Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
9 min
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures / Heyday Films / 1492 Pictures

About This Quiz

Film adaptations have long left avid fans disappointment. Translating written text to film can be pretty difficult for directors and movie studios. Additionally, those who try to adapt from page to screen have unforeseen issues (like budgets and special effects capabilities) that can stir things up a bit. We all know that not everyone can make a great movie ... especially when that movie is adapted from a book series like Harry Potter. While some Potterheads love for the story started with the first movie in 2001, nearly all of them turned to the books to dive even deeper into the world that J.K. Rowling created (and for good reason). 

The "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" movie was almost a step-by-step reenactment of the book itself, but some key moments, characters and points simply disappeared or were changed. Some of these changes and exclusions were apparent to the book readers, while others were as elusive as the Golden Snitch. 

You may have even seen a few of these differences and missed a few characters when you saw the movie for the first time (or you were introduced to these things when you read the book after watching the film), but do you think you can spot 40 of them? Take this quiz to see if you can spot what we spotted along the way.

Fluffy three headed dog
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In the book, who is with Hermione, Ron and Harry when they first run into Fluffy, the three headed dog?
Seamus Finnegan
Neville Longbottom
Lee Jordan
Parvati Patil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the book, Neville Longbottom is actually a close part of the gang that includes Harry, Ron and Hermione. He does some pretty important stuff to help his friends along the way. However, many of these scenes aren't in the movies, and Neville's actions are given to other characters.

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Dudley's second room
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Which room do the Dursleys allow Harry to move into after they think they're being spied on?
The guest room
Dudley's second room
The parlor
The garage
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the book, Dudley has two rooms. One of those rooms holds all of his toys. The Dursleys realize that they should allow Harry to move into a proper bedroom because someone might be watching them.

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Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle
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Which characters visit Harry and Ron's compartment on the train in the book?
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall
Pansy, Minerva and Madam Hooch
Seamus, Lee and Pansy
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The scene before sorting, when Draco Malfoy tells Harry there are right wizards and wrong wizards, actually takes place on the train in the book. A fight even breaks out between the two groups of boys.

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poltergeists in Great Hall
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Can you name the poltergeist that was omitted from every film?
Peeves
Sheeves
Neeves
Heaves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Peeves repeats himself, is loud and is constantly making terrible sounds and noises. He also likes to get the children in trouble. Scenes with Peeves were shot for the first film, but he never made it to the final cut.

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Vernon warns Harry
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Before they head off to the zoo, Uncle Vernon warns Harry that if there is any funny business, he will be punished. What are the differences in punishments between the book and the movie?
No meals for a week in the movie; no reading for a month in the book
No TV time for a year in the movie; no meals for a week in the book
Scrubbing pots and pans for a century in the book; no meals for a week in the movie
No meals for a week in the movie; in the cupboard until Christmas in the book
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Throughout the book and the movie, we see Vernon Dursley deliver quite a few punishments to Harry. Harry's reactions to these punishments develop his character and show how he responds to the Dursleys in general.

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Harry buys first wand
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In the book, this character is with Harry while he is buying his first wand. However, he is not with Harry in the movie. Who is he?
Hagrid
Malfoy
Ron
Sirius
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the movie, Hagrid runs off to buy Harry a birthday present — Hedwig the owl — while Harry tests out his first wand. This gives Harry the opportunity to learn a little more about the wizarding world from Ollivander, rather than from Hagrid.

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Hogwarts letter
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As Vernon Dursley goes crazy trying to keep Hogwarts letters from Harry, he takes the family to various places. In the book, what do they do first?
Drive around aimlessly all day
Pick up Aunt Marge
Drop Dudley off at a friend's house
Ask Mrs. Figg to take Harry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The scenes where Vernon Dursley gets frustrated and goes a little crazy about the invitations to Hogwarts were cut down in the movie. While the book spends the better part of a chapter showing his slump into madness, the movie explains it more quickly with visuals.

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sorting hat
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What does the Sorting Hat do before sorting students into their houses in the books, but not in any of the movies?
Dances
Flies over the students
Eats the feast
Sings a song
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the books, the Sorting Hat sings a song each year before sorting. The lyrics to these songs recap the previous year, and they actually give readers a little foreshadowing. However, these songs aren't heard in the movies.

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Hagrid was expelled
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What information do we find out about Hagrid in the second movie and in the first book?
He is the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts.
He's half giant.
He was expelled from Hogwarts.
He doesn't have magical abilities.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We learn in the second movie, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002), that Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts. Readers learn in the first book that he is not allowed to do magic, and we learn why.

