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Spies and Spying Trivia Quiz

Spies have been around since Alexander the Great. Here's some cloak and dagger trivia you might enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by Pick61. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Pick61

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
353,738

Updated
Jun 10 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
885

Last 3 plays: Guest 1 (9/10), Guest 184 (4/10), Guest 149 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Perhaps World War I's most notorious spy was Mata Hari, executed by the French in October, 1917. In 1963, files were released which have caused many to reach a startling conclusion. What is it? Hint

The French didn't really execute her

She really wasn't much of a dancer

The French executed the wrong woman

She was most likely innocent of espionage

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Question 2 of 10

2. During the 1930s what centralized agency was charged with coordinating espionage activities for the United States? Hint

CIA

Secret Service

OSS

None

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Question 3 of 10

3. With what activity is British MI-6 charged? Hint

Gathering intelligence outside of Britain

Protecting the Prime Minister

Gathering intelligence inside Britain

Protecting the Royal Family

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Question 4 of 10

4. In terms of espionage, what is a mole? Hint

An incompetant, unreliable spy

A long term spy who has integrated himself into the enemy camp

A spy whose cover has been revealed

A spy who uses electronics

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of James Bond's nemeses was a Soviet organization called "SMERSH". Was there really such an entity? Hint

No, it was strictly an invention of Ian Fleming's

Yes, it was established to monitor the loyalties of the Soviet military

Yes, but it has nothing to do with espionage

No, SMERSH means inept in Russian

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Question 6 of 10

6. For what country does the MOSSAD operate as intelligence gatherers? Hint

Bulgaria

Albania

Denmark

Israel

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Question 7 of 10

7. In World War II, MI-6 cracked the German Enigma code which was thought to be virtually unbreakable. This development had to be kept secret, of course. How many people knew of the breakthrough and managed to keep silent? Hint

100

15,000

550

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was the code name of the Turkish spy who was working for the Germans while employed as a butler to the British ambassador to Turkey? He sold many valuable and sensitive documents to the Germans. Hint

Cicero

Parrot

Hannibal

Sunshine

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Question 9 of 10

9. What did the double agent Garbo accomplish that was in large part responsible for the success of invasion of Normandy in World War II? Hint

Caused the Germans to believe there would be no invasion

Convinced the Axis that the landing would not be in Normandy

Told the General Staff that he planned to kidnap Churchill

Nothing, Garbo was an invention of MI-6

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Question 10 of 10

10. One of George Washington's agents managed to set up shop on Long Island, New York at a time when it was under British control. Posing as an art instructor, he was spotted as an imposter by an alert British officer. Who was the American agent? Hint

Horatio Gates

Benedict Arnold

Nathan Hale

Joshua Hamilton

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 17 2024 : Guest 1: 9/10
Dec 09 2024 : Guest 184: 4/10
Dec 09 2024 : Guest 149: 7/10
Dec 09 2024 : Guest 204: 3/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 173: 5/10
Nov 30 2024 : Guest 90: 2/10
Nov 23 2024 : Guest 88: 1/10
Nov 22 2024 : Guest 31: 7/10
Nov 22 2024 : Guest 82: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: She was most likely innocent of espionage

Mata Hari was a dancer who lived a somewhat scandalous life style. She likely wasn't really bright enough to be trusted as a spy, but her many liaisons with French officers made her suspect. Recent discoveries point out that the French Army was looking for excuses for their military failures. One way was to invent a spy ring that probably didn't really exist.

2. During the 1930s what centralized agency was charged with coordinating espionage activities for the United States?

Answer: None

Spying activities had no overall organizationn charged with overseeing them. The OSS (Office of Strategic Services), the forerunner of the CIA, wasn't created until 1940.

3. With what activity is British MI-6 charged?

Answer: Gathering intelligence outside of Britain

MI-5 is responsible for gathering information within the country. MI stands for Military Intelligence.

4. In terms of espionage, what is a mole?

Answer: A long term spy who has integrated himself into the enemy camp

The term was supposedly coined by John Le Carre in the novel "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Some moles have spent years living and working in an enemy country, gaining position and trust in order to complete their mission.

5. One of James Bond's nemeses was a Soviet organization called "SMERSH". Was there really such an entity?

Answer: Yes, it was established to monitor the loyalties of the Soviet military

SMERSH was the department charged by the NKVD with ferreting out subversive and disloyal elements within the Soviet Army. It was disbanded in 1946 and its duties transferred back to the NKVD. Its name is an acronym for "Death to Spies".

6. For what country does the MOSSAD operate as intelligence gatherers?

Answer: Israel

The MOSSAD was founded in 1950. One of its most notable successes was the capture of Adolf Eichmann. They are rumored to move their headquarters to different locations on a frequent basis for security reasons.

Answer: 15,000

Working in wooden huts in Bletchley Park, MI-6 and others were able to deciper German radio traffic almost as soon as it was sent. Easily one of the most important reasons for the Allied victory in World War II. An amazing 15,000 people were able to keep the secret.

Answer: Cicero

He made a wax impression of the key to a strong box in which the ambassador kept sensitive documents. The ambassador was trying to keep the Turks from entering the war on the Axis side. Cicero's real name was Elyesa Bazna. He was paid nearly one million dollars for his efforts by the Germans. After the war Bazna found out the the money was counterfeit.

9. What did the double agent Garbo accomplish that was in large part responsible for the success of invasion of Normandy in World War II?

Answer: Convinced the Axis that the landing would not be in Normandy

Garbo was a thoroughly trustworthy agent, so thought the German general staff. But the British had 'turned' him into a double agent, and his messages managed to convince the Germans that the invasion would take place at Pas de Calais, not Normandy.

Answer: Nathan Hale

Hale was hung by the British in what is now New York City. His famous last words were reportedly "I only regret that I have but one life to lay down for my country". Hale was barely out of his teens at the time, and his burial site is still unknown.

Source: Author Pick61

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