- 1. Table Mountain is an iconic flat-topped mountain that majestically overlooks the vibrant city of Cape Town in South Africa. With its distinctive silhouette and breathtaking views, Table Mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park and is recognized as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. Rising approximately 1,086 meters (3,563 feet) above sea level, it offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Cape Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors to the mountain can explore an extensive network of hiking trails that wind through its rich biodiversity, home to over 1,500 species of plants, many of which are endemic to the region. The peak can also be accessed by a modern cableway, which provides an exhilarating ride and allows easy access for those who prefer not to hike. The summit is often adorned with a blanket of clouds, affectionately known as the 'tablecloth,' which adds to its mystique and allure. Both a symbol of natural beauty and a prime tourist destination, Table Mountain holds cultural significance for the local communities, offering a serene escape into nature and a space for various recreational activities. Its stunning sunsets and unique geological formations make it a photographer's paradise, while its rich history and indigenous flora contribute to its status as a treasured heritage site.
What is the height of Table Mountain?
A) 1,000 meters
B) 900 meters
C) 1,086 meters
D) 1,200 meters
- 2. What city is Table Mountain near?
A) Port Elizabeth
B) Durban
C) Johannesburg
D) Cape Town
- 3. What type of ecosystem is primarily found on Table Mountain?
A) Rainforest
B) Fynbos
C) Savanna
D) Desert
- 4. Which cable car operates on Table Mountain?
A) Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
B) Cable Express
C) Sky Cabin
D) Mountain Lift
- 5. When was the Table Mountain National Park established?
A) 1990
B) 1998
C) 1985
D) 2000
- 6. What is the primary rock type of Table Mountain?
A) Granite
B) Sandstone
C) Basalt
D) Limestone
- 7. What is the most common form of transportation to the top of Table Mountain?
A) Bicycle
B) Bus
C) Train
D) Cable car
- 8. What is the highest point on Table Mountain?
A) Devil's Peak
B) Lion's Head
C) Signal Hill
D) Maclear's Beacon
- 9. Which cultural site is located near Table Mountain?
A) District Six Museum
B) Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
C) Castle of Good Hope
D) Robben Island Museum
- 10. What is the name of the popular walking trail on Table Mountain?
A) India Venster
B) Skeleton Gorge
C) Cecilia Forest
D) Platteklip Gorge
- 11. What is the main threat to the ecosystem of Table Mountain?
A) Invasive species
B) Mining
C) Tourism
D) Overgrazing
- 12. Which of the following is a common animal found on Table Mountain?
A) Dassie
B) Bear
C) Kangaroo
D) Tiger
- 13. How many people can the cable car hold at a time?
A) 65
B) 75
C) 50
D) 40
- 14. What is the flat top of Table Mountain called?
A) The cliff
B) The peak
C) The plateau
D) The summit
- 15. Which activity is popular on Table Mountain?
A) Hiking
B) Skiing
C) Surfing
D) Cycling
- 16. What type of climate does Table Mountain experience?
A) Mediterranean
B) Desert
C) Tropical
D) Continental
- 17. What year did the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway first open?
A) 1935
B) 1945
C) 1929
D) 1950
- 18. During which season is Table Mountain usually the most visited?
A) Autumn
B) Winter
C) Spring
D) Summer
- 19. Which organization manages Table Mountain National Park?
A) World Wildlife Fund
B) Cape Nature
C) National Geographic Society
D) South African National Parks
- 20. What is the local Khoekhoe name for Table Mountain?
A) Tafelberg
B) Suidpunt
C) Huriǂoaxa
D) Kaptein Berg
- 21. What percentage of plant species on Table Mountain are fynbos?
A) 60%
B) 50%
C) Around 80%
D) 90%
- 22. What geological period do the rocks of Table Mountain date back to?
A) Cretaceous
B) Triassic
C) Ordovician
D) Jurassic
- 23. What natural phenomenon often covers the top of Table Mountain?
A) Rainclouds
B) Orographic clouds
C) Mist
D) Fog
- 24. Who made the first recorded ascent of Table Mountain in 1503?
A) António de Saldanha
B) Van Hunks
C) Sir Thomas Maclear
D) Hendrik Biesheuvel
- 25. What is the legend associated with the 'table cloth' of cloud on Table Mountain?
A) A race to climb the mountain
B) A smoking contest between the Devil and a local pirate called Van Hunks.
C) A competition to build the highest cairn
D) A battle between two ancient tribes
- 26. What is the name of the formation that consists of maroon-colored mudstones?
A) Peninsula Formation Sandstone
B) Cape Granite
C) Malmesbury shales
D) Graafwater Formation
- 27. What is the name of the mountain that lies to the east of Table Mountain?
A) Signal Hill
B) Devil's Peak
C) Lion's Head
D) Hout Bay
- 28. What is the name of the formation that was once on top of Table Mountain but has eroded away?
A) Graafwater Formation
B) Pakhuis Formation
C) Cape Granite
D) Malmesbury shales
- 29. What is the name of the mountain that forms part of Table Mountain's flanking peaks to the west?
A) Devil's Peak
B) Signal Hill
C) Lion's Head
D) Hout Bay
- 30. What is the area in square kilometers that comprises Table Mountain and the Back Table?
