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Before the Oval Office Trivia Quiz

Here are some questions about what some United States Presidents did prior to being President. This quiz ranges from Kennedy to Obama.

A multiple-choice quiz by kstyle53. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
kstyle53

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
320,557

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
578

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1955, John F. Kennedy published a Pulitzer Prize winning book, "Profiles in Courage," which depicted eight different Senators who made decisions they felt were right even though they were politically unpopular. Which Senator was not profiled in the book? Hint

Daniel Webster

John Quincy Adams

Henry Clay

Edmund Ross

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1934, Lyndon Baines Johnson married Claudia Taylor who would become First Lady when Johnson ascended to the presidency. By what name is Claudia Taylor better known? Hint

Claudia Johnson

Lynda Bird Johnson Robb

Claudia Taylor Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what branch of the military did Richard Nixon serve during World War II? Hint

Coast Guard

Army

Navy

Air Force

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Question 4 of 10

4. Gerald Ford was an avid participant in Boy Scout activities as a youth. What is the name of the highest rank attainable by a US Boy Scout? Hint

Eagle Scout

Star Scout

Life Scout

Silver Scout

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was unique about Jimmy Carter's birth in comparison to previous presidents? Hint

He was born two months premature.

He was delivered via Caesarean section

He was born in a hospital

His mother died during child birth

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Question 6 of 10

6. It is well known that Ronald Reagan was a film actor prior to being a politician. However, this is not the only job he held. For what baseball team did he serve as a broadcaster? Hint

St. Louis Cardinals

Chicago Cubs

New York Yankees

Pittsburgh Pirates

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Question 7 of 10

7. Prior to being elected president, what position did George H. W. Bush hold? Hint

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Director of the CIA

United States Senator

Governor of Texas

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Question 8 of 10

8. Growing up Bill Clinton considered becoming a musician or doctor. However, he ultimately decided to become a politician. As a teenager he was involved in Boys Nation in 1963, where he got to visit the White House. Who was the president at the time of his visit? Hint

John F. Kennedy

Richard Nixon

Lyndon Johnson

Dwight Eisenhower

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Question 9 of 10

9. George W. Bush attended both Yale University and Harvard University. What degree did the receive upon graduating from Harvard? Hint

Bachelor of Arts in History

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Masters of Political Science

Masters in Business Administration

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Question 10 of 10

10. What university did Barack Obama teach at prior to holding elected office? Hint

Northwestern University

Harvard University

De Paul University

The University of Chicago

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Henry Clay

Known as the "Great Compromiser" Clay served in the Senate from 1831-1842, and then again from 1849-1852 (his death). While Adams is remembered for being President, he also was a Senator from 1803-1808, when he broke away from the Federalist Party. Ross is best known for voting for the acquittal of Andrew Johnson during Johnson's impeachment trial. Webster is generally regarded as one of the top Senators of all time, was included in the book for his support of the Compromise of 1850.

2. In 1934, Lyndon Baines Johnson married Claudia Taylor who would become First Lady when Johnson ascended to the presidency. By what name is Claudia Taylor better known?

Answer: Lady Bird Johnson

Legend has it that this nickname was given to Lady Bird in infancy, when it was noted by a nurse that she was as "purty as a ladybird." By adopting the name Lady Bird, both the President and First Lady had these same initials. Later, their daughters were named likewise, Lynda Bird Johnson and Luci Baines Johnson. Even the family dog, Little Beagle Johnson, shared this characteristic.

3. In what branch of the military did Richard Nixon serve during World War II?

Answer: Navy

Nixon served in the Navy from August 1942 to New Years Day 1946, reaching the position of Lieutenant Commander. Nixon was eligible for military exemption because of both his Quaker religious beliefs and because he worked in the Office of Price Administration but chose to enter the Navy instead.

He would be elected to the US of Representatives in the 1946 election, representing California's 12th District.

4. Gerald Ford was an avid participant in Boy Scout activities as a youth. What is the name of the highest rank attainable by a US Boy Scout?

Answer: Eagle Scout

The Eagle Scout is the highest rank in all of Boy Scouts. First established in 1911, over 2 million young men have reached the rank. Ford is the first Eagle Scout to ever become President of the United States though.

5. What was unique about Jimmy Carter's birth in comparison to previous presidents?

Answer: He was born in a hospital

The oldest of four children, Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital. This might have been especially fitting since his mother was a registered nurse.

6. It is well known that Ronald Reagan was a film actor prior to being a politician. However, this is not the only job he held. For what baseball team did he serve as a broadcaster?

Answer: Chicago Cubs

It was once said Ronald Reagan had the two toughest jobs in America, being president and being a Cubs announcer. The Cubs have endured a number of losing seasons since winning their last World Series in 1908, making it difficult for an announcer to maintain enthusiasm for the team. Reagan actually did not attend the games he broadcast, but received telegrams throughout the game.

This would cause him to occasionally stall on the broadcast when the telegram machine was not working.

7. Prior to being elected president, what position did George H. W. Bush hold?

Answer: Director of the CIA

Bush held this position for just under a year, starting in late January 1976. Prior to the appointment, the CIA was undergoing a scandal concerning a variety of illegal activities. Bush was entrusted to restore the agency's morale, but was removed from office with the inauguration of President Carter.

Answer: John F. Kennedy

Meeting with Kennedy was one of the highlights of Clinton's early life. It is believed that both this meeting with Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream Speech" were extremely instrumental in getting Clinton interested in politics. Clinton actually memorized the entire speech.

9. George W. Bush attended both Yale University and Harvard University. What degree did the receive upon graduating from Harvard?

Answer: Masters in Business Administration

Bush is the first U.S. President to have a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), which he gained from Harvard University. He does also hold a Bachelor of Arts in History, but that was earned at Yale University. He completed his graduate work at Harvard to earn the MBA.

10. What university did Barack Obama teach at prior to holding elected office?

Answer: The University of Chicago

Obama taught at the University of Chicago as a constitutional law professor from 1992-2004. He is also affiliated with Harvard University, but as a student, not as a professor. Obama attended Harvard law school from 1988-1991, becoming the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.

Source: Author kstyle53

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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