ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
MULTIPLE CHOICE: SCANTRON REQUIRED
1. The area in front of Notre Dame in Paris is called the
a. paradis
b. forum
c. naos
d. parvis
2. Notre Dame is located
a. In Saint Denis
b. In the center of Paris
c. In Normandy
d. In Saint Germain des Pres
3. Beauvais cathedral is a good example of
a. Early Gothic
b. Romanesque
c. High Gothic with soaring pinnacles and spires
d. Carolingian architecture
4. Saint Chapelle is a Gothic cathedral that is
a. An example of Gothic revival
b. Chapel for the kings of France for the nomination of the next monarch
c. The beginning of Gothic architecture
d. Considered the “jewel box” of Paris, with enormous glass windows and the sacred Crown of
Thorns
5. Wells Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral are examples of
a. French Gothic
b. English Gothic
c. German Gothic
d. Italian Gothic
6. The Gothic arch has which properties
a. Works better with supporting loads
b. Is more versatile in making vaulting with irregular spans
c. Draws your attention upwards
d. All of the above
7. The Gothic churches were built
a. Over a period of hundreds of years by experienced craftsmen and guilds
b. By experienced structural engineers working in service of the king
c. By professional architects who drew extensive drawings of the cathedrals
d. By a select group of aristocratic European families
8. The Italian Gothic is
a. Not as extensively found in Italy as the Gothic style is in France
b. Uses colored marble
c. Was not as well suited to the southern light and cultural climate in Italy
d. All of the above
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
9. Gothic architecture features architectural elements such as
a. Flying Buttresses, round arches, gargoyles
b. Rose Windows, tracery and Corinthian columns
c. Gargoyles, pinnacles, flying buttresses
d. Ionic Columns, Bundled columns and stained glass windows
10. The first example of Gothic architecture is
a. Saint Denis commissioned by Abbot Suger
b. Saint Etienne, Commissioned by Cluny
c. Saint Gilles du Gard, Commissioned by the Duke of Aquitaine
d. Saint Sulpice where the first gargoyle was sighted
11. Possible explanations of the origin of the gargoyle proposes
a. That the origins of gargoyles and griffins may have been related to dinosaur bones
b. That a creature named La Gargouille lived by the river and terrorized the town
c. That the first gargoyle was originally intended to be a portrait of Louis XIV at Laon
d. Both a and b
12. What architectural element braces the cathedral from lateral forces?
a. Lanterns
b. Gargoyles
c. Flying buttresses
d. Rib vaults
e. Barrel vaults
13. What was the purpose of Sainte Chapelle?
a. To house the Holy Cross
b. To house the Holy Crown of Louis IX
c. To house the Crown of Thorns
d. To impress the British
14. What is unique about the cathedral of Sainte Chapelle?
a. it has two parts a front and a back
b. It doesn’t have an altar
c. It burned several times but the tunic was saved
d. it has two levels an upper and a lower level
15. Who restored Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle as well as other Gothic Structures in the 1800’s?
a. Robespierre
b. Viollet-le-Duc
c. Victor Hugo
d. Bishop Sully
16. What was planned for Chartres Cathedral during the French Revolutions?
a. It was to be restored
b. A modern façade was planned
c. It was to be blown up
d. The sculpture was to be updated to show scientific figures
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
17. What happened to the Kings of Israel on the façade of Notre Dame during the French
Revolution?
