Wales Basics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Welsh

According to the 2001 Census over 20% of the population of Wales are classed as fluent in Welsh. Officially the Welsh and English language have equal status in Wales and all signs are bilingual in both Welsh and English.

Answer: St David

Unlike St Andrew (the patron saint of Scotland) and St George (the patron saint of England), St David is actually a native of the country he is patron saint of. Little is known about this patron saint, who is celebrated on the 1st March, except that he was a church official who became a saint and then a patron saint. Even the year he was born is unknown with suggestions ranging from 462 to 512.

It is claimed that David lived for over 100 years and died on March the 1st which is why his patron saint day is celebrated on that day.

Answer: Cardiff

As well as being the capital of Wales, Cardiff is also the biggest city and county. In 1905 Cardiff became a city and gained a cathedral in 1916. In 1955 Cardiff became capital of Wales, beating the historic town of Caernarfon although The Encyclopedia of Wales claims that the decision to make Cardiff the capital of Wales "had more to do with the fact that it contained marginal Conservative constituencies than any reasoned view of what functions a Welsh capital should have".

Since all the power is in South Wales and North Wales often forgotten, I wonder what a different country Wales would be if Caernarfon had won the bid to become capitol

Answer: No

Certain words are changed and have different meanings. As I know North Walian Welsh I would never speak Welsh in South Wales.

Answer: Tom Jones

Tom Jones' real name is Thomas John Woodward and he was born in Pontypridd, near Cardiff, on the 7th June 1940.

In 1999 he was awarded an OBE, in the 2006 New Years Honours list he was given a Knight Bachelor for his services to music and he was then Knighted by the Queen in March 2006, making him Sir Thomas John Woodward.

Answer: Taffy

This term may have come from an old anti-Welsh nursery rhyme in which a Welshman called Taffy is described as a thief. Another possible derivation is from the River Taff. The term "Taffy" is now considered derogatory and is fading from use.

Answer: Talyllyn Railway

In the 1950's Rev W Awdrey worked as a volunteer guard on the Talyllyn Railway and it was there that he came up with the idea of the Thin Controllers Railway.

In fact the engines of the Thin Controllers Railway are also based on engines that are still working on the Talyllyn Railway.
Skarloey is based on the Talyllyn engine named Talyllyn
Rheneas is based on the Talyllyn engine named Dolgoch
Sir Handel is based on the Talyllyn engine named Sir Haydn
Peter Sam is based on the Talyllyn engine named Edward Thomas
Rusty is based on the Talyllyn engine named Midlander
Duncan is based on the Talyllyn engine named Douglas

The other engines, Duke and Mighty Max are based on Prince and Double Fairlie engines from the Ffestiniog Railway and Fearless Freddie is based on Russell from the Welsh Highland Railway.

Answer: Red Dragon

The Welsh Dragon, or the Draig Goch as it is known in Welsh is the Welsh national flag. It shows a Red Dragon on a green and white background. Officially recognised as a national flag in 1959, however the Red Dragon had been associated with Wales for centuries and it is claimed to be the oldest national flag still in use today. The use of the Red Dragon however is no longer known, having been lost in the mists of time.

The leek and the daffodil are also Welsh emblems and on St David's day, which is the 1st of March, you will often see the Welsh wearing them on their collar.

Answer: Caernarfon

In 1283, following his conquest of Wales, King Edward I ordered Caernarfon Castle to be built. The Castle was never completed and even today you can see joints on walls which were meant for additional walls that were never built. In 1323 building ceased on the castle.

In 1301, the tradition of naming the heir to the throne as "Prince of Wales" began after Edward I gave the title to his son Edward II. According to a famous legend, the king had promised the Welsh natives that he would name "a prince born in Wales, who did not speak a word of English" and then produced his infant son to their surprise.

In 1911 the castle was used for the investiture of Edward VII and again in 1969 when Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales.

Answer: Llanfair PG

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch means "St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio of the red cave".

The town is actually a village on the Isle of Anglesy and across from Bangor and is the 5th largest settlement on the island. It is also known as Llanfair PG, Llanfairpwll or Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll.

The name is the longest officially recognised place name in the United Kingdom and one of the longest in the world