Language Quiz: Place Names And Their Meanings

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| By Catherine Halcomb
Catherine Halcomb
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 1443 | Total Attempts: 6,686,485
| Attempts: 98
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Ten tricky questions to test your knowledge of world place names. Take the Challenge!

Language Quiz: Place Names And Their Meanings - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Which country is named after a precious metal? 

    • Andorra

    • Argentina

    • Bolivia

    • Belize

    Correct Answer
    A. Argentina
    Explanation
    Argentina is named after the precious metal silver. The name "Argentina" comes from the Latin word "argentum," which means silver. The country got its name due to the abundance of silver in the region during the Spanish colonial period. The Spanish explorers believed they had found a "land of silver" and named it accordingly. Today, Argentina is known for its rich history of silver mining and is one of the world's leading producers of the precious metal.

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  • 3. 

    What is the Hindi name for 'India'?

    • Bangladesh

    • Tamil Nadu

    • Bharat

    • Hindu Kush

    Correct Answer
    A. Bharat
    Explanation
    The Hindi name for 'India' is Bharat.

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  • 4. 

    Which of the following country names DOES NOT refer to a compass direction?

    • Australia

    • Norway

    • Haiti

    • Tonga

    Correct Answer
    A. Haiti
    Explanation
    Australia and Tonga mean 'south' and Norway means 'north'

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  • 5. 

    Which of the following place names DOES NOT have a meaning connected to rivers

    • Rio Grande

    • Oxford

    • Kuala Lumpur

    • Nuku'alofa

    Correct Answer
    A. Nuku'alofa
    Explanation
    Rio is Spanish for river, a ford is where you can cross a river without a bridge, kuala is a place where two or more rivers meet. Nuku'alofa means 'abode of love' - nothing to do with rivers!

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  • 6. 

    Which country's name (in its original language) means 'Middle Kingdom'?

    • China

    • Bosnia-Herzogvina

    • Germany

    • Vietnam

    Correct Answer
    A. China
    Explanation
    China is the correct answer because the name "China" in its original language, Mandarin, is "Zhongguo," which translates to "Middle Kingdom." This name reflects the ancient Chinese belief that their country was the center of the world and the middle of civilization.

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  • 7. 

    A lot of place names in the Middle East contain the word 'beth'. E.g Bethlehem, Bethel, Bethesda and Bethany. What does 'beth' mean?

    • Well

    • Wall

    • Horse

    • House

    Correct Answer
    A. House
    Explanation
    The word "beth" in place names in the Middle East means "house". This can be seen in examples such as Bethlehem, Bethel, Bethesda, and Bethany. The word "beth" is derived from the Hebrew language and is commonly used to refer to a dwelling or a house. Therefore, when we see the word "beth" in a place name, it signifies that the location is associated with a house or a dwelling.

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  • 8. 

    Which of the following places is NOT named after a person

    • United States of America

    • Algeria

    • Kiribati

    • Saudi Arabia

    Correct Answer
    A. Algeria
    Explanation
    Algeria probably means 'islands' (Arabic Al Jazeera - yes, like the TV channel).
    Kiribati is a local pronunciation and spelling of 'Gilbert' (pronounced Kirrybass).
    Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer.
    The Saud is the family name of the Saudi royal family.

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  • 9. 

    Which of the following places names is NOT connected to a colour?

    • Yangtze

    • Cote d'Azure

    • Huang Hae

    • Glasgow

    Correct Answer
    A. Yangtze
    Explanation
    Yangtze is derived from Mandarin 'long river'. Azure means blue, Huang is yellow (Korean for Yellow Sea) and Glasgow is an old Brythonic name meaning blue field.

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  • Current Version
  • Apr 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jan 27, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Catherine Halcomb
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