Saturday Quiz What Links Run Lola Run Source Code and Groundhog Day 2026

Are you ready for a brain-teasing challenge that spans music, history, science, and pop culture? The Saturday quiz from The Guardian brings together seemingly random questions that test your knowledge across dozens of topics. This week's edition asks everything from the mononym of singer Rachel Agatha Keen to the number of sides on a hectogon, and of course, the link between four iconic time-loop films.

Whether you're a trivia enthusiast or just looking for a fun mental workout, this quiz offers a satisfying mix of easy wins and head-scratchers. Let's break down the most intriguing questions and their answers, plus explore the fascinating connections that make this quiz so memorable.

Musical Mononyms and Football Oddities

The first question asks: The singer Rachel Agatha Keen performs under what mononym? The answer is Raye. The British singer-songwriter rose to fame with hits like "Escapism" and "Bed," and her single-name stage presence has become a hallmark of modern pop music.

Question two tackles football trivia: Which national football side has just three wins, all against Liechtenstein? The answer is San Marino. Despite being one of the smallest nations in Europe, San Marino's national team has managed only three victories in its history, all against the similarly tiny Liechtenstein.

Religious Movements and Automotive History

Question three delves into spirituality: What religious movement was founded by Madame Blavatsky? The answer is Theosophy, a mystical and philosophical movement that blends Eastern and Western esoteric traditions. Blavatsky's work heavily influenced later New Age thinking.

Question four shifts gears: Which car-making giant was established in 1968? The answer is British Leyland, a once-dominant British automotive conglomerate that produced iconic cars like the Mini, Morris Minor, and Jaguar before its eventual decline.

Lost Cities and the Scent of Rain

Question five takes us to archaeology: What is the subject of Hiram Bingham's book Lost City of the Incas? The answer is Machu Picchu. Bingham's 1911 rediscovery of the ancient Inca citadel in Peru remains one of the most famous archaeological finds in history.

Question six is a sensory delight: Petrichor is the particular smell produced by what? The answer is rain falling on dry soil. This earthy scent, caused by oils released from plants and soil bacteria, has been scientifically studied and even bottled as a perfume.

Bird Calls and Geometry

Question seven tests your ornithology: Which warbler is nicknamed the northern, or mock, nightingale? The answer is the blackcap. This small songbird is known for its melodious, flute-like song that often mimics other birds, earning it the nickname "mock nightingale."

Question eight is pure math: How many sides does a hectogon have? The answer is 100. A hectogon is a 100-sided polygon, and while you won't see one in everyday geometry, it's a fun fact for trivia lovers.

The Great Connections

The quiz also features "what links" sections that reveal surprising patterns. For example, Country singer and Rhodes scholar, Mastermind's original host, and Northern Ireland secretary 1997-99 are all linked by having their first name contained within their surname: Kris Kristofferson, Magnus Magnusson, and Mo Mowlam.

Another connection explores the etymologies of branches of maths: geometry (Greek for "earth measurement"), calculus (Latin for "pebble"), and algebra (Arabic for "reunion of broken parts"). This shows how language shapes our understanding of mathematics.

Time Loops and Tennis Rankings

The most famous link in this quiz is question 12: Edge of Tomorrow, Groundhog Day, Run Lola Run, and Source Code. These four films all feature time loops as a central plot device. From Bill Murray's endless February 2nd in Groundhog Day to Tom Cruise's alien-fighting repeats in Edge of Tomorrow, time-loop storytelling remains a beloved trope in cinema.

Question 13 highlights tennis trivia: Dinara Safina, Jelena Janković, Karolína Plíšková, and Marcelo Ríos all reached No. 1 world tennis ranking without winning a grand slam. This rare achievement underscores the competitive nature of professional tennis.

Medieval Letters and Coin Tosses

Question 14 points to collections of English medieval family correspondence, including the Armburgh, Cely, Paston, Plumpton, and Stonor papers. These letters offer invaluable insights into daily life, politics, and romance in medieval England.

Finally, question 15 asks about Heads or tails equivalents in different languages: Spanish (cara o cruz), German (Kopf oder Zahl), French (pile ou face), and Swedish (krona eller klave). It's a simple yet fascinating look at how different cultures describe the same coin-flip decision.

FAQ

What is the connection between Run Lola Run, Source Code, and Groundhog Day?

All three films, along with Edge of Tomorrow, feature a time loop narrative where the protagonist relives the same period of time repeatedly, often to correct a mistake or prevent a disaster.

Who is Raye and why does she use a mononym?

Raye, born Rachel Agatha Keen, is a British singer-songwriter. She uses the mononym Raye as a stage name, which is common among artists who want a simple, memorable brand. She gained fame for her hit "Escapism" and her bold, genre-blending music.

What is petrichor and why does it smell so good?

Petrichor is the distinct earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. It comes from oils released by plants and the metabolic activity of soil bacteria like Streptomyces. Humans are particularly sensitive to this smell, possibly because it signaled the arrival of life-giving water.