Elizabethan age quiz
1. Which disease was common in Elizabethan England?
a. Plague
b. Scarlet fever
c. Measles
d. All of the above
Answer: Most cities and towns in Elizabethan England had little in terms of public sanitation. This was an
especially big problem in large cities like London, where poor public health practices led to rats, bugs and the
spread of dozens of diseases.
2. What were conditions like in many Elizabethan cities and towns?
a. Clean
b. Underpopulated
c. Dirty
d. Isolated
Answer: Back then, people had little knowledge of science or health, and there was no public sanitation. There
were no sewers or drains, and people threw trash and anything else unwanted in the streets. This caused the
spread of many diseases.
3. What did the English make a lot of progress in during the Elizabethan Era?
a. Exploration
b. Astronomy
c. Alchemy
d. Philosophy
Answer: The English made many exploratory strides during the Elizabethan Era. Sea Captain and Privateer Sir
Francis Drake became the first to lead a successful circumnavigation of the globe as Captain. English privateer
and Seaman Martin Frobisher also explored the Arctic.
4. Why did usually only upper-class people take part in jousting tournaments?
a. The law
b. It was unpopular
c. The poor were too busy
d. It was expensive
Answer: Jousting was incredibly expensive, as it required a horse, full armour and a heavy lance. It was a bloody
and dangerous sport and many people died taking part in it, including a French King.
5. Were girls educated in Elizabethan England?
a. Rarely
b. Usually
c. Always
d. It was illegal
Answer: Boys from wealthy families were often taught at home by private tutors, which was less common for
girls. Boys from even the most impoverished families could receive rudimentary education if they were not
needed to work for the family.
6. Which of these things, which used to be considered medicinal, is not anymore?
a. Pepper
b. Sugar
c. Rum
d. Venison
Answer: Some Ancient Greek sources reveal that sugar was considered a medicine, and various
misunderstandings of it lasted throughout the centuries. Due to her sweet tooth, and the fact that sugar was used
to clean her teeth, Queen Elizabeth had severe issues with rotten teeth later in life.
7. Was there a strict class system in Elizabethan England?
a. No
b. Yes
Answer: In this era, there were six main classes: the monarchy, the nobility, the gentry, the merchants, the
tradesmen and the labourers. There were also a vast number of people living in incredible poverty, and those
deemed to be able-bodied who did not have a job or title could be legally punished.
8. What did people drink most during this era?
a. Water
b. Alcohol
c. Coffee
d. Milk
Answer: Especially in cities, water was often contaminated and unsafe to drink, as people would pour trash and
waste into rivers. Most people, even kids, drank a lot of beer, cider, ale or wine.
9. How many children did Queen Elizabeth the first have?
a. None
b. 1
c. 2
d. 4
Answer: Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth never married or had children. She claimed to be married to her
country. This is why she is often referred to and remembered as The Virgin Queen.
10. Which of these things, which is common in most modern buildings, was a sign of wealth in Elizabethan
England?
a. Chimneys
b. Roofs
c. Windows
d. Garages
Answer: During the Tudor period, glass was commonly used in homes for the first time. Many wealthy Tudors
began to use many and ornate windows in their mansion homes as a symbol of wealth. People who could not
afford glass often used cloth or paper.