forio . After a wild gallop , the horse falls and suffers a catastrophic injury , forcing Marnie to shoot him . Crazed with grief , Marnie goes to Mark 's office to rob his safe again , but this time , she can not bring herself to do it . Mark surprises her and eggs her on to take the money , but still she can not . \n \n He then takes Marnie to Baltimore to see Bernice . Mark confronts Bernice about her past as a prostitute , and demands the truth . When Bernice attacks Mark hysterically , Marnie 's long-suppressed memories suddenly surface . She remembers that when she was a child , a drunken sailor ( Bruce Dern ) , one of Bernice 's clients , had tried to comfort her during a thunderstorm . Bernice , thinking he was molesting Marnie , attacked him . Frightened , Marnie struck him with a fireplace poker and killed him . Bernice calmly", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 66, "text": "alfred hitchcock" } ], "id": "qg_1112--Marnie_(film).txt", "qid": "qg_1112", "question": "Which film director, who died today in 1980, directed the films “Marnie”, “Rear Window”, “The Trouble With Harry”, and “Frenzy”, among many others?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The monarchy of the United Kingdom , commonly referred to as the British monarchy , is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories . The monarch 's title is `` King '' ( male ) or `` Queen '' ( female ) . The current monarch and head of state , Queen Elizabeth II , ascended the throne on the death of her father , King George VI , on 6 February 1952 . \n \n The monarch and his or her immediate family undertake various official , ceremonial , diplomatic and representational duties . As the monarchy is constitutional , the monarch is limited to non-partisan functions such as bestowing honours and appointing the Prime Minister . The monarch is , by tradition , commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces . Though the ultimate formal executive authority over the government of the United Kingdom is still by and through the monarch 's royal prerogative , these powers may only be used according to laws enacted in Parliament and , in practice , within the constraints of convention and precedent . \n \n The British monarchy traces its origins from the petty kingdoms of early medieval Scotland and Anglo-Saxon England , which consolidated into the kingdoms of England and Scotland by the 10th century AD . In 1066 , the last crowned Anglo-Saxon monarch , Harold II , was defeated and killed during the Norman conquest of England and the English monarchy passed to the Normans ' victorious leader , William the Conqueror , and his descendants . \n \n In the 13th century , Wales , as a principality , became a client state of the English kingdom , while Magna Carta began a process of reducing the English monarch 's political powers . \n \n From 1603 , when the Scottish monarch King James VI inherited the English throne as James I , both the English and Scottish kingdoms were ruled by a single sovereign . From 1649 to 1660 , the tradition of monarchy was broken by the republican Commonwealth of England , which followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms . The Act of Settlement 1701 , which is still in force , excluded Roman Catholics , or those who marry Catholics , from succession to the English throne . In 1707 , the kingdoms of England and Scotland were merged to create the Kingdom of Great Britain , and in 1801 , the Kingdom of Ireland joined to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland . The British monarch became nominal head of the vast British Empire , which covered a quarter of the world 's surface at its greatest extent in 1921 . \n \n In the 1920s , five-sixths of Ireland seceded from the Union as the Irish Free State , and the Balfour Declaration recognised the evolution of the dominions of the empire into separate , self-governing countries within a Commonwealth of Nations . After the Second World War , the vast majority of British colonies and territories became independent , effectively bringing the empire to an end . George VI and his successor , Elizabeth II , adopted the title Head of the Commonwealth as a symbol of the free association of its independent member states . \n \n The United Kingdom and fifteen other Commonwealth monarchies that share the same person as their monarch are called Commonwealth realms . The terms British monarchy and British monarch are frequently still employed in reference to the shared individual and institution ; however , each country is sovereign and independent of the others , and the monarch has a different , specific , and official national title and style for each realm . \n \n Constitutional role \n \n In the uncodified Constitution of the United Kingdom , the Monarch ( otherwise referred to as the Sovereign or `` His/Her Majesty '' , abbreviated H.M. ) is the Head of State . Oaths of allegiance are made to the Queen and her lawful successors . God Save the Queen ( or God Save the King ) is the British national anthem , and the monarch appears on postage stamps , coins and banknotes . \n \n The Monarch takes little direct part in Government . The decisions to exercise sovereign powers are delegated from the Monarch , either by statute or by convention , to Ministers or officers of the Crown , or other public bodies , exclusive of the Monarch personally . Thus the acts of state done in the name of the Crown , such as Crown Appointments , even if personally performed by the Monarch , such as the Queen 's Speech and the State Opening of Parliament , depend upon decisions made elsewhere", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qb_7226--Monarchy_of_the_United_Kingdom.txt", "qid": "qb_7226", "question": "Dorothea Jordan was the mistress of which future British monarch?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "A board game is a tabletop game that involves counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or `` board '' , according to a set of rules . Some games are based on pure strategy , but many contain an element of chance ; and some are purely chance , with no element of skill . \n \n Games usually have a goal that a player aims to achieve . Early board games represented a battle between two armies , and most modern board games are still based on defeating opposing players in terms of counters , winning position , or accrual of points . \n \n There are many varieties of board games . Their representation of real-life situations can range from having no inherent theme ( e.g. , checkers ) , to having a specific theme and narrative ( e.g. , Cluedo ) . Rules can range from the very simple ( e.g. , Tic-tac-toe ) , to those describing a game universe in great detail ( e.g. , Dungeons & Dragons ) although most of the latter are role-playing games where the board is secondary to the game , serving to help visualize the game scenario . \n \n The time required to learn to play or master a game varies greatly from game to game , but is not necessarily correlated with the number or complexity of rules ; games like chess or go possess relatively simple rulesets , but have great strategic depth . \n \n History \n \n Ancient board games \n \n Board games have been played in most cultures and societies throughout history . A number of important historical sites , artifacts , and documents shed light on early board games such as : \n \n * Jiroft civilization gameboards \n * Senet , found in Predynastic and First Dynasty burials of Egypt , c. 3500 BC and 3100 BC respectively ; the oldest board game known to have existed , Senet was pictured in a fresco found in Merknera 's tomb ( 3300–2700 BC ) \n * Mehen , also from Predynastic Egypt \n * Go , originating in China \n * Liubo , also originating in China \n * Patolli , originating in Mesoamerica played by the ancient Aztec \n * Royal Game of Ur , the Royal Tombs of Ur contain this game , among others , dating to Mesopotamia 4,600 years agoJason R. Edwards , [ http : //visionandvalues.org/docs/familymatters/Edwards_Jason.pdf Saving Families , One Game at a Time ] \n * Buddha games list , the earliest known list of games \n * Pachisi and Chaupar , of India \n \n File : Maler der Grabkammer der Nefertari 003.jpg|Senet , one of the oldest known board games \n File : Alfonso LJ 97V.jpg|The game of astronomical tables , from Libro de los juegos \n File : AMI - Schachbrett.jpg|Knossos , New Palace period 1600–1500 BC \n File : Black figure plate with warriors playing a board game Antikensammlung Berlin 1.jpg|Ancient Greek hoplites playing a board game , c. 520 BC , Olympia , Greece \n File : Jiroft scorpion.png|A gameboard found in the Jiroft civilization \n \n Europe \n \n File : VA23Oct10 171.jpg|French earthenware tray and board game , 1720–50 \n File : Anon-The screene of fortune here behold-Early-Harl5937271-E2 4 240 -p1.tiff|The screene of fortune here behold , British fortune-telling game , c. 1650–1750 \n \n United States \n \n In seventeenth and eighteenth century colonial America , the agrarian life of the country left little time for game playing though draughts ( checkers ) , bowling , and card games were not unknown . The Pilgrims and Puritans of New England frowned on game playing and viewed dice as instruments of the devil . When the Governor William Bradford discovered a group of non-Puritans playing stool-ball , pitching the bar , and pursuing other sports in the streets on Christmas Day , 1622 , he confiscated their implements , reprimanded them , and told them their devotion for the day should be confined to their homes . \n \n In Thoughts on Lotteries ( 1826 ) Thomas Jefferson wrote : Almost all these pursuits of chance [ i.e. , of human industry ] produce something useful to society . But there are some which produce nothing , and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them or of others depending on them . Such are games with cards , dice , billiards , etc . And although the pursuit of them is a matter of natural right , yet society , perceiving the irresistible bent of some of its members to pursue them , and the ruin produced by them to the families depending on these individuals , consider it as a case", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_4610--Board_game.txt", "qid": "sfq_4610", "question": "Lexico was the original name for which board game?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Grace Brewster Murray Hopper ( December 9 , 1906 - January 1 , 1992 ) , Grace Brewster Murray , was an American computer scientist and United States Navy Rear Admiral . She was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer in 1944 , invented the first compiler for a computer programming language , and was one of those who popularized the idea of machine-independent programming languages which led to the development of COBOL , one of the first high-level programming languages . \n \n Owing to her accomplishments and her naval rank , she is sometimes referred to as `` Amazing Grace '' . The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper ( DDG-70 ) is named for her , as is the Cray XE6 `` Hopper '' supercomputer at NERSC . \n \n Early life and education \n \n Hopper was born in New York City . She was the oldest in a family of three children . Her parents , Walter Fletcher Murray and Mary Campbell Van Horne , were of Dutch and Scottish descent , and attended West End Collegiate Church . Her great-grandfather , Alexander Wilson Russell , an admiral in the US Navy , fought in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War . \n \n Grace was very curious as a child , a lifelong trait : at the age of seven she decided to determine how an alarm clock worked , and dismantled seven alarm clocks before her mother realized what she was doing ( she was then limited to one clock ) . For her preparatory school education , she attended the Hartridge School in Plainfield , New Jersey . Rejected for early admission to Vassar College at age 16 ( her test scores in Latin were too low ) , she was admitted the following year . She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar in 1928 with a bachelor 's degree in mathematics and physics and earned her master 's degree at Yale University in 1930 . \n \n In 1934 , she earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale under the direction of Øystein Ore.Though some books , including Kurt Beyer 's Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age , reported that Hopper was the first woman to earn a Yale PhD in mathematics , the first of ten women prior to 1934 was Charlotte Cynthia Barnum ( 1860–1934 ) . Her dissertation , New Types of Irreducibility Criteria , was published that same year . Hopper began teaching mathematics at Vassar in 1931 , and was promoted to associate professor in 1941 . \n \n She was married to New York University professor Vincent Foster Hopper ( 1906–76 ) from 1930 until their divorce in 1945 . She did not marry again , but she kept his surname . \n \n Career \n \n World War II \n \n In 1943 , during World War II , Hopper obtained a leave of absence from Vassar and was sworn into the United States Navy Reserve , one of many women to volunteer to serve in the WAVES . She had to get an exemption to enlist ; she was 15 lb below the Navy minimum weight of 120 lb . She reported in December and trained at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen 's School at Smith College in Northampton , Massachusetts . Hopper graduated first in her class in 1944 , and was assigned to the Bureau of Ships Computation Project at Harvard University as a lieutenant , junior grade . She served on the Mark I computer programming staff headed by Howard H. Aiken . Hopper and Aiken coauthored three papers on the Mark I , also known as the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator . Hopper 's request to transfer to the regular Navy at the end of the war was declined due to her age ( 38 ) . She continued to serve in the Navy Reserve . Hopper remained at the Harvard Computation Lab until 1949 , turning down a full professorship at Vassar in favor of working as a research fellow under a Navy contract at Harvard . \n \n UNIVAC \n \n In 1949 , Hopper became an employee of the Eckert–Mauchly Computer Corporation as a senior mathematician and joined the team developing the UNIVAC I . In the early 1950s , the company was taken over by the Remington Rand corporation , and it was while she was working for them that her original compiler work was done . The compiler was known as the A compiler and its first version was A-0 . \n \n In 1952 she had an operational compiler . `` Nobody believed that , '' she said . ``", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1340, "text": "moth" } ], "id": "qg_2861--Grace_Hopper.txt", "qid": "qg_2861", "question": "Which insect shorted out an early supercomputer and inspired the term \"computer bug\"?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up , Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys , interacting with fairies , pirates , mermaids , Native Americans , and occasionally ordinary children from the world outside Neverland . In addition to two distinct works by Barrie , the character has been featured in a variety of media and merchandise , both adapting and expanding on Barrie 's works . These include a 1953 animated film , a 2003 dramatic/live-action film , a TV series and many other works . \n \n Origin \n \n J. M. Barrie first used Peter Pan as a character in a section of The Little White Bird ( 1902 ) , an adult novel where he appears as a seven-day-old baby in the chapter entitled Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens . Following the success of the 1904 play , Barrie 's publishers , Hodder and Stoughton , extracted chapters 13–18 of The Little White Bird and republished them in 1906 under the title Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens , with the addition of illustrations by Arthur Rackham . \n \n He returned to the character of Peter Pan as the centre of his stage play entitled Peter Pan , or The Boy Who Would n't Grow Up , which premiered on 27 December 1904 in London . Barrie later adapted and expanded the play 's story line as a novel , published in 1911 as Peter and Wendy . \n \n Physical appearance \n \n Barrie never described Peter 's appearance in detail , even in his novel , leaving it to the imagination of the reader and the interpretation of anyone adapting the character . In the play , Peter 's outfit is made of autumn leaves and cobwebs . His name and playing the flute or pipes suggest the mythological character Pan . Barrie mentions in Peter and Wendy that Peter Pan still had all his `` first teeth '' . He describes him as a beautiful boy with a beautiful smile , `` clad in skeleton leaves and the juices that flow from trees '' . \n \n Traditionally , the character has been played on stage by a petite adult woman . In the original productions in the UK , Peter Pan 's costume was a reddish tunic and dark green tights , such as that worn by Nina Boucicault in 1904 . This costume is exhibited in Barrie 's Birthplace . The similar costume worn by Pauline Chase ( who played the role from 1906 to 1913 ) is displayed in the Museum of London . Early editions of adaptations of the story also depict a red costume but a green costume ( whether or not made of leaves ) becomes more usual from the 1920s , and more so later after the release of Disney 's animated movie . \n \n In the Disney films , Peter wears an outfit that consists of a short-sleeved green tunic and tights apparently made of cloth , and a cap with a red feather in it . He has pointed elf-like ears , brown eyes and his hair is red . In Hook ( 1991 ) , the character is played as an adult by Robin Williams , with blue eyes and dark brown hair ; in flashbacks to him in his youth , his hair is light brown . In this film his ears appear pointed only when he is Peter Pan , not as Peter Banning . His Pan attire resembles the Disney outfit ( minus the cap ) . In the live-action 2003 Peter Pan film , he is portrayed by Jeremy Sumpter , who has blond hair and green eyes . His outfit is made of leaves and vines . \n \n In the novel Peter Pan in Scarlet ( 2006 ) , Geraldine McCaughrean describes him as having blue eyes and light hair ( or at least any colour lighter than black ) . In this novel , Never Land has moved on to autumn , so Peter wears a tunic of jay feathers and maple leaves . In the Starcatcher stories written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson , Peter is described with carrot-orange hair and bright blue eyes . \n \n In the 2011 TV miniseries Neverland , released by Sky Movies in the UK and SyFy network in the US , Peter ( played by Charlie Rowe ) is portrayed with dark brown hair and eyes . He plays a flute instead of pan pipes . \n \n Age \n \n J.M .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1455, "text": "wendy" } ], "id": "qw_12006--Peter_Pan.txt", "qid": "qw_12006", "question": "It has been a boy's name, is usually a girl's name, and is well known as the name of Peter Pan's friend in a J.M. Barrie play. What is it?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The counties or shires of Scotland ( ) are geographic subdivisions of Scotland established in the Middle Ages . They ceased to be used for local government purposes after 1975 under the Local Government ( Scotland ) Act 1973 . \n \n Today , local government in Scotland is based upon `` council areas '' , which sometimes incorporate county names , but frequently have vastly different boundaries . Counties continue to be used for the purpose of lieutenancy and land registration purposes , though the lieutenancy areas are not entirely identical . \n \n Origin \n \n Sheriffdoms or shires \n \n Malcolm III ( reigned 1058 to 1093 ) appears to have introduced sheriffs as part of a policy of replacing previous forms of government with Norman feudal structures . \n \n This policy was continued by Edgar ( reigned 1097 to 1107 ) , Alexander I ( reigned 1107 to 1124 ) , and in particular David I ( reigned 1124 to 1153 ) . David completed the division of the country into sheriffdoms by the conversion of existing thanedoms . The earliest sheriffdom south of the Forth which we know of for certain is Haddingtonshire , which is named in a charters of 1139 as Hadintunschira and in another of 1141 as Hadintunshire . Stirlingshire appears in a charter of 1150 under the name Striuelinschire . \n \n The shires of the Highlands were completed only in the reign of King Charles I ( reigned 1625 to 1649 ) . \n \n Shires extant by 1305 \n \n In 1305 Edward I of England , who had deposed John Balliol issued an Ordinance for the Government of Scotland . The document listed the twenty-three shires then existing and either appointed new sheriffs or continued heritable sheriffs in office . \n \n : Gospatric was mentioned as sheriff in a number of charters of Earl David . The shire was not listed in the ordinance , and in 1305 appears to have been partly under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Selkirk , with the remainder comprised in the constabularies of Jedburgh and Roxburgh under the jurisdiction of the constable of Berwick . The shire was one of those surrendered to Edward III of England in 1334 . \n \n Shires formed after 1305 \n \n The remaining shires were formed either by the territorial expansion of the Kingdom of Scotland , or by the subdivision of existing sheriffdoms . Many of the new shires had highly irregular boundaries or detached parts as they united the various possessions of the heritable sheriffs . \n * c.1326 : Argyll ( or Argyle ) : lordship subdued by Alexander II in 1222 . Norwegian claims over the area finally ended in 1266 . First record of appointment of sheriff dates from 1326 . \n * 1369 : Kirkcudbright formed when area between Rivers Nith and Cree granted to Archibald the Grim . Archibald appointed a steward to administer the area , hence it became a `` stewartry '' . \n * c.1388 : Bute . The islands formed part of Kintyre district of Argyll . A heritable sheriff was appointed to the shire in 1388 . \n * 1402 : Renfrew : separated from the Shire of Lanark by Robert III . \n * 1503 : Ross formed from part of Argyll by act of 1503 . The Barony of Tarbert was annexed to Cromarty in 1685 , but later returned . \n * 1503 : Caithness : Separated from the Shire of Inverness by act of 1503 during the reign of James IV . Under the legislation the sheriff of Caithness was to sit at Dornoch and Wick , and the area of the sheriffdom was to be identical to that of the Diocese of Caithness . \n * 1581 : Orkney was erected into a lordship with the right of sheriffship . It was annexed to the Crown in 1612 , although the term `` lordship '' continued to be applied to the area . \n * 1633 : Sutherland separated from Inverness . \n \n : In 1583 the Earl of Huntly , hereditary sheriff of Inverness , granted the Earl of Sutherland jurisdiction over the sheriffdom of Sutherland and Strathnaver . This was only the south-eastern area of the later county , with Halladale River forming the boundary . The shire was formed in 1631 by Crown Writ of Charles I , severing Sutherland from Inverness . The new county comprised the Earldom of Sutherland along with Assynt and the baronies between Ross and Caithness . Dornoch was appointed the head burgh of the shire . The writ was confirmed by the Parliament of Scotland in 1633 . \n \n The 1707 Act of Union", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_21726--Shires_of_Scotland.txt", "qid": "sfq_21726", "question": "In which Scottish county is the famous St. Andrews Golf Club?