Book Quiz with 10 questions about Author

Back to Books

Books Quiz - Author - H G Wells (Questions)

How well do you know H. G. Wells, pioneer of science fiction? Try this quiz on his life, ideas and time travelling, world invading stories.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

The War of the Worlds imagines a brutal Martian invasion of Earth and is often read as a comment on empire and technological power.

In Specialist Books, this H. G. Wells quiz explores his imaginative stories of time travel, alien invasion and scientific change, and considers how his ideas shaped modern science fiction writing.

Key Terms

Science fiction: Stories that explore imagined futures, new technologies or other worlds, often asking what these changes might mean for people and society.
Time travel: A journey forwards or backwards through time, usually made possible by a machine or strange natural effect in a story.
Alien invasion: A plot where beings from another world arrive on Earth, often bringing conflict, fear or a challenge to human power.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Who was H. G. Wells?

H. G. Wells was an English writer born in 1866, famous for early science fiction novels such as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man.

What books did H. G. Wells write?

His best known books include The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau, as well as many short stories and essays.

Why is H. G. Wells important in science fiction?

Wells is important because he helped define science fiction, mixing exciting plots with ideas about science, power and society that still influence modern writers and film makers.

Try These Related Quizzes

What were Wells's Christian names?

[ ]	Harold George
[ ]	Harold Gilbert
[ ]	Herbert George
[ ]	Herbert Gilbert

Wells's 1905 novel Kipps was based on his experiences as an apprentice what?

[ ]	Blacksmith
[ ]	Carpenter
[ ]	Draper's assistant
[ ]	Journalist

In 1914 Wells had an illegitimate son, by which feminist writer?

[ ]	Vanessa Bell
[ ]	Vita Sackville-West
[ ]	Rebecca West
[ ]	Virginia Woolf

In Wells's 1896 novel The Island of Dr Moreau, what is the name of the evil doctor's assistant?

[ ]	Igor
[ ]	Ivan
[ ]	Montgomery
[ ]	Mortimer

The protagonist of Wells's 1895 novel The Time Machine lives in which city?

[ ]	Edinburgh
[ ]	London
[ ]	New York
[ ]	Paris

What was the name of the title character in Wells's 1910 comic novel?

[ ]	Mr Brolly
[ ]	Mr Dolly
[ ]	Mr Jolly
[ ]	Mr Polly

Which 1897 novella features a scientist called Griffin?

[ ]	The First Men in the Moon
[ ]	The Invisible Man
[ ]	The Man Who Could Work Miracles
[ ]	Under the Knife

In The War of the Worlds, Earth is invaded by aliens from where?

[ ]	Jupiter
[ ]	Mars
[ ]	The moon
[ ]	Venus

Inspired by The War of the Worlds, a statue depicting an alien was unveiled in 1998 in which town?

[ ]	Camberley
[ ]	Ewell
[ ]	Guildford
[ ]	Woking

10.

What is the title of Well's 1897 short story about a man who finds a window into the planet Mars?

[ ]	The Crystal Egg
[ ]	The Magic Crystal
[ ]	The Martian Crystal
[ ]	The Martian Egg

Books Quiz - Author - H G Wells (Answers)

What were Wells's Christian names?

[ ]	Harold George
[ ]	Harold Gilbert
[x]	Herbert George
[ ]	Herbert Gilbert

His father was Joseph Wells who played professional cricket for Kent CCC

Wells's 1905 novel Kipps was based on his experiences as an apprentice what?

[ ]	Blacksmith
[ ]	Carpenter
[x]	Draper's assistant
[ ]	Journalist

This was a social novel rather than a work of science fiction and it was Wells' personal favourite

In 1914 Wells had an illegitimate son, by which feminist writer?

[ ]	Vanessa Bell
[ ]	Vita Sackville-West
[x]	Rebecca West
[ ]	Virginia Woolf

West is also said to have had affairs with Charlie Chaplin and Lord Beaverbrook

In Wells's 1896 novel The Island of Dr Moreau, what is the name of the evil doctor's assistant?

[ ]	Igor
[ ]	Ivan
[x]	Montgomery
[ ]	Mortimer

Val Kilmer played the part in the 1996 film version

The protagonist of Wells's 1895 novel The Time Machine lives in which city?

[ ]	Edinburgh
[x]	London
[ ]	New York
[ ]	Paris

The protagonist is an English scientist and gentleman inventor whose name is never mentioned. He is only referred to as "the Time Traveller"

What was the name of the title character in Wells's 1910 comic novel?

[ ]	Mr Brolly
[ ]	Mr Dolly
[ ]	Mr Jolly
[x]	Mr Polly

Mr Polly bears some similarity to Wells. Both ended their formal education at the age of fourteen and become employed in draperies

Which 1897 novella features a scientist called Griffin?

[ ]	The First Men in the Moon
[x]	The Invisible Man
[ ]	The Man Who Could Work Miracles
[ ]	Under the Knife

It tells the tragic story of a scientist who makes himself invisible but is unable to become visible again

In The War of the Worlds, Earth is invaded by aliens from where?

[ ]	Jupiter
[x]	Mars
[ ]	The moon
[ ]	Venus

The book has been interpreted in many ways, from a description of natural selection to an attack on British Imperialism