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Italy trivia: 42 questions and answers

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History

  1. According to legend, which city was founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC?

    1. A. Rome
    2. B. Florence
    3. C. Venice
    4. D. Turin
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    Rome. Legend says the twins Romulus and Remus founded Rome on 21 April 753 BC.

  2. In which year did Italians vote to become a republic?

    1. A. 1861
    2. B. 1922
    3. C. 1946
    4. D. 1957
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    1946. In the referendum of 2 June 1946 Italians voted to end the monarchy. 2 June is Republic Day.

  3. Which volcano buried the Roman town of Pompeii in AD 79?

    1. A. Etna
    2. B. Vesuvius
    3. C. Stromboli
    4. D. Vulcano
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    Vesuvius. Vesuvius, near Naples, erupted in AD 79 and buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.

  4. Turin was the first capital of the united Kingdom of Italy.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Turin was the capital from 1861, then Florence, and Rome from 1871.

  5. Rome was already part of the Kingdom of Italy when the kingdom was proclaimed in 1861.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. Rome belonged to the Papal States until 1870. It joined the kingdom that year and became the capital in 1871.

Food and drink

  1. Which city is the home of pizza margherita?

    1. A. Milan
    2. B. Naples
    3. C. Venice
    4. D. Turin
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    Naples. Pizza margherita comes from Naples, where the art of the pizza maker is protected by UNESCO.

  2. What gives risotto alla milanese its golden colour?

    1. A. Saffron
    2. B. Turmeric
    3. C. Egg yolk
    4. D. Carrot
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    Saffron. Saffron gives risotto alla milanese its golden colour.

  3. Which cheese is traditionally used in spaghetti carbonara?

    1. A. Mozzarella
    2. B. Gorgonzola
    3. C. Pecorino Romano
    4. D. Ricotta
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    Pecorino Romano. Carbonara is a Roman dish made with Pecorino Romano, a hard sheep's milk cheese.

  4. Traditional spaghetti carbonara is made with cream.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. The creamy sauce comes from eggs and Pecorino, mixed with a little pasta water.

  5. What does the name 'arancini' mean?

    1. A. Little oranges
    2. B. Little rice balls
    3. C. Golden coins
    4. D. Fried bites
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    Little oranges. Arancini means little oranges, because of their round shape and golden colour.

  6. Which herb is the main ingredient of pesto alla genovese?

    1. A. Parsley
    2. B. Basil
    3. C. Mint
    4. D. Rosemary
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    Basil. Pesto alla genovese is made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, cheese and olive oil.

  7. Tiramisù is made with mascarpone and ladyfingers soaked in coffee.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Ladyfingers dipped in espresso are layered with a mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa.

  8. Which sweet bread with raisins and candied peel is eaten all over Italy at Christmas?

    1. A. Focaccia
    2. B. Panettone
    3. C. Ciabatta
    4. D. Grissini
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    Panettone. Panettone, from Milan, is the classic Italian Christmas bread.

  9. In Italy, cappuccino is mostly drunk at breakfast, not after dinner.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. After a meal, most Italians order an espresso instead.

Cities

  1. Which city's university, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest in continuous operation?

    1. A. Bologna
    2. B. Florence
    3. C. Padua
    4. D. Pisa
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    Bologna. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest university in continuous operation.

  2. Which city is built on islands in a lagoon, where boats replace cars?

    1. A. Verona
    2. B. Venice
    3. C. Genoa
    4. D. Turin
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    Venice. Venice is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon.

  3. Milan is the capital of Italy.

    True or false?

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    False. False. Rome is the capital. Milan is the centre of business and fashion.

Landmarks

  1. In which city is the Colosseum?

    1. A. Verona
    2. B. Naples
    3. C. Rome
    4. D. Milan
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    Rome. The Colosseum is in Rome. It was finished in AD 80.

  2. Which city is home to the famous Leaning Tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli?

    1. A. Pisa
    2. B. Florence
    3. C. Turin
    4. D. Genoa
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    Pisa. The Leaning Tower is the bell tower of Pisa Cathedral, in the Piazza dei Miracoli.

  3. Who designed the great dome of Florence Cathedral?

    1. A. Michelangelo
    2. B. Filippo Brunelleschi
    3. C. Leonardo da Vinci
    4. D. Raphael
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    Filippo Brunelleschi. Filippo Brunelleschi designed the dome, which was completed in 1436.

  4. Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is painted on a wall in Milan.

    True or false?

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    True. True. It is on the wall of the dining hall of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

  5. The Roman arena in Verona is still used for opera performances.

    True or false?

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    True. True. The Arena of Verona hosts a famous opera festival every summer.

Fun facts

  1. Which two independent countries lie completely inside Italy?

    1. A. Monaco and Andorra
    2. B. San Marino and Vatican City
    3. C. Malta and San Marino
    4. D. Liechtenstein and Vatican City
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    San Marino and Vatican City. San Marino and Vatican City are both surrounded entirely by Italy.

