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 X (including chemical elements) or come 24th numerically (such as the 24th Pope and the 24th 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 X

Countries: there are no countries whose usual English names begin with X and only 2 that contain the letter X.

Capital cities: there are no capital cities whose names begin with X and only 2 that contain the letter X. (They are the capital cities of the 2 countries that contain the letter X).

Chemical Elements: there is only 1 element that begins with X, and its chemical symbol is the only one that begins with (or contains) the letter X. There is only 1 other element that contains the letter X.

UK #1 Chart Acts: Before 2008 no acts beginning with X had reached #1 in the UK. Between 2008 and 2011, 4 acts beginning with X reached #1, all connected with the same TV series.

Songs beginning with X that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: 1 song beginning with X has reached #1 in the UK.

Challenge: 24th in a list

Can you name the following?

24th Pope (257AD to 258AD).

24th President of the USA (1893-1897). [He was also the 22nd President of the USA, the only one to serve 2 non-consecutive terms.]

The winner of Superbowl XXIV (1990).

Answers: Items beginning with X

Countries (0): the 2 countries that contain an X are Luxembourg and Mexico.

Capital cities (0): the 2 capital cities that contain an X are Luxembourg and Mexico City.

Chemical elements (1): xenon (Xe). [Oxygen is the only other element that contains the letter X.]

UK #1 Chart Acts (4): X Factor Finalists, X Factor Finalists 2009, X Factor Finalists 2010, X Factor Finalists 2011.

Songs beginning with X that have reached #1 in the UK Chart: “Xanadu”.

Answers: 24th in a list

24th Pope: Sixtus II (257AD to 258AD).

24th President of the USA: Grover Cleveland (1893-1897).

The winner of Superbowl XXIV (1990): San Francisco 49ers.