Test your knowledge of the history of memes on the internet with this fun, beginner-friendly quiz. Learn about famous memes, their origins, and key moments that shaped internet culture.
Which word was originally used by a biologist in the 1970s to describe an idea that spreads within a culture, later inspiring the concept of 'internet memes'?
Explanation: 'Meme' was coined to refer to cultural ideas that spread, which later inspired the internet meme concept. 'Gene' relates to biology but isn't about ideas spreading. 'Theme' refers to a central topic, not a replicating unit. 'Meem' is a mispronunciation and not the origin of the term.
Which of these was one of the first widely shared viral images on the internet, featuring a dancing animated baby?
Explanation: The 'Dancing Baby' animation was among the earliest viral images, making it a pioneering meme. 'Grumpy Cat' gained fame later as an image macro. 'Pepe the Frog' is a different, more recent meme. 'Rickroll' is a video link prank, not an early viral image.
What is the common name for memes that overlay bold, white text on images, often featuring humorous or relatable captions?
Explanation: Image macros use pictures with bold text to create memorable, funny content. ASCII art involves writing images using characters, not text over pictures. Infographics present statistics and information. Photobombs are unintentional appearances in photos, not memes with text.
Which animal became a major meme icon with the phrase 'I Can Has Cheezburger?' and humorous, deliberately misspelled captions?
Explanation: Cats became meme icons through images paired with funny, misspelled captions, such as 'I Can Has Cheezburger?'. Dogs are featured in other memes but not this specific one. Parrots and hamsters are less common in early meme culture.
How have memes influenced online communication among internet users over the years?
Explanation: Memes allow people to communicate emotions and jokes rapidly and visually. Saying they are only confusing ignores their clarity for many. Memes do not prevent information sharing; they often enhance it. They have not wholly replaced verbal communication.
Which format involves combining two unrelated pictures with a line of dialogue that connects them in a humorous way?
Explanation: Two-panel memes pair pictures to establish a relatable or funny comparison. Deepfakes involve video edits, not image panels. Reaction memes typically use a single image to react. Listicles are articles in list format, not memes.
What phrase, often humorously spelled as 'All your base are belong to us,' became a meme due to a mistranslation in a video game?
Explanation: This phrase became a meme after a poor translation in a video game intro. 'Do a barrel roll' is a different game reference, but not due to mistranslation. 'Nyan Cat' is an animation meme, not a phrase. 'Much wow such meme' relates to Doge, an unrelated meme.
Which of the following best describes how memes have changed since the early days of the internet?
Explanation: Internet memes have evolved to include various formats, humor styles, and social commentary. They have not disappeared, and animals are just one theme among many. In fact, memes are more popular today, not less.
What often happens to a popular meme after being widely shared for some time?
Explanation: Popular memes can lose impact as they are shared excessively and new memes appear. Memes rarely influence laws or become TV shows. They don't erase older memes; previous ones remain online.
How have internet memes contributed to global digital culture?
Explanation: Memes often rely on visuals, allowing humor to cross language barriers and encourage global sharing. They do not stop cultural exchange but rather promote it. Memes exist worldwide and are not restricted by language or location.