  2. As of 2026, Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Italy tops the list, from Rome and Venice to the Dolomites.

  3. What is shown on Italy's 1 euro coin?

    1. A. The Colosseum
    2. B. Dante Alighieri
    3. C. Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
    4. D. Botticelli's Venus
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    Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. The 1 euro coin shows Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. The other images are on other Italian coins.

  4. Which instrument was invented in Italy around the year 1700?

    1. A. Guitar
    2. B. Piano
    3. C. Harp
    4. D. Accordion
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    Piano. The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy around 1700.

  5. Venice is built on a single large island.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. Venice is built on more than 100 small islands connected by bridges.

  6. On which island is Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world?

    1. A. Sardinia
    2. B. Capri
    3. C. Sicily
    4. D. Elba
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    Sicily. Mount Etna is on the east coast of Sicily.

  7. The greeting 'ciao' comes from an old Venetian phrase. What did it mean?

    1. A. I am your servant
    2. B. Good day to you
    3. C. Peace be with you
    4. D. See you soon
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    I am your servant. Ciao comes from the Venetian 's-ciào vostro', meaning I am your servant.

Words

  1. In a restaurant, what does 'il conto' mean?

    1. A. The bill
    2. B. The menu
    3. C. The waiter
    4. D. The table
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    The bill. Il conto is the bill. Ask for it with 'Il conto, per favore'.

  2. How do you say 'water' in Italian?

    1. A. Pane
    2. B. Acqua
    3. C. Vino
    4. D. Latte
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    Acqua. Acqua means water. Pane is bread, vino is wine, latte is milk.

  3. In Italian, a 'piazza' is a town square.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Every Italian town has at least one piazza, the heart of daily life.

  4. What does 'spiaggia' mean?

    1. A. Beach
    2. B. Bridge
    3. C. Square
    4. D. Mountain
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    Beach. Spiaggia means beach.

Phrases

  1. You want to pay at the end of a meal. What do you say?

    1. A. Buon appetito
    2. B. Il conto, per favore
    3. C. Piacere
    4. D. Salute!
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    Il conto, per favore. Il conto, per favore means the bill, please.

  2. What does 'Non capisco' mean?

    1. A. I'm not hungry
    2. B. I don't understand
    3. C. I can't find it
    4. D. I'm not ready
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    I don't understand. Non capisco means I don't understand.

  3. 'Buon appetito' is said just before eating, like 'enjoy your meal'.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Buon appetito means enjoy your meal.

  4. How do you ask 'How much is it?' in Italian?

    1. A. Come sta?
    2. B. Dov'è il bagno?
    3. C. Quanto costa?
    4. D. Parla inglese?
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    Quanto costa?. Quanto costa? means how much is it.

Local customs and tips

  1. Paper tickets for Italian regional trains must be validated at the station before you board.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Stamp paper regional tickets in a machine at the station, or you can be fined. Digital tickets do not need it.

  2. What is the 'coperto' on an Italian restaurant bill?

    1. A. A tip for the waiter
    2. B. A cover charge per person
    3. C. A tax on wine
    4. D. A charge for dessert
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    A cover charge per person. The coperto is a cover charge per person, for bread and table service.

  3. Many Italian churches ask visitors to cover their shoulders and knees.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Carry a light scarf when you go sightseeing.

  4. In most Italian cafés, where is a coffee cheapest?

    1. A. At a table outside
    2. B. Standing at the bar
    3. C. At a table inside
    4. D. Delivered to your hotel
    Show the answer

    Standing at the bar. A coffee standing at the bar usually costs less than at a table.

  5. Italians usually eat dinner at around 5 pm.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. Dinner is usually around 8 pm or later.

Answer key

History

  1. A. Rome
  2. C. 1946
  3. B. Vesuvius
  4. True
  5. False

Food and drink

  1. B. Naples
  2. A. Saffron
  3. C. Pecorino Romano
  4. False
  5. A. Little oranges
  6. B. Basil
  7. True
  8. B. Panettone
  9. True

Cities

  1. A. Bologna
  2. B. Venice
  3. False

Landmarks

  1. C. Rome
  2. A. Pisa
  3. B. Filippo Brunelleschi
  4. True
  5. True

Fun facts

  1. B. San Marino and Vatican City
  2. True
  3. C. Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
  4. B. Piano
  5. False
  6. C. Sicily
  7. A. I am your servant

Words

  1. A. The bill
  2. B. Acqua
  3. True
  4. A. Beach

Phrases

  1. B. Il conto, per favore
  2. B. I don't understand
  3. True
  4. C. Quanto costa?

Local customs and tips

  1. True
  2. B. A cover charge per person
  3. True
  4. B. Standing at the bar
  5. False

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