Here is a Christmas quiz, compiled by yours truly. Post your guesses and, on or around Christmas Day, I will give the correct answers. There is to be [b:c9139a4b53]NO GOOGLING or otherwise researching[/b:c9139a4b53] answers. We'll use an honour system whereby we'll assume that if you enter, you got all the answers out of your own head. If you simply have to Google, then please don't give the answers away to those who'd like to have fun guessing! PS Apologies to international friends - this quiz was written for a group here, so is a bit UK-focussed. [b:c9139a4b53]The Grand, Gorgeous & Groovy Christmas Quiz 2006[/b:c9139a4b53] 1. Which well-known author of fantasy fiction also created a book called The Father Christmas Letters? A) Lewis Carroll B) JRR Tolkien C) Edith Nesbit D) CS Lewis 2. In Sweden, a common Christmas decoration is the Julbock, a small figurine of a goat. Of what material is it usually made? A) Cake B) Fir wood C) Straw D) Uranium 3. How many spirits appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? A) 2 B) 3 C) 4 D) 5 4. Where did the real St Nicholas live? A) Turkey B) Lapland C) Holland D) Hungary 5. One of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes takes place during the Christmas season. Which of these does the tale hinge upon? A) A burglar disguised as Father Christmas B) A blue diamond found in a goose C) A cat trapped in an organ pipe D) A poisoned flask of Napoleon brandy 6. What is the Irish custom of "feeding the wren" or "hunting the wren" on December 26? A) Taking one’s in-laws out to dinner B) Leaving a basket of cakes at the door for passers-by C) Putting out suet and seeds for the wild birds D) Carrying a wren door to door to collect money for charity 7. At lavish Christmas feasts in the Middle Ages, swans and peacocks were sometimes served "endored". What does that mean? A) The feet and beaks were coated with gold B) The guests knelt in adoration as the birds were brought in C) The birds had been raised on grain soaked in brandy D) The flesh was painted with saffron dissolved in melted butter 8. In Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, who is the nutcracker's main enemy? A) The King of the Mice B) A girl called Clara C) Dr Almond D) Drosselmeyer the magician 9. In Victorian times, most Londoners would have been familiar with the "goose club". What was it? A) A pantomime troupe specialising in slapstick B) A stout stick used for slaughtering geese C) A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas D) A banjo-like instrument used in wassailing 10. Handel's Christmas oratorio, The Messiah, was first performed in 1742. Where did the performance take place? A) Dublin B) London C) Vienna D) Jerusalem 11. In 1932, King George V gave the first Christmas day broadcast by a British monarch. Who wrote the king's speech? A) King George himself B) Rudyard Kipling C) Lord Beaverbrook D) Winston Churchill 12. Which band or artist had UK No. 1 hit singles at Christmas for three years running from 1996-98? A) Boyzone B) The Spice Girls C) Westlife D) Sir Cliff Richard 13. After Scrooge has reformed his life at the end of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, he invites Bob Cratchit to join him for some "smoking bishop". What did he mean? A) A fast variation of chess popular in Victorian London B) A premium pipe tobacco C) A Christmas pudding soaked in brandy and set alight D) A hot spiced drink 14. In Victorian England, turkeys were popular for Christmas dinners. Some of the birds were raised in Norfolk, and taken to market in London. To get them to London, the turkeys: A) Were herded by sheep-dogs B) Rode in huge barges called “turkey vans” C) Were supplied with boots made of sacking or leather D) Flew 15. Who has had the most UK No. 1 Christmas singles since 1960? A) The Beatles B) Sir Cliff Richard C) Queen D) Band Aid 16. A sixth-century Syrian source, cited by Zoroastrian scholar Dariush Jahanian, gives Persian names for the Three Kings. Which of the following is not one of them? A) Hormizdah, King of Persia B) Yazdegerd, King of Saba C) Perozadh, King of Sheba D) Ushtavaiti, King of Tarshish 17. All through the Christmas season in old England, "lambswool" could be found in the houses of the well-to-do. What was it? A) Imitation snow used in decorations B) The material used for knitting Christmas gifts C) A brew of hot ale with roast apples and toast floating in it D) A fluffy confection made from almonds and sugar 18. