The Ultimate Square Dancing Quiz

By: Heather Cahill
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Square Dancing Quiz
Image: Jupiterimages/ Stockbyte/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Let's start with a do-si-do. OK, now grab your partner and spin them round and round! Welcome to the square dance - do you know your calls and steps? Dancing has been a part of life since the beginning of time, and we still keep the tradition going. If you know your way around the dance floor, this is the quiz for you!

Do you know all the supplies you need to start square dancing? What about the type of music you'll hear when you go? Do you know where the tradition of square dancing got its start? It may seem like there's a lot to know, but most importantly, do you know the steps and calls?

Can you name the different types of square dances? What about the dress code for men and women at the events? If we give you a basic step, can you tell us what you'd perform? Square dancing can seem quite intimidating to get into, but it is practiced by many people of all different backgrounds who are always there for help and support!

Are you ready to start dancing, partner? Then put on your best boots, your favorite clothes and get ready to dance your way through this quiz! And don't forget to come back now!

What is a call used for?
to reach another person
to take a dancer off the floor
to add lyrics to the music
to direct the next move
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A call is used by the caller in order to instruct the dancers on the next move. It keeps the dance flowing smoothly throughout.

Which instrument are you most likely to find at a traditional square dance?
piano
tuba
clarinet
fiddle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As traditional square dance often utilizes live music in the realms of the country genre, a fiddle is most likely to be found here. Of course, a fiddle is a violin.

Which type of square dance can use up to thirty calls?
modern
intermediate
expert
traditional
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Traditional square dance uses up to thirty calls. This is small in contrast to the Western style, which uses many more calls.

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What is Callerlab?
a famous caller
a type of software
an internet group
a dance caller association
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Callerlab is an association specifically for square dance callers. They even certify caller coaches.

What type of music is traditional square dancing done to?
live music
rock
hip-hop
alternative
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Traditional square dancing is most commonly performed to the beat of live music. This allows local musicians to get in on the square dancing fun as well!

What type of clothes are worn to square dance by women?
jogging pants
crop tops
cuffed shirts
frilly skirts
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most of the time, women wear frilly skirts to square dance. Men, on the other hand, are likely to wear button-up shirts. Of course, it is not required to wear this attire, unless stated in the dress code for the event.

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Which formation in square dancing has a couple in the middle of the square?
Squared Set
Double Pass Thru
Trade By
Winter Solstice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Winter Solstice is one of the formations that can be used when square dancing, which has one couple in the middle of the formation. Instead of the usual four couples, this makes five of them on the floor.

How many couples take part in hexagon dancing?
eight
twenty
six
ten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just as a hexagon has six sides, six couples take part in the hexagon formation. Other formations in square dancing are twelve reel and bigon.

Is it true or false that you're looked down upon for your mistakes when square dancing?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is false. People who square dance are quite understanding with beginners and love to help out. If you make a mistake, it's not a big deal and you won't mess up the dance!

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Just as you need dancers, what else do you need to have a square dance?
pets
a stage
a DJ
callers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Callers are an important part of square dancing. They keep the dancers organized and instruct them, as well as make the dances fun and engaging.

Where is the National Square Dance Convention held?
different cities
Nashville
New York
Los Angeles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The National Square Dance Convention is held in different cities every year. It got its start in the '50s in Riverside, California, and it has been held annually ever since.

What is a revival dance?
a ritual
an exclusive dance for seniors
a dance for charity
a mix of dance styles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A revival dance is a mix of dancing styles that can even include contra dancing. These dances are typically performed in groups and more modern than other forms.

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Where did square dancing originate?
Europe
North America
Africa
Australia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Square dancing is an amalgamation of many different dancing styles. The dancing we know today originated in Europe, and it was brought to America by early settlers.

Which of the following is a type of hand hold in square dancing?
promenade
allemande
do-si-do
handshake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The handshake is a type of handhold that is used when completing right and left moves in a square dance. This move is often used when the dancers are all in a circle.

What type of music is typically associated with square dancing?
electronic
rock
country
punk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Country music is often associated with square dancing. Country is more commonly played for traditional square dance, rather than modern Western square dance.