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Hagrid bends gun
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When Vernon points a rifle at Hagrid, what does Hagrid do with it?
He bends it upward in the film, and there is no rifle in the book.
He ties it in a knot in the film, and there is no rifle in the book.
He ties it in a knot in the film, and he throws it away in the book.
He bends it upward in the film and ties it in a knot in the book.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the movie, Vernon pulls the trigger on the rifle, and the gun shoots up, toward the ceiling. However, in the book, Hagrid simply ties the rifle in a knot, making it completely useless.

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Quirrell
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What happens to Quirrell when Hermione tries to stop Snape from jinxing the broom in the movie and in the book?
In the book, Hermione knocks him over; in the movie, he is knocked over when Snape is on fire.
In the book, Hermione stands in front of him; in the movie, Snape falls on him.
In the book, he looks at Snape's robes; in the movie, Hermione knocks him over.
In the book, Dumbledore catches him; in the movie, Hermione catches him.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you rewatch the movie and you look in the background during this scene, you can see Quirrell sitting behind Snape with his hand over his mouth. When Snape's robes catch fire, Quirrell is knocked over — but not by Hermione.

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Neville's toad
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Who first comes looking for Neville's toad in the book and in the movie?
Seamus in the book and Hermione in the movie
Fred in the book and George in the movie
Neville in the book and Hermione in the movie
Neville in the book and George in the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Giving one movie character the job of two book characters helps reduce film time because less time is spent on character development. For this reason, we don't see Neville looking for his toad in the movie.

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Harry at King's Cross Station
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Which character(s) take Harry to King's Cross Station in the book, versus the movie?
Vernon Dursley in the book, Hagrid in the movie
Hagrid in the book, Dudley Dursley in the movie
Hagrid in the book, Hagrid in the movie
Hagrid in the book, Vernon Dursley in the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you first watch the movie (especially if you haven't read the book), you may be a little confused as to why Hagrid simply leaves Harry stranded and wandering around looking for platform 9 3/4. But if you read the book, you realize that Vernon Dursley simply drops him off at the station and leaves him to wander around.

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Hedwig
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The book reveals Harry's inspiration for Hedwig's name. What is it?
Ollivander's friend
The "History of Magic" book
Hagrid's favorite pet
A Quidditch team
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We learn in the book that Harry chooses Hedwig's name from his "History of Magic" book. However, in the movies, we don't hear Hedwig's name until the second installment.

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Dudley with snake
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Which character that goes to the zoo for Dudley's birthday is cut from the movie?
Vernon Dursley
Marge Dursley
Piers Polkiss
Petunia Potter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Piers Polkiss is Dudley's friend who joins them at the zoo — in the book. The character doesn't make it into the movie, and the majority of his lines are either cut or given to Dudley.

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The Bloody Baron
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In the book, who does Harry impersonate to make Peeves leave him alone when he's under the invisibility cloak?
The Bloody Baron
Nearly Headless Nick
Moaning Myrtle
Rowina Ravenclaw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Book readers know that the only entity who can really control Peeves is the Bloody Baron. For this reason, Harry impersonates him to help him and his gang get to the trap door without being noticed.

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Firenze 2
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When Harry meets the centaur Firenze in the book, what does Firenze let him do that we don't see in the movie?
Harry is allowed to ask three questions about his future.
Firenze lets Harry touch the unicorn.
Harry rides Firenze.
Firenze teaches Harry how to read the stars.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This scene in the book shows why Bane and Ronan are angry with Firenze. They don't like him meddling with humans in the first place, but allowing Harry to ride him made Firenze look like a common mule.

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Norbert
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In the book, what happens to Norbert the dragon?
He is secretly sent to Charlie.
Dumbledore has him killed.
Hagrid sets him free.
Hagrid gives him back.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hagrid loves dragons ... they are his favorite. However, as Norbert grows too big to handle, he must go live with his own kind. Of course, this breaks Hagrid's heart, showing the audience even more about his character.

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Snape's injury
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In the book but not the movie, do you remember what book Snape takes from Harry while deducting points from Gryffindor?
"A History of Magic"
"Quidditch Through the Ages"
"Nicholas Flamel's Alchemy Sessions"
"Care of Magical Creatures"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Snape's character in the book is a bit darker than in the movie. This scene was cut from the movie because it simply leads to Harry learning about Snape's injury. In the movie, Harry sees Snape's injury immediately after defeating the troll.

