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Quiz about Sydney Harbour Bridge The History

Sydney Harbour Bridge: The History Quiz

Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most prominent structures but how much do you know about its beginning?

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

Author
always_maybe

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
273,351

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
620

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was the first person to propose the idea of a bridge across Sydney Harbour? Hint

Francis Greenway

John Bradfield

Jack Lang

Ralph Freeman

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Question 2 of 10

2. When was the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened? Hint

1932

1931

1930

1929

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Question 3 of 10

3. When the bridge was completed, it became the tallest structure in Sydney.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. On what bridge is the Sydney Harbour Bridge's design based? Hint

Hell Gate Bridge (USA)

Hercilio Luz Bridge (Brazil)

Bayonne Bridge (USA)

Lake Union Bridge (USA)

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many workers died while building the bridge? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. About how many houses were demolished in order to build the bridge? Hint

None were demolished as they were all moved elsewhere

Around 500

None, there were no houses in the way

Almost 1000

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who unofficially opened the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Hint

Francis De Groot

Jack Lang

John Bradfield

Sir Philip Game

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Question 8 of 10

8. When were the two ends of the bridge, forming the arch, joined together? Hint

1931

1928

1930

1929

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Question 9 of 10

9. Why did Jack Lang insist on opening the bridge instead of asking a member of the Royal family? Hint

He wanted the "people's bridge" to be opened by the "people's premier"

He wanted to show he was helping Australia and its people

He wanted Australia to become more separated from Britain

He wanted to be remembered as the person who opened The Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Question 10 of 10

10. Pedestrians are allowed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the first person to propose the idea of a bridge across Sydney Harbour?

Answer: Francis Greenway

In 1815, Francis Greenway, an architect, proposed a bridge over the harbour but it was not built until after WW1, when John Bradfield, an engineer, pushed further for its construction. Francis Greenway was a former convict and is featured on the Australian $10 note. He remains the only former criminal to appear there.

2. When was the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened?

Answer: 1932

The actual bridge construction started December, 1928. However the project was started in 1923 when houses were demolished. On March 19, 1932, the bridge was opened. Because this was during the depression, it became a symbol of hope for Australians and showed them what they could achieve.

3. When the bridge was completed, it became the tallest structure in Sydney.

Answer: True

In 1932 when the bridge was completed, it became the tallest structure of any sort in Sydney. It remained so until 1967 when skyscrapers began to dominate the skyline.

4. On what bridge is the Sydney Harbour Bridge's design based?

Answer: Hell Gate Bridge (USA)

John Bradfield based the bridge design on The Hell Gate Bridge (New York City, USA). Ralph Freeman, the designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, later accused him of not being the designer and stealing his idea.

5. How many workers died while building the bridge?

Answer: 16

The last of these deaths occurred only two days before the completion of the bridge. Most of these deaths occured by people falling off the bridge into the water. There was one case of a man falling into the water, but before contact, he dropped his tool belt in the water, breaking the water before him so he survived the fall.

6. About how many houses were demolished in order to build the bridge?

Answer: Around 500

Today, the bridge's construction would probably not be able to go ahead because of this. The families who were displaced got no compensation.

7. Who unofficially opened the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Answer: Francis De Groot

Jack Lang, the premier of NSW during the bridge construction, was set to open the bridge but Francis De Groot rode up on horseback and cut the ribbon with a sword in support of the New Guard, an anti-Lang group. The ribbon was then held in place so Lang could officially open it.

8. When were the two ends of the bridge, forming the arch, joined together?

Answer: 1930

On the 19th August, 1930, the two ends of the bridge were joined together at 10pm. After the joining, the road of the bridge still needed to be built.

9. Why did Jack Lang insist on opening the bridge instead of asking a member of the Royal family?

Answer: He wanted the "people's bridge" to be opened by the "people's premier"

Because the bridge was built by the people and provided jobs for the people during the depression, Lang wanted to emphasise that it was in fact the "people's bridge".

10. Pedestrians are allowed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Answer: true

People can cross the bridge in three main ways -- pedestrian/bicycle riders, motor vehicles or the train. The bride is separated into sections for these 3 main methods of transportation. For bicycle riders and pedestrians the bridge has free access.

Source: Author always_maybe

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