Soap Operas TV Shows

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  • 1/22 Questions

    What primetime cliffhanger inspired the "Who shot J.R?" tagline for the next season?

    • Falcon Crest
    • Desperate Housewives
    • Dallas
    • Knot's Landing
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About This Quiz

Explore the world of soap operas with this engaging quiz on 'Soap Operas TV Shows'. Test your knowledge on their target audience, airing frequency, unique characteristics, and historical context. Perfect for learners interested in media and television history.

Soap Operas TV Shows - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Soap operas were intended for and consumed by whom?

    • Office workers

    • Factory workers

    • Housewives

    • Teens

    Correct Answer
    A. Housewives
    Explanation
    Soap operas were intended for and consumed by housewives. Soap operas gained popularity during the mid-20th century when many women were homemakers and stayed at home. These television dramas provided a form of entertainment and escapism for housewives who often had limited social interactions and relied on television for entertainment during the day. Soap operas typically focused on domestic and relationship issues, which resonated with the experiences and interests of housewives. Therefore, it can be inferred that housewives were the primary target audience for soap operas.

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  • 3. 

    How is it understood that every soap opera episode ends?

    • Happily

    • Badly

    • To be continued

    • Mysteriously

    Correct Answer
    A. To be continued
    Explanation
    Soap operas are known for their ongoing storylines and cliffhangers, which keep viewers engaged and wanting more. Therefore, it is commonly understood that every soap opera episode ends with the phrase "To be continued," indicating that the story will continue in the next episode. This creates suspense and anticipation for the viewers, ensuring that they will tune in for the next installment.

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  • 4. 

    What role does Susan Lucci play on "All My Children?"

    • Taylor Fargate

    • Colby Chandler

    • Erica Kane

    • Ava Benton

    Correct Answer
    A. Erica Kane
    Explanation
    Susan Lucci plays the role of Erica Kane on "All My Children."

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  • 5. 

    What primetime soap opera featured John Forsythe as Blake Carrington?

    • Dallas

    • Dynasty

    • Knots Landing

    • Falcon Crest

    Correct Answer
    A. Dynasty
    Explanation
    Dynasty is the correct answer because it is the primetime soap opera that featured John Forsythe as Blake Carrington. Dallas, Knots Landing, and Falcon Crest are other popular primetime soap operas, but they do not feature John Forsythe as the character Blake Carrington.

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  • 6. 

    How often do daytime soap operas air?

    • Three days a week

    • Five days a week

    • On the weekends

    • Mondays and Fridays

    Correct Answer
    A. Five days a week
    Explanation
    Daytime soap operas air five days a week. This means that they are broadcasted from Monday to Friday. Soap operas are known for their daily episodes, which often follow ongoing storylines and character developments. Airing five days a week allows viewers to follow the narrative consistently and stay engaged with the show's plot.

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  • 7. 

    In what medium did soap operas begin?

    • Television

    • Newspapers

    • Magazines

    • Radio

    Correct Answer
    A. Radio
    Explanation
    Soap operas began in the medium of radio. This is because radio was one of the earliest forms of mass media and provided a platform for storytelling through audio dramas. Soap operas got their name from the soap advertisements that were often featured during these radio programs. The format of daily or weekly serialized dramas with ongoing storylines and recurring characters became popular on radio and eventually transitioned to other mediums such as television.

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  • 8. 

    What do evening soaps have that daytime soaps do not?

    • Commercial breaks

    • End-of-season cliffhangers

    • Subtitles

    • Guest stars

    Correct Answer
    A. End-of-season cliffhangers
    Explanation
    Evening soaps have end-of-season cliffhangers that daytime soaps do not. End-of-season cliffhangers are dramatic plot twists or unresolved storylines that occur at the end of a season, leaving viewers in suspense until the next season begins. Daytime soaps, on the other hand, typically have ongoing storylines that continue without major breaks or cliffhangers between seasons.

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  • 9. 

    Originally, how long were radio soap opera broadcasts before they were 30 minutes?

    • One hour

    • 15 minutes

    • 60 seconds

    • 90 minutes

    Correct Answer
    A. 15 minutes
    Explanation
    Before radio soap opera broadcasts became 30 minutes long, they were originally 15 minutes long. This means that the broadcasts were shorter in duration compared to the current standard length. The shift to a longer duration could have been influenced by various factors such as audience demand, storytelling requirements, or advertising considerations.

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  • 10. 

    Why are daytime serial dramas called "soap operas"?

    • The original sponsors were soap companies

    • The stories are fun and bubbly

    • People watched in laundromats

    • The stories include cleaning tips

    Correct Answer
    A. The original sponsors were soap companies
    Explanation
    Daytime serial dramas are called "soap operas" because the original sponsors of these shows were soap companies. These companies would advertise their soap products during the show, hence the term "soap opera" was coined.

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  • 11. 

    What sitcom ran from 1977 to 1981 and poked fun at soap operas?

    • Dallas

    • Soap

    • All In The Family

    • The Cosby Show

    Correct Answer
    A. Soap
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Soap" because it ran from 1977 to 1981 and was a sitcom that specifically parodied and made fun of soap operas.