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is an annual gift from which country? A) Sweden B) Norway C) Russia D) Germany 19. The first commercial Christmas card had a hostile reception from some people. Why? A) A mass-produced card was felt to violate the Christmas spirit B) The ivy leaves bordering the design were once a pagan symbol C) The card’s popularity raised fears of a paper shortage D) It depicted children drinking wine 20. Which reindeer is named sixth in the popular poem, ’Twas the night before Christmas? A) Cupid B) Comet C) Donder D) Prancer
1. D) CS Lewis 2. C) Straw [b:8ce3917df4](Grace, you probably wanna spell it julbock or Julbock. In Swedish it should not be capitalized, but I guess it could be in an English context.)[/b:8ce3917df4] 3. D) 5 4. A) Turkey 5. C) A cat trapped in an organ pipe 6. D) Carrying a wren door to door to collect money for charity 7. A) The feet and beaks were coated with gold 8. D) Drosselmeyer the magician 9. C) A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas 10. B) London 11. D) Winston Churchill 12. B) The Spice Girls 13. C) A Christmas pudding soaked in brandy and set alight 14. B) Rode in huge barges called "turkey vans" 15. B) Sir Cliff Richard 16. C) Perozadh, King of Sheba 17. D) A fluffy confection made from almonds and sugar 18. B) Norway 19. A) A mass-produced card was felt to violate the Christmas spirit 20. D) Prancer Edit: I condensed my post a bit, had a lot of unneccessary line breaks. Edit again: Nice initiative Grace, stuff like this is fun! Thanks for going through the effort of writing this up.
I don't have a clue as to most of the answers, but I will answer the ones I think I know. 3. four 4. Holland 5. the goose 6. D - Carrying a wren door to door to collect money for charity 7. C - The birds had been raised on grain soaked in brandy 8. the mouse 9. C - A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas 10. London 13. D - A hot spiced drink 14. A - Were herded by sheep-dogs 16. B - Yazdegerd, King of Saba 19. D - It depicted children drinking wine 20. C - Donder Edited to add text instead of just the letter answer. No answers were harmed in the editing of this post. Nor were they changed.
I didn't have a clue on a lot of them but it's a one-in-four chance so here are my guesses 1. d 2.b 3.b 4.a 5.a 6.c 7.c 8.a 9.c 10.b 11.a 12.b 13.d 14.b 15.d 16.c 17.a
1. Which well-known author of fantasy fiction also created a book called The Father Christmas Letters? B) JRR Tolkien 2. In Sweden, a common Christmas decoration is the Julbukk, a small figurine of a goat. Of what material is it usually made? B) Fir wood 3. How many spirits appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? C) 4 4. Where did the real St Nicholas live? D) Hungary 5. One of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes takes place during the Christmas season. Which of these does the tale hinge upon? B) A blue diamond found in a goose 6. What is the Irish custom of "feeding the wren" or "hunting the wren" on December 26? C) Putting out suet and seeds for the wild birds 7. At lavish Christmas feasts in the Middle Ages, swans and peacocks were sometimes served "endored". What does that mean? C) The birds had been raised on grain soaked in brandy 8. In Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, who is the nutcracker's main enemy? A) The King of the Mice 9. In Victorian times, most Londoners would have been familiar with the "goose club". What was it? B) A stout stick used for slaughtering geese 10. Handel's Christmas oratorio, The Messiah, was first performed in 1742. Where did the performance take place? A) Dublin 11. In 1932, King George V gave the first Christmas day broadcast by a British monarch. Who wrote the king's speech? D) Winston Churchill 12. Which