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Quiz about 10 Most Interesting Facts about Alcatraz

10 Most Interesting Facts about Alcatraz Quiz

This quiz is about the notorious prison of Alcatraz, which had the fame of being inescapable.

A multiple-choice quiz by beatka. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
beatka

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
252,149

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2297

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 164 (8/10), NewBestFriend (7/10), Guest 107 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The name of the prison comes from a Spanish word 'alcatraz'. What does it mean?
Hint

Pelican

Mockingbird

Raven

Nightingale

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Alcatraz island, before it became home to a prison, was used as what? Hint

Airport

Military site

Holiday resort

National park

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What was Alcatraz prison's most famous nickname? Hint

The Brick

The Bridge

The Stone

The Rock

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Alcatraz had a capacity of how many prisoners?
Hint

566

1033

143

336

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. How many men, in total, tried to escape from the prison? Hint

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Which notorious inmate's escape was portrayed in the movie "Escape from Alcatraz"? Hint

Frank Morris

Robert Stroud

Al Capone

Alvin Karpis

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Question 7 of 10

7. For how many years did the federal prison exist? Hint

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The prison closed down because it was too expensive to run.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What ethnic group claimed the island as their own and occupied it for 18 months (1969-1971)?
Hint

Chinese

African-Americans

Native American Indians

Mexicans

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Alcatraz Island and the former prison grounds serve what purpose now? Hint

Airport

Tourist attraction

Zoo

Naval base

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The name of the prison comes from a Spanish word 'alcatraz'. What does it mean?

Answer: Pelican

Alcatraz was given its name by a Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala. In 1775 he discovered the San Francisco Bay, mapped it and named one of the islands Isla de los Alcatraces, after the birds that inhabited it.

2. The Alcatraz island, before it became home to a prison, was used as what?

Answer: Military site

The island became a military site in 1850. The U.S. army built there a Citadel, which was transformed into a military prison. The fortress was torn down in 1909, and a new prison was erected. The island remained in possession of the U.S. Army until 1933. One year later, the infamous prison started operation.

3. What was Alcatraz prison's most famous nickname?

Answer: The Rock

The island was nicknamed so by the U.S. army soldiers, as it consisted mostly of rocks. There was hardly any vegetation and no source of fresh water there. "The Rock" is also the title of a 1996 movie about Alcatraz.

4. Alcatraz had a capacity of how many prisoners?

Answer: 336

But this capacity was never fully used up. The average number of inmates was 260-275, which accounted for quite decent living conditions (one person per cell).

5. How many men, in total, tried to escape from the prison?

Answer: 36

There were 36 men in 14 separate escape attempts. 23 were caught, six were killed and two drowned. The fate of five men remains unknown, although officially they are listed as "missing and presumed drowned".

6. Which notorious inmate's escape was portrayed in the movie "Escape from Alcatraz"?

Answer: Frank Morris

Frank Lee Morris and the Anglin brothers made the most famous escape attempt in 1962. Considered "missing and presumed drowned", they are romoured to have made it. The role of Frank Morris in the film was played by Clint Eastwood.

7. For how many years did the federal prison exist?

Answer: 29

The Alcatraz federal prison operated from 1934 until 1963, although the military prison was in operation on and off from 1861 to 1934. The federal prison closed down as being "too expensive to run".

8. The prison closed down because it was too expensive to run.

Answer: true

Some say that the prison closed down because it lost its reputation as being inescapable, after the famous escape of Frank Morris and Anglin brothers in 1962.

9. What ethnic group claimed the island as their own and occupied it for 18 months (1969-1971)?

Answer: Native American Indians

Native American Indians claimed the island as their land with intention of transforming it into a cultural and education centre. The island suffered a lot of damage during the occupation. It ended in June 1971, when the Native Americans were removed from the island by Federal Marshals.

10. Alcatraz Island and the former prison grounds serve what purpose now?

Answer: Tourist attraction

The 12-acre island opened to the public in 1973. Millions of tourists visit it every year.

Source: Author beatka

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