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The English Channel Trivia Quiz

The English Channel is all that separates the UK from continental Europe. This quiz looks at some of the geographical features and historical highlights of this busy stretch of water.

A multiple-choice quiz by Dave1968. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Dave1968

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
281,201

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
1286

Last 3 plays: Guest 208 (6/10), Guest 89 (9/10), Guest 1 (0/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which English city has a regular ferry sailing across to France? Hint

Bristol

Portsmouth

Liverpool

Newcastle

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following islands is one of the Channel Islands? Hint

Zetland

Anglesey

Jersey

Lundy

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Question 3 of 10

3. Approximately how long is the Channel Tunnel? Hint

100 miles (160 km)

5 miles (8 km)

30 miles (50 km)

10 miles (16 km)

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1909, who piloted a monoplane over the English Channel? Hint

Alcock and Brown

Louis Bleriot

Charles Lindbergh

Prince Edward

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Question 5 of 10

5. What energetic first did Captain Matthew Webb achieve during August 1875? Hint

He made the first recorded swim across the channel.

He made the first recorded crossing of the channel in a bathtub.

He made the first recorded crossing of the channel by balloon.

He made the first telephone call from England to France.

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Question 6 of 10

6. If you are sailing across the English Channel from Dover to Calais, which particular shipping forecast area would you be most interested in? Hint

Dover

Channel East

Calais

Malin

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Question 7 of 10

7. The deepest point in the English Channel is just north of Guernsey. Approximately how deep is it? Hint

180 metres

1,800 metres

18 metres

18,000 metres

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Question 8 of 10

8. What do the French call the English Channel? Hint

La Channel Francais

La Griz Nez

La Manche

La Channel Anglais

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following French towns is on the English Channel? Hint

Marseilles

Lyon

Bordeaux

Cherbourg

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Question 10 of 10

10. During World War Two, in which year did the Allied forces successfully cross the English channel to commence the invasion of Normandy? Hint

1945

1944

1943

1942

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 14 2024 : Guest 208: 6/10
Nov 11 2024 : Guest 89: 9/10
Nov 03 2024 : Guest 1: 0/10
Oct 05 2024 : Guest 217: 10/10
Oct 04 2024 : Guest 83: 7/10
Oct 04 2024 : Guest 31: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which English city has a regular ferry sailing across to France?

Answer: Portsmouth

In recent years, ferries can be taken from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Le Havre.

2. Which of the following islands is one of the Channel Islands?

Answer: Jersey

The main inhabited islands which comprise the Channel Islands are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm. There are several smaller islands which are also populated.

3. Approximately how long is the Channel Tunnel?

Answer: 30 miles (50 km)

The Channel Tunnel actually consists of three tunnels: two rail tunnels and a third (smaller) service tunnel. It is 31.35 miles long.

4. In 1909, who piloted a monoplane over the English Channel?

Answer: Louis Bleriot

The Daily Mail offered a prize of �1000 for the first heavier-than-air crossing of the channel. Louis Bleriot piloted a Bleriot XI monoplane from Les Barraques to Dover on 25th July 1909, the crossing of 22 miles taking 37 minutes to complete.

5. What energetic first did Captain Matthew Webb achieve during August 1875?

Answer: He made the first recorded swim across the channel.

It took Captain Webb 21 hours and 45 minutes to swim across the Strait of Dover, from England to France.

6. If you are sailing across the English Channel from Dover to Calais, which particular shipping forecast area would you be most interested in?

Answer: Dover

From East to West, the shipping forecast areas are Dover, Wight, Portland and Plymouth.

7. The deepest point in the English Channel is just north of Guernsey. Approximately how deep is it?

Answer: 180 metres

This spot has been a popular dumping location for surplus munitions left over after the two world wars. These include shells containing poison gas from World War One.

8. What do the French call the English Channel?

Answer: La Manche

La Manche is also French for "the sleeve", from the shape of the channel. However. The name may also derive from a Celtic name - the channel between the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides has a similar name - The Minch (or Minches).

9. Which of the following French towns is on the English Channel?

Answer: Cherbourg

Cherbourg has a curious nautical history - its waters were the scene of a battle between a Union and Confederate Warship (USS Kearsarge and CSS Alabama respectively) in 1864, and the Titanic embarked passengers here on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

10. During World War Two, in which year did the Allied forces successfully cross the English channel to commence the invasion of Normandy?

Answer: 1944

D-Day was the 6th June 1944. Earlier, in 1942, an unsuccessful attempt to cross the channel to Dieppe was made by Allied forces, largely made up of Canadians.

Source: Author Dave1968

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