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Denis Diderot Trivia Quiz

Denis Diderot was one of the most important philosophers during his lifetime. See how much you know about this man, nicknamed, "Le Philosophe".

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

Author
GWU_Boy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
106,521

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
342

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Denis Diderot first started off working as a what? Hint

teacher

blacksmith

translator

police man

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Question 2 of 10

2. Diderot was put in prison for three months after writing a book about the behavior of the blind entitled, "Lettre sur les Aveugles".

True

False

3. Diderot is probably most famous for being the chief editor of the "Encyclop�die", which was a huge work of reference intended to englighten the French people. What decade did the "Encyclop�die" begin publication? Hint

1760s

1750s

1740s

1770s

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Question 4 of 10

4. How long did Diderot spend as chief editor of the "Encyclop�die"? Hint

15 years

5 years

35 years

25 years

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of these did Diderot NOT write? (Hint: The correct book in this question was written by Voltaire in 1756.) Hint

Lettre sur les Sourds et Muets

Le Fils Naturel

D�sastre de Lisbonne

Pens�es sur l'Interpr�tation de la Nature

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Question 6 of 10

6. Works such as "La Religieuse" and "Le Neveu de Rameau" were novels by Diderot which were published posthumously because of the likelihood they would be censored while he was alive.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the name of the series of critiques (named after the French word for official exhibitions of the works of living artists) for the Royal Academy of Art's biennial art exhibition, credited as founding modern art criticism? Hint

Acad�mies

M�rope

Libertins

Salons

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1765, in order to pay for his daughter Ang�lique's dowry, Diderot sold his library to the reigning monarch of which country? Hint

France

Russia

England

Austria-Hungary

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Question 9 of 10

9. Diderot cheated on his wife.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. In what decade did Diderot die? Hint

1770s

1800s

1780s

1790s

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Denis Diderot first started off working as a what?

Answer: translator

Among the English works he translated from 1743 to 1748 were Stanyan's "Grecian History", Lord Shaftesbury's "Inquiry Concerning Virtue and Merit", and Robert James' 6-volume "Medicinal Dictionary".

2. Diderot was put in prison for three months after writing a book about the behavior of the blind entitled, "Lettre sur les Aveugles".

Answer: True

The underlying meaning of the book was not about the blind but about the existence of God.

Answer: 1750s

The "Encyclop�die" was published from 1751 to 1772 and in all totaled 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of engravings, including over a hundred articles by Diderot himself.

4. How long did Diderot spend as chief editor of the "Encyclop�die"?

Answer: 25 years

During his tenure there, he found out that his publisher, Le Breton, was claiming credit for his work, yet he decided not to expose him.

5. Which of these did Diderot NOT write? (Hint: The correct book in this question was written by Voltaire in 1756.)

Answer: D�sastre de Lisbonne

"Pens�es sur l'Interpr�tation de la Nature" dealt with the scientific method, "Lettre sur les Sourds et Muets" was about deaf-mutes, and "Le Fils Naturel" was a play depicting middle-class life in France.

6. Works such as "La Religieuse" and "Le Neveu de Rameau" were novels by Diderot which were published posthumously because of the likelihood they would be censored while he was alive.

Answer: True

"La Religieuse" was about a young nun who wishes to renounce her vows and "Le Neveu de Rameau" was a story, originally published in German by Goethe, to satirize his enemies.

Answer: Salons

The first "salon" which Diderot wrote was in 1759.

8. In 1765, in order to pay for his daughter Ang�lique's dowry, Diderot sold his library to the reigning monarch of which country?

Answer: Russia

He sold the library to Catherine II of Russia who let him still use and keep it and gave him money to expand it.

9. Diderot cheated on his wife.

Answer: True

Diderot spent time and money for almost 30 years on his lover, Sophie Volland. She saved the love letters he wrote her, which are now regarded as some of the most fascinating and dazzling revelations of his personality.

10. In what decade did Diderot die?

Answer: 1780s

Diderot died on July 31, 1784. He was buried in the eglise Saint-Roch in the centre of Paris, alongside other notable Frenchmen of the era, such as Andr� Le N�tre, the designer of the famous gardens at Versailles.

Source: Author GWU_Boy

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