A new series of 46 mini quizzes in this countdown to a new President. Each quiz asks 5 literary questions from the year of inauguration from George Washington in 1789 to Joe Biden’s election in 2020. Literary events, births, deaths and various shenanigans by famous writers plus their great works, of course.
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Question of
The two youngest of the Bronte family died from consumption contracted at school, an event that would have a huge impact on their surviving sisters. What were their names?
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Maria and Elizabeth
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Victoria and Mary
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Question of
Walter Scott published his novel The Betrothed. In which British country is it set?
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Wales
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Scotland
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Question of
Writer RD Blackmore was born on June 7th. Which work is he best remembered for?
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Lorna Doone
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Westward Ho!
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Question of
The first publication of which famous work from the 1660s appears in this year?
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Samuel Pepys’ Diary
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John Milton’s Paradise Lost
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Question of
Alexander Pushkin’s play Boris Godunov was written. It is known as a ‘closet play’, what does that mean?
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To be read by one reader to a small group
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To be performed in private to an audience
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