a. They were removed and buried in a basement
b. They were smashed and never found again
c. They were modified to become the Twelve Apostles
d. They were moved to Saint Denis in the crypt
18. What is the name of the public space in front of a French cathedral?
a. Paradis
b. Protais
c. Forum
d. Triforum
e. Parvis
19. What was the island in Paris where Notre Dame is located originally called?
a. Lutetia
b. Le Techna
c. Rat world
d. Kilim a g’dansk, an old Celtic word
20. Who are the three patron saints of Paris?
a. Saint Louis, Saint Sully, Saint Denis
b. Saint Denis, Saint Marcel, Sainte Genevieve
c. Saint Denis, Saint Suger, Saint Romaine
d. Dagobert, Childebert, Hugh Capet
21. Who killed La Gargouille according to legend?
a. Saint Denis
b. Saint Eustache
c. Saint Romaine
d. Saint Genevieve
e. Saint Marcel
22. What was La Gargouille?
a. A King of France during the crusades
b. The leader of the Goths
c. A dragon that lived near Rouen cathedral
d. A type of alcoholic drink served on religious holidays
23. What is the supposed origin of the gargoyle?
a. Dinosaur bones
b. La Gargouille
c. The inferno as described by Dante
d. Alchemist lore
e. Both a and b
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
24. What is the common theme for the center door of a French Gothic cathedral?
a. it is the door of the last judgement (the apocalypse)
b. It is the door of Mary
c. it is the door of the local saint
d. it is the door of the French Kings
25. What is unique about the three doors of Notre Dame?
a. They are not the same size
b. One has a triangular roof line over it and the others do not
c. They show the life of Sainte Anne and mary
d. They show images of hell and the riders of the apocalypse
Ae. ll of the above
26. What is the structural advantage of a Gothic arch?
a. It deflects load better
b. It is lighter in weight
c. it is easier to pour in concrete
d. It is based on wooden structures which are more stable
27. What is the construction advantage of a gothic vault?
a. The ribs can be built first
b. The vault can be modified in width and height more easily than a roman arch
c. The arch is made of easily transportable stones
d. Both a and b
28. What is the charge de tas?
a. Where a gothic rib attaches to the wall
b. The duties that were given to the workers
c. An explosive charge used to break the stone
d. A fee paid for certain tasks in the construction
29. What is the name of layers of arches nested together?
a. Bundled arches
b. Architraves
c. Nested arches
d. Archivolts
30. What was the original site of Notre Dame used for?
a. it was a sacred Celtic site
b. It was a Roman armory
c. It was a site of the martyrdom of Saint Denis
d. It was the bishops palace
31. Who commissioned the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral?
a. Saint Romaine
b. Saint Louis
c. Bishop Sully
d. Abbot Suger
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
32. Who commissioned the construction of Chartres Cathedral?
a. Bishop FUlbert
b. Saint Louis
c. Bishop Sully
d. Abbot Suger
33. What important relic is held at Chartres Cathedral?
a. The True Cross
b. The Holy Tunic
c. The Crown of Thorns
d. The Holy Tabernacle
34. What happened to Chartres cathedral?
a. it burned in a fire and was rebuilt
b. It was destroyed in the French Revolution and was rebuilt
c. It was destroyed in a siege
d. It is one of the best preserved cathedrals and has never been damaged
35. What happened to the Holy Tunic that was at Chartres?
a. It was saved from the fire
b. It was lost in the fire
c. It was stolen in the crusades
d. It was given to Louis IX
36. Who purchased the Crown of Thorns?
a. Saint Romaine
b. Saint Louis
c. Bishop Sully
d. The Louvre Museum
37. What happened to Louis IX after his death?
a. He was buried in Notre Dame
b. He was canonized
c. He was buried in Chartres
d. His body was lost at sea
38. Who commissioned Saint Denis?
a. Bishop Fulbert
b. Abbot Suger
c. Bishop Sully
d. Fulcanelli
39. Who is buried in Saint Denis?
a. The Dagobert family
b. The Childebert family treasure
c. Sainte Genevieve
d. The Kings of France
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
40. What was the condition of the church of Saint Denis before it was remodeled?
a. It was in outstanding condition and considered too luxurious?
