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Works of Sinclair Lewis Trivia Quiz

Sinclair Lewis was a giant of American Literature for the first part of the twentieth century, yet few people remember his life or his works. This quiz is designed to capture the flavor of his greatest novels. I hope you enjoy!

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

Author
abbotas

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
233,412

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
237

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What Sinclair Lewis novel tells the story of the wealthy owner of a motor company who is forced to take a lengthy vacation in Europe that ends with a divorce from his wife? Hint

Dodsworth

Elmer Gantry

Outlander

This Side of Paradise

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Question 2 of 10

2. What did the main character in Sinclair Lewis' novel 'Arrowsmith' work as? Hint

Banker

Doctor

Office Manager

Minister

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what 1947 Sinclair Lewis novel is the main character, a wounded war veteran and junior banker named Neil, shocked to find that his ancestory is not what it seems? Hint

Passing

Flight

The House Behind the Cedar

Kingsblood Royal

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1930 Sinclair Lewis became the first American writer to do what? Hint

Have the best selling book in England

Have his book translated into Russian

Have the best selling book in Europe

Win the Nobel Prize for Literature

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Question 5 of 10

5. During the height of the depression, Sinclair Lewis imagined the United States taken over by a facist government in this work. What was the title? Hint

Babbitt

It Can't Happen Here

Main Street

Crome Yellow

6. In this book we read the story of George, a successful real estate agent who is very unhappy with his life. What was the name of this Sinclair Lewis book, often considered one of the best satires of the American middle class? Hint

Babbitt

Dodsworth

Elmer Gantry

Cass Timberlane

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Question 7 of 10

7. Set in Gopher Prairie Minnesota, this Sinclair Lewis novel featured the struggles of Carol Milford, the young freethinking wife of the town doctor Will Kennicott. What was the name of this parody of small town life in America, often considered one of the most important novels of Sinclair Lewis' career? Hint

Main Street

Babbitt

Our Town

Ann Vickers

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Question 8 of 10

8. Where had Mr. Wrenn met the young female artist he fell in love with in the Sinclair Lewis novel 'Our Mr. Wrenn'? Hint

England

Italy

France

New York

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Question 9 of 10

9. Why, in the early 1800's, did Aaron Gadd leave New England and travel to Minnesota in the Sinclair Lewis Novel 'God-Seeker'? Hint

To start his own church

To serve as a missionary to the Sioux

To settle on his own farmstead

To serve in the Army

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Question 10 of 10

10. Written in 1927, what Sinclair Lewis novel described the life of a young small town drunk and ruffian who becomes one of the most famous evangelists in the country? Hint

Dodsworth

Go East, Young Man

Cass Timberlane

Elmer Gantry

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What Sinclair Lewis novel tells the story of the wealthy owner of a motor company who is forced to take a lengthy vacation in Europe that ends with a divorce from his wife?

Answer: Dodsworth

This novel was published in 1929 and became an Academy Award winning movie staring Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton and David Niven in 1936.

2. What did the main character in Sinclair Lewis' novel 'Arrowsmith' work as?

Answer: Doctor

The novel follows Martin Arrowsmith through medical school into his practice, as he struggles to decide between continuing to earn good money as a doctor or striving for a nobler life as a researcher trying to cure disease and suffering.

3. In what 1947 Sinclair Lewis novel is the main character, a wounded war veteran and junior banker named Neil, shocked to find that his ancestory is not what it seems?

Answer: Kingsblood Royal

In a twist on most books written on the subject (black passing for white, which the other three titles are about) "Kingsblood Royal" was about a white man who is trying to pass for black.

4. In 1930 Sinclair Lewis became the first American writer to do what?

Answer: Win the Nobel Prize for Literature

Lewis was awarded the Nobel for "vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humour, new types of characters."

5. During the height of the depression, Sinclair Lewis imagined the United States taken over by a facist government in this work. What was the title?

Answer: It Can't Happen Here

'It Can't Happen Here' was a very chilling book when one considers it was written in 1936, long before the true terror of the Nazis was fully known. One of the most powerful quotes from the book: "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross..."

Answer: Babbitt

This Lewis work showed us the life of George Babbitt in the large town of Zenith Ohio, a town where class is strictly enforced and being part of the 'right' group is extremely important.

Answer: Main Street

'Main Street' was one of several Sinclair Lewis novels with a strong female protagonist. There was also a lot of controversy over the negative portrayal of small town life in the United States.

8. Where had Mr. Wrenn met the young female artist he fell in love with in the Sinclair Lewis novel 'Our Mr. Wrenn'?

Answer: England

After Mr. Wrenn returned to the United States from England and fell in love with Nellie, he is surprised by the appearance of the young artist into his now normal and placid life.

9. Why, in the early 1800's, did Aaron Gadd leave New England and travel to Minnesota in the Sinclair Lewis Novel 'God-Seeker'?

Answer: To serve as a missionary to the Sioux

Written in 1949, this was one of Sinclair Lewis' last novels and he once again revisits the topic of American Evangilism.

10. Written in 1927, what Sinclair Lewis novel described the life of a young small town drunk and ruffian who becomes one of the most famous evangelists in the country?

Answer: Elmer Gantry

'Elmer Gantry' was a scathing view of the ministry and evangelism at the time of those like Amy McPherson who had huge tent revivals and radio shows. Burt Lancaster played Gantry in the 1960 movie based on the book.

Source: Author abbotas

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