QUES: Lancashire had a lively culture of choral and classical music, with very large numbers of local church choirs from the 17th century, leading to the foundation of local choral societies from the mid-18th century, often particularly focused on performances of the music of Handel and his contemporaries. It also played a major part in the development of brass bands which emerged in the county, particularly in the textile and coalfield areas, in the 19th century. The first open competition for brass bands was held at Manchester in 1853, and continued annually until the 1980s. The vibrant brass band culture of the area made an important contribution to the foundation and staffing of the Halle Orchestra from 1857, the oldest extant professional orchestra in the United Kingdom. The same local musical tradition produced eminent figures such as Sir William Walton (190288), son of an Oldham choirmaster and music teacher, Sir Thomas Beecham (18791961), born in St. Helens, who began his career by conducting local orchestras and Alan Rawsthorne (190571) born in Haslingden. The conductor David Atherton, co-founder of the London Sinfonietta, was born in Blackpool in 1944. Lancashire also produced more populist figures, such as early musical theatre composer Leslie Stuart (18631928), born in Southport, who began his musical career as organist of Salford Cathedral.

Who began their musical career as organist of Salford Cathedral?
What is the answer?
ANS: Leslie Stuart
QUES: Uranium-238 is the most stable isotope of uranium, with a half-life of about 4.468109 years, roughly the age of the Earth. Uranium-235 has a half-life of about 7.13108 years, and uranium-234 has a half-life of about 2.48105 years. For natural uranium, about 49% of its alpha rays are emitted by each of 238U atom, and also 49% by 234U (since the latter is formed from the former) and about 2.0% of them by the 235U. When the Earth was young, probably about one-fifth of its uranium was uranium-235, but the percentage of 234U was probably much lower than this.

What is the half-life of uranium-234?
What is the answer?
ANS: 2.48105 years
QUES: Thus, Buckingham Palace is a symbol and home of the British monarchy, an art gallery and a tourist attraction. Behind the gilded railings and gates which were completed by the Bromsgrove Guild in 1911 and Webb's famous facade, which has been described in a book published by the Royal Collection as looking "like everybody's idea of a palace", is not only a weekday home of the Queen and Prince Philip but also the London residence of the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. The palace also houses the offices of the Queen, Prince Philip, Duke of York, Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Royal, and Princess Alexandra, and is the workplace of more than 800 people.

Who is Buckingham palace home to?
What is the answer?
ANS:
the British monarchy