The Ultimate "Jaws" Movie Quiz

The first of its kind, Jaws was an instant blockbuster hit that truly scared some folks silly. If you're a fan of the film, try your hand at this quiz. Hopefully, you pass... or you might just be shark bait. 

Let's start out easy—how many movies are there currently in the Jaws franchise?

Correct

In total, the franchise has 4 movies. The first was released in 1975 and the final in 1987. The films raked in over $798 million.

Incorrect

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In total, the franchise has 4 movies. The first was released in 1975 and the final in 1987. The films raked in over $798 million.

What was the inspiration for the movie Jaws?

Correct

The film was inspired by a Peter Benchley novel of the same name. The novel came out in 1974 and a year later, the film was created. 

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The film was inspired by a Peter Benchley novel of the same name. The novel came out in 1974 and a year later, the film was created. 

The author of the book made a cameo in the film in what role?

Correct

The novel’s author, Peter Benchley, made a cameo in the film as a reporter, which was quite fitting because before he took up a career as a writer he was a reporter in real life.

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The novel’s author, Peter Benchley, made a cameo in the film as a reporter, which was quite fitting because before he took up a career as a writer he was a reporter in real life.

What town is the movie set in?

Correct

The story was set in a fictional summer resort of Amity Island.

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The story was set in a fictional summer resort of Amity Island.

Where was the film actually shot?

Correct

"Amity Island" was actually Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts. 

Incorrect

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"Amity Island" was actually Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts. 

The events of the film occur over what holiday weekend?

Correct

The film takes place on Amity Island around the Fourth of July, one of the busiest times of year for the fictional resort.

Incorrect

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The film takes place on Amity Island around the Fourth of July, one of the busiest times of year for the fictional resort.

What was the tagline used to advertise the first film?

Correct

The tagline was "You'll never go in the water again," and it was very catchy. People were actually terrified to go in the water...

Incorrect

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The tagline was "You'll never go in the water again," and it was very catchy. People were actually terrified to go in the water...

How many Academy Award nominations did Jaws receive?

Correct

Jaws received 4 Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Film Editing. It took home 3 awards.

Incorrect

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Jaws received 4 Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Film Editing. It took home 3 awards.

Who does Hooper work for?

Correct

Hooper was a specialist from the Oceanographic Institute and was a part of the group that came up with a plan to capture the shark.

Incorrect

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Hooper was a specialist from the Oceanographic Institute and was a part of the group that came up with a plan to capture the shark.

Real shark attack footage was used for the film—what country did that footage come from?

Correct

Ron and Valerie Taylor were hired to shoot shark footage in Australia to be used in the film. 

Incorrect

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Ron and Valerie Taylor were hired to shoot shark footage in Australia to be used in the film. 

Who directed the film?

Correct

Jaws was filmed by Steven Spielberg. For his work on the film, he several nominations. 

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Jaws was filmed by Steven Spielberg. For his work on the film, he several nominations. 

Jaws has a very famous score. Which composer wrote it?

Correct

John Williams is a huge film composer who created the famous two-note tune that would signal the shark's proximity. He's acquired 52 Academy Awar nominations throughout his career. 

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John Williams is a huge film composer who created the famous two-note tune that would signal the shark's proximity. He's acquired 52 Academy Awar nominations throughout his career. 

Speaking of the famous two-note tune—what notes are they?

Correct

The main theme for the shark consisted of two notes: E & F. 

Incorrect

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The main theme for the shark consisted of two notes: E & F. 

In one scene, what was thought to be a shark at the beach was actually what?

Correct

When the people were allowed back at the beach, two kids played a prank with a fake dorsal fin to scare the beachgoers.

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When the people were allowed back at the beach, two kids played a prank with a fake dorsal fin to scare the beachgoers.

What did they name the mechanical shark during filming?

Correct

Steven Spielberg named the shark, Bruce, after his lawyer, Bruce Raynor.

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Steven Spielberg named the shark, Bruce, after his lawyer, Bruce Raynor.

How many mechanical sharks were built for the film?

Correct

While there were three sharks created for filming, it was only out of necessity. Each of them cost about $250,000 to build.

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While there were three sharks created for filming, it was only out of necessity. Each of them cost about $250,000 to build.

What Pixar film named its great white shark character Bruce after the shark in Jaws?

Correct

The Great White in Finding Nemo is named Bruce! And despite his scary appearance, he actually leads a Fish-Friendly Sharks support group.

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The Great White in Finding Nemo is named Bruce! And despite his scary appearance, he actually leads a Fish-Friendly Sharks support group.

What is the scientific name for Chief Brody's fear of the water?

Correct

Chief Brody had a fear of water, which is known as Aquaphobia. 

Incorrect

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Chief Brody had a fear of water, which is known as Aquaphobia. 

What body part washes ashore from the first shark victim, Chrissie Watkins?

Correct

Chrissie Watkins was the first shark victim in the film. While skinny-dipping, she was snatched by the shark and viewers saw only her hand wash ashore. 

Incorrect

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Chrissie Watkins was the first shark victim in the film. While skinny-dipping, she was snatched by the shark and viewers saw only her hand wash ashore. 

A license plate from what state was found in the first shark's stomach?

Correct

The dead shark's stomach contained a license plate from Louisiana. 

Incorrect

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The dead shark's stomach contained a license plate from Louisiana. 

What kind of shark was captured by the townspeople?

Correct

A fisherman in the film caught a tiger shark and the townspeople felt briefly relieved believing that it was the same shark that had been terrorizing the island.

