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Quiz about Lets Go To The Circus
Quiz about Lets Go To The Circus

Let's Go To The Circus! Trivia Quiz


I guess we all had dreams of running off to join the circus. Take this quiz, and see how much you really know!

A multiple-choice quiz by ozzz2002. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
ozzz2002
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
66,690
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
8 / 15
Plays
3469
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 47 (9/15), Guest 82 (6/15), Guest 70 (8/15).
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Question 1 of 15
1. Which civilisation is credited with creating the first circuses? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. Who is credited with building the first permanent circus building, and also inventing the circus 'ring' in 1769? Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. On 12 November 1859, what was Jules Leotard the first to do, at the Cirque Napoleon in Paris? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Which author built and operated 'Cirque Municipal' in 1874? At the time it was the largest circus in France. Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. What happened at the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus at Hartford, Connecticut on July 6, 1944? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. In 1947, which famous family achieved a seven-person pyramid on a high-wire, 35 feet above the ground? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Emma George, an Australian pole-vault champion, is a well-known graduate of which Australian children's circus, which was formed in 1979 as part of the International Year of the Child initiatives? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. What Polish word for 'circus' has given its name to a type of poster art? Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. What name is given to the tent-like structure that some travelling circuses still use? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. What type of elephant does the Ringling Bros. Circus use the most of? Indian or African?

Answer: (One Word. Indian or African.)
Question 11 of 15
11. In circus parlance, what is a funambulist? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Which spy and adventure writer published a book called 'Circus' in 1975? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. What do circus aerialists call their safety harness? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. What is this famous quote? 'There's a ______ born every minute'.

Answer: (One Word)
Question 15 of 15
15. What circus has performed all over the world with tours named Quidam, La Nouba, Alegria and Saltimbanco? Hint





Most Recent Scores
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 47: 9/15
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 82: 6/15
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 70: 8/15
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 86: 1/15
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 75: 9/15
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 174: 4/15
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 216: 9/15
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 100: 6/15
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 208: 1/15

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which civilisation is credited with creating the first circuses?

Answer: Romans

The first circuses were rather grisly affairs. They featured chariot races, exotic animals, and duels to the death between gladiators and animals.
2. Who is credited with building the first permanent circus building, and also inventing the circus 'ring' in 1769?

Answer: Philip Astley

The building was located at Westminster, London, England. Prior to 1769 the performers, usually trick-riding demonstrations, would ride past the audience and then have to turn around for another pass. Astley discovered that a ring diameter of 42 feet was the ideal size as it provided a centrifugal force that helped the performers with their show.

It also provided the audience with the best and closest view of the show. Thomas Edison invented many things, but the circus ring was not one of them. Brendan Shelper is a graduate from Australia's Flying Fruit-Fly Circus.
3. On 12 November 1859, what was Jules Leotard the first to do, at the Cirque Napoleon in Paris?

Answer: A flying trapeze act

The act consisted of him 'flying' from one bar to another. In 1870 another person, the 'catcher', was added to the act.
4. Which author built and operated 'Cirque Municipal' in 1874? At the time it was the largest circus in France.

Answer: Jules Verne

Towards the end of his life he lived at Amiens and was also on the City Council.
5. What happened at the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus at Hartford, Connecticut on July 6, 1944?

Answer: The tent caught on fire

Over 160 people were killed when the roof fell in. The fire was more intense because the canvas had been waterproofed with paraffin and gasoline.
6. In 1947, which famous family achieved a seven-person pyramid on a high-wire, 35 feet above the ground?

Answer: The Wallendas.

Karl Wallenda was the star of the Flying Wallendas. Born in Germany in 1905, he, together with his wife and brother, were the backbone of the troupe. Their children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren are still associated with circuses around the world.
7. Emma George, an Australian pole-vault champion, is a well-known graduate of which Australian children's circus, which was formed in 1979 as part of the International Year of the Child initiatives?

Answer: The Flying Fruit-fly Circus

Other graduates include Christie and Anne Shelper who went on to join Canada's Cirque du Soliel and their brother Brendan was Obi-Wan-Kenobi's stunt double in a 'Star Wars' movie. Only children of school-age are allowed to perform, and they are absolutely brilliant! Many of the performers went also on to star in Circus Oz. Blood, Sweat and Tears are a musical group from the 60's and 70's, and Hot Buttered is a line of surfing clothing.
8. What Polish word for 'circus' has given its name to a type of poster art?

Answer: Cyrk.

Cyrk posters do not try to show the actual acts of the circuses they were originally designed to promote, rather the feelings that circuses inspire. Put 'cyrk' into google.com and check out the pictures. Cirque is the French word for circus, a kirk is a Scottish church and a carapace is a tortoise's shell.
9. What name is given to the tent-like structure that some travelling circuses still use?

Answer: The Big Top

The days of the travelling circuses are, unfortunately, dwindling, and will be relegated to the history books in the future.
10. What type of elephant does the Ringling Bros. Circus use the most of? Indian or African?

Answer: Indian

The Indian (or Asian) elephant can be distinguished by its smaller ears, and the number of toes on its back feet. It has 4 toes per foot, whereas the African elephant has 5.
11. In circus parlance, what is a funambulist?

Answer: A tightrope walker

From the Latin root: funis, rope plus ambulare, to walk. These people have my complete respect!
12. Which spy and adventure writer published a book called 'Circus' in 1975?

Answer: Alistair MacLean

A spy story about a circus touring Eastern Europe. A ripping yarn from one of my favourite authors.
13. What do circus aerialists call their safety harness?

Answer: A mechanic

Just one of those industry-specific terms. A carabiner is the spring clip used by mountain climbers.
14. What is this famous quote? 'There's a ______ born every minute'.

Answer: Sucker

In reference to the public fascination with 'freak' shows, and their willingness to part with money to see them.
15. What circus has performed all over the world with tours named Quidam, La Nouba, Alegria and Saltimbanco?

Answer: Cirque du Soleil

Based in Quebec, this circus merges circus act with theatre in a truly magnificent way. A success with its very first show, Le Grand Tour, in 1984, they followed with La Magie Continue, Le Cirque Reinvente, and several others. Cirque du Soleil is one of a growing number of circuses that do not use animal acts. Check your score below, and see if that dream to run to the big top is still a chance, if not, I hope you enjoyed my quiz, anyway.
Source: Author ozzz2002

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