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Quiz about Classic Contemporary Novels
Quiz about Classic Contemporary Novels

Classic Contemporary Novels Trivia Quiz


This quiz tests your familiarity with some classic 20th century works of science fiction, fantasy and alternative reality fiction.

A multiple-choice quiz by Akhnaten. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
Akhnaten
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
14,152
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
25
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
16 / 25
Plays
9458
Awards
Editor's Choice
Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (24/25), DeepHistory (16/25), Melodia19 (23/25).
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Question 1 of 25
1. What is the title of the 1949 George Orwell novel which told of life in a totalitarian state dominated by 'Big Brother', 'Newspeak', and the 'Two Minute Hate'? Hint


Question 2 of 25
2. What is the title of the 1932 Aldous Huxley novel in which the psychedelic drug 'soma' is used to pacify the citizens and people are divided into the castes Alpha through Epsilon based on their genetic make-up? Hint


Question 3 of 25
3. What is the title of the 1962 Anthony Burgess novel in which a Beethoven-loving juvenile delinquent convicted of murder is programmed to find both violence and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony physically repulsive? Hint


Question 4 of 25
4. In a 1969 Ursula LeGuin novel an ethnologist visits a planet with a usually neuter population. Individuals randomly become either male or female at the peak of a periodic sexual cycle. What is the title of this Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel? Hint


Question 5 of 25
5. In 1965 Frank Herbert wrote a novel set on the desert planet of Arrakis inhabited by giant sandworms. What is the title of this novel which was made into a much maligned film by David Lynch? Hint


Question 6 of 25
6. What is the title of the 1966 Isaac Asimov novel in which a medical team is placed in a submarine, miniaturized, and injected into the body of a patient? Hint


Question 7 of 25
7. What is the title of a 1968 John Brunner novel about overpopulation? Hint


Question 8 of 25
8. In 1973 J.G. Ballard wrote a novel about a subculture of people who become sexually aroused by automobile accidents and recreate car crashes involving celebrities. What is the title of this novel which was made into a movie starring James Spader and directed by David Cronenberg? Hint


Question 9 of 25
9. What is the name of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy trilogy featuring Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, and Gandalf? Hint


Question 10 of 25
10. What is the title of the 1951 Ray Bradbury novel about a fireman whose job is to burn books? Hint


Question 11 of 25
11. What is the title of the 1961 Robert Heinlein novel in which Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised on Mars, returns to Earth armed with special powers and teaches people the meaning of 'grok'? Hint


Question 12 of 25
12. What is the title of the 1962 Philip K. Dick alternative history novel about life in California after a version of World War II in which the Axis powers of Germany, Japan, and Italy were victorious? Hint


Question 13 of 25
13. What is the title of the 1967 Roger Zelazny novel about humans on a colony planet who used the indigenous technology to give themselves the immortality and other god-like qualities of the gods of Hinduism? Hint


Question 14 of 25
14. What is the title of the 1966 Daniel Keyes novel about a retarded man who underwent an experimental treatment in which he was temporarily transformed into a genius? Hint


Question 15 of 25
15. What is the title of the 1959 Pat Frank novel about a small Florida town which survived a nuclear war? Hint


Question 16 of 25
16. What is the title of the 1969 Michael Moorcock novel about a twentieth century time traveller who goes to ancient Palestine looking for Jesus Christ and is mistaken for the Messiah himself? Hint


Question 17 of 25
17. In 1966 Philip K. Dick wrote a novel about a near future Los Angeles in which a detective tracks down androids known as replicants. What is the title of this book which was the basis for a movie directed by Ridley Scott starring Harrison Ford? Hint


Question 18 of 25
18. What is the title of the 1966 Harry Harrison novel about overpopulation which was the basis for the 1973 film 'Soylent Green' starring Charlton Heston? Hint


Question 19 of 25
19. What is the title of the 1960 Walter M. Miller novel set in the Dark Ages 600 years after a 20th century nuclear holocaust in which the Order of Leibowitz is trying to preserve mankind's knowledge? Hint


Question 20 of 25
20. What is the title of the 1953 Arthur C. Clarke novel in which extraterrestrial 'Overlords' invade and conquer the Earth? Hint


Question 21 of 25
21. What is the title of the 1969 Norman Spinrad novel in which a former Berkeley radical became a brash television talk show host? Hint


Question 22 of 25
22. What is the title of the 1984 William Gibson cyberpunk novel set in a world of global computer networks and virtual reality? Hint


Question 23 of 25
23. What is the title of the 1969 Kurt Vonnegut novel which tells the story of Billy Pilgrim who survived the bombing of Dresden? Hint


Question 24 of 25
24. What is the title of the 1976 Kingsley Amis alternative history novel set in modern Europe about a boy singer facing surgery to preserve his soprano voice? Hint


Question 25 of 25
25. What is the title of the 1980 Gregory Benford novel about an attempt to change history through the transmission of tachyonic messages through time? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 24: 24/25
Mar 25 2024 : DeepHistory: 16/25
Mar 24 2024 : Melodia19: 23/25
Mar 24 2024 : ellesariu: 9/25
Mar 24 2024 : heidi66: 12/25
Mar 23 2024 : kstyle53: 25/25
Mar 22 2024 : Steelflower75: 20/25
Mar 19 2024 : Nala2: 14/25
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 71: 18/25

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What is the title of the 1949 George Orwell novel which told of life in a totalitarian state dominated by 'Big Brother', 'Newspeak', and the 'Two Minute Hate'?

Answer: 1984

George Orwell's "1984" was mostly written during 1948 and was first published in 1949. George Orwell also wrote 'Animal Farm' which was a parable about Communism.
2. What is the title of the 1932 Aldous Huxley novel in which the psychedelic drug 'soma' is used to pacify the citizens and people are divided into the castes Alpha through Epsilon based on their genetic make-up?

Answer: Brave New World

Although Aldous Huxley was not primarily a writer of science fiction, 'Brave New World' is probably his best known work.
3. What is the title of the 1962 Anthony Burgess novel in which a Beethoven-loving juvenile delinquent convicted of murder is programmed to find both violence and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony physically repulsive?

Answer: A Clockwork Orange

'A Clockwork Orange' was made into an outstanding film in 1971 by Stanley Kubrick starring Malcolm McDowell. The film was re-released in theatres in London in the spring of 2000.
4. In a 1969 Ursula LeGuin novel an ethnologist visits a planet with a usually neuter population. Individuals randomly become either male or female at the peak of a periodic sexual cycle. What is the title of this Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel?

Answer: The Left Hand of Darkness

We're still waiting for the movie version of 'The Left Hand Of Darkness'. 'Glen or Glenda' was a movie by the schlockmeister himself, Ed Wood, who is best known as the director of 'Plan 9 From Outer Space'.
5. In 1965 Frank Herbert wrote a novel set on the desert planet of Arrakis inhabited by giant sandworms. What is the title of this novel which was made into a much maligned film by David Lynch?

Answer: Dune

'Dune' won the Hugo award for best science fiction novel in 1966. 'Dune', the motion picture, did not win anyone's best picture award.
6. What is the title of the 1966 Isaac Asimov novel in which a medical team is placed in a submarine, miniaturized, and injected into the body of a patient?

Answer: Fantastic Voyage

'Fantastic Voyage' was actually a novelization of the film starring Raquel Welch.
7. What is the title of a 1968 John Brunner novel about overpopulation?

Answer: Stand On Zanzibar

8. In 1973 J.G. Ballard wrote a novel about a subculture of people who become sexually aroused by automobile accidents and recreate car crashes involving celebrities. What is the title of this novel which was made into a movie starring James Spader and directed by David Cronenberg?