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the vertebral skeleton . Bones support and protect the various organs of the body , produce red and white blood cells , store minerals and also enable mobility as well as support for the body . Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue . Bones come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have a complex internal and external structure . They are lightweight yet strong and hard , and serve multiple functions . Mineralized osseous tissue , or bone tissue , is of two types , cortical and cancellous , and gives a bone rigidity and a coral-like three-dimensional internal structure . Other types of tissue found in bones include marrow , endosteum , periosteum , nerves , blood vessels and cartilage . \n \n Bone is an active tissue composed of different types of bone cells . Osteoblasts are involved in the creation and mineralisation of bone ; osteocytes and osteoclasts are involved in the reabsorption of bone tissue . The mineralised matrix of bone tissue has an organic component mainly of collagen and an inorganic component of bone mineral made up of various salts . \n \n In the human body at birth , there are over 270 bones , but many of these fuse together during development , leaving a total of 206 separate bones in the adult , not counting numerous small sesamoid bones . The largest bone in the body is the thigh-bone ( femur ) and the smallest is the stapes in the middle ear . \n \n Structure \n \n Bone is not a uniformly solid material , but is mostly a matrix . The primary tissue of bone , bone tissue ( osseous tissue ) , is relatively hard and lightweight . Its matrix is mostly made up of a composite material incorporating the inorganic mineral calcium phosphate in the chemical arrangement termed calcium hydroxylapatite ( this is the bone mineral that gives bones their rigidity ) and collagen , an elastic protein which improves fracture resistance . Bone is formed by the hardening of this matrix around entrapped cells . When these cells become entrapped from osteoblasts they become osteocytes . \n \n Layered structure \n \n Cortical bone \n \n The hard outer layer of bones is composed of cortical bone also called compact bone . Cortical referring to the outer ( cortex ) layer . The hard outer layer gives bone its smooth , white , and solid appearance , and accounts for 80 % of the total bone mass of an adult human skeleton . However , that proportion may be much lower , especially in marine mammals and marine turtles , or in various Mesozoic marine reptiles , such as ichthyosaurs , among others . \n \n Cortical bone consists of multiple microscopic columns , each called an osteon . Each column is multiple layers of osteoblasts and osteocytes around a central canal called the Haversian canal . Volkmann 's canals at right angles connect the osteons together . The columns are metabolically active , and as bone is reabsorbed and created the nature and location of the cells within the osteon will change . Cortical bone is covered by a periosteum on its outer surface , and an endosteum on its inner surface . The endosteum is the boundary between the cortical bone and the cancellous bone . \n \n Cancellous bone \n \n Filling the interior of the bone is the cancellous bone also known as trabecular or spongy bone tissue . It is an open cell porous network . Thin formations of osteoblasts covered in endosteum create an irregular network of spaces . Within these spaces are bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells that give rise to platelets , red blood cells and white blood cells . Trabecular marrow is composed of a network of rod- and plate-like elements that make the overall organ lighter and allow room for blood vessels and marrow . Trabecular bone accounts for the remaining 20 % of total bone mass but has nearly ten times the surface area of compact bone . \n \n Bone marrow \n \n Bone marrow , also known as myeloid tissue , can be found in almost any bone that holds cancellous tissue . In newborns , all such bones are filled exclusively with red marrow , but as the child ages it is mostly replaced by yellow , or fatty marrow . In adults , red marrow is mostly found in the bone marrow of the femur , the ribs , the vertebrae and pelvic bones . \n \n Composition \n \n Cells \n \n Bone is a metabolically active tissue composed of several types of cells .", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "odql_6002--Bone.txt", "qid": "odql_6002", "question": "What is the medical name for the chest bone?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Athena ( ; Attic Greek : , Athēnā , or , Athēnaia ; Epic : , Athēnaiē ; Doric : , Athānā ) or Athene ( ; Ionic : , Athēnē ) , often given the epithet Pallas ( ; ) , is the goddess of wisdom , courage , inspiration , civilization , law and justice , mathematics , strength , war strategy , the arts , crafts , and skill in ancient Greek religion and mythology . Minerva is the Roman goddess identified with Athena . Athena is known for her calm temperament , as she moves slowly to anger . She is noted to have only fought for just reasons , and would not fight without a purpose . \n \n Athena is portrayed as a shrewd companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavour . She is the virgin patroness of Athens . The Athenians founded the Parthenon on the Acropolis of her namesake city , Athens ( Athena Parthenos ) , in her honour . \n \n Veneration of Athena was so persistent that archaic myths about her were recast to adapt to cultural changes . In her role as a protector of the city ( polis ) , many people throughout the Greek world worshipped Athena as Athena Polias ( Ἀθηνᾶ Πολιάς `` Athena of the city '' ) . While the city of Athens and the goddess Athena essentially bear the same name ( Athena the goddess , Athenai the city ) , it is not known which of the two words is derived from the other . \n \n Etymology of the name and origins of her cult \n \n Athena is associated with Athens , a plural name , because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood , the Athenai , in earliest times . Mycenae was the city where the Goddess was called Mykene , and Mycenae is named in the plural for the sisterhood of females who tended her there . At Thebes she was called Thebe , and the city again a plural , Thebae ( or Thebes , where the ‘ s ’ is the plural formation ) . Similarly , at Athens she was called Athena , and the city Athenae ( or Athens , again a plural ) . \n \n Athena had a special relationship with Athens , as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the goddess and the city . According to mythical lore , she competed with Poseidon and she won by creating the olive tree ; the Athenians would accept her gift and name the city after her . In history , the citizens of Athens built a statue of Athena as a temple to the goddess , which had piercing eyes , a helmet on her head , attired with an aegis or cuirass , and an extremely long spear . It also had a crystal shield with the head of the Gorgon on it . A large snake accompanied her and she held Nike , the goddess of victory , in her hand . \n \n In a Mycenean fresco , there is a composition of two women extending their hands towards a central figure who is covered by an enormous figure-eight shield and could also depict the war-goddess with her palladium , or her palladium in an aniconic representation . Therefore , Mylonas believes that Athena was a Mycenaean creation . On the other hand , Nilsson claims that she was the goddess of the palace who protected the king , and that the origin of Athena was the Minoan domestic snake-goddess . In the so-called Procession-fresco in Knossos which was reconstructed by the Mycenaeans , two rows of figures carrying vessels , seem to meet in front of a central figure , which is probably the Minoan palace goddess “ Atano ” . \n \n In Mycenaean Greek , at Knossos a single inscription A-ta-na po-ti-ni-ja /Athana potniya/ appears in the Linear B tablets from the Late Minoan II-era `` Room of the Chariot Tablets '' ; these comprise the earliest Linear B archive anywhere . Although Athana potniya often is translated Mistress Athena , it literally means `` the Potnia of At ( h ) ana '' , which perhaps , means the Lady of Athens ; any connection to the city of Athens in the Knossos inscription is uncertain . We also find A-ta-no-dju-wa-ja ( KO Za 1 inscription , line 1 ) , in Linear A Minoan ; the final part being regarded as the Linear A Minoan equivalent of the Linear B Mycenaean di-u-ja or di-wi-ja ( Diwia , `` divine '' ) . Divine Athena also was a weaver and the deity", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 473, "text": "owl" } ], "id": "sfq_22711--Athena.txt", "qid": "sfq_22711", "question": "Which bird was the symbol of the goddess Athena?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Tennis is a racket sport that can be played individually against a single opponent ( singles ) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles ) . Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over or around a net and into the opponent 's court . The object of the game is to play the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a valid return . The player who is unable to return the ball will not gain a point , while the opposite player will . \n \n Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society and at all ages . The sport can be played by anyone who can hold a racket , including wheelchair users . The modern game of tennis originated in Birmingham , England , in the late 19th century as `` lawn tennis '' . It had close connections both to various field ( `` lawn '' ) games such as croquet and bowls as well as to the older racket sport of real tennis . During most of the 19th century , in fact , the term `` tennis '' referred to real tennis , not lawn tennis : for example , in Disraeli 's novel Sybil ( 1845 ) , Lord Eugene De Vere announces that he will `` go down to Hampton Court and play tennis . '' \n \n The rules of tennis have changed little since the 1890s . Two exceptions are that from 1908 to 1961 the server had to keep one foot on the ground at all times , and the adoption of the tiebreak in the 1970s . A recent addition to professional tennis has been the adoption of electronic review technology coupled with a point challenge system , which allows a player to contest the line call of a point . \n \n Tennis is played by millions of recreational players and is also a popular worldwide spectator sport . The four Grand Slam tournaments ( also referred to as the `` Majors '' ) are especially popular : the Australian Open played on hard courts , the French Open played on red clay courts , Wimbledon played on grass courts , and the US Open played also on hard courts . \n \n History \n \n Predecessors \n \n Historians believe that the game 's ancient origin lay in 12th century northern France , where a ball was struck with the palm of the hand . Louis X of France was a keen player of jeu de paume ( `` game of the palm '' ) , which evolved into real tennis , and became notable as the first person to construct indoor tennis courts in the modern style . Louis was unhappy with playing tennis outdoors and accordingly had indoor , enclosed courts made in Paris `` around the end of the 13th century '' . In due course this design spread across royal palaces all over Europe . In June 1316 at Vincennes , Val-de-Marne and following a particularly exhausting game , Louis drank a large quantity of cooled wine and subsequently died of either pneumonia or pleurisy , although there was also suspicion of poisoning . Because of the contemporary accounts of his death , Louis X is history 's first tennis player known by name . Another of the early enthusiasts of the game was King Charles V of France , who had a court set up at the Louvre Palace . \n \n It was n't until the 16th century that rackets came into use , and the game began to be called `` tennis '' , from the Old French term tenez , which can be translated as `` hold ! `` , `` receive ! '' or `` take ! `` , an interjection used as a call from the server to his opponent . It was popular in England and France , although the game was only played indoors where the ball could be hit off the wall . Henry VIII of England was a big fan of this game , which is now known as real tennis . During the 18th century and early 19th century , as real tennis declined , new racket sports emerged in England . \n \n Further , the patenting of the first lawn mower in 1830 , in Britain , is strongly believed to have been the catalyst , world-wide , for the preparation of modern-style grass courts , sporting ovals , playing fields , pitches , greens , etc . This in turn led to the codification of modern rules for many", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "odql_11555--Tennis.txt", "qid": "odql_11555", "question": "Which Tennis player lost to Bjorn Borg in two Wimbledon finals?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "A newspaper is a serial publication containing news , other informative articles ( listed below ) , and advertising . A newspaper is usually but not exclusively printed on relatively inexpensive , low-grade paper such as newsprint . The news organizations that publish newspapers are themselves often metonymically called newspapers . Most newspapers are now published online as well as in print . The online versions are called online newspapers or news sites . \n \n Newspapers are typically published daily or weekly . News magazines are also weekly , but they have a magazine format . \n \n General-interest newspapers typically publish news articles and feature articles on national and international news as well as local news . The news includes political events and personalities , business and finance , crime , severe weather , and natural disasters ; health and medicine , science , and technology ; sports ; and entertainment , society , food and cooking , clothing and home fashion , and the arts . Typically the paper is divided into sections for each of those major groupings ( labeled A , B , C , and so on , with pagination prefixes yielding page numbers A1-A20 , B1-B20 , C1-C20 , and so on ) . Most traditional papers also feature an editorial page containing editorials written by an editor , op-eds written by guest writers , and columns that express the personal opinions of columnists , usually offering analysis and synthesis that attempts to translate the raw data of the news into information telling the reader `` what it all means '' and persuading them to concur . \n \n A wide variety of material has been published in newspapers . Besides the aforementioned news and opinions , they include weather forecasts ; criticism and reviews of the arts ( including literature , film , television , theater , fine arts , and architecture ) and of local services such as restaurants ; obituaries ; entertainment features such as crosswords , horoscopes , editorial cartoons , gag cartoons , and comic strips ; advice , food , and other columns ; and radio and television listings ( program schedules ) . \n \n Most newspapers are businesses , and they pay their expenses ( such as journalists ' wages , printing costs , and distribution costs ) with a mixture of subscription revenue , newsstand sales , and advertising revenue ( other businesses or individuals pay to place advertisements in the pages , including display ads , classified ads , and their online equivalents ) . Some newspapers are government-run or at least government-funded ; their reliance on advertising revenue and on profitability is less critical to their survival . The editorial independence of a newspaper is thus always subject to the interests of someone , whether owners , advertisers , or a government . Some newspapers with high editorial independence , high journalism quality , and large circulation are viewed as newspapers of record . \n \n Many newspapers , besides employing journalists on their own payrolls , also subscribe to news agencies ( wire services ) ( such as the Associated Press , Reuters , or Agence France-Presse ) , which employ journalists to find , assemble , and report the news , then sell the content to the various newspapers . This is a way to avoid duplicating the expense of reporting . \n \n Circa 2005 , there were approximately 6,580 daily newspaper titles in the world selling 395 million print copies a day ( in the U.S. , 1,450 titles selling 55 million copies ) . The late 2000s–early 2010s global recession , combined with the rapid growth of free web-based alternatives , has helped cause a decline in advertising and circulation , as many papers had to retrench operations to increase profitability . The decline in advertising revenues affected both the print and online media as well as all other mediums ; print advertising was once lucrative but has greatly declined , and the prices of online advertising are often lower than those of their print precursors . Besides remodeling advertising , the internet ( especially the web ) has also challenged the business models of the print-only era by democratizing and crowdsourcing both publishing in general ( sharing information with others ) and , more specifically , journalism ( the work of finding , assembling , and reporting the news ) . In addition , the rise of news aggregators , which bundle linked articles from many online newspapers and other sources , influences the flow of web traffic . Increasing paywalling of online newspapers may be counteracting those effects . \n \n Definition \n \n A newspaper typically meets four criteria : \n * Publicity :", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 305, "text": "ny" } ], "id": "qw_2100--Newspaper.txt", "qid": "qw_2100", "question": "\"Where is the newspaper \"\"The Village Voice\"\" published?\"" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The United States of America ( USA ) , commonly referred to as the United States ( U.S. ) or America , is a federal republic composed of 50 states , the federal district of Washington , D.C. , five major self-governing territories , and various possessions . \n The 48 contiguous states and federal district are in central North America between Canada and Mexico , with the state of Alaska in the northwestern part of North America and the state of Hawaii comprising an archipelago in the mid-Pacific . The territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea . At 3.8 million square miles ( 9.8 million km2 ) and with over 320 million people , the United States is the world 's third largest country by total area ( and fourth largest by land area ) and the third most populous . It is one of the world 's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations , the product of large-scale immigration from many other countries . The geography and climate are also extremely diverse , and the country is home to a wide variety of wildlife . \n \n Paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago , with European colonization beginning in the 16th century . The United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast . Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the colonies led to the American Revolution , which began in 1775 . On July 4 , 1776 , as the colonies were fighting Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War , delegates from the 13 colonies unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence . The war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain , and was the first successful war of independence against a European colonial empire.Greene , Jack P. ; Pole , J.R. , eds . ( 2008 ) . A Companion to the American Revolution . pp . 352–361 . The current constitution was adopted in 1788 , after the Articles of Confederation , adopted in 1781 , were felt to have provided inadequate federal powers . The first ten amendments , collectively named the Bill of Rights , were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties . \n \n The United States embarked on a vigorous expansion across North America throughout the 19th century , displacing American Indian tribes , acquiring new territories , and gradually admitting new states until it spanned the continent by 1848 . During the second half of the 19th century , the American Civil War led to the end of legal slavery in the country . By the end of that century , the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean , and its economy , driven in large part by the Industrial Revolution , began to soar . The Spanish–American War and confirmed the country 's status as a global military power . The United States emerged from as a global superpower , the first country to develop nuclear weapons , the only country to use them in warfare , and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council . The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the U.S. as the world 's sole superpower . \n \n The United States is a highly developed country , with the world 's largest economy by nominal and real GDP . It ranks highly in several measures of socioeconomic performance , including average wage , human development , per capita GDP , and productivity per person . While the U.S. economy is considered post-industrial , characterized by the dominance of services , the manufacturing sector remains the second largest in the world . Though its population is only 4.4 % of the world total , the United States accounts for nearly a quarter of world GDP and almost a third of global military spending , making it the world 's foremost military and economic power . The United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally , and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations.Cohen , 2004 : History and the HyperpowerBBC , April 2008 : Country Profile : United States of America \n \n Etymology \n \n In 1507 the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a world map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere `` America '' after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci ( Latin : Americus Vespucius ) . The first evidence of the phrase `` United States of America '' is in a letter of January 2 , 1776 , from the office of General George Washington which expressed his wish to carry", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_13208--United_States.txt", "qid": "sfq_13208", "question": "Which was the first National Park in the United States of America?