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Quiz about What do YOU write on
Quiz about What do YOU write on

What do YOU write on? Trivia Quiz


Do you write on paper? Clay? A wooden board? Take this quiz to learn about what people have used to write on throughout the ages.

A multiple-choice quiz by pu2-ke-qi-ri. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
pu2-ke-qi-ri
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
314,662
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
3649
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 71 (10/10), dan180dan180 (8/10), Baldfroggie (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The first writing was invented millennia ago in ancient Mesopotamia, or what is now modern-day Iraq. What squishy, muddy material did these first scribes write on? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Papyrus is a paper-like material. It is made from the stems of the papyrus reed, which grows along the banks of the Nile river. Which ancient civilization wrote on papyrus? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The "paper" of Greek and Roman times, papyrus and parchment, was very expensive. Did they write on wax for scribbling and scratch work, since wax could be melted and reused?


Question 4 of 10
4. The Romans also wrote short inscriptions on sheets of lead, a soft metal. These were called defixiones. What mean task were defixiones used for? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Writing is a very useful invention. But, not all authors have used writing to compose their works. Which of these famous books was written by a traveling singer who could not read or write? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In the Middle Ages, monks in monasteries produced beautifully illustrated copies of the Bible and other books, called illuminated manuscripts. The material they wrote on was called parchment. What is parchment made out of? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. You probably write on paper. Paper is actually thin sheets of shredded and compressed wood pulp. Where was paper first invented? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Did the native people of Central America produce their own form of paper, called amatl, from tree bark?


Question 9 of 10
9. On which Pacific island did the inhabitants write on wooden boards? You probably know this island better for its huge stone sculptures of heads. Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Rulers, countries, and individuals can commemorate themselves with public inscriptions in stone. These are called monumental inscriptions. Where could you see a monumental inscription? Hint





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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The first writing was invented millennia ago in ancient Mesopotamia, or what is now modern-day Iraq. What squishy, muddy material did these first scribes write on?

Answer: Clay

Clay was an ideal writing material. Characters could be written in it easily with a sharp stick called a stylus. When the clay dried, it became very hard and durable. Some clay tablets have survived for more than 4,500 years!
2. Papyrus is a paper-like material. It is made from the stems of the papyrus reed, which grows along the banks of the Nile river. Which ancient civilization wrote on papyrus?

Answer: Egypt

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to invent writing. Their writing system is known as Egyptian Hieroglyphs. An ancient letter says that Egyptian children did not like to go to school to learn to read and write. But, their parents still made them go, because scribes would not lead a life of hard manual labor.
3. The "paper" of Greek and Roman times, papyrus and parchment, was very expensive. Did they write on wax for scribbling and scratch work, since wax could be melted and reused?

Answer: Yes

Wax tablets were the "Magic Slate" or "Etch-a-Sketch" of the Greeks and Romans. A person could write in the wax using the sharp end of a stylus. When they were done, they would smooth out or melt the wax. This would produce a fresh writing surface.
4. The Romans also wrote short inscriptions on sheets of lead, a soft metal. These were called defixiones. What mean task were defixiones used for?

Answer: Cursing people

Many defixiones invoke gods and demons. Some use magic words, or were written backwards to increase their power. Most invoke terrible punishments for the evildoer, even if the crime was minor. One tablet reads, "Docimedes has lost two gloves. He asks that the person who has stolen them should lose his mind and his eyes in the temple [that Sulis] appoints."
5. Writing is a very useful invention. But, not all authors have used writing to compose their works. Which of these famous books was written by a traveling singer who could not read or write?

Answer: The Odyssey

Writing had not yet been invented when the ancient Greek bard Homer composed the "Iliad" and "Odyssey." Generations of bards memorized his epics and taught them to their students. Later, when the Greeks developed an alphabet, they wrote down Homer's books.
6. In the Middle Ages, monks in monasteries produced beautifully illustrated copies of the Bible and other books, called illuminated manuscripts. The material they wrote on was called parchment. What is parchment made out of?

Answer: Animal skins

Books made out of parchment were very expensive. Only the wealthiest people could own books and have libraries. One animal skin would only yield a few pages. So, one book represented the wealth needed to own the amount of land to support an entire herd of sheep, goats, or cows!
7. You probably write on paper. Paper is actually thin sheets of shredded and compressed wood pulp. Where was paper first invented?

Answer: China

Paper is said to have been invented by Ts'ai Lun, a Chinese court official, in 105 AD. He used rags and fabric scraps. However, the process was soon adapted for wood pulp. Knowledge of paper making spread to Europe along the Silk Road.
8. Did the native people of Central America produce their own form of paper, called amatl, from tree bark?

Answer: Yes

Bark paper was used by the Maya, Olmec, and Aztecs for making books, many of which were beautifully illustrated. Not many of their books survive, because most were burned by Christian missionaries.
9. On which Pacific island did the inhabitants write on wooden boards? You probably know this island better for its huge stone sculptures of heads.

Answer: Easter Island

The Easter Islanders' writing is known as "rongorongo." The characters were carved into the board with a flake of obsidian or a shark's tooth.
10. Rulers, countries, and individuals can commemorate themselves with public inscriptions in stone. These are called monumental inscriptions. Where could you see a monumental inscription?

Answer: All of these

Many people would think that an inscription carved in stone would be permanent. However, many old inscriptions are so eroded that they can no longer be read.
Source: Author pu2-ke-qi-ri

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor NatalieW before going online.
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