Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > History

Great Pyramid of Giza quiz: facts, builders, and mysteries

Quick, free Pyramids of Giza trivia to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ilias SkamnelosUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Giza Pyramid knowledge test quiz on sky blue background

This Great Pyramid of Giza quiz helps you test what you know about its builders, purpose, and design. Answer quick questions, see instant results, and pick up short facts along the way. Want to go wider? Try the Ancient Egypt quiz or explore ancient history trivia.

At which necropolis is the Pyramid of Giza located?
Valley of the Kings
Saqqara Necropolis
Giza Plateau
Luxor
The Pyramid of Giza sits on the Giza Plateau, near modern Cairo, which is part of the ancient Memphis necropolis in Lower Egypt. This plateau is famous for housing the three large pyramids built during the Old Kingdom. Its strategic location overlooks the Nile River floodplain.
Which pharaoh commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid?
Menkaure
Khufu
Khafre
Djoser
King Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty commissioned the Great Pyramid around 2580 - 2560 BCE. He intended it as his tomb and a demonstration of royal power and divine status. His name has been linked to the largest of the Giza pyramids ever since.
Approximately how tall was the Great Pyramid when it was first completed?
160.0 meters
146.6 meters
138.8 meters
121.0 meters
The original height of the Great Pyramid was about 146.6 meters (481 feet). Erosion and removal of the outer casing stones have reduced its current height to about 138.8 meters. Its immense scale made it the tallest man-made structure for millennia.
What material primarily covered the exterior of the Great Pyramid?
Basalt
Tura limestone
Granite
Sandstone
The Great Pyramid was originally encased in fine white Tura limestone, which gave it a smooth, shining appearance under the sun. Over centuries, most casing stones were removed or fell away. A few original casing blocks remain near the base.
Which modern city is nearest to the Pyramid of Giza?
Cairo
Luxor
Alexandria
Aswan
The Pyramid of Giza is located on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt's capital city. The Giza Plateau is now part of Greater Cairo's metropolitan area. This proximity makes the site one of the most visited archaeological locations in the world.
The Great Pyramid is the largest of how many main pyramids at Giza?
5
2
4
3
There are three primary pyramids on the Giza Plateau: those of Khufu (the Great Pyramid), Khafre, and Menkaure. Khufu's is the largest of the three. Each served as a royal tomb for its respective pharaoh.
During which period of ancient Egyptian history was the Great Pyramid built?
Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdom
New Kingdom
Predynastic Period
The Great Pyramid was constructed during Egypt's Old Kingdom, specifically in the Fourth Dynasty, around 2580 - 2560 BCE. This era is known as the "Age of the Pyramids" because of the large-scale pyramid-building projects. It marked a high point in centralized royal power and architectural achievement.
Which famous structure stands adjacent to the Great Pyramid on the Giza Plateau?
Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep
Great Sphinx
Valley Temple
Karnak Temple
The Great Sphinx of Giza, a limestone statue with a lion's body and a human head, stands on the Giza Plateau near the Great Pyramid. It faces directly east and likely served as a guardian figure. Its construction is commonly attributed to Khafre's reign.
What is the name of the second-largest pyramid at Giza, built by Khafre?
Pyramid of Khafre
Step Pyramid
Pyramid of Menkaure
Pyramid of Khufu
The pyramid built by Pharaoh Khafre is the second-largest on the Giza Plateau and sits just southwest of Khufu's Great Pyramid. Though slightly smaller, Khafre's pyramid appears taller due to its higher base elevation and remaining casing stones near the summit.
Approximately how many stone blocks were used in constructing the Great Pyramid?
Approximately 5 million
About 2.3 million
Roughly 500,000
Around 1 million
Archaeologists estimate that about 2.3 million limestone and granite blocks were used to build the Great Pyramid. Most blocks weigh between 2.5 and 15 tons each. The sheer number underscores the logistical achievements of the Old Kingdom.
What is the length of one side of the Great Pyramid's base?
300 meters
150 meters
200 meters
230 meters
Each side of the Great Pyramid's square base measures about 230.4 meters (756 feet). This precise dimension contributed to its near-perfect symmetry. Over millennia, settling and stone removal have slightly altered its measurements.
What is the approximate slope angle of the Great Pyramid's faces?
60°
51°50?
45°
30°
The faces of the Great Pyramid incline at about 51°50?. This angle was meticulously set during construction and is one reason for the pyramid's pleasing proportions. It also helps explain theories linking the structure to mathematical constants.
Which technological tools did ancient builders most likely use to shape the limestone blocks?
Bronze saws and drills
Steel hammers and wedges
Iron chisels
Copper chisels and dolerite pounding stones
Archaeological evidence shows that ancient Egyptians used copper chisels, wooden mallets, and dolerite balls to pound and shape harder stones. Bronze was scarce and iron was not yet in use at Khufu's time. This combination allowed them to work both limestone and granite effectively.
What are the smaller companion pyramids beside the main pyramids on the Giza Plateau called?
Satellite or Queens' Pyramids
Bent Pyramids
Sun Temples
Step Pyramids
Each of the three main pyramids at Giza is accompanied by smaller structures known as Queens' Pyramids or satellite pyramids. They were likely intended for royal consorts or symbolic ritual purposes. Their locations cluster around the larger royal tombs.
Who first made a detailed interior study of the Great Pyramid in 1818 - 1819?
Giovanni Battista Belzoni
Howard Vyse
Jean-François Champollion
John Shae Perring
In 1818 - 1819 the explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni entered the Pyramid of Khufu and made comprehensive surveys of its interior. His work helped open the study of Egyptology to a wider European audience. Belzoni also cleared the entrance to the Great Pyramid after local tomb robbers collapsed it.
The Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exists in its original form. Which wonder does this refer to?
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Great Pyramid of Giza
Temple of Artemis
Colossus of Rhodes
Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World described by classical authors, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one still largely intact. The other six - such as the Temple of Artemis and the Colossus of Rhodes - have been destroyed over time. Its survival highlights its remarkable construction.
What is the estimated size of the workforce that built the Great Pyramid?
5,000 - 10,000 workers
20,000 - 30,000 workers
50,000 - 100,000 workers
100,000 - 200,000 workers
Most Egyptologists estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 skilled laborers and support personnel worked on the Great Pyramid over roughly 20 years. These workers were organized into crews and provided with food, housing, and medical care. Earlier theories of massive conscripted labor are no longer widely supported.
Which passage leads directly to the Queen's Chamber within the pyramid?
Horizontal passage
Descending passage
Air shaft
Ascending passage
The Horizontal Passage in the Great Pyramid branches off from the Ascending Passage and leads directly to the Queen's Chamber. This corridor measures about 1 meter high and 1 meter wide, and it runs east - west. Its purpose remains debated among scholars.
What was the visual effect of the original polished limestone casing on the pyramid?
Created a brilliant, shining surface
Absorbed sunlight to keep the interior cool
Camouflaged it against the desert
Made it magnetic
The fine white Tura limestone casing reflected sunlight, making the pyramid gleam like a 'jewel' from a distance. Ancient texts describe its shining appearance at sunrise and sunset. Over time, most casing stones were removed or weathered away.
What are the small chambers directly above the King's Chamber called?
Grand Gallery
Air shafts
Storage rooms
Relieving chambers
Above the King's Chamber are five so-called Relieving Chambers separated by massive granite beams. They were designed to redistribute the weight of the pyramid's mass away from the chamber below. The topmost of these chambers is sometimes called the "Big Void."
Which quarry supplied the granite blocks used in the King's Chamber?
Tura quarry
Aswan quarry
Sinai Peninsula quarries
Giza Plateau quarry
The massive granite blocks in the King's Chamber were brought from quarries at Aswan, over 800 km south of Giza. Transport of these heavy stones likely involved barges down the Nile and sledges overland. Their use underscores the organizational skills of Old Kingdom builders.
The descending passage in the Great Pyramid is unique because it is:
Flooded with underground water
Blocked by a huge granite plug
Filled with burial goods
Carved into natural bedrock
The Descending Passage begins at the entrance and is cut directly into the natural limestone bedrock beneath the pyramid. It leads down to an unfinished subterranean chamber. This contrasts with most internal passages built from masonry blocks.
Scholars have noted that the pyramid's base perimeter divided by its height approximates which mathematical constant?
Euler's number (e)
The square root of 2
The golden ratio (?)
Pi (?)
When you divide the perimeter of the Great Pyramid's base by its original height, the result approximates 2?. This has fueled theories that the builders encoded mathematical constants into the design. However, whether this was intentional remains debated.
What structural purpose do the corbelled walls of the Grand Gallery serve?
To distribute the weight of overhead masonry
To reduce construction costs
To channel airflow through the pyramid
To enhance acoustics during rituals
The corbelled walls of the Grand Gallery step inward as they ascend, forming a corbelled vault that helps redirect and distribute the immense weight of the stone above away from the central passage. This technique prevents collapse and adds stability. It demonstrates advanced engineering knowledge of load-bearing structures.
0
{"name":"At which necropolis is the Pyramid of Giza located?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"At which necropolis is the Pyramid of Giza located?, Which pharaoh commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid?, Approximately how tall was the Great Pyramid when it was first completed?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Historical Context -