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What genre is modern Western square dancing danced to?
punk
RnB
grunge
everything
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Modern Western square dancing is not exclusive to just one type of music. It is performed to many different genres of music, including pop and techno music.

How many couples are involved in a square dance?
one
two
eight
four
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It takes four couples for a traditional square dance, as the four of them make up the square formation. The four couples make eight people involved in the square.

Is it true or false that individual couples can be called upon by the caller during a dance?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is true. The caller can call upon any dancer and instruct them to complete a move, not just couples and groups. Make sure you pay attention if you're going to be square dancing!

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What is a survival dance?
a dance to keep the genre going
a dance performed until there's one man standing
a dance performed in the regional style
a dance in the woods
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Survival dances are traditional square dances performed in the style of the region that they are held in. These dances can differ a lot in every aspect, from the music to the dance steps, which depend on the location.

Which Canadian province has their own square dancing style?
Ontario
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Quebec
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In square dancing, different places may have different ways of doing things. This is true for the Canadian province of Quebec where the style sticks with square dancing to a beat.

Which of the following is a type of square dance?
wacky world
New Yorker
marmelade
hoedown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hoedown has its own special music and steps, and it is commonly associated with country or Western. The term can be used in reference to the genre of music as well.

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Which of these states consider square dancing to be their official state dance?
California
Hawaii
Delaware
Wisconsin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Square dancing is the official dance of many states in the country. Did you know that despite square dancing being suggested twice, Minnesota does not have an official state dance?

What happens if you don't have a partner to square dance with?
you can't dance
you can sit back and watch
you can't attend the dance
you'll be paired with one
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you don't have a partner, you can still square dance! Most organizations or events will pair you up with someone, making the event a great way to meet new people.

Is it true or false that square dance couples must be exclusively boy and girl?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is false. Square dancing does not have to be done between a boy and a girl exclusively. Any pairing of couples is accepted in the dance!

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What formation do dancers end up in after completing a mini-wave?
a line
a square
a circle
a rectangle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After completing a mini-wave, the dancers are then in a line. The mini-wave only includes two people, but there can be larger waves that can consist of up to eight people.

Is it true or false that in square dancing, the dancer needs to learn complete dances?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is false. Square dancing is not about long complicated dancing, and instead about the individual moves. All you need to know is the name of the move, and how to execute said move, and you're set!

What age must you be to square dance?
10
40
65+
any age
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are no age restrictions on square dancing, although it is a common thought that the activity is only for seniors. This is untrue and, in fact, youth are often encouraged to and do partake in the activity.

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Which move involves the two dancers moving in a circle while facing one another?
angel
forward and back
do-si-do
spoiler title
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This move is known as the do-si-do, which you may have heard of before. It is a well-known and common call to hear during the square dance.

What does "star by the right" mean?
everyone to the right
look to your right and spin around
change partners
make a star, and go clockwise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The term "star by the right" instructs the dancers to join right hands and walk clockwise. It is one of the most common moves that a caller may use in a traditional dance.

Which of the following cartoon characters has square danced?
Spider-Man
Scooby-Doo
Tweety Bird
Bugs Bunny
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bugs Bunny once partook in a square dance in a "Merrie Melodies" episode titled "Hillbilly Hare." The memorable episode included a feud between Bugs and two brothers.

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How many steps are typically in one count?
one step
forty steps
eight steps
two steps
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Counts are usually the duration of one step. This can differ depending on the style and sometimes can even be affected by the lyrics of the music.

What is the allemande?
a caller name
a dance move
a type of music
a certain beat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The allemande is a dance move that involves the two paired dancers turning toward a specific direction. The dance move originated during the renaissance,and later became associated with other dances.

Is it true or false that square dancing is taught in school?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is true. Square dancing is often taught in high school as part of physical education. There are many reasons why it is taught in school,including its impact on American culture. It's a great way to exercise.

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Which famous automotive producer loved to square dance?
William C. Durant
John Francis Dodge
Henry Ford
Louis Chevrolet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Henry Ford had a deep love for square dancing, as he grew up with the hobby. He tried to preserve the dance for years to come.

What phrase is used by the caller to have the dancers initiate a hug?
promenade
partner
allemande left
red rock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Red Rock is the call used to tell a dancer to hug their partner. The phrase yellow rock can also be used to indicate the same thing.

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