Incorrect

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A fisherman in the film caught a tiger shark and the townspeople felt briefly relieved believing that it was the same shark that had been terrorizing the island.

Who was Larry Vaughn in the film?

Correct

Larry Vaughn, the mayor of Amity, selfishly refused to close the beaches at the resort, thus leading to the deaths of more vacationers. 

Incorrect

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Larry Vaughn, the mayor of Amity, selfishly refused to close the beaches at the resort, thus leading to the deaths of more vacationers. 

What's Chief Brody's Deputy's name?

Correct

Hendricks is the name of the Amity deputy and the assistant to Chief Brody. The role was played by Jeffery Kramer. 

Incorrect

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Hendricks is the name of the Amity deputy and the assistant to Chief Brody. The role was played by Jeffery Kramer. 

To attract the shark, what did the two men toss off the pier?

Correct

In an attempt to lure in the shark, two men on a boat toss one of the man's wives' holiday roasts in the water.

Incorrect

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In an attempt to lure in the shark, two men on a boat toss one of the man's wives' holiday roasts in the water.

Actress Lorraine Gary played which character in the film?

Correct

Ellen Brody, played by Lorraine Gary, was the wife of the police chief, Martin Brody in three of the Jaws films.

Incorrect

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Ellen Brody, played by Lorraine Gary, was the wife of the police chief, Martin Brody in three of the Jaws films.

What did Quint do to the chalkboard to cause a stir?

Correct

Quint dragged his fingernails down the chalkboard in the press conference scene in order to get the crowd to quiet down.

Incorrect

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Quint dragged his fingernails down the chalkboard in the press conference scene in order to get the crowd to quiet down.

What fee did Quint set for the shark?

Correct

The shark hunter, Quint, said, “I’ll find him for three, but I’ll catch him and kill him for ten.”

Incorrect

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The shark hunter, Quint, said, “I’ll find him for three, but I’ll catch him and kill him for ten.”

In the coroner's office, what does Hooper tell Brody not to do?

Correct

At the coroner's office, Hooper wants to light a cigarette but is told "no" immediately by Chief Brody.

Incorrect

You chose:

At the coroner's office, Hooper wants to light a cigarette but is told "no" immediately by Chief Brody.

What area does Brody tell his son to play in?

Correct

"The pond" was an estuary on the island and was yet another place where the shark attacked a human.

Incorrect

You chose:

"The pond" was an estuary on the island and was yet another place where the shark attacked a human.

Why did Chief Brody's son end up in the hospital?

Correct

After witnessing a man get eaten by the shark in the pond, Michael was traumatized and in shock.

Incorrect

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After witnessing a man get eaten by the shark in the pond, Michael was traumatized and in shock.

Hooper was put to the test by Quint before being allowed to join the expedition. What knot did he have to tie?

Correct

Hooper had to prove that he could tie a Sheep Shank knot. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Hooper had to prove that he could tie a Sheep Shank knot. 

What character said the iconic line, "You're gonna need a bigger boat?"

Correct

This famous line was said by the Police Chief, Martin Brody.

Incorrect

You chose:

This famous line was said by the Police Chief, Martin Brody.

Who did Hooper say "broke his heart?"

Correct

In one scene, while intoxicated, Hooper points to a scar located on his chest and says, "Mary Ellen Moffat. She broke my heart."

Incorrect

You chose:

In one scene, while intoxicated, Hooper points to a scar located on his chest and says, "Mary Ellen Moffat. She broke my heart."

As Quint is telling a story, what is the name of the boat he mentions?

Correct

Quint tells a story about the USS Indianapolis that's actually based on true events. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Quint tells a story about the USS Indianapolis that's actually based on true events. 

What did Hooper say he was going to inject the shark with?

Correct

Hooper was planning to inject the shark with strychnine, using a hypodermic spear. But that didn't exactly work out...

Incorrect

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Hooper was planning to inject the shark with strychnine, using a hypodermic spear. But that didn't exactly work out...

When the diving cage gets destroyed, where does Hooper go?

Correct

When the cage gets destroyed, Hooper swims off and hides in a nearby reef and waits until the shark is killed.

Incorrect

You chose:

When the cage gets destroyed, Hooper swims off and hides in a nearby reef and waits until the shark is killed.

What happens to the Orca (Quint's fishing boat)?

Correct

Both Quint and his boat go down together. The ship sinks along with its Captain.

Incorrect

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Both Quint and his boat go down together. The ship sinks along with its Captain.

When the Orca sinks, how do the guys get back to shore?

Correct

After blowing up the shark, they swim back to shore with the help of a piece of the boat.

Incorrect

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After blowing up the shark, they swim back to shore with the help of a piece of the boat.

How many people does the shark kill in total throughout the film?

Correct

Five people suffered their untimely fate at the hands (well, teeth rather) of the shark.

Incorrect

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Five people suffered their untimely fate at the hands (well, teeth rather) of the shark.

What famous line was actually ad-libbed by the actor who delivered it?

Correct

According to writer Carl Gottlieb, the line "You're gonna need a bigger boat" was ad-libbed by Roy Scheider.

Incorrect

You chose:

According to writer Carl Gottlieb, the line "You're gonna need a bigger boat" was ad-libbed by Roy Scheider.

Quiz Results

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The More You Know

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  • The first American woman to go to medical school was admitted as a joke. Geneva Medical School thought it was joke when Elizabeth Blackwell applied to attend 1847. She graduated in 1849, started her own practice, and opened an infirmary for the poor.
  • Tic Tac mints are named after the sound their container makes.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.