band or artist had UK No. 1 hit singles at Christmas for three years running from 1996-98? B) The Spice Girls 13. After Scrooge has reformed his life at the end of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, he invites Bob Cratchit to join him for some "smoking bishop". What did he mean? D) A hot spiced drink 14. In Victorian England, turkeys were popular for Christmas dinners. Some of the birds were raised in Norfolk, and taken to market in London. To get them to London, the turkeys: B) Rode in huge barges called “turkey vans” 15. Who has had the most UK No. 1 Christmas singles since 1960? B) Sir Cliff Richard 16. A sixth-century Syrian source, cited by Zoroastrian scholar Dariush Jahanian, gives Persian names for the Three Kings. Which of the following is not one of them? D) Ushtavaiti, King of Tarshish 17. All through the Christmas season in old England, "lambswool" could be found in the houses of the well-to-do. What was it? C) A brew of hot ale with roast apples and toast floating in it 18. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is an annual gift from which country? A) Sweden 19. The first commercial Christmas card had a hostile reception from some people. Why? B) The ivy leaves bordering the design were once a pagan symbol 20. Which reindeer is named sixth in the popular poem, ’Twas the night before Christmas? D) Prancer
Um, I'm confident of three, but that's about it... 1.D) CS Lewis 2.B) Fir wood 3.C) 4 4.A) Turkey 5.D) A poisoned flask of Napoleon brandy 6.B) Leaving a basket of cakes at the door for passers-by 7.D) The flesh was painted with saffron dissolved in melted butter 8.A) The King of the Mice 9.C) A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas 10.C) Vienna 11.A) King George himself 12.B) The Spice Girls 13.C) A Christmas pudding soaked in brandy and set alight 14.B) Rode in huge barges called “turkey vans” 15.B) Sir Cliff Richard 16.A) Hormizdah, King of Persia 17.D) A fluffy confection made from almonds and sugar 18.B) Norway 19.A) A mass-produced card was felt to violate the Christmas spirit 20.D) Prancer
KK, I haven't a clue about 'Julbukk' or whatever. All of these are from sources located on the web. If Myn, as Swede in residence, agrees with you, I'll go ahead and change it!
Trust me, I know how to spell julbock. If it doesn't have it's own spelling in English, julbock is the way to go.
my goodness, I probably did dreadful.. but I gave my sorry attempt :] 1. JRR Tolkien 2. Straw 3. 3 4. Holland 5. A poisoned flask of Napoleon brandy 6. Leaving a basket of cakes at the door for passers-by 7. The flesh was painted with saffron dissolved in melted butter 8. The King of the Mice 9. A stout stick used for slaughtering geese 10. Vienna 11. Rudyard Kipling 12.The Spice Girls 13. A premium pipe tobacco 14. Rode in huge barges called “turkey vans” 15. The Beatles 16. Yazdegerd, King of Saba 17. Imitation snow used in decorations 18. Norway 19. The ivy leaves bordering the design were once a pagan symbol 20. Prancer
I only knew 3 or 4. I guessed on the rest but I like multiple choice and I'm a good guesser so maybe I did pretty good. 1. A 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. B 6. D 7. C 8. A 9. B 10. B 11. A 12. B 13. D 14. A 15. A 16. D 17. D 18. A 19. B 20. D
1) CS Lewis. 2) Straw. 3) Three. 4) Holland. 5) A blue diamond found in a goose. 6) Carrying a wren door to door for charity. (Not the wren's!) 7) The flesh was painted with saffron dissolved in melted butter. 8) Drosselmeyer the magician. 9) A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas. 10) London. 11) Rudyard Kipling. 12) The Spice Girls. 13) A premium pipe tobacco. 14) Were supplied with boots made of sacking or leather. 15) Sir Cliff Richard. 16) Yazdegerd, King of Saba. 17) A fluffy confection made from almonds and sugar. 18) Norway. 19) The ivy leaves bordering the design were once a pagan symbol. 20) Cupid. this is cool, thank you!
[quote:7bf18eff09="KaptenKaries"]Trust me, I know how to spell julbock. If it doesn't have it's own spelling in English, julbock is the way to go.[/quote:7bf18eff09] Changed accordingly. Thank you.
