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Shel Silverstein for Adults Trivia Quiz

Shel Silverstein wrote a great many classic children's books. This quiz isn't about any of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by DaMoopies. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
DaMoopies

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
375,591

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
197

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Shel Silverstein was a prolific songwriter. Which of these well known songs did he author? Hint

I've Been Everywhere

Folsom Prison Blues

One Piece at a Time

A Boy Named Sue

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Question 2 of 10

2. Shel Silverstein wrote songs for others artists besides Johnny Cash. For which of these bands did Shel write songs such as "Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball", "Get my Rocks Off", and "Penicillin Penny"? Hint

Dr. Hook

Mott the Hoople

The Flying Burrito Brothers

Starland Vocal Band

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Question 3 of 10

3. Shel Silverstein published many adult themed cartoons in what magazine? Hint

Hustler

Screw

Penthouse

Playboy

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Question 4 of 10

4. Shel Silverstein wrote what looked like a children's book, but it surely was not. What was the title? Hint

What's in Mommy's Purse?

Shel Tells the Truth

Let's Pet the Strange Dog!

Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1950, Shel Silverstein joined the U.S. armed forces. In which branch did he serve? Hint

Army

Air Force

Navy

Marines

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Question 6 of 10

6. How did Shel Silverstein support himself in the mid 1950s, while waiting for his cartooning career to take off? Hint

Selling insurance

Selling newspapers

Selling cars

Selling hot dogs at ballparks

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Question 7 of 10

7. In 1959, Shel Silverstein and Jean Shepherd staged an off Broadway play. What was it called? Hint

The Devil and Billy Markham

Look, Charlie: A Short History of the Pratfall

The Lifeboat is Sinking

Thinking Up a New Name for the Act

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Question 8 of 10

8. Shel Silverstein was a contributor to a well-known 1970's project that aimed to teach children the importance of things such as tolerance and individuality. What was it called? Hint

Boys Can Cry

We are All One

Free to Be... You and Me

Let's Go... Together!

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Question 9 of 10

9. One of Shel Silverstein's most covered songs was recorded by this great singer-songwriter, Emmylou Harris. Which song was it? Hint

Too Far Gone

Queen of the Silver Dollar

The Bottle Let Me Down

For No One

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Question 10 of 10

10. Shel Silverstein attended the University of Illinois. Under what circumstances did he leave? Hint

He was drafted.

He left to "find himself".

He graduated with honors.

He was expelled.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Shel Silverstein was a prolific songwriter. Which of these well known songs did he author?

Answer: A Boy Named Sue

The song was recorded at Johnny Cash's famous concert at San Quentin State Prison. It won Grammy awards for Best Country Song, and Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The other answers are Johnny Cash songs, but were not written by Shel.

Answer: Dr. Hook

Shel wrote every song on Dr. Hook's second album, "Sloppy Seconds". Among the other songs the band performed that Shel wrote was "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most", a cautionary tale about VD.

3. Shel Silverstein published many adult themed cartoons in what magazine?

Answer: Playboy

Shel was great friends with Hugh Heffner. Shel would spend months at a time living at the "Playboy" mansion.

4. Shel Silverstein wrote what looked like a children's book, but it surely was not. What was the title?

Answer: Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book

It was Shel's first book for adults. The cover of early versions included the phrase "A Primer for Tender Young Minds". Shel believed children should not be treated any differently than anyone else. The cover was soon changed to "A Primer for Adults Only". One possible reason was the "Hop-Scotch" page, which encouraged children to drink scotch in order to hop higher.

5. In 1950, Shel Silverstein joined the U.S. armed forces. In which branch did he serve?

Answer: Army

Shel served in Korea and Japan, and became a cartoonist for "Stars & Stripes" magazine.

6. How did Shel Silverstein support himself in the mid 1950s, while waiting for his cartooning career to take off?

Answer: Selling hot dogs at ballparks

The Chicago native had plenty of opportunities to sell dogs! This early experience later manifested itself in two poems about hot dogs, one called "Everything On It" about a dog that comes just as ordered, and one called "Hot Dog" about his pet hot dog.

7. In 1959, Shel Silverstein and Jean Shepherd staged an off Broadway play. What was it called?

Answer: Look, Charlie: A Short History of the Pratfall

The show itself had no specific theme, and mostly consisted of Shel and the other actors reacting to the audience. The other answers were shorter stage works written by Shel. At one time, Shel stopped the show and invited the audience to go across the street to a deli, famously copied by Andy Kaufman inviting his Carnegie Hall audience to go out for milk and cookies.

8. Shel Silverstein was a contributor to a well-known 1970's project that aimed to teach children the importance of things such as tolerance and individuality. What was it called?

Answer: Free to Be... You and Me

Marlo Thomas created the project. It became a book, record album, TV special, and even a filmstrip. Some of the other notable names who worked on the project were Alan Alda, Mel Brooks, Michael Jackson, Dustin Hoffman, and Dionne Warwick.

9. One of Shel Silverstein's most covered songs was recorded by this great singer-songwriter, Emmylou Harris. Which song was it?

Answer: Queen of the Silver Dollar

"Queen of the Silver Dollar" is about a washed-up gin-joint denizen. It has also been covered by Doyle Holly, Barbi Benton, and Dave & Sugar. The other songs were also on Emmylou's album "Pieces of the Sky".

10. Shel Silverstein attended the University of Illinois. Under what circumstances did he leave?

Answer: He was expelled.

Consistently poor grades led to Shel being kicked out of the school. He then attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, but was soon drafted into the U.S. Army, ending his academic career.

Source: Author DaMoopies

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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