Q 01/05

Which kind of firms set up the British Broadcasting Company in 1922?

A) Newspaper publishers

B) Wireless manufacturers

C) Theatre owners

D) Railway companies

Answer · why

B) Wireless manufacturers

Wireless manufacturers, and the new company took over Marconi's London station, 2LO, to begin its daily broadcasts.

Q 02/05

The BBC became a royal-chartered corporation on 1 January of which year?

A) 1927

B) 1929

C) 1933

D) 1936

Answer · why

A) 1927

The Crawford Committee recommended replacing the commercial company with a non-commercial, Crown-chartered body.

Q 03/05

Who was the BBC's first director general?

A) Hugh Greene

B) Greg Dyke

C) Tony Hall

D) John Reith

Answer · why

D) John Reith

John Reith, a 33-year-old Scottish engineer when hired, who went on to champion the BBC's independence from commercial and political influence.

Q 04/05

Which motto appears on the BBC's coat of arms?

A) Truth, Liberty and Service

B) Nation shall speak peace unto Nation

C) Wisdom, Voice and Understanding

D) The Voice of a Free People

Answer · why

B) Nation shall speak peace unto Nation

Nation shall speak peace unto Nation, words most likely inspired by the Bible's promise that 'nation shall not lift up sword against nation'.

Q 05/05

The Reithian mission is to "inform, educate and" do what?

A) Entertain

B) Enlighten

C) Unite

D) Inspire

Answer · why

A) Entertain

The three verbs still anchor the BBC's public purposes a century after Reith first set them down.