The '70s: How Much Do You Remember About This Groovy Decade?

By: Lenore Brown
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
The '70s: How Much Do You Remember About This Groovy Decade?
Image: YouTube

About This Quiz

Wish you could find a place to show-off your funky platform shoes? Do you find yourself breaking out that "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack every so often -- and still remember all the words? See how much you remember from the decade that gave us Pet Rocks, 8-tracks and shag carpet with our '70s quiz!

Sandwiched between the free-loving community spirit of the '60s and the me-me-me vibe of the '80s was the 1970's -- a transitional time for society and culture, with a flavor all its own.

While the '60s get all the pop culture credit thanks to bands like The Beatles and the Stones, there was no shortage of creative talent in the decade that followed. American folk rock and singer-songwriters dominated the charts, giving rise to songs like "American Pie" and "Imagine." At the theaters, movie fans were treated to such classics as "The Godfather," "The Exorcist," "Jaws" and a little sci-fi flick called "Star Wars," which came out in 1977.

Disco culture also dominated the later part of the '70s, and no matter how you feel about bell bottoms and leisure suits today, there's no question that the era came with some great tunes, from "I Will Survive," to "Stayin' Alive."

The '70s also represented a changing tide in civil rights with the passage of Roe v. Wade in '73 and rising acceptance of gay culture. 

Think you can name all the people and events that made the '70s so unforgettable? Take our quiz to find out!



Which mid-70s blockbuster featured a huge killer shark?
Rocky
Jaws
Deep Blue Sea
Free Willy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jaws was one of the most successful movies of the 70s and featured the memorable line about needing a bigger boat. It even inspired a theme park ride.

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What type of carpet provided a cozy place for 70s kids to watch TV?
Berber carpet
Saxony carpet
Shag carpet
Frieze carpet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shag carpeting was all the rage in the 70s, and it provided a comfy place for kids to sprawl across while watching TV. This carpeting came in a variety of colors, even the brightest of oranges.

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This piece of jewelry supposedly portrayed your mood based on the reflected color.
Know-it-all Necklace
Emotion Bracelet
Mood Ring
Feelings Headband
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mood rings were all the rage, and the changing color was supposed to correlate to a particular mood. Maybe that's why certain colors may have sent your friends running!

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The 70s introduced us to a new kind of pet. What was it?
A pet beaver
A pet rock
A pet rat
A pet dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pet rock. Ah, what fond memories. Petting the pet rock. Playing with the pet rock by watching it not move, or tossing it in the air and catching it again. Those lovely summer days spent with the pet rock were classic.

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Which singing couple had their own comedy hour during the first few years of the 1970s?
Laverne and Shirley
Rob and Dennise
Sonny and Cher
Josie and Davey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sonny and Cher had their own comedy hour in which they would sing, tell stories, and do funny skits. They would also have famous guests on, much like "Saturday Night Live."

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70s kids might have piled in the back of this type of vehicle.
Station wagon
Pick-up truck
18-wheeler
Moped
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

70s kids might remember piling into the back of their parents' station wagon for family road trips. These vehicles provided lots of room in the back for storage and all those kids. If I have to turn around one more time...

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This popular bar game was present in a lawn variety.
Singing drinking songs
Shots in the yard
Billiards
Lawn darts
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lawn darts was a popular, yet dangerous game, through the 70s and into the 80s. Over the years, numerous hospital visits happened as a result of accidents while playing this game.

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What type of message would not have been found on toys in the 70s?
Choking hazard warning
Directions
Examples of how to play with the toy
A price tag
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Choking hazard warnings were not present on toy packages until after 1978 when a child choked to death on a small piece of a toy. Now, though it may seem obvious, the warnings are present so companies can protect themselves and warn consumers.

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Which famous rock band split up in the early 70s?
The Rolling Stones
The Supremes
The Pointer Sisters
The Beatles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1970, The Beatles split up to the dismay of their adoring fans. Numerous theories abound about why they split up, but one thing is for sure. They left a great legacy of music.

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Margaret Thatcher became an important political leader in 1979, in which country?
Germany
The United Kingdom
New Zealand
The United States
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of The United Kingdom in 1979, and she was the first woman to do so. She set a great example for future generations.

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Which Swedish pop band made it to the top of the charts in the hearts of many teenagers in the 70s?
The Beatles
ABBA
Pink Floyd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

ABBA was a Swedish pop band known for hits such as Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and Knowing Me Knowing You. Fans sometimes associate them with blonde hair, though not all the members of ABBA were blonde.

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Which rock star passed away in 1977?
Elvis Presley
Frank Sinatra
Jim Morrison
Brett Michaels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elvis Presley died in 1977, leaving many fans devastated. He left behind his wife, Priscilla, and his young daughter, Lisa Marie. Lisa Marie would go on to marry the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, though their marriage only lasted a short time.

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What two colors were the height of fashion and home decor in the 70s?
Purple and Pink
Red and Blue
Brown and Orange
Green and Black
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brown and orange were everywhere in the 70s. From matching wallpaper and bedspreads to socks and collars, many color palettes revolved around brown and orange.

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Which film from 1971 portrayed a chocolate factory and an eccentric candy maker?
Herbie Rides Again
Bugsy Malone
The Rescuers
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" was a memorable children's movie from the 70s which was based off a book. It has since been remade in a version starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. Many kids probably wished they could have a chocolate waterfall at home!

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What space movie saga began in 1977?
Galaxy Quest
2001 Space Odyssey
Star Wars
Transformers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Star Wars" debuted with Episode IV in 1977 and birthed a huge legacy of fans, comic cons, and battles over what is better: "Star Wars" or "Star Trek." It is one of the most successful films of all time.

