Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "Off to the Black Market we go,
Where many historical things are on show,
But are they truly the real deal,
Or will there be a massive steal?"
The thought of a 'steal' brings famous outlaw Jesse James to mind. However, I hope this trip to the Black Market isn't as dangerous as his exploits, for he died in 1882 aged 34. Do you know how he met his unfortunate fate?
2. A rather smart man appears to have drawn a crowd, so I check out his wares. It seems like he's selling art. In fact, he claims all his art works are genuine, original copies of the artists' creations. Yet, I can see 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch amongst the collection, so I doubt this claim.
But, has 'The Scream' ever been stolen before, and if so, how many times?
3. A huge crowd has gathered around a man who claims to have many obscure 'rare finds'. He's selling them for millions of pounds, but doesn't seem to be very forthcoming on where he found them ...
Which of these controversial objects has been associated with Jesus Christ's crucifixion and is housed in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist?
4. I see a number of sculptures for sale. At least this one is up-front, the merchant admits they are all copies of the originals. In fact, one is the 'Discus Thrower' (or 'Discobolus'), a Greek sculpture whose original was lost entirely. Do you know roughly when this work was originally created?
5. I see an old man who seems to be dozing off. As I approach, he springs up with all the energy of a teenager. "Hello, sonny! Why, I bet you're a smart young man, looking for a good deal, well, I've got one right here, my boy! Louisiana!". With a startled reaction, I ask "Louisiana what?". "You know, in America, boy! I have the deeds right here, just sign and pay up!". Politely, I tell him he's made a mistake, and that most people don't just buy large pieces of land anyway.
But, Louisiana, a vast, largely unmapped, French possession in North America, was actually bought once by the United States in 1803. Do you know how much money, total, was paid by the U.S. in order to obtain it? Remember that these currencies were worth more back then compared to today's equivalent.
6. As I continue on, a woman calls me over. "Hello love! Come 'ere won't you?". I slouch my way over to see that she's selling... sheep. "Darling, these sheep are Dolly's babies, don't you know, the cloned sheep? Won't you buy one and be part of an exclusive club, love?", she chimes. Not that I really need a sheep, I decide to ask her for some hard facts.
Dolly the sheep, the first documented cloned mammal, lived until she was six.
7. A little boy and girl run up to me. "Excuse me, sir, want to see a magic trick?" the boy inquires. I nod, and the boy asks for 20 pounds. "I'll magic it away!". Even the kids are in on this corrupt business here! After scolding them, the boy says "I just wanted to be like Harry Potter...", and the girl pipes in "And I want to be like J. K. Rowling - rich!".
J.K Rowling is very rich, in fact, she has achieved the lofty status of becoming a billionaire author. But, before 'Harry Potter', she led an average life.
Do you know when the first book in the series, 'The Philosopher's Stone', was published in the UK? This year is also associated with the death of Princess Diana.
8. In a transparent case, I can see an old parchment. "Excuse me, are you interested? That's a part of the Dead Sea Scrolls ..." A well dressed lady chimes in, "Even if it was just a copy, I couldn't do anything with it".
But do you know what the general content of the Dead Sea Scrolls is?
9. A man delivers a crooked, toothless grin. "Ello there, I have for you a real gold bar. It's 100% real, made from the finest quality gold, and on special offer for you today. Did I mention it was real?".
I imagine it's just a painted gold layer on the outside, so, unsurprisingly, I pass on this 'special' offer before really thinking about it. Besides, what can I do with a gold bar, I think to myself?
Well, that's a good question. Which of these has NOT been a historical use of gold?
10. So, I think I've had enough of this place. Everything here has been a fake! But, just as I leave, I see some chocolate. Just your average illicit tax free export, you know, something you might actually find at a black market ... but perhaps it'd be something productive from this trip. So, I buy it! Hurrah, a purchase has been made. And I can leave happy ... assuming the chocolate wasn't a fake, too.
But, do you know whose factory made the first form of chocolate bar in 1847, albeit after their death?
Source: Author
malik24
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
bloomsby before going online.
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