Vikings Quiz

The area of Europe where the Vikings came from is now called

• England.

• North America.

• Scandinavia.

• the Netherlands.

Answer explanation

The Vikings originated from Scandinavia, which includes modern-day countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. This region is known for its historical Viking culture, making it the correct answer.

Another name for the Vikings is

• the Norse.

• Icemen.

• trolls.

• Inuit.

Answer explanation

The Vikings are commonly referred to as the Norse, which denotes their Scandinavian origins and culture. The other options, such as Icemen, trolls, and Inuit, do not accurately represent the Vikings.

Which of the following can be used to describe the Vikings?

• builders of great cities

• wise peacemakers

• fierce raiders

• great scholars

Answer explanation

The Vikings are best described as fierce raiders, known for their raids and conquests across Europe. While they had other attributes, their reputation as warriors and raiders is the most prominent in history.

The Vikings were best known for their great skill in

• drawing and painting.

• shipbuilding and sailing.

• studying and writing.

• singing and dancing.

Answer explanation

The Vikings were renowned for their exceptional shipbuilding and sailing skills, which allowed them to explore, trade, and raid across vast distances, making this the correct answer.

Sailing on a Viking longship required courage and strength because

• they used only the wind and sails to travel.

• they were open to the weather.

• they carried only one sailor.

• they frequently broke up and sank in storms.

Answer explanation

Sailing on a Viking longship required courage and strength because they were open to the weather, exposing sailors to harsh conditions, unlike enclosed vessels. This made their journey perilous and demanded resilience.

To go “a-viking” meant

• to wrestle.

• to hunt.

• to raid.

• to farm.

Answer explanation

To go 'a-viking' refers to the practice of Norse warriors raiding other lands for plunder. Therefore, the correct answer is 'to raid,' as it captures the essence of this historical activity.

The fiercest Viking warriors were known as

• sailors.

• jarls.

• navigators.

• berserkers.

Answer explanation

The fiercest Viking warriors were called berserkers. They were known for their ferocity in battle, often entering a trance-like state that made them fearless and incredibly strong, distinguishing them from other warriors like jarls or navigators.

Farmland was scarce in the Viking homelands because of the

• many mountains.

• many deserts.

• lack of irrigation.

• lack of oxen to pull plows.

Answer explanation

Farmland was scarce in the Viking homelands primarily due to the many mountains, which limited arable land. The rugged terrain made it difficult to cultivate crops, leading to a scarcity of farmland.

The letters of the Viking alphabet were called

• cuneiform.

• runes.

• cursive.

• jarls.

Answer explanation

The letters of the Viking alphabet are known as runes. Cuneiform refers to an ancient writing system used in Mesopotamia, cursive is a style of handwriting, and jarls were noblemen in Viking society.

Viking farms were often nestled between

• fjords and mountains.

• deserts and sand dunes.

• two large plains.

• two large cities.

Answer explanation

Viking farms were typically located in regions with natural features that provided protection and resources. Fjords and mountains offered such a landscape, making this the correct choice.