After surprising myself by knowing the million pound question on the
infamous (cough,cough!) episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and
shouting at the tv at a recent celebrity special, I started wondering
-
what questions did people got wrong, and so went home with nothing?
To clarify as much as possible, I'm looking for a list of questions,
and the four answer options, from any worldwide edition of WWTBAM,
worth less than 1000 dollars, euro, pounds, etc. that contestants have
got wrong, and so went home empty-handed e.g. one that I remember
seeing -
Q. What is the term for a male rabbit? €500
A. Bull, buck, stag, cob.

The longer the list of questions I get, the greater the tip!

Hi rissos,

Thank you for your very entertaining question!

The following are some questions asked on “Who Wants to be a
Millionaire” which were answered incorrectly and worth less than
$1000.

1. $100 Hannibal crossed the Alps using what animals?
A. Rhinoceri
B. Elephants
C. Llamas
D. Chihuahuas
Lifeline: 50:50 was used.

2. $100 What is a Venus flytrap?
A. Carnivorous plant
B. Killer drink
C. Poisonous flower
D. Seductive woman
Lifeline: Ask the Audience was used.

3. $200 What astrological sign is represented by a ram?
A. Gemini
B. Aries
C. Pisces
D. Cancer
Lifeline: Ask the Audience was used.  

4. $200 Which is second highest mountain in the world?
A. Bukit Timah
B. Mount Faber
C. K2
D. Sec 1
Lifeline: Ask the Audience was used.

5. $300 Complete the following line of this nursery rhyme. "Little
Miss Muffet, sat on a tuffet, eating her____"?
A. Mee Rebus & Kopi-O
B. Roti Prata & Teh Tarik
C. Curds & Whey
D. 'Char Kway Teow' & Teh-O
Lifeline: Ask the Audience was used.

6. $300 What is the sudden flow of snow or ice down a cliff called?
A. Glacier
B. Avalanche
C. Landslide
D. Flood
Lifeline: 50:50 was used. 

7. $300 If you suffer from kleptomania, what do you have an urge to
do?
A. Steal 
B. Sleep
C. Wash your hands
D. Fire your boss

8. $500 Which of these animals is classified as a reptile?
A. Flying Fox
B. Anaconda
C. Piranha
D. Armadillo
Lifeline : Call a Friend  was used.

************************************

Here are a few questions that were answered incorrectly which were
worth $1000 and $2000:

$1000 Which of the following was prepared by the ancients as writing
material?
A. Bamboo
B. Rice
C. Coconut
D. Papyrus

$2000 Which of the following courts is the biggest?
A. Volleyball Court
B. Tennis Court
C. Handball Court
D. Badminton Court
 
$2000 Which of the following fruits is believed to contain the most in
vitamin C?
A. Apple
B. Guava
C. Lemon
D. Orange

$2000 What was Mata Hari?
A. A Dutch courtesan 
B. Indian princess 
C. Indian form of dance 
D. French pie

$2000 What is the lowest temperature that is theoretically possible
known as?
A. Freeze Point Zero
B. Motion Zero
C. Core Zero
D. Absolute Zero

$2000 Which part of the saffron flower is used to make the saffron
spice?
A. Sepals
B. Stamen
C. Petals
D. Stigma

$2000 When did Goh Chok Tong become Singapore's Prime Minister?
A. 1989
B. 1990
C. 1991
D. 1992
Lifeline: Call a Friend was used.

$2000 How many stars are there in the Solar System?
A. 1 
B. Infinity
C. 458,907 
D. 102
Lifeline: Call A Friend was used. 

$2000 Which actor played James Bond in the movie, "Never Say Never
Again?
A. Sean Connery
B. Roger Moore
C. Pierce Brosnan
D. Errol Flynn
A WWTBAM Record of all 3 lifelines were used on this question.

Main source of research:
The Network for Graduates
http://www.mygradnet.com/Millionairesg/top_10_questions_blundered_by_co.htm
http://www.mygradnet.com/Millionairesg/1st_ever_to_miss.htm

Search words used:
“Who Wants to be a Millionaire” “questions asked”
“Who Wants to be a Millionaire” “questions asked” “wrong answer”
“Who Wants to be a Millionaire” “questions asked” list

I hope the above is helpful. If you have any questions regarding my
answer please don’t hesitate to ask before rating.
Best regards,
rainbow-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by rissos-ga on 28 Apr 2003 09:12 PDT

One quick clarification - When you say lifeline was used, do you mean
that e.g. they asked the audience and still managed to get it wrong?
If so, Oh My God!

---

Clarification of Answer by rainbow-ga on 28 Apr 2003 10:23 PDT

Hi rissos,
Yes, those contestants used a lifeline *and* answered incorrectly!
Thank you for the rating and tip.
Best regards,
rainbow-ga

Never underestimate the stupidity of the general public!

One more example:

£1000
Which is the second month of the calendar year to have only thirty days?
A:February, B:May, C:September, D:June
Correct Answer:D, Given Answer: C

http://www.celador.co.uk/news_article.php?id=35

Hi Rissos,

I have thought about your question for months. Now I have found it
again .. it's easy for you and I answering questions in the comfort of
our own homes. You are correct. But perhaps you and certainly I both
are the stupid general public. Imagine the bright lights, an audience,
TV cameras in your face .. I know that I would not be able to totally
concentrate on even the simplest of questions in that environment. I
take pride in public speaking, but the thought of pressure on national
television is another realm altogether.

Just had to make contact with you. Phil