Far Out 70s Trivia Questions
Disco may be dead, but nostalgia about the 1970s keeps on truckin’.
The 1970s were a long time ago – a depressingly long time ago for those of us who were alive in that decade. Still, most of us – even you youngsters – are at least somewhat aware of the events, foods, fads, and slang of those olden days. The 1970s had a unique flavor, which makes them both memorable and a fascinating backdrop for a trivia challenge.
Trivia Game Rules: The Complete Guide
With that in mind, I’ve put together the following list of trivia questions about the 70s. Whether you’re looking to host a trivia game with friends, or just test your own knowledge, I hope you dig this nostalgic tour of history’s funkiest decade. As is my custom, I’ve created a couple of PDFs for those of you who want to use the questions for game night.
Printables
Since there’s more than one way to enjoy trivia with friends, I’ve put together a couple of different printables. The first simply lists the questions on one sheet and can be passed out to test each person’s command of 70s trivia individually:
The second printable has the questions and answers in individual boxes, which can be clipped out for a team trivia challenge:
70s Trivia Questions
Without further ado, here’s the full list of 1970s trivia questions, sorted by difficulty.
Easy
Q: Before starring in the blockbusters Saturday Night Fever and Grease, John Travolta rose to fame on what iconic sitcom?
A: Welcome Back, Kotter.
Q: What code name was associated with the anonymous whistleblower later revealed to be Mark Felt?
A: Deep Throat.
Q: Who was the undisputed “Queen of Disco” in the 1970s?
A: Donna Summer.
Q: What popular 1970s toy transmitted messages such as “Signs point to yes”?
A: Magic 8 Ball.
Q: Who did Billie Jean King defeat in the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973?
A: Bobby Riggs.
Q: What popular 1970s dish gets its name from the French verb “to melt”?
A: Fondue.
Q: What athlete joined Babe Ruth in having a candy bar named after him in 1978?
A: Reggie Jackson (the Reggie Bar).
Q: In what year was the original Star Wars released?
A: 1977.
Q: What arcade game got a home release in 1975 and was available exclusively through Sears?
A: Pong.
Q: What was the name of Jimmy Carter’s eccentric brother, who famously endorsed a beer bearing his name?
A: Billy Carter (Billy Beer).
Q: 1978 was the peak year for what popular audio format?
A: 8 Track.
Medium
Q: What term was used to describe the rising prices and slow economic growth of the 1970s?
A: Stagflation.
Q: What magazine was co-founded by feminist icon Gloria Steinem?
A: Ms.
Q: What 1970 children’s book was controversial for its discussion of menstruation and religious issues?
A: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Q: Augusto Pinochet became dictator of what South American country in 1973?
A: Chile.
Q: What 1970s fashion trend had its origins in the uniforms worn by Navy sailors?
A: Bell bottoms.
Q: What kind of pet became a sensation in 1975 thanks to advertising exec Gary Dahl?
A: Pet Rocks.
Q: What film subgenre included cult movies like Shaft and Superfly?
A: Blaxploitation.
Q: What car company got a $3.5 billion bailout in 1979?
A: Chrysler.
Hard
Q: What was the stage name of British musician John Lydon in the 1970s?
A: Johnny Rotten (of the Sex Pistols).
Q: Which one of these was not an original member of Saturday Night Live: John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, or Garret Morris?
A: Bill Murray (he joined in Season 2).
Q: What was the name of the U.S. Military operation to evacuate people from Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War?
A: Operation Frequent Wind.
Q: What 70s sex symbol won the Miss World USA pageant in 1972?
A: Lynda Carter.
Q: What ballpark hosted the infamous Disco Demolition Night that is widely seen as marking the end of the disco era?
A: Comiskey Park (Chicago).
Q: What French term is used to refer to the easing of tensions between the United States and Soviet Union during the 1970s?
A: Détente.
Q: What film featured Bruce Lee’s final performance before his death in 1973?
A: Enter the Dragon.