    Learn key dates, pharaohs, and the socio-political background surrounding the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

  2. Identify Architectural Features -

    Recognize the pyramid's design elements, from its base alignment to its inner passageways and casing stones.

  3. Recall Technical Specifications -

    Memorize essential figures such as height, weight, number of blocks, and the materials used in building the pyramid.

  4. Analyze Hidden Chambers -

    Examine the purpose and discovery of secret passages, voids, and burial chambers within the structure.

  5. Evaluate Common Myths -

    Distinguish between popular legends and archaeological facts to debunk misconceptions about the Pyramid of Giza.

  6. Apply Trivia Skills -

    Use your enhanced knowledge to confidently answer pyramid game questions and answers, including those inspired by pyramid game show questions and answers.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Construction Timeline -

    The Great Pyramid of Giza was erected between 2580 - 2560 BC under Pharaoh Khufu, making it the oldest of the Seven Wonders. Use the mnemonic "4 Kings, 4 Corners" to remember its roughly 20-year build. Reliable sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Journal of Egyptian Archaeology.

  2. Architectural Precision -

    Its base measures about 230.4 m per side with less than a 2 cm variance, showcasing ancient surveying mastery. Remember the "3-4-5" right-triangle trick Egyptians employed for true right angles. Refer to publications from the University of Liverpool's Field School of Archaeology for details.

  3. Mathematical Ratios -

    The pyramid's height-to-base perimeter ratio approximates 2π, hinting at an early understanding of π ≈ 3.14. Practice with pyramid game questions and answers focusing on this ratio: Perimeter ÷ Height ≈ 6.28. See articles from the American Journal of Archaeology for in-depth analysis.

  4. Internal Chamber Layout -

    Inside are the King's Chamber, Queen's Chamber, and Grand Gallery aligned along a central shaft. Use the phrase "Kings Quietly Guard" to recall their order north to south. Detailed floorplans are available via the Giza Plateau Mapping Project at Harvard University.

  5. Modern Exploration Techniques -

    Recent discoveries of hidden voids used micro-gravimetry and muon radiography. Envision "muon magic" when reviewing pyramid game show questions and answers about these methods. Consult Nature and the ScanPyramids project for the latest findings.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Ancient & Medieval History Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker