- 1. The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, written by the Reverend Gilbert White and first published in 1789, is a seminal work that intricately blends natural history, observations of local wildlife, and personal reflections on the changing landscape of Selborne, a village in Hampshire, England. The book is notable for its meticulous documentation of the flora and fauna observed by White, as well as his detailed notes on the local geology, climate, and the agricultural practices of the area during the 18th century. White's keen observations and scientific approach were groundbreaking for his time, as he sought to record the natural world with accuracy and enthusiasm, capturing the rhythms of nature and the interdependence of species. He meticulously cataloged various bird species, insects, and plants, infusing his narrative with anecdotes and thoughtful insights into the relationship between humans and nature. The work is enriched by charming illustrations and corresponds with the Romantic era's fascination with nature, making it not only a significant scientific text but also a literary one. Today, it is celebrated for its pioneering contributions to natural history literature and is regarded as one of the forerunners of ecological thought, influencing generations of naturalists and conservationists.
Who wrote 'The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne'?
A) John Ray
B) Charles Darwin
C) Gilbert White
D) Carl Linnaeus
- 2. In what year was 'The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne' first published?
A) 1801
B) 1789
C) 1776
D) 1798
- 3. What is the primary literary form of the book?
A) A novel
B) Letters
C) Poetry
D) A play
- 4. The book is a detailed study of the natural history of which English county?
A) Hampshire
B) Kent
C) Sussex
D) Wiltshire
- 5. White was a pioneering observer of the differences between three similar species. Which three?
A) Hawk, Falcon, Eagle
B) Blackbird, Thrush, Starling
C) Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler
D) Robin, Sparrow, Finch
- 6. To whom were the majority of the letters in the book addressed?
A) Samuel Johnson
B) The Royal Society
C) His brother
D) Thomas Pennant and Daines Barrington
- 7. What famous naturalist is known to have been greatly influenced by White's work?
A) Charles Darwin
B) Isaac Newton
C) Albert Einstein
D) Marie Curie
- 8. Besides birds, what other group of animals did White study extensively in his garden?
A) Earthworms
B) Frogs
C) Squirrels
D) Butterflies
- 9. What was the name of Gilbert White's house in Selborne?
A) Down House
B) The Parsonage
C) The Wakes
D) Selborne Manor
- 10. What geological feature near Selborne was of great interest to White?
A) The Hanger
B) Stonehenge
C) The White Cliffs
D) A volcano
- 11. Which small mammal did White describe as having a 'short trilling voice'?
A) The Shrew
B) The Harvest Mouse
C) The Vole
D) The Bat
- 12. What was White's main contribution to the science of his time?
A) Formulating the theory of evolution
B) Pioneering ecology and field observation
C) Classifying the elements
D) Discovering gravity
- 13. What does the 'Antiquities' section of the book primarily discuss?
A) Fossils
B) Ancient trees
C) Prehistoric animals
D) Local history and Roman ruins
- 14. White was one of the first to describe the 'fern owl'. What is its modern name?
A) Nightjar
B) Barn Owl
C) Osprey
D) Tawny Owl
- 15. What was White's view on the supposed hibernation of swallows?
A) He was the main proponent of it.
B) He ignored the topic completely.
C) He proved they hibernated underwater.
D) He was skeptical and proposed migration.
- 16. Which animal did White refer to as the 'sallow-wren'?
A) The Robin
B) The Goldcrest
C) The Willow Warbler
D) The Wren
- 17. In what century was the book first published?
A) 17th century
B) 16th century
C) 19th century
D) 18th century
- 18. Which small mammal, known for its hibernation habits, is a frequent subject?
A) Dormouse
B) Weasel
C) Hedgehog
D) Shrew
- 19. Which insect's song is a subject of White's investigation?
A) Cicada
B) Grasshopper
C) Cricket
D) Bee
- 20. White made early observations on the behavior of which bird of prey?
A) Falcon
B) Buzzard
C) Eagle
D) Kestrel
- 21. Which bird's migration patterns did White meticulously study?
A) Eagle
B) Albatross
C) Penguin
D) Swallow
- 22. What was the name of Gilbert White's tortoise, featured in the book?
A) Timothy
B) Tuck
C) Atlas
D) Shelly
- 23. Besides natural history, what other local subject does the book investigate?
A) Legal disputes
B) Cooking recipes
C) Antiquities
D) Textile manufacturing
- 24. What type of owl is discussed in detail in the book?
A) Great Horned Owl
B) Barn Owl
C) Barred Owl
D) Snowy Owl
- 25. What was the primary season White associated with the arrival of the house martin?
A) Winter
B) Autumn
C) Spring
D) Summer
- 26. What was Gilbert White's profession?
A) A curate
B) A farmer
C) A doctor
D) A university professor
- 27. Which bird of prey did White note was common in the area?
A) The osprey
B) The kestrel
C) The golden eagle
D) The peregrine falcon
- 28. Which common garden bird did White refer to as 'the domestic bird'?
A) The blackbird
B) The house sparrow
C) The starling
D) The robin
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