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A Martian Named Smith Trivia Quiz

This quiz is all about the history of Robert A. Heinlein's "Stranger in a Strange Land". No spoilers here.

A multiple-choice quiz by Shadowmyst2004. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Shadowmyst2004

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
373,542

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
259

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Heinlein's original manuscript for the book was heavily edited when it was released. After his death an uncut version of the book was released in what year? Hint

1977

1991

2001

1984

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Question 2 of 10

2. In their song "Friends", what band referenced the book? Hint

Kiss

The Police

The Rembrandts

Hall & Oates

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Question 3 of 10

3. The main character is referred to as Mike Smith throughout most of the book. However, a few times we see his real first name; what is it? Hint

Beelzabub

Valentine

Raioplob

It's not identifiable in any written form known to man

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Question 4 of 10

4. The book was awarded what literary prize in 1962? Hint

Hugo Award

Nobel Prize for Literature

Einstein's Writing Relativity Prize

Nebula Prize for Writing

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Question 5 of 10

5. Defined as "To understand thoroughly through having empathy with," what word did Heinlein invent as part of the Martian language? Hint

Grok

Umlat

Arn

Jinkle

6. John Kennedy became president. The U.S. broke diplomatic relations with Cuba. Marvin Panch was the Daytona 500 champion. The Green Bay Packers were the champions of the NFL and "Stranger in a Strange Land" was released. What year was it? Hint

1961

1963

1958

1965

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the mid 1990s a screenplay based on Heinlein's original manuscript was written by "Batman Returns" scribe Dan Waters. The film was set to star Tom Hanks and Sean Connery. Was the film ever produced with those stars?

Yes

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Question 8 of 10

8. The book was published 13 years after Heinlein and his wife had their initial brainstorming session and wrote an outline for the story. What year was this brainstorming done? (Hint, if you correctly guessed question 6, this should be easy.) Hint

1952

1946

1948

1950

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Question 9 of 10

9. Heinlein started work on this novel to do an updated version of what Rudyard Kipling classic? Hint

The White Man's Burden

Gunga Din

The Jungle Book

John Carter of Mars

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 2012 the book received distinction as one of 88 'Books that Shaped America' as named by what entity? Hint

Library of Congress

"Booklist" magazine

The "New York Times"

Goodreads (Literature website)

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Heinlein's original manuscript for the book was heavily edited when it was released. After his death an uncut version of the book was released in what year?

Answer: 1991

The working title for the book was "A Martian Named Smith". Heinlein once gave a speech at a science fiction convention that concluded with "besides who ever heard of a Martian named Smith?"

2. In their song "Friends", what band referenced the book?

Answer: The Police

"Friends" was written by Andy Summers and released on the B-side of "Don't Stand So Close to Me".

3. The main character is referred to as Mike Smith throughout most of the book. However, a few times we see his real first name; what is it?

Answer: Valentine

Valentine Michael Smith wasn't technically a Martian, having been born to parents from Earth. However he was the lone survivor of an expedition to Mars and had never seen a human woman, having been raised from infancy by the Martians.

4. The book was awarded what literary prize in 1962?

Answer: Hugo Award

This was one of Heinlein's four Hugo Awards during his lifetime.. The book won the award despite being banned from school libraries and attacked in the media for ideas contained within.

5. Defined as "To understand thoroughly through having empathy with," what word did Heinlein invent as part of the Martian language?

Answer: Grok

Grok became part of the subculture of the 1960s, and was adapted by science fiction aficionados, computer hackers and hippies alike. The word became so popular that the National Security Agency named a computer program used for keylogging after the word.

Answer: 1961

What a year in American History. The book was a huge commercial success from the start, but often panned critically for themes that didn't fit within the socially accepted conventions of the time.

Answer: No

The "Hippie Bible", as it is known, has been in print since 1961 and through the turn of the 21st century no one had ever managed to put it on film.

Waters did write a draft, but due to the massive amounts of group sex, among other factors, executives at Warner Brothers chose not to produce the script at that time.

In the 20 years since that time, Hanks went on to become a huge star and Connery retired from acting.

Answer: 1948

Heinlein was well known to come up with an idea and publish very quickly. Waiting more than a decade was out of the norm for him.

He has been quoted as saying that he took his time finishing the book because he knew the culture at the time wouldn't have accepted it anyway. Even in 1961 the book still wasn't accepted by conservative members of society.

9. Heinlein started work on this novel to do an updated version of what Rudyard Kipling classic?

Answer: The Jungle Book

Michael Smith was essentially the same character as Mowgli, only he was raised by Martians instead of jungle creatures.

10. In 2012 the book received distinction as one of 88 'Books that Shaped America' as named by what entity?

Answer: Library of Congress

Books that made the list ranged in publication date from 1776 ("Common Sense", by Thomas Paine), to 2002 ("The Words of Cesar Chavez", by Cesar Chavez).

The Library of Congress put together the list in order to "spark a conversation" about books written by Americans, according to project coordinator James H. Billington.

Source: Author Shadowmyst2004

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