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Elton Ben Quizzes, Trivia

Ben Elton Trivia

Ben Elton Trivia Quizzes

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Ben Elton is more familiar to many as a comedian and co-writer for such television shows as "The Young Ones" and "Black Adder", but his novels range across a number of genres, including comedy, mystery and dystopian fiction.
5 Ben Elton quizzes and 55 Ben Elton trivia questions.
1.
  Ben Elton's Belting Stories    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Ben Elton has written some cracking yarns. Here, try to match the novel on the right with the brief plot description on the left. Read each precis closely as I have tried to install as much of a clue in there as possible, without giving the game away.
Easier, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Jan 27 22
Easier
pollucci19 gold member
Jan 27 22
139 plays
2.
  Ben Elton's "Gridlock"    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
A story of love and genius, evil and greed. The story of Geoffrey and the woman he loves, against the world's collective motor industries. Terrific read. Enjoy the quiz!
Tough, 15 Qns, tatterdemalion, May 18 04
Tough
tatterdemalion
218 plays
3.
  Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This book kept me reading till the early hours most nights, and it still kept me guessing until the end! SPOILER WARNING: If you haven't finished the book, don't go on as the end IS given away! Enjoy the quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, msdemena, Oct 25 14
Average
msdemena
395 plays
4.
  Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Like the book? Test your memory...Oh and by the way some answers may spoil the end so if you haven't read this look away now!!
Tough, 10 Qns, djellibabe, Sep 26 03
Tough
djellibabe
388 plays
5.
  Ben Elton Books 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A multiple choice quiz for fans of Ben Elton novel releases.
Average, 10 Qns, Paulie_Jay, Dec 07 08
Average
Paulie_Jay
210 plays
trivia question Quick Question
After the press discover that Transport Minister Digby Parkhurst is a gay transvestite, he commits suicide. How does he do it?

From Quiz "Ben Elton's "Gridlock""




Related Topics
  Contemporary Literature and Fiction [Literature] (23 quizzes)

  Humor and Satire [Literature] (20 quizzes)


Ben Elton Trivia Questions
1. The "off-the-planet" introduction to "Gridlock" features aliens who are researching Earth for a 3-minute slot in a TV comedy program. What is the name of their native planet?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: Brain

The show is called "That's Amazing, Brainians". They learned more about humanity and philosophy than we know ourselves, and they accidentally taped a documentary about Tuscany. (You have to read it...)

2. What was David's "real job"?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"

Answer: Actor

Despite having been written before the third "Big Brother" series, I believe that David is not a bad take on Alex the model. His mannerisms and attitude, it's almost as if Mr Elton is psychic!

3. What is Jazz's real job?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Trainee Chef

We are told this early on in the book; not a skill he seems keen to use in the house. One of his best attempts was rice for a rota?

4. What is the setting for the Ben Elton book "Dead Famous"?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: A "Big Brother" style house and television show

"Dead Famous" is a black comedy about a murder that occurs live on the set of a "Big Brother" style television show.

5. Geoffrey Peason was determined that his disease should not be used to define his whole self, and that he should be able to say "spastic" without it seeming like an insult. Therefore he unofficially changed his surname to...?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: Spasmo

This was in vain hope that someday spastics could rise above the negative image connected with the name of their condition. And it was funny.

6. When did the murder take place?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"

Answer: Day twenty-seven

This is mentioned at the start of the book, but I was still confused as there were two time lines, one for the house mates, the other for the police.

7. What is Moon's Star Sign?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Capricorn

You only needed to open the book to know this. Typical Capricorn? Who's knows, all you Capricorns out there better have a good hard look at yourselves!!

8. In the book "Stark", what is the character CD's real name?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: Colin Dobson

Colin Dobson, always attempting - but regularly failing - to appear cool at all times, insists that people call him "CD" rather than "Colin".

9. According to "Gridlock", there is a certain sticker that can be found on computers which will guarantee that the person owning the computer is "dull, dependable and sane as a pair of corduroy trousers". What does this sticker say?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: You don't have to be mad to work here but it helps

At Geoffrey's office, the woman whose computer wore this sticker was Denise. She was the one who unwittingly revealed Geoffrey's whereabouts to Sam and caused his murder.

10. What day did the murder take place?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: 27

This detail is given on the very first page, but you could also find out by reading day to day.

