Snores (Not to Be Confused with S'mores) Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Have trouble falling asleep? Many cultures suggest that counting things may help to "create a gentle rhythm to banish thoughts and worries". With this in mind, counting which of the following is considered to be helpful in getting a good night's sleep?

Answer: Sheep

Counting sheep is a tried and true method of falling asleep for many people. Some think it works because it is so repetitive. Counting the other foils would make me so nervous that I could never fall asleep.

2. Who was the Greek god of sleep?

Answer: Hypnos

In Greek mythology, Hypnos was the god of sleep. He and his twin Thanatos (god of death) shared a mansion in the underworld surrounded by the river Lethe (forgetfulness) and fields of poppies. (Please see the beautiful "Sleep and His Half-Brother Death" painting by John William Waterhouse.)

Hypnos' wife was Pasihea. One of the youngest of the Graces, she was the deity of hallucination, meditation and relaxation.

Morpheus was the Greek god of dreams. (Please refer to Pierre-Narcisse Guerin's 1811 painting "Morpheus and Iris" for an amazing visual treat!)

3. Science has identified certain levels of sleep. People tend to spend about 50% of sleep time in which of the following stages?

Answer: Stage 2 - Eye movements stop/brain waves slow

According to experts, people spend almost 50% of sleep time in Stage 2, 20% in REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) and 30% in other stages. (Infants typically spend 50% or more in REM sleep.)

I snore very loudly (or so I am told) - perhaps I have discovered a Stage 6 of sleep - the Extreme Snorage Level (ESL). I know my husband will qualify, although he denies it!

***I can't resist this addition - the American band REM is named after what? Who knows, as they won't say. Some say "Rapid Eye Movement" but many theories exist.***

(With thanks to the website of the US National Institute of Health article "Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep." Check it out!)

4. Which stage of sleep does the medical community classify as a coma?

Answer: No Stage - Unknown

A coma is a state of unconsciousness - a person is alive and may appear to be sleeping but cannot be awakened. It is typically caused by an injury to the brain. None of the stages of sleep apply.

Stage 6 is an invented answer. The others are valid stages of sleep but do not include those in a coma state. For those individuals and family members facing this challenge, our thoughts are with you.

5. What is not a lady's sleep garment?

Answer: Flannelette

A pyjama is set of loose fitting sleep garments (British spelling.) A negligee is a woman's easy fitting sheer garment. A nightgown is defined as a loose dress worn by a female to bed - also called a nightdress. A flannelette is a British term for what Americans call a "wash cloth".

6. The title of which song involving sleep is not paired with the correct artist?

Answer: "Golden Slumbers" - Andy Williams

"Golden Slumbers" was Paul McCartney's song. The other foils are correct and are wonderful!

7. The "Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." includes essays written by Washington Irving. In which locale would one find one of his most famous characters?

Answer: Sleepy Hollow

The Halloween classic tale "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" endures. It was published in 1820.

8. An afternoon nap does tend to refresh one - especially in times of stress. Which individual was known for a nap and a bit of a card challenge in the afternoon?

Answer: Winston Churchill

"The Gathering Storm" (a biography of Churchill) states that Sir Winston said that a kip (nap) is "blessed oblivion which, even if it only lasts twenty minutes, is sufficient to renew all the vital forces". His daily routine also included an afternoon card game with his wife, Clementine.

**Evidently his routine was sufficient to save Britain. Perhaps a nap and a quick card game can work wonders!**

9. Countries often engage in espionage actions against perceived enemies. A network of Russian agents (a.k.a. "a sleeper cell") in the USA was busted on July 9, 2010. What was this Department of Justice (DOJ) project named?

Answer: Illegals Program

OK - here is the boring (but true) answer. (Wait for it - the connection with sleep will eventually come...)

Ten spies were planted in the United States by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR.) Posing as ordinary American citizens, they tried to build contacts with academics, industrialists, and policymakers to gain access to intelligence. They were the target of a multi-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (called Illegals Program) and the FBI (called Operation Ghost Stories). It ended at the end of June 2010 with their arrest. They were charged with "carrying out long-term, 'deep-cover' assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation".

Finally! The association with sleep is that these foreign agents were "sleeper cells" embedded in the USA. (OK - I admit that this question was a bit of a stretch, yet I got two reference words in the same sentence!))

10. I am so tired - I can't seem to get a good night's sleep. I have difficulty staying asleep at night and have excessive tiredness during the day. My energy, time and brain power are always consumed. I never used to feel this way nine or so months ago. What do I now have?

Answer: New Mother Syndrome

Yes! You have a new baby! Welcome to the world of "the little one rules". Don't worry - it will get better when your little one is about 35 years old. (Trust me.)

The other foils are also correct (kinda).

Source: Author Jinxgirl

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

Snores (Not to Be Confused with S'mores) Quiz

Science has not yet identified the definitive need for sleep. The following questions address this interesting "altered state".

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