Want to host a trivia night or just test your knowledge? Multiple-choice trivia is fun, easy to set up, and keeps everyone engaged. Here's what you need to know:
- Ready-to-Use Trivia Packs: Get expertly crafted questions from Cheap Trivia for $59.99/month (40+ questions weekly) or $14.99 for themed packs.
- Balanced Questions: Mix of easy, intermediate, and advanced questions across topics like movies, sports, music, and holidays.
- Event Tips: Use a four-round format, offer prizes, and keep the energy high with visuals and clear rules.
- Why Multiple Choice? It’s inclusive and makes even tough questions approachable with a 25% chance to guess correctly.
Whether you're organizing a trivia night or just playing for fun, this guide has everything you need for a successful, engaging experience.
How to Host a Trivia Night | Last Call Trivia | Host Prep
1. Basic Knowledge Questions
These questions cover general topics and are divided into three difficulty levels to test your understanding.
Starter Questions
-
Q: What is the largest living tree in the world?
A) General Sherman Tree
B) Redwood Giant
C) Angel Oak
D) Hyperion -
Q: How many Great Lakes are there in North America?
A) Five
B) Four
C) Six
D) Three
Intermediate Challenge
-
Q: Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States?
A) France
B) England
C) Spain
D) Italy -
Q: What year was the PG-13 movie rating introduced?
A) 1984
B) 1975
C) 1990
D) 1982
Expert Level
-
Q: Which artist painted Metamorphosis of Narcissus?
A) Salvador Dalí
B) Pablo Picasso
C) Vincent van Gogh
D) Claude Monet -
Q: What is the capital city of Bhutan?
A) Thimphu
B) Kathmandu
C) Dhaka
D) Colombo
Here’s a guide to structuring your question sets effectively:
| Difficulty Level | Question Type | Example Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (30%) | Common Knowledge | Geography, Colors, Simple History |
| Intermediate (40%) | General Interest | Pop Culture, Science, Sports |
| Advanced (30%) | Specific Knowledge | Art History, Literature, World Politics |
Tips for Crafting Questions:
- Add visuals when possible to make questions more engaging.
- Include topics from different time periods for variety.
- Cover both local and global subjects to appeal to a broader audience.
- Keep answer choices straightforward and avoid overly technical language.
Next, we’ll explore questions related to movies and TV shows for an added layer of fun.
2. Movie and TV Questions
Put your entertainment knowledge to the test with these multiple-choice questions covering everything from classic films to modern TV hits.
Classic Movies
-
Q: What was the first color film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?
A) Gone With the Wind
B) The Wizard of Oz
C) Casablanca
D) Singin' in the Rain -
Q: In The Matrix, which color pill does Neo choose?
A) Red
B) Blue
C) Green
D) White -
Q: What is the name of the skyscraper in Die Hard?
A) Nakatomi Plaza
B) Century Plaza
C) Fox Plaza
D) Trump Tower
Television Classics
-
Q: Which actress was the first woman to head a major production company, producing shows like Star Trek and Mission: Impossible?
A) Lucille Ball
B) Betty White
C) Carol Burnett
D) Mary Tyler Moore -
Q: What was the groundbreaking innovation of I Love Lucy in television history?
A) First show filmed on 35mm film with a studio audience
B) First show in color
C) First show with a married couple
D) First show with a female lead
| Era | Question Focus | Example Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s–1960s | Classic TV Shows | I Love Lucy, The Twilight Zone, The Addams Family |
| 1970s–1980s | Sitcom Golden Age | M_A_S*H, Cheers, Family Ties |
| 1990s–Present | Modern Entertainment | Friends, The Simpsons, Breaking Bad |
Expert Tips:
- Use memorable quotes to make questions engaging
- Include visual or plot-based questions
- Cover a variety of decades
- Add behind-the-scenes trivia for extra depth
Modern Entertainment
-
Q: In which year did Twin Peaks premiere, featuring Agent Dale Cooper's iconic line about "a damn fine cup of coffee"?
A) 1990
B) 1988
C) 1992
D) 1986 -
Q: What is the name of the song by Phantom Planet used as the theme for The O.C.?
A) California
B) Orange County
C) Summer Nights
D) West Coast
3. Sports Questions
Challenge your sports knowledge with these multiple-choice questions that dive into major American sports and unforgettable moments in athletics.
