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Incredible Corn Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz about corn. Everything from its history to its impact on societies worldwide, including corn's use in art and technology. For me a fresh ear of sweet corn (or two) is one of the best things about summer.

A multiple-choice quiz by ncterp. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
ncterp

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
421,015

Updated
Oct 06 25

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
39

Last 3 plays: barchester (4/10), xchasbox (7/10), Upstart3 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The corn we know today had its origins in southern Mexico and Central America. What was it known as? Hint

Oryza

Solanum

Manihot

Teosinte

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Question 2 of 10

2. When corn was introduced to Europe its use spread quickly. What was one main reason? Hint

required less irrigation

ability to grow in poor soil

less labor intensive compared to wheat or barley

inexpensive to grow

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of these 'corn words' is defined as being homespun or folksy? Hint

cornetist

cornpone

cornicle

corny

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Question 4 of 10

4. Pinole is a sweet Mexican drink. Pozole is a classic Mexican soup. What type of corn is used to create these? Hint

flour corn

dent corn

sweet corn

flint corn

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Question 5 of 10

5. Dent corn is the most widely grown type of corn in the world.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who created a painting in 1961 entitled "Dr. Scholl's Corns"? Hint

Andy Warhol

Roy Lichtenstein

David Hockney

Claes Oldenburg

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Question 7 of 10

7. What U.S.A. product must be at least 51% corn by law? Hint

adhesive

detergent

bourbon

deodorant

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is an ornamental container shaped like as goat's horn? Hint

corneum

cornemuse

cornopean

cornucopia

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the name of the process by which corn is turned into a paste and used to make tortillas, tamales and other foods with a corn base? Hint

emulsification

maceration

fermentation

nixtamalization

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Question 10 of 10

10. A variety of corn that is famously known as choclo is from which South American country? Hint

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Bolivia

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The corn we know today had its origins in southern Mexico and Central America. What was it known as?

Answer: Teosinte

Teosinte was a wild grass native to Mesoamerica. The name comes from a word meaning "grass of the gods". It had small ears and an especially tough outer cover. Indigenous farmers, through generations of selective breeding gradually transformed Teosinte into the corn we have today.

2. When corn was introduced to Europe its use spread quickly. What was one main reason?

Answer: ability to grow in poor soil

Corn's high productivity and ability to grow in less fertile soils provided European farmers with a reliable source of food and feed for livestock. The introduction of corn helped stave off food shortages in many countries.

3. Which of these 'corn words' is defined as being homespun or folksy?

Answer: cornpone

Cornpone, in addition to its adverbial definition, as a noun it means cornbread made without milk or eggs. It is cornbread usually made with water and is often just called "pone".

4. Pinole is a sweet Mexican drink. Pozole is a classic Mexican soup. What type of corn is used to create these?

Answer: flour corn

Pinole and pozole are made with flour cornmeal, which is also used to make tortillas or tamales. Flour corn was one of the main types grown by Native Americans.

5. Dent corn is the most widely grown type of corn in the world.

Answer: True

True. Dent corn is also known as field corn. While it most often gets turned into animal feed, it also is consumed by humans. Cornbread, tortilla chips and taco shells are made with dent corn.

6. Who created a painting in 1961 entitled "Dr. Scholl's Corns"?

Answer: Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was the quintessential nonconformist whose paintings mocked consumerism in the age of consumerism. This piece hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

7. What U.S.A. product must be at least 51% corn by law?

Answer: bourbon

Corn gives bourbon its sweetness. Bourbon is quintessentially American, yet it is named after a Royal French dynasty, the House of Bourbon. Bourbon's etymology is murky.

8. What is an ornamental container shaped like as goat's horn?

Answer: cornucopia

A cornucopia is usually a goat's horn that is overflowing with fruits and vegetables. It comes from the Latin word "cornu copiae" which means "Horn of plenty". In Greek mythology a cornucopia was used to feed Zeus as an infant.

9. What is the name of the process by which corn is turned into a paste and used to make tortillas, tamales and other foods with a corn base?

Answer: nixtamalization

In Central America, the process of nixtamalization is commonly used in preparation of meals based on maize. The kernels are dried then soaked and cooked with limewater. Nixtamalization is a centuries old process. It breaks down the outer hull of the corn kernel making it easier to grind. Tortillas, tamales and other foods use nixtamalized corn.

10. A variety of corn that is famously known as choclo is from which South American country?

Answer: Peru

Choclo is believed to have originated with the Inca culture in Peru. The kernels of choclo are huge, chewy and nutty tasting. This variety is turned into corn nuts and sold commercially.

Source: Author ncterp

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