A) 30 km2
B) 75 km2
C) 57 km2
D) 100 km2
- 31. Which orchid is relatively common in the perennially wet areas of Table Mountain and blooms from January to March?
A) Aulax umbellata
B) Disa uniflora
C) Leucospermum vestitum
D) Protea grandiceps
- 32. Where is the best place to view Disa uniflora blooms on Table Mountain?
A) In the 'Aqueduct' off the Smuts Track
B) Near Skeleton Gorge
C) At Maclear's Beacon
D) On Devil's Peak
- 33. What was one of the reasons early European settlers felled indigenous forests on Table Mountain?
A) To build residential areas
B) For fuel for lime kilns during construction
C) To clear land for agriculture
D) To create grazing land
- 34. What does the Dutch word 'bosch' mean?
A) Mountain
B) Wood
C) Tree
D) Forest
- 35. Which invasive plant is considered one of the worst invaders on Table Mountain's eastern slopes?
A) Cluster pine
B) Rooikrans
C) Black wattle
D) Port Jackson
- 36. What is a key factor in maintaining fynbos diversity on Table Mountain?
A) Regular fires
B) Soil composition
C) Frequent rainfall
D) High altitude
- 37. How often do intervals between fires promote the proliferation of larger Protea species?
A) 10–15 years
B) 30–35 years
C) 20–25 years
D) 5–7 years
- 38. How many breeding pairs of Verreaux's eagles were reported to fledge a chick each year during the period 1950–1990?
A) At most two pairs
B) One pair
C) Five pairs
D) Three pairs
- 39. What happened to the Verreaux's eagle nest near the cable station in 2006?
A) It was relocated by conservationists
B) It was destroyed by human activity
C) It produced a record number of chicks
D) It was abandoned
- 40. When was the last lion in the area around Table Mountain shot?
A) In the 1900s
B) Around 1700
C) Circa 1802
D) During World War II
- 41. What was the outcome of the Quagga Project launched in 1987?
A) The project was abandoned after a decade
B) The quagga was successfully reintroduced into the wild
C) No significant results were achieved
D) A foal considered to be quagga-like due to reduced striping was born on January 20, 2005
- 42. What is the official name for the quagga-like zebras born from the Quagga Project?
A) Cape quaggas
B) Rau quaggas
C) Rhodes quaggas
D) Zebra hybrids
- 43. What is the original name given by António de Saldanha to Table Mountain?
A) Majestic Cape
B) Ocean's Peak
C) Cape Giant
D) Taboa do Cabo
- 44. Which group of people were the dominant local inhabitants when Europeans first arrived in Table Bay?
A) !Ui speakers
B) !Ora nations
C) Khoe-speaking peoples
D) !Uriǁʼaekua (Goringhaiqua)
- 45. How many blockhouses were ordered by Major-General Sir James Craig in 1796?
A) Two
B) Four
C) Three
D) Five
- 46. Who recommended that SANParks be appointed to manage the CPPNE in 1995?
A) James Craig
B) Nelson Mandela
C) Prof. Brian Huntley
D) Frank Kahn
- 47. In what year was Table Mountain named one of the New7Wonders of Nature?
A) 2011
B) 2006
C) 1989
D) 1998
- 48. What is the starting elevation of the Contour Path at Constantia Nek?
A) 400 m
B) 250 m
C) 470 m
D) 320 m
- 49. Which side of Table Mountain does Kasteelspoort overlook?
A) North face
B) Southern Suburbs side
C) City side
D) Atlantic side
- 50. What is the name of the trail that traverses the front of Devil's Peak and Table Mountain at 500 m?
A) Lower contour path
B) Apostles Path
C) Upper contour path
D) Pipe Track
- 51. Which trail can be joined from below by at least five paths from Kirstenbosch?
A) Contour Path
B) Bridle Path
C) Smuts Track
D) Pipe Track
- 52. What weather conditions can descend without warning on Table Mountain?
A) Heavy rain and thunderstorms
B) Snow and ice
C) Strong winds
D) Dense mist, cold weather, or extreme heat
- 53. What is the elevation of Tafelberg Road where Platteklip Gorge starts?
A) About 470 m
B) About 400 m
C) About 320 m
D) About 250 m
- 54. What is the elevation of the Pipe Track at Oudekraal Ravine?
A) About 320 m
B) About 400 m
C) About 300 m
D) About 470 m
- 55. What is a popular pastime on Table Mountain?
A) Caving
B) Stargazing
C) Rock climbing
D) Mountain biking
- 56. What type of climbing is allowed on Table Mountain?
A) Traditional climbing
B) Free soloing
C) Bolting
D) Sport climbing
- 57. Which constellation is named after Table Mountain?
A) Orion
B) Mensa
C) Ursa Major
D) Cassiopeia
- 58. In which hemisphere is the constellation Mensa visible?
A) Western Hemisphere
B) Northern Hemisphere
C) Southern Hemisphere
D) Eastern Hemisphere
- 59. When can the constellation Mensa be seen around midnight?
A) Mid-March
B) Mid-July
C) Mid-October
D) Mid-January
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