11. Which Ben Elton book features a traffic warden by the name of "Toss"?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: Gridlock

The book "Gridlock" has many characters, one of which is a young traffic warden whose nickname is "Toss". Toss joins forces with Deborah and Geoffrey Peason in an attempt to thwart the suppression of a hydrogen engine by the auto-making industry.

12. Geoffrey invented a kind of engine which ran cheaply on what element?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: Hydrogen

It could be extracted from water and after being used, only expelled water, so it was very environmentally friendly.

13. Which female housemate reads the writing in the mirror?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Dervla

From her friendly neighbourhood camera man? One of Ben Elton's best twists. Did you think it was him? I know I did.

14. The book "Popcorn" features a boyfriend/girlfriend serial killer team. What name were they given by the media?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: The Mall Murderers

Wayne and Scout, the two serial killers from "Popcorn", are known as The Mall Murderers. Although many of their crimes do occur in shopping precincts, they don't limit themselves to shopping malls. They eventually end up in the home of Hollywood movie producer Bruce Dellamitri, holding him and his family prisoner while attempting to plead mitigation for their crimes live on national television.

15. In 1977, Geoffrey went to a concert for a classic punk band in his spasmobile. Which band?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: The Clash

"Geoffrey's had been the only wheelchair to make it to the front of a gig on The Clash's White Riot Tour in '77. His dad had to hose it down to get all the gob off afterwards.

16. Which Shakespearean play did Inspector Coleridge audition for?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"

Answer: Macbeth

A line from "Macbeth" is adapted slightly by Coleridge later on in the book, to fit the situation. The original passage is "Who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him." Chilling stuff!

17. Name the Officer in charge of the case.

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Coleridge

Hooper was another Officer on the case, Hennessy was the Producer, and Fogarty was the Editor in Chief. Coleridge was a real stuffed shirt and certainly did not appreciate the housemates craving for fame. The bug bit him in the end!

18. What was the name of the car company that employed Sam Turk in "Gridlock"?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: Global Motors

"Global Motors" was the company that Sam Turk worked for. The "Moritz" was a model of Global car, while "Panther" was mentioned as a rival car company that produced the "Panther Chief Executive".

19. Who was evicted from the house first?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Layla

Woggle was nominated but not evicted. Shame about his timing because he could of really made things go with a bang!

20. After the press discover that Transport Minister Digby Parkhurst is a gay transvestite, he commits suicide. How does he do it?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: Gasses himself to death in his car

"The enternal combustion engine had claimed another victim." Although Digby is a particularly hated character, his death is a tragedy because it highlights the still-existing prejudice against homosexuals.

21. Whose mother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and was placed in an institution for murder?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"

Answer: Sally

She was adopted and it turned out that her mother's victim was her father!

22. Name the Presenter of 'House Arrest'.

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Chloe

Davina McCall presents 'Big Brother', Holly is made up, and Trisha is one of the investigating team.

23. The plot of which Ben Elton book can be described as "a murder mystery set during World War 1"?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: The First Casualty

"The First Casualty" explores the futility and brutality of war via a murder mystery set in the trench filled mud fields of World War 1 Europe.

24. What kind of car cost Deborah the use of her legs?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Gridlock"

Answer: A Global Moritz (Mark III)

The accident was caused because of faulty brakes. Global Motors could have improved the brake system on these cars, but decided they'd rather keep the money, and thus pretty much ruined Deborah's life.

25. What was the name of the show that they were all on?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"

Answer: House Arrest

It's not that easy to think up names for this type of show and if you can think of any better ones, let me know!

26. How many housemates return to the house after the murder?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: seven

Layla is already evicted, Woggle was arrested, and Kelly is dead. Ten started, leaving seven to go back in.

27. In "This Other Eden", what is the name of the self-contained survival dwellings?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: Claustrophere

The "Claustrophere" is a self contained closed habitat where all air and water is permanently recycled, and food is self produced. Once sealed inside, a person need never leave.

28. What was the name of Geraldine Hennessy's production company?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous"

Answer: Peeping Tom Productions

Endemol are, of course, the people responsible for the real "Big Brother", the other two I just made up!

29. Who wins 'House Arrest'?

From Quiz Ben Elton's "Dead Famous" Watch out for Spoilers!

Answer: Jazz

"Jazz had been the favourite to win ever since his dramatic intervention to save Sally's life in the confession box."

30. In the book "Inconceivable", how is the story presented?

From Quiz Ben Elton Books 2

Answer: As diary entries

An innovative approach, Elton presents the story of "Inconceivable" as a series of diary entries written by a husband and wife.

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