A Bridge Too Far Quiz / Test | Thematic Fun

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Humanities: What is the etymology of the word 'bridge'?

Answer: Old English

According to the Oxford Dictionary 'bridge' is derived from the Old English word 'brycg' that had the same meaning. There is a possible derivation from Germanic dialects.

2. Movies: Cornelius Ryan's book "A Bridge Too Far" was transferred to the screen in 1977. Both book and film portray the failed allied effort to go behind enemy lines to destroy bridges that the German forces might use as routes of retreat. In what country does the effort take place?

Answer: Netherlands

Directed by Richard Attenborough, the producers spared no expense in cast as the hottest male actors of the time made appearances including Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Edward Fox, Elliott Gould, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Hardy Kr�ger, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford and Maximilian Schell.

3. Television: Diminutive Gary Coleman starred in "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-1986). His catch phase on that show was "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" What actor played the maligned Willis?

Answer: Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges had a steady career as a child actor. In addition to "Diff'rent Strokes", he was also a recurring character on "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie" and guest appearances on other programs. Later he became the 'poster child' for child actors gone wrong as he encountered both drug abuse and legal problems.

He has resurrected himself and now does voice-overs for television programs and supporting roles in television and films.

4. Geography: The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. What body of water does it span?

Answer: East River

The East River separates Brooklyn from Manhattan and is only sixteen miles long. It is believed to have been formed during the melting of the ice age around 11,000 years ago. The other incorrect answers are tributaries.

The Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when built in 1883 and is about 1600 feet long.

5. Music: What was the name on the duet that first sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water"?

Answer: Simon and Garfunkel

The song was the big hit from Simon and Garfunkel's final album. In 1970 it was number one of the pop charts in the United States and several foreign nations. Although technically a duet, Art Garfunkel is the main voice heard. It won a Grammy in 1971. Paul Simon later regretted letting Garfunkel take the lead. The record sold six million world wide.

6. Celebrities: Jeff and Beau Bridges are brothers who have achieved much in films in terms of awards, nominations, and acknowledgements. What was their father's name?

Answer: Lloyd

The elder Bridges had a long career in both film and television. His syndicated "Sea Hunt"(1958-1962) was extremely popular. Many will remember his parody role in "Airplane!" (1980) when he uttered his most famous line: "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue".

7. Hobbies: The game of Bridge is played with four players but only three participate in the actual play after bidding. What is the 'left out' player called?

Answer: Dummy

The break for the fourth player is a chance to enhance refreshments. However, the dummy may sit and watch his partner play both hands as a learning and conversation experience but may not hint or prompt his partner's play.

8. Children: Children often learn the nursery rhyme that goes: "London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair Lady" So, where would one go to view the London Bridge built in 1831 and dismantled in 1967?

Answer: Lake Havasu, Arizona

There have been many London Bridges since Roman times. It has been rebuilt many times. In 1967 when the 1831 bridge was up for restoration, instead of being destroyed, it was sold and removed piece by piece to Lake Havasu, Arizona to Robert P. McCulloch, an American real estate developer and oil baron, for 2.5 million dollars. Rumors persist that McCulloch thought the Tower Bridge was included in the sale but it was not.

The bridge now connects to an island in a housing development. The project was completed in 1971.

9. Literature: The 1928 Pulitzer Prize was awarded to Thornton Wilder for his 1927 novel about a bridge. What was the name of the novel?

Answer: The Bridge of San Luis Rey

The novel tells several interrelated stories of persons who die on the collapse of the bridge at San Luis Rey. A priest follows up with the families of the dead in order to find some essential meaning to the event.

10. History: Suspension bridges are bridges that are supported by cables attached to towers. In what country was the first successful suspension bridge constructed?

Answer: Bhutan

Thangtong Gyalpo was both a Tibetan saint and bridge-builder. He used iron chains in his version of the suspension bridges. In 1433, Gyalpo built eight bridges in eastern Bhutan. The last known Gyalpo bridge was finally washed out in 2004, nearly six centuries after its construction.

Source: Author Rehaberpro

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Snowman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

A Bridge Too Far Trivia Quiz

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