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Quiz about The Bizarre World of John Irving

The Bizarre World of John Irving Quiz

A quiz for true John Irving fans. It's a grab-bag of questions focusing on most of his major works. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by Joser01. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Joser01

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
173,534

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
698

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In Irving's first novel, "Setting Free the Bears," what food does Siggy enjoy eating in the Rathaus Park while writing his poetry? Hint

Radishes

An Apple

Carrot Sticks

Slices of Watermelon

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Question 2 of 10

2. In "The Hotel New Hampshire" (my personal fave), one of the terrorists' names is "Schraubenschlussel." What does this mean in English? Hint

Pastry

Wrench

Leader

Sprocket

3. In "The Cider House Rules", Dr. Wilbur Larch's decision to not only deliver unwanted babies but also to perform abortions was influenced by his visit to "Mrs. Claus'" clinic off of Harrison St.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the last name of an attractive elderly woman in "The Fourth Hand" that is also the partial name of a hotel in "The Hotel New Hampshire"? Hint

O'Hare

Wheelwright

Arbuthnot

Clausen

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which novel by John Irving features a cast of main characters tangled up in a vicious 'menage a quatre' (foursome)? Hint

The Fourth Hand

A Son of the Circus

The 158-Pound Marriage

The World According to Garp

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Question 6 of 10

6. The uniform of which employment is popularized when feminist Jenny Fields wears it in "The World According to Garp"? Hint

Stewardess's Dress

Police Uniform

Doctor's Scrubs

Nurse's Dress

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Question 7 of 10

7. Ruth Cole was fond of playing what sport in "A Widow for One Year"? Hint

Squash

Tennis

Badminton

Cricket

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which Canadian city is one of the minor settings in a few of Irving's novels? Hint

Halifax

Vancouver

Toronto

Montreal

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which Irving novel features characters with bizarre names such as: Bogus, Biggie, Tulpen, and Couth? Hint

A Prayer for Owen Meany

My Movie Business

The Water-Method Man

Trying to Save Piggy Sneed

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Question 10 of 10

10. What sport is often a key component in the plots of several of Irving's novels? Hint

Wrestling

Baseball

Squash

Tennis

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In Irving's first novel, "Setting Free the Bears," what food does Siggy enjoy eating in the Rathaus Park while writing his poetry?

Answer: Radishes

Every day at noon, he would bring the radishes in a brown paper bag upon which he would scribble whatever thoughts came to him.

2. In "The Hotel New Hampshire" (my personal fave), one of the terrorists' names is "Schraubenschlussel." What does this mean in English?

Answer: Wrench

"Wrench" plants the bomb in the ill-fated car that is meant to blow up the Austrian opera house, until Freud selflessly sacrifices his own life to cause the explosion before the car reaches the opera, thus saving hundreds of lives.

Answer: True

Larch did, in fact, make his decision to perform both "the work of God and the work of the Devil" after seeing the unsanitary methods employed by "Mrs. Claus".

4. What is the last name of an attractive elderly woman in "The Fourth Hand" that is also the partial name of a hotel in "The Hotel New Hampshire"?

Answer: Arbuthnot

Patrick Wallingford shares a steamy evening with the greying Mrs. Arbuthnot, and the parents of the Berry clan fall in love at a hotel named "The Arbuthnot-By-The-Sea" during their teenage summer job placement.

5. Which novel by John Irving features a cast of main characters tangled up in a vicious 'menage a quatre' (foursome)?

Answer: The 158-Pound Marriage

This is Mr. Irving's shortest novel.

6. The uniform of which employment is popularized when feminist Jenny Fields wears it in "The World According to Garp"?

Answer: Nurse's Dress

Jenny Fields is the title character's mother whose profession as a nurse is the cause of and/or is central to many of the novel's events.

7. Ruth Cole was fond of playing what sport in "A Widow for One Year"?

Answer: Squash

Ruth Cole, it seems, is the one female character in all of his works to whom Irving devotes much focus and character development. She, like he, is an author.

8. Which Canadian city is one of the minor settings in a few of Irving's novels?

Answer: Toronto

Toronto is made reference to in works such as "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and "The Fourth Hand".

9. Which Irving novel features characters with bizarre names such as: Bogus, Biggie, Tulpen, and Couth?

Answer: The Water-Method Man

"The Water-Method Man" was written in 1972, Irving's second novel after his success with "Setting Free the Bears".

10. What sport is often a key component in the plots of several of Irving's novels?

Answer: Wrestling

John Irving was also a wrestler during his days in high school and university.

Source: Author Joser01

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