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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Can You Name Every Classic Nursery Rhyme?

Think you know classic nursery rhymes? Dive into this classic nursery rhymes quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style quiz banner showing nursery rhyme scene with characters, song notes, book, set against sky blue background.

Use this nursery rhyme quiz with answers to see how many classics you can name and check each one as you play. It's quick and fun, and you'll spot gaps in recall with instant answers and a final score. When you're done, try more rhyme trivia for a fresh challenge.

Which nursery rhyme features a cow jumping over the moon?
Jack and Jill
Hey Diddle Diddle
Humpty Dumpty
Hickory Dickory Dock
The rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle" features a cat playing a fiddle and famously describes a cow jumping over the moon. This is the most recognizable image from the rhyme and is often depicted in illustrations. It is one of the earliest English nursery rhymes with musical references.
In which nursery rhyme does a spider climb up a waterspout?
Little Miss Muffet
Wee Willie Winkie
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Mary Had a Little Lamb
The rhyme "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (also known as "Incy Wincy Spider" in the UK) tells of a spider climbing up a waterspout only to be washed down by the rain. It is often sung with hand motions to engage children in motor skills. The simple melody makes it one of the most popular childhood rhymes.
What did Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch?
Some milk and honey
A basket of eggs
A bag of flour
A pail of water
In the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill," the two characters climb a hill to fetch a pail of water. This line sets the stage for Jack's fall and Jill's tumble that follow in the next lines. It is one of the simplest English rhymes focused on children's daily tasks.
Which rhyme mentions "silver bells and cockle shells"?
Ring a Ring o' Roses
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
The rhyme "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" includes the lines "With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row." These garden images have puzzled scholars for centuries. It is often interpreted as a riddle-like rhyme rather than a narrative.
How many blackbirds were baked in a pie according to the rhyme?
12
24
6
4
In "Sing a Song of Sixpence," the rhyme states "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie," which translates to 24 blackbirds. This extravagant image likely spoke to royal banquets of the time. The rhyme remains popular for its dramatic and whimsical imagery.
What did Humpty Dumpty fall off?
A horse
A chair
A roof
A wall
In the classic rhyme "Humpty Dumpty," the character is described as falling off a wall and breaking. Although the rhyme never specifies that Humpty Dumpty is an egg, he is traditionally portrayed that way in illustrations. The rhyme emphasizes that "all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again."
What is the color of the sheep in "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"?
Brown
Black
Grey
White
The opening line of the rhyme is "Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?" clearly identifying the sheep as black. This is one of the earliest English rhymes to use animal imagery. The rhyme likely references medieval wool taxation.
In "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," which word is repeated three times at the start?
Row
Merrily
Life
Gently
The rhyme begins with "Row, row, row your boat," repeating "row" three times to create its gentle rolling rhythm. This repetition makes it memorable and easy for children to learn. The simple melody and lyrics have made it a staple in early childhood music education.
In "Little Miss Muffet," what was Miss Muffet doing when she sat on her tuffet?
Playing with a tuffet
Feeding a bird
Singing a song
Eating curds and whey
The rhyme states "Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey." Curds and whey refer to early forms of cheese and the liquid separated from it. The spider's arrival startles her away.
What did the farmer's wife do to the Three Blind Mice?
Gave them cheese
Cut off their tails with a carving knife
Caught them in a trap
Drowned them
The rhyme says "The farmer's wife, she cut off their tails with a carving knife." This dark twist is characteristic of many old English rhymes. The mice then run after her, singing "Hey diddle diddle."
What did Georgie Porgie do according to the rhyme?
Played the fiddle
Baked a cake
Kissed the girls
Ran away
In "Georgie Porgie," the lines read "Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie, kissed the girls and made them cry." His kisses upset the girls, and when the boys came out to play, Georgie ran away.
What did the old woman who lived in a shoe give the children?
Sweets
Cookies
Bread and jam
Broth
The rhyme says "She gave them some broth without any bread; then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed." Broth here refers to a simple soup. This rhyme highlights an old-fashioned view of discipline.
According to "Rock-a-bye Baby," what will break when the bough comes down?
Branch
Cradle
Tree
Baby
The lullaby warns "When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall." This dark imagery contrasts with its soothing melody. It is one of the oldest lullabies in English.
What did Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater keep in a pumpkin shell?
His children
His dog
His wife
His treasure
The rhyme states "Peter Peter pumpkin eater, had a wife and couldn't keep her; he put her in a pumpkin shell." It humorously portrays his odd method of keeping his spouse.
In "Jack Be Nimble," what did Jack jump over?
A candle
A puddle
A fence
A chair
The rhyme reads "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick." It encouraged agility in children. This bit of playful verse dates back to the 17th century.
What did Old King Cole call for in the rhyme?
A bowl of cream
His dancing shoes
Fiddlers three
A barrel of ale
Old King Cole is described as a merry old soul who called for his fiddlers three. The line "He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl, and he called for his fiddlers three" is the best-known part. It celebrates music and merriment.
In "This Little Piggy," which piggy went to market?
The third little piggy
The first little piggy
The fourth little piggy
The second little piggy
The rhyme enumerates toes as little piggies, beginning "This little piggy went to market," referring to the first piggy (big toe). It's used as a fingerplay in early childhood.
In "Pat-a-Cake," what letter does the baker's man mark on the baby's cake?
A
B
C
D
The rhyme instructs "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with a B." That letter stands for the baby's name.
Which nursery rhyme includes the line "See how they run"?
Hey Diddle Diddle
Three Blind Mice
Jack and Jill
Humpty Dumpty
"See how they run" is part of "Three Blind Mice," following the farmer's wife cutting off their tails. The line emphasizes the mice fleeing in fear. It's one of the most well-known English nursery rhymes.
Fill in the blank: "Little Jack Horner sat in a corner, eating his Christmas pie; He put in his thumb and pulled out a ___, and said, 'What a good ___ am I!'"
cherry
raisin
plum
grape
The rhyme's famous line is "He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum." Jack Horner's self-congratulation follows. It dates back to a 16th-century manuscript.
In "Mary Had a Little Lamb," where did the lamb follow Mary?
To church
To school one day
To market
To her home
The rhyme recounts "It followed her to school one day," surprising teachers and students alike. This incident is said to have happened in Massachusetts in 1815.
Where did Pussycat Pussycat go in the nursery rhyme?
Paris
London
Spain
Rome
The rhyme begins "Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? I've been to London to see the Queen." It's a short cat-and-royalty verse used in early childhood.
Which rhyme includes the phrase "buckle my shoe"?
Ten in the Bed
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
Hickory Dickory Dock
Two, Four, Six, Eight
The counting rhyme starts "One, two, buckle my shoe; three, four, shut the door…" It is often used to teach numbers up to ten. Its exact origins are unclear but date to the late 18th century.
Which nursery rhyme is believed to reference the Great Plague of London?
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Mary Had a Little Lamb
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Ring a Ring o' Roses
Many scholars link "Ring a Ring o' Roses" to the Great Plague of 1665, interpreting "a pocket full of posies" as carrying flowers to ward off disease. The "we all fall down" line is seen as symbolizing death. While debated, this is a widely taught interpretation.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic Lyrics -

