Question: Brasov, Romania (CNN) -- The ruins of Poienari Castle sit high on a mountain peak with a seemingly never-ending vista looking out over deep gorges, charcoal-gray cliffs and mountain streams.

It's a natural paradise, but we did not make the trip to this castle just for the awesome view. Visitors come for its connection to history's most famous vampire, Dracula.

The famous book and the ensuing movies are fiction, but since Bram Stoker published his novel in 1897, the world has been looking to Transylvania (in modern central Romania) as "Count Dracula's" home.

And there is a bit of truth to it. Stoker never visited Eastern Europe, but his famous character is based, in part, on a real 15th-century prince.

Vlad Dracula lived from 1431 to about 1476 and ruled Wallachia, which was actually south of Transylvania. As military leader, he was a hero to his people, and he has a place in the Romanian National Military Museum.

Another museum explains the name "Dracula" is actually a title from the knightly order of the dragon, whose mission was to defend Christianity. Documents he signed "Vlad Dracula" still exist.

A nickname often associated with him is Tepes, which means impaler, and comes from his brutal application of capital punishment by skewering bodies on a wooden spike.

Visiting Dracula's castle

Poienari Castle is not on the main tourist route. In fact, it's pretty hard to get there.

Public transportation is infrequent, and the big tourist town in the region, Brasov, is hours away. 1. who is the author?
2. who did he write about?
3. where did the character live?
4. did the author ever go there?
5. was a real person the inspiration for the character?
6. who?
7. when did he live?
8. do we know the year he was born?
9. what was it?
10. when did he die?
11. what was his occupation?
12. of where?
13. where is that?
14. East of it?
15. was he called something else?
16. what?
17. does it give the meaning of that?
18. what does it mean?
19. why was he called that?
20. a metal one?
21. what was it made of? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. Bram Stoker
2. Count Dracula
3. Transylvania
4. No
5. in part
6. Vlad Dracula
7. the 15th-century
8. Yes
9. 1431
10. about 1476
11. he was a prince
12. Wallachia
13. near Transylvania
14. No
15. Yes
16. Tepes
17. Yes
18. impaler
19. because he skewered bodies on a spike.
20. No
21. wood

Question: In December,2010,many American newspapers publish a list of the best books of the year. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is one of the most repeatedly praised books on this year's list of favorites. It tells about the ups and downs of the Berglund family over many years. Mr.Franzen fills the book with sharp observations about American politics, culture and society.

Jennifer Egan's book A Visit from the Goon Squad takes place in 13 chapters over 40 years. The story moves back and forth in time,from different viewpoints. One main character is former rock musician Bennie Salazar who works for a record company. The other main character is a troubled young woman named Sasha who works for Bennie. The reader learns about their pasts and those of their friends.

The main character in The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is a failing English Language newspaper published in Rome,Italy. Each chapter of the book tells about a reporter or editor working for this paper. Their stories are filled with intelligence and great personality.

Two of the most popular nonfiction books of 2010 were about rock and roll stars. Just Kids is by rock singer Patti Smith. It tells about her friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the 1960s and 1970s before they became famous. Life is the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. It is an honest and exciting look at the development of rock and roll and the wild times this famous band has experienced.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells about a man named Louis Zamperini. She tells about his extraordinary survival story after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during Would War Two.

Stacy Schiff has received great praise for her book Cleopatra: A Life. It tells about one of the most misrepresented and famous women in his story, Cleopatra. She ruled ancient Egypt about 2,000 years ago. One critic said Ms. Schiff has brought Cleopatra to life again by unearthing her story from centuries of lies. 1. In Dec 2010, what was the name of one of the most repeatedly praised books on the favorites list?
2. Who wrote A Visit from the Goon Squad?
3. What family does Freedom feature?
4. And who is the author of the Berglund family's story?
5. Patti Smith, which nonfiction title did she write?
6. Just Kids told about Patti Smith's friendship with which artist?
7. What kind of nonfiction title did Keith Richards write?
8. Who wrote the book about Louis Zamperini?
9. And what was the title of Miss Hillenbrand's novel?
10. During what major event was Unbroken set?
11. Who is touted as one of the most misrepresented and famous women in history?
12. And how long ago did she rule ancient Egypt? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. A Visit from the Goon Squad
2. Jennifer Egan
3. The Berglund family
4. Jonathan Franzen
5. Just Kids
6. Robert Mapplethorpe
7. autobiography
8. Laura Hillenbrand
9. Unbroken
10. WWII
11. Cleopatra
12. about 2,000 years ago

Question: The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, or U of C) is a private research university in Chicago. The university, established in 1890, consists of The College, various graduate programs, interdisciplinary committees organized into four academic research divisions and seven professional schools. Beyond the arts and sciences, Chicago is also well known for its professional schools, which include the Pritzker School of Medicine, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Law School, the School of Social Service Administration, the Harris School of Public Policy Studies, the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies and the Divinity School. The university currently enrolls approximately 5,000 students in the College and around 15,000 students overall.

University of Chicago scholars have played a major role in the development of various academic disciplines, including: the Chicago school of economics, the Chicago school of sociology, the law and economics movement in legal analysis, the Chicago school of literary criticism, the Chicago school of religion, and the behavioralism school of political science. Chicago's physics department helped develop the world's first man-made, self-sustaining nuclear reaction beneath the university's Stagg Field. Chicago's research pursuits have been aided by unique affiliations with world-renowned institutions like the nearby Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory, as well as the Marine Biological Laboratory. The university is also home to the University of Chicago Press, the largest university press in the United States. With an estimated completion date of 2020, the Barack Obama Presidential Center will be housed at the university and include both the Obama presidential library and offices of the Obama Foundation. 1. Is the University of Chicago a public college?
2. Can you name a discipline developed there?
3. Are there others listed?
4. How many? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. No
2. the Chicago school of economics
3. Yes
4. Six