Image: iStockphoto.com/photoGartner
About This Quiz
Do you ever wonder how the idea for bungee jumping came about? Bungee jumping originated from a ritual known as land diving on Pentecost Island. Take a plunge into this quiz to learn more about the wonderful world of land diving.
What is the popular name for plummeting headfirst toward earth while suspended by an elastic cord?
parasailing
bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is the popular name for this thrilling activity.
parachuting
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Where do men partake in ritualistic land diving?
Australia
Vanuatu
The men living on Pentecost Island in Vanuatu participate in this ritual.
New Zealand
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What speed do the land divers attain?
45 mph
The men fall at a speed of around 45 miles per hour.
72 mph
78 mph
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What tethers the men to the rickety tower?
vines
The men jump with vines tied to their ankles.
rubber bands
elastic cords
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What happens if the vine length is miscalculated?
serious injury
death
both answers
If the vine length is miscalculated, serious injury or death can occur.
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What safety equipment is used by the native jumpers?
none
The native jumpers do not use any safety equipment.
helmets
nets
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What did Queen Elizabeth observe when she went to watch the ritual jump?
successful diving
dive resulting in injury
dive resulting in death
Queen Elizabeth saw a man perish die when his vine snapped.
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What is A.J. Hackett credited with?
bungee jumping from the Eiffel Tower
A.J. Hackett illegally bungee jumped from the Eiffel Tower in 1987.
bungee jumping from the Empire State Building
bungee jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge
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What happened with bungee jumping after Hackett's infamous bungee jump?
went mainstream
After Hackett's well publicized jump, bungee jumping went mainstream.
was made illegal
neither answer
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How has land diving in Vanuatu changed since Hackett visited the Island?
safety equipment is used
tourist attraction
The diving ritual is now a tourist attraction.
cease of the ritual
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Why should vines with sap be used for the ritual jump?
more supple
less likely to break
both answers
Vines with plenty of sap are more supple and less likely to break.
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From what did land diving originate?
marital discord tale
Land diving originated from a tale about marital discord.
bravery tale
ancient god legend
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At what age are males allowed to dive?
seven
Divers may be as young as seven or eight when they are allowed to jump, only after they are circumcised.
12
20
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What is the reason for the ritual?
prove bravery
prove physical strength
ensure a bountiful harvest
The purpose of the ritual is to ensure a bountiful harvest.
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What is done to cushion the blow when landing?
till the ground
The ground is tilled to help soften the landing.
inflatable mattress
line the ground with palm fronds
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When does land diving occur?
daily from April through June
weekly from April through June
Since land diving now means big money for the natives, diving activities occur weekly from April through June.
once in April
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What do the men wear for the ritual?
ceremonial robe
penis sheath
Men wear only a penis sheath, which is the traditional garb.
neither answer
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How do the women garb themselves for the ritual?
bare-breasted
grass skirts
both answers
Women are bare-breasted and wear grass skirts.
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When did the Vanuatu Cultural Center call for a moratorium on commercial filming of the ritual?
2000
2006
Commercial filming was disallowed in 2006.
2008
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What good luck charm do the divers use?
no charm
No charm is used.
arm tattoo
special flower
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You Got:
/20
iStockphoto.com/photoGartner
