How Much Do You Know About Ceramics?

By: Annette
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
How Much Do You Know About Ceramics?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Ceramics have been around for most of human history, but there's much about it that you probably don't know. In this quiz, we'll test your knowledge of all things ceramic. By the end, you'll be ready to reenact​ that hot scene from the movie "Ghost"!
The oldest human-made ceramics date back to when?
1000 A.D.
2000 A.D.
29000 B.C.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The oldest ceramics date back to as much as 29000 B.C. A ceramic figurine was found in the area now known as the Czech Republic.

Ceramics are _______?
Man-made
God-made
Machine-made
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceramics are man-made, but using many materials taken from the Earth.

What is the decrease in the size of a clay object due to firing and drying?
Shrinkage
Smallified
Vanishing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yes, it's called shrinkage. There's so much more that I could say about this, but I'm just gonna let it go.

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What are utilitarian ceramics?
Used in construction
Used in technology
Used in everyday life
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Utilitarian ceramics include dinnerware and pottery. These are the goods that we use every day.

Which of these is a white, highly vitrified ceramic?
Alabaster
Porcelain
Clay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Porcelain is white and highly vitrified - meaning it's glass-like. It's translucent when it's very thin.

Which is a low fire ceramic?
Earthenware
Porcelain
Stoneware
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Earthenware is considered a low fire ceramic. That means that it is baked at a low temperature.

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Ceramics are used in which of these?
Body armor
Wigs
Nylons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceramics are so tough and lightweight that they're actually used in body armor. Crazy but true!

Which is a high fire ceramic?
Porcelain
Stoneware
Both
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both porcelain and stoneware are high fire ceramics. That means that they need to be baked at a high temperature.

Are there ceramics in your electronics?
Yes!
No
Um. . . . . no?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yes, there are ceramics at work in your electronics. They're in the insulators, resistors, superconductors and so much more!

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What is the glaze in ceramics?
The inner layer
A colorful coating on the top, like the glaze on a donut
The coating on ceramics
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The glaze is the protective coating on the ceramics. It not only protects the clay, but also adds character, color, and a finish thats anywhere from shiny to matte..

What is dunting?
Similar to bunting
Cracks in the ceramic
A method of painting
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dunting refers to the cracks in the ceramic that can take place during the cool-down after firing. Nobody wants to see dunting!

In what do you fire ceramics?
A kiln
A pizza oven
A sauna
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The kiln is used for firing ceramics. Some kilns can reach temperatures of 2455 degrees Fahrenheit!

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What is the most convenient?
Wood-fire kiln
Electric kiln
Ancient Egyptian kiln
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The electric kiln is small in size and quite convenient. Many artists choose to have one in their studio.

Ceramics are basically what?
Things made from firing materials of the Earth
Only porcelain
Metallic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceramics consist of anything where you extract materials from the Earth and then fire them to make an object.

Which of these is considered to be ceramics?
Glass
Brick
Cement
All of these
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are actually all considered to be ceramics. And of course, pottery as well.

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Dental crowns are what?
Dangerous
Ceramic
Not removable
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many dental crowns are actually ceramic! Your dentist is actually a potter!

What is the British term for someone who makes pottery?
Pottist
Ceramicist
Crocker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British call someone who works with pottery a crocker! Did Betty Crocker work with ceramics?

Which is true about ceramic knives?
They're stronger than steel knives
They don't exist
They stay sharp much longer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The blade of a ceramic knife will stay sharper for longer than a steel knife. The only problem is that it can break when dropped on a hard surface.

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What is greenware?
Organic ceramics
Pottery decorated with a chlorophyll-based glaze
Unfired pottery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unfired pottery is called greenware. Once it's been fired, it cannot be rehydrated or reshaped.

Ceramics have high ___________.
Hardness
Flexibility
Softness
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceramics are known for having high harness. That's why they're so durable and great for everyday use!

What is true about ceramics and corrosion?
Ceramics are prone to corrosion
Ceramics have high corrosion resistance
Ceramics naturally hide corrosion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceramics are actually resistant to corrosion. This is another element that makes them so durable.

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Glass is which of these?
Amorphous ceramic
Crystalline ceramic
Supercilious ceramic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Glass is what is known as an amorphous ceramic. That means that its atoms have no specific order.

What is the first firing a pot undergoes to prepare it for glazing?
Semi
Primo
Bisque
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first firing is the bisque, which creates a very fragile item. At this point, the ceramic piece is called a biscuit.

Which of these is a pottery method developed in Japan?
Raku
Sashimi
Jiu-Jitsu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Raku is the Japanese pottery method that originated in Japan. Today, it's a marvelous way to achieve color when working with copper.

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What do you call a suspension of metallic oxides, clays and other materials with water?
Floaters
Islands
Stains
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are called stains, and they add remarkable color! This is done on the surface of the clay and glaze.

What do you call the slow process of clay becoming ceramic?
Ceramicification
Ceramic change
Ceramic reassignment
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is simply called ceramic change. Once clay goes through the change, it can't be reversed.

What is one of the strongest coloring oxides?
Aquamarine
Marigold
Cobalt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cobalt is one of the strongest coloring oxides used by a potter. It's famous for being used in China to paint the blue and white ceramics.

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You Got:
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