Q 01/05

In which year was Douglas Adams born?

A) 1954

B) 1958

C) 1956

D) 1952

Answer · why

D) 1952

He was born in Cambridge and liked to joke that he was DNA in Cambridge nine months before Crick and Watson published on DNA.

Q 02/05

In what medium did The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy first appear?

A) A paperback novel

B) A BBC radio sitcom

C) A BBC television series

D) A comic strip

Answer · why

B) A BBC radio sitcom

The first episode went out at 10:30 pm on Wednesday 8 March 1978 with little fanfare and got a huge audience response.

Q 03/05

Why is the Earth demolished at the start of the story?

A) To make way for a hyperspace bypass

B) To harvest its oceans

C) To settle a Vogon tax dispute

D) To build a galactic prison

Answer · why

A) To make way for a hyperspace bypass

Arthur Dent had spent the morning lying in front of a bulldozer to stop his own house being knocked down for a local bypass.

Q 04/05

What is the name of the alien who rescues Arthur Dent from the destruction of Earth?

A) Zaphod Beeblebrox

B) Slartibartfast

C) Ford Prefect

D) Zarniwoop

Answer · why

C) Ford Prefect

He is a roving researcher for the Guide who has been stuck on Earth for years.

Q 05/05

Which race of bureaucratic aliens destroys the Earth?

A) The Vogons

B) The Krikkiters

C) The Magratheans

D) The Golgafrinchans

Answer · why

A) The Vogons

They are described as not actually evil, just bad-tempered, bureaucratic, officious and callous.