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Quiz about The Lexington Class Battlecruisers

The Lexington Class Battlecruisers Quiz

The battlecruiser originated in Great Britain in the early 20th century. The United States designed their first class of these ships, the Lexingtons, during World War I. How much do you know about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by Reamar42. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Reamar42

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
407,804

Updated
Jan 10 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
87

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The design for the Lexington class was approved in 1916. Why were the ships not begun in that year? Hint

Because of the need for smaller escort vessels.

Strikes in U.S. shipyards

Interference by pro-German congressman.

Congress' refusal of funding for the ships.

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the main impetus behind the U.S. Navy's decision to build battlecruisers?
Hint

Because battlecruisers were cheaper than battleships.

Rivalry with the British Royal Navy.

The laying down of the Japanese Kongo class battlecruisers.

Competition with the Imperial German Navy.

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Question 3 of 10

3. How many ships were authorized for the Lexington class?
Hint

Two ships were planned

Six ships were planned

Ten ships were planned

Four ships were planned

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Question 4 of 10

4. In what year did construction of the Lexingtons finally begin? Hint

1920

1917

1919

1922

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Question 5 of 10

5. While the Lexingtons were under construction, the Washington Naval Treaty was signed in 1922. How many of the ships were cancelled due to the treaty? Hint

Six

Two

None

Four

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Question 6 of 10

6. Under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, which two ships of the class were completed as aircraft carriers? Hint

Lexington and Saratoga

Lexington and Ranger

Lexington and Constellation

United States and Saratoga

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the fate of the cancelled ships of the class? Hint

Broken up

Completed as merchant ships

Sold to foreign navies

Completed as troopships

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Question 8 of 10

8. Aside from their size and originally designed purpose, what was unique about the Lexington and Saratoga among U.S. aircraft carriers? Hint

They had a main armament of 8-inch guns

They only carried fighter planes

They were capable of carrying Army bombers

They only carried helicopters

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Question 9 of 10

9. What was the fate of the Lexington? Hint

Sunk 1944

Preserved as museum ship 1947

Scuttled 1945

Sunk 1942

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the fate of the Saratoga? Hint

Sunk in atomic bomb test

Sold to France 1946

Sunk 1942

Scrapped 1959

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The design for the Lexington class was approved in 1916. Why were the ships not begun in that year?

Answer: Because of the need for smaller escort vessels.

The Lexingtons were delayed because convoy escort ships were needed to make sure that supplies and troops could be safely transported to Europe.

2. What was the main impetus behind the U.S. Navy's decision to build battlecruisers?

Answer: The laying down of the Japanese Kongo class battlecruisers.

Though the British and German fleets had battlecruisers from 1910, the U.S. Navy only felt threatened by the laying down of the four Japanese Kongo class ships in 1911.

3. How many ships were authorized for the Lexington class?

Answer: Six ships were planned

Designated CC-1 through CC-6, the ships were to be the Lexington, Constellation, Saratoga, Ranger, Constitution, and United States.

4. In what year did construction of the Lexingtons finally begin?

Answer: 1920

After more design studies and changes, the first of the ships were finally laid down in 1920.

5. While the Lexingtons were under construction, the Washington Naval Treaty was signed in 1922. How many of the ships were cancelled due to the treaty?

Answer: Four

The Washington Treaty stipulated that all capital ships under construction were to be cancelled. However, two ships could be completed as aircraft carriers.

6. Under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, which two ships of the class were completed as aircraft carriers?

Answer: Lexington and Saratoga

Both Lexington and Saratoga were completed as aircraft carriers in 1927. Lexington was designated CV-2 and Saratoga was CV-3.

7. What was the fate of the cancelled ships of the class?

Answer: Broken up

Although they were in various stages of completion, the Constellation, Ranger, United States, and Constitution were all broken up in 1923.

8. Aside from their size and originally designed purpose, what was unique about the Lexington and Saratoga among U.S. aircraft carriers?

Answer: They had a main armament of 8-inch guns

Unique among American aircraft carriers, both Lexington and Saratoga were armed with eight 8-inch guns in four twin turrets.

9. What was the fate of the Lexington?

Answer: Sunk 1942

The Lexington was sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942. A new carrier of the Essex class was named Lexington in her honor.

10. What was the fate of the Saratoga?

Answer: Sunk in atomic bomb test

The Saratoga was sunk in an atomic bomb test off Bikini Atoll in the Pacific on July 25, 1946.

Source: Author Reamar42

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