Following on from yesterday’s set of lists, and continuing this New Year Resolution of sorts, here are some challenges involving things that begin with the letter R (including countries, capital cities and chemical elements) or come 18th numerically (such as the 18th Pope and the 18th 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 R

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

Capital cities: there are 6.

Chemical Elements: there are 8 elements whose names begin with R; their symbols also begin with R.

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

Songs beginning with R that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: Over 50 songs beginning with R have made it to #1 in the UK. Well done if you can name 25 of them.

Challenge: 18th in a list

Can you name the following?

The 18th Pope (230AD to 235AD).

The 18th President of the USA (1869-1877).

The winner of Superbowl XVIII (1984).

The host country and winner of the 18th FIFA World Cup (2006).

Answers: Items beginning with R

Countries (4): Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Rwanda.

Capital cities (6): Rabat, Reykjavík, Riga, Riyadh, Rome, Roseau.

[For the record, capital cities with country name in brackets: Rabat (Morocco), Reykjavík (Iceland), Riga (Latvia), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Rome (Italy), Roseau (Dominica).]

Chemical elements by name (8): radium (Ra), radon (Rn), rhenium (Re), rhodium (Rh), roentgenium (Rg), rubidium (Rb), ruthenium (Ru), rutherfordium (Rf).

UK #1 Chart Acts: R Kelly, Rachel Platten, Rage Against The Machine, Ray Charles, Ray Stevens, Razorlight, Real Thing, Rednex, Renee & Renato, Rick Astley, Ricky Martin, Ricky Valance, Right Said Fred, Righteous Brothers, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Rixton, Robbie Williams, Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman, Robin Beck, Robin Thicke, Robson & Jerome, Robyn, Rod Stewart, Roger Miller, Roger Sanchez, Rolf Harris, Roll Deep, Rolling Stones, Ronan Keating, Ronnie Hilton, Room 5, Rosemary Clooney, Route 94, Roxy Music, Roy Orbison, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Rubettes, Ruby Murray, Rudimental, Rui Da Silva featuring Cassandra, Run DMC vs Jason Nevins, Russ Conway.

Songs beginning with R that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: “Radio” / “Rat Trap” / “Rather Be” / “Reach For The Stars” / “Reach Out I’ll Be There” / “Read All About It” / “Ready Or Not” / “The Real Slim Shady” / “The Real Thing” / “Real To Me” / “Red Red Wine” / “Reet Petite” / “The Reflex” / “Relax” / “Release Me” / “Relight My Fire” / “Replay” / “Respectable” / “Return Of The Mack” / “Return To Sender” / “Rhythm Is A Dancer” / “Ride On Time” / “Right Round” / “Ring My Bell” / “RIP” / “Rise” / “River” / “Rivers Of Babylon” / “Roar” / “Rock And Roll Waltz” / “Rock Around The Clock” / “Rock DJ” / “Rock Me Amadeus” / “Rock Your Baby” / “Rock-A-Billy” / “Rockabye” / “Rock-A-Hula Baby” / “Rockstar” / “Rollercoaster” / “Rollin’” / “Rose Marie” / “The Rose” / “Roulette” / “Round Round” / “The Roussos Phenomenon (EP)” / “Royals” / “Rubber Bullets” / “Ruby” / “Rude” / “Run” / “Run This Town” / “Runaway” / “Running Bear”.

Answers: 18th in a list

18th Pope: St Pontian (230AD to 235AD).

18th President of the USA: Ulysses S Grant (1869-1877).

The winner of Superbowl XVIII (1984): Los Angeles Raiders.

The 18th FIFA World Cup (2006): hosted by Germany, won by Italy.