2023 Quiz: How Well Do You Remember the Events of the Year?

Test your knowledge on major events from 2023

As we bid farewell to another eventful year, it’s time to reflect on the many significant moments that shaped 2023. From international conflicts to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, there was no shortage of news. But how closely were you paying attention? Take our quiz to find out!

1. International News Factors

Which of these were not a major factor in international news throughout the year?

1. a. Wars.
2. b. Earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, floods, wildfires.
3. c. Plagues of frogs/boils.

2. Cabinet Posts for Grant Shapps

The UK has seen its fair share of political changes in recent years. But how many cabinet posts has Grant Shapps held since 2019?

1. a. Five.
2. b. Seven.
3. c. 23.

3. Ghostwriter of Prince Harry’s Memoir

What was the name of the ghostwriter behind Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare?

1. a. Omid Scobie.
2. b. Paul Lynch.
3. c. JR Moehringer.

4. Failed Eurovision Song Contest Bid

Which notorious musical figure failed in a bid to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest with a tune called Hawaii?

1. a. Shane MacGowan.
2. b. John Lydon.
3. c. Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

5. New NATO Member

Which country joined NATO in April?

1. a. Finland.
2. b. Sweden.
3. c. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

6. Vikram and Pragyan

Who or what were Vikram and Pragyan?

1. a. The donor and recipient in the world’s first whole-eye transplant.
2. b. AI systems that were found to be more reliable than human doctors in predicting cancers.
3. c. The lunar lander and lunar rover of India’s Chandrayaan-3 spaceship.

7. August Events

Which of these did not happen in August?

1. a. The top six selling singles in the Official Chart were by women singers.
2. b. The world’s oceans reached a record high temperature.
3. c. Chinese president Xi Jinping was elected for a record third term.

8. Viral Moment for Johnny Bairstow

Why did cricketer Johnny Bairstow go viral in June?

1. a. He picked up a Just Stop Oil protester and carried him off the pitch during the Ashes.
2. b. He announced on TikTok that he thinks about the Holy Roman Empire at least three times a day.
3. c. He was suspended for making controversial remarks about the Government’s language on immigration.

9. Secret Code Name for the King’s Coronation

What was the secret code name for the King’s Coronation in May?

1. a. Operation Golden Orb.
2. b. Operation Spider Letter.
3. c. Operation Save Big Ears.

10. Chief Designer Departure

Who left as chief designer for Alexander McQueen after 13 years?

1. a. Phoebe Philo.
2. b. Sarah Burton.
3. c. Haider Ackermann.

11. Reversed Decision on Cultural Institution

Which decision about a major cultural institution was announced then reversed?

1. a. The English National Opera was told it would lose its Arts Council England grant.
2. b. The BBC Singers were axed.
3. c. Sir Elton John retired from performing live with a farewell concert at Glastonbury.

12. Duration of SAG-AFTRA Actors’ Strike

How long did the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike last?

1. a. 118 days.
2. b. 119 days.
3. c. 120 days.

13. Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year

The Oxford Dictionary word of the year was a contraction of an existing word. Which was it?

1. a. “Rizz” from “charisma”.
2. b. “Miz” from “miserable”.
3. c. “Jizz” from “majesty”.

14. Custom-Made Outfits

Who wore custom-made outfits by Loewe, Gaultier, McQueen, Mugler, Marni, Courreges, and Diesel?

1. a. Rihanna at the Super Bowl half-time show.
2. b. Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour.
3. c. Beyoncé on her Renaissance Tour.

15. Hit Movie based on a Computer Game

Which runaway hit of 2023 was based on a computer game and featured a zombie-creating fungal infection named cordyceps?

1. a. Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
2. b. Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh.
3. c. The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.

16. Buildings Reopening

Which iconic building did not reopen or get the go-ahead to reopen?

1. a. The O2 Academy in Brixton, after meeting “extensive” safety conditions.
2. b. The HMV Store on Oxford Street, four years after closing.
3. c. The Crooked House pub in Staffordshire, after it burned down in August.

17. Goal Scorers in Lionesses’ World Cup Quarter Final

England’s Lionesses had a thrilling win in the World Cup quarter-final, but who scored the goals?

1. a. Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
2. b. Georgia Stanway and Lauren James.
3. c. Ella Toone and Keira Walsh.

18. Highest Price for Artwork at Auction

Which artwork sold for £85.3 million at Sotheby’s in June, setting a European auction record?

1. a. Picasso’s Femme A La Montre.
2. b. Klimt’s Lady With a Fan.
3. c. Banksy’s Love Is In The Bin.

19. Best Play at Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Jack Thorne’s The Motive and the Cue won the best play award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. What was it about?

1. a. The mental preparation Ronnie O’Sullivan undergoes before a snooker competition.
2. b. A group of dyslexics waiting outside Harvey Nichols for the winter sale to start.
3. c. Sir John Gielgud directing Richard Burton in Hamlet on Broadway.

20. London’s Most Popular Tourist Attraction

What officially became London’s most popular tourist attraction in 2023?

1. a. Tate (combined numbers from Tate Modern and Tate Britain).
2. b. Westfield (combined numbers for Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford).
3. c. The Now Building and its video screens in the Outernet development at Tottenham Court Road.