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup , the world championship for men 's national association football teams . It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930 . FIFA , football 's international governing body , selected Uruguay as host nation , as the country would be celebrating the centenary of its first constitution , and the Uruguay national football team had successfully retained their football title at the 1928 Summer Olympics . All matches were played in the Uruguayan capital , Montevideo , the majority at the Estadio Centenario , which was built for the tournament . \n \n Thirteen teams ( seven from South America , four from Europe , and two from North America ) entered the tournament . Few European teams chose to participate because of the difficulty of travelling to South America . The teams were divided into four groups , with the winner of each group progressing to the semi-finals . The first two World Cup matches took place simultaneously , and were won by France and the United States , who defeated Mexico 4–1 and Belgium 3–0 , respectively . Lucien Laurent of France scored the first goal in World Cup history , while American goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas posted the first official `` clean sheet '' in the tournament . \n \n Argentina , Uruguay , the United States and Yugoslavia each won their respective groups to qualify for the semi-finals . In the final , hosts and pre-tournament favourites Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 in front of a crowd of 93,000 people , and became the first nation to win the World Cup . \n \n Host selection \n \n Italy , Sweden , the Netherlands , Spain , Hungary and Uruguay all lodged applications to host the event . Uruguay 's bid became the clear selection after all the other countries withdrew their bids . \n \n Participants \n \n The first World Cup was the only one without qualification . Every country affiliated with FIFA was invited to compete , and given a deadline of 28 February 1930 to accept . Plenty of interest was shown by nations in the Americas ; Argentina , Brazil , Bolivia , Chile , Mexico , Paraguay , Peru and the United States all entered . A total of seven South American teams participated , more than in any subsequent World Cup Finals . However , because of the long and costly trip by ship across the Atlantic Ocean , and the length of absence required for players , very few European teams were inclined to take part . Some refused to countenance travel to South America in any circumstances , and no European entries were received before the February deadline . In an attempt to gain some European participation , the Uruguayan Football Association sent a letter of invitation to The Football Association , even though the British Home Nations were not members of FIFA at the time . This was rejected by the FA Committee on 18 November 1929 . Two months before the start of the tournament , no team from Europe had officially entered . \n \n FIFA president Jules Rimet intervened , and eventually four European teams made the trip by sea : Belgium , France , Romania , and Yugoslavia . The Romanians , managed by Constantin Rădulescu and coached by their captain Rudolf Wetzer and Octav Luchide , entered the competition following the intervention of newly crowned King Carol II . He selected the squad personally , and negotiated with employers to ensure that the players would still have jobs upon their return . The French entered at the personal intervention of Rimet , but neither France 's star defender Manuel Anatol nor the team 's regular coach Gaston Barreau could be persuaded to make the trip . The Belgians participated at the instigation of German-Belgian FIFA vice-president Rodolphe Seeldrayers.Goldblatt ( 2008 ) , p. 249 \n \n The Romanians boarded the SS Conte Verde at Genoa , the French were picked up at Villefranche-sur-Mer on 21 June 1930 ; and the Belgians embarked at Barcelona . The Conte Verde carried Rimet , the trophy and the three designated European referees : the Belgians Jean Langenus and Henri Christophe , along with Thomas Balway , a Parisian who may have been English . The Brazilian team were picked up when the boat docked in Rio de Janeiro on 29 June before arriving in Uruguay on 4 July . Yugoslavia travelled via the mail steamship Florida from Marseille . \n \n In the Kingdom of Yugoslavia there were doubts about their participation at first . Since the Croatians decided to boycott the national team , King Alexander I did not want", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 4, "text": "1930" } ], "id": "qz_100--1930_FIFA_World_Cup.txt", "qid": "qz_100", "question": "In what year was the first World Cup held?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian semi-professional soccer club , based in Belmore , Sydney , New South Wales , that plays in the National Premier Leagues NSW . Founded as Pan-Hellenic Soccer Club in 1957 by Greek immigrants , the club changed its name to Sydney Olympic and in 1977 became a founding member of the Phillips Soccer League , later named the National Soccer League ( NSL ) , the inaugural national football league of Australia , until the league 's demise in 2004 . \n \n Sydney Olympic have won many trophies in Australian football , including two NSL Championships , two NSL Cups , the NSL Minor Premiership and two NSW Premier League Championships . The club has also won the Johnny Warren Cup , the Brett Emerton Cup , the National Youth League Championship , the National Youth League Minor Premiership and the NSW Premier League Club Championship . \n \n Sydney Olympic has traditionally been one of the most well supported football teams in Australia , setting numerous domestic crowd attendances . A crowd of 18,985 attended Sydney Olympic 's victory over Northern Spirit in 1998 at North Sydney Oval , a record crowd attendance between two clubs during the regular season of the NSL , defeating the previous record of 18,367 set when Newcastle KB United played Sydney Olympic in 1979 at Marathon Stadium . The greatest crowd attendance for a Grand Final was recorded during the 2001/02 season when 42,735 people were present at Subiaco Oval to see Sydney Olympic defeat Perth Glory . \n \n History \n \n 1957–76 : Pan-Hellenic \n \n Established in Sydney by Greek immigrants in 1957 , Sydney Olympic Football Club has been a mainstay of Australia 's National Soccer League ever since and the nursery of many of its finest talents . \n \n In the late 40 's and 50 's there were several small Greek teams for the purposes of socialising and giving a sense of home for the newly arrived migrants . These teams included ; Taxiarchis , Atlas , Astro , Panhellenic , Pansamiakos as well as several others . Many people wondered about establishing 1 strong Greek team in order to participate in the NSW Soccer Federation . The newly formed team was to be known as Pan-Hellenic as it represented the shared journeys of Greeks from all over the world who migrated to Sydney from various places , not just Greece and Cyprus , but also from various other places like , Egypt , Romania , Albania , Yugoslavia and Asia Minor \n \n The club was established as Pan Hellenic Soccer Club and its initial strip was blue and white vertical stripes . The club quickly became competitive in the NSW Second Division , with the club dominating the Division in its first 3 seasons . \n \n In 1961 it earned promotion to the New South Wales First Division attracting and producing large crowds and excellent players . In its first season in the top division , the club finished in the top 4 , a fantastic achievement . The club would also make the top 4 in 1963 and 1967 . The club also reached two State Cup Finals , in 1965 and 1969 . The 1968 season though , was the highlight of the pre-National Soccer League era , 11 years after the club 's foundation , it finished 2nd in the standings and reached the NSW First Division Grand Final for the first time , only to lose 4–2 to bitter rivals Hakoah . After some lean seasons , in 1975 the club again made the top 4 , finishing 3rd . In the Finals Series Pan-Hellenic made it through to the Preliminary Final , only to lose 1–0 after extra-time to APIA Leichhardt , in a tense affair . \n \n In 1977 the club became a founding member of the National Soccer League , and also changed its name to Sydney Olympic . But two years later it was back in the NSW First Division . The league had decided to cut back on teams from NSW and having finished second last on the ladder beating only South Melbourne , Sydney Olympic was controversially relegated . \n \n 1980s \n \n The spell back in the NSW First Division competition did not last long , with Sydney Olympic defeating the Parramatta Eagles 4–0 in the 1980 NSW Grand Final to win the NSW First Division . That victory secured Sydney Olympic a return to top-flight Australian football in 1981 where it remained until the NSL folded in 2004 . \n \n The 1980s for Sydney Olympic were characterized with great football , large and passionate support , fantastic players , unfathomable", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 0, "text": "sydney" } ], "id": "odql_10611--Sydney_Olympic_FC.txt", "qid": "odql_10611", "question": "If you were attending a local 'derby match' between 'Olympic Sharks' and 'United', in which city would you be?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Bloomsbury Group—or Bloomsbury Set—was an influential group of associated English writers , intellectuals , philosophers and artists , the best known members of which included Virginia Woolf , John Maynard Keynes , E. M. Forster and Lytton Strachey . This loose collective of friends and relatives lived , worked or studied together near Bloomsbury , London , during the first half of the 20th century . According to Ian Ousby , `` although its members denied being a group in any formal sense , they were united by an abiding belief in the importance of the arts '' . Their works and outlook deeply influenced literature , aesthetics , criticism , and economics as well as modern attitudes towards feminism , pacifism , and sexuality . \n \n Origins \n \n The male members of the Bloomsbury Group , except Duncan Grant , were educated at Cambridge at either Trinity or King ’ s College . Most of them , except Clive Bell and the Stephen brothers , were members of `` the exclusive Cambridge society , the 'Apostles ' '' . At Trinity in 1899 Lytton Strachey , Leonard Woolf , Saxon Sydney-Turner and Clive Bell became good friends with Thoby Stephen , and it was through Thoby and Adrian Stephen 's sisters Vanessa and Virginia that the men met the women of Bloomsbury when they came down to London . \n \n In 1905 Vanessa began the `` Friday Club '' and Thoby ran `` Thursday Evenings '' , which became the basis for the Bloomsbury Group , which to some was really `` Cambridge in London '' . Thoby 's premature death in 1906 brought them more firmly together and they became what is now known as the `` Old Bloomsbury '' group who met in earnest beginning in 1912 . In the 1920s and 1930s the group shifted when the original members died and the next generation had reached adulthood . \n \n The Bloomsbury Group , mostly from upper middle-class professional families , formed part of `` an intellectual aristocracy which could trace itself back to the Clapham Sect '' . It was an informal network of an influential group of artists , art critics , writers and an economist — many of whom lived in the West Central 1 district of London known as Bloomsbury . They were `` spiritually '' similar to the Clapham group who supported its members ' careers : `` The Bloomsberries promoted one another 's work and careers just as the original Claphamites did , as well as the intervening generations of their grandparents and parents . '' \n \n A historical feature of these friends and relations is that their close relationships all pre-dated their fame as writers , artists , and thinkers . \n \n Membership \n \n Members \n \n The group had ten core members : \n \n * Clive Bell , art critic \n * Vanessa Bell , post-impressionist painter \n * E.M. Forster , fiction writer \n * Roger Fry , art critic and post-impressionist painter \n * Duncan Grant , post-impressionist painter \n * John Maynard Keynes , economist \n * Desmond MacCarthy , literary journalist \n * Lytton Strachey , biographer \n * Leonard Woolf , essayist and non-fiction writer \n * Virginia Woolf , fiction writer and essayist \n \n In addition to these ten , Leonard Woolf , in the 1960s , listed as 'Old Bloomsbury ' Adrian and Karin Stephen , Saxon Sydney-Turner , and Molly MacCarthy , with Julian Bell , Quentin Bell and Angelica Bell , and David Garnett as later additions '' . Except for Forster , who published three novels before the highly successful Howards End in 1910 , the group were late developers . \n \n There were stable marriages and varied and complicated affairs among the individual members . Lytton Strachey and his cousin and lover Duncan Grant became close friends of the Stephen sisters , Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf . Duncan Grant had affairs with siblings Vanessa Bell and Adrian Stephen , as well as David Garnett , Maynard Keynes , and James Strachey . Clive Bell married Vanessa in 1907 , and Leonard Woolf returned from the Ceylon Civil Service to marry Virginia in 1912 . Cambridge Apostle friendships brought into the group Desmond MacCarthy , his wife Molly , and E. M. Forster . \n \n The group met not only in their homes in Bloomsbury , central London , but also at countryside retreats . There are two significant ones near Lewes in Sussex : Charleston Farmhouse , where Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant moved in 1916 , and Monk 's House ( now owned by the National Trust ) , in Rodmell , owned by", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "odql_5048--Bloomsbury_Group.txt", "qid": "odql_5048", "question": "The gardens at Sissinghurst Castle, Kent were created in the 1930's by which poet and gardening writer on the fringes of the 'Bloomsbury Group'?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Aida is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni . Set in Egypt , it was commissioned by and first performed at Cairo 's Khedivial Opera House on 24 December 1871 ; Giovanni Bottesini conducted after Verdi himself withdrew . Today the work holds a central place in the operatic canon , receiving performances every year around the world ; at New York 's Metropolitan Opera alone , Aida has been sung more than 1,100 times since 1886 . Ghislanzoni 's scheme follows a scenario often attributed to the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette , but Verdi biographer Mary Jane Phillips-Matz argues that the source is actually Temistocle Solera . \n \n Elements of the opera 's genesis and sources \n \n Isma'il Pasha , Khedive of Egypt , commissioned Verdi to write an opera for performance to celebrate the opening of the Khedivial Opera House , paying him 150,000 francs , but the premiere was delayed because of the Siege of Paris ( 1870–71 ) , during the Franco-Prussian War , when the scenery and costumes were stuck in the French capital , and Verdi 's Rigoletto was performed instead . Aida eventually premiered in Cairo in late 1871 . Contrary to popular belief , the opera was not written to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 , for which Verdi had been invited to write an inaugural hymn , but had declined . \n The plot bears striking , though unintentional similarities to Metastasio 's libretto La Nitteti ( 1756 ) . \n \n Performance history \n \n Cairo premiere and initial success in Italy \n \n Verdi originally chose to write a brief orchestral prelude instead of a full overture for the opera . He then composed an overture of the `` potpourri '' variety to replace the original prelude . However , in the end he decided not to have the overture performed because of its—his own words— '' pretentious insipidity '' . This overture , never used today , was given a rare broadcast performance by Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra on 30 March 1940 , but was never commercially issued . \n \n Aida met with great acclaim when it finally opened in Cairo on 24 December 1871 . The costumes and accessories for the premiere were designed by Auguste Mariette , who also oversaw the design and construction of the sets , which were made in Paris by the Opéra 's scene painters Auguste-Alfred Rubé and Philippe Chaperon ( acts 1 and 4 ) and Édouard Desplechin and Jean-Baptiste Lavastre ( acts 2 and 3 ) , and shipped to Cairo . Although Verdi did not attend the premiere in Cairo , he was most dissatisfied with the fact that the audience consisted of invited dignitaries , politicians and critics , but no members of the general public . He therefore considered the Italian ( and European ) premiere , held at La Scala , Milan on 8 February 1872 , and a performance in which he was heavily involved at every stage , to be its real premiere . \n \n Verdi had also written the role of Aida for the voice of Teresa Stolz , who sang it for the first time at the Milan premiere . Verdi had asked her fiancé , Angelo Mariani , to conduct the Cairo premiere , but he declined , so Giovanni Bottesini filled the gap . The Milan Amneris , Maria Waldmann , was his favourite in the role and she repeated it a number of times at his request . \n \n Aida was received with great enthusiasm at its Milan premiere . The opera was soon mounted at major opera houses throughout Italy , including the Teatro Regio di Parma ( 20 April 1872 ) , the Teatro di San Carlo ( 30 March 1873 ) , La Fenice ( 11 June 1873 ) , the Teatro Regio di Torino ( 26 December 1874 ) , the Teatro Comunale di Bologna ( 30 September 1877 , with Giuseppina Pasqua as Amneris and Franco Novara as the King ) , and the Teatro Costanzi ( 8 October 1881 , with Theresia Singer as Aida and Giulia Novelli as Amneris ) among others . \n \n Other 19th-century performances \n \n Details of important national and other premieres of Aida follow : \n * Argentina : 4 October 1873 , Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires ( most likely the original Teatro Colón prior to the present one or Teatro Opera ) \n * United States : 26 November 1873 , Academy of Music in New York City , with Ostava Torriani in the title role , Annie Louise Cary as Amneris ,", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 0, "text": "aida" } ], "id": "odql_13370--Aida.txt", "qid": "odql_13370", "question": "'Radames' and 'Princess Amneris' are characters that appear in which Verdi opera?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Capsaicin ( ( INN ) ; 8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide ) is an active component of chili peppers , which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum . It is an irritant for mammals , including humans , and produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact . Capsaicin and several related compounds are called capsaicinoids and are produced as secondary metabolites by chili peppers , probably as deterrents against certain mammals and fungi . Pure capsaicin is a volatile , hydrophobic , colorless , odorless , crystalline to waxy compound . \n \n History \n \n The compound was first extracted in impure form in 1816 by Christian Friedrich Bucholz ( 1770–1818 ) . He called it `` capsicin '' , after the genus Capsicum from which it was extracted . John Clough Thresh ( 1850–1932 ) , who had isolated capsaicin in almost pure form , gave it the name `` capsaicin '' in 1876 . Karl Micko isolated capsaicin in its pure form in 1898 . Capsaicin 's chemical composition was first determined by E. K. Nelson in 1919 , who also partially elucidated capsaicin 's chemical structure . Capsaicin was first synthesized in 1930 by Ernst Spath and Stephen F. Darling . In 1961 , similar substances were isolated from chili peppers by the Japanese chemists S. Kosuge and Y. Inagaki , who named them capsaicinoids . \n \n In 1873 German pharmacologist Rudolf Buchheim ( 1820–1879 ) and in 1878 the Hungarian doctor Endre Hőgyes stated that `` capsicol '' ( partially purified capsaicin ) caused the burning feeling when in contact with mucous membranes and increased secretion of gastric acid . \n \n Capsaicinoids \n \n The most commonly occurring capsaicinoids are capsaicin ( 69 % ) , dihydrocapsaicin ( 22 % ) and nordihydrocapsaicin ( 7 % ) , homocapsaicin ( 1 % ) , and homodihydrocapsaicin ( 1 % ) \n \n Besides the five natural capsaicinoids ( table below ) , one synthetic member of the capsaicinoid family exists : vanillylamide of n-nonanoic acid ( VNA , also PAVA ) used as a reference substance for determining the relative pungency of capsaicinoids . \n \n Biosynthesis \n \n History \n \n The general biosynthetic pathway of capsaicin and other capsaicinoids was elucidated in the 1960s by Bennett and Kirby , and Leete and Louden . Radiolabeling studies identified phenylalanine and valine as the precursors to capsaicin . Enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway , phenylalanine ammonia lyase ( PAL ) , cinnamate 4-hydroxylase ( C4H ) , caffeic acid O-methyltransferase ( COMT ) and their function in capsaicinoid biosynthesis were identified later by Fujiwake et al. , and Sukrasno and Yeoman . Suzuki et al . are responsible for identifying leucine as another precursor to the branched-chain fatty acid pathway . It was discovered in 1999 that pungency of chili peppers is related to higher transcription levels of key enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway , phenylalanine ammonia lyase , cinnamate 4-hydroxylase , caffeic acid O-methyltransferase . Similar studies showed high transcription levels in the placenta of chili peppers with high pungency of genes responsible for branched-chain fatty acid pathway . \n \n Biosynthetic Pathway \n \n Plants exclusively of the Capsicum genus produce capsaicinoids , which are alkaloids . Capsaicin is believed to be synthesized in the interlocular septum of chili peppers and depends on the gene AT3 , which resides at the pun1 locus , and which encodes a putative acyltransferase . \n \n Biosynthesis of the capsaicinoids occurs in the glands of the pepper fruit where capsaicin synthase condenses vanillylamine from the phenylpropanoid pathway with an acyl-CoA moiety produced by the branched-chain fatty acid pathway . \n \n Capsaicin is the most abundant capsaicinoid found in the Capsicum genus , but at least ten other capsaicinoid variants exist . Phenylalanine supplies the precursor to the phenylpropanoid pathway while leucine or valine provide the precursor for the branched-chain fatty acid pathway . To produce capsaicin , 8-methyl-6-nonenoyl-CoA is produced by the branched-chain fatty acid pathway and condensed with vanillamine . Other capsaicinoids are produced by the condensation of vanillamine with various acyl-CoA products from the branched-chain fatty acid pathway , which is capable of producing a variety of acyl-CoA moieties of different chain length and degrees of unsaturation . All condensation reactions between the products of the phenylpropanoid and branched-chain fatty acid pathway are mediated by capsaicin synthase to produce the final capsacinoid product . \n \n Natural function \n \n Capsaicin is present in large quantities in the placental tissue ( which holds the seeds ) , the internal membranes and , to a lesser extent , the other fleshy parts of the fruits of plants in the genus Capsicum . The seeds themselves do not produce", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "qw_5773--Capsaicin.txt", "qid": "qw_5773", "question": "What scale measures the hotness or piquancy of a chili pepper, as defined by the amount of capsaicin it contains?