Q 01/05

Which Brazilian architect, also the designer of Brasília's main buildings, drew up Rio's Sambadrome parade ground?

A) Oscar Niemeyer

B) Lúcio Costa

C) Roberto Burle Marx

D) Paulo Mendes da Rocha

Answer · why

A) Oscar Niemeyer

Oscar Niemeyer designed it on his return from exile, and the concrete stands went up in about four months, in time for the 1984 parades.

Q 02/05

At the opening of Rio Carnival, what does the mayor traditionally hand to King Momo, the festival's jolly monarch?

A) A golden crown

B) The key to the city

C) A samba drum

D) The champions' trophy

Answer · why

B) The key to the city

The key to the city passes to him as if he, not the mayor, governed Rio for the days of revelry, and his arrival marks the start of the party.

Q 03/05

Which 1959 film set during Rio Carnival won both the Palme d'Or and an Academy Award?

A) Flying Down to Rio

B) Bye Bye Brazil

C) Black Orpheus

D) Central Station

Answer · why

C) Black Orpheus

Black Orpheus moved the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice to a Rio favela, and songs from its soundtrack became bossa nova classics.

Q 04/05

In which James Bond film does 007 survive an attack by the steel-toothed Jaws during Rio Carnival?

A) Octopussy

B) Live and Let Die

C) For Your Eyes Only

D) Moonraker

Answer · why

D) Moonraker

Moonraker sent a crew to Rio in early 1978 to capture real Carnival footage, a location its producer had picked after holidaying there.

Q 05/05

The Rio Carnival street band Sargento Pimenta parades to Brazilian-rhythm versions of songs by which British group?

A) The Rolling Stones

B) The Beatles

C) Led Zeppelin

D) Pink Floyd

Answer · why

B) The Beatles

The Beatles are the whole repertoire of Sargento Pimenta, whose name is simply Portuguese for Sergeant Pepper.