Answer: Crash

The theatrical release of 'Crash' was given an NC-17 rating.
9. What is the name of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy trilogy featuring Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, and Gandalf?

Answer: The Lord of the Rings

Those of you who were alive in the sixties may remember the slogan 'Frodo Lives'.
10. What is the title of the 1951 Ray Bradbury novel about a fireman whose job is to burn books?

Answer: Fahrenheit 451

11. What is the title of the 1961 Robert Heinlein novel in which Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised on Mars, returns to Earth armed with special powers and teaches people the meaning of 'grok'?

Answer: Stranger in a Strange Land

'The Stranger' was written by Albert Camus, an existentialist who did not write science fiction.
12. What is the title of the 1962 Philip K. Dick alternative history novel about life in California after a version of World War II in which the Axis powers of Germany, Japan, and Italy were victorious?

Answer: The Man in the High Castle

13. What is the title of the 1967 Roger Zelazny novel about humans on a colony planet who used the indigenous technology to give themselves the immortality and other god-like qualities of the gods of Hinduism?

Answer: Lord of Light

14. What is the title of the 1966 Daniel Keyes novel about a retarded man who underwent an experimental treatment in which he was temporarily transformed into a genius?

Answer: Flowers for Algernon

Cliff Robertson starred in a film, based on the book, that was called 'Charly'.
15. What is the title of the 1959 Pat Frank novel about a small Florida town which survived a nuclear war?

Answer: Alas, Babylon

16. What is the title of the 1969 Michael Moorcock novel about a twentieth century time traveller who goes to ancient Palestine looking for Jesus Christ and is mistaken for the Messiah himself?

Answer: Behold the Man

17. In 1966 Philip K. Dick wrote a novel about a near future Los Angeles in which a detective tracks down androids known as replicants. What is the title of this book which was the basis for a movie directed by Ridley Scott starring Harrison Ford?

Answer: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Although the movie was called 'Blade Runner', the book on which it was based had the cumbersome title of 'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep'.
18. What is the title of the 1966 Harry Harrison novel about overpopulation which was the basis for the 1973 film 'Soylent Green' starring Charlton Heston?

Answer: Make Room! Make Room!

'Make Room! Make Room!' was the title of the book on which the movie 'Soylent Green' was loosely based. The movie is best known for the classic line by Charleton Heston, 'Soylent Green is People'!
19. What is the title of the 1960 Walter M. Miller novel set in the Dark Ages 600 years after a 20th century nuclear holocaust in which the Order of Leibowitz is trying to preserve mankind's knowledge?

Answer: A Canticle for Leibowitz

No movie plans are in the works for 'A Canticle For Leibowitz'. No exploding space ships, whimsical aliens, or menacing monsters.
20. What is the title of the 1953 Arthur C. Clarke novel in which extraterrestrial 'Overlords' invade and conquer the Earth?

Answer: Childhood's End

21. What is the title of the 1969 Norman Spinrad novel in which a former Berkeley radical became a brash television talk show host?

Answer: Bug Jack Barron

'Bug Jack Barron' is a foreshadowing of 'Geraldo Rivera' and 'Jerry Springer' written in a time when television news was journalism.
22. What is the title of the 1984 William Gibson cyberpunk novel set in a world of global computer networks and virtual reality?

Answer: Neuromancer

'Necromancer' was written by Gordon Dickson in 1962 and the title of Gibson's book is most likely a modification of the title of that classic work.
23. What is the title of the 1969 Kurt Vonnegut novel which tells the story of Billy Pilgrim who survived the bombing of Dresden?

Answer: Slaughterhouse-Five

24. What is the title of the 1976 Kingsley Amis alternative history novel set in modern Europe about a boy singer facing surgery to preserve his soprano voice?

Answer: The Alteration

25. What is the title of the 1980 Gregory Benford novel about an attempt to change history through the transmission of tachyonic messages through time?

Answer: Timescape

Source: Author Akhnaten

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