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The World of George Smiley Trivia Quiz

I love the novels 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' and 'Smiley's People' by John Le Carre. This quiz is about the characters and background to the stories, it does not give away the plot. So if you have not read them yet, now's your chance.

A multiple-choice quiz by bridget3. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
bridget3

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
46,384

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
490

Last 3 plays: Guest 86 (10/10), Guest 94 (7/10), Guest 47 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. George Smiley works for British Intelligence based at 'the Circus'. Where is 'the Circus'? Hint

Admiralty Arch

Oxford Circus

Cambridge Circus

Piccadilly Circus

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is George's wife called? Hint

Ann

Marion

Carol

Judy

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following is NOT one of George's aliases or worknames? Hint

Max

Mr Barraclough

J. Standfast

Hector

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the workname of Smiley's great enemy, the director of Moscow Centre?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 5 of 10

5. Where does Smiley live? Hint

Paddington

Oxford

Chelsea

Ascot

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Question 6 of 10

6. Toby Esterhase runs the section who carry out observations, organise equipment and run courier jobs: what is the section called? Hint

Inquisitors

Scalphunters

Lamplighters

Wranglers

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who are the Cousins? Hint

US intelligence

NATO

French intelligence

British Army

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who is George's closest female colleague? Hint

Connie Sachs

Molly Purcell

Diana Dolphin

Millie McCraig

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the workname of George's boss at the Circus? Hint

Control

The General

Gerald

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these places is NOT a key location in 'Tinker, Tailor'? Hint

London

Berne

Oxford

Paris

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 20 2024 : Guest 86: 10/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 94: 7/10
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 47: 9/10
Feb 26 2024 : Peachie13: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. George Smiley works for British Intelligence based at 'the Circus'. Where is 'the Circus'?

Answer: Cambridge Circus

The HQ was at Cambridge Circus, at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End, central London.

2. What is George's wife called?

Answer: Ann

Lady Ann Sercomb, daughter of a decaying Cornish noble family, who met George when his boss' secretary, and flits in and out of George's life.

3. Which of the following is NOT one of George's aliases or worknames?

Answer: Hector

Max was Smiley's main {workname;} Hector was the workname of his side-kick, Toby Esterhase. Smiley travelled under the names Standfast and {Barraclough;} he also uses the names Leber and Lorrimer at different times.

4. What is the workname of Smiley's great enemy, the director of Moscow Centre?

Answer: Karla

Karla is described as Smiley's 'black grail', or his Moriarty. Karla also appears under the name 'Gerstmann' in his early days as a spy in India.

5. Where does Smiley live?

Answer: Chelsea

He studied in Oxford but now lives in Bywater Street, Chelsea, West London. Other characters in the novels, Oliver Lacon and Vladimir Miller, live in Ascot and Paddington respectively.

6. Toby Esterhase runs the section who carry out observations, organise equipment and run courier jobs: what is the section called?

Answer: Lamplighters

The Lamplighters, based at Acton, are the organisers. Scalphunters, based at Brixton, are the heavies. The Wranglers are the radio experts and code breakers. The Inquisitors train agents and question defectors.

7. Who are the Cousins?

Answer: US intelligence

The Cousins is the nickname given to the CIA.

8. Who is George's closest female colleague?

Answer: Connie Sachs

Connie is former Head of Research at the Circus, an eccentric with an expert knowledge of soviet spys, nicknamed 'Mother Russia'. Diana Dolphin and Molly Purcell are senior administrators at the Circus, Millie McCraig is housekeeper of a safe house used by the service.

9. What is the workname of George's boss at the Circus?

Answer: Control

He is known throughout the books as Control, his real name is never revealed. The General is Vladimir Miller's title in 'Smiley's People'. Gerald is the codename for the mole in 'Tinker, Tailor'. M is a character in James Bond stories.

10. Which of these places is NOT a key location in 'Tinker, Tailor'?

Answer: Berne

Hamburg, Berne and Berlin are all important in 'Smiley's People'. London, Paris and Oxford feature in both novels.

Source: Author bridget3

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