IN FRATERNAM MEAM: QUICK QUIZ: ARE YOU PARIS SMARTS??

IN FRATERNAM MEAM

Saturday, September 30, 2006

QUICK QUIZ: ARE YOU PARIS SMARTS??

1. How many bridges cross the Seine in Paris?
a). 16
b). 26
c). 36
d). 46

2. True or False: Paris earned the name "City of Light" because of the Eiffel Tower's numerous lights.

3. Which of the following is not exhibited in the Lovre?
a. Da Vinci's Mona Lisa
b. The Venus de Milo
c. Michaelangelo's Slaves
d. Van Gogh's Self Portrait

4. True or False: The French government regulates the price of baguettes.

5. How many arrodissements are there in Pairs?
a. 10
b. 15
c. 20
d. 25

6. What is included in the orchestration of George Gershwin's An American in Paris?
a. Cathedral bells
b. Accordions
c. A guillotine
d. Taxi horns

7. Salvador Dali created a famous tree structure in Paris made from:
a. Bread Dough
b. Chocolate
c. Marzipan paste
d. Spoons

8. What do Parisians like to eat while strolling down the street?
a. Baguettes
b. Crepes
c. Truffles
d. None of the above

9. About how many new perfumes are introduced in Paris each year?
a. 50
b. 100
c. 150
d. 200

ANSWERS:
1. C. A total of 36 bridges cross the Seine in Paris. Each is lighted at night. Since Roman times, bridges have played an important role in Parisian life; to traverse the river, supply power,and protect the city. The oldest is the Pont Neuf, built in 1578 and still standing on its orginal wooden posts.

2. False. The "light" of Paris actually refers to thge city's artist's, writers, and sculptors, who made Paris world renowned. These artists tended to gather in cafes on Paris Left Bank, which was known for its intellugentsia, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

3. D. Van Gogh's Self Portrait. The Louvre's most famous art was created before 1850, while the Musee d'Orsay features many masterpieces from 1850 to 1914. The Centre Pompidou, the third in Paris' trio of modern museums, is notable for its modern art. So Van Gogh's steely Self Portrait, painted in 1887, hangs in the Musee d'Orsay.

4. True. In fact, the government regulates the price of all breads. A prix du pain sign in the window of a boulangerie will tell you the going rate.

5. C. 20. An arrondissement is in government district, and there are 20 of them in Paris. Each has its own mayor and town hall. The first arrondissement is in the center of the city, the numbers increase as they spiral out counterclockwise.

6. D. Taxi horns. Inspired by the concopany of the bustling streets during the 1928 Parisian tour, George Gershwin included four pairs of of taxi horns in his symphonic classic to simulate the beeping of the 1920's Citroen taxicab.

7. A. Bread Dough. Boulangerie Poulane has at times accepted art as payment for food, including the carbo-rich tree concocted by Salvador Dali. The bakery, on rue de Cherche Midi, is famous not just for sourdough country bread and apple tarts but the works of art that adorns the halls and walls.

8. D. None of the above. Parisians consider it impolite for anyone other than children to eat while on the streets, and even children are rarely seen with anything more than an ice cream cone.

9. B. 100. The number varies somewhat, but usually about 100 new fragrants hit the Paris market each year. By industry agreement,these are sold exclusively in Paris for up to one year before they are exported.

(Source:HEMISHPHEREMAG/ParisSmarts, smartsco.com)

posted by infraternam meam @ 2:29 AM

0 Comments: