How Well Do You Remember the '70s?

By: Lenore Brown
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Well Do You Remember the '70s?
Image: Yuri_Arcurs/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Wish you could find a place to show-off your funky platform shoes? Do you find yourself breaking out that "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack every so often? 

Sandwiched between the free-loving community spirit of the 60s and the me-me-me vibe of the 80s was the 1970's; a transitional time for society and culture, with a flavor all its own.

American folk rock and singer-songwriters dominated the charts, giving rise to songs like "American Pie" and "Imagine." At the theaters, movie fans were treated to such classics as, "The Godfather," "The Exorcist," "Jaws" and a little sci-fi flick called "Star Wars," which came out in 1977.

Disco culture also dominated the later part of the 70s, and no matter how you feel about bell bottoms and leisure suits today, there's no question that the era came with some great tunes, from "I Will Survive" to "Stayin' Alive."

The 70s also represented a changing tide in civil rights with the passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973 and rising acceptance of gay culture. 

Think you can name all the people and events that made the 70s so unforgettable? Take our quiz to find out!

Which mid-70s blockbuster featured a huge killer shark?
"Rocky"
"Jaws"
"Jaws" was one of the most successful movies of the 70s. Fun fact: The mechanized shark that was used for the production was nicknamed "Bruce" by the film crew.
"Deep Blue Sea"
"Free Willy"

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If you were a 70s kid out riding your bike, what was missing from the picture?
Pedals
A helmet
In the 70s, it wasn't popular to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Now, it's the law in a number of states that children can't legally ride a bicycle without a helmet.
Handlebars
Rubber tires

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Which film from 1971 portrayed a chocolate factory and an eccentric candy maker?
"Herbie Rides Again"
"Bugsy Malone"
"The Rescuers"
"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"
"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" was a memorable children's movie from the 70s which was based on a book by Roald Dahl. Although the movie has since been remade, it originally starred Gene Wilder in the title role.

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This 1978 movie musical had kids singing, "You're the One That I Want."
"Mamma Mia"
"Grease"
"Grease" was a musical hit, with the soundtrack album the second-best selling album of the year in the United States. It was filmed all around Los Angeles, and starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.
"A Chorus Line"
"Chicago"

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What type of carpet provided a cozy place for 70s kids to watch TV?
Berber carpet
Saxony carpet
Shag carpet
Shag carpeting, which was simply carpet with an extra deep pile, was all the rage in the 70s. Two of the most popular colors in the 1970s were "avocado" (yellowish-green) and "harvest gold" (yellowish-white.)
Frieze carpet

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This popular bar game was also a popular backyard game.
Bowling
Poker
Billiards
Lawn darts
Lawn darts was a popular, yet dangerous game, through the 70s and into the 80s. Over the years, numerous hospital visits happened as a result of accidents while playing this game. In fact, the original version of lawn darts is still banned in the United States due to the risk of injury and death.

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What invention made life easier for math students?
The #2 pencil
Spiral-bound notebooks
Math books
The pocket calculator
The pocket calculator was invented in the 70s, making simple math equations easier for many students. Best of all, it was affordable, at around $25 for a four-function calculator.

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What type of message would not have been found on toys in the 70s?
Choking hazard warning
Choking hazard warnings were not present on toy packages until after 1978 when a child choked to death on a small piece of a toy. Now, though it may seem obvious, the warnings are present so companies can protect themselves from lawsuits and warn consumers.
Directions
Examples of how to play with the toy
A price tag

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Which rock star passed away in 1977?
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley died in 1977, leaving many fans devastated. He left behind his wife, Priscilla, and his young daughter, Lisa Marie. Lisa Marie would go on to marry the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, though their marriage only lasted a short time.
Frank Sinatra
Jim Morrison
Brett Michaels

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What 70s mobster movie taught us how to make an offer that can't be refused?
"Goodfellas"
"Mobsters"
"The Godfather"
"The Godfather," directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is considered one of the best films ever made, and the American Film Institute considers it the second-greatest American film of all time.
"Analyze This"

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This piece of jewelry supposedly portrayed your mood based on the reflected color.
Know-it-all Necklace
Emotion Bracelet
Mood Ring
Mood rings were all the rage, and the changing color was supposed to correlate to a particular mood. In reality, the ring changes color based on the temperature of your skin by using temperature-sensitive chemicals on the inside.
Feelings Headband

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Which eccentric musical group was known for songs such a "Y.M.C.A" and "Macho Man?"
Poison
The Temptations
The Village People
The Village People found great success with a few memorable songs and their unique costumes. The group, which mostly catered to the gay disco population in New York's Greenwich Village, managed to become mainstream.
Journey

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The 70s introduced us to a new kind of pet. What was it?
A pet beaver
A pet rock
There was time when people were buying Pet Rock branded pet rocks. They even came in a special carrier! For $4 a piece back in 1976, you could buy your very own.
A pet rat
A pet dog

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Toys in early to mid 1970s were often covered with what toxic substance?
Lead paint
Toys were often painted with lead paint until it was banned in 1977. Lead can cause numerous health issues, including kidney problems, neurological issues, stunted growth and even death.
Nails
Rotten eggs
Sawdust

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What was the name of the president who resigned?
Jimmy Carter
Bill Clinton
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon resigned the office of the presidency after being tied to the Watergate break-in and subsequent scandal. He was the first U.S. president to resign.
John F. Kennedy

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Which Swedish pop band made it to the top of the charts in the hearts of many teenagers in the 70s?
The Beatles
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop band known for hits such as, "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia" and "Knowing Me Knowing You." The Broadway musical, "Mamma Mia," is based on the songs of ABBA.
Pink Floyd
Lynyrd Skynyrd

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Which singing couple had their own comedy hour during the first few years of the 1970s?
Laverne and Shirley
Rob and Dennise
Sonny and Cher
Sonny and Cher had their own comedy hour in which they would sing, tell stories and do funny skits. They would also have famous guests on, much like "Saturday Night Live."
Josie and Davey

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Archie Bunker was a character on which highly successful 70s sitcom?
"Good Times"
"Home Improvement"
"Seinfeld"
"All in the Family"
"All in the Family" was touted as the first program to feature the diversity of opinions regarding issues ranging from religion to politics. Archie Bunker played a loudmouthed bigot who couldn't seem to get away from everything he disliked. The show brought some of the country's issues to the forefront.

