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Banned Books Trivia Quizzes

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Books have been banned for many reasons - politics, religion and moral objections are only some of the reasons why books now acclaimed as significant works of literature have found themselves banned at times.
8 Banned Books quizzes and 80 Banned Books trivia questions.
1.
  Banned, Challenged and Removed   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Censorship has caused the banning, challenging and removal of some of our greatest novels both in the U.S. and abroad. This quiz is about a few of these monumental works of art many were deprived of.
Easier, 10 Qns, ncterp, Oct 03 23
Easier
ncterp gold member
Oct 03 23
530 plays
2.
  Banned Books Week Special   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
September 25 to October 2, 2004, is Banned Books Week. The slogan is "read a banned book today". The information for this quiz comes from a variety of websites but mainly "The Forbidden Library" and "The On-Line Books Page".
Average, 10 Qns, MotherGoose, Oct 20 16
Average
MotherGoose editor
2747 plays
3.
  The Right to Write   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Many great literary works have been banned in the U.S. (as well as other countries) over the years. Can you match the following controversial yet worthy books with the authors who wrote them, all of whom were exercising their "right to write"?
Easier, 10 Qns, shuehorn, Mar 11 17
Easier
shuehorn gold member
474 plays
4.
  Books, Banned Books   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many books are banned. The reasons are usually moral, religious, or political. Often a local school or library will ban a book. The following books have all been banned by governments.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, SterlingT, Jan 23 13
Very Easy
SterlingT gold member
1897 plays
5.
  Banned Books I Have Read    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's a quiz on some of the books I've read that have been banned at one point or another. Note that the questions are mainly about the plot and the characters rather than why the book was banned. All CORRECT answers are the books that I have read.
Easier, 10 Qns, JsusFreak, Jun 10 23
Easier
JsusFreak
Jun 10 23
4178 plays
6.
  I Write Sins, Not Tragedies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
These books are sin, that is, at one time or another they have been on the banned book list or at least challenged for the various places in the United States or other countries. Do you know what these books are?
Average, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Aug 10 21
Average
Ilona_Ritter
Aug 10 21
644 plays
7.
  Naughty, Naughty Books    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many books have been condemned and banned - and not just in Boston. Here's a look at a few of them.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, Feb 25 22
Average
robert362
Feb 25 22
5194 plays
8.
  Banned Books: 10 Questions   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Various banned books and the reasons why they were banned.
Difficult, 10 Qns, wordnerd, May 04 07
Difficult
wordnerd
2808 plays

Banned Books Trivia Questions
1. This book written by Mark Twain was banned because many people believe it promotes racism. What is this book?

From Quiz I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

Answer: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain wrote all these books, but it was "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" that was put on the banned book list in Concord, MA in 1885. In this story, Huck gets tired of being beaten by his father and runs away. He then meets Jim, an African-American (called a negro, as well as the n-word in the book). Jim is a run away slave, but despite this Huck teams up with him and they run away together.

2. With his friends, he fights evil, plays an unusual sport, and gets into trouble. Who is he?

From Quiz Banned Books I Have Read

Answer: Harry Potter

Yes, he's that loveable, little boy-wizard Harry Potter. The books, written by J.K Rowling, have been controversial due to claims that they promote the occult.

3. In Memoirs v. Massachusetts (1966) the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an erotic novel by the English author John Cleland, published in London in 1748, was not obscene. What was the title of Cleland's work?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: Fanny Hill

The original work was published in two volumes and was entitled "Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure". It tells the story of a London prostitute and graphically describes her sexual lifestyle. It was not published legally in the U.S. until 1963 and in 1970 in England. Memoirs v. Massachusetts was a 1966 landmark decision by the Supreme Court dealing with the 1st Amendment's right to freedom of expression.

4. This book by Toni Morrison has been banned, among other reasons, for bestiality. What book is it?

From Quiz I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

Answer: Beloved

"Beloved" takes place in 1973 and involves a former slave (Sethe) and her daughter, Denver. It is believed a ghost haunts their house and everyone fears this ghost except for Denver. Sethe, and some others work on a farm owned by Mr. Garner. After Mr. Garner dies, however, his brother takes over, and he is very racist and abusive, causing them to run away. Some of the people are killed; Sethe is still determined to run away, but is raped by some nephews. Her husband Halle sees all that is going on from a loft and goes mad. Beaten and pregnant, Sethe finally manages to run away; she is found by a white girl who helps her. "Beloved" was banned from Plymouth-Canton Schools in Michigan in 2011.

5. He's a carefree kid with a slave friend named Jim who get into all sorts of trouble and have incredible adventures. He avoids his guardians because he doesn't want to be "civilized." What is the name of this book?

From Quiz Banned Books I Have Read

Answer: 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain

It was banned because of some of the racist attitudes in the book.

6. Who said: "I can't define obscenity, but I know it when I see it"?

From Quiz Naughty, Naughty Books

Answer: Supreme Court Justice

Potter Stewart. Now, he's stuck with the line forever.

