How High Can You Build It? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Remember, remember

There are different versions of the rhyme but they all start with "Remember, remember". While versions of the poem differ in their length and content, the first few lines are usually the same. One version goes like this:

"Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!"

Answer: Houses of Parliament

In 1605, a group of Catholics wanted to assassinate King James I and his parliament. King James and England as a whole was Protestant, and followers of Catholicism were persecuted there. The Catholic plotters hoped that eliminating the Protestant monarchy would help return England to Catholicism.

Guy Fawkes was one of the plotters. He was the explosives expert who helped to set up 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars below the Houses of Parliament. One of the plotters sent a letter to a friend warning him to stay away from the building that night. Supporters of the King found the letter and guards were sent to inspect the cellar.

Answer: Scrap wood

Bonfires are usually built using scrap wood. Like any fire, precautions need to be taken before the fire actually starts. A bonfire should be built away from any overhanging plants, and children and animals should be kept a safe distance away. There should be a firm base and, despite the title of this quiz, the burning material should be kept at a safe height. The panic caused by an out-of-control fire can put a damper on Bonfire Night celebrations!

Always be cautious when putting things on a bonfire to burn. Some man-made things explode in intense heat, including aerosols and cans of paint. Also, tiny flammable objects (like leaves and scraps of paper) can catch fire and then be carried away by a gust of wind. Guy Fawkes Night always takes place in November - strong winds are a possibility!

Answer: No

Guy Fawkes was arrested as he tried to leave the cellars below the Houses of Parliament. He was interrogated and tortured for days until he revealed his co-conspirators. All of the men who were arrested for the crime were convicted of treason and condemned to death. He was due to be hanged, drawn, and quartered (a grisly punishment usually reserved only for serious crimes like high treason). Before Fawkes was executed, however, he fell off the scaffold and died.

Days later, bonfires were made to celebrate the life and safety of the King, rather than the execution of the conspirators. The tradition has struck since then.

Answer: A life-size doll

In the past, children would try to earn money by making a Guy Fawkes effigy and showing it to richer adults. They often looked similar to scarecrows with rags for clothes and whatever stuffing could be found. This led to the phrase "A penny for the Guy". The Guy Fawkes doll would later be put on the bonfire to burn.

Answer: Sparkler

Sparklers are rods with a special mix of chemicals at one end. The pyrotechnic composition contains different types of metal. When the end is lit, the metal it is made from will create a variety of sparks.

While fireworks were discovered thousands of years ago in China, it wasn't until the 19th century that they could be fired into the air. In the 1830s, an Italian inventor created a casing that allowed fireworks to be propelled upwards.

Answer: Toffee apple

Toffee apples are commonly associated with Bonfire Night. The apples have a stick inserted into them to make a handle. Then, the apple is dipped in a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, and water. While the mixture is still wet, the apple can be dipped in something else, like chocolate sprinkles, to make a second coating. When the toffee coating has hardened, the apple is ready to eat.

Answer: Hats, coats, and gloves

Guy Fawkes Night falls in November when winter is fast approaching in the UK. Usually, the celebrations take place outside at night. Being outside means you have a better view of the fireworks and you can experience the heat and smell of the bonfire. Even if the fire is hot, it's not normally enough to persuade people to take their coats and scarfs off in November!

Answer: Fire safety

As its name suggests, Bonfire Night can involve a lot of fire. Bonfires themselves can cause problems if they're not positioned or maintained correctly. One of the biggest concerns about Bonfire Night, however is fireworks. Firework rockets can travel over 150 mph, and they have been known to fly horizontally into an audience rather than straight up as they are supposed to. There have also been cases of fireworks exploding too quickly, not giving people enough time to move away. The oposite also happens: the firework is lit, but doesn't work straight away. The user might go over to check it, but the firework could go off as they approach.

Also, sparklers are often given to children to play with, but they burn at over 1000 Celsius - 15 times hotter than the temperature at which water boils. It's really important to keep them well away from clothing, and wear gloves to protect the hands from stray sparks.

Answer: 1859

The Act ensured that there were special thanksgiving services in churches that ministers had to perform and people had to attend, though there wasn't a punishment for non-attendance. There seems to be a discrepancy floating around the internet that it was illegal NOT to celebrate Bonfire Night until 1959.

After a little bit of digging, it appears that this is not true - it's likely to be a typo that has been copied again and again. The official Parliament website says that the church services were held "for two centuries afterwards", suggesting that 1859 is the correct date, not 1959.