Category Archives: Quiz

Quiz: Praying by the Book

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by Rene Jamieson

If you’re an Anglican, this quiz is right up your alley. Even if you’re not an Anglican, you’ll probably be surprised by how much you know about the Book of Common Prayer. I hope you will enjoy this quiz regardless of your denominational affiliation. 

Question 1:

In which year did the Book of Common Prayer first come into use?

  • 1560
  • 1549
  • 1534
  • 1558

Question 2:

 Who compiled the Book of Common Prayer?
  • Thomas Cranmer
  • Henry VIII
  • Edward VI
  • A committee of bishops of the Church of England

Question 3:

How many liturgies for worship are there in the Book of Common Prayer?

  • 21
  • 16
  • 10
  •   9

Question 4:

On which text is much of the Book of Common Prayer based?

  • The Durham Prayer Book
  • The King James Bible
  • None of these
  • The Sarum Primer

Question 5:

When it was first introduced, was the Book of Common Prayer universally accepted throughout England?

  • Yes
  • No

Question 6:

Is it true that the Book of Common Prayer has never been revised since its introduction?

  • Yes
  • No

Question 7:

The original Book of Common Prayer required the writing of a new liturgy for use in the Church of England. Which one was it?

  • The Wedding Ceremony
  • Holy Communion
  • Compline
  • Morning Prayer

Question 8:

Has the Book of Common Prayer has been influential in the development of liturgies in other Christian denominations?

  • Yes
  • No

Question 9:

Do Anglicans throughout the world use the same Book of Common Prayer?

  • Yes
  • No

Question 10:

Are the readings and the psalms for use in worship found in the Book of Common Prayer taken from the King James Version of the Bible?

  • Yes
  • No

The answers will be provided when the third quiz in the series goes on line. 

Announcing: Monthly Quiz

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Since Anglicans in general are of a particularly questioning mode (and, thank God, are encouraged by the Church to be so), we’re instituting a monthly quiz, put together by our beloved Rene Jamieson. The first effort is about Handel’s ‘Messiah’, which is most appropriate to the season. Future quizzes will focus on the Book of Common Prayer, the life and work of Thomas Cranmer, English translations of the Bible, and eccliastical trivia of one kind or another. Enjoy!

Quiz: Handel’s ‘Messiah’

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by Rene Jamieson

Our first quiz is relatively seasonal. Ever since its first performance Handel’s ‘Messiah’ has captivated audiences around the world.
How much do you know about this classic oratorio?

Question 1:

Handel was a gifted composer, but even gifted composers can take a long time to produce their masterpieces.
How long did it take Handel to compose ‘Messiah’?

  • Just over three days
  • Just over three weeks
  • Just over three months
  • Just over three years

Question 2:

Who selected all those passages from scripture that form the libretto for the great oratorio?

  • Charles Jennens
  • Thomas Morell
  • Lorenzo da Ponte
  • Paolo Rolli

Question 3:

The first performance of ‘Messiah’ took place on April 13, 1743.
Where?

  • London
  • Dublin
  • Edinburgh
  • Cardiff

Question 4:

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is performed annually in London, with a chorus and soloists (often numbering up to 3,000) drawn from all over the world .
Where does the performance take place?

  • Westminster Abbey
  • The Albert Hall
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Wembley Stadium

Question 5:

The scripture passages that make up the libretto for ‘Messiah’ were drawn from what source?

  • The Book of Common Prayer only
  • The King James Version of the Bible only
  • The Geneva Bible
  • The Book of Common Prayer and the King James Version of the Bible

Question 6:

Which of these composers wrote a popular arrangement of ‘Messiah’?

  • Beethoven
  • Mozart
  • Prokofiev
  • Britten

Question 7:

What restrictions were placed on the gentlemen in the audience at the premiere performance of  ‘Messiah’ in April, 1743?

  • They weren’t allowed to wear their hats
  • They weren’t allowed to wear their swords
  • They were asked to remain in their seats during the entire performance
  • They were asked not to drink during the performance

Question 8:

What restrictions were placed on the women in the audience?

  • They were asked not to flirt with the men on stage
  • They were asked not to gossip during the performance
  • They were asked not to wear hoop skirts
  • They were asked not to flutter their fans

Question 9:

How many singers made up the cast of the first performance of ‘Messiah’?

  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 150

Question 10:

How old was Handel when he composed ‘Messiah’?

  • 35
  • 45
  • 56
  • 62

The answers to our first quiz will be published next month.