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Quiz about Shel Silverstein for Adults
Quiz about Shel Silverstein for Adults

Shel Silverstein for Adults Trivia Quiz


Shel Silverstein wrote a great many classic children's books. This quiz isn't about any of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by DaMoopies. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
DaMoopies
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
375,591
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
195
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Shel Silverstein was a prolific songwriter. Which of these well known songs did he author? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Shel Silverstein wrote songs for others artists besides Johnny Cash. For which of these bands did Shel write songs such as "Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball", "Get my Rocks Off", and "Penicillin Penny"? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Shel Silverstein published many adult themed cartoons in what magazine? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Shel Silverstein wrote what looked like a children's book, but it surely was not. What was the title? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In 1950, Shel Silverstein joined the U.S. armed forces. In which branch did he serve? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. How did Shel Silverstein support himself in the mid 1950s, while waiting for his cartooning career to take off? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In 1959, Shel Silverstein and Jean Shepherd staged an off Broadway play. What was it called? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Shel Silverstein was a contributor to a well-known 1970's project that aimed to teach children the importance of things such as tolerance and individuality. What was it called? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. One of Shel Silverstein's most covered songs was recorded by this great singer-songwriter, Emmylou Harris. Which song was it? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Shel Silverstein attended the University of Illinois. Under what circumstances did he leave? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Shel Silverstein was a prolific songwriter. Which of these well known songs did he author?

Answer: A Boy Named Sue

The song was recorded at Johnny Cash's famous concert at San Quentin State Prison. It won Grammy awards for Best Country Song, and Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The other answers are Johnny Cash songs, but were not written by Shel.
2. Shel Silverstein wrote songs for others artists besides Johnny Cash. For which of these bands did Shel write songs such as "Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball", "Get my Rocks Off", and "Penicillin Penny"?

Answer: Dr. Hook

Shel wrote every song on Dr. Hook's second album, "Sloppy Seconds". Among the other songs the band performed that Shel wrote was "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most", a cautionary tale about VD.
3. Shel Silverstein published many adult themed cartoons in what magazine?

Answer: Playboy

Shel was great friends with Hugh Heffner. Shel would spend months at a time living at the "Playboy" mansion.
4. Shel Silverstein wrote what looked like a children's book, but it surely was not. What was the title?

Answer: Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book

It was Shel's first book for adults. The cover of early versions included the phrase "A Primer for Tender Young Minds". Shel believed children should not be treated any differently than anyone else. The cover was soon changed to "A Primer for Adults Only". One possible reason was the "Hop-Scotch" page, which encouraged children to drink scotch in order to hop higher.
5. In 1950, Shel Silverstein joined the U.S. armed forces. In which branch did he serve?

Answer: Army

Shel served in Korea and Japan, and became a cartoonist for "Stars & Stripes" magazine.
6. How did Shel Silverstein support himself in the mid 1950s, while waiting for his cartooning career to take off?

Answer: Selling hot dogs at ballparks

The Chicago native had plenty of opportunities to sell dogs! This early experience later manifested itself in two poems about hot dogs, one called "Everything On It" about a dog that comes just as ordered, and one called "Hot Dog" about his pet hot dog.
7. In 1959, Shel Silverstein and Jean Shepherd staged an off Broadway play. What was it called?

Answer: Look, Charlie: A Short History of the Pratfall

The show itself had no specific theme, and mostly consisted of Shel and the other actors reacting to the audience. The other answers were shorter stage works written by Shel. At one time, Shel stopped the show and invited the audience to go across the street to a deli, famously copied by Andy Kaufman inviting his Carnegie Hall audience to go out for milk and cookies.
8. Shel Silverstein was a contributor to a well-known 1970's project that aimed to teach children the importance of things such as tolerance and individuality. What was it called?

Answer: Free to Be... You and Me

Marlo Thomas created the project. It became a book, record album, TV special, and even a filmstrip. Some of the other notable names who worked on the project were Alan Alda, Mel Brooks, Michael Jackson, Dustin Hoffman, and Dionne Warwick.
9. One of Shel Silverstein's most covered songs was recorded by this great singer-songwriter, Emmylou Harris. Which song was it?

Answer: Queen of the Silver Dollar

"Queen of the Silver Dollar" is about a washed-up gin-joint denizen. It has also been covered by Doyle Holly, Barbi Benton, and Dave & Sugar. The other songs were also on Emmylou's album "Pieces of the Sky".
10. Shel Silverstein attended the University of Illinois. Under what circumstances did he leave?

Answer: He was expelled.

Consistently poor grades led to Shel being kicked out of the school. He then attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, but was soon drafted into the U.S. Army, ending his academic career.
Source: Author DaMoopies

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