Following on from yesterday’s set of lists here are some challenges involving things that begin with the letter L (including countries, capital cities and chemical elements) or come 12th numerically (such as the 12th Pope and the 12th President of the USA). In each case you can test yourself first to see how many you can name. The answers appear at the end of this piece.

Challenge: Items beginning with L

Countries: there are 9 countries whose usual English names begin with L. [Hint: 4 in Europe, 3 in Africa, 2 in Asia.]

Capital cities: there are 12 (including administrative capitals).

Chemical Elements: there are 6 elements that begin with L and 5 whose symbols begin with L.

UK #1 Chart Acts: Over 35 acts beginning with L have reached #1 in the UK charts. Well done if you can name 15 of them.

Songs beginning with L that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: Over 60 songs beginning with L have made it to #1 in the UK. Well done if you can name 25 of them.

Challenge: 12th in a list

Can you name the following?

The 12th Pope (166AD to 174AD).

The 12th President of the USA (1849-1850).

The winner of Superbowl XII (1978).

The host country and winner of the 12th FIFA World Cup (1982).

Answers: Items beginning with L

Countries (9): Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Capital cities (12): La Paz , Libreville, Lilongwe, Lima, Lisbon, Ljubljana, Lobamba, Lomé, London, Luanda, Lusaka, Luxembourg.

[For the record, capital cities with country name in brackets: La Paz (Bolivia), Libreville (Gabon), Lilongwe (Malawi), Lima (Peru), Lisbon (Portugal), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Lobamba (royal and legislative capital of Swaziland, or Eswatini as it is now called), Lomé (Togo), London (United Kingdom), Luanda (Angola), Lusaka (Zambia), Luxembourg (Luxembourg.]

Chemical elements by name (6): lanthanum (La), lawrencium (Lr), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), livermorium (Lv), lutetium (Lu).

UK #1 Chart Acts: LL Cool J, La Roux, Labrinth, Lady Gaga , Las Ketchup, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Marvin, Lena Martell, Lenny Kravitz, Leo Sayer, Leon Jackson, Leona Lewis, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, Liberty X, Lieutenant Pigeon, Lil Dicky featuring Chris Brown, Lilly Wood and Robin Schulz, Lily Allen, Limp Bizkit, Lionel Richie, Lisa Stansfield, Lita Roza, Little Jimmy Osmond, Little Mix, Livin’ Joy, LMC vs U2, LMFAO, Long John Baldry, Lonnie Donegan, Lord Rockingham’s XI, Lorde, Los Lobos, Lost Frequencies, Lou Bega, Louis Armstrong, Love Affair, Luis Fonsi.

Songs beginning with L that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: “La Bamba” / “La Isla Bonita” / “La La La” / “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” / “Lady In Red” / “Lady Madonna” / “Lady Marmalade” / “Land Of Make Believe” / “Last Time” / “Last Waltz” / “Lay Down Your Arms” / “Lay Me Down” / “Lazy Song” / “Leave Right Now” / “Legend Of Xanadu” / “Let It Be” / “Let Me Be Your Fantasy” / “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)” / “Let The Heartaches Begin” / “Let’s Dance” / “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble” / “Let’s Have Another Party” / “Let’s Party” / “Life Is A Rollercoaster” / “Lift Me Up” / “Light My Fire” / “Like A Prayer” / “Like Toy Soldiers” / “Lily The Pink” / “Lion Sleeps Tonight” / “Little Children” / “Little Red Rooster” / “Little Sister” / “Little Things” / “Little Things Mean A Lot” / “Livin’ La Vida Loca” / “Living Doll” / “Living On My Own” / “Loca People” / “Lola’s Theme” / “Loneliness” / “Lonely” / “Lonely This Christmas” / “Long And Winding Road” / “Long Haired Lover From Liverpool” / “Long Live Love” / “Look At That Girl” / “Look Right Through” / “Look What You Made Me Do” / “Lose Yourself” / “Louder” / “Love Can Build A Bridge” / “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” / “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” / “Love Is All Around” / “Love Me Again” / “Love Me For A Reason” / “Love Me like You Do” / “Love Won’t Wait” / “Love You More “ / “Love Yourself” / “Lovers on the Sun” / “Lovesick Blues” / “Lucille” / “Lyla”.

Answers: 12th in a list

12th Pope: Soter (166AD to 174AD).

12th President of the USA: Zachary Taylor (1849-1850).

The winner of Superbowl XII: Dallas Cowboys (1978).

The 12th FIFA World Cup (1982): hosted by Spain, won by Italy.