b. it was condemned by Saint Bernard
c. It was falling apart and used as shelter for criminals
d. It was spatious and too big
41. What did Abbot Suger also do besides Saint Denis?
a. He arranged a wedding for Louis IX to Marie Antoinette
b. He purchased the crown of thorns
c. He constructed the tomb of Sainte Genevieve
d. He wrote a book on the history of France
42. What were other holy relics that were sought during the crusade?
a. The Crown of Thorns, the True Cross and the Holy Lance
b. The head of Saint Denis
c. The head of La Gargouille
d. The Holy Grail
43. What style was Saint Denis originally built in?
a. Gothic
b. Romanesque
c. Byzantine
d. Medieval revival
44. Who was the architect of Saint Denis?
a. Dagobert
b. Childebert
c. Abbott Suger
d. We don’t know
45. What is one of the oldest churches in paris that is built around the same time as Notre Dame?
a. Saint Julienne le Pauvre
b. Saint Etienne
c. Saint Marcel
d. Saint Sulpice
46. What is one of the oldest churches in Paris that was destroyed by a bomb during World War I?
a. Sainte Gervais/Saint Protais
b. Saint Etienne
c. Saint Marcel
d. Saint Sulpice
47. What is a church which used to be in a field and is also one of the oldest in Paris?
a. Saint Germain des Pres
b. Saint Gervais/Saint Protais
c. Saint Julienne le Pauvre
d. Saint Eustache
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
48. What is the church which has sculptures of bulls on the towers?
a. Notre Dame de Paris
b. Notre Dame de la Vache
c. Notre Dame de Beauvais
d. Notre dame de Laon
49. What cahtedral would be considered the best example of High Gothic ?
a. Beauvais
b. Notre Dame de Paris
c. Chartres
d. Sainte Chapelle
50. What cathedral would be considered the best example of the flamboyant style of Gothic ?
a. Notre Dame de Chartres
b. Sainte Chapelle
c. Notre Dame de Laon
d. Milan Cathedral
51. What was the Italian Reaction to Gothic architecture?
a. it was considered ugly
b. It was built in brighter pink and green marble
c. it did not have gargoyles
d. All of the above
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
DAILY PARTICIPATION QUESTIONS 2014
1. What were the three Greek orders? Which came first, second and last?
2. What does A.D. mean? What does B.C. mean? What abbreviation is now used for dating
historical events and structures?
3. Who was Vitruvius? What did he say about architecture?
4. What is the difference between the middle ages and medieval times?
5. What is the difference between the dark ages and the middle ages?
6. How did Romanticists feel about the middle ages?
7. How did Renaissance architects and thinkers feel about the middle ages?
8. What did “Renaissance” mean?
9. Where did the term Gothic come from? Was it a positive description?
10. What was the importance of heavenly Jerusalem to Gothic builders and church designers?
11. What was the difference between a Gothic church and previous churches?
12. Where did Gothic architecture begin?
13. Who was Saint Denis? What happened to him?
14. What is the center of the city of Paris?
15. What two roads were used by the Romans when they settled Paris as an outpost?
16. What were some of the features of Gothic architecture?
17. What was the church of Saint Denis used for in historic times?
18. Who began construction in the Gothic style at Saint Denis?
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
1. What came first - Romanesque or Gothic?
2. Why was Romanesque called Romanesque? What were its main characteristics?
3. What is the area above the door of a Romanesque or Gothic church called?
4. What would you often see carved in this area above the door of the church?
5. What is the geometric shape that is used to describe the shape of France?
6. Where is Paris? In the North or South of France?
7. What river flows through Paris? What is the origin of the name of this river?
8. What was the island in the middle of Paris originally called?
9. What does the translation of this island possibly mean?
10. What surrounded Paris during medieval times and even up until recent times (1844)?
1. Who was Fulcanelli?
2. What book did he write?
3. What unique statue is on the roof of Notre Dame with the gargoyles?
4. What is the legend of this statue?
5. What church is across from Notre Dame on the Ile-de-la-Cité island and has enormous walls of
stained glass?