Professional Football
-
Q: Which NFL stadium holds the title of the oldest continuously operating stadium in the league?
A) Lambeau Field
B) Soldier Field
C) Arrowhead Stadium
D) MetLife Stadium -
Q: What is the current NFL record for the longest field goal?
A) 66 yards
B) 64 yards
C) 63 yards
D) 68 yards -
Q: How many NFL teams have birds as their mascots?
A) 5
B) 4
C) 6
D) 3
Basketball History
-
Q: In what year did the NBA introduce the three-point shot?
A) 1979
B) 1976
C) 1982
D) 1975 -
Q: Who is credited with inventing basketball?
A) James Naismith
B) Walter Camp
C) William Morgan
D) Amos Alonzo Stagg
Notable Achievements
| Sport | Record | Holder | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | Single-Season Sacks | Michael Strahan/T.J. Watt | 22.5 sacks |
| Baseball | AL Consecutive Wins | Cleveland Indians (2017) | 23 games |
| Olympics | Track & Field | Jesse Owens (1936) | 4 gold medals |
Historical Moments
-
Q: Which tennis tournament is also referred to as Roland-Garros?
A) French Open
B) Wimbledon
C) US Open
D) Australian Open -
Q: Who was the starting point guard for the Miami Heat during their championship seasons in 2012 and 2013?
A) Mario Chalmers
B) Dwyane Wade
C) Ray Allen
D) LeBron James
Tips for Creating Sports Questions:
- Include questions spanning different time periods to engage a wide audience.
- Balance easy, recognizable topics with more detailed stats-based questions.
- Cover a variety of sports to keep things interesting.
- Highlight iconic moments and record-breaking feats for added intrigue.
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4. Music Questions
Challenge your musical knowledge with multiple-choice questions covering different eras, genres, and legendary artists.
Pop Icons and Legends
-
Q: Which legendary musician was born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight?
A) Elton John
B) David Bowie
C) Phil Collins
D) Rod Stewart -
Q: Who is known as the "Queen of Soul"?
A) Aretha Franklin
B) Diana Ross
C) Tina Turner
D) Gladys Knight -
Q: Which artist created both "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry"?
A) Prince
B) Michael Jackson
C) David Bowie
D) George Michael
Record-Breaking Achievements
| Achievement | Artist/Album Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best-Selling Album | Michael Jackson - Thriller | Released in 1982 |
| Best-Selling Single | Bing Crosby - White Christmas | All-time record holder |
| Highest Vocal Range | Mariah Carey | Record for female vocalists |
Modern Music History
-
Q: Which former Disney Channel star became famous for playing Hannah Montana?
A) Miley Cyrus
B) Selena Gomez
C) Demi Lovato
D) Vanessa Hudgens -
Q: Which band's 2004 album made waves with its political themes?
A) Green Day - American Idiot
B) Blink-182 - Blink-182
C) The Killers - Hot Fuss
D) My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
Notable Incidents
-
Q: Which rock star is infamous for biting the head off a bat during a concert?
A) Ozzy Osbourne
B) Alice Cooper
C) Gene Simmons
D) Marilyn Manson
These unforgettable moments add depth to music trivia and showcase the fascinating, sometimes wild, world of music history.
Tips for Crafting Music Questions:
- Cover a mix of decades to appeal to different age groups.
- Include questions about both chart-topping hits and lesser-known music history.
- Combine facts about artists' personal lives with their professional milestones.
- Highlight international music and cultural influences.
- Incorporate questions about major music awards and iconic festivals.
5. Holiday and Seasonal Questions
Add some festive fun to your trivia collection with questions about holiday traditions and seasonal celebrations. From Christmas customs to New Year's Eve traditions, there's plenty to explore.
Christmas Trivia
-
Q: Which beverage company played a major role in popularizing Santa's red and white outfit?
A) Coca-Cola
B) Pepsi
C) Dr Pepper
D) Mountain Dew -
Q: When was Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" first released?
A) 1994
B) 1992
C) 1996
D) 1998
Winter Holiday Traditions
| Holiday | Traditional Item | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Hanukkah | Menorah | Includes 9 candles – 8 for each night plus the shamash |
| Christmas | Natural Trees | Around 25–30 million are sold annually in the U.S. |
| New Year's Eve | Times Square Ball | The first ball drop happened in 1907 |
Seasonal Celebrations
-
Q: How many hot dogs do Americans eat on Independence Day?