7. It is one of the most banned books in schools because of its profanity, racist slurs and a description of rape. To what classic novel am I referring?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee's novel has been challenged and banned in school districts across the country and abroad for being "immoral" and because of its use of racially charged language. As recently as 2013, a school district in Louisiana reinstated the book after a 12-year ban. It was banned in Lindale, Texas in 1996 because "it conflicted with the values of the community". It was removed from an Ontario, Canada's high school English class because of its racial language.

8. This book is often quoted as being the number one bestseller. It has been translated into numerous languages and read by people from all walks of life. What is the name of this book?

From Quiz Banned Books I Have Read

Answer: 'The Bible'

The Bible is a collection of writings that form the basis for the religion of Christianity, although Christians differ as to the extent to which these are literal or figurative, and whether other traditions are also significant contributors to the faith. The Old Testament incorporates the traditional scriptures of Judaism, the religious tradition in which Christianity had its origins. The New Testament was compiled several hundred years after the life of Christ, and only after lengthy debate as to which writings should be included. There are multiple versions, using different translations from the original languages of writing, and sometimes with different actual texts included. The controversies over what to include led to the banning of a number of versions within the church, and it has been banned in a number of countries in an effort to eliminate religious activity in general, and Christianity in particular.

9. The residents of Kern County, California were displeased with the description of their area and banned a 1939 Pulitzer Prize winning novel for being libelous. What novel was it?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

"The Grapes of Wrath" is a classic tale of Dust Bowl living. It was banned and burned in libraries in East St. Louis, Illinois because of "objectionable language not fit for anyone's daughter to read". It was banned in Ireland in 1953.

10. What book by J.D. Salinger was banned because it was "blasphemous, dirty and filthy"?

From Quiz I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

Answer: The Catcher in the Rye

"The Catcher in the Rye" is told by a 16 year old boy in a mental hospital, named Holden Caulfield. He has failed out of three schools and is on his fourth. This book tells about his life and others involved with this school. "The Catcher in the Rye" was the most banned book in schools, including Boron High school, between 1966-1975.

11. "Lolita" is a favorite target of censors. Who was the author?

From Quiz Naughty, Naughty Books

Answer: Vladimir Nabokov

Middle-aged man meets young girl.

12. Banned in the U.S. and England after its publication in 1922, "Ulysses" was ruled not obscene by a federal judge in 1933. Who authored "Ulysses"?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: James Joyce

"Ulysses" is the story of a man's journey through Dublin. Over a thousand copies were confiscated and burned by government authorities in the U.S. and England. The novel has since been declared a classic. The book is a modernized version of Homer's "Odyssey". The United States District Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in a landmark opinion ruled that the language in "Ulysses" was not obscene and was protected by the First Amendment. James Joyce was himself born in Dublin, Ireland. He is considered by many to be one of the most influential writers of 20th century.

13. This book by Ray Bradbury was banned because it went against religion and used words such as "hell" and "damn" a lot. Which book was this?

From Quiz I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

Answer: Fahrenheit 451

"Fahrenheit 451", ironically, is a story about banning books. In the story Guy Montag is a fireman. In this futuristic setting, firemen start fires to burn books, they do not put out fires. Guy ends up stealing a book and starts to think perhaps it's not bad for people to read. It ends up his house is scheduled to be burned with him in it if he does not give up the books he has. Instead of banning this book in Venado Middle School in Irving, California, copies of the book with the swear words removed (blacked out) were obtained.

14. This novel is by a renowned British author of the early twentieth century. It was famously banned in the United States for obscenity.

From Quiz Books, Banned Books

Answer: Lady Chatterley's Lover

Two of these answers are silly inventions of my own. "Lady Loverley's Chatter" was a quip by a friend of mine who hoped for "a little less talk and a lot more action".

15. This book is a record of events spanning the years 1942 to 1944 during the Second World War. It was banned for being too depressing. Which book was allegedly "a real downer"?

From Quiz Banned Books Week Special

Answer: "The Diary of Anne Frank"

"The Diary of Anne Frank" has been banned for being too depressing, for sexual references (Anne discusses her thoughts on intimate subjects), for Anne's views on religious tolerance and because "Anne's criticisms of her mother undermines adult authority". There has even been the accusation that the diaries are not genuine.

16. His parents are killed and he's sent to live with his two evil aunts. A gigantic fruit grows in their yard and crushes his aunts. There, he meets life-size insects and they all go on adventures together. What is the name of this book?

From Quiz Banned Books I Have Read

Answer: 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl

I read this book when I was a kid, and that was a very long time ago. It was banned because it contained a couple of cuss words. Oh, and by the way, James' parents are killed by runaway rhinos while they were at a zoo. Anyone know who wrote 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'?

17. "The Catcher in the Rye" was also a popular target. What was the name of the protagonist in the novel?

