Do You Really Know About Musical Humorist Victor Borge?

By Cora C.
Cora C., ESL
Cora serves as an ESL instructor at City College of San Francisco, dedicated to helping students enhance their English language skills.
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Do You Really Know About Musical Humorist Victor Borge? - Quiz

“ A smile is the shortest distance between two people. ” --Victor Borge
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This quiz introduces the beloved international humorist and musician Victor Borge who was famous on radio and television in the United States because of his blend of music and comedy. The life of this world-renowned entertainer can be an inspiration to many people. This quiz has been created to test your memory whether you remember this legend or not. So, let's try out the Read morequiz. All the best!


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

              1.  Musical humorist Victor Borge, a talented pianist and a comedian, was born in ____________   on January 3, 1909.

    • A.

      Oslo, Norway

    • B.

      Stockholm, Sweden

    • C.

      Copenhagen, Denmark

    Correct Answer
    C. Copenhagen, Denmark
    Explanation
    Victor Borge, a musical humorist who was known for his skills as both a pianist and a comedian, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 3, 1909.

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  • 2. 

                                         The son of a violinist in the Danish Symphony Orchestra, Victor Borge became a child prodigy soon after he began playing the piano at the age of three.   “A child prodigy” means ____________ .                   

    • A.

      A child who makes progress

    • B.

      A child who has a great natural ability in a subject or skill

    • C.

      A child who promotes products

    Correct Answer
    B. A child who has a great natural ability in a subject or skill
    Explanation
    A child prodigy refers to a child who has a great natural ability in a subject or skill. In the given context, Victor Borge became a child prodigy in playing the piano at the age of three, showcasing his exceptional talent and skill in music.

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  • 3. 

                          After studying at the Copenhagen Music Conservatory as well as in Vienna and Berlin, Victor Borge soon found his way into acting, too. He became a one-of-a-kind leading film and stage actor in Scandinavia.  "One of a kind" means ______________ .

    • A.

      Kind-hearted

    • B.

      Kind of

    • C.

      Special because no one else is like him

    Correct Answer
    C. Special because no one else is like him
    Explanation
    "One of a kind" means that Victor Borge is unique and there is no one else like him. He stands out from others because of his exceptional qualities or characteristics.

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  • 4. 

                                       When the Germans invaded Denmark in 1940, Victor Borge had to escape to the U.S.  He arrived almost penniless and unable to speak English. "Penniless" means __________________ .

    • A.

      Had no penny but other coins

    • B.

      Had no coins but bills

    • C.

      Had no money

    Correct Answer
    C. Had no money
    Explanation
    The word "penniless" is used to describe someone who has no money. In this context, it means that Victor Borge arrived in the U.S. without any money.

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  • 5. 

                              He taught himself English by listening intently to the dialogues in films.  “Intently”  means _____________ .

    • A.

      Eagerly, showing strong desire

    • B.

      Intend

    • C.

      Plan to

    Correct Answer
    A. Eagerly, showing strong desire
    Explanation
    "Intently" means to do something with great focus and concentration. In this context, the person taught himself English by listening eagerly and with a strong desire to learn, paying close attention to the dialogues in films.

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  • 6. 

                                                He was invited to appear on famous radio shows. Then, he moved on to television and ________ .

    • A.

      The theatre

    • B.

      Hollywood

    Correct Answer
    A. The theatre
    Explanation
    After being invited to appear on famous radio shows, the person in question transitioned to television and then moved on to the theatre. The answer "the theatre" completes the sentence and provides a logical progression of the person's career trajectory.

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  • 7. 

                                       From 1953 through 1956,  Victor Borge’s one-man show “Comedy in Music” chalked up 849 performances—the longest solo run in Broadway history. "Chalk up" means ______________ .

    • A.

      To succeed in winning or getting something

    • B.

      To use chalk to write

    • C.

