Landmarks & Wonders Quiz — printable worksheet

In what year did this happen: The Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace, London?

A — 1851

The Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace, London — 1851. Built in 9 months from 293,655 glass panes, the Crystal Palace was so large that mature elm trees were enclosed inside rather than cut down.

Which of these events happened first?

B — Colosseum Construction, Ancient Rome

Colosseum Construction, Ancient Rome came first, in AD 78. The Colosseum's arena floor could be flooded for mock naval battles, and underground trap doors lifted gladiators and wild animals to the surface.

In what year did this happen: Sydney Opera House Under Construction?

B — 1971

Sydney Opera House Under Construction — 1971. Architect Jørn Utzon resigned in 1966 after disputes and never returned to see his masterpiece completed—the shells were inspired by orange segments.

Which of these events happened first?

A — Industrial London and Tower Bridge

Industrial London and Tower Bridge came first, in 1905. In 1952, a London bus driver had to jump a 3-foot gap when the bridge began opening with his bus still on it—all passengers survived!

In what year did this happen: Gateway Arch Under Construction, St. Louis?

C — 1964

Gateway Arch Under Construction, St. Louis — 1964. Engineers had to cool one leg and warm the other with water to align the arch tips within 1/64 of an inch during final assembly.

Which of these events happened first?

D — Construction of the Berlin Wall

Construction of the Berlin Wall came first, in 1961. The wall went up overnight on August 13, 1961—families woke to find themselves separated, and it would stand for 28 years.

In what year did this happen: Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza?

C — 2570 BC

Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza — 2570 BC. The Great Pyramid was the world's tallest structure for 3,800 years and was built so precisely that a piece of paper can't fit between many stones.

Which of these events happened first?

B — Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London came first, in 1600. The Globe burned down during a 1613 performance of Henry VIII when a theatrical cannon misfired and ignited the thatched roof.

In what year did this happen: Opening of the Suez Canal?

B — 1869

Opening of the Suez Canal — 1869. The Suez Canal cut 4,300 miles from the Europe-Asia sea route, eliminating the need to sail around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

Which of these events happened first?

A — Eiffel Tower Construction for World's Fair

Eiffel Tower Construction for World's Fair came first, in 1889. Parisian intellectuals called the Eiffel Tower an 'eyesore' and 'metal asparagus'—it was only meant to stand for 20 years.

In what year did this happen: Burj Khalifa and Dubai Skyline Under Construction?

B — 2008

Burj Khalifa and Dubai Skyline Under Construction — 2008. The world's tallest building at 2,717 feet required special high-pressure pumps to move concrete nearly half a mile into the sky.

Which of these events happened first?

A — Brooklyn Bridge Grand Opening

Brooklyn Bridge Grand Opening came first, in 1883. Chief engineer John Roebling died before construction began; his son Washington was paralyzed by decompression sickness—Washington's wife Emily became the de facto engineer and completed the bridge.