6. What king was in charge of commissioning this church?
7. What happened to this king after his death?
8. What holy relic did the church contain?
9. Who restored the church?
10. What three subjects did students study in the middle ages?
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
11. What were the four subjects that came after this called?
12. What city was the center for universities and academic learning in Europe in the Middle Ages?
1. What is the post called in the center of a portal that separates the two doors in a gothic
cathedral?
2. Who is the saint that killed the dragon in Paris?
3. Who is the Saint that killed the dragon known as La Gargouille?
4. What is the translation or the meaning of the word “gargouille”?
5. What is a gargoyle?
6. What is a grotesque?
7. What are the three doors on Notre Dame?
8. Who renovated the cathedral in the 1800’s?
1. What two overlapping shapes compose the façade of Notre Dame?
2. What direction does the entrance of a Gothic church face?
3. What is the public space in front of a Gothic church called in France?
4. What is a possible origin of this word?
5. What used to be in this space in front of the church medieval times?
6. Who commissioned the building of Notre Dame?
7. What is the difference between the north door and the south door?
8. What is the circular window called in the façade? When do you see it?
9. Who are the statues of that are over the three doors in a horizontal line?
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
1. What church in the middle of Paris is named after two saints?
2. What happened to this church in World War I?
3. What combinations of architectural styles do you see on this church?
4. What church in the north of Paris by a beautiful garden is both Gothic, Renaissance and
baroque?
5. What church is in France that has carvings of bulls on the towers?
6. What is the façade of Chartres cathedral? Gothic or Romanesque?
7. What is the difference between the three portals on Chartres and the Three portals on Notre
Dame de Paris?
8. What is unique about the towers of Chartres cathedral?
9. What is unique about the carvings of the doors of Chartres Cathedral?
10. What church is considered High Gothic and collapsed several times in France?
11. What style of Gothic features carvings that look like flames?
12. What holy relic is kept in Chartres Cathedral?
13. What terrible event happened to Chartres Cathedral on numerous occasions?
DAILY PARTICIPATION QUESTIONS 2012
1. What was the first church to have Gothic architectural features?
2. What is the story of the site it is named after?
3. Who was in charge of this church and is responsible for the architecture?
4. Who is buried in this church?
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
5. What is the origin of the word “Gothic”?
1. Approximately how many workers were reported to work on a cathedral at one time?
2. What is the name of the skilled workers in france that cut stone, make stained glass and perform
other tasks?
3. What is the mythical origin of the gargoyle?
4. If a gargoyle doesn’t shoot out water from its mouth, what is it called?
5. What especially unusual figure is found on the roof of Notre Dame? Where does this figure
look?
6. Who wrote a book on the mysteries of the cathedral of Notre Dame in the 1920’s and claimed it
was symbolic of alchemical knowledge?
7. What images do the doors of the cathedral contain?
1. What is the name of a gothic cathedral located just outside of Paris?
2. What sacred relic does this cathedral contain?
3. What style of architecture is the Western façade of the cathedral?
4. What style of architecture is the North tower?
5. What style of architecture is the South tower?
6. What is one of the oldest churches in Paris that is in both a Romanesque and a Gothic style?
7. When was this church constructed?
8. What is another one of the oldest churches in Paris that used t be in a field?
9. Who is presumed to be buried here?
10. What style is this church built in?
11. What happened to the surrounding structures?
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
ARCHI 157: World Architecture History
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE EXAM
1. Which cathedral has bulls on the towers instead of gargoyles?
2. Which cathedral is considered an example of High Gothic and collapsed several times?
3. What is the name for a style for Gothic tracery that looks like flames?
4. What country besides France considered Gothic to be their national style?
5. Who promoted the gothic style in his novel the Hunchback of Notre Dame?
6. Who restored Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral in the 1800’s?
7. What happened to Louis IX after his death?
8. What special holy relic is stored in Sainte Chapelle?
9. What was the purpose of the upper and lower chapels in Sainte Chapelle?