British Culture And History Quiz: Trivia!
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Questions and Answers
- 1.
MUSIC Undoubtedly one of the coolest men of the 1960s, this individual’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he drowned in the swimming pool of his Sussex home, what is his name?
- A.
Pete Best, the original drummer for The Beatles
- B.
Brian Jones, founding member of The Rolling Stones
- C.
Hilton Valentine, lead guitarist for The Animals
- D.
Ray Davies, lead singer for The Kinks
Correct Answer
B. Brian Jones, founding member of The Rolling StonesExplanation
Brian Jones, founding member of The Rolling Stones, was one of the coolest men of the 1960s. Unfortunately, his life was tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he drowned in the swimming pool of his Sussex home.Rate this question:
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- 2.
MUSIC Sex Pistols' controversial hit 'God Save the Queen' was released to coincide with Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. What year was this?
- A.
1975
- B.
1976
- C.
1977
- D.
1978
Correct Answer
C. 1977Explanation
The correct answer is 1977. The Sex Pistols released their controversial hit "God Save the Queen" in 1977 to coincide with Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. The song was seen as a critique of the monarchy and the political climate at the time. It caused significant controversy and was even banned by the BBC.Rate this question:
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- 3.
MUSIC As you may be aware, the British technically invented music. One of the most famous bands of all time is a skiffle outfit from Liverpool known locally as 'The Beatles'. Which Beatles song contains the lyrics "He got muddy water, he one mojo filter, he say one and one and one is three"?
- A.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
- B.
All You Need Is Love
- C.
Yellow Submarine
- D.
Come Together
Correct Answer
D. Come TogetherExplanation
FACT: The Arctic Monkeys covered the song in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.Rate this question:
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- 4.
MUSIC Successfully plagiarising their favorite bands for 18 years, Oasis spearheaded Britpop - a genre recognized as one of the best in the history of music. But which Oasis song did Jay Z destroy at Glastonbury in 2008?
- A.
Morning Glory
- B.
Champagne Supernova
- C.
Roll With It
- D.
Wonderwall
Correct Answer
D. WonderwallExplanation
Jay Z destroyed the Oasis song "Wonderwall" at Glastonbury in 2008.Rate this question:
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- 5.
SPORT In July 2014, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy won golf's Open Championship, beating the closest American contender by two shots, but which European tennis ace was McIlroy recently engaged to?
- A.
Maria Sharapova
- B.
Victoria Azarenka
- C.
Caroline Wozniacki
- D.
Jelena Jankovic
Correct Answer
C. Caroline WozniackiExplanation
Caroline Wozniacki is the correct answer because she was engaged to Rory McIlroy. The question asks about the European tennis ace that McIlroy was recently engaged to, and Wozniacki fits this description.Rate this question:
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- 6.
SPORT Britons call soccer 'football', as unlike US football, players actually use their foot with the ball. Brian Clough is considered one of English football's greatest ever managers and won back-to-back European cups with which club?
- A.
Nottingham Forest
- B.
Manchester United
- C.
Liverpool
- D.
Aston Villa
Correct Answer
A. Nottingham ForestExplanation
FACT: Nottingham Forest were the first British club to win back-to-back European cups, achieving the feat in 1979 and 1980.Rate this question:
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- 7.
SPORT All sports worth playing were invented by the British. Cricket is one of these sports. In cricket, what are 'The Ashes'?
- A.
A term used to describe a batsman who scores 0 runs
- B.
A cricket ground in North London that is considered to be the home of the sport
- C.
An urn containing the charred remains of the sport's founder
- D.
A bi-ennial cricket series played between England and Australia
Correct Answer
D. A bi-ennial cricket series played between England and AustraliaExplanation
'The Ashes' refers to a bi-ennial cricket series played between England and Australia. This term originated from a satirical obituary published in a British newspaper in 1882, stating that English cricket had died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". Since then, the term has been used to symbolize the intense rivalry and competition between the two countries in cricket. The series consists of five Test matches, with the winner taking home a small urn believed to contain the ashes of a cricket bail, representing the 'ashes' of English cricket.Rate this question:
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- 8.
SPORT Muhammed Ali was only floored 4 times in his career. On the second of these occasions, Ali declared that he got hit so hard his "ancestors in Africa felt it". Which Briton delivered this famous blow?
- A.
Brian London
- B.
Henry Cooper
- C.
Richard Dunn
- D.
Frank Bruno
Correct Answer
B. Henry CooperExplanation
Henry Cooper delivered the famous blow that floored Muhammed Ali. Ali stated that he got hit so hard that his "ancestors in Africa felt it."Rate this question:
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- 9.
FILM & TV Britons have been flying and practicing magic for centuries. In Harry Potter, what spell unsticks any object it hits?
