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Quizzes > Movies

The Waltons quiz: How well do you know the family and show?

Quick, free Waltons trivia to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Alexander SorciaUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for The Waltons quiz on a dark blue background

This quiz helps you test your recall of The Waltons characters, the family, and memorable episodes. See your score instantly and pick up a few fun facts along the way. Like classic TV? Try the Little House quiz, take a Family Ties quiz, or explore tv dads trivia.

What is the first name of Grandpa Walton?
Henry
Thomas
William
John
The patriarch of the Walton family is John Walton Sr., commonly referred to as Grandpa Walton throughout the series. He is portrayed as the wise and loving head of the household. His full name and character details can be found in this character overview .
During which historical period is The Waltons primarily set?
The Great Depression
The Vietnam War
The Civil War
The Roaring Twenties
The series chronicles the Walton family's life beginning in 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, and continues through World War II. This era shapes many of the family's struggles and triumphs on Walton's Mountain. More on the historical setting can be read here .
On the show, what is the name of the fictional mountain where the Walton family lives?
Table Rock Mountain
Blue Ridge Mountain
Appalachia Peak
Walton's Mountain
The series takes place on the fictional Walton's Mountain in rural Virginia, a name inspired by writer Earl Hamner Jr.'s own hometown. The mountain setting is central to the show's identity and title. For more about the location inspiration, see .
What is the first name of the mother in the Walton family?
Elizabeth
Sarah
Olivia
Martha
The mother of the Walton family is Olivia Walton, portrayed by Michael Learned. She is known for her warmth, wisdom, and nurturing presence in each episode. You can read more about her character here .
How many children are in the Walton family?
Seven
Eight
Ten
Five
John and Olivia Walton have seven children: John-Boy, Mary Ellen, Erin, Ben, Jim-Bob, and the cousins Jason and Elizabeth whom they adopt. This count is consistent throughout the series and special TV movies. Details on the family size are available at .
Who created the TV series The Waltons?
Earl Hamner Jr.
Sherwood Schwartz
Norman Lear
Gene Roddenberry
The show was created by Earl Hamner Jr., based on his autobiographical book and the TV movie "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story." Hamner's storytelling and real-life experiences formed the heart of the series. Learn more about the creator at .
Which actor portrays the eldest Walton child, John-Boy?
Richard Thomas
Ralph Waite
David W. Harper
Robert Wightman
Richard Thomas is best known for his role as John-Boy Walton, the aspiring writer and narrator of the series. His performance became iconic and earned him an Emmy nomination. More on his role is found at .
What is Grandma Walton's first name?
Esther
Ruth
Helen
Mary
The matriarch of the Walton clan is Esther Walton, affectionately called Grandma by her grandchildren. She is portrayed by actress Ellen Corby. Details on her character are available here .
What profession does John-Boy aspire to pursue?
Lawyer
Writer
Teacher
Doctor
John-Boy Walton dreams of becoming a writer, often seen with his typewriter and notebooks. This aspiration mirrors creator Earl Hamner Jr.'s own career as an author. For more about John-Boy's ambitions see .
Which major world conflict occurs during the later seasons of The Waltons?
World War II
Vietnam War
Korean War
World War I
As the series progresses, World War II becomes part of the storyline, affecting several Walton children and their friends. It introduces new themes of service and sacrifice for the family. More on this period in the series can be found at .
What is the name of the Walton family's neighbor who owns the general store?
Ike Godsey
Jesse Duke
Andy Taylor
Buster Lucas
Ike Godsey is the friendly storekeeper and close friend of the Waltons in Walton's Mountain. He appears throughout the series offering advice and support to the family. His character details are available here .
Which Walton daughter gets married during the series?
Elizabeth
Erin
Olivia
Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen Walton marries Johnny Carter in a wartime episode, reflecting the era's social upheaval. This marriage marks a significant milestone in her character arc. Read more about her storyline at .
How many Emmy Awards did The Waltons win for Outstanding Drama Series?
Three
Two
One
Four
The Waltons won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series three consecutive years: 1973, 1974, and 1975. This achievement reflects its critical acclaim and popularity. Emmy details are listed at .
What type of business does John Walton Sr. operate?
General store
Dairy farm
Blacksmith shop
Lumber mill
John Walton Sr. runs a lumber mill, which is the family's primary source of income throughout the series. The mill symbolizes both the family's work ethic and rural roots. You can read about his occupation here .
Who is the youngest biological Walton child?
Erin
Elizabeth
Jim-Bob
Ben
Jim-Bob Walton is the youngest biological child of John and Olivia Walton. Although Elizabeth and Jason are raised alongside the family, they are adopted cousins. Family details can be confirmed at .
In what year did the original series premiere?
1972
1970
1969
1974
The series premiered on February 14, 1972, on CBS, following the success of the 1971 pilot movie. Its debut Valentine's Day airing kick-started the family saga for American audiences. More premiere info at .
Which novel by Earl Hamner Jr. served as the inspiration for The Waltons series?
Valley Dreams
The Homecoming
Spencer's Mountain
The Walton Legacy
Earl Hamner Jr.'s 1961 novel "Spencer's Mountain" was the basis for the 1963 film of the same name and later inspired The Waltons. It drew directly on his childhood in rural Virginia. Learn more at .
Who does Mary Ellen Walton marry in the series?
Ike Godsey
Johnny Carter
Andy Taylor
David Holmes
Mary Ellen Walton marries Johnny Carter, a soldier stationed nearby during World War II, in a storyline that captures the era's realities. Their wedding is a key emotional event. Further details are at .
Which Walton child contracts scarlet fever in season 2?
Ben
Mary Ellen
Jim-Bob
John-Boy
In a season 2 episode, Ben Walton falls seriously ill with scarlet fever, showcasing the family's solidarity during crisis. This plot highlights common health struggles of the 1930s. For more on this episode, visit .
The fictional Walton's Mountain is based on which real Virginia town?
Schuyler, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Earl Hamner Jr. grew up in Schuyler, Virginia, and loosely modeled Walton's Mountain on that small community. The series pays homage to its real-world counterpart. Read about the inspiration at .
In what year did The Waltons air its final original network episode?
1978
1981
1979
1983
The Waltons concluded its original run on CBS in 1981 after nine successful seasons. The series finale aired on March 19, 1981. More on its broadcast history can be found at .
Which actor portrays the Walton family's general store owner, Ike Godsey?
Richard Thomas
Ralph Waite
Will Geer
Joe Conley
Joe Conley played Ike Godsey, the neighbor and general store owner who becomes one of the Waltons' closest friends. His recurring role spans the entire series. For more on Ike Godsey, see .
Which Walton son serves in the U.S. Army during World War II?
Jason
John-Boy
Ben
Jim-Bob
Ben Walton enlists and serves in the U.S. Army during World War II, an important arc in the series that reflects many real family sacrifices of the era. His service storyline appears in later seasons. More can be found at .
Who composed the original theme music for The Waltons television series?
Jerry Goldsmith
Henry Mancini
Jerrold Immel
Lalo Schifrin
Composer Jerrold Immel wrote the show's memorable opening theme, which evokes the warmth and nostalgia of the Walton family's story. His music contributed greatly to the series' emotional impact. Learn more about his work at .
What is the subtitle of the 1971 pilot television movie that launched The Waltons series?
A Christmas Story
The Walton Family Christmas
A Thanksgiving Story
A Homecoming for Christmas
The pilot film was officially titled "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story," airing in 1971 and serving as the genesis for the series. It established the characters and tone that carried into the regular episodes. More on the pilot movie is at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic Characters -

