London Quiz - The River Thames (Questions)

Since Prehistory the Thames has played a key role in the development of civilization in Britain. From the earliest times it was used as a source for food, for transport, as a geographical boundary, and still serves these purposes today. Today the Thames boasts three areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the only river in the European Union that has a national trail following its entire length.

1. The Thames is Great Britain’s second longest river. Approximately how long is it?
[ ] 150 miles
[ ] 215 miles
[ ] 333 miles
[ ] 420 miles
2. For which English monarch did Handel compose music to be played on the Thames in 1717?
[ ] Anne
[ ] George I
[ ] George II
[ ] George III
3. Which animal is known to have regularly swam in the Thames in the 1200s?
[ ] A polar bear
[ ] A lion
[ ] An elephant
[ ] A llama
4. Several famous races take place annually on the Thames. The Henley Royal Regatta has taken place since 1839. In which year was the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race inaugurated?
[ ] 1688
[ ] 1772
[ ] 1829
[ ] 1956
5. For approximately the last 475,000 years, the Thames has followed its current course through what is now the heart of London. Prior to that, where in relation to the capital did the river run?
[ ] North
[ ] South
[ ] East
[ ] West
6. What happened for the final time in or on the Thames in early February 1814?
[ ] The Lord Mayor’s Show took place on the Thames in barges
[ ] A person drowned
[ ] A submarine navigated it
[ ] The Thames froze over
7. Whose funeral flotilla sailed from Greenwich to Westminster in 1806?
[ ] George IV
[ ] The Duke of Wellington
[ ] Admiral Lord Nelson
[ ] Florence Nightingale
8. What is the difference in height between the Thames at high tide and low tide at London Bridge?
[ ] 0m
[ ] 1m
[ ] 4m
[ ] 7m
9. During the Roman Empire, the Thames was known by a different name. What was it called?
[ ] Tems
[ ] Tamigi
[ ] Tamise
[ ] Tamesis
10. The River Thames is tidal from its estuary up to which point?
[ ] Henley
[ ] Chelsea
[ ] Teddington
[ ] Windsor

 

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London Quiz - The River Thames (Answers)
1. The Thames is Great Britain’s second longest river. Approximately how long is it?
[ ] 150 miles
[x] 215 miles
[ ] 333 miles
[ ] 420 miles
The longest river is the Severn
2. For which English monarch did Handel compose music to be played on the Thames in 1717?
[ ] Anne
[x] George I
[ ] George II
[ ] George III
The music is Handel’s Water Music
3. Which animal is known to have regularly swam in the Thames in the 1200s?
[x] A polar bear
[ ] A lion
[ ] An elephant
[ ] A llama
The polar bear was a gift to King Henry III from the King of Norway. It was kept at The Tower and allowed to catch fish from the river
4. Several famous races take place annually on the Thames. The Henley Royal Regatta has taken place since 1839. In which year was the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race inaugurated?
[ ] 1688
[ ] 1772
[x] 1829
[ ] 1956
Nowadays there are over 30 major rowing clubs along the river
5. For approximately the last 475,000 years, the Thames has followed its current course through what is now the heart of London. Prior to that, where in relation to the capital did the river run?
[x] North
[ ] South
[ ] East
[ ] West
Glaciers forced the river southwards, along its current course
6. What happened for the final time in or on the Thames in early February 1814?
[ ] The Lord Mayor’s Show took place on the Thames in barges
[ ] A person drowned
[ ] A submarine navigated it
[x] The Thames froze over
The Thames froze over, a frost fair was held and the ice was thick enough for an elephant to have walked across the river
7. Whose funeral flotilla sailed from Greenwich to Westminster in 1806?
[ ] George IV
[ ] The Duke of Wellington
[x] Admiral Lord Nelson
[ ] Florence Nightingale
It is reported that the flotilla was accompanied by 2 miles of boats
8. What is the difference in height between the Thames at high tide and low tide at London Bridge?
[ ] 0m
[ ] 1m
[ ] 4m
[x] 7m
There is an astonishing rise and fall of 7 metres or 23 feet
9. During the Roman Empire, the Thames was known by a different name. What was it called?
[ ] Tems
[ ] Tamigi
[ ] Tamise
[x] Tamesis
The name is thought to have meant dark water or wide water
10. The River Thames is tidal from its estuary up to which point?
[ ] Henley
[ ] Chelsea
[x] Teddington
[ ] Windsor
In the time of Roman London, the river was only tidal up to around London Bridge
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