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  • 12. 

    "Knots Landing" was a spinoff of what popular primetime soap?

    • Falcon Crest

    • Dallas

    • Dynasty

    • The Carringtons

    Correct Answer
    A. Dallas
    Explanation
    "Knots Landing" was a spinoff of the popular primetime soap "Dallas." This spinoff focused on the lives of characters living in a fictional coastal suburb of Los Angeles, while "Dallas" centered around the Ewing family and their oil empire in Texas. The success of "Dallas" prompted the creation of "Knots Landing," which went on to become one of the longest-running primetime dramas in American television history.

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  • 13. 

    On "Dallas," who played the part of Jenna Wade?

    • Barbara Bel Geddes

    • Priscilla Presley

    • Victoria Principal

    • Charlene Tilton

    Correct Answer
    A. Priscilla Presley
    Explanation
    Priscilla Presley played the part of Jenna Wade on the TV show "Dallas." She joined the cast in 1983 and portrayed the character until 1988. Priscilla Presley is an American actress and businesswoman, best known for her marriage to Elvis Presley. Her portrayal of Jenna Wade was well-received by audiences and contributed to the success of the show.

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  • 14. 

    In what year did Susan Lucci begin her career on "All My Children"?

    • 1960

    • 1970

    • 1958

    • 1977

    Correct Answer
    A. 1970
    Explanation
    Susan Lucci began her career on "All My Children" in 1970. This means that she started working on the show during this year.

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  • 15. 

    On what soap did actress Rachel Ames play the role of Audrey Hardy?

    • Days Of Our Lives

    • All My Children

    • General Hospital

    • Ryan's Hope

    Correct Answer
    A. General Hospital
    Explanation
    Rachel Ames played the role of Audrey Hardy on the soap opera General Hospital.

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  • 16. 

    What soap was the highest-rated program in the UK during the 1980s?

    • EastEnders

    • The Archers

    • The Doctors

    • Brookside

    Correct Answer
    A. EastEnders
    Explanation
    During the 1980s, EastEnders was the highest-rated soap opera in the UK. It gained immense popularity for its realistic portrayal of working-class life in the fictional borough of Walford, East London. The show tackled various social issues and featured compelling storylines that resonated with audiences. Its engaging characters and dramatic plot twists captivated viewers, making it a favorite among British households and earning it the title of the highest-rated program of the decade.

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  • 17. 

    Why were there no television soaps in the UK until 1970?

    • Government restrictions

    • There was no daytime television

    • People work all day

    • There were no advertisers

    Correct Answer
    A. There was no daytime television
    Explanation
    The absence of daytime television in the UK until 1970 is the reason why there were no television soaps during that time. Since there was no programming during the day, there was no opportunity for soap operas to be broadcasted. Soap operas typically air during daytime hours, targeting primarily stay-at-home viewers, and without daytime television, there was no suitable time slot for these shows to be aired.

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  • 18. 

    What radio soap was the first to make the transition to television?

    • The Guiding Light

    • Search For Tomorrow

    • As The World Turns

    • Days Of Our Lives

    Correct Answer
    A. The Guiding Light
    Explanation
    The Guiding Light was the first radio soap to make the transition to television. This show originally aired on the radio in 1937 and then made its television debut in 1952. It was a popular soap opera that followed the lives of the Bauer family and their friends in the fictional town of Springfield. The transition to television allowed the show to reach a wider audience and paved the way for other radio soaps to make the same transition.

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  • 19. 

    For how many years was actress Helen Wagnerpart of the cast of "As the World Turns"?

    • 54

    • 18

    • 28

    • 29

    Correct Answer
    A. 54
    Explanation
    Helen Wagner was part of the cast of "As the World Turns" for 54 years.

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  • 20. 

    From 1977 through 1983, what special awards honored soap operas?

    • Soapy Awards

    • Procter & Gamble Awards

    • Lever Brothers Awards

    • Daytime Emmys

    Correct Answer
    A. Soapy Awards
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the Soapy Awards. From 1977 through 1983, these awards specifically recognized and honored soap operas.

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  • 21. 

    What is the world's longest running radio soap opera?

    • As The World Turns

    • Days Of Our Lives

    • Crossroads

    • The Archers

    Correct Answer
    A. The Archers
    Explanation
    The Archers is the correct answer because it is the world's longest running radio soap opera. It first aired in 1950 and is still being broadcasted today, making it one of the longest running radio programs in history. The show is set in the fictional village of Ambridge and follows the lives of the residents, exploring various storylines and issues. The Archers has gained a dedicated fan base over the years and continues to be a popular and enduring radio drama.

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  • 22. 

    In 1940, what percent of commercially-sponsored daytime radio broadcast hours was soaps?

    • 20

    • 90

    • 50

    • 10

    Correct Answer
    A. 90
    Explanation
    In 1940, the correct answer is 90. This means that 90% of commercially-sponsored daytime radio broadcast hours were dedicated to soap operas. This suggests that soap operas were extremely popular during that time and were a significant part of the radio broadcast industry.

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  • Current Version
  • May 26, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Feb 16, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Thames
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