Political Satire and Humor: Using Wit to Critique Power

Political satire and humor have long been used as powerful tools to critique power and hold those in authority accountable. This quiz will test your knowledge of the history, techniques, and impact of political satire and humor.

15 Questions Published

Questions

Question 1 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is NOT a common technique used in political satire?

  1. Exaggeration
  2. Irony
  3. Sarcasm
  4. Propaganda
Question 2 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Who is considered to be one of the earliest known political satirists?

  1. Aristophanes
  2. Juvenal
  3. Horace
  4. Mark Twain
Question 3 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is the name of the satirical magazine that was founded in the United Kingdom in 1841?

  1. Punch
  2. The Spectator
  3. The Economist
  4. The Guardian
Question 4 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which American political satirist is known for his sharp wit and his ability to skewer politicians from both sides of the aisle?

  1. Jon Stewart
  2. Stephen Colbert
  3. Bill Maher
  4. John Oliver
Question 5 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is the name of the satirical news website that was founded in 2004?

  1. The Onion
  2. The Daily Show
  3. The Colbert Report
  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Question 6 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is NOT a common target of political satire?

  1. Politicians
  2. Celebrities
  3. The media
  4. Religion
Question 7 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is the name of the satirical novel that was written by George Orwell in 1945?

  1. Animal Farm
  2. 1984
  3. Brave New World
  4. Fahrenheit 451
Question 8 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is NOT a common theme in political satire?

  1. Hypocrisy
  2. Corruption
  3. Incompetence
  4. Patriotism
Question 9 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is the name of the satirical film that was directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1964?

  1. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
  2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
  3. A Clockwork Orange
  4. The Shining
Question 10 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is NOT a common technique used in political humor?

  1. Puns
  2. Caricatures
  3. Impersonations
  4. Propaganda
Question 11 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Who is considered to be one of the most influential political satirists of all time?

  1. Mark Twain
  2. Jonathan Swift
  3. Voltaire
  4. George Orwell
Question 12 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is the name of the satirical play that was written by Aristophanes in 425 BC?

  1. The Clouds
  2. The Wasps
  3. The Frogs
  4. The Birds
Question 13 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is NOT a common target of political satire in the United States?

  1. The President
  2. Congress
  3. The Supreme Court
  4. The media
Question 14 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is the name of the satirical news program that was hosted by Jon Stewart from 1999 to 2015?

  1. The Daily Show
  2. The Colbert Report
  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
  4. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Question 15 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is NOT a common technique used in political satire in the United Kingdom?

  1. Caricatures
  2. Impersonations
  3. Puns
  4. Propaganda