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Goldman William Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Goldman William Quizzes, Trivia

William Goldman Trivia

William Goldman Trivia Quizzes

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While he may be most familiar as the author of the popular comedy-fantasy novel :The Princess Bride" (which he adapted for film), his screenwriting work also includes "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the Presidents Men", as well as the adaptation of his thriller novel "Marathon Man".
12 William Goldman quizzes and 155 William Goldman trivia questions.
1.
  "Buttercup's Baby"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
S. Morgenstern's "The Princess Bride" characters are back in William Goldman's continuum "Buttercup's Baby". This quiz is based on chapter one; may you elude confusion.
Average, 10 Qns, HannahConner88, Jan 10 12
Average
HannahConner88
164 plays
2.
  'Princess Bride' Book Trivia Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Think you know this 1973 William Goldman novel backwards and forwards? Take this quiz and maybe realize you have a life outside of 'The Princess Bride'.
Tough, 25 Qns, Bastia, Sep 26 03
Tough
Bastia
2084 plays
3.
  The Battle of Wits Has Begun...    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
If you have enjoyed the movie of "The Princess Bride" but have not read the book, turn off your computer now and go read it. Seriously. If you've read the book by William Goldman, continue for a quiz on the book and the movie.
Tough, 15 Qns, scarlettmw, Oct 14 18
Tough
scarlettmw
Oct 14 18
3017 plays
4.
  Pseudonym S. Morgenstern    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz takes a look at the life and work of author William Goldman's character and pseudonym S. Morgenstern.
Average, 10 Qns, HannahConner88, Apr 02 11
Average
HannahConner88
170 plays
5.
  William Goldman's "The Princess Bride"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz for the Princess Bride fan with a sense of humor.
Average, 10 Qns, amanda_bride, Nov 15 03
Average
amanda_bride
1212 plays
6.
  This Is Me    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is based on the abridging remarks of William Goldman from his classic tale "The Princess Bride".
Tough, 10 Qns, HannahConner88, Jan 08 11
Tough
HannahConner88
236 plays
7.
  'The Princess Bride', the BOOK    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The 'Princess Bride' movie is great, and I'm sure that many of you have seen it, but the BOOK is much better, and that's what this quiz is based on.
Tough, 10 Qns, superLauren87, Sep 26 03
Tough
superLauren87
1206 plays
8.
  "The Princess Bride: True Love and High Adventure"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quirky quiz on "The Princess Bride" that compares Rob Reiner's movie to William Goldman's book.
Difficult, 10 Qns, HannahConner88, Feb 25 14
Difficult
HannahConner88
262 plays
9.
  Unabridged    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is based on what William Goldman calls the unabridged version of "The Princess Bride".
Average, 10 Qns, HannahConner88, Apr 13 11
Average
HannahConner88
214 plays
10.
  The Princess Bride Quiz for Experts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about the little details in the book. I hope you think its ok!
Tough, 10 Qns, Jalinda, Sep 10 17
Tough
Jalinda
Sep 10 17
1859 plays
trivia question Quick Question
According to "The Princess Bride", which two does S. Morgenstern hate?

From Quiz "Pseudonym S. Morgenstern"




11.
  The Princess Bride Book    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I know you've seen the movie, but have you read the book? Note: these questions are based on the book, NOT on the movie, so be careful.
Tough, 10 Qns, Raincloud, Feb 04 17
Tough
Raincloud
1427 plays
12.
  Take this The Princess Bride Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Whether written by S. Morgenstern or William Goldman, this is my very FAVORITE book! Buttercup, Westley, Humperdinck, Vizzini, Count Rugen, Fezzik, Inigo, Miracle Max, Valerie, the Impressive Clergyman, the Albino, the Countess.. YAY!
Difficult, 25 Qns, mamavinny, Jan 25 11
Difficult
mamavinny
1079 plays
Related Topics
  Contemporary Literature and Fiction [Literature] (22 quizzes)

  Fables and Fairy Tales [Literature] (62 quizzes)

  Fantasy [Literature] (96 quizzes)


William Goldman Trivia Questions

1. In the movie, the grandfather reads S. Morgenstern's "The Princess Bride" to his sick grandson. Who reads "The Princess Bride" to young William in the book?

From Quiz
"The Princess Bride: True Love and High Adventure"

Answer: His father

In both the book and movie, "The Princess Bride" is written by S. Morgenstern (which is a pseudonym of the real author William Goldman.) In the book, according to William, when he was a boy, he became sick with pneumonia and during his recuperation, his father read "The Princess Bride" to him.

2. Morgenstern's credits list only his first initial and surname. What is the author's forename?

From Quiz Pseudonym S. Morgenstern

Answer: Simon

The S in Morgenstern's name stands for Simon. The author's forename is made known in chapter 7 of "The Princess Bride".

3. In Chapter 1 - "The Bride" what is the basis for William Goldman's first abridging remarks?

From Quiz This Is Me

Answer: Parentheses

William Goldman says his longtime copy editor had several questions surrounding S. Morgenstern's extensive use of parentheses. Goldman admits he could be of no help to his editor on the subject, but he thinks the parentheses are S. Morgenstern's way of telling the reader that 'this isn't real'.

