The Quechua Language
  • 1. The Quechua language, often considered one of the most significant indigenous languages of South America, is primarily spoken by the Quechua peoples across the Andes mountains in countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. With an estimated 8 to 10 million speakers, it stands as a vital cultural and linguistic heritage of the region. Historically, Quechua was the language of the Inca Empire, where it served as a lingua franca that facilitated communication among the diverse ethnic groups within the vast empire, allowing for the administration of a highly centralized political structure. The language is characterized by its agglutinative structure, which means it forms words by combining various morphemes, giving rise to expressive and nuanced meanings. Additionally, Quechua has several regional dialects, which can vary significantly, reflecting the diverse cultures and identities of its speakers. Despite facing challenges such as marginalization and decline due to colonization and globalization, recent efforts to revitalize the language through educational programs and media have regained momentum, fostering pride among speakers and encouraging new generations to learn and use Quechua in both spoken and written forms. The language is deeply intertwined with the cultural practices, traditions, and worldview of the Quechua peoples, encompassing rich oral literature, folklore, and a profound connection to the land they inhabit.

    What family of languages does Quechua belong to?
A) Sino-Tibetan languages
B) Romance languages
C) Semitic languages
D) Quechuan languages
  • 2. In which countries is Quechua primarily spoken?
A) Brazil, Argentina, Chile
B) Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay
C) Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador
D) Mexico, Panama, Honduras
  • 3. What is the status of Quechua in Peru?
A) Minority language
B) Official language
C) Regional dialect
D) Foreign language
  • 4. Quechua has influenced which other language?
A) French
B) English
C) Italian
D) Spanish
  • 5. What writing system does Quechua primarily use?
A) Latin alphabet
B) Cyrillic alphabet
C) Arabic script
D) Devanagari script
  • 6. What is the Quechua word for 'water'?
A) Sumaq
B) Yaku
C) Inti
D) Wasi
  • 7. What does 'Pachamama' mean in Quechua?
A) Father Sky
B) Mother Earth
C) Sacred Mountain
D) Great Spirit
  • 8. Which famous empire spoke Quechua?
A) Mayan Empire
B) Aztec Empire
C) Roman Empire
D) Inca Empire
  • 9. What does 'Inti' mean in Quechua?
A) Star
B) Moon
C) Sun
D) Sky
  • 10. What is the Quechua word for 'house'?
A) Ukhu
B) Yaku
C) Wasi
D) Sumaq
  • 11. Which organization promotes the use of Quechua?
A) NATO
B) UNESCO
C) IMF
D) WHO
  • 12. What does 'Sumaq' mean?
A) Beautiful
B) Strong
C) Happy
D) Wise
  • 13. In which continent is Quechua mainly spoken?
A) South America
B) Asia
C) Europe
D) North America
  • 14. What form of language preservation is commonly used for Quechua?
A) Political debates
B) Military training
C) Cultural programs
D) Technological seminars
  • 15. Which institution in Peru has made efforts to promote Quechua?
A) Academia Mayor de la Lengua Quechua
B) Instituto Geográfico
C) Escuela Militar
D) Universidad Nacional de San Marcos
  • 16. The Quechua word 'Wasi' translates to what in English?
A) Water
B) House
C) Food
D) Road
  • 17. What is 'Kawsay' in Quechua?
A) Food
B) Love
C) Death
D) Life
  • 18. What is the Quechua term for 'sky'?
A) Hanaq pacha
B) Wasi
C) Ñawi
D) Ukhu pacha
  • 19. What does the Quechua term 'Qori' signify?
A) Gold
B) Copper
C) Iron
D) Silver
  • 20. Quechua is closely related to which other language?
A) Mapudungun
B) Guarani
C) Nahuatl
D) Aymara
  • 21. What is the Quechua word for 'food'?
A) Wasi
B) Inti
C) Mikhuy
D) Yaku
  • 22. What is the term for the Quechuan concept of 'ayni'?
A) Exchange
B) Bartering
C) Reciprocity
D) Selfishness
  • 23. 'Chaska' means what in Quechua?
A) Mountain
B) Breeze
C) Flower
D) Star
  • 24. How do you say 'goodbye' in Quechua?
A) Adios
B) Au revoir
C) Tupananchiskama
D) Sayonara
  • 25. Which is a common Quechua textile pattern feature?
A) Abstract art
B) Geometric designs
C) Floral motifs
D) Photorealism
  • 26. Does Quechua include loanwords from Spanish?
A) Only a few
B) Yes
C) Only in Peru
D) No
  • 27. Which of the following phrases means 'thank you' in Quechua?
A) Gracias mucho
B) Merci
C) Gracias
D) Sulpayki
  • 28. When did the Peruvian government recognize Quechua as an official language?
A) 1990
B) 1960
C) 2000
D) 1975
  • 29. In Quechua, 'Ñawi' means?
A) Foot
B) Eye
C) Ear
D) Hand
  • 30. How many speakers does the Quechua language approximately have?
A) 20-30 million
B) 8-10 million
C) 50 million
D) 1-2 million
  • 31. What type of language is Quechua considered in terms of grammar?
A) Isolating
B) Synthetic
C) Agglutinative
D) Flexional
  • 32. What does the Quechua word 'runa' mean?
A) Animal
B) Person
C) Thing
D) Plant
  • 33. How is the Quechua language classified in relation to its speakers?
A) Constructed language
B) Lingua franca
C) Indigenous language
D) Global language
  • 34. What is the popular festival celebrated by Quechua-speaking people?
A) Inti Raymi
B) Carnaval
C) Oktoberfest
D) Diwali
  • 35. Which famous archaeological site is associated with the Quechua culture?
A) Machu Picchu
B) Pyramids of Giza
C) Colosseum
D) Stonehenge
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