Following on from yesterday’s set of lists, here are some challenges involving things that begin with the letter P (including countries, capital cities and chemical elements) or come 16th numerically (such as the 16th Pope and the 16th 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 P

Countries: there are 9 countries whose usual English names begin with P. [Hint: 2 in Europe, 3 in the Americas (including Caribbean island nations), 2 in Asia, 2 in Oceania.]

Capital cities: there are 17, including executive and administrative capitals.

Chemical Elements: there are 9 elements that begin with P and 9 whose symbols begin with P. These two lists are not the same.

UK #1 Chart Acts: 40 acts beginning with P have reached #1 in the UK charts. Well done if you can name 20 of them.

Songs beginning with P that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: Over 40 songs beginning with P have made it to #1 in the UK. Well done if you can name 20 of them.

Challenge: 16th in a list

Can you name the following?

The 16th Pope (217AD to 222AD).

The 16th President of the USA (1861-1865).

The winner of Superbowl XVI (1982).

The host country and winner of the 16th FIFA World Cup (1998).

Answers: Items beginning with P

Countries (9): Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal.

Capital cities (17): Panama City, Port Moresby, Palikir, Paramaribo, Paris, Phnom Penh, Podgorica, Port Louis, Port of Spain, Port Vila, Port-au-Prince, Porto-Novo, Prague, Praia, Pretoria, Putrajaya, Pyongyang.

[For the record, capital cities with country name in brackets: Panama City (Panama), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Palikir (Micronesia), Paramaribo (Suriname), Paris (France), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Podgorica  (Montenegro), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Porto-Novo (Benin), Prague (Czech Republic), Praia (Cape Verde), Pretoria (Executive capital of South Africa), Putrajaya  (Administrative and judicial capital of Malaysia), Pyongyang (North Korea).]

Chemical elements by name (9): palladium (Pd), phosphorus (P), platinum (Pt), plutonium (Pu), polonium (Po), potassium (K), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), protactinium (Pa).

Chemical elements by symbol (9): P (phosphorus), Pa (protactinium), Pb (lead), Pd (palladium), Pm (promethium), Po (polonium), Pr (praseodymium), Pt (platinum), Pu (plutonium).

UK #1 Chart Acts: Paper Lace, Partners In Kryme, Pat Boone, Pato Banton, Paul Anka, Paul Hardcastle, Paul McCartney, Paul Young, Perez Prado, Perry Como, Pet Shop Boys, Peter & Gordon, Peter Andre, Peter Kay’s Animated All Star Band, Peter Sarstedt, Peters & Lee, Petula Clark, Pharrell Williams, Phil Collins, Philip Bailey (duet with Phil Collins), Phyllis Nelson, Pilot, Pink, Pink Floyd, Pitbull, Pixie Lott, PJ & Duncan, Platters, Police, Post Malone, Pretenders, Prince, Proclaimers, Procol Harum, Prodigy, Professor Green, Psy, Puff Daddy & Faith Evans, Pussycat, Pussycat Dolls.

Songs beginning with P that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: “Paint It Black” / “Papa Don’t Preach” / “Paperback Writer” / “Paradise” / “Part of Me” / “Party Rock Anthem” / “Pass Out” / “Pass The Dutchie” / “Patience” / “Payphone” / “Perfect” / “Perfect Day” / “Perfect Moment” / “Pillowtalk” / “Pipes Of Peace” / “Please Don’t Go” / “Please Don’t Let Me Go” / “Please Don’t Tease” / “Please Please” / “Poetry In Motion” / “Poker Face” / “Poor Me” / “Poor People Of Paris” / “The Power Of Love” / “The Power“ / “Praise You” / “Pray” / “Prayer in C” / “Precious” / “Pretty Flamingo” / “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” / “Price Tag” / “Prince Charming” / “Problem” / “Professional Widow” / “Promise This” / “The Promise“ / “Promises” / “Pump Up The Volume” / “Puppet On A String” / “Puppy Love” / “Pure And Simple” / “Pure Shores” / “Push The Button” / “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit” / “Putting On The Style”.

Answers: 16th in a list

16th Pope: St Callixtus (217AD to 222AD).

16th President of the USA: Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865).

The winner of Superbowl XVI (1982): San Francisco 49ers.

The 16th FIFA World Cup (1998): hosted by France, won by France.