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Zimbabwe , officially the Republic of Zimbabwe , is a landlocked sovereign state located in southern Africa , between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers . It borders South Africa to the south , Botswana to the west , Zambia to the northwest , and Mozambique to the east and northeast . The capital and largest city is Harare . A country of roughly 13 million people , Zimbabwe has 16 official languages , with English , Shona , and Ndebele the most commonly used . \n \n Since the 11th century , present-day Zimbabwe has been the site of several organised states and kingdoms as well as a major route for migration and trade . The British South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes first demarcated the present territory during the 1890s ; it became the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923 . In 1965 , the conservative white minority government unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia . The state endured international isolation and a 15-year guerrilla war with black nationalist forces ; this culminated in a peace agreement that established universal enfranchisement and de jure sovereignty in April 1980 . Zimbabwe then rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations—which it withdrew from in 2003 . It is a member of the United Nations , the Southern African Development Community ( SADC ) , the African Union ( AU ) , and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa ( COMESA ) . \n \n Robert Mugabe became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 , when his ZANU-PF party won the elections following the end of white minority rule ; he has been the president of Zimbabwe since 1987 . Under Mugabe 's authoritarian regime , the state security apparatus has dominated the country and been responsible for widespread human rights violations . Mugabe has maintained the revolutionary socialist rhetoric from the Cold War era , blaming Zimbabwe 's economic woes on conspiring Western capitalist countries . Burnished by his anti-imperialist credentials , contemporary African political leaders have been reluctant to criticise Mugabe , though Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called him `` a cartoon figure of an archetypal African dictator . '' \n \n Etymology \n \n The name `` Zimbabwe '' is based on a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe , an ancient ruined city in the country 's south-east whose remains are now a protected site . There are two theories on the origin of the word . Many sources hold that the word is derived from dzimba-dza-mabwe , translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona as `` large houses of stone '' ( dzimba plural of imba , `` house '' ; mabwe \n plural of bwe , `` stone '' ) . The Karanga-speaking Shona people are found around Great Zimbabwe in the modern-day province of Masvingo . Archaeologist Peter Garlake claims that `` Zimbabwe '' is a contracted form of dzimba-hwe which means `` venerated houses '' in the Zezuru dialect of Shona , and is usually applied to chiefs ' houses or graves . \n \n Zimbabwe was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia ( 1898 ) , Rhodesia ( 1965 ) , and Zimbabwe Rhodesia ( 1979 ) . The first recorded use of `` Zimbabwe '' as a term of national reference was in 1960 , when it was coined by the black nationalist Michael Mawema , whose Zimbabwe National Party became the first to officially use the name in 1961 . The term Rhodesia—derived from the surname of Cecil Rhodes , the primary instigator of British colonisation of the territory during the late 19th century—was perceived as inappropriate because of its colonial origin and connotations . \n \n According to Mawema , black nationalists held a meeting in 1960 to choose an alternative name for the country , and names including Machobana and Monomotapa were proposed before his suggestion , Zimbabwe , prevailed . A further alternative , put forward by nationalists in Matabeleland , had been `` Matopos '' , referring to the Matopos Hills to the south of Bulawayo . \n \n It was initially unclear how the chosen term was to be used — a letter written by Mawema in 1961 refers to `` Zimbabweland '' — but `` Zimbabwe '' was sufficiently established by 1962 to become the generally preferred term of the black nationalist movement . In a 2001 interview , black nationalist Edson Zvobgo recalled that the name was mentioned by Mawema during a political rally , `` and it caught hold , and that was that '' . The name was subsequently used by the black nationalist factions during the Second Chimurenga campaigns against the Rhodesian government during the Rhodesian Bush War . The most major of these were the Zimbabwe African National Union ( led", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 122, "text": "zambezi" } ], "id": "qw_524--Zimbabwe.txt", "qid": "qw_524", "question": "Which river forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Kon-Tiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft across the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands , led by Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl . The raft was named Kon-Tiki after the Inca sun god , Viracocha , for whom `` Kon-Tiki '' was said to be an old name . Kon-Tiki is also the name of Heyerdahl 's book ; the Academy Award-winning documentary film chronicling his adventures ; and the 2012 dramatised feature film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film . \n \n Heyerdahl believed that people from South America could have settled Polynesia in pre-Columbian times . His aim in mounting the Kon-Tiki expedition was to show , by using only the materials and technologies available to those people at the time , that there were no technical reasons to prevent them from having done so . Although the expedition carried some modern equipment , such as a radio , watches , charts , sextant , and metal knives , Heyerdahl argued they were incidental to the purpose of proving that the raft itself could make the journey . \n \n The Kon-Tiki expedition was funded by private loans , along with donations of equipment from the United States Army . Heyerdahl and a small team went to Peru , where , with the help of dockyard facilities provided by the Peruvian authorities , they constructed the raft out of balsa logs and other native materials in an indigenous style as recorded in illustrations by Spanish conquistadores . The trip began on April 28 , 1947 . Heyerdahl and five companions sailed the raft for 101 days over 6900 km ( 4,300 miles ) across the Pacific Ocean before smashing into a reef at Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands on August 7 , 1947 . The crew made successful landfall and all returned safely . \n \n Thor Heyerdahl 's book about his experience became a bestseller . It was published in Norwegian in 1948 as The Kon-Tiki Expedition : By Raft Across the South Seas , later reprinted as Kon-Tiki : Across the Pacific in a Raft . It appeared with great success in English in 1950 , also in many other languages . A documentary motion picture about the expedition , also called Kon-Tiki was produced from a write-up and expansion of the crew 's filmstrip notes and won an Academy Award in 1951 . It was directed by Thor Heyerdahl and edited by Olle Nordemar . The voyage was also chronicled in the documentary TV-series The Kon-Tiki Man : The Life and Adventures of Thor Heyerdahl , directed by Bengt Jonson . \n \n The original Kon-Tiki raft is now on display in the Kon-Tiki Museum at Bygdøy in Oslo . \n \n Crew \n \n Kon-Tiki had a six-man crew , all of whom were Norwegian except for Bengt Danielsson , a Swede . \n * Thor Heyerdahl ( 1914–2002 ) was the expedition leader . He was also the author of the book of the expedition and the narrator of the story . Heyerdahl had studied the ancient people of South America and Polynesia and believed that there was a link between the two . \n * Erik Hesselberg ( 1914–1972 ) was the navigator and artist . He painted the large Kon-Tiki figure on the raft 's sail . His children 's book Kon-Tiki and I appeared in Norwegian in 1949 and has since been published in more than 15 languages . \n * Bengt Danielsson ( 1921–1997 ) took on the role of steward , in charge of supplies and daily rations . Danielsson was a Swedish sociologist interested in human migration theory . He also served as translator , as he was the only member of the crew who spoke Spanish . He was also a voracious reader ; his box aboard the raft contained many books . \n * Knut Haugland ( 1917–2009 ) was a radio expert , decorated by the British in World War II for actions in the Norwegian heavy water sabotage that stalled what were believed to be Germany 's plans to develop an atomic bomb . Haugland was the last surviving crew member ; he died on Christmas Day , 2009 at the age of 92 . \n * Torstein Raaby ( 1918–1964 ) was also in charge of radio transmissions . He gained radio experience while hiding behind German lines during WWII , spying on the German battleship Tirpitz . His secret radio transmissions eventually helped guide in Allied bombers to sink the ship . \n * Herman Watzinger ( 1910–1986 ) was an engineer whose area of expertise was in technical measurements . He was the first to join Heyerdahl for the", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1357, "text": "balsa" } ], "id": "bb_5217--Kon-Tiki_expedition.txt", "qid": "bb_5217", "question": "What was Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki raft made from, which he sailed from S America to Polynesia in 1947, to demonstrate early Polynesian immigration?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Telemachus ( ; , Tēlemakhos , literally `` far-fighter '' ) is a figure in Greek mythology , the son of Odysseus and Penelope , and a central character in Homer 's Odyssey . The first four books of the Odyssey focus on Telemachus ' journeys in search of news about his father , who has yet to return home from the Trojan War , and are traditionally given the title the Telemachy . \n \n Etymology \n \n Telemachus ' name in Greek means `` far from battle '' , perhaps reflecting his absence from the Trojan War . Homer also calls Telemachus by the patronymic epithet `` Odysseus ' son '' . \n \n Odyssey \n \n In Homer 's Odyssey , Telemachus , under the instructions of Athena , spends the first four books trying to gain knowledge of his father , Odysseus , who left for Troy when Telemachus was still an infant . At the outset of Telemachus ' journey , Odysseus had been absent from his home at Ithaca for twenty years due to the Trojan War and the intervention of Poseidon . During his absence , Odysseus ' house has been occupied by hordes of suitors seeking the hand of Penelope . Telemachus first visits Nestor and is well received by the old man who regales him with stories of his father 's glory . Telemachus then departs with Nestor 's son Peisistratus , who accompanies him to the halls of Menelaus and his wife Helen . Whilst there , Telemachus is again treated as an honored guest as Menelaus and Helen tell complementary yet contradictory stories of his father 's exploits at Troy . \n \n Telemachus focuses on his father 's return to Ithaca in Book XV . He visits Eumaeus , the swineherd , who happens to be hosting a disguised Odysseus . After Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachus due to Athena 's advice , the two men plan the downfall of the suitors . Telemachus then returns to the palace to keep an eye on the suitors and to await his father as the beggar . \n \n When Penelope challenges the suitors to string Odysseus ' bow and shoot an arrow through the handle-holes of twelve axeheads , Telemachus is the first to attempt the task . He would have completed the task , nearly stringing the bow on his fourth attempt ; however , Odysseus subtly stops him before he can finish his attempt . Following the suitors ' failure at this task , Odysseus reveals himself and he and Telemachus bring swift and bloody death to the suitors . \n \n Telegony \n \n The Telegony was a short 2-book epic poem recounting the life and death of Odysseus after the events of the Odyssey . In this mythological postscript , Odysseus is accidentally killed by Telegonus , his unknown son by the goddess Circe . After Odysseus ' death , Telemachus returns to Aeaea with Telegonus and Penelope , and there marries Circe . \n \n From the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology : \n \n The son of Odysseus and Penelope ( Hom . Od . i . 216 ) . He was still an infant at the time when his father went to Troy , and in his absence of nearly twenty years he grew up to manhood . After the gods in council had determined that Odysseus should return home from the island of Ogygia , Athena , assuming the appearance of Mentes , king of the Taphians , went to Ithaca , and advised Telemachus to eject the troublesome suitors of his mother from his house , and to go to Pylos and Sparta , to gather information concerning his father . Telemachus followed the advice , but the suitors refused to quit his house ; and Athena , in the form of Mentes , accompanied Telemachus to Pylos . There they were hospitably received by Nestor , who also sent his own son to conduct Telemachus to Sparta . Menelaus again kindly received him , and communicated to him the prophecy of Proteus concerning Odysseus ( Hom . Od . i.–iv . ) . From Sparta Telemachus returned home ; and on his arrival there , he found his father , with the swineherd Eumaeus . But as Athena had metamorphosed him into a beggar , Telemachus did not recognise his father until the latter disclosed to him who he was . Father and son now agreed to punish the suitors ; and when they were slain or dispersed , Telemachus accompanied his father to the aged Laertes . ( Hom . Od . xv.–xxiv . ; comp . Odysseus . ) In the post-Homeric traditions ,", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 104, "text": "odysseus" } ], "id": "sfq_19377--Telemachus.txt", "qid": "sfq_19377", "question": "According to Greek legend, who was the father of Telemachus?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Noodles are a staple food in many cultures made from unleavened dough which is stretched , extruded , or rolled flat and cut into one of a variety of shapes . A single noodle can be made , eaten , or extracted from a serving of noodles , but it is far more common to serve and eat many at once , and thus more common to see the plural form of the word . \n \n While long , thin strips may be the most common , many varieties of noodles are cut into waves , helices , tubes , strings , or shells , or folded over , or cut into other shapes . Noodles are usually cooked in boiling water , sometimes with cooking oil or salt added . They are often pan-fried or deep-fried . Noodles are often served with an accompanying sauce or in a soup . Noodles can be refrigerated for short-term storage , or dried and stored for future use . The material composition or geocultural origin must be specified when discussing noodles . The word derives from the German word Nudel . The oldest evidence of noodle consumption , from 4,000 years ago , has been found in China . \n \n History \n \n The origin of noodles is ambiguous . Claims have been made that the noodle was of Chinese , Arabian and Mediterranean origin . Given the scarcity of physical evidence , it is unlikely that the question of origin can even be answered with certainty . \n \n In 2005 , a team of archaeologists working in the People 's Republic of China reported finding an earthenware bowl that contained foxtail millet and broomcorn millet noodles at the Lajia archaeological site , arguably hailing from the late neolithic period . But this claim was disputed by later research , which suggested that noodles simply can not be produced from millet , a cereal that lacks gluten , a necessary protein . \n \n The earliest written record of noodles is found in a book dated to the Eastern Han period ( 25–220 ) . Noodles , often made from wheat dough , became a staple food for people of the Han Dynasty ( 206 BCE - 220 CE ) . During the Tang Dynasty , the noodles were first cut into strips , and in the Yuan Dynasty , the making of dried noodles began . \n \n Asia \n \n Wheat noodles in Japan ( udon ) were adapted from a Chinese recipe by a Buddhist monk as early as the 9th century . Reshteh noodles were eaten by the people of Persia by the 13th century . Innovations continued , as for example , noodles made from kudzu ( naengmyeon ) were developed in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea ( 1392–1897 ) . Ramen noodles , based on Chinese noodles , became popular in Japan by 1900 . \n \n Instant noodles were invented by Momofuku Ando and first marketed in Japan in 1958 . According to Ando 's method , a bundle of fresh noodles is flash-fried , which dries them out and provides for a long shelf life . \n \n Europe and the Near East \n \n In the 1st century BCE , Horace wrote of fried sheets of dough called lagana . However , the method of cooking these sheets of dough , lagana , does not correspond to the current definition of either a fresh or dry pasta product , which only had similar basic ingredients and perhaps the shape . In the 2nd century CE , the Greek physician Galen mentioned itrion , referring to all homogenous mixtures from flour and water . The Latinized itrium was used as a reference to a kind of boiled dough . The Jerusalem Talmud records that itrium was common in the Byzantine Provinces of Palaestina Prima and Palaestina Secunda from the 3rd to 5th centuries CE . Arabs adapted noodles for long journeys in the 5th century , the first written record of dry pasta . The 9th-century Arab physician Isho bar Ali defines itriyya , the Arabic cognate of the Greek word , as string-like shapes made of semolina and dried before cooking . Muhammad al-Idrisi wrote in 1154 that itriyya was manufactured and exported from Norman Sicily . Itriya was also known by the Aramaic speakers under the Persian sphere and during the Islamic rule referred to a small soup noodle prepared by twisting bits of kneaded dough into shape . \n \n The first concrete information on pasta products in Italy dates to the 13th or 14th centuries . Pasta has taken on a variety of shapes , often based on regional specializations . Since at least the 20th century", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 2448, "text": "ramen noodle" } ], "id": "qw_10396--Noodle.txt", "qid": "qw_10396", "question": "What is the name of a Japanese dish consisting of noodles and broth?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Flightless birds are birds that have evolved an inability to fly . There are over 60 extant species including the well known ratites ( ostrich , emu , cassowary , rhea and kiwi ) and penguins . The smallest flightless bird is the Inaccessible Island rail ( length 12.5 cm , weight 34.7 g ) . The largest ( both heaviest and tallest ) flightless bird , which is also the largest living bird , is the ostrich ( 2.7 m , 156 kg ) . Ostriches are farmed for their decorative feathers , meat and their skins , which are used to make leather . \n \n Many domesticated birds , such as the domestic chicken and domestic duck , have lost the ability to fly for extended periods , although their ancestral species , the red junglefowl and mallard , respectively , are capable of extended flight . \n \n Flightlessness has evolved in many different birds independently . There were also other families of flightless birds , such as the now extinct Phorusrhacidae , that evolved to be powerful terrestrial predators . Taking this to a greater extreme , the terror birds ( and their relatives the bathornithids ) , eogruids , gastornithiforms , and dromornithids ( all extinct ) all evolved similar body shapes – long legs , long necks and big heads – but none of them were closely related . Furthermore , they also share traits of being giant , flightless birds with vestigial wings , long legs , and long necks with some of the ratites , although they are not related . \n \n Origins of flightlessness \n \n Divergences and losses of flight within ratite lineage occurred after the K/T boundary ’ s mass extinction wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs and large vertebrates 65 Ma The immediate evacuation of niches following the mass extinction provided opportunities for Palaeognathes to distribute and occupy novel environments . New ecological influences selectively pressured different taxon to converge on flightless modes of existence by altering them morphologically and behaviorally . The successful acquisition and protection of a claimed territory selected for large size and cursoriality in Tertiary ancestors of ratites Temperate rainforests dried out throughout the Miocene and transformed into semi arid deserts causing habitats to be widely spread across the growingly disparate landmasses . Cursoriality was an economic means of traveling long distances to acquire food that was usually low laying vegetation and more easily accessed by walking Traces of these events are reflected in ratite distribution throughout semi-arid grasslands and deserts today \n \n Gigantism and flightlessness are almost exclusively correlated . This is mostly observed in islands lacking predators and competition . However , ratites occupy environments that are mostly occupied by a diverse amount of mammals . It is thought that they first originated through allopatric speciation caused by breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana . However recent evidence suggests this hypothesis first proposed by Joel Cracraft in 1974 is incorrect . Rather ratites arrived in their respective locations via a flighted ancestor and lost the ability to fly multiple times within the lineage . \n \n Gigantism is not a requirement for flightlessness . The kiwi does not exhibit gigantism along with tinamous , even though they co-occur with the moa and rhea that both exhibit gigantism . This could be the result of ancestral flighted birds arrival or because of competitive exclusion . The first flightless bird to arrive in each environment utilized the large flightless herbivore or omnivore niche , forcing the later arrivals to remain smaller . In environments where flightless birds are not present , it is possible that after the K/T Boundary there were no niches for them to fill . They were pushed out by other herbivorous mammals . \n \n New Zealand has more species of flightless birds ( including the kiwis , several species of penguins , and the takahe ) than any other country . One reason is that until the arrival of humans roughly a thousand years ago , there were no large land predators in New Zealand ; the main predators of flightless birds were larger birds . \n \n Independent evolution of flightlessness in Paelaeognathes \n \n Ratites belong to the superorder Palaeognathae birds , which include the volant tinamou , and are believed to have evolved flightlessness independently multiple times within their own group . Some birds evolved flightlessness in response to the absence of predators , for example on oceanic islands . Incongruences between ratite phylogeny and Gondwana geological history indicate the presence of ratites in their current locations is the result of a secondary invasion by flying birds . It remains possible that the most recent common ancestor of ratites was flightless and the tinamou regained", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "odql_4738--Flightless_bird.txt", "qid": "odql_4738", "question": "Which large flightless bird, of the genus Pinguinis, was hunted to extinction in 1844?