Trivia Questions On Americanism: Quiz!
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Questions and Answers
- 1.
Meaning a dwelling, a song and referring to Irish immigrants, this term became popular during the 1800s:
- A.
Cabin
- B.
Shanty
- C.
Shack
- D.
Choctaw
Correct Answer
B. ShantyExplanation
The term "shanty" is the correct answer because it encompasses the meaning of a dwelling, which can be a small, crudely built house or cabin. It also refers to a song, specifically a type of folk song that originated in the 1800s. Additionally, "shanty" is often associated with Irish immigrants, who were known to live in these small, temporary houses during that time period.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Police use the term BOLO for "Be on the look-out".
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The term BOLO is indeed used by the police to mean "Be on the look-out". This term is commonly used in law enforcement to alert officers to be vigilant and watch for a particular person, vehicle, or situation. It is a way for the police to communicate and share information about potential threats or suspects within their jurisdiction. Therefore, the statement "Police use the term BOLO for 'Be on the look-out'" is true.Rate this question:
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- 3.
First used in the U.S. as a political term on January 14, 1863, an elected official who is approaching the end of his or her tenure, and especially an official whose successor has already been elected, is known as a:
- A.
Term limit
- B.
Dated termination
- C.
Recall election recall election
- D.
Lame duck
Correct Answer
D. Lame duckExplanation
A "lame duck" is a term used to describe an elected official who is approaching the end of their term and has limited power or influence because their successor has already been elected. This term originated in the U.S. on January 14, 1863, and is commonly used in politics to refer to officials in this situation. It suggests that the official is no longer as effective or influential as they once were, similar to a duck that is unable to fly properly due to an injury.Rate this question:
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- 4.
A ghetto blaster is:
- A.
A large gun
- B.
A loud car
- C.
A motorcycle
- D.
A portable radio/CD player
Correct Answer
D. A portable radio/CD playerExplanation
The correct answer is a portable radio/CD player. A ghetto blaster refers to a portable audio device that typically includes a radio tuner and a CD player. It gained popularity in the 1980s and was often carried on the shoulder or played loudly in public spaces. It allowed people to listen to music on the go and became a symbol of urban culture.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Before the introduction of the kitchen stove in the mid-19th century, a commonly used cast iron cooking pan called a __________ had a handle and three legs used to stand up in the coals and ashes of a fire.
- A.
Spider
- B.
Tripod
- C.
Legger
- D.
Octopus
Correct Answer
C. LeggerExplanation
Before the introduction of the kitchen stove in the mid-19th century, a commonly used cast iron cooking pan called a "legger" had a handle and three legs used to stand up in the coals and ashes of a fire.Rate this question:
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- 6.
"Sit-rep" stands for:
- A.
Situation report
- B.
Sitting representative
- C.
Situated repeater
- D.
Sitting response
Correct Answer
A. Situation reportExplanation
The term "sit-rep" is a commonly used abbreviation in military and emergency response contexts. It stands for "situation report," which refers to a concise summary of the current status and conditions of a particular situation or operation. This report is usually provided to higher-ranking officials or decision-makers to keep them informed and help them make informed decisions based on the situation at hand.Rate this question:
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- 7.
This pejorative term is one in which Southerners gave to Northerners (also referred to as Yankees) who moved to the South during the Reconstruction era, between 1865 and 1877.
- A.
Copperheads
- B.
Missionaries
- C.
Carpetbaggers
- D.
Migrationists
Correct Answer
C. CarpetbaggersExplanation
Carpetbaggers is the correct answer because it refers to Northerners who moved to the South during the Reconstruction era. The term is pejorative because it implies that these individuals were opportunistic and seeking personal gain by taking advantage of the South's post-war economic and political instability. The name "carpetbaggers" comes from the image of these individuals arriving with their belongings in large bags made of carpet material.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Frisk, a trial or test period (especially of a ship or aircraft) and extortion all describe:
- A.
Blackmail
- B.
Shakedown
- C.
Launch
- D.
Kidnapping
Correct Answer
B. ShakedownExplanation
The term "shakedown" is the correct answer because it aligns with the given definition of "Frisk, a trial or test period (especially of a ship or aircraft) and extortion." A shakedown refers to a period of testing or trial, often used in the context of testing the performance or stability of a ship or aircraft. Additionally, it can also refer to extortion or the act of forcefully obtaining money or goods. Therefore, "shakedown" is the most suitable term that encompasses both meanings.Rate this question:
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- 9.
A Bruce Springsteen song from the 1978 album "Darkness on the Edge of Town", the title of a 1973 Terrence Malick film and a land formation are all known as:
- A.
Hoodoos
- B.
Badlands
- C.
Canyons
- D.
Ravines
Correct Answer
B. BadlandsExplanation
The correct answer is badlands. A Bruce Springsteen song from the 1978 album "Darkness on the Edge of Town" is titled "Badlands." Additionally, "Badlands" is the title of a 1973 Terrence Malick film. Lastly, badlands also refer to a type of land formation characterized by rugged terrain, eroded cliffs, and barren landscapes.Rate this question:
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- 10.
An "empty nester" is:
- A.
The last child to leave home.
- B.
Someone whose children have left home.
- C.
Someone whose parents have passed away.
- D.
Someone who vacates an apartment.
Correct Answer
B. Someone whose children have left home.Explanation
An "empty nester" refers to someone whose children have left home. This term is commonly used to describe parents who are experiencing a new phase of life after their children have grown up and moved out. It signifies a transition where the parents are no longer responsible for the day-to-day care of their children and are now living in an empty house without them.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which word would Americans use instead of… (Braces)
Correct Answer
SuspendersExplanation
Americans would use the word "suspenders" instead of "braces". "Suspenders" refers to the straps worn over the shoulders to hold up pants, while "braces" typically refers to orthodontic devices used to straighten teeth. This term difference reflects the linguistic variation between American English and British English.Rate this question:
- 12.
