First Lines & Fun Facts: Classic Science Fiction Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What 1961 science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised by Martians who returns to Earth and shakes things up with his alien perspective on love, religion, and society? It begins, appropriately enough, with the following first line: "Once upon a time there was a Martian named Valentine Michael Smith."

Answer: Stranger in a Strange Land

"Stranger in a Strange Land", first published in 1961 by Robert A. Heinlein, is one of the most influential (and controversial) science fiction novels of its time. It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who was born on Mars and raised by Martians, who returns to Earth as an adult. With no understanding of human culture, Smith struggles to adapt but eventually gains a following by introducing radical ideas about love, free will, and spirituality. His philosophy - centered around the Martian concept of "grokking," which means deep, holistic understanding - leads him to establish a movement that challenges society's norms.

The novel was groundbreaking in its exploration of countercultural themes, including sexual freedom, religion, and individualism. It became a favorite among the 1960s counterculture and was even credited with popularizing the word "grok" in the English language. Though some of its views have aged... um, a bit poorly, "Stranger in a Strange Land" remains a defining work in science fiction, inspiring readers to question authority, morality, and the very nature of being human. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and continues to spark debate.

2. What 1818 Gothic novel by Mary Shelley tells the story of a scientist who creates a living being from dead body parts, only to freak out and abandon his creation when it wakes up? The story begins: "You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday, and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking."

Answer: Frankenstein

"Frankenstein", first published in 1818, is considered by many to be the first true science fiction novel. It was written by Mary Shelley when she was just 18, and it tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but reckless scientist who creates life from dead body parts. Horrified by what he has done, he abandons his creation, setting off a tragic chain of events as the lonely and intelligent creature seeks companionship and revenge.

The novel explores themes of scientific ambition, responsibility, and what it truly means to be human. Often misrepresented in pop culture, Shelley's novel is much more than a simple horror story. It's a deeply philosophical work that questions the limits of scientific progress and the consequences of playing God. "Frankenstein" has influenced countless works of literature, film, and science fiction, cementing its place as a cornerstone of both science fiction and horror.

3. What 1965 science fiction epic by Frank Herbert tells the story of Paul Atreides, a young nobleman who gets caught up in a galactic power struggle over the desert planet Arrakis, home to the universe's most valuable resource: spice? The first line is below: "In the week before their departure to Arrakis, when all the final scurrying about had reached a nearly unbearable frenzy, an old crone came to visit the mother of the boy, Paul."

Answer: Dune

"Dune", published in 1965 by Frank Herbert, is one of the most revered and influential science fiction novels of all time. Set in a distant future where noble houses control planetary fiefdoms, the story follows Paul Atreides as his family takes control of Arrakis, a harsh desert planet that produces the spice melange - an invaluable substance that extends life, enhances mental abilities, and makes space travel possible. Betrayed and forced into exile among the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis, Paul embraces his destiny as a leader and potential messiah.

4. What 1950 science fiction short story collection by Isaac Asimov introduces the famous Three Laws of Robotics through a series of tales about robots gone haywire (but always for a logical reason)? The first line of the first story, "Robbie" is below: "'NINETY-EIGHT - NINETY-NINE - ONE HUNDRED.' Gloria withdrew her chubby little forearm from before her eyes and stood for a moment, wrinkling her nose and blinking in the sunlight."

Answer: I, Robot

"I, Robot", published in 1950 by Isaac Asimov, is a landmark collection of interconnected short stories that helped shape modern writers' approach to artificial intelligence and robotics. The stories are framed as interviews and recollections by Dr. Susan Calvin, a "robopsychologist" at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc. They explore how Asimov's famous Three Laws of Robotics - designed to ensure robots serve and protect humans - sometimes lead to unexpected and paradoxical situations.

The collection was groundbreaking in moving away from the common "killer robot" trope of early sci-fi, instead presenting robots as logical beings bound by rules, with human error or misunderstanding often being the real source of trouble. "I, Robot" laid the foundation for Asimov's later Robot series and influenced countless books, films, and discussions about AI ethics.

5. What 1898 science fiction novel by H.G. Wells tells the story of Martian invaders wreaking havoc on Earth, complete with death rays and tripods, and begins with the following first line? "No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water."

Answer: The War of the Worlds

"The War of the Worlds", published in 1898 by H.G. Wells, is one of the earliest and most influential alien invasion stories. The novel tells the story of an unnamed narrator as he witnesses the terrifying arrival of Martians, who land in England inside mysterious cylinders before unleashing destruction with their deadly heat rays and massive tripod war machines.

As civilization crumbles around him, the narrator struggles to survive in a world suddenly dominated by extraterrestrial invaders.

6. What 1979 science fiction comedy by Douglas Adams tells the story of Arthur Dent, an ordinary guy who escapes Earth's destruction (thanks to his alien friend Ford Prefect) and embarks on a wild, absurd journey through space? "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun."

Answer: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", first published in 1979 by Douglas Adams, is a hilarious sci-fi comedy that has become a cult classic. It follows Arthur Dent, a completely average Englishman who narrowly escapes Earth's destruction when his friend Ford Prefect (secretly an alien and researcher for the titular guidebook) hitches them a ride on a passing Vogon spaceship. From there, Arthur gets caught up in various adventures, meeting unforgettable characters like the wretchedly depressed robot Marvin, the two-headed galactic president Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Trillian, the only other surviving human.