A) 150 million
B) 100 million
C) 75 million
D) 200 million -
Q: What do people in Spain traditionally eat at each stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve?
A) Grapes
B) Olives
C) Chocolate
D) Nuts
Holiday Movie Trivia
The Hallmark Channel has announced 24 new holiday-themed movies for their 2024 festive programming lineup. Perfect for movie buffs looking to test their holiday knowledge!
"These trivia questions are designed to bring out the laughter, spark debate, and maybe even teach you something about the holiday season." - Meg Sullivan, BuzzFeed Staff
Did You Know?
- The New York Post Office handles about 500,000 letters to Santa every year.
- 21% of U.S. adults still believe in Santa Claus.
- Saint Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, was born in the area now known as Turkey.
Holiday Food and Treats
-
Q: What traditional chocolate treat is given during Hanukkah?
A) Gelt (coins)
B) Chocolate dreidels
C) Chocolate stars
D) Chocolate menorah
How to Run a Successful Trivia Night
This section breaks down the key steps for hosting an engaging and well-organized trivia night using our carefully crafted question sets.
Pre-Event Preparation
Choose a mix of questions with varying difficulty levels to keep everyone engaged. Follow this tried-and-true event structure:
| Round Type | Duration | Question Count | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Q&A | 15–20 min | 10–12 | Multiple choice |
| Picture Round | 10–15 min | 8–10 images | Visual identification |
| Audio Round | 10–15 min | 8–10 clips | Sound recognition |
| Final Round | 15–20 min | 10–12 | Mixed format |
Technical Setup and Equipment
Run equipment checks at least 30 minutes before the event starts to ensure everything is functioning properly:
- Test the audio system and ensure visual displays are clear.
- Check that backup equipment is ready to go.
- Verify the scoring system is accurate and operational.
"If you are having fun, your patrons will have fun too. Your energy is contagious so make sure the room knows you are there to have a good time!" – TriviaHub
Smooth Registration Process
Streamline check-in by setting up separate lines for pre-registered teams and walk-ins. Provide each team with:
- Answer sheets
- A rules handout
- Writing supplies
- A team number card
Once teams are checked in, explain the event format and rules clearly before starting the first round.
Keeping the Event on Track
-
Presenting Questions:
Use Cheap Trivia's PowerPoint templates to display each question while reading them aloud for clarity. -
Collecting Answers:
Give teams 30–45 seconds to discuss and write down their answers. Avoid playing loud music during this time to minimize distractions. -
Scoring:
Use Cheap Trivia's automated Excel scoring sheets to calculate and share results quickly after each round.
Prizes and Incentives
Offer enticing prizes to encourage participation:
- First Place: $100 gift card
- Second Place: $50 gift card
- Third Place: $25 gift card
- Additional prizes like venue merchandise or drink tickets
Tips for a Successful Event
"You want to make sure that the questions you have strike a good balance for the audience. This includes having questions of varying difficulty." – TriviaHub
Key strategies for success:
- Include 5-minute breaks between rounds.
- Quickly address any disputes over answers.
- Share updated scores between rounds to keep the competition exciting.
- Deliver raffle prizes directly to tables.
- Have extra questions ready in case of tie-breakers or timing adjustments.
Conclusion
Multiple-choice trivia offers a fun and approachable way to test knowledge while bringing people together. With a 25% chance of guessing correctly, even tricky questions feel manageable for participants of all experience levels.
Cheap Trivia simplifies hosting trivia events. Their subscription provides over 40 new questions each week in an easy-to-use format, cutting down on prep time. For $14.99, themed packs cover topics like movies, sports, and holidays, keeping players interested and engaged.
Many trivia hosts share positive feedback about the format. As one user put it:
"Multiple choice trivia quiz is a fun way to spend some time and have fun with your friends and colleagues. It can be a bonding opportunity to improve communication and coordination between team members." - Quiiiz
With a well-organized, pre-tested question bank, trivia events encourage social interaction and friendly competition. Whether hosting a weekly trivia night at a bar or planning a team-building activity, this format creates an enjoyable and engaging experience for everyone involved.