Welsh Culture Trivia Quiz

There used to be a time when the index of the Encylopaedia Britannica said 'for Wales, see England.' Thankfully the world is beginning to recognise that Wales has one of the oldest living cultures in Europe, and is very different from its neighbour.

A multiple-choice quiz by wynbert. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
wynbert

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
54,250

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1746

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 78 (10/10), Guest 82 (8/10), Guest 80 (3/10).

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. In the National Eisteddfod, the highest prize is awarded for a poem in strict metre. What is this prize? Hint

A Shield

A Chair

A Cup

2,000 pounds

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2. Written poetry in the Welsh language has been around for how long? Hint

Since the 10th century AD

Since the 5th century AD

Since the 1st century BC

Since the 14th Century AD

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3. What is particular about the traditional Welsh harp? Hint

It has four pedals

Wales doesn't have a traditional harp

It is played with a bow

It has three parallel sets of strings

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4. Many Welsh placenames begin with the prefix 'Llan', as in Llanelli, Llanbynmair and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantisiliogogogoch. What does 'Llan' mean? Hint

Farm

Castle

Town

Church

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5. Who was the mediaeval Welsh poet who is often thought of as the Welsh Shakespeare, but whose most famous poems are beautiful, strict metre bawdy romps? Hint

Gwenallt

Saunders Lewis

Dafydd ap Gwilym

Dylan Thomas

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6. Much of the modern confidence in the Welsh language has been attributed to the establishment of S4C. What is it? Hint

A pressure group

A record company

A television station

A Government agency

7. A major youth movement was established in the 1920's to develop leisure activities, cultural events and educational experiences for young people in the Welsh language. It is now one of the largest membership organisations of its kind in Europe. What is it called? Hint

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg

Bwrdd yr Iaith

Plaid Cymru

Urdd Gobaith Cymru

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8. Approximately what percentage of the people of Wales speak Welsh? Hint

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9. Which monarch passed the Act of Union that stated that the Welsh language should be 'utterly extirped'? Hint

George III

Henry VIII

John

Victoria

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10. John Davies, Gwyn Alf Williams, Glanmor Williams and David Williams have all written significant books on what? Hint

The geography of Wales

Welsh musical tradition

Welsh history

Welsh poetry

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the National Eisteddfod, the highest prize is awarded for a poem in strict metre. What is this prize?

Answer: A Chair

Eisteddfod Chairs are individually carved and are highly prized.

2. Written poetry in the Welsh language has been around for how long?

Answer: Since the 5th century AD

The oldest known examples were written by Aneurin and Taliesin and related the stories of ancient battles.

3. What is particular about the traditional Welsh harp?

Answer: It has three parallel sets of strings

The Triple Harp is unique to Wales and has undergone a popular revival in recent years after being displaced by the more familiar concert harp.

4. Many Welsh placenames begin with the prefix 'Llan', as in Llanelli, Llanbynmair and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantisiliogogogoch. What does 'Llan' mean?

Answer: Church

It is usually followed by a saint's name.

5. Who was the mediaeval Welsh poet who is often thought of as the Welsh Shakespeare, but whose most famous poems are beautiful, strict metre bawdy romps?

Answer: Dafydd ap Gwilym

Dafydd ap Gwilym led an interesting and often dangerous lovelife.

6. Much of the modern confidence in the Welsh language has been attributed to the establishment of S4C. What is it?

Answer: A television station

Sianel 4 Cymru began broadcasting in 1984 and has injected a whole new vitality into Welsh broadcasting that is envied in all countries where there are minority languages.

Answer: Urdd Gobaith Cymru

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg is the Welsh Language Society, which has done much to gain legal recognition for the language by non-violent direct action. Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) is now the second biggest political party in Wales. Bwrdd yr Iaith is the Government Agency established by the 1992 Welsh Language Act to promote and develop the language.

8. Approximately what percentage of the people of Wales speak Welsh?

Answer: 19

After years of decline there has been a recent upsurge amongst the young thanks to more enlightened education policies.

9. Which monarch passed the Act of Union that stated that the Welsh language should be 'utterly extirped'?

Answer: Henry VIII

That was in 1536, but we're still here!

10. John Davies, Gwyn Alf Williams, Glanmor Williams and David Williams have all written significant books on what?

Answer: Welsh history

All are highly recommended if you are struggling with any of these questions.

Source: Author wynbert

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

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