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The Wonderful Land of 'Os' Trivia Quiz

Some of my favorite words in the English language begin with the letters 'os', so I've created an entire land, a la L. Frank Baum, in their honor. No, Dorothy and the Wizard won't be found here, but you might find other surprises...enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
114,052

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
4968

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Truly, there aren't an incredible number of English language words in the land of 'os'. One such word, though, is 'ossuary'. Which of the following would you expect to find in such a place?
Hint

Fish

Trees

Students

Bones

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. In the land of 'os' there lives a bird, called a 'L�mmergeier'. By what other name does this vulture-like bird of prey go?
Hint

Osteyer

Oswalkor

Oscrund

Ossifrage

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. The land of 'os' is meager indeed, definitely not known for its natural resources! Yes or no: Are there any chemical elements native to this land?

Yes

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Question 4 of 10

4. 'Os' is not only a wondrous land, but also an abbreviation. It can stand for 'out of stock', 'old seaman', 'old style', 'operating system' and which of these body parts?
Hint

Left eye

Ribs

Right lung

Big toe

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Question 5 of 10

5. Not many scientific instruments exist in the land of 'os', but one is extremely popular. We are talking about the oscilloscope. Of course, to create the first functional oscilloscopes, which of the following non-'os' items was needed?
Hint

Centrifuge

Cathode ray tube

Leyden jar

Tesla coil

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Question 6 of 10

6. This large creature is a fast running fellow with two huge legs. Its scientific name is 'Struthio camelus'...but we know it as what?

Answer: (One 'os' word)

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the land of 'os', showing off is particularly frowned upon. In fact, a very specific word has been coined to describe pretentious or excessively showy behavior. What is that 'ossie' word?

Answer: (One 'os' word)

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. If a person is very fond of you in the land of 'os', they may choose to greet you with a brief 'osculation'. If you have been osculated, what has happened to you?
Hint

You have been hugged

You have been kissed

You have had your hand shaken

You have been noogied

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. There is one species of tree that grows particularly thick in the land of 'os'. This tree is a member of the willow family of the genus Salix. What is this 'ossie' tree called?
Hint

Ostrova

Osprey

Osier

Ostend

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Let's say that someone just doesn't fit-in in the land of 'os'. The other folks want this person to be excluded from the group, banished if you will. What would the process of this very special 'os' banishment be called?

Answer: (One 'os' word)

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Nov 10 2024 : S4a4m4: 10/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Truly, there aren't an incredible number of English language words in the land of 'os'. One such word, though, is 'ossuary'. Which of the following would you expect to find in such a place?

Answer: Bones

Any time you see a word that begins with the letters 'oss' you can be sure that it relates somehow to bones. The Latin root prefix for bone is 'oss-', which explains why we have the word 'ossuary', a container or receptacle where bones of dead humans are deposited.

The term is especially useful for archaeologists and anthropologists who study ancient sites. Similar words include ossify and ossification, both related to the creation of bones. The Greek root for bone is 'ost-' and is used in words such as osteoblast (bone forming cells) and osteopathy (a type of healing, related to bones).

2. In the land of 'os' there lives a bird, called a 'L�mmergeier'. By what other name does this vulture-like bird of prey go?

Answer: Ossifrage

The Ossifrage (Gypaetus barbatus) is a rather large, black bird, sometimes called a bearded vulture. This big bird is known as the L�mmergeier in German (the umlaut should have given that way!) Its 'ossie' name suggests that it might be fond of breaking bones, or at least picking from them (ossifrage = bone-breaking in Latin!)

3. The land of 'os' is meager indeed, definitely not known for its natural resources! Yes or no: Are there any chemical elements native to this land?

Answer: Yes

Osmium, atomic number 76, is the only chemical element beginning with 'os'. It's hard, brittle, metallic stuff which makes it useful in industry. Osmium has one of the highest melting point and boiling points of any element, and derives its name from the Greek 'osme', meaning 'smell'. Oh yes...it's malodorous.

4. 'Os' is not only a wondrous land, but also an abbreviation. It can stand for 'out of stock', 'old seaman', 'old style', 'operating system' and which of these body parts?

Answer: Left eye

The Latin term for your left eye is 'oculus sinister', or 'os' for short. Interestingly enough, the word 'os' itself is an archaic noun meaning mouth or a mouth-like opening, related to the Latin ora or or- (an invasion of the word 'or' in the land of 'os'!)

Answer: Cathode ray tube

The cathode ray tube is employed to produce a graph upon which the voltage and frequency of an electric signal can be measured. You may not realize it, but most homes used to have CRTs in them, whether they be in 'os' or not...they were used to make television sets, and when you stared at the screen, you were staring at a CRT. Now most CRTs have been replaced by liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or other digital display mechanisms.

6. This large creature is a fast running fellow with two huge legs. Its scientific name is 'Struthio camelus'...but we know it as what?

Answer: Ostrich

Because of its very powerful legs, the ostrich is one of the fastest running creatures on Earth, a very useful talent considering that the big fellow cannot fly! Ostriches are native to Africa.

7. In the land of 'os', showing off is particularly frowned upon. In fact, a very specific word has been coined to describe pretentious or excessively showy behavior. What is that 'ossie' word?

Answer: Ostentation

Taken from the Latin 'ostentare', meaning 'to display', the word 'ostentation' is probably not the desired description most people would prefer. A related and more neutral term is 'ostensible' which simply means 'apparent'.

8. If a person is very fond of you in the land of 'os', they may choose to greet you with a brief 'osculation'. If you have been osculated, what has happened to you?

Answer: You have been kissed

The term 'osculate' comes from the Latin 'osculum', which refers to a kiss, or literally 'little mouth'. Those 'ossies' are indeed an affectionate bunch.

9. There is one species of tree that grows particularly thick in the land of 'os'. This tree is a member of the willow family of the genus Salix. What is this 'ossie' tree called?

Answer: Osier

The name 'osier' comes from the Latin word for willow 'osera'. The twigs of this tree are particularly flexible, making them perfect for use in basket-weaving, the main trade of the land of 'os' (aside from staring into oscilloscopes and practicing osteopathy.)

Answer: Ostracize

The process of 'ostracism' dates back to ancient Greek times, when voting was done using shards of jars and jugs, called 'ostrakons' (from the word for 'shell'.) I hope that you have enjoyed this journey through the land of 'os'. If you have not, please vote using your 'ostrakon'.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

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