Singapore Quiz Part 2: Merlions, Hawker Food, and Garden City Dreams

How well do you know Singapore? Part 2

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

• 1. What is "Singlish"?

  • (A) The official language of Singapore.
  • (B) A colloquial form of English spoken in Singapore, with its own unique slang and grammar.
  • (C) A dialect of Mandarin Chinese.
  • (D) A type of sign language.

• 2. What is a key aspect of social etiquette in Singapore?

  • (A) It is polite to be loud in public spaces.
  • (B) Queuing is not a common practice.
  • (C) Maintaining harmony and avoiding public confrontation is important.
  • (D) Punctuality is not valued.

• 3. What is the concept of a "hawker centre"?

  • (A) A luxury shopping mall.
  • (B) An open-air complex with many stalls selling a variety of affordable food.
  • (C) A traditional wet market.
  • (D) A community center for sports.

• 4. What is the "Merlion"?

  • (A) A mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, a national symbol of Singapore.
  • (B) A famous local dish.
  • (C) A traditional festival.
  • (D) A type of flower.

• 5. How is family viewed in Singaporean culture?

  • (A) Individualism is prioritized over family.
  • (B) The family is the basic unit of society, and respect for elders is a key value.
  • (C) The extended family has little importance.
  • (D) Family gatherings are rare.

• 6. What is a common custom when visiting someone's home in Singapore?

  • (A) To wear shoes inside the house.
  • (B) To remove your shoes before entering.
  • (C) To arrive empty-handed.
  • (D) To refuse any offer of a drink.

• 7. What is the significance of the "tissue paper packet" (chope) at a hawker centre?

  • (A) It is a way of cleaning the table.
  • (B) It is an informal system of reserving a seat.
  • (C) It is a free gift from the stall owners.
  • (D) It is a form of tipping.

• 8. What is a key characteristic of Singapore's housing policy?

  • (A) Most people live in large, detached houses.
  • (B) A high percentage of the population lives in public housing (HDB flats).
  • (C) Renting is more common than owning.
  • (D) There is no public housing system.

• 9. What is the attitude towards hierarchy in the workplace?

  • (A) It is very flat and informal.
  • (B) There is a respect for hierarchy and seniority, though this is evolving.
  • (C) The youngest employees are the decision-makers.
  • (D) Decisions are always made by consensus.

• 10. What is a major national holiday celebrating Singapore's independence?

  • (A) Lunar New Year
  • (B) National Day (August 9th)
  • (C) Deepavali
  • (D) Hari Raya Puasa