    Identify key members of the Walton family and summarize their defining traits and relationships.

  2. Recognize Memorable Episodes -

    Pinpoint landmark moments and plot points from The Waltons show that shaped the series' legacy.

  3. Identify Signature Quotes -

    Match famous lines and journal entries from John-Boy and Grandma Walton to their corresponding episodes.

  4. Analyze Family Dynamics -

    Explore the interpersonal relationships and values that drive the Walton family narrative.

  5. Evaluate Trivia Mastery -

    Gauge your expertise with the waltons trivia quiz by measuring correct responses and spotting knowledge gaps.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Walton Family Tree & Relationships -

    Memorize principal characters - parents John Walton Sr. and Olivia plus eight children: John-Boy, Jason, Mary Ellen, Ben, Erin, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth. Use the mnemonic "Just Jolly Mary Brings Every Joy" to recall the birth order from oldest to youngest. This family tree is documented in official ABC network archives and the Paley Center for Media.

  2. Historical Setting & Timeline Mapping -

    Place The Waltons in its historical context: the series spans 1933 - 1946 across nine seasons. Map each season to its in-universe year by adding 1932 to the season number (e.g., Season 4 + 1932 = 1936). Use this timeline to ace the waltons quiz; details are drawn from ABC production notes on the network's official site.

  3. Iconic Episodes & Episode Codes -

    Focus on iconic episodes that often appear in the waltons trivia quiz, like "The Scholar" (S1E22, Apr 1973), "The Easter Story" (S2E10, Mar 1974), and the TV movie "The Gift" (1979). Remember the acronym SEG (Scholar, Easter, Gift) to lock in these highlight moments. Episode air dates are verified via TV Guide archives.

  4. John-Boy's Writing Arc -

    Trace John-Boy Walton's writing journey through his journal volumes, aligning Vol. 1 - 4 with Seasons 1 - 4 (Vol.1 = S1, Vol.4 = S4). By age 20 he graduates college in the show's 4th season - matching journals to seasons cements his character growth. These details come from the Paley Center for Media's official synopses.

  5. Core Themes & Mnemonic -

    Identify core themes - Faith, Family unity, Perseverance, Community - that anchor the waltons family quiz questions. Use the acronym FFPC to recall these pillars when tackling thematic questions in the waltons show quiz. Scholarly analyses in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Media Studies outline these motifs.

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