Dictionary Of New Zealand Biography Quiz

1. In 1953 Edmund Hillary climbed Mt Everest, the highest mountain above sea level. When he reached the summit who was he with?

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George Lowe

Tenzing Norgay

Eric Shipton

Tenzing Norgay was the person with whom Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mt Everest in 1953.

Explanation

Tenzing Norgay was the person with whom Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mt Everest in 1953.

2. This New Zealand author changed her name by deed poll to Nene Janet Paterson Clutha for fear of public recognition. What do we know her as?

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Ngaio Marsh

Elsie Locke

Janet Frame

Janet Frame, a New Zealand author, changed her name to Nene Janet Paterson Clutha to avoid public recognition.

Explanation

Janet Frame, a New Zealand author, changed her name to Nene Janet Paterson Clutha to avoid public recognition.

3. In 1988 this composer received the Order of New Zealand, created to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity. What was his name?

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Edwin Carr

Jack Body

Douglas Lilburn

Douglas Lilburn received the Order of New Zealand in 1988. The Order of New Zealand is a prestigious honor given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Crown and people of New Zealand. Lilburn, being a composer, must have made outstanding contributions to the arts in New Zealand, which led to him being recognized with this honor.

Explanation

Douglas Lilburn received the Order of New Zealand in 1988. The Order of New Zealand is a prestigious honor given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Crown and people of New Zealand. Lilburn, being a composer, must have made outstanding contributions to the arts in New Zealand, which led to him being recognized with this honor.

4. When Sonja Davies was nursing in Wellington she contracted a disease from patients. What was the disease?

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Scarlet fever

Tuberculosis

Meningitis

Sonja Davies contracted tuberculosis while nursing in Wellington.

Explanation

Sonja Davies contracted tuberculosis while nursing in Wellington.

5. Who was the prime minister of New Zealand at the time the Rainbow Warrior was sunk by the French secret service?

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David Lange

Geoffrey Palmer

Robert Muldoon

David Lange was the prime minister of New Zealand at the time the Rainbow Warrior was sunk by the French secret service.

Explanation

David Lange was the prime minister of New Zealand at the time the Rainbow Warrior was sunk by the French secret service.

6. Hone Tuwhare wrote a collection of poems called No ordinary sun, which was published in 1964. What is the title poem about?

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Atomic apocalypse

The life of Jesus

The bright lights of Auckland

The title poem "No ordinary sun" by Hone Tuwhare is about an atomic apocalypse. It explores the devastating effects of nuclear warfare and the destruction it brings upon the world. The poem reflects on the immense power of the sun and draws parallels between its natural energy and the destructive force of nuclear weapons. Tuwhare's powerful imagery and vivid language convey the horrors and consequences of atomic warfare, emphasizing the need for peace and the preservation of our planet.

Explanation

The title poem "No ordinary sun" by Hone Tuwhare is about an atomic apocalypse. It explores the devastating effects of nuclear warfare and the destruction it brings upon the world. The poem reflects on the immense power of the sun and draws parallels between its natural energy and the destructive force of nuclear weapons. Tuwhare's powerful imagery and vivid language convey the horrors and consequences of atomic warfare, emphasizing the need for peace and the preservation of our planet.

7. Robert Muldoon had a distinctive lopsided grin. What was the reason for it?

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His wry smile was caused by a childhood accident involving a fence

It was a the result of a car accident in his teens

He was born with muscular paralysis on one side of his face

The given answer states that Robert Muldoon's distinctive lopsided grin was caused by a childhood accident involving a fence. This suggests that Muldoon's smile was not natural or intentional but rather a result of an incident that occurred during his childhood. The accident involving a fence likely caused some physical damage or injury to Muldoon's face, resulting in the lopsided grin that became a distinctive feature of his appearance.

Explanation

The given answer states that Robert Muldoon's distinctive lopsided grin was caused by a childhood accident involving a fence. This suggests that Muldoon's smile was not natural or intentional but rather a result of an incident that occurred during his childhood. The accident involving a fence likely caused some physical damage or injury to Muldoon's face, resulting in the lopsided grin that became a distinctive feature of his appearance.

8. Bill Rowling, who became prime minister in 1974, was born in which New Zealand town?

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Maruia Springs

Motueka

Murchison

Motueka is the correct answer because it is the birthplace of Bill Rowling, who became the prime minister of New Zealand in 1974. To verify this information, one can refer to Te Ara, a reliable source that provides information about New Zealand's history and culture.

Explanation

Motueka is the correct answer because it is the birthplace of Bill Rowling, who became the prime minister of New Zealand in 1974. To verify this information, one can refer to Te Ara, a reliable source that provides information about New Zealand's history and culture.

9. When Peter Blake was on This Is Your Life, his mother recalled him as a boy who had always had a rapport with water. What was her first indication of this?

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He used to like his bath as a baby

He was mesmerised by the rain

He loved his paddling pool and rubber duck

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Explanation

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10. Rather than actually changing their name, writers more often use a pseudonym or nom de plume to write under. What New Zealand writer produced satirical works under the name Whim Wham?

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Allen Curnow

R. A. K. Mason

Denis Glover

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Explanation

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11. Arthur Lydiard was a renowned runner and running coach, winning the 1950 Auckland Empire Games marathon and training many of New Zealand’s star runners. Which of the following was the first New Zealander to break the four minute mile?

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Murray Halberg

Peter Snell

Barry Magee

Murray Halberg was the first New Zealander to break the four-minute mile. This is evident from the given information that Arthur Lydiard trained many of New Zealand's star runners, indicating that he may have trained Halberg. Additionally, the question does not provide any information about Peter Snell or Barry Magee breaking the four-minute mile, further supporting the answer that Murray Halberg was the first to achieve this feat.

Explanation

Murray Halberg was the first New Zealander to break the four-minute mile. This is evident from the given information that Arthur Lydiard trained many of New Zealand's star runners, indicating that he may have trained Halberg. Additionally, the question does not provide any information about Peter Snell or Barry Magee breaking the four-minute mile, further supporting the answer that Murray Halberg was the first to achieve this feat.