Q 01/05

In which Danish city was Hans Christian Andersen born in 1805?

A) Odense

B) Aarhus

C) Aalborg

D) Copenhagen

Answer · why

A) Odense

The city now has a museum complex called H.C. Andersens Hus, a marathon in his name and an airport.

Q 02/05

How many fairy tales did Andersen write, across nine volumes?

A) 156

B) 365

C) 52

D) 99

Answer · why

A) 156

They have been translated into more than 125 languages.

Q 03/05

What was the occupation of Andersen's mother, Anne Marie Andersdatter?

A) Washerwoman

B) Seamstress

C) Innkeeper

D) Midwife

Answer · why

A) Washerwoman

She was illiterate; his father, a shoemaker, read him the Arabian Nights.

Q 04/05

Which Danish king has Andersen been speculated, without proof, to be the illegitimate son of?

A) Christian IX

B) Christian VIII

C) Frederick VII

D) Frederick VI

Answer · why

B) Christian VIII

Historian Jens Jørgensen backed the theory; some read The Ugly Duckling's swan as a hint of secret royal blood.

Q 05/05

To which trades was the young Andersen apprenticed before leaving for Copenhagen?

A) A carpenter and then a bookbinder

B) A cobbler and then a sailmaker

C) A weaver and then a tailor

D) A baker and then a printer

Answer · why

C) A weaver and then a tailor

He attended a school for poor children and had to support himself.