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( LDS Church ) , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord . Temples are considered by church members to be the most sacred structures on earth . Upon completion , temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time ( an `` open house '' ) . During the open house , the church conducts tours of the temple with missionaries and members from the local area serving as tour guides , and all rooms of the temple are open to the public . The temple is then dedicated as a `` House of the Lord '' , after which only members who are deemed worthy are permitted entrance . They are not churches or meetinghouses designated for public weekly worship services , but rather are places of worship open only to the faithful where certain rites of the church must be performed . At present , there are temples in many U.S. states , as well as in many countries across the world . Several temples are at historical sites of the LDS Church , such as Nauvoo , Illinois and Palmyra , New York . The importance of temples is often emphasized in weekly meetings , and regular participation in `` temple work '' is strongly encouraged for all Latter-day Saints ( LDS ) . \n \n Within temples , members of the church make covenants , receive instructions , and perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances , such as baptism for the dead , washing and anointing ( or `` initiatory '' ordinances ) , the endowment , and eternal marriage sealings . Ordinances are a vital part of the theology of the church , which teaches that they were practiced by the Lord 's covenant people in all dispensations . Additionally , members consider the temple a place to commune with God , seek God 's aid , understand the will of God , and receive personal revelation . \n \n History \n \n Biblical references \n \n Latter Day Saints cite various Old Testament references to temple ordinances such as those found in , and . The words `` HOLINESS TO THE LORD '' can be found on LDS temples as referenced in . \n \n According to the LDS Bible Dictionary a temple is defined as : : \n \n Likewise the Tabernacle was considered a `` portable temple '' by the children of Israel in the Old Testament : \n \n Latter-day temples \n \n The first Latter-day Saint temple ceremonies were performed in Kirtland , Ohio , but differed significantly from the endowment performed on the second floor of Joseph Smith 's Red Brick Store in Nauvoo , Illinois , and the Nauvoo Temple . Kirtland ordinances included washings and anointings ( differing in many ways from the modern portion ) and the washing of the feet ordinance . For nearly four years , beginning in 1842 , Smith 's Red Brick Store functioned as a de facto temple—the site of the first washings , anointings , endowments , and sealings . In contrast , the grand edifice known as the Nauvoo Temple was in operation for only two months before the Latter Day Saints left Illinois for the West . \n \n Preparations to initiate the first members of Smith 's Quorum of the Anointed , or Holy Order , as it was also known , were made on May 3 , 1842 . The walls of the second level of the Red Brick Store were painted with garden-themed murals , the rooms fitted with carpets , potted plants , and a veil hung from the ceiling . All the while , the ground level continued to operate as Smith ’ s general mercantile . \n \n After the early events of the succession crisis , Brigham Young assumed control of the church 's headquarters at Nauvoo , Illinois . While he and the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve made contingency plans for abandoning the city , he may have hoped that it would not prove necessary . For example , in early 1845 , Young convened a conference at the Norwegian colony at Norway , Illinois , and announced a plan to build a Latter-day Saint town there with a temple for the use of the Norwegian Latter Day Saints . \n \n Meanwhile , Young urged the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo to redouble their efforts to finish the temple . By the end of 1845 , the building was sufficiently finished to allow temple ordinances to be performed . Ordinances continued to be performed in early 1846 as the Mormons were forced to abandon the city . A", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "jp_4175--Temple_(LDS_Church).txt", "qid": "jp_4175", "question": "In what city is the most famous Mormon Temple located?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Zen ( ) is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty as Chan Buddhism . It was strongly influenced by Taoism , and developed as a distinguished school of Chinese Buddhism . From China , Chan Buddhism spread south to Vietnam , northeast to Korea and east to Japan , where it became known as Japanese Zen . \n \n Zen emphasizes rigorous self-control , meditation-practice , insight into Buddha-nature , and the personal expression of this insight in daily life , especially for the benefit of others . As such , it de-emphasizes mere knowledge of sutras and doctrine and favors direct understanding through zazen and interaction with an accomplished teacher . \n \n The teachings of Zen include various sources of Mahayana thought , especially Yogachara , the Tathāgatagarbha sūtras and the Huayan school , with their emphasis on Buddha-nature , totality , and the Bodhisattva-ideal . The Prajñāpāramitā literature and , to a lesser extent , Madhyamaka have also been influential in the shaping of the `` paradoxical language '' of the Zen-tradition . \n \n Etymology \n \n The word Zen is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the Middle Chinese word 禪 ( pinyin : Chán ) , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna ( ध्यान ) , which can be approximately translated as `` absorption '' or `` meditative state '' . \n \n Zen practice \n \n Central to Zen is the practice of dhyana or meditation . \n \n Observing the breath \n \n During sitting meditation , practitioners usually assume a position such as the lotus position , half-lotus , Burmese , or seiza postures , using the dhyāna mudrā . To regulate the mind , awareness is directed towards counting or watching the breath or by bringing that awareness to the energy center below the navel ( see also ānāpānasati ) . Often , a square or round cushion placed on a padded mat is used to sit on ; in some other cases , a chair may be used . This practice may simply be called sitting dhyāna , which is zuòchán ( 坐禅 ) in Chinese , and zazen ( 坐禅 ) in Japanese . \n \n Observing the mind \n \n In the Sōtō school of Zen , meditation with no objects , anchors , or content , is the primary form of practice . The meditator strives to be aware of the stream of thoughts , allowing them to arise and pass away without interference . Considerable textual , philosophical , and phenomenological justification of this practice can be found throughout Dōgen 's Shōbōgenzō , as for example in the `` Principles of Zazen '' and the `` Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen '' . In the Japanese language , this practice is called Shikantaza . \n \n Intensive group meditation \n \n Intensive group meditation may be practiced occasionally in some temples . In the Japanese language , this practice is called Sesshin . While the daily routine may require monks to meditate for several hours each day , during the intensive period they devote themselves almost exclusively to the practice of sitting meditation . The numerous 30–50 minute long meditation periods are interwoven with rest breaks , meals , and short periods of work that are performed with the same mindfulness ; nightly sleep is kept to seven hours or less . In modern Buddhist practice in Japan , Taiwan , and the West , lay students often attend these intensive practice sessions , which are typically 1 , 3 , 5 , or 7 days in length . These are held at many Zen centers , especially in commemoration of the Buddha 's attainment of Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi . One distinctive aspect of Zen meditation in groups is the use of a kyosaku , a flat , wooden slat used to strike meditators with the intention of keeping them focused and awake . \n \n Insight - Kōan practice \n \n At the beginning of the Sòng dynasty , practice with the kōan method became popular , whereas others practiced `` silent illumination . '' This became the source of some differences in practice between the Línjì and Cáodòng schools . \n \n A kōan , literally `` public case '' , is a story or dialogue , describing an interaction between a Zen master and a student . These anecdotes give a demonstration of the master 's insight . Koans emphasize the non-conceptional insight that the Buddhist teachings are pointing to . Koans can be used to provoke the `` great doubt '' , and test a student 's progress in Zen practice . \n \n Kōan-inquiry may be practiced during zazen (", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 294, "text": "japan" } ], "id": "dpql_3426--Zen.txt", "qid": "dpql_3426", "question": "Zen is which country’s form of Buddhism?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Prostitution in the United States is illegal in the vast majority of the United States , as a result of state laws rather than federal laws . It is , however , legal in some rural counties of the state of Nevada . Prostitution is nevertheless present in most parts of the country , in various forms . \n \n The regulation of prostitution in the United States is not among the enumerated powers of the federal government . Under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution , it is therefore exclusively the domain of the states to permit , prohibit , or otherwise regulate commercial sex , except insofar as Congress may regulate it as part of interstate commerce with laws like the Mann Act . In most states , prostitution is considered a misdemeanor in the category of public order crime , a crime that disrupts the order of a community . It was at one time considered to be a vagrancy crime . \n \n Currently , Nevada is the only U.S. jurisdiction to allow legal prostitution - in the form of regulated brothels - the terms of which are stipulated in the Nevada Revised Statutes . Only 8 counties currently contain active brothels . All forms of prostitution are illegal in Clark County ( which contains the Las Vegas–Paradise metropolitan area ) , Washoe County ( which contains Reno ) , Carson City , Douglas County , and Lincoln County . The other counties theoretically allow brothel prostitution , but some of these counties currently have no active brothels . Street prostitution , `` pandering , '' and living off of the proceeds of a prostitute remain illegal under Nevada law , as elsewhere in the country . \n \n As with other countries , prostitution in the United States can be divided into three broad categories : street prostitution , brothel prostitution , and escort prostitution . \n \n History \n \n 18th century \n \n Some of the women in the American Revolution who followed the Continental Army served the soldiers and officers as sexual partners . Prostitutes were a worrisome presence to army leadership , particularly because of the possible spread of venereal diseases . Some , however , encouraged the presence of prostitutes to keep troop morale high . \n \n 19th century \n \n In the 19th century , parlor house brothels catered to upper class clientele , while bawdy houses catered to the lower class . At concert saloons , men could eat , listen to music , watch a fight , or pay women for sex . Over 200 brothels existed in lower Manhattan . Prostitution was illegal under the vagrancy laws , but was not well-enforced by police and city officials , who were bribed by brothel owners and madams . Attempts to regulate prostitution were struck down on the grounds that regulation would be counter to the public good . Seventy-five percent of New York men had some type of sexually transmitted disease . \n \n The gold rush profits of the 1840s to 1900 attracted gambling , crime , saloons , and prostitution to the mining towns of the wild west . Widespread media coverage of prostitution occurred in 1836 , when famous courtesan Helen Jewett was murdered , allegedly by one of her customers . The Lorette ordinance of 1857 prohibited prostitution on the first floor of buildings in New Orleans . Nevertheless , prostitution continued to grow rapidly in the US , becoming a $ 6.3 million business in 1858 , more than the shipping and brewing industries combined . \n \n By the US Civil War , Washington 's Pennsylvania Avenue had become a disreputable slum known as Murder Bay , home to an extensive criminal underclass and numerous brothels . So many prostitutes took up residence there to serve the needs of General Joseph Hooker 's Army of the Potomac that the area became known as `` Hooker 's Division . '' Two blocks between Pennsylvania and Missouri Avenues became home to such expensive brothels that it was known as `` Marble Alley . '' \n \n In 1873 , Anthony Comstock created the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice , an institution dedicated to supervising the morality of the public . Comstock successfully influenced the United States Congress to pass the Comstock Law , which made illegal the delivery or transport of `` obscene , lewd , or lascivious '' material and birth control information . In 1875 , Congress passed the Page Act of 1875 that made it illegal to transport women into the nation to be used as prostitutes . \n \n In 1881 , the Bird Cage Theatre opened in Tombstone , Arizona . It", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 196, "text": "state of nevada" } ], "id": "jp_4366--Prostitution_in_the_United_States.txt", "qid": "jp_4366", "question": "What is the only U.S. state where prostitution is legal?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Sobek ( also called Sebek , Sochet , Sobk , and Sobki ) , in Greek , Suchos ( Σοῦχος ) and from Latin Suchus , was an ancient Egyptian deity with a complex and ( literally ) fluid nature . He is associated with the Nile crocodile and is either represented in its form or as a human with a crocodile head . Sobek was also associated with pharaonic power , fertility , and military prowess , but served additionally as a protective deity with apotropaic qualities , invoked particularly for protection against the dangers presented by the Nile river . \n \n History \n \n Sobek enjoyed a longstanding presence in the ancient Egyptian pantheon , from the Old Kingdom ( c. 2686–2181 BCE ) through the Roman period ( c. 30 BCE – 350 CE ) . He is first known from several different Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom , particularly from spell PT 317 . The spell , which praises the pharaoh as living incarnation of the crocodile god , reads : \n \n `` Unis is Sobek , green of plumage , with alert face and raised fore , the splashing one who came from the thigh and tail of the great goddess in the sunlight ... Unis has appeared as Sobek , Neith 's son . Unis will eat with his mouth , Unis will urinate and Unis will copulate with his penis . Unis is lord of semen , who takes women from their husbands to the place Unis likes according to his heart 's fancy . '' \n \n The origin of his name , Sbk in ancient Egyptian , is debated among scholars , but many believe that it is derived from a causative of the verb `` to impregnate '' . \n \n Though Sobek was worshipped in the Old Kingdom , he truly gained prominence in the Middle Kingdom ( c. 2055–1650 BCE ) , most notably under the Twelfth Dynasty king , Amenemhat III . Amenemhat III had taken a particular interest in the Faiyum region of Egypt , a region heavily associated with Sobek . Amenemhat and many of his dynastic contemporaries engaged in building projects to promote Sobek – projects that were often executed in the Faiyum . In this period , Sobek also underwent an important change : he was often fused with the falcon-headed god of divine kingship , Horus . This brought Sobek even closer with the kings of Egypt , thereby giving him a place of greater prominence in the Egyptian pantheon . The fusion added a finer level of complexity to the god ’ s nature , as he was adopted into the divine triad of Horus and his two parents : Osiris and Isis . \n \n Sobek first acquired a role as a solar deity through his connection to Horus , but this was further strengthened in later periods with the emergence of Sobek-Ra , a fusion of Sobek and Egypt 's primary sun god , Ra . Sobek-Horus persisted as a figure in the New Kingdom ( 1550–1069 BCE ) , but it was not until the last dynasties of Egypt that Sobek-Ra gained prominence . This understanding of the god was maintained after the fall of Egypt 's last native dynasty in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt ( c. 332 BCE – 390 CE ) . The prestige of both Sobek and Sobek-Ra endured in this time period and tributes to him attained greater prominence – both through the expansion of his dedicated cultic sites and a concerted scholarly effort to make him the subject of religious doctrine . \n \n Cult centers \n \n The entire Faiyum region – the `` Land of the Lake '' in Egyptian ( specifically referring to Lake Moeris ) – served as a cult center of Sobek . Most Faiyum towns developed their own localized versions of the god , such as Soknebtunis at Tebtunis , Sokonnokonni at Bacchias , and Souxei at an unknown site in the area . At Karanis , two forms of the god were worshipped : Pnepheros and Petsuchos . There , mummified crocodiles were employed as cult images of Petsuchos . \n \n Sobek Shedety , the patron of the Faiyum 's centrally located capital , Crocodilopolis ( or Egyptian `` Shedet '' ) , was the most prominent form of the god . Extensive building programs honoring Sobek were realized in Shedet , as it was the capital of the entire Arsinoite nome and consequently the most important city in the region . It is thought that the effort to expand Sobek 's main temple was initially driven by Ptolemy II . Specialized priests in the main temple at Shedet functioned solely to", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 69, "text": "suchos" } ], "id": "sfq_4967--Sobek.txt", "qid": "sfq_4967", "question": "In Egyptian mythology, which God has the head of a crocodile?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "HM Prison Lindholme is a Category C/D men 's prison located near Hatfield Woodhouse in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster , South Yorkshire , England . Lindholme is operated by Her Majesty 's Prison Service , and is situated in close proximity to Hatfield and Moorland prisons . \n \n HMO Lindholme will close in late 2017 to early 2018 for reasons not yet confirmed . \n \n History \n \n The site was originally constructed as RAF Lindholme during the Second World War to house and operate bombers . During the RAF station 's lifetime it was home to the RAF Bomber Command Bombing School ( BCBS ) and also the RAF Navigation School . BCBS moved out in 1972 , and RAF Lindholme became a radar installation with its hangars converted for storage , eventually being downgraded to a relief glider landing field and closing altogether shortly thereafter . The site re-opened as a prison in 1985 . Most of the original buildings and hangars from the RAF station are still in use as prison accommodation , offices and workshops . In 2000 , the old RAF Officers ' Mess building ( which had been used as a Category D prison wing ) was converted into an Immigration Removal Centre . \n \n HMP Lindholme has recently been going through the bid process , a tendering process which initially had looked like Serco were to be given the contract to run the establishment along with HMP Moorlands . Due to irregularities with Serco 's other government contracts this is now in doubt . Lindholme is currently one of the most cost-effective prisons with a budget just short of 11 million GBP per year ( approximately 1,000 prisoners ) . Figures were taken from parliamentary questions . \n \n On 14 July 2011 , it was announced that HMP Lindholme would be put out to tender , accepting bids from private companies and HM Prison Service for the management of the establishment . In November 2013 it was announced that HMP Lindholme along with the two other contested sites in South Yorkshire would remain in the public sector , ending two years of uncertainty . \n \n In April 2012 , the Immigration Removal Centre was closed and converted back to a Category D prison wing . In June 2013 an inspection report from Her Majesty 's Chief Inspector of Prisons was strongly critical of the Category D wing of the prison ( now closed ) . The report also stated that there were religious tensions at the prison , illegal drugs and alcohol were widely available , and that the needs of disabled inmates were neglected . However the report also stated that much of the training for prisoners was of good quality , and that vocational courses in construction and baking were `` outstanding '' . \n \n Lindholme today \n \n Lindholme holds Cat C male prisoners only . The prison holds Category C convicted males over the age of 21 , and a small number of Cat D males awaiting allocation . The prison has the space to hold 1,010 inmates of Certified National Accommodation and an Operational Capacity to the same number . \n \n The Category C site consists of 11 wings , 6 of the which are dormitories that have single and multi-occupancy rooms . 3 wings are relatively new additions to the prison and are single cell occupancy . A further new wing opened in November 2007 with double cells . The Induction Unit has double cells , and a purpose built Care and Separation Unit was built in 2008 . \n \n The prison education department offers inmates opportunities to study for qualifications such as NVQs , GCSEs and A Levels in subjects including English , math , ESOL , information technology , business administration , graphic design , reprographics and printing , visual art , catering , baking , hospitality , hairdressing and barbering , industrial cleaning , construction industry training in trowel trades , plastering , painting and decorating , carpentry , plumbing , civil engineering , fork lift training , light engineering , railway engineering , horticulture , waste management , textiles , and a range of PE courses .