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Quiz about Australian Alphabetics  again
Quiz about Australian Alphabetics  again

Australian Alphabetics - again Quiz


Inspired by an excellent Australian Alphabetics quiz already on the site, I would like to compliment that quiz with another one. I hope you find it enjoyable and informative.

A multiple-choice quiz by FussBudget. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
FussBudget
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
198,421
Updated
Jul 23 22
# Qns
25
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
16 / 25
Plays
8201
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: wycat (18/25), xchasbox (18/25), ptc123 (17/25).
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Question 1 of 25
1. A is for Adelaide, the Capital of South Australia. It is known throughout Australia as the "City Of _______"? Hint


Question 2 of 25
2. B is for Brisbane, the Capital of Queensland. B is also for Bridge. The Brisbane River has many bridges spanning it. Which of the following bridges had a runaway barge lodge against it during the devastating flood in 1974? Hint


Question 3 of 25
3. C is for Canberra, our nation's capital. The city's layout was designed by a fellow by the name of Walter Burley Griffin. What nationality was Walter? Hint


Question 4 of 25
4. D is for Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. In February 1942, what distinguished Darwin from the rest of Australia, so far as World War II was concerned? Hint


Question 5 of 25
5. E is for Explorers. Many explorers traversed the length and breadth of the country in the early years of European settlement, in search of fertile grazing lands, supposed inland seas, untold riches and the like. Usually, they found nothing but desert. If they were lucky, they didn't find death and starvation. Which explorer(s) are associated with the story of the "Dig" tree? Hint


Question 6 of 25
6. F is for Football. Four main codes of football are played in Australia. In which code would you find Melbourne Storm playing at National League level (or equivalent)? Hint


Question 7 of 25
7. G is for Gold. In the 1800s, there were several gold rushes in Australia. At which of the following gold locations did the famous armed Miner's rebellion known as the "Eureka Stockade" occur? Hint


Question 8 of 25
8. H is for Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. Every year on Boxing Day, a fleet of yachts leave Sydney Harbour bound for Hobart. What is this race called? Hint


Question 9 of 25
9. I is for Islands. Australia has a bunch of them. Which of the following islands is policed by State Police rather than Federal Police? Hint


Question 10 of 25
10. J is for Jingles (Advertising). Which of the following advertising jingles was adopted from an American advertising jingle? Hint


Question 11 of 25
11. K is for Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain. It was named after a Polish man, Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Which of the following statements about Tadeusz Kosciuszko is not true? Hint


Question 12 of 25
12. L is for Lamington. Which of the following answers has nothing to do with the word Lamington? Hint


Question 13 of 25
13. M is for Melbourne, the capital of Victoria. In October 1970, what tragedy occurred in the city? Hint


Question 14 of 25
14. N is for the Northern Territory. Which of the following statements about the Northern Territory is *not* true? Hint


Question 15 of 25
15. O is for Ockerisms. An ockerism can best be defined as a word or statement made by an Australian, which to someone unfamiliar to the term has little to no meaning until explained (and possibly then still no meaning!). Which of the following ockerisms does NOT mean to vomit? Hint


Question 16 of 25
16. P is for Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Summer in Perth is typified by strong sea breezes, affectionately known as what? Hint


Question 17 of 25
17. Q is for Qantas, Australia's national airline. It is typified by the red and white "Flying Kangaroo" insignia on the tail of each aircraft. Which type of jet has Qantas never had in its fleet? Hint


Question 18 of 25
18. R is for Reef. More specifically, the Great Barrier Reef. In the 1970s, what caused concern for the ongoing health of this reef? Hint


Question 19 of 25
19. S is for Sydney, the Capital of New South Wales. Its north and south shores are joined by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. By what affectionate nickname is the bridge known? Hint


Question 20 of 25
20. T is for the Tropic of Capricorn which passes through Australia, separating it into a temperate zone and a tropical zone. Which of these Australian places is located on the tropic? Hint


Question 21 of 25
21. U is for Uluru, a giant monolith in the middle of Australia. Located in the Northern Territory, Uluru was formerly known as _______ ? Hint


Question 22 of 25
22. V is for Van Diemen's Land, which is now known as Tasmania, which is Australia's island state. Which well known group have a song called "Van Diemen's Land"? Hint


Question 23 of 25
23. W is for Weird placenames. Which of these places does not exist in Australia? Hint


Question 24 of 25
24. Y is for Yothu Yindi, an indigenous Australian rock group. In the 1990s, they teamed up with which well known musician to record the beautiful song "Dots On The Shells"? Hint


Question 25 of 25
25. Z is for Zoos. Australia has many. Which zoo is located in Dubbo? Hint





Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : wycat: 18/25
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Mar 17 2024 : ptc123: 17/25
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Feb 23 2024 : callie_ross: 1/25
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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. A is for Adelaide, the Capital of South Australia. It is known throughout Australia as the "City Of _______"?

Answer: Churches

Adelaide is mainly flat and is the fifth largest city in Australia. It sometimes suffers from very dry and hot conditions due to winds blowing off the Nullabor Plain in Western Australia. Just to the east of Adelaide is the world-respected wine growing region of the Barossa Valley. Adelaide is also renowned for its annual Festival of Arts.
2. B is for Brisbane, the Capital of Queensland. B is also for Bridge. The Brisbane River has many bridges spanning it. Which of the following bridges had a runaway barge lodge against it during the devastating flood in 1974?

Answer: Centenary Bridge

The Centenary Bridge spans the Brisbane River at Jindalee, and provides one of two main links between Brisbane and the outer western suburbs, the city of Ipswich and beyond. During the flood, an ex-Royal Australian Navy barge, the "Koala", broke loose and rammed against the bridge. The structure of the bridge was assessed as being under threat, and the barge was subsequently dynamited.
3. C is for Canberra, our nation's capital. The city's layout was designed by a fellow by the name of Walter Burley Griffin. What nationality was Walter?

Answer: American

Yes, Walter was indeed an American. Why did Australia decide to put its capital in the middle of what was described as a "large sheep paddock" in the middle of rural New South Wales? Because Sydney and Melbourne couldn't stop bickering amongst themselves as to who was better and should therefore have been the capital.

The lake in the middle of Canberra was named after Burley Griffin. Presumably he was also paid for his efforts!
4. D is for Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. In February 1942, what distinguished Darwin from the rest of Australia, so far as World War II was concerned?

Answer: It was the first Australian mainland site to be bombed by the Japanese.

Darwin was the first part of the Australian mainland to be attacked by air. In total, the Japanese bombed Darwin 64 separate times. During the war other towns in northern Australia were attacked. Bombs were dropped on Broome, Derby, Katherine, Port Hedland, Townsville and Wyndham. General Macarthur was stationed in Brisbane, as a matter of interest.
5. E is for Explorers. Many explorers traversed the length and breadth of the country in the early years of European settlement, in search of fertile grazing lands, supposed inland seas, untold riches and the like. Usually, they found nothing but desert. If they were lucky, they didn't find death and starvation. Which explorer(s) are associated with the story of the "Dig" tree?

Answer: Burke and Wills

Burke and Wills were the first explorers to cross the continent from north to south, starting in 1860. They died on the return journey. They returned to the base camp at Cooper's Creek in April 1861, only to find that the man (Brahe) who had been awaiting their long overdue return had left only hours earlier, presumably assuming they had perished. Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson surveyed a route across the Blue Mountains, which lie to the west of Sydney, in 1813.

They survived. Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt was a Prussian explorer who, through what is generally considered more good fortune than good management, successfully made a return journey from Queensland to the Northern Territory in 1884.

His journey made possible the settlement of eastern and central Queensland. From his fame he easily financed a more adventurous scheme, to travel East to West. Malaria struck the whole party who were forced to return as they were not carrying any quinine.

In 1847 he set off from Queensland on another exploration and was never heard from again. Ironically, many of the rescue parties found good quality land in the north of the continent. Captain James Cook was an Englishman who charted the East coast of Australia on behalf of Britain in 1770.

He survived the return trip only to later be killed by Hawaiian natives in 1778.
6. F is for Football. Four main codes of football are played in Australia. In which code would you find Melbourne Storm playing at National League level (or equivalent)?

Answer: Rugby League

Although Melbourne is a stronghold of Australian Rules Football (AFL), the Melbourne Storm is the only Victorian-based team in the NRL (National Rugby League) competition. I mentioned equivalent in the question as in the case of Rugby Union, teams from Australia compete against teams from New Zealand and South Africa.
7. G is for Gold. In the 1800s, there were several gold rushes in Australia. At which of the following gold locations did the famous armed Miner's rebellion known as the "Eureka Stockade" occur?

Answer: Ballarat

The Eureka Stockade was a short revolt by gold miners against harassment by a corrupt Police force, who would repeatedly ask miners to show their digging licences many times a day. The miners disliked the cost of the licences and the jailing of their fellow diggers.

In Australian history, it is the only example of an armed rebellion leading to law reform and as such, Eureka is considered by some historians to be the country's birthplace of democracy. The Southern Cross flag continues to be used as a symbol of protest in Australia.
8. H is for Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. Every year on Boxing Day, a fleet of yachts leave Sydney Harbour bound for Hobart. What is this race called?

Answer: Sydney to Hobart yacht race

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race commenced in 1945. As the name suggests, yachts depart Sydney Harbour and sail down the East coast and across the treacherous waters of Bass Strait, eventually arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart. It is one of the most highly regarded offshore yacht races in the world and attracts many yachts from other countries. Largely dependant upon the weather conditions, the race may be won in less than two days, but has on occasion taken more than four days to complete.

In 1998, severe bad weather hit the fleet after it had departed Sydney. In all, six sailors died. 115 yachts started the race, but only 43 finished.
9. I is for Islands. Australia has a bunch of them. Which of the following islands is policed by State Police rather than Federal Police?

Answer: Stradbroke Island

Stradbroke Island is part of the State of Queensland, and is therefore policed by that State. Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island and Norfolk Island all have self-government, however, police services are provided by the A.F.P. (Australian Federal Police).
10. J is for Jingles (Advertising). Which of the following advertising jingles was adopted from an American advertising jingle?

Answer: Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars

Syllable for syllable! "Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars". "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet". Hmmm, look or sound familiar? That's because the General-Motors Holden adverts of 1974 were a direct rip-off of the Chevrolet adverts from America. "Slip, Slop, Slap" was a Government campaign commenced in the 1970s to warn against the perils of sun cancer.

The full jingle went "Slip Slop Slap, Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat, In the sun this summer say, Slip Slop Slap". "C'mon Aussie C'mon" is the jingle that was used when World Series Cricket invaded our screens in the late 70s and changed the cricket world forever.

It was re-recorded by Australian Idol runner-up, Shannon Noll. "Life! Be In It" was another Government campaign to raise the awareness of Australians regarding the benefits of regular exercise.

It didn't work with the author!
11. K is for Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain. It was named after a Polish man, Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Which of the following statements about Tadeusz Kosciuszko is not true?

Answer: He was the first man to climb Mt Kosciuszko, and named it after himself

The first man to climb Mt Kosciuszko was Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki, in 1840. He later wrote "Although in a foreign country, on foreign ground, I could not refrain from giving it the name Mount Kosciuszko". Kosciuszko was indeed George Washington's chief engineer during the War of Independence, and also contributed as a strategic advisor to the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

He also oversaw the construction of fortifications for the Continental Army. In 1783 he was granted U.S. citizenship, a pension and the rank of Brigadier General. Returning to Poland the following year, he led an uprising and a 1794 rebellion for Polish independence, but was hurt in battle, and jailed for two years.

He died in 1817. The United States showed it's appreciation for Kosciuszko by giving his name to towns in Mississippi and Texas, a county in Indiana, and an island in Alaska (sans the 'Z', a spelling also used in Australia). New York has a bridge bearing his name which is crowned with the emblems of both the U.S. and Poland. Ironically, although nearly every Australian could name their country's highest mountain, few would have any idea as to the origins of its name.
12. L is for Lamington. Which of the following answers has nothing to do with the word Lamington?

Answer: Former Test Cricket Captain

No player named Lamington is recorded as playing Test Cricket for any country, let alone Australia and being its captain. The Right Honourable Charles Wallace Alexander Napier Cochrane Baillie, Baron Lamington, GCMG, was Governor of Queensland from 9 April 1896 to 19 December 1901.

It is generally accepted that the Lamington, a chocolate icing and coconut covered sponge cake, usually made in the shape of a large cube, was named after the Baron or his wife. Lamington National Park (named after the same guy, not surprisingly!) is in Queensland, just inside the New South Wales border.

A place of exquisite beauty, the park is also the site of a piece of Australian heroism. In 1937, and against a backdrop of some of the most inaccessible rainforest in the country, Bernard O'Reilly used his bush skills to single-handedly search for and rescue the survivors of the Stinson plane crash.
13. M is for Melbourne, the capital of Victoria. In October 1970, what tragedy occurred in the city?

Answer: The Westgate Bridge collapsed

This remains Australia's worst industrial accident, in which 35 workmen were killed. Two spans of the bridge under construction, which was of a 'box girder' design, 2,000+ tons worth, fell 150 feet into the mud of the Yarra River. The subsequent Royal Commission found that "There can be no doubt that the particular action which precipitated the collapse of span 10-11 was the removal of a number of bolts from a transverse splice in the upper flange plating near to mid-span.

The bolts were removed in an attempt to straighten out a buckle which had occurred in one of the eight panels which constitute the upper flange.

The buckle in turn, had been caused by the application of kentledge in an attempt to overcome difficulties caused by errors in camber". Regrettably, there had been a similar accident in Milford Haven, Wales, only some months earlier.
14. N is for the Northern Territory. Which of the following statements about the Northern Territory is *not* true?

Answer: It is bordered by the Tasman Sea, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria

The Northern Territory is bordered by the TIMOR Sea, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Tasman Sea is a marginal sea of the South Pacific Ocean, situated between Australia and New Zealand. As for the other statements, they are all true!
15. O is for Ockerisms. An ockerism can best be defined as a word or statement made by an Australian, which to someone unfamiliar to the term has little to no meaning until explained (and possibly then still no meaning!). Which of the following ockerisms does NOT mean to vomit?

Answer: Have a slash

Isn't that nice? I shall withhold my comments regarding "Have a slash" except to say it means to go to the toilet to do number ones!
16. P is for Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Summer in Perth is typified by strong sea breezes, affectionately known as what?

Answer: The Fremantle Doctor

The Roaring Forties are credited with creating the favourable conditions that have made nearby Margaret River a world famous surfing location. Perth was named after the County of Perth in Scotland in 1829, by Captain James Stirling. It hosted the 1962 Commonwealth Games, the first time the games had been held in Australia.
17. Q is for Qantas, Australia's national airline. It is typified by the red and white "Flying Kangaroo" insignia on the tail of each aircraft. Which type of jet has Qantas never had in its fleet?

Answer: Boeing 727

The acronym Qantas stands for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Understandably, it probably is one of the most mis-spelled words in the english speaking world, as many people want to insert a 'U' into it! The Boeing 727 was a jet commonly used in Australia in the days when the country had a two airline internal system (two, believe it or not!) which was serviced by TAA (Trans-Australia Airlines) and Ansett Airlines. Both airlines had fleets made up of 727's and McDonnell-Douglas DC-9s. Of course, at the same time, Qantas existed, but was not allowed to fly Australian passengers between Australian cities.

It was only an overseas airline and as such, due to Australia's remoteness, it required long-haul aircraft such as the 707 and 747 (and later the 767 and the A-310 Airbus). Since the collapse of Ansett and changes to the aviation industry in this country (including TAA being taken over by Qantas) the airline is now able to fly internally. Of course, by time these changes occurred, the 727 had long since been superseded in terms of it's usefulness and efficiency, and therefore withdrawn from service.
18. R is for Reef. More specifically, the Great Barrier Reef. In the 1970s, what caused concern for the ongoing health of this reef?

