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Quiz about The Art of Magic
Quiz about The Art of Magic

The Art of Magic Trivia Quiz


Hopefully you won't fall under a spell while taking this quiz.

A photo quiz by nmerr. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
nmerr
Time
4 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
386,016
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
359
Last 3 plays: Guest 100 (7/10), mcdubb (10/10), Brooklyn1447 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Magic, as a performing art, dates back to ancient times. According to historians, what is the oldest magic trick? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Prestidigitation refers to what type of magic? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which French magician is considered to be the "father of modern magic"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Which Las Vegas-based magician has made a name for himself with his TV show "Mindfreak"? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Which contemporary illusionist made the Statue of Liberty "disappear" in front of a live audience in 1983? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Once society discovered the mysteries of science, a new type of magician was born. Although they weren't magicians as we know them today, they were looked upon as having magical powers. What were these magician-scientists known as? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Combining magic and comedy successfully is no easy feat. Which popular pair of American magicians, one tall and chatty and the other short and silent, are known for revealing to audiences how they do their tricks? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which pair of American 19th century magicians and spiritualists, both brothers, claimed to have supernatural powers? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. David Devant, an early 20th century magician, performed a stage trick that was quite a crowd pleaser. The "Magic Kettle" trick produced alcoholic drinks for the pleasantly surprised audiences. At one venue, Devant ran into trouble. Why? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Harry Houdini, the well-known magician and escape artist, once performed a magic trick that baffled audiences. David Copperfield performed the same stunt many decades later. What is the amazing illusion that, nowadays, has a not-so-magical explanation? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 100: 7/10
Feb 17 2024 : mcdubb: 10/10
Feb 05 2024 : Brooklyn1447: 6/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Magic, as a performing art, dates back to ancient times. According to historians, what is the oldest magic trick?

Answer: cups and balls

Most people have watched the cups and balls trick performed at some time in their lives. The magician has three cups with three balls. He can make the balls move from cup to cup or disappear altogether. The audience is left wondering how the magician did it. As with many forms of magic, misdirection is the key. I still can't figure it out!
2. Prestidigitation refers to what type of magic?

Answer: sleight of hand

The phrase is derived from Latin. "Praestus" means ready and "digitus" translates to finger. Another term for sleight of hand is legerdemain, or French for "light of hand".
3. Which French magician is considered to be the "father of modern magic"?

Answer: Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin

Robert-Houdin was a born showman. He began a career in watchmaking but decided that he was better suited to performing magic. This self-taught magician dressed in formal attire, not wizard robes like his fellow magicians. His most famous magic trick was called "The Marvelous Orange Tree" where oranges magically appeared to grow on a tree right in front of the audience.
4. Which Las Vegas-based magician has made a name for himself with his TV show "Mindfreak"?

Answer: Criss Angel

Born Christopher Sarantakos in New York City, Criss Angel has forged a career in the world of magic that is all his own. His laid-back persona, not to mention his power to enthrall with his skills as a magician, have endeared him to audiences of all ages. Once he moved on from "Mindfreak", he partnered with Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas and contined to perform his particular brand of magic.

The magician also fronts the metal band "Angel."
5. Which contemporary illusionist made the Statue of Liberty "disappear" in front of a live audience in 1983?

Answer: David Copperfield

If ever there was a man born to entertain audiences, it is David Copperfield. Magic was in his blood at a very young age. He began performing magic tricks at the age of ten. By age sixteen he was teaching a college course in magic. His showmanship, ability to truly connect with his audiences, and spectacular stage illusions have made him one of the most celebrated magicians of modern times.
6. Once society discovered the mysteries of science, a new type of magician was born. Although they weren't magicians as we know them today, they were looked upon as having magical powers. What were these magician-scientists known as?

Answer: alchemists

The goal of the alchemists was to manipulate the nature of metals. For example, the idea of turning lead into gold sounded like a good idea at the time. What they didn't realize back then was that it couldn't be done since lead and gold are made up of different atoms. However, all that interest in alchemy was the beginning of the study of the physical science known as chemistry.
7. Combining magic and comedy successfully is no easy feat. Which popular pair of American magicians, one tall and chatty and the other short and silent, are known for revealing to audiences how they do their tricks?

Answer: Penn and Teller

Penn Gillette and Teller(his legal name)have been performing magic together since the 1970s. By telling jokes while performing magic tricks, Penn infuses a sense of familiarity that appeals to audiences. The pair are not only different physically but lead different lifestyles. Penn has attributed their success as much to the fact that they don't socialize off stage as to their ability to infuse magic with humor.
8. Which pair of American 19th century magicians and spiritualists, both brothers, claimed to have supernatural powers?

Answer: Ira and William Davenport

The Davenport Brothers popularized the Magic Cabinet. The device included mirrors and a false back in which a person could enter or exit the cabinet. Placing the mirrors was tricky since they had to be placed at just the right angles using geometric calculations. Magic cabinets are still used by magicians today.
9. David Devant, an early 20th century magician, performed a stage trick that was quite a crowd pleaser. The "Magic Kettle" trick produced alcoholic drinks for the pleasantly surprised audiences. At one venue, Devant ran into trouble. Why?

Answer: alcoholic drinks were prohibited

Born David Wighton in London, Devant was a master of illusion. The particular venue where Devant chose to perform his "Magic Kettle" trick didn't allow alcoholic drinks which, of course, was the whole point of the trick. Despite that setback, Devant became so popular that King George V invited him to perform for the Monarch.
10. Harry Houdini, the well-known magician and escape artist, once performed a magic trick that baffled audiences. David Copperfield performed the same stunt many decades later. What is the amazing illusion that, nowadays, has a not-so-magical explanation?

Answer: making an elephant disappear

When I watched David Copperfield perform the disappearing elephant trick, I was truly amazed until I really thought about it. There was no explanation other than the "helpers" were in on the trick.
Source: Author nmerr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor eburge before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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