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This 1978 movie musical had kids singing, "You're the One That I Want."
Mamma Mia
Grease
A Chorus Line
Chicago
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Grease" was released to legions of adoring fans everywhere. Girls loved John Travolta as Danny Zuko, and guys loved Olivia Newton-John as Sandy. It was a match made in high school heaven!

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What character-driven theme park opened in 1971 to the pleasure of kids worldwide?
Disney World
Hershey Park
Cedar Point
Universal Studios Hollywood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Disney World opened in 1971, and the cost of admission was only $3.50 per person! A legacy of family fun and amazing memories was created and has lasted ever since.

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What 70s mobster movie taught us how to make an offer that can't be refused?
Goodfellas
Mobsters
The Godfather
Analyze This
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Godfather" was a massive cultural success, spawning numerous quotes and sequels. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino are often remembered for their roles in this movie.

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If you were a 70s kid out riding your bike, what was missing from the picture?
Pedals
A helmet
Handlebars
Rubber tires
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the 70s, it wasn't popular to wear a helmet when riding a bike. People would probably think you were a bit odd if you wore one.

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Which horse won the triple crown in 1973, becoming the first to do so in 30 years?
Secretariat
Rumbly Runner
Rosie the Runner
Seabiscuit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Secretariat was the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1948. It was a glorious and exciting moment, and the famous horse has since been covered on the silver screen.

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What invention made life easier for math students?
The #2 pencil
Spiral-bound notebooks
Math books
The pocket calculator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pocket calculator was invented in the 70s, making simple math equations easier for many students. Best of all, it was affordable!

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Which baseball player broke Babe Ruth's home run record?
Bobby Higginson
Willie Mays
Hank Aaron
Stan Musial
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hank Aaron beat Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974, forever cemented in sports history. Three strikes and you're out? Not for him!

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What was the name of the president who resigned?
Jimmy Carter
Bill Clinton
Richard Nixon
John F. Kennedy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Richard Nixon resigned the office of the presidency after being tied to the Watergate break-in and subsequent scandal. He was the first U.S. president to resign.

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Which heavyweight champion defeated George Foreman?
Muhammad Ali
Rocky Balboa
Mike Tyson
Joe Rockboy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in 1974, winning back the titles he lost after being stripped of them a few years earlier for refusing to be inducted into the U.S. Army. His daughter, Laila Ali, also became a boxer.

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What comedy show debuted in 1975 and changed sketch comedy forever?
The Tonight Show
The Cosby Show
Saturday Night Live
Weekend Update
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Saturday Night Live" debuted in 1975 and turned into one of the longest running shows on television. Iconic cast members have included Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey.

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Which eccentric musical group was known for songs such a "Y.M.C.A" and "Macho Man?"
Poison
The Temptations
The Village People
Journey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Village People found great success with a few memorable songs and their unique look of dressing up in costumes, such as a policeman and a construction worker. You can now hear their songs at almost any wedding or dance you attend.

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Toys in early to mid 1970s were often covered with what toxic substance?
Lead paint
Nails
Rotten eggs
Sawdust
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Toys were often painted with lead paint until it was banned in 1977. Lead can cause numerous health issues, including kidney problems, stunted growth, and even death.

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Which video game console was released in the late 70s, bringing video games into the home?
Super Nintendo
N64
Sega Dreamcast
Atari 2600
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Atari 2600 was sold with two joystick controllers, a console, and one cartridge game. This was truly the beginning of bringing video games into the homes of millions of people.

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Music became portable and private with the invention of what?
The Walkman
The iPod
The CD Buddy
The Record Player
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sony broke the mold when it introduced the Walkman, a portable music-playing device with headphones. The device instantly became a hit, and it was a very cool thing to have of one of these.

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Archie Bunker was a character on which highly successful 70s sitcom?
Good Times
Home Improvement
Seinfeld
All in the Family
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"All in the Family" was touted as the first program to feature the diversity of opinions regarding issues ranging from religion to politics. Archie Bunker played a loudmouthed bigot who couldn't seem to get away from everything he disliked. The show brought some of the country's issues to the forefront.

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Which show featured a female lead who changed the way women were portrayed in the workplace?
The Golden Girls
Mork & Mindy
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Three's Company
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" featured a single woman working at a news station, which was not the typical way women had been portrayed​ on television. The show encouraged women to get out into the workforce in ways they might not have considered before.

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What was the name of the educational cartoon that taught 70s kids math, grammar, and civics?
Let's Learn!
Schoolhouse Rock
The Numbers Game
Ramblin' Road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kids of the 70s might remember sitting down to watch "Schoolhouse Rock," an educational cartoon with memorable catchphrases like Conjunction Junction. Kids could learn about words, numbers, and everything else to help them in school.

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Which dessert was marketed as a healthy source of calcium for kids?
Brownies
Candy canes
Ice Cream
Apple pie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ice cream, though it is a dairy product, is not necessarily a healthy source of calcium. However, it was marketed in the 70s as a healthy choice for parents to feed their kids to make sure they got enough calcium.

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Which big cat was the partial name of a popular pop culture magazine?
Tiger
Lion
Panther
Cheetah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tiger Beat was a popular pop culture magazine that featured stories on the biggest movie stars and musical artists of the day, often focusing on teen idols like John Travolta and David Cassidy. From fun interviews to the best pictures to tape on your wall, Tiger Beat had all the best teen idol news.

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Tall boots were a popular fashion item. What color are they most associated with?
White
Purple
Gray
Orange
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tall white boots, sometimes known as gogo boots, were a popular fashion accessory in the 70s. When worn with a miniskirt, heads would turn!

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You Got:
/35
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