Under the Big Top Trivia Quiz

Answer: The largest tent at the circus

The Big Top was the largest tent at mid-19th and early 20th century circuses, and all the major action of the circus happened there. It was not a fixed structure, nor a top hat, and although it might be fun to see clowns twirling around in some kind of giant toy top, I have never heard of such a thing in reality.

Answer: the Ringmaster

A traditional opening line for the ringmaster is "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages..."
The ringmaster then goes on to manage the smooth flow of the show, directing the audience's attention to each act as the previous one is being dismantled. He uses words like "spectacular" and "amazing" to increase the crowd's excitement. And he may be called upon to stall for time by talking with a clown or telling jokes. The ringmaster is arguably the most important performer in the circus.
A female ringmaster is called a ringmistress.

Answer: 42 feet

The international standard diameter of 42 feet (~13 meters) is the minimum size needed for an acrobatic rider to perform tricks while standing upright on a cantering horse. 62 feet (~19 meters) was the size of Astley's first circus ring.

Answer: All of these

One could also see people with both male and female characteristics, a flea circus, someone lying on a bed of nails, insect eaters, etc... and such unique things as Bonnie and Clyde's Death Car, for example.
As public consciousness changed, viewing freak shows became distasteful, and laws were passed forbidding them. The performers often objected, since for them freak shows were good income, perhaps the only income they could earn. However, most freak shows declined and then disappeared altogether.

Author's note: I use the term "freak" in the historical sense, as it is used in the sources I consulted for this quiz. Obviously the term would never be used to describe these people today, and I do not intend it as a slur of any kind.

Answer: fear of clowns

Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns, especially circus clowns. The term was probably coined in the 1980s.

Answer: whiteface

Whiteface is used by many types of clowns. Circus clowns also traditionally wear baggy, colorful clothes, exaggerated shoes, and bright wigs. They are meant to be seen from a distance by large crowds. Their actions are exaggerated and often foolish. Clowns are known for their slapstick humor. This type of comedy is known around the world across many cultures.

Answer: elephants

Elephants are extremely intelligent. Animal rights groups have been trying to end the exhibition of wild circus animals for a long time. It is a movement that is picking up momentum, and wild circus animals may soon go the way of the freak show.

Answer: equilibristics

Plate spinners spin plates, bowls, or other flat objects on the tops of long poles, counting on the gyroscopic effect to keep them spinning as long as possible. They try to get a great many plates spinning at the same time. (The world record, by the way, is 108 plates; this did not happen at a circus, however.)
The rolling globe is a stunt where a performer balances on top of a large sphere, often taller than s/he is. Controlling the movement of the ball with hands and feet, the performer may do gymnastic or juggling stunts at the same time.

Answer: tight-rope walking

Tight-rope walking is done on a tensioned wire fastened between two points. If it is over ~20 feet above the ground, it is called a high-wire act. Balancing tools might include a balance pole or umbrella; if no balance tool is used, the act is performed "freehand". Funambulists often dance or carry props with them to use as object manipulation while out on the wire.

Answer: a trapeze

The art of the trapeze was developed in the mid 1800s by French acrobat Jules Léotard, who practiced over his father's swimming pool. There are three basic types of trapeze acts: static, swinging, and flying. In static, the trapeze remains still while the performer does tricks on it. Swinging acts involve acrobatics on a single trapeze that is swinging back and forth. With flying trapeze, which is usually performed over a net, one or more performers move between two or more trapezes, flying through the air and catching the other trapeze or another performer's hands.

A swing set belongs in your backyard. A trapezoid belongs in geometry class.