Transportation Quiz

2. The covers on covered wagons were made of:

• Deerskin
  Sorry, wrong answer. The covered wagons, known as "camels of the prairie", were covered with canvas. From 1725 until the 1830s, these sturdy wagons—which could even float on water—transported most westward travelers.
• Canvas
  That's right! The covered wagons, known as "camels of the prairie", were covered with canvas. From 1725 until the 1830s, these sturdy wagons—which could even float on water—transported most westward travelers.
• Wool
  Sorry, wrong answer. The covered wagons, known as "camels of the prairie", were covered with canvas. From 1725 until the 1830s, these sturdy wagons—which could even float on water—transported most westward travelers.

3. The first balloon trip transported:

• Two French brothers
  Sorry, wrong answer. On June 5, 1783, the Montgolfier brothers in France sent a duck, a sheep, and a rooster into the air for eight minutes. The animals returned safely, thus paving the way for human balloon travel to begin later that year.
• An American circus family
  Sorry, wrong answer. On June 5, 1783, the Montgolfier brothers in France sent a duck, a sheep, and a rooster into the air for eight minutes. The animals returned safely, thus paving the way for human balloon travel to begin later that year.
• A duck, a sheep, and a rooster
  Correct! On June 5, 1783, the Montgolfier brothers in France sent a duck, a sheep, and a rooster into the air for eight minutes. The animals returned safely, thus paving the way for human balloon travel to begin later that year.

4. The first bicycles were powered by:

• Using foot pedals
  Sorry, wrong answer. The first bicycles, much like scooters, were powered by pushing the feet against the ground. Foot pedals were added in Scotland in 1839.
• Using a steel bar like an oar
  Sorry, wrong answer. The first bicycles, much like scooters, were powered by pushing the feet against the ground. Foot pedals were added in Scotland in 1839.
• Pushing the feet against the ground
  You got it. The first bicycles, much like scooters, were powered by pushing the feet against the ground. Foot pedals were added in Scotland in 1839.

5. The old nickname "iron horse" referred to the:

• Train
  That's right! In 1844 a Brooklyn newspaper described a new train as a powerful horse: "the iron horse with its lungs of brass and sinews of steel, came dashing along at a furious rate, puffing volumes of smoke and flame from its nostrils . . .The comparison stuck."
• Automobile
  Sorry, wrong answer. In 1844 a Brooklyn newspaper described a new train as a powerful horse: "the iron horse with its lungs of brass and sinews of steel, came dashing along at a furious rate, puffing volumes of smoke and flame from its nostrils . . .The comparison stuck."
• Steamship
  Sorry, wrong answer. In 1844 a Brooklyn newspaper described a new train as a powerful horse: "the iron horse with its lungs of brass and sinews of steel, came dashing along at a furious rate, puffing volumes of smoke and flame from its nostrils . . .The comparison stuck."

6. In a canal, locks are areas where:

• Tolls are paid
  Sorry, wrong answer. Locks permit boats adjust to different water levels—a lake, for instance, may be hundreds of feet higher than a river.
• Only small boats may pass
  Sorry, wrong answer. Locks permit boats adjust to different water levels—a lake, for instance, may be hundreds of feet higher than a river.
• A boat is lowered or raised from one water level to another
  Correct! Locks permit boats adjust to different water levels—a lake, for instance, may be hundreds of feet higher than a river.

7. The first elevator was made in:

• 1889
  Sorry, wrong answer. The Greek mathematician Archimedes developed the first elevator around 230 B.C. It was very inconvenient because it had to be pulled by people or animals. A safe, modern elevator was invented in 1853, and the electric elevator made its first appearance in 1889.
• 1853
  Sorry, wrong answer. The Greek mathematician Archimedes developed the first elevator around 230 B.C. It was very inconvenient because it had to be pulled by people or animals. A safe, modern elevator was invented in 1853, and the electric elevator made its first appearance in 1889.
• 230 B.C.
  That's right. The Greek mathematician Archimedes developed the first elevator around 230 B.C. It was very inconvenient because it had to be pulled by people or animals. A safe, modern elevator was invented in 1853, and the electric elevator made its first appearance in 1889.

8. The first subway system was built in:

• New York
  Sorry, wrong answer. London's subway system, the first and still the largest in the world, opened in 1863. Boston's system is the oldest in the United States; it was opened in 1897.
• London
  That's right! London's subway system, the first and still the largest in the world, opened in 1863. Boston's system is the oldest in the United States; it was opened in 1897.
• Paris
  Sorry, wrong answer. London's subway system, the first and still the largest in the world, opened in 1863. Boston's system is the oldest in the United States; it was opened in 1897.

9. In 1927, when Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly across the Atlantic, the journey took him:

• 7 ½ hours
  Sorry, wrong answer. It took Lindbergh 33 ½ hours to cross the Atlantic Ocean in "The Spirit of St. Louis", his single-engine plane.
• 22 ½ hours
  Sorry, wrong answer. It took Lindbergh 33 ½ hours to cross the Atlantic Ocean in "The Spirit of St. Louis", his single-engine plane.
• 33 ½ hours
  Correct! It took Lindbergh 33 ½ hours to cross the Atlantic Ocean in "The Spirit of St. Louis", his single-engine plane.

10. Sputnik, the first satellite to go into orbit, was closest in size to:

• A basketball
  Correct! Sputnik, the size of a basketball, was launched by the Soviet Union on October 5, 1957.
• A baseball
  Sorry, wrong answer. Sputnik, the size of a basketball, was launched by the Soviet Union on October 5, 1957.
• A medicine ball
  Sorry, wrong answer. Sputnik, the size of a basketball, was launched by the Soviet Union on October 5, 1957.