Originally a BBC radio series before becoming a novel, "Hitchhiker's Guide" is packed with witty satire, poking fun at bureaucracy, philosophy, and the general absurdity of life. And bypasses. Bypasses are very important. The book popularized phrases like "Don't Panic" and "42" as the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything. Now what was the question?

It spawned multiple sequels, a TV series, a movie, and an enduring fanbase. Towel Day is every May 25th. Don't leave home without it.

7. What 1968 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick tells the story of Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" rogue androids in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world and begins with the follow words? "A merry little surge of electricity piped by automatic alarm from the mood organ beside his bed awakened Rick Deckard."

Answer: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", published in 1968 by Philip K. Dick, is a seminal work of science fiction that explores themes of identity, empathy, and what it truly means to be human. Set in a radioactive, post-apocalyptic Earth where most humans have emigrated to off-world colonies, the novel follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter assigned to track down and "retire" rogue androids that are indistinguishable from humans. Meanwhile, society relies on mood-altering technology, artificial animals have replaced real ones due to mass extinctions, and a mysterious religion called Mercerism offers spiritual comfort.

The novel was the basis for the 1982 film "Blade Runner", though the movie did take significant liberties with the story. Despite its initial lack of commercial success, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has since become one of the most influential sci-fi books ever written, shaping cyberpunk aesthetics and philosophical debates about AI and consciousness.

8. What 1953 science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke tells the story of humanity's peaceful takeover by mysterious alien overlords, conveniently called "the Overlords", who bring utopia but also... some seriously weird changes? "The volcano that had reared Tratua up from the Pacific depths had been sleeping now for half a million years. Yet in a little while, thought Reinhold, the island would be bathed with fires fiercer than any that had attended its birth."

Answer: Childhood's End

"Childhood's End", published in 1953 by Arthur C. Clarke, is a thought-provoking science fiction classic that explores themes of evolution, utopia, and the fate of humanity. The novel begins with the arrival of the Overlords, a group of mysterious alien beings who impose a peaceful rule over Earth, ending war, poverty, and suffering. Under their guidance, humanity thrives - but at the cost of its independence and, ultimately, its very nature. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the Overlords are merely caretakers for a much greater cosmic transformation, one that will forever change the course of human existence.

Unlike many alien invasion stories of its time, "Childhood's End" doesn't focus on resistance or rebellion but rather on the philosophical and existential consequences of a "perfect" world. The novel was a major influence on later sci-fi works dealing with transcendence and the limits of human potential. It remains one of Clarke's most celebrated books, praised for its big ideas and haunting, bittersweet ending. In 2015, it was adapted into a TV miniseries.

9. What 1969 anti-war novel by Kurt Vonnegut tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes "unstuck in time" and bounces between his experiences as a WWII prisoner, his mundane post-war life, and his captivity on an alien planet? The opening lines are: "All this happened, more or less. The war parts, anyway, are pretty much true. One guy I knew really was shot in Dresden for taking a teapot that wasn't his."

Answer: Slaughterhouse-Five

"Slaughterhouse-Five", published in 1969 by Kurt Vonnegut, is a darkly comic and surreal anti-war novel that blends autobiography, science fiction, and satire. The story follows Billy Pilgrim, an optometrist who has become "unstuck in time," randomly experiencing different moments of his life out of order. His most traumatic experience is the Allied firebombing of Dresden, which he survived as a prisoner of war - a real-life event that Vonnegut himself witnessed. However, Billy also finds himself abducted by aliens called "Tralfamadorians", who teach him their fatalistic philosophy: that time is non-linear, and everything that happens, good or bad, is inevitable (including their eventual destruction of the universe).

The novel's fragmented structure and dark humor capture the absurdity and horror of war in a way that traditional war novels do not. "Slaughterhouse-Five" became a defining work of anti-war literature, resonating strongly with readers during the Vietnam War era and beyond. Its famous phrase, "So it goes," is repeated throughout the book whenever death occurs. A major commercial and critical success, the novel cemented Vonnegut's reputation as a distinctive voice in American literature.

10. What 1969 science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin tells the story of Genly Ai, a human envoy sent to the icy planet of Gethen, where the inhabitants can change gender? "I'll make my report as if I told a story, for I was taught as a child on my homeworld that Truth is a matter of the imagination."

Answer: The Left Hand of Darkness

"The Left Hand of Darkness", written by Ursula K. Le Guin and published in 1969, is a groundbreaking work of science fiction that explores themes of gender, identity, and cultural misunderstanding. The novel tells the story of Genly Ai, a human envoy sent to the planet Gethen (also called Winter) as part of an effort to bring the world into an interstellar alliance. However, he struggles to navigate Gethenian society, where people are androgynous most of the time and only assume male or female sexual characteristics during periodic reproductive cycles.

Le Guin's novel was revolutionary for its time, challenging conventional ideas about gender long before such discussions became mainstream. "The Left Hand of Darkness" won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards and cemented Le Guin's place as one of the most important sci-fi writers of all time.

Source: Author JJHorner

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

I'll give you the year, the author, and the first line of a classic science fiction novel. All you have to do is select the title. Malfunctioning robots, alien invasions, and grokking Martians await. And so it goes....

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