Add "A" to Form A New Word Trivia Quiz

Answer: apple

Adding "a" to the front of the word "pole" forms the new word "apple."

Although there is only one variety native to North America - the crabapple - there are an estimated 2500 varieties of apples that are now grown in the United States. A surprising 7500 varieties exist worldwide.

And why not? Apples are a great source of the fiber pectin, and a medium-sized apple only has about 80 calories. In addition, they are fat free and sodium free. Is there any doubt that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"?

Answer: area

Adding "a" to the back of the word "are" forms the new word, "area."

The word area has several meanings. It can be a place within a particular region, such as the area called the Midwest in the United States, or a particular part of an object, such as the area called the dock on a horse. It can even refer to a particular subject, such as accounting being a person's area of expertise.

This picture, however, uses the word to describe the measurement of a surface. Area is calculated by multiplying length times width. In this case the PVC pipe has been assembled to show the area of a square meter.

Answer: adore

Adding "a" to the front of the word "door" forms the new word, "adore."

The word adore is derived from the Latin "adorare", which means to beseech or speak formally. In later Latin the meaning of the word shifted to include to worship. By the 1590s, adore was used when speaking very highly of someone, but its more current meaning, to be fond of, was used by the late 1800s.

Answer: fella

Adding "a" to the back of the word "fell" forms the new word, "fella".

Fella is probably a derivative of the word fellow that originated in the 1860s and was spelled fellah. It is an old-fashioned word used to describe a boy or man. Synonyms - depending on region - include lad, cuss, gent, and bloke. The picture dates to c. 1889 Victorian England, however, the name of the fella is unknown.

Answer: Pasta

Past + A = Pasta.

Although Italy is considered to be the pasta-eating center of the world, did you know that historians have traced the making and eating of pasta to China in approximately 5000 BC? While some stories credit Marco Polo with its introduction to Italy, there is evidence that Etruscans were making their own doughy delight there by 500 BC.

Most of the pasta consumed today is done so in Italy, and, according to the International Pasta Organization, there are around 600 shapes from which to choose! The most popular pasta in the United States is spaghetti.

Answer: abbey

A + bee = abbey.

An abbey consists of buildings used by monks or nuns who are led by either an abbot (monks) or abbess (nuns). The term may also be used to describe an association or community of monks or nuns.

The remains of Battle Abbey, seen in the picture, are of the monks' dormitory. William the Conqueror built Battle Abbey on the spot where the Battle of Hastings took place. He had promised to build an abbey if he won the war in order to atone for all the killing that had taken place; apparently even the pope required the Normans to do acts of penance to make up for the slaughter. Although William died before the abbey was completed, his son, William II, completed the project and the church was dedicated sometime around 1094.

Answer: china

Chin + A = china.

Did you know that it is a tradition - but not a requirement - for each President of the United States to choose a china service for use during his administration?

President James Monroe was the first to have china manufactured that was only for use in his White House. People felt the US $1,167.23 china was expensive, and disapproved because it was made in France.

The Lincoln Service design is shown in the picture. Mary Todd Lincoln was the first First Lady to choose the design without the help of her husband. The set was purchased from a company in New York City, but was made in France, and featured the Coat of Arms of the United States.

Displayed in the White House China Room, settings from various Presidents are still used in the President's Dining Room for private meals.

Answer: assault

Adding an "a" before the word "salt" makes a new word, "assault".

This picture brings to mind the bitter divisiveness caused by the issue of slavery in the United States before the Civil War. In 1856, during a meeting of the Senate, U.S. Representative Preston Brooks, who was pro-slavery, entered the Senate chamber, and assaulted abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner, who had delivered a speech a few days prior concerning the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Brooks used a cane to beat Sumner, rendering him bleeding and unconscious.

Both men were considered to be heroes by their respective constituents. Brooks resigned his position, but was immediately re-elected; he died, however, shortly after. Sumner eventually returned to his seat three years later and served another eighteen years.

Answer: adder

Adding an "a" to "deer" makes the word, "adder".

"Vipera berus", known as the common adder, can be found in most European countries; there are three recognized subspecies. While it is a venomous snake - the only one native to Great Britain - it is not known to be particularly assertive unless it is being bothered, and its bite is rarely fatal.

Adders are found in many different habitats, including meadows, mountains, hedgerows, and coastal areas. They especially like to eat mice, voles, and shrews, but will also settle for small lizards, birds, and mammals.

Answer: Drama

Dram + A = drama.

The ancient Greeks developed three types of drama, which changed a little over time. Comedies were typically satires that initially focused on powerful people, the mistakes that they made, and character flaws they possessed. Tragedies usually showed the downfall of a hero, and revealed the mistakes he made leading up to his fall from grace among the gods and the people. Satyr plays were short, between-the-acts skits performed during tragedies that made fun of the the play's characters.

Going to the theater was a very important activity for the ancient Greeks because that is where they learned about their history and current events, as well as important moral and ethical lessons. Dramas were considered to convey such important lessons that sometimes people were paid to attend theatrical productions!