The Write Stuff Quiz | Literature by Region

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Born in 1812, Charles Dickens certainly had "the write stuff". His novels such as "Great Expectations", "Oliver Twist", "A Christmas Carol" and many others are still popular today, and have been adapted for film and television. What was the title of his last novel, which he had not completed when he passed away in 1870?

Answer: The Mystery of Edwin Drood

It was while writing the serialisation of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" that Charles Dickens died in 1870. Since then, there have been a number of attempts by various authors and screenwriters to write a conclusion to the story.

2. Three sisters from Yorkshire named Charlotte, Emily and Anne are world famous for the novels they wrote during the 19th century. What was their surname?

Answer: Bront�

Charlotte, Emily and Anne were the daughters of Patrick and Maria Bront�. Although they were not prolific authors, the books they wrote are still well known today.

Charlotte was born in 1816 and died in 1855, and is best known as the author of "Jane Eyre". Emily was born in 1818 and died in 1848, and is known for the only novel she wrote, "Wuthering Heights". Anne was born in 1820 and died in 1849, and is best remembered for her novel "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall".

Charlotte, Emily and Anne also had a brother named Patrick Branwell and two other sisters named Maria and Elizabeth. Their home in Haworth is now a museum.

3. Another famous British author was H.G Wells, best known for his novels "The War of the Worlds" and "The Time Machine". Which of his novels, which follows the adventures of a young man named Arthur, was used as the basis for the film musical "Half a Sixpence"?

Answer: Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul

Written in 1905, "Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul" told the tale of Arthur Kipps, a young man from Kent who finds fame and fortune, only to lose it and regain it once more. The musical adaptation was called "Half a Sixpence", a reference to a token of love given to Kipps by a girl he fell in love with. It was released in cinemas in 1967, and starred Tommy Steele as the title character.

H.G (Herbert George) Wells was born in 1866 in Bromley, Kent. His works covered a broad spectrum of genres from social and historical to science fiction, making him one of the founding fathers of the Sci-Fi genre along with Jules Verne. Wells's early life saw him become a teacher before he became known as a novelist.

4. Ian Fleming is best known for writing the James Bond series of novels, which have become one of cinemas greatest film franchises. On another note, what was the name of the children's novel he wrote about a flying car, which was also adapted into a film?

Answer: Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang

"Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang" was written by Fleming and released in 1964. It was inspired by a car called "Chitty Bang Bang", built by Count Louis Zborowski. Although the film adaptation was based around Fleming's novel, there were some crucial differences. In the book the main character of Caractacus Potts had a wife, and the children were abducted by thieves intent on robbing a chocolate shop rather than a child catcher as was depicted in the film.

Fleming himself led an interesting life working for British Naval Intelligence during World War Two and formed as specialist commando unit to capture enemy documents. It as whilst attending a summit in Jamaica that he decided to live there after the war.

5. D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence was a an early 20th century writer, best known for his novels that contained erotic content that was subject to censorship. Which of his novels was subject to a court case brought against its publishers, Penguin Books?

Answer: Lady Chatterley's Lover

In 1960, Penguin Books was charge under the Obscene Publications Act of 1959 for releasing an un-edited version of "Lady Chatterley's Lover". The subsequent court case was to decide whether the book could be published because of literary merit or whether it was pornography. The resulting verdict of "Not Guilt" led to Penguin Books issuing a dedication to the jurors when the book was republished in 1961.

D.H. Lawrence himself was born in 1885, and died in 1930, aged 44. As well as a novelist, Lawrence also wrote plays, essays and was a critic and painter. Apart from "Lady Chatterley's Lover", other works such as "Women in Love", "The Rainbow and "Sons and Lovers" also contained sexual scenes which brought Lawrence much criticism in his later life.

6. George Orwell was an early 20th century author best known for works such as "1984", "Animal Farm" and "The Road to Wigan Pier". What was his birth name?

Answer: Eric Arthur Blair

Born at the turn of the 20th century, George Orwell's birth name was Eric Arthur Blair. George Orwell is best known for his works on social and political comment. Orwell also had a career in the military in Burma, as well as fighting in the Spanish Civil War where he was wounded. Orwell finally died of tuberculosis in 1950.

His gravestone at All Saints Church in Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, bears Orwell's birth name of Eric Arthur Blair rather than his pen name.

7. Enid Blyton is a well-known children's author, who has written many books. Which of the following series of novels is NOT one of the books she wrote during her life?

Answer: The Nancy Drew series of books

Edward Stratemeyer wrote the Nancy Drew series of books.

Enid Mary Blyton was born at the end of the 19th century. As well as works such as "The Famous Five" and "Noddy" series of books, Blyton also wrote several other series of books in the mystery genre, centred around boarding schools, as well as books about mythical creatures such as fairies and elves. In total Blyton wrote over 600 novels and stories during her life.

Much of Blyton's work is now somewhat dated, especially with regard to references to class, gender, and even use of racial terms that some deem unacceptable. As such, Blyton's novels have faced bans from public libraries over the years as well as a ban by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

8. Len Deighton is a well known British author, best known for his spy novels. However, he has also written books on World War Two. Which of the following books titles is a work of fiction, rather than one that is non-fiction?

Answer: Bomber

Released in 1970, 'Bomber' was one of the first novels to be written using a word processor.

The book itself tells of a fictional bombing raid carried out by Bomber Command during World War Two that goes wrong, leading to the carpet-bombing of a small town. The book's narrative contains views from both sides, inclding the crew of an RAF Lancaster bomber, a German officer on leave visiting his young mistress and child, a German night fighter pilot and the fire chief of the town that is bombed by mistake.

Len Deighton himself was born in 1929. In addition to spy stories and historical novels about World War Two, Deighton has also written books on cookery. As well as writing books, Deighton also wrote travel guide, worked as an air steward, and was an illustrator, designing the cover for Jack Kerouac's book "On the Road".

9. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best remembered for his Sherlock Holmes series of novels. Which of the following novels did he write about a place in South America where dinosaurs survive, that was part of the Professor Challenger series of books?

Answer: The Lost World

John Milton wrote both 'Paradise Lost' and 'Paradise Regained', while Jules Verne wrote 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'.

Born in 1859, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes. However, Conan Doyle also wrote a number of other books, including the Professor Challenger series of books, a series of historical novels, and numerous short stories, as well as non-fiction works. As well as this, Conan Doyle took part in The Boer War - working as a volunteer doctor. In addition, he had a keen interest in injustice, as well spiritualism.

10. Last, but not least, this final question concerns William Shakespeare, the English-speaking world's best-known play writer. Which of the following pieces of work is NOT attributed to Shakespeare?

Answer: Doctor Faustus

Christopher Marlowe wrote 'Doctor Faustus'.

William Shakespeare himself was born in the Elizabethan era of Tudor England, though his exact birth date is not known. The son of a glove maker, he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. Although it is not clear when he began writing plays, Shakespeare had a number of works being performed by 1592.

As well as introducing new words to the English language. Shakespeare also is attributed as creating many well known quotes, such as "A dish fit for a king", "In a pickle" and "All the world's a stage".

Source: Author mcsurfie

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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The Write Stuff Trivia Quiz

Welcome to the third of my quizzes, that go towards my Adventures in Authoring badge. This quiz is about British authors who became world famous for their various novels because they had "The Write Stuff" if you excuse the pun.

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