Circus History Quiz

Try out this Circus History quiz to test your knowledge. Circus History trivia traces the evolution of the circus from equestrian spectacles and traveling big tops to modern debates over performance, animal welfare, and popular culture.

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15 questions

~3 min to finish

Easy to hard difficulty

340 pts max score

Question 1 · Medium · 20 pts
Which fizzy prop has been a classic choice when a clown wants the audience to expect dignity and get sprayed instead?
Question 2 · Hard · 40 pts
Before James A. Bailey became P. T. Barnum's full partner, what formal title did the show use?
Question 3 · Hard · 40 pts
Philip Astley's earliest presentations centered on what kind of performance before other acts were added around it?
Question 4 · Hard · 40 pts
Why did the standard 42-foot circus ring become so practical for equestrian acts?
Question 5 · Hard · 40 pts
Circus Oz was created in 1978 after the merger of SoapBox Circus with what other group?
Question 6 · Hard · 40 pts
John Ringling later established a major art museum in which Florida city?
Question 7 · Hard · 40 pts
The preserved Ringling site in Baraboo, Wisconsin, represents what part of the circus operation?
Question 8 · Easy · 10 pts
In circus language, what does the term "big top" mean?
Question 9 · Easy · 10 pts
P. T. Barnum joined forces with which partner in the 1880s to create Barnum & Bailey Circus?
Question 10 · Easy · 10 pts
What famous slogan did Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus use for itself?
Question 11 · Easy · 10 pts
The Ringling brothers originally came from what Wisconsin town?
Question 12 · Easy · 10 pts
Barnum's star performer Charles Stratton was better known by what stage name?
Question 13 · Easy · 10 pts
Which 19th-century Barnum attraction became famous as a bearded lady?
Question 14 · Easy · 10 pts
Who was the animal trainer known for performing with lions and tigers in the 19th century?
Question 15 · Easy · 10 pts
Before his circus ventures, Barnum drew crowds with what major New York attraction?

Which fizzy prop has been a classic choice when a clown wants the audience to expect dignity and get sprayed instead?

Before James A. Bailey became P. T. Barnum's full partner, what formal title did the show use?

Philip Astley's earliest presentations centered on what kind of performance before other acts were added around it?

Why did the standard 42-foot circus ring become so practical for equestrian acts?

Circus Oz was created in 1978 after the merger of SoapBox Circus with what other group?

John Ringling later established a major art museum in which Florida city?

The preserved Ringling site in Baraboo, Wisconsin, represents what part of the circus operation?

In circus language, what does the term "big top" mean?

P. T. Barnum joined forces with which partner in the 1880s to create Barnum & Bailey Circus?

What famous slogan did Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus use for itself?

The Ringling brothers originally came from what Wisconsin town?

Barnum's star performer Charles Stratton was better known by what stage name?

Which 19th-century Barnum attraction became famous as a bearded lady?

Who was the animal trainer known for performing with lions and tigers in the 19th century?

Before his circus ventures, Barnum drew crowds with what major New York attraction?