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Quiz about The Sticky History of Chewing Gum

The Sticky History of Chewing Gum Quiz

Willy Wonka may have disdained gum, yet it is probably the oldest candy going. How's your chewing gum history knowledge?

A multiple-choice quiz by 57wordsmith. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
57wordsmith

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
215,975

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
771

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The first commercial chewing gum was classified as a confectionery, and it's main purpose was which of the following? Hint

clean teeth

alleviate hunger

freshen the breath

to be chewed and not swallowed

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which main ingredient was traditionally used in making gum? Hint

chicle

resin

paraffin

beeswax

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who is thought to have been among the first people to chew gum? Hint

Romans

Ancient Greeks

Chinese

Mongolians

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Question 4 of 10

4. New England settlers developed a gum using which of these ingredients? Hint

pine

spruce

birch

willow

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Question 5 of 10

5. Commericialized modern chewing gum came out during what time period? Hint

1860s

1920s

1880s

1930s

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Question 6 of 10

6. William Semple is known for what important contribution to chewing gum history? Hint

added gum to baseball cards

he invented bubble gum

he filed for the first chewing gum patent

he came up with tutti-frutti as a flavor

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Question 7 of 10

7. What health benefits does gum have? Hint

freshens breath

cleans teeth

both of these

none at all

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Question 8 of 10

8. If gum is swallowed it could take seven years to digest.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. What gum flavor was used to hide the smell of liquor consumed during the 1920's Prohibition? Hint

orange

tutti-frutti

mint

clove

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Question 10 of 10

10. What country actually banned the sale of gum in 1992? Hint

Russia

New Zealand

India

Singapore

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first commercial chewing gum was classified as a confectionery, and it's main purpose was which of the following?

Answer: to be chewed and not swallowed

It's true. Chewing gum was originally created to be a candy that was to be chewed and not swallowed like other confectionery treats. Even though gum had been chewed by different cultures for different reasons for thousands of years, commercial gum was a new candy sensation.

2. Which main ingredient was traditionally used in making gum?

Answer: chicle

Chicle is the gum from the manikara chicle, a tropical evergreen tree found in both North America and South America. Paraffin, resin, and beeswax all at one time had been ingredients in gum but chicle proved the best.

3. Who is thought to have been among the first people to chew gum?

Answer: Ancient Greeks

The Greeks chewed a gum made from the bark of the mastic tree. Eastern Indians as well as American Indians also chewed gum derived from plants.

4. New England settlers developed a gum using which of these ingredients?

Answer: spruce

Spruce was the popular flavor back then. In fact, John Curtis marketed a gum in 1848 called State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum.

5. Commericialized modern chewing gum came out during what time period?

Answer: 1860s

In the 1860s chicle began being imported from Mexico, which made it possible to mass produce chewing gum, and the confection began its popular claim to highest ranking sold candy fame.

6. William Semple is known for what important contribution to chewing gum history?

Answer: he filed for the first chewing gum patent

While a variety of chewing gums were developed, and some sold, it was Semple who took out the patent in 1869. In 1871 Thomas Adams patented the gumball machine.

7. What health benefits does gum have?

Answer: both of these

The gum helps remove food particles from teeth and even though there is sugar in the gum it dissolves quickly (please no dentist disputes, I'm just writing what's been said). And of course, gum does disguise bad breath, at least superficially.

8. If gum is swallowed it could take seven years to digest.

Answer: False

This is one of those diehard old wive's tales. Gum does not digest like food so the body will eliminate it in its original form (I'll just trust this fact and not investigate). Although, it is probably not wise to think swallowing gum is okay as there is there very slim risk it could get lodged in your body.

9. What gum flavor was used to hide the smell of liquor consumed during the 1920's Prohibition?

Answer: clove

If one was caught imbibing it could prove more than just a social blunder, so clove gum was invented to hide that alcohol-tainted breath many twenties folks tended to have.

10. What country actually banned the sale of gum in 1992?

Answer: Singapore

It's true. Singapore was having maintenance and vandalism problems with gum, which, though not extreme, was still creating havoc. So in 1992, the sale and import of gum went into effect. Gum is not illegal to chew in Singapore, a person just can't buy it, or bring large amounts into the country.

However, the Wrigley's company was hoping to negotiate a lift in the ban under the guise that gum has health benefits.

Source: Author 57wordsmith

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