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Trench Life: WWI Trivia Quiz

What was it like living in the trenches during WWI? Here is a quiz about trench life.

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

Author
beterave

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
328,930

Updated
Sep 25 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1180

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. While in the trenches, what did the word 'rest' really mean? Hint

napping

sentry duty

a work detail

playing cards

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Question 2 of 10

2. When was generally the best time to extend a trench sap? Hint

between shellings

at night

during the day

in bad weather

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the best way to obtain intelligence about the enemy's trench line? Hint

a listening post

a trench raid

a frontal assault

radio intercepts

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Question 4 of 10

4. On what did soldiers mainly rely to impede an assault on the trench line? Hint

booby traps

shell holes

mines

barbed wire

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Question 5 of 10

5. During WWI, why did most frontal assaults fail even after securing the first line of trenches? Hint

excessive casualties

gas

fatigue

the distance between the sides in 'no man's land'

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Question 6 of 10

6. During WWI, what was 'shell shock' initially diagnosed as? Hint

battle fatigue

malingering

cowardice

insanity

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Question 7 of 10

7. During WWI, when did British troops 'stand to' while in the trenches? Hint

at dusk only

at dawn only

at dawn and dusk

only while under attack

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Question 8 of 10

8. During WWI, what was the best kept secret in the French Army after the Nivelle Offensive? Hint

the men were deserting

the army had tanks

the colonies refused to send more men

a wholesale mutiny

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Question 9 of 10

9. During WWI, what vermin did both sides complain bitterly about? Hint

lice

maggots

flies

rats

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the major reason trench periscopes were used? Hint

because of no mans land

barrages were intense

because of snipers

because of depth of the trench

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. While in the trenches, what did the word 'rest' really mean?

Answer: a work detail

Soldiers who were at rest were not on sentry duty. There was always something that needed doing. That included filling sand bags, repairing the trench, or digging a shelter. Men at rest were on a work detail.

2. When was generally the best time to extend a trench sap?

Answer: at night

Extending a trench sap (a forward postion) was always done at night in order to avoid artillery and machine gun fire.

3. What was the best way to obtain intelligence about the enemy's trench line?

Answer: a trench raid

Trench raiding was always the best way to find out what was going on in an enemy trench. This was extremely hazardous work, and the men detested it.

4. On what did soldiers mainly rely to impede an assault on the trench line?

Answer: barbed wire

Both sides relied heavily on barbed wire to impede an assault.

5. During WWI, why did most frontal assaults fail even after securing the first line of trenches?

Answer: excessive casualties

Excessive casualties were always the problem. It was possible to secure the objective, but a spirited counter attack prevented you from holding it. Note: the British thought the 'Big Battalion' was the answer to this problem. Bigger battalions only resulted in heavier losses in an assault.

6. During WWI, what was 'shell shock' initially diagnosed as?

Answer: cowardice

Regretably, shell shock was initially diagnosed as cowardice. It was believed that the man who broke under a barrage simply lost his nerve. As trench life became a routine and heavier caliber guns were used in shellings, it was ascertained by competent medical authorities that this was not cowardice but a genuine problem to be treated.

7. During WWI, when did British troops 'stand to' while in the trenches?

Answer: at dawn and dusk

British troops would stand to at dawn and dusk as well as awaiting an assualt. German troops would usually launch an attack at these times.

8. During WWI, what was the best kept secret in the French Army after the Nivelle Offensive?

Answer: a wholesale mutiny

After the disastrous Nivelle Offensive in 1917, the French Army mutinied. Whole units refused duty and would not fight. This is one of the best kept secrets of WWI.

9. During WWI, what vermin did both sides complain bitterly about?

Answer: lice

Without question, both sides complained bitterly about lice. This was a result of being unable to bathe regularly and having the same clothes on for weeks at a time.

10. What was the major reason trench periscopes were used?

Answer: because of snipers

Trench periscopes were used because of snipers. As the lines became fixed, German snipers became a real menace.

Source: Author beterave

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