From Quiz Naughty, Naughty Books

Answer: Holden Caulfield

William Holden and Joan Caulfield were names on a movie marquee. The rest is history. Demian is a character in the novel of the same name by Hesse. Similarly, Harry Haller is a character in Hesse's "Steppenwolf". Fortunato is a character in a short story by Edgar Allan Poe.

18. What series of books was number one on the American Library Association's list of the most banned and challenged books between 2000 and 2009?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling's series was at the same time among the most popular and among the most banned and challenged novels. It was viewed by some that the series had a satanic theme and violence. Challenging material is the attempt to have the material removed or restricted. Banning is the actual removal or restriction.

19. This book by John Steinbeck was banned for its foul language. Do you know which book it was?

From Quiz I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

"The Grapes of Wrath" is about a man named Tom Joad who is released from prison. He meets a preacher named Jim Casey, who gave up preaching. Jim goes with Tom back to Tom's home only to find it has been deserted. Kern County, where much of "The Grapes of Wrath" is set, was also the first place to ban the book.

20. This book was banned in many places in the Southern United States before the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying to the author of this novel, "So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war."

From Quiz Books, Banned Books

Answer: Uncle Tom's Cabin

"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was also banned in Russia under Nicholas I, presumably because its anti-slavery message resonated with those who wished to free the Russian serfs.

21. He's a typical, if moody, teen-ager. He mourns the loss of his younger brother, hangs out with his younger sister, and eventually gets thrown into a mental institution. What is the name of this book?

From Quiz Banned Books I Have Read

Answer: 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger

It was banned because of the excessive cuss words in the book. Holden Caulfield is one lost, depressed kid, if you ask me.

22. Ibsen's "A Doll's House" was considered "outrageous" because of its content in what area?

From Quiz Naughty, Naughty Books

Answer: Women

The opening shot in the women's lib movement?

23. Which Shakespeare play was banned by some schools because it contains a girl dressing as a boy and a (reputedly) gay man?

From Quiz Banned Books

Answer: Twelfth Night

Other banned Shakespeare plays include 'Hamlet', 'Macbeth', 'King Lear', and 'The Merchant of Venice'. The first three were banned because of Shakespeare's use of sexual innuendo, death and violence (I've got some news for you: they're tragedies). 'The Merchant of Venice' was banned because of the portrayal of the Jewish villain, Shylock.

24. The publication of what poetry collection cost Walt Whitman his job when it was published in 1855?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: Leaves of Grass

"Leaves of Grass" was way too descriptive of both heterosexual and homosexual lifestyles for the eyes and ears of the 19th Century. Whitman lost his job at The Bureau of Indian Affairs after the Secretary read it and deemed it immoral. Nearly every American library refused to purchase a copy.

25. Two kids living in a small town are forced to cope with reality. Their mysterious neighbor is an alleged freak, and the father of the two kids is a lawyer defending a black man accused of rape. What is the name of this novel?

From Quiz Banned Books I Have Read

Answer: 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

It's a great book and an awesome movie! I'm glad that this book is read in high schools everywhere.

26. Which book was banned in Germany following World War I?

From Quiz Banned Books

Answer: All Quiet on the Western Front

The Bible has been banned in various schools for being a religious text, and 'The Communist Manifesto' and 'Animal Farm' have both been banned for political reasons. 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (originally written in German) was banned by the Nazis as it might give Germans the wrong idea about war. Apparently it worked.

27. Kurt Vonnegut's novel "Slaughterhouse-Five", based on the author's own personal experiences, has been banned repeatedly for profane language and violence. What experiences did Vonnegut draw upon?

From Quiz Banned, Challenged and Removed

Answer: prisoner of war in WWII

The American Library Association reports that school districts across America have banned 'Slaughterhouse-Five" for the book's "explicit sexual scenes, violence and obscene language". In 2011 it was declared "incompatible with biblical principles" in some "Bible Belt" communities. "Bible Belt", as the term implies, refers to communities, mainly in the southern parts of the US, that practice their religion more fervently than others.

28. This book surprisingly still sometimes ends up on the banned book list, being considered sinful and obscene. Which Nathaniel Hawthorne book is this?

From Quiz I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

Answer: The Scarlet Letter

"The Scarlet Letter" is about Hester Prynne, who committed adultery and is forced to wear a scarlet A on her clothes for all to see. As a result of the adulterous relationship she has a daughter named Pearl. The father of the child is Rev. Dimmesdale, who feels so guilty his health starts to fail. He, however, will not admit publicly that he is the child's father. This book has been banned in various school districts, one district which was unnamed stated the book was "pornographic and obscene" in 1977. (http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/censorship/bannedbooksthatshapedamerica)

29. This Russian novel was banned within the Soviet Union from its publication in 1957 until the USSR was in the process of dissolution in 1988. It was made into a popular film starring Julie Christie and Omar Sharif.

From Quiz Books, Banned Books

Answer: Doctor Zhivago

Boris Pasternak won the Nobel Prize, primarily for this novel, which was viewed as a slap in the face by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He was persuaded to decline the award.

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