Sweden Quiz Part 2: Fika, Lagom, and the Nobel Prize

How well do you know Sweden?

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

• 1. What is "Fika," a cherished social institution in Sweden?

  • (A) A type of winter sport
  • (B) A coffee and cake break that's more about socializing than just drinking coffee
  • (C) The main evening meal
  • (D) A traditional folk dance

• 2. What does the Swedish concept of "Lagom" mean?

  • (A) "As much as possible"
  • (B) "Not too much, not too little" – a philosophy of moderation and balance
  • (C) "Work before play"
  • (D) "Complete luxury"

• 3. What is a key aspect of Swedish social etiquette regarding personal space?

  • (A) Standing very close to others when talking is the norm
  • (B) Swedes value their personal space and tend to keep a larger distance than in many other cultures
  • (C) Physical contact like hugging is common among strangers
  • (D) Queuing is disorderly and not practiced

• 4. The "Allemansrätten" or "Right of Public Access" in Sweden allows people to do what?

  • (A) Camp on any public land for one night
  • (B) Forage for berries and mushrooms in forests, even on private land, with respect
  • (C) Fish in any lake without a license
  • (D) All of the above, with the principle of "don't disturb, don't destroy"

• 5. What is a "smörgåsbord"?

  • (A) A type of open-faced sandwich
  • (B) A buffet-style meal with a variety of hot and cold dishes
  • (C) A sweet cinnamon bun
  • (D) A fermented herring dish

• 6. What is the Swedish attitude towards punctuality?

  • (A) Being fashionably late is expected
  • (B) Punctuality is extremely important in both business and social settings
  • (C) Time is flexible, and appointments are not strict
  • (D) It is polite to arrive 30 minutes early

• 7. What is a key value in the Swedish workplace and society in general?

  • (A) Strong, visible hierarchy
  • (B) Egalitarianism and consensus-based decision making
  • (C) Individual competition over teamwork
  • (D) Deference to authority without question

• 8. The festival of "Midsommar" (Midsummer) celebrates what?

  • (A) The winter solstice
  • (B) The summer solstice, the longest day of the year
  • (C) The beginning of the school year
  • (D) The Nobel Prize ceremony

• 9. What is a common practice when invited to a Swedish home for dinner?

  • (A) Bringing a large group of unannounced friends
  • (B) Taking off your shoes upon entering
  • (C) Arriving empty-handed
  • (D) Expecting the host to do all the cleaning up

• 10. What is the Nobel Prize, awarded annually in Stockholm (with the exception of the Peace Prize)?

  • (A) A Swedish film award
  • (B) A set of annual international awards for outstanding contributions in several fields, established by Alfred Nobel
  • (C) A national sports championship
  • (D) A music competition