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chess pieces
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
Wizard's Chess pieces destroy each other in the movie. Do you remember what the Wizard's Chess pieces do in the book?
Push the losing piece off the board
Throw each other off the board
Erase each other off the board
Knock the losing piece down and drag it off the board
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ron proves himself to be a strong strategist in Wizard's Chess in both the book and the movie. However, when he plays on a life-sized board, the stakes are higher for him and his friends.

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Firenze 1
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Which two centaurs are omitted from the movie scene in the Forbidden Forest?
Marcus and Firenze
Fritz and Lockshmy
Lockhart and Bane
Ronan and Bane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the Harry Potter series, centaurs don't much like humans, as humans treat centaurs rather badly. When Firenze saves Harry from Voldemort in the woods, Ronan and Bane get very upset with him, because centaurs should only be concerned with what is foretold.

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invisibility cloak
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
How does Harry lose his invisibility cloak?
In the book, he leaves it by the astronomy tower. He doesn't lose it in the movie.
He doesn't lose it in the movie or the book.
In the book, Malfoy steals it. In the movie, Filch confiscates it.
In the book and the movie, Malfoy steals it.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Harry has a tendency to be a little forgetful, but whoever replaces the Cloak of Invisibility knows that Harry will need it again soon. Harry finds it on his bed with a note that says, "Just in case."

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chocolate frog card
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In the book, how do Ron, Harry and Hermione find out about Nicolas Flamel?
A large book
The back of Dumbledore's chocolate frog card
From Fred and George Weasley
Neville figures it out first.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the book, Harry first learns about Nicolas Flamel when he reads the back of Dumbledore's chocolate frog card. In the movie, the friends learn about Flamel from a book. Chocolate frog cards are more fun.

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Harry Ron Hermione trap door
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When Harry, Ron and Hermione go through the trap door, which obstacle is not shown in the movie?
Cornish pixies
Dumbledore's gems
Transfiguring cats
Bottles of potion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is an additional obstacle set up to guard the Sorcerer's Stone. Snape has seven bottles of potion on a table. One bottle kills, another would send them back and a third would help them advance. Other bottles hold nettle wine. In the book, Hermione figures this one out.

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Harry at zoo
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Mr. and Mrs. Dursley don't like taking Harry anywhere. Why does he get to go to the zoo for Dudley's birthday?
Mrs. Figg's cat died.
Mrs. Figg broke her leg.
Dumbledore made the Dursleys take Harry.
Dudley demanded that Harry go.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you only watch the movies, you will not see Mrs. Figg until the fifth installment, when she retrieves Harry after a Dementor attack. However, readers see her speckled throughout the book, and Harry describes her as a little weird (especially before he learns of the wizarding world).

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Quirrell dies
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
What is the major difference between the end of the book and the end of the movie?
Where Harry wakes up
How Quirrell dies
What happens to Snape
Who wins the House Cup
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the book, Quirrell dies because Voldemort leaves his head. In the movie, however, Harry turns Quirrell to ash by touching him. This change in the ending helps portray Harry's powers over Voldemort.

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Harry passed out
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Do you remember what Harry is doing in the book when Quirrell dies?
Pressing his face
He's passed out.
Laughing
Calling for Dumbledore
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Young Harry doesn't watch Quirrell die in the book. This actually resolves a major plot hole with the Thestrals in the fifth movie, as one would wonder why he couldn't see them sooner since he killed Quirrell (and watched him die).

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Fluffy sleeping
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
In the book, what item do Hermione, Ron and Harry bring with them to put Fluffy to sleep?
Harp
Flute
Nothing
Violin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Harry, Ron and Hermione learn that the only way to calm Fluffy down is with music. Though we see him snoozing to a magicked harp in the movie, the children bring a flute with them in the book.

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Mirror of Erised
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Who does Harry see in the Mirror of Erised?
His parents and grandparents in the novel and just his parents in the movie
His parents and Nicholas Flamel in the novel and just his parents in the movie
His parents and uncle in the novel and just his parents in the movie
Just his parents in both the novel and the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is important to remember that the Mirror of Erised gives us neither knowledge or truth. Harry's grandparents aren't mentioned in the movie, so they aren't represented in Harry's reflection either.

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room with winged keys
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
How many broomsticks are available in the room with winged keys?
Five in the book, three in the movie
One in the book, one in the movie
Three in the book, one in the movie
One in the book, three in the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the movie, each of the friends' skills is highlighted with a challenge — Harry's skill being his Quidditch ability. However, the book is a little more subtle with it, and there are multiple broomsticks in the room with the winged keys.