      His name was on the chalkboard

    Correct Answer
    A. To succeed in winning or getting something
    Explanation
    "Chalk up" is an idiomatic expression that means to achieve or accomplish something. In this context, it means that Victor Borge's one-man show "Comedy in Music" was able to achieve a record-breaking 849 performances, making it the longest solo run in Broadway history.

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  • 8. 

                              Victor Borge’s  incredible wit combined with his amazing musical ability created the unique performances that cracked up people around the world. "Crack up" means ______________ .  

    • A.

      Break up people

    • B.

      Make people jump

    • C.

      Make people laugh a lot

    Correct Answer
    C. Make people laugh a lot
    Explanation
    "Crack up" means to make people laugh a lot. In the context of the sentence, it is referring to how Victor Borge's performances were able to make people around the world laugh a lot due to his incredible wit and musical ability.

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  • 9. 

                                                           He performed skits such as falling off his seatbelt-equipped piano bench, telling jokes about musicians, playing music upside down or playing piano duets by using his fingers to invade his partner’s keyboard territory.        "Skit" means __________________ .                                           

    • A.

      A sudden sliding movement

    • B.

      A short funny play

    • C.

      Skill

    Correct Answer
    B. A short funny play
    Explanation
    The word "skit" refers to a short funny play. In the given context, the person mentioned is performing various comedic acts such as falling off a piano bench, telling jokes, and invading his partner's keyboard territory. These actions indicate that he is engaging in a humorous performance, which aligns with the definition of a skit as a short funny play. Therefore, the correct answer is "a short funny play."

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  • 10. 

                                                                  In 1963, Borge helped to found the “Thanks to Scandinavia Foundation,” which offers scholarships to Scandinavian students and scientists to the U.S. universities. “Scholarship” means _________ .                                 

    • A.

      School supplies with books and pens

    • B.

      Study schedule

    • C.

      Money for education and research

    Correct Answer
    C. Money for education and research
    Explanation
    The word "scholarship" refers to financial support provided to students and researchers to fund their education and research endeavors. It does not refer to school supplies or study schedules, but specifically to monetary assistance for educational and research purposes.

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  • 11. 

                                               He was knighted by the kings of Norway, Denmark and Sweden and was honoured by both the US Congress and the United Nations. “ was knighted” means  ______________ .

    • A.

      Was given a high rank or title

    • B.

      Was given a sword and a horse

    • C.

      Was offered a job to serve the king

    Correct Answer
    A. Was given a high rank or title
    Explanation
    The phrase "was knighted" refers to the act of being granted a high rank or title. This is typically done by a monarch or other high-ranking official as a form of recognition or honor. In this context, the individual mentioned in the question was knighted by the kings of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, as well as being honored by the US Congress and the United Nations, indicating that he was given a high rank or title for his accomplishments or contributions.

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  • 12. 

                                      He kept up a busy career into his 80s. In addition to his heavy stage and television commitments, he became a much sought-after conductor of many of the world’s most famous symphony and opera orchestras.      "Sought-after" means ________________ .                                         

    • A.

      Run after

    • B.

      Wanted by a lot of people, but difficult to get

    • C.

      Sort out

    Correct Answer
    B. Wanted by a lot of people, but difficult to get
    Explanation
    "Sought-after" means that someone or something is wanted by a lot of people, but difficult to get. In the given context, it indicates that the person mentioned in the passage was highly desired as a conductor by many of the world's most famous symphony and opera orchestras, but it was not easy to secure his services due to his busy career and commitments.

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  • 13. 

                                                                         “Victor Borge is world-famous as the funniest pianist on Earth,” stated  The Washington Post. The beloved international humorist and musician, who began performing actively from the age of 17 until past his 90th birthday, passed away on December 23, 2000, in Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.  "Pass away" means _____________ .

    • A.

      Pass by

    • B.

      In the past

    • C.

      Die

    Correct Answer
    C. Die
    Explanation
    The phrase "pass away" is often used as a euphemism for "die". In this context, it means that Victor Borge died on December 23, 2000.

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Cora C. |ESL
Cora serves as an ESL instructor at City College of San Francisco, dedicated to helping students enhance their English language skills.

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