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 115, "text": "doncaster" } ], "id": "sfq_2572--HM_Prison_Lindholme.txt", "qid": "sfq_2572", "question": "Lindholme Prison is situated dose to which English town or city?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "`` Apache '' is a much-recorded instrumental written by Jerry Lordan . The original version was by the British group the Shadows , recorded in June 1960 and released the next month . It topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks . \n \n In North America , the tune is identified with Jørgen Ingmann , a jazz guitarist from Denmark . In 1961 , his cover version , credited to `` Jørgen Ingmann and His Guitar '' , made No . 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No . 9 on the US R & B chart . The track reached No.1 on Canada 's CHUM Chart . \n \n A 1973 version by the Incredible Bongo Band has been called `` hip-hop ’ s national anthem '' .Michaelangelo Matos , [ http : //www.soul-sides.com/2005/04/all-roads-lead-to-apache.html Abstract : All Roads Lead to ‘ Apache ’ '' ] , Pop Conference , Experience Music Project 2005 . Accessed online 7 July 2011 Although this version was not a hit on release , its long percussion break has been sampled countless times on hip hop and dance tracks since the 1980s . \n \n In March 2005 , Q magazine placed `` Apache '' at No . 96 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks . \n \n Composition and original recording \n \n English songwriter and composer Jerry Lordan came up with the tune . The title `` Apache '' reflects the source of Lordan 's inspiration : the 1954 American western film Apache . \n \n The original recording was by British guitarist Bert Weedon in early 1960 . It remained unreleased for several months . In mid-1960 the Shadows were on tour with Lordan as a supporting act . The band discovered `` Apache '' when Lordan played it on a ukulele . Lordan figured the tune would fit the Shadows ; the band agreed . \n \n Shadows version \n \n The recording was done at the EMI Abbey Road Studio in London . Singer-guitarist Joe Brown had bought an Italian-built guitar echo chamber that he did not like and gave it to Hank Marvin , who developed a distinctive sound using it and the tremolo arm of his Fender Stratocaster . Bruce Welch borrowed an acoustic Gibson J200 guitar from Cliff Richard , the heavy melodic bass was by Jet Harris , percussion was by Tony Meehan and Cliff Richard , who played a Chinese drum at the beginning and end to provide an atmosphere of stereotypically Native American music . \n \n Record producer Norrie Paramor preferred the flip side , an instrumental of the army song `` The Quartermaster 's Stores , '' now called `` The Quatermasster 's Stores '' after the TV series Quatermass . Paramor changed his mind after his daughter preferred `` Apache . '' It has been cited by a generation of guitarists as inspirational and is considered one of the most influential British rock 45s of the pre-Beatles era . The Shadows said – \n \n Later versions \n \n After the Shadows version began its rise up the UK charts , Weedon 's original climbed to No . 24 in the UK . However , neither the Shadows nor Weedon had any impact on North America . Then in 1961 , Ingmann produced his own 'twangy ' multi-tracked cover version that was a hit in the United States and Canada . From this point , the song became a staple of instrumental combos on both sides of the Atlantic . Among many recordings , Spanish rock band Los Pekenikes covered `` Apache '' in 1961 , The Ventures in 1962 and Davie Allan and The Arrows in 1965 . Sonny James recorded a vocal music version in 1961 . It was produced in Nashville by Chet Atkins and was review-rated as a Spotlight Winner . Billboard Music Week in its edition of March 6 , 1961 . George Harrison said The Beatles used to play `` Apache '' as well as other Shadows ' hits ( `` FBI '' , `` The Frightened City '' ) during their shows in Hamburg . \n \n In 1970 , English progressive rock group The Edgar Broughton Band released a single `` Apache Dropout , '' which combined `` Apache '' with a version of Captain Beefheart 's `` Dropout Boogie . '' The highly unorthodox single reached No . 33 on the UK Singles Chart . \n \n Incredible Bongo Band version ( 1973 ) \n \n `` Apache '' has been cited by Afrika Bambaataa as an early element of hip hop music with the record sampled and scratched by DJs . However , the hit versions by the Shadows , Ingmann or Weedon were", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 121, "text": "shadow" } ], "id": "sfq_24743--Apache_(instrumental).txt", "qid": "sfq_24743", "question": "Which group had a hit in 1960 with Apache?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish . Fish are normally caught in the wild . Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering , spearing , netting , angling and trapping . \n \n Fishing may include catching other aquatic animals , such as molluscs , cephalopods , crustaceans , and echinoderms . The term is not normally applied to catching farmed fish , or to aquatic mammals , and marine mammals , such as whales , where the term whaling is more appropriate . \n \n According to United Nations FAO statistics , the total number of commercial fishermen and fish farmers is estimated to be 38 million . Fisheries and aquaculture provide direct and indirect employment to over 500 million people in developing countries . In 2005 , the worldwide per capita consumption of fish captured from wild fisheries was 14.4 kilograms , with an additional 7.4 kilograms harvested from fish farms . In addition to providing food , modern fishing is also a recreational pastime . \n \n History \n \n Fishing is an ancient practice that dates back to at least the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic period about 40,000 years ago . Isotopic analysis of the skeletal remains of Tianyuan man , a 40,000-year-old modern human from eastern Asia , has shown that he regularly consumed freshwater fish . Archaeology features such as shell middens , discarded fish bones , and cave paintings show that sea foods were important for survival and consumed in significant quantities . \n \n During this period , most people lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and were , of necessity , constantly on the move . However , where there are early examples of permanent settlements ( though not necessarily permanently occupied ) such as those at Lepenski Vir , they are almost always associated with fishing as a major source of food . \n \n Modern trawling \n \n The British dogger was an early type of sailing trawler from the 17th century , but the modern fishing trawler was developed in the 19th century , at the English fishing port of Brixham . By the early 19th century , the fishermen at Brixham needed to expand their fishing area further than ever before due to the ongoing depletion of stocks that was occurring in the overfished waters of South Devon . The Brixham trawler that evolved there was of a sleek build and had a tall gaff rig , which gave the vessel sufficient speed to make long distance trips out to the fishing grounds in the ocean . They were also sufficiently robust to be able to tow large trawls in deep water . The great trawling fleet that built up at Brixham , earned the village the title of 'Mother of Deep-Sea Fisheries ' . \n \n This revolutionary design made large scale trawling in the ocean possible for the first time , resulting in a massive migration of fishermen from the ports in the South of England , to villages further north , such as Scarborough , Hull , Grimsby , Harwich and Yarmouth , that were points of access to the large fishing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean . \n \n The small village of Grimsby grew to become the largest fishing port in the world by the mid 19th century . An Act of Parliament was first obtained in 1796 , which authorised the construction of new quays and dredging of the Haven to make it deeper . It was only in the 1846 , with the tremendous expansion in the fishing industry , that the Grimsby Dock Company was formed . The foundation stone for the Royal Dock was laid by Albert the Prince consort in 1849 . The dock covered 25 acre and was formally opened by Queen Victoria in 1854 as the first modern fishing port . \n \n The elegant Brixham trawler spread across the world , influencing fishing fleets everywhere . By the end of the 19th century , there were over 3,000 fishing trawlers in commission in Britain , with almost 1,000 at Grimsby . These trawlers were sold to fishermen around Europe , including from the Netherlands and Scandinavia . Twelve trawlers went on to form the nucleus of the German fishing fleet . \n \n Further development \n \n The earliest steam powered fishing boats first appeared in the 1870s and used the trawl system of fishing as well as lines and drift nets . These were large boats , usually 80 - in length with a beam of around 20 ft . They weighed 40-50 tons and travelled at 9 - . The earliest purpose built fishing vessels were designed and made by David Allan in Leith , Scotland in March 1875 ,", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "bt_2112--Fishing.txt", "qid": "bt_2112", "question": "What is the name given to fishing equipment" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Baskin-Robbins is the world 's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops and is based in Canton , Massachusetts . It was founded in 1945 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins in Glendale , California . \n \n The company is known for its `` 31 flavors '' slogan , with the idea that a customer could have a different flavor every day of any month . The slogan came from the Carson-Roberts advertising agency ( which later merged into Ogilvy & Mather ) in 1953 . Baskin and Robbins believed that people should be able to sample flavors until they found one they wanted to buy , hence their famous small pink spoons . The company has introduced more than 1,000 flavors since 1945 . \n \n History \n \n Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by brothers-in-law Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins from the merging of their respective ice cream parlors , in Glendale , California . It claims to be the world 's largest chain of ice cream specialty stores , with 7,300 locations , including nearly 2,500 shops in the United States and over 4,800 located internationally as of December 28 , 2013 . Baskin-Robbins sells ice cream in nearly 50 countries . The company has been headquartered in Canton , Massachusetts since 2004 after moving from Randolph , Massachusetts . \n \n The Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlors started as separate ventures of Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins , who owned Burton 's Ice Cream Shop ( opened in 1945 ) and Snowbird Ice Cream ( opened in 1946 ) , respectively . Snowbird Ice Cream offered 21 flavors , a novel concept at that time . When the separate companies merged in 1953 , the number of flavors was expanded to 31 flavors . \n \n By 1948 , Burt and Irv had opened six stores . The first franchise covering the sale of ice cream was executed May 20 , 1948 for the store at 1130 South Adams in Glendale ( Store # 1 ) . In 1949 , the company ’ s production facility opened in Burbank . Burt and Irv made the decision to sell the stores to the managers . In 1953 , Baskin-Robbins hired Carson-Roberts Advertising who recommended adoption of the number 31 as well as the pink ( cherry ) and brown ( chocolate ) polka dots and typeface that were reminiscent of the circus . The first store that adopted the new 31 look was 804 North Glendale Ave. in Glendale , California in March 1953 . Between 1949 and 1962 , the corporate firm was Huntington Ice Cream Company . The name succeeded The Baskin-Robbins Partnership and was eventually changed back to Baskin-Robbins , Inc. on November 26 , 1962 . In the 1970s , the chain went international , opening stores in Japan , Saudi Arabia , South Korea and Australia . Baskin-Robbins also was the first to introduce ice cream cakes to the public . \n Baskin-Robbins often still incorporates 31 in its promotions despite offering more flavors . For example , in Malaysia this includes giving 31 % off their hand-packed ice cream on the 31st of a month , which invariably causes queues at their outlets . \n \n Baskin-Robbins was owned by its founders until it was acquired in 1967 ( just prior to Burt Baskin 's death ) by the United Brands Company ( United Fruit ) . In 1972 , the company went public for the only time in its history when United Brands sold 17 % in an IPO . A year later , British food company J. Lyons and Co. purchased Baskin-Robbins from United Brands and all public stock . J. Lyons then merged with Allied Breweries , becoming Allied-Lyons in 1978 . Allied-Lyons then merged with Pedro Domecq S.A. in 1994 , becoming Allied Domecq . Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin ' Donuts comprise Dunkin ' Brands , Inc. Dunkin ' Brands was part of Allied Domecq until its purchase in 2006 by a group of private equity firms - Bain Capital , Thomas Lee , and The Carlyle Group . \n \n In 2008 , Baskin-Robbins launched its first full menu of better-for-you frozen treats called `` BRight Choices '' and removed all artificial trans fats from its ice cream . BRight Choices provides a variety of options for guests looking for a lighter treat . \n \n Irv Robbins died at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage , California on May 5 , 2008 , at age 90 . \n \n The franchise model created by Burt and Irv decades ago is still used by Baskin-Robbins today . Baskin-Robbins is nearly 100 % franchised , with each owner holding a stake in the business ' success , while", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 232, "text": "31 flavors" } ], "id": "qg_4215--Baskin-Robbins.txt", "qid": "qg_4215", "question": "Which chain of ice-cream parlors, the world's largest, is known for their little pink spoons which are used to offer a taste of any of the available flavors?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Croatia ( ; ) , officially the Republic of Croatia ( , ) , is a sovereign state at the crossroads of Central Europe , Southeast Europe , and the Mediterranean . Its capital city is Zagreb , which forms one of the country 's primary subdivisions , along with its twenty counties . Croatia covers 56594 km2 and has diverse , mostly continental and Mediterranean climates . Croatia 's Adriatic Sea coast contains more than a thousand islands . The country 's population is 4.28 million , most of whom are Croats , with the most common religious denomination being Roman Catholicism . \n \n The Croats arrived in the area of present-day Croatia during the early part of the 7th century AD . They organised the state into two duchies by the 9th century . Tomislav became the first king by 925 , elevating Croatia to the status of a kingdom . The Kingdom of Croatia retained its sovereignty for nearly two centuries , reaching its peak during the rule of Kings Petar Krešimir IV and Dmitar Zvonimir . Croatia entered a personal union with Hungary in 1102 . In 1527 , faced with Ottoman conquest , the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg to the Croatian throne . In 1918 , after World War I , Croatia was included in the unrecognized State of Slovenes , Croats and Serbs which seceded from Austria-Hungary and merged into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia . The fascist Croatian puppet state backed by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany existed during World War II . After the war , Croatia became a founding member and a federal constituent of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia , a constitutionally socialist state . On 25 June 1991 Croatia declared independence , which came wholly into effect on 8 October of the same year . The Croatian War of Independence was fought successfully during the four years following the declaration . \n \n A unitary state , Croatia is a republic governed under a parliamentary system . The International Monetary Fund classified Croatia as an emerging and developing economy , and the World Bank identified it as a high-income economy . Croatia is a member of the European Union ( EU ) , United Nations ( UN ) , the Council of Europe , NATO , the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) and a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean . As an active participant in the UN peacekeeping forces , Croatia has contributed troops to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and took a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008–2009 term . \n \n The service sector dominates Croatia 's economy , followed by the industrial sector and agriculture . Tourism is a significant source of revenue during the summer , with Croatia ranked the 18th most popular tourist destination in the world . The state controls a part of the economy , with substantial government expenditure . The European Union is Croatia 's most important trading partner . Since 2000 , the Croatian government constantly invests in infrastructure , especially transport routes and facilities along the Pan-European corridors . Internal sources produce a significant portion of energy in Croatia ; the rest is imported . Croatia provides a universal health care system and free primary and secondary education , while supporting culture through numerous public institutions and corporate investments in media and publishing . \n \n Etymology \n \n The name of Croatia derives from Medieval Latin Croātia – compare DUX CRUATORVM ( `` Duke of the Croats '' ) attested in the Branimir inscription – itself a derivation of North-West Slavic * Xrovat- , by liquid metathesis from proposed Common Slavic period * Xorvat- , from proposed Proto-Slavic * Xarwāt- ( * Xъrvatъ ) or * Xŭrvatŭ ( * xъrvatъ ) . \n \n The origin of the name is uncertain , but is thought to be a Gothic or Indo-Aryan term assigned to a Slavic tribe . The oldest preserved record of the Croatian ethnonym * xъrvatъ is of variable stem , attested in the Baška tablet in style zvъnъmirъ kralъ xrъvatъskъ ( `` Zvonimir , Croatian king '' ) . \n \n The first attestation of the Latin term is attributed to a charter of Duke Trpimir from the year 852 . The original is lost , and just a 1568 copy is preserved—leading to doubts over the authenticity of the claim . The oldest preserved stone inscription is the 9th-century Branimir Inscription ( found near Benkovac ) , where Duke Branimir is styled as Dux Cruatorvm . The inscription is not believed to be dated accurately , but is likely to be from during the period of 879-892 , during", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1357, "text": "yugo" } ], "id": "qg_1920--Croatia.txt", "qid": "qg_1920", "question": "On June 25, 1991, Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence from what country?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 in the city centre of Sheffield , South Yorkshire , England . As well as theatrical performances , it hosts the most prestigious event in professional snooker , the World Championship . \n \n History \n \n The Crucible Theatre was built by M J Gleeson and opened in 1971 , replacing the Playhouse Repertory theatre in Townhead Street . In 1967 Colin George , the founding Artistic Director of the Crucible , recommended a thrust stage for Sheffield , inspired by theatres created by Sir Tyrone Guthrie . Tanya Moiseiwitsch , who had been involved in designing Guthrie ’ s theatres , was the designer . The architects Renton Howard Wood Levin Architects were engaged and the building itself began to take shape in 1969 . It was completed in two years , on time for the opening performance in November 1971 of Fanfare , an evening 's entertainment comprising children participating in an improvised scene , Chekhov ’ s Swan Song with Ian McKellen and Edward Petherbridge and a music hall finale with a Sheffield brass band . \n \n This demonstrated the versatility of the stage , which has since been adapted to dance and musical performance , as well as classical and modern theatre , and receives touring productions , as well as hosting squash and the World Snooker Championship . \n \n The audience sits on three sides but no member is more than the length of a cricket wicket – 22 yards ( 20 metres ) – from the performer , or indeed a snooker ball . Consequently , although it seats 980 people the spectator has an intimate relationship with the activity on stage . Colin George and the Administrator David Brayshaw persuaded the Gulbenkian Foundation to finance for the first time the building of a professional theatre – the 400 seat Studio , which opened with the main house . \n \n In 2001 , the Crucible was awarded the Barclays ‘ Theatre of the Year Award ’ . It is a Grade II listed building . \n \n The building went through a £15 million refurbishment between 2007 and late 2009 – opening during that period only for the 2008 and 2009 World Snooker Championships . \n \n The Crucible reopened as a theatre on 11 February 2010 with a production of Henrik Ibsen 's An Enemy of the People , with the official reopening by the Earl of Wessex on 18 February 2010 . \n \n Theatre \n \n The Crucible is a producing theatre , meaning shows are designed and rehearsed in-house . These productions are normally overseen by the Sheffield Theatres Group . \n \n Sports venue \n \n The World Snooker Championship tournament has been played annually in the Crucible since 1977 . The Ladies World Snooker Championship was also held at the Crucible between 1998 and 2003 but was eventually withdrawn due to financial difficulties . The venue has also hosted championships of other indoor sports , such as table tennis and squash .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 4, "text": "crucible" } ], "id": "qb_5416--Crucible_Theatre.txt", "qid": "qb_5416", "question": "The World Snooker Championship is held at which Sheffield theatre?