    Accurately remember and recite missing lines from classic nursery rhymes using the nursery rhyme quiz answers for instant feedback.

  2. Identify Beloved Characters -

    Recognize familiar figures and scenarios in children's nursery rhymes quiz prompts to strengthen your recall of beloved ditties.

  3. Analyze Rhyme Patterns -

    Examine meter, rhyme schemes, and structures across various classic nursery rhymes to appreciate their lyrical design.

  4. Self-Assess Knowledge -

    Gauge your proficiency with a scored classic nursery rhymes quiz and pinpoint areas for improvement using quiz results.

  5. Explore Historical Context -

    Discover the origins and cultural significance behind famous nursery rhymes to deepen your appreciation of each verse.

  6. Compare Variations -

    Distinguish between regional and modern adaptations of timeless nursery rhymes to understand how they've evolved over time.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins and Historical Context -

    Many classic nursery rhymes date back to 17th- and 18th-century England, as documented by the British Library and Oxford English Faculty research. Understanding the social or political events that inspired verses like "Ring a Ring o' Roses" can boost your nursery rhyme quiz answers accuracy. This background enriches your recall by linking lines to real historical moments.

  2. Rhythmic Structure and Meter -

    Most nursery rhymes use simple meters such as trochaic or anapestic feet, letting young minds easily memorize and recite patterns. Identifying the beat in "Humpty Dumpty" or "Jack and Jill" helps you predict missing lines during a children's nursery rhyme quiz. Practice clapping out stresses to lock the rhythm into memory.

  3. Mnemonic Techniques for Recall -

    Create acronyms or vivid imagery to remember tricky verses; for example, "BBS" for "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and "ABA" for "Across the Alley." Educational journals like those in JSTOR highlight that linking visuals to keywords improves retention in a classic nursery rhymes quiz. Use color-coded notes or doodles to reinforce each rhyme's unique hook.

  4. Themes, Symbolism, and Meanings -

    Exploring deeper themes - such as morality in "Little Jack Horner" or social satire in "Georgie Porgie" - prepares you to answer interpretive questions in a famous nursery rhyme quiz. University of Cambridge studies show that recognizing symbolic elements sharpens comprehension and recall. Annotate verses with brief thematic notes to reinforce understanding.

  5. Quiz Strategies and Grouping -

    Group rhymes by era, character type, or meter to create mini-sets for targeted review before taking a nursery rhyme quiz. The Library of Congress collection demonstrates that thematic clusters (e.g., animal rhymes, lullabies) speed up retrieval during timed quizzes. Practice quick-fire recall drills to simulate real quiz conditions and boost confidence.

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