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Quiz about Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas Quiz

The first poem I ever memorized! A perennial holiday favorite at our house; let's see what you can remember about "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

A multiple-choice quiz by Belleiscute. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Belleiscute

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
355,550

Updated
Dec 17 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
984

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "Twas the Night Before Christmas" has an alternate title. Which one of the following is it? Hint

A Visit from Father Christmas

A Visit from Santa Claus

A Visit from Saint Nicholas

A Visit on Christmas Eve

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who is traditionally believed to have written the poem? Hint

Washington Irving

Clement Clarke Moore

Emily Dickinson

Langdon Smith

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Question 3 of 10

3. What did the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" establish? Hint

The tradition of stuffing stockings on Christmas Eve

The notion that gifts were distributed and opened on Christmas Eve

The custom of giving presents to children

The physical description of modern Santa Claus

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the narrator wearing when Saint Nicholas arrives? Hint

A cap

Pajamas

A nightshirt

Long johns

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Question 5 of 10

5. What first attracts the narrator's attention? Hint

The cracking of a whip

The prancing and pawing of hooves on the roof

A clatter

The throwing up of the sash

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Question 6 of 10

6. To what creatures is Saint Nicholas' speed of travel compared? Hint

Hurricanes

Coursers

Reindeers

Eagles

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which reindeer's name means thunder? Hint

Blitzen

Donder

Cupid

Vixen

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Question 8 of 10

8. To what flowers are Saint Nicholas' cheeks compared? Hint

Tulips

Carnations

Peonies

Roses

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Question 9 of 10

9. What salutation does Saint Nicholas give at the poem's end? Hint

"Ho ho ho!"

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night."

"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night."

"Good-night to all."

10. On October 24th, 2012, an updated version of the poem was released by anti-smoking activist Pamela McColl. Which politically correct revision was made to the original description of Saint Nicholas? Hint

He was not overweight

His suit was not made of fur

"He" became a "she"

He no longer had a pipe

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Twas the Night Before Christmas" has an alternate title. Which one of the following is it?

Answer: A Visit from Saint Nicholas

The poem describes the arrival, on Christmas Eve, of Saint Nicholas. The traditionally accepted title is taken from the opening line of the poem "Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house".

2. Who is traditionally believed to have written the poem?

Answer: Clement Clarke Moore

It is believed that Moore wrote the poem for his daughters, Margaret and Charity, and only agreed to the publication of the poem if it were done so anonymously. (Moore was a professor and academic who didn't want his name associated with a children's verse.) He later claimed authorship. Debate over authorship reached its peak in 2000, when Don Foster of Vassar College, proposed that Major Henry Livingston, Junior, was the true author. No one knows for sure who the author is, although Moore is traditionally credited with penning the verse.

3. What did the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" establish?

Answer: The physical description of modern Santa Claus

The poem describes Santa as being plump, dressed in fur, with a flowing white beard. It also established his mode of transportation, as a sleigh drawn by "eight tiny reindeer".

4. What is the narrator wearing when Saint Nicholas arrives?

Answer: A cap

The narrator states: "mamma and her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled our brains down for a long winter's nap".

5. What first attracts the narrator's attention?

Answer: A clatter

The narrator first notices Saint Nicholas' imminent arrival by a noise heard outside: "When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter."

6. To what creatures is Saint Nicholas' speed of travel compared?

Answer: Eagles

Saint Nicholas is traveling faster than eagles: "More rapid than eagles his coursers they came."

7. Which reindeer's name means thunder?

Answer: Donder

Donder and Blitzen mean thunder and lightning in German. Saint Nicholas/Sinter Klaas were of German and Dutch origin respectively. It is believed that some of the reindeers' names were chosen to honor this heritage.

8. To what flowers are Saint Nicholas' cheeks compared?

Answer: Roses

The narrator describes a plump and jolly old man whose "cheeks were like roses".

9. What salutation does Saint Nicholas give at the poem's end?

Answer: "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night."

As Saint Nicholas and his reindeer disappear, the narrator hears him cry: "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night."

Answer: He no longer had a pipe

A 2012 updated version of the classic poem denied Saint Nicholas the pleasure of smoking his pipe, in an attempt to dissuade children from smoking.

Source: Author Belleiscute

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