- A.
Rictumsempra
- B.
Alohomora
- C.
Waddiwasi
- D.
Tarantallegra
Correct Answer
C. WaddiwasiExplanation
Waddiwasi is the correct answer because it is the spell that unsticks any object it hits. This spell is mentioned in the Harry Potter series and is used to remove objects that are stuck or lodged in a certain place. It is a useful spell for situations where objects need to be moved or dislodged without physical contact.Rate this question:
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- 10.
FILM & TV Average Briton's have been living in castles for generations. In which castle is Downton Abbey set?
- A.
Warwick Castle
- B.
Highclere Castle
- C.
York Castle
- D.
Belvior Castle
Correct Answer
B. Highclere CastleExplanation
Downton Abbey is set in Highclere Castle. This is evident from the context of the question, which mentions that the average Britons have been living in castles for generations, implying that Downton Abbey is a popular British television show set in a castle. Therefore, the correct answer is Highclere Castle.Rate this question:
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- 11.
FILM & TV Suave, sophisticated, handsome & brave are just some of the terms people attribute to all British males. One such British male is James Bond. How many official (Eon produced) James Bond films have there been to date?
- A.
21
- B.
23
- C.
25
- D.
27
Correct Answer
B. 23Explanation
There have been 23 official (Eon produced) James Bond films to date. James Bond is often portrayed as suave, sophisticated, handsome, and brave, and is considered a quintessentially British character. The question is asking for the number of official films produced by Eon Productions, the company responsible for the majority of the James Bond franchise.Rate this question:
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- 12.
FILM & TV British writer Hesketh Pearson once noted 'Our true patron saint is not St George but John Falstaff... we are the most civilized people in the world, the reason being that we are the most humorous people in the world'. In Monty Python's Life of Brian, Reg was the leader of which political organization?
- A.
Judean Popular People's Front
- B.
Popular Front of Judea
- C.
Judean People's Front
- D.
People's Front of Judea
Correct Answer
D. People's Front of JudeaExplanation
In Monty Python's Life of Brian, Reg was the leader of the People's Front of Judea. This answer is correct because the question specifically asks for the political organization that Reg leads in the film. The other options, Judean Popular People's Front, Popular Front of Judea, and Judean People's Front, are all organizations mentioned in the film but do not represent the group that Reg leads. Therefore, the correct answer is People's Front of Judea.Rate this question:
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- 13.
THE ROYAL FAMILY On 22nd July 2013, the birth of Prince George was met with a collective shrug across the British Isles. How much did George weigh at birth?
- A.
8lbs
- B.
8lbs 3oz
- C.
8lbs 6oz
- D.
8lbs 9oz
Correct Answer
C. 8lbs 6ozExplanation
Prince George weighed 8lbs 6oz at birth.Rate this question:
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- 14.
THE ROYAL FAMILY There's no better example of the famous British sense of fair play than having an arbitrary, unelected family reign over the land and its colonies. But how long did Queen Victoria reign over Great Britain and its territories?
- A.
63 years and 7 months
- B.
65 years and 3 months
- C.
67 years and 8 months
- D.
69 years and 1 month
Correct Answer
A. 63 years and 7 monthsExplanation
Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain and its territories for 63 years and 7 months.Rate this question:
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- 15.
THE ROYAL FAMILY Notorious suffragette King Henry VIII of England famously had 6 wives. Who was the first?
- A.
Anne Boleyn
- B.
Catherine Parr
- C.
Anne of Cleeves
- D.
Catherine of Aragon
Correct Answer
D. Catherine of AragonExplanation
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. She was originally married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, but when Arthur died, she married Henry to maintain the alliance between England and Spain. However, their marriage was eventually annulled by Henry, leading to the English Reformation.Rate this question:
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- 16.
THE ROYAL FAMILY In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II became only the second British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. A particular highlight of the celebrations was the 670-boat flotilla that took over The River Thames on a rainy Sunday in June. As the royal convoy passed through Waterloo Bridge, the British National Theatre performed a montage from which of its notable productions?
- A.
War Horse
- B.
Henry V
- C.
Frankenstein
- D.
Treasure Island
Correct Answer
A. War HorseExplanation
During Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 2012, a 670-boat flotilla took place on The River Thames. As the royal convoy passed through Waterloo Bridge, the British National Theatre performed a montage from one of its notable productions. The correct answer is "War Horse."Rate this question:
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- 17.
HISTORY Those ungrateful Scots have a referendum next month on whether they should stay part of Great Britain or go it alone. In which year did James VI of Scotland pass the Union of Crowns that granted him monarchy of both England and Scotland, that laid the foundations for 1707's Act of Union?