Answer: The Crown of Thorns Starfish

The Crown of Thorns Starfish feeds on living coral tissue. Its name is derived from the covering of sharp spines on its upper surface. In the 1970s, the starfish reached a density at which it was eating corals faster than the coral could grow and reproduce. No oil rigs have been constructed on the reef (or can be, as in 1981 the reef was inscripted as a World Heritage site).

The SS Cherry Venture was a freighter that beached on Double Island Point, many kilometres south of the reef, and has never posed a danger. Scuba divers, to date, have not been a significant issue.
19. S is for Sydney, the Capital of New South Wales. Its north and south shores are joined by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. By what affectionate nickname is the bridge known?

Answer: The Coathanger

So called the Coathanger because of its shape, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932. It was as much a symbol of 'having made it' to immigrants arriving in Australia as the Statue of Liberty was to those who arrived in America. It is the world's largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge.

A fact well known to middle-aged and older Australians is that Paul Hogan worked as a rigger on the bridge prior to abandoning the job in favour of his television (and later, movie) career.
20. T is for the Tropic of Capricorn which passes through Australia, separating it into a temperate zone and a tropical zone. Which of these Australian places is located on the tropic?

Answer: Rockhampton

Rockhampton is located in Central Queensland on the Fitzroy River. The city markets itself as the Beef Capital of Australia. Rockingham is located in Western Australia, Rockdale in Victoria and Rocklea is a suburb of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland.
21. U is for Uluru, a giant monolith in the middle of Australia. Located in the Northern Territory, Uluru was formerly known as _______ ?

Answer: Ayers Rock

Named Ayers Rock in 1873, and renamed Uluru in 1977, the rock and surrounding land was returned to the Aboriginal people in 1985. Orange in colour by day, Uluru is comprised of arkosic sandstone, which has the appearance at sunset of changing from red to purple.

In 1987 Uluru and the surrounding Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was given world heritage listing. The area is the setting for the mystery that surrounds the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain in August 1980. The mystery is the subject of a number of films, including "Evil Angels" starring Meryl Streep.
22. V is for Van Diemen's Land, which is now known as Tasmania, which is Australia's island state. Which well known group have a song called "Van Diemen's Land"?

Answer: U2

The song is the second track on the U2 album "Rattle And Hum". It is a poetic rendition of the difficulties faced by convicts as regards the British penal system. Van Diemen's Land was named after Anthony van Diemen, of the Dutch East India Company, the man responsible for sending Abel Tasman on his voyage of discovery in 1642. Van Diemen's Land was later renamed in honour of Tasman himself.
23. W is for Weird placenames. Which of these places does not exist in Australia?

Answer: Wahoo

Wahoo does not occur in Australia, but is found in 8 different states in the U.S.! Woolloomoolloo is a suburb of Sydney, as is Woolloongabba a suburb of Brisbane (anyone reading this who follows Test Cricket would recognise it straight away). Wonglepong is small town near the Queensland/New South Wales border.
24. Y is for Yothu Yindi, an indigenous Australian rock group. In the 1990s, they teamed up with which well known musician to record the beautiful song "Dots On The Shells"?

Answer: Neil Finn

Neil Finn was a member of Split Enz, and after their breakup he went onto form Crowded House. Yothu Yindi had a few hits, the largest of which were "Djapana" and "Treaty". Tim Finn, a founder member of Split Enz, is Neil's brother. Iva Davies is the lead singer of Icehouse. Glenn Shorrock was the lead singer of the Little River Band.
25. Z is for Zoos. Australia has many. Which zoo is located in Dubbo?

Answer: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Dubbo is located in central western New South Wales on the Newell Highway. Taronga Park Zoo is located in Sydney. Alma Park Zoo is located just to the north of Brisbane, and slightly further north in Queensland is Australia Zoo, best known for being owned and run by the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
Source: Author FussBudget

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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