Quiz about The Australian Aboriginal Boomerang

The Australian Aboriginal Boomerang Quiz

The boomerang has long been an icon associated with Australia. It's a bit tough but take this quiz to learn some of its history and functions.

A multiple-choice quiz by exit10. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
exit10

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
65,786

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1448

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. There are various types of boomerangs all with a specific function and purpose. In Australia, how many types of boomerangs exist? Hint

NEXT>

2. What is the primary function of a 'returning' boomerang? Hint

used for sport

used for hunting

used as a toy

used for aboriginal art painting

NEXT>

3. What are the ideal wind conditions for throwing a boomerang? Hint

0-5 miles per hour

10-20 miles per hour

5-10 miles per hour

it needs to be more than 20 miles per hour

NEXT>

4. Apart from hunting, what other uses can a 'hunting' boomerang have? Hint

to create fire

all of these

as digging sticks

as a musical instrument

NEXT>

5. Some boomerangs also come from particular areas of Australia. Where does the 'cross' boomerang come from? Hint

Sydney, New South Wales

Tully, Queensland

Hindmarsh Island, South Australia

Wilcannia, New South Wales

NEXT>

6. The thinnest and lightest boomerang (or throwing wood) can be found in Western Australia. What is hunted in that region? Hint

fish

birds

lizards

small animals

NEXT>

7. True or False? Once a boomerang is thrown it will return even if it hits something.

Answer: (One Word - true or false, t or f)

NEXT>

8. What was the 'Hook' boomerang mainly used for? Hint

to bring down birds

cleaning around camp sites

in celebrations

as a fighting weapon

NEXT>

9. In 1975, some boomerangs were discovered in South Australia. How old were these boomerangs estimated to be? Hint

500 years old

2,000 years old

40,000 years old

10,000 years old

NEXT>

10. When throwing a boomerang should you throw in a flat horizontal motion or in a straight vertical motion?

Answer: (One Word - horizontal or vertical)

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. There are various types of boomerangs all with a specific function and purpose. In Australia, how many types of boomerangs exist?

Answer: 7

There are 7 types of boomerangs. They are the 'returning', 'hunting', 'hook', 'club', 'U shape', 'Y shape' and the 'cross'.

2. What is the primary function of a 'returning' boomerang?

Answer: used for sport

There are many sporting competitions held world wide. The returning boomerang has only been around for about 200 years and only used for hunting to a minor extent. There are boomerang associations in Australia, France, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Holland, United States and Switzerland.

3. What are the ideal wind conditions for throwing a boomerang?

Answer: 0-5 miles per hour

If the wind is blowing at more than 5 miles per hour then you should not throw at all. The less wind the better.

4. Apart from hunting, what other uses can a 'hunting' boomerang have?

Answer: all of these

A very versatile boomerang, it could be used for digging for water, clearing fire sites, unearthing honey ants (which are really very tasty), opening and cutting animals from the kill and it could also be thrown into a flock of birds possibly bringing more than one down.

5. Some boomerangs also come from particular areas of Australia. Where does the 'cross' boomerang come from?

Answer: Tully, Queensland

Not found anywhere else in Australia, it is a variation of the 'returning' boomerang. The main difference is that it is two pieces of wattle wood crossed at the middle and sealed with beeswax. They are then decorated in ochre and when thrown the patterns that can be seen are often quite spectacular.

6. The thinnest and lightest boomerang (or throwing wood) can be found in Western Australia. What is hunted in that region?

Answer: fish

7. True or False? Once a boomerang is thrown it will return even if it hits something.

Answer: False

Firstly, only the 'returning' or 'cross' boomerang will come back. If it hits something it will just fall to the ground.

8. What was the 'Hook' boomerang mainly used for?

Answer: as a fighting weapon

Unlike the returning boomerang with a 'V' in the centre, the hook boomerang took the shape of something like a straight piece of timber with one end shaped like a pick ax. A hardwood was selected and its shape was determined by the tree root. It would be decorated by carving and painted with ochre and used to hook into the shield of an opponent ripping it away leaving him exposed.

9. In 1975, some boomerangs were discovered in South Australia. How old were these boomerangs estimated to be?

Answer: 10,000 years old

Boomerangs were also found in King Tutankhamen's tomb (1371 - 1325 BC) in excellent condition. Some of them were capped with gold.

10. When throwing a boomerang should you throw in a flat horizontal motion or in a straight vertical motion?

Answer: vertical

You should throw it in the vertical position and it will right itself when it starts to turn. It will come back to you spinning in the flat or horizontal position.

Source: Author exit10

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.