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Quiz about The Filthy Profession of the Chimney Sweep
Quiz about The Filthy Profession of the Chimney Sweep

The Filthy Profession of the Chimney Sweep Quiz


There have been many dirty, dangerous jobs, throughout history. Being a chimney sweep is near the top. Let's take a look at this perilous occupation.

A multiple-choice quiz by dcpddc478. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
dcpddc478
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
334,147
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
1532
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. For many years which of the following people were believed to make the best chimney sweeps? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Being a chimney sweep was a highly regarded profession in the 18th and 19th centuries.


Question 3 of 10
3. Which of Charles Dickens' most famous novels includes a cruel chimney sweep named Gamfield? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What color clothing was usually worn by chimney sweeps? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In the 15th and 16th centuries crow-stepped gables became a common architectural feature designed to assist a chimney sweep in what fashion? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. A chimney sweep climbed into a chimney from the top only.


Question 7 of 10
7. With the passing of child labor laws, the image of the chimney sweep underwent a change, which can be seen in which of the following musical movies? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In Great Britain it is often thought that it is good luck to see a chimney sweep at which of these occasions? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In Poland, if you pass a chimney sweep on the street, which of these actions is thought to bring you good luck if you perform it right away? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which of the following is the most common tool of the trade for a chimney sweep of any era? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. For many years which of the following people were believed to make the best chimney sweeps?

Answer: Children

As awful as it might be to think about, children were used for years as chimney sweeps. This had to do with their small size and their ability to fit into small places that an adult could not fit. It was not until the late 18th century and the start of the industrial revolution that chimneys were made large enough to accommodate adult chimney sweeps.
2. Being a chimney sweep was a highly regarded profession in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Answer: False

Being a chimney sweep was a low-paying, extremely dangerous, and very difficult job. If a chimney sweep was able to avoid injury, disease was right around the corner from years of breathing soot and smoke. Also because of the child labor, chimney sweeps were often looked after by cruel and abusive men.
3. Which of Charles Dickens' most famous novels includes a cruel chimney sweep named Gamfield?

Answer: Oliver Twist

Many Victorian novels included depictions of chimney sweeps as heartless and cruel. In "Oliver Twist" by English novelist Charles Dickens, Oliver comes close to being apprenticed out to Gamfield as a child chimney sweep. He is saved by the administrator when he realizes that Gamfield is responsible for the deaths of at least four of his child workers.
4. What color clothing was usually worn by chimney sweeps?

Answer: Black

While it was often hard to tell much about a chimney sweep, because they were filthy, it was often customary to wear black clothing, including a small black hat. People did not bathe with the same regularity as is done today. Many chimney sweeps bathed a couple of times a year and remained covered in soot for the rest of the year, increasing their chances for disease.
5. In the 15th and 16th centuries crow-stepped gables became a common architectural feature designed to assist a chimney sweep in what fashion?

Answer: Provided easy access to chimney tops

A crow-stepped gable provided easier access to the chimney tops. This was basically a stair-step design at the top of brick walls. It was often seen in northern parts of Europe where chimney sweeps were a common site. One of the biggest dangers for a chimney sweep was falling, and these gables were an aesthetically pleasing safety measure.
6. A chimney sweep climbed into a chimney from the top only.

Answer: False

Chimney sweeps entered chimneys from both the top and the bottom to ensure that the chimney was truly cleaned. When a chimney was not cleaned regularly, its soot could build up and it became a real fire hazard, as the chimney soot could catch fire and burn the house down.
7. With the passing of child labor laws, the image of the chimney sweep underwent a change, which can be seen in which of the following musical movies?

Answer: Mary Poppins

Multi-talented actor Dick Van Dyke played Bert a chimney sweep/handy man in the 1964 musical "Mary Poppins". Bert sings and dances his way into the viewer's hearts while his brother does a chimney sweep's dance in the background. The song "Chim-Chim Cheree" which won an Oscar that year for Best Song mentions some of the good luck aspects which were sometimes associated with chimney sweeps.

The chorus of this song is "Good luck will rub off when I shake 'ands with you, or blow me a kiss...and that's lucky too".
8. In Great Britain it is often thought that it is good luck to see a chimney sweep at which of these occasions?

Answer: A wedding

In Great Britain it is thought to be good luck for a bride to see a chimney sweep on her wedding day, or to receive a kiss from one. The idea of a chimney sweep bringing good luck started when a London chimney sweep saved the life of Charles II. A horse from the king's carriage bolted down the street.

The only person to assist was a London chimney sweep who stepped forward, pulled up the horses and saved the king's life. The king was so impressed that he made an announcement by royal decree that declared that all chimney sweeps were good luck bearers and must be respected as such.

Some modern chimney sweeps will even hire themselves out to be in attendance at weddings. They appear at the wedding in authentic Victorian-style outfits and bestow a kiss on the bride to ensure future good luck. If you are interested in this service, just search for the phrase "lucky chimney sweeps" in your search engine and links to many British companies that provide this service will pop up.
9. In Poland, if you pass a chimney sweep on the street, which of these actions is thought to bring you good luck if you perform it right away?

Answer: Rub the buttons of your jacket

It is thought that rubbing the button of your jacket or coat, when you see a chimney sweep, ensures good luck for future endeavors.
10. Which of the following is the most common tool of the trade for a chimney sweep of any era?

Answer: Brush

Chimneys were/are cleaned with brushes. Changes in brush design, along with the child labor laws and larger chimneys, made cleaning chimneys safer and easier for adults. Early photos and paintings will usually depict a chimney sweep with his long handled brush.
Source: Author dcpddc478

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