» The 2012 Swiss trivia quiz

The 2012 Swiss trivia quiz

December 14, 2012, 10 Comments

Roger Federer had a good 2012 in London

How good is your Swiss general knowledge? How much do remember about 2012? Here’s a little quiz of trivia relating to Switzerland. It’s actually a much shorter version of a quiz I created for the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Zurich. We had our quiz evening last night – a fun evening of laughs and head-scratching. Congratulations to all those who got these questions right.

Now it’s your turn! If you need help, then try looking in my new book, Swisscellany, which is packed with exactly such useful – and useless – information.

Geography

Which four cantons begin with the letter S?
The highest train station in Europe is 100 years old this year. What is it called?
What do the letters CH stand for?
Which is furthest north: Bern, Lucerne or Chur?
Which canton has the most cows?

History & Politics

Who is the current President of Switzerland?
Which is the oldest brand: Nestlé, Omega or Victorinox?
Five cantons have never had a Federal Councillor. Name two.
Which war was finally ended by the Treaty of Lausanne?
In which year did Swiss women get the vote at federal level?

Sport

Roger Federer won his 7th Wimbledon singles’ title this year; when did he win his first?
Which country won its first football World Cup in the 1954 final, known as The Miracle of Bern?
How many medals did Switzerland win at the 2012 Olympic Games?
Which team are the current Swiss Football Champions?
Which Swiss ski resort has twice hosted the Winter Olympics?

Arts & Entertainment

Which British author wrote Treasure Island while recuperating in Davos?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born 300 years ago this year but in which Swiss city?
What was the first name of William Tell’s son, the one who stood under the apple?
For which sci-fi film did Swiss artist H R Giger win an Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 1980?
She was born in Strasbourg, lived in Bern and died in London in 1850, but by what married name is Marie Grosholtz better known?

General Knowledge

How many stars are round the edge of the current 1- and 2-franc coins?
Only two countries have a square national flag: Switzerland and… ?
In which Swiss city is Europe’s largest clock face?
Which car maker emigrated from La Chaux-de-Fonds to Detroit?
How do you say Switzerland in Romansh?

So how did you do? 25 out of 25, of course (and without using Google or Wikipedia). If you still need help with the answers, they are all here.

10 Comments on "The 2012 Swiss trivia quiz"

Jens Poulsen Friday December 14th, 2012 at 02:25 PM · Reply

Any chance to get the full version of this quiz? I would honor it for half a year in the most prominent place of our apartment where each and everyone is required to sit still by the very nature of the business and forced to look at it.
- Diccon Bewes Friday December 14th, 2012 at 03:47 PM · Reply
  
  I think I could send it to you, as long as you promise to buy the book for someone this Christmas! It’s a perfect book for that very place in any apartment 🙂
Jens Poulsen Monday December 17th, 2012 at 11:50 PM · Reply

Two expats will now enjoy the entertainment of your book, wherever they choose to put it.
- Diccon Bewes Tuesday December 18th, 2012 at 09:36 AM · Reply
  
  Excellent. Thank you Jens. If you email me directly ([email protected]) I can send you the whole quiz. Happy Christmas!
Ursula Lanz Monday January 14th, 2013 at 12:12 PM · Reply

Dear Diccon, I used the quiz in the classroom as a warmer early in the morning at 7.30 on a Monday morning and the students really appreciated it, keep on quizzing, that’s splendid!
Ursula
- Diccon Bewes Monday January 14th, 2013 at 05:15 PM · Reply
  
  Hi Ursula. So glad to hear that it was useful, and appreciated. There will be another one soon!
Lanz Ursula Sunday January 20th, 2013 at 02:04 PM · Reply

Dear Diccon
It’s me again. I have just found out that at the Landesmuseum in Zürich there is an exhibition named
“Swissness”
http://www.nationalmuseum.ch/d/zuerich/fuehrungen_veranstaltungen/private_gruppen/index.php
(6th picture from the bottom).
It can be visited with some staff in English, it takes one hour in a group. I am going to visit this presentation with a Real-Klasse (9th) on 22nd March (1 h). But maybe you are already aware of this exhibition.
Best regards, I am going to buy your second book soon, the first one was absolutely smashing.
Ursula
- Diccon Bewes Monday January 21st, 2013 at 10:32 AM · Reply
  
  Thanks for the info. It sounds like an interesting exhibition but from the website, it appears to only be available to groups and not open to the public. I might contact the Landesmuseum and ask if that really is the case.
  Enjoy it!