English Jeopardy

English Language and Grammar

100

What language family does English belong to?

The Germanic Language Family

200

Which 4 languages contribute the most etymologically to the English Vocabulary? 

Latin (~29%), French (~29%) Old English (Germanic roots) (~26%) and Greek (~6%)

300

Give an example of the past perfect in English 

"She had been working hard"
"I hadn't seen her in years"

400

Give an example of an English word that can be used as an adjective, verb and noun.

- Light
- Fast
- Clean

- Right
-Warm

-Clear

- Round

500

Give an Example of the Subjunctive in English

"God bless you"

"God save the Queen!"

"I suggest that he go to the doctor."

"It is essential that she be here on time."

I insist that he leave us alone. (instead of "leaves us")
I would rather someone else do it. ("does it")

Be they friend or foe, … (equivalent to "(No matter) whether they be friend or foe, …")

Come what may

Be that as it may

 

American History/Culture

100

The American holiday celebrates the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony surviving the winter with the help of local native tribes. It is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving

200

This sporting event was watched by 123.4 million Americans in 2023. The winning team in 2023 was the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Super Bowl

300

This American general from Virginia later served as president. He is still the most popular president, and his face is on both the dollar bill and the quarter.

George Washington

400

This city is the third largest in the US. It sits on the shore of lake Michigan in the mid-west. It is know as "the windy city" as well as "the second city" by its residents. 

Chicago

500

This US state was purchased in 1867 for $7.2 million. This purchase was known as "Seward's Folly" (after the secretary of state William Seward) because it was at the time considered a waste of money. It is the third least populous and is famed for it's natural beauty.

Alaska 

English History/Culture

100

What are the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom?

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

200

This traditional English meal, served in the afternoon between lunch and dinner (usually between 3:00PM and 5:00PM, emerged in the 19th century.

Tea time (other names are acceptable)

300

This man is credited with inventing over 1700 words and phrases, many of which are commonly used today, such as "break the ice," "wild-goose chase," and "heart of gold." 

William Shakespeare

400

This English queen was the longest raining until Queen Elizabeth II. She is famed for being the ancestor of many noble families, earning her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe." She also gives name to a defining and important period of English history. 

Queen Victoria

500

This famous English naval battle fought on October 21st 1805, saw the English navy face off against the numerically superior French and Spanish navy. Led by Admiral Horatio Nelson, the Royal Navy was able to permanently establish naval supremacy over the French Empire.

The Battle of Trafalgar

Idioms

100

Define the idiom and use it in a sentence:

Spill the beans 

• Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
• Example: "She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."

200

To put a sock in it

• Meaning: To tell someone to be quiet or stop talking. 
• Example: "It's 10 at night, put a sock in it already!"

300

Define the idiom and use it in a sentence:

"Throw in the towel" 

• to give up or admit defeat.
• Example: "After several failed attempts, he finally threw in the towel and left the game."

400

Define the idiom and use it in a sentence:

Under the weather

• Meaning: To feel ill or unwell.

  Example: "I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home."

500

Define the idiom and use it in a sentence:

"To burn the midnight oil"

• Meaning: To work late into the night.

  Example: "She was burning the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline."

False Cognates

100

Attendre (French) vs Attend (English)

To be present at an event

"I attended the ceremony at the school."

200

Patron (French) vs. patron (English) 

A person who financially supports a charitable or artistic cause or project; a regular customer of a business  

300

Déception (French) vs. Deception (English)

Trickery, guile or lies

400

Sensible (French) vs. Sensible (English)

"reasonable" or "practical"

500

Cavalier (French) vs. Cavalier (English, Adjective)

Nonchalant or reckless

• The government takes a cavalier attitude to the problems of prison overcrowding