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Quiz about Icelandic Culture
Quiz about Icelandic Culture

Icelandic Culture Trivia Quiz


Iceland is known as the "Land of Fire and Ice". How much do you know about the culture of this hot and cold island?

A multiple-choice quiz by Joepetz. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Joepetz
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
380,915
Updated
Oct 12 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
520
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 213 (1/10), Guest 90 (8/10), Guest 152 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Viking stories about long journeys or the history of Iceland (or Norway) are traditionally called what? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. "Birthday" was a popular 1987 song by which Icelandic rock band of which the famous singer Bjork was once a member? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. If I am a male whose father's name is John, what would my Icelandic last name be? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Laufabrauo is a traditional Icelandic bread that translates to leaf bread. However, in English, it is commonly called what, after the intricate patterns on the bread? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Why is Icelandic Language Day celebrated on November 16 each year? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. By far the largest religion in Iceland is the Church of Iceland, which belongs to which denomination of Christianity? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Thorarinn B. Thorlaksson (1867-1924) is one of Iceland's best known artists, and is most famous for painting what kind of scenes? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The Edda Award is given out annually in Iceland for achievement in which field? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Arnor Atlason, Olafur Stefansson and Robert Gunnarsson were all members of Iceland's silver medal-winning team in which sport at the 2008 Olympic Games? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Hakarl is a popular Icelandic dish that is made from fermented what? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Today : Guest 213: 1/10
Oct 26 2024 : Guest 90: 8/10
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 152: 6/10
Oct 23 2024 : cardsfan_027: 9/10
Oct 23 2024 : gracious1: 8/10
Oct 23 2024 : workisboring: 5/10
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Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Viking stories about long journeys or the history of Iceland (or Norway) are traditionally called what?

Answer: Sagas

Sagas are common in most Scandinavian cultures, especially in Iceland. Most sagas told epic stories about exploration and were written by Vikings or other Norsemen. It is from these sagas that we know most of Iceland's early history, including its founding. Sagas are not unique to Iceland or Scandinavia and are found in many European cultures.
2. "Birthday" was a popular 1987 song by which Icelandic rock band of which the famous singer Bjork was once a member?

Answer: The Sugarcubes

In addition to Bjork, other members included Einar Orn Benediktsson and Sigtryggur Baldursson. "Birthday" debuted on the band's first album "Life's Too Good". The band broke up in 1992 but has reunited occasionally since then.
3. If I am a male whose father's name is John, what would my Icelandic last name be?

Answer: Johnsson

In Iceland, last names are not family names but are patronymic. They are formed by taking the father's name and adding "-sson" for a male or "-sdottir" for a girl. Johnsson means John's son. If I were female, my last name would be Johnsdottir, meaning John's daughter.
4. Laufabrauo is a traditional Icelandic bread that translates to leaf bread. However, in English, it is commonly called what, after the intricate patterns on the bread?

Answer: Snowflake bread

Laufabrauo is traditionally served at Christmastime. It is a very flat bread, decorated with patterns before it is fried. It is similar to pancake in the United States or a tortilla in Mexico in size, shape and texture.
5. Why is Icelandic Language Day celebrated on November 16 each year?

Answer: Because that is the birthday of a famous Icelandic poet

November 16 is the day Jonas Hallgrimsson was born. Hallgrimsson was active in the fight for Icelandic independence and wrote many poems about Iceland. He also founded "Fjolnir", an Icelandic language journal in 1835. His pro-Icelandic verse led to the movement for Icelandic independence which would not be achieved in full until 1944.
6. By far the largest religion in Iceland is the Church of Iceland, which belongs to which denomination of Christianity?

Answer: Lutheranism

The Church of Iceland was founded in 1540 and claims over 75% of the population as members. During the Reformation, Iceland was controlled by Denmark which quickly became Protestant. Prior to this, much of Iceland was Roman Catholic. The last Roman Catholic bishop in Iceland until 1855 was Jon Arason who was executed in 1550 while fighting against the Reformation.
7. Thorarinn B. Thorlaksson (1867-1924) is one of Iceland's best known artists, and is most famous for painting what kind of scenes?

Answer: Pastoral/Rural

Thorlaksson was known for his scenic paintings of the Icelandic countryside. He was the first Icelander to host an exhibition in the country. One of his most famous creations is called "Thingvellir", which today is now set aside as a national park.
8. The Edda Award is given out annually in Iceland for achievement in which field?

Answer: Film and television

The Edda Awards began in 1999 to honor films and television programs nationwide. It is, essentially, the Icelandic Oscars and Emmys. It is for Icelandic language productions.
9. Arnor Atlason, Olafur Stefansson and Robert Gunnarsson were all members of Iceland's silver medal-winning team in which sport at the 2008 Olympic Games?

Answer: Handball

Iceland lost to France in the gold medal match. This was Iceland's first medal in handball, and fourth overall. Handball is one of Iceland's most popular sports and is sometimes called the national sport but it is not officially so. Many of Iceland's handball players play in foreign countries professionally and only play for Iceland in the Olympics or other world championships.
10. Hakarl is a popular Icelandic dish that is made from fermented what?

Answer: Shark

Hakarl is traditionally made from the Greenland shark, but other sharks can also be used. The shark is gutted and then buried in the sand for a few months. It is then cleaned and cut before it is hung to dry. Although loved by Icelanders, even the most famous and well-eaten food critics from other places around the world find hakarl repulsive in both smell and taste. Andrew Zimmerman on his show "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman" did actually claim to enjoy the taste once he got past the smell.
Source: Author Joepetz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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