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1931- The Year of My Birth Trivia Quiz

Some interesting facts about people, places and things in the USA in 1931.

A multiple-choice quiz by Jeanne31. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Jeanne31

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
210,677

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1078

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was President of the U.S. in 1931? Hint

William Howard Taft

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Herbert Hoover

Calvin Coolidge

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many people were unemployed in the U.S. in 1931? Hint

Six million

One million

Nine million

Three million

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Question 3 of 10

3. How many U.S. banks closed their doors in 1931? Hint

1,000

2,000

1,500

2,300

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Question 4 of 10

4. How much did a new Cadillac cost in 1931? Hint

$1595

$2550

$2100

$2695

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1931 Pearl Buck wrote a novel that would later win the Pulitzer Prize. What was the title? Hint

East Wind, West Wind

The Good Earth

The Mother

Sons

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Question 6 of 10

6. The longest suspension bridge in the world was built in New York City in 1931. What is the name? Hint

Brooklyn Bridge

Queensborough Bridge

Manhattan Bridge

George Washington Bridge

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Question 7 of 10

7. 1931 was the year the Empire State Building, then the tallest skyscraper, was completed. How many floors does it have? Hint

102

100

110

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Question 8 of 10

8. What American comic strip debuted in 1931? Hint

Gasoline Alley

Dick Tracy

Blondie

Terry And The Pirates

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Question 9 of 10

9. RCA made the first LP recording in 1931. What work was recorded? Hint

Puccini's "Madame Butterfly"

Beethoven's 5th Symphony

Bizet's "Carmen"

Chopin's "Funeral March"

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Question 10 of 10

10. What movie was named best in 1931? Hint

Grand Hotel

A Free Soul

They Drive By Night

Hell's Angels

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was President of the U.S. in 1931?

Answer: Herbert Hoover

In 1931 the U.S. (together with most of the rest of the world) was in the throes of a deep depression. There were numerous bank closures and high unemployment. Hoover asked the country "to remain steadfast in this 'Valley Forge' of depression."

2. How many people were unemployed in the U.S. in 1931?

Answer: Nine million

This was a dark time in the nation's history. There were numerous banks which failed, many people stood in bread lines, and men rode the rails seeking work anywhere they could find it.

3. How many U.S. banks closed their doors in 1931?

Answer: 2,300

So many people stampeded the banks to get their money out after the crash of the stock marked in 1929, there was nothing the banks could do but close their doors. Since that time people are now safe with accounts that are federally insured.

4. How much did a new Cadillac cost in 1931?

Answer: $2695

Sounds cheap by today's standards, but only the very fortunate could possibly afford a Cadillac in 1931-- or any car for that matter.

5. In 1931 Pearl Buck wrote a novel that would later win the Pulitzer Prize. What was the title?

Answer: The Good Earth

For those who love Pearl Buck's writing as much as I do, a good read is "Pearl S. Buck - A Cultural Biography" by Peter Conn. He states, "Pearl S. Buck was one of the most renowned, interesting, and controversial figures ever to influence American and Chinese cultural and literary history - and yet she remains one of the least studied, honored, or remembered."

6. The longest suspension bridge in the world was built in New York City in 1931. What is the name?

Answer: George Washington Bridge

There are 2,027 bridges in New York City.

7. 1931 was the year the Empire State Building, then the tallest skyscraper, was completed. How many floors does it have?

Answer: 102

This is a "must-see" for tourists in New York. As a result of the depression, the building wasn't fully let till 1941!

8. What American comic strip debuted in 1931?

Answer: Dick Tracy

My favorite as a kid was "Red Ryder".

9. RCA made the first LP recording in 1931. What work was recorded?

Answer: Beethoven's 5th Symphony

This was a surprise to me. I didn't think LP's were made before the 1940s. For more information on RCA and music and recordings there is a lot of interesting facts on Google.

10. What movie was named best in 1931?

Answer: Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel was the winner for 1931-32. The film is based on the novel by Vicki Baum, which has the same title. The same year Fredric March and Wallace Beery tied for best actor and Helen Hayes won best actress.

Source: Author Jeanne31

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