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Quiz about The Strange Art of Morris Dancing

The Strange Art of Morris Dancing Quiz

At a summer event in the UK, you may see a performance by Morris dancers. As strange a dance as this may be, have you paid enough attention to what they were all about? Well, this quiz will test your knowledge of this peculiar form of folk dance.

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

Author
jakehibberd

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
282,639

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
385

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which of the following countries in the UK is Morris dancing a tradition? Hint

Wales

England

Ireland

Scotland

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Question 2 of 10

2. Morris dancers are only allowed to be male.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following pieces of equipment would you not expect to find as part of a Morris dance? Hint

Flag

Sword

Stick

Handkerchief

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Question 4 of 10

4. Rings of what are commonly worn around the ankles of Morris dancers? Hint

Steel

Bells

Gold

Ivy

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Question 5 of 10

5. All of the following instruments would be used to accompany a Morris dance, but which one is the most commonly used? Hint

Fiddle

Pipe and Tabor

Drums

Melodeon

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Question 6 of 10

6. Many have put forward theories as to where Morris dancing originated. Which of the following is not thought to be a predecessor of Morris? Hint

French Moresque dance

Pagan fertitlity dance

Spanish Morisca dance

German Morrisch dance

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Question 7 of 10

7. What name is given to a group of Morris dancers performing a particular routine? Hint

Band

Team

Set

Troupe

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the name of the talented dancer who breaks off from the other dancers and interacts with the audience. Hint

Hobby

Black man

Fool

Death

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following is not someone associated with a troupe of Morris dancers? Hint

Bellman

Bagman

Squire

Ragman

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Question 10 of 10

10. What name is given to an event where numerous sides of Morris dancers perform to one another and (sometimes) to a larger audience?

Answer: (One Word, 3 letters (Like beer))

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which of the following countries in the UK is Morris dancing a tradition?

Answer: England

Although Morris dancing can be seen all over the UK and now in some other parts of the world, it is originally an English tradition.

2. Morris dancers are only allowed to be male.

Answer: False

In its disputed history, there has never been any evidence found to state that only males were allowed to be Morris dancers.

3. Which of the following pieces of equipment would you not expect to find as part of a Morris dance?

Answer: Flag

Not all Morris dances have every item here as part of the performance. Each regional variety of the dance has its own combination of equipment used. Handkerchiefs and sticks are commonly used in Cotswold Morris, to accompany the hand movements of the dancers.

4. Rings of what are commonly worn around the ankles of Morris dancers?

Answer: Bells

No Morris dance would be complete without the jangling of those bells that accompany the kicks and twists.

5. All of the following instruments would be used to accompany a Morris dance, but which one is the most commonly used?

Answer: Melodeon

A melodeon is similar to an accordian except that it has buttons to vary the pitch and not keys. It has a more limited range of notes than an accordian.

6. Many have put forward theories as to where Morris dancing originated. Which of the following is not thought to be a predecessor of Morris?

Answer: German Morrisch dance

Probably the most interesting theory is that of Morris being a pagan fertility dance. Some argue that Morris dancing derives from the pre-Christian times when pagan people performed rituals for the fertility of the soil and the success of crops. Although there are no records of this, Morris dancing was definitely recorded as a form of entertainment by the 16th Century.

7. What name is given to a group of Morris dancers performing a particular routine?

Answer: Set

Many sets are composed of about 6 or 8 dancers; however, there are exceptions to the rule.

8. What is the name of the talented dancer who breaks off from the other dancers and interacts with the audience.

Answer: Fool

The fool is often considered to be a talented Morris dancer as they can break off from the normal routine, interact with the audience, provide comedy but yet not disturb the flow of the other dancers.

9. Which of the following is not someone associated with a troupe of Morris dancers?

Answer: Bellman

The squire is usually the leader of the dance, the bagman keeps the dancers' funds, and the ragman organises costumes and props for the dancers.

10. What name is given to an event where numerous sides of Morris dancers perform to one another and (sometimes) to a larger audience?

Answer: Ale

An ale is basically where several sides meet up and perform to one another.
In England, this is usually a private party; in North America it may be part of an event including public performances. The presence of audiences gives sides the opportunity to turn the event into a profitable one with the sale of food and beverages at the event.

Source: Author jakehibberd

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