The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : What is the correct plural of "hibou" (owl) in French?
Possible answers:
- Hiboux
- Hibou
- Hiboues
- Hibous
Explanation: "Hibou" is one of the 7 French words ending in -ou that take an X in the plural: bijou, caillou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou.
Question 2 : What is the correct plural of "cheval" (horse) in French?
Possible answers:
- Chevales
- Chevaux
- Chevauxs
- Chevals
Explanation: "Cheval" becomes "chevaux" in the plural, like most words ending in -al (journal/journaux, animal/animaux). Exceptions: bal, carnaval, festival...
Question 3 : What is the plural of "œil" (eye) in French?
Possible answers:
- Yeuxs
- Œilles
- Œils
- Yeux
Explanation: Œil becomes yeux in the plural, a transformation inherited from Latin "oculus" (plural "oculi"). Exception: "des œils-de-bœuf" is used for round windows.
Question 4 : What is the correct plural of "travail" (work) in French?
Possible answers:
- Travaux
- Travails
- Travailes
- Travailles
Explanation: "Travail" becomes "travaux" in the plural. Note: "des travails" exists only to refer to the apparatus used by farriers.
Question 5 : Which French word ending in -ou takes an X in plural form?
Possible answers:
- Verrou
- Trou
- Genou
- Clou
Explanation: Only 7 French words ending in -ou take an X in the plural: bijou, caillou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou. All others take an S (clous, trous...).
Question 6 : What is the correct plural of "festival" in French?
Possible answers:
- Festivaux
- Festivales
- Festivalx
- Festivals
Explanation: "Festival" becomes "festivals" in the plural, it is one of the exceptions to -al words that usually become -aux (bal, carnaval, chacal, festival, récital...).
Question 7 : What is the correct plural of "monsieur" in French?
Possible answers:
- Messieur
- Messieurs
- Monsieurs
- Monssieurs
Explanation: "Monsieur" becomes "messieurs" in the plural, because the word comes from "mon sieur" (my lord), and "sieur" became "sieurs" in the plural.
Question 8 : What is the correct plural of "vitrail" (stained-glass window) in French?
Possible answers:
- Vitrailles
- Vitrails
- Vitraux
- Vitrailes
Explanation: "Vitrail" becomes "vitraux" in the plural, like most words ending in -ail (travail/travaux, émail/émaux). Exceptions: détails, rails, portails...
Question 9 : What is the correct plural of "ciel" (sky) in French?
Possible answers:
- Cielles
- Cielx
- Ciels
- Cieux
Explanation: "Ciel" becomes "cieux" when referring to the celestial vault. "Ciels" exists for artistic representations (Turner's skies).
Question 10 : What is the correct plural of "aïeul" (ancestor) in French?
Possible answers:
- Aïeulx
- Aïeules
- Aïeux
- Aïeuls
Explanation: "Aïeul" becomes "aïeux" when talking about ancestors in general. "Aïeuls" specifically refers to grandparents (the four grandparents).