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The majority of men who have held the office of President of the United States have been clean shaven , including the Founding Fathers . Between 1861 and 1913 , however , all but two presidents wore either beards or mustaches during their tenure in office . \n \n John Quincy Adams ( 1825–29 ) was the first U.S. President to have notable facial hair , with long sideburns . But the first major departure from the tradition of smooth-faced chief executives was Abraham Lincoln ( 1861–65 ) , who was supposedly ( and famously ) influenced by 11-year-old Grace Bedell to start growing a beard shortly before he was elected . After Lincoln , all but two presidents over the next 50 years sported facial hair , the exceptions being Andrew Johnson ( 1865–69 ) and William McKinley ( 1897–1901 ) . \n \n The most recent president to have facial hair was William Howard Taft ( 1909–1913 ) , who wore a mustache . The last major party candidate to wear a beard was Charles Evans Hughes , who was defeated in 1916 . The last major party candidate for President to have facial hair was Thomas E. Dewey , who had a mustache , in 1944 and 1948 . Some pundits even claimed that public disapproval of Dewey 's mustache may have contributed to his two electoral defeats . \n \n Social scientists have researched the effect of facial hair on the electability of Presidential candidates , and currently consider facial hair to have a negative effect on candidates . Today , the existence of facial hair on potential presidential candidates is regularly noted ( albeit somewhat jokingly ) as a harmful factor . \n \n Following is a list of American presidents who had facial hair at any time during their tenure . \n __TOC__ \n \n List", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 467, "text": "lincoln" } ], "id": "bt_4208--List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_with_facial_hair.txt", "qid": "bt_4208", "question": "Who was the first American president to have a beard" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The House at Pooh Corner ( 1928 ) is the second volume of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh , written by A . A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard . It is notable for the introduction of the character Tigger . \n \n Plot \n \n The title comes from a story in which Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet build a house for Eeyore . In another story the game of Poohsticks is invented . As with the first book , the chapters are mostly in episodic format and can be read independently of each other . The only exception to this is with Chapters 8 and 9 - Chapter 9 carries directly on from the end of Chapter 8 , as the characters search for a new house for Owl , his house having been blown down in the previous chapter . \n \n Hints that Christopher Robin is growing up , scattered throughout the book , come to a head in the final chapter , in which the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood throw him a farewell party after learning that he must leave them soon . It is made obvious , though not stated explicitly , that he is starting school . In the end , they say good-bye to Christopher Robin . Pooh and Christopher Robin say a long , private farewell , in which Pooh promises not to forget him . \n \n Contents \n \n # In which a house is built at Pooh Corner for Eeyore \n # In which Tigger comes to the forest and has breakfast \n # In which a Search is Organized , and Piglet nearly meets the Heffalump again \n # In which it is shown That Tiggers do n't climb trees \n # In which Rabbit has a busy day , and we learn what Christopher Robin does in the mornings \n # In which Pooh invents a new game and Eeyore joins in \n # In which Tigger is unbounced \n # In which Piglet does a very grand thing \n # In which Eeyore finds the Wolery and Owl moves into it \n # In which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an enchanted place , and we leave them there \n \n Adaptations \n \n In 1960 HMV recorded a dramatised version with songs ( music by Harold Fraser-Simson ) of two episodes from the book ( Chapters 2 and 8 ) , starring Ian Carmichael as Pooh , Denise Bryer as Christopher Robin ( who also narrated ) , Hugh Lloyd as Tigger , Penny Morrell as Piglet , and Terry Norris as Eeyore . This was released on a 45rpm EP . \n \n In 1971 , singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins released a song called `` House at Pooh Corner '' as a duet with Jim Messina on their album Sittin ' In . Although the song was written by Loggins , it had previously been released by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their 1970 album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy . The song is told from the perspective of both Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin . The first verse , told from Pooh 's point of view , describes how he and Robin 's days together `` disappeared all too soon '' and how he `` ca n't seem to find [ his ] way back to the Wood . '' The second verse , told from Christopher Robin 's point of view , tells of how Pooh has a honey jar stuck on his nose and how he came to him asking for help , but `` from here , no one knows where he goes . '' The song uses these verses as an allegorical musing on the loss of innocence and childhood and the nostalgia for simpler , happier times . In 1994 , Loggins re-released the song as `` Return to Pooh Corner '' on the album of the same name . A duet with Amy Grant , this version added a third verse , told from the perspective of an adult Christopher Robin who gives Winnie-the-Pooh to his own son and hears Pooh whisper to him , `` welcome home . '' The song ends with Christopher Robin happy that he 's `` finally come back to the house at Pooh Corner . '' This third verse was based on Loggins ' own feelings of happiness after the birth of his third son . The song has since become a staple of Loggins ' live performances , and it remains one of his most personal , popular and beloved songs . \n \n In 1988 , an audio version of the book , published by BBC Enterprises , was narrated by Alan Bennett . \n \n In", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 306, "text": "eeyore" } ], "id": "sfq_6154--The_House_at_Pooh_Corner.txt", "qid": "sfq_6154", "question": "In `Winnie the Pooh', who lived in the 'House at Pooh Corner'?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Patriarchs ( Avot or Abot , singular Ab or Aramaic : אבא Abba ) of the Bible , when narrowly defined , are Abraham , his son Isaac , and Isaac 's son Jacob , also named Israel , the ancestor of the Israelites . These three figures are referred to collectively as the patriarchs of Judaism , and the period in which they lived is known as the patriarchal age . They play significant roles in Hebrew scripture during and following their lifetimes . They are used as a significant marker by God in revelations and promises , and continue to play important roles in the Abrahamic faiths . \n \n More widely , the term Patriarchs can be used to refer to the twenty male ancestor-figures between Adam and Abraham . The first ten of these are called the Antediluvian patriarchs , because they came before the Flood . Judaism and Islam hold that the patriarchs and their primary wives – Sarah ( wife of Abraham ) , Rebekah ( wife of Isaac ) and Leah ( one of the wives of Jacob ) – ( known as the Matriarchs ) , are entombed at Machpelah in Hebron , a site held holy by Jews , Muslims , and Christians . Only Rachel , Jacob 's favorite wife , is said to be buried separately in the Tomb of Rachel , near Bethlehem , where she is believed to have died in childbirth . \n \n Antediluvian patriarchs \n \n The lifetimes given for the patriarchs in the Book of Genesis are : \n Adam 930 years , Seth 912 , Enos 905 , Kenan 910 , Mahalalel 895 , Jared 962 , Enoch 365 ( did not die , but was taken away by God ) , Methuselah 969 , Lamech 777 , Noah 950 . The lifespans given cause problems of chronology for Bible scholars , as the following quotation shows . \n \n Family tree \n \n Table of Nations \n \n According to the Bible , many of the tribes living in the Middle East , between the time of Abraham and the time of Christ , have a genealogical connection to the Patriarchs or their descendants . This list , taken from the Book of Genesis , gives the details of that genealogy . \n \n * Noah , father of Shem , Ham , and Japheth \n * Ham , father of Canaan ( Canaanites ) \n : * Canaan , father of Sidon , Hittites , Jebusites , Amorites , Girgashities , Hivites , Arkites , Sinites , Arvadites , Zemarites , and Hamathites \n \n * Terah ( descendant of Shem ) , father of Abram , Nahor , and Haran \n * Abram and Hagar , parents of Ishmael ( Ishmaelites ) \n * Abram and Keturah , parents of Zimran , Jokshan , Medan , Midian ( Midianites ) , Ishbak , Shuah \n * Nahor and Milcah , parents of Uz , Buz , Kemuel , Kesed , Hazo , Pildash , Jidlaph , and Bethuel \n : * Kemuel , father of Aram ( Arameans ) \n : * Bethuel , father of Laban and Rebeccah \n : : * Laban , father of Leah and Rachel \n * Nahor and Reumah , parents of Tebah , Gaham , Tahash , and Maacah \n * Haran , father of Lot \n : * Lot and his older daughter , parents of Moab ( Moabites ) \n : * Lot and his younger daughter , parents of Ben-ammi ( Ammonites ) \n \n * Abraham and Sarah , parents of Isaac \n * Isaac and Rebekah , parents of Jacob , Esau ( Edomites ) \n * Esau and Adah , parents of Eliphaz \n : * Eliphaz and Timna , parents of Amalek ( Amalekites ) \n \n * Jacob and Leah , parents of Reuben , Simeon , Levi , Judah , Issachar , Zebulun , Dina \n * Jacob and Rachel , parents of Joseph , Benjamin \n * Jacob and Bilhah , parents of Dan , Naphtali \n * Jacob and Zilpah , parents of Gad , Asher \n * Joseph and Asenath , parents of Manasseh , Ephraim \n \n The twelve tribes of Israel include ten of the sons of Jacob ( excluding Levi and Joseph ) and the two sons of Joseph . \n \n Religious significance \n \n Islam \n \n Islam regards Abraham ( Ibrahim ) as the father of the prophets in Islam because all subsequent prophets descended from him ( the Israelite prophets through Ishāq and Muhammad through Ismā'īl ) . \n \n Matriarchs \n \n The Matriarchs , also known as `` the four", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 3585, "text": "ibrahim" } ], "id": "odql_5856--Patriarchs_(Bible).txt", "qid": "odql_5856", "question": "Sarah was the mother of Isaac and the wife of which Hebrew patriarch?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "L'Orfeo ( SV 318 ) , sometimes called La favola d'Orfeo , is a late Renaissance/early Baroque favola in musica , or opera , by Claudio Monteverdi , with a libretto by Alessandro Striggio . It is based on the Greek legend of Orpheus , and tells the story of his descent to Hades and his fruitless attempt to bring his dead bride Eurydice back to the living world . It was written in 1607 for a court performance during the annual Carnival at Mantua . While Jacopo Peri 's Dafne is generally recognised as the first work in the opera genre , and the earliest surviving opera is Peri 's Euridice , L'Orfeo is the earliest that is still regularly performed . \n \n By the early 17th century the traditional intermedio—a musical sequence between the acts of a straight play—was evolving into the form of a complete musical drama or `` opera '' . Monteverdi 's L'Orfeo moved this process out of its experimental era and provided the first fully developed example of the new genre . After its initial performance the work was staged again in Mantua , and possibly in other Italian centres in the next few years . Its score was published by Monteverdi in 1609 and again in 1615 . After the composer 's death in 1643 the opera went unperformed for many years , and was largely forgotten until a revival of interest in the late 19th century led to a spate of modern editions and performances . At first these performances tended to be concert ( unstaged ) versions within institutes and music societies , but following the first modern dramatised performance in Paris , in 1911 , the work began to be seen in theatres . After the Second World War many recordings were issued , and the opera was increasingly staged in opera houses , although some leading venues resisted it . In 2007 the quatercentenary of the premiere was celebrated by performances throughout the world . \n \n In his published score Monteverdi lists around 41 instruments to be deployed , with distinct groups of instruments used to depict particular scenes and characters . Thus strings , harpsichords and recorders represent the pastoral fields of Thrace with their nymphs and shepherds , while heavy brass illustrates the underworld and its denizens . Composed at the point of transition from the Renaissance era to the Baroque , L'Orfeo employs all the resources then known within the art of music , with particularly daring use of polyphony . The work is not orchestrated as such ; in the Renaissance tradition instrumentalists followed the composer 's general instructions but were given considerable freedom to improvise . \n \n Historical background \n \n Claudio Monteverdi , born in Cremona in 1567 , was a musical prodigy who studied under Marc'Antonio Ingegneri , the maestro di cappella ( head of music ) at Cremona Cathedral . After training in singing , strings playing and composition , Monteverdi worked as a musician in Verona and Milan until , in 1590 or 1591 , he secured a post as suonatore di vivuola ( viola player ) at Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga 's court at Mantua . Through ability and hard work Monteverdi rose to become Gonzaga 's maestro della musica ( master of music ) in 1601.Fenlon , Iain , `` The Mantuan Orfeo '' pp . 5–7 See note ( 1 ) below \n \n Vincenzo Gonzaga 's particular passion for musical theatre and spectacle grew from his family connections with the court of Florence . Towards the end of the 16th century innovative Florentine musicians were developing the intermedio—a long-established form of musical interlude inserted between the acts of spoken dramas—into increasingly elaborate forms . Led by Jacopo Corsi , these successors to the renowned Camerata were responsible for the first work generally recognised as belonging to the genre of opera : Dafne , composed by Corsi and Jacopo Peri and performed in Florence in 1598 . This work combined elements of madrigal singing and monody with dancing and instrumental passages to form a dramatic whole . Only fragments of its music still exist , but several other Florentine works of the same period—Rappresentatione di Anima , et di Corpo by Emilio de ' Cavalieri , Peri 's Euridice and Giulio Caccini 's identically titled Euridice—survive complete . These last two works were the first of many musical representations of the Orpheus myth as recounted in Ovid 's Metamorphoses , and as such were direct precursors of Monteverdi 's L'Orfeo.Fenlon , `` The Mantuan Orfeo '' pp . 1–4Sternfeld , p. 26 \n \n The Gonzaga court had a long history of promoting dramatic entertainment . A century before Duke Vincenzo 's time the court", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 135, "text": "monteverdi" } ], "id": "sfq_20556--L'Orfeo.txt", "qid": "sfq_20556", "question": "His works including 'L'Orfeo' and 'The Coronation of Poppea', who is considered to be the Father of the Opera?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Lignite , often referred to as brown coal , is a soft brown combustible sedimentary rock formed from naturally compressed peat . It is considered the lowest rank of coal due to its relatively low heat content . It has a carbon content around 60–70 percent . It is mined all around the world and is used almost exclusively as a fuel for steam-electric power generation , but is also mined for its germanium content in China . As of 2014 , about 12 percent of Germany 's energy and , specifically , 27 percent of Germany 's electricity comes from lignite power plants , while in Greece , lignite provides about 50 percent of its power needs . \n \n Characteristics \n \n Lignite is brownish-black in color and has a carbon content around 60–70 percent , a high inherent moisture content sometimes as high as 75 percent , Kopp , Otto C. [ http : //www.britannica.com/science/lignite `` Lignite '' ] in Encyclopaedia Britannica and an ash content ranging from 6-19 percent compared with 6-12 percent for bituminous coal . \n \n The energy content of lignite ranges from 10 to 20 MJ/kg ( 9–17 million BTU per short ton ) on a moist , mineral-matter-free basis . The energy content of lignite consumed in the United States averages ( 13 million BTU/ton ) , on the as-received basis ( i.e. , containing both inherent moisture and mineral matter ) . The energy content of lignite consumed in Victoria , Australia , averages ( 7.3 million BTU/ton ) . \n \n Lignite has a high content of volatile matter which makes it easier to convert into gas and liquid petroleum products than higher-ranking coals . Unfortunately , its high moisture content and susceptibility to spontaneous combustion can cause problems in transportation and storage . It is now known that efficient processes that remove latent moisture locked within the structure of brown coal will relegate the risk of spontaneous combustion to the same level as black coal , will transform the calorific value of brown coal to a black coal equivalent fuel , and significantly reduce the emissions profile of 'densified ' brown coal to a level similar to or better than most black coals . However , removing the moisture increases the cost of the final lignite fuel . \n \n Uses \n \n Because of its low energy density and typically high moisture content , brown coal is inefficient to transport and is not traded extensively on the world market compared with higher coal grades . It is often burned in power stations near the mines , such as in Australia 's Latrobe Valley and Luminant 's Monticello plant in Texas . Primarily because of latent high moisture content and low energy density of brown coal , carbon dioxide emissions from traditional brown-coal-fired plants are generally much higher per megawatt generated than for comparable black-coal plants , with the world 's highest-emitting plant being Hazelwood Power Station , Victoria . The operation of traditional brown-coal plants , particularly in combination with strip mining , can be politically contentious due to environmental concerns . An environmentally beneficial use of lignite can be found in its use in cultivation and distribution of biological control microbes that suppress plant disease causing microbes . The carbon enriches the organic matter in the soil while the biological control microbes provide an alternative to chemical pesticides \n \n Reaction with quaternary amine forms a product called amine-treated lignite ( ATL ) , which is used in drilling mud to reduce fluid loss during drilling . \n \n Geology \n \n Lignite begins as an accumulation of partially decayed plant material , or peat . Burial by other sediments results in increasing temperature , depending on the local geothermal gradient and tectonic setting , and increasing pressure . This causes compaction of the material and loss of some of the water and volatile matter ( primarily methane and carbon dioxide ) . This process , called coalification , concentrates the carbon content , and thus the heat content , of the material . Deeper burial and the passage of time result in further expulsion of moisture and volatile matter , eventually transforming the material into higher rank coals such as bituminous and anthracite coal . \n \n Lignite deposits are typically younger than higher-ranked coals , with the majority of them having formed during the Tertiary period . \n \n Resources \n \n The Latrobe Valley in the state of Victoria , Australia , contains estimated reserves of some 65 billion tonnes of brown coal.Department of Primary Industries , Victorian Government , Australia , ‘ Victoria Australia : A Principle Brown Coal Province ’ ( Fact Sheet , Department of Primary Industries , July 2010", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 31, "text": "brown coal" } ], "id": "dpql_3592--Lignite.txt", "qid": "dpql_3592", "question": "What is the scientific name for brown coal?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Trier ( ; ) , formerly known in English as Treves ( , ) , is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle . Trier lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of red sandstone in the west of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate , near the border with Luxembourg and within the important Moselle wine region . \n \n Founded by the Celts in the late-4th century BC as Treuorum , it was later conquered by the Romans in the late-1st century BC and renamed Trevorum or Augusta Treverorum ( Latin for `` The City of Augustus among the Treveri '' ) , Trier may be the oldest city in Germany . It is also the oldest seat of a bishop north of the Alps . In the Middle Ages , the Archbishop-Elector of Trier was an important prince of the church , as the archbishop-electorate controlled land from the French border to the Rhine . The Archbishop-Elector also had great significance as one of the seven electors of the Holy Roman Empire . \n \n With an approximate population of 105,000 , Trier is the fourth-largest city in its state , after Mainz , Ludwigshafen , and Koblenz . The nearest major cities are Luxembourg ( 50 km to the southwest ) , Saarbrücken ( 80 km southeast ) , and Koblenz ( 100 km northeast ) . \n \n The University of Trier , the administration of the Trier-Saarburg district and the seat of the ADD ( Aufsichts- und Dienstleistungsdirektion ) , which until 1999 was the borough authority of Trier , and the Academy of European Law ( ERA ) are all based in Trier . It is one of the five `` central places '' of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate . Along with Luxembourg , Metz and Saarbrücken , fellow constituent members of the QuattroPole union of cities , it is central to the greater region encompassing Saar-Lor-Lux ( Saarland , Lorraine and Luxembourg ) , Rhineland-Palatinate , and Wallonia . \n \n History \n \n According to a legend recorded in the 12th-century Deeds of the Treveri , the city was founded by an eponymous , otherwise-unrecorded prince of Assyria named Trebeta , placing the city 's founding legend independent of and centuries before ancient Rome 's . A medieval inscription on the façade of the Red House in Trier market stated : Trebeta 's parents were said to have been Ninus , a legendary `` King of Assyria '' invented by the ancient Greeks ( first mentioned by Ctesias ) , and an unknown mother who was Ninus 's wife before Semiramis . Semiramis took control of the kingdom upon his father 's death and Trebeta was forced into exile , wandering through Europe before settling at Trier . His body was said to have been cremated on Petrisberg . \n \n The historical record describes the Roman Empire subduing the Treveri in the and establishing Augusta Treverorum in 16 . The name distinguished it from the empire 's many other cities honoring the first emperor Augustus . The city later became the capital of the province of Belgic Gaul ; after the Diocletian Reforms , it became the capital of the prefecture of the Gauls , overseeing much of the Western Roman Empire . In the 4th century , Trier was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire with a population around 75,000 and perhaps as much as 100,000 . The Porta Nigra ( `` Black Gate '' ) dates from this era . A residence of the Western Roman Emperor , Roman Trier was the birthplace of Saint Ambrose . Sometime between 395 and 418 , probably in 407 the Roman administration moved the