4. What does the S. in the author's name stand for?

From Quiz Unabridged

Answer: Simon

Morgenstern's name is mentioned in Chapter 7 - "The Wedding". Ironically, the name Simon in Hebrew means to hear, to be heard.

5. What does Westley say when Buttercup finally confesses her love to him?

From Quiz William Goldman's "The Princess Bride"

Answer: Nothing, he shuts the door in her face.

Poor Buttercup must have felt pretty rejected! Little did she know that Westley really had been waiting all those years just for her!

6. In this book, Goldman continually refers to professors from a certain school who love the "original" Florinese author and his satirical comedy. What school?

From Quiz The Princess Bride

Answer: Columbia

William Goldman, who really did write the original (and only) version of The Princess Bride, refers to professors from Columbia University who loved satirical Florinese writer S. Morgenstern many times. Of course, we know that there is no Florin and no Florinese writer S. Morgenstern, only William Goldman.

7. The movie opens with The Kid listening to a story his grandfather reads aloud. In the book, who reads the story that is eventually published as an "abridgement?"

From Quiz The Battle of Wits Has Begun...

Answer: His father

In the movie, The Kid (played by Fred Savage) listens to his grandfather (Peter Falk) read "The Princess Bride" while sick in bed. In the book, we find out that "the kid" is actually William Goldman as a child. His "Florinese" father reads him the story--twice--when he is recovering from a bout of pneumonia, and Goldman claims to never have read it himself because he prefers to remember it in his father's voice.

8. What was the tragic weakness of Annette, the French scullery maid (Hint: She was the most beautiful woman in the world when Buttercup was born)?

From Quiz 'The Princess Bride', the BOOK

Answer: Chocolate

The Duchess de Guiche placed chocolates around the castle because she knew that Annette couldn't resist them. Annette ate all of the chocolates and became fat. Consequently, the Duke had no further interest in her. It was not all bad for Annette though--She married the pastry Chef and ate a lot until old age claimed her.

9. What was remarkable about Fezzik's birth?

From Quiz 'Princess Bride' Book Trivia Quiz

Answer: He gained a pound his first afternoon out of the womb

Babies usually lose three or four ounces, and it takes them a week or so to gain it back.

10. What is the name of the fictional 'original' writer of The Princess Bride?

From Quiz The Princess Bride Book

Answer: S. Morgenstern

'I'm reading it to you for relax. S. Morgenstern. Great Florinese writer.'

11. In the movie, to escape her kidnappers, Buttercup leaps from the ship, not knowing the waters are eel-infested. In the book, what danger lurks in the water?

From Quiz "The Princess Bride: True Love and High Adventure"

Answer: Sharks

Buttercup is kidnapped by Vizzini and his team. They all board a ship and set sail for the Cliffs of Insanity. While on the water, Buttercup jumps overboard and tries to escape from her kidnappers. In the book, Vizzini warns Buttercup of the sharks who attack when they smell blood. Vizzini then proceeds to cut himself, collect the blood in a cup, and throw it into the water.

12. After finishing his medical studies, Morgenstern's father decides that he does not want to be a doctor. What does Mr. Morgenstern feel in his soul that he is meant to be?

From Quiz Pseudonym S. Morgenstern

Answer: Artist

S. Morgenstern's father Max Morgenstern leaves home and travels to Venice to become an artist. His second day there, Max meets Valarie and the two marry. Morgenstern shares this, his parents love story, in his fable "The Silent Gondoliers".

13. What nickname does Buttercup's baby have for Fezzik?

From Quiz "Buttercup's Baby"

Answer: Shade

In section 4 - "Fezzik Falling". Fezzik is so in tune with Buttercup's baby that she figures who better to babysit than the gentle giant. Fezzik watches the baby and they play. When the baby naps, Fezzik blocks the sun; and that is how she comes to call him Shade.

14. In Chapter 2 - "The Groom" what does William Goldman think of S. Morgenstern's 66 pages on Florinese history?

From Quiz This Is Me

Answer: Dreary? Not to be believed

William Goldman reminds readers that Chapter 2 is where his son, Jason, stopped reading. Goldman finds that understandable considering Morgenstern uses the opening 66 pages to tell the history of the Florinese crown.

15. If Morgenstern had actually written the unabridged version of "The Princess Bride", which is most likely when the book was published?

From Quiz Unabridged

Answer: Before 1882

William "Billy" Goldman was born in 1931 and his father read the book to him when he was around 10 years old, which means the book was published before 1941. William Goldman's 'abridged' book was written and published between 1971 and 1973 because in the beginning story he mentions being 40 years old at the time. In Chapter 7 - "The Wedding" Goldman mentions that Morgenstern's book was before Frank Baum wrote "The Wizard of Oz" which was published in 1900 and in Chapter 8 - "Honeymoon" Goldman says that Morgenstern's book was before Frank Stockton's short story "Lady or the Tiger" which was first published in 1882. So we do not know the exact year but we can gather that it was before 1882.

