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The BBC Big Read Trivia Quiz

In 2003, the BBC published a list of the nation's best loved books. This quiz contains a question about each book in the top 20.

A multiple-choice quiz by psc3kh. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
psc3kh

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
211,825

Updated
Apr 19 23

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
13 / 20

Plays
2929

Last 3 plays: Scottie2306 (16/20), Gumby1967 (20/20), Guest 47 (16/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien -
Who was the first (in terms of publication history) hobbit to be the central figure in one of Tolkien's books set in Middle Earth? Hint

Bilbo Baggins

Bullroarer Took

Frodo Baggins

Hamfast Gamgee

NEXT>

Question 2 of 20

2. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen -
Which of the Bennett sisters is the eldest? Hint

Lizzie

Amy

Lydia

Jane

NEXT>

Question 3 of 20

3. "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman -
What is the name of Lyra's father? Hint

Faa Pavel

Lord Asriel

Lee Jordan

Will

NEXT>

Question 4 of 20

4. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams -
What, according to Ford, is an essential travel item? Hint

Digital Watch

Aspirin

Alcohol

Towel

NEXT>

Question 5 of 20

5. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling -
What is the name of the reporter? Hint

Luna Lovegood

Bartimous Crouch

Ludo Bagman

Rita Skeeter

NEXT>

Question 6 of 20

6. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee -
What is Scout's surname? Hint

Ridley

Finch

Robinson

Lee

NEXT>

Question 7 of 20

7. "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne -
What is Winnie the Pooh's other name? Hint

Thomas Bear

Harold Bear

James Bear

Edward Bear

NEXT>

Question 8 of 20

8. "1984" by George Orwell -
What was Winston afraid of? Hint

Mice

Bees

Spiders

Rats

NEXT>

Question 9 of 20

9. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis -
What is the first novel in the series, "The Chronicles of Narnia"? (Chronologically, not the first novel published) Hint

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Magician's Nephew

Prince Caspian

The Silver Chair

NEXT>

Question 10 of 20

10. "Jane Eyre" -
Which Bronte sister wrote this? Hint

Anne

Charlotte

Jane

Emily

NEXT>

Question 11 of 20

11. "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller -
Which of these is a character in Catch-22? Hint

Major Major

Humbert Humbert

Herbert Herbert

Philip Pirrip

NEXT>

Question 12 of 20

12. "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte -
Where is this book set? Hint

Lancashire

Derbyshire

Yorkshire

Cheshire

NEXT>

Question 13 of 20

13. "Birdsong" by Sebastian Faulks -
What is the background for this novel? Hint

French Revolution

American Civil War

World War One

Russian Revolution

NEXT>

Question 14 of 20

14. "Rebecca" by Daphne duMaurier -
What was the name of Mrs DeWinter's dog? Hint

Bruno

Daisy

Lassie

Jasper

NEXT>

Question 15 of 20

15. "The Catcher in the Rye" -
Who wrote this novel? Hint

G.K. Chesterton

J.D. Salinger

Ray Bradbury

F. Scott Fitzgerald

NEXT>

Question 16 of 20

16. "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame -
Who loves picnics? Hint

Mole

Badger

Toad

Ratty

NEXT>

Question 17 of 20

17. "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens -
Who is Pip's benefactor? Hint

Estelle

Herbert Pocket

Miss Haversham

Magwitch

NEXT>

Question 18 of 20

18. "Little Women" by Louisa May Allcott -
Which sister marries Laurie? Hint

Amy

Beth

Meg

NEXT>

Question 19 of 20

19. "Captain Correlli's Mandolin" by Louis de Bernieres -
How did Ianis die? Hint

Killed at war

Heart attack

Old age

In an earthquake

NEXT>

Question 20 of 20

20. "War and Peace" -
Who wrote this novel? Hint

Nabokov

Hugo

Dostoyevsky

Tolstoy

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 10 2024 : Scottie2306: 16/20
Dec 06 2024 : Gumby1967: 20/20
Dec 01 2024 : Guest 47: 16/20
Nov 30 2024 : bg853: 14/20
Nov 10 2024 : Guest 174: 12/20
Nov 06 2024 : Guest 78: 16/20

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien - Who was the first (in terms of publication history) hobbit to be the central figure in one of Tolkien's books set in Middle Earth?

