New Zealand Quiz - ESL worksheet by mena22 - Free Printable

Let's solve the New Zealand Quiz step by step and explain each answer.

---

1. New Zealand is located in the southwestern ______.

- Options:
a) Pacific Ocean
b) Atlantic Ocean
c) Mediterranean Sea

Answer: a) Pacific Ocean
Explanation: New Zealand is an island nation located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean.

---

2. New Zealand is a long way from Britain — ______.

- Options:
a) 8 hours by plane
b) 16 hours by train
c) 26 hours by plane

Answer: c) 26 hours by plane
Explanation: The distance between New Zealand and Britain is significant, and it typically takes around 26 hours to fly from London to Auckland or Wellington.

---

3. The capital city of the country is ______.

- Options:
a) Auckland
b) Wellington
c) Christchurch

Answer: b) Wellington
Explanation: Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand.

---

4. ______ is New Zealand’s largest city.

- Options:
a) Wellington
b) Hamilton
c) Auckland

Answer: c) Auckland
Explanation: Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, with a significantly larger population compared to Wellington or Hamilton.

---

5. The National Day of NZ, Waitangi Day, is on ______.

- Options:
a) December 16th
b) February 6th
c) October 26th

Answer: b) February 6th
Explanation: Waitangi Day is celebrated on February 6th every year to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

---

6. The population of the country is about ______.

- Options:
a) 4.3 million
b) 8.2 million
c) 14.6 million

Answer: b) 8.2 million
Explanation: As of recent estimates, the population of New Zealand is approximately 8.2 million people.

---

7. The ______ were the first people who came to NZ 1000 years ago.

- Options:
a) Maori
b) Aborigines
c) Indians

Answer: a) Maori
Explanation: The Maori were the first people to settle in New Zealand, arriving from Polynesia around 1000 years ago.

---

8. Today more than half the people of NZ are under ______ years old.

- Options:
a) 28
b) 34
c) 38

Answer: a) 28
Explanation: In New Zealand, more than half of the population is under the age of 28, reflecting a relatively young demographic.

---

9. People from NZ are called the name of a native bird: ______.

- Options:
a) 'Go-away bird'
b) 'Pukeko'
c) 'Kiwi'

Answer: c) 'Kiwi'
Explanation: The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand, and people from New Zealand are affectionately called "Kiwis."

---

10. New Zealand’s national colours are ______ or silver.

- Options:
a) blue, red, white
b) green, blue, gold
c) black, red ochre, white

Answer: b) green, blue, gold
Explanation: The national colours of New Zealand are green, blue, and gold, which are prominently featured on the national flag.

---

11. For every person in NZ there are 10 ______ and 2 cows.

- Options:
a) buffalos
b) sheep
c) pigs

Answer: b) sheep
Explanation: New Zealand has a strong agricultural sector, particularly in sheep farming. There are approximately 10 sheep for every person in the country.

---

12. ______ is the national sport of NZ.

- Options:
a) Union Rugby
b) Football
c) Golf

Answer: a) Union Rugby
Explanation: Rugby union is widely regarded as the national sport of New Zealand, with a strong cultural and historical significance.

---

13. ______ was born in Wellington.

- Options:
a) Tom Cruise
b) Johnny Depp
c) Russell Crowe

Answer: c) Russell Crowe
Explanation: Russell Crowe, the famous actor, was born in Wellington, New Zealand.

---

14. ______ is the most famous New Zealander of the 20th century.

- Options:
a) Sir Edmund Hillary
b) Meryl Streep
c) Natalie Portman

Answer: a) Sir Edmund Hillary
Explanation: Sir Edmund Hillary, along with Tenzing Norgay, was the first person to summit Mount Everest in 1953, making him one of the most famous New Zealanders of the 20th century.

---

15. Today, the most famous New Zealander is Peter Jackson, the director of ______.

- Options:
a) Gladiator
b) The Lord of the Rings
c) Jurassic Park

Answer: b) The Lord of the Rings
Explanation: Peter Jackson is best known for directing the highly successful *The Lord of the Rings* film trilogy, which was filmed in New Zealand.

---

Final Answers:

1. a) Pacific Ocean
2. c) 26 hours by plane
3. b) Wellington
4. c) Auckland
5. b) February 6th
6. b) 8.2 million
7. a) Maori
8. a) 28
9. c) 'Kiwi'
10. b) green, blue, gold
11. b) sheep
12. a) Union Rugby
13. c) Russell Crowe
14. a) Sir Edmund Hillary
15. b) The Lord of the Rings

---

Boxed Final Answer:

\boxed{
1. a, 2. c, 3. b, 4. c, 5. b, 6. b, 7. a, 8. a, 9. c, 10. b, 11. b, 12. a, 13. c, 14. a, 15. b
}