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Quiz about Life of Oscar Wilde
Quiz about Life of Oscar Wilde

Life of Oscar Wilde Trivia Quiz


A fairly difficult quiz on the life and times of one the world's foremost playwrights.

A multiple-choice quiz by kristian88. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
kristian88
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
114,773
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
790
Last 3 plays: Guest 92 (10/10), heidi66 (9/10), marianjoy (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Oscar Wilde, one of the foremost playwrights, novelists, poets and wits of the 19th century, was born in 1854. Which of these was NOT one of Wilde's given Christian names? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Born into a wealthy family, with a society hostess as a mother, in which Irish city was he brought into the world? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. His father was very celebrated and brilliant at his profession, often being called upon by high society, of which he was a member. What was his profession? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. After attending Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford, he went on to edit a popular magazine of the day. What was the name of this magazine? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Although celebrated as one of the most brilliant and flamboyant playwrights of his day, he fell from grace and declared bankruptcy after losing a libel case against the Marquess of Queensberry. He himself was then arrested, tried and jailed for what offence? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which language was Wilde fluent in other than English? (Hint: It's the national language of a country he would later end up living in.) Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In 1882 on a trip to the United States he was asked by a New York customs officer, 'Anything to declare?' What was his reply? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. A few years after being released from prison and then going into exile, Wilde died a broken man. From what did Wilde officially die? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. How old was he when he died? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Wilde wrote few plays and poems, one such poem that he wrote one on his release from Reading jail was entitled 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'. Under what pseudonym did he write this piece? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 92: 10/10
Mar 08 2024 : heidi66: 9/10
Feb 10 2024 : marianjoy: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Oscar Wilde, one of the foremost playwrights, novelists, poets and wits of the 19th century, was born in 1854. Which of these was NOT one of Wilde's given Christian names?

Answer: Seamus

He was born Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde and if that's not as Irish a name as you can get then I don't know what is.
2. Born into a wealthy family, with a society hostess as a mother, in which Irish city was he brought into the world?

Answer: Dublin

Born at 21 Westland Row in the Irish capital, he was the second child in the family. His elder brother William Wilde was an esteemed Fleet Street journalist.
3. His father was very celebrated and brilliant at his profession, often being called upon by high society, of which he was a member. What was his profession?

Answer: Surgeon

His father was later given a knighthood, becoming Sir William Wilde.
4. After attending Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford, he went on to edit a popular magazine of the day. What was the name of this magazine?

Answer: Woman's World

Bizarrely enough, he did indeed edit a woman's magazine. Maybe he had a better perception of a woman's point of view than most men.
5. Although celebrated as one of the most brilliant and flamboyant playwrights of his day, he fell from grace and declared bankruptcy after losing a libel case against the Marquess of Queensberry. He himself was then arrested, tried and jailed for what offence?

Answer: Homosexual activities

He was sentenced to 2 years with hard labour in Wandsworth and Reading jails. The prosecutor in the case was his former student friend, Sir Edward Carson, who later became Attorney-General.
6. Which language was Wilde fluent in other than English? (Hint: It's the national language of a country he would later end up living in.)

Answer: French

He went to live in exile after being released from prison. His brother died the following year and this broke his spirit completely, leaving him a drug-addicted, half-insane man. As well as the French he learned at home, Wilde became fluent in German thanks to his German governess.
7. In 1882 on a trip to the United States he was asked by a New York customs officer, 'Anything to declare?' What was his reply?

Answer: Nothing but my genius

His debonair attitude and self-confidence were unrivalled. He held himself in much high-esteem and would relish telling people he met how famous and intelligent he was.
8. A few years after being released from prison and then going into exile, Wilde died a broken man. From what did Wilde officially die?

Answer: Meningitis

He died from cerebral meningitis, to be exact, after an ear infection.
He died in the Hotel D'Alsace in Paris, aged 46.
9. How old was he when he died?

Answer: 46

On the 30th of November 1900 in Paris. A sorry end to a great writer's life.
10. Wilde wrote few plays and poems, one such poem that he wrote one on his release from Reading jail was entitled 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'. Under what pseudonym did he write this piece?

Answer: C3.3

The pseudonym related to his prison number whilst jailed in Reading. His other most famous works included 'Lady Windermere's Fan', 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.
Source: Author kristian88

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