Following on from yesterday’s set of lists here are some challenges involving things that begin with the letter N (including countries, capital cities and chemical elements) or come 14th numerically (such as the 14th Pope and the 14th 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 N

Countries: there are 10 countries whose usual English names begin with N. [Hint: 3 in Africa, 2 in Europe, 2 in Asia, 1 in the Americas (including Caribbean island nations), 2 in Oceania.] 2021 update: Since this piece was first published, a European country has changed its official name and now begins with N, so there are 11 countries in all, 3 of them in Europe.

Capital cities: there are 10 (including the seat of government in Palau). [2021 Update: there are now 11 capital cities beginning with N.]

Chemical Elements: there are 8 elements that begin with N and 9 whose symbols begin with N.

UK #1 Chart Acts: 20 acts beginning with N have reached #1 in the UK charts. Well done if you can name 10 of them.

Songs beginning with N that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: 30 songs beginning with N have made it to #1 in the UK. Well done if you can name 15 of them.

Challenge: 14th in a list

Can you name the following?

The 14th Pope (189AD to 199AD).

The 14th President of the USA (1853-1857).

The winner of Superbowl XIV (1980).

The host country and winner of the 14th FIFA World Cup (1990).

Answers: Items beginning with N

Countries (10 when this this piece was first published, now 11): Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway. 2021 Update: the country that has changed its name since this piece was first published, and is now the 11th to begin with N, is North Macedonia, formerly known as Macedonia.

Capital cities (10 when this this piece was first published, now 11): Nairobi, Nassau, Naypyidaw, N’Djamena, New Delhi, Ngerulmud, Niamey, Nicosia, Nouakchott, Nukuʻalofa, Nur Sultan.

[For the record, capital cities with country name in brackets: Nairobi (Kenya), Nassau (Bahamas), Naypyidaw (Myanmar / Burma), N’Djamena (Chad), New Delhi (India), Ngerulmud (Seat of government in Palau), Niamey (Niger), Nicosia (Cyprus), Nouakchott (Mauritania), Nukuʻalofa (Tonga), Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan).] / [2021 update: Nur-Sultan has become the capital of Kazakhstan since this piece was first published.]

Chemical elements by name (8): neodymium (Nd), neon (Ne), neptunium (Np), nickel (Ni), nihonium (Nh), niobium (Nb), nitrogen (N), nobelium (No).

Chemical elements by symbol (9): N (nitrogen), Na (sodium), Nb (niobium), Nd (neodymium), Ne (neon), Nh (nihonium), Ni (nickel), No (nobelium), Np (neptunium).

UK #1 Chart Acts: Nancy Sinatra, Natasha Bedingfield, Naughty Boy, Nelly, Nelly Furtado, Nena, Nero, New Edition, New Kids On The Block, New Seekers, Ne-Yo, Nick Berry, Nico & Vinz, Nicole, Nicole Scherzinger, Nilsson, Nizlopi, No Doubt, Norman Greenbaum, Notorious BIG.

Songs beginning with N that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: “Name Of The Game” / “Nasty Girl” / “Need U (100%)” / “Needles & Pins” / “Never Be The Same Again” / “Never Ever” / “Never Forget” / “Never Gonna Give You Up” / “Never Gonna Leave Your Side” / “Never Had A Dream Come True” / “Never Leave You” / “New Rules” / “The Next Time” / “Nice for What” / “Night Fever” / “No Charge” / “No Limit” / “No Matter What” / “No Other Love” / “No Regrets” / “No Tomorrow” / “Nobody to Love” / “Not Letting Go” / “Nothin’ On You” / “Nothing Compares 2 U “ / “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You” / “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” / “Now You’re Gone” / “Number 1” / “Nut Rocker”.

Answers: 14th in a list

14th Pope: Victor I (189AD to 199AD).

14th President of the USA: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857).

The winner of Superbowl XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers (1980, same as Superbowl XIII in 1979).

The 14th FIFA World Cup (1990): hosted by Italy, won by West Germany.