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What space movie saga began in 1977?
"Galaxy Quest"
"2001: A Space Odyssey"
"Star Wars"
"Star Wars" debuted with Episode IV in 1977, although it was just the first part of the original trilogy at the time. It didn't become numbered until 1999, when the prequel trilogy began.
"Transformers"

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What character-driven theme park opened in 1971 to the pleasure of kids worldwide?
Disney World
Disney World opened in 1971, and the cost of admission was only $3.50 per person! A legacy of family fun and amazing memories was created and continues to this day, albeit at significantly higher prices.
Hershey Park
Cedar Point
Universal Studios Hollywood

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Where did Margaret Thatcher became an important political leader in 1979?
Germany
The United Kingdom
Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of The United Kingdom in 1979, and she was the first woman to do so. She also served longer than any other PM in the 20th century.
New Zealand
The United States

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Tall boots were a popular fashion item. What color are they most associated with?
White
Tall white boots, sometimes known as go-go boots, were a popular fashion accessory in the 70s. When worn with a miniskirt, heads would turn! The boots were originally designed in the 60s, but stayed popular through the 70s.
Purple
Gray
Orange

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Which show featured a female lead who changed the way women were portrayed in the workplace?
"The Golden Girls"
"Mork & Mindy"
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show"
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" featured a single woman working at a news station, which was not the typical way women had been portrayed​ on television. The show encouraged women to get out into the workforce in ways they might not have considered before.
"Three's Company"

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Music became portable and private with the invention of what?
The Walkman
Sony broke the mold when it introduced the Walkman, a portable music-playing device with headphones. The device, which came out in 1979, instantly became a hit.
The iPod
The CD Buddy
The Record Player

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Which heavyweight champion defeated George Foreman?
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in 1974, winning back the titles he lost after being stripped of them a few years earlier for refusing to be inducted into the U.S. Army. His daughter, Laila Ali, also became a boxer.
Rocky Balboa
Mike Tyson
Joe Rockboy

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What comedy show debuted in 1975 and changed sketch comedy forever?
"The Tonight Show"
"The Cosby Show"
"Saturday Night Live"
"Saturday Night Live" debuted in 1975 and turned into one of the longest running shows on television. Iconic cast members have included Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey.
"Weekend Update"

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What was the name of the educational cartoon that taught 70s kids math, grammar, and civics?
"Let's Learn!"
"Schoolhouse Rock"
Kids of the 70s might remember sitting down to watch "Schoolhouse Rock," an educational cartoon with memorable catchphrases like "Conjunction Junction, what's your function?" The original series had five sub-series in areas like science, grammar and math.
"The Numbers Game"
"Ramblin' Road"

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Which horse won the triple crown in 1973, becoming the first to do so in 30 years?
Secretariat
Secretariat was the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1948. Next to Man o' War, who came before him, Secretariat is considered the best racehorse of the 20th century.
Rumbly Runner
Rosie the Runner
Seabiscuit

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Which video game console was released in the late 70s, bringing video games into the home?
Super Nintendo
N64
Sega Dreamcast
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 was sold with two joystick controllers, a console and one cartridge game. This was truly the beginning of bringing video games into the homes of millions of people. It cost $199 in 1977, when it was first released.

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Which famous rock band split up in the early 70s?
The Rolling Stones
The Supremes
The Pointer Sisters
The Beatles
In 1970, The Beatles split up to the dismay of their adoring fans. Numerous theories abound about why they split up, but one thing is for sure. They left a great legacy of music, even if they only made it for one decade!

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Which dessert was marketed as a healthy source of calcium for kids?
Brownies
Nacho cheese sauce
Ice cream
Ice cream, though it is a dairy product, is not necessarily a healthy source of calcium. However, in the 70s, it was marketed in the same nutritional category as milk as a healthy choice for parents to feed their kids to make sure they got enough calcium.
Apple pie

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What two colors were the height of fashion and home decor in the 70s?
Purple and pink
Red and blue
Brown and orange
Brown and orange were everywhere in the 70s. From matching wallpaper and bedspreads, to socks and collars, many color palettes revolved around brown and orange, as well as other earth tones. It was likely a reaction to the brightly colored kitsch of the 50s and 60s.
Green and black

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70s kids might have piled in the back of this type of vehicle.
Station wagon
70s kids might remember piling into the back of their parents' station wagon for family road trips. Though they were popular starting in the 1950s, the advent of the "clamshell" design gave the cars more room for seats or storage.
Pick-up truck
Rolls Royce
Moped

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Which baseball player broke Babe Ruth's home run record?
Bobby Higginson
Willie Mays
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron beat Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974. He eventually hit 755 home runs. The record wasn't broken again until 2007, this time by Barry Bonds.
Stan Musial

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Which big cat was the partial name of a popular pop culture magazine?
Tiger
"Tiger Beat" was a popular pop culture magazine that featured stories on the biggest movie stars and musical artists of the day, often focusing on teen idols like John Travolta and David Cassidy. From fun interviews to the best pictures to tape on your wall, "Tiger Beat" had all the best teen idol news a kid could want in the 70s.
Lion
Panther
Cheetah

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