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In the United Kingdom, Black History usually occurs in October after it was proposed in the 1960s by Kent state university students. The first one was celebrated one year later. The quiz below is designed to see if you know the famous people based on their contribution to the United Kingdom black history. Give it a try and see how high you score.
Questions and Answers
1.
FAMOUS NAMESThe founder of the charity Comic Relief, launched in 1985 from a refugee camp in Sudan which has since raised over £950 million.
Explanation Lenny Henry is the correct answer for the founder of the charity Comic Relief. He launched the charity in 1985 from a refugee camp in Sudan and it has since raised over £950 million.
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2.
FAMOUS NAMESOriginally from Trinidad, this person became the ITN’s first black journalist in 1973 and was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism.
Explanation Sir Trevor McDonald is the correct answer because he is a famous journalist originally from Trinidad who became ITN's first black journalist in 1973. He was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism. Trevor McDonald is also acceptable as it is his name without the title.
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3.
FAMOUS DATESNow the largest street festival in Europe, The Notting Hill Carnival - originally set up as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions – held its first event in:
A.
1974
B.
1964
C.
1994
D.
1984
Correct Answer
B. 1964
Explanation The Notting Hill Carnival, now the largest street festival in Europe, was originally established in 1964 as a means for Afro-Caribbean communities to honor and showcase their own cultures and traditions.
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4.
FAMOUS NAMESMargaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the UK in 1979. It took a further eight years until a black woman was elected to the House of Commons. She later went on to contest the Labour Party leadership contest in 2010.
Explanation The correct answer is Diane Abbott, Diane Abbot, Dianne Abbot, Dianne Abbott. This answer is correct because it accurately lists the different variations of the name of the black woman who was elected to the House of Commons eight years after Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the UK in 1979. Diane Abbott later went on to contest the Labour Party leadership contest in 2010.
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5.
FAMOUS NAMESAs the current British record holder of the 100m sprint in 9.87 seconds, this man remains the only British athlete to have won gold medals at each of the major four athletics competitions: the Olympic games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships and the European Championships.
Correct Answer Linford Christie
Explanation Linford Christie is the correct answer because he holds the current British record for the 100m sprint and is the only British athlete to have won gold medals at the Olympic games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and European Championships. This makes him a highly accomplished and successful athlete in the field of athletics.
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6.
FAMOUS NAMESAn English actress who starred alongside Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible II and who won a best supporting actress BAFTA for her role in Crash, a film about racial and social tensions in LA.
Correct Answer Thandie Newton Tandi Newton Tandie Newton
Explanation Thandie Newton is the correct answer because she is the English actress who starred alongside Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible II and won a best supporting actress BAFTA for her role in Crash. Tandi Newton and Tandie Newton are incorrect variations of her name.
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7.
FAMOUS NAMESA retired English footballer who’s past clubs include Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Portsmouth and who led his national team out as captain on three occasions. He’s now a fierce campaigner against racism in football.
Correct Answer Sol Campbell
Explanation Sol Campbell is a retired English footballer who has played for notable clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Portsmouth. He has also captained the national team on three occasions. In addition to his football career, Campbell is known for his strong advocacy against racism in the sport.
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8.
FAMOUS DATESIn 1562, John Hawkins became the first Englishman to lead a slave trading voyage from the west coast of Africa, creating the Atlantic slave trade that led to the transportation of an estimated 13 million Africans.It wasn’t until ____ that slavery was abolished in the then British Empire. Upon abolition, slave owners received compensation. The freed slaves received nothing.
A.
1834
B.
1864
C.
1894
D.
1924
Correct Answer
A. 1834
Explanation In 1834, slavery was abolished in the then British Empire. This means that the practice of owning slaves and trading them was officially ended. However, it is important to note that slave owners were compensated for their loss, while the freed slaves received no compensation or support. This event marked a significant milestone in the fight against slavery and the beginning of a new era for the African people who had been forcefully transported and enslaved.
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9.
FAMOUS DATESThe year that the National Health Service is created in Britain. Much of the workforce that helped build the NHS originated from the Caribbean following a recruitment drive by Enoch Powell.
A.
1928
B.
1938
C.
1948
D.
1958
Correct Answer
C. 1948
Explanation In 1948, the National Health Service (NHS) was created in Britain. This significant event in history marked the establishment of a publicly funded healthcare system that provided free medical services to all citizens. The NHS was built with the help of a large number of workers from the Caribbean, who responded to a recruitment drive led by Enoch Powell. This recruitment drive was a response to the post-war labor shortage in Britain. The creation of the NHS in 1948 not only revolutionized healthcare in Britain but also had a lasting impact on the country's social and economic development.
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10.
FAMOUS DATESThe UK only started to legislate against racial discrimination as recently as 1965 with the Race Relations Act 1965 which outlawed discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins in public places!Clearly not going far enough, this was superseded in the 1970s by a new Race Relations Act to prevent discrimination of any kind on the grounds of race. Which year was this?
