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Poet Robert Burns Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz for the fans of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns.

A multiple-choice quiz by camweh. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
camweh

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
75,457

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
757

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The following is the grace used at Burns' suppers: 'Some hae meat and canna eat, And some would eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit'. What is this grace known as? Hint

Irvine Grace

Tarbolton Grace

Selkirk Grace

Mauchline Grace

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Question 2 of 10

2. Robert Burns moved to the seaside town of Irvine in Ayrshire in 1781. Why? Hint

To work as an Excise Officer

To learn the flax business

To write poetry

To recover from illness

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Question 3 of 10

3. In which town is the house where Robert Burns lived from 1791 until his death in 1796? Hint

Maybole

Catrine

Dumfries

Kilmarnock

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Question 4 of 10

4. From which Burns' poem is the following taken: 'O wad some power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as ithers see us'? Hint

To a Louse

Address to the Devil

To a Mouse

Address to a Haggis

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the 'sodger Hugh' that Robert Burns referred to in his poem 'The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer'? Hint

Hugh Blair

Hugh McCallum

Hugh MacDiarmid

Hugh Montgomerie

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Question 6 of 10

6. Where was Robert Burns farming when he was prompted to write 'To a Mouse' after ploughing up a mouse nest? Hint

Lochlie Farm

Mossgiel Farm

Ellisland Farm

Mount Oliphant Farm

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. How many copies were published of Burns' poems commonly known as 'The Kilmarnock Edition'? Hint

512

312

612

412

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In 1784 Burns and a brother rented Mossgiel farm near Mauchline. What was that brother's name? Hint

Gilbert

Gavin

Thomas

John

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Burns was one of the founder members of a Bachelors' debating club in which Ayrshire town in 1780? Hint

Irvine

Sorn

Mauchline

Tarbolton

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Lauth was one of the dogs in Burns' poem 'The Twa Dogs'. What was the name of the other dog? Hint

Caesar

Rover

Hector

Charlie

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The following is the grace used at Burns' suppers: 'Some hae meat and canna eat, And some would eat that want {it;} But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit'. What is this grace known as?

Answer: Selkirk Grace

There is some controversy about who wrote the Selkirk Grace!

2. Robert Burns moved to the seaside town of Irvine in Ayrshire in 1781. Why?

Answer: To learn the flax business

His lodgings in Irvine were in Glasgow Vennel which is now marked by a plaque.

3. In which town is the house where Robert Burns lived from 1791 until his death in 1796?

Answer: Dumfries

Burns and family rented a large house in Mill Hole Brae. It was renamed Burns Street, the building is now a museum.

4. From which Burns' poem is the following taken: 'O wad some power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as ithers see us'?

Answer: To a Louse

Composed after seeing a louse on a Lady's bonnet in Church.

5. Who was the 'sodger Hugh' that Robert Burns referred to in his poem 'The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer'?

Answer: Hugh Montgomerie

Hugh Montgomerie (Earl of Eglinton) served in the Army and rose to the rank of Colonel of the West Lowland Fencibles in 1793.

6. Where was Robert Burns farming when he was prompted to write 'To a Mouse' after ploughing up a mouse nest?

Answer: Mossgiel Farm

Robert and his brother Gilbert rented Mossgiel farm near Mauchline

7. How many copies were published of Burns' poems commonly known as 'The Kilmarnock Edition'?

Answer: 612

Published by John Wilson of Kilmarnock in July 1786, at the cost of three shillings per copy.

8. In 1784 Burns and a brother rented Mossgiel farm near Mauchline. What was that brother's name?

Answer: Gilbert

Gilbert later moved with his family to East Lothian.

9. Burns was one of the founder members of a Bachelors' debating club in which Ayrshire town in 1780?

Answer: Tarbolton

It was founded by Burns and six others. In Tarbolton today the building is now a museum.

10. Lauth was one of the dogs in Burns' poem 'The Twa Dogs'. What was the name of the other dog?

Answer: Caesar

Luath is seen as a poor cottager's dog while Caesar is the dog of a rich landlord or Laird.

Source: Author camweh

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