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And Then There Were Nuns Trivia Quiz

Women in the 21st century are not as likely to become nuns as they were in the past. However, nuns still exist around the world. This quiz will cover some general information about nuns both past and present.

A multiple-choice quiz by Trivia_Fan54. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Trivia_Fan54

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
397,094

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
229

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. St. Scholastica is considered by some to be the founder of Benedictine nuns. What was her relationship to St. Benedict? Hint

Sister

Cousin

Mother

Daughter

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Question 2 of 10

2. All nuns are Christians.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is a Roman Catholic postulancy? Hint

The rules of behaviour as set for the convent.

A period of testing the life of a nun.

The fund used by convents for repairs.

A hymn book that is used throughout each day by nuns.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following is not a typical vow that Roman Catholic nuns take? Hint

Poverty

Stability

Self-sufficiency

Obedience

5. The terms "nun" and "sister" have always been used interchangeably by members of the public. However, the Catholic Church has used these terms differently. Historically, what was the difference between a "nun" and a "sister" as defined by the Roman Catholic church? Hint

Nuns took solemn vows and were cloistered, while sisters were not cloistered.

Nuns were required to fast three times a week, while sisters were able to eat each day.

Sisters took solemn vows and were cloistered, while nuns were not cloistered.

There was no difference; the terms were interchangeable by the church.

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Question 6 of 10

6. What has been the pattern in the number of Roman Catholic nuns in the United States since 1840? Hint

Fewer than 50 nuns in only two convents in 1840, with rapid growth to over 100,000 nuns in 20,000 convents where the number has remained steady since 1900.

From close to 100,000 nuns in 1840, then a steady drop in the total number of nuns.

Priests and brothers have always outnumbered nuns.

From a few nuns at a few convents in 1840, to over 100,000 nuns in the early 1900s, to a dramatic decrease by the early 2000s.

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Question 7 of 10

7. Do you have to be a virgin to become a Roman Catholic nun?

Yes

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following actresses has not played a nun in any movies? Hint

Jessica Lange

Mary Tyler Moore

Sophia Loren

Grace Kelly

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Question 9 of 10

9. What was the most common destination for nuns when Henry VIII separated the Church of England from papal authority? Hint

Switzerland

Spain

France

United States

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Question 10 of 10

10. What continent holds most of the Lutheran convents? Hint

North America

Europe

South America

Asia

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. St. Scholastica is considered by some to be the founder of Benedictine nuns. What was her relationship to St. Benedict?

Answer: Sister

Scholastica and Benedict were siblings. She was born in c. 480, and it is said that she always lived a very religious life. Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns, education, and convulsive children. Her Memorial Day is February 10th.

2. All nuns are Christians.

Answer: False

Nuns are found around the world in a variety of religions. These include Christianity, as well as Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Taoism.

3. What is a Roman Catholic postulancy?

Answer: A period of testing the life of a nun.

The process of becoming a Roman Catholic nun is somewhat involved, with different stages that nuns must go through to show their commitment. Since nuns are expected to commit to the lifestyle for their entire lives, convents typically give women a period of six months to two years to test the lifestyle and ensure that they are being called to the vocation.

4. Which of the following is not a typical vow that Roman Catholic nuns take?

Answer: Self-sufficiency

Roman Catholic nuns of the Benedictine tradition take vows of stability, or a promise to remain members of a certain community of nuns. Nuns of the Dominican tradition take vows of poverty. Nuns from both traditions take vows of obedience. Although many Roman Catholic nuns do aim for self-sufficiency, they do not vow to act that way in their ceremonies.

Answer: Nuns took solemn vows and were cloistered, while sisters were not cloistered.

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably by members of the public, but the church considered "nuns" those women who have taken solemn vows to God who were cloistered (living together but separate from all others). Nuns engaged in contemplation and prayer each day.

The term "sister" was reserved by the church to refer to women who have taken simple vows, and who were not cloistered. Sisters engaged in apostolic work, assisting others outside the convent. It is all somewhat confusing to members of the general public because both nuns and sisters are called "Sister" when speaking to or about them (e.g., "Sister Mary", etc.).

6. What has been the pattern in the number of Roman Catholic nuns in the United States since 1840?

Answer: From a few nuns at a few convents in 1840, to over 100,000 nuns in the early 1900s, to a dramatic decrease by the early 2000s.

The number of nuns in the United States grew from about 900 in 15 communities in 1840, to 50,000 in 170 orders in 1900, and 135,000 in 300 different orders by 1930. Their numbers peaked in 1965 at 180,000 then plunged to 56,000 in 2010, with older nuns dying and younger women not being as attracted to the vocation in the early 21st century.

The number of nuns has always surpassed the number of priests and brothers since 1840.

7. Do you have to be a virgin to become a Roman Catholic nun?

Answer: No

Women do not have to be virgins before becoming a nun, but must abstain from sexual relations after becoming a nun. Women can also become nuns if they have been married and have children as long as the marriage is annulled and the children are old enough to be independent.

8. Which of the following actresses has not played a nun in any movies?

Answer: Grace Kelly

Jessica Lange was a nun in "American Horror Story". Sophia Loren was a nun in "White Sister". Mary Tyler Moore was a nun in "Change of Habit". Other famous actresses to play nuns include Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Raquel Welch, Lyndsay Lohan, Jodie Foster, Julie Andrews, Shirley MacLaine, Whoopi Goldberg, Ingrid Bergman, and Leslie Nielsen (well, not an actress, but he did a great job as a nun in "Spy Hard").

9. What was the most common destination for nuns when Henry VIII separated the Church of England from papal authority?

Answer: France

Roman Catholic churches lost their property and possessions when Henry VIII separated the Church of England from papal rule, so nuns were forced out of their convents. Many simply returned to a secular life, but if they chose to remain nuns, they were forced to flee the country. If they did flee, many went to France, a nearby Catholic country.

10. What continent holds most of the Lutheran convents?

Answer: Europe

There are many different orders of Lutheran nuns, with most of them in Europe. Many are dedicated to service, including the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, which runs a guesthouse for Holocaust survivors.

Source: Author Trivia_Fan54

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