1. Which well-known author of fantasy fiction also created a book called The Father Christmas Letters? B) JRR Tolkien 2. In Sweden, a common Christmas decoration is the Julbock, a small figurine of a goat. Of what material is it usually made? C) Straw 3. How many spirits appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? C) 4 4. Where did the real St Nicholas live? A) Turkey 5. One of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes takes place during the Christmas season. Which of these does the tale hinge upon? D) A poisoned flask of Napoleon brandy 6. What is the Irish custom of "feeding the wren" or "hunting the wren" on December 26? D) Carrying a wren door to door to collect money for charity 7. At lavish Christmas feasts in the Middle Ages, swans and peacocks were sometimes served "endored". What does that mean? D) The flesh was painted with saffron dissolved in melted butter 8. In Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, who is the nutcracker's main enemy? A) The King of the Mice 9. In Victorian times, most Londoners would have been familiar with the "goose club". What was it? D) A banjo-like instrument used in wassailing 10. Handel's Christmas oratorio, The Messiah, was first performed in 1742. Where did the performance take place? B) London 11. In 1932, King George V gave the first Christmas day broadcast by a British monarch. Who wrote the king's speech? A) King George himself 12. Which band or artist had UK No. 1 hit singles at Christmas for three years running from 1996-98? C) Westlife 13. After Scrooge has reformed his life at the end of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, he invites Bob Cratchit to join him for some "smoking bishop". What did he mean? D) A hot spiced drink 14. In Victorian England, turkeys were popular for Christmas dinners. Some of the birds were raised in Norfolk, and taken to market in London. To get them to London, the turkeys: B) Rode in huge barges called “turkey vans” 15. Who has had the most UK No. 1 Christmas singles since 1960? D) Band Aid 16. A sixth-century Syrian source, cited by Zoroastrian scholar Dariush Jahanian, gives Persian names for the Three Kings. Which of the following is not one of them? D) Ushtavaiti, King of Tarshish 17. All through the Christmas season in old England, "lambswool" could be found in the houses of the well-to-do. What was it? D) A fluffy confection made from almonds and sugar 19. The first commercial Christmas card had a hostile reception from some people. Why? D) It depicted children drinking wine 20. Which reindeer is named sixth in the popular poem, ’Twas the night before Christmas? D) Prancer I guessed at anything Victorian or Dickens... I once got a Julbock from my Secret Santa Myn though!
1-a 2-c 3-c 4-a 5-d 6-b 7-d 8-a 9-c 10-b 11-a 12-d 13-c 14-a 15-b 16-d 17-c 18-d 19-c 20-d I did a lot of guessing. Now I'll be waiting as patiently for the answers as I used to wait for Santa Claus. :lol:
I (insert my name here) do hereby declare that on (insert date here) did partake of said quiz by (insert name of quiz setter) without consulting (insert names here[separated by a comma]) search engines. Signed (my signature). The Grand, Gorgeous & Groovy Christmas Quiz 2006 1. Which well-known author of fantasy fiction also created a book called The Father Christmas Letters? [b:64b22b526d]B) JRR Tolkien[/b:64b22b526d] 2. In Sweden, a common Christmas decoration is the Julbock, a small figurine of a goat. Of what material is it usually made? [b:64b22b526d]C) Straw[/b:64b22b526d] 3. How many spirits appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? [b:64b22b526d]C) 4[/b:64b22b526d] 4. Where did the real St Nicholas live? [b:64b22b526d]D) Hungary[/b:64b22b526d] 5. One of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes takes place during the Christmas season. Which of these does the tale hinge upon? [b:64b22b526d]B) A blue diamond found in a goose[/b:64b22b526d] 6. What is the Irish custom of "feeding the wren" or "hunting the wren" on December 26? [b:64b22b526d]D) Carrying a wren door to door to collect money for charity[/b:64b22b526d] 7. At lavish Christmas feasts in the Middle Ages, swans and peacocks were sometimes served "endored". What does that mean? [b:64b22b526d]A) The feet and beaks were coated with gold[/b:64b22b526d] 8. In Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, who is the nutcracker's main enemy? [b:64b22b526d]A) The King of the Mice[/b:64b22b526d] 9. In Victorian times, most Londoners would have been familiar with the "goose club". What was it? [b:64b22b526d]C) A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas[/b:64b22b526d] 