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The Lay of the Last Minstrel Trivia Quiz

This quiz is only about the introduction to the six canto poem by Sir Walter Scott.

A multiple-choice quiz by pennie1478. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
pennie1478

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
294,699

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
233

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is a minstrel? Hint

Singer

Baker

Soldier

Minister

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Question 2 of 10

2. What instrument was the "sole remaining joy" of the minstrel? Hint

Guitar

Harp

Flute

Mandolin

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Question 3 of 10

3. The minstrel was the last of his kind.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the temperature of the wind in the opening line of "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"? Hint

Cold

Hot

Warm

There was no wind

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name of the king for whom the minstrel last played? Hint

Charles

Earl

Edward

Xavier

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who took care of the old minstrel when he entered Newark's tower? Hint

A Queen

A Duke

A Duchess

An Earl

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which two countries carried on the feud? Hint

Ireland and England

India and China

France and Spain

England and Scotland

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which two Earls did the minstrel speak of after he was rested? Hint

Earl Richard and Earl William

Earl Walter and Earl Francis

Earl George and Earl Michael

Earl Robert and Earl Scott

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Question 9 of 10

9. Did the minstrel carry his own harp when he traveled?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. How did the minstrel acquire his food in "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"? Hint

Begged for it

It was given to him

He bought it

He stole it

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is a minstrel?

Answer: Singer

Sir Walter Scott dedicated this poem to Charles, Earl of Dalkeith. It is a six canto poem about a feud between England and Scotland. Sir Scott began the poem in 1802 and had it published in 1805.

2. What instrument was the "sole remaining joy" of the minstrel?

Answer: Harp

Sir Walter Scott was an instant success with his poem which sold over twenty thousand copies.

3. The minstrel was the last of his kind.

Answer: True

The minstrel was the last of the bards that sang about his people and their struggle. He was old and wanted to die so he could be with his friends.

4. What was the temperature of the wind in the opening line of "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"?

Answer: Cold

The opening line of the introduction recognizes the day as long and the wind as cold.

5. What was the name of the king for whom the minstrel last played?

Answer: Charles

The minstrel last played for King Charles the Good who had then lived in Holyrood. The palace at Holyrood was a mainstay for the kings and queens that stayed in Edinburgh, Scotland.

6. Who took care of the old minstrel when he entered Newark's tower?

Answer: A Duchess

Anne, Duchess of Buccleuch, had her people take care of him because she knew what his pain was like. In payment, the minstrel sang her a song on his harp about a feud between her ancestors.

7. Which two countries carried on the feud?

Answer: England and Scotland

The feud, the minstrel sang, began over an illicit love affair between Lord Crauston and Lady Margaret of Branksom Hall. Margaret's mother tried to break up the affair by using magic.

8. Which two Earls did the minstrel speak of after he was rested?

Answer: Earl Walter and Earl Francis

After the minstrel was rested, he told the Duchess of the times when he met and played for her father, Earl Francis and her grandfather, Earl Walter. He spoke of how the Duchess' ancestor hated Lord Crauston so greatly that she used magic to break up the relationship between her daughter and Crauston.

However, her own evil was used against her and her son was stolen. Lord Crauston saved his betrothed's brother and Lady Margaret married Lord Crauston.

9. Did the minstrel carry his own harp when he traveled?

Answer: No

In the opening lines of "The Lay of the Last Minstrel", the minstrel is said to be infirm and old. An orphaned boy carried his harp for him as he traveled from place to place.

10. How did the minstrel acquire his food in "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"?

Answer: Begged for it

The first stanza mentions that the minstrel begged for his food from door to door. The feud happened in the early years of the sixteenth century, but when the minstrel told the story to Duchess Anne, it was in the late seventeenth century.

Source: Author pennie1478

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