A.
1972
B.
1974
C.
1976
D.
1978
Correct Answer
C. 1976
Explanation The correct answer is 1976. The question states that the Race Relations Act in the UK was superseded in the 1970s by a new Act to prevent discrimination of any kind on the grounds of race. Since the question asks for the year of this new Act, the answer is 1976.
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11.
FAMOUS FACESWho is the Yorkshire-born blue boxer?
Correct Answer Nicola Adams
Explanation Nicola Adams is the correct answer because she is a famous Yorkshire-born boxer. She gained recognition for her achievements in the sport, including winning gold medals at the Olympic Games. Adams is known for breaking barriers as an openly gay athlete and for her contributions to women's boxing. Her success and impact have made her a well-known figure in the boxing world.
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12.
FAMOUS FACESWhich motor racing icon is being interviewed by Benedict Cumberbatch?
Correct Answer Lewis Hamilton
Explanation Benedict Cumberbatch is interviewing Lewis Hamilton, a famous motor racing icon.
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13.
FAMOUS FACESWhich star of London 2012 is dressed in red?
Explanation The correct answer is Jessica Ennis, Jess Ennis, Jessica Ennis-Hill, and Jess Ennis-Hill. This is because the question asks which star of London 2012 is dressed in red, and all of these options include the name "Jessica Ennis" or "Jess Ennis" which indicates that they are referring to the same person. Additionally, the options include variations of the name "Ennis-Hill" which is the surname of Jessica Ennis due to her marriage. The options that include the name "Jessica Enis" or "Jess Enis" are incorrect as they are misspelled versions of the correct name.
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14.
FAMOUS FACESWhich rugby league player is leaping for a try?
Correct Answer Martin Offiah
Explanation Martin Offiah is the correct answer because he is a famous rugby league player known for his incredible leaping ability while scoring tries. Offiah, also known as "Chariots" due to his speed, was a prominent figure in the sport during the 1980s and 1990s. He played for several top clubs and represented both England and Great Britain in international competitions. Offiah's impressive athleticism and try-scoring prowess made him a well-known and respected figure in rugby league, hence why he is the correct answer to the question.
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15.
FAMOUS FACESWhich athlete is shown here at the start of a 400m race at a very wet Olympic Stadium in Rome?
Correct Answer Daley Thompson
16.
ACROSS THE PONDSelect the two inventions that the African-American inventor Garrett Morgan (1877 - 1963) was responsible for:
A.
Gas mask
B.
Cars
C.
Stop sign
D.
Traffic signals
Correct Answer(s)
A. Gas mask D. Traffic signals
Explanation Garrett Morgan, an African-American inventor, was responsible for two inventions: the gas mask and traffic signals. The gas mask was designed to protect individuals from harmful gases, while traffic signals were created to regulate and control the flow of vehicles on the road. Morgan's inventions have had a significant impact on public safety and transportation systems.
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17.
ACROSS THE PONDForest Whitaker won the Best Actor in a Leading Role award in 2006. Select two other recipients of an Academy Award for acting (lead/supporting)
A.
Denzel Washington
B.
Spike Lee
C.
Jada Pinkett Smith
D.
Whoopi Goldberg
Correct Answer(s)
A. Denzel Washington D. Whoopi Goldberg
Explanation Denzel Washington and Whoopi Goldberg are both recipients of Academy Awards for acting. Denzel Washington has won two Academy Awards, one for Best Supporting Actor in the film "Glory" in 1990, and another for Best Actor in the film "Training Day" in 2001. Whoopi Goldberg won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "Ghost" in 1990.
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18.
ACROSS THE PONDSelect two famous quotes by the legendary three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer Muhammad Alihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3dquMQKyms
A.
“They'll take everything, even your tears.”
B.
“My power is discombobulating devastating. I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It’s ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm.”
C.
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
D.
“I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.”
Correct Answer(s)
C. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” D. “I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.”
Explanation The given answer correctly selects two famous quotes by Muhammad Ali. The first quote, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," is a well-known phrase used by Ali to describe his boxing style, emphasizing his agility and quickness combined with his powerful punches. The second quote, "I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest," showcases Ali's confidence and self-belief, as he constantly proclaimed himself as the greatest boxer of all time.
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19.
IN EUROPEAn Irish singer and musician with a commercially successful 1970’s rock band who was married to the daughter of the British comedian Leslie Crowther. Who was he?
Correct Answer(s) Phil Lynott
Explanation Phil Lynott was an Irish singer and musician who achieved commercial success in the 1970s with his rock band. He was known for his distinctive voice and songwriting skills. Additionally, he was married to the daughter of British comedian Leslie Crowther.
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20.
IN EUROPEWhich former university lecturer made history in 2010 to become the first black Polish parliamentary MP?
Correct Answer(s) John Godson Jon Godson John Abraham Godson
Explanation John Abraham Godson made history in 2010 by becoming the first black Polish parliamentary MP.
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