Oxford Quiz: Colleges, Libraries and Dreaming Spires of England
This Oxford quiz explores the famous university city in England, with questions on the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the Bodleian Library's oath, the Radcliffe Camera, Christ Church's Great Hall and Harry Potter, Lewis Carroll and Alice, the Bridge of Sighs, punting, Matthew Arnold's dreaming spires, the Ashmolean Museum and May Morning. Ten questions.
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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds
Universities
The University of Oxford is famous for being what?
Libraries
New readers at the Bodleian Library traditionally promise not to do what?
Buildings
What is the Radcliffe Camera, one of Oxford's most famous buildings?
Films
The Great Hall of which Oxford college inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films?
Writers
Which Oxford mathematics lecturer wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?
Bridges
Oxford's Bridge of Sighs, connecting two parts of a college over a lane, belongs to which college?
Traditions
What is punting, a popular summer activity on Oxford's rivers?
Poets
Which poet called Oxford the sweet city with her dreaming spires?
Museums
Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, opened in 1683, holds which record?
Celebrations
What happens at 6 a.m. every May 1 in Oxford, known as May Morning?
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Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions
- Q1: The University of Oxford is famous for being what?
Answer: The oldest university in the English-speaking world
Teaching took place there by 1096, and it grew quickly after 1167. The university is made up of dozens of independent colleges.
- Q2: New readers at the Bodleian Library traditionally promise not to do what?
Answer: Bring in or light any fire or flame
The declaration is centuries old. The Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and receives a copy of every book published in the UK.
- Q3: What is the Radcliffe Camera, one of Oxford's most famous buildings?
Answer: A round, domed library reading room
Built in the 1740s, it is now part of the Bodleian Libraries. Camera means room in Latin.
- Q4: The Great Hall of which Oxford college inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films?
Answer: Christ Church
A replica was built in a studio for filming. The college's staircase and cloisters also appear in the films.
- Q5: Which Oxford mathematics lecturer wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?
Answer: Lewis Carroll
His real name was Charles Dodgson, and he taught at Christ Church. Alice was inspired by Alice Liddell, the daughter of the college's dean.
- Q6: Oxford's Bridge of Sighs, connecting two parts of a college over a lane, belongs to which college?
Answer: Hertford College
It was completed in 1914. Although it is named after the bridge in Venice, it looks more like Venice's Rialto Bridge.
- Q7: What is punting, a popular summer activity on Oxford's rivers?
Answer: Sailing a flat-bottomed boat pushed with a long pole
Punters stand at the back and push against the riverbed with a pole. Many visitors end up getting wet when the pole sticks in the mud.
- Q8: Which poet called Oxford the sweet city with her dreaming spires?
Answer: Matthew Arnold
The phrase comes from his 1865 poem Thyrsis. From the hills around the city, the many towers and spires rise above the rooftops.
- Q9: Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, opened in 1683, holds which record?
Answer: Britain's first public museum
It began with the collection of Elias Ashmole. Today, it displays art and archaeology from ancient Egypt to modern times.
- Q10: What happens at 6 a.m. every May 1 in Oxford, known as May Morning?
Answer: A choir sings from the top of Magdalen Tower
Thousands of people gather below to listen. Morris dancers then perform in the streets. The custom dates back more than 500 years.
Oxford Quiz – The City of Dreaming Spires
Oxford is a historic city in southern England, about 90 kilometers northwest of London. It is home to the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of the most famous in the world. The poet Matthew Arnold called it the sweet city with her dreaming spires.
Teaching in Oxford began by the end of the 11th century, and the university grew quickly in the 12th century. Today, it has more than 30 colleges, each with its own buildings, chapel, hall and gardens. Famous colleges include Christ Church, Magdalen, Balliol, New College and Merton.
The university's libraries are legendary. The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest in Europe, and readers still promise not to light fires inside. The Radcliffe Camera, a round domed building, is one of the city's icons. The Ashmolean, opened in 1683, was Britain's first public museum.
Oxford has shaped literature and film. Lewis Carroll wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland while teaching at Christ Church, and J.R.R. Tolkien was a professor there. Christ Church's Great Hall inspired Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Oxford has educated dozens of British prime ministers and many world leaders.
Visitors punt on the River Cherwell, climb towers for views and cross the Bridge of Sighs. May Morning begins with a choir singing from Magdalen Tower.
Oxford is also a lively modern city with markets, bookshops and pubs, such as the Eagle and Child, where Tolkien and his friends met. The annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge takes place on the Thames in London.
This quiz covers the history, colleges, libraries and traditions of Oxford.
What This Quiz Teaches
This quiz is perfect for students, book lovers and travelers.
- Why Oxford's university is so old
- The Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera
- Christ Church, Harry Potter and Lewis Carroll
- The Bridge of Sighs and punting
- Matthew Arnold's dreaming spires
- The Ashmolean Museum and May Morning
Quick Facts About Oxford
- The Oxford English Dictionary is published by Oxford University Press.
- Students wear formal gowns for exams.
- Oxford's Covered Market opened in 1774.
- The Sheldonian Theatre was designed by Christopher Wren.
- Carfax Tower marks the center of the city.
- Oxford scientists helped develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
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