Ethiopia Quiz Part 2: Coffee, Lalibela, and the Land of Origins

How well do you know Ethiopia?

Test your knowledge of Ethiopia with these 10 questions. Choose the best answer for each question and see your score at the end!

• 1. Ethiopia is widely considered the birthplace of what popular beverage?

  • (A) Tea
  • (B) Coffee
  • (C) Wine
  • (D) Beer

• 2. What is "Injera," the cornerstone of almost every Ethiopian meal?

  • (A) A type of grilled meat
  • (B) A spicy lentil stew
  • (C) A sourdough-risen flatbread with a spongy texture
  • (D) A sweet dessert pastry

• 3. The Ethiopian calendar is unique. Roughly how many years is it "behind" the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world?

  • (A) One year
  • (B) Two to three years
  • (C) Seven to eight years
  • (D) It is ahead by five years

• 4. What is a "gursha" in the context of an Ethiopian communal meal?

  • (A) The act of placing a bite of food into another's mouth as a sign of friendship and respect
  • (B) The prayer said before eating
  • (C) The last bite of the meal
  • (D) A toast with a traditional drink

• 5. The ancient kingdom of Aksum, a major naval and trading power, was located in the territory of modern-day Ethiopia and which other country?

  • (A) Kenya
  • (B) Somalia
  • (C) Eritrea
  • (D) Sudan

• 6. What is the significance of the city of Lalibela?

  • (A) It is the modern capital city
  • (B) It is famous for its monolithic rock-hewn churches
  • (C) It is the main industrial center
  • (D) It is a major port city

• 7. What is "Tej," a traditional Ethiopian beverage?

  • (A) A type of unfermented fruit juice
  • (B) A honey wine or mead
  • (C) A spicy tea
  • (D) A yogurt-based drink

• 8. How is respect for elders typically shown in Ethiopian culture?

  • (A) By interrupting them to show engagement
  • (B) By using informal language
  • (C) Through polite greetings, respectful language, and offering them the best seat
  • (D) By avoiding eye contact completely

• 9. Ethiopia is the only African country that was never formally what?

  • (A) A monarchy
  • (B) A member of the United Nations
  • (C) Colonized by a European power
  • (D) Involved in agriculture

• 10. What is "Eskista"?

  • (A) A traditional Ethiopian shoulder dance
  • (B) A type of colorful woven basket
  • (C) A holiday feast
  • (D) A style of poetry