- A.
1495
- B.
1571
- C.
1603
- D.
1678
Correct Answer
C. 1603Explanation
In 1603, James VI of Scotland passed the Union of Crowns, which granted him the monarchy of both England and Scotland. This event laid the foundations for the Act of Union in 1707.Rate this question:
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- 18.
HISTORY The British invented the majority of things we now take for granted, including the telephone, fresh air, and hands. One such invention is penicillin. Who invented penicillin in 1928?
- A.
Alexander Watt
- B.
Max Born
- C.
John Dalton
- D.
Alexander Fleming
Correct Answer
D. Alexander FlemingExplanation
FACT: Fleming discovered penicillin when he noticed that a mold that had grown on one of his experiments could kill bacteria.Rate this question:
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- 19.
HISTORY As you are no doubt aware, modern America would not even be in existence had it not been for the British. The Mayflower set sail to America on 6th September 1620 from which English port?
- A.
Southampton
- B.
Portsmouth
- C.
Plymouth
- D.
Felixtowe
Correct Answer
C. PlymouthExplanation
The correct answer is Plymouth. The Mayflower set sail from the English port of Plymouth on September 6th, 1620. This port was significant in the history of America as it was the starting point for the Pilgrims' journey to the New World, which eventually led to the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Without this voyage, modern America may not have come into existence.Rate this question:
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- 20.
HISTORY The British Empire is the most extensive empire to have ever been in existence and in 1922 covered 25% of the Earth's total land area. In 1879, a small contingent of British soldiers defended a mission station in which South African town, in a battle that was later immortalized in the 1964 film Zulu?
- A.
Spion Kop
- B.
Rorke's Drift
- C.
Isandlwana
- D.
Mafeking
Correct Answer
B. Rorke's DriftExplanation
In 1879, a small contingent of British soldiers defended a mission station in Rorke's Drift, a South African town. This battle became famous and was later immortalized in the 1964 film Zulu. The British Empire, which was the most extensive empire in history, covered 25% of the Earth's total land area in 1922.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Art & Literature From Dickens to Tolkien to that woman that wrote Fifty Shades of Grey, Britain is responsible for producing more famous authors than it has dentists. Which George Orwell book features characters called Napoleon, Old Major, and Boxer?
- A.
1984
- B.
Animal Farm
- C.
Down and out in Paris and London
- D.
Homage to Catalonia
Correct Answer
B. Animal FarmExplanation
FACT: Orwell's real name was actually Eric Blair but he went under the nom de plume of George Orwell in order to avoid any embarrassment to his family over his time as a vagrant in Down and out in Paris and London.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Art & Literature Britons have long since had drinking problems, as was documented in the 1751 painting 'Gin Lane' by which Georgian artist?
- A.
Thomas Gainsborough
- B.
JMW Turner
- C.
John Constable
- D.
William Hogarth
Correct Answer
D. William HogarthExplanation
The correct answer is William Hogarth. The question asks about the artist who painted 'Gin Lane' in 1751, documenting Britons' drinking problems. William Hogarth was a Georgian artist known for his social commentary through his paintings. 'Gin Lane' is a famous work by him that depicts the negative effects of excessive drinking on society.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Art & Literature When he wasn't writing The Jungle Book, receiving a Nobel Prize in Literature, or contributing ideas to the formation of the Boy Scout movement, English writer Rudyard Kipling turned his hand to poetry. Complete the last few lines of his most famous poem: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything that's in it...
- A.
And-which is more-you can lie back and think of England!
- B.
And-which is more-you'll find a girl, settle down, if you want you can marry!
- C.
And-which is more-you'll be a Man my son!
- D.
And-which is more-you will compare thee to a summer's day!
Correct Answer
C. And-which is more-you'll be a Man my son!Explanation
The correct answer is "And-which is more-you'll be a Man my son!" This line completes the poem by emphasizing the importance of becoming a mature and responsible individual. It suggests that if one can make the most of every moment and persevere through challenges, they will achieve greatness and earn the respect of others. The line carries a sense of pride and expectation, encouraging the reader to strive for personal growth and success.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Art & Literature Conscious that generations of schoolchildren around the world would have nothing else to study in English Literature lessons, William Shakespeare wrote 40 plays and 154 sonnets during his lifetime. From which Shakespeare comedy does the immortal line 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them' come from?
- A.
Merchant of Venice
- B.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
- C.
As You Like It
- D.
Twelfth Night
Correct Answer
D. Twelfth NightExplanation
The correct answer is Twelfth Night. This comedy by William Shakespeare features the character Malvolio, who receives a letter with the famous quote: "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." The line reflects the themes of social status, ambition, and mistaken identity that are prevalent throughout the play.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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