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A Historic Tour of Portugal Trivia Quiz

Travel in Portugal is a delightful and educational experience, where one can glimpse life as it was hundreds of years ago. Follow me through history.

A multiple-choice quiz by jstagamtome. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
jstagamtome

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
172,803

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2806

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. As we fly into Lisbon, Portugal's largest city, I think back to the events of November 1st, 1755. What happened? Hint

The plague arrived by boat from North Africa

A devastating earthquake hit the city

The city was overrun by the Spanish

Portugal became a nation

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Question 2 of 10

2. There are four of us traveling, and we have more luggage than any Portuguese car can hold. We have to drive from Lisbon to Oporto to pick up the single adequate rental car available that has a trunk larger than my glove compartment. The rear seat passengers survived the trip to Oporto, except for minor crush injury under all the luggage as if their air bags were deployed for the entire ride. In Oporto, we head for the "lodges" on the banks of the Douro river. What does one find in these lodges? Hint

Port wine for aging or shipping

Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, Augustinians and others

Tree bark stored for curring to make cork

Casino gambling

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Question 3 of 10

3. As we drive around sightseeing, everyone tells us to see the "barcos rabelos". What are these? Hint

A fortified island in the harbor, the symbol of Lisbon

Colorful blue and white tiles that adorn many of the older buildings

Sailing vessels that carry port

Bullfights in which the bulls are not killed

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Question 4 of 10

4. We are quite giddy as we leave Oporto, likely due to the "angel's share" , which has clouded our sensorium. What is the "angel's share"? Hint

The evaporation of wine or spirits as it ages in casks

A traditional Portuguese dessert flamed with plum brandy

The traditional parting drink to toast the guardian angel and assure a safe journey

The local's name for the exhaust pollution for which Oporto's air is famous

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Question 5 of 10

5. We cross the elegant arched and two-tiered Dom Luis I bridge, designed by an assistant of Gustav Eiffel and leave the city. We ultimately head northwest to Guimares, Portugal's original capital, to stay in a medieval monastery converted to a hotel. Portugal has a network of these historic hotels analogous to the famous Spanish paradors. In Portugal, these state-run historic hotels are called what? Hint

Pacos

Aveiros

Pousadas

Mercados

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Question 6 of 10

6. We travel to historic Tomar, and visit the Templar's castle, which cannot be described in words, but has to be experienced. Whetting our appetite for history, we continue on to one of Portugal's crown jewels: the Dominican abbey of Santa Maria da Vitoria at Batalha. The unique elaborate style of architecture here has been given its own designation. What is this style called? Hint

Manueline

Fragil

Federacao

Barrancine

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Question 7 of 10

7. When visiting Portugal, one cannot avoid seeing the exquisite painted tiles everywhere: on ceilings, walls, floors, and every other conceivable item, such as benches, stoves, and panels. What is the name given to the tiles of this characteristically Portuguese form of art? Hint

Aguardentes

Tilios

Azulejos

Romarias

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Question 8 of 10

8. What product of Quercus Suber is very important to the Portuguese economy?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 9 of 10

9. In Lisbon, what guard tower built in the Tagus river in 1515 is many times used as a symbol of the city? Hint

Torre de Marinha

Torre Alphonso

Torre de Belem

Torre de Conchas

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where would you find acordas, caldeirada, and bacalhau? Hint

In a church

On a dining table

In a pottery shop

On traditional folk garments

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. As we fly into Lisbon, Portugal's largest city, I think back to the events of November 1st, 1755. What happened?

Answer: A devastating earthquake hit the city

The quake lasted between three and six minutes, followed by a tsunami tidal wave and five days of fires in the city. Ninety thousand of the population of two hundred seventy thousand died, and eighty-five per cent of the town was destroyed. It is estimated that if the means to test the Richter intensity of the quake were available, it would have registered a nine.

Insult to injury is that the quake struck in the morning of All Saints Day, when many residents were in church.

Answer: Port wine for aging or shipping

Although the British established these lodges to store port shipped downriver from the vineyards, the majority of these producers are now under local control.

3. As we drive around sightseeing, everyone tells us to see the "barcos rabelos". What are these?

Answer: Sailing vessels that carry port

These single sail vessels are moored along the banks of the river Duoro, primarily for historical interest, since the future wine now arrives in huge stainless steel tanks by truck. So much for the romance of winemaking.

4. We are quite giddy as we leave Oporto, likely due to the "angel's share" , which has clouded our sensorium. What is the "angel's share"?

Answer: The evaporation of wine or spirits as it ages in casks

In the port lodges, the aroma of port is overwhelming, and the huge number and size of the casks, as well as the prolonged aging time, leave the wooden timbers above the casks with a "charred" appearance from evaporation through the wood of the casks.

Answer: Pousadas

We stayed in the Santa Marinha da Costa pousada, dating from the 12th century. After switching from the bland modern rooms with air conditioning (which the proprietors assumed we Americans wanted) to one of the medieval rooms, we were able to explore the marvelous tile work, the adjoining church, and the outdoor porticoed fountains.

Answer: Manueline

Henry the Navigator, who led Portugal to greatness through achievements in naval exploration and discovery, is buried here. The style of architecture uses intricate carved tracery to achieve a harmony of form and decoration. The oldest and most reputable travel guide series rates this one of the top two sites in the country (Evora is the other).

Answer: Azulejos

Romarias are religious festivals, aguardente is brandy, and tilios is an anemic attempt at a made-up name. If you picked it, don't tell.

8. What product of Quercus Suber is very important to the Portuguese economy?

Answer: cork

The use of cork is in jeopardy due to the success of plastic corks, the use of which is increasing rapidly. For aged wines, the cork "failure" rate is 6-10%, and this is unacceptable to most winemakers and consumers. Although the Portuguese have refined the handling of the cork bark to decrease the failure rate, the ongoing use of cork for the moment is driven more by the established tradition rather than practicality.

In truth, screw tops are probably the best way to seal wine, but who wants to drink good wine from a screw top bottle?

9. In Lisbon, what guard tower built in the Tagus river in 1515 is many times used as a symbol of the city?

Answer: Torre de Belem

This tower of Manueline architecture was at one time in the middle of the river but is now close to the northern bank due to the 1755 earthquake altering the course of the river.

10. Where would you find acordas, caldeirada, and bacalhau?

Answer: On a dining table

Acordas are delicious bread soups, bacalhau is cod, the most common fish (although sardines are very popular here), and caldeirada is a fish stew. Happy eating and see you in another country!

Source: Author jstagamtome

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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