16. When Count Rugen comes to collect the special sword Domingo had made, who does Domingo say he is giving it to?

From Quiz William Goldman's "The Princess Bride"

Answer: Inigo

This scene was touching because Domingo's last thoughts were of his son.

17. For whom did Annette the French Scullery maid work?

From Quiz The Princess Bride

Answer: Duke and Duchess de Guiche

Annette was a French scullery maid for the Duke and Duchess de Guiche. The Duchess was upset because her husband was interested in Annette. So the Duchess went about finding Annette's flaw: chocolate. Like a snap, the household was like a candy store, covered in bonbons. Annette ended up marrying a pastry chef and living happily ever after. The Duke, meanwhile, lost interest in the maid (because she got rather plump from all the chocolate) and became interested in his mother-in-law. This gave the Duchess ulcers. (Which doctors of the time called "stomache pains").

18. Where was Fezzik's real might?

From Quiz 'The Princess Bride', the BOOK

Answer: His arms

Fezzik's brain was quite weak. He did have a good heart and his legs were incredibly strong, but his true might was in his arms, which would never tire no matter what they had to do.

19. How many years did Inigo spend in preparing himself to fight the six-fingered man?

From Quiz The Princess Bride

Answer: 10

20. When Westley had to endure Count Rugen's tortures, he would do what?

From Quiz 'Princess Bride' Book Trivia Quiz

Answer: Take his brain away

Westley would think of Buttercup. Her autumn hair, her perfect skin...

21. From where does well-respected hometown hero S. Morgenstern hail?

From Quiz Pseudonym S. Morgenstern

Answer: Florin

Folks in Florin love Florinese native S. Morgenstern. Not only does Morgenstern receive praise for his accuracy of the place's history, but Florin honors him with his own museum. The facts on Morgenstern's historical accuracy can be read throughout "The Princess Bride". The 30th anniversary edition of the book is the first to document the existence of the museum.

22. What chapter does William Goldman say he did not know existed until he began the 'good parts' version?

From Quiz This Is Me

Answer: Chapter 4 - "The Preparations"

William Goldman says whenever his father read "The Princess Bride" to him and it came to this chapter, all his father would say is "what with one thing and another, three years passed." Goldman's father took Morgenstern's 105 pages and narrowed them down to a few sentences.

23. How does S. Morgenstern's book begin?

From Quiz Unabridged

Answer: "The year Buttercup was born, the most beautiful woman in the world was a French scullery maid named Annette."

William Goldman shares in Chapter 1 - "The Bride" that the chapter is totally intact, meaning he had done no abridging to it.

24. What are Goldman's "son"'s and "wife"'s names?

From Quiz The Princess Bride

Answer: Jason and Helen

Jason was a tubby boy who Helen, the genius psychiatrist, said would become skinny when he wanted to be skinny. Helen convinced Jason to stuff his mouth when William Goldman wanted Jason to lay off a little. She reasoned that William would be unhappy no matter what but Jason could make himself and Helen happy by eating.

25. In the movie, Count Rugen presides over the torture victims in the Pit of Despair. But in the book, what is the name of the place where Westley is tortured?

From Quiz The Battle of Wits Has Begun...

Answer: Zoo of Death & The Zoo of Death

There are several levels of dangerous hunting in the Zoo of Death, set up by Prince Humperdinck, but Westley is tortured and killed on a level reserved for the most dangerous animal.

26. ORIGINALLY, what was the only response that Westley could get from the albino (This changed later, but at first, Westley could only get one response from him)?

From Quiz 'The Princess Bride', the BOOK

Answer: A shrug

At first, no matter what Westley asked him, the albino would only shrug, but after a while Westley managed to get him to open up.

27. What was the picture of hell that Fezzik told his parents was his greatest fear when he was five years old?

From Quiz The Princess Bride

Answer: being alone forever

The hell that he told his parents about when he was five was being alone forever. This made him fight because they told him if he didn't then they would leave him alone forever. Later on the fear evolves to being alone and having people 'BOO' at him forever.

28. The Corsican Wizard was named what?

From Quiz 'Princess Bride' Book Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bastia

Bastia was the only person designated as a Wizard until Inigo came around.

29. Prince Humperdinck cannot marry a commoner, so he has Buttercup made into a princess. Where does she become princess of?

From Quiz The Princess Bride Book

Answer: Hammersmith

'They fight and argue with the noble and finally make Buttercup Princess of Hammersmith, which was this little lump of land attached to the rear of King Lotharon's holdings.'

30. In the movie, Buttercup tells her captor, the Dread Pirate Roberts, about her poor and perfect Westley who had eyes like the sea after a storm. To what does Buttercup compare Westley's eyes in the book?

From Quiz "The Princess Bride: True Love and High Adventure"

Answer: The sea before a storm

In "The Princess Bride" book, Buttercup realizes her own love for Westley after a restless night of reasoning in which she considers Westley's eyes, which are like the sea before a storm.

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