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detention in the Forbidden Forest
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In the movie, we see Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco serving detention in the Forbidden Forest. Which four children had to serve detention in the Forbidden Forest in the book?
Harry, Hermione, Draco and Seamus
Harry, Hermione, Draco and Neville
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville
Harry, Ron, Draco and Neville
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although there are plenty of comic relief moments where we see Neville getting into trouble, there are plenty more in the book that help us understand his character better. Never forget the wacky broomstick and Neville's toad jumping in front of McGonagall.

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Hagrid gives Harry photos
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Where does Hagrid give Harry the photos of his family?
In the book and the movie, Harry gets the photo album at the train.
In the book and the movie, Harry gets the photo album while in the hospital.
Hagrid never gives the photos to him in the book, but Harry gets them at the train in the movie.
In the book, Harry gets the photo album in the hospital wing. In the movie, Harry gets the photos at the train.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While we see the album in both the book and the movie, it was delivered at different places. No matter where Harry receives the photos, it's an important moment between him and Hagrid.

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Quirrell stops Harry
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — Film vs. Book Quiz
How does Quirrell stop Harry from running away?
Magicked ropes in the book and magicked fire in the movie
Magicked fire in both the book and the movie
Magicked ropes in both the book and the movie
The Cruciatus Curse in the book and magicked fire in the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Special effects in 2001 were a little different than they are now. The decision to make a wall of fire rather than magicked ropes was a budget issue, as pyrotechnics were cheaper than slithering ropes back then.

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Where did Hagrid get Fluffy
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Where did Hagrid get Fluffy?
From an Irish feller in the movie and from a Greek chappie in the book
From a Greek chappie in the movie and from an Irish feller in the book
From a tradesman in the book and from a poker player in the movie
From a Frenchman in the book and from an Irish feller in the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All Potterheads know that Hagrid is a lover of animals and he thinks he can train them all. Hagrid accidentally tells the kids and Quirrell that the easiest way to calm Fluffy down is to play some music.

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Harry gets school supplies
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In the book, after Harry meets Hagrid and gets his school supplies, how long does Harry have to stay with the Dursleys before going to Hogwarts?
One month
One year
Harry doesn't return to the Dursleys' house.
Three days
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the book, Harry has to go back and live with the Dursleys for another month before school starts. When we see Harry return to the Dursley's, we learn how Dudley will get his tail removed in a rant from Uncle Vernon.

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Harry after Quirrell dies
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At what point after battling Voldemort does Harry see Ron and Hermione again?
In the hospital wing in both the book and the movie
In Dumbledore's office in the book and on the stairs in the movie
In the hospital wing in the book and at the stairs in the movie
In the dorms in the book and in the hospital wing in the movie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This minor change gives Dumbledore and Harry a little privacy in the movie, and it creates a bigger dramatic moment when Harry finally sees his friends again. Harry asks them how they're doing.

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Harry meets Draco
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In the movie, Harry meets Draco Malfoy at Hogwarts. Where does Harry meet Malfoy in the book?
Diagon Alley
The Leaky Cauldron
Platform 9 3/4
The Hogwarts Express
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Draco Malfoy's distaste for Muggle-born witches and wizards attending Hogwarts is made clear in the first book. This is Harry's first experience with prejudice in the wizarding world.

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Vernon Dursley
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The book starts off a little less mysterious than the movie. Which character do we see first in the book?
Albus Dumbledore
Professor McGonagall (as a cat)
Vernon Dursley
Dudley Dursley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first chapter of the first book really has a lot of voice. We learn a little bit of background about the Dursley family, and (from Vernon's perspective) we see some oddly-dressed people hanging around. It turns out that they're witches and wizards who are happy about the death of Voldemort.

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troll in Hogwarts
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In the book, what is Ron's theory on who let the troll in?
Professor Snape
Professor Sprout
Peeves
Whoever robbed the vault
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because the poltergeist Peeves was omitted from the movie, Ron instead says that someone is playing a joke by letting the troll in. However, in the book, Ron blames the poltergeist, who is known for playing pranks.

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Nicholas Flamel
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How is the full name of N.F., the maker of the Philosopher's Stone, spelled in the book and the movie?
It's spelled "Nicolas Flammel" in the book and "Nicholas Flamel" in the movie.
It's spelled "Nicolas Flamel" in both.
It's spelled "Nicholas Flamel" in the movie and "Nicolas Flamel" in the book.
It's spelled "Nicholas Flamel" in both.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This change in spelling is so minor that even the biggest Potterheads may have missed it, because the writing is only shown on screen for a moment. Small changes like this are commonly seen in movies adapted from novels.

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You Got:
/40
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