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The White Cliffs of Dover Trivia Quiz

Immortalised in song, and a striking visual entrance to England, this quiz explores the White Cliffs of Dover.

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

Author
smpdit

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
289,975

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1306

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 148 (4/10), Guest 174 (6/10), Guest 119 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The White Cliffs of Dover are situated in which English County? Hint

Kent

Essex

Sussex

Surrey

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Question 2 of 10

2. How high do the White Cliffs of Dover reach? Hint

250 feet

350 feet

450 feet

550 feet

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Question 3 of 10

3. Why are the White Cliffs of Dover white? Hint

They are regularly painted

They are composed of chalk

They are composed of talc

They contain large quantities of flint

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Question 4 of 10

4. On the west side of Dover, the first of the White Cliffs has a special name, commemorating which famous visitor? Hint

Dickens

Byron

Wordsworth

Shakespeare

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Question 5 of 10

5. There is a "New Piece of England" called Samphire Hoe, situated within the 'Area of Natural Beauty' (ANB) of the White Cliffs of Dover.
What did they use to create Samphire Hoe?
Hint

Reclaimed marshland

Landslide from the cliffs

Replaced landfill

The waste from the Channel Tunnel

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Question 6 of 10

6. Ian Fleming wrote a number of the 'James Bond' books whilst in Kent.
Which one was written at Mermaid Cottage, situated at the foot of the White Cliffs of Dover?
Hint

Moonraker

Dr No

Casino Royale

You Only Live Twice

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Question 7 of 10

7. There are tunnels cut into the White Cliffs of Dover, dating back to the Middle Ages. To where do they lead? Hint

Dover Beach

Hastings Castle

Dover Castle

Smugglers Cove

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Question 8 of 10

8. The White Cliffs of Dover are mentioned in writing as early as 55BC. In whose 'Commentaries' were they featured?

Hint

Eric the Red

Boudicca

Julius Caesar

King Canute

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which smaller version of the White Cliffs of Dover, in a neighbouring county,
are often used as an alternative filming location? Hint

Seven Sisters

South Downs

Beachy Head

Chalky Falls

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Question 10 of 10

10. The White Cliffs of Dover were immortalised in song during World War II. According to the song, what creatures would be seen flying there? Hint

Blackbirds

Starlings

Eagles

Bluebirds

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 31 2024 : Guest 148: 4/10
Oct 02 2024 : Guest 174: 6/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The White Cliffs of Dover are situated in which English County?

Answer: Kent

Kent is known as the Garden of England because it has large quantities of orchards and hop gardens. It is the south easternmost point of the country.

2. How high do the White Cliffs of Dover reach?

Answer: 350 feet

The White Cliffs of Dover are the area of coastline that faces the English Channel called The Straits of Dover. The cliffs form part of the North Downs. The Cliffs are visible from the French coast on a clear day.

3. Why are the White Cliffs of Dover white?

Answer: They are composed of chalk

The cliffs are made of calcium carbonate. That's right, chalk! They do contain flint too, but that could have made them black. It would take a very long time to paint!

4. On the west side of Dover, the first of the White Cliffs has a special name, commemorating which famous visitor?

Answer: Shakespeare

It is rumoured that William Shakespeare saw the White Cliffs of Dover as he travelled, whilst writing 'King Lear'.

'There is a cliff, whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully in the confined deep:
Bring me but to the very brim of it,
And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear
With something rich about me: from that place
I shall no leading need.'
(King Lear. Act Four, Scene One)

5. There is a "New Piece of England" called Samphire Hoe, situated within the 'Area of Natural Beauty' (ANB) of the White Cliffs of Dover. What did they use to create Samphire Hoe?

Answer: The waste from the Channel Tunnel

Samphire Hoe was created from 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk marl excavated from the Channel Tunnel. Land was reclaimed from the bottom of the Shakespeare Cliff. It is a beautiful place to appreciate the majesty of the cliffs.
Samphire is a plant that only grows near to the sea on salt marshes. It is traditionally eaten with fish and tastes very salty.

6. Ian Fleming wrote a number of the 'James Bond' books whilst in Kent. Which one was written at Mermaid Cottage, situated at the foot of the White Cliffs of Dover?

Answer: Moonraker

The cliffs are mentioned in a chapter of 'Moonraker'. The cliffs are bombed by the villain trying to kill Bond.

7. There are tunnels cut into the White Cliffs of Dover, dating back to the Middle Ages. To where do they lead?

Answer: Dover Castle

The tunnels are miles long and were used as barracks during the Napoleonic Wars.
During the Second World War, the tunnels became air raid shelters, a military HQ and a hospital.
The tunnels are named:

A - Annexe - Open to the public.
B - Bastion - Lost - but a search is underway to relocate.
C - Casemate - Open to the public.
D - DUMPY (Deep Underground Military Position Yellow.) - Closed.
E - Esplanade - Closed.

8. The White Cliffs of Dover are mentioned in writing as early as 55BC. In whose 'Commentaries' were they featured?

Answer: Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar arrived off Dover on 26th August 55BC. His 'Commentaries' state:

'Saw the enemy's forces, armed, in position on all the hills there.
At that point steep cliffs came down close to the sea in such a way
that it is possible to hurl weapons from them right down to the shore.
It seemed to me that the place was altogether unsuitable for landing.'
(Caesar's Commentaries, Book IV.)

9. Which smaller version of the White Cliffs of Dover, in a neighbouring county, are often used as an alternative filming location?

Answer: Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters are chalk cliffs in Sussex. They are slowly receding 30-40cm per annum.
The sister's names are: Haven Brow, Short Brow, Rough Brow, Brass Point, Flat Hill, Bailey's Hill and Went Hill. Very feminine names!

10. The White Cliffs of Dover were immortalised in song during World War II. According to the song, what creatures would be seen flying there?

Answer: Bluebirds

'There'll be blue birds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.

There'll be love and laughter
And peace ever after
Tomorrow, when the world is free'

Written by an American, Nat Burton, he had never seen the White Cliffs. He obviously didn't know England doesn't have bluebirds! Sung by Vera Lynn, the "Forces Sweetheart", it brought hope to the Allied Forces that peace would return.

Source: Author smpdit

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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