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The Bit in the Middle Trivia Quiz

Brits make a lot of fuss about Northerners and Southerners. This quiz is about the bit in-between, the Midlands.

A multiple-choice quiz by GillianO. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
GillianO

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
339,799

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
833

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The longest Midland river runs through Shrewsbury, Worcester and Tewksbury. Its name sounds oddly number-like. Which is it? Hint

The Forty-two

The Trent

The Severn

The Six

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Question 2 of 10

2. A knotty problem this - what is the symbol of the county of Staffordshire? Hint

A bear and ragged staff

A knot

A swan

A broken staff

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Question 3 of 10

3. Motorways criss-cross the Midlands, which may be why so many people don't notice the region. Which motorway definitely is NOT in the Midlands, though? Hint

M62

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Question 4 of 10

4. One big conurbation in the centre of the region calls itself the "Second City" of England. Which is it? Hint

Birmingham

Nottingham

Bristol

Liverpool

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Question 5 of 10

5. To the west of the largest city in the region is a conurbation known as "The Black Country" - how did it get the name? Hint

Industrial pollution turned all the buildings black during the Industrial Revolution

There are so many accidents there that the people are constantly in mourning

The traditional clothes of the people were black

The soil of the area is particularly rich and black

6. The region is densely populated, but there are still areas of natural beauty. I am thinking of one in Staffordshire created so royal hunters could chase deer and other animals, which is now home to herds of deer and full of beautiful wooded glens. What is it? Hint

Rugely Racecourse

Cannock Chase

Stafford Hunting Ground

Burton Beerhunters' grounds

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Question 7 of 10

7. While a man who is tired of London is tired of life, this famous writer, wit and dictionary compiler soon tired of his native Lichfield and walked to live in the capital city instead. He was: Hint

William Shakespeare

John Collins

Noah Webster

Samuel Johnson

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Question 8 of 10

8. Best-known for an extremely undressed horsewoman, this city was famous for clothes and fabrics in the Middle Ages, bikes and cars in later centuries, and two cathedrals, one ruined, one modern. Which is it? Hint

Coventry

Hereford

Lichfield

Worcester

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Question 9 of 10

9. The non-industrial bits of the Midlands have long traditions of producing fruit and vegetables of high quality. What delicious sprouting vegetable comes from the Evesham area in May? Hint

Broccoli

Carrots

Potatoes

Asparagus

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Question 10 of 10

10. Not far from Lichfield, an amazing set of ancient gold was discovered in July 2009, the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found in one place. What is it normally known as? Hint

The Staffordshire Hoard

The Lichfield Gold

The Warwickshire Hoard

The Staffordshire Treasure

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The longest Midland river runs through Shrewsbury, Worcester and Tewksbury. Its name sounds oddly number-like. Which is it?

Answer: The Severn

The Trent is a long river too, but is beaten by the Severn. The other two are figments of my imagination!

2. A knotty problem this - what is the symbol of the county of Staffordshire?

Answer: A knot

The bear and ragged staff belong to Warwickshire. The knot - a very simple one at that - appears on the coat of arms and many of the organisations of the county.

3. Motorways criss-cross the Midlands, which may be why so many people don't notice the region. Which motorway definitely is NOT in the Midlands, though?

Answer: M62

The M62 crosses the Pennines between Leeds and Manchester, which count as pretty northern to me! It is 107 miles (172 kilometres) long.

4. One big conurbation in the centre of the region calls itself the "Second City" of England. Which is it?

Answer: Birmingham

Manchester disputes the title. Birmingham, however, has always laid claim to the honour of being the Second City; even the BBC acknowledges it, so it must be true!

5. To the west of the largest city in the region is a conurbation known as "The Black Country" - how did it get the name?

Answer: Industrial pollution turned all the buildings black during the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution pretty much started in this part of England, and the workers paid for it in filthy living conditions and buildings literally blackened by industrial pollution. Iron and coal were the main industries of the area; they are both black too - the locals had no chance.

Answer: Cannock Chase

Only Cannock chase actually exists of these options. It's a lovely open space much frequented by trippers from all the big towns in the area.

7. While a man who is tired of London is tired of life, this famous writer, wit and dictionary compiler soon tired of his native Lichfield and walked to live in the capital city instead. He was:

Answer: Samuel Johnson

Webster was American, John Collins is a cocktail, and Shakespeare, while responsible for coining many new words, never wrote a dictionary. Lichfield lad Dr Johnson wrote his, however, and has been blamed by countless generations of children facing spelling tests ever since.

Answer: Coventry

Lady Godiva famously rode naked through the streets of Coventry. For some reason she thought it would persuade her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, to grant a tax rebate. Tubular bike frames were invented in Coventry, while the car and aeroplane industries were what attracted the infamous bombing raid in 1940 which destroyed the old cathedral and much of the city centre.

9. The non-industrial bits of the Midlands have long traditions of producing fruit and vegetables of high quality. What delicious sprouting vegetable comes from the Evesham area in May?

Answer: Asparagus

Vale of Evesham asparagus is the real thing - accept no inferior imitations! Evesham is in the Wychavon district.

10. Not far from Lichfield, an amazing set of ancient gold was discovered in July 2009, the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found in one place. What is it normally known as?

Answer: The Staffordshire Hoard

The Staffordshire Hoard is mostly a collection of ornaments from weapons and armour, decorated with inset gems like garnets. Even covered in dirt, the pieces are very beautiful. They were lying in a field for about fourteen centuries.

Source: Author GillianO

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