The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : In "The Fox and the Crow", what does the Crow hold in its beak?
Possible answers:
- A walnut
- A cheese
- A piece of bread
- A cherry
Explanation: The Crow holds a cheese that the Fox covets. Through flattery, the Fox makes the Crow sing, causing it to drop the cheese.
Question 2 : What does the Grasshopper do all summer in "The Grasshopper and the Ant"?
Possible answers:
- She dances
- She travels
- She sleeps
- She sings
Explanation: The Grasshopper sings all summer instead of working, while the Ant stores provisions. When winter comes, the Grasshopper is left with nothing.
Question 3 : In "The Tortoise and the Hare", who wins the race?
Possible answers:
- The Hare
- They tie
- Neither
- The Tortoise
Explanation: The Tortoise wins because the Hare, overconfident, stops to sleep. The moral: "Slow and steady wins the race."
Question 4 : In which century did Jean de La Fontaine live and write his fables?
Possible answers:
- 15th century
- 16th century
- 17th century
- 18th century
Explanation: Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) lived in the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. His Fables were published between 1668 and 1694.
Question 5 : In "The Lion and the Mouse", what does the Mouse do to save the Lion?
Possible answers:
- He calls for help
- He gnaws through the net
- He scares the hunters
- He digs a tunnel
Explanation: The Mouse gnaws through the net trapping the Lion. This fable teaches that the small can help the great: "Little friends may prove great friends."
Question 6 : Which animal wants to make itself as big as an Ox in a famous fable?
Possible answers:
- The Frog
- The Lizard
- The Mouse
- The Toad
Explanation: In "The Frog Who Wished to Be as Big as an Ox", the frog inflates so much it bursts. A moral against vanity and envy.
Question 7 : Which Greek fabulist inspired Jean de La Fontaine for many of his fables?
Possible answers:
- Aesop
- Aristophanes
- Sophocles
- Homer
Explanation: Aesop, a Greek fabulist from the 6th century BC, is La Fontaine's main source of inspiration, who adapted and enriched his stories.
Question 8 : What is the moral of "The Fox and the Crow"?
Possible answers:
- Beware of flatterers
- Unity is strength
- Slow and steady wins the race
- Cunning is better than strength
Explanation: The moral "Every flatterer lives at the expense of those who listen" warns against flattery and the vanity that blinds us.
Question 9 : In "The Wolf and the Lamb", what reason does the Wolf give for eating the Lamb?
Possible answers:
- The Lamb insulted him
- The Lamb made noise
- The Lamb is muddying his water
- The Lamb stole his food
Explanation: The Wolf accuses the Lamb of muddying its water, but it's just a pretext. The moral: "Might makes right."
Question 10 : How many books make up the complete Fables of La Fontaine?
Possible answers:
- 6 books
- 10 books
- 12 books
- 15 books
Explanation: La Fontaine's Fables are divided into 12 books, published in three collections between 1668 and 1694, totaling 243 fables.
