We all know about Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov and his famous dogs. He rang a bell every time he fed them for so long that eventually they’d start drooling for eats the second they heard the bell. Trivia players are the same; we just hear a variety of bells called trivia Pavlovs.
No matter how the question is worded or what clever facts the writers (like yours truly) try to stuff in there as extra info or distraction, many questions boil down to two- or three-word phrases — trivia Pavlovs — that should tip you off to the answer every time.
It’s not to say that these are the ONLY possible answers to these Pavlovs, but in the world of trivia, if someone says Chinese American cellist, I guarantee you they’re looking for Yo-Yo Ma.
Here’s are 10 common trivia Pavlovs I’ve come across – and written questions about! Study up and you’ll see your team’s score ratchet up in no time.
- FINNISH COMPOSER: Jean Sibelius
- CANADIAN DYSTOPIAN AUTHOR: Margaret Atwood
- SPANISH SURREALIST: Salvador Dali
- NORWEGIAN PLAYWRIGHT: Henrik Ibsen
- SCOTTISH POET: Robert Burns
- LOUVRE ARCHITECT: I.M. Pei
- MEXICAN AMERICAN LABOR LEADER: Cesar Chavez
- FILIPINO FIRST LADY: Imelda Marcos
- POLISH POPE: John Paul II
- RUSSIAN POET: Alexander Pushkin
Check out even more questions and answers on my trivia blog!