staff of the Praetorian Prefecture about 2000 from the city to Arles . The city continued to be inhabited but was not as prosperous as before . However , it remained the seat of a governor and had state factories for the production of ballistae and armor and woolen uniforms for the troops , clothing for the civil service , and high-quality garments for the Court . Northern Gaul was held by the Romans along a line from north of Cologne to the coast at Boulogne through what is today southern Belgium until 460 . South of this line , Roman control was firm , as evidenced by the continuing operation of the imperial arms factory at Amiens . \n \n The Franks seized Trier from Roman administration in 459 . In 870 , it became part of Eastern Francia , which developed into the Holy Roman Empire . Relics of Saint Matthias brought to the city initiated widespread pilgrimages . The bishops of the city grew increasingly powerful and the Archbishopric", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 0, "text": "trier" } ], "id": "qw_11233--Trier.txt", "qid": "qw_11233", "question": "Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mosel Valley, Germany, is known for its Roman architecture incuding the Porta Nigra, the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Catgut suture is a type of surgical suture that is naturally degraded by the body 's own proteolytic enzymes . Absorption is complete by 90 days , and full tensile strength remains for at least 7 days . This eventual disintegration makes it good for use in rapidly healing tissues and in internal structures that can not be re-accessed for suture removal . \n \n Catgut suture has high knot-pull tensile strength and good knot security due to special excellent handling features . It is used for all surgical procedures including general closure , ophthalmic , orthopedics , obstetrics/gynecology and gastrointestinal surgery . It is absorbed faster in patients with cancer , anemia , and malnutrition . It also absorbed faster when used in the mouth and the vagina , due to the presence of microorganisms . \n \n Catgut has largely been replaced by synthetic absorbable polymers such as Vicryl and polydioxanone . It is not used at all for human surgery in some countries . In Europe and Japan , gut sutures have been banned due to concerns that they could transmit bovine spongiform encephalopathy ( mad-cow disease ) , although the herds from which gut is harvested are certified BSE-free . \n \n History \n \n The first known absorbable sutures were made of the intestines of sheep . The manufacturing process was similar to that of natural musical strings for violins and guitar , and also of natural strings for tennis racquets . Galen used gut strings for medical sutures . \n \n Manufacture \n \n Catgut suture is made by twisting together strands of purified collagen taken from the serosal or submucosal layer of the small intestine of healthy ruminants ( cattle , sheep , goats ) or from beef tendon . The natural plain thread is precision ground in order to achieve a monofilament character and treated with a glycerol-containing solution . The suture is sterilized with a sterilizing fluid containing ethylene oxide , isopropyl alcohol and distilled water , is straw-colored , and is available in sizes USP 6-0 ( 1 metric ) to USP 3 ( 7 metric ) . \n Although the name implies the usage of guts of cats , there is no record of feline guts being used for this purpose . Perhaps another possible explanation of the name is the combination of the words cattle and gut . Its now available in the market by the brand name Merisoft plain & Merisoft Chromic by the company Meril Life Sciences . \n \n Variants \n \n Chromic catgut suture is a variant treated with chromic acid salts . This treatment produces roughly twice the stitch-holding time of plain catgut , but greater tissue inflammation occurs . Full tensile strength is extended to 18–21 days . It is brown rather than straw-colored , and has improved smoothness due to the dry presentation of the thread ( plain catgut is wet ) . It is otherwise similar to plain catgut . \n \n Fast catgut suture is heat-treated to give even more rapid absorption in the body .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1439, "text": "gut strings" } ], "id": "odql_5587--Catgut_suture.txt", "qid": "odql_5587", "question": "Which absorbable medical suture is made by twisting together strands of purified collagen taken from bovine intestines?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Oregon ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States . Oregon is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean , on the north by Washington , on the south by California , on the east by Idaho , and on the southeast by Nevada . The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon 's northern boundary , and the Snake River delineates much of the eastern boundary . The parallel 42° north delineates the southern boundary with California and Nevada . It is one of only three states of the contiguous United States to have a coastline on the Pacific Ocean , and the proximity to the ocean heavily influences the state 's mild winter climate , despite the latitude . \n \n Oregon was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before Western traders , explorers , and settlers arrived . An autonomous government was formed in the Oregon Country in 1843 , the Oregon Territory was created in 1848 , and Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14 , 1859 . Today , at 98,000 square miles ( 255,000 km² ) , Oregon is the ninth largest and , with a population of 4 million , 26th most populous U.S. state . The capital of Oregon is Salem , the second most populous of its cities , with 160,614 residents ( 2013 estimate ) . With 609,456 residents ( 2013 estimate ) , Portland is the largest city in Oregon and ranks 29th in the U.S. Its metro population of 2,314,554 ( 2013 estimate ) is 24th . The Willamette Valley in western Oregon is the state 's most densely populated area , home to eight of the ten most populous cities . \n \n Oregon 's landscape is diverse , with a windswept Pacific coastline ; a volcano-studded Cascade Range ; abundant bodies of water in and west of the Cascades ; dense evergreen , mixed , and deciduous forests at lower elevations ; and a high desert sprawling across much of its east all the way to the Great Basin . The tall conifers , mainly Douglas fir , along Oregon 's rainy west coast contrast with the lighter-timbered and fire-prone pine and juniper forests covering portions to the east . Abundant alders in the west fix nitrogen for the conifers . Stretching east from central Oregon are semi-arid shrublands , prairies , deserts , steppes , and meadows . At 11249 ft , Mount Hood is the state 's highest point , and Crater Lake National Park is Oregon 's only national park . \n \n Etymology \n \n The earliest evidence of the name Oregon has Spanish origins . The term `` orejón '' comes from the historical chronicle Relación de la Alta y Baja California ( 1598 ) written by the new Spaniard Rodrigo Motezuma and made reference to the Columbia river when the Spanish explorers penetrated into the actual north american territory that became part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain . This chronicle is the first topographical and linguistic source with respect to the place name Oregon . There are also two other sources with Spanish origins such as the name Oregano which grows in the southern part of the region . It is most probable that the American territory was named by the Spaniards as there are some populations in Spain such as `` Arroyo del Oregón '' which is situated in the province of Ciudad Real , also considering that the individualization in Spanish language `` El Orejón '' with the mutation of the letter `` g '' instead of `` j '' . \n \n Another early use of the name , spelled Ouragon , was in a 1765 petition by Major Robert Rogers to the Kingdom of Great Britain . The term referred to the then-mythical River of the West ( the Columbia River ) . By 1778 the spelling had shifted to Oregon . In his 1765 petition , Rogers wrote : \n The rout ... is from the Great Lakes towards the Head of the Mississippi , and from thence to the River called by the Indians Ouragon ... \n \n One theory is the name comes from the French word ouragan ( `` windstorm '' or `` hurricane '' ) , which was applied to the River of the West based on Native American tales of powerful Chinook winds of the lower Columbia River , or perhaps from firsthand French experience with the Chinook winds of the Great Plains . At the time , the River of the West was thought to rise in western Minnesota and flow west through the Great Plains . \n \n Joaquin Miller explained in Sunset magazine , in 1904 , how Oregon 's", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 1126, "text": "salem" } ], "id": "qb_480--Oregon.txt", "qid": "qb_480", "question": "What is the US state capital of Oregon?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Nobel Prize ( , ; Swedish definite form , singular : Nobelpriset ; ) is a set of annual international awards bestowed in a number of categories by Swedish and Norwegian committees in recognition of academic , cultural and/or scientific advances . \n \n The will of the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel established the prizes in 1895 . The prizes in Chemistry , Literature , Peace , Physics , and Physiology or Medicine were first awarded in 1901 . The related Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was established by Sweden 's central bank in 1968 . Medals made before 1980 were struck in 23 carat gold , and later from 18 carat green gold plated with a 24 carat gold coating . Between 1901 and 2015 , the Nobel Prizes and the Prize in Economic Sciences were awarded 573 times to 900 people and organizations . With some receiving the Nobel Prize more than once , this makes a total of 870 individuals ( 822 men and 48 women ) and 23 organizations . \n \n The prize ceremonies take place annually in Stockholm , Sweden , except for the peace prize which is held in Oslo , Norway and each recipient , or laureate , receives a gold medal , a diploma and a sum of money that has been decided by the Nobel Foundation . ( , each prize was worth SEK8 million or about , €0.93 million or £0.6 million . ) The Nobel Prize is widely regarded as the most prestigious award available in the fields of literature , medicine , physics , chemistry , peace , and economics . \n \n The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Prize in Physics , the Nobel Prize in Chemistry , and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences ; the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine ; the Swedish Academy grants the Nobel Prize in Literature ; and the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded not by a Swedish organisation but by the Norwegian Nobel Committee . \n \n The prize is not awarded posthumously ; however , if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it , the prize may still be presented . Though the average number of laureates per prize increased substantially during the 20th century , a prize may not be shared among more than three people . \n \n History \n \n Alfred Nobel ( ) was born on 21 October 1833 in Stockholm , Sweden , into a family of engineers . He was a chemist , engineer , and inventor . In 1894 , Nobel purchased the Bofors iron and steel mill , which he made into a major armaments manufacturer . Nobel also invented ballistite . This invention was a precursor to many smokeless military explosives , especially the British smokeless powder cordite . As a consequence of his patent claims , Nobel was eventually involved in a patent infringement lawsuit over cordite . Nobel amassed a fortune during his lifetime , with most of his wealth from his 355 inventions , of which dynamite is the most famous . \n \n In 1888 , Nobel was astonished to read his own obituary , titled The merchant of death is dead , in a French newspaper . As it was Alfred 's brother Ludvig who had died , the obituary was eight years premature . The article disconcerted Nobel and made him apprehensive about how he would be remembered . This inspired him to change his will . On 10 December 1896 , Alfred Nobel died in his villa in San Remo , Italy , from a cerebral haemorrhage . He was 63 years old . \n \n Nobel wrote several wills during his lifetime . He composed the last over a year before he died , signing it at the Swedish–Norwegian Club in Paris on 27 November 1895 . To widespread astonishment , Nobel 's last will specified that his fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who confer the `` greatest benefit on mankind '' in physics , chemistry , physiology or medicine , literature , and peace . [ http : //www.nobelprize.org/alfred_nobel/will/will-full.html Full text of Alfred Nobel´s Will ] Nobel bequeathed 94 % of his total assets , 31 million SEK ( c. US $ 186 million , €150 million in 2008 ) , to establish the five Nobel Prizes . \n Because of scepticism surrounding the will , it was not until 26 April 1897 that it was approved by the Storting in Norway . The executors of Nobel 's will , Ragnar Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist , formed the Nobel Foundation to take care of Nobel 's", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_20814--Nobel_Prize.txt", "qid": "sfq_20814", "question": "Who is the only person to refuse a Nobel Peace prize (in 1973)?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "The Pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents , spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during the Early Modern period . \n \n While the phrase `` pre-Columbian era '' literally refers only to the time preceding Christopher Columbus 's voyages of 1492 , in practice the phrase usually is used to denote the entire history of indigenous Americas cultures until those cultures were significantly influenced by Europeans , even if this happened decades or centuries after Columbus 's first landing . For this reason the alternative terms of Precontact Americas , Pre-Colonial Americas or Prehistoric Americas are also in use . In areas of Latin America the term usually used is Pre-Hispanic . \n \n Many pre-Columbian civilizations established hallmarks which included permanent settlements , cities , agriculture , civic and monumental architecture , major earthworks , and complex societal hierarchies . Some of these civilizations had long faded by the time of the first permanent European and African arrivals ( c. late 15th–early 16th centuries ) , and are known only through archaeological investigations and oral history . Other civilizations were contemporary with the colonial period and were described in European historical accounts of the time . A few , such as the Maya civilization , had their own written records . Because many Christian Europeans of the time viewed such texts as heretical , men like Diego de Landa destroyed many texts in pyres , even while seeking to preserve native histories . Only a few hidden documents have survived in their original languages , while others were transcribed or dictated into Spanish , giving modern historians glimpses of ancient culture and knowledge . \n \n Indigenous American cultures continue to evolve after the pre-Columbian era . Many of these peoples and their descendants continue traditional practices , while evolving and adapting new cultural practices and technologies into their lives . \n \n History \n \n Settlement of the Americas \n \n Asian nomads are thought to have entered the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge ( Beringia ) , now the Bering Strait and possibly along the coast . Genetic evidence found in Amerindians ' maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA ) supports the theory of multiple genetic populations migrating from Asia . Over the course of millennia , Paleo-Indians spread throughout North and South America . Exactly when the first group of people migrated into the Americas is the subject of much debate . One of the earliest identifiable cultures was the Clovis culture , with sites dating from some 13,000 years ago . However , older sites dating back to 20,000 years ago have been claimed . Some genetic studies estimate the colonization of the Americas dates from between 40,000 and 13,000 years ago . \n The chronology of migration models is currently divided into two general approaches . The first is the short chronology theory with the first movement beyond Alaska into the New World occurring no earlier than 14,000–17,000 years ago , followed by successive waves of immigrants . The second belief is the long chronology theory , which proposes that the first group of people entered the hemisphere at a much earlier date , possibly 50,000–40,000 years ago or earlier . \n \n Artifacts have been found in both North and South America which have been dated to 14,000 BP , and humans are thought to have reached Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America by this time . The Inuit and related peoples arrived separately and at a much later date , probably during the first millennium CE , moving across the ice from Siberia into Alaska . \n \n North America \n \n Early Paleo-Indians soon spread throughout the Americas , diversifying into many hundreds of culturally distinct tribes . Paleo-Indian adaptation across North America was likely characterized by small , highly mobile bands consisting of approximately 20 to 50 members of an extended family . These groups moved from place to place as preferred resources were depleted and new supplies were sought . Paleo-Indian groups were efficient hunters and carried a variety of tools . These included highly efficient projectile points/knives , as well as less distinctive implements used for butchering and hide processing . During much of the Paleo-Indian period , bands are thought to have subsisted primarily through hunting now-extinct megafauna such as mastodon and bison antiquus . \n \n The North American climate finally stabilized by 8000 BCE ; climatic conditions were very similar to today 's . This led to widespread migration , cultivation and subsequently a dramatic rise in population all over the Americas", "qas": [ { "answers": [], "id": "sfq_9160--Pre-Columbian_era.txt", "qid": "sfq_9160", "question": "What is the pre-Columbian civilisation that thrived in southern Mexico in 1400 BC, generally considered the first meso-American civilisation?" } ] } ] }

{ "paragraphs": [ { "context": "Late Show with David Letterman is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS , the first iteration of the Late Show franchise . The show debuted on August 30 , 1993 , and was produced by Letterman 's production company , Worldwide Pants Incorporated and CBS Television Studios . The show 's music director and leader of the house band , the CBS Orchestra , was Paul Shaffer . The head writer was Matt Roberts and the announcer was Alan Kalter . Of the major U.S. late-night programs , Late Show ranked second in cumulative average viewers over time and third in number of episodes over time . In most U.S. markets the show aired from 11:35 p.m. to 12:37 a.m. Eastern and Pacific Time , and recorded Monday through Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. , and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time . The second Thursday episode usually aired on Friday of that week . \n \n In 2002 , Late Show with David Letterman was ranked No . 7 on TV Guides 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time . As host of both Late Night and Late Show for more than 30 years , Letterman surpassed Johnny Carson as the longest running late-night talk show host in 2013 . That same year , Late Night and Late Show were ranked at # 41 on TV Guide 's 60 Best Series of All Time . \n \n In 2014 , Letterman announced his retirement and the final episode of Late Show aired on May 20 , 2015 . After Letterman 's final Late Show , instead of airing reruns of the show or having guest host episodes of Late Show , CBS opted to put the show on hiatus in between Letterman and Colbert and instead aired reruns of scripted dramas in the 11:35 pm time slot over the summer with the branding CBS Summer Showcase . The show was then succeeded by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , hosted by Stephen Colbert , which premiered on September 8 , 2015 . \n \n History \n \n CBS had previously attempted late-night talk shows with The Merv Griffin Show ( 1969–1972 ) and The Pat Sajak Show ( 1989–1990 ) , but these were unable to compete with NBC 's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and were canceled due to poor ratings . For most of the 20 years preceding Late Show , CBS 's late night fare consisted of movies , reruns and specialty programming packaged under the title CBS Late Night and broadcast to middling ratings . When David Letterman became available following a conflict with NBC , CBS was eager to lure him and offered him a three-year , $ 14 million per year contract , doubling his Late Night salary . According to their agreement , the show would spend a month in Hollywood at least once a year . \n \n CBS purchased the Ed Sullivan Theater for $ 4 million , spending `` several million '' to renovate it . The renovation was supervised by architect James Polshek . CBS ' total cost for acquiring the show including renovations , negotiation rights paid to NBC , signing Letterman , announcer Bill Wendell , Shaffer , the writers and the band was over $ 140 million . \n \n A significant issue regarding Letterman 's move to CBS was the ownership of long-running comedy bits used on Late Night , as well as the name of the CBS show itself . NBC claimed that much of what he did on Late Night was intellectual property of the network . Letterman and his attorneys countered that some segments ( `` Viewer Mail '' and `` Stupid Pet Tricks , '' for example ) pre-dated Late Night and had first aired on The David Letterman Show , which was owned by Letterman 's production company rather than NBC , and others , such as the Top Ten List , were common property and not owned by either Letterman or NBC . Ultimately a compromise was reached in key areas ( the `` Viewer Mail '' segment would be called the `` CBS Mailbag , '' the actor portraying Larry `` Bud '' Melman on Late Night would use his real name , Calvert DeForest on the CBS show , and Paul Shaffer 's `` World 's Most Dangerous Band '' would become the `` CBS Orchestra '' ) . \n \n NBC gave Letterman the choice of at least two options to name his new show , Late Show with David Letterman or Nightly with David Letterman . On this matter CBS executives stepped in , rejecting Nightly in part because of potential confusion with Nightline on", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_start": 384, "text": "paul shaffer" } ], "id": "qw_12054--Late_Show_with_David_Letterman.txt", "qid": "qw_12054", "question": "\"Who leads \"\"The CBS Orchestra\"\", the house band for \"\"The Late Show with David Letterman\"\"?\"" } ] } ] }