10. Handel's Christmas oratorio, The Messiah, was first performed in 1742. Where did the performance take place? [b:64b22b526d]B) London[/b:64b22b526d] 11. In 1932, King George V gave the first Christmas day broadcast by a British monarch. Who wrote the king's speech? [b:64b22b526d]A) King George himself[/b:64b22b526d] 12. Which band or artist had UK No. 1 hit singles at Christmas for three years running from 1996-98? [b:64b22b526d]D) Sir Cliff Richard[/b:64b22b526d] 13. After Scrooge has reformed his life at the end of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, he invites Bob Cratchit to join him for some "smoking bishop". What did he mean? [b:64b22b526d]D) A hot spiced drink[/b:64b22b526d] 14. In Victorian England, turkeys were popular for Christmas dinners. Some of the birds were raised in Norfolk, and taken to market in London. To get them to London, the turkeys: [b:64b22b526d]A) Were herded by sheep-dogs[/b:64b22b526d] and they wore little leather boots, according to a BBC program I saw recently 15. Who has had the most UK No. 1 Christmas singles since 1960? 16. A sixth-century Syrian source, cited by Zoroastrian scholar Dariush Jahanian, gives Persian names for the Three Kings. Which of the following is not one of them? [b:64b22b526d]D) Ushtavaiti, King of Tarshish[/b:64b22b526d] 17. All through the Christmas season in old England, "lambswool" could be found in the houses of the well-to-do. What was it? 18. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is an annual gift from which country? [b:64b22b526d]B) Norway[/b:64b22b526d] 19. The first commercial Christmas card had a hostile reception from some [b:64b22b526d]people. Why? B) The ivy leaves bordering the design were once a pagan symbol[/b:64b22b526d] 20. Which reindeer is named sixth in the popular poem, ’Twas the night before Christmas? [b:64b22b526d]B) Comet[/b:64b22b526d] "Gawd bless ya'" Buzzfloyd... good questions. I look forward to enlightenment on the ones I've got wrong or couldn't hazard a guess at! Please don't spank me for ending a sentence with a preposition
[quote:b697ff255b="Joculator"]Please don't spank me for ending a sentence with a preposition [/quote:b697ff255b] According to that well-consulted tome, the Buzzfloyd Self-Righteous Dictionary and Complete Reference Work, the idea that sentences cannot be ended with a preposition is a total myth, therefore no spankings, evil stares or administering of the Sacred Cattleprod of St Joyce Ogg are required!
[quote:736028fae4="Buzzfloyd"][...] administering of the Sacred Cattleprod of St Joyce Ogg[/quote:736028fae4] Whatever happened to Joyce?
[quote:c5f69b8ae2="Buzzfloyd"][quote:c5f69b8ae2="Joculator"]Please don't spank me for ending a sentence with a preposition [/quote:c5f69b8ae2] According to that well-consulted tome, the Buzzfloyd Self-Righteous Dictionary and Complete Reference Work, the idea that sentences cannot be ended with a preposition is a total myth, therefore no spankings, evil stares or administering of the Sacred Cattleprod of St Joyce Ogg are required![/quote:c5f69b8ae2] Thank you for the enlightenment. Signed... Disappointed, Durham
The answers! 1) B, JRR Tolkien 2) C, Straw 3) C, 4 4) A, Turkey 5) B, A blue diamond found in a goose 6) D, Carrying a wren door to door to collect money for charity 7) D, The flesh was painted with saffron dissolved in melted butter 8) A, The King of the Mice 9) C, A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas 10) A, Dublin 11) B, Rudyard Kipling 12) B, The Spice Girls 13) D, A hot spiced drink 14) C, Were supplied with boots made of sacking or leather 15) A, The Beatles 16) D, Ushtavaiti, King of Tarshish 17) C, A brew of hot ale with roast apples and toast floating in it 18) B, Norway 19) D, It depicted children drinking wine 20) A, Cupid By my best calculation, we have a three way tie for first place, with Angua_rox, Hsing and Joculator all standing at 10 out of 20. You might want to double check your score, as I got in a complete pickle adding these up, but I think the scores are as follows: KK 6 Nate 7 Fairyliquid 5 Mal 9 Ben 7 Lira 8 Faerie 9 Angua 10 Hsing 10 Tamyra 8 Joculator 10
Yay! I win minus one. Someone in our writing circle brought the Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas book along to our Christmas party last week, and we read some of them out. They're really nice. For those that don't know they're a bunch of letters that Tolkien wrote for his children as if they were from Father Christmas, complete with fancy writing and little illustrations. I think he kept this up every year for about 20 years.
