English Jeopardy !

English Language & 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 longest running series, created in the US, has been airing since 1989 and continues to produce new episodes

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 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

British 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

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 famous lead singer from a popular British music group was born in Zanzibar in 1946 and died at the age of 45. His birth name was Farrokh Bulsara, what was his stage name?

Freddie Mercury

500

In all of history, how many countries has England colonized?

(+/- 10 nations or commonwealths)

There were originally approximately 105 separate colonies controled by Britain. Some 26 either united or were absorbed to become other countries. Approximately 78 became separate independent countries and some 51 of those are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Idioms

100

Please define :

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!"

200

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."

300

Define the idiom and use it in a sentence:

"Throw in the towel"

Meaning : 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

Préservatif (French) / Preservative

A substance or chemical added to food to increase its shelf life

"Foods with lots of preservatives are bad for you!"

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"