FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Literary First Lines
Quiz about Literary First Lines

Literary First Lines Trivia Quiz

This will deal with the first lines of ten well known books. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by mrbell. Estimated time: 4 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Literature Trivia
  6. »
  7. Literary Terms & Quotes
  8. »
  9. Famous First Lines

Author
mrbell
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
310,005
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
3782
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: konamomholly (8/10), Guest 72 (7/10), scottm (9/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind, Paul Newman and a ride home."

Which book has this classic first line, based on two rival gangs in the 1960s? Hint


NEXT>

Question 2 of 10
2. What English classic's first sentence is "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife"? Hint


NEXT>

Question 3 of 10
3. This classic novel begins with "You better not never tell nobody but God."
What book is this? Hint


NEXT>

Question 4 of 10
4. This book has the opening line of "To the red country and part of the gray country of Oklahoma, the last rains came gently, and they did not cut the scarred earth."

Which famous classic is this? Hint


NEXT>

Question 5 of 10
5. This American masterpiece commences with the opening line "Early in the spring of 1750, in the village of Juffure, four days upriver from the coast of The Gambia, West Africa, a manchild was born to Omoro and Binta Kinte."

Which novel is this? Hint


NEXT>

Question 6 of 10
6. This beloved classic begins with Aunt Polly shouting for her nephew. He doesn't answer. Which novel is this? Hint


NEXT>

Question 7 of 10
7. Although this book was written by a British author, it is as loved in America as in so many other countries. Its opening line: "It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind." What book is this? Hint


NEXT>

Question 8 of 10
8. The first chapter of this true classic is titled "The Old Sea-dog at the Admiral Benbow". Opening line: Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about ______________, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island..."

It continues on and on, but what novel begins with this extremely long opening line? Hint


NEXT>

Question 9 of 10
9. This beloved thriller begins with "Renowned curator Jacques Sauniere staggered through the vaulted archway of the museum's Grand Gallery."

What book is this? Hint


NEXT>

Question 10 of 10
10. Finally, what novel begins with "This is the saddest story I have ever heard."? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Dec 18 2024 : konamomholly: 8/10
Dec 16 2024 : Guest 72: 7/10
Dec 12 2024 : scottm: 9/10
Dec 12 2024 : Cinderella62: 7/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 124: 8/10
Dec 10 2024 : Trish192: 10/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 50: 8/10
Dec 10 2024 : adam36: 8/10
Dec 10 2024 : JepRD: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind, Paul Newman and a ride home." Which book has this classic first line, based on two rival gangs in the 1960s?

Answer: The Outsiders

 S.E. Hinton's classic novel depicts the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year old orphan who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is mixed in with the conflicts between his gang, The Greasers, and the rich Socs. When Ponyboy's best friend kills a Soc, the two boys run from the law and live in an old abandoned church until they decide to come clean with the law.

When the church burns, and the boys risk their lives to save others, they begin to realize the true meaning of life. However, it may be too late to save some of their own pals from imploding.
2. What English classic's first sentence is "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife"?

Answer: Pride and Prejudice

 This classic, written by Jane Austen, was published in 1813. Elizabeth Bennet is the main character. There is no male heir in her family, as she is one of five daughters. The daughters must find suitable husbands or they will be forced to leave their home.
3. This classic novel begins with "You better not never tell nobody but God." What book is this?

Answer: The Color Purple

 This classic novel by Alice Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1983. It tells the story of blacks living in the south in the 1930's. The story deals with many kinds of abuse suffered by black women, not only by white men but black men as well.
4. This book has the opening line of "To the red country and part of the gray country of Oklahoma, the last rains came gently, and they did not cut the scarred earth." Which famous classic is this?

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

 John Steinbeck's classic tells the story of an Oklahoma family who retreats to California during the Great Depression. They deal with the infamous Dust Bowl, and such hardships as little money and shelter. Steinbeck's novel is one of the greatest known in America.
5. This American masterpiece commences with the opening line "Early in the spring of 1750, in the village of Juffure, four days upriver from the coast of The Gambia, West Africa, a manchild was born to Omoro and Binta Kinte." Which novel is this?

Answer: Roots

 I'm quite clever to come up with those names! "Roots" is actually called "Roots: The Saga Of An American Family". Alex Haley also wrote the book "Queen." In his life, Alex Haley was accused of plagiarism.
6. This beloved classic begins with Aunt Polly shouting for her nephew. He doesn't answer. Which novel is this?

Answer: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

 Tom Sawyer is a very mischievous boy who is always getting himself in trouble. He manages to trick other children into doing jobs for him by making them think it is fun. Tom and his friend Huck Finn get themselves into many mishaps in their adventures. Author: Mark Twain.
7. Although this book was written by a British author, it is as loved in America as in so many other countries. Its opening line: "It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind." What book is this?

Answer: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

 This classic by J.K. Rowling tells the story of Harry Potter, an orphaned young wizard. Harry discovers an old potions textbook left behind by the mysterious Half Blood Prince. Harry goes on through the book finding out more about the Prince and his mysterious past.
8. The first chapter of this true classic is titled "The Old Sea-dog at the Admiral Benbow". Opening line: Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about ______________, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island..." It continues on and on, but what novel begins with this extremely long opening line?

Answer: Treasure Island

 Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tells the tale of Jim Hawkins. Jim Hawkins is a young boy who sails with Long-John Silver in search of Treasure Island. However, when the treasure is discovered, Silver reveals his plans of keeping it to himself, which causes chaos with his trusty crew.
9. This beloved thriller begins with "Renowned curator Jacques Sauniere staggered through the vaulted archway of the museum's Grand Gallery." What book is this?

Answer: The Da Vinci Code

 This book of mystery is authored by Dan Brown. Professor Robert Langdon is sent to solve the mystery of a Frenchman, Jacques Saunière. The case turns upside down when a cipher is found with the man's body. Now, Langdon and Saunière's granddaughter are on a quest to crack the Da Vinci Code.
10. Finally, what novel begins with "This is the saddest story I have ever heard."?

Answer: The Good Soldier

 Ford Madox Ford wrote this novel in 1915. It tells the tales of two couples and the ups and downs of their relationships, pre-World War 1. The author uses flashbacks in the story, which were a technique that he started.
Source: Author mrbell

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
1. Novel Opening Triptych Very Easy
2. It Was the Blurst of Times Easier
3. First in Line Easier
4. Opening Lines of Literature Easier
5. First Lines of Famous Novels Easier
6. Chapter Two: Opening Lines Easier
7. It Was a Dark and Stormy Night... Easier
8. The First Read Average
9. "The Adventures of..." Whom? Average
10. First Lines of Famous Novels: Part 2 Average
11. Literary "Firsts" Average
12. Classics' First Lines Average

Referenced Topics
Movies   Literature   English   Colors   Famous Quotes   Jane Austen   Literary Terms & Quotes   Dan Brown   Famous First Lines   Pride and Prejudice   John Steinbeck   The Outsiders   Mark Twain   The Da Vinci Code   Robert Louis Stevenson   Alex Haley   Thrillers   Grapes of Wrath   Midnight  

Other Destinations
  Explore Other Quizzes by mrbell

  Go to Literary Terms & Quotes Quizzes

  More Famous First Lines Quizzes

  FunTrivia Homepage

12/21/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us