Film music defines many of our favorite scenes. This quiz focuses on the evolution and legal drama behind cinema’s most recognizable themes.
You will see questions about famous compositions, orchestral techniques, and the disputes that occur behind the curtain. Some items involve classic thrillers, while others highlight the complicated origins of major space sagas.
After you finish, check out our pages on classic soundtracks, learn about New Hollywood history, or read about major film franchises.
Who composed the iconic two-note musical motif for the 1975 film Jaws?
Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann
John Williams
John Williams
Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone
Jerry Goldsmith
Jerry Goldsmith
Which instrument primarily plays the rhythmic, two-note theme in the film Jaws?
Double bass
Double bass
Tuba
Tuba
Cello
Cello
Piano
Piano
What is a common artistic interpretation of why the minimal Jaws theme is so effective?
The shark represents mechanical failure
The shark represents mechanical failure
The shark represents an aquatic deity
The shark represents an aquatic deity
The shark represents the Cold War
The shark represents the Cold War
The shark represents the unknown and inevitable death
The shark represents the unknown and inevitable death
In the context of the film, the Jaws theme warns of the approach of which creature?
A sea-dwelling mammal
A sea-dwelling mammal
A fictional underwater kingdom
A fictional underwater kingdom
A monstrous great white shark
A monstrous great white shark
A deep-sea vessel
A deep-sea vessel
Why are “Star Wars lyrics” considered a piece of obscure trivia?
The original Star Wars theme never had lyrics performed in the films
The original Star Wars theme never had lyrics performed in the films
George Lucas wrote lyrics that were purely instrumental later
George Lucas wrote lyrics that were purely instrumental later
Orchestral union rules prohibited singing on the main title track
Orchestral union rules prohibited singing on the main title track
Space opera lyrics were removed to keep the focus on the score
Space opera lyrics were removed to keep the focus on the score
Which characteristic best describes Meco’s 1977 hit “Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band”?
A purely orchestral score
A purely orchestral score
A rock anthem with guitar solos
A rock anthem with guitar solos
A vocal ballad with a strong chorus
A vocal ballad with a strong chorus
A primarily instrumental disco medley
A primarily instrumental disco medley
Which musician produced the disco version of the Star Wars theme that contained vocal lyrics?
Bill Murray
Bill Murray
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Meco Monardo
Meco Monardo
John Williams himself
John Williams himself
Who is famously hesitant about the “Star Wars lyrics” songs because he wanted the universe to remain purely cinematic?
Ben Burtt
Ben Burtt
John Williams
John Williams
Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker
George Lucas
George Lucas
The legal battle surrounding the James Bond theme primarily concerned which composer’s claim to the melody?
Monty Norman
Monty Norman
Tom Jones
Tom Jones
Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
John Barry
John Barry
Which newspaper was sued by the composer of the 007 theme for alleging he did not write the music?
Universal Music
Universal Music
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
MGM Studios
MGM Studios
Eon Productions
Eon Productions
What was the primary argument regarding the origin of the iconic “James Bond Theme”?
It was written by a ghostwriter instead of the lead composer
It was written by a ghostwriter instead of the lead composer
It was stolen from a classical symphony
It was stolen from a classical symphony
It was adapted from an unused stage musical song
It was adapted from an unused stage musical song
It was a public domain folk song from Jamaica
It was a public domain folk song from Jamaica
During the legal controversy, whose role was often debated regarding the arrangement of the Bond theme?
Sean Connery, the first actor to play Bond
Sean Connery, the first actor to play Bond
Albert R. Broccoli, the producer of the films
Albert R. Broccoli, the producer of the films
John Barry, whose arrangement gave the theme its signature sound
John Barry, whose arrangement gave the theme its signature sound
Monty Norman, the original writer of the melody
Monty Norman, the original writer of the melody
Which prolific composer won an Academy Award for the Jaws original score?
John Williams
John Williams
Roy Scheider
Roy Scheider
Peter Benchley
Peter Benchley
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
In what year was the film featuring the famous two-note shark theme first released?
1988
1988
1982
1982
1975
1975
1979
1979
Which other John Williams score uses a specific, recurring motif style similar to the Jaws theme?
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park
Which Star Wars theme often receives unoffical, fan-written lyrics about “destiny” and “twins”?
The Force Theme (Binary Sunset)
The Force Theme (Binary Sunset)
Cantina Band theme
Cantina Band theme
Duel of the Fates
Duel of the Fates
The Imperial March
The Imperial March
Which iconic musical piece heard before Star Wars begins has led to copyright confusion over the opening notes?
The Emperor’s Theme
The Emperor’s Theme
Main Title (Star Wars)
Main Title (Star Wars)
20th Century Fox Fanfare
20th Century Fox Fanfare
Yoda’s Theme
Yoda’s Theme
The James Bond theme was first formally introduced in which film?
Dr. No
Dr. No
You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice
Thunderball
Thunderball
Goldfinger
Goldfinger
It is often said the Jaws theme became iconic partially because of what technical limitation?
Because the film had a very low budget for music production
Because the film had a very low budget for music production
Because the director insisted on a minimalist avant-garde style
Because the director insisted on a minimalist avant-garde style
To match the underwater camera speed for shark footage
To match the underwater camera speed for shark footage
To hide the lack of sophisticated shark animatronics
To hide the lack of sophisticated shark animatronics
What was the specific song title that Monty Norman claimed was the original source of his Bond theme?
The melody originated from a song titled “Bad Sign, Good Sign”
The melody originated from a song titled “Bad Sign, Good Sign”
The melody used notes from a banned political anthem
The melody used notes from a banned political anthem
The melody was plagiarized note-for-note from a pop hit
The melody was plagiarized note-for-note from a pop hit
The melody was written by artificial intelligence before trial
The melody was written by artificial intelligence before trial
Which component of the Jaws theme provides the “dread” feeling as the shark approaches?
The eerie silence between the two notes
The eerie silence between the two notes
The rhythmic pulse of the strings
The rhythmic pulse of the strings
The piercing sound of the brass section
The piercing sound of the brass section
The sudden shift in tempo during the film climax
The sudden shift in tempo during the film climax
In which language are the prominent choral lyrics for ‘Duel of the Fates’ in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace primarily sung?
English
English
Aurebesh
Aurebesh
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Latin
Latin
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If you enjoy this subject, look at our other collections regarding famous directors, Oscar history, and sci-fi and fantasy films.