Which word would Americans use instead of… (Car Boot)
Correct Answer
trunkExplanation
Americans would use the word "trunk" instead of "car boot". In American English, the trunk refers to the storage compartment at the back of a car, where they would store items such as groceries or luggage. The term "car boot" is primarily used in British English to refer to the same storage compartment. Therefore, "trunk" is the word that Americans would use in this context.Rate this question:
- 13.
Which word would Americans use instead of… caretaker
Correct Answer
janitorExplanation
Americans would use the word "janitor" instead of "caretaker" because "janitor" is the more commonly used term in American English to refer to a person who is responsible for cleaning and maintaining a building, especially in a school or office setting. "Caretaker" is a less frequently used term in American English and is more commonly used in British English to refer to a person who takes care of a property or looks after someone's needs.Rate this question:
- 14.
Which word would Americans use instead of… (maize)
Correct Answer
cornExplanation
Americans would use the word "corn" instead of "maize". "Corn" is the commonly used term in American English to refer to the grain that is a staple food in many parts of the world. While "maize" is the term used in British English, Americans typically refer to the crop as "corn".Rate this question:
- 15.
Which word would Americans use instead of… merry-go-round
Correct Answer
carouselExplanation
Americans would use the word "carousel" instead of "merry-go-round" because "carousel" is the more commonly used term in American English to refer to the amusement ride with rotating seats and horses, while "merry-go-round" is more commonly used in British English.Rate this question:
- 16.
Which word would Americans use instead of… mechanical lift
Correct Answer
elevatorExplanation
Americans would use the word "elevator" instead of "mechanical lift" because "elevator" is the commonly used term in American English to refer to a device that moves people or goods between different floors in a building. "Mechanical lift" is a more generic term that can refer to various types of lifting devices, but "elevator" specifically refers to the type of lift commonly found in buildings.Rate this question:
- 17.
Which word would Americans use instead of… lodger
Correct Answer
roomerExplanation
Americans would use the word "roomer" instead of "lodger" to refer to someone who rents a room in someone else's house. Both words essentially mean the same thing, but "roomer" is the more commonly used term in American English.Rate this question:
- 18.
Which word would Americans use instead of… waistcoat
Correct Answer
vestExplanation
Americans would use the word "vest" instead of "waistcoat". In American English, the term "vest" is commonly used to refer to a sleeveless garment that is worn over a shirt and under a jacket. On the other hand, "waistcoat" is the term used in British English for the same type of garment. Therefore, "vest" is the correct answer as it is the word that Americans would use in this context.Rate this question:
- 19.
Which word would Americans use instead of… suitcase
Correct Answer
valiseExplanation
Americans would use the word "valise" instead of "suitcase". The term "valise" is less commonly used in American English compared to "suitcase", but it is still understood and used by some individuals. "Valise" refers to a small piece of luggage or a traveling bag that is used for carrying clothes and personal belongings during travel. While "suitcase" is the more widely used term in American English, "valise" is a valid alternative that can be used interchangeably in certain contexts.Rate this question:
- 20.
Which word would Americans use instead of… a sale of donated goods (for charity)
Correct Answer
rummage saleExplanation
Americans would use the term "rummage sale" instead of "a sale of donated goods (for charity)". A rummage sale refers to a sale where secondhand items, usually donated, are sold at low prices to raise funds for a charitable cause. This term is commonly used in the United States to describe such events.Rate this question:
- 21.
Which word would Americans use instead of… curtains?
Correct Answer
drapesExplanation
Americans would use the word "drapes" instead of "curtains" to refer to window coverings. This term is more commonly used in American English and is interchangeable with "curtains" in this context. Both words refer to the same thing, which is fabric or material hung to cover windows for privacy or to block out light.Rate this question:
- 22.
Which word would Americans use instead of… tram?
Correct Answer
street carExplanation
Americans would use the word "street car" instead of "tram". The term "street car" is commonly used in American English to refer to a vehicle that runs on tracks along city streets, transporting passengers. While "tram" is more commonly used in British English and other parts of the world, Americans typically use the term "street car" to describe the same mode of transportation.Rate this question:
- 23.
Which word would Americans use instead of… paraffin?
Correct Answer
keroseneExplanation
Americans would use the word "kerosene" instead of "paraffin" because both words refer to the same substance, which is a flammable oil used as fuel for lamps, stoves, and heaters. While "paraffin" is commonly used in British English, "kerosene" is the preferred term in American English.Rate this question:
- 24.
Which word would Americans use instead of… underground?
Correct Answer
subwayExplanation
Americans would use the word "subway" instead of "underground" to refer to an underground train system. This is a commonly used term in the United States to describe the transportation system that runs below ground level. The word "subway" is more commonly understood and used in American English, while "underground" is more commonly used in British English.Rate this question:
- 25.
Which word would Americans use instead of… music hall?
Correct Answer
vaudevilleExplanation
Americans would use the word "vaudeville" instead of "music hall" because vaudeville refers to a type of variety entertainment that was popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Vaudeville shows typically featured a series of unrelated acts, such as comedy sketches, song and dance numbers, acrobatics, and magic tricks. This term is specifically associated with American entertainment culture, whereas "music hall" is more commonly used in British English to refer to a similar type of venue or performance.Rate this question:
- 26.
Conscription is an illness that many soldiers got overseas during WWI and WWII.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Conscription is another name for draft, or compulsory military serviceRate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jun 13, 2012Quiz Created by
Ajith Kumar
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