Answer: Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo was the title character of "The Hobbit", the fist of Tolkien's books to be published. Bilbo was played by Sir Ian Holm in Peter Jackson's movie trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings", and by Martin Freeman in "The Hobbit" trilogy.

2. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen - Which of the Bennett sisters is the eldest?

Answer: Jane

"Bridget Jones's Diary" is actually a modern adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" and the movie adaptations of both novels starred Colin Firth as Mr Darcy.

3. "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman - What is the name of Lyra's father?

Answer: Lord Asriel

The first book in this trilogy has two different names - it is known as "The Golden Compass" in the US and "Northern Lights" in Britain.

4. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams - What, according to Ford, is an essential travel item?

Answer: Towel

There is actually an official "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" towel.

5. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling - What is the name of the reporter?

Answer: Rita Skeeter

This book shows Rita as an Animagus - meaning she can turn herself into an insect!

6. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - What is Scout's surname?

Answer: Finch

This novel was the first, and most famous, one written by Harper Lee.

7. "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne - What is Winnie the Pooh's other name?

Answer: Edward Bear

"Winnie the Pooh" was based on the toys owned by the author's son, Christopher Robin.

8. "1984" by George Orwell - What was Winston afraid of?

Answer: Rats

1984 was written in 1948 - George Orwell simply reversed the date to come up with his title.

9. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis - What is the first novel in the series, "The Chronicles of Narnia"? (Chronologically, not the first novel published)

Answer: The Magician's Nephew

"The Chronicles of Narnia" were written by C.S. Lewis - who was a great friend of J.R.R. Tolkien ("The Lord of the Rings").

10. "Jane Eyre" - Which Bronte sister wrote this?

Answer: Charlotte

The Bronte sisters commonly used the pseudynyms Acton, Currer and Ellis Bell.

11. "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller - Which of these is a character in Catch-22?

Answer: Major Major

Major Major's full name turns out to be Major Major Major Major when he receives his military titles.

12. "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte - Where is this book set?

Answer: Yorkshire

This classic love story was most famously told by Kate Bush in her hit single "Wuthering Heights."

13. "Birdsong" by Sebastian Faulks - What is the background for this novel?

Answer: World War One

This novel was written by Sebastian Faulks, who also penned "Charlotte Gray."

14. "Rebecca" by Daphne duMaurier - What was the name of Mrs DeWinter's dog?

Answer: Jasper

The novel is told in the first person - but we never get to know the name of this character.

15. "The Catcher in the Rye" - Who wrote this novel?

Answer: J.D. Salinger

This novel is most famous for its protagonist's feeling that all adults are "phonies."

16. "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame - Who loves picnics?

Answer: Ratty

This novel was later adapted into the play "Toad of Toad Hall", which was written by Winnie the Pooh's creator, A.A. Milne.

17. "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens - Who is Pip's benefactor?

Answer: Magwitch

"Great Expectations" is often considered Dicken's finest work.

18. "Little Women" by Louisa May Allcott - Which sister marries Laurie?

Answer: Amy

Louisa May Allcott often said that this novel was semi-autobiographical and she saw herself as a version of Jo.

19. "Captain Correlli's Mandolin" by Louis de Bernieres - How did Ianis die?

Answer: In an earthquake

Ianis was played by John Hurt in the film adaptation which also starred Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz.

20. "War and Peace" - Who wrote this novel?

Answer: Tolstoy

"